Transcript Highlights:

• , this particular one retroactive?
• We do that... ...and make it retroactive, this particular one retroactive.
• We do that all the time, make something retroactive, make it retroactive for this year, because we would
• be in the next year, make it retroactive and then also put the other one on it.
• We've got that fund sitting out there, but my question is, could we retroactively pick up 2026 at the

Committee: All HOUSE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, beginning in 2027 and retroactive to January 1, 1994, Senate Bill 1110 establishes
• Because if you'll note on item 20, it becomes effective as a general effective date, retroactive to January
• How many people do you expect to release based upon this retroactive to January 1994?
• I was lucky when I got out of prison; I was able to work for myself and create an application designed
• I was lucky when I got out of prison, I was able to work for myself and creating an application designed

Bills: SB1110 , SB1140 , SB1234 , SB1275 , SB1426 , SB1436 , SB1470 , SB1489 , SB1512 , SB1540 , SB1556 , SB1568 , SB1569 , SB1573 , SB1585 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1648 , SB1654 , SB1687 , SCR1027 , SCR1040

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: expungement, misdemeanor, criminal record, Arizona Revised Statutes, judicial process, record sealing, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, forcible entry and detainer, forcible detainer, unlawful occupants, unauthorized occupant, squatter, squatting, property owner, residential property, residential dwelling

Transcript Highlights:

• So HR1 required um retroactive coverage.
• </c> back three months of retroactive back three months of retroactive coverage,<00:20:25.760><c> it<
• Currently, as I mentioned earlier today, Medicaid applicants qualify for up to three months of retroactive
• coverage prior to the month of application.
• Retroactive eligibility is also effective January 1st, 2027.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• At a $250 application, how long do you think it'd be before there was enough money to offset any kind
• Would this be retroactive? I think that's an odd way to ask the question.
• So yes, I'm going to say that it would be retroactive back because about the tribes, that goes back.
• If they are retroactive, they're falling into the Indian tribes members. Thank you.
• This fund hasn't been updated since 2009, the salary, and we're having trouble keeping qualified applicants

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on a due-pass basis. Representative Grego’s bill to keep a prescribed-burn indemnity fund framework alive, with no state cost and hopes of private or insurance funding, passed 6-0 after discussion about wildfire risk and encouraging safer burns. Representative West’s HB 2962, removing time limits and refund caps for certain tax overpayment claims and extending refund rights for tribal members and former wards, also passed 6-0, with the sponsor saying it would apply retroactively. Representative Archer’s HB 3175, as a committee substitute, would begin creating a state nuclear regulatory framework in anticipation of future federal court changes; it passed 4-3. Representative May’s HB 3336 to remove the salary cap on the OMES CIO failed 2-5 and remained in Appropriations and Budget, while his HB 3831 to create a revolving fund for Oklahoma Task Force One equipment upgrades passed 6-1. Representative Wolfley’s HB 3566 raising tag agent title-transfer fees from $2.25 to $3.75 passed 6-1, and Representative Lawson’s HB 3621 to recreate a state data center for census preparation and LUCA support passed 6-1 after he agreed to amend it to be subject to available funds. Other measures advanced included HB 2958, a 9% pay raise for state employees, which passed unanimously 8-0; HB 3047, making LOFT the clearinghouse for statutorily required agency reports, which passed 6-1; HB 4301, strengthening the VA escape clause by requiring earnest-money refunds when a VA-financed home does not appraise, which passed 7-0; and HB 1979, creating a two-year task force to consolidate early childhood programs across agencies, which passed 4-2. The committee also heard a bill allowing the Attorney General’s Office and District Attorneys Council to buy vehicles without going through OMES, and it passed 6-2. After finishing the agenda, the committee announced a short recess before reopening for an Emergency Management budget hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last fiscal year, DIR received 5,379 applications, a six-fold increase in applications.
• This year, we're on pace to be the highest year of applications received, with DIR receiving 4,818 applications
• to existing applications in open cases. compensation changes applicable to existing applications and
• Yes, happy to speak about the application of the proposed reforms to open applications or applications
• Then the applications closed in January 2025, and out of the 1,221 applications that were received, 87

Transcript Highlights:

• deposited into the state general fund for the payment of essential government services, with a retroactivity
• Additionally, what the bill does is it repeals retroactively to tax year 2026.
• The bill does is it repeals retroactively to tax year 2026 the corporate income tax credit for pollution
• Regarding data centers, as session law prohibits the Arizona Commerce Authority from accepting applications
• You're saying that you're stopping all applications for any new data centers until 2029?

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• deposited into the state general fund for the payment of essential government services, with a retroactivity
• Additionally, what the bill does is it repeals retroactively to tax year 2026...
• The bill does is it repeals retroactively to tax year 2026 the corporate income tax credit for pollution
• Regarding data centers, as session law prohibits the Arizona Commerce Authority from accepting applications
• You're saying that you're stopping all applications for any new data centers until 2029?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:48.239><c> uh</c> care coverage, um retroactive uh care coverage, um retroactive uh coverage
• prior to application.
• their application.
• </c> would uh that would be applicable would uh that would be applicable applicable<00:29:54.240><c>
• </c> applicable to us. applicable to us.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have retroactive requests for approval. have retroactive requests for approval.
• As a matter of for retroactive approval.
• They have inconsistent<01:02:54.400><c> application</c><01:02:54.960><c> across</c><01:02:55.400><c>
• from</c> inconsistent application across from inconsistent application across from county<01:02:55.840
• of the new skills that are application of the new skills that are being<01:09:14.120><c> taught.

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states that have decoupled have made theirs retroactive.
• Other states that have decoupled have made theirs retroactive.
• It's simply allowing the substitute to be retroactive to January 1st, 2024.
• Make it retroactive to January 1st of... retroactive to January 1st of 2024 when corporate...
• When you apply for that application, have you ever been convicted?

Transcript Highlights:

• So would this bill reject companies' applications for Florida economic development incentives?
• There's no provision in the bill that talks about retroactivity. Senator Smith. I'm good.
• The bill that talks about retroactivity. Senator Smith. I'm good on questions. Thank you, Mr.
• And senators, next up, we're going to go to tab 6, which is SB 1722 on application stores.
• Tab 6, which is SB 1722 on application stores by Senator Kalada-Yud.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• limitations repose period, and will add non-retroactivity language as well.
• :01:13.920><c> the</c> clarifies the applicability of the clarifies the applicability of the statute<
• </c> separately to determine the applicable separately to determine the applicable limitations<00:02:
• </c><00:03:31.920><c> limitations</c> expiration of the applicable limitations expiration of the applicable
• Um and retroactivity language as well.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first deferred HB 239, which would have narrowed the definition of child abuse or neglect by excluding cases where a caregiver is unable to provide certain needs solely because of poverty or lack of resources. The chair said other similar bills were still alive and expressed concern that carving out a specific category of abuse could hinder monitoring of children being harmed for other reasons. The committee then took up several decision-making items. HB 420, dealing with the contractor repair act and construction defect claims, was recommended for passage with extensive amendments that would clarify statutes of repose and limitations, define substantial completion, remove homeowner expert-report requirements, delete class-action limits, set timelines for inspections, mediation, and settlement procedures, and add non-retroactivity language; it passed unanimously. HB 732, concerning special management area minor permits for certain single-family residences, was also passed with amendments after the committee removed the provision that would have expanded minor-permit eligibility for homes under 3,500 square feet. HB 1017, repealing the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, passed with amendments to make it effective upon approval. HB 958, which restricts children under 15 from riding class 3 electric bicycles and raises the helmet age requirement, passed with technical amendments only. The committee also considered Governor’s Message 689, the nomination of Melissa Sautello to the Commission on the Status of Women. After testimony in support and questions from members about financial disclosure and her views on women’s sports and transgender participation, the committee voted to advise and consent to the nomination. The nomination passed, and the committee adjourned after noting that a full Senate vote would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the LAO have any opinion on, you know, retroactively?
• So if you don't submit an application, then you wouldn't get it.
• As part of the Prop 98 re-benching, 260 million of one-time funds are being retroactive.
• or CADAA application, the commission's role is to provide preliminary award notifications.
• or CADA application, the commission's role is to provide preliminary war notifications.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there's a bunch of different applications and health care applications that you named in which
• I think this bill's very limited in its application.
• Second, this bill also protects three-month retroactive reimbursement. When they need it.
• hospitalized after sudden medical crises and cannot immediately submit an application.
• Fortunately, he was eligible for retroactive Medi-Cal coverage.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• This was done by the department's appraiser, taking into account all applicable appraisal practices.
• </c><00:08:05.440><c> practices</c><00:08:06.479><c> uh</c> taking in all applicable practices uh taking
• in all applicable practices uh appraisal<00:08:07.199><c> practices</c><00:08:07.680><c> in</c><00:08
• </c> The lease would be subject to governor and council retroactive approval because they started the
• </c> retroactive lease back to July 1st. retroactive lease back to July 1st.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its September 29 meeting and then took up a series of Department of Transportation and Department of Administrative Services property actions. Several DOT items involved disposal of land originally acquired for the now-dissolved Conway bypass or other highway projects, including a 445.6-acre Conway parcel proposed for sale to the town of Conway for conservation use, a 1.78-acre Chesterfield parcel for sale to an abutter, a 6.13-acre Madison parcel tied to the Conway bypass, and a bulk disposal package of 22 improved parcels in Merrimack, Litchfield, and Hudson. Members asked about appraisals, conservation easements, federal funding restrictions, tenant occupancy, and whether the state would recover its original investment; DOT said values were based on appraisal or market analysis, federal reimbursements may be required where federal funds were used, and proceeds from turnpike-related property would return to the turnpike fund. All of these disposal motions were approved. The committee also approved several DOT lease/easement items. These included a Greenfield railroad-corridor lease for equestrian use, a Lake Winnipesaukee dock lease to CE Realty Trust, a similar dock lease to Needle Eye Association, and an easement in Carroll for Industrial Wireless to build a private road and cross Mount Deception Brook for a cell tower project. Members focused on maintenance responsibilities, liability insurance, access limitations, fencing, and the relationship between the railroad corridor and adjacent uses. DOT said lessees would be responsible for maintenance, access to the railroad would be restricted, and liability insurance would be included where appropriate. The committee also approved a separate easement for Eversource in Rochester to install utility lines serving the new courthouse, with the department explaining that the easement is a narrow strip needed to complete construction. The Department of Administrative Services received approval for a use-of-premises agreement allowing Rockingham County to lease 300 square feet in the Brentwood courthouse for office space, and for a perpetual utility easement in Rochester for Eversource, with a waiver of the administrative fee. The committee also heard that the Rochester courthouse project needs the utility work to finish construction. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly asked about insurance, public access, valuation, and whether tenants or abutters would have first opportunity to buy or lease the affected properties. All motions before the committee were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, beginning in 2027 and retroactive to January 1, 1994, Senate Bill 1110 establishes
• Because if you'll note on item 20, it becomes effective as a general effective date, retroactive to January
• How many people do you expect to release based upon this retroactive to January 1994?
• I was lucky when I got out of prison; I was able to work for myself and create an application designed
• I was lucky when I got out of prison, I was able to work for myself and creating an application designed

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee met with a hard stop at 4:30 p.m. and approved the February 4, 2026 minutes. Members announced several bills would be held for a later supplemental meeting, then took up SB 1426, the “squatter” bill, which would expand forcible detainer law to cover certain unauthorized occupants who refuse to leave after a reasonable request and require immediate writs of restitution after judgment. Law enforcement and county representatives testified in support, and the committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1426 a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1687, a strike-everything amendment moving Arizona’s primary election date from late July to the Tuesday before Memorial Day beginning in 2027. The sponsor said the goal was to create more time between the primary and general elections and align Arizona more closely with other states. County election officials were neutral but raised implementation concerns, including filing deadlines, redistricting timelines, polling place availability, and interactions with presidential preference and local elections. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a 4-3 do-pass recommendation, with some members voting no over concerns about clean elections timing and local control. Members then heard SB 1110, creating a home confinement program for certain nonviolent inmates with GPS monitoring, work requirements, and DOC rulemaking, while excluding serious and violent offenses. Supporters said it would reduce recidivism, save money, and help families; an opponent questioned the fiscal impact and monitoring costs. The bill received a 5-1 do-pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1275, which would allow judges limited discretion to depart from mandatory minimum sentences for qualifying veterans and first responders with diagnosed service-related PTSD or similar conditions; supporters framed it as a narrow safety valve, while opponents warned it could undermine mandatory sentencing and victims’ rights. SB 1275 passed 7-0. Finally, the committee considered SB 1140, a misdemeanor expungement bill. The amendment adopted by the committee extended the waiting period for expungement of convictions to five years for all eligible misdemeanor convictions, while keeping a three-year period for eligible matters that did not result in conviction. Supporters said the bill would remove barriers to employment and housing and help survivors and people who have turned their lives around; the committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1140 as amended 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we are not seeking retroactive relief.
• SB 293 also prevents property owners from retroactive reassessment if the property owner meets the following
• to the property; and three, the property meets criteria for an intergenerational transfer under applicable
• And three, the property meets criteria for an intergenerational transfer under applicable statutes.
• SB 293 is for an intergenerational transfer under applicable statutes.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met after several delays while the Senate remained in session. Once convened, the chair welcomed new committee member Assembly Member Juan Carrillo and explained hearing procedures, including that bills with significant fiscal impacts would generally be sent to suspense. SB 87 was the only bill designated for an immediate vote; the rest were heard for discussion and then referred to suspense. The committee heard several tax-related measures. SB 359 would clarify that county-run transit systems qualify for existing fuel tax exemptions for public transit operators; it drew support from the County of Placer, the California Transit Association, and CSAC, and was sent to suspense. SB 603 would allow county boards in disaster-affected counties to extend the five-year replacement property deadline by up to three years; it was supported by the Assessors Association and the California Association of Realtors and also sent to suspense. SB 293 would extend deadlines and protect intergenerational property transfers for disaster-impacted homeowners, especially in Altadena after the Eaton Fire; it received strong support from the California Community Foundation and committee members, and was referred to suspense after the author agreed to work on refinements. The committee also heard SB 353, which would extend the farm-to-food-bank tax credit for five more years; it was supported by Californians Against Waste and sent to suspense. SB 723 would raise the threshold for local property tax exemptions on low-value properties to reduce administrative burden on small businesses, and was likewise referred to suspense. SB 785 would create a $5,000 tax credit for durable medical equipment for medically fragile children; it drew support from pediatric home health and provider groups and was sent to suspense. SB 87, which would extend the sales tax exemption for volunteer fire department fundraising activities, was the only bill voted on and passed the committee 5-0 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is applicable to for-profit entities as well.
• This is applicable to for-profit entities as well.
• This is applicable to for-profit entities as well.
• </c><00:25:48.440><c> This</c><00:25:48.600><c> is</c><00:25:48.720><c> applicable</c><00:25:49.360><
• This is applicable to far as hospitals.

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Something else I'm concerned about is the whole concept of retroactively increasing parts of last year's
• This budget retroactively boosts funding for the State House to $271.5 million.
• So we retroactively gave ourselves $4 million more than we did when the budget passed last year.
• But Madam Speaker, that's just one example of many line items that are retroactively increased from the
• Yeah, because we retroactively increased it by $4 million.

Summary: The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills. Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote. The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• We still offer retroactive eligibility.
• It shortens some periods of retroactive coverage eligibility from three to one month for Apple Health
• adult clients and then from three to two months for other Medicaid applicants.
• And all of these create changes we need to make retroactively. And we have to change our systems.
• And all of these create changes we need to make retroactively. And we have to change our systems.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session to review how H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) could affect Washington’s Medicaid, long-term care, developmental disabilities, and food assistance programs, with a focus on implementation challenges, fiscal impacts, and likely coverage losses. Staff and agency officials explained Washington’s Medicaid financing structure, eligibility categories, caseload trends, and the role of the Health Care Authority and DSHS in administering Apple Health and related services. They also described how Medicaid expansion increased access to behavioral health services and how H.R. 1’s provisions are expected to affect the expansion population most directly. Health Care Authority and DSHS officials outlined several major H.R. 1 changes: new work and community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population, six-month redeterminations instead of annual renewals, changes to immigrant eligibility, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, new cost-sharing requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, and changes affecting long-term care eligibility. They said Washington is still awaiting federal guidance on many details, but estimated that about 620,000 Apple Health expansion enrollees could be subject to work requirements, that roughly 30,000 immigrants could lose Medicaid eligibility under the new definition of qualified alien, and that some long-term care and developmental disability clients could be indirectly affected. Officials also said the state is working with other agencies to build shared verification systems and may seek a delay waiver, though they do not expect broad federal flexibility. The committee also heard that H.R. 1 immediately blocks Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood services for one year, with the state planning to backfill about $11 million to preserve access. In addition, officials warned that the law could reduce federal Medicaid revenue by billions over time and strain hospitals and emergency rooms as more people become uninsured. They noted that Washington’s rural health transformation grant application is due November 5 and could bring some funding, but not to offset coverage losses. No votes were taken; the session was informational only. The committee then heard a separate presentation on food assistance, where staff and DSHS described H.R. 1’s SNAP changes, including expanded work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, higher state administrative costs, and a possible future state share of benefit costs tied to payment error rates. DSHS estimated a four-year fiscal impact of about $750 million for food assistance changes and said the state is working on system and policy changes across agencies before the new requirements take effect.