Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, as with oversight of the intelligence community, what our IC today needs is more leadership
• It is the relationship between the IC, the intelligence community, and the Department of Defense.
• We know that Russia's trying very hard. to penetrate our communication systems.
• That we are in the intelligence community. Yeah, we're looking into it right now.
• We have to take the politicization out of the intelligence community.

Keywords: national security, intelligence community, Aaron Lucas, Joe Kent, John Eisenberg, China threat, terrorism, collaboration, oversight, intelligence capabilities

Summary: The committee meeting centered around significant discussions regarding national security and intelligence community leadership. Notably, nominees Aaron Lucas for Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Joe Kent for Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and John Eisenberg for Assistant Attorney General for National Security were introduced. Concerns were raised about the current state of U.S. intelligence capabilities, particularly in relation to threats posed by foreign adversaries such as China and ongoing risks from terrorism. The dialogue emphasized the necessity for robust oversight and the importance of collaboration within the intelligence community, as well as with international allies, to ensure effective security measures are in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill empowers consumers, strengthens oversight, and promotes higher quality care while supporting
• We have home and community-based services, which is at the Department of Human Services.
• Home and community-based services cost about $22,000 per individual.
• These programs, home and community-based services and PACE, are underutilized because no one knows about
• We know that if we provide better information, more people will choose home and community-based services

Bills: HB3390, HB4199, HB4407, HB4412

Keywords: home care, community services, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, rating system, inspection reports, substantiated complaints, agency oversight, child care, workforce, pilot program, affordable care, income eligibility, long-term care, revolving fund, options counseling, funding, consultation services, Medicaid, community-based services, seniors

Transcript Highlights:

• the North Shore as we see the damage and that the rain and floods are right now wreaking on our communities
• </c> wreaking on our communities. wreaking on our communities.
• Testimony in support from Disability and Communications Access Board. Thank you, Ms.
• Yes, my name is Christine Pagano from Disability Communication Access Board.
• </c> and also the community and also the community committee<00:16:51.800><c> here.

Bills: SB2109, SB2151

Keywords: emergency preparedness, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, multilingual resources, American Sign Language, public education, community resilience, disaster response, emergency management, governor powers, legislative oversight, public safety, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Public Safety met on March 20, 2026, and the chair opened by noting severe rain and flooding conditions in Hawaii and said the committee would proceed with the hearing but defer decision-making until the next meeting on March 25. The first measure discussed was SB 2109, an omnibus bill on emergency preparedness communications. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from state agencies and advocacy groups such as the Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and others. Supporters emphasized the need for funding and planning for multilingual emergency materials and language access, citing current evacuation notices that were not available in languages such as Ilokano or Tongan. The chair stated that action on SB 2109 would be deferred until March 25. The committee then heard SB 2151, relating to emergency management and changes to the governor’s emergency authority. Testimony was mixed but heavily focused on concerns about executive power. Earthjustice supported the bill with amendments, saying it should narrow extraordinary emergency powers, add definitions for emergency and disaster, preserve transparency under the Uniform Information Practices Act, and lower the legislative threshold to terminate an emergency proclamation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Other supporters, including the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and some individuals, also backed reform. Opponents, including Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and numerous individuals, argued the bill still gave the governor too much power, used overly broad disaster definitions, and did not sufficiently protect constitutional rights; several urged major amendments or repeal of portions of Chapter 127A. Some opponents specifically objected to the two-thirds termination standard and to provisions they said could enable compulsory immunizations or other mandates. Members questioned Earthjustice about whether the bill would suspend constitutional rights. Earthjustice responded that the bill would not authorize constitutional violations, but would allow suspension of laws enacted by the legislature, and pointed to existing statutory procedures for individuals to challenge emergency proclamations. The witness described a Mauna Kea case in which a three-judge panel granted relief to an individual under the current statute, and explained that the process could potentially affect a broader proclamation if allowed to run to completion. The hearing continued with additional testimony and questions, but no final vote or committee action on SB 2151 was taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> patriotic service and community patriotic service and community contributions<00:15:35.360><c> of
• Clerk of the House is here to communicate with our Senate. Madam Clerk, please communicate.
• The clerk of the House is here to communicate with our Senate. Mr. Clerk, please communicate. Mr.
• The clerk of the House is here to communicate with our Senate. Mr. Clerk, please communicate. Mr.
• </c><05:26:36.878><c> Senate</c> communities. Senator Berg. Senate communities. Senator Berg.

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Strong oversight of this program.
• We also have an oversight committee.
• We have a transient community where people are coming in and out.
• That meant there was federal judge oversight of the operation.
• That meant there was federal judge oversight of the operation.

Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill, House Bill 2230, streamlining monitoring and oversight activities relating to community residential
• House Bill 2230 streamlines monitoring and oversight activities relating to community residential service
• To briefly recap, the bill limits DHS to no more than one annual routine review of community residential
• for document and record sharing between and within its divisions when performing monitoring and oversight
• It allows the notification period before release to a community facility or community transition program

Bills: HB2230, HB2364, HB2389, HB2429

Keywords: community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, poverty, task force, legislative, executive, social programs, juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee met in executive session on four bills. House Bill 2230, which streamlines DHS monitoring and oversight of community residential service providers and limits duplicate routine reviews, was amended with Harrow 796 to clarify that Adult Protective Services investigations are not subject to the routine review limits. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the substitute bill out of committee unanimously, 11-0, with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2364, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Workforce Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force, was reported out with a do pass recommendation on an 8-3 vote. Supporters said the bill updates language, broadens membership, and aligns duties; some members voted no or without recommendation due to concerns about the title change and other provisions. House Bill 2389, dealing with juvenile offender sentencing and juvenile rehabilitation capacity procedures, had no amendments to the proposed substitute and was passed out of committee 7-4. Members described it as a complex, balanced effort to modernize juvenile justice policy, address facility capacity, and preserve rehabilitation and public safety. House Bill 2429, supporting implementation of the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan for Children and Youth Behavioral Health, was amended with Wickham 846 to adjust leadership council membership and add two representatives of federally recognized Indian tribes, nominated by the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council, while preserving tribal consultation requirements. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the substitute bill unanimously, 11-0, with a do pass recommendation. At the end of the meeting, staff noted amendment requests for upcoming executive session bills were due by 10 a.m. Monday and to the EBB by 4 p.m. Monday, and the committee adjourned after announcing three bills would be up for possible executive session on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House Community Safety Committee. Today is Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
• As a reminder, House Bill 2220 concerns oversight of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, or CJTC
• It requires 98% of the revenue from the fees assessed for the offense to be directed to community-based
• I would say every community has different services.
• I think we want to move this needle forward to have good communications.

Bills: HB1591, HB2146, HB2220, HB2430, HB2526, HB2641, HB2648

Keywords: domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, survivor protections, legal remedies, defendants, sexual exploitation, minors, child safety, law enforcement, victim support, criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met in executive session to act on several bills previously heard. On House Bill 1591, the committee considered a substitute that would provide sentencing alternatives, resentencing, and record vacation relief for defendants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, with tighter eligibility standards and reporting requirements. Members discussed concerns about the scope of the relief and whether the abuse must be closely connected to the offense, but the substitute was approved and reported out 7-2 with a do pass recommendation. The committee also adopted Amendment 348 to House Bill 2146, which clarifies the offense of sexual exploitation of a minor to cover situations where a person causes a minor to view sexually explicit conduct knowing the minor’s viewing will be photographed or part of a live performance. The bill was then reported out unanimously. House Bill 2220, dealing with Criminal Justice Training Commission oversight and certification hearings, advanced on a substitute that removed a higher burden of proof, adjusted hearing panel membership, and directed rulemaking; it passed 7-2 after debate over whether the changes were a rollback of prior reforms. House Bill 2430, concerning the crime victim penalty assessment, was amended to increase assessment amounts, add a possible surcharge for defendants with substantial financial resources, tighten indigency exemptions, and preserve an indigent exception removed in the underlying bill. Supporters said the bill was needed to restore funding for victim services after prior budget cuts, and it passed unanimously. House Bill 2526, on prostitution, advanced on a substitute that renamed the offense, increased penalties for repeat buyers, directed most fee revenue to survivor-led organizations, and added an emergency clause; Amendment 275 was adopted to require law enforcement referrals to services before arrest in the first two investigative detentions and to add protections for people reporting other crimes. The bill passed 5-4 after substantial disagreement over whether the measure would help survivors or effectively decriminalize prostitution. Finally, House Bill 2648, addressing state and local law enforcement interactions with federal immigration enforcement, was amended to require body camera and dash camera activation during certain encounters, reporting to agencies, and indemnification protections for officers. Supporters framed the bill as clarifying duties and protecting civil rights, while opponents argued it could interfere with law enforcement and federal cooperation. The committee reported the bill out 6-3. House Bill 2641 was deferred, and the committee adjourned after completing action on the listed House bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to changing the eligibility for community.
• , reporting, and formatting requirements set out by the TDCJ Community Justice and Assistance Division
• Across four different funding lines and outside funding sources, to ensure local Community Supervision
• The TDCJ Community Justice and Assistance Division already has the responsibility to monitor and audit
• The Community Justice Assistance Division does all of the oversight for CSCDs.

Bills: SB663, SB958

Keywords: community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 958, Texas Government Code, nondisclosure, order of nondisclosure, criminal history record information, trafficking of persons, human trafficking, compelling prostitution, survivor rights, record sealing, expunction, deferred adjudication, prostitution, controlled substances, theft

Transcript Highlights:

• amazing thought partner with us along this journey and has really provided a lot of guidance and oversight
• Just a quick question: as the bill does require a little bit more oversight and reporting, especially
• from municipalities, I just wanted to preclude as many of our smaller communities or regional animal
• And I'm planning for many different areas in the Commonwealth, and I mean within our community, sorry
• It would allow us to be able to execute our master plan and benefit our community through affordable

Bills: H4738, H4843, H4844, H4845, H4849, H4878, H4887, H4924, H5052, H5053, S2878, S2894, S2897, H5102, H5107, H5108, H5109, H5128, H5136, S2963, S2956

Keywords: Holyoke, City Council, municipal governance, special meetings, local government transparency, park land exchange, Lexington, public use, school committee, athletic fields, town administrator, employment authority, Wilbraham, local law, Uxbridge, public meeting notices, legal notices, municipal transparency, local government, digital publication

Bills: SB325, SB370

Keywords: AIDT, Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute, Department of Commerce, procurement, competitive bidding, contract review, legislative oversight, economic development, workforce development, Strategic Workforce Plan, state purchasing, state contracts, public procurement, exemption, higher education, universities, community colleges, public hospitals, health care procurement, transportation procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• This past summer I was part of an oversight committee, and what that oversight committee would have done
• Representative Blackman: Community safety.
• , communities where they are rooted and a part of the fabric of those communities.
• , communities where they are rooted and a part of the fabric of those communities.
• make our neighborhoods and communities less safe.

Bills: SB1032, SB1055, SB1107

Keywords: corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy

Transcript Highlights:

• independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients in any form of therapeutic communications
• independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients in any form of therapeutic communications
• For example, the definition of therapeutic communication is broad enough.
• For example, the definition of therapeutic communication is broad enough that it could cover routine
• and it's their job. to some could be really meaningful to the people in in their communities and it's

Bills: HB2564, HB2599, HB1809, HB2242, HB2261, HB2384, HB2505

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, certification, state regulation, health plan, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, behavioral health, mental health crisis, crisis response, co-response, co-responder, first responder, EMS, emergency medical services, paramedic, EMT

Summary: The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2564, concerning the health benefit exchange, and House Bill 2599, concerning the use of AI in therapy services. HB 2564 would let the exchange adopt annual market-factor certification criteria to address access and affordability issues, including requiring more meaningful plan differences, broader county participation, and availability of lower-premium options. Supporters, including the exchange, former Sen. Karen Kaiser, consumer advocates, rural and tribal representatives, and some brokers, said the bill could help prevent bare counties, improve affordability, and reduce confusing plan duplication. Opponents, including carrier groups, insurers, the hospital association, and insurance producers, warned it could reduce carrier participation, create uncertainty, overlap with OIC authority, and raise provider costs. HB 2599 would restrict licensed therapy providers from using AI to make independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients, generate treatment plans without review, or advertise AI as therapy; supporters said it was needed to prevent deceptive or dangerous chatbot therapy, while several professional groups and Teladoc supported the intent but asked for narrower definitions and clearer carveouts for routine clinician-supervised tools. The committee also heard testimony on the bills’ details and possible amendments, but took no public-hearing votes on either bill. In executive session, the committee considered five bills. HB 1784, on certified medical assistants entering and activating orders, passed with a proposed substitute that added standing written protocols, annual review requirements, and a 24-hour countersignature deadline; it was reported out 18-0. HB 2242, on preventive services and immunization recommendations, had three amendments considered: two were rejected and one JLARC study amendment was adopted, after which the substitute bill passed 11-7. HB 2384, on actuarial reviews for continuing care retirement communities, passed as a substitute after technical changes and was reported out 16-2. HB 2505, creating an exemption from adult family home licensure for certain foster family situations, adopted an amendment adding disqualifying conditions and then passed 18-0. The committee deferred action on HB 1809 and HB 2261, and adjourned after completing its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move on to Senate Bill 5942, the DCYF Oversight Board.
• Senate Bill 5942, the DCYF Oversight Board. There is an amendment labeled C-1.
• And we are moving on to Senate Bill 6024, Community Residential Services Providers.
• And we are moving on to Senate Bill 6024 community residential services providers.
• And we are moving on to Senate Bill 6024, Community Residential Services Providers.

Bills: SB5977, SB6184, SB5681, SB5917, SB5942, SB6024, SB6036, SB6080, SB6085

Keywords: child safety, near fatalities, public reporting, child welfare, transparency, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, employment services, community inclusion, age limitations, disability services, home and community living, abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held public hearings on two bills before moving into executive session on several measures. SB 5977, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, would require DCYF to publish near-fatality review reports within 180 days and post them publicly, with confidential information redacted; the sponsor said the goal was transparency, accountability, and child protection. No one testified on the bill. SB 6184, the Office of Homeless Youth request bill sponsored by the chair, would modernize and clarify OHY statutes, including allowing crisis residential centers to withhold immediate parental notification for compelling reasons such as protected health care, renaming and making permanent the H-Sync program, expanding youth housing eligibility and uses of funds, and updating terminology; OHY, advocates, school-based support providers, and a youth testifier all spoke in support, emphasizing flexibility, respectful language, and better support for unhoused youth. In executive session, the committee adopted the proposed substitute for SB 5681 and sent it to Ways and Means after rejecting an amendment that would have lowered the age for developmental disability services. For SB 5917, dealing with Department of Corrections distribution of abortion medication, the committee adopted one amendment to prioritize Indian health care providers and urban Indian health organizations, rejected numerous other amendments, and advanced the bill as amended to Rules. The committee also rejected all proposed amendments to SB 5942 except one technical amendment renaming the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board and keeping it in the governor’s office; the bill then passed to Rules. SB 6024, which would avoid duplicative audits for community residential providers, passed without amendment. The committee adopted a technical amendment to SB 6036, allowing certain former foster care licensees to be exempt from adult family home licensing when caring for an aging-out foster youth, and sent it to Rules. For SB 6085, the committee adopted an amendment restoring law library funding from the institutional welfare account, rejected several transparency and spending restrictions, and advanced the bill to Ways and Means. Across the executive session, most other amendments offered by Sen. Christian were rejected, and the committee repeatedly voted to move the bills forward despite his objections; the final actions were to advance the measures as amended or in proposed substitute form, with the bills passing subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I talked to local community members, they welcomed this idea.
• We've already communicated that to her, and we've communicated that to the advocates as well.
• The second, it raises community vitality.
• That event brought $7 million in economic impact to our community.
• The second, it raises community vitality.

Bills: HB2278, HB2325, HB2481, HB2503

Keywords: tourism, promotion areas, state funding, economic development, community engagement, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2325, which would create a statewide tourism self-supported assessment program under the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority. Staff explained the bill would let tourism-related businesses vote on and fund a new assessment program, overseen by a ratepayer board, with a new public records exemption for business financial information. The prime sponsor and supporters from State of Washington Tourism, hospitality, breweries, wine, and the Port of Seattle said the bill would provide sustainable, industry-led tourism funding and help Washington compete with other states. Opponents argued it would amount to another tax on businesses and raised concerns about unelected bodies having taxing authority. The hearing on HB 2325 was then closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2481, which would prohibit surveillance-based pricing, surge pricing, and certain electronic shelf label uses in grocery stores, while requiring price transparency and a Commerce study on electronic shelf labels. The sponsor said the bill is intended to stop individualized, data-driven pricing that could charge different customers different amounts for the same item. Labor and consumer advocates supported the bill, saying it would protect shoppers and workers from unfair pricing and confusion. Grocery and retail groups opposed the bill as drafted, warning that the definitions could unintentionally restrict loyalty programs, discounts, inventory management, markdowns, and electronic shelf labels that improve efficiency. Members and the sponsor discussed possible amendments, and the hearing was closed. House Bill 2503, regulating artificial intelligence training data, was then heard. Staff said the bill would require developers of generative AI systems to post high-level documentation about training data, including sources, size, and whether copyrighted or licensed data was used, with violations treated as Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor said the bill is meant to provide a basic “ingredients label” for AI and build public trust. Tech industry witnesses generally supported the transparency goal but asked for clearer alignment with California’s law and raised concerns about enforcement and private rights of action. Some other testimony supported stronger enforcement and transparency. The committee closed the hearing on HB 2503 and then opened House Bill 2278, which would remove the July 1, 2027 sunset on the additional $3 per room per night lodging charge in tourism promotion areas. The sponsor said the charge has produced a strong return on investment and supports local tourism promotion; one opponent argued tourism taxes and broader state tax burdens make Washington less attractive to visitors. The hearing on HB 2278 continued with additional testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• not only allow for more affordable housing so that our mental health providers stay within the communities
• Um, promotes fairness and public confidence in oversight bodies while still allowing municipalities the
• On behalf, on behalf of the North Texas business community, I encourage you to support SB 2299 to ensure
• This state law would nullify that Dallas victory and silence communities across Texas.
• I urge you to reject this bill and preserve the power of communities to hold their cities accountable

Bills: SB 250, SB 375, SB 536, SB 845, SB 1633, SB 1944, SB 1957, SB 2081, SB 2137, SB 2262, SB 2299, SB 2419, SB 2452, SB 2522, SB 2549, SB 2594, SB 2605, SB 2631, SB 2639, SB 2675, SB 3029, SJR 60, HB 22, HB 1392, HB 2525

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, SB 1633, Texas Tax Code

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to their community. to their community.
• This bill would wave cost community.
• </c> Partner with us to help our community Partner with us to help our community ensuring<00:10:45.760
• </c> Minnesota to stop hurting the community Minnesota to stop hurting the community that<00:15:17.199
• </c> community anywhere I can. Thank you, Mr. community anywhere I can. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Bills: HF4421, HF1937, HF4675, HF4715, HF4684

Keywords: county cost share, economically distressed county, human services finance, substance use disorder treatment, SUD services, civil commitment, state aid, county levy, poverty threshold, tax-exempt acreage, property tax exemption, Minnesota human services, county fiscal relief, local government finance, chemical dependency, behavioral health, PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services

Transcript Highlights:

• IT oversight was a shared responsibility with other office leadership areas, with only a few IT staff
• Prior to this, IT oversight was a shared responsibility with other office leadership areas, with only
• Finally, when we looked at the network data and communication protections, we did find a variety of best
• </c> network data and communication network data and communication protections<00:18:09.480><c> we</c
• This is for the repeal of the Driver and Vehicle Services Oversight Committee.

Bills: HF1060, HF1062

Keywords: sports facilities, Minnesota, legislative commission, financial oversight, accountability, HF1062, driver and vehicle systems oversight committee, MNLARS, VTRS, vehicle title and registration system, driver's license system, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, MN.IT, legislative oversight, transportation finance, state government, committee repeal, sunset provision, information technology audit, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Authority the state agency responsible for the governance of tax funds rather than the rate payer oversight
• This amendment allows the removal of a rate payer oversight board member for inefficiency, neglect of
• And then we also have the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority that will be the official oversight,
• not just oversight, but actually the authorizing agency that provides both, based on all the advisory
• Representative Paul continued that the program helps bring people into communities, especially in the

Bills: HB2325, HB2481, HB2503, HB2397, HB2278, HB2417

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee met in executive session and considered six bills. House Bill 2325, creating a tourism self-supported assessment program for statewide tourism promotion, was amended to add certain large restaurants and retailers to the assessment, adjust enforcement language, remove a report-reference requirement, and make the Washington State Tourism Marketing Authority the governing agency. The committee adopted Amendment WAIL 264 and then voted 12-0, with one excused, to report the substitute bill out with a do pass recommendation. Members supporting the bill emphasized tourism’s economic benefits, local flexibility, and the need to increase statewide marketing. House Bill 2481, addressing surveillance-based price discrimination and surge pricing for retail goods, was discussed with a proposed substitute and several amendments, but Representative Kloba withdrew the substitute proposal before action, leaving the bill as written. Members debated fairness in grocery pricing, with supporters arguing consumers should pay the same price regardless of personal data and opponents expressing concern about the bill’s mechanics and impact on retailers. The committee voted 8-4, with one excused, to report the bill out with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2503, concerning documentation of data used to train AI and generative AI systems, was amended to require posting additional documentation describing efforts to remove child sexual abuse material from training datasets. The committee adopted the amendment and then voted 8-4, with one excused, to pass the substitute bill out of committee. House Bill 2397, on reimbursements under the State Fire Services Mobilization Plan, was amended so the 60-day reimbursement clock begins when complete documentation is received; it then passed 12-0, with one excused. The committee also unanimously approved House Bill 2278 on tourism promotion areas and House Bill 2417 on victim protections under the Washington Code of Military Justice, each by 12-0 votes with one excused.