Transcript Highlights:

• director of our Marine Resources Division before I became the commissioner, and I grew up on Dolphin Island
• It is also adversely impacting tourism in my county as well in Marshall County. Just a quick...
• Marshall County, uh, just a quick statistic there.

Bills: HB55, HB212

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, HB212, aquatic plants, public waters, state waters, waterways, water management, aquatic vegetation, weed removal, vegetation control, lake management, river management, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I start with the 1964, the Fire Marshal Survey? Okay. All right. Next up, we have AB 1916.
• A fire marshal survey. Okay. All right.
• Next up, we have AB 1964, Assemblymember Bennett, regarding State Fire Marshal, county recorder, home
• This requires the State Fire Marshal to conduct a survey, identify the number of homes in moderate to
• It starts at 10% of a community that hardens and gives discretion to the fire marshal to move forward

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, our state fire marshal, Dorothy Booth. Dory, where are they? Oh, way back there.
• c><00:42:48.160><c> our</c><00:42:48.400><c> state</c><00:42:48.720><c> fire</c><00:42:49.040><c> marshal
• Uh, our state fire marshal, stand. Uh, our state fire marshal, Dorothy<00:42:50.960><c> Booth.
• From the beautiful island of Maui, we have the council members, Council Member Nohi Uuhajins, Council
• Mokai we have the team from Pulama Kahek, which is an organization addressing rural health on our island

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hackney, Hall, Hill, Jacobsen, Keaton, Klicker, Kloba, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Lee, Low, Macri, Manjarrez, Marshall
• Further remarks, the good member from the second district, Representative Marshall. Thank you, Mr.
• County, where I live in the northwest corner of the state, we have the Lummi ferry that goes to Lummi Island
• This will improve the lives and the businesses on Lummi Island. And, Mr.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then recessed briefly for caucus. The chamber received several Senate messages, including concurrence on amendments and the signing of Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, before moving into third reading and final passage of multiple bills. Most of the floor debate centered on concurrence with Senate amendments and the policy effects of those changes. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170 passed 55-38 and was described as reorganizing and clarifying how Climate Commitment Act auction revenues are distributed among state accounts; supporters said it would create a clearer budget process, while opponents objected to shifting funds away from transportation and capital uses and reducing tax relief. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 passed 54-40 after debate over Climate Commitment Act account structure and operating-account allocations. Engrossed House Bill 2445 passed 66-29 on probate-related changes, with supporters citing clarifications and opponents saying it did not go far enough to limit outside involvement in probate matters. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2334 80-15, with little debate after Senate “perfecting” changes. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 passed 86-9; supporters said it would replace an inconsistent property tax on wind, solar, and battery storage facilities with a stable excise tax to benefit rural communities, counties, and labor, while opponents focused on tax impacts and local burdens. Additional bills passed included Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500 on HOA resale certificates (61-34), Second Substitute House Bill 1909 creating a Court Unification Task Force (57-38), Engrossed House Bill 2156 expanding Attorney General investigative authority over economic and financial crimes (54-41 on reconsideration), Substitute House Bill 2539 on inmate funds and related deductions (57-38), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care facility mergers and market oversight (55-41), Engrossed House Bill 2588 on local control for the Lummi ferry system (56-40), and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 on gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms (58-38). The House also agreed not to concur in Senate amendments to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 and retransmitted it to the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hackney, Hall, Hill, Jacobsen, Keaton, Klicker, Kloba, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Lee, Low, Macri, Manjarrez, Marshall
• Further remarks, the good member from the 2nd District, Representative Marshall. Thank you, Mr.
• Whatcom County, where I live in the northwest corner of the state, we have the ferry that goes to Lummi Island
• This will improve the lives and the businesses on Lummi Island. And, Mr.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, heard Senate messages on several bills, and then took up a series of third-reading and concurrence votes. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had concurred in House amendments to several other bills and that the Senate President had signed Engrossed Senate Bill 5068. Members then considered a slate of bills dealing with climate commitment account revenue, court administration, attorney general investigative authority, inmate funds, health care facility transactions, ferry governance, gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms, and renewable energy tax treatment. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, Engrossed House Bill 2445, Substitute House Bill 2334, Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, Second Substitute House Bill 1909, Engrossed House Bill 2156, Substitute House Bill 2539, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, Engrossed House Bill 2588, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 all received final passage after Senate amendments, with several members speaking in support or opposition. Supporters generally described the measures as clarifying revenue accounts, improving court access, protecting consumers, updating inmate account limits, addressing hospital consolidation, enabling local ferry management, and strengthening gun-violence prevention or renewable-energy tax policy. Opponents raised concerns about reduced transparency, expanded bureaucracy, shifting costs, attorney general overreach, limits on local control, and First Amendment or property-rights issues. Recorded votes showed passage on each of those bills, with margins ranging from narrow to broad: 55-38 on HB 1170, 54-40 on HB 2251, 66-29 on HB 2445, 80-15 on SHB 2334, 86-9 on ESHB 1960, 61-34 on ESHB 1500, 57-38 on SSB 1909, 54-41 on EHB 2156 after reconsideration, 57-38 on SHB 2539, 55-41 on ESHB 2548, 56-40 on EHB 2588, and 58-38 on ESHB 2320. The House also agreed to retransmit Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 to the Senate after deciding not to concur in the Senate’s fourth amendment. The meeting ended with both caucuses called and the House at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marshall. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Marshall. McClintock. Marshall. McClintock. McIntyre. Aye. Mena. Mendoza. Morgan. Nance. Nay.
• Marshall. McClintock, aye.
• Marshall. Aye. McClintock. McEntire. Thank you.
• Marshall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, a bill modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, volunteers, youth cadets, and related law enforcement roles. Members first considered a striking amendment and then a series of floor amendments, with debate repeatedly focusing on sheriffs as elected constitutional officers, the scope of state authority over local law enforcement, and whether the bill would create unfunded mandates or practical problems for counties. Supporters of the bill and many amendments argued for clarifying language, local flexibility, and state payment for new requirements; opponents generally warned the bill would weaken elected sheriffs, impose costs on counties, or overreach into local control. Amendment 2343, which would have added intent language emphasizing that sheriffs are directly accountable to the electorate, was debated at length and defeated on a roll call vote, 41 yeas to 56 nays. Amendment 2373, shifting background-check costs to the state through the Washington State Patrol, was also defeated, 44 yeas to 53 nays. Amendment 2374, narrowing provisions affecting private security and specially commissioned officers, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2369, clarifying rules for volunteers and youth cadets, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2371, limiting surveillance-related provisions to situations requiring a warrant, failed 42 to 55. Amendment 2372, clarifying that only non-public information would be restricted from disclosure, also failed 41 to 56. Later, Amendment 2370, which would have aligned the bill’s definition of volunteer law enforcement officers with existing statute, was defeated 42 to 55. Finally, Amendment 2352, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s new decertification rules, was debated as a protection against changing the rules midstream but was opposed on the grounds that the bill already grandfathered in the one sheriff who did not meet the new experience requirement; the amendment’s vote was not completed in the excerpt provided. The transcript also begins with the Speaker signing several bills, including Substitute House Bill 1570 and Substitute Senate Bill 6248.

Transcript Highlights:

• Griffey, Hackney, Hall, Hill, Jacobsen, Keaton, Keeton, Klicker, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Lee, Low, Macri, Marshall
• And whereas, the first civilian evacuation order gave Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island, Washington
• , less than one week to leave behind homes, Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island, Washington, less
• Our vision and our eyesight was pointed across the water to Bainbridge Island, where the first families
• where the first Japanese Americans were incarcerated: 227 men, women, and children from Bainbridge Island

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2125, HB2134, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2245, HB2283, HB2406, HB2501, HB1544, HB1834, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2544, HB2551, HB2262, HB2298, HB2351, HB2401, HB2593, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2157, HB2311, HB2325, HB2552, HB1343, HB1707, HB2361, HB2389, HB2468, HB2521, HB2720, HB1591, HB2092, HB2176, HB2255, HB2281, HB2438, HB2685, HB1960, HB2236, HB2364

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House opened with a roll call establishing a quorum, a presentation by the Nisei Veterans Committee Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Scout Alexander Bertelsen, and an invocation by Reverend Masao Umoto centered on remembrance and preventing future injustice. The chamber then took up House Resolution 4692, honoring Japanese Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II, especially in Washington State. The resolution recounted Executive Order 9066, the forced removal of Japanese Americans, the service and sacrifices of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the findings of the 1982 commission that the incarceration was driven by racial prejudice, war hysteria, and political failure, and the later apology and redress through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Several members spoke in support of the resolution, including Representatives Burnett, Stonier, Rude, Jacobsen, and Santos. Their remarks emphasized family histories, the constitutional violations of internment, the importance of due process and equal justice, and the need to remember the past as a warning against fear-driven policy. Some members connected the resolution to contemporary concerns about detention and civil liberties. The House adopted House Resolution 4692 by voice vote, and the Speaker recognized guests and community members present for the Day of Remembrance. The House also agreed to spread Representative Santos’s remarks upon the journal. Later, the House considered a motion to re-refer engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 5360 from the Environment and Energy Committee to the Community Safety Committee. Representative Abbarno argued the bill was primarily criminal in nature because it created felonies and misdemeanors, addressed mental states, penalties, and the Attorney General’s authority to investigate and prosecute, while Representative Fitzgibbon responded that the bill’s predominant subject matter remained environmental, citing multiple sections amending air, hazardous waste, and water laws. The amendment failed on a voice vote, and the underlying motion to read the day’s introductions and refer them to the designated committees was adopted. The House then returned House Bill 1065, House Joint Memorial 1412, and engrossed House Bill 1819 to the Rules Committee, announced caucuses, and adjourned until Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Griffey, Hackney, Hall, Hill, Jacobsen, Keaton, Keeton, Klicker, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Lee, Low, Macri, Marshall
• And whereas, the first civilian evacuation order gave Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island, Washington
• , less than one week to leave behind homes, Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island, Washington, less
• We were pointed, our vision and our eyesight was pointed across the water to Bainbridge Island, where
• where the first Japanese Americans were incarcerated. 227 men, women, and children from Bainbridge Island

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2125, HB2134, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2245, HB2283, HB2406, HB2501, HB1544, HB1834, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2544, HB2551, HB2262, HB2298, HB2351, HB2401, HB2593, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2157, HB2311, HB2325, HB2552, HB1343, HB1707, HB2361, HB2389, HB2468, HB2521, HB2720, HB1591, HB2092, HB2176, HB2255, HB2281, HB2438, HB2685, HB1960, HB2236, HB2364

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, the flags were escorted by the Nisei Veterans Committee Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Scout Alexander Bertelsen, and Reverend Masao Umoto delivered the invocation. The House then approved the previous day’s minutes and took up House Resolution 4692, recognizing the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and honoring Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated and incarcerated during World War II. The resolution recounted the history of the incarceration, the service of Japanese American veterans, the findings of the 1982 commission that the policy was driven by racial prejudice and war hysteria, and the later federal apology and reparations. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and guests connected to the Japanese American community and remembrance observances were recognized. Several members spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing the constitutional failures of the wartime incarceration, the importance of remembrance, and the need to guard against fear-driven violations of civil liberties. Remarks also highlighted personal family histories, the experiences of camps such as Manzanar and Camp Harmony, and the service of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and other Japanese American units. After adoption, the House agreed to spread Representative Stonier’s remarks upon the journal. The House then considered a motion to re-refer Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 536 to the Community Safety Committee instead of the Environment and Energy Committee. Representative Abbarno argued the bill dealt primarily with criminal penalties and prosecutorial authority, while Representative Fitzgibbon opposed the change, saying the bill’s predominant subject matter remained environmental. The amendment failed on a voice vote. The House then adopted the motion to read and refer the day’s introductions to the designated committees, with SB 6066 sent to Transportation. Finally, the House returned HB 1065, HJM 1412, and ESHB 1819 to the Rules Committee, announced caucuses, and adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Friday, February 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my son Marshall was born in December of 2019.
• Marshall was born in December of 2019.
• Marshall is doing very well.
• When I was pregnant with Marshall, I had to find a new OB doc.
• It's so easy to go to Rhode Island to get those products.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on children’s health, tobacco control, newborn screening, pediatric cancer, palliative care, and professional licensure. Early testimony highlighted Senate bills to expand newborn screening for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, lysosomal storage disorders, and congenital CMV, with families and clinicians describing severe diagnostic delays, missed treatment windows, and the benefits of early detection. Speakers also supported a bill to improve pediatric cancer research through a dedicated trust fund, and a bill to extend pediatric palliative care services to age 22, with parents and providers emphasizing continuity of care for seriously ill young people. Several witnesses gave personal accounts in support of the newborn screening measures. Families described children who endured years of misdiagnosis before receiving diagnoses such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and CMV, often after irreversible damage had already occurred. Medical and advocacy witnesses said Massachusetts already collects some of the relevant screening data and argued that results should be reported to families, while others urged the committee to add conditions to the state panel because effective treatments already exist. The committee also heard support for a bill to establish a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program and training for providers. On tobacco and youth health, testimony supported bills to ban internet tobacco sales, strengthen youth protections, and reduce lung cancer deaths through point-of-sale information and quit-line access. A student testified about easily purchasing flavored nicotine products online without meaningful age verification, and public health advocates backed measures to keep tobacco out of children’s environments. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to ensure parents have access to their children’s medical records through age 16, with exceptions for sensitive services already protected by law. The committee additionally took testimony on an optometry licensure bill, where ophthalmologists opposed language they said could broaden scope of practice and allow optometrists to use the title “optometric physician,” while optometry educators and students supported the bill as a modernization measure with no scope expansion. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly reminded speakers of time limits and noted that written testimony could be submitted for additional comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• religious coordinator at the Department of Social and Health Services Special Commitment Center, McNeil Island
• Special Commitment Center, McNeill Island.
• we're joined today by both troopers who miss Trooper Guding, but also by grieving members of our fire marshal

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer. The journal was approved, House messages were received, and several measures were introduced and referred, including Senate Joint Resolution 8212 and House Bill 2664. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 8672, honoring Washington State Patrol Trooper Tara Marissa Guding, who was killed in the line of duty. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing her service, the risks faced by troopers, and the importance of slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles. The resolution was adopted unanimously, all members were added as co-sponsors, and the Senate observed a moment of silence and welcomed Trooper Guding’s colleagues and family. The Senate then considered gubernatorial appointments. Kerry Heaton was confirmed to the Peninsula College Board of Trustees by a roll call vote of 47 ayes and 2 absent. Rebecca Chan was confirmed to the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees by a vote of 49 ayes and 0 nays. Bethany J. Martinez was confirmed to the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees by a vote of 49 ayes and 0 nays. Senators speaking on the appointments highlighted each nominee’s community involvement, professional background, and qualifications for the board positions. After the confirmations, the Senate agreed to stand at ease for caucus until 1 p.m. The transcript also included the reading of the prior day’s journal and routine procedural motions to advance through the orders of business.

Transcript Highlights:

• religious coordinator at the Department of Social and Health Services Special Commitment Center, McNeil Island
• Special Commitment Center, McNeill Island.
• joined today by both troopers who miss Trooper Gooting, but also by grieving members of our fire marshal

Summary: The Senate convened with all members present, received the journal without objection, and took up messages from the House and first-reading referrals. It then considered Senate Resolution 8672 honoring Washington State Patrol Trooper Tara Marissa Guting, who was killed in the line of duty. Several senators spoke in support, reflecting on her service, the risks faced by troopers, and the importance of motorists slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the Senate observed a moment of silence and welcomed members of Trooper Guting’s family and the State Patrol. The chamber then moved to gubernatorial appointments. Kerry Heaton was confirmed as a member of the Peninsula College Board of Trustees by a roll call vote of 47-aye, 2 absent. Rebecca A. Chan was confirmed as a member of the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees by a roll call vote of 49-aye, 0-nay. Bethany J. Martinez was confirmed as a member of the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees by a roll call vote of 49-aye, 0-nay. Senators speaking in support highlighted each appointee’s community involvement, professional background, and education-related experience. After the confirmations, the Senate agreed to stand at ease for caucus and lunch until 1 p.m. No other substantive legislative action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marshall. McClintock. Marshall. McClintock. McIntyre. Aye. Mena. Mendoza. Morgan. Nance. Nay.
• Marshall. McClintock, aye. Marshall. McClintock. McIntyre. Mena. Mendoza. Morgan. Nance. Dye.
• “Member from the second, Representative Marshall.”
• Marshall, aye. McClintock. McEntire. Thank you.
• Marshall. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB5831, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of information out there today in the market about islanded power.
• They don't start with we want islanded power.
• They will do islanded power at times because they're just desperate to get power.
• Chair calls Marshall Cooper, Will McAdams, Liz Schwab. Okay. Chairman King: Okay.
• Chairman King: Thank you very much, Marshall. We'll go to you.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Joselyn Herbert, testifying from Hawaiʻi Island on behalf of Resource Legacy Fund.
• In addition, they recommended that we revise our fire marshal bill and enter into a contract with Hawaiʻi
• 36:18.480><c> Fire</c> a we we I'm sorry we revise our Fire a we we I'm sorry we revise our Fire Marshall
• Bill and enter into a contract Marshall Bill and enter into a contract with<00:36:21.960><c> Hawaii<
• </c> cakey art in all neighbor Island cakey art in all neighbor Island airports airports airports we<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism and Water and Land was held on March 20, 2025, on SB 1396 SD3 HD1, which would raise transient accommodations tax revenues beginning in 2027, impose a $20 per-night tax on stays booked through loyalty or rewards points, and dedicate funds to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. The Office of the Governor, DLNR, DBEDT, the Hawaii State Energy Office, Tax Department, Hawaiian Home Lands, HI-EMA, the Climate Advisory Team, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HCDA, the Hawaii Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resource Legacy Fund, KUA, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority all testified in support or with comments, generally emphasizing the need for dedicated funding for environmental stewardship, resilience, wildfire and climate preparedness, and community-based projects. Several supporters cited polling showing broad visitor willingness to pay additional fees to protect Hawaiʻi’s resources, and DLNR and the Attorney General noted the bill aligns with broader state land-management and fire-safety priorities. Opposition came from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which argued the bill unnecessarily raises the TAT, places more burden on visitors and visitor-dependent businesses, and could harm Maui’s still-recovering economy. The Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaiʻi initially marked opposition but then said it had misunderstood the bill’s relationship to another measure and asked to resend testimony. Expedia Group did not oppose the TAT increase itself but raised operational concerns about the new tax on loyalty-point redemptions, calling it novel and difficult to administer. The American Hotel Lodging Association and Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance were listed as having no comments present. Testifiers also suggested amendments, including dedicating the revenues to a special fund, ensuring community grants, and clarifying administrative provisions. One testifier urged the bill be used to fund hurricane shelters and stronger building standards, while another emphasized that the measure should support people and disaster resilience as well as environmental protection. During questions, members asked for the polling methodology and for a breakdown of current TAT allocations; staff indicated they could share the survey memo and began identifying existing statutory remittances. No vote or final committee action was taken during the excerpted portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Virgin Islands, and it's an honor to serve on this committee under your leadership, Chair.
• Virgin Island, and it's an honor to serve in this committee under your leadership, Chair.
• Inspections by our fire marshal and our inspectors to ensure compliance with the required health, life
• And as we became aware of this, our fire marshal goes out to do an inspection and finds out that we have

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 13, 2025, for its first meeting of the session, with member and staff introductions followed by consideration of several tax-related bills. The committee first heard HJR 163 and its implementing bill HB 165, which would extend the homestead property tax exemption for quadriplegics to surviving spouses, similar to the treatment for surviving spouses of certain disabled veterans. Sponsor Rep. Tant and constituent J.R. Harding described the financial and caregiving burdens faced by spouses of quadriplegics. The committee heard supportive testimony from the Florida Association of Property Appraisers and members voted both measures favorably without opposition. The committee then considered HB 785 on heated tobacco products. Rep. Tramont said the bill would create a new tax/regulatory category for the product, and an amendment clarifying the definition was adopted. The James Madison Institute offered a resource on the issue, the Florida Retail Federation waived in support, and Ranking Member Eskamani said she had concerns about the excise tax treatment and would vote no. The bill passed 16-1. Next, HB 321, a property tax exemption clarification for homes for the aged, was presented by Rep. Smith as a technical “glitch bill” to align state law with IRS tax code and ease development of low-income senior housing. It drew supportive testimony and passed unanimously. The final bill, HB 503 by Rep. Botana, would cap local government revenue from local business taxes and require refunds if collections exceed the cap, with carve-outs for fiscally constrained areas. Local government and economic development groups, including the Florida League of Cities, the City of Winter Haven, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and the Florida Association of Counties, opposed the bill, arguing it would limit funding for public safety, inspections, economic development, and other services and create administrative refund problems. Several members supported the bill as a tax-cutting measure, while others warned of impacts on local services and revenue flexibility. The committee reported HB 503 favorably on a 14-5 vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE POLICE DEPARTMENT GETS IT AND THE FIRE MARSHAL TO HELP WITH THAT COMMISSION.
• I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL ASSOCIATION AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO GO IN AND DO THE SAFETY
• AND AS AN ANTIDOTE, I HAVE A FRIEND WAS A PRESIDENT OF THE 50 YEAR OLD BUILDING ON CEDAR ISLAND AND HIS
• I OWN TWO UNITS IN SUNNY ISLAND BUILDINGS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, NOT EVEN SEVERAL YEARS, MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Jacksonville, for instance, the fire marshal was attempting to inspect these locations, and the criminals
• were attempting to bribe the fire marshal to go away.
• But other places, The fire marshal to go away.
• their address, financial information, and you're just giving this to a company that resides in an island

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending. Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines. Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Lowenthal, Division Chief Fire Marshal with the Santa Rosa Fire Department. Happy to be here.
• Paul Lowenthal, Division Chief Fire Marshal with the Santa Rosa Fire Department. Happy to be here.
• But don’t forget, there is truly island time, and things do take a lot longer over there.
• Island time is a thing, and it's usually not because anybody doesn't want to move things forward.
• In that effort, Fire Marshal Lowenthal spoke to Senate Bill 973, the wildfire county coordinator program

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Bay Area and San Diego 350s, Santa Cruz Climate Action Network, Save Our Shores, and Turtle Island
• Can I start with the 1964, the Fire Marshal survey? Okay. All right. Next up, we have AB 1964.
• AB 1964, Assembly Member Bennett, regarding State Fire Marshal, county recorder, home hardening program
• This requires the State Fire Marshal to conduct a survey, identify the number of homes in moderate to
• It starts at 10% of a community that hardens and gives discretion to the fire marshal to move forward

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sponsor of the bill, Representative Marshall.
• Okay, we're going to do Marshall, and then I promised Diaz. I did.
• For the record, Representative David Marshall from LD7.
• Marshall, was the governor consulted on the formation of this board?
• You're talking about property on the island and Lake Cavacy waterfront.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2150, which continues the State Land Department until July 1, 2030. Members questioned the commissioner extensively about agency procedures, backlog, appraisals, auction practices, privilege claims in the Fontamonte audit, and the Coyotes land transaction. The committee also discussed the Griffin amendment, which required quarterly updates, a public hearing on the department’s strategic plan, changes to conceptual land use plans and five-year disposition plans, and legislative findings. After debate over oversight and accountability, the amendment was adopted and HB 2150 was returned with a do pass recommendation by a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2975, which would suspend the State Land Department’s solar scoring map and require new mining and housing resource maps, with the amendment changing the mapping deadline and requiring the maps to be posted online. Supporters said the bill would improve fairness and maximize trust revenue for schools by avoiding favoritism toward solar; opponents argued the solar map is only a guidance tool and that removing it could reduce transparency and revenue. The department said it was neutral but asked for additional staff or consultant support if the bill passed. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2975 as amended on a 6-4 vote. House Bill 2781 followed, addressing solar plant decommissioning, restoration, financial assurance, insurance, and a remediation fund. The amendment narrowed the bill to decommissioning standards and limited its reach to projects receiving permits after the effective date. Testimony focused on the need to ensure solar sites are restored and that taxpayers are not left with cleanup costs; several speakers cited abandoned or aging energy infrastructure as a cautionary example. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2781 as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2267, which would classify certain utility-scale wind or solar projects within four miles of residential property as a public nuisance, with exceptions and grandfathering for existing projects. The sponsor argued the bill responds to concerns about large renewable projects near homes and property value impacts, while the amendment narrowed the scope to utility-scale wind and solar and excluded rooftop solar and existing projects. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 2267.