Transcript Highlights:

• to verify eligibility, and there's also penalties and requirements for paying back taxes if the taxpayer
• The department assumes there are 500 taxpayers total and estimates it will incur total costs of $11,300
• I don't know. in the fiscal note would be subject to taxpayer refunds.
• As a result, the court case followed through to the state Supreme Court and ruled with the taxpayer,
• This is not only tragic, but costly to Washington 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:

• We're putting information in the statute that businesses and other taxpayers want, that certainty of
• Increasing the price of cartons shifts taxpayers from footing the financial burden of medical expenses
• So the bill proposes to consolidate it into one levy for transparency and clarity for taxpayers.
• So the bill proposes to consolidate it into one levy for transparency and clarity for taxpayers.
• Let's put it in statute so you can't wiggle up and take a little more from the taxpayers.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several tax and retirement bills, beginning with Senate Bill 6073, which would move eligible Department of Natural Resources wildland and aviation firefighters from PERS into LEOFF 2 prospectively. Committee staff described the higher retirement age and benefit differences between the systems and noted a small implementation cost and a modest actuarial rate increase. DNR, the Washington Public Employees Association, and a committee member all raised support or questions, with DNR acknowledging additional review with the LEOFF board was still needed. The hearing then turned to Senate Bill 6113, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, including clarifications tied to last session’s ESSB 5814 service-tax changes, a six-month transition period for reclassified businesses, and a section affecting advertising-related exclusions. DOR said the bill was revenue neutral and intended to codify guidance and improve certainty, while school districts, arts groups, broadcasters, newspapers, and business groups testified both in support of the technical fixes and in opposition to provisions they said would continue or worsen unintended consequences from last year’s tax law. Senators also questioned how some definitions would apply, especially to school and higher-education-related services. Senate Bill 6116 would restore the vapor-products tax structure by moving nicotine-containing vapor products back under the per-milliliter vapor tax instead of the 95% other tobacco products tax, and would restore distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account and Foundational Public Health Services account. Public health agencies, cancer research representatives, and some retailers supported the bill as a fix to funding disruptions, while tobacco-control groups opposed lowering the tax and argued it would weaken public health policy. The committee also heard that the current law creates a double-tax issue on pre-existing inventory because products held when the definition changed became subject to a new tax classification. Finally, Senate Bill 6129 proposed a broader nicotine-tax overhaul, including a 90% tax on nicotine products, a 10% tax on flavored nicotine products, higher cigarette taxes, and new revenue distributions and tribal compact provisions. Supporters, including public health organizations, pediatricians, and civil rights advocates, said higher taxes would reduce youth use and restore funding for cancer research and public health; opponents, including retailers, tobacco and vapor businesses, broadcasters, and some harm-reduction advocates, argued the bill was regressive, would fuel illicit markets, and would harm small businesses and adult consumers using lower-risk products. The committee then began a briefing on Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform bill that would expand senior and disability property tax relief, adjust state property tax rates, and change property tax billing statements, but the hearing on that bill was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• crisis pregnancy centers, as they call them, are the best use for grants from the state, from the taxpayers
• However, I find it disingenuous to frame this as a pro-choice proposal. while also asking to grant taxpayer
• planet, sinful, unworthy, or immoral, should not restrict them from accessing services funded by taxpayer
• You use taxpayer money to require and allow these organizations to exploit people's crises and states
• We give $24 million a year to Planned Parenthood in state taxpayer dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, we are the stewards of the taxpayer dollars, and so knowing that fraud is real, pervasive,
• I think we are all concerned about how taxpayer dollars go in this case.
• You know, there was both fraud and that taxpayer dollars are not going to the right place, and individual
• I think we are all concerned about how taxpayer dollars go in this case.
• dollars in a good we're using taxpayer dollars in a good way<00:20:27.559><c> and</c><00:20:27.720><

Transcript Highlights:

• allocated to West Virginia load-serving entities that provide service to West Virginia regulated taxpayers
• is at least roughly commensurate with the benefits that will be received by the taxpayers.
• And no At least roughly commensurate with the benefits that will be received by the taxpayers, and no

Committee: Senate Energy, Industry and Mining

Transcript Highlights:

• violations like wage theft also end up putting law-abiding employers at a disadvantage and costing taxpayers
• violations like wage theft also end up putting law-abiding employers at a disadvantage and costing taxpayers
• Undercut, and that taxpayers can trust that workforce commitments on public projects will be honored.
• We want to make sure that what we've invested in, what the taxpayers want to see, a skilled and trained
• workforce where we are That what we've invested in, what the taxpayers want to see, a skilled and trained

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several labor-related bills. SB 1166 would place AC Transit employees under PERB jurisdiction for unfair labor practice disputes; supporters said it would reduce cost and delay compared with court litigation, AC Transit was neutral, there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-1 and later 4-1 on call. SB 1054 would add wage-data elements to state reporting to improve Medi-Cal and other eligibility verification and strengthen workforce-program data; supporters emphasized reducing administrative burden and improving accountability, and it passed 4-0, later 5-0 on call. SB 1149 would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person” and align it with other family-leave laws; it drew broad support from caregiving, LGBTQ+, labor, and advocacy groups, no opposition, and passed 3-0, later 5-0 on call. The committee also considered SB 909, which would raise and index public works contractor registration fees and prevailing-wage penalties and direct more penalty revenue to enforcement. Supporters argued it would deter wage theft and fund enforcement staffing, while contractor groups warned it would raise costs, increase uncertainty, and not solve staffing delays; the bill passed 2-1 and later 4-1 on call. SB 1132 would require a standardized know-your-rights curriculum through the workforce development system; supporters said workers need rights education at job-entry points, especially immigrants and other vulnerable workers, and the bill passed 3-1, later 4-1 on call. SB 1241 sought to strengthen enforcement of skilled-and-trained workforce requirements on public works projects by defining substantial compliance, limiting repeated reliance on compliance plans, and increasing accountability for reporting failures. Labor supporters said it would close loopholes and protect apprenticeship-trained workers, while contractor groups argued the market lacks enough qualified workers and that the bill could increase penalties and debarment risk; after extended debate it passed 4-1. Finally, SB 1038 would require CalPERS to notify unions when employer audits are initiated so they can assist members facing repayment or pension adjustments; supporters said it would help workers navigate audit consequences, there was no opposition, and it passed 4-0 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's my belief that we shouldn't be paying for it with taxpayer dollars.
• He helped save taxpayers' money.
• He helped save taxpayers' money.
• He helped save taxpayers' money.
• He was a person who didn't actually kill him. elder prisoners who he helped save taxpayers money.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts with a practical, fiscally responsible tool to manage rising costs and protect taxpayers
• Purchasing sooner reduces exposure to inflation and protects taxpayers. Thank you so much.
• My name is Eric Lundberg, Washington State taxpayer and voter, lifelong. And I do oppose this bill.
• And I feel this bill is a real insult to taxpayers and voters.
• HB 1796 is a simple tool that can help districts address critical capacity needs while saving taxpayers

Bills: HB1796

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, contract indebtedness, school districts, bonding authority, education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I have taxpayers all the time asking about it, and so I would love to offer that opportunity to them.
• So, again, I don't see where this is good for the taxpayers of the state when we're looking to come..
• So, again, I don't see where this is good for the taxpayers of the state when we're looking to come.
• I don't see where this is good for the taxpayers of the state when we're looking to cut the budgets.
• Louis County and Greene County will run at no cost to the taxpayers of those counties.

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE AS TAXPAYERS ARE MEANT SPENDING 1.25 MILLION TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING AND
• WE DIDN'T HAVE TO USE ANY TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DO THAT. THAT'S A FREE MARKET.
• YOU DON'T NEED TO USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO CREATE THIS. IT'S ALREADY THERE.
• THE EXCHANGE, I WOULD ALSO SAY LOOK HOW MUCH IS COSTING THE TAXPAYERS.
• WE ARE MAKING – 5 MILLION TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT DON'T NEED TO BE SPENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• crisis where the city basically gave out benefits, gold-plated benefits that were not affordable to taxpayers
• Benefits, gold-plated benefits, that were not affordable to taxpayers.
• As you're putting the final layer of cement on the coffin of the taxpayers of California, you're forcing
• It only gets better, more expensive for taxpayers.
• putting it on record that as you cast this vote, you are slapping handcuffs on every single California taxpayer

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, with members observing a moment of silence for the Minnesota tragedy mentioned by the Speaker. The chamber then moved quickly through a large daily file, taking up many Senate amendments and third-reading measures, with most bills passing by wide margins or unanimously. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding action on SB 863, and later taking up several resolutions and bills on concurrence and third reading. Among the main policy items, members adopted AJR 8 on temporary protected status after debate over immigration policy, and AJR 19 urging opposition to dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The Assembly also adopted ACR 112 recognizing September as Deaf Awareness Month, with several members speaking in support of the deaf community and accessibility. Other notable measures included bills on water reclamation and Colorado River Aqueduct maintenance (AB 580), telehealth (AB 688), housing approvals and ADU enforcement/cleanup (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), pension and retirement rules (SB 301), volunteer fire department tax exemptions (SB 87), dementia training for home care aides (SB 412), and a San Francisco public-safety measure on stolen goods resale (SB 276), which drew opposition over permitting and criminalization concerns. The Assembly also passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills dealing with local government finance and infrastructure, public contracts, the Delta, fairgrounds compensation, and San Francisco liquor licenses, as well as AJR 3 on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Most measures were approved on roll-call votes with few no votes; SB 227 and SB 276 were urgency measures and received the required two-thirds support. The consent calendar was adopted unanimously, and the day concluded with several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remembrances of former Assembly staffer Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, before the House adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it is exclusive, that would not be an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars under our bill.
• Taxpayer protections: unlike the personal lines clearinghouse, which involves taxpayer resources through
• This keeps taxpayers off the hook while enabling a market.
• It's about getting taxpayers and limiting their risk.
• It's taxpayer dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the taxpayers, I do wasted money.
• Is it New Hampshire taxpayers or is it somebody else when our roads and bridges fail?
• Is it New Hampshire taxpayers or is it somebody else when our roads and bridges fail?
• Is it New Hampshire taxpayers or is it somebody else when our roads and bridges fail?
• Is it New Hampshire taxpayers or is it somebody else when our roads and bridges fail?

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• to subsidize other taxpayers to go buy e-bikes. >> Senator Rasmusson.
• to subsidize other taxpayers to go buy e-bikes. >> Senator Rasmusson.
• Uh, you mentioned, because this is always on my mind, uh... taxpayers to subsidize other taxpayers taxpayers
• ><c> other</c><00:29:57.520><c> people's</c> taxpayers to subsidize other people's taxpayers to subsidize
• </c><00:59:20.000><c> that</c> subsidies from federal taxpayers that subsidies from federal taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> also the people that are the taxpayers also the people that are the taxpayers that<00:04:57.840>
• Because of that, we have cost taxpayers inordinate amounts of dollars.
• you are saying would really increase the burden to the taxpayer.
• taxpayer.
• </c><00:37:00.200><c> will</c> mitigate the costs that taxpayers will mitigate the costs that taxpayers

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• We've consistently throughout, as long as I could remember, we've consistently tried to give taxpayers
• And at the end of the day, they need to prioritize the taxpayer and do right by them.
• Again, I would advise that they do right by the taxpayer. Leader Berman. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• You know, these decisions should not penalize taxpayers, homeowners that are left to bear...
• Should not penalize taxpayers, homeowners that are left to bear the costs.

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have spent $450 million taxpayer dollars on a system that Cal OES now tells us does not work.
• Instead, the Governor has proposed in his budget $141 million more taxpayer dollars to reset this and
• more taxpayer on another brand new next year. this to spend more taxpayer dollars on another brand new
• It is so important that we do not allow our taxpayer dollars to be wasted.
• When operators go bankrupt or otherwise face financial trouble, taxpayers are often left on the hook

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about clarity and responsible stewardship of the taxpayers' resources.
• Good stewards of the taxpayer money. What do you mean by that?
• those taxpayer dollars.
• It's about preserving taxpayer dollars for legal citizens. Because you know what?
• This is going to cost more money, more taxpayer money.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by a 104-0 vote. Members then spent a large portion of the session offering personal remarks and introducing guests, including the family of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, school groups, a Boy Scout troop, a Highway Patrol commander, and community figures such as Corey Johnson and boxer Devin Alexander. There was also a moment of silence for a member’s mentor and a personal privilege statement recognizing Autism Month and the work of teachers and therapists serving autistic children. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2481, which would tighten Missouri rules for SNAP and related public benefits by requiring proof of citizenship or lawful presence, using the federal SAVE system throughout eligibility checks, and directing the Department of Social Services to seek a waiver to steer SNAP purchases toward healthier foods. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of accountability, taxpayer stewardship, fraud prevention, and improved nutrition, while opponents argued it was unnecessary because federal law already limits eligibility, could add administrative costs, and could harm children, families in food deserts, and pregnant women who rely on programs such as Show Me Healthy Babies. An amendment offered by the gentleman from Johnson to extend the bill to MoHealthNet was adopted, and after extended debate the House invoked the previous question 91-46, then adopted and perfected the bill as amended. The House also advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1869, which creates a process and fund to repair damaged veterans’ headstones in public and private cemeteries, with support from members who emphasized honoring veterans and preserving gravesites; the bill was adopted and perfected without opposition. House Bill 2927 was also moved forward; it would require settlement demands tied to extra-contractual or bad-faith insurance claims to be written, held open for 90 days, and reference the relevant statute. Supporters said it gives insurers reasonable time to evaluate large claims, while opponents said it could delay compensation for injured Missourians; it too was adopted and perfected. The House then began consideration of additional bills, including House Bills 2387 and 2480, as the session continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• 201H-38 redevelopment creating workforce housing for local people often being financed by state taxpayer
• dollars who will get state taxpayer dollars who will get benefits<00:21:03.840><c> versus</c><00:21:
• </c><00:35:34.760><c> as</c> to deliver a return to taxpayers as to deliver a return to taxpayers as
• ,</c> fiscally sustainable to the taxpayer, fiscally sustainable to the taxpayer, and<00:48:16.960><c
• $17,200 for an individual taxpayer and $17,200 for an individual taxpayer and $34,400 $34,400 $34,400

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayer undermines local governance.
• Then the taxpayer to switch districts.
• So the question was, as Manchester taxpayers, should Manchester taxpayers finance the education for this
• . taxpayers. taxpayers.
• . taxpayers. taxpayers.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration