Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote green. Okay. Any further discussion?
• Um so, um I encourage a green vote.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Allen votes aye. Berkel.
• Berkel votes aye. Fransen. Fransen votes yes. Fransen votes aye. Kozlowski votes aye. McDonald.
• Joe McDonald votes aye. Momanyi-Hiltsley votes aye. Wageman votes aye.

Summary: The House took up Senate File 1714, a bill on state government and payment transparency in public contracts. Representative Scott explained that the measure is intended to help Minnesota contractors and subcontractors know when public project payments have been made by requiring public owners, upon written request, to provide pay application and payment information within seven days at no cost. He said the bill had bipartisan support and backing from stakeholder groups, including trade associations and public entities, and that it would improve transparency for small businesses and workers waiting to be paid. The bill was amended with a technical change adding a missing word, and the amendment was adopted without opposition. During floor discussion, Representative Cleborn supported the bill, while Representative Berg asked whether trade unions supported it and noted that unions already have collective bargaining rights. Representative Sexton responded that IBEW and several trade unions had reached out and were very supportive. Scott later said he had received a text from Berg indicating support as well. After discussion ended, the House took a roll call vote. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 133 ayes and 0 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a very large amount of work to get through today, with a lot of bills to be voted on.
• Members, that's it for voting. Thank you all very much for your patience.
• Members, that's it for voting. Thank you all very much for your patience.
• Those in Austin are exploring higher-paying fully remote roles.
• Remote work is a valuable non-monetary benefit and easy, no-cost retention tool that boosts productivity

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, and Representative Jones to explain her vote. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
• No, and I'd like to explain my vote. Minority Whip Martinez? No, and I'd like to explain my vote.
• Oh, and Representative Jones to explain her vote. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Oh, and Representative Jones to explain her vote. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Please vote yes on HB 306. Thank you. Thank you. New Mexicans. Please vote yes on HB 306.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 279, on a committee substitute that narrowed the bill to privacy and safety protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care. The substitute would strengthen limits on disclosure of protected health information, restrict geofencing around care facilities with exceptions for security and research, clarify emergency stabilization obligations under state licensing law, and allow abortion-medication labels to omit a prescriber’s personal name and address. Supporters including ACOG, the ACLU, the League of Women Voters, the Health Care Authority, and advocacy groups said the bill protects patients and providers from surveillance, harassment, and out-of-state investigations. Some members raised concerns about HIPAA, research data, and whether the bill could go too far, but the substitute passed 6-2. The committee then approved House Memorial 1, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to study whether a constitutional amendment should create an independent commission to manage CYFD. Supporters said the department needs a comprehensive structural review, while opponents argued New Mexico already has enough reports and should act on existing recommendations instead of commissioning another study. House Memorial 31 also passed; it directs the Health Care Authority to re-evaluate a rule limiting home health agencies to serving patients within 100 miles of their licensed locations, in light of access needs in remote areas such as the Navajo Nation and anticipated demand from uranium workers. House Bill 306, dealing with facility fees, was amended by substitute to prohibit such fees for certain preventive services, vaccinations, telehealth, and some services provided in vehicles, while exempting rural hospitals and requiring notice to patients. Hospital representatives opposed the bill, warning it would add financial pressure and could still be passed through to patients or premiums, while insurers, retiree advocates, and consumer groups supported it as a way to curb confusing and costly add-on charges. The committee also advanced House Memorial 36 to create an unfunded nursing shortage task force focused on graduation rates, retention, and barriers to training, and House Memorial 35, which would ask HCA to seek a Medicaid state plan amendment for pediatric palliative care. Supporters of the palliative care memorial described major access gaps for children with complex conditions, especially in rural areas, and the memorial passed after testimony from a rural pediatric hospice nurse and committee discussion about the small number of eligible children and the burden on families.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we need a rest of the vote?
• We will debate the bill, but we will not vote.
• We need, no, we just need to vote, right? Let's just vote. Somebody second? O'Malley. Mm-hmm.
• All you need in the Senate is 22 votes, Madam Chair.
• This is a bill committee that we will be voting on.

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this tradition goes back over a century, counting remote Alaska villages earlier than the rest of
• the country, in part because the population in those remote villages decamps to hunting and fishing
• Thus, even as the Bureau has improved its technical capabilities for identifying addresses remotely,
• Thus, even as the Bureau has improved its technical capabilities for identifying addresses remotely,
• College students, they vote at very low levels.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Transcript Highlights:

• Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted? The clerk... Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted? to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report and a rules report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also heard several recognitions and a farewell speech from Representative Nixon, who reflected on constituent service and her legislative priorities. On the floor, HB 1405, relating to a statewide project for missing persons with special needs, passed unanimously. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about the handling of surplus conservation lands and agricultural uses; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, was explained as a broad package restricting foreign-country influence in government, procurement, gifts, cultural agreements, and related areas. An amendment adding restrictions on surrogacy and adoption involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern was adopted after debate over possible impacts on families and adoption practices, and the bill then passed 80-20. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197, a bill to modernize state information technology procurement and contracting, unanimously after debate about improving oversight of large IT projects. HB 1103, allowing local governments to fast-track action on derelict vessels, also passed unanimously. The chamber then considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations, including limits on development fees, changes to local voting thresholds for comprehensive plan and boundary actions, manufactured homes in RV parks, and resort-related provisions. Several amendments were debated, including one on local control and rural boundaries that failed and another strike-all amendment ruled out of order; the bill ultimately passed 71-38. The final item reached before the transcript ended was a local bill for the Pace Fire Rescue District in Santa Rosa County, described as adjusting its assessment formula to provide tax relief.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have all members voted? The clerk Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• the members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted. Have all members voted. Have all members voted?
• Members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thrown a pandemic, remote programs.
• Only the one that was voted for in the report.
• . one that was voted for in the report.
• Um one that was voted for in the report.
• Um, and I think sometimes votes were taken without a clear understanding of what we were actually voting

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Means and Appropriations, then he is forced either to hold the bill in committee, try to gather the votes
• shortfalls and corrections, OJJ, State Police, GOSIP, and DCFS, and also transfer of funds to the voting
• I don't even get a vote on that, huh, Rep? Bryant.
• seller, that will go through the remote sellers commission.
• So all collected by the Department of Revenue or remote sellers.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• A question on the remote... A question on the remote? Yes, Mr. Chairman.
• I had mentioned a voice vote.
• vote.
• So we can't vote on the motion, but I'd have to vote on the motion. Mr.
• So we can't vote on the motion, but I'd have to vote on the motion.

Committee: Joint Child Custody Review Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to be powering or heating remote areas. They have been used in military bases.
• We cannot build these large reactors in a remote community. We need to transform our thinking.
• GE or Nova is interested in studying what it would take to remotely operate these reactors because they
• They cannot have a control room of their own if they're remotely deployed.
• So I think they're going to use it in mining operations just because it's so remote.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Summary: The meeting was a presentation and Q&A at Idaho National Laboratory focused on the state of nuclear energy, advanced reactors, and the lab’s role in testing, regulation, and commercialization. Speakers described INL’s broader mission beyond nuclear, including cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, but emphasized its major nuclear capabilities: the Advanced Test Reactor, TREAT, the Materials and Fuels Complex, and other test beds used to accelerate fuel and materials testing. They also highlighted the lab’s size, workforce, internship pipeline, and partnerships with DOE, DHS, DOD, and private companies. A major topic was the federal push to speed up nuclear deployment through executive orders and regulatory reform. Speakers said DOE and the NRC are reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, streamlining environmental reviews, and working toward a goal of having three new nuclear systems achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. They discussed the difference between microreactors, small modular reactors, and traditional gigawatt-scale plants, arguing that advanced reactors can be factory-built, safer, and better suited for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, and other nontraditional uses. They also said the U.S. is rebuilding its nuclear supply chain, including enrichment and fuel fabrication, and that states willing to host parts of the fuel cycle could see major economic benefits. The speakers addressed questions about cost, safety, waste, and international competition. They said advanced reactors rely on passive safety features, TRISO fuel, and natural circulation, and that the industry’s challenge is often cost uncertainty rather than a precise fuel or materials limit. They argued used nuclear fuel should be viewed as a resource rather than waste if recycling becomes policy, and said microreactors should produce relatively small amounts of spent fuel. They also noted that China and Russia continue to build aggressively, with China on pace to surpass the U.S. in total nuclear generation, while U.S. projects such as Palisades, Crane Clean Energy Center, Duane Arnold, Oklo, Aalo, MARVEL, and Project Pele are moving forward under DOE and private-sector partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have remote panelists from Switch Maritime.
• operations up there that precludes zero-emissions travel with existing plug-in hybrid designs and the remoteness
• A remote testifier, Dana Yabel, Dable, and while she is getting on, let's invite Mike Innes forward,
• Remote testifier, Jared Newenhouse, followed by in-person testifier Brad Schuster.
• Remote testifier, Jared Newenhouse, followed by in person testifier Brad Schuster.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be back shortly to vote on these bills.
• I just, I think the whole thing is silly, and I'll be voting no. thing is silly and I'll be voting no
• I respectfully ask you to vote no on SB 6353. I respectfully ask you to vote no on SB 6353.
• Please vote no. Thank you. Go ahead.
• I urge you to vote no on Senate Bill 6353. I urge you to vote no on Senate Bill 6353. Thank you.

Bills: SB5808 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB6006 , SB6351 , SB6198 , SB6260 , SB6353 , SB5949 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , SB6229 , SB6173

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare access, state budget, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA, employers

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make sure I announce the following members intend to vote from a remote location pursuant to

Transcript Highlights:

• The chief clerk will call the name of the members voting remotely. Green. Okay, go ahead.

Transcript Highlights:

• We enhanced courtroom technology to expand access to justice through the use of remote and hybrid court
• and Hybrid Court hearings use of remote and Hybrid Court hearings we<00:08:22.680><c> temporarily</c
• </c> courts use both in-person and remote courts use both in-person and remote Court<00:09:40.279><c>
• </c><00:09:51.959><c> hearing</c><00:09:52.360><c> technology</c> leveraging remote hearing technology
• leveraging remote hearing technology during<00:09:53.200><c> the</c><00:09:53.480><c> pandemic</c><00

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• That that was our remotely sensed data.
• We have office are about 3/4 remote.
• We also have some remote monitoring that we use.
• Um we also have some remote harvesting.
• </c> are using some form of develop of remote are using some form of develop of remote monitoring<01:

Summary: The meeting began with introductions, approval of the March 6 minutes as amended to add an attendee list, and a brief overview of the day’s agenda. The committee heard two presentations from carbon project developers, with the first from Dylan Jenkins of Finite Carbon. He described Finite Carbon’s work in improved forest management projects, its role in developing carbon methodologies and protocols, and its experience with projects in New England, Appalachia, Alaska, and Canada. He also outlined the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets, the role of registries and intermediaries, and the types of buyers in the market, including large corporate buyers and long-term off-take partners. A major focus of the presentation was how forest carbon projects are structured and how credits are monetized. Jenkins distinguished between removals and reductions, explaining that removals come from new forest growth while reductions are tied more closely to baseline assumptions and standing stock. He said improved forest management projects can generate both types of credits, and that removals generally command higher prices because they are easier for buyers to understand and verify. He also emphasized that carbon project commercialization can occur before, during, or after credit issuance, and that landowners may be paid through a variety of structures, including leases, advance fees, per-unit payments, or off-take agreements. Jenkins then addressed the committee’s tax-related questions, saying House Bill 123 appeared intended to treat carbon credit sales similarly to timber sales for local tax purposes. He argued that carbon credits are a forest product and that taxing them can be reasonable in principle, but he stressed that lawmakers should distinguish between commoditization and commercialization when deciding what event to tax. He noted that credits may be created but never sold, and that in some programs landowners retain timber and carbon rights while in others the developer has deeper control over those rights. In response to questions, he said the industry uses protocols, verification, and third-party oversight to address baseline and quality concerns, but acknowledged that baseline setting remains a major point of debate in the market.

Transcript Highlights:

• really appreciate you finding some time to do this today and that we could manage it by doing it remotely
• The Senate Energy Omnibus came out with the 9 to 2 bipartisan vote.
• The Senate Energy Omnibus came out with the 9 to 2 bipartisan vote.
• The Senate Energy Omnibus came out with the 9 to 2 bipartisan vote.
• The Senate Energy Omnibus came out with the 9 to 2 bipartisan vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reason, I'm a I vote here today. reason, I'm a I vote here today.
• Chairman, explain my I vote. &gt;&gt; Mr. Chairman, explain my I vote.
• Uh, at this point, uh, with six yes votes, one no vote, Senate Bill 122 passes and will be reported with
• , at this point, uh with six yes votes, one<00:52:26.640><c> no</c><00:52:26.880><c> vote,</c><00:52:
• Would you like to record any votes? votes? votes? &gt;&gt; Uh,<00:57:45.920><c> yes.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• held in a hybrid format and will work as follows: testimony will be taken both in person and from remote
• express our appreciation from the committee to all of you here testifying in person, as well as remotely
• We respectfully ask that these bills be voted on favorably, and thank you for your time today.
• So I would hope that this committee would vote this bill out, these two bills out favorably, and hopefully

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 31 bills covering driver privacy and data, distinctive license plates, public awareness signage, railroad safety, superload permitting, TNC/delivery data reporting, and MBTA safety measures. Chairs Jim Arciero and Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing process, and the committee heard testimony from state officials, advocates, family members of fallen officers and firefighters, transportation industry representatives, civil liberties groups, and others. No votes were taken during the hearing itself, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn. Several speakers supported bills creating a Blue Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen law enforcement officers, and a separate motorcycle plate for fallen firefighters. Colonel Jeffrey Noble and others from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and law enforcement groups said the plates would complement existing memorial practices and provide a lasting public tribute. Family members of officers killed in the line of duty gave emotional testimony in support, and Representative Steve Ultrino and Paul Jakes backed the firefighter memorial motorcycle plate as revenue-neutral, with proceeds supporting the fallen firefighter memorial. The committee also heard testimony on transportation policy and safety bills. Industry witnesses urged modernization of Massachusetts superload permitting rules, saying current requirements are slower and more expensive than neighboring states and delay public projects. Advocates supported a human trafficking awareness bill requiring hotline signage in transit facilities, a driver privacy bill limiting automatic license plate reader data retention and sharing, and a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains and other railroad safety measures such as hotbox detectors and transportation for railroad employees. Senator John Keenan also testified for expanded naloxone availability in MBTA stations and said the MBTA had not fully complied with prior legislative directives.