Transcript Highlights:

• Before you, you have House Bill 2254, which provides flexibility in the Partnership Access Line assessment
• That concludes the public hearing on House Bill 2254. We'll now go on to House Bill 2385.
• We see House Bill 2257, Sections 22 and 23, that lay out the individual needs for school districts there
• And it's not just going to build more housing, but the types of housing that we need here in Washington
• need the credits.

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 5808, a proposal to require nonprofit health carriers with “excess surplus” to pay 10% of that surplus into the state health care affordability account for Cascade Care Savings. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $330 million one time in 2027, while the Office of Insurance Commissioner would have implementation costs. Supporters argued the bill would redirect consumer premium dollars to help people afford coverage, while opponents from health plans said reserves are needed for solvency, claims, and capital needs and warned the bill would destabilize nonprofit insurers. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2254, which would let the Partnership Access Line assessment cover administrative costs; HCA and Seattle Children’s supported it as a technical fix that saves general fund dollars, and a child psychiatrist asked that savings be reinvested in behavioral health services. House Bill 2385, which extends deadlines for the Medicaid Access Program because of federal restrictions on new provider taxes, also drew support from provider groups seeking future Medicaid rate increases. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 6286, which would increase fines on private detention facilities that deny Department of Health inspections and dedicate the fines to an account for community repair and assistance to harmed individuals and families. Supporters, including Tacoma’s mayor and family members affected by detention, framed the bill as an accountability measure; fiscal staff estimated Department of Health costs of about $395,000 in the 2025-27 biennium. Senate Bill 6006 would exempt food banks from sales tax on certain services enacted last session, with food bank and tribal representatives saying the savings would go directly to food and operations. Senate Bill 6351 would create exemptions from the new sales tax on live presentations for before- and after-school care, arts and cultural nonprofit classes, and K-12 school purchases; school districts, arts groups, and PTA representatives supported it, while asking for clarifying language and broader nonprofit exemptions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 would let cities and counties create local sales tax remittance programs for affordable housing projects, and housing builders, Habitat affiliates, counties, and city officials supported it as a local tool to lower development costs. In executive session, the committee received briefings on several tax and spending bills and then voted to advance multiple measures. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5949, which narrows a B&O tax exemption related to insurance premiums; a proposed retroactivity-removing amendment failed. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6129 on cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes after rejecting several amendments, including proposals to study the tax policy or replace the bill with illicit-market enforcement language. The committee also passed Senate Bill 6228 repealing a preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers, Senate Bill 6231 repealing data center sales tax exemptions, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5965, which retained a bag-fee approach rather than a full ban after adopting an amendment. The committee then returned to public hearing and began testimony on Senate Bill 6353, a major Working Connections Child Care bill that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, lower the provider rate target from the 85th to the 75th percentile, and make other program changes; the briefing was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move that the House Committee substitute for House Bill 3256 be voted do pass.
• Suppose a tornado or flood wipes away a house. It's rebuilt under the Missouri assessment system.
• And your background is, you've done assessing, right? I've done assessment.
• , earlier House Committee.
• So if you have... ...the House, earlier House Committee.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2923, which would give homeowners a temporary property tax exemption of up to four years on qualifying home improvements between $7,500 and $75,000, so long as the property is the owner’s homestead and the required intent and completion forms are filed. The sponsor said the bill is meant to encourage reinvestment in homes, including after catastrophic events, and said the fiscal note showed no impact. Members asked about the bill’s effect on assessors, taxing districts, school districts, the definition of homestead, and whether the state would reimburse lost revenue. Testimony in support argued the bill would reduce ambiguity in new-construction assessments, encourage repairs and improvements, and help homeowners avoid being penalized for fixing damaged homes. Concerns were raised about routine maintenance, the four-dwelling language, possible burdens on assessors, and whether the bill could affect senior tax freezes. The hearing on HB 2923 ended without a vote. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 3256, adopted a committee substitute, and voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of five yes and one no. Discussion focused on criminal penalties in the bill, with the ranking member objecting to those provisions and noting that other states do not include them. The sponsor explained changes in the substitute, including broader retail-establishment language, explicit coverage of sports venues and concert halls, and removal of banks and credit unions from the bill. Members suggested further floor amendments and additional review of other states’ statutes. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 95, which would create the Show Me Prosperity Fund as a constitutional endowment intended to eventually replace all state-imposed taxes with investment earnings. The senator said the fund would be seeded by a one-time appropriation, managed by the treasurer, audited by the auditor, and protected from borrowing or diversion, with distributions capped at 3 percent. Supporters said the proposal would use compound growth to create long-term tax relief and eventually make Missouri the first state to eliminate state taxes; one witness called it straightforward and honest. Members questioned the size of the needed appropriation, how the fund would work if state income tax changes separately, whether state law allows the needed investments, and how the fund would avoid becoming unstable if distributions begin before it is large enough. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing concluded without action on SJR 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to take money out.
• We've been able to pass through the House pretty well, so I'd like to start in the House.
• needs.
• It's very much needed.
• So, essentially, a copy of those assessment results to indicate why we think they need some help interventions

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assessments limits.
• interim assessments assessment on interim assessments limits. limits. limits.
• </c> &gt;&gt; It's still an assessment. &gt;&gt; It's still an assessment.
• Cost assessment.
• I need I need the What's the Yeah.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So how in my situation, my assessed value in one assessed year went up 33%.
• So how in my situation, my assessed value in one assessed year went up 33%.
• need to take action.
• We had like 1,500 new houses. These houses are not below $300,000.
• in assessment.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be assessed as personal property.
• If it's taken out of the assessment, they can only assess on the levy from the prior years, if it's taken
• out of the assessment, they can only assess on what the assessor has turned in.
• So I don't want to change the assessment process.
• , that's probably a little higher than they need.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• EITE facilities to submit an assessment every four years to the Department of Ecology that assesses options
• comply with those new assessment requirements.
• an assessment.
• And actually, it's not even a plan; it's an assessment. Yeah, the word in the bill is assessment.
• I'd need to see the agreement around it.

Bills: SB6013 , SB6291

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology, recreation, economic development, SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice

Transcript Highlights:

• be assessed as personal.
• Would take it out of the assessments so that it would never be assessed as personal property.
• If it's taken out of the assessment, they can only assess on The levy from the prior years, if it's taken
• out of the assessment, they can only assess on what the assessor has turned in.
• And with assessments growing in inflation, that's probably a little higher than they need.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met to hear public testimony on House Bill 3342 and House Bill 3354. HB 3342, sponsored by Rep. Matteson, would prevent tax levies adopted before January 1, 1975 from being applied to personal property tax, with the sponsor arguing that personal property taxation on motor vehicles and similar property was not part of earlier voter-approved levies. Members questioned how the bill would work in practice, whether it should instead remove vehicles from assessment entirely, and what property classes would be affected. The sponsor said he was focused on class four personal property, especially motor vehicles, but was open to refining the language. No one testified in support, opposition, or for information, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 3354, sponsored by Chair Taylor, which would reduce the Blind Pension Fund levy from 3 cents to 0.0275. Taylor said the fund’s participant numbers are declining while reserves have grown, that the department agreed the lower rate would still be sufficient, and that he wanted to keep the fund lean while preserving a cushion. Members asked about how the levy is calculated, whether it fluctuates with assessments, and whether excess funds could be transferred to public education as contemplated by the constitution. There was also discussion about the bill’s decimal wording and a possible drafting amendment to clarify the rate. No witnesses testified in favor, opposition, or informationally, and the hearing on HB 3354 was concluded without a committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill ensures that as we continue to build much-needed housing and other development projects, we
• CBIA has no objection to planning for future water needs and verifying that housing developments have
• It's done the water assessment for purposes of its general plan and therefore its housing element in
• And, you know, in my view, if we're saying housing is a priority as a state, then housing needs to be
• Then housing needs to be a priority and then we need to figure out the water, you know, and I appreciate

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have anyone here to testify in favor of House Bill 1771? House Bill 1771. Mr.
• On House Bill 1771. Seeing none, that will conclude the hearing on House Bill 1771.
• In the city of Clayton, there's a very well-known auction house, Selkirk's auction house.
• of being assessed commercial, like a profitable business, you're assessed residential.
• Well, so I would need to know, I'm not positive on the specifics of assessments, but my question would

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IN 2024 HOUSE BILL 1473 PASSED.
• NEEDS OF A BUILDING.
• THAT THE PERSON WHO DEALS WITH THE THREAT ASSESSMENT PROCESS?
• WE WILL NEED THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO DO IT.
• ON THE K 12 BEHAVIORAL THREAT ASSESSMENT DATABASE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS WHO NEED SUPPORT

Transcript Highlights:

• basic needs assessment or assistance.
• who's helping students at all of these campuses find the basic services they need for food and housing
• Now, when you talk about using assessments to determine where students best need support and so that
• So assessments can help us really figure out where students need the most support.
• We really need to work on how we're assessing those students.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't need to get into the housing crisis everyone keeps talking about.
• vacant I sense to leave that housing vacant I don't<00:23:01.000><c> need</c><00:23:01.120><c> to</c
• </c> don't need to get into the housing don't need to get into the housing crisis<00:23:02.880><c> everyone
• needs, and other religious purposes, so isn't housing the poor another religious purpose?
• need you need animals it it is no you need you need animals and<01:10:49.000><c> my</c><01:10:49.280>

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so we need to fix that.
• </c> of developing a new state assessment. of developing a new state assessment.
• part two: if we revise the standards, then we need to revise the state assessment.
• to revise the standards then we need to revise the state<00:29:32.080><c> assessment.
• </c> support ITL and House Bill 1122. support ITL and House Bill 1122.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if that youth would need to be placed somewhere, even when we're assessing if they're at home with
• So if that youth would need to be placed somewhere, even when we're assessing if they're at home with
• They may need, like, those immediate substance abuse treatment. They may need mental health.
• Northeast has two safe foster houses. houses and eight safe foster homes.
• They may need like those immediate substance abuse treatment, they may need a mental health.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but at least slowing down the need for an assessment.
• We need to take care of the admitted market. We need to depopulate.
• We need to take care of the admitted market. We need to depopulate.
• We need another 20.
• We need another 20.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• special assessment.
• House of Representatives.
• But we need to be able to give mechanisms for counties and cities to better be able to meet those needs
• But we need to be able to give mechanisms for counties and cities to better able to meet those needs
• We need to celebrate our DACA students. We need to pass the Dream Act finally in Congress.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered SB 1825, which would shift the precinct committeeman vacancy application and nomination process from county party chairs to legislative district chairs where established, and require applicants to submit to the authorized chair within five days. Supporters said the change would streamline appointments, reduce bottlenecks in large counties, and strengthen grassroots, bottom-up party organization. County supervisors’ association staff said they had no objection to the district-chair process but raised concern that the five-day deadline for boards to act was too short. The committee adopted a do pass recommendation on SB 1825, with members noting the five-day issue should be worked out later. The committee then heard SB 1566, as amended, which targets malicious delays by municipalities, counties, the state, or state agencies in licensing and permit decisions, with a civil penalty and Attorney General enforcement. The amendment narrowed the bill to statutory licensing timeframes for single-family residential construction and clarified definitions and certificate-of-occupancy authority. The sponsor and home builders argued the bill would deter intentional delays that add to housing costs, while questions focused on how malice would be proven and whether the language was too broad. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1566 a do pass as amended recommendation. Next, SB 1571, as amended, would bar monopoly utilities from passing marketing, sponsorship, community relations, and similar costs through to ratepayers, require annual reporting and attestation, and define the covered utilities. Supporters said ratepayers should not fund utility advertising or sponsorships, especially amid rising rates, while opponents from municipal and public-power utilities warned the language could sweep too broadly and interfere with legitimate customer communications, especially for smaller not-for-profit systems. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a do pass as amended recommendation. The committee also advanced SB 1501, expanding Administrative Rules Oversight Committee review to include whether agency actions exceed statutory authority, and SB 1805, requiring county recorders to verify the notary status on quitclaim deeds before recording them; both received do pass recommendations despite some concerns about scope and administrative burden.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> immediate money as needed. immediate money as needed.
• </c> hearing is set for House hearing is set for House Bill<00:31:55.320><c> 696.
• assessment and a DRA assessment.
• </c> assessment. That was their big rub. assessment. That was their big rub.
• </c><01:36:37.280><c> And</c> the floor of the house. And the floor of the house.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 302, which would allow the state treasurer to invest public funds in precious metals and digital assets. The sponsor was not present, so Representative Urs introduced the bill briefly and said he did not know much about it. No one from the Treasury Department testified, and members repeatedly noted the treasurer’s absence. Susan Elme testified against the bill, arguing that these investments are highly volatile and contrary to the treasury’s duty to remain stable and liquid. She said the bill should be killed. In questioning, she estimated the 5% cap in the bill would amount to roughly $10 million, depending on available funds, and said such investing would be more appropriate for an individual day trader than for the state treasury. Members also discussed prior legislative experience with Bitcoin-related proposals and raised concerns about whether the treasury had the staff expertise to manage commodity or digital asset investing. The committee did not take a final vote; instead, it agreed to hold a work session and seek additional information from the treasurer, with a plan to revisit the bill on April 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• About someone expands their house, they double the size of their house, and they're right next to their
• I now move that the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3256 be voted do pass.
• Suppose a tornado or flood wipes away a house. It's rebuilt under the Missouri assessment system.
• And your background is, you've done assessing, right? I've done assessment.
• , earlier House Committee.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, House Bill 2194 expands the local toolbox.
• We are testifying generally in support of House Bill 1960, but suggest that two areas need further attention
• At PSC, we're weird because we're centrally assessed.
• And that concludes our testimony on House Bill 1960.
• And that concludes our testimony on House Bill 1960.

Bills: HB1960 , HB2194 , HB2089

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants