Transcript Highlights:

• I said, “I guess,” because she was not tickled with the workmanship or the price of previous gavels.
• not tickled with the workmanship<00:14:11.920><c> or</c><00:14:12.160><c> the</c><00:14:12.399><c> price
• </c> workmanship or the price workmanship or the price of<00:14:14.320><c> previous</c><00:14:15.199>
• Do we want every single manhole, um, every single pipeline that data published online or is there some
• or is there some data published online or is there some uh<00:30:39.039><c> security</c><00:30:39.520

Transcript Highlights:

• Prices get higher, the tax goes up until you hit that breaking point where the prices are so high that
• So to your point, if nothing changes other than prices and those prices hit the bottom line of businesses
• I was just doing a quick check online.
• We have new properties coming online.
• </c><04:41:03.200><c> and</c> housing market uh pricing and housing market uh pricing and availability

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently implemented market reforms to align market price signals with demand.
• They can hedge against pricing control.
• First of two are online, and so we'll ask Mr.
• One, I don't think you could just go online and actually purchase these.
• go online and actually purchase<01:45:14.719><c> these.

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Kratum products may not be ordered or purchased by mail or online; delivering, shipping, or transporting
• Beginning January 1, 2027, the LCB must make and maintain a publicly available online directory that
• An excise tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratum products is established.
• The tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratum products is established.
• However, that limit should be adjusted as inflation and salaries and prices go up.

Bills: HB2291 , HB2629 , HB2439 , HB1078 , HB1701 , HB2207 , HB2501 , HB2361 , HB1932

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: kratom, consumer protection, regulation, health safety, substance control, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, pet insurance, insurance regulation, animal welfare, claims processes

Transcript Highlights:

• Kratom products may not be ordered or purchased by mail or online; delivering, shipping, or transporting
• Beginning January 1, 2027, the LCB must make and maintain a publicly available online directory that
• An excise tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratom products is established. It is...
• An excise tax of 11% of the retail sales price of kratom products is established.
• However, that limit should be adjusted as inflation and salaries and prices go up.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2291, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and then moved into executive session on several bills. Staff explained that HB 2291 would license kratom retailers and processors, set age 21 purchase limits, require labeling, child-resistant packaging, independent testing, an LCB-approved product directory, and an 11% excise tax, while banning certain synthetic or adulterated kratom products and restricting online/mail sales and public consumption. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to regulate natural kratom while banning the synthetic or chemically altered forms, and several witnesses supported stronger youth protections and product standards. Others opposed the bill’s licensing fee, statewide preemption of local bans, or the regulatory approach, while some testified that natural kratom helps with pain or recovery. The hearing on HB 2291 was then closed without action. In executive session, the committee took action on multiple bills. HB 2439, dealing with cigarette, vapor product, and tobacco product policy, was amended and reported out with a do pass recommendation; the adopted amendments limited Consumer Protection Act enforcement to the Attorney General, adjusted coupon language, and restored state preemption over local retail regulation. HB 1078 on pet insurance, HB 1701 on shared liquor-license premises, HB 2207 on bonded beer warehousing, and HB 2501 on real estate oil-tank disclosure were all reported out with do pass recommendations, with HB 1701’s substitute removing a Public Records Act exemption and HB 2207’s substitute aligning beer warehousing more closely with spirits warehouse rules. HB 2361, which raises the maximum small loan amount, was amended to make inflation adjustments biennial and to change publication requirements, then passed out of committee. The committee also approved HB 1932, which would authorize cannabis consumption events in regulated environments. The substitute bill would create a cannabis consumption event organizer license, allow limited adult-use events subject to local approval, and establish permit and budtender training requirements; members discussed the bill as a way to provide lawful consumption spaces while others objected to expanding cannabis access. In the final votes, HB 2439 passed 12-3, HB 1078 passed unanimously, HB 1701 passed 14-1, HB 2207 passed 14-1, HB 2501 passed unanimously, HB 2361 passed 13-2, and HB 1932 passed 11-4, all with do pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• These costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers through higher prices with rising tariffs supply
• And so, this year for me, I'm really concerned with passing on prices right now.
• We just got to kind of keep the prices down. Thank you. Other questions or comments from members?
• What about the cannabis prices? That's a good question.
• But I will get you data on the price differential. I don't believe it's substantial. Thank you.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• For more complex requirements or procurements, negotiations allow us to refine scope, terms, and pricing
• For more complex requirements or procurements, negotiations allow us to refine scope, terms, and pricing
• We accomplish our mission in many ways, from providing a suite of online e-procurement tools to assist
• climb, the price goes down.
• climb, the price goes down.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a panel on Florida’s IT procurement process from the Florida Digital Service, the Department of Management Services, and the Department of Financial Services. Witnesses walked through the procurement lifecycle, including planning, market research, solicitation, evaluation, award, implementation, and closeout, and emphasized the role of budget timing, contract managers, and subject matter experts. DMS described the state’s enterprise contracting system, noting more than 1,100 active vendor agreements, over 800 involving IT services, and the statutory requirement to request 25 quotes for certain IT purchases. DFS demonstrated the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACS), explaining how agencies upload contract and payment data and how the public can search contracts and related documents online. Members focused on accountability, transparency, and whether the state is getting the best products and vendors. Questions addressed how contracts are vetted, how technical evaluations are performed, how financial consequences are used for missed deliverables, how public records and confidential information are handled, and how the state screens vendors for foreign-concern or bad-actor issues. Witnesses said agencies rely on technical experts for evaluations, that contract terms should include measurable deliverables and meaningful financial consequences, and that agencies—not procurement staff—generally manage performance, though Florida Digital Service oversees large IT projects of $10 million or more. The committee then shifted to broader policy discussion, including Senate Bill 7026 and proposals to reorganize state IT governance. Several members argued for stronger centralization under a state CIO or similar enterprise authority, while others cautioned against abrupt restructuring and stressed the need for a transition plan. Members also raised concerns about workforce retention, consulting services, recurring project overruns, and the need for better planning and periodic monitoring. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also just wanted to highlight that one in four of those visitors enter through a reduced-price program
• a</c> those visitors enter through um a those visitors enter through um a reduced<00:04:29.880><c> price
• ><c> um</c><00:04:31.520><c> or</c><00:04:31.919><c> free</c><00:04:32.360><c> program</c> reduced price
• program um or free program reduced price program um or free program um<00:04:33.199><c> in</c><00:04
• lunch if if redu free and reduced price lunch if if it<00:57:54.240><c> weren't</c><00:57:54.480><c>

