Transcript Highlights:

• out, you know, there's some other elements of the governor's budget that would have to be either removed
• For 22-23 and 23-24, those dollars had an expiration date of June 30th, 2024.
• , and there is concern that the one-time funds that were used for those types of programs are now expired
• or expiring.
• I think it has another year or two that it can be used before it will expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they will be removed from CFAP instead of being removed from federal CalFresh.
• Without this vital funding, diaper bank funds will expire on June 30 of this year.
• It would expire on December 31, 2026, so we would require an extension.
• are already in, or facing, removal proceedings.
• $40 million or One California removal defense programs?

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, to speak on the bill, anytime we're removing leftover statute that can be removed, you know, I'm
• So does this remove, if I remember from our conversations earlier, does this remove the evasion, the
• So you mentioned we're removing some language from on, um, So you mentioned we're removing some language
• So does this removes, if I remember from our conversations earlier, does this remove the evasion, the
• The removal of vehicle inspections will stay.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> creating</c> It's about removing barriers, creating It's about removing barriers, creating access
• </c><00:21:23.280><c> the</c> years ago that is due to expire the years ago that is due to expire the
• </c><00:25:50.280><c> of</c> Hoffman's bill requiring the removal of Hoffman's bill requiring the removal
• </c><00:37:24.520><c> identifying</c> requirements to remove identifying requirements to remove identifying
• It also removes the requirement that a benefit study be conducted simultaneously.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• It is set to expire next year. It is set to expire next year.
• </c><04:24:25.840><c> in</c> it twice and it's going to expire in it twice and it's going to expire in
• </c> changing circumstances from an expiring changing circumstances from an expiring emergency<05:01:
• </c><07:29:53.360><c> The</c> expired. We will not be silent. The expired. We will not be silent.
• Joining President Obama... remove objects, exhibits, and funding remove objects, exhibits, and funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand that the Rules Committee amended your bill to remove some of that language that impacted
• That law has been used over 19,000 times by law enforcement to remove guns from those who are in danger
• The bill also removes a stipend offset that was intended to ensure that youth in the program were covered
• This streamlines the stipend process and removes the unnecessary offset requirement, as it is reportedly
• But after that 12-month window, again, in the legislation, we are removing or eliminating that 12-month

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the past few years, we've removed the sheriff from that salary commission because their salary
• So we're removing them from that. And this passed out of committee unanimously?
• It is just removing the cap so they can ask for what they truly need. And with that, Mr.
• Or how would you address the expiration on that?
• So I believe any Narcan is better than no Narcan, even if it is expired.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 135-1. Members then observed a moment of silence for a constituent killed in a roadway tragedy, and several members introduced guests, including family members, veterans, students, and a child celebrating his birthday on the dais. The chamber then considered a series of bills. HB 2944, dealing with automatic continuation of a senior property tax freeze without annual reapplication, passed 145-0. HB 2230/2978, addressing school instructional methods by limiting excessive screen-based instruction and promoting cursive writing, passed 143-10 after extended debate over technology use in elementary schools. HB 1825, removing sheriffs and prosecutors from county salary commissions with a Boone County carve-out, passed 152-0. HB 1840, creating a Purple Alert system for missing individuals with developmental disabilities, passed 153-0, and its emergency clause was adopted 143-8. HB 1623, allowing emergency suspension or restriction of licenses for massage therapists and chiropractors, passed 103-48. HB 3279, moving the Community Service Commission to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 151-0. HB 2508, clarifying certificates of good standing for series LLCs and making them searchable, passed 152-0. HB 1963, allowing social workers to supervise after three years of practice, passed 151-0. HB 2408, removing the appropriation cap for grants serving the deaf-blind community, was perfected and printed. HB 3113, requiring Narcan in public buildings, designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, and expanding school-law enforcement prevention efforts, was perfected and printed after discussion about funding and Narcan shelf life. HB 3000, fixing signature requirements for local audits based on population at the start of petitioning and adding a fire district surplus-sale amendment, was perfected and printed as amended. HB 2898, reviving and refining land bank authority and Chapter 141 judicial foreclosure tools, was perfected and printed after debate about neighborhood cleanup and title clearing. HB 1740, renamed Melanie’s Law, increasing penalties for intoxicated driving and strengthening ignition interlock requirements, was perfected and printed following emotional testimony from members and the sponsor’s explanation of the bill’s origins. At the end of the session, the House moved to announcements, including committee meetings and a fish fry notice. A member also issued a correction and apology regarding an earlier false report about Willie McGee. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2024 Legislature extended the expiration date of the exemption to January 1, 2028.
• Removing the exemption raises projects' operating costs immediately.
• I am here today to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 6228, which removes the tax exemption on prescription
• I am here today to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 6228, which removes the tax exemption on prescription
• Additionally, the exemption expires if the property is sold to another nonprofit for any use other than

