Transcript Highlights:

• good or service or other product after all applicable taxes and fees are applied, as well as any adjustments
• good or service or other product after all applicable taxes and fees are applied as well as any adjustments
• of their provinces to understand how to do rounding with the elimination of a particular piece of currency
• Are there any nuggets in that as to why it would be so high to eliminate, deal with eliminating a currency
• Businesses adjusted behavior, jobs shifted, and the tax base did not respond as predicted.

Bills: HB2334, HB2140, HB2326, HB2100

Keywords: cash transactions, pennies, currency adjustment, economic impact, consumer protection, tax exemption, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, property tax, emergency medical services, levies, healthcare funding, local government, taxation, excise tax, large companies, payroll expenses, minimum wage, Well Washington fund

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2140, which would exempt land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from the additional tax owed when land is removed from an open space current-use classification in certain circumstances. Staff explained the bill’s current-use tax rules and noted the fiscal impact is expected to be minimal but indeterminate. Representative Lowe said the bill is meant to fix a narrow problem where a county takes a small frontage strip for public purposes and the owner is still charged back taxes; FutureWise testified in support of the intent but asked for language tweaks to ensure the transferred land does not later become incompatible with agricultural or open-space use. The hearing on HB 2140 was then closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2326, which would allow a fire protection district to impose an EMS levy on the portion of its district not already covered by another taxing district’s EMS levy, with voters in the affected area approving it. Fire district and fire chief representatives testified in support, describing situations where a small overlap prevents most residents in a district from voting on or funding EMS service. Opponents argued the bill would add to property tax burdens. Testimony concluded and the hearing was closed. Next, House Bill 2334 was heard, responding to the federal decision to stop minting new pennies by setting rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents. Staff said rounding would apply only to cash payments and would occur after taxes and fees are included; the fiscal note was described as indeterminate but minimal at the state level, with some implementation costs. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments and protections related to tax obligations, consumer lawsuits, SNAP equal-treatment rules, and local ordinances; other testimony supported the measure as a practical response to the penny’s disappearance. The hearing was then closed. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2100, a proposed payroll expense tax on large operating companies to fund the new Well Washington Fund for higher education, health care, cash assistance, energy, and housing, with an oversight board and a credit for eligible city payroll taxes. Staff described a substitute narrowing the bill to employers with 250 or more employees and at least $7 million in payroll, with several public-sector and health-related exemptions; the fiscal note projected substantial revenue. Supporters, including labor, poverty, housing, health, and faith advocates, said the bill would help offset federal cuts and protect vulnerable residents. Business, retail, hospitality, construction, and chamber representatives opposed it, warning about job losses, higher costs, and harm to competitiveness. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended as a near-term response to federal funding cuts, and testimony continued with many additional witnesses before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I can pay with gold or silver, and if the person is willing to accept that as currency and you can

Bills: SB57, SB130

Keywords: property, acknowledgment, conveyance, business entities, limited liability companies, legal tender, gold, silver, bullion, specie, precious metals, coinage, currency, money, alternative currency, sound money, monetary policy, payment, debt, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2334 relates to adjusting the price of a cash transaction to eliminate the need for pennies

Bills: HB1983, HB1974, HB2334, HB2367, HB2650, HB2655

Keywords: timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on several bills. HB 2451, a substitute bill on local tax increment financing, would add conditions on where increment areas can be designated, require more detailed project analyses and earlier notice/consultation with affected taxing districts, expand dispute resolution steps, and exempt preexisting TIF areas from some changes; cities, ports, and fire/public safety stakeholders testified in support, saying the bill reflects a negotiated compromise and improves protections for impacted districts. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel incentive program from a production-capacity trigger to a date-certain start, add carbon-intensity scoring for fuels outside the Clean Fuels Program, and extend the credits through 2046; supporters said it gives certainty and helps develop sustainable aviation fuel, while an opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fuel burning and urged reducing flights instead. HB 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, move and revise the statutory definition of LECs, and let cooperatives set certain resale and return terms in their governing documents; supporters said it removes mismatched legal barriers to affordable homeownership, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive eligibility rules and asked about fair housing limits. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for certain new data centers in a specific eastern Washington county, conditioned on labor standards, job creation, and sustainability certifications; labor and economic development supporters said it would bring jobs and support related clean-energy projects, while opponents criticized the subsidy and the project labor/community workforce agreement requirements. The committee then took executive action and reported out HB 1983, HB 1974 as amended, HB 2334 as amended, HB 2367, and HB 2650, all with do-pass recommendations; HB 2367’s amendment to remove the emergency clause failed, and the committee adjourned after passing HB 2650 unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gold, you would serve as the controller of the currency, which is responsible for ensuring the safety
• It's my honor to introduce Jonathan Gold, President Trump's nominee to serve as Comptroller of the Currency
• It is an honor to appear before you today as President Trump's nominee for Comptroller of the Currency

Keywords: financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth

Summary: The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• rewritten more than a decade ago to emphasize performance pay and limit the role of cost-of-living adjustments
• It restores meaningful use of cost-of-living adjustments for educators with direct student contact.

