Transcript Highlights:

• And I am here today in support of House Bill 2365.
• A November 21, 2025 article in GeekWire magazine laid out the challenge clearly.
• States that plan today will capture tomorrow's jobs.
• States that hesitate today will watch those jobs go elsewhere.
• Thank you for your time in this work session today.

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee held public hearings on three bills and then a work session on tourism. House Bill 2365, concerning digital equity programs, would shift more responsibility to the Broadband Office, rename the Digital Equity Opportunity Program as the Digital Opportunity Program, expand the forum’s role, and require more reporting and outreach on broadband adoption and affordability. The prime sponsor and several advocates from community organizations, PTA, and digital navigation groups supported the bill, emphasizing the need for digital skills, cybersecurity, affordability, and trusted community partners. Commerce testified that the bill has technical and fiscal concerns and would add costs, and the sponsor said amendments were likely to reduce the fiscal impact. The hearing on HB 2365 was then closed. House Bill 2446 would direct the Department of Commerce to develop a state quantum strategy by June 30, using non-state funding if possible, to identify growth areas, partnerships, and workforce and economic impacts for the quantum industry. The prime sponsor, industry representatives, and technology organizations supported the bill as a way to keep Washington competitive with other states and build a quantum ecosystem. Committee members raised questions about fiscal impact, private funding, regulatory capture, and cybersecurity risks, including concerns about quantum’s effect on passwords and AI-related harms. A Microsoft representative requested a technical amendment to broaden the definition from quantum computing to quantum technology and said the company would follow up on funding and AI-regulation questions. The hearing on HB 2446 was closed. House Bill 2357 would create a Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, allowing the governor to activate it for cadet training, communications, disaster relief, cybersecurity, search and rescue, and related missions. The sponsor, the adjutant general, the Civil Air Patrol commander, and a veterans coalition representative all supported the bill, citing recent flood response work, emergency preparedness, and youth training benefits. Testimony emphasized that the proposal would clarify coordination, not change federal authorities, and would not create a fiscal impact. The hearing on HB 2357 was closed without any amendment requests. In the work session on tourism, State of Washington Tourism and industry partners presented recommendations from an advisory group calling for a more sustainable, industry-led funding model, likely through an assessment or visitor-fee structure. They argued Washington is underfunded compared with western peers and estimated that a competitive program could generate $14.6 billion in additional visitor spending over the next decade, along with significant tax revenue and lodging tax growth. Speakers from tourism, the wine commission, hospitality, and advisory group leadership stressed predictable funding, industry governance, and statewide benefits, while committee members discussed international tourism, regional access, and the need to avoid further decline in the sector. The meeting adjourned early after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I HEARD EVERYTHING.
• Woodson: THANK YOU. *** >> Chair: THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
• TODAY ON A PANEL WE HAVE MR. BRADY CHIEF OFFICER FOR HILLSBORO COUNTY SCHOOLS.
• THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.
• I WENT TO NEWS WEEK MAGAZINE THAT WOULD BE YOUR CITATION.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for joining us today.
• So we appreciate you coming today.
• And two, you know, in preparing for today, I will point out that we have 62% more submissions today than
• So we're More submissions today than what we did as of December 31st.
• So this concludes our agenda today. Is there any further business?

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for budget day, heard agency follow-up questions, and then presented its recommended budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. Chair Lopez opened with remarks about reducing spending, emphasizing vacancy reductions and recurring savings across agencies. The recommendation eliminated 452.5 vacant positions and produced recurring savings of $57.2 million overall, while still funding selected priorities. Notable funded items included $500,000 for a new DBPR website for condominium complaints and document filing, $481.3 million for the MICEF Florida Home Program in DFS, funding for Florida PALM implementation, $330,000 for a Tampa office in the Office of Insurance Regulation, $835,000 for warehouse space for confiscated gambling machines, $821,000 for the Lottery gaming system contract, and major DMS capital and facilities funding. Lopez also criticized DMS leadership and said the secretary’s salary would be held in reserve pending answers on fleet management, remote workers, SUNCOM billing, and other issues. The committee then questioned DBPR Secretary Griffin about condominium records, structural integrity reserve studies, and milestone-inspection compliance. Members focused on how the division tracks condominiums, whether it can identify buildings with three habitable stories, and whether the current filing system can be improved to better capture building height and story count. Griffin said the division relies heavily on self-reporting and complaint-driven checks, but has updated forms to capture whether a condominium has buildings three stories or higher and has received additional submissions. Members also asked about staffing and the Miami-area office; Griffin said DBPR now has two Fort Lauderdale offices and a Doral office, with about 82% of new positions filled. Secretary Davis of the Florida Lottery also testified, defending travel to Paris and other conferences as part of industry engagement, technology research, and best-practice sharing. He said the travel was reimbursed through lottery-related organizations, described the Lottery as an enterprise fund that receives no general tax revenue, and said the agency has remained a top revenue generator nationally. Members questioned Orlando travel reimbursements and dues to the Multi-State Lottery Association, and asked for more information on how increased revenue translates into more Bright Futures scholarships. Davis said he would provide additional details. The subcommittee then unanimously passed two conforming bills. PCB SAB 25-01 removed statutory references to the legacy FLAIR accounting system in preparation for Florida PALM and was reported favorably. PCB SAB 25-02 addressed Capitol Center space after the planned House lease cancellation, declaring the governor, cabinet, and legislature permanent tenants, protecting existing space and parking allocations, giving the legislature first right of refusal on vacant space, and giving legislative leaders control over utilities in their space; it also passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned after the bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think if that land was agricultural before solar was put on, it's still agricultural today.
• So according to the developer who spoke earlier today, there's three projects, one in Adair, Sheridan
• Chair, thank you for having this hearing today. My name is Waylon Brown.
• When you look at the piece of the legislation in front of you and the conversation that's happened today
• Again, Scott Swain, today representing Clean Grid Alliance. I know you heard from Whalen earlier.

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed and then concluded a hearing on HB 2402 and HB 2816, both dealing with utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to testify for informational purposes where they supported some provisions but opposed others, and the discussion centered on setback distances, taxation, cropland conversion caps, local control, and decommissioning/oversight. Several witnesses described concerns about large solar projects encircling farms, impacts on neighbors, glare, fire risk, wetlands, and property values, while others emphasized the need for reasonable statewide standards and the importance of preserving Chapter 100 agreements and county flexibility. Testimony from landowners and advocacy groups largely urged stronger protections: higher setbacks, more local authority, lower caps on cropland conversion, and higher tax rates than the bill’s proposed $2,500 per megawatt. Some witnesses argued solar should be taxed as commercial property rather than agricultural land, while others raised constitutional concerns about changing agricultural assessment. A county commissioner described local regulations his county adopted, including road agreements, decommissioning bonds, hydraulic studies, and buffering, and said counties need clearer rules, especially where there is no zoning. Industry and utility representatives said the bills were generally workable but wanted further discussion on setbacks and tax treatment. They argued tax comparisons should account for the full package of taxes and incentives, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes can raise electricity costs for customers. Ameren Missouri said most of the bill was acceptable, but cautioned about how real property would be assessed and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The committee took no vote; after hearing the final witness, the chair closed testimony on HB 2402 and HB 2816 and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have two votes today.
• But I don't have a plan as I sit here today, Senator. Sure.
• So appreciate being here today. Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you for allowing me a few moments to be here today to speak with you.
• Members, we will now vote on the nominees that have come before us today.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs. Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers. The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Beth Eager host key and today I'm here in opposition to this bill because today in a similar
• I'm asking you today to vote no. without us.
• I strongly urge you to oppose this Bill today. Thank you. Thank you.
• Madam Chair, zoning with their talk today.
• And I hear today, Barbara writes, per Rights, Pro Rights.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I rise for appointed personal privilege because I have some people here today from the Arizona
• They are visiting the state senate today to learn more about how our government works in action.
• I'm talking about forcible deportations, exactly what's occurring today.
• as they are today, forcibly removed two million illegal aliens.
• I served no-knock warrants on drug dens, just the way that's being done today.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions, including Arizona agricultural producers and suppliers and sixth graders from James W. Rice Elementary School. The chamber then moved through a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bill references and committee reports, with no substantive debate on those items recorded in the transcript. The main floor action centered on Senate Resolution 1036, which was converted from a concurrent resolution to a Senate resolution and brought forward under a suspension of rules. The resolution condemned Attorney General Chris Mays for public comments about the use of force and law enforcement, and called on her to retract, clarify, and resign. Senators debated whether the resolution was a necessary public safety response or a politically motivated stunt, with supporters arguing Mays’ remarks endangered officers and opponents saying the resolution misquoted her and was being rushed without committee review or public input. A floor amendment was adopted, and after extended debate the Senate passed SR 1036 on a 17-13 vote. After the resolution vote, the Senate briefly returned to personal privileges, including an introduction of visitors connected to civics education, and then recessed and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026. The transcript does not show any other bill final actions beyond the SR 1036 vote and the routine referral and reporting of other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, and thanks for bringing the bill forward today. Appreciate it.
• All right, that closes... ...the bill forward today. Appreciate it.
• A fiscal note was received today and shows that there is no cost.
• It means a lot, and I appreciate you being here today. Thank you.
• We have overcrowding issues in JR-25 that we could solve today.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5977, which would require DCYF to publish child near-fatality review reports within 180 days and post them publicly, with confidential information redacted as allowed by law. Senator Nikki Torres said the bill is intended to improve transparency, accountability, and child protection. There was no public testimony on the bill, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6184, an Office of Homeless Youth request bill sponsored by the chair. The bill makes technical and policy updates to OHY programs, including replacing the term “street youth” with “unaccompanied homeless youth,” allowing certain flexible funds to go directly to youth or vendors, renaming and making permanent the H-Sync program, expanding eligibility and housing options in the Independent Youth Housing Program, and clarifying shelter and reporting provisions. Testifiers from Commerce, advocates, school support organizations, and a youth advocate all supported the bill, emphasizing that the changes would improve access, consistency, and housing stability for unhoused youth. The hearing was then closed. The committee moved into executive session on seven bills. SB 5681, concerning intellectual and developmental disability services at age 20, had Amendment A1 fail and the proposed substitute was adopted and sent to Ways and Means. SB 5917, regarding abortion medication in DOC, saw one amendment adopted and multiple Christian amendments rejected before the bill was sent to Rules. SB 5942, renaming the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board and revising its duties, had only Amendment C16 adopted; the amended bill passed to Rules. SB 6024, on duplicative audits for community residential providers, passed without amendment. SB 6036, concerning adult family homes and foster care licensees, had Amendment D1 adopted and the bill passed to Rules. SB 6085, on the DOC institutional welfare account, had Amendment E1 adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means after several other amendments failed. In each case, the committee voted to advance the bill after considering amendments, with most of the proposed changes from Senator Christian failing except where noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Representative Shower here with us today.
• There are bumps in the road today where we still don't find out.
• Five after today. It's just...
• So thank you for coming and educating us here today. Thank you, Chair.
• And we have Representative Mitzkog here with us today. Good morning.

Bills: HB1162

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: Lake Agassiz, water authority, board of directors, state highways, water management, 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1162, which would add the West Fargo mayor as a voting member of the Lake Agassiz Water Authority board. The sponsor and Fargo’s mayor argued West Fargo has grown into a major regional water stakeholder and should have a formal vote, while members questioned the board structure and why the change was not framed more specifically. The bill was supported in testimony, closed without opposition, and received a 6-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 1259 on annual legislative sessions and session structure. Members adopted an amendment that left the structure and logistics of sessions to legislative management rather than prescribing details in statute, after discussion about flexibility, committee workload, annual versus biennial sessions, and concerns about preserving debate and committee process. The amended bill received a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with some members voting no because they preferred a different committee recommendation or had concerns about the broader change. House Bill 1254, which would allow any North Dakota resident to obtain a State Library card, drew supportive testimony from the bill sponsor and State Library staff. They said the change would align law with current practice and expand access to books, e-materials, and other resources statewide, including for military families and out-of-state state employees. The committee closed the hearing and approved the bill 6-0. The committee also considered House Bill 1469, which narrows financial disclosure requirements so only business or trust interests directly related to the office sought or held must be disclosed. After brief discussion that the change would reduce unnecessary disclosure burdens, the committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a 6-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 1368, dealing with administrative rules and the standard for challenging them, was opposed by committee counsel as too broad and legally problematic; the committee rejected it on a 4-2 do not pass vote. Finally, House Bill 1219, which would reduce the required perpetual care fund set-aside for certain cemeteries from 20% to 10%, received supportive testimony from the sponsor, cemetery representatives, and local users, but also concern about long-term fund health. The committee ultimately recommended do pass on a 5-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the impact of this bill, and I'm hoping that I can get support from the members here today. system
• I'm here today in support of House File 765, which seeks to ensure a more consequential criminal justice
• I'm here today in support of House File 765, which seeks to ensure a more consequential criminal justice
• Unfortunately, today it's not in that position, and not even, I don't believe, in the top 25.
• Minneapolis number Minneapolis number one<00:06:56.919><c> Unfortunately</c><00:06:57.520><c> today</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm ready to go today, but I'll respect the chair's preference.
• You couldn’t be here today.
• You couldn’t be here today.
• um in opposition to Senate here today um in opposition to Senate Bill Bill Bill 33<02:01:40.040><c>
• I'm here today because I'm opposed to Senate Bill 33.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being here today, Ms. Daniels. Mr. Speaker, that includes my list for today.
• Speaker, one thing that was not brought up today, Mr.
• today.
• It's their birthday today.
• I am so grateful for all who have joined us today.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all for joining us today.
• With me today, I have Ivy B. Fitzpatrick from the California...” “With me today, I have Ivy B.
• So I'll be supporting your bill today.
• Thank you both for your testimony today.
• So that concludes our testimony for today.

Summary: The Senate Public Safety Committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of bills. Early items included AB 2605, which would require statewide reporting on public defense services; supporters said California lacks basic data on how indigent defense is delivered and that the bill would help identify under-resourced counties, while no opposition appeared. AB 1650 would require rental vehicles used in law enforcement operations to display agency identification; supporters framed it as a transparency and community-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement tactics, while sheriffs and police groups opposed it unless amended, arguing it could compromise undercover and task-force operations and raise legal and indemnification concerns. AB 1930 would require notice to the Attorney General before business entities respond to subpoenas involving legally protected abortion or gender-affirming care information; supporters said it protects patient privacy and provider safety, while opponents raised constitutional, law-enforcement, and business-burden concerns. The committee also heard AB 458, directing state procurement guidelines for firearms and accessories so agencies buy from responsible vendors, with support from police chiefs, gun-violence prevention groups, and local officials, and no opposition testimony offered. The committee then heard AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers, which would update the definition of sideshows, include motorcycles and dirt bikes, and align penalties with street racing. Supporters, including police, city, transportation, and road-safety advocates, said the bill responds to dangerous events, property damage, and injuries; opponents from civil liberties and public defender groups argued higher fines and criminal penalties are ineffective and disproportionately harm low-income people, favoring roadway design and community-based prevention instead. AB 910, the Survivors Act, would expand affirmative defenses and vacature relief for survivors of trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence; supporters, including a survivor who described decades of abuse and wrongful conviction, said the bill gives survivors a chance to tell their stories and seek relief, while district attorneys opposed expanding relief to violent offenses and warned it could erase restitution and undermine victims’ rights. AB 2624 would expand Safe at Home confidentiality protections to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters described threats, doxxing, and harassment against immigrant-serving organizations, while opponents claimed the bill was prompted by investigative reporting on fraud and would chill journalism and transparency. The committee also heard AB 31, making the tribal police pilot program permanent and creating a missing and murdered Indigenous persons task force, which drew strong support from tribal representatives and no opposition. Later, AB 1959 sought to close a resentencing loophole tied to a 2001 Santana High School shooting case by restoring judicial discretion in resentencing for certain juvenile offenders; supporters said the current process can lead to automatic release even after parole denial, while opposition testimony began with concerns that the bill was responding to one case and lacked broader evidence. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly noted they supported several bills but could not formally vote because the committee lacked a quorum, so motions were held for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, pursuant to the motion of Senator Michael Berkstrom and Representative Rusty Cornwell, the Oklahoma
• This opportunity today to come and be in front of you guys and our kids getting to see the Capitol has
• The Oklahoma Forward Caucus will be meeting at the previously announced time, but due to the number of

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for coming today. I appreciate your comments on.
• I am from Oklahoma.
• Thank you for hearing my testimony. today.
• Today we are going to drive a stake in the ground.
• I'm grateful for the conversation today. change. It is.

Bills: HB170 , HB865 , HB748 , HJR112 , HB 1110 , HB1495 , HB786 , HB 1130 , HB170

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• . or this hearing today.
• or we had another Red Lake today or we had another Recori today or we had another Sandy Hook today or
• </c> Virginia Tech today. Virginia Tech today.
• </c> time for me to testify today. time for me to testify today.
• </c> before us today. before us today.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:08.160><c> Minnesota's</c> high as it sits today Minnesota's high as it sits today Minnesota's
• Chair, thank you for the time today.
• Um, thank you for having me today.
• </c> to talk to you and the committee today to talk to you and the committee today um<01:03:44.839><c
• </c><01:07:44.559><c> that</c> heard from prior presenters today that heard from prior presenters today

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So today, I'm, I guess, for the record, Lori McCann, representing District 6.
• And the reason for that is that the actual Appaloosa Horse Club moved its headquarters to Oklahoma City
• The big shows are in Oklahoma City.

Summary: The committee began by welcoming a new page, Colin Chu, who introduced himself as a Timberline High School senior interested in learning about the Idaho Legislature, going to college, and studying finance. The committee then approved the minutes from February 12, 2026. House Bill 665, sponsored by Representative McCann, was presented as a cleanup and update to the Appaloosa specialty license plate program. The bill would change the recipient of plate funds from the Appaloosa Horse Club to the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center Foundation, broaden the stated purpose to education and programming related to horses in Idaho, and raise the vehicle weight limit for the plate from 16,000 to 26,000 pounds so more trucks and trailers could qualify. Members asked about the removal of the youth-specific language, future plate redesign costs, and the number of plates in circulation. No public testimony was offered, and the committee voted to send HB 665 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 666, sponsored by Representative Petzke, would require new Idaho residents to obtain a driver’s license and register their vehicles within 30 days of moving to the state. The sponsor noted a prior issue in the definitions had been corrected. The committee moved the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 716, sponsored by Representative Green, was held because the sponsor was not present, and the committee adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be working proficiently and steadily today to get through our business.
• I can, and that stops today.
• Oklahoma or Louisiana, or yes, correct.
• Great testimony today. Thank you so much. The chair calls Stephen Carlton.
• Thank you for letting me testify today.

Bills: SB331 , SB883 , SB926 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1144 , SB1151 , SB1236 , SB1270 , SB1522 , SB1869 , SB2207 , SB2422

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Transcript Highlights:

• therefore, pursuant to the motion of Senator Michael Bergstrom and Representative Rusty Cornwell, the Oklahoma
• And this opportunity today to come and be in front of you guys, and our kids get to see the Capitol,
• The Oklahoma Forward Caucus will be meeting at the previously announced time, but due to the numbers

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and opened with the daily prayer led by Senator Hamilton, reflecting on Lent, Easter, and Christian themes of grace, penance, and service. The chamber then recognized nurse of the day Denny Wilson Lober, who was introduced for her work raising awareness about the burn dangers of microwaved water-related foods for children, and welcomed the Adair Warriors football team to the floor for a citation honoring their 2025 2A2 state championship, undefeated season, and third straight district title. Coach Brady Bradbury briefly addressed the Senate and thanked the team’s supporters. On legislative business, the floor leader moved to reject House amendments to Senate Bill 133 and request conference, with Senate conferees to be named later; the motion passed by voice vote. Senator Coleman announced that the Oklahoma Forward Caucus meeting would be moved to Room 6S7 due to attendance. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn once the clerk’s desk is clear, setting the next meeting for Thursday, April 2nd at 9:30 a.m.