Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution of the United States of America, and this brings back your constitutional rights while on a boat

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We receive a $5 fee from each boat We receive a $5 fee from each boat registration<00:15:06.639>
• Our state portion, the $5 per registration of the boat stays...
• The registration of the boat stays relatively stable.
• A boat ramp for a motorboat, but also boat access for a canoe or a kayak, where you could just—there's
• It's used for all boat access throughout the state. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• in serious bodily injury, The tendency of these events to result in serious bodily injury or become fatal
• the five-year period between 2019 and 2024, these incidents have resulted in 264 crashes and 30 fatalities
• in serious bodily injury, The tendency of these events to result in serious bodily injury or become fatal
• the five-year period between 2019 and 2024, these incidents have resulted in 264 crashes and 30 fatalities
• The tendency of these events to result in serious bodily injury or become fatal is also worrying.

Committee: House Public Safety

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• profitable and supported by consumers from coast to coast, the elimination of this interstate market is fatal
• profitable and supported by consumers from coast to coast, the elimination of this interstate market is fatal
• profitable and supported by consumers from coast to coast, the elimination of this interstate market is fatal
• profitable and supported by consumers from coast to coast, the elimination of this interstate market is fatal
• profitable and supported by consumers from coast to coast, the elimination of this interstate market is fatal

Transcript Highlights:

• The Seattle Times recently reported that 68% of the fatalities reported by DCWRF were of families who
• The Seattle Times recently reported that 68% of the fatalities reported by DCWRF were of families who
• testified against the bill, saying this is more of the same mindset that has led to record-breaking fatalities
• and near-fatalities.
• Amy Parks continued, saying many children’s fatality reports are over the age of five.

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• After the November 2019 fire at 630 Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis, that fire involved five fatalities.
• Minneapolis that fire<00:29:25.679><c> involved</c><00:29:26.159><c> five</c><00:29:26.600><c> fatalities
• </c><00:29:27.600><c> the</c><00:29:27.720><c> min</c> fire involved five fatalities the min fire involved
• five fatalities the min sort<00:29:28.279><c> of</c><00:29:28.519><c> legislature</c><00:29:29.519><
• No person to my knowledge has suffered a fire fatality in a fully sprinklered building that wasn't intimate

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

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• In recent years, Joe embraced more time at home, playing golf, boating, working in the yard, traveling

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• minors age 13 years or older to consent to forensic examination for domestic assault involving non-fatal

Committee: Senate Rules

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• Part of our long quest to get to zero injuries and fatalities from impaired driving on our roads, I urge

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, Joe embraced more time at home, playing golf, boating, working in the yard, traveling

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution offered by Senator Crichton commending the National Brain Tumor Society for recognizing May 26, 2026 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The resolution highlighted the impact of brain tumors, noted Massachusetts research institutions working on treatments, and was adopted by voice vote. The Senate then took up several local matters and passed them without objection. These included a Dartmouth bill authorizing an additional off-premises alcohol license, a Westwood charter bill, and later final passage of bills relating to Andover special town meeting petition requirements, the Plymouth town charter, and an additional off-premises alcohol license for Pembroke. House petitions were also received and referred to committees after suspension of Joint Rule 12. At the end of the session, Senator Tarr offered an order to adjourn in memory of Joseph Elliott McKekney of Gloucester, a former Coast Guard officer and community member, and spoke briefly about his life and service. The Senate observed a moment of silence, adopted the adjournment order, and recessed to meet again on Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, Joe embraced more time at home, playing golf, boating, working in the yard, traveling

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a resolution offered by Senator Crichton commending the National Brain Tumor Society for recognizing May 26, 2026 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The resolution highlighted the seriousness of brain tumors, cited expected diagnosis and mortality figures, noted Massachusetts research institutions involved in related work, and was adopted by voice vote. The Senate then took up several local matters. It passed to be engrossed a Dartmouth bill authorizing an additional off-premises alcohol license and a Westwood charter bill. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to the appropriate committees. Later, the Senate passed to be enacted an amended Andover bill regulating the number of registered voters who may petition for a special town meeting, along with bills amending the Plymouth town charter and authorizing an additional off-premises alcohol license in Pembroke; these were ordered signed and sent to the Governor. At the close of business, Senator Tarr offered and the Senate adopted an order to adjourn in memory of Joseph Elliott McKekney of Gloucester. The senator gave a tribute describing McKekney’s Coast Guard service, later work in LNG shipping and community involvement, and his family life. The Senate observed a moment of silence and then adjourned to meet again on Monday at 11:00 a.m.

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• He's got more boats than most people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of our long quest to get to zero injuries and fatalities from impaired driving on our roads, I urge

Summary: The committee first approved moving Senate Bills 5067 and 5758 from the X-file to the white sheet. It then advanced a long series of measures from the white sheet to the floor calendar, including SB 5067 on impaired driving (lowering the per se BAC threshold from 0.08 to 0.05), SJM 8002 opposing Medicare privatization, ESSB 5061 on annual prevailing wage adjustments for public works contracts, SB 5855 restricting unlawful face coverings by law enforcement, SB 5865 updating garnishment forms for variable pay schedules, and SB 5081 clarifying remote vehicle starting on streets. Also advanced were ESSB 5268 on 12 months of community custody for unlawful firearm possession, SB 5272 on school event safety and interference penalties, SCR 8406 on civic health, SB 5000 making “the Evergreen State” the official nickname, SB 5500 modernizing Working Connections Child Care reimbursement rates, ESSB 5105 addressing digitally altered sexually explicit depictions of minors, and SSB 5156 on elevator standards. Additional measures moved forward included SJM 8006 asking the state Supreme Court to reinstate and expand the limited licensed legal technician program, SB 5325 designating the Columbia Plateau cactus as the state cactus, SB 5286 creating a community partnership policing program for Medical Lake and Eastern State Hospital while recognizing the existing Lakewood/Western State Hospital partnership, and SB 5937 concerning smart access systems in residential properties under the Landlord-Tenant Act. Several members briefly explained their bills, with some noting bipartisan support, prior committee approval, or existing budget provisos. The only recorded substantive opposition came from Senator King, who said he had concerns that SB 5067 might not achieve its intended safety outcomes. Most other motions were adopted by voice vote with no further debate. The meeting ended after a brief clarification that one motion should have been to the second-and-third-reading calendar, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't get there unless you fly there or you get on a boat.
• For members of the committee, the boats weren’t running the last few days because of the little nor’easter
• The boats weren’t running the last few days because of the little nor’easter we had, so the fact that

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing bills, with much of the discussion focused on seasonal communities and funding for year-round housing in places like Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires. Speakers supported bills including H. 4410/S. 966 and related seasonal communities legislation, which would allow local option real estate transfer fees and expand tools for towns to preserve and create affordable housing. Testimony emphasized severe housing shortages, high home prices, workforce displacement, and impacts on public safety, schools, health care, and local businesses. Many witnesses said the transfer fee would provide a sustainable local revenue stream, citing prior land bank models on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as proof the approach can work. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3989 regarding seasonal community designation, with supporters arguing that towns should be included automatically or through a simpler opt-in process, and on H. 4568 to expand the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which would broaden access to a federal voucher-based savings and self-sufficiency model. Senator Edwards testified in support of a bill to create training for municipal board members, describing it as a toolkit to improve informed local decision-making. Senator O’Connor testified for a bed bug bill, saying it would create clearer landlord and tenant notification and treatment requirements and provide needed legal guidance after his family’s experience with an infestation. Senator Lovely also testified for the Homeworks program, which provides transportation so homeless children in motels and shelters can attend after-school activities. The committee further heard testimony on a bill to fund housing in seasonal communities through a transfer fee and on a companion measure to expand the seasonal communities toolkit, with repeated calls for favorable reports. Witnesses from public safety, health care, housing nonprofits, schools, and local government described staffing shortages and housing insecurity as urgent problems. Later, the committee took testimony on H. 1559/S. 102 to maintain stable housing for families with pets, with animal welfare groups supporting protections against eviction, breed discrimination, and excessive pet rent. They said housing-related pet surrenders are a major driver of shelter intake. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1498 to limit criminalization of homelessness, which would restrict citations, fines, and related consequences for outdoor camping tied solely to homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, prohibits federal
• the fund to be held in a separate account; and prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats
• the fund to be held in a separate account and prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions and recognitions, then moved to messages from the House and special order business. The chamber first took up House amendments to Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations, CS for CS for HB 1389 on affordable housing/Live Local, and CS for CS for HB 1451 on utility services. Senators asked about the naming of roadways, the Live Local changes for religious institution property and the removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and utility surcharge phase-out and reporting dates. All three measures were concurred in and passed, with votes of 31-4 on SB 628, 35-0 on HB 1389, and 30-6 on HB 1451. The Senate then considered the education package, substituting CS for CS for HB 1279 for CS for CS for SB 7038. An amendment combining provisions from several education bills was adopted, and the bill passed 36-1. The chamber also took up CS for CS for SB 484 on data centers, where the House amendment removed the Senate’s NDA prohibition, kept a 12-month limit on public-records confidentiality, added a PSC tariff filing deadline, and required an OPAGA study. Senators debated transparency, local notice, and ratepayer protections; supporters emphasized that data center energy and infrastructure costs could not be shifted to other ratepayers. The House amendment was concurred in and the bill passed 31-6. After a recess, the Senate returned to the land use and development regulations bill, substituting CS for CS for CS for HB 399 for SB 208. A proposed amendment to remove language affecting a Miami Beach Fontainebleau Hotel water park project failed, while other amendments were adopted, including a sunset provision and changes related to compost-processing facilities. The chamber then adopted an amendment preserving Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority requirement and related protections, with support framed around water, flood risk, farmland, and the Everglades. Finally, the Senate began debate on a broader amendment by Senator Martin creating a process for rural boundary property owners to seek removal or compensation without litigation; the discussion focused on property rights, county liability, and whether the proposal would affect Orange and Seminole counties, but the transcript ends before final action on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, prohibits federal
• It also prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, prohibits federal
• the fund to be held in a separate account and prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and staff introductions. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on multiple bills, with votes recorded on each. Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations was concurred in as amended and passed 31-4 after discussion about naming roads for deceased individuals and an exception for President Trump. The House amendment to the Live Local affordable housing package, CS/CS/HB 1389, was also concurred in and passed 35-0; Senator Claudio explained it as the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including new provisions allowing certain affordable housing on qualifying religious property, extending some timelines, and removing accessory dwelling unit language. CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services was concurred in and passed 30-6 after questions about phasing out surcharges and reporting requirements. The chamber also substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 for SB 7038 and adopted an education amendment package before passing the bill 36-1, while several other measures were temporarily postponed. The Senate then considered CS/CS/SB 484 on data centers and concurred in the House amendment 383-957, passing the bill 31-6. Senator Avila said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections, required a PSC tariff filing, and directed an OPAGA study on large-scale data centers. Several senators pressed concerns about the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the possibility of delayed public awareness of data center projects, and whether costs could be shifted to other ratepayers; Avila responded that the amendment preserved local land-use authority and that ratepayer costs could not be borne by the general body of ratepayers. Debate reflected a split between senators who supported the bill as a needed regulatory framework and those who objected to the transparency changes and the loss of the Senate’s original NDA language. Later, the Senate took up land use and development regulations, substituting CS/CS/CS/HB 399 for SB 208. An amendment by Senator Jones to remove language affecting a Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach failed 17-20 after debate over local control and preemption. Senator McLean’s amendments then added a sunset date and other changes, and Senator Claudio’s amendment preserved Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority protections and related planning provisions. The chamber then began extended debate on Senator Martin’s amendment creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; supporters framed it as a property-rights and due-process measure, while opponents argued it would undermine local planning, impose costs on taxpayers, and weaken voter-approved rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final vote shown on the rural boundary amendment in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, prohibits federal
• It also prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, prohibits federal
• the fund to be held in a separate account; and prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats

Transcript Highlights:

• And then one public member with no pecuniary interest in any motor vehicle or boat dealership.
• Boats. And the manufacturers.
• Boats. And the, and the manufacturers. Basically, if you're and the manufacturers.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2901, which would reauthorize the joint committee on child abuse and neglect by removing its expiration date. The sponsor described it as a cleanup bill because the committee’s prior sunset had passed, preventing it from formally reporting to the General Assembly. Members discussed whether the bill should include a new sunset date, with the sponsor saying he left that decision to the committee or floor amendment. Testimony and comments emphasized the scale of Missouri’s foster care and abuse-reporting system and the need for the committee’s work to continue; no opposition was offered, and the hearing closed without a vote. House Bill 2288 drew extensive testimony on landfill siting and county authority. The sponsor said the bill would give counties clearer statutory authority to adopt landfill setback rules, using Pettis County’s ordinance as a model, and argued rural counties should have more control over landfill placement. Supporters, including Pettis County officials, said local residents were strongly opposed to a proposed landfill and needed uniform standards and stronger local control. Opponents, including the project developer and a lobbyist, argued the bill’s setbacks were so large they would effectively block new landfills statewide, would be among the strictest in the country, and would hurt waste-disposal capacity, environmental management, and economic development. The hearing ended without a vote. The committee then moved into executive session and voted do pass on House Bills 1752, 2559, 2934, and 2928, and adopted an amendment and substitute before voting do pass House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2108. After returning to public hearing, the committee took up House Bill 351, which would create an independent Motor Vehicle Commission to handle dealer and consumer complaints and related licensing issues currently under the Department of Revenue. The sponsor and supporters said a specialized commission would provide faster, more expert handling of title problems, dealer complaints, and industry changes such as electric vehicles and direct sales models. Opponents questioned the need for a new commission, raised concerns about industry self-regulation, immunity, staffing, and added bureaucracy, and argued the Department of Revenue should instead be improved. Testimony continued with both support and opposition, including manufacturers’ concerns about not having a seat on the commission and arguments that the proposal could affect franchise and market-access issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a resident of Vashon Island, a boat owner, and an open-water swimmer.
• I regularly swim with sea lions and see them from the boat.
• someone who could easily be deceived by the misinformation presented in this bill when I'm renewing my boat

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:

• font> <font color="aaaaaa">law and I am pretty much on </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the on the same boat
• font> <font color="aaaaaa">law and I am pretty much on </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the on the same boat
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">the on the same boat and </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Senator Osgood Senator