Transcript Highlights:

• Not present on Zoom, Chair. those improvements. Uh the other thing those improvements.
• ><c> could</c> authorized improvement project could authorized improvement project could cover<00:37:
• </c> infrastructure improvement projects. infrastructure improvement projects.
• </c> state doing a grant or fixing the road state doing a grant or fixing the road or<01:10:16.520><c
• </c><01:11:15.080><c> to</c> that there's no other improvements to that there's no other improvements

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• A young 16-year-old driver drove off the side of the road; the shoulder was too deep.
• I went and drove the road, and the shoulder was definitely not in repair on Highway 22.
• A young 16-year-old driver drove off the side of the road, had a shoulder that was too deep.
• I went and drove the road, and it definitely, the shoulder was not in repairs on Highway 22.
• The devices have been improved now to where there's an extra camera that sees the...

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 135-1. Members then observed a moment of silence for a constituent killed in a roadway tragedy, and several members introduced guests, including family members, veterans, students, and a child celebrating his birthday on the dais. The chamber then considered a series of bills. HB 2944, dealing with automatic continuation of a senior property tax freeze without annual reapplication, passed 145-0. HB 2230/2978, addressing school instructional methods by limiting excessive screen-based instruction and promoting cursive writing, passed 143-10 after extended debate over technology use in elementary schools. HB 1825, removing sheriffs and prosecutors from county salary commissions with a Boone County carve-out, passed 152-0. HB 1840, creating a Purple Alert system for missing individuals with developmental disabilities, passed 153-0, and its emergency clause was adopted 143-8. HB 1623, allowing emergency suspension or restriction of licenses for massage therapists and chiropractors, passed 103-48. HB 3279, moving the Community Service Commission to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 151-0. HB 2508, clarifying certificates of good standing for series LLCs and making them searchable, passed 152-0. HB 1963, allowing social workers to supervise after three years of practice, passed 151-0. HB 2408, removing the appropriation cap for grants serving the deaf-blind community, was perfected and printed. HB 3113, requiring Narcan in public buildings, designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, and expanding school-law enforcement prevention efforts, was perfected and printed after discussion about funding and Narcan shelf life. HB 3000, fixing signature requirements for local audits based on population at the start of petitioning and adding a fire district surplus-sale amendment, was perfected and printed as amended. HB 2898, reviving and refining land bank authority and Chapter 141 judicial foreclosure tools, was perfected and printed after debate about neighborhood cleanup and title clearing. HB 1740, renamed Melanie’s Law, increasing penalties for intoxicated driving and strengthening ignition interlock requirements, was perfected and printed following emotional testimony from members and the sponsor’s explanation of the bill’s origins. At the end of the session, the House moved to announcements, including committee meetings and a fish fry notice. A member also issued a correction and apology regarding an earlier false report about Willie McGee. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The road that she was on didn't even have sidewalks at that time.
• There are things we need to improve.
• We believe HB 3317 will be a crucial step toward improving roadway safety for Missourians.
• Okay, so, you know, I'm one of those guys that I hate to see bikers on the roads.
• work here in the committee and making the roads better for Missourians.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session and first voted House Bill 1798 do pass by a 9-5 roll call. Members then considered a House committee substitute combining House Bills 2553, 1831, and 2328; after a brief explanation that the substitute mainly rolled the bills together and removed duplicative helmet language, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the combined bill do pass 15-0. The committee also took up Senate Bill 1408, adopted a House committee amendment cleaning up salvage title language, then adopted a new committee substitute and voted the bill do pass by an 8-6-1 vote. Several members raised concerns about omnibus drafting, fiscal notes, and process, while others defended the bills as useful or freedom-oriented measures. The committee then heard House Bill 3317 from Rep. Sherry Gallick, which would allow drivers facing license revocation for accumulated speeding-related points to regain driving privileges by using an intelligent speed limiting device for a year. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce repeat speeding and keep people working, while witnesses in support included a family member of a pedestrian killed in a speeding-related hit-and-run, MADD, and a transportation safety group, all arguing the bill could reduce fatalities and provide accountability. Opponents argued the current point and suspension system already provides penalties, that the bill could impose costs on taxpayers, and that it raises concerns about privacy, technology accuracy, and government overreach. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 3317, and the chair announced it was likely the committee’s final meeting of the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we think a lot of our small roads across the state, that is kind of another, you know, you think
• I-70, the main roads; you think of a lot of our lettered or smaller roads that feed into that.
• year about actual cars in accordance with property values and used to maintain manufacturing and improvements
• have a cap on the top, but 50% of the state tax credit for the new rail construction related to improvements
• Infrastructure improvements.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:20.799><c> over</c> because of how we have improved over because of how we have improved over
• </c><01:06:28.480><c> to</c> if they decide to go down the road to if they decide to go down the road
• those roads are extremely important to us up there right away.
• It's 200 miles of logging roads.
• It's 200 miles of logging roads.

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll hear from stakeholders providing input on how reserves could be improved.
• So this was a substantial improvement in the state's reserve policy.
• We've seen over time that mandatory deposits is really where the rubber has hit the road in terms of
• So, our first point is that improving the budget stabilization.
• And I'm not going to go too far down this road, but I also want to note you all have a shadow budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:28:23.840><c> same</c> thinking, I said, "Many roads, same thinking, I said, "Many roads, same
• </c> when we're on the road are important. when we're on the road are important.
• </c><01:37:41.760><c> But</c> addressed further down the road. But addressed further down the road.
• </c> the language regarding class six roads the language regarding class six roads and<02:01:09.679><
• </c> language in place for private roads. language in place for private roads.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in light of these safety improvements, some of the previous requirements in the code have not been
• Sometimes the roads and more traffic lights and more roads. You did show one example.
• First, as we talk about the density, we talk about how the roads and road capacity are.
• And obviously that didn't go over well because of the roads and the parking.
• And obviously that didn't go over well because of the roads and the parking.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What about the CNH HA units down the road over H? Is that 1,800? That's not on our land.
• So it includes upgrading our TS roadway improvements, drainage improvements, and vegetation management
• <01:08:27.400><c> drainage</c><01:08:27.880><c> improvements</c> improvements drainage improvements improvements
• </c> was just from the ocean never have Road was just from the ocean never have Road um<01:36:46.400>
• Improvement programs for native Hawaiian Improvement programs for native Hawaiian students<01:51:22.079

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline. DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly. Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• How can we help you try to improve the situation?
• the road.
• To improve the preparedness of the California Fire Service.
• the road.
• improve the preparedness of the California Fire Service.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the rising cost and long delivery times for fire apparatus and related equipment, with opening remarks stressing that aging fleets, supply chain problems, and delayed replacements are affecting emergency readiness across California. Cal OES and Cal Fire described statewide procurement challenges, including higher prices, multi-year delivery timelines, two-year encumbrance limits, and the strain on mutual aid when engines remain in service beyond their intended replacement cycles. Cal Fire said it operates 537 engines, with 300 meeting replacement criteria and 243 at least 16 years old, and explained the difference between mandatory contracts and one-time acquisitions. The Department of General Services said vendors have cited labor costs, chassis pricing, and the need for longer production timelines, while also noting that statewide contracts can include nominal price increases but not open-ended price hikes. Local fire chiefs from Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Napa, and Fullerton testified that apparatus prices have risen sharply while delivery times have stretched from under a year to three to five years or more. They described specific examples of engines and ladder trucks costing far more than prior purchases and arriving years later, forcing departments to keep older reserve apparatus in service, spend more on maintenance, and defer other budget priorities. Several witnesses said industry consolidation has reduced competition and contributed to delays and price increases, with Los Angeles County and Fullerton noting they have pursued antitrust complaints and litigation against major manufacturers. Napa also described proprietary parts and software limiting in-house repairs, and Santa Barbara County said a vendor’s unfulfilled delivery promise caused the department to lose its place in line. Members asked about possible solutions, including whether the state should consider manufacturing apparatus itself, whether procurement rules or prototype requirements could be streamlined, whether DGS staffing or contract processes could be accelerated, and whether more stable long-term purchasing commitments would help manufacturers plan production. Witnesses said safety-driven specification changes are necessary but can add time, and that the main bottlenecks are industry capacity, consolidation, and vendor performance. The vice chair raised concerns about how grant funding windows and local matching requirements are affected by multi-year delays, especially for small and rural departments that rely on grants and on used apparatus passed down from larger agencies. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with committee members indicating interest in possible legislative, regulatory, and antitrust follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• How much do you think steady orders would help improve the process?
• How can we help you try to improve the situation?
• road, maybe those changes have gone into effect.
• And so we do have an opportunity here to improve the preparedness of the California fire service.
• the road.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another area of improvement for employees would be to permit front-loading of front-loaded hours for
• Another area of improvement for employees would be to permit front-loading of front-loaded hours for
• Did the roads get plowed? Representative Schultz: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Did the roads get plowed? Representative Schultz: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Did the roads get plowed? Representative Schultz: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the major drivers in the improved economic outlook is the national economic rebound driven by
• Um, and that should improve our economic outlook going forward as well.
• ><00:05:16.320><c> outlook</c> should improve our economic outlook should improve our economic outlook
• Right now, our state looks okay with the deficit down the road.
• We have to be the deficit down the road.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> improved in processes. improved in processes.
• </c> and then see what we can do to improve and then see what we can do to improve state<00:24:52.080
• These are dollars that should have gone to roads, schools, essential services.
• But there's no roads to make it work because the roads have to get to the employees and the businesses
• <c> to</c><01:08:13.800><c> the</c> because the roads have to get to the because the roads have to get

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very glad to get my car back, but there are so many folks on the road.
• My mindset then and my mindset now is there's always room for improvement.
• There's always room for improvement.
• , where we can improve, and where we can grow.
• Improved rail service would enhance connectivity to greater Boston while improving interconnectivity

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm streamline utility road relocation for public road and rail corridor projects ensure utility owners
• You got we we very much need assistance in our road fund and this will put a dent and the appropriation
• It creates a costly unfunded mandate because it requires local government covered full expense of road
• communications between utilities and road building authorities, which I think on every bill stop we've
• Prohibits a driver from operating a motor vehicle in the for the most left-hand lane on a road street

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My last comment is I do think the definition of political affiliation, while much improved, could be
• You all California Roads Coalition.
• safety on our roads, particularly for...
• [member_20234] Chair Schultz: Continuing points on the DMV record can help improve safety on our roads
• Justin Fans on behalf of the Safe California Roads Coalition.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:19.279><c> fund</c> make up the bulk of the road fund make up the bulk of the road fund revenues
• And in the road fund, that comprises primarily of former road fund capital projects that have been completed
• And in the road fund, that comprises primarily of former road fund capital projects that have been completed
• Um, also looking at how we can improve practice overall.
• Um, um, looking at how we can improve practice overall.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 FY 2025 Budget Close Out 00:02:55 Impressions of H.R. – 119th Congress 00:28:15 SNAP Payment Error Rates 00:37:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline. Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue. The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made improvements to about a nine-mile section of logging road that connected with about a three-mile
• , a three-and-a-half-mile section of paved county road.
• But, you know, that was done unless we moved the river, built a road across and over the slide.
• I've hunted, hiked, horsebacked, and off-roaded this area since I was in my early teens.
• Do it for the people who live on the other side of the road.

Bills: SB5987 , SB6170

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization

Transcript Highlights:

• We made improvements to about a nine-mile section of logging road that connected with about a three-mile
• , a three-and-a-half-mile section of paved county road.
• But, you know, that was done unless we moved the river, built a road across and over the slide.
• I've hunted, hiked, horsebacked, and off-roaded this area since I was in my early teens.
• Do it for the people who live on the other side of the road.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee began with a work session on the Fairfax Carbon River SR-165 Bridge closure and replacement. Wilkeson Mayor Jamie Pololi described the bridge as a long-neglected state asset whose closure cut off a gateway community from Mount Rainier access, hurt local businesses and municipal revenue, complicated emergency response, and severed access to public lands. Pierce County’s Melissa Littleton emphasized that the Fairfax closure, along with recent bridge closures from other causes, shows the need for stronger preservation and modernization funding. WSDOT’s Steve Rourke explained that the 105-year-old bridge was permanently closed after structural failure, that a detour route on private property is now the only access for some residents, and that the agency’s planning study considered seven alternatives; the current recommendation is to continue geotechnical work and NEPA review, with construction likely taking 24 months or more once a design is finalized. Committee members asked about detour distance, speeding up the project, emergency authority, historic-preservation issues, community mitigation, and funding needs; WSDOT said about $7 million in existing preservation funds has already been used and more will be needed. The committee then heard public testimony on proposed substitute Senate Bill 5987, which would declare the Fairfax Bridge closure an emergency, direct WSDOT to restore SR-165 access as soon as possible, and give the transportation secretary some emergency authorities. Supporters, including the mayor, residents, recreation advocates, and trail groups, said the bill is needed because the closure was foreseeable, has harmed local economies and recreation access, and lacks a current emergency response pathway. WSDOT testified in opposition, warning that the bill could create false expectations because most of the timeline is driven by federal environmental review and historic-preservation requirements that the secretary cannot waive. The bill drew strong support in testimony, with 606 pro, 1 con, and 2 other recorded on the sign-in tally. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6170, which would raise dollar thresholds for state highway work performed by state forces and for certain contracting rules that help small and disadvantaged businesses compete. Staff said the limits have not been updated since 2005 and the bill would increase the normal state-force threshold from $60,000 to $100,000 and the emergency threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. Senator King, the prime sponsor, said the change would better match inflation and help keep maintenance work in-house when appropriate. Washington Federation of State Employees and WSDOT supported the bill, saying it would help maintenance workers do more timely work without harming existing equity and small-business contracting programs; the committee noted 55 pro and no con on the sign-in tally. The chair then reminded members that amendment requests for the upcoming executive session were due the next day, and the committee adjourned.