Transcript Highlights:

• existing statute, and amend current language to promote participation in state advisory bodies and affordability
• existing statute, and amend current language to promote participation in state advisory bodies and affordability
• existing statute, and amend current language to promote participation in state advisory bodies and affordability
• existing statute, and amend current language to promote participation in state advisory bodies and affordability
• In section one, the Senate added state lease buildings, excuse me, state lease buildings, which we removed

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we afford employees a certain amount of time after employment to to become certified.
• They're no longer leasing space.
• Some people are able to turn that into a lifelong career like like I have and some people just can't afford
• They can't afford an apartment in South Florida.
• They can't afford the cost of living in South Florida, even with those increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• feet, with an estimated savings of $117,000 annually, and we're in the process of renegotiating our lease
• Other cost-saving measures that we've taken related to our office space include reducing leased office
• The Affordable Care Act at the federal level requires health plans sold on the individual and small group
• 12.680><c> benchmarking</c><00:07:13.319><c> proposal</c><00:07:14.319><c> the</c><00:07:14.440><c> Affordable
• </c> our benchmarking proposal the Affordable our benchmarking proposal the Affordable Care<00:07:15.160

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is a motion to make these funds available upon a coal lease bonus sale and not otherwise.
• So, spending authorization on coal lease bonus funds. Any further discussion?
• </c><03:24:23.720><c> bonus</c> be in order authorizing coal lease bonus be in order authorizing coal
• </c><03:24:52.360><c> bonus</c> funds available upon a coal lease bonus funds available upon a coal lease
• </c> authorization on coal lease bonus funds. authorization on coal lease bonus funds.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one of the few ways in which they're able to get a stipend to afford the cost of living while they're
• This program and this investment will increase access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to
• This program and this investment will increase access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to
• With the relocation of the Department of Finance from privately leased space, which is...
• With the relocation of the Department of Finance from privately leased space, which includes the garage

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• was designed to maintain the historic inshore day-boat characteristics, and they operate through leasing
• scallop fishery, I'll just explain a little bit of what these terms mean: permit stacking and permit leasing
• Permit leasing is the allowance to lease quota between permits.
• This would allow for the purchase or leasing of quota to increase an individual vessel's limit.
• I can't afford $80, $90, $100-plus for mechanics.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Massachusetts sea scallop fishery, especially the economic importance of the industry, federal scallop management, and two policy questions: reopening the Northern Edge area on Georges Bank and allowing permit stacking/permit consolidation. Chairing senators emphasized their interest in hearing both sides, their frustration with federal bureaucracy, and their view that the issue should be guided by science while protecting the long-term resource and local communities. Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council and Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the Magnuson-Stevens framework, annual catch limits, rotational area management, and the role of industry-funded surveys and the research set-aside program. They said scallops remain the most lucrative council-managed commercial fishery on the East Coast, but recent changes include more small scallops, lower biomass in some areas, higher natural mortality, and shifting abundance toward Georges Bank. On the Northern Edge, they explained that the council previously considered opening the area through a framework/joint action with habitat management, but discontinued the action in 2024 because of conflicting objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and other species. They said the issue could be revisited through future council priority-setting. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund argued that the fishery needs modernization to remain economically viable. They supported reopening the Northern Edge and strongly backed permit stacking, saying it would allow two permits on one vessel while keeping ownership caps in place, reducing costs, improving safety, and helping family-owned fleets avoid financial distress and outside investment. Port of New Bedford representative John Regan stressed the port’s central role in the state economy, the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure, and the importance of any permit changes preserving local ownership and participation. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members asked that the witnesses keep the committee informed as the council and federal agencies consider next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• As climate change makes insurance less affordable and less available throughout the country, it's really
• process when customers don't pay rent, but it is silent on what happens when we need to terminate a lease
• storage unit with a 20-minute phone call and a credit card, but I couldn't fully secure or sign the lease
• Being able to engage with the self-storage facility entirely online, secure the unit, sign the lease,
• We gave a 30-day notice not to renew the lease.

Bills: SB6061 , SB5844 , SB6079 , SB6137 , SB5831 , SB6031 , SB6178

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• As climate change makes insurance less affordable and less available throughout the country, it's really
• process when customers don't pay rent, but it's silent on what happens when we need to terminate a lease
• But I couldn't fully secure or sign the lease until I arrived in person.
• Being able to engage with the self-storage facility entirely online, secure the unit, sign the lease,
• We gave a 30-day notice not to renew the lease.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. Staff explained that the bill would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington colleges, but would continue to prohibit bets on the performance of individual college athletes. Tribal representatives from the Jamestown S’Klallam, Puyallup, and Kalispel tribes testified in support, saying the bill would keep wagering within the regulated tribal marketplace, protect integrity, and help smaller tribal casinos participate through a hub-and-spoke model. University of Washington and Washington State University representatives supported the ban on individual prop bets and emphasized student-athlete safety, while WSU also argued the bill would expand exposure to harassment and online abuse. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes wildfire mitigation grant program. Staff said the bill would fund grants for wildfire-hardening homes to IBHS standards, authorize pilot projects, and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify homes that meet the standards. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder and Senator Marcus Riccelli supported the bill, arguing that wildfire losses and non-renewals are increasing and that upfront mitigation is cheaper than recovery. Local officials and advocates from Medical Lake, Washington Realtors, and climate and wildfire groups also supported the measure. Insurance industry representatives supported the mitigation goals but objected to the bill’s requirement that insurers provide coverage based on IBHS designation and to using the commissioner’s regulatory account as a funding source, saying underwriting still needs to consider broader risk factors. No action was taken. The committee next held a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 6061, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program. State of Washington Tourism, the Washington Wine Commission, the Washington Hospitality Association, the Brewers Guild, the Port of Seattle, and rural economic development representatives said the state’s tourism program is underfunded and that an industry-led assessment could provide a stable, competitive funding source. They said the model would be governed by a ratepayer oversight board, subject to ratification, and could generate significant visitor spending and tax revenue over time. Some testimony raised concerns about the scope of eligible businesses and the bill’s references to other industries, but supporters said friendly amendments would refine those details. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5844 on self-storage rental agreements, which would allow electronic agreements, clarify acceptance by continued occupancy, and create a uniform process for termination or nonrenewal for nonpayment or nonmonetary defaults. Self-storage operators supported the bill as a modernization measure that would improve safety and consistency, and no vote was taken on any of the bills heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Alliance for Affordable Energy.
• The Alliance for Affordable Energy? And that's what I thought you said.
• I'm all for affordable energy.
• So I definitely agree that affordable energy is important. But that is my concern.
• Businesses can't afford to move into our areas because they literally can't afford the insurance.

Summary: The committee first considered several local property-transfer and wildlife/fisheries bills, including SB 229 (Bojeur Parish property transfer), SB 71 (Lafayette Parish property transfer), and a series of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures. SB 203 simplified possession rules for fish on multi-day trips and remote camps; SB 429 created an administrative path to register “orphan” boats with lapsed registrations; SB 204 removed a residency-based restriction on certain commercial fishing gear licenses; SB 205 reduced duplicate registration requirements for federally documented boats; SB 213 clarified titling rules for vessels and outboard motors; and SB 257 removed Social Security number requirements from certain commercial fishing tags. Each of these bills was reported favorable, generally without objection, after brief explanations from sponsors and department counsel about reducing red tape, improving enforcement, or modernizing records. The committee also heard SB 214, which would allow the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District to stop pumping during an imminent flood threat identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, addressing liability concerns and giving local officials more flexibility in emergencies. SB 274, as amended, required lead hazard risk assessments for certain child care, early learning, and pre-kindergarten facilities and required hazards found in assessments to be addressed before licensing. Both bills were reported favorable. SB 379, a technical reorganization bill for the Department of Conservation and Energy, received two amendment sets: one changing investment language and another standardizing judicial-review procedures and online notice requirements; it was reported favorable after those amendments. The committee then adopted HCR 62, urging FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects, with members discussing the burden of flood insurance and the need for FEMA to recognize levees, pump stations, and elevated homes. HCR 78 was also reported favorable, memorializing Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 in support of Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 662, as substituted, was reported favorable after being rewritten to codify the department’s internal protocol for seized sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, prioritizing release, rehabilitation, placement, and euthanasia as a last resort. Finally, the committee considered two more contentious items. HR 216, which urged repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, drew extended debate over whether the plan had been adopted without legislative input and whether it could affect permits or future policy; after discussion, the sponsor voluntarily deferred the resolution to return with a revised approach focused on a legislative hearing or review. SCR 24, dealing with chronic wasting disease rules, was introduced with amendments that would raise the prevalence threshold, cap samples, allow zone removal after three years without new detections, and lift baiting/feed prohibitions above a higher prevalence level; the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1056 ensures that survivors are afforded meaningful privacy protections through clear and consistent
• SB 1056 ensures that survivors are afforded meaningful privacy protections through clear and consistent
• ago is no longer affordable.
• Existing price gouging law defines rental lease terms.
• Existing price gouging law defines rental lease terms to have a maximum lease of 12 months, but some

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Interior was direct to resume quarterly oil and gas lease sales as soon as possible
• We also encourage you to recognize funding affordable child care as a revenue generating solution that
• Millions will either find it harder to reach. coverage or afford their care.
• We agree that the state can't afford to backfill all the severe cuts in H.R. 1. which is why we urge
• So families can't afford these cuts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're on a triple net lease.
• insurance that is purchased, especially when you're talking small business owners who usually can only afford
• It would either be the building owner if it's a leased situation.
• I think you're going to see a lot of businesses not be able to afford to do business from an insurance

Bills: SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1442 , SB1592 , SB1623 , SB1625 , SB1913 , SB1940 , SB1949 , SB2102 , SB592 , SB992

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: ticket sales, resale, consumer protection, fraud, bots, transparency, refunds, event tickets, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana license, commercial grower, grow operation, bond requirement, land reclamation fee, revolving fund, environmental remediation, redevelopment, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA

Transcript Highlights:

• projects, and Pierce County has had several bridge and infrastructure road priorities that we can't afford
• Simply put, the county cannot afford to replace 100 bridges.
• I have someone else that's left one of the commercial buildings that's not leasing it anymore.
• I have someone else that's left one of the commercial buildings that's not leasing it anymore.

Bills: SB5987 , SB6170

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we do get Lease assistance, but we're not on a pathway towards purchase.
• We don't think we can afford it, but we didn't have to Say so.
• We can afford that. We'll be happy to pay. More than the 57 million.
• Of course, the Gallup cap It is obviously critical to making this affordable.
• So be aware of that, because, like I said, those leases are Up. Any new leases coming in?

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• To achieve this ambitious goal, Travis County is seeking a long-term lease agreement with HHS. sea to
• heard low-level offense, so I don't know, maybe it's something Is there something in the law that affords
• Right, it's a 99-year lease. Yes, sir. The reason this is a tax cut is...
• And then, just so I understand more, is this The purpose of this bill is to simply lease the land that's
• Chair calls lease. Spiller, who is the Executive Director of Citizens Commission on Human Rights.

Bills: HB5141 , HB4638 , HB2264 , HB2035 , HB4813 , HB4408 , HB2684 , HB1621 , HB2300 , HB216 , HB3829 , HB4466 , HB1747 , HB2284 , HB3614 , HB2587 , HB3219 , HB3318 , HB5147 , HB4014 , HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:15.920><c> for</c><00:04:16.160><c> things</c><00:04:16.479><c> like</c><00:04:16.720><c> lease
• </c> general they are for things like lease general they are for things like lease expenses,<00:04:17.919
• DPS will also be unable to afford the rent cost for the new statewide emergency operations center, which
• DPS will also be unable to afford the rent cost for the new statewide emergency operations center, which
• </c><00:21:29.440><c> the</c> DPS will also be unable to afford the DPS will also be unable to afford

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about affordability in the utility space. And with that, I proudly vote aye.
• So we're trying to get leases covered under the warranty if it is not repairable. Okay, thank you.
• She had an issue with a leased vehicle. And we're just really happy. I call it lemons for leases.
• It's our way for affordability that we're looking for housing.
• No person may sell, lease, or otherwise convey an interest in real property in this state to a person

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in an affordable home crisis, and our industry is well positioned to help Missourians, and we
• Too often, modular gets lumped together with a manufactured home or limited to land-lease communities
• Up to 50% savings can turn empty lots or dilapidated structures into tax-paying affordable homesteads
• We want to seek ways that we can advance affordable housing.
• I can't afford that kind of money.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Joint Resolution 173 and 174, which would put a tax-reform proposal before voters. Members debated a failed amendment to change the ballot language, with supporters saying it would more honestly describe the measure as a tax replacement that could expand sales taxes, and opponents saying it would be misleading and overly restrictive. The committee then adopted a House committee substitute that clarified the proposal, including a phased reduction in the individual income tax tied to revenue growth, and voted the substitute do pass by a 7-3 roll call. The committee next took up House Bills 321 and 2531 under a new committee substitute. The substitute made a series of technical and policy changes involving redevelopment, tax increment financing, public safety funding, Missouri Opportunity Zones, baseline revenue calculations, and local property tax diversion, including reducing one diversion requirement from 50% to 25%. Members and the sponsor described the changes as clarifying agency roles and addressing constitutional and administrative concerns. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the combined bill do pass by a 9-0-1 vote. In public hearing, House Bill 3230 by Rep. Hardwick would bar cities and counties from outright banning modular or qualified manufactured homes in areas where single-family homes are allowed, while still allowing reasonable safety, zoning, and compatibility standards. The sponsor and supporters from the Missouri Manufactured Housing Association argued the bill would expand affordable housing and prevent discriminatory local restrictions; the Missouri Municipal League said it supported the goal but wanted more work on language to preserve local flexibility. The committee also heard House Bill 2888 by Rep. Deal, which would limit standalone medical-monitoring claims without present physical injury. The sponsor and a civil justice coalition supporter said the bill would align Missouri law with court precedent and require an actual injury, while opponents and affected residents argued it would block needed monitoring for exposure to PFAS and other contaminants and could leave exposed communities without a remedy.

Transcript Highlights:

• one of the ways that this can be useful is by giving cities the ability to purchase land and then lease
• the size of those buildings and their businesses, I've learned that most grocery stores do actually lease
• My family cannot afford additional wasteful spending.
• Publicly supported stores can bring affordable, culturally affirming food directly into neighborhoods
• We can't afford to be cavalier with our local governments.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2517, which would give regional transit authorities, especially Sound Transit, more flexible permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects. Staff and the bill sponsor said the goal is to let permit applications and technical reviews proceed concurrently with property acquisition and land use decisions, reducing delay and uncertainty for large transit projects. Sound Transit testified that the bill could save as much as nine months, while a city representative from Bothell asked for an amendment requiring notice to property owners before permits are advanced on land not yet owned or controlled by the agency. The committee then took testimony on HB 2313, concerning publicly owned grocery stores in underserved areas. The bill would let cities acquire land, build or rehabilitate stores, seek capital grants, and create tax increment financing areas for grocery access projects, with annual reporting requirements. Supporters, including the sponsor, Food Lifeline, and Northwest Harvest, argued that grocery closures and food deserts are real problems and that local governments need tools to fill gaps when private grocers leave. Opponents, including grocery industry groups and several students, warned that public stores could undercut private grocers, burden taxpayers, and create operational and property-rights concerns; some testimony also questioned the need for government ownership and the use of tax increment financing. A proposed substitute removed eminent domain and tax increment financing provisions and narrowed the bill to grant-funded stores in underserved areas. Next, the committee heard HB 2451, a major rewrite of local tax increment financing rules. The bill would tighten notice, consultation, reporting, and mitigation requirements for TIF areas, strengthen the “but-for” test, limit where increment areas can be located, and protect existing taxing districts by excluding certain levies and requiring negotiation, mediation, or arbitration when impacts are significant. Cities, ports, counties, libraries, fire chiefs, and hospital districts largely described the bill as a negotiated compromise that improves transparency and addresses unintended impacts, though some local governments said they still wanted more flexibility or protections for existing projects. One city testified against the bill, arguing the new restrictions would make TIF much less useful for large redevelopment efforts. The committee then heard HB 2298, which would authorize county auditors to create voluntary property title protection programs to help prevent land-record fraud by allowing owners to record a protection instrument that delays recording of a title transfer for up to five business days unless identity verification is provided. Auditors, treasurers, and county officials strongly supported the bill as a practical response to rising deed fraud, while title and foreclosure industry representatives said the proposal was too limited, could interfere with foreclosures or other transfers, and would only delay—not prevent—fraud. The final bill heard was HB 2566 on local government procurement, which would raise certain small-purchase and small-public-works thresholds for counties, remove some differences between larger and smaller counties, and give counties more options when no bids are received. County representatives supported the bill as a needed update to procurement rules and a way to reduce bureaucracy and keep pace with inflation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, many of our counties that currently use them are using them on a lease agreement.
• That lease agreement, I want to look at my notes to make sure I’m getting it right.
• So the lease is about $1,200-ish per machine.
• Also keep in mind that lease pricing is from a 2019 contract that is still in place right now.
• Also keep in mind that lease pricing is from a 2019 contract that is still in place right now.

Bills: HB2109 , HB2168 , HB2198 , HB2226 , HB2415 , HB2440 , HB2665 , HB2805 , HB2811 , HB2825 , HB2857 , HB2874 , HB2966 , HB4067 , HB4117 , HCR2001 , HCR2016 , HCR2051

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks