Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to use the incentives outlined, and we believe this bill removes some of the restrictions that
• By land banking the property and placing a covenant on the land so that it can be used for affordable
• But by removing the statute's 1983-era restrictions on direct lending and use of public funds, SSB 6018
• homeownership housing committed to for the project or is not properly screening households for income-restricted
• Racial harm is not temporary, and neither should the response be.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the dismantling of racist housing covenants in the 1970s to the national reckoning following the
• It's gender and racial equity, but it's been expanded to so many important communities.
• President Ford said as much, said it was motivated by racial bias, by lack of political leadership and
• Our communities have also endured laws rooted in racial profiling, collective punishment, and discrimination
• Our communities have also endured laws rooted in racial profiling, collective punishment, and discrimination

Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation bills. AB 107, a junior budget bill, was described as a technical measure that updates federal appropriations by about $15 million, exempts certain Proposition 4 funds from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending, and makes other technical corrections without adding new projects or General Fund spending. Some senators objected to the APA waiver as reducing transparency, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117, an early-action trailer bill for Bay Area transit, authorizes a $590 million loan from the state’s transit and intercity rail capital program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which can then lend the money to Bay Area transit agencies for operating support, with repayment and interest secured by transit revenues. Supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; opponents raised concerns about ridership recovery, accountability, and consolidation. The bill passed 28-9. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees: Sonoma County Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Riverside Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson. Both were supported by colleagues who praised their experience and backgrounds, and both confirmations passed. The body also adopted SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opposing federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Supporters argued DEI is essential to civil rights, education, public service, and equal opportunity, while criticizing the Trump administration for dismantling related federal offices and funding. The resolution passed on a largely party-line vote after extensive floor debate. Finally, the Senate adopted SCR 78, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Senators from both parties spoke about the injustice of the internment, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of remembering the history to guard against future abuses. The resolution passed unanimously, and the author then introduced survivors and guests in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• These local organizations manage these buildings as deed-restricted affordable, either as rental or home
• But this bill is a natural consequence of that in that many of those covenants are expiring.
• In some cases, these are units that might have been recently restricted or two years ago or restricted
• The state treasurer will consider income levels in terms of the covenants, but doesn't require it.
• the covenant expired and the rents are just shot up, and they're seniors.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1091, which would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Program within HCD to help nonprofit developers, community organizations, and local governments acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. The author and supporters from Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups argued that acquisition-preservation is a proven, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. There was no opposition testimony. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the bill is intended to be supported through the housing bond or other appropriations. The committee voted the bill do pass to Judiciary, with broad support and no recorded opposition. The committee then took up SB 904, which would codify and expand the wildfire rebuilding coordination and permitting streamlining used after the Los Angeles-area fires, including HCD-led review of permitting and code barriers and reporting on recovery lessons. The author said the bill is meant to speed rebuilding after future wildfire disasters and avoid repeated delays seen in places like the Camp Fire. Members raised concerns about the cost and repetition of requiring multiple agencies to produce reports after each disaster, and about e-permitting mandates for smaller jurisdictions. The author responded that the bill is meant to capture lessons from different fire contexts and that some concerns could be addressed with amendments. The bill was moved do pass to Emergency Management and was reported out with sufficient votes, though kept on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1007, which would change HOA assessment rules by tying annual increases to inflation rather than allowing up to 20% increases, and would require clearer annual budget disclosures and evidence for fines. The author and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while opponents from community manager and HOA industry groups warned it could underfund reserves, force larger special assessments, and add duplicative paperwork. Several senators expressed support for the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the inflation cap, the need for flexibility for insurance and maintenance costs, and the visual-aid disclosure requirement. The author said amendments are forthcoming and that the bill will look different in the next committee; no final vote is reflected in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It brings it in line with the other restrictive covenants, employment covenants, noncompetes, no poaches
• Chair, this is an easy one like banning non-competes and like banning all the restrictive covenants.
• Chair, this is an easy one like banning non-competes and like banning all the restrictive covenants.
• Chair, this is an easy one like banning non-competes and like banning all the restrictive covenants.
• Um this is restrictive covenants.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• With the terms of bond covenants that are in effect as of July 1, 2024, and then those surcharges must
• In some communities, there are so-called club plans, recreational covenants that reserve to a private
• not already in the association's name, and redefines the term governing documents to include all covenants
• board authorization, and when homeowners have attempted to raise concerns, participation has been restricted
• We are homeowners in Rosedale, a deed-restricted community in Manatee County, speaking on behalf of our

Bills: S0936, S1724, S1014, S1498

Keywords: temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, utility services, municipal agreements, public meetings, rates and fees, public service commission, municipal utility, water service, wastewater service, property owners, annexation, civil action, community associations, condominium, homeowners associations, structural integrity

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up four bills. First, it considered SB 1724 on municipal utility services. Senator Martin offered a late-filed delete-everything amendment that would require annual customer meetings for extraterritorial utility customers, cap use of gross utility revenues for general government at 10%, eliminate a 25% surcharge on customers outside city limits, reduce the rate differential cap from 50% to 25%, remove municipal natural gas utilities from the bill, and preserve certain existing bond-related surcharges until debt is retired or refinanced. The League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the need for rate studies and budget adjustments. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported CS/SB 1724 favorably. The committee then heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices from Senator McLean. The bill would define temporary door locking devices, allow them to be installed at any height, require the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or amendments, SB 936 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water or wastewater service solely because a property owner will not annex, and would require service expansion when a property is near a municipal main line, not served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. A committee amendment narrowed the bill to properties near a main line and reduced the distance threshold from 2,000 meters to one-half mile. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about property size, annexation conflicts, enclave creation, and possible revenue impacts, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1498 on community associations from Chair Bradley. A strike-all amendment revised technical provisions on video conference recordings, turnover inspection reports, SIRS references, and electronic voting, and added two major policy changes: requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors and creating a second-degree misdemeanor for willful refusal, and prohibiting mandatory club or amenity fee schemes controlled by developers or third parties that generate profit beyond proportional expenses. Testimony in support described homeowner disputes involving concentrated board control, lack of transparency, and mandatory fees in communities such as Rosedale. The amendment was adopted and CS/SB 1498 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Bracey Davis asked to be recorded voting in the affirmative on tabs 1, 2, and 3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so since about 2020, when we were able to secure the release of restrictive covenants on the property
• Once we were able to get the restrictive covenants removed, that really unlocked what we could use the
• Seeing none, deferring back to the Housing Chair. release of restrictive covenants on the release of
• restrictive covenants on the property<00:40:58.640><c> which</c><00:40:58.760><c> were</c><00:40:58.960
• c> that</c> restrictive covenants removed then that restrictive covenants removed then that really<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard five bills and later took up one joint Housing/Higher Education measure. On SB 1146 SD1, relating to the Alaw Canal, testimony from DLNR and UH was in support of funding an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to address debris management and water quality in the watershed; members discussed the cost burden on DLNR and the possibility of identifying upstream sources of debris. On SB 1232 SD2, relating to wastewater systems, the Department of Health, DHHL, and several advocacy groups supported a three-year pilot program at UH’s Water Resources Research Center to test new wastewater technologies, with witnesses saying it could help certify cheaper alternatives and reduce cesspool upgrade costs. On SB 119 SD1, relating to nursing, witnesses supported funding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Maui College. On SB 865 SD1, relating to agriculture, UH CTAHR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many island agricultural groups supported funding for a Kona Cooperative Extension position, with testimony and committee discussion favoring an extension agent over an administrative support role. On SB 1487 SD1, relating to UH revenue bonds, UH supported authorizing revenue bonds for priority capital projects, and members asked for clarification that the measure was a preliminary authorization rather than a specific spending plan. In decision-making, the committee recommended passing SB 1146 SD1, SB 1232 SD2, SB 119 SD1, SB 865 SD1, and SB 1487 SD1 with House Draft 1 amendments, mainly to change defective dates to 7/1/3000 and, for SB 865, to upgrade the position to an extension agent. Votes were unanimous in favor on the measures, with one recusal noted on SB 865 and some members excused on other votes. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for a joint House Housing/Higher Education hearing on SB 1553 SD2, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL asked that the bill be deferred because due diligence was incomplete and more discussion was needed with UH and other stakeholders; UH said it was coordinating access to the property and described its current and future use. Both committees agreed to defer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, the Legislature enacted AB 670 to prevent CC&Rs from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting
• and subject to an income-restricted equity split between that seller and the buyer.
• and subject to an income restricted equity split between that seller and the buyer.
• So, um... ...affordable housing as well and that there be some sort of covenant guaranteeing that.
• , conditions, and restrictions, CCNRs, the HOA can petition their superior core. ...and restrictions,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The restriction prevents our licensed cannabis producers... This is inequitable.
• There are definitely more restrictions when you add spirits, food service, and the like. Great.
• By way of background, a non-compete covenant agreement is a written or oral agreement...
• Under the bill, non-compete covenants are void and unenforceable regardless of when they were entered
• Therapy is built on trust, safety, and continuity of care, not contracts that restrict client choice.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 2479 would create a wage recovery program within L&I to advance part of unpaid wages to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship, funded by civil penalties, while also increasing and restructuring wage theft penalties and complaint prioritization. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, labor advocates, and employer representatives from the work group, said it would help workers get paid faster and was a consensus proposal; questions focused on how the current complaint process works and whether general fund money would be needed. Engrossed House Bill 1941, as amended, would allow licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural cooperatives, with the striking amendment limiting any cooperative to three producer licenses; supporters said cannabis producers should have the same cooperative tools as other agricultural sectors, while some testimony urged future changes for interstate commerce and warned against consolidation. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476 would expand the spirits, beer, and wine theater license from 120 to 200 seats per screen and add stronger alcohol-control measures when minors are present; theater operators and LCB supported the change, and committee questions focused on youth access and enforcement. House Bill 1526 would allow snack bar licensees to sell wine by the glass in addition to beer; the sponsor said it simply modernizes the license, and LCB noted a likely fee alignment issue and a small revenue impact. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155 would void non-compete agreements and expand related notice and non-solicitation rules, with testimony split between labor and worker advocates supporting broader worker mobility and business and health care groups seeking narrower exemptions for executives, physicians, and financial institutions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2303 would prohibit employers from requesting or coercing employees to accept microchip implants, with no testimony offered. Substitute House Bill 2405 would create a three-year pilot for earlier PTSD treatment coverage in workers’ compensation for eligible occupational disease claims, with L&I supporting it as a way to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The committee also took public testimony on these bills, with strong pro and con positions noted on the wage recovery, cannabis cooperative, and non-compete measures. In executive action, the committee adopted a striking amendment and passed House Bill 1069, narrowing it to Department of Corrections employees and making supplemental retirement bargaining mandatory, despite concerns from one member about the change. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on House Bill 1347 concerning cannabis testing labs, then passed it to Rules; passed Second Substitute House Bill 1701 on liquor licensees sharing property; passed House Bill 291 on employee information for public employers to Ways and Means; passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2229 updating engineer registration provisions; passed House Bill 2264 on unemployment eligibility for workers in employer-initiated layoffs; passed Substitute House Bill 2472 adding enforcement for sprinkler contractors and fitters; and passed Second Substitute House Bill 2345 on paid family and medical leave premium allocation. A striking amendment to Second Substitute House Bill 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board was not adopted, and the bill then passed to Rules. The committee also announced it would hold House Bill 1066 for later action and planned to return the next day for its final executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The closest thing to it would be implicit and racial bias.
• I want to engage with you in a covenant worthy of the 21st century.
• If you join me in this covenant, I'll forever be your brother.
• I want to engage with you in a covenant worthy of the 21st century.
• If you join me in this covenant, I'll forever be your brother.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 123-0 roll call vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize National Police Week and honor fallen officers, and several members offered farewell tributes to departing colleagues and interns. The chamber also introduced a number of special guests, including the Hallsville FFA Barbecue Contest Team, Mizzou wheelchair basketball players, school groups, interns, and a visiting alderwoman and former representative. The House received Senate messages and committee reports on several bills, then took up House Bill 1839, along with related bills 2921 and 3015, concerning online age verification for certain adult content and related matters. After a brief explanation that the Senate amendment was a technical fix, the House concurred in Senate Amendment 1 by 104-30 and then finally passed the combined bill package by 112-25. The chamber also adopted and then finally passed the conference committee report on House Bill 2596, which was described as a small-business health insurance measure that modernizes pooled plan language and includes a contraception coverage provision expanding private insurance coverage from a six-month to a 12-month supply; the report was adopted 120-26 and the bill was finally passed 119-27. The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 905, which would create the Missouri Ranger training program and allow school districts, if they choose, to place specially trained armed rangers on campus with narrow arrest powers. Supporters argued it would give districts a voluntary, locally controlled, and potentially low-cost option to improve school safety, especially where school resource officers are unavailable or response times are long. Opponents said schools already have other options, warned about liability, funding, training, and the lack of child-development or mental-health components, and argued that more armed personnel would make schools feel more like prisons and would not address the root causes of school violence. The transcript ends during continued questioning and debate on SB 905, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill restricts residential landlords and owners of mobile home parks from prohibiting or restricting
• conditions and restrictions that HOAs adopt.
• conditions, and restrictions that HOAs adopt.
• Restricting these tools may lead to delays, inconsistencies, and missed information, ultimately harming
• We're already seeing this in Washington in places that have eased ADU restrictions, including Snohomish

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee met on cutoff day and first considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Housing Finance Commission. Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone each testified about their housing finance and affordable housing backgrounds, their prior commission or sector experience, and their interest in improving housing affordability and equity. Senators asked brief questions and offered supportive comments, and both appointments were heard without objection. The committee then heard and later acted on a series of housing-related bills. ESHB 1500 would expand resale certificate requirements for common interest communities by adding reserve studies, audits, and governing documents, limiting certain fees, allowing rush service fees, and creating enforcement rights; testimony was split between Realtors, who supported the consumer-protection goals but sought clarifications and more time for rescission, and HOA/management representatives, who warned against limiting third-party processing tools and sought more flexibility. EHB 1501 would require associations to answer certified written inquiries from owners within 30 days, subject to reasonable association rules; the sponsor framed it as a basic right to a response, while HOA representatives supported the intent but asked for clearer limits and coordination with existing law. EHB 1345 would allow detached ADUs outside urban growth areas under detailed guardrails; builders, Realtors, counties, and housing advocates supported it as a rural housing tool, and the committee heard that it had been the product of years of negotiation. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and advanced several bills. It approved a metering requirement for water use in SB 5470 on detached ADUs outside UGAs, narrowed SB 5729 to permit-review provisions, adopted a substitute for SB 6015 on permit-ready factory-built housing plans, and moved forward SB 6069 on transitional, supportive, and emergency housing with zoning and local process changes. It also advanced SB 1686 on deferred utility connection fees, SB 6200 on portable cooling devices for renters and mobile home occupants after rejecting an amendment to remove window units, SB 6201 creating tax exemptions for social housing agencies, SB 6214 establishing land bank authorities, and SB 6237 requiring flood-risk disclosures in rental housing. The committee then returned to public testimony on ESHB 1500, EHB 1501, and EHB 1345, hearing additional support and concerns, and adjourned after thanking staff for their work on cutoff day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Government does not restrict access to care.
• We've put restrictions on where it can be sold.
• But for those who cannot be around it, you would be sentencing them to a very restricted life.
• Child enticing labels, as well as clear age restrictions for all consumable products.
• However, I strongly oppose the restriction limiting legal sales only to CBD and CBG.

Bills: SB3, SB810, SB965, SB1073, SB1119, SB1505, SB 3

Keywords: Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, a non-compete covenant or agreement is a written or oral agreement where the employee
• A non-compete is void and unenforceable unless the employer complies with certain restrictions.
• An employer may not restrict space must not exceed three calendar days.
• into the covenant.
• Non-competition agreements not only restrict professionals, but punish those who are simply trying to

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact. Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• coalition of over 25 organizations including unions, faith leaders, disability justice advocates, racial
• <00:10:12.760><c> equity</c><00:10:13.200><c> leaders,</c> racial equity leaders, racial equity leaders
• Laws can shift, political winds can change, but a constitution is our covenant with one another.
• </c><01:41:30.120><c> I'm</c><01:41:30.360><c> just</c> greenlights racial profiling.
• I'm just greenlights racial profiling.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not so sure why they covenants.
• </c><01:04:59.760><c> or</c> but not not in my protected covenant or but not not in my protected covenant
• </c> this bill has multiple restrictive this bill has multiple restrictive modifications<01:20:35.360
• covenant, where there's, you know, income restrictions on who can qualify to live there, or are we looking
• </c> zone um to restrict three unrelated zone um to restrict three unrelated people<03:53:17.439><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, AB 593 clarifies limited and necessary exemptions from the data-sharing restrictions for the
• covenants that currently prohibit residential development.
• covenants that block affordable housing development.
• They're essential to individuals seeking relief under statutes such as the Racial Justice Act, resentencing
• such as those based on new evidence, prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel, Racial

Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• scholarship shaped by critical race studies with the goal of dismantling the broader infrastructure of racial
• slavery in Los Angeles as one of the founders of Los Angeles, to the dismantling of racist housing covenants
• It's gender and racial equity, but it's been expanded to so many important communities.
• President Ford said as much, said it was motivated by racial bias, by lack of political leadership and
• Our communities have also endured laws rooted in racial profiling, collective punishment, and discrimination

Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation trailer bills. AB 107 was described as a budget junior bill making technical corrections, updating federal appropriations by about $15 million, and exempting certain Proposition 4 appropriations from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending; Senator Niello objected to the transparency implications, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117 then authorized a $590 million state loan from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to provide operating support to Bay Area transit agencies, with repayment secured by transit assistance revenues and interest; supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain, while critics questioned ridership recovery, governance, and accountability. The measure passed 28-9 after extensive debate, with several senators emphasizing both Bay Area urgency and the need for broader statewide transit funding and reform. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees. Linda Hopkins, Sonoma County supervisor and air district chair, was confirmed after brief support from Senator Becker highlighting her rural North Bay perspective. Patricia Locke Dawson, Riverside mayor and South Bay air district representative, was also confirmed, with Senator Becker again praising her academic and practical background. Both confirmations passed on largely party-line votes with broad support from the majority and opposition from a small group of Republicans. The chamber next considered SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas condemning federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs under President Trump. Supporters from both parties and multiple caucuses framed DEI as essential to civil rights, education, workforce development, national defense, and inclusion for marginalized communities, while the author argued California must resist federal rollbacks. The resolution passed after a lengthy debate and roll call, with several senators also using the discussion to share personal experiences with educational access and discrimination. Finally, the Senate took up SCR 78, authored by Senator Cabaldon, commemorating the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and warning against repeating such abuses. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, citing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of museums and historic sites such as Manzanar and the Japanese American National Museum. The resolution was presented as both remembrance and a caution against fear-driven policies and erosion of due process.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:22:43.520><c> 410</c><01:22:44.000><c> could</c> restrictions in House Bill 410 could restrictions
• What is an extraordinary restriction?
• or enforce covenants going forward?
• </c><01:39:30.639><c> on</c> at section E line 22, restriction on at section E line 22, restriction on
• ><01:43:47.679><c> are</c> another case, zoning restrictions are another case, zoning restrictions are

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that are in effect as of July 1, 2024. ...with the terms of bond covenants that are in effect as of
• In some communities, there are so-called club plans, recreational covenants that reserve to a private
• not already in the association's name, and redefines the term governing documents to include all covenants
• board authorization, and when homeowners have attempted to raise concerns, participation has been restricted
• We are homeowners in Rosedale, a deed-restricted community in Manatee County, speaking on behalf of our

Summary: The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills. First, the committee took up SB 1724 on municipal utility services. A late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Martin was adopted after he explained it would require annual customer meetings for certain extraterritorial utility customers, cap the use of utility revenues for general government purposes, eliminate a 25% surcharge and reduce the rate differential cap, remove municipal natural gas utilities from the bill, and preserve certain surcharges only as needed to satisfy existing bond covenants. The Florida League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the time needed for rate studies and budget adjustments, but the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices by Senator McLean. The bill would define temporary door locking devices, authorize their installation at any height, require the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or debate, SB 936 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water and wastewater service solely because a property owner declines annexation, if the property is near a municipal main line, not served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. An amendment narrowed the bill by defining “main line” and reducing the distance threshold from 2,000 meters to one-half mile. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about large users, possible conflict with annexation law, potential enclave creation, and revenue impacts, but Senator Mayfield said he would continue working on the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, Chair Bradley presented SB 1498 on community associations. A strike-all amendment was adopted that made technical changes to video conference recording, turnover inspection reports, and electronic voting, and added provisions requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors, creating a second-degree misdemeanor for willful refusal. It also targeted mandatory club or amenity fee structures controlled by developers or third parties, declaring such provisions against public policy, limiting assessments to proportional expenses, and allowing suits and conveyance of common areas after turnover. Testimony from homeowners described alleged governance abuses and opaque, profit-driven mandatory fees in their communities, while the Community Associations Institute supported the amendment. The committee reported CS for SB 1498 favorably. Members then recorded additional votes for the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the terms of bond covenants that are in effect as of July 1, 2024, and then those surcharges must
• In some communities, there are so-called club plans, recreational covenants that reserve to a private
• not already in the association's name, and redefines the term governing documents to include all covenants
• When homeowners have attempted to raise concerns, participation has been restricted, including instances
• We are homeowners in Rosedale, a deed-restricted community in Manatee County, speaking on behalf of our

Bills: S0936, S1724, S1014, S1498

Keywords: temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, utility services, municipal agreements, public meetings, rates and fees, public service commission, municipal utility, water service, wastewater service, property owners, annexation, civil action, community associations, condominium, homeowners associations, structural integrity

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced four bills. First, members took up SB 1724 on utility services, adopting a late-filed delete-everything amendment by Senator Martin. The amended bill would require annual customer meetings for certain municipal utility customers outside city limits, cap use of gross utility revenues for general government purposes, require excess funds to be reinvested or returned, reduce the outside-city surcharge and rate differential caps, and phase out certain surcharges tied to existing bond covenants. The Florida League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the need for time to complete rate studies and budget adjustments. The committee then reported the bill favorably. Members also heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, which would define and authorize such devices, direct the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the building code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee next considered SB 1014, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water and wastewater service solely because a property owner will not annex, if the property is near a municipal main line, not already served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. An amendment narrowed the distance trigger to one-half mile and clarified the main-line requirement. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about impacts on annexation policy, potential duplication of services, and possible subsidy of outside customers, but the committee still reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1498 on community associations. A strike-all amendment made technical changes to turnover inspection and electronic voting provisions and added two major policy changes: requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors, with a misdemeanor penalty for willful noncompliance, and prohibiting certain developer-controlled mandatory club fee arrangements that generate perpetual profit beyond proportional expenses. Testimony in support came from homeowners describing alleged governance abuses and mandatory fee schemes in their communities, while the Community Associations Institute supported the amendment. The committee reported CS for SB 1498 favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senators Bracey Davis and Calatayud asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• covenants, and we are supportive of that bill from the independent perspective.
• on private property covenants.
• on private property covenants.
• While we share the concern over food access and underserved community. on private property covenants.
• And, as Katie mentioned, there's already a bill moving through the House that looks at restrictive covenants

Bills: SB5379, SB6106, SB6147, SB6180, SB5927, SB6287

Keywords: interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, laid-off employees act, WARN notice, mass layoff, business closure, plant closing, worker adjustment and retraining notification, employment security department, employee notice, layoff notice, worker protections, job loss, employment loss, public records exemption, privacy, employee names and addresses

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the presumption that heart problems in covered firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of firefighters who died of heart disease testified in support, saying the current law creates delays and burdens for grieving families; counties, cities, and self-insurers opposed the bill, citing the large fiscal impact, lack of scientific support for removing the qualifiers, and concerns about expanding presumptions without further review. An L&I researcher explained the existing time limits and said the advisory committee’s prior review did not support the change, though he noted some states have broader presumptions. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement employees. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid below comparable agencies, making arbitration important for retention and fairness. The bill was heard and left for later action. Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery establishment closures in food deserts, would require six months’ notice before closure, good-faith meetings to explore alternatives, and enforcement authority for the Attorney General and others. Supporters, including Tacoma officials, grocery workers, and community advocates, said the Fred Meyer closure in South Tacoma showed the need for more notice and community planning; grocers and industry groups opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome, arguing closures are driven by broader business and safety issues. The hearing closed without a vote. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt Indian tribes from the state WARN-style layoff notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted to ESD confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification that protects personal data; the committee noted no fiscal impact. Senate Bill 5927 would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3 percent starting in 2026. The sponsor and business/self-insurer witnesses said the cap would help address volatility and long-term unfunded liabilities; labor and injured-worker advocates opposed it, saying it would erode wage replacement for injured workers and survivors. L&I explained that it had been studying possible COLA reforms, including a 3 percent cap and a rolling-average approach, but withdrew its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would ban harmful additives and synthetic alkaloids, require labeling, set a 21+ age limit, and allow local governments to adopt stricter rules. The sponsor and poison center testimony supported regulation of concentrated 7-OH products, while industry and advocacy witnesses supported age limits and labeling but raised concerns about private lawsuits, local patchwork regulation, and the need for a state licensing framework. The committee adjourned after completing testimony on the day’s bills.