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Participants in the room must use their microphone when speaking so that folks in Zoom and online can
• We'll head online now to... I don't see any other questions. Thank you, Vice Chair Nance.
• We'll head online now to Dr.
• And then we'll head online next for Tanisha Ross to kick us off online after Mr. Moran.
• We'll head online now to Tanisha Ross, followed by Jeremiah Nelson. Tidisha can't hear you yet.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and heard four bills. HB 2286 would create an alternative route to social worker licensure by removing the exam requirement for advanced social workers and allowing enhanced supervision with supervisor attestation in place of the exam for independent clinical social workers. The sponsor and several social workers testified that the exam is a poor measure of clinical competence and can be a barrier to licensure, while opponents warned that removing the exam could affect public protection and Washington’s participation in the social work compact. Members asked follow-up questions about the compact, the exam format, and accreditation requirements, but no action was taken. HB 2363 would allow music therapy license applicants to practice under supervision for up to six months while waiting for exam verification. The sponsor described it as a technical fix to the new licensure system, and testimony from music therapists, educators, and a patient supported the bill as a way to avoid delays in hiring newly trained therapists while maintaining supervision and patient safety. The bill drew strong support in written testimony and no opposition in the hearing. HB 2324 would change tuition waiver rules for children of eligible veterans and National Guard members by giving eligible children eight years from the date of a parent’s disability determination to use the waiver when that determination occurs after the child turns 18. The sponsor said the bill is meant to align state law with federal dependency education benefits and prevent families from losing access because disability determinations can take years. The committee asked for clarification on how the new timing would work, and the hearing closed without a vote. HB 2098 would eliminate the cap on the advanced computing surcharge, expand Washington College Grant eligibility up to 100% of state median family income, and reduce resident undergraduate tuition by 10% for three years starting in 2027-28. Supporters, including students, labor, and advocacy groups, said the bill would improve affordability and access to higher education by asking large tech companies to pay more. Opponents from business and university groups argued the surcharge would be economically harmful, that the state already has substantial WEA funding, and that the bill would reduce tuition revenue without adequately backfilling institutional budgets. The committee heard extensive testimony and members raised questions about the surcharge cap, WEA spending, and the compacted funding structure, but no final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so we have a $55 Wyoming oil price forecast.
• </c> decreases in production but the price decreases in production but the price remains<00:23:25.679
• </c><02:42:18.560><c> uh</c> contract, a guaranteed maximum price uh contract, a guaranteed maximum price
• Is she online?
• I was listening online last work well.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• damage emergency, and they'll have a list to select from to choose qualified vendors within a certain pricing
• damage emergency, and they'll have a list to select from to choose qualified vendors within a certain pricing
• This is for online education programs for youth in the DYS facilities.
• This is for online education programs to youth in the DYS facilities.
• Rowe Price Associates, and Wellington Management Company.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, it’s corporations first, Arizona’s last, and we’re paying the price not just with actions
• that a lot of the coal plants are going offline, and we're seeing natural gas plants having to go online
• And I know that because in my district there was a data center that wanted to come online, and what I
• So we have these large companies that have online gaming. They are not based here.
• What we're not talking about and putting a price tag to is how much of a tax break the corporations are

Transcript Highlights:

• It's available online.
• They put in a price for it, but they never purchase it, right?
• At that time, the average price of a home was about $43,000.
• Today, the average price of a home on the modest end is $200,000.
• These amendments have been distributed, and they're available online.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 1088, which would authorize state and local sales and use tax rebates for certain items used in aerospace facilities and activities. Chairman Bacala, LED Secretary Susan Bouchois, and governor’s office representative Julie Emerson argued the bill would help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace and defense investment, build on Michoud’s history, and attract high-paying jobs. Members asked about job growth, the scope of aerospace versus defense, and whether downstream activities like jet fuel production could qualify. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved HB 1179, which extends the ad valorem tax exemption for certain manufacturing establishments to aerospace manufacturing establishments, also reporting it favorably without objection. HB 1122, a placeholder bill tied to a future path toward reducing the state income tax rate, was voluntarily deferred by its sponsor after brief explanation. The committee then heard HB 515, which would let political subdivisions sell certain adjudicated properties directly to buyers at appraised value if the property is under $50,000. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to help parishes clear long-vacant blighted properties and return them to commerce and the tax rolls. Members raised concerns about transparency, competition, title issues, and possible conflicts with recent tax-sale reforms. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment requiring the property to have been offered at public auction within the preceding 12 months before an over-the-counter sale could occur, and HB 515 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered HB 440, a constitutional amendment allowing parishes to increase the homestead exemption above the current level. The sponsor said the exemption has not been updated since 1980 and argued that raising it would provide relief from rising property taxes, insurance costs, and cost of living pressures. Amendments were adopted requiring parish approval and a local election before implementation, and delaying effectiveness until 2030. Several members and LABI warned the change could shift tax burdens onto businesses and other taxpayers, create parish-by-parish disparities, and affect bond ratings. The committee voted 5-9 against reporting HB 440, and the sponsor voluntarily deferred the companion bill, HB 543. Finally, the committee took up HB 614, presented with help from eighth-grader Elijah Brown as part of a civics competition. The bill would rebate state sales taxes on lodging and meals for utility company workers performing disaster or emergency-related work. After discussion, the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill to water, gas, and electric utilities regulated by the PSC, limited the rebate period to 10 days after a declared disaster, tied eligible lodging and meal costs to federal per diem rates, and capped annual rebates at $55,000. Members asked about administration, eligible workers, and fiscal impact; the Department of Revenue said it could administer the rebate with existing resources. The discussion was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment set has been posted online and placed in your folders, and this amendment is technical
• This amendment set has been posted online and placed in your folders, and this amendment is technical
• It is in your folders, members, and it has been posted online.
• It has been posted online and is in your folders.
• This amendment set has been posted online and placed in your folders.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you begin, Tracy Lamb, if you are online, we need you to actually log out and log in again and
• And we actually have been able to get Tracy Lamb back online.
• I’m looking at a dozen places you can get it online. It’s not a controlled substance.
• I'm looking at a dozen places you can get it online. It's not a controlled substance.
• We’re now going online, starting with Vice Chairwoman Lonnie Greeninger, followed by Emily Hobart and

Bills: HB2543

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation

Transcript Highlights:

• Our full report can be found online. Today we'll be just covering the highlights.
• When a patient or other parties such as a caretaker files a complaint with DOH either online or over
• When a patient or other parties such as a caretaker files a complaint with DOH either online or over
• hospitals' reports of adverse health events as required by law, and DOH posts data from hospitals online
• Our presenter is Lucy O'Rourke, and if you're here... okay, Lucy will be remotely online, I'm afraid.

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC audit presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and hospital data reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state requirements, did not consistently collect proof of those inspections, and was not reviewing adverse health event corrective action plans as required. JLARC also said DOH’s complaint system may have language-access barriers and that hospital data posted online is difficult for the public to use. JLARC made five recommendations to DOH and one to the Legislature; DOH concurred with the recommendations. DOH then outlined a response plan and said it had already begun work on several items. Officials said they would develop staffing and performance plans for inspections, verify accrediting body standards and require proof of third-party inspections, expand complaint forms into additional languages, seek funding and legal updates for adverse event review, and improve public access to hospital data, including a possible dashboard. They said annual progress updates would be provided to the Legislature and noted some improvement in inspection timeliness, while also emphasizing staffing, funding, and pandemic-related backlogs as constraints. The committee also received a DOH presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current program as a tool to assess community need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility expansions and new services, and recommended a phased modernization focused on clarifying statutory purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, modernizing access standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, securing ongoing funding, and using new state data systems. Members asked about streamlining overlapping inspections and whether triggers could be used to target inspections more efficiently. A final panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care, with a Coalition for Health AI representative describing industry efforts to create standards for responsible AI, including principles of usefulness, fairness, safety, transparency, security, and privacy, plus tools such as model cards and quality-assurance frameworks. The committee then heard testimony on federal and state health care funding changes from the Washington State Hospital Association and Providence Swedish, which warned that state cuts, taxes, and federal HR1 changes would worsen already thin margins, lead to service reductions, layoffs, and delayed capital investments, and increase charity care and uncompensated care. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange also began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits and the state’s Cascade Care Savings program, warning that coverage affordability for exchange customers could be affected if federal enhancements are not extended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our full report can be found online. Today we'll be just covering the highlights.
• Our full report can be found online.
• When a patient or other parties such as a caretaker files a complaint with DOH either online or over
• When a patient or other parties such as a caretaker files a complaint with DOH either online or over
• hospitals' reports of adverse health events as required by law, and DOH posts data from hospitals online

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state standards, did not consistently require proof of those inspections, did not review adverse health event corrective plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. JLARC also raised a possible language-access barrier in the complaint system. Members asked about complaint filing by staff, the meaning of adverse health events, inspection outcomes, and whether the audit compared DOH to other agencies. JLARC said it had not reviewed inspection results or cross-agency comparisons, but noted inspectors were dedicated and working long hours. DOH later said it concurred with the recommendations and outlined a strategic plan with target dates for improving timeliness, verifying accreditation standards, expanding language access, reviewing adverse event laws, and improving public data access, with annual reporting to the Legislature expected. The committee then heard a Department of Health presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current certificate of need process, which reviews need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility changes and new services, and said the program has not been modernized since the 1980s. DOH proposed 10 statutory modernization recommendations, including clarifying the program’s purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, updating access-to-care standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, strengthening long-term funding, and using better data systems. Members asked about oversight of freestanding urgent care and EDs, funding sources, and whether the process could be streamlined or made more responsive to complaints or other triggers. A third panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care. Lucy O’Rourke of the Coalition for Health AI described CHAI’s work on responsible AI principles, technical standards, model cards or “nutrition labels,” testing and governance tools, and educational resources for providers. She said the group is focused on trust, transparency, fairness, safety, security, and privacy, and noted Washington’s AI-related policy work as among the more progressive in the country. No questions were asked. The final portion focused on the financial impact of federal and state health care policy changes. The Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals are facing low or negative operating margins, service reductions, layoffs, and closures, and that state cuts and taxes enacted in 2025, combined with federal HR1 changes, will significantly worsen finances. Providence Swedish leaders described staffing reductions, service cuts, delayed capital investments, and pressure from denials, tariffs, and reimbursement changes, while emphasizing that frontline staffing cuts are tied to service reductions rather than nurse-to-patient ratio changes. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange then began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits, state Cascade Care Savings assistance, and eligibility changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens, with examples showing large premium increases for customers if federal subsidies expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:41.600><c> Please</c> Rear Admiral Gene Price. Please Rear Admiral Gene Price.
• And we have to charge a price to be able to provide the quality that you would want.
• Those meeting materials are online. So, you've got access to those as well.
• Those meeting materials<01:07:35.720><c> are</c><01:07:36.040><c> online.
• So, you've got materials are online.

Committee: Joint Economic Development & Workforce Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Nobody online. All right. So now I'm going to go to the committee.
• Is there anybody online? None. All right. We go to the committee.
• Is anybody online? Not online for the record.
• Is anybody online? Okay, so nobody online for the record as well.
• I do have somebody online, Nat Dean. You have raised your hand.

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I will note that we've got a report in our packets and online, a report and some documents as well.
• which really is surveillance pricing which really is really<00:46:40.800><c> hard</c><00:46:41.040><
• </c><00:48:45.760><c> um,</c> report in our packets and on online um, report in our packets and on online
• Representative Greenman talked about surveillance pricing.
• </c> members of the public these are online members of the public these are online as<01:25:25.280><c

Bills: HF1316 , HF4369

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers, W-9, W-4, newly hired workers, rehired employees, labor organization