Bills: SB5989 , SB5898 , SB6240 , SB6244 , SB6231 , SB6228 , SB6220

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, aeronautics, taxation, aircraft fuel, state funding, aviation fuel, hazardous substance tax, air quality, noise mitigation, environmental impact, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, data center

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2024 Legislature extended the expiration date of the exemption to January 1, 2028.
• Removing the exemption raises projects' operating costs immediately.
• I am here today to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 6228, which removes the tax exemption on prescription
• Any rent collected is limited to maintenance and operations. 6228, which removes the tax exemption on
• Additionally, the exemption expires if the property is sold to another nonprofit for any use other than

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the development of a standardized process for excusing high school students from participating
• There's a proposed substitute labeled C from Senator Cortez, which removes the provision giving authority
• They can't replace expiring emergency supplies.
• committee have noted, the Department of Health has requested an amendment to this bill that would remove
• Secondly, remove the requirement for that third-party contractor, as it artificially increases costs

Bills: SB5992 , SB5918 , SB5951 , SB6042 , SB5952 , SB5961 , SB5969

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: youth development, funding, positive programs, youth services, community programs, school funding, education, supplies, operating costs, K-12 education, albuterol, access, public schools, private schools, healthcare, school safety, emergency preparedness, mapping, local education policies, curriculum requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed substitute labeled A, offered by Senator Wellman, removes the development of a standardized
• There is a proposed substitute labeled C from Senator Cortez, which removes the provision giving authority
• They can't replace expiring emergency supplies. They can't afford field trips.
• committee have noted, the Department of Health has requested an amendment to this bill that would remove
• Secondly, remove the requirement for that third-party contractor, as it artificially increases costs

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5992, which would create a non-appropriated Youth Development Fund account to support grants for positive youth development programs serving ages 5 to 24. Staff explained that OSPI would administer grants to nonprofits, tribes, and local parks and recreation entities, with school districts and ESDs eligible mainly as partners; annual reporting would be required. The sponsor and many testifiers, including students, youth-serving nonprofits, tribal representatives, and agency partners, described after-school, mentoring, arts, sports, outdoor, and wraparound programs as important for mental health, belonging, safety, civic engagement, and prevention, especially for vulnerable and rural youth. The committee then moved to executive session and adopted a substitute and passed SB 5992 to the Rules Committee. The committee also took executive action on Senate Bill 5952, which would standardize the process for excusing high school students from physical education, and on Senate Bill 5961, which would transfer the Imagination Library of Washington from DCYF to OSPI. In both cases, the committee adopted proposed substitutes that narrowed or adjusted the bills, then voted them out of committee: SB 5952 was sent to Rules, and SB 5961 was sent to Ways and Means. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5969 on allowing an IEP transition plan to satisfy high school and beyond plan requirements; after discussion, a substitute was adopted that instead directs OSPI to reduce duplication in the statewide IEP system, and the bill was passed to Ways and Means. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 5918, which would increase materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) funding by $100 per student or $100,000 per district, whichever is greater, starting in the 2026-27 school year. Testimony from educators, administrators, school board members, PTA, and OSPI emphasized that districts are using local levy dollars to cover basic operating costs such as utilities, insurance, curriculum, and maintenance, leaving less for enrichment and forcing cuts or deferred purchases. One opponent argued against additional taxes and questioned the return on school spending. The sponsor framed the bill as necessary to meet the state’s paramount duty to fund basic education. The transcript then shifted to Senate Bill 5951 on school access to albuterol, which would allow schools to keep stock albuterol under a statewide standing order and let trained staff administer it under certain conditions; students, nurses, and advocates testified that stock albuterol could reduce absences and improve safety for students with asthma. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 6042 on school mapping, which would require school safety plans to include accurate, interoperable digital maps for first responders; the sponsor and emergency response witnesses said standardized maps are critical for coordinated, timely response in school emergencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a nominee and confirmed secretary under Trump, I know they removed his portrait, but I just have to
• Can you tell me that you support the seemingly political reprisal of removing someone's pension when
• Army posts were being shadow banned or removed for alleged violations.
• Your time has expired, regrettably. Thank you for your questions. **Senator Gillibrand**.
• For the record, your time has expired. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Rescued by the Chairman.

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• Please be aware that violations of these rules may be subject to your removal.
• However, this important measure is set to expire in 2030 unless it is...
• They were removed by committee amendments from the bill.
• We will be removing our opposition. Thank you. Mr.
• AB 1154 creates parity in ADU and JDU laws by removing barriers.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda focused heavily on housing, local government, Brown Act teleconferencing, and public agency administration. Early bills included AB 39, which would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization; AB 76, which clarifies Chula Vista’s university innovation district housing requirements; AB 259, AB 409, and AB 467, which extend or modernize Brown Act teleconferencing provisions for local agencies, community college student bodies, and Los Angeles neighborhood councils; and AB 428, which would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance. Supporters emphasized climate planning, housing access, public participation, safety, and cost savings, while several bills were amended to address stakeholder concerns. Most of these measures advanced on bipartisan votes, generally 6-1 or 7-0, and were left open for additional members to add on later. The committee also heard AB 632, which would strengthen local enforcement tools for serious code violations, fire hazards, illegal cannabis operations, and unsafe housing by allowing unpaid administrative fines to be converted into money judgments and liens. Local government and code enforcement groups supported the bill as a way to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element reporting and require broader reporting of demolitions and replacement housing compliance; supporters argued preservation is essential because many unsubsidized affordable homes are at risk. AB 761 would allow Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a future sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board, rather than separate approval from each member jurisdiction, to preserve transit funding for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. These measures also moved forward, with the committee noting amendments and sending them to the next committees of referral. Another major item was AB 810, which would require special districts and joint powers authorities to migrate public-facing websites and email addresses to .gov or CA.gov domains by 2031. The author argued the change would reduce fraud and improve public trust, especially after emergency-related scams, while opponents from special districts and IT organizations said the transition would be costly and difficult for smaller agencies. Several school-related opponents withdrew after amendments, and committee members discussed possible aliases and tribal-government language. The bill passed 7-1 to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. Finally, AB 1206 proposed a pre-approved design catalog for single-family homes and small multifamily developments, modeled on a prior ADU bill, to speed rebuilding and reduce design costs; supporters from Habitat for Humanity and housing advocates said it would help both wildfire recovery and broader housing production, and the bill drew at least one opposed-unless-amended position as the committee moved into further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to see people staying in their programs, working that, getting there, removing those barriers
• The alternative is that probation expires and they continue doing the program or they don't.
• I asked if I could just remove my bra entirely, and was told no.
• I asked if I could just remove my bra, to make it into my visit.
• I asked if I could just remove my bra entirely and was told no.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• That sunset doesn't expire until January of '29.
• That sunset doesn't expire until January of '29.
• relate to the sunset of the additional local public licenses, and that's what we're committed to removing
• that in mind, as you are willing to work with a banking and finance committee to amend the bill by removing

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• gubernatorial appointment of Representative John Weber, appointed to the State Insurance Fund Board, term to expire
• November 30, 2026, and Robert Cuyo, appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, term to expire
• to revise a provision regarding the Board of Trustees of the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, to remove
• Full conformity now is cleaner, far less administratively burdensome for all involved, removes any uncertainty

Transcript Highlights:

• Stability in their operations, so the bill simply removes that obligation in order to create efficiencies
• This would, instead of expiring at the end of 2025, it would expire at the end of 2027.
• residents would have a place to go, an authority to go to, to arbitrate whether that structure should be removed

Bills: HB334 , HB583 , HB605 , HB1327 , HB1646 , HB2115 , HB2379

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties

Transcript Highlights:

• That funding is going away; it's expiring.
• And then noting that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is expiring in federal fiscal year 26
• And ...would help remove some of the demand for this fund.
• The capacity does expire at the end — or the authorization does expire at the end of the biennium — but
• They're going to remove five feet. Thank you for your comments, but we need to...

Summary: The task force met to focus on funding systems and incentive structures for a proposed regional waste infrastructure effort, including how a future WIPA framework might support solid waste planning in the Willamette Valley. Staff and members heard presentations from DEQ on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, from Business Oregon on the Special Public Works Fund, and from Oregon State Treasury on state bonding capacity and the bond issuance process. Presenters explained how their programs are structured, how projects are scored or approved, what kinds of public entities and projects are eligible, and how interagency coordination and co-funding can work. DEQ emphasized that its revolving loan fund is driven by water-quality benefits and public-health criteria, while Business Oregon described a broader infrastructure loan program for public entities with no scoring system, and Treasury outlined the state’s debt-capacity process and the differences between general obligation and lottery bonds. Members used the presentations to discuss whether similar funding tools could support solid waste infrastructure, especially for transfer stations, regional hubs, and related facilities that may need to be built before Coffin Butte reaches the end of its lifespan. Several questions centered on whether public-private partnerships could qualify, whether equipment inside facilities could be financed, how repayment would work, and whether planning costs could be covered. DEQ and Business Oregon both said they could potentially collaborate on scoring or co-funding, but noted eligibility limits and the need for public ownership in many cases. Treasury said bond capacity is limited and competitive, especially for lottery bonds, and that project authorization generally runs on a two-year cycle, though unused authority can sometimes be reauthorized. In task force discussion, members debated whether the group should pursue a dedicated funding lane for the seven-county region rather than having local governments compete with other statewide needs. Some members stressed the importance of criteria to avoid stranded assets and to ensure funding is available when projects are ready, while others raised concerns about how cities and counties would generate revenue to repay debt during construction and early operations. The group also discussed flow control, system fees, and the need for regional collaboration among counties, cities, and haulers to create enough waste volume to support new infrastructure. Staff noted that pre-session filing materials for the legislature are due September 11, and the chair said the August meeting will focus on organizational structure and identifying partners. During public comment, Representative Kevin Mannix submitted written testimony supporting the WIPA concept and urging the task force to endorse it. Commissioner Bubba King of Yamhill County urged the task force to compare alternatives objectively and warned against adding bureaucracy before evaluating existing infrastructure and costs. Commissioners Kevin Cameron and Roger Nyquist of Marion and Linn counties described regional hub-and-spoke concepts, transfer stations, and intermodal options, emphasizing the need for planning, strategic siting, and collaboration with haulers and local governments.

Transcript Highlights:

• last biennium and 800,000 this year in ARPA funds, but those funds expire in food insecurity issues,
• It also removes the prohibition on the knowing sale, possession, transportation, and distribution of
• It also removes the prohibition on the knowing sale, possession, transportation, and distribution of
• And it removes the January 1st, 2028 effective date, making.
• And it removes the January 1st, 2028 effective date, making.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened its first formal public hearing agenda of the session with House Bill 2238, which would direct the Department of Agriculture to coordinate statewide food security efforts and develop a food security strategy due to the Legislature by December 1, 2027. Staff explained the bill would add food security coordination and food system monitoring to the department’s duties and require collaboration with state agencies, nonprofits, experts, and tribes. Prime sponsor Rep. Christine Reeves described the bill as a way to codify and continue work the department had done under COVID emergency authority, while also addressing food insecurity, farm viability, food access, and supply chain resilience. She and several testifiers emphasized rising food costs, food deserts, and the need for a coordinated statewide approach. Testimony in support came from Second Harvest of Spokane, Northwest Harvest, Washington wheat, potato, onion, and cattle groups, the Washington State Farmers Market Association, Harvest Against Hunger, Pierce County Councilmember Brian Yambay, the Washington Food Industry Association, Food Lifeline, the Coalition of Accountable Communities of Health, and small producers, many of whom stressed the importance of coordination, affordability, data, and including people with lived experience and small farmers in the process. No one testified in opposition during the hearing, though the sign-in record showed 137 pro and 166 con positions overall. The committee then moved into executive session on several 2025 bills, including measures on gray wolf management (HB 1311), farmed octopus (HB 1608), force-feeding birds and foie gras (HB 1735), grizzly bear management (HB 1825), invasive species education for pet sales (HB 1976), and maple syrup processing operations (HB 262). Staff briefed each bill, and members discussed proposed amendments on HB 1735 and HB 1976, but the committee deferred action on all bills except HB 1608. During caucus, members indicated HB 1608 was the only bill to be voted on that day. On HB 1608, which would ban knowingly possessing, transporting, or distributing farmed octopus and authorize a civil penalty, members debated animal welfare and the bill’s policy merits. Rep. Birnbaum supported the measure as a humane step, while Rep. Dent said he had concerns and was not ready to support it. The committee then voted 6-5 to report HB 1608 out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after that vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Charter School Institute Board, effective July 2nd, 2025, for terms expiring July 1st,
• Members of the board of trustees for Colorado Mesa University, effective January 1st, 2026, for terms expiring
• 1st, 2026 University effective January 1st, 2026 for<00:32:49.360><c> terms</c><00:32:49.679><c> expiring
• Uh, there's been a request to remove House Bill 1013 off of the third reading consent calendar.
• Reappointed for terms expiring January 31st, 2028.