Transcript Highlights:

• You're going to be out there doing work on a road or bridge anyways.
• We're not talking about trains, roads, or something else right now.
• We're not talking about trains, roads, or something else right now.
• roads.
• really responded to the term 'fixing roads and bridges.'

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's half this to do a stretch of road that is a critical need for a whole region of the state.
• 5, all these roads could be—they really do need work.
• We have the fifth largest road network in the state.
• </c> that's half this to do a stretch of road that's half this to do a stretch of road that<00:03:51.280
• <00:04:04.640><c> could</c> roads could roads could be<00:04:07.200><c> they</c><00:04:07.360><c> really

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The site for this project will require a new road and access for utilities.
• We will be applying to this program for funding to assist with the cost to build this road and extend
• water sewer utility infrastructure roads water sewer utility infrastructure to<00:24:11.960><c> be</
• It's really all roads lead back to home, and so I appreciate the testifiers for making that point.
• lead back to home and really all roads lead back to home and so<00:41:39.200><c> uh</c><00:41:39.280

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Roads voted yes. Representative Lels voted yes. Representative Bogert voted yes.
• Vice Chair Roads voted yes. Representative PR voted yes. Representative LEL voted yes.
• </c><00:16:21.120><c> yes</c> legislate uh Vice chair roads yes legislate uh Vice chair roads yes representative
• Vice Chair Roads voted yes. Representative PR voted yes. Representative LEL voted yes.
• RO Vice chair roads yes representative RO Vice chair roads yes representative PR PR PR uh<01:10:58.000

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to balance that right now, especially as we head down this road, right? Right.
• Of having to look for other funding for roads and for water.
• Government road fund, but let's use a real small community.
• fund to try to apply the money for a road if we are going to fund one road.
• To do a road, you know, so that's kind of an asterisk on that item in here.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, we had a very productive road show.
• As you saw in the road show, we have a lot going on at the department, both delivering our program, but
• This is LA 1143 in Cameron Parish, between 1127 and Muria Road.
• LA 82 from Dyson Road. It's to North Island Road in Cameron Parish.
• We're using those roads as pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists.

Summary: The Senate Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee received an update from DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet and Deputy Secretary Bo Black on the department’s transformation efforts. DOTD highlighted its new project delivery dashboard, key performance indicators, and litter abatement work, including nearly $15 million spent on litter pickup and a new highway sponsorship pilot. Members also received updates on LTIF 1.0 and 2.0, with officials reporting that most LTIF 1.0 work is complete and that LTIF 2.0 is progressing under budget. The committee also heard updates on the Office of Highway Construction’s bridge bundling program, the Calcasieu River Bridge project, and the Cameron Ferry boat replacement and privatization solicitation process. The committee reviewed the draft 2026-2027 highway priority program, which DOTD said includes $913 million for construction and about $1.2 billion across 302 projects. Members discussed the public roadshow comments, project acceleration, and corridor planning, including the I-12 corridor and the Calcasieu River Bridge environmental review and public meetings. No vote was taken on the highway priority program at this meeting. The statewide flood control program presented six recommended projects for fiscal year 2026-2027, including projects in Gretna, St. John, St. James, Mandeville, and two Lafourche-area projects, with officials saying the projects meet benefit-cost criteria and would reduce flood damage. The airport construction and development priority program was also reviewed, with 31 air carrier projects and 99 general aviation projects recommended. The rail program reported no new projects but said it expects a $13 million request and has 19 projects in the queue, while the port program presented three unfunded projects for future consideration. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research presented crash data focused on impaired driving. They said 2024 saw 753 traffic fatalities, with impaired driving accounting for about one-third of fatal crashes, and estimated the economic cost of impaired driving at roughly $700 million. Members discussed youth driving, marijuana and alcohol trends, ignition interlock, DWI courts, and enforcement challenges on waterways. The meeting concluded with no formal votes or final actions on the major program items presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to clean this up and we want to build a road and get things moving.
• We just want to get rid of it, and we want to build a road on a solid foundation.
• Road on a solid foundation. It is that simple. Any further questions?
• And then finally, up at five, the north terminus of the corridor at Lake Flora Road.
• Again, a double-roundabout configuration at SR 3 and Lake Flora Road.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on two major corridor projects before moving to public hearing and executive session. In the Yakima area, WSDOT, Yakima County, and Ecology described the Interstate 82/east-west connector work as a coordinated effort to add capacity, improve interchanges, and address the Boise Cascade mill site contamination that sits in the project footprint. County and Ecology witnesses said the county is ready to remove wood waste and contaminated material, but the project is stalled pending a draft work plan and a de minimis consent decree; several senators pressed for faster action and clearer direction from Ecology. The committee then heard an update on the SR 3 Belfair freight corridor, where WSDOT said environmental review is complete and the next major step is an access hearing this summer, followed by right-of-way acquisition and construction likely in late 2027 or early 2028. Local and tribal partners emphasized the project’s importance for freight mobility, housing growth, emergency access, and regional economic development. The public hearing was on engrossed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill that largely tracks provisions from prior legislation but also adds or changes several tax and account provisions. Staff explained that the bill clarifies fuel tax and peer-to-peer tax distributions, treats trade-in value differently for recreational vessel and luxury vehicle taxes, provides a six-month motor home exemption and penalty waiver for the luxury vehicle tax, allows lease payments to be made over time, exempts tribal members and nonresidents, creates a Preserve Washington account, changes some transfer timing, and repeals the luxury aircraft tax. Testimony was mixed: aviation groups supported repealing the luxury aircraft tax; trucking and some citizens opposed fuel tax and diesel tax increases; Sound Transit, transit advocates, labor, and ferry interests asked for amendments such as 75-year bonding authority, mobile driver’s licenses, ferry funding, and bike education funding. Alaska Airlines and Delta also supported adding mobile ID language. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills, including SHB 1823, SHB 2114, E2SHB 2251, SHB 2323, SHB 2410, EHB 2588, 2SHB 1923, and HB 2495, all with due pass recommendations after adopting amendments where applicable. The committee adopted a striking amendment to E2SHB 2251 adjusting Climate Commitment Act account distributions and a striking amendment to EHB 2588 limiting the ferry district changes to Whatcom County and removing the voter-approval tax provision. It also adopted an amendment to 2SHB 1923 that added further conditions for passenger-only ferry districts, including whale-protection and fare-related provisions. Senator King voted no on E2SHB 2251, objecting that the bill reduced the transportation share of Climate Commitment Act revenues. The chair announced one more executive action meeting would be held Wednesday morning, with amendment requests due the prior day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The local government would have that role: making sure that water and sewer are available, roads are
• Because these are projects that are potentially 50 years down the road.
• Why the change, and are we worried about new development 60 miles away from a road?
• Away from a road.
• If I follow up, I mean, even if you’re 60 miles away, we’ve got to have a road to get there, I guess,

Bills: S0002 , S0026 , S0354 , S1112 , S1192 , S1220 , S1352 , S1670

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• and then I look for the biggest problem that I see that's going to cause the state problems down the road
• and then I look for the biggest problem that I see that's going to cause the state problems down the road
• But I'm not saying that you're wrong, that you won't see savings down the road from that.
• with a new legislature and have to revote on. lose the potential of having that program down the road
• My thought process is we can't push this down the road until March. Mr.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• know that he, really, the best place to find all of this, because we're talking 1849 and our other roads
• I've kind of checked with some of our other roads who operate in other states.
• I've checked with some of our other roads who operate in other states, and they're not really familiar
• No, but we are one of the biggest states, even with the amount of roads...
• But we are one of the biggest states, even with the amount of roads we have now, with 4,000, we're one

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 174 designates a portion of State Road 985, also known as Southwest 107th Avenue in Miami-Dade
• You know, I think our road designations, when Floridians and visitors are visiting and they say, you
• For background, the Florida Wildflower tag ranks 20 out of 150, with just over 33,000 tags on the road
• For background, the Florida Wildflower tag ranks 20 out of 150 with just over 33,000 tags on the road
• and proceeds support the work of the Florida Wildlife Flower Foundation. tags on the road and proceeds

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program must include proposed road and bridge construction work and other transportation facilities
• The program must include proposed road and bridge construction work and other transportation facilities
• planning of safety projects, and also to coordinate with tribes for any investments on WSDOT-owned roads
• These projects, the roads I'm talking about, don't meet the strategic corridor requirements.
• They are surface roads in communities. All right, I don't have any further questions, but Rep.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two transportation-related bills. For Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5374, staff explained that the bill would require tribal governments to be included in Growth Management Act transportation coordination and in preparation of county six-year transportation programs, and would create a tribal traffic safety coordinator grant program through the Traffic Safety Commission. Fiscal impacts were described as indeterminate and scalable, with estimates for staffing, grants, and local government coordination costs. The Association of Counties testified in support, saying the bill would better align existing tribal consultation processes with transportation planning and would not force counties to restart plans already near adoption. For Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, staff said the bill would create a Washington State Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal ports with public operations, with DOT setting priorities and criteria in collaboration with supply chain stakeholders. Fiscal notes estimated significant staffing and program costs, but the amount would depend on appropriations; no funds were included in the current Senate Transportation budget. The Washington Public Ports Association and representatives from the Port of Everett and Port of Port Angeles supported the bill, arguing it would help ports address congestion, improve freight efficiency, and leverage federal matching funds for major infrastructure projects. The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board director said many proposed projects would not qualify for FMSIB funding because they are not on strategic freight corridors, which is why a separate program may be needed. Members asked about timing, whether the tribal planning bill would require counties to start over on plans already near completion, and how the port bill would interact with existing funding sources and FMSIB eligibility. Staff and witnesses said the tribal bill was intended to work with existing coordination processes and not force counties to restart, while the port bill was meant to fill gaps where current programs do not apply. The chair then reviewed amendment deadlines for budget and committee bills, and the meeting adjourned for caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the back of a truck, so you have 35 feet behind the truck when towing a travel trailer down the road
• rather than relying on measurements that do not reflect how these vehicles actually operate on the road
• allows Washington RV dealers to sell the same fifth wheel models available elsewhere without changing road
• state in the country not currently measuring or allowing fifth wheel trailers of this length on the road
• This length on the road based on how we measure it, we're losing out on important sales right here at

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills. HB 2467, sponsored by Rep. Timmons, would clarify how fifth-wheel RVs are measured for length purposes by measuring from the king pin to the rear-most point, allowing fifth wheels up to 46 feet under that method without increasing the current roadway length limits. The staff report said the bill has no fiscal impact for most agencies and a small indeterminate impact for Labor and Industries; the proposed substitute makes technical clarifications. The sponsor and several RV dealers, the Association of Washington Business, and the RV Industry Association testified in support, saying the bill would improve clarity, preserve safety, and help Washington dealers compete with neighboring states. No one testified in opposition during the hearing. The committee briefly suspended HB 2467 to hear HB 2495, sponsored by Rep. Thomas, which would give the City of Seattle authority to immediately remove vehicles blocking streetcar tracks or otherwise jeopardizing streetcar operations without waiting for police to first cite the vehicle. Staff said the bill applies only to Seattle, includes an emergency clause, and has no fiscal impact because impound fees are expected to offset costs. Rep. Thomas and Seattle Streetcar Program Manager Alison Redenz supported the bill, describing frequent track blockages and delays to service, especially after hours, and saying the change would speed restoration of transit operations. The committee then heard public testimony on HB 2552, which would authorize WSDOT and Sound Transit to use multiple award task order contracting (MATOC) for transportation construction projects. Staff explained that MATOC would let agencies prequalify contractors and then compete task orders among them, with required award and protest processes. Rep. Zahn said the bill would give agencies another tool to streamline delivery while preserving competition and including WMBE firms. Sound Transit supported the bill as a faster, more flexible procurement method that could broaden opportunities for smaller firms, while the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association opposed it, arguing the approach is not well tested in Washington, could reduce competition, and should be reviewed by the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board. After testimony, the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2552 and adjourned after caucusing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A vote for this amendment actually constricts the amount of funding available to our road facilities.
• A vote for this amendment actually constricts the amount of funding available to our road facilities.
• A vote for this amendment actually constricts the amount of funding available to our road facilities.
• </c> state roads for the people of Dundoc. state roads for the people of Dundoc.
• </c> community roads to get to the next exit. community roads to get to the next exit.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you mentioned two things I want to go down the road on.
• Johns County, the Lowell-Loman Road in Volusia County, the George Maribel Road in Volusia County, the
• Is it true that Mar-a-Lago is on the east side of State Road 80 where this road begins?
• I'm not sure why we have to keep naming roads and airports.
• That causes infrastructure problems, break in roads, road repair work, sea walls that crumble.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, public servants, and a resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others advanced after brief debate and, in several cases, substitution of House companions for Senate bills. The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. The Senate also passed CS/HB 1113 on public records, expanding confidentiality protections for victims and temporarily protecting the name of a law enforcement officer who becomes a victim in the line of duty; it passed 33-4. CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was amended to place the program under the Florida Digital Service and to adjust grant timing, then passed 37-0. CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court passed 38-0 after amendments affecting revenue retention, legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee sharing. CS/CS/HB 679 on trademark registration modernization and CS/CS/HB 589 on septic permit timing also passed unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 991 / SB 1334, an elections bill that would use Real ID data to verify citizenship, change voter ID rules, alter candidate qualifying requirements, and revise election administration procedures. Senators offered and debated numerous amendments on documentation fees, senior exemptions, human review versus automated systems, student and retirement-center IDs, and effective dates; most were defeated, though one amendment adding stock-trading disclosure language for candidates was adopted. The bill’s sponsor cited election-crimes reports and specific prosecutions involving non-citizens as justification for the measure, while opponents argued it could disenfranchise eligible voters, especially students and seniors. The transcript ends during continued questioning and debate on that elections bill, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also invest $190 million for regionally equitable shovel-ready transportation improvements to roads
• We also invest $190 million for regionally equitable shovel-ready transportation improvements to roads
• , bridges, and culverts, including $165,000. to roads, bridges, and culverts, including $165 million
• This, I believe, is Valley Road Station in Milton. Again, basic shelter.
• This, I believe, is Valley Road Station in Milton. Again, basic shelter.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• It may be a few miles down the road, but if there's a substantial nexus to that development, then we
• can use some of those dollars to help on road... ...substantial nexus to that development, then we can
• use some of those dollars to help on road improvements.
• Could you see yourself down the road, possibly in our same positions down later on?
• the road, possibly in our same positions down later on? Thank you, Chairman.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 897, which revises Idaho’s data center sales tax exemption. The sponsor said the bill adds new eligibility criteria tied to electricity service agreements that fully recapture costs and to efficient water use, narrows the exemption so it applies only to internal server equipment rather than construction materials, limits the exemption to 20 years instead of indefinitely, and requires annual Tax Commission reporting on foregone revenue. He also noted the bill’s property tax provisions may need more work because they could affect existing entities not involved in drafting, and he asked that the bill be sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. The committee agreed and adopted that motion. The committee then heard House Bill 926, which expands the community infrastructure district tool so counties can create CIDs outside a city’s comprehensive plan. The sponsor said the goal is to ensure infrastructure is built before growth and that new development pays its own costs rather than shifting them to existing property owners. A representative from Tamarack Resort testified in support, explaining that the change would allow a large development outside city planning areas to finance roads, utilities, and other off-site improvements through district bonds and special assessments. After questions about how CID financing works and how obligations are allocated over time, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 934, a technical cleanup bill for last year’s education tax credit law. The sponsor explained that the changes clarify student age eligibility, define tutoring as academic instruction, allow curriculum from multiple vendors, prevent families from combining the advance payment with a prior-year look-back credit, and clarify that students participating only in non-credit extracurricular activities such as sports are not considered enrolled for purposes of the credit. Members asked about impacts on public schools and extracurricular fees, and the sponsor said sports fees are not reimbursable under the credit and that the bill is intended to avoid double payment. The committee then voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Afterward, the committee approved several sets of minutes and thanked its page, Grace Louder, for her service.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, your committee took the high road and that's why we took up quite a few house bills today.
• And y'all have taken the high road and we appreciate that.
• </c> So, your committee took the high road So, your committee took the high road and<00:10:15.440><c>
• And y'all have taken<00:10:29.720><c> the</c><00:10:29.760><c> high</c><00:10:29.920><c> road</c><00:
• we appreciate taken the high road and we appreciate that.<00:10:31.040><c> So,</c> that.

Committee: Joint Insurance

Keywords: Insurance - Room 210, 26 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a two-minute testifying time so that we can provide equal time for members of the public down the road
• </c><00:18:57.360><c> instead</c> members of public down the road instead members of public down the
• road instead of<00:18:58.160><c> having</c><00:18:58.480><c> one</c><00:18:58.799><c> person</c><00:18
• Oh, also, I don't think it's on here, but please do not testify if you are on the road and driving.
• I don't again the road and driving.

Bills: HB2240 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2274 , HB2275

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: appropriations, legislative expenses, auditor, legislative reference bureau, state ethics commission, ombudsman, government transparency, HB2272, Act 026, public employment cost items, emergency appropriations, collective bargaining, bargaining unit 11, BU-11, state employees, excluded employees, salary increases, cost adjustments, health premium payments, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• property and acquire or erect structures necessary for the administration of county roads, maintain
• for the administration of county roads.
• , including interstate highway. ...land up to one mile on either side of any road, including interstate
• highways and any other roads that the county chooses to include in the agreement.
• But where it borders on roads, where it affects transportation, and this is a place where we could do

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard staff briefings, sponsor testimony, and public testimony on three bills. Senate Bill 6242 would require counties to enter shared stewardship agreements with federal land managers, such as the U.S. Forest Service, to maintain fuel breaks along roads on federally owned land and include revenue-sharing for timber sales. Sponsor Senator Braun said the bill is intended to improve wildfire prevention, protect transportation corridors, and create a possible funding source for rural counties. County representatives supported the concept but noted concerns about the bill’s timber-revenue condition and whether it could be enforced if a federal agency declined to agree. Senate Bill 6211 would remove the voter-approval requirement for real estate excise tax 2 (REET 2) in counties and cities that voluntarily plan under the Growth Management Act, aligning them with jurisdictions that are required to fully plan. Supporters, including the City of Walla Walla and the Association of Washington Cities, said the bill would create fairness and consistency and provide local governments with more tools for capital projects such as sidewalks, ADA improvements, transportation, and utilities. Opponents from Washington Realtors and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes argued the bill would raise housing costs and eliminate voter approval for a tax increase. The committee also heard concerns about property values and whether the bill would affect home prices or local tax burdens. Senate Bill 6234 would prohibit cities, counties, and water-sewer districts from banning sewage grinder pumps for new residential buildings in certain situations where gravity sewer is impractical, such as steep terrain, low-lying lots, or long distances from sewer lines. The sponsor said the bill is meant to help infill development and housing production in urban growth areas by making a lower-cost sewer connection option available. Cities and sewer districts testified that grinder pumps are already allowed in many cases, but they opposed the bill’s prescriptive language and preemption of local standards, citing long-term maintenance, operational, and ratepayer concerns. No votes or final committee actions were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.