Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the California Farm Bureau to preserve key protections for California's agricultural lands
• cancellation penal payments that recognize and help recoup the significant public investment made to preserve
• We've resolved. that issue to preserve local police powers so that we can continue to impose mitigation
• So we're certainly interested in funds that go to preserve ag land and mitigate the loss of ag land,
• 8,000 small and mid-sized family farmers in California, and we've worked for more than 45 years to preserve

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• aware, the cost of just about everything has drastically increased since 1994, leading the record preservation
• The user fee can only be used for record storage, microfilming, and preservation, per the statute.
• An additional dollar for the records preservation fund will allow our offices to offset some of the overall
• cost associated with electronic equipment necessary to preserve the record, while also funding microfilming
• and digitizing preservation projects, which is essential to our role as the keeper of the public record

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have more buildings like Milgard Hall in Tacoma, for example, that beautiful building, and also preserve
• The city of Spokane Valley uses a TBD fee for pavement preservation and maintenance, as there is limited
• The city of Spokane Valley uses a TBD fee for payment preservation and maintenance, as there is limited
• We welcome the legislature's focus on transportation system preservation, and we greatly appreciate the
• A big boost for our preservation efforts. Many thanks to Rep. Reid for sponsoring this bill.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation-related bills. On Substitute House Bill 2251, staff explained changes to Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, including new operating and capital accounts and a revised split of auction proceeds among transportation, capital, operating, and air quality accounts. Members asked about the bill’s effect on CERA funding, the air quality account, and whether the bill responded to projected revenue declines. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the bill’s goal of clearer, more predictable budgeting; tribal testimony requested clearer protections and a dedicated tribal set-aside, while other witnesses supported the bill for its transparency and climate/transportation benefits. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. The prime sponsor and county officials from Whatcom and Pierce described the bill as a local option to help fund aging ferry systems without raising taxes, and public testimony from island residents, county representatives, and advocacy groups strongly supported it as a way to stabilize essential ferry service. The committee also heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the vehicle weight threshold for Transportation Benefit District fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. Staff said the change would modestly increase TBD revenue statewide, and the sponsor argued the current law unfairly exempts heavier trucks while lighter vehicles pay the fee. Cities and local officials supported the bill, while the trucking association said it would support a compromise at 9,000 pounds instead of 10,000. The committee also heard House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; the sponsor and transit advocates said it would improve affordability and access, and testimony emphasized equity and student retention benefits. In executive session, the committee considered Second Substitute House Bill 1923, which would expand who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, with added intent language related to southern resident orcas and a revised effective date. After discussion, the committee voted 23-4 to pass the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also announced a deadline extension for amendment requests on bills heard that day and thanked staff before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the passage of this bill in the preservation program, they would say that in future fiscal notes
• And they’ll keep a surprise of the estimate on the programmatic preservation bucket.
• And we talked about the needs for maintenance and preservation and replacement on those bridges.
• The risks were known, yet preservation was repeatedly deferred.
• That's the Section 106, the National Historic Preservation Act.

Bills: HB2550, HB2645, HB2109, HB2134, HB2323

Keywords: transit, community colleges, student transportation, free rides, public transportation, HB 2645, HB2645, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, emergency infrastructure replacement, bridge collapse, bridge closure, transportation emergency, public safety, infrastructure repair, bridge replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes administration, operations, maintenance, and system preservation and improvement.
• For our recommendations to the state, our first recommendation is to prioritize preservation in state
• Preservation is really essential to avoiding additional deferred maintenance, which quickly balloons,
• Our first recommendation is to prioritize preservation in state support for cities.
• We did focus more on what is needed to maintain the current network to preserve the road network that

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bond would fund the construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing,
• both state and local government, and rescue more than 5,000 units across the state in terms of preserving
• Preserving naturally occurring affordable housing is central to meeting the fair housing goals embedded
• It gives smaller jurisdictions a practical tool and opens the door for community land trusts to preserve
• or rehab. assistance to make affordable housing units available through preservation or rehab.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:06.440><c> the</c> we would then ensure and preserve the we would then ensure and preserve
• </c> what the amendment does is it preserves what the amendment does is it preserves the<00:38:51.920
• the purchasing power of the preserve the purchasing power of the fund<00:54:17.080><c> over</c><00:54
• In the new language, while preserving the purchasing power of the fund over time, that to me says that
• the purchasing power of the preserving the purchasing power of the fund<01:08:25.880><c> over</c><01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is enforceable, and it's critical to protecting players and preserving the integrity of the games.
• 681 does: It limits public disclosure of sex designation information in government records while preserving
• Plan be preserved in perpetuity rather than permitting the destruction of these artifacts after fiscal
• This striking amendment clarifies that records identified as part of the Lakeland Village Preservation
• I think that it is the right thing to do to preserve those records.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 6137 would expand Washington sports wagering by allowing wagers placed over the internet to be accepted at any tribal gaming facility, not just the same tribe’s facility, and would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington institutions while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington athletes’ performance. Washington State University opposed the bill over concerns about harassment, point shaving, and broader gambling harms, while the University of Washington supported the individual prop-bet ban but urged caution. An Emerald Queen Casinos representative supported the bill, saying it would move existing illegal wagering into a regulated system with safeguards. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, which would require regular consultation with tribes on voting access and authorize a secure electronic ballot return portal for military, overseas, Native American, and disability voters. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill’s tribal outreach and said it was more comfortable with the revised portal language, but several election-security witnesses opposed the portal sections, arguing internet ballot return is too risky and lacks adequate standards. King County Elections supported the portal as a more secure option than current email and fax methods, and said it would improve access while preserving paper trails and security checks. Substitute Senate Bill 6034 would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency. The office and a tribal health liaison testified in support, saying codification would stabilize government-to-government relations with tribes and ensure continuity beyond executive preference. Substitute Senate Bill 6081 would restrict public disclosure of sex designation information in certain licensing and vital records; supporters said it would protect transgender people from doxing, harassment, and violence, while opponents argued it would make official records less accurate. Staff also briefed Senate Bill 5863 on Lakeland Village records, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 reestablishing the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, and Senate Bill 5892 on voter data protections. The committee adopted amendments to SB 5863 and SB 5892, rejected some other amendments, and reported SB 5863, SCR 8406, and SB 5892 out of committee with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we wanted to make sure that we preserved our competitive advantage to support those industries
• that are important to our economy while also insulating and preserving programs and services that might
• Permanently preventing state-level adoption of Trump's corporate tax cuts would preserve almost $500
• Permanently preventing state-level adoption of Trump's corporate tax cuts would preserve almost $500
• And number three, to preserve dozens of good union jobs, blue-collar union jobs here in the state of

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of federal tax changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) on Massachusetts. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz said the bill would phase in selected corporate tax changes over time, avoid a $442 million FY26 revenue hit, preserve the current-year budget, and add a few related changes, including expanding the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, delaying large federal tax changes over $20 million by one year, limiting opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, adjusting DFML contributions to match IRS guidance, and aligning casino slot-winnings reporting thresholds with federal law. Committee members questioned the administration about why it chose phased conformity rather than full decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill does not pass, the purpose of the pass-through entity change, opportunity zones, and the slot-machine threshold and family leave provisions. Public testimony was sharply divided. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and Don Griswold of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities urged the committee to go further and permanently decouple from the five most costly OB3 corporate tax provisions, arguing that automatic conformity is fiscally risky, rewards investment outside Massachusetts, and has already caused or could cause large revenue losses. Labor and public-sector witnesses, including leaders from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and building trades unions, also called for permanent decoupling, warning that the federal law will deepen state budget pressures, harm schools, health care, human services, and infrastructure, and shift costs onto workers and public programs. Several speakers said Massachusetts should not adopt federal corporate tax cuts that mainly benefit wealthy individuals and corporations. Other testimony focused on specific provisions. Unite Here Local 26 asked the committee to strike the casino slot-winnings threshold change from $1,200 to $2,000, saying the current limit helps identify problem gambling, creates an opportunity for intervention, and supports union jobs. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s phased approach, especially the research and experimental expense deduction, citing the importance of certainty for business filers and Massachusetts’ strong R&D economy. Greater Boston Legal Services testified on the paid family and medical leave sections, explaining that the bill’s changes would align PFML payroll contributions with new IRS guidance and, if paired with administrative action, would be cost-neutral for workers and employers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of OB3 in FY 26 and allows us to plan for these OB3 tax changes in fiscal years 27 and 28 while preserving
• And so we wanted to make sure that we preserved our competitive advantage to support those industries
• that are important to our economy while also insulating and preserving programs and services that might
• By completely opting out of the five changes, rather than just delaying them, Massachusetts can preserve
• Permanently preventing state-level adoption of Trump's corporate tax cuts would preserve almost $500

Bills: H4975

Keywords: federal tax changes, OBBBA, revenue impact, pass-through entities, state budget, tax relief, high-income earners, opportunity zones, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With infrastructure, we look at safety, capacity, maintenance, and preservation.
• With infrastructure, we look at safety, capacity, maintenance, and preservation.
• There's a very big need Capacity, maintenance, and preservation.
• And it starts with applicable standards, safety, security, preservation, then capacity, then economic
• And it starts with applicable standards, safety, security, preservation, then capacity, then economic

Summary: The Transportation Committee met to consider two bills and then held a lengthy discussion on Florida airport infrastructure. SB 246, presented by Senator Rodriguez on behalf of Senator Gruters, would authorize a UFC specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting the UFC Foundation’s charitable work. A UFC Foundation representative described community beneficiaries and said the plate would help raise funds for local charities. With no questions or debate, the committee voted SB 246 favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7012, a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles public-records exemption bill that would remove the October 1, 2026 repeal date for certain active investigatory records. Senator Avila moved to submit it as a committee bill, there was no objection, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill. The remainder of the meeting focused on the Comprehensive Airport Infrastructure Program. FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue outlined Florida’s aviation system, the department’s airport funding programs, and the state’s role as a financial partner in safety, capacity, preservation, and economic development projects. He said Florida has 128 public-use airports, 21 commercial-service airports, and four large-hub airports, and noted that airport funding is largely supported by gas-tax-related revenues, with additional support from documentary stamp revenue and other fees. He also discussed the new airport infrastructure planning requirements created last session and said all required airports had submitted plans. Committee members asked about the loss of aviation fuel tax revenue, workforce development, project timelines, and how FDOT prioritizes funding, with Perdue emphasizing safety, preservation, capacity, economic return, and matching funds. A panel from Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa international airports then described major capital programs, passenger growth, and funding needs. The airports highlighted terminal expansions, parking, baggage systems, airfield rehabilitation, people movers, and other modernization projects, along with the importance of maintaining aging facilities while accommodating growth. They said FDOT and FAA grants are helpful but increasingly insufficient for runway and taxiway costs, and several panelists said passenger facility charges and other revenue tools are important to future self-sufficiency. Members also asked about workforce shortages, small-business participation, landing-fee negotiations, and non-aeronautical revenue. The panel said workforce challenges are most acute in trades and maintenance, small-business programs are active at each airport, and landing fees are negotiated with airlines to keep airports competitive while funding needed improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also preserves water administration, weed control, and other lawful functions.
• So if it's on federal land and it's moved to the state, then their rights are preserved.
• I think we bought this stuff in blood, and I want to preserve and protect it forever.
• Something that would have helped preserve land that we all have a shared ownership in.
• Do we trust the federal government to continue to preserve the rights of Idahoans?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings, then considered several RSs and bills. It introduced RS 3313, which Senator Galloway said would improve transparency in Idaho Housing and Finance Association spending and outcomes; RS 33525, described as a codification of an alternative arrangement related to a gun club; and RS 33341, a trigger bill to protect machine gun possession and related activity in Idaho if the federal ban is repealed or overturned. All three motions to print passed without opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1326, a private-property bill sponsored by Senator Harris and supported by the Idaho Farm Bureau and several landowners who described government employees entering private land without permission. The bill would require warrants, consent, or exigent circumstances for government entry onto private land not open to the public, add civil penalties and attorney fees for violations, and preserve certain exceptions for law enforcement, water rights, drones, weed control, and abatement work. Fish and Game and the Idaho Association of Counties opposed parts of the bill, citing concerns about routine compliance checks, enforcement, and the private cause of action. The committee voted to send SB 1326 to the 14th order for possible amendment. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 1286, which would regulate paid, non-accredited assistance for veterans’ federal benefit claims. Senator Nichols and supporters said the bill would protect veterans from aggressive marketing, unclear fees, and misuse of personal information while preserving access to free services and veteran choice. Some testimony raised concerns about limiting who veterans can hire and about the federal accreditation framework, but supporters argued state action was needed to curb bad actors. The committee voted to send SB 1286 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up Senate Joint Resolution 103, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a state trust for certain federal lands and prohibit their sale. Senator Adams argued the measure would protect public lands from future disposal and preserve access, while opponents from conservation groups, counties, forest products, and wildlife organizations warned it could create major management, wildfire, and county funding problems and lacked a clear state management structure. Supporters from sportsmen and some county officials said the amendment would provide a backstop against privatization. The transcript ends during continued testimony on SJR 103, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• typical wetland type, but it is in really great condition, and we want to make sure that we are preserving
• typical wetland type, but it is in really great condition, and we want to make sure that we are preserving
• see in the bill, is kind of large, but it's also pretty evenly divided between environmental and preservation
• see in the bill, is kind of large, but it's also pretty evenly divided between environmental and preservation
• The Conservancy owns and manages six preserves in Delaware, and all of them include wetlands that support

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, Preservation of Error Doctrine.
• ALAC previously formed a work group to study the preservation of error doctrine.
• ALAC previously formed a work group to study the preservation of error doctrine.
• The work group initiated a survey last year of other states on the preservation of error doctrine and
• Other states on the preservation of error doctrine and procedural default, and will continue to collect

Keywords: Code Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would the savings be available, like the rate preservation fund, to help pay for the state portion of
• So the rate preservation fund is something that we have saved up for.
• Would the savings be available like the rate preservation fund be available to help pay for the state
• the rate preservation fund the change in the federal match.
• So the rate preservation fund is something that we have saved it up for.

Summary: The committee primarily considered House Bill 440, which would move Medicaid expansion language from the Oklahoma Constitution into state statute and send the change to voters in a special election. Supporters argued this would give the Legislature flexibility to manage the program, especially if federal Medicaid matching rates were reduced, and said it would help protect the state budget and allow future adjustments such as eligibility or work requirements. Opponents said the measure would weaken voter-approved constitutional protections, create uncertainty for more than 300,000 enrollees, rural hospitals, and providers, and could allow future cuts without another vote of the people. Members also discussed the possible fiscal impact of a federal match change from 90-10 to 60-40, with supporters saying the state could face roughly a billion-dollar annual cost and would need flexibility to avoid cuts to other services. Questions also focused on the choice of an August special election rather than the November general election, and on whether tribal governments and other stakeholders had been consulted. After debate, the committee tabled an amendment and passed House Bill 440 on a 14-2 vote. The committee then took up House Joint Resolution 1087, which would change the Avalon reimbursement program so the Legislature could manage funding levels and methodologies rather than being bound to the current structure. It passed 14-2. The committee also considered House Joint Resolution 1067, a trigger measure that would only appear on the November ballot if House Bill 440 failed in August; it would relieve the state of any obligation to fund Medicaid expansion for working adults if the federal match dropped below 90%. After adopting a committee substitute and tabling an amendment, the resolution also passed 14-2. The committee then laid over H.J.R. 1089 and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray now that you would preserve our union, that you would maintain law and order within our borders
• that their councils might be filled with knowledge and equity and that our whole community might be preserved
• ><00:16:33.040><c> that</c><00:16:33.199><c> you</c><00:16:33.360><c> would</c><00:16:33.519><c> preserve
• </c><00:16:33.839><c> our</c> We pray now that you would preserve our We pray now that you would preserve
• in peace, unity, strength, and preserved in peace, unity, strength, and honor. honor. honor.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the more natural floodplain that we can preserve and restore, the more it allows flooding impacts
• to have less of an impact on homes if we're able to preserve the natural storage that's out there.
• So the more the natural floodplain that we can preserve and restore, it allows those flooding impacts
• that have less of an impact on homes if we're able to preserve the natural storage that's out there.
• and use of public land, so that people get to utilize and enjoy the beautiful nature that we're preserving

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's aimed at preventing placement disruptions and preserving the relationship of caregivers in our youth
• AJR 10 holds the President of the United States accountable to preserve some of our most sensitive lands
• The important and preserving our forests has been well stated today.
• This bill is a narrowly focused district bill that will preserve hundreds of acres within Rockland.
• that land, preserve the oak trees.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PERCENT OF YOUNG ADULT CANCER PATIENTS SURVIVING THEIR DIAGNOSIS THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF FERTILITY PRESERVATION
• SENATE BILL ENSURES THAT STATE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS COVER STANDARD FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES
• THIS EXPLAINS THE FERTILITY PRESERVATION COVERAGE BEYOND CANFER FOR THOSE WHO UNDERGO MEDICALLY NECESSARY
• AND IT MANDATES COVERAGE IN THE STATE GROUP INSURANCE FOR STANDARD FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES SPECIFICALLY
• OF YOU THAT YOU HOPEFULLY ONCE YOU OVERCOME THAT DISEASE YOU GOT TO HAVE CHILDREN AND YOU GET TO PRESERVE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the preservation deals are acquisition rehab preservation deals.
• </c> and preservation. and preservation.
• </c> acquisition rehab preservation deals. acquisition rehab preservation deals.
• </c> preservation and new construction. preservation and new construction.
• </c> preservation as well. preservation as well.

Keywords: 1183, house