Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:38.040><c> conformity</c> details the federal conformity details the federal conformity provisions
• </c><00:04:23.080><c> conformity</c> amendment is the federal conformity amendment is the federal conformity
• </c> in the federal conformity article. in the federal conformity article.
• Senator Rest is the sustainable aviation fuel.
• </c> Senator Rest is the sustainable aviation Senator Rest is the sustainable aviation fuel.<00:14:13.320

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> line 16 for agri the administrative line 16 for agri the administrative allowance<01:03:00.160><
• </c> easier administratively year to year. easier administratively year to year.
• </c> cheaper for them to be federally cheaper for them to be federally licensed.
• federally licensed?
• </c> in some situations to go federally in some situations to go federally licensed<01:27:10.400><c>

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply aligns us with the 2022 federal regulation called Billy's Law that requires law enforcement
• This federal regulation accomplishes many things.
• This<00:13:20.480><c> federal</c><00:13:20.880><c> regulation</c> This federal regulation This federal
• </c> Simply aligning us with federal Simply aligning us with federal regulations<00:13:55.519><c> from
• And we'll be aviation museum after that.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and approved the journal from February 17, 2026. The House communicated passage of several bills and requested concurrence, and committee reports were received, including favorable reports on Senate Bills 70, 74, 80, 127, and 154. Senate Bill 191 was also reported and then recommitted to the Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Senate Bill 104 was passed over and retained its place on the calendar. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 47, which provides line-of-duty death benefits for search and rescue volunteers, with supporters emphasizing the dangerous emergency work these teams perform and the need to treat them like other first responders. Senate Bill 159, concerning missing and unidentified persons and aligning Kentucky with federal “Billy’s Law” database requirements, also passed unanimously after testimony about its value in helping families and law enforcement. Senate Bill 85, allowing state retirement beneficiaries to establish special needs trusts, passed unanimously as well, with members describing it as a way to provide long-term security for dependents with special needs. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 78 honoring the CSX Santa Train and Senate Resolution 76 honoring Frank Ryard and the Ryard’s Scoreboard for its long-standing role in Kentucky high school athletics. Members spoke about the scoreboard’s importance to athletes, families, and sports coverage statewide. Later, new bills and a concurrent resolution were introduced, including measures on state government, duty-related disability benefits, arrest-related deaths, detainee fatality review, carbon dioxide sequestration, and a mental health alternative response task force. The Senate received notice that Senate Bill 172 had been delivered to the Governor, then recessed for committee meetings and adjourned until February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, and then they had an administrative group and a science group.
• Is it the Administrative Procedure Act?
• to their recent orders to consolidate federal wildland firefighting programs.
• So asking help from our federal partners who own most of the land in Washington.
• So asking help from our federal partners who own most of the land in Washington.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2598, which would create a Salmon Advisory Commission made up of tribal leaders, state agencies, legislators, and local governments to develop recommendations on salmon and steelhead recovery. Prime sponsor Rep. Lekanoff described the bill as a way to bring executive, legislative, and tribal leaders together on salmon recovery and treaty obligations. Staff noted a fiscal note of roughly $35,000 in out years. Supporters emphasized salmon’s cultural and treaty importance and the need for coordinated leadership, while the lone public testifier, Todd Myers of Washington Policy Center, opposed the bill as another statewide layer of bureaucracy and argued that recovery efforts should focus more on local, watershed-level action. The committee noted 10 signed in pro, 886 con, and one other, but no vote was taken on the bill in the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2620, which would repeal the recently adopted Forest Practices Board rule expanding riparian buffers on non-fish-bearing streams and impose new standards for future riparian buffer rulemaking, including an economic viability standard for the timber industry and additional consensus and alternative-analysis requirements. Rep. Dent said the bill was intended to restore communication and collaboration in the forest practices process. Testimony was sharply divided. Tribal representatives and environmental advocates said the rule was the product of a long, science-based adaptive management process under the Forest and Fish framework and was needed to protect water quality, salmon habitat, and treaty rights; they argued the bill would undermine that process and conflict with Clean Water Act compliance. Forest industry and small forest landowner witnesses supported the bill, saying the process had lost trust, ignored alternatives, and imposed significant economic harm on rural communities and family tree farms. DNR and Ecology testified in opposition, saying the rule was based on science and that the bill would weaken water-quality protections and jeopardize HCP compliance. The committee recorded 592 signed in pro, 489 con, and one other, with no vote taken during the hearing. After the public hearings, the committee moved into executive session on five bills. Staff briefly described House Bill 2104, which would make permanent the Aviation Assurance Funding Program for wildfire response; House Bill 2348, a DNR request bill on land and material sales advertising; House Bill 2544, which would require an adjudication process for the Upper Columbia River with a proposed substitute; House Bill 2554, which would repeal Initiative 456 concerning state declarations on tribal natural resource management; and House Joint Memorial 4009, urging federal action on wildland firefighting consolidation. The committee then recessed briefly for caucus and began executive action, starting with a motion to report House Bill 2104 out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just removes the July 1, 2027, expiration date for the Aviation Assurance Funding Program for local
• recognized Indian tribe, or a nonprofit nature, public entity, a federally recognized Indian tribe,
• for individuals confined in the jail that are in compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination
• for individuals confined in the jail that are in compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination
• level by an action of whatever reasons, we don't know. federal level by an action of whatever reasons

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• When federal funding disappears, their lives pause and hope stalls.
• When federal funding disappears, their lives pause and hope stalls.
• We received $1.39 billion in federal research funding last year.
• At UW, new NIH awards in federal fiscal year 25 were down 40 percent.
• The administration changed.

Bills: SB6321 , SGA9245 , SGA9247 , SGA9250 , SGA9252 , SGA9253 , SGA9254 , SGA9259 , SGA9260 , SGA9261 , SGA9262

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: scientific research, innovation, economic growth, Washington Institute, public funding

Transcript Highlights:

• everyone from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which is the premier specialized institution for aviation
• from the Emerald Rital Aeronautical University, which is the premier specialized institution for aviation
• He or she, no matter the administration, deserves the flexibility to act swiftly in true emergencies.
• that have been submitted by our state and processed by the federal government have been approved.
• that have been submitted by our state and processed by the federal government have been approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the bill is only enacted if we get federal approval and we get the federal funds.
• get a 90 percent match from the federal government.
• Aviation Administration of flight plans and related items for the use of... ...to any submittal to the
• Federal Aviation Administration of flight plans and related items for the use of advanced air mobility
• The office may act as a liaison between the state, the Federal Aviation Administration, and aviation

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, a stakeholder work group, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create a Medicaid-funded long-term care option for the most disabled SMI patients, reduce costly hospital and state-only care, and improve continuity of care. A committee amendment narrowed eligibility to individuals needing a long-term SMI level of care, changed reporting to semiannual, reduced the initial cap to 250 members with possible growth tied to savings, and required AHCCCS to keep pursuing approval if CMS denies it. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1630 as amended passed 10-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1131, which originally required every school district and charter school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan and appropriated $1 million for implementation. A Warner amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether a plan exists, while shifting the appropriation toward AED grants and limiting school spending to purchasing and maintaining AEDs. The American Heart Association supported the amendment as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, while some members questioned the funding split and the rural-school priority. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1131 as amended passed 9-1. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 1582, dealing with the school safety interoperability fund. The amendment changed the appropriation from ADE to ADOA and allocated funds to specific county sheriff’s offices to continue existing interoperable communication systems linking schools and first responders; supporters said the systems had been used in drills and some real incidents, and were important for school safety. One member raised concerns about the auditor general’s report and whether the program should continue, but sheriffs and school officials described it as a useful communication tool. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1582 as amended passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel and reduce the waiting period for cost-of-living adjustments. The sponsor, police and fire representatives, and pension consultants argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention and align benefits more closely with what employees were promised, while cities, counties, and taxpayer groups warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. The committee spent extensive time on actuarial costs, funding status, and the effect of the amendment exempting the bill from statutory pre-funding requirements; the transcript ends during that discussion before a final vote on SB 1504 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• :18:05.360><c> general</c> already um uh targeted for general already um uh targeted for general aviation
• :18:07.520><c> if</c><00:18:07.760><c> we</c><00:18:07.919><c> could</c><00:18:08.160><c> do</c> aviation
• Uh if we could do aviation airports.
• </c> another project on a general aviation another project on a general aviation airport.<00:18:20.240
• ><c> across</c><00:19:26.160><c> the</c> general aviation reports across the general aviation reports

