Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Hickey, Senator George Flaherty, Peter Wirth. Mr.
• Senate Majority Floor Leader, Peter Wirth. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Peter Wirth. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Peter Wirth. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Seeing no further announcements, I yield to Senator Peter Wirth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peters? Seitz? Peters? Seitz? With eight present and two absent, we have established quorum.
• Peters? Thank you. Seitz? Aye.
• Peters. Pites. Aye.
• Peters. Pites. Aye.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Peters, Representatives Proudie, Costlow, Dolan, Elliott, Gragg, Hausman, Jamison, Kelley,
• Representative Peters is presenting, and then she will come in and take over the chair, and then I will
• Vice Chair Peters, Representative Proudie, Costlow, Dolan, Elliott, Gragg, Hausman, Jamison, Kelley,
• Vice Chair Peters, Representative Proudie, Costlow, Dolan, Elliott, Gragg, Hausman, Jamison, Kelley,
• Vice Chair Peters. Vice Chair Peters. Representatives Proudie? Aye. Koslow. Dolan? Aye. Elliot?

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Peters, Representatives Proudie, Costlow, Dolan, Elliott, Hausman, Jamison, Kelley, Laubinger
• Representative Peters is presenting, and then she will come in and take over the chair, and then I will
• Vice Chair Peters, Representative... Madam Chair Jones. Aye. Vice Chair Peters.
• Vice Chair Peters. Representatives Proudie, Costlow, Dolan. Aye. Elliott. Aye. Gragg. Aye. Hausman.
• Vice Chair Peters. Madam Chair Jones. Aye. Vice Chair Peters. Representatives Proudie? Aye. Koslow.

Committee: House Children and Families

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families met with a quorum and first took up several bills for executive action. House Bill 2418, the Loy Voka Assistance Bill, was amended with a technical substitute correcting a statutory section reference and then voted do pass by a 12-0 roll call. House Bill 1819, the child care facilities bill, received an amendment, was rolled into a substitute, and was also voted do pass unanimously. House Bill 3077, the Schmidt social media curriculum bill, was revised through a committee substitute that shifted oversight from DESE to local school boards, narrowed and clarified language, changed references from “curriculum” to “instructional material,” and lowered the grade level from 6 to 3; it then passed 13-0. The committee then heard House Bill 3451 from Representative Sites, which would require the Department of Social Services to audio- or video-record face-to-face child abuse or neglect assessment interviews, securely store the recordings, and retain them for at least five years. Supporters, including Representative Proudie, said the bill would reduce trauma to children, preserve evidence, and would not create major costs because recording equipment is already available; no one testified in opposition or for informational purposes. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3534 and House Bill 2342, presented by Representatives Proudie and Jones, to require new or updated public playgrounds and playground surfaces built by the state or political subdivisions to meet accessibility standards. Testimony in favor came from children and parents describing barriers posed by wood chips, gravel, and inaccessible equipment, and emphasizing the importance of inclusive play and the availability of grant funding for surfacing improvements. Committee members generally supported the concept, asked about scope and retrofitting, and the sponsors clarified the bills apply prospectively to public projects; there was no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peters? Here. Sites. Mayhew? Yeah. Here. Sites.
• Peters, please proceed. I apologize. Can you tell me what line that language is in? Page 46.
• Peters? Aye. Sites? Aye. Are your unanimous vote of nine eyes and zero nays?
• Peters: Aye. Sites: Aye.
• Peters: Aye. Sites: Aye.

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

Summary: The Commerce Committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 1020 and adopted an amendment and then a House Committee substitute. The amendment combined language from several other bills and topics, including vehicle inspections, salvage titles, online registration, registration renewal options, and removal of a Montana LLC/property-tax workaround. Members discussed the provision preserving highway patrol authority to stop unsafe vehicles even if inspections are removed, and the substitute was then passed unanimously, 9-0, as due pass. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1576, which would reestablish a Missouri-Ireland commission with appointments by the governor, Senate, and House to study and strengthen the state’s relationship with Ireland. The sponsor said the commission would cost nothing and would support trade and economic development. Members voiced support, with questions focused on the bill number in the fiscal note and on whether the commission could quantify potential economic gains; the sponsor said the bill was intended to improve and study the relationship rather than address a specific loss. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive session and voted Senate Bill 1576 due pass unanimously, 8-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, remember we're going to do SCR 38 by Senator Klein-Peter, if he's reading it. Thank you, Mr.
• By Senator Klein-Peter. He's reading it. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.
• SCR 38 by Senator Klein-Peter repeals Joint Rule Number Seven relative to the Atchafalaya Basin Program
• Senate Bill 495 by Senator Klein-Peter provides for campaign finance disclosures.
• Senator Klein-Peter, on your bill. Good morning, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up HCR 74 by Representative Beham, which would establish a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission. The author said the proposal would mirror the existing Louisiana-Ireland trade commission and serve as an umbrella group to promote exchanges in trade, academics, financial services, insurance, economic development, and the arts. Members asked about the commission’s purpose and whether members would be paid; the author said they would not be compensated. Representative Marcelle spoke in support, citing the benefits of the Ireland commission, and the committee reported HCR 74 favorably without objection. The committee then considered SCR 38 by Senator Klein-Peter, which repeals Joint Rule No. 7 relating to the Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee. Technical amendments to the title were offered and adopted. The senator explained the measure was tied to a separate study commission he had created to address water quality and sediment issues in the Atchafalaya Basin, which he said were contributing to stagnant hypoxia and harming the fishing industry. Members discussed sediment, dredging, runoff, and possible ways to manage river silt, and Representative Marcelle expressed interest in the water-quality effort. The resolution was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 495 by Senator Klein-Peter on campaign finance disclosures. The bill would raise the threshold for unitemized contributions from $200, change the definition of participation in elections to focus on making expenditures, extend the annual report deadline from February 28 to March 15, allow leadership PACs to pay for replacing or cleaning items damaged in connection with public office, and treat the second party primary as an election for filing purposes. The author said the bill was shortened from a much larger draft after working with ethics staff and was intended to make reporting more practical for campaigns and PACs. The transcript cuts off before any final action on SB 495 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jim Peters.
• Peters? I have a question for you, Mr. Peters.
• Peters. I appreciate it. Seeing no other questions for you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Peters.
• Thank you, Jim Peters, for his voice and his longtime leadership on this issue.
• Peters is here from the Forest Practices Board.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter, please go ahead when you're ready. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Members of the committee, Peter Claudefelter, staff to the committee.
• We don't have any questions for you, Peter. Thank you very much.
• Thank you, Peter. Do we have questions for Peter? Thank you very much. An excellent briefing.
• Thank you, Peter. Do we have questions for Peter?

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills and then moved into a work session on insurance-related topics. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice of an impending lapse or cancellation, including notice to a designated third party, and to provide proof of delivery; it would also require applicants to be told they may designate such a third party. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill as a consumer protection measure for older or vulnerable policyholders, while the life insurance industry supported the concept but requested a delayed implementation date and a small technical amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 2399, which would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance. Staff and the prime sponsor described the practice as allowing contractors to step into the policyholder’s shoes and potentially take control of claims, litigation, and settlement, often to the consumer’s detriment. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all supported the bill, emphasizing consumer vulnerability after disasters and the risk of fraud or inflated claims. Members asked about steering by adjusters, alternative ways for homeowners to authorize others to help with claims, and the $50,000 per-violation penalty, which would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact a Washington Travel Insurance Act based on the NAIC model, creating a more detailed statutory framework for travel insurance licensing, travel retailers, travel administrators, disclosures, and prohibited sales practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choice and standardize rules, while the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the compromise language but raised a remaining concern about claims being adjusted by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office testified that the bill should not be read to supersede Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the sponsor said amendments were being worked on to address that concern. In the work session, OIC and Department of Natural Resources staff presented the wildfire mitigation and resiliency work group report. They said the group reached consensus on several areas, including the importance of community-level mitigation, better data sharing, improved transparency around wildfire-related nonrenewals and cancellations, and a voluntary grant program to help homeowners retrofit to IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. Members asked about leadership for the recommendations, overlap with existing programs, privacy concerns in data sharing, and how the proposals would fit with broader statewide wildfire planning. The committee also received a briefing on flood insurance markets and claims after the December atmospheric flooding event, with staff noting that private flood policies generally offer broader coverage than the federal NFIP, and that Washington had seen about 700 federal claims and roughly $18 million paid out so far.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to be calling up Peter Stilquist, Maggie Euse, and Miguel Marzold, please.
• Members, my name is Peter Stilquist.
• Peter Godluski, with the Association of Washington Business, signed in opposed.
• So Peter, if you'd like to proceed. Thank you. Good morning, Madam Chair.
• Peter Godlowski.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with SB 5965 on retail bags. Staff explained that the bill would prohibit single-use plastic and reusable film plastic carryout bags, raise the paper bag pass-through charge from 8 cents to 20 cents, exempt certain assistance-program customers from bag charges, and add manufacturer/distributor penalties. The sponsor and supporters, including environmental groups, Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma, county solid waste representatives, and health advocates, argued the current law has led to thicker plastic bags and more plastic pollution, microplastics, and recycling contamination. Opponents from hospitality, grocery, retail, paper, and plastic bag industries said the bill would raise costs, create checkout confusion, burden food delivery and takeout operations, and amount to a de facto ban on paper bags as well; several urged waiting for more data on the current 12-cent fee. The hearing ended with a reported 1,240 non-testifiers on SB 5965, with 541 pro, 695 con, and 4 other. The committee then heard SB 6030 on plastic bags. Staff said the bill would allow film plastic and paper carryout bags if they meet recycled-content standards, keep the paper bag fee at 8 cents, reduce the plastic bag fee from 12 cents to 8 cents, and remove the minimum thickness standards for reusable film plastic bags while retaining recycled-content requirements and the SNAP exemption. No public testimony was taken on the bill, and the chair noted 208 non-testifiers, with 192 pro, 11 con, and 5 other. Finally, the committee heard SB 5975 on lead in cookware. Staff described it as a third-round update to the state’s cookware lead law, narrowing covered cookware, delaying the 10 ppm lead standard to 2030, and allowing compliance through FDA or European testing methods. Supporters, including some industry representatives, said the current law is unclear and difficult to enforce, that a workable test is still being developed, and that the bill would provide certainty and avoid unintended coverage of safe products. Opponents from Ecology, Health, environmental groups, and consumer advocates argued the bill would weaken Washington’s existing protections, create broad exemptions, and allow high-lead cookware to remain on the market; they also criticized shifting from total-content testing to leach testing. The hearing closed with 609 non-testifiers on SB 5975, with 54 pro and 552 con.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter, please go ahead when you're ready. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Members of the committee, Peter Claudefelter, staff to the committee.
• We don't have any questions for you, Peter. Thank you very much.
• Thank you, Peter. Do we have questions for Peter? Thank you very much. An excellent briefing.
• Thank you, Peter. Do we have questions for Peter?

Bills: HB2428 , HB2399 , HB2087

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• Bosley, Boykin, present; Cook, here; Dolan, Griffith, Harbison, Hruza, Kelley, Laubinger, Mansur, Peters
• Representative Peters, it was on 2372, and one other bill that I can't remember in my head right now,
• Representative Peters, proceed. Thank you. You got to use a microphone.
• Representative Peters, it was on 2372, and one other bill that I can't remember in my head right now,
• Representative Peters. Proceed. Thank you. You got to use a microphone.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• My English name is Chris Peters. Squakzid Ubsch, Tlachud.
• I am a Chris Peters, Squaxid Ubschud, Talachudskud, Skwksud.
• We were also deemed by Lieutenant Peter Puget at first contact as the friendly Indians.
• Thank you, Chair Peters, for your warm welcome, and thanks again to the Squaxin Island Tribe for being
• I do one more time want to thank Chair Peters and the members of the Squaxin Island Tribe for welcoming

Summary: The House convened for the opening day of the 2026 regular session of the 69th Legislature with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, a prayer, and a tribal welcome from Squaxin Island Tribe member Chris Peters and other tribal leaders. Justice Mary Yu administered the oath of office to Representatives Hall, Obras, Thomas, Salahuddin, and Zahn. The Speaker also recognized the service of Justice Yu, the late Senator Bill Ramos, the late Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, and Trooper Tara Marissa Gooding. The Speaker and Republican leader Stokesbary delivered opening remarks focused on the session’s priorities and challenges, including affordability, taxes, housing, public safety, and the impact of federal policy on Washington. The House adopted several organizational resolutions and motions. House Resolution 4665, notifying the Governor that the House was organized and ready to do business, passed. House Concurrent Resolution 4406, setting the Governor’s address to the Legislature, and House Concurrent Resolution 4407, returning bills and resolutions to the normal process for consideration, both passed. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407, establishing cutoff dates for the 2026 session, also passed. The House suspended rules to move various measures, referred introduced bills to committees, and approved House Resolution 4667 adopting the permanent House rules. The Speaker announced committee assignment changes, including new appointments for Representatives Engel, Hall, Parshley, and Zahn, and reminded members of pink slip deadlines. A House delegation then reported back from the Governor’s office, saying he welcomed the Legislature and was ready for the session. The House adjourned until the next day, with a pro forma session and the Governor’s State of the State address scheduled for the following morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• My English name is Chris Peters. Squaxid Ubsch, Tlachud.
• I am a Chris Peters, Squaxid Ubschud, Talachudskud, Skwksud.
• We were also deemed by Lieutenant Peter Puget at first contact as the friendly Indians.
• Thank you, Chair Peters, for your warm welcome, and thanks again to the Squaxin Island Tribe for being
• I do one more time want to thank Chair Peters and the members of the Squaxin Island Tribe for welcoming

Summary: The House convened for the opening day of the 2026 regular session of the 69th Legislature, with 96 members present. The session included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, a prayer, and a tribal welcome and blessing from Squaxin Island Tribe members, followed by the swearing-in of several representatives by retired Justice Mary Yu. The Speaker also recognized the deaths of Senator Bill Ramos, Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, and Trooper Tara Marissa Gooding with a moment of silence. In opening remarks, the Speaker emphasized the impacts of federal actions on Washington, including tariffs, H.R. 1, health care costs, Medicaid and food assistance losses, climate and clean energy funding threats, immigration and civil rights concerns, and the need to protect food, health, shelter, and affordability. Representative Stokesbary responded for House Republicans, focusing on Washington’s high cost of living, opposing an income tax, and urging action on affordability, housing, and crime. Both sides framed the session as a difficult but important period for budget and policy decisions. The House adopted House Resolution 4665 to notify the governor that it was organized and ready for business, and adopted House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 to receive the governor’s address and establish the session’s cutoff dates. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407, adopted permanent House rules, and approved several committee reassignments and appointments. A House delegation then reported back from a visit with Governor Ferguson, and the House adjourned until the next day, when it was scheduled to meet in pro forma session before the joint session for the governor’s State of the State address.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peters.
• Peters? Question: do you consider it an attack to report the truth, Mr. Peters?
• Peters?
• Peters? Mr. Peters: Madam Chair, Representative Allen, I appreciate the question.
• Peters.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter Dyga, president and CEO, Air Conditioning Contractors Association, Mr.
• Peter Dyga, president and CEO of ABC East Coast Chapter and ABC Institute, and Mr.
• My name is Peter Dyga.
• Our cap comes into the fact of what Peter mentioned about the instructors.
• So they come under BANCEF, which is the umbrella organization, like Peter was saying.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's bring up Peter Lyon and Kirk Esmond from the Department of Collegy and Department of Commerce.
• Yeah, let's go forward with Peter, and then we'll have questions for both of you. Thank you.
• Thanks, Peter. Are there any questions? Representative Duerr, thank you, Chair Dolio.
• Thank you, Peter. Okay, seeing no further questions, we'll move to our panels.
• Thank you so much, Peter and Kirk.

Summary: The committee held a work session on state environmental policy act (SEPA) implementation and carryout bags. Ecology staff Diane Buterak described the Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, plus a new PEIS underway for sustainable aviation fuel. She explained that PEISs provide broad planning-level analysis to help developers and agencies avoid or mitigate impacts, but do not replace project-level review. Members asked about permitting timelines, greenhouse gas emissions from different hydrogen production methods, water use, agricultural land conversion, battery fire risk, and tribal consultation. Buterak said the PEISs identify potentially significant impacts and mitigation measures, including fire response planning, early tribal outreach, and agrovoltaics as an option for solar projects. EFSEC’s Amy Hofkimer then presented the transmission-facility programmatic EIS required by SB 5165 for 230 kV and higher transmission projects. She said the statewide review covers new lines and certain upgrades/modifications, analyzes impacts to water, cultural and tribal resources, habitat, and other areas, and uses general measures, design considerations, avoidance criteria, and sensitivity maps to guide siting and corridor planning. She said the final document would be issued in early October. Questions focused on reconductoring, tribal lands, scenic areas, and whether the review could affect existing lines crossing tribal lands. A Grant County planning director, Jim Anderson Cook, said Ecology’s PEIS would help with cumulative impacts for clustered solar projects, but noted tight local review timelines and the need for strong pre-application coordination, especially on cultural resource studies and decommissioning plans. Yakama Nation attorney Shona Leverett argued SEPA is only an assessment tool and said tribes face barriers from short comment periods, limited confidential tribal input, weak cumulative impact analysis, and challenges in the FSEC process; she urged better upfront developer diligence and more effective tribal coordination. Puget Sound Energy’s Sarah Leverett said the utility needs efficient and predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates while maintaining reliable service and aging infrastructure. She described the scale of needed clean energy and transmission buildout, including a 10-year process for the Energize Eastside transmission rebuild, and said more consistent SEPA and PEIS processes could help. Members asked about future generation sources, reliability, and hydropower as a firming resource; she said PSE is pursuing an “all of the above” approach and would welcome more firm, dispatchable clean energy options. The committee then shifted to carryout bags. Staff Jacob Lipson and Tracy Taylor reviewed Washington’s bag law, its preemption of local ordinances, the current 8-cent charge, the scheduled increase to 12 cents, and the 2025 change delaying the 4-mil thickness requirement until 2028 while adding a temporary 4-cent penalty for thicker bags. Ecology’s Peter Lyon said the agency emphasizes education and complaint-based enforcement, has received 872 reports, and has not yet imposed any fines. Commerce’s Kirk Esmond summarized a WSU study finding fewer plastic bags distributed but more plastic by weight, and said Commerce and Ecology support keeping the 2.25-mil standard and not allowing thinner single-use bags again. Retail industry testimony from Brandon Housekeeper said grocers comply with the law but oppose the added 4-cent penalty and thicker-bag requirement, citing higher costs and confusion in the policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's true if you take a dollar from Peter and give it to Paul.
• It's true if you take a dollar from Peter and give it to Paul.
• Paul's a dollar richer and Peter is a dollar richer and Peter is a dollar poorer. economic choice.
• It's true if you take a dollar from Peter and give it to Paul.
• Paul's a Peter and give it to Paul.

Bills: HCR58

Keywords: socialism, government control, dictatorship, individual liberty, freedom

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that Peter kind of cleared it up with you cannot get a job unless you have an ID.
• Wishing to speak in support: Joe Mueller, David Larson, Peter.
• Peter? Fine with me. You good? Yeah.
• Okay, we have cards present wishing to speak: Peter Robbins Brown and Merley Montgomery.
• Wiley knows Peter doesn't have the money to pay $1,000, Rep.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 23 with a quorum and received an update from OMV leadership. Director Brian Adams and Commissioner Keith Neal said the agency has improved morale, staffing, and efficiencies, is operating in the black, and expects to begin testing the driver’s license portion of its modernization project in September. They also said the agency is working on customer service and technology upgrades. The committee then considered several OMV-related bills. HB 781, creating a fleet vehicle registration program, was amended to delay implementation until the OMV system is ready and was reported with amendments. HB 712, which waives OMV fees for driver’s licenses and state IDs for eligible homeless persons, drew extensive testimony for and against; supporters said it would remove a barrier to employment, housing, and identification, while opponents raised concerns about eligibility, fraud, and policy scope. The committee adopted amendments clarifying the waiver and verification requirements, and the bill passed on a roll call vote. HB 372, requiring OMV education on roundabouts, was discussed but voluntarily deferred in favor of a House concurrent resolution approach. HB 746, dealing with oversized trucking permits, was amended to preserve existing permits while imposing a one-year moratorium on new local permit requirements and was reported with amendments. HB 732, allowing temporary waiver of certain OMV-related debts for people in special circumstances such as hospice, was amended and reported favorably. HB 722, providing automatic reinstatement of driver’s licenses after payment of fees and fines except for DUI-related suspensions, was amended and reported with amendments. HB 593, raising the maximum service fee for certain OMV field offices, was amended to exclude Shreveport and reported 9-5. HB 613, adding a citizenship indicator to Louisiana driver’s licenses and IDs, was heavily debated over its purpose and implications but was reported 8-5. Finally, HB 582, reducing reinstatement fees for insurance lapses, was reported favorably, and HB 762, which would block referral of certain OMV debts to the Office of Debt Recovery, was taken up with testimony emphasizing the burden of added collection fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter Chacon, then Assemblyman Peter Chacon, and I may be the only person in this room that worked with
• Peter Chacon in 1987, put this law in the books.
• Peter Chacon, then assemblyman, Peter Chacon.
• And I may be the only person in this room that worked with Peter Chacon in 1987 put this law in the books

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee held an informational hearing on AB 1923 by Assembly Member Soria, which would place the Fresno County Transportation Improvement Act on the November 2026 ballot as a successor to Measure C. Supporters said the measure is needed to preserve transportation funding for road repairs, transit, and matching dollars for state and federal grants, and argued that Fresno County voters should be allowed to decide after more than 32,000 petition signatures qualified the initiative. Testimony in support emphasized impacts on rural communities, students, seniors, farmworkers, caregivers, and access to medical care, with many local officials, residents, labor groups, and community organizations registering support. Opposition came from the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, which argued the bill would override local control and set a bad precedent by directing a local ballot placement contrary to the board’s action. The county also said the board did not delay intentionally, but acted at the next available meeting after signature verification, and argued that a required study was justified. California State Association of Counties registered concerns about local control but did not take a formal position. Committee discussion reflected those concerns, with one member warning about state overreach and the author responding that the board’s role is ministerial and that the bill is intended to prevent delay from pushing the measure to 2028. No vote was taken because the hearing was informational only. The chair noted the committee was hearing testimony and issues surrounding the bill, and the author closed by urging support when the measure reaches the Assembly floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter Chacon, then Assemblyman Peter Chacon, and I may be the only person in this room that worked with
• Peter Chacon in 1987 put this law in the books.
• Peter Chacon, then assemblyman, Peter Chacon.
• And I may be the only person in this room that worked with Peter Chacon in 1987 put this law in the books

Committee: House Elections