Transcript Highlights:

• Not voting. Ciarto? Not voting. Carriero? Cortesi? Aye. Porez? Wiener?
• Current vote is 2-0. Caballero, aye. We'll keep that vote on call.
• Current vote is 2-1. Caballero? Not voting. We'll keep that on call.
• Current vote is 2-0. Caballero, aye. We'll keep that vote on call.
• Current vote is 2-1. Caballero? Not voting. We'll keep that on call.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took action on multiple measures. AB 1662 by Assemblymember Wilson, which would require notice to the DMV when a defendant receives diversion in certain driving-related cases so points can still be assessed administratively, drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, AAA, and road safety advocates, with opposition from the Western Center on Law and Poverty. The bill passed on a due pass motion to Transportation and was held on call. AB 1741 by Assemblymember Pacheco, as amended, would allow sexual battery committed during an unlawful residential intrusion to be charged as a wobbler; prosecutors and victim advocates supported it, while public defender organizations argued existing law already covers the conduct and warned the bill was overbroad. It passed due pass as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. AB 2760 by Assemblymember Sharp Collins would let counties with an Office of Inspector General expand that office’s oversight to probation and animal control departments. Supporters, including the author, an Ella Baker Center representative, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, said it would improve transparency and help counties lacking capacity. Probation officials and Fresno County opposed, citing existing oversight structures and concerns about conflicts, confidentiality, and duplication. The bill passed due pass to Local Government, with some no votes, and was held on call. AB 1753 by Assemblymember Wix, the Survivor Pathways to Safety Act, would strengthen firearm relinquishment and protection-order enforcement, expand firearm prohibitions for certain threats and violations, and broaden remote hearing and notification provisions. Support came from gun violence prevention, victim, medical, and law enforcement groups; gun rights organizations opposed on due process grounds. It passed due pass as amended to Judiciary and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1743 by Assemblymember Wix, which would allow local governments and certain universities to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy purposes. Supporters said the data would help identify trafficking patterns and inform evidence-based policy, while opponents warned about privacy, misuse, and stigmatizing lawful dealers. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was held on call. AB 2164, the Care Without Fear Act, would strengthen California’s shield-law protections for reproductive health care providers against extradition and related enforcement; supporters framed it as protecting lawful care in California, while opponents raised concerns about abortion and gender-affirming care and due process. It passed due pass to Judiciary and was held open. AB 2664, the Safe Worship Zone Act, would create a narrow buffer around houses of worship to prevent harassment of people entering or exiting; faith-based and anti-hate groups supported it, while civil liberties and some community groups opposed it as an unconstitutional speech restriction. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was held on call. The committee then began hearing AB 2122 by Assemblymember Kalra, which would prohibit bench warrants for Vehicle Code infractions and allow noncustodial warrants for other infractions, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• A vote yes is a vote for aviation safety. A vote no is just for efficiency for tax collection.
• I would hate that, so I appreciate the comments and I appreciate your votes, and with that I vote...
• I would hate that, so I appreciate the comments and I appreciate your votes, and with that I vote...
• That I vote no. Thank you.
• That I vote no. Thank you. Noted. Mr. Chair. in contracting here in Arizona. It's that I vote now.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Intel Expert/Expert Works on software intended to help investigators process large volumes of audio, video, and text data more quickly. The presenters said the tool could be adapted for Department of Child Safety work involving neglected, abused, missing, and exploited children by flagging keywords, building link charts, translating transcripts, and aggregating files for faster review. Members discussed possible use with DCS, county sheriffs, DOC, procurement and RFP issues, and whether the software could help triage hotline calls, clear backlogs, and identify trafficking or abuse networks. The presenters said the system is already used in Iowa and elsewhere, and committee members expressed interest in pursuing legislation, appropriations, or a pilot program. The committee then considered HB 2460, which would preempt local ordinances that penalize businesses for theft of movable property, especially shopping carts. The sponsor argued cities were shifting cleanup costs onto victims of theft, while cities and towns opposed the bill, saying local ordinances address blight and public-right-of-way hazards and that businesses should take proactive steps. After testimony from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and the City of Phoenix, the committee passed HB 2460 on a 4-3 vote. Members also heard HB 2060, which would prohibit public educational institutions and ABOR schools from encouraging or facilitating abortions. The sponsor said taxpayer-funded institutions should remain neutral and not use public resources to promote abortion, while opponents argued the bill would restrict students’ access to constitutionally protected reproductive health care and referrals. Supporters said campuses should provide alternatives such as pregnancy resources and adoption information. The committee passed HB 2060 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee considered HB 2210, as amended, to prohibit the state, local governments, and private entities from using ADS-B aircraft surveillance data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators. Supporters said the technology was intended for safety and should not be repurposed for fee collection, warning that pilots might turn it off if used that way; opponents, including the City of Phoenix, said they wanted flexibility to use the system if needed. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 2210 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The transcript then began discussion of HB 2533, which would create an Office of Homeless Services, board, compensation fund, and ombudsman, but the excerpt ends before that bill is fully taken up.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with partners like Grubhub and DoorDash, but they do not have a vote or a veto over our policy
• It went on for months, short two votes.
• I got the votes. I went to George. I said, 'George, I want it on the floor tomorrow.'
• George, so I won that vote 79 or 78, and now you have Boston.
• I urge you to vote in favor of this bill. Thank you so much. Thank you, Amy.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a range of bills focused on transportation funding, governance, and equity. Supporters backed proposals to create a North Central Massachusetts intercity passenger rail fund tied to a possible new gaming license (H. 3680/S. 2363), local parking assessments (H. 3756), third-party delivery fees (S. 2356/H. 3774), broader roadway pricing and congestion management measures (S. 2353/S. 2354), tolling equity and regional transit authority advisory boards (S. 2400/S. 2401), and Steamship Authority oversight reforms including board term limits (S. 2395). Testimony in favor emphasized new dedicated revenue sources, commuter rail expansion, regional equity, improved oversight, and better transit access for riders and communities that rely on public transportation. There was also testimony in opposition to the third-party delivery fee bills from Chamber of Progress, which argued the fee would raise costs for consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers, could reduce demand and jobs, and might not achieve the intended environmental benefits. Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts opposed H. 3633, a transit expansion, electrification, and resiliency bill, specifically objecting to its mandatory project labor agreement requirement and saying it would limit competition and disadvantage non-union contractors and workers. Several witnesses spoke in favor of the Steamship Authority bill, saying term limits would improve transparency, accountability, and board turnover. The committee also heard detailed support for the North Central rail proposal from a legislator, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and a transportation advocate, who described the bill as a way to generate long-term bonded revenue for rail infrastructure. After testimony concluded and no questions remained, the chairs entertained and received a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request a yes vote. Thank you.
• And it looks like we're going to do, by request, an oral vote.
• Staff will announce the vote. Madam Chair, there are 11 ayes, zero nays, and two excused.
• Madam Chair, there are 11 ayes, zero nays, and two excused votes.
• Anyone wishing to change their vote? Anyone wishing to change their votes?

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2239, which would allow family burial grounds on privately owned land and exempt them from private cemetery requirements, while imposing limits such as recording burials with the county auditor, setbacks, and a cap on the burial ground covering no more than 10% of the parcel. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help rural landowners and families, including Native communities, keep burials on land with family and cultural significance. Testimony from a farmer and the Washington Cattlemen’s Association strongly supported the bill as a way to honor family ties to land. A question was raised about what happens if a later property owner wants to disturb an existing burial ground; staff said the bill requires notice but is silent on that issue. No action was taken on HB 2239 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2304, a follow-up to last year’s condominium liability reform, expanding the option for declarants to use a 2-10 warranty for stacked-flat or mid-rise condominium buildings up to four stories. Supporters from housing, real estate, builders, AARP, Habitat for Humanity, the City of Seattle, and others said the bill would reduce liability barriers, increase condo production, and create more attainable and accessible homeownership options for first-time buyers, older adults, and people with mobility challenges. The Office of Insurance Commissioner supported the bill but suggested technical language changes to avoid referring to the warranty as insurance. Members asked about consumer protections and the distinction between warranties and insurance, and staff and testifiers noted existing layers of protection. No vote was taken on HB 2304 in the transcript. In executive session, staff summarized House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways and House Bill 2248 on Secretary of State filing processes. For HB 2095, staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments, including changes to education requirements, civil liability language, protected areas, punitive damages thresholds, and liability rules. For HB 2248, staff said the proposed substitute made cleanup and consistency changes to corporate filing provisions. The committee then moved the proposed substitute for HB 2248 out of committee with a due pass recommendation, and it passed 11-0 with two excused members. Action on HB 2095 was deferred to a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the A1 amendment provides that an applicant who's conducting an active work search remotely must be
• </c> search may be done remotely search may be done remotely um<00:04:31.080><c> so</c><00:04:31.320>
• to put a guard rail around that remotely to put a guard rail around that and<00:04:46.199><c> because
• must be able to be physically remotely must be able to be physically present<00:05:05.080><c> for</c
• He asked how the committee could enforce the requirement if people are remote.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We respectfully request the committee to oppose AB 1703 as written with a no vote or postpone any vote
• I just respectfully request my vote. All right.
• And this bill has had no no votes. I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• We respectfully request your aye vote.
• Current vote five to zero. Choi? No vote. Archuleta? Aye. Nilo? Not voting. Smallwood-Cuevas? Aye.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• Zbur, not voting. Lowenthal, aye; Pellerin, Zbur, not voting. That measure is 5-0. It is out.
• The vote is 8-0. The vote is 8-0. Pellerin? Aye. The vote is 8-0. The consent calendar is out.
• The vote is 8-0. The measure is out. The vote is 8-0. The measures are out. File item 6, SB 1067.
• The vote is 8-0. The measure is out. Pellerin? Aye. Pellerin? Aye. That's 8-0. The vote is 8-0.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• The vote is 8-0. Pellerin? Aye. The vote is 8-0. The consent calendar is out. File item 2, SB 685.
• The vote is 8-0. The measure is out. Pellerin, aye. Pellerin, aye. That’s 8-0. The vote is 8-0.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a long slate of education bills, beginning with SB 685 on nonpublic schools for students with disabilities. Senator Cortese and the California Department of Education described the bill as a response to the Ninth Circuit’s Laughman decision, removing the obsolete “non-sectarian” requirement while preserving secular use of public funds, nondiscrimination protections, background checks, credentialing, and incident reporting. There was no opposition, and the bill later passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1181, a pilot grant program for violence prevention, student wellness, and school safety in Central Valley and other schools. Supporters framed it as a prevention measure, while opponents from EFF, ACLU Cal Action, and community advocates warned it could increase law enforcement involvement, surveillance, and use of fusion centers; despite those concerns, it ultimately passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1067, which would create a statewide framework for annual K-2 math assessments starting in 2028-29 to identify students needing early intervention. The author and supporters argued California faces a serious math achievement crisis and that early assessment would help close gaps, while CTA and several educators and administrators sought additional clarity and amendments to ensure alignment with existing diagnostic practices and limits on high-stakes use. The bill drew broad support from educators, parents, and advocacy groups and passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1107, a school shade-structure bill, would expand eligible shade projects and allow bundling through design-build to reduce costs; it received support from LAUSD, school boards, and climate-focused groups and passed 7-0. SB 1128, on take-home devices and screen time for kindergarteners, was presented as a modest first step to give families more flexibility and reduce early screen exposure, with support from early childhood advocates and no opposition, and it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1048, creating a voluntary State Seal of Climate Literacy for students who complete climate coursework and hands-on projects. Supporters, including Ten Strands, students, teachers, and county offices, said it would recognize real-world climate learning and green career readiness; it passed 7-0. SB 1140, sponsored by CFT, would require LEA construction contractors to follow campus security provisions during school projects to reduce unauthorized access; it drew support from labor and gun violence prevention groups and passed 7-0. SB 930, requiring end-to-end encryption for proctoring companies handling K-12 exam data, was presented as a student privacy measure in response to cybersecurity risks and passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1083 was introduced by Senator Perez as a follow-up to last year’s Safe Learning Environments Act, with extensive committee amendments to refine the statewide misconduct data system, disclosure rules, contractor fingerprinting, and access requirements; the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full hearing and vote are shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not voting. Shannon Grove not voting. John Laird? Aye. John Laird, aye. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh?
• Not voting. Eloise Reyes? Aye. Eloise Reyes, aye. Three to zero. Thank you.
• I have to go present a bill, but I will be voting. Thank you, Senator.
• They’re more remote locations. We did hold some rapid hiring events.
• Four votes. All right, that is 4-0. We'll leave that open for absent members.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• A vote yes is a vote for aviation safety. A vote no is just for efficiency for tax collection.
• I would hate that, so I appreciate the comments and I appreciate your votes, and with that, I vote...
• And with that, I vote...
• May I explain my vote? Yes. Just briefly.
• So therefore, I vote aye. Chairman Blackman? Aye.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• He noted that each area presents challenges, such as a lack of public land or remote areas where there
• Maybe it is a lack of public land, or it is a remote area where there is not a club to make things happen
• We'll take the vote. All in favor, please say aye. Any opposed, please say aye.
• committee we'll government operating committee we'll take<00:12:09.240><c> the</c><00:12:09.360><c> vote
• c> in</c><00:12:10.560><c> favor</c><00:12:11.120><c> please</c><00:12:11.360><c> say</c> take the vote

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes I. Vice Chair also votes I. Senator Har is excused. Senator Moriwaki votes I.
• </c> chair lamas for the vote chair votes I. chair lamas for the vote chair votes I.
• Chair Lamasaw for the vote. Chair votes Chair Lamasaw for the vote. Chair votes I. I. I.
• If not, Vice Chair Lamosao for the vote. Chair votes I. >> Okay. Voting on GM627.
• If not, Vice Chair Lamosao for the vote. Chair votes I. >> Okay. Members voting on GM726.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 6, 2026, and considered four gubernatorial nominations. For GM 690, Jesse Kola Dean was nominated for reappointment to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board. Testimony from the Retirement Savings Board and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported Dean, citing his original membership on the board and his role in advancing implementation of the retirement savings program. Dean described his background and said the program was moving into implementation after the board approved the Connecticut consortium model; in response to questions, he said the main challenges had been finding an executive director and adapting the program from an original opt-in structure to the opt-out consortium model. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent. For GM 634, Darlene Blakey was nominated to the board of trustees of the Employees' Retirement System. ERS and several individuals submitted support. Blakey, an executive vice president and chief lending officer at First Hawaiian Bank, said her banking and finance background and personal experience with her mother’s retirement benefits motivated her service. She told senators she had attended ERS meetings and was focused on improving retirees’ access to information, education, and retirement planning, and said she would recuse herself from matters involving First Hawaiian Bank because of a potential conflict of interest. The committee again voted to advise and consent. The committee then considered GM 627 and GM 726, both nominations of Gina Anu Novo to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council for different terms. Written testimony from numerous supporters was read into the record. Novo, a longtime First Hawaiian Bank executive and current vice chair, described her experience building audit, compliance, human resources, and technology functions, and said she wanted to help strengthen workforce pathways, career development, retention, and outreach to youth and workers who do not pursue college. Senators asked about her plans to connect workforce development with education and financial literacy; she emphasized career pathing, training, and adapting to changing skills needs, including the role of technology and AI. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on both nominations, and the meeting adjourned after all four nominations were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was successfully used at 11, but then we got a cut, and so we did run a lower fiscal vote initially
• We have one testifier today, David Gulladay, and he is remote. David, you may begin. Mr.
• And if you could please bring in Kirk Camer into the lobby remotely, we'll hear from him after.
• We'll now move to Carl on remote.
• Eric is remote. Sorry. Eric, are you online remotely, please? Yes, yes, I am.

Bills: SB5816 , SB5971

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, green fertilizer, low-carbon, sustainability, incentive program

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:40.000><c> I</c> vote green. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I vote green.
• Members, please vote no. Representative Gordon. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• [Music] The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Olson.
• no on this and that's why I'll be voting no on this bill<00:20:40.480><c> today.
• </c> green vote today. green vote today.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to the remote panel of Mindy Brooks, Scott Bungukian, and Carl Schrader.
• I testify remotely. I'm homesick today.
• Please go ahead with remote testimony, Kristen.
• Remote testimony: Seth Bown. Hi, good morning, Chair and members of the committee.
• We have remote testimony from Megan Mannigan.

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 6026, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act with populations of 30,000 or more to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and bar local governments from requiring ground-floor commercial or retail as a condition of housing approval, with exemptions for certain sensitive areas and a carve-out for transit-oriented development station areas. The prime sponsor, Senator Alvarado, and supporters from the governor’s office, Commerce, housing advocates, developers, and major employers argued the bill would unlock underused land, reduce costs, and help address the state’s housing shortage. Opponents and local government representatives from small towns, counties, and cities said the bill could harm commercial corridors, small businesses, tax base stability, and local planning flexibility, and asked for narrower exemptions or additional carve-outs. No vote was taken on SB 6026 during the hearing. The committee then held executive action on Senate Bill 5937 and Senate Bill 5938. SB 5937, dealing with smart access systems and tenant privacy, was amended to clarify that keypad-only entry is not covered, require written privacy policies within five days of installation, and add operational purposes to allowable data collection; the committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill with a due pass recommendation. SB 5938, which changes the foreclosure prevention fee and directs a Commerce study on a state homeowner assistance fund, was also amended to extend the study deadline and related expiration date; the committee adopted the amendment and moved the bill forward with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6018, which would expand and modernize the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage lending to borrowers, extending bond counsel selection cycles, removing advance notice requirements for bond issuance, and repealing an outdated housing finance plan/program. The sponsor and the commission said the bill would improve efficiency and create new financing tools for affordable housing, while banking groups said they supported the goal but wanted clearer limits to ensure the commission would not enter first-mortgage lending for homebuyers. The sponsor and commission said they would work on clarifying language. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6027 and Senate Bill 6028. SB 6027 would expand the use of local housing sales taxes and the Affordable Housing for All account to support operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation of existing affordable housing, update REET exemption timing, and align the definition of emergency housing with the Growth Management Act; local governments, housing providers, and advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to preserve existing housing amid rising costs and federal funding uncertainty. SB 6028 would create a revolving loan fund administered by the Housing Finance Commission to finance mixed-income affordable homeownership projects with long-term affordability covenants; the sponsor said it would help builders who have entitled sites but face high capital costs, and the hearing began with staff briefing and sponsor testimony, with questions from members starting as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:55.519><c> proceedings</c><00:30:56.039><c> so</c> and staff embraced remote proceedings so
• and staff embraced remote proceedings so courts<00:30:56.600><c> could</c><00:30:56.840><c> continue
• </c><00:31:02.679><c> proceedings</c><00:31:03.679><c> an</c><00:31:03.919><c> Aston</c> 800,000 remote
• proceedings an Aston 800,000 remote proceedings an Aston astonishing<00:31:05.159><c> transformation
• </c><00:44:53.359><c> proceedings</c><00:44:53.839><c> means</c> our move to remote proceedings means

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I missed and didn't vote.
• , uh, I will register a yes vote on these.
• </c> into one roll call vote? into one roll call vote?
• Representative Stalker voted yes. Representative Thomas voted hi. Co-chair McFersonen voted yes.
• Chair Funky From voted yes. Representative Stalker voted yes. Representative Thomas voted hi.

Summary: The Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee met on July 16 and approved the June meeting minutes. Members received six information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, notice that the committee did not approve a Kentucky Community and Technical College System fire academy maintenance building project, reports of upcoming school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, a Northern Kentucky University asset preservation revision, and prior debt issues from the School Facilities Construction Commission. The committee then heard five project reports from the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Three new projects were presented for action and approved: a $1.3 million White Haven rest area renovation in Paducah, a $6.5 million Boone County north- and southbound rest area remodel and expansion to add truck parking, and a $4.5 million Bluegrass Station Building 14 modernization project funded by a Department of the Army grant. Members asked several questions about the Boone County rest area project, including truck congestion, restroom capacity, staffing, and the need to keep the facility open during construction; Transportation staff explained the project is meant to expand parking and improve facilities. Two emergency projects were reported with no action required: an amended Fort Boonboro flood remediation project in Madison County and a Kentucky Horse Park emergency flood repair project. The committee also approved three new leases after hearing from the Division of Real Properties. The leases included Department of Corrections parking spaces in Louisville, a Kentucky State Police office and lab lease in Hopkins County, and an Education and Labor Cabinet lease in Kenton County that was negotiated at a lower rate. Members asked about lease terms and how local match or negotiated rates were set, and staff explained that lease lengths are generally set by lessors and that the Kenton County lease was reduced through direct negotiation to stay within budget. A separate lease modification for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, involving reception-area renovations, was reported with no action required. Finally, the committee considered seven grant reallocations from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, including six Clean Water Program grants and one EKSF-related reallocation. Members questioned whether some flood-related water infrastructure work, especially an Olive Branch subdivision storage tank project, fit the intended purpose of the funding; staff explained the reallocations were needed to keep federal dollars from being returned and to move funds to eligible projects. The committee initially failed to approve the package on a 4-4 vote, but after a member noted a missed vote and changed to yes, the grants passed with favorable expression. The committee then began hearing three Kentucky Product Development Initiative grants for industrial site development in Russell County, Cumberland County, and Berea/Madison County, with members asking about match requirements, funding sources, and the scope of the projects; the transcript ends during the roll call on those grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will be remote, I believe.
• We have 15 volunteer voting members.
• Technical advisory groups are composed of at least one voting member of the council and one voting member
• We review and consider written public testimony and do a final vote on the proposals.
• By November of 2024, we voted to move those proposals into CR-102.

Summary: The committee heard first from Ferndale city officials and a representative of FutureWise on annexation planning. Ferndale described its “annexation blueprint” or phased annexation plan as a way to tie urban growth area planning, capital facilities, and eventual annexation together earlier in the process. Speakers argued that counties often allow incremental development in urban growth areas without city-level standards, impact fees, or coordinated infrastructure planning, which can leave cities and taxpayers with higher future costs and make annexation less likely. Members raised questions about fire districts, county revenue loss, and whether annexation incentives or interlocal revenue-sharing agreements could help. FutureWise supported requiring annexation phasing in countywide planning policies, using pre-annexation agreements, and applying city standards in urban growth areas to make annexation more predictable and less contentious. The committee then received a primer and update from the State Building Code Council (SBCC). Staff explained the council’s composition, standing committees, technical advisory groups, and rulemaking process, including normal, expedited, and emergency rulemaking. They described the ongoing 2024 code cycle and the separate work underway on Senate Bill 5491 and related legislation concerning single-stair residential buildings and multiplex housing. Members discussed how the legislature can better direct the SBCC, the difference between prescriptive and performance-based code approaches, and the importance of involving technical experts early. The SBCC also addressed concerns about the wildfire urban interface code, noting that problems arose when code language and maps were developed on different timelines and applied to urban areas in ways that were not anticipated. Several members asked about regional differences, especially energy code impacts in eastern Washington and the role of natural gas. SBCC representatives said the council can use climate zones and appendices for some regional variation, but statewide statutory targets still constrain the energy code. They emphasized that the council is largely reactive to legislative direction and public proposals, and that clearer legislative intent would help avoid ambiguity in future code development. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 13 ayes and one no, you have voted House Bill 3136 due pass.
• By your vote of 14 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Bill 2506 due pass.
• By your vote of ten ayes and two noes, two presents, you have voted House Bill 1758 do pass.
• So that's the reason I'll be voting no on this.
• By the vote of 11 ayes and 7 noes, you have voted House Committee Sub for House Bill 2278 and 2403 do

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Our pay scale, as compared to the private industry and other state and local governments, remote work
• It's clear that we don't do remote work, and then they back out.
• I had a question about remote work.
• Is it possible to open up remote work, or is there a policy where the state doesn't allow it?
• But I definitely think opening up a remote work could be helpful.