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We were at WSU Tri-Cities earlier this year, working with the sustainable aviation fuels, and they've
• Each of these programs has strict federal requirements that must be followed.
• Each of these programs has strict federal requirements that must be followed.
• Each of these programs has strict federal requirements that must be followed.
• we don't meet those federal requirements, the shellfish industry and tribes... ...consumers.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5816, which would add juice grapes to Washington’s Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act. Staff explained that the bill would allow juice grape producers to form an accredited association to negotiate with processors under the same timelines used for pears, and the prime sponsor said the measure was intended to help growers obtain fairer prices. A grape grower testified that Washington producers face a small number of buyers, little real negotiation, and prices far below New York’s, arguing the bill would give growers a way to bargain collectively. The public hearing closed with 47 people noted in support and one in opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production and use in Washington. Staff described the bill as directing WSDA to establish the program, adopt rules by 2028, and report to the Legislature, with costs shown in the fiscal note. The prime sponsor and several supporters, including Atlas Agro, a port representative, labor, NRDC, WSDA, the League of Women Voters, and the Washington State Potato Commission, said the bill could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local manufacturing and jobs, stabilize fertilizer supply and prices for farmers, and help Washington compete for federal clean hydrogen tax credits. WSDA said the program was implementable with consultation and that the Climate Commitment Act could be a funding source, though it noted rulemaking costs. The committee then held a work session on commercial shellfish fee assessments after the Department of Health adopted major fee increases for shellfish licensing and certification. Shellfish growers and association representatives said the increases—described as ranging from roughly 233% to 789% overall, with some individual licenses rising much more—would hit small and family farms hardest, could force closures, and were based on a fee structure they said is outdated and not tied well to production. DOH explained that the program has long relied on general fund support, that federal shellfish safety requirements must be maintained, and that the new fees are intended to move the program toward full cost recovery after years without increases. The department said it had used a phased approach, reopened rulemaking to look for a fairer structure, and would continue working with industry and the Legislature; no vote was taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the state administrations and policy.
• Um, we all are allocated funding from user-based fees from the Federal Aviation Administration for core
• </c><00:53:03.920><c> Aviation</c><00:53:04.400><c> Administration</c> from the Federal Aviation Administration
• from the Federal Aviation Administration for<00:53:05.839><c> core</c><00:53:06.319><c> infrastructure
• Is it federal ownership? Is it private ownership? What is that problem?

Bills: HB0150

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• This simple bill removes the July 1, 2027, expiration date for the Aviation Assurance Funding Program
• So it will require local jail administrators to implement policies and procedures for conducting these
• In compliance with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act as it existed on January 1, 2025, and I ask
• bill in particular ensures that if we lose enforcement of collective bargaining agreements on the federal
• projects that we're going on in our state, especially those underneath the certification for the Federal

Summary: The Rules Committee considered a long series of House bills and substitute House bills, moving nearly all of them from the white sheet to the floor calendar. Topics included health care transaction notice requirements (HB 2548), waste-to-energy compliance and utility rates (HB 2416), language access for state programs (HB 2475), repeal and transition away from the Community Protection Program for developmental disabilities services (HB 1390), nursing regulation and ARNP standards (HB 2339), lump-sum payment increases for small monthly payments (HB 2124), roadway fatality risk data collection by the Traffic Safety Commission (HB 2192), statewide low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), local government tax resources and flexibility (HB 2442), permanent property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers (HB 2133), retirement benefit bargaining for Department of Corrections employees (HB 1069), collective bargaining rights for non-academic employees at Western Washington University (HB 1570), medically tailored meals in Medicaid (HB 2211), aviation funding for wildland fire response (HB 2104), port worker retirement and wage/benefit authority (HB 2179), overdose data sharing (HB 2168), real estate transaction exemptions for public-benefit acquisitions by public entities, tribes, and conservation groups (HB 2624), security measures for legislators and other elected officials (HB 2333), voter registration challenge procedures (HB 1916), limits on restraint and isolation in schools (HB 1795), jail search policies for transgender and intersex individuals (HB 1604), Attorney General investigators for wage theft and fraud (HB 2156), Transportation Improvement Board updates (HB 1823), tax treatment for land transferred to government entities (HB 2140), expanded shared leave uses for hate crime and immigration enforcement-related situations (HB 2411), collective bargaining protections if federal enforcement changes (HB 2471), labor standards for clean energy/urban area property tax exemption projects (HB 1210), employer notice and enforcement rights during I-9/immigration audits (HB 2105), tax increment financing dispute resolution for special purpose and junior taxing districts (HB 2451), AI-generated content disclosure and enforcement (HB 1170), tourism marketing assessment authority (HB 2325), defective license plate replacement fees (HB 2114), the Blue Envelope Program for neurodiverse drivers during traffic stops (HB 2323), and pre-clearance provisions under the Washington State Voting Rights Act (HB 1710). Most motions passed on voice votes with little or no opposition; one notable dissent came on HB 2105, where Senator King raised concerns about the bill’s private right of action. The committee also noted Senator Conway’s likely final Rules Committee meeting and thanked him for his service before adjourning with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we need federal legislation to address this truly interstate problem.
• This bill extends the Social Security Administration Demonstration Authority through 2030.
• They are getting screwed by the policies of this administration.
• It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.
• An all-hands-on-deck local, state, and federal approach won the day for northwestern Ohio.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like the National Guard, federal reservists are authorized to assist in state-level natural disaster
• Recent examples from 2024: the Army Reserve Aviation supported flood response in Texas.
• Furthermore, the Army Reserve Aviation Company at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has a distinguished record
• As a 25-year college administrator in Washington State, I have significant experience with WABON, both
• We understand the Legislature's intent to reduce burden, increase ease of administration, and increase

Bills: HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2567 , HB2363 , HB2422

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: nursing education, nursing program standards, board of nursing, state board, national accreditation, accreditation body, nursing school, nurse educator, clinical simulation, simulation director, lead nurse educator, NCLEX, licensure exam pass rate, corrective action plan, technical assistance, higher education, program approval, Washington RCW, professional development, nursing licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the federally designated ones, so these aren't the Group B's.
• But our new state action levels will align with the federal MCL values.
• And we do have, within the state rules, authority to do more than the federal government, so that's a
• We don't cover maritime and aviation fuels.
• We don't cover maritime and aviation fuels.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nice uh shout-out there for sustainable aviation fuel.
• Nice uh shout-out there for sustainable<00:02:28.040><c> aviation</c><00:02:28.640><c> fuel.
• </c><00:02:29.000><c> Last</c><00:02:29.440><c> night,</c> sustainable aviation fuel.
• Last night, sustainable aviation fuel.
• fuel tax treatment that we aviation fuel tax treatment that we wanted<00:02:37.760><c> is</c><00:02:

Summary: The interview focused on Minnesota’s clean energy policy, energy affordability, and the state’s path toward its 100% clean electricity goal. The senator said Minnesota’s clean energy reputation comes from environmental concern, job creation, and lower long-term costs, noting that wind is now the lowest-cost generation source and that solar costs have fallen sharply. He said rising electricity demand has led to some increased coal use, but argued the state can still meet its 2040 clean energy target through continued renewable buildout, permitting reform, conservation, and demand response. A major topic was data centers. The senator emphasized both concerns and benefits, saying hyperscale data centers can bring substantial construction jobs, property tax revenue, and, under the 2025 law, payments to low-income energy assistance. He cited the Pine Island Google data center as air-cooled, with no water concerns, and said it will pay $5 million annually while funding 1,600 MW of wind, solar, and battery resources at its own expense. He also said Xcel’s filing projected a $1.1 billion ratepayer savings over 10 years, while urging the public to weigh both pros and cons, especially around water use and local tax impacts. The discussion also covered nuclear power and climate costs. The senator said the Senate has passed a nuclear study three years in a row and expects it to advance, while the moratorium on new nuclear plants remains tied to the Prairie Island Indian Community and unresolved nuclear waste storage. He argued Minnesota likely cannot reach its emissions goals without nuclear in the mix, though he acknowledged current nuclear is not cost-competitive and said future advanced or small modular nuclear could change that. On affordability, he pointed to climate-driven costs such as higher homeowners insurance and storm damage, and described Senate energy omnibus provisions including conservation, plug-in solar, and renewable development account projects such as a Como Zoo clean energy project. No votes were taken in the interview itself, but the senator referenced the recently announced budget deal and said he still needed to negotiate a renewable development account agreement between the House and Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, military installations in Texas are subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction.
• Chairman Hancock: The sub simply ensures any current or future land the federal government seeks to have
• I am Dave Weaver, medically retired Air Force and Army officer and military aviator.
• the research that was done at the beginning of my effort surrounded establishing facts related to federal
• There's a distinct difference though between federal and state programs around the country.

Bills: SB390 , SB1197 , SB1271

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Veterans Affairs heard several bills related to veterans and military installations. Senator Birdwell presented SB 1197, which would extend existing drone restrictions over military bases and airports to Texas spaceports, with exceptions for authorized operators; there was brief supportive testimony and the bill was left pending. Chairman Hancock presented SB 1271, allowing Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction over military installations to improve handling of juvenile offenses through state and local involvement; no public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. SB 390, by Senator Middleton and explained by Senator Menendez, would expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include veteran-owned businesses certified by the SBA, regardless of disability rating, to increase veteran participation in state contracting. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from veterans and business advocates, while Senator Eckhardt raised concerns that broadening the category might not satisfy the disparity-study basis typically used for HUB programs. The committee also took up pending bills later in the meeting. SB 651 was advanced after adoption of a committee substitute and received a unanimous committee vote to do pass and be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 897 likewise had a committee substitute adopted and was reported favorably by a unanimous vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1814 was reported favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar by a unanimous vote. SB 1197 was also voted out favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1271 and SB 390 were left pending at the end of the meeting, and the committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2003, the Federal Highway Administration began indexing the cost of construction.
• A federal grant award that we've already received.
• I will say this: what we've been working on with the Federal Highway Administration is called Platten
• And so when we receive that federal grant, we go through a process of signing an agreement with Federal
• But just because there's federal money doesn't mean we should chase federal money.

Transcript Highlights:

• centers and would also define the capacity and time that units can be run, in conformity with the federal
• The response is that it is in compliance with their federal air permit, and that those people will be
• air permit that my understanding Federal air permit that my understanding is<00:03:21.040><c> those<
• I'm the Becker city administrator.
• </c> an au AR plan our city administrator an au AR plan our city administrator will<00:34:53.159><c>

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• FLORIDA ALSO HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST AVIATION PASSENGER BOARDINGS IN THE U.S.
• AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS CHART THE PRIMARY STATE REVENUE'S FLAT AND THE FEDERAL AID PORTION OF OUR OVERALL
• FLORIDA IS LEADING THE NATION TO BE THE FIRST STATE WITH COMMERCIAL AVIATION SERVICES.