Transcript Highlights:

• I move Amendment Pool 182.
• I move Amendment Pool 180.
• I move Amendment Pool 181.
• I move Amendment Pool 186.
• I move, Poole 186.

Bills: HB2073, HB2403, HB2587, HB2607, HB1170, HB1570, HB1710, HB1750, HB1834, HB2441

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, failure to register, criminal justice, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, nonprofit, grant funding, pilot program, financial support, community development, child care, childcare, subsidy rates, rate regions, market rate survey

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're um depleting older pools and we're now back to the newer pools.
• </c> a pool project in excess of $1 million. a pool project in excess of $1 million.
• and we're now back to the the pools and we're now back to the the newer<00:20:40.320><c> pools.
• </c> newer pools. newer pools.
• </c> allocation pool for the city of Cordon. allocation pool for the city of Cordon.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:49 Approval of Minutes 01:05 Information Items 02:39 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 23:40 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 26:30 OFM Rpt – KY Infrastructure Authority 36:07 OFM Rpt – Econ Dev Cabinet 43:40 Office of Financial Mgmt 50:18 Remaining 2025 Mtg Dates 50:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the June meeting minutes and receipt of several correspondence and information reports. Those reports covered quarterly capital project status updates from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, lease modifications, asset preservation projects, school district debt issuances, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority budget history materials. Members also raised questions about a long-open stream mitigation account and were told the funds are fee-in-lieu stream mitigation monies administered through Fish and Wildlife, with staff promising to follow up on the specific project. The committee then reviewed and approved several capital project actions. These included a new Camp Oralis dining hall project for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, explained as a reauthorization because the funding split changed to 64% federal and 36% agency funds; an appropriation increase for the Shelbyville armory addition due to higher construction costs and security requirements; and emergency repair projects for Fort Boonesboro flood remediation and the Kentucky State Police Supply Branch fire damage. Members also approved a tenant improvement fund request for parking garage safety improvements at the Mayo Underwood Building. The Office of Financial Management presented three Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items and one Cleaner Water Program reallocation. The loans included a Shepherdsville sewer/drainage project and two Auburn water and lead service line projects; the grant reallocation involved unused Cleaner Water Program funds, with staff emphasizing that all ARPA-funded cleaner water dollars must be spent by December 31, 2026 or returned. After discussion, the committee approved the package. The committee also approved six Economic Development Fund grants, and the Cabinet for Economic Development began presenting the first six KPDI projects, though the transcript cuts off before those project details were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> require you to tip pool. require you to tip pool.
• Here is our tip pool arrangement. clear. Here is our tip pool arrangement.
• </c> participate in as a part of the pool. participate in as a part of the pool.
• Tip pooling and tip sharing are separate pools.
• </c> a mandatory tip pool. a mandatory tip pool.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened its labor hearing on SB 655 and outlined the day’s schedule, including a later working session on SB 416 and an executive session planned for 2:30 p.m. Senator Dan Innis introduced SB 655, describing it as a technical bill affecting employee leasing companies/professional employer organizations (PEOs), workers’ compensation coverage, and a Senate-added minimum wage exemption for minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement. He said the PEO change would let either the PEO or the client business hold workers’ comp coverage, while still requiring coverage, and argued it would align New Hampshire with most other states and reduce barriers for small businesses and multi-state employers. He also said the baseball provision would clarify wage treatment for minor league players and support the Manchester team. Justin Warell of Insperity testified in support of the PEO portion, explaining that PEOs provide HR, payroll, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation administration through a co-employment model. He said the bill would preserve mandatory coverage while allowing flexibility for the client or PEO to maintain the policy, which could help clients who already have preferred coverage or who face cost or administrative issues in multiple states. He noted that most clients would still remain under the PEO’s policy and said Insperity would submit written comments. Committee members asked about how the arrangement would work, whether the client or PEO would pay, and whether the bill would affect liability insurance packaging; Warell said the employer still bears the cost and that the bill mainly gives larger clients an option. One member asked him to remain available for possible follow-up after hearing from the labor department. Stephen Gonzalez of Major League Baseball testified in support of the minor league baseball exemption. He said MLB and the MLB Players Association negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that already provides players with salary, housing, meals, per diems, health and retirement benefits, disability continuation, tuition assistance, and signing bonuses. He argued that treating players as hourly workers creates impractical time-tracking problems because players do work-related activities on their own time, and said the bill would recognize them as salaried workers and avoid litigation over what counts as hours worked. Committee members questioned why the exemption was needed if players are already salaried and whether MLB could simply amend its CBA; Gonzalez said the bill would help prevent wage-and-hour lawsuits and noted that similar exemptions have been enacted in other states. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the bill would be considered for executive action later that afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• I dive, kick, and actually keep up with my friends in the pool.
• It keeps me afloat instead of sinking like a rock, so let's help keep kids off the bottom of pools.
• allows projects that were issued a building permit on or after July 1, 2026, for the development of residential
• allows projects that were issued a building permit on or after July 1, 2026, for the development of residential

Bills: S0006, S0026, S0206, S0532, S0576, S1012, S1110, S1178, S1192, S1758, S1760, S7046, S7048

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• CCRCs are residential facilities that provide a continuum of care to residents who may need different
• I would now request a staff briefing on Substitute House Bill 2397 from Emily Poole and Sidney Jeffrey
• Emily Poole, staff to the Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee.
• The increase to special district residential permit review workload is unknown, but if high, special

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The advantage for cities would be the much larger pool and the consequent buying power of that pool.
• This pool works the way it works.
• In your pools, you will be at least 20% higher than the state pool right now, just because of commissions
• than they would outside the pool, just on commissions.
• I understand utilization rates in pools.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal and received messages from the governor and Senate on signed and enrolled bills. Committee reports were read, including enrollment of several House bills and recommendations to print or advance measures such as House Resolution 27, House Bill 897, and multiple appropriations and policy bills. The House also introduced a slate of new bills, largely appropriations measures and policy bills on public works, health education, education, liquor, the judiciary, community infrastructure districts, traffic infractions, Medicaid-related health care, campaign finance, portable benefits, and a proposed advisory question on a state gun. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 725, which would have allowed cities to join the Idaho State Health Insurance Pool. Supporters argued it would give cities access to a larger, more efficient pool, lower premiums, and reduce property tax pressure, while opponents warned it would expand government, add administrative costs, and create adverse selection by attracting higher-risk cities. After debate, the House rejected HB 725 by a vote of 30 ayes to 40 nays, and the bill failed. The House then took up House Bill 660, requiring reporting on the immigration status of arrested individuals; supporters said it was a limited, data-gathering measure to inform taxpayers, while opponents cited workload, unclear procedures, and concerns from law enforcement groups. HB 660 passed the House 40-30. Later, the House recessed and returned to consider second-reading budget bills. House Bills 905, 906, 907, 908, and 909 were each brought up under suspended rules and passed. HB 905 and HB 906 funded higher education-related items, including net-zero transfers, a federal AI grant, and a restoration of a 2% rescission; HB 907 restored some career technical education funding using interest earnings from an existing account; HB 908 provided an appropriation for military education assistance; and HB 909 included a one-time $350,000 appropriation for the Secretary of State to produce voter pamphlets for constitutional amendments and initiatives. Debate on these bills focused on fiscal restraint, the use of one-time funds, and whether the appropriations were appropriate or too expansive, but all five ultimately passed the House and were transmitted onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I tip pooling and tip sharing.
• </c> which is the tipped pooling regulations. which is the tipped pooling regulations.
• That's not into the tip pool.
• Tip pooling is among similarly situated employees. Your bartenders would be tip pooling.
• </c> a mandatory tip pool. a mandatory tip pool.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> one ever ever thought that a risk pool one ever ever thought that a risk pool would<00:25:10.640
• </c><00:32:30.320><c> organizations</c> couple of the risk pool organizations couple of the risk pool
• </c> among insurance companies is the pool among insurance companies is the pool that<00:40:51.119><c
• </c> the at the end of the day the risk pools the at the end of the day the risk pools are<01:03:04.559
• </c><01:13:59.280><c> above</c> to just being stagnant in a pool above to just being stagnant in a pool

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several insurance-related bills. Senate Bill 47, concerning health insurance policies related to the birth of the mother, was moved ought to pass with no amendments and was approved on a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 121, dealing with Medicare Advantage plan notice requirements, was amended to reduce the required notice from 120 days to 90 days and to remove a federal citation; the department said the change was to avoid conflict with federal notice rules. After discussion about the stress caused when carriers leave the Medicare Advantage market, the committee voted ought to pass as amended, 7-0. The committee then heard a detailed explanation of the continuing care retirement communities bill, described by the Insurance Department as a rewrite of a 1989 law to modernize oversight, require quarterly financial reporting as an early warning system, create a bill of rights for residents, and clarify issues such as entrance fees and removal of dangerous residents. A member recalled the bill’s original purpose as protecting solvency because residents pay substantial upfront fees. The bill was moved ought to pass and approved unanimously, 7-0. The final major discussion concerned a pooled risk organizations bill. Members debated whether oversight should remain with the Secretary of State or be moved to the Insurance Department. Supporters of moving it argued the issue is solvency, citing concerns about reserve levels, prior insolvencies, and the Insurance Department’s expertise. Opponents said the Secretary of State’s office had historically overseen the entities and that the bill would fundamentally change how they operate. A straw vote favored an amendment, but the committee ultimately voted to retain the bill for further work, with plans to revisit it later in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um car pooling.<00:06:34.560><c> So</c><00:06:34.639><c> if</c><00:06:34.960><c> we</c><00:06:35.199>
• 06:35.440><c> figure</c><00:06:35.759><c> that</c><00:06:35.919><c> if</c><00:06:36.160><c> we</c> pooling
• So if we I figure that if we pooling.
• Typical structures see 10- to 15-year loans for residential property and 12- to 18-year debt for commercial
• property and 12 to loans for residential property and 12 to 18year<02:46:26.960><c> debt</c><02:46:27.359

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem is for private property rights owners who own a swimming pool.
• and choose to rent just their swimming pool.
• then becomes a public swimming pool.
• and choose to rent just their swimming pool.
• then becomes a public swimming pool.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, and recognized guests Mary Beth Brer and Ashley Clemens. The committee then took up Senate Bill 61, described by the sponsor as a private property rights measure involving the rental of private swimming pools through services such as VRBO, Airbnb, and swim.com. The sponsor said current law can cause a privately rented pool to be treated as a public swimming pool by the Department of Public Health. The committee moved and seconded the bill, and it passed on a roll call vote with all members voting in favor. The committee next considered Senate Bill 237, which was presented as a measure to waive the physical agility requirement for certain out-of-state police officers in good standing who have at least 10 years of certification and recent employment. Representative Blandon explained that a friendly floor amendment would require proof that the officer passed a physical agility test in the state of origin, addressing concerns raised by Kelly C. The sponsor agreed to that approach. During discussion, the sponsor also noted the committee substitute updated 911 dispatching laws and that the bill had originally been introduced as House Bill 525 before being brought into Senate Bill 237. A motion and second were made on the committee substitute, and the committee approved it by voice vote. The transcript then shifted into discussion of the bill and amendment, but no final roll call vote on Senate Bill 237 is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each year, around 100 residential heating oil spills and leaks are reported to the Massachusetts Department
• And I'm very familiar with some of the residential issues, where you have tanks that are removed out
• first- and third-party as an issue, it really is in subsection B2, where it currently states on the residential
• We're seeing lower numbers out of DEP every year on home residential heating oil tank leaks.
• These include a pool, a walking, and a running group dedicated for our patients with limb loss.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that work has already started to backfill the item pool in those areas.
• high-behavior students may or may not have special education services, but they can be discharged from a residential
• So to that point, with the 146 that we're reimbursing, that would help us know how many are residentially
• Because that's going to that residential facility versus coming back to us to help educate our kids in-house
• Do you know how many of that 146 are residentially placed? Chairman Richter, Ms.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then received a lengthy DPI presentation from Stanley Schauer on statewide reading and math assessment data for students with and without disabilities. He explained the assessment systems used over time, the absence of 2019-20 data, and how North Dakota’s standards are set by educators. Members asked about alternate assessments, cohort trends, the apparent drop in proficiency in higher grades, and the new NDA+ assessment. Schauer emphasized that the biggest pattern in the data was the relative stability of students with disabilities, the post-pandemic drop and partial recovery, and the need to focus on reducing the novice category. He also said the state plans to revisit high school standard setting and that future data could be broken out by program, disability category, and schools using science-of-math or other initiatives. Public testimony from special education staff suggested that the flat performance of students with disabilities during COVID likely reflected continued services and intensive supports, and committee members discussed whether the current disparity goal is realistic and whether growth measures would be more useful than simple proficiency buckets. After the presentation, the committee took a short break and then moved into discussion of special education funding models. Chair Richter said members should contact Schauer directly with ideas for additional data views and noted that the committee would continue its work on funding and possible model changes. Brandon Bomback of Grand Forks Public Schools began a presentation arguing that the special education funding formula, especially the weighting factor, should be reconsidered if the committee wants a system that better reflects accountability and student needs. He said his comments were based on the perspective of a larger district and focused on the special education weighting factor rather than other parts of the formula. The remainder of his presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Putting in a pool that a family has always dreamed of, a new water or sewer line, hardening your home
• In residential yards, those spikes can pose a real hazard, especially for children.
• would be that in order to get their housing element approved, they have had to rezone many of their residential
• comply. ...in order to get their housing element approved, they have had to rezone many of their residential
• in our city is designated coastal zone, including six of our seven hotels and approximately 25% residential

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all insurance carriers, whether they're voluntary market insurance carriers or your self-insured pooled
• If it's an electric traction elevator and escalator, it's 250; residential elevators are 250; and stairway
• electric traction elevator and escalator it's it's it's 250<00:34:24.119><c> um</c><00:34:24.399><c> residential
• </c><00:34:25.119><c> elevators</c><00:34:25.720><c> and</c> 250 um residential elevators and 250 um
• residential elevators and stairway<00:34:26.440><c> chair</c><00:34:26.800><c> lifts</c><00:34:27.079

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] Risk pools work.
• </c> that is controlled uh by the risk pool. that is controlled uh by the risk pool.
• And arguably, the other health pools have operated as non-assessable pools as well.
• of health pool.
• </c> wish to to be a member of a risk pool. wish to to be a member of a risk pool.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move Amendment Pool 182. It has been moved and seconded that Amendment Pool 182 be adopted.
• Move Pool 180. It has been moved and seconded that Amendment Pool 180 be adopted. Discussion.
• Move Pool 181. It has been moved and seconded that Amendment Pool 181 be adopted. Discussion.
• Please move Pool 187. It has been moved and seconded that Amendment Pool 187 be adopted.
• Please move Poole 187. If it's been moved and seconded, the amendment pool 187 be adopted.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2073, which would require nonprofit health carriers with surplus above 600% of risk-based capital to pay 3% of the excess to support the Cascade Care Savings premium assistance program. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $80 million in FY 2027 based on 2024 surplus data, while carriers and business groups argued their reserves are needed to pay claims, manage risk, and avoid premium increases. Supporters said the bill would redirect consumer-funded surplus to help Washingtonians afford coverage, especially as federal subsidies expire. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying and financial information in WASFA applications. Staff explained the bill would exempt WASFA records from public disclosure, restrict sharing to narrow purposes, and shorten retention periods, with significant fiscal impacts tied to purging records and updating data-sharing practices. Student and advocacy testimony strongly supported the bill as a privacy and safety measure for immigrant and mixed-status students. The committee also heard House Bill 2403, which lowers the penalty for failure to register as a sex offender and adds community custody and DOC supervision; public defense supported it as a cost-saving, consensus reform, and staff projected DOC savings. House Bill 2587 was also heard, creating a Commerce pilot to provide limited advance grant funding to eligible nonprofits; supporters said it would help smaller nonprofits manage reimbursement-based contracts, while staff estimated indeterminate but potentially significant administrative costs. The committee heard House Bill 2607, which would require DCYF to periodically rebase child care subsidy rate regions to better reflect local cost differences. Supporters from Benton and Franklin counties said current regional rates are outdated and unfairly low in fast-growing areas; staff said the fiscal impact was indeterminate. The committee then moved into possible executive session on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 1170, dealing with generative AI disclosures and provenance tools, was amended and ultimately passed out of committee on an 18-9 vote after all proposed amendments were rejected. Substitute House Bill 1570 was amended to narrow its scope to Western Washington University and then passed out of committee on a 17-9 vote. The committee also began action on proposed Third Substitute House Bill 1710, which would create a state pre-clearance requirement under the Washington Voting Rights Act, but the transcript cuts off during consideration of amendments to that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the way they tip pool, they tip share. the way they tip pool, they tip share.
• </c> where we are today with the tip pooling. where we are today with the tip pooling.
• </c> we're just going to pool tips." Right. we're just going to pool tips." Right.
• </c> pooling in some way, shape, or form. pooling in some way, shape, or form.
• </c> pool tips. pool tips.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• manager, or they go out and they do a multi-month process for trying to hire a town manager and the pool
• c><03:01:52.640><c> manager</c><03:01:53.359><c> and</c><03:01:53.600><c> the</c><03:01:53.840><c> pool
• </c><03:01:54.000><c> of</c> hire a town manager and the pool of hire a town manager and the pool of

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: HB2979, HB3790, HB3142, HB3463, HB4143, HJR1086, SB392, HB3087, HB3037, HB3581, HB4058, HB2959, HB4227, HB2997, HB4125, HB1453, HB3521, HB3691, HB2015, HB2940, HB1016, HB3267, HB3695, HB3697, HB3045, HB3662, HB3453, HB3053, HB3301, HB3495, HB3584, HB3586, HB3587, HB3845, HB4198, HB4425, HB2970, HB3338, HB3443, HB3783, HB3800, HB3818, HB1242, HB1752, HB2961, HB2967, HB2973, HB2988, HB3031, HB3240, HB3047, HB3052, HB3066, HB3086, HB3175, HB3177, HB3178, HB3429, HB3548, HB3638, HB3404, HB3704, HB1590, HB3759, HB3831, HB3904, HB4092, HB1979, HB1983, HB1250, HB2952, HB3671, HB3920, HB4118, HB3944, HB3969, HB3973, HB3975, HB3976, HB3978, HB3983, HB3984, HB3942, HB4203, HB2588, HB3024, HB3383, HB3279, HB3919, HB3883, HB4193, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB4484, HB1245, HB3172, HB3306, HB4294, HB3880, HB2929, HB3128, HB2956, HB3015, HB3114, HB3567, HB3749, HB4229, HB4237, HB4253, HJR1046, HJR1084, HB3411

Keywords: HB2979, Talyn Bain Act, school zone, school safety, speed limit, 45 mph, state highway, Department of Transportation, ODOT, flashing beacons, traffic enforcement, speeding violation, public school, private school, K-12, drop-off, pick-up, highway safety, municipal maintenance, county commissioners

Bills: HB2979, HB3790, HB3142, HB3463, HB4143, HJR1086, SB392, HB3087, HB3037, HB3581, HB4058, HB2959, HB4227, HB2997, HB4125, HB1453, HB3521, HB3691, HB2015, HB2940, HB1016, HB3267, HB3695, HB3697, HB3045, HB3662, HB3453, HB3053, HB3301, HB3495, HB3584, HB3586, HB3587, HB3845, HB4198, HB4425, HB2970, HB3338, HB3443, HB3783, HB3800, HB3818, HB1242, HB1752, HB2961, HB2967, HB2973, HB2988, HB3031, HB3240, HB3047, HB3052, HB3066, HB3086, HB3175, HB3177, HB3178, HB3429, HB3548, HB3638, HB3404, HB3704, HB1590, HB3759, HB3831, HB3904, HB4092, HB1979, HB1983, HB1250, HB2952, HB3671, HB3920, HB4118, HB3944, HB3969, HB3973, HB3975, HB3976, HB3978, HB3983, HB3984, HB3942, HB4203, HB2588, HB3024, HB3383, HB3279, HB3919, HB3883, HB4193, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB4484, HB1245, HB3172, HB3306, HB4294, HB3880, HB2929, HB3128, HB2956, HB3015, HB3114, HB3567, HB3749, HB4229, HB4237, HB4253, HJR1046, HJR1084, HB3411

Keywords: HB2979, Talyn Bain Act, school zone, school safety, speed limit, 45 mph, state highway, Department of Transportation, ODOT, flashing beacons, traffic enforcement, speeding violation, public school, private school, K-12, drop-off, pick-up, highway safety, municipal maintenance, county commissioners

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, heard an invocation from Chaplain Ronnie Wilson, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance led by Representative Alonzo Sandoval. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Faulkner, and several guest groups in the galleries, including visitors from Ireland, ABATE, Darnaby Elementary student council members, and students from High Plains Technology. Members then considered several bills. HB 2979, directing the Department of Transportation to establish 45-mile-per-hour school zones on certain highways near schools, passed 85-0. HB 3790, a consumer protection measure allowing homeowners to cancel certain contracts within five business days, passed 82-0. HB 3142, an industry-request bill on liquefied petroleum gas that also drew questions about food truck permitting and inspection fees, passed 65-22. HB 3463, updating municipal audit procedures for small communities and codifying modern agreed-upon procedures, passed 89-0 and also received the required emergency vote. HB 4143, which raises the accident-reporting threshold from $300 to $3,000 before police involvement is required, passed by a large margin. The House also adopted a motion to suspend House Rule 4.4F to allow denim on the floor on specified dates in 2026, by a vote of 79-9. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings, caucus events, and a devotional, and one member thanked colleagues for concern after a bus accident involving Elgin Public School students. The House then adjourned until Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.