Bills: S0920, S1036, S1216

Keywords: mathematics education, career pathways, applied algebra, college readiness, technical education, school counselors, educational standards, certification requirements, evaluation criteria, professional development, public school personnel, salary adjustment, performance salary schedule, cost-of-living adjustment, school administration

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and first temporarily postponed SB 920 on mathematics education. The committee then took up SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation, sponsored by Senator Rodriguez, which would give districts more flexibility in educator pay by restoring meaningful cost-of-living adjustments for teachers with direct student contact, allowing recognition of relevant advanced degrees, and removing rigid performance-pay caps. Several senators spoke in support, emphasizing teacher retention, compensation, and education as a state investment. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. After a brief recess, the committee considered CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, sponsored by Senator Calatayud, to address counselor shortages by removing certification barriers tied to classroom teacher requirements. The sponsor and supporting testimony described recruitment and retention problems, high counselor-to-student ratios, and the need for counselors to focus on student academics, mental health, and college/career readiness rather than administrative duties. Public testimony came from students, educators, and school personnel who described limited access to counselors and the impact on student well-being and college planning. Committee members broadly supported the bill while noting that counselors are often overburdened and that additional support personnel, including BRACE advisors, may also need attention in the future. Senators also discussed broader efficiency measures and the need for schools and colleges to improve access to guidance services. CS/SB 1036 was reported favorably by unanimous vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on the two bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how were virtual currency kiosk is?
• Chair. >> So, can you further explain the virtual currency kiosk?
• Virtual currency that they think they're purchasing to go do a scam.
• ,</c> support the future of virtual currency, support the future of virtual currency, but<00:36:36.720
• </c> integrity of the virtual currency integrity of the virtual currency industry<00:51:55.760><c> in

Bills: HB0075, HB0128

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the way these are constructed is they represent thousands of people who have a form of digital currency
• <00:33:05.519><c> these</c><00:33:05.840><c> entities</c><00:33:06.240><c> were</c> That digital currency
• That digital currency um That digital currency um allows<00:33:23.840><c> them</c><00:33:24.080><c> to

Bills: HB0075, HB0128

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Bills: SB282, SB282

Keywords: virtual currency, cryptocurrency, tax exemption, state tax law, digital assets, manufactured homes, certificate of title, Alabama Department of Revenue, law amendment, 1999 models, 1136, house, all

Bills: HB17, HB23, SB10

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice

Transcript Highlights:

• After adjusting for inflation, Minnesota ESPs today make $3,000 less than they did in 2021.
• Our budget per month has to adjust drastically. With two incomes, we won't pocket any of our wages.
• </c> Our budget per month has to adjust Our budget per month has to adjust drastically. drastically.
• </c> adjustment. So this would be aid on top. adjustment. So this would be aid on top.
• > for</c><01:25:44.920><c> inflation,</c> Not just an adjustment for inflation, Not just an adjustment

Bills: HF3119

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, combined disposable income is defined as the sum of federally defined adjusted gross
• And we make adjustments.
• And we make adjustments.
• So are you going to go off the budget amount, or is it going to be the rate that's going to adjust by
• state levy shift is indeterminate because it is unknown how many properties will qualify for the adjusted

Bills: HB2376, HB2584, HB2610, HB2615, HB2089, HB2194, HB2257, HB2528, HB2175, HB2334

Keywords: property tax, reform, local government, taxpayer, funding, agriculture, tax exemption, farm machinery, equipment, sales tax, HB 2610, property tax exemption, nonprofit housing, affordable housing, low-income housing, community use, temporary use, charitable property, Washington property tax, Department of Revenue

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on several tax-related bills. HB 2584 would create a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm machinery and equipment purchased by eligible farmers, with the sponsor and supporters saying it would help struggling agricultural producers, encourage investment in more efficient and environmentally beneficial equipment, and support rural economies. County representatives opposed extending the exemption to local sales taxes, warning that counties rely heavily on sales tax revenue and cannot absorb additional exemptions. HB 2376 would consolidate the state’s two school property tax levies into one, expand and simplify property tax relief for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans, and change how disposable income is calculated for eligibility. Supporters, including county officials and assessors, said it would help people age in place and make the program easier to use, while opponents argued it would raise taxes for some property owners and expand the state school levy. The committee also heard HB 2610, which would broaden a property tax exemption for nonprofit homeownership development so temporary nonprofit or community uses would not jeopardize the exemption; supporters said it would help nonprofits manage land during long predevelopment periods. HB 2615 would codify the Department of Revenue’s voluntary disclosure agreement program and create a temporary tax amnesty period for certain B&O, public utility, and sales/use tax liabilities. The sponsor and several tax and business witnesses said it would bring taxpayers into compliance, generate revenue, and help small businesses correct honest mistakes, while questions were raised about eligibility language for businesses involved in criminal tax prosecutions. After the hearings, the committee moved into executive action and reported HB 2194, HB 2257, HB 2528, and HB 2175 out of committee with due pass recommendations, with recorded votes showing support from most members and opposition from a minority on HB 2194 and HB 2528. The chair announced that HB 2584, HB 2610, and HB 2615 would be scheduled for executive session the following day, with no amendments allowed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And third 75 virtual currency kiosk.
• </c> currency is. currency is. How<00:20:43.480><c> it'll</c><00:20:43.720><c> work.
• </c> of virtual currency kiosks. of virtual currency kiosks.
• to digital currency directly.
• Yes, currently those ones they are doing virtual currency to virtual currency.

Bills: HB0098, HB0075, HB0041, HB0101

Keywords: gun control, Second Amendment, constitutional rights, misdemeanor, law enforcement, virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management

Bills: HB545

Keywords: HB545, legal tender, cash rounding, nearest five cents, nickel rounding, in-person cash transaction, cash transactions, change making, sales tax, Department of Revenue, merchant payments, consumer payments, currency rounding, cash payment, retail transactions, payment methods, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so it would beg the question that clearly we, with inflation since 2010 and CPI, need to do some adjustment
• provision in our bill, or this bill, I should say, has tagged a CPI and says that every five years will adjust

Bills: S0002

Keywords: retirement, Deferred Retirement Option Program, DROP, pension contributions, Special Risk Class, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustment, state officials, 999, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, including several claims bills and policy measures. It heard and approved, mostly unanimously, bills on curators of estates (SB 326, as amended), remedies under the Florida Civil Rights Act (SB 1096), a claim for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland (SB 28), a DCF-related claim for L.E. (SB 6), trust administration reform (SB 786, as amended), a Broward County claim for the estate of a deceased minor (SB 18, as amended, 10-1), a DOT claim for the estate of Mark Legata (SB 26), veterans’ courts (CS/SB 50), extracurricular activities in public K-12 schools (CS/CS/SB 538, as amended), and pet sale protections for dogs and cats (SB 1004). The committee also considered the sovereign immunity claims bill (SB 1366), which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House and was reported favorably after testimony from local government, hospital, and school representatives who urged the Senate to hold to its current lower cap levels. The committee later approved a claims bill for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV (SB 2). The meeting included repeated roll calls and favorable reports on each measure, with the only recorded no vote on SB 18 from Senator Osgood. Several bills drew testimony from supporters and, in some cases, objections. SB 50 on veterans’ courts received broad support from veterans’ groups, criminal justice organizations, and community advocates who said it would expand problem-solving court options for veterans dealing with service-related issues. SB 538 on extracurricular activities drew support and opposition, and was amended to address home education eligibility, a school activity fee issue, technical conforming changes, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was presented as consumer protection legislation aimed at retail pet dealers, requiring disclosure of animal health records and financing terms and creating a private right of action for violations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1178, which would create a foreign interference restriction and enforcement framework targeting foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations. Supporters described it as a national-security measure to limit foreign influence, protect critical infrastructure, and restrict gifts, contracts, and sister-city ties; the sponsor withdrew one amendment and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1632, dealing with ideologies inconsistent with American principles, prompted substantial questioning about due process, domestic terrorist organization designations, Sharia law references, student discipline, and notice procedures. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect constitutional principles and target conduct rather than belief, but the transcript ends while public testimony on that bill is still underway.

Transcript Highlights:

• reports, similar to those that banks and credit unions file for transactions of $2,000 or more, and a currency
• reports, similar to those that banks and credit unions file for transactions of $2,000 or more, and a currency
• reports, similar to those that banks and credit unions file for transactions of $2,000 or more, and a currency

Bills: HB2227, HB1775, HB1560, HB1642, HB1647, HB2003, HB1640, HB2198

Keywords: eviction, housing stability, tenant screening, court records, writ of possession, foreclosures, public sale, eligible bidders, housing, downpayment, judicial foreclosure, digital financial assets, consumer protection, financial kiosks, refunds, transaction security, HB1642, Hawaii, cryptocurrency ATM, crypto ATM

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 227 relating to eviction records. Supporters, including the Public First Law Center and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would help people who prevail in eviction cases avoid long-term housing harm from online court records, while the Public First Law Center said keeping records off eCourt Kokua would not violate the First Amendment because the records would still be available in person. Members discussed access-to-justice concerns, and a witness said legal aid attorneys could still access the records through the attorney-only Jeff’s system and the court’s access-to-justice room. The chair also asked about precedent, and a witness cited a Hawaii Supreme Court case as supporting removal from the online database rