Transcript Highlights:

• So important to hold accountable.
• This policy is about accountability.
• Madam Speaker, this bill is about strengthening community trust through accountability and clarity.
• But I also believe, like every public servant, that we can hold them accountable and that we can have
• But I also believe, like every public servant, that we can hold them accountable and that we can have

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Summary: The House received several Senate messages announcing passage of House Bill 1345, Senate Bill 6297, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6354, and that the President had signed substitute Senate Bill 5874. The chamber then moved through second reading and final passage of a series of bills, often suspending the rules to advance them to third reading. Senate Bill 6025, described as an update to how fetal age/time of death is dated using more objective modern methods, passed 91-2. Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, dealing with penalties and protections related to sports officials and referees, was amended to restore separate treatment for students and lower penalties back to current law, then passed 92-2 after members described repeated assaults and harassment of referees. Substitute Senate Bill 5938, a foreclosure-related technical fix to the Foreclosure Fairness Act, passed 59-35 despite objections that it continued to impose fees on homeowners. Substitute Senate Bill 6149, which adds Cowlitz County to the rural county designation by setting a population cap, passed 93-1. Substitute Senate Bill 6183, requiring coverage of HIV antiviral medications without prior authorization or step therapy, passed 95-1. Senate Bill 5467, raising the surplus property threshold for water-sewer districts, passed unanimously 94-0. The House then took up substitute Senate Bill 5855, a bill concerning face coverings by law enforcement officers, and spent most of the remainder of the meeting debating a long series of amendments. Supporters of the bill argued it would improve transparency and public trust by limiting face coverings, while opponents and amendment sponsors sought broader exceptions for undercover work, warrants, plain-clothes assignments, religious coverings, health and safety needs, riots/civil unrest, criminal mischief, and other exigent circumstances. Several amendments were adopted, including one allowing religious head or face coverings and another allowing helmet use for transportation; many others were rejected, including proposed intent language and broader waiver/exemption provisions. The Speaker also ruled one proposed amendment outside the scope of the bill title. The transcript ends during debate on Amendment 2139, which would shift safety-rule authority to state labor and industries/DOSH, with opponents raising fiscal and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote yes on the amendment for transparency and accountability.
• My concern is we aren’t going to hold to account what the organization does with the private funds that
• is going to be an advocate for this, the Lieutenant Governor should also hold the organization to account
• carries the responsibilities and identities of a state-affiliated organization, it needs to be accountable
• I wish we’d been able to make that transparency and accountability more evident for the people of Washington

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Summary: The House considered and passed a series of Senate bills, often after adopting committee amendments and suspending the rules to move bills to third reading. Senate Bill 6188, dealing with Department of Labor and Industries rules related to department-issued identification and asbestos-related worker safety, was amended to clarify that rules should address safety and health hazards; it then passed 61-33. Substitute Senate Bill 5185 created a pilot pathway for certain internationally trained physicians to pursue licensure to help address primary care shortages and passed 89-4. Substitute Senate Bill 5825 authorized the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit private gifts and grants; a transparency amendment failed, and the bill passed 85-8. Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, aimed at improving voting access for military overseas and tribal communities, passed 57-36 after concerns were raised about an unfunded mandate for county auditors. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6087, clarifying liability and reuse rules for donated child-related items such as car seats, passed unanimously 93-0. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5552, which directs the Building Code Council to create codes for kit homes as a way to expand affordable housing, by a 93-0 vote. Senate Bill 6278, which codifies standards and review processes for teacher preparation and alternative route programs, passed 86-7 despite objections that it was unnecessary codification. Substitute Senate Bill 6268, requiring long-term retention of special education records and an online complaint/record system to support families and improve practice, passed unanimously 93-0. Substitute Senate Bill 6237, requiring rental property disclosures about flooding history and flood insurance, passed 65-28 amid debate over added paperwork for housing providers. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5937 addressed smart access systems in rental housing, requiring a traditional lock option for tenants who do not want app-based access, and passed 93-1. Substitute Senate Bill 6039 modernized Labor and Industries communications by allowing email notices with an opt-out for paper mail, and passed 94-0. After these votes, the House announced caucus times and went at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• The matter of civic health ultimately comes back down to public trust and accountability and buy-in to
• Assets are inherently scarce, and the most rational decision-makers take into account the scarcity of

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Summary: The House received several messages from the Senate announcing passage of engrossed or substitute versions of House Bill 2294, House Bill 2472, Senate Bill 606, Senate Bill 6335, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6266, and engrossed substitute House Bill 3. The chamber then moved through second and third reading on a series of measures, often suspending the rules to advance bills to final passage. A major floor debate centered on Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, which would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and expand its membership. Amendment 2131, offered to keep the committee at its current size rather than expanding it, was rejected after debate over fiscal restraint, committee scope, and whether the body functioned like a “proxy legislature.” The resolution then passed 83-10. The House also passed engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6200 on portable cooling devices for renters and mobile home occupants, Senate Bill 6084 on clarifying the prohibition on voting in more than one election, second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5105 on sexually explicit depictions involving minors, and Senate Bill 6046 authorizing the Civil Air Patrol to be used by the governor in emergencies; each drew debate over policy scope, enforcement, and state-federal authority, but all ultimately passed. The House next passed substitute Senate Bill 6054, limiting HOA and common-interest community restrictions that conflict with wildfire-hardening measures; substitute Senate Bill 6091, requiring greater transparency in real estate broker practices; Senate Bill 6291, giving more time to train and certify on-site wastewater inspectors; substitute Senate Bill 6081, creating a Public Records Act exemption for sex designation information to protect transgender people from doxxing and harassment; Senate Bill 5963, automatically enrolling certain vulnerable students in the Washington College Grant; and substitute Senate Bill 6226, addressing audiology scope-of-practice and telemedicine concerns. Most of these bills passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew dissent over added regulation, privacy, or scope-of-practice issues. The final portion of the transcript focused on Senate Bill 6106, which the Speaker ruled had an out-of-scope amendment related to agricultural seasonal workers; the bill itself passed 75-18 after debate over layoff notices and tribal sovereignty. Substitute Senate Bill 6014, dealing with pregnancy accommodations and related public records issues, saw a failed amendment to replace gender-neutral language with “pregnant woman” and then passed 68-25. The House also debated Senate Bill 5820, with multiple amendments concerning freight rail, greenhouse gas calculations, county planning, property rights, and rail safety; the excerpt ends amid that amendment debate before final action on the bill is shown.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Summary: The House approved the prior day’s minutes without objection and adopted a series of resolutions honoring individuals, organizations, and observances, including Dean Brazel, Shadley Van Skulkwake, the Seattle Seahawks, Every Child Matters Day, several doctors and officials, economic ties with Mexico and Canada, the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The chamber received messages from the Senate announcing passage of Substitute House Bill 2230, Substitute Senate Bill 5647, and engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 61, and also noted that the President had signed a second engrossed House bill. The House then agreed to first-reading referral of bills and resolutions on the introduction sheet, with one exception: Substitute Senate Bill 6003 was suspended from the rules and placed on the second reading calendar. Later, the House referred bills listed in committee reports to the designated committees and relieved the Rules Committee of Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5107 and Substitute Senate Bill 6226, placing them on the second reading calendar. No recorded votes occurred, and the House adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

Transcript Highlights:

• These panels will be composed of the DFPS General Counsel, the Chief Consumer Affairs and Accountability
• As it pertains to suits filed by the Department, the bill will require the Department to account. suit
• monthly reporting requirements for parental safety agreements, SB 596 will require the department to account
• They will seek court relief from unfair contractual obligations and manage a separate financial account
• Complications from diabetes account for many of these amputations, and in fact, the American Diabetes

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• This fee-for-service model has incentivized cost savings, efficiency, accountability, and innovation
• In the area of emergency preparedness, Texas's regulations hold providers accountable for what they do
• It holds providers accountable for what they do while allowing providers to meet that standard in a way
• This does not take into account the issue of lack of space to locate these massive generators and fuel
• These costs do not even account for the maintenance, and I said that earlier.

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• requires certain social media platforms to provide an accessible mechanism for users to delete their accounts
• permanently erase all personal information and sensitive personal information associated with the deleted accounts
• requires certain social media platforms to provide an accessible mechanism for users to delete their accounts
• And sensitive personal information associated with the deleted accounts.
• in these pressure tactics, knowing there's nothing on the back end that the store is going to be accountable

Bills: HB1511, HB1535, HB1642, HB1753, HB1810, HB2282, HB2614

Keywords: consumer protection, unsolicited mail, unsolicited email, junk mail, spam email, deceptive marketing, misleading solicitation, high-pressure sales, vehicle warranty, auto warranty, service contract, home warranty, license renewal, registration renewal, government impersonation, affiliation disclosure, direct mail, email marketing, consumer fraud, refund

Summary: The committee heard several consumer-protection and insurance measures. HB 1511 HD2 would prohibit unsolicited mail or email using high-pressure tactics or falsely implying affiliation with another entity; it drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection, the DCCA Insurance Division, and the Service Contract Industry Council, with some written support and at least one opposition. HB 1535 HD2, concerning automated external defibrillators and a tax-related provision for devices installed in certain public accommodations, received comments from DOTAX and the Tax Foundation, with additional support from the Department of Health and other groups. HB 1642 HD1 would ban ownership or operation of digital financial asset transaction kiosks that accept U.S. currency; it was strongly supported by OCP, the Attorney General, and AARP, while kiosk operators and industry representatives opposed the ban and urged a regulatory approach instead, including licensing, transaction limits, refunds, and other safeguards. Members questioned whether federal action could preempt the bill and whether a licensure regime could be funded through a surcharge, but no action was taken during the discussion. The committee also took up HB 1753 on social media account deletion and permanent erasure of personal information, with OCP standing on its initial comments and TechNet and Will Caron in support. HB 1810 HD2 would impose prompt payment and financial reporting requirements on professional solicitors selling donated tangible property on behalf of charities; Goodwill Hawaii testified in strong support, emphasizing donor trust and transparency, and several nonprofit and business groups submitted supportive testimony. HB 2282 HD1, which would require explanations for premium increases and clarify insurance licensing and cancellation/non-renewal procedures, was supported by the Insurance Division and OCP; a vice chair asked for complaint data related to condo associations, and a member noted that the same agencies had previously opposed similar Senate bills. Finally, HB 2614 HD1 would require cosmetics merchants to accept returns of new or unopened goods within specified time frames and improve signage requirements; OCP said the bill addressed longstanding complaints about high-pressure sales tactics and no-return policies, citing over 180 complaints and survey results showing most complainants did not understand the policy and felt misled.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is, presently, accounts, security accounts, land, et cetera, are frozen when a person
• What this bill does is presently accounts, security accounts, land, et cetera, is frozen when a person
• They can, you know, reach out to the account holder.
• Amendment 1 amends the definition of account holder.
• And by all accounts, I think they're doing well.

Bills: HB489, HB545, HB555, HB583, HB670, HB672, HB797, HB814, HB913, HB952

Keywords: transfer on death, TOD, beneficiary designation, investment accounts, brokerage accounts, securities, nonprobate transfer, estate planning, succession, probate, community property, forced heirship, financial advisor, broker-dealer, custodian, transfer agent, banking, wealth transfer, inheritance, Louisiana Revised Statutes

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on March 17, 2026, adopted its rules again because they had not been properly posted on the agenda, and then voluntarily deferred several bills, including HB 580, HB 583, HB 814, and HB 913. The committee then took up a series of bills, with members frequently adopting technical amendments and, in several cases, combining related proposals from different authors into one measure. Several bills were reported favorably after brief debate and no recorded objections. HB 489 by Rep. Gadbury, concerning the Louisiana Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act, was amended to make transfer-on-death registration mandatory rather than permissive and to remove liability-delay language, then reported favorably. HB 545 by Rep. Riser, on consumer loan charges, was narrowed by amendment to focus on origination fees and was reported favorably with support from banking, credit union, business, AARP, and other groups. HB 555 by Rep. Carver, expanding protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults, incorporated language from Rep. Boyd’s similar bill and was reported favorably after testimony from Carver, Boyd, and bankers describing scams, trusted contacts, and temporary transaction delays as safeguards. The committee also advanced HB 797 by Rep. Cruz, creating a Bayou Gold certification program for gold depositories and electronic payment platforms. Members questioned whether the bill created a state-backed bank; Cruz emphasized that it did not, and the bill was amended to clarify terminology and consumer-facing structure before being reported favorably. HB 952 by Rep. Jordan, modernizing consumer loan law, was amended to a three-tier rate structure, add ability-to-repay language, and include disaster-relief and financial literacy provisions; it was then reported favorably. Finally, HB 672 and HB 670 by Rep. Owen, promoting brick manufacturing and wood pellet manufacturing, were both amended to shift LED’s role from setting priorities to supporting recruitment, retention, and expansion within existing authority and available funds, and both bills were reported favorably after testimony about local resources, logistics, jobs, and export potential.

Transcript Highlights:

• Spring Branch had been held accountable, and we could move on.
• Senate Bill 111 brings much needed transparency and accountability to this broken system.
• Well, you can technically overdraw a debit account, but it's important to teach them the limits and how
• for depository accounts, such as credit unions, as well as banks.
• Earlier in the session, Senate Bill 2 created the framework for an education savings account program

Bills: SB205, SB582, SB625, SB1884, SB1903, SB2600, SB2617, SB2751, SB111, SB3061, SB1908

Keywords: fetal development, health curriculum, public schools, middle school health education, grade 7, grade 8, State Board of Education, school health advisory council, Texas Education Code, pregnancy, reproductive health, infertility, birth defects, prenatal development, unborn child, trimester, medically accurate instruction, age-appropriate instruction, drug and alcohol effects, lead exposure

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also establishes the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Account as a general revenue account
• Bank accounts are getting hacked. Personal information is getting used.
• Number one, accountability, and number two, practicality. being accountability, we see a negation of
• So that's one, accountability. Practicality.
• and accountability. measures that pass.

Bills: HB2034, HB2436, HB3010, HB3033, HB3138, HB3177, HB3426, HB3686, HB3858, HB4176, HB4257, HB4264, HB4804, HCR98

Keywords: groundwater, foreign ownership, national security, water permits, environmental health, deadly conduct, firearm, recklessness, peace officer, prosecution, Penal Code, Texas laws, disaster recovery, infrastructure, rural communities, grants, state funding, emergency management, HB 3033, Texas Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Is ensuring some financial accountability for those problems, which is very important, we think.
• Members, Senate Bill 1825 promotes safe, accountable development of battery energy storage systems in
• So, does the bill account for...
• So they, you know, on tech association accounts...
• economics or even to understand how the grid works to grasp that crippling an energy source that accounts

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Bills: SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466, SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466

Keywords: controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day

Transcript Highlights:

• an overcorrection, this is a crushing blow to the good providers, and this bill is a measured, accountable
• However, my support is contingent upon full review and approval by our council, which holds ultimate
• I respectfully offer several key recommendations to make SB 1611 stronger, more accountable, and more
• The bill creates accountability to ensure only real services are actually delivered.
• continue to receive them, obviously, and the funds are preserved for the child in almost like an account

Bills: SB1086, SB1193, SB1318, SB1345, SB1346, SB1451, SB1496, SB1611, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1672

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Transcript Highlights:

• So if an employer makes a contribution to a Trump account, what the Trump accounts are, these accounts
• Employers can also put money into that account.
• Employers can also put money into<00:19:58.400><c> that</c><00:19:58.640><c> account.
• What this would do into that account.
• by the individual by the to that account by the individual by the employer<00:20:05.600><c> and</c><

Bills: HB130, HB190, HB123, HB250, HB130, HB190, HB123, HB250

Keywords: HB130, Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists, Sunset Law, sunset review, licensure board, professional geologists, geology, geologist licensing, board appointments, congressional district representation, gubernatorial appointments, state boards and commissions, professional licensing, regulatory board, Alabama Code 34-41-4, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, mining industry, petroleum industry, geological sciences

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2637 intends to address the mass output of misinformation generated by accounts on social
• Senate Bill 2637 would require a statement on posts made by bot accounts notifying users that the post
• . ...accountable and ensure training laws are meaningfully executed.
• Instead of accountability, I faced retaliation.
• To my professional conduct, but for my private meme post on my personal Instagram account.

Bills: SB1361, SB2105, SB2690, SB2713, SCR38, SB2637, SB2881

Keywords: SB 1361, Texas disaster recovery loan, small business loan, micro-business loan, community development financial institution, CDFI, economic disaster assistance, post-disaster financing, business recovery fund, Texas Economic Development Bank, zero-interest loan, working capital, payroll support, health benefits, job retention, declared disaster, small business relief, microenterprise, franchise exclusion, private equity-backed business

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• electronic payment methods like Cash App and Venmo as ways to put money in 529's college savings accounts

Bills: SB44, SB237, SB248, SB985, SB1204, SB1239, SB1307, SB1360, SB1390, SB1400, SB1405, SB1427, SB1428, SB1732, SB1832, SB1859, SB1989, SB2018, SB2143

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, ad valorem tax, manufacturing facilities, exemption, battery energy storage, employment, payroll, state tax regulation, tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about accountability and public trust, plain and simple.
• This is about accountability and public trust, plain and simple.
• This is about accountability and public trust, plain and simple.
• This is about accountability and public trust, plain and simple.
• This is about accountability and public trust, plain and simple.

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• to allotment from the non-appropriated portions of those accounts.
• So in short, L&I's accounts are really healthy. This bill saves money.
• If the Legislature does choose to move forward, there must be clear sideboards, accountability, and accountability
• , including... ...forward, there must be clear sideboards, accountability, and accountability, including
• and for the OIC through their regulatory account.

Bills: SB5420, SB5877, SB5868, SB5109, SB5832, SB5922, SB5944, SB5988, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Summary: The committee heard a series of public hearings on bills affecting education, veterans’ benefits, health care, court staffing, traffic safety, climate policy, workers’ compensation, tribal relations, and state reporting requirements. Staff briefed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5969 on integrating high school and beyond plans with IEP transition plans, and the committee heard no public testimony. The bill’s fiscal note was described as about $164,000 in FY 2027 for OSPI, with ongoing costs for IT updates and staff time. Members then heard Senate Bill 5420 on expanding veteran benefits to include Public Health Service and NOAA Corps members and extending some preferences to spouses of active-duty service members; supporters from military and veterans’ groups testified in favor, and the fiscal note was described as modest. Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow pre-discharge certification to establish eligibility for veterans’ civil service preference before discharge; it drew no public testimony, and OFM estimated about $174,000 annually to implement training and policy work. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5877, which would apply physician health program and Healwa surcharges to certified anesthesiology assistants and other Medical Commission licensees; the Washington Medical Commission and the new provider group supported it, with DOH estimating small revenue increases and about $31,000 in IT costs. The largest policy debate centered on the 340B drug pricing bill, gross Second Substitute Senate Bill 5981. Supporters, including hospitals, tribal representatives, and safety-net providers, said the bill would preserve access to discounted drugs and improve transparency, while opponents from manufacturers, employers, and business groups argued it would raise costs, reduce rebates, and create legal risk under federal preemption challenges. The Health Care Authority estimated about $608,000 per year to administer the reporting system, and a representative raised concerns about potential federal litigation and state liability. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties; county and court officials testified that caseloads and delays justify the additions, and the Senate budget was said to fully fund the state share. Engrossed Senate Bill 5890 would expand reckless driving to include extreme speeding and speeding in construction zones with workers present; staff said fiscal impacts were indeterminate, with possible local jail and licensing effects. Engrossed Senate Bill 6246 on Climate Commitment Act treatment of emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities drew support from industry and labor witnesses who praised the stakeholder process and the added leakage study, while staff said Ecology costs would be roughly $300,000 to $400,000 annually. The committee also heard Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847 on workers’ compensation medical treatment and claims management, where supporters said it would improve care and save money, while employers objected to expanded spending authority and the shift to allotment-based hiring; staff estimated substantial costs and potential savings, but no action was taken. Later, the committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 6160, which eliminates or modifies numerous agency reports, and Substitute Senate Bill 6034, which codifies the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency with Senate confirmation for the director; both had no public testimony. Finally, Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968 would create a statewide credential catalog and central repository, require agencies to publish processing information and deadlines, and in some cases refund fees for missed deadlines; staff began outlining the fiscal impacts across multiple agencies as the hearing continued.