Transcript Highlights:

• of this bill, we saw that there was a flaw in the bill and that we know that law enforcement, firefighters
• Law enforcement, firefighters, all kinds, have a valued tradition or time-honored tradition of when a

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1002, HB1065, HB1155, HB1916, HB2264, HB1078, HB1687, HB1701, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2088, HB2091, HB2107, HB2109, HB2110, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2152, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2228, HB2229, HB2230, HB2235, HB2238, HB2242, HB2245, HB2249, HB2253, HB2254, HB2269, HB2272, HB2283, HB2304, HB2317, HB2340, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2445, HB2452, HB2472, HB2492, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB2664, HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2107, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2242, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2317, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2111, HB2156, HB2188, HB2199, HB2206, HB2296, HB2360, HB2436, HB2471, HB2478, HB2510, HB2525, HB2532, HB2543, HB2605, HB2624, HJM4012, HB1759

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• consideration of this bill, we saw that there was a flaw in the bill, and we know that law enforcement, firefighters
• Law enforcement, firefighters, all kinds, have a valued tradition or time-honored tradition of when a

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2107, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2242, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2317, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2111, HB2156, HB2188, HB2199, HB2206, HB2296, HB2360, HB2436, HB2471, HB2478, HB2510, HB2525, HB2532, HB2543, HB2605, HB2624, HJM4012, HB1759

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer before caucusing. The chamber then received a Senate message that Substitute Senate Bill 5820 had passed the Senate. Members took up a long series of House bills on second and third reading, with most advancing by wide margins after brief debate and, in some cases, amendments. Among the measures considered, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 on impersonating law enforcement drew the most debate. Supporters said it would address public safety and accountability by prohibiting people from claiming police authority or creating that impression, while opponents argued it could create confusion, overlap with existing law, or interfere with federal-state law enforcement cooperation. Amendment 1521 was adopted to protect ceremonial transfers of badges and identification to families of fallen or retired officers. The bill ultimately passed 56-38. Other bills passed included House Bill 2624 on clarifying property-related definitions for conservancies, House Bill 2385 delaying implementation dates tied to Medicaid reimbursement changes, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 on affordable housing tax remittance, Second Substitute House Bill 1859 on housing development on faith-owned land, Substitute House Bill 2151 adopting national standards for factory-built housing inspections, House Bill 2155 protecting the nursing title, House Bill 2111 on Interstate Bridge toll interest revenue, House Bill 2543 on county clerk fees, House Bill 2606 updating the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s performance measures and AI-related duties, and House Bill 2417 aligning victim rights for National Guard members. Later, the House considered additional bills on early learning, marine safety, energy devices, nitrous oxide sales, derelict vessels, and a Seahawks-related resolution. House Bill 2317 on early learning assistance was amended to clarify school and community/technical college premises and passed unanimously. House Bill 2436, a technical fix for pilotage-related vessel requirements, also passed unanimously. Substitute House Bill 2296, dealing with distributed energy resource devices and meter-mounted equipment, passed 56-38 after concerns about timing relative to UTC rulemaking. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532, restricting nitrous oxide sales with exemptions for medical, dental, and automotive uses, passed unanimously after an amendment clarifying those exemptions. Substitute House Bill 2199, aimed at removing derelict and sinking vessels, passed unanimously. Finally, House Bill 1759 designating December 12 as the “Day of the 12s” in honor of the Seahawks and their fans passed 93-2 after enthusiastic floor remarks and a brief point of order. The House then recessed for caucus until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, having been a wildland firefighter in a neighboring state, having studied fire in college,
• You know, having been a wildland firefighter in a neighboring state, having studied fire in college,

Bills: HB2713, HB2730, HB2297, HB2487, HB2382, HB2089, HB2431, HB2451, HB2590, HB2325, HB2278, HB2224, HB2322

Keywords: private detention facilities, business tax, occupation tax, financial impact, state revenue, aerospace, tax preferences, effectiveness, economic impact, grocery stores, underserved communities, food access, incentives, economic development, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, excise tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson, with the Washington State Council of Firefighters, began testimony in support of the bill.
• Johnson, with the Washington State Council of Firefighters, testified in support of the bill.

Bills: SB6194, SB5963, SB5909, SB5826, SB5988, SB5872, SB5879, SB5834, SB5835, SB5905, SB5832, SB6177, SB5970, SB5994, SB6047, SB5647

Keywords: SB 6194, Washington Medicaid, medical assistance, fee-for-service, managed care, rural hospital, Indian reservation, tribal hospital, federally recognized Indian reservation, Indian Health, hospital reimbursement, Medicaid payments, inpatient services, outpatient services, psychiatric unit, health care access, rural health, tribal health, safety-net hospital, RCW 74.09

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson, with the Washington State Council of Firefighters, testified: “Good evening, Madam Chair, members
• Johnson with the Washington State Council of Firefighters.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held public hearings on several bills before moving into executive session. Substitute Senate Bill 6037 would change how single-city fire protection districts are funded by ending the requirement that a city reduce its levy dollar-for-dollar and instead reducing the city’s statutory maximum rate; testimony was generally supportive from cities and firefighters, while public hospital districts opposed it over prorationing concerns and some witnesses sought amendments on governance and accountability. Senate Bill 6194 would allow cost-based Medicaid reimbursement for rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations, with strong support from Toppenish/Astria representatives and the Yakama Nation, who said the bill is needed to address severe funding inequities and preserve services. Senate Bill 5963 would make Passport to Careers students automatically income-eligible for the Washington College Grant; it drew support from student advocates and foster-youth advocates, with staff noting modest estimated costs. Senate Bill 5909 would require public universities to review and report low-enrollment undergraduate programs and potentially discontinue them after repeated low enrollment; Eastern Washington University supported it as an accountability measure, while faculty and student representatives opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and potentially politicized. Senate Bill 5826 would require public postsecondary student health centers to provide access to medication abortion or referrals and related web information; testimony was sharply divided between supporters who framed it as needed student health access and opponents who raised moral, safety, and budget objections. In executive session, staff briefed a series of bills, including measures on opioid treatment accreditation fees, a pre-K donation account, JLARC report elimination, retirement trust fund expense authority, pension lump-sum thresholds, port employee retirement exemptions, lemon law arbitration fees, LEAP website disclosures, limits on corporate ownership of single-family homes, a permanent senior center property tax exemption, timber tax distributions for school districts, capital project administration rules, and a real estate excise tax exemption for affordable housing. The committee then took action on the listed bills. The committee voted to give due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee for Senate Bills 5872, 5879, 5834, 5835, 5905, 5832, 6177, 5496, 5970, 5994, 6047, and 5647. Amendments were adopted on SB 5834, SB 5905, SB 6047, and SB 5647 before those bills were advanced as substitutes. SB 5988 was noted as taking action later, but no vote on it was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to say a teacher is less important than a firefighter.
• Representatives start when firefighters organize and three show up. I never want that of course.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment expands the prohibition on funding reductions for law enforcement to also include firefighters
• In each case, it's provided by general law regarding the definition for firefighters and other first

Transcript Highlights:

• we also honor the lives of some of the remarkable heroes and leaders: the first responders and firefighters
• we also honor the lives of some of the remarkable heroes and leaders: the first responders and firefighters

Summary: The Assembly met, initially lacking a quorum, and the Clerk called the roll until a quorum was established. The chamber then proceeded through routine opening business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of Native lands, approval of procedural motions, and several unanimous-consent actions to re-refer bills and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The Assembly also recessed regular session to convene a joint convention for the Governor’s State of the State address. In the joint convention, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State speech, focusing on California’s economic performance, education investments, housing reforms, public safety, homelessness, climate policy, insurance issues, and the state’s response to federal actions. He highlighted budget plans, including a proposed $248.3 billion general fund, increased reserves, major education funding, child care and after-school investments, housing and affordability measures, mental health and homelessness funding, infrastructure projects, clean energy goals, and wildfire recovery efforts. He also praised legislative collaboration on AI regulation, tax credits, and other policy areas while criticizing federal policies and calling for continued state action. After the address, the Governor’s speech was ordered printed in the journal, the joint convention adjourned sine die, and the Assembly returned to regular session. The Speaker announced the desk would remain open for introduction of the budget bill, noted the next floor session would be Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m., and the House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• we also honor the lives of some of the remarkable heroes and leaders: the first responders and firefighters
• we also honor the lives of some of the remarkable heroes and leaders: the first responders and firefighters

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Esquidazi, Campaign Treasurer for the Clean Firefighters of Responsible Government. Is Mr.
• Last in group two is Exhibit U, James Tremble, campaign treasurer for the Haltom City Firefighters Committee

Keywords: Texas Ethics Commission, legislative recommendations, general counsel appointment, foreign lobbying, political contributions, quarterly meetings, public testimony, rule amendments

Summary: The meeting focused on the Texas Ethics Commission's (TEC) evaluation of legislative recommendations and personnel updates, including the appointment of a new general counsel and discussions about upcoming quarterly meetings. Commissioner Schmidt reported on the progress of various bills, including amendments to existing laws, the need for increased regulation on foreign lobbying, and the publication of new rules in the Texas Register. Public testimonies were heard regarding compliance issues and proposed changes in political contribution regulations. The Commission agreed to schedule further review on the legislative items discussed and the proposed rule amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes police officers, EMS, paramedics, and firefighters.
• This bill would extend toll exemptions for licensed police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical

Transcript Highlights:

• We already have heard from firefighters that we need to add non-combustible exterior wall coverings and
• This effort has strong backing from firefighters, building officials, and realtors.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And firefighting know you probably on the fire rescue is having an issue dealing with these on a daily
• And we're out there were part of the firefighter community part of the first responder community and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, because of the tireless work of our firefighters.
• information and TDEM. to report damage from wildfires. so much for helping me recognize these firefighters

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE RECRUITMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, PARAMEDICS AND FIREFIGHTERS
• EXPANSION OF THE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH IS LAKE TECH CAMPUS THAT TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I thank the state of Texas, law enforcement, our EMS, our firefighters, the volunteers, the Navy SEALs
• I've had the privilege to serve in the military as a firefighter, paramedic, in healthcare, and now in
• He comes with a lot of experience and knowledge. as he was Fort Bend County, I think, firefighter for
• We both saw over 50 firefighters in the parking lot that morning at their briefing together.
• Well, the point is, 89% of the state's covered by volunteer firefighters. Yeah.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brady for legislation to establish the firefighter staffing grant program, reports recommending that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the pledge of allegiance and then took up a committee report from the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petitioned bill by Michael D. Brady establishing a firefighter staffing grant program. The Senate also suspended Rule 36 to consider the matter forthwith and referred the bill to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The chamber then acted on several bills from the Orders of the Day. It ordered to a third reading a Senate bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the City of Boston, and it passed to be engrossed House Bill 4602, which increases the membership of the select board in the town of Monson after a title change by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. After a brief recess, the Senate received House Bill 5280, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill. The House had non-concurred with the Senate amendment and appointed a conference committee; the Senate voted to insist on its amendment and appointed its own conferees. The Senate also took up House Bill 5317 concerning easements or takings of certain parcels of land in Boston, suspended the rule to consider it forthwith, and ordered it to a third reading. The session ended with adoption of an adjournment order and adjournment until Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brady for legislation to establish the firefighter staffing grant program.

Summary: The Senate began with the pledge of allegiance and then took up several procedural and local matters. A committee report on a petition and bill by Michael D. Browell and Michael D. Brady to establish a firefighter staffing grant program recommended suspension of Joint Rule 12; the Senate suspended both Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 and referred the matter to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The chamber then advanced two House and Senate bills without objection. It ordered to a third reading a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the City of Boston, and it passed to be engrossed a bill increasing the membership of the select board in Monson. The Senate also considered a House bill on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, where the House had disagreed with the Senate amendment; the Senate voted to insist on its amendment and appointed Senators Rogers, Comerford, and O'Connor to a conference committee. Finally, the Senate received another House bill authorizing easements or takings in Boston and, after suspending the rule, ordered it to a third reading. The session concluded with adoption of an adjournment order, and the Senate adjourned to meet again on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brady for legislation to establish the firefighter staffing grant program, reports recommending that

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be able to have a volunteer firefighter chaplain tag.
• be able to have a volunteer firefighter chaplain tag.
• "Well, this bill adjusts the firefighters' volunteer fire departments.
• Do they meet during the summer, or do we meet here with the firefighters?" "No.
• >> with with the firefighters? They >> with with the firefighters?

Keywords: 1136, house, all