Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee. Serena Dolly, staff to the committee.
• state to bring in people to our wonderful state in all corners of our state.
• Washington State.
• State sales tax.
• I agree, asking the committee to vote this bill out of committee.

Summary: House Finance heard testimony on several tax and local government bills. HB 2278 would remove the July 1, 2027 expiration on the additional $3-per-room-night tourism promotion area lodging charge; supporters from destination marketing organizations said the revenue has produced strong returns for tourism and events, while questions were raised about how the local ordinances would continue. HB 2583 would lower the population threshold for cities to impose a higher lodging tax and expand authority for public facilities districts; the sponsor and Vancouver supporters said it would help fund a proposed performing arts center and other tourism investments, while hospitality, short-term rental, and some local advocates raised concerns about stakeholder input, equity, and whether the bill was too broad. HB 2224 would change how a city forming a single-city fire protection district handles levy reductions and would exempt part of one levy from the local tax limit; city and firefighter groups supported it as a needed tool for fire and EMS funding, while hospital districts and tax opponents warned about prorationing, governance, and higher taxes. HB 2325 would create a statewide tourism self-supported assessment program funded by participating tourism businesses; supporters from tourism, hospitality, wine, and brewing groups said it would provide a competitive, industry-driven statewide marketing program, while members questioned impacts on specific communities and the need for broader local benefits. HB 2431 would expand from 15 to 50 days the amount of fundraising activity allowed in nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places, and the Grange supported it as a practical way to keep community halls open. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session and advanced three bills. HB 2584, a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm equipment sold to eligible farmers, passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2610, which modifies the property tax exemption for nonprofit homeownership development, also passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2615, which codifies the voluntary disclosure tax program and authorizes temporary tax amnesty, likewise passed 14-0 with one excused. The chair also announced a deadline for amendments on items to be acted on the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 47 of them in the state. They are political subdivisions of the state.
• Committee. Thank you.
• Madam Chair and members of the committee, Lauren Vernon with Tri-State Generation and Transmission.
• Madam Chair and members of the committee, Tri-State supports SB 78, and we would respectfully ask the
• Thank you. ...the committee, Tri-State supports SB 78, and we would respectfully ask the members of this

Bills: SB47 , SB195 , SB196 , SB197 , SB198 , SB78

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 47, a composting/organic waste measure that had been brought back from the table. The sponsor and witnesses described amendments that reduced the solid waste surcharge, added flexibility for landfills to divert organic waste to regional compost facilities, and delayed the effective date to July 1, 2027. Supporters said the changes made the bill more affordable and workable, while opponents from the waste industry still objected to the surcharge and wanted the proposed study completed before any tax was imposed. After committee discussion, a motion to table resulted in a tie vote, so the bill remained on the table. The committee then heard Senate Bill 195, which appropriates $1 million for training elected officials and staff of soil and water conservation districts. The sponsor and the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts said the money would support compliance training, procurement and audit requirements, board education, and outreach for the state’s 47 districts. Support came from district officials and environmental advocates, who cited increasing responsibilities tied to disasters and climate impacts. The bill passed unanimously. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 196 and Senate Bill 197, companion appropriations for animal care and spay/neuter services in Las Vegas and Raton. Senators questioned whether the bills mixed operating funds with capital improvements, whether the projects duplicated statewide spay/neuter grants, and how much local funding was involved. The sponsor said the local communities had substantial skin in the game and that the appropriations were needed for facility expansion and repairs. Both bills passed on 6-2 votes. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 198, which would fund an endangered species hatchery and rearing station in Las Vegas. The sponsor argued the project would help restore aquatic species and use available state land and water, while supporters said it would strengthen conservation efforts. Opponents argued New Mexico already has a hatchery doing similar work, raised concerns about nuclear and water issues, and questioned the location and policy direction. After extensive testimony, the committee did not finish the bill and recessed SB 78, a separate measure to allow nuclear energy to count toward renewable portfolio standards, for continued discussion on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• If members of this committee are monitoring this hearing, please come to Room 444 of the State Capitol
• Good morning, Chair, members of the committee.
• Before I begin, I want to refer the committee to the Campaign Legal Center support letter and state publicly
• Good morning, committee chair.
• two terms as President of the United States.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity. Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no. The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards. The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name for the committee record and proceed when you're ready.
• So Tia, whenever you're ready, state your name for the committee record and proceed.
• Peter, whenever you're ready, state your name for the committee record to proceed.
• Whenever you're ready, state your name for the committee record and proceed.
• Whenever you're ready, state your name for the committee record and proceed.

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2152 would allow terminally ill qualifying patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities under facility policies that prohibit smoking/vaping, require patient self-administration and secure storage, and allow facilities to suspend compliance if federal enforcement arises. The prime sponsor and supporters, including family members, cannabis advocates, nurses, and hospital-related groups, described the bill as a compassionate end-of-life measure based on California’s Ryan’s Law; the Washington State Hospital Association asked for clarifying amendments to limit the bill to inpatient beds and to bar staff from retrieving cannabis as well as administering it. HB 2122 would require hospitals, starting in 2027 and during flu season, to offer influenza vaccines to inpatients age 65 and older and to inpatients with chronic health conditions when not contraindicated. The sponsor and supporters from diabetes, infectious disease, AARP, and public health emphasized rising flu deaths, the benefits for high-risk patients, and the chance to reduce severe illness and costs. The Washington State Hospital Association supported the goal but said the bill would create an unfunded mandate and requested amendments related to vaccine availability, emergency declarations, and operational flexibility. One witness from Informed Choice Washington opposed the bill but suggested adding vaccine information statements to strengthen informed consent. HB 2110 would change staffing rules for inter-facility specialty care ambulance transports so a registered nurse without EMT certification could satisfy the personnel requirement when no paramedic or EMT-certified nurse is available, provided an EMT-certified EMS provider is in the ambulance and the nurse has appropriate competencies. Rural hospitals and ambulance providers said the current rule delays transfers and can force long waits or air transport, while the Washington State Nurses Association supported the concept but raised concerns about standardized training, medical oversight, and staffing impacts on hospitals. HB 2113 would update radiologic technologist supervision rules for IV contrast and other procedures, allowing virtual direct supervision for contrast procedures and supervision by physicians, APRNs, or PAs in some cases; supporters said it aligns with current practice and improves rural access, while radiology groups asked for a distance/proximity requirement for virtual physician supervision. HB 2168 would require the Department of Health to rapidly share overdose data from the state EMS information system to ODMAP within 24 hours, with privacy protections and limits on law-enforcement use. Supporters from Yakima County, public health, and the poison center said near-real-time overdose mapping would improve spike alerts, prevention, and response, and could save lives; the Washington Poison Center asked that its data be included and that the bill clarify language around opioid versus other overdoses. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing; the meeting ended after public testimony on HB 2168.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee. For the record, Lena Langer, counsel to the committee.
• The committee will come back to order. The committee is in executive session.
• Members of the committee, for the record, this is Corey Patton, staff to the committee.
• The federal United States U.S.
• And that’s just an outdated state statute that requires it in the state of Washington.

Committee: House Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:16.799><c> So</c><00:23:17.120><c> the</c><00:23:17.360><c> committee</c> throughout the state
• So the committee throughout the state.
• Senate Bill 24, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee — State Board of Medical Services
• state board of the environment committee state board of medical<00:43:07.359><c> services</c><00:43:
• Senate Bill 634, Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee, Office of the State Prosecutor, Investigation

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• To be replenished back to the state.
• state is set up.
• This committee can help ease that by doing better planning for the state to ensure that there are funds
• Committee so that people can know if you're going to take on a huge obligation for this state in the
• Being a state that has money, certainly compared to other states, gives us opportunity.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Coming back to the committee later, and we look forward to continuing to work with the committee.
• the state of Illinois, and the state of Pennsylvania, and the state of Massachusetts, that, you know,
• the state of Illinois. transportation, just like the state of New York does, and the state of Illinois
• Double-checking, my committee? All right. Moving. Um, double-checking my committee.
• And with that, there being no further business of the committee, the committee is now adjourned.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and economic bills. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap, and add fusion energy. The author, Treasurer Fiona Ma, and a Cepheid representative said the program has supported billions in clean-tech investment, thousands of jobs, and environmental benefits; local government groups opposed over revenue-loss concerns. The bill passed on a 12-aye vote and was held open for additional members to add on. SB 545 would direct Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Supporters from labor and Fresno described the bill as a way to spur transit-oriented development and local investment. The committee approved it on a 9-aye, 1-no vote, with some members urging broader funding and development options. SB 63 would authorize a regional revenue measure to help stabilize Bay Area transit operations, with testimony from transit agencies, business groups, labor, and local governments describing severe fiscal cliffs and potential service cuts. Members discussed the need for more flexibility in revenue options, the counties that may participate, and the need for a detailed expenditure plan; the author said negotiations were ongoing. The bill passed on a 9-aye, 3-no vote and was held open. The committee also heard SB 263, which would require a state study of the impacts of tariffs on California’s economy, ports, workers, and consumers; supporters from shipping, retail, ports, and trucking backed the measure, and members discussed the need for timely data and possible broader supply-chain impacts. SB 661 would redirect existing jet fuel sales tax revenue back to airports for aviation purposes and to address FAA compliance; testimony focused on airport infrastructure, rural access, and how funds should be allocated among large and small airports. Both bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support and were advanced to their next committees. The committee also began hearing SB 274 on automated license plate readers, with the author warning about privacy and civil-liberty concerns from widespread data collection, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the first committee meeting, the sponsor stated the intent was to require intent to sell.
• At the first committee meeting, the sponsor stated the intent was to require intent to sell.
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 80, a bill to be entitled an act relating to state land management
• Committee substitute. Committee substitute.
• Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. After routine business, the Senate took up several special-order bills. The first major bill, transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses. An amendment added penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing and required law enforcement to notify suspects of those penalties. The bill passed 37-0. The Senate then passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours and holiday access to care and setting network standards for Medicaid managed care plans, also by a 37-0 vote. The chamber next considered a major condominium and cooperative associations bill responding to post-Surfside safety and financial concerns. Senators described the measure as balancing building safety with financial relief, extending reserve-study deadlines, allowing temporary reserve relief after inspections, tightening oversight of managers and inspectors, and adjusting voting, resale, and reserve rules. After extensive debate and praise from members for the bill’s sponsors and staff, the bill passed 37-0. The longest discussion centered on a constitutional amendments/petition process bill aimed at curbing fraud in citizen initiative petitions. Sponsors argued that the 2024 petition process was plagued by fraud and identity theft and proposed tighter rules for circulators, faster submission deadlines, voter notification, penalties, and limits on petition handling. Senators offered and adopted multiple amendments, including changes to petition-circulator definitions, invalid-signature thresholds, and voter notification procedures. After a substitute amendment was withdrawn, the Senate continued debating the underlying amended bill, with members split between concerns about election integrity and worries that the bill would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizen initiatives to qualify.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you put the House at ease until we get our State Affairs Committee back up here?
• House at ease while we wait for the State Affairs Committee. Thank you.
• Speaker can you put the house at ease until we get our State Affairs Committee back up here House of
• me at ease while we wait for the State Affairs Committee Thank you.
• Speaker, the House Judiciary, Rules Committee is required every three years to review what the state

Transcript Highlights:

• We propose that state agencies participate in a no-cost workshop, and that the state agencies disseminate
• Okay, so now we'll turn to the committee. Committee, do you have any questions?
• throughout the state.
• None of those states have a five-year period. None of those states have a related-to provision.
• , you know, across the state.

Bills: SB154 , SB187 , SB193 , SM3

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, member to the committee, I'm Major Robert Allgaherwood, with the New Mexico State Police
• What is the bill of the committee? What is the bill of the committee? I move a due pass.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, I'm Deputy Chief Dale Wagner in the New Mexico State Police.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Major Robert Allgaier with the New Mexico State Police, we stand
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Major Robert Allgaier with the New Mexico State Police, we stand

Summary: The committee first heard HB 206, which would expand eligibility under the Crime Victims Reparation Act to cover additional offenses: simple assault, simple battery, criminal sexual contact, and robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. The sponsor, the Crime Victims Reparation Commission, and multiple supporters said the change would help victims access compensation for medical care, counseling, lost income, and related costs, with no added state administrative burden. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then took up HB 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people who provide proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Sponsors and tribal supporters said the designation could help with identification, Turquoise Alert notifications, and jurisdictional issues, while also serving as a voluntary option for tribal members. Some members raised concerns about possible profiling, lack of consultation with every tribe, and the absence of data from other states; supporters responded that the designation is optional and intended to assist, not harm. The bill passed 4-2. HB 52, a technical cleanup bill correcting statutory cross-references after prior competency-law amendments, passed unanimously 6-0. HB 58, which updates the telephone harassment statute to include electronic communications such as texts and social media, also passed 6-0 after supporters said the current law is outdated and too limited for modern harassment cases; committee members discussed possible definitional refinements. HB 57, allowing certain lab analysts and toxicologists to testify by interactive video in misdemeanor and DWI cases, drew support for efficiency and reducing travel burdens, but also concerns about confrontation rights and technical drafting issues; it passed 6-0 with a no recommendation. Finally, HB 79, which would lower the burden of proof for juvenile probation violation hearings to a preponderance standard, drew strong opposition from defense advocates and a law student who argued it would reduce due process protections for youth; after debate, the committee tabled the bill on a 4-2 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee.
• And I'll see you in the next committee. Great. Any other committee members?
• I take it back to the committee. Committee members, any questions, comments? See none.
• State mandate...
• Chairman and committee members.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused largely on housing, permitting reform, transportation governance, and local government finance. Early in the hearing, AB 24 by Assemblymember DeMaio proposed changing SANDAG board selection to give rural unincorporated areas a stronger voice; members raised concerns about the approach and local input, and the bill ultimately did not receive a second at the time it was heard. The chair later clarified that because no second was made, the bill was held rather than voted out, though the transcript also reflects confusion and later attempts to revisit the item. Several housing and permitting bills advanced with committee amendments and broad support. AB 671 by Assemblymember Wicks would streamline restaurant permitting through self-certification and faster plan review; AB 920 by Assemblymember Caloza would require a centralized online portal for housing permit tracking in larger jurisdictions; AB 1061 by Assemblymember Kirk Silva would allow SB 9 housing in historic districts with limits to protect historic character; AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Farías would streamline temporary manufactured housing after disasters; AB 660 by Assemblymember Wilson would tighten timelines and remedies for post-entitlement housing permits; AB 1308 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow third-party inspections for small residential projects if local inspections are delayed; and AB 1445 by Assemblymember Haney would expand downtown revitalization financing tools for mixed-use housing. Each of these measures drew support from housing, business, and industry groups, with some local-government and special-district stakeholders seeking continued amendments on certain bills. The committee also approved AB 1156, which updates the solar use easement program to better accommodate renewable energy development on water-constrained agricultural lands, and AB 964, which would let local governments offset certain state mandate reimbursement debts against amounts the state owes them. AB 1223, by Assemblymember Wynn, would let Sacramento-area transportation authorities propose sales tax measures for portions of the county and keep revenues local; it advanced despite some transportation and taxpayer concerns. Consent items AB 36 and AB 1131 were also approved. Most bills were reported out on bipartisan votes, often with committee amendments and some members noting they would continue working on the measures in later committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• species throughout the state.
• In fact, you earn brownie points here in this committee for giving the committee time back.
• Of the state.
• Of the state.
• Of the state.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory burdens in agriculture, and on House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety. On HB 2619, the prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, cattle, wheat, potato, onion, and dairy interests said the bill responds to farm stress and suicide concerns by examining regulatory overload; WSDA supported the concept but noted a fiscal note, and members discussed whether the task force scope and cost could be reduced before policy cutoff. On HJM 4009, staff and the sponsor described the memorial as a request for stronger federal wildfire capacity and coordination, with testimony from tribes, counties, forest landowners, conservation groups, and public employees emphasizing wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the importance of federal-state cooperation; the committee also repeatedly tied the memorial to support for state wildfire funding under 1168 and heard broad support for restoring that funding. The committee then took up House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and begin predator mitigation when certain population declines occur, while also requiring annual reporting and white-tailed deer surveys. The sponsor argued the bill addresses rapidly declining deer and elk herds, predator pressure, food security, and rural economies in northeast Washington. Supporters included some local residents, ranchers, sheriffs, county officials, and the Colville Tribes, who said predators, livestock conflicts, and reduced hunting opportunity are harming communities and that the state should act more aggressively. Opponents included WDFW staff, Washington Wildlife First, the Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and other conservation voices, who said the bill is not scientifically supported, would be costly, and wrongly blames predators rather than habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions; several said predator control would have limited value and could undermine wolf recovery. Some agricultural and sportsmen groups supported the bill in principle but asked for amendments, especially to remove or revise the in-state wolf translocation provision. No final votes or executive action were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to do business in our state so that they don't pay GRT in our state.
• Council, Legislative Education Study Committee, and Legislative Finance Committee.
• We stand in strong support for the expanded committee and the new committee.
• We need this committee.
• And, yeah, I will tell you, when I started in 2013, the Health Committee was literally State Government

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the largest produce crop in our state, and we have a lot of research going on at Washington State
• Chair Nobles, members of the committee, my name is Bill Lyon with the United Faculty of Washington State
• And at the state level, that's impacted where $500,000 to $700,000 of state funds...
• loss of state funds, and any confirmed loss is reported to the State Auditor's Office and to the State
• Thank you to staff and committee members. The committee is now adjourned. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session on student complaints in higher education. Faculty, union, and research witnesses argued that current complaint systems are sometimes misused in bad faith, disproportionately affecting faculty of color, women, and contingent faculty, consuming institutional resources, and chilling academic freedom. They called for an initial screening process for bias or retaliation, routine data collection and equity review, and a faculty bill of rights. Committee members asked about FERPA, Title IX, and how complaint data could be tracked consistently across institutions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6090 would create a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University to register and preserve heritage orchards and rare apple varieties; Senator Braun said it would honor Washington’s apple history and support research at low cost. SB 5931 would make technical changes to the Workforce Education Investment Oversight Board, including two-year co-chair terms, a later annual report date, and removal of a dashboard requirement; WASAC, labor, and Microsoft testified in support. SB 5963 would automatically qualify Passport to Careers students as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and align financial aid definitions; WASAC, College Success Foundation, students, and student advocates supported it as a way to reduce barriers for foster and homeless youth. The committee also heard SB 5978, which would codify and expand the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program and require annual student notifications about admissions, financial aid, dual credit, and related opportunities. Supporters included the Council of Presidents, faculty, students, parents, and the Washington Roundtable, who said guaranteed admission and better outreach would reduce anxiety, improve transparency, and help more students enroll. Finally, SB 6082 would direct JLARC to audit fraud in state financial aid programs, including fictitious students and AI-enabled abuse; the sponsor cited recent fraud concerns, while community and technical college officials said colleges already have fraud controls in place, warned the audit was unfunded and potentially duplicative, and asked for more resources. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee.
• the committee wanted for our state benchmark.
• So there's nothing official to state. Committee, any questions? Committee, any questions?
• In testimony provided to the Washington State House Health Care and Wellness Committee, the university
• In addition, testimony to the Washington State Senate Committee on Health and Long-Term Care noted the

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee is focus.
• of state.
• state police, and the courts that pertain to this committee.
• and the state.
• and the state.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Senator Jamie Eldridge.
• this criteria, will be treated the same as in-state 529s for state tax purposes.
• states that have done the same.
• Trucking companies in 37 states, including all of our neighboring states, do not pay a sales tax on any
• Trucking companies in 37 states, including all of our neighboring states, do not pay a sales tax on any

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have talked to, as you stated, support the state engineer's office, the office of the...
• Welcome, everybody, to the first Ag Committee, and then Water Committee.
• and state-funded properties.
• That easement was given by the state. It is on state land. It was disrupted.
• We have a committee set.

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources