Transcript Highlights:

• No matter, you know, there are limitations and impacts that we have.
• Yeah, I mean, they do impact different areas, right?
• So the rural ADU bill, House Bill 1345, that's in rules right now, impacts just in general the entirety
• of the rural zone.
• This bill only impacts these areas of more intense rural development.

Summary: The Housing Committee opened its 2026 session with introductions and brief remarks from members, with Chair Peterson noting a light workload and inviting members to submit bills and ideas for future work sessions. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2269, which would narrow last year’s middle-housing authority in limited areas of more intensive rural development to rural counties, while leaving urban growth area authority unchanged. The bill also clarifies that these developments may be served by publicly owned sanitary sewer systems and expands allowable wastewater systems to include large on-site sewage systems; the sponsor said a technical amendment would remove an unintended restriction on urban counties. Representative Bernbaum said the bill was developed over the interim with Representative Engell, Futurewise, and WASAC to address ambiguity from last year’s middle-housing law, especially for small counties like Jefferson County that may need large on-site septic systems. Testimony in support came from Anthony Mixer, the Washington State Association of County Regional Planning Directors, the Association of Washington Business, the Building Industry Association of Washington, and Futurewise, all of whom said the bill would add housing flexibility, support local planning, and help address affordability and supply shortages. Futurewise and committee members discussed the difference between individual septic systems and large on-site systems, with questions about state versus local oversight and flood-prone areas. Members also asked how the bill relates to prior middle-housing legislation, including House Bill 1110 and last year’s engrossed substitute 5471, and whether it would work alongside a separate rural ADU bill. The hearing closed without a vote or other action taken on the bill, and the committee adjourned after the testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It really has the potential to have durable impacts.
• Fresno, of course, serves a lot of rural communities.
• Fresno County serves a lot of rural communities, but providers are also difficult to find in those rural
• As we know, poor internet habits impact sleep habits, which in turn impact academic outcomes and mental
• We did hear a little bit about rural communities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Tonto Creek runs 15 miles northeast of Payson, which is rural.
• impact is much lower, the percentage increase is higher.
• Doherty, one of my concerns is especially rural areas, One of my concerns is especially rural areas,
• This is going to help create jobs in rural areas.
• I think we have three as necessary. ...in rural areas.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on modernization of the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. Testimony from local officials and port authority representatives described the port as outdated, flood-prone, and a major congestion and safety concern because CBP equipment and officers are positioned near the international boundary and stormwater/sewer infrastructure. Speakers said the port is vital to local and state commerce, estimated modernization could cost $1.5 billion to $2 billion, and requested state support and letters of support for federal advocacy. Committee members discussed the economic and safety impacts, and leadership said a joint letter would be prepared. The committee then considered several bills. HB 2237 would appropriate $4.5 million for Apache Junction’s Superstition Trails and a visitor gateway; it passed 4-2. HB 2926, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, would create expedited permitting for workforce housing, exempt the state portion of prime contracting tax for such projects, and adjust bond-related rules; after an amendment, it passed 6-1. HB 2113 would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when proposed residential rate increases are 100% or more; testimony focused on large rate hikes in rural areas versus RUCO’s limited staff and budget, and the bill passed 5-1 with some members asking for continued discussion about RUCO’s priorities. The committee also passed HB 2824, which authorizes local governments to establish voluntary C-PACE programs for financing commercial property improvements through special assessments, with supporters saying it would help attract investment without using state general funds. HB 2939, the “Lucid bill,” would add a rural-location tax credit tied to large qualifying investments and new jobs; Lucid Motors testified that it would support advanced manufacturing and rural job creation, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after noting HB 2950 would be held due to time and heard first at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so regarding the ISO rating, uh, city of Clo had a lower ISO rating, which many times will impact
• And so the larger impact to ISO was the communities that joined our district, the more rural communities
• </c> impact your homeowners insurance rates. impact your homeowners insurance rates.
• ><c> heavy</c><00:07:01.520><c> industry,</c> cities, rural townships, heavy industry, cities, rural
• </c><00:07:50.400><c> of</c> no system accounts for the impact of no system accounts for the impact of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• No matter, you know, there are limitations and impacts that we have.
• Yeah, I mean, they do impact different areas, right?
• So the rural ADU bill, House Bill 1345, that's in rules right now, impacts just in general the entirety
• of the rural zone.
• This bill only impacts these areas of more intense rural development.

Bills: HB2269

Keywords: middle housing, zoning, unincorporated areas, affordable housing, land use, density, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What does that impact? Um, well, certainly the biggest impact would be, um, with, uh, faculty.
• How you, how your institution impacts that.
• Uh, the graphic on slide two illustrates our statewide impact, including our partnership with 97 rural
• Today, we have partnered with 96 rural counties to stabilize the rural hospitals and clinics, upscale
• Slide 5 is a summary of many of those impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• And rural communities thrive.
• Let's turn to rural development.
• SNAP is a rural development tool.
• America as well, and specifically how 45Z might impact rural America.
• Okay, and the last topic in this round, rural broadband, has made such a difference for rural Vermont

Transcript Highlights:

• In our rural moral imperative issue.
• </c> of times we have an issue with our rural of times we have an issue with our rural hospitals,<00:
• </c> Um, we also have a package to help rural Um, we also have a package to help rural ambulances,<00
• </c><00:20:55.679><c> services</c> just saying, but these rural services just saying, but these rural
• </c> profitable EMS services out in rural profitable EMS services out in rural Minnesota?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs. Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits. Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we think that's gonna be a great positive impact.
• The graphic on slide two. illustrates our statewide impact, including our partnership with 97 rural counties
• To date, we have partnered with 96 rural counties to stabilize the rural hospitals and clinics, upscale
• Health care for rural communities is an urgent crisis.
• Slide 5 is a summary of many of those impacts. and those impacts that we've made across those strategic

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:55.919><c> access</c> created and in that time rural access created and in that time rural
• </c> provide emergency care you know a rural provide emergency care you know a rural emergency<00:22:
• </c> larger Health Care desert in the rural larger Health Care desert in the rural areas<00:23:02.640
• qualified rural health centers.
• Rural hospitals have fewer admissions, compounded by declining rural populations in many rural communities

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the president of the Nebraska Rural Water Association, which represents 467 rural utilities, about
• In rural America, we don't have the luxury of passing the buck.
• Rural Water has built a trusted network of local experts who help small rural disadvantaged and tribal
• So I know the federal funding has made huge impact for our systems.
• For Nebraska and rural water. systems, it becomes an economy of scale as to what that financial impact

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We partnership with a rural location.
• </c> know that physician shortage in rural know that physician shortage in rural areas<00:57:57.119><
• The rural veterary workforce measure.
• </c> solutions and the Minnesota rural solutions and the Minnesota rural veterary<01:06:04.079><c> loan
• </c> efficient and impactful way possible. efficient and impactful way possible.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is some impact here.
• and DDA impacts.
• health communities, rural...
• , not necessarily the mitigation of the impacts related... ...rural health transformation, not necessarily
• These will have indeterminate impacts. Thank you. These will have indeterminate impacts.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session to review how H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) could affect Washington’s Medicaid, long-term care, developmental disabilities, and food assistance programs, with a focus on implementation challenges, fiscal impacts, and likely coverage losses. Staff and agency officials explained Washington’s Medicaid financing structure, eligibility categories, caseload trends, and the role of the Health Care Authority and DSHS in administering Apple Health and related services. They also described how Medicaid expansion increased access to behavioral health services and how H.R. 1’s provisions are expected to affect the expansion population most directly. Health Care Authority and DSHS officials outlined several major H.R. 1 changes: new work and community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population, six-month redeterminations instead of annual renewals, changes to immigrant eligibility, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, new cost-sharing requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, and changes affecting long-term care eligibility. They said Washington is still awaiting federal guidance on many details, but estimated that about 620,000 Apple Health expansion enrollees could be subject to work requirements, that roughly 30,000 immigrants could lose Medicaid eligibility under the new definition of qualified alien, and that some long-term care and developmental disability clients could be indirectly affected. Officials also said the state is working with other agencies to build shared verification systems and may seek a delay waiver, though they do not expect broad federal flexibility. The committee also heard that H.R. 1 immediately blocks Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood services for one year, with the state planning to backfill about $11 million to preserve access. In addition, officials warned that the law could reduce federal Medicaid revenue by billions over time and strain hospitals and emergency rooms as more people become uninsured. They noted that Washington’s rural health transformation grant application is due November 5 and could bring some funding, but not to offset coverage losses. No votes were taken; the session was informational only. The committee then heard a separate presentation on food assistance, where staff and DSHS described H.R. 1’s SNAP changes, including expanded work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, higher state administrative costs, and a possible future state share of benefit costs tied to payment error rates. DSHS estimated a four-year fiscal impact of about $750 million for food assistance changes and said the state is working on system and policy changes across agencies before the new requirements take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's the biggest impact.
• I think that's the biggest impact.
• We've had a client with a rural broadband project, for example, in a rural county.
• We had a rural broadband project, for example, in a rural county.
• We had a rural broadband project, for example, in a rural county.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and first heard HB 11 from Representative Robinson. The bill would address an unintended consequence in Florida’s municipal utility surcharge law by requiring the same water/utility rate for residents when a utility facility is physically located within one municipality but owned by another, rather than allowing the owning municipality to impose a 25% surcharge. The sponsor and several members described it as a fairness issue affecting residents who do not receive local tax support for the facility but still bear the surcharge. Public testimony included support from AARP and Miami-Dade County and opposition from North Miami Beach. The bill was reported favorably on an 18-0 vote. The committee then held a panel discussion on utility use of public rights-of-way and utility relocation. Panelists from FDOT, county government, gas, water, electric, and communications sectors described the permitting process, noting that FDOT uses a detailed utility accommodation manual and that local governments may use permits, franchise agreements, or ordinances depending on the utility type. They emphasized that utilities often must coordinate early with agencies using long-range work programs and project plans, and that the process differs by utility and jurisdiction. Communications witnesses discussed Chapter 337 and the 60-day local permitting shot clock, while others noted the role of Sunshine State One Call in locating facilities before excavation. A major focus was who pays for relocations when road or infrastructure projects require utilities to move. FDOT and several panelists said utilities generally bear the cost when they are in public right-of-way, with exceptions such as certain interstate/interchange projects and easement impacts. Utility representatives said relocations are often effectively new builds, can be costly, and are ultimately reflected in rates or customer costs. Members also asked about easements versus right-of-way, damage and disputes during construction, broadband workforce needs, and whether legislation could improve coordination. Panelists largely said the existing process works best when agencies, contractors, and utilities communicate early and continuously, and that more legislation may not be necessary compared with better planning, staffing, and use of technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have rural aid.
• And that brings me to rural aid.
• Have you seen an impact?
• Have you seen an impact?
• Third, rural school aid.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the patients are also being impacted in these rural areas, I'm assuming.
• So, you know... ...impact that we're going to have to deal with.
• There was no defund rural hospitals.
• areas that do disproportionately impact women. ...areas that do disproportionately impact women and,
• Rural hospitals serve an essential role.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have all heard stories about how the rural health care crisis is impacting people’s health outcomes
• You have all heard stories about how the rural health care crisis is impacting people’s health outcomes
• facing rural communities and help actually reinvigorate rural communities themselves.
• rural Health Care<00:37:06.520><c> crisis</c><00:37:07.079><c> is</c><00:37:07.599><c> impacting</c>
• We are targeting rural areas.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also supports rural communities with flexible resources.
• It also supports rural communities with flexible resources.
• across ag lands in rural Florida.
• So..." "...rural counties. Follow up.
• These are big impacts for local counties to absorb.

Summary: The committee began by postponing SB 1742 on condos until the following week, then took up SB 1298 on building construction. Senator Simon said the bill would require continued education for long-licensed building professionals, clarify interagency sharing of building officials, limit residential inspectors to one- and two-family homes, revive a paid internship for residential planning examiners, modernize permit signatures, and clarify contractor responsibility when work changes hands. The bill drew supportive waivers and was reported favorably. Members then considered SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms. A delete-everything amendment was adopted to target bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations, while preserving direct restaurant-platform relationships and requiring consumer contact information when reservations are made through noncontractual platforms. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the measure, and CS/SB 940 was reported favorably. SB 638 on home inspectors also passed after the sponsor explained it would raise education requirements from 120 to 200 hours, add instruction on building code, wind mitigation, four-point and insurance inspections, and require $300,000 in errors-and-omissions coverage; it was reported favorably. The committee next approved SB 960 on elevator accessibility, allowing additional shorter support rails while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was amended to address mRNA language and cosmetics safety standards, with the committee adopting amendments and then reporting the bill favorably. SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was amended to clarify the definition of heated tobacco products and exclude other forms such as hookah; it also passed favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. Finally, SB 1262 on construction contracting was amended to add contractor continuing-education topics, strengthen penalties for unlicensed activity, create a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and require timely refunds and project completion standards; it was reported favorably with support from the Florida Home Builders Association. SB 1304 on solar facilities was then approved after extensive testimony from rural county commissioners and local officials who argued that utility-scale solar on agricultural land has grown without sufficient local oversight and that decommissioning rules are needed to protect farmland and communities. The bill would repeal the current by-right treatment of solar facilities on ag land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances; it was reported favorably after a technical amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bar also offers free job advertising for positions in rural areas.
• public defense in rural Washington.
• But as you see, there's a lot of vacancies in the rural areas.
• But as you see, there's a lot of vacancies in the rural areas.
• And so, quite frankly, this rise is going to impact our services.

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• And its projected impacts.
• The changes will impact our emergency rooms, public hospitals, rural hospitals, community health centers
• and H.R. 1 impacts.
• and H-R-1 impacts. of state budget actions and H.R.1 impacts.
• We are seeing this impact directly.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of federal H.R. 1 and related state budget actions on California’s health care system. Opening remarks framed the federal changes as a major threat to Medi-Cal, Covered California, hospitals, clinics, and the broader safety net, with warnings that millions could lose coverage and that costs would shift to providers, counties, and consumers. Testimony from the California Health Care Foundation and the Legislative Analyst’s Office focused on implementation challenges, the administrative burden of work requirements and more frequent renewals, the loss of federal funding, and the need for California to consider long-term structural changes to Medi-Cal, county safety-net programs, and cost containment. A Covered California enrollee, Chas Franklin, described sharply rising premiums for his family after losing subsidies, illustrating the personal impact of federal policy changes. Committee members raised concerns about whether premium increases were driven by H.R. 1 or insurer pricing, the cost of rebuilding county-based indigent care systems, and the need to account for the cost of inaction. Dr. Hernandez pointed to pre-ACA models such as Healthy San Francisco as examples of coordinated local safety-net care, while also emphasizing the importance of primary care, data interoperability, and the Office of Health Care Affordability in reducing waste and improving access. Department of Health Care Services officials then outlined the state’s implementation plan for H.R. 1, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, reduced retroactive coverage, cost-sharing, and immigration-related eligibility changes. They said the department would try to automate eligibility checks, expand outreach, and train counties and partners, but estimated up to 2 million Californians could lose coverage over time. Covered California reported that the expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits and new federal marketplace rules are already raising costs and reducing enrollment, with an estimated 400,000 enrollees at risk of dropping coverage. County, hospital, and safety-net representatives warned that coverage losses will increase uncompensated care and strain local systems, while one coalition proposed a temporary state-funded coverage option as a bridge if full-scope Medi-Cal cannot be maintained. The hearing concluded with a policy analyst urging stakeholder engagement, immigrant protections, and new state revenue options to preserve coverage and offset federal cuts.