Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time. Thank you all for your testimony.
• So thank you very much for your time.
• Zoning Petition Reform, this bill is about property rights.
• definition or zoning boundary.
• Every time you send out one of those. purple cards as a zoning notification.

Bills: SB434 , SB844 , SB898 , SB1177 , SB1214 , SB1454 , SB1920 , SB1927 , SB1935 , SB1965 , SB2010 , SB2046 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2183 , SB2260 , SB3034 , SB907

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the course of time, the Renaissance Zone program has strategically revitalized our community.
• Over the course of time, the Renaissance Zone program has strategically revitalized our community.
• zone.
• I don't think the Renaissance Zone was ever intended to be a one-time-done type process because anything
• We have a time crunch till at 12. We have a time crunch at 12 o'clock.

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a timely manner, we will ask for witnesses to be seated at the witness table at a time.
• As you've already heard, Project Financing Zones...
• That's the beauty of the Project Financing Zone model.
• We did designate the zone in accordance with the laws that existed at the time. No, I understand.
• Time is money, and this just extends it out.

Bills: SB1071 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB1756 , SB1854 , SB2036 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2622 , SB2779 , SB2955 , SB2979

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, working often times right site.
• </c> Stewart on the work zone safety bill? Stewart on the work zone safety bill?
• </c> think we can't take work zone think we can't take work zone safety.<00:08:25.280><c> I</c><00:08
• </c> zone for granted. zone for granted.
• Uh, hair bills all the time, you know?

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, a lot of times that term equates to sprawl development.
• But is it... ...exactly better, but it's just a change of zoning.
• That's a typical zoning for residential. Thank you, Senator O'Malley.
• There's nothing exempting it from being for one house at a time.
• So I feel like I can't support it at this time. That's it.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 283, a workforce housing bill that would let local governments designate housing shortage areas and use metropolitan redevelopment tools, including property tax stabilization, to encourage construction and preservation of “missing middle” housing. Supporters said it would preserve local control, increase supply, and help teachers, nurses, first responders, and young workers afford housing. Opponents raised concerns about gentrification, redevelopment in neighborhoods, and whether the affordability requirements were strong enough. After questions about local designation, affordability percentages, and the 14-year term, the committee passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee substitute for SB 283 on an 8-0 vote. The committee then considered HB 103, which would keep the residential property tax cap in place when zoning changes occur, so long as the property’s use remains residential. Supporters argued the bill would protect homeowners from tax spikes caused by rezoning and preserve stability for seniors and families. Committee discussion focused on how zoning changes affect valuation, what counts as an upzone, and how assessors currently apply the law. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote. HB 200, a starter-home incentive bill, was heard next. The bill would provide zero-interest loans through the Mortgage Finance Authority to reduce the cost of newly built starter homes, with higher subsidy amounts in Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos. Supporters said it would help young families, retirees, and first-time buyers and encourage construction of smaller homes. Several senators questioned whether the subsidy would simply raise prices, whether the loan structure was the best tool, and whether the program would work equally well across the state. The committee vote ended in a tie, so the bill was held and placed at the top of the next agenda. The committee also passed HB 154 and HB 285 by unanimous votes. HB 154 was approved 6-1 after little discussion. HB 285, a veterans property tax cleanup bill, clarifies how exemptions apply when more than one veteran in a household has a disability rating; it passed 7-0. HB 165, which expands the C-PACE program to include certain economic development projects working through industrial revenue bond arrangements, also passed 8-0 after sponsors said the change was an oversight fix. After HB 165, the committee lost quorum and recessed, with remaining items bumped to the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In part, this is causing the national median age of a first-time buyer to hit 38 years old, an all-time
• Um, um, um, you repeat what you think about zoning. I'm a former zoning commissioner, Chair, in St.
• </c> approve uh housing here and any time approve uh housing here and any time that<00:13:22.920><c>
• They use it all the time.
• I want to spend a little bit of time on sort of what zoning is, because I think that term gets thrown

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you. >> Next time, spend a little more time on the pen. &gt;&gt; Okay.
• more time on Next time, spend a little more time on the<01:12:52.080><c> pen.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• dissolve the zone.
• It authorizes WashDOT, after creating a zone, to use speed reduction methods and technologies in zones
• for zone component purposes after camera administrative costs are covered.
• and school walk zones is applicable only on school days.
• and school walk zones is applicable only on school days.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session and considered seven measures, with staff briefing members on proposed amendments and substitutes. The main policy bills included Substitute Senate Bill 6066 on crash prevention zones, Senate Bill 6131 on the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission’s role in traffic safety and fatality review, Senate Bill 6311 on maintaining pedestrian passage during construction, Senate Bill 6230 on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, Senate Bill 6032 on covering or cleaning towed vehicles with mud or debris, and Senate Bill 6335 revising the State Transportation Commission. The committee also considered Substitute Joint Memorial 8016, urging federal emergency treatment for the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement. Members discussed competing amendments on SB 6066, including proposals to clarify enforcement coordination, signage, penalty amounts, and the scope of local versus state crash prevention zones. On SB 6131, amendments were offered to either remove or narrow the Traffic Safety Commission’s public health authority designation, while another amendment added HIPAA-related definitions and confidentiality protections. For SB 6311, the substitute focused on continuous accessible pedestrian passage near hospitals, parks, and schools, with later clarifications on where the requirement applies, local feasibility standards, and liability limits. SB 6230’s amendments would have allowed exact-payment exceptions and permissive rounding authority, while SB 6032’s amendment would have required reusable covers if a driver chooses to cover a towed vehicle. The committee adopted or accepted substitutes and then advanced all seven measures with do-pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. Senator King withdrew his SB 6066 substitute, SB 6131’s withdrawn amendments were replaced by adoption of amendment S-4874.1, and SB 6311’s substitute was withdrawn and then advanced in the revised form. SB 6230’s amendments were withdrawn after members noted a floor substitute was being worked on, and SB 6032’s amendment was set aside because the prime sponsor was absent. The meeting ended with thanks to committee staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• to times when the school zone speed limit is in effect and requires any applicable flashing to be activated
• Let's talk about the school speed zones.
• let's talk with the school speed zones uh we'll start with the school speed zones Senator Martin, you're
• School speed zones. Let's start with the school speed zones, if I may.
• And Senator Truenow, I think this bill is very timely. It's needed.

Bills: S0382 , S0654 , S0684 , S0880 , S1080

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement, which would standardize procedures for red-light, school-zone speed, and school bus camera enforcement. The bill would allow clerks to retain 10% of penalty revenue, permit virtual hearings, require records retention, limit surveillance/data use, tighten school-zone flashing-light requirements, and add school board approval and reporting requirements for school bus camera programs. An amendment clarified reporting periods and which entity receives liability-transfer affidavits. Members raised questions about information-sharing, facial recognition, school-zone warnings, and school bus stop safety, but the committee accepted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 1080, which was amended by a delete-all to address FDOT direct payments to first-tier subcontractors and takeover agreements involving sureties and replacement contractors. The amended bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved a slate of appointments in tabs 1 through 6 by one vote. Next, the committee heard SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. A strike-all amendment shifted the bill away from immediate enforcement changes and instead created an e-bike task force, required crash data collection and reporting, and retained rules requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, provide audible signals, and limit speed near pedestrians. Members discussed enforcement practicality, access concerns for riders who rely on e-bikes, and the need for public education and transparency. The amended bill was reported favorably. The committee then reported favorably SB 684, which removes certain signature requirements for electronic odometer disclosures in total-loss vehicle and vessel insurance transactions, and SB 880, which creates a new license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association. The meeting ended after all items were approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• zoning.
• I'm a little short on time.
• It still maintains that local control when it comes to zoning. They will actually do the zoning.
• Zoning is still quite restrictive.
• These are first-time homeowners.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• How can you keep time?
• And in a time where we're cutting funds due to federal funding being cut, this is not a time to be cutting
• And you're talking about school zones.
• The additional language about county zoning or city zoning was to ensure that there's a public process
• It was a zoning issue. We have a client who has property along the 303. It was a zoning issue.

Bills: SB1010 , SB1024 , SB1205 , SB1232 , SB1366 , SB1552 , SB1624 , SCM1002 , SCM1006 , SCR1004

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• going to Miller County as an attorney, and the judge would not come out for about 30 minutes every time
• But I thought if the judge would come out on time, that would save probably two and a half hours a week
• Well, I don't think they should have been open during that time.
• Usually, like, if you're a first-time offender, you don't.
• Generally, on a first time... ...you lose your license for 30 days, or you can opt to have an ignition

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 1711 do pass with no opposition. HB 1711 concerns the Uniform Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act. The committee then took up HB 1713 on limited liability companies, adopted a House Committee amendment and then a House Committee substitute that incorporated Secretary of State language on series LLCs and certificates of good standing, and voted the substitute do pass 10-0. The committee next considered a combined judgeships measure. It adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute that merged language from several bills, including provisions for additional judges or associate judges in Jefferson, St. Charles, Franklin, Miller, and Clay counties, and voted the substitute for HB 2968, 2427, and 3086 do pass 10-0. It also adopted an amendment and substitute for HB 3072, a workers’ compensation bill, and voted that substitute do pass 9-0. In public hearing, Representatives Smith and Dolan presented HB 2574 and HB 2163 together, both aimed at expanding limited driving privileges for people in treatment programs. They explained the bills would allow limited driving privileges through adult drug/treatment courts and, in one version, let offenders petition the sentencing court after completing a 120-day treatment program. Members discussed public safety concerns, ignition interlock devices, and insurance requirements, and one member noted personal experience with a drunk-driving fatality while supporting the goal of helping people maintain employment. Eric Jennings testified in support for the Judicial Conference of Missouri, saying the change would extend an existing tool from DWI courts to adult treatment courts with the same safeguards. No opposition or informational witnesses appeared, and the hearing was closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> allowed on commercially zoned land. allowed on commercially zoned land.
• Um, the time is 11:30.
• I'll call you first next time. I just realized that happens every time.
• </c> zoning laws, one size does not fit all. zoning laws, one size does not fit all.
• zoning districts.

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It costs money in time.
• At the end of the day, it really does come down to time, and time is money.
• And the more time that we can save, the more we can allocate. ...time, and time is money, and the more
• This was to kind of match the aspect of work safety zones and school zones.
• I mean, school zone is pretty obvious. Hospital zone seems the same to me.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions heard testimony on House Bill 2912, House Bill 2753, and a joint hearing on House Bills 2171 and 3292. HB 2912 would expand the state’s use of master agreements for small projects, raising contract thresholds and adding architects, engineers, and surveyors to standing agreements for work under $100,000. Supporters from the Office of Administration and private engineering/architecture firms said the bill would reduce delays, lower costs, and avoid repeated RFQ/RFP processes for small projects. There were no witnesses in opposition, and the hearing closed after favorable testimony. HB 2753 would create a hospital zone designation, similar to school or work zones, allowing municipalities or counties to establish reduced-speed areas around hospitals when local conditions warrant it. The bill was presented in response to traffic and safety concerns around a rural hospital expansion and a state highway running through the campus area. Hospital representatives, the Missouri Hospital Association, and another hospital system supported the measure, emphasizing pedestrian, staff, ambulance, and visitor safety; committee members questioned the proposed penalties and whether the bill could create a statewide mandate, but supporters stressed it was permissive and locally initiated. No opposition testimony was offered. HB 2171 and HB 3292, identical bills, would direct the Department of Corrections to create a motivational boot camp program for offenders ages 17 to 21 convicted of nonviolent offenses, with the goal of rehabilitation and possible expungement after completion. Sponsors said the program would emphasize discipline, physical activity, and therapy, and could be a cost-saving alternative to prison; they noted a federal issue requiring changes for DWI/CDL cases and discussed a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about eligibility, screening, expungement language, program design, and how the proposal would interact with other sentencing bills. No witnesses testified in favor or opposition, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It costs money in time.
• At the end of the day, it really does come down to time, and time is money.
• and/or have more projects done. ...time, and time is money, and the more time that we can save, the
• This was to kind of match the aspect of work safety zones and school zones.
• I mean, school zone is pretty obvious. Hospital zone seems the same to me.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> impact on the wild herd at the time impact on the wild herd at the time shotguns<00:18:47.240><c
• I live in the shotgun zone while my neighbors can shoot with rifles, and it's time that we bring about
• I live in the shotgun zone while my neighbors can shoot with rifles, and um, it's time that we bring
• I live in the shotgun zone while my neighbors can shoot with rifles, and it's time that we bring about
• I appreciate the time.

Bills: HF647 , HF2824 , HF1249 , HF623 , HF820

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is quite frankly time to bring this section of the law relative to zoning boards of adjustment
• At this time, the chair will open the public hearing on House Bill 1195, relative to municipal zoning
• . time. time.
• Thank you for the<04:57:31.920><c> time.</c> the time. the time.
• We want open space, but there was no zoning at that time. This was the 70s. We had no zoning.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• This unity is our greatest strength, and it is what will guide us through this time of sorrow and in
• He loved spending time outside and was often water skiing, snow skiing, or golfing.
• opening their homes, feeding and supporting the brave and courageous men and women working around the clock

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission's board is meeting at the same time, this exact time.
• Are there certain zones where this is most compatible? And zone types?
• including our single-family zoning.
• zoning.
• We increased the height in three of our four commercial zoning districts, not touching our downtown zone

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee work session focused first on Civic Commons’ “starter home production plan,” a statewide strategy intended to increase production of homes affordable to households roughly between 60% and 120% of area median income. Presenters said the Covenant Home Ownership program will not succeed without more starter homes, and outlined recommendations including a temporary cross-sector crisis task force, a developer network, new financing tools, public seed funding, and a multi-site demonstration program to test off-site construction and standardized designs. Committee members asked about silos in the current system, the role of off-site and modular construction, target income ranges, and where the plan would be most useful. Civic Commons said the plan is meant to be statewide, community-informed, and respectful of local context, with pre-approved plans and standardized approaches for both single-family and multi-unit housing. The Department of Labor and Industries then gave an update on factory-built housing oversight. Officials said residential factory-built structures are a small but important part of their work and described progress in prioritizing residential plan reviews, which they said has reduced review time from months to about two days. They also reported creating a plans examiner supervisor position, moving forward with rules for third-party plan review and inspection, and beginning analysis of national standards from the Modular Building Institute to see whether they align with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans, real-time tracking for applicants, and the role of state inspection in reducing local jurisdictional variation. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays and increase housing production, but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. The labor representatives said prefabrication and modular construction can help if the workforce is protected, wages and apprenticeship opportunities are preserved, and projects use tools such as community workforce agreements. They also raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and unlicensed contractors in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor education or licensing. Committee members responded that the goal is to expand production without sacrificing safety or good jobs. The committee also heard city perspectives on local housing reforms. Olympia described its affordable housing emergency ordinance, which gives qualifying projects priority in the permitting queue, and said success depends on communication among housing staff, planners, engineers, and developers. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, reported increased ADUs, duplexes, and smaller-lot development after eliminating single-family zoning and expanding tools such as MFTE and ADU flexibility. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances in June 2025 after a lengthy public process, while Poulsbo described proactive code changes including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, manufactured home protections, expanded ADU allowances, and pre-approved ADU plans shared with neighboring jurisdictions. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think they could definitely do that, but they'd have to deal with that zoning statute, or that zoning
• Now this has been time.
• zoning zoning &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• </c> residential zoning. residential zoning. It's<00:15:23.400><c> the</c><00:15:23.520><c> Y.
• </c> &gt;&gt; What's the time frame on all this? &gt;&gt; What's the time frame on all this?

Summary: The conference committee met on House Bill 69, which concerns Department of Health land transfers involving property from the Wyoming Life Resource Center in Lander. Members reviewed the two main pieces of the bill: a transfer of land to WYDOT for a maintenance yard, and a separate parcel intended for possible residential development. Much of the discussion focused on clarifying that the residential parcel would still be subject to zoning and likely sold through a public process, while the WYDOT parcel would remain a state-to-state transfer. A central issue was whether the City of Lander should be specifically included in the consultation language. Committee members agreed the city should be consulted on both sections, but there was debate over whether the bill should say the department is “authorized and directed” to convey the WYDOT parcel or use more permissive language such as “may” or simply “authorized.” Members noted that the city would have zoning authority over the residential parcel, but not necessarily a veto over the WYDOT transfer. The discussion also covered the practical need for a new WYDOT facility because the current yard is too small. The committee ultimately agreed to add the City of Lander to the consultation language, keep the WYDOT transfer directed, and leave the residential section permissive. They also approved a reporting requirement so the legislature would be notified when the transfers are completed. The committee then voted unanimously to adopt the compromise and prepare a conference committee report for signing.