Transcript Highlights:

• And in no event shall debate continue beyond 1:50 p.m.
• </c><00:06:08.479><c> And</c><00:06:08.560><c> in</c><00:06:08.800><c> no</c><00:06:09.039><c> event<
• And in no event shall debate 5 minutes.
• And I had a number of those events in Mansfield, Connecticut, Colchester, Connecticut, Old Sabbrook,
• And I had a number of those events in Mansfield, Connecticut, Colchester, Connecticut, Old Sabbrook,

Transcript Highlights:

• I think one of the main reasons it gives me heartburn is what we just did with child care subsidies.
• might be, I think one of the main reasons it gives me heartburn is what we just did with child care subsidies
• Case in point is the child care subsidy that was under sunset. We are now being asked to remove it.
• That was a short-term program during COVID, and it is now a child care subsidy. Remove it.
• COVID, and it is now going to be looking, looks like it will be a permanent extension of government subsidy

Bills: LB878 , LB958 , LB958A , LB762 , LB1187 , LB966 , LB929 , LB962 , LB1209 , LB937A , LB962A , LB1050 , LB1050A , LB965 , LB1022 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR495 , LR496 , LR497 , LR498 , LR499 , LR500 , LR501 , LR502 , LR503 , LR504

Transcript Highlights:

• This slide makes note of a subsidy to local employers for the contributions that they pay.
• The medical subsidy, does the term 'close to benefit' mean this will end? Yes, it does.
• The medical subsidy, does the term 'close to benefit' mean this will end? Yes, it does.
• The medical subsidy, does the term 'close to benefit' mean this will end? Yes, it does.
• The medical subsidy, does the term 'close to benefit' mean this will end? Yes, it does.

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• These kinds of tax provisions were more of a sideshow than the main event of HR1.
• These kinds of tax provisions were more of a sideshow than the main event of HR1.
• And I'm also highly concerned that it's another corporate subsidy.
• Like we talk another corporate subsidy.
• And every event I've had, and I think about people in my community, you know, who are working these two

Bills: HF3127 , HF3524 , HF3525 , HF3754

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• In the event that we didn’t have access to those funds and didn’t believe we were going to have access
• </c><00:52:38.839><c> that</c><00:52:39.359><c> we</c> to do this so in the event that we to do this
• so in the event that we didn't<00:52:39.880><c> have</c><00:52:40.160><c> access</c><00:52:40.480><c>
• She said losing federal housing subsidies or forcing families out of public housing is her concern, and
• She said losing federal housing subsidies or forcing families out of public housing is her concern, and

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Affordable housing, which has public subsidy, triggers prevailing wage; that is not a part of this bill
• which are private, so we need to kind of underscore private for sale developments with no public subsidy
• which are private, so we need to kind of underscore private for sale developments with no public subsidy
• And I think that's, I understand what we're talking about public subsidy for public projects.
• And I think that's, I understand what we're talking about public subsidy for public projects.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• of that is that it eliminates the coverage gap and aligns the eligibility criteria with a federal subsidy
• of that is that it eliminates the coverage gap and aligns the eligibility criteria with a federal subsidy
• Yes, that original language created a gap between the subsidy and where the other one would begin, eligibility

Bills: HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee first considered three executive nominations. Shonda Lasseter was reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, with discussion focused on pharmacy staffing shortages, PBMs, and broader health care workforce challenges; she was advanced 11-0. Dr. Lane Sabara was renominated to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, where members discussed rural physician shortages and training pipelines; he was advanced 12-0. Dr. Paul Wright was nominated to fill an unexpired term on the same commission and was advanced 12-0 after questions about his availability and experience supporting rural medicine. The committee then heard several health-related bills. HB 3767, which adds 14 chemicals used to enhance fentanyl to Oklahoma’s controlled substances schedules, advanced 10-0. HB 3934, a dentistry workforce and cleanup bill updating insurance-claim and billing language, advanced 11-0. HB 4199, creating a three-year tri-share workforce pilot program for the Department of Commerce, was amended to change eligibility language and then advanced 9-2. HB 2947, allowing supervised behavioral health interns to bill Medicaid, advanced 10-1. HB 3834, authorizing the Department of Health to begin stage-one clinical trials for ibogaine and creating a revolving fund for that purpose, drew extensive testimony about veteran and first responder treatment, safety, funding, and state liability, and advanced 10-2. Additional measures also moved forward. HB 4302, after amendment, advanced 12-0 on a juvenile oversight reporting and law enforcement notification issue. Committee member bills included HB 495, reinstating the 211 Collaborative advisory council, which advanced 11-0; HB 3287, requiring domestic violence and human trafficking signage in health facilities, which advanced 11-0; HB 3649, allowing the Mental Health Department to sell underused property and keep the proceeds in its trust, which advanced 12-0 after amendment; HB 4430, clarifying malpractice coverage for APRNs and PAs at state facilities, which advanced 12-0; HB 2059, creating a mechanism to reimburse medication costs for incarcerated people in county and municipal jails, which advanced 12-0 after questions about continuity of care; and HB 3647, creating an all-payer claims database and transparency board, which advanced 10-2. The committee adjourned after announcing another meeting the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your subsidy through the state general fund, through state aid to schools, is what makes this whole deal
• couple of years to find out that actually your participation in this is what really makes this go your subsidy
• through the state general fund through state go your subsidy through the state general fund through

Bills: SB1221 , SB1293 , SB1294 , SB1430

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: taxpayer protection, law interpretation, transparency, public hearings, tax policies, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, property tax, assessment, destruction, proration, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona tax corrections act, transaction privilege tax, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• have seen people's premiums skyrocket because Republicans in Congress refused to allow health care subsidies
• And we also are seeing... ...allow health care subsidies to continue.
• They should not have to choose between paying rent or... allow for health care subsidies to continue.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and several guest introductions, including Scout groups from Phoenix/Levine, Dr. John Galgiani for Valley Fever Awareness, and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day. Senator Kavanagh read a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber also adopted a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy and observed a moment of silence. The Committee of the Whole considered SB 1036 on unemployment insurance, SB 1056 on reporting vacant state positions, SB 1236 on AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, and SB 1238 on the physician assistant licensure compact. SB 1036, SB 1056, and SB 1238 were approved in Committee of the Whole, with SB 1036 and SB 1238 amended. During floor debate, SB 1036 drew criticism from Democrats as adding burdens and reducing benefits for unemployed workers, while supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud; it later passed the Senate 17-12. SB 1056 also passed 17-12 after debate over whether automatic elimination of long-vacant positions would improve efficiency or harm agency staffing. SB 1238 passed with a conforming amendment and later the House version HB 2190 was substituted and passed. The Senate then took up several third-reading bills. SB 1126 on educational records passed 29-0. SB 1189 on campaign expenditures passed 27-2 after debate about political violence and campaign-related expenses. SB 1211 on sentencing passed 29-0. The chamber also reconsidered and substituted House bills for identical Senate bills: HB 2206 for SB 1333 and HB 2396 for SB 1368, both related to SNAP. HB 2206 passed 17-12 after debate over a proposed SNAP error-rate penalty and its impact on food access, and HB 2396 passed 17-12 after debate over restricting SNAP purchases. Finally, HB 2796 was substituted for SB 1236 and passed after debate over AHCCCS enrollment barriers. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• seen people's premiums skyrocket because Republicans in Congress refused to allow for health care subsidies
• seeing people's premiums skyrocket because Republicans in Congress refused to allow for health care subsidies
• And we also are seeing, Senator Ortiz continued his explanation of vote: “...allow for health care subsidies

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to assist homeowners with flood insurance and homeowners insurance subsidy, all locally
• We're trying to assist homeowners with flood insurance and homeowners insurance subsidy, all locally
• So those judges, in the event that that happens, would be able to take advantage of the program.
• Yeah, if this bill passes and in the rare event that you've got a legal permanent resident who's in the
• use tax revenue collected by parish governing authority on the sale of admission tickets to certain events

Bills: HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , SCR28 , SB141 , SB169 , SB206 , SB233 , SB417 , SB421 , SB429 , SB437 , SB477 , SB510 , SB521 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB902 , HB943 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB127 , HB284 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB211 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB132 , HB193 , HB635 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB750 , HB911 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB961 , HB1146 , HB977 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it'll help ensure Washington has the resources needed to maintain child care subsidies so parents
• This provides clarity and predictability for short-term visitors attending conferences and events.
• This provides clarity and predictability for short-term visitors attending conferences and events.
• Large events rely on bringing in speakers, exhibitors, and staff from outside the state without unexpected
• . ...significant disadvantage when destinations are compared for these large meetings and events.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Cardiovascular disease, including acute events such as heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and stroke, accounts
• House Bill 2232 would establish a system to collect and analyze data on these events.
• fiscally and ethically coherent because tobacco generates predictable, preventable cardiovascular events
• , and those events create downstream costs for EMS, hospitals, and long-term disability care. ...and
• those events create downstream costs for EMS, hospitals, and long-term disability care and state taxpayers

Bills: HB2038 , HB2297 , HB2382 , HB2487 , HB2018

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Cardiovascular disease, including acute events such as heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and stroke, account
• House Bill 2232 would establish a system to collect and analyze data on these events.
• fiscally and ethically coherent because tobacco generates predictable, preventable cardiovascular events
• , and those events create downstream costs for EMS, hospitals, and long-term disability care.
• Those events create downstream costs for EMS, hospitals, and long-term disability care and state taxpayers

Summary: The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken. HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the big, beautiful bill got the Build Back Better subsidies that Massachusetts would have utilized
• Well, the big, beautiful bill got the build back better subsidies that Massachusetts would have utilized
• We also have another $45 million for operating subsidies generally.
• This is operating, obviously, subsidies for the local housing authorities, and we have, you're right,
• The way that our office can look into things like child care subsidies, child care vouchers, is we can

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• charter schools have their piece, community-based have their piece, and the Preschool Open Doors subsidy
• the community base have their peace and the preschool<02:37:17.920><c> openo</c><02:37:18.319><c> subsidy
• openo subsidy has actually double<02:37:20.359><c> or</c><02:37:20.520><c> triple</c><02:37:21.000><
• Oh, we do have canoeing as an athletic event. Okay, but why don't we keep moving?
• We just do events that give free to the community, but we still got to give them our nonprofit license

Transcript Highlights:

• civic events, and other essential<00:26:02.159><c> services.
• care subsidies, legal defense funds,<01:04:28.319><c> and</c><01:04:28.480><c> more.
• </c> now this elementary school in an event now this elementary school in an event of<02:07:48.159><c
• Countless times a day, I think about what these current events could mean for my children.
• could mean for what these current events could mean for my<02:29:49.120><c> children.

Transcript Highlights:

• We left the event smiling happily.
• We left the event smiling happily, saying things like, “That was amazing.
• I think it's because for the duration of the entire event—the movie, the play, the concert—we were totally
• AB 1929 requires health plans to disclose all investments they make with subsidies and patient premiums
• I support AB 2230, and we cannot wait until these events absolutely happen.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 300,000 Washingtonians right now who have lost subsidies.
• We have 300,000 Washingtonians right now who have lost subsidies.

Summary: State legislative leaders held a press availability to preview a difficult session focused on responding to federal policy changes they said were threatening Washingtonians’ access to health care, food assistance, housing, and energy stability. They said the House and Senate would prioritize affordability, budget balancing, and protecting residents from federal overreach, while also advancing bills on issues such as preventive health care, housing costs, child care, transportation, and energy/data center impacts. A major topic was a proposed state income tax on high earners. Leaders said the basic mechanics were agreed to between the House and Senate prime sponsors, including a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income over $1 million, though drafting and stakeholder outreach were still ahead. They said any new revenue would not solve the current 2025-27 budget gap in time, so the immediate budget would rely mainly on cuts and transfers, with some discussion of smaller revenue measures and possible use of the rainy day fund. They also said the tax proposal would be paired with reductions in more regressive taxes, though details were not yet set. The press conference also focused heavily on a school face-covering bill and related public safety concerns. Leaders defended the bill as a response to fears about masked individuals, impersonation of law enforcement, and recent ICE activity, citing testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups. They also discussed a public records exemption bill for child care providers, saying concerns about privacy and safety justified limits on public access and emphasizing existing oversight through DCYF, the state auditor, and legislative audits. On initiatives and other bills, leaders said two initiatives would go to voters rather than receive hearings, and they indicated Senate Bill 5926 was not moving forward in the Senate committee process. No votes were taken during the availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:16:29.440><c> one</c><02:16:29.760><c> final</c> event one final event one final point<02:16:31.840
• </c> yield and that's the payback the subsidy yield and that's the payback the subsidy that<03:42:04.040
• The people's property tax to make up for the subsidy that is not being paid back here.
• There was a taxable event, as my friends at Dr. would say. That tree was cut. There's a stump.
• as my friends at Dr would taxable event as my friends at Dr would say<04:44:18.280><c> that</c><04:44

Committee: House Municipal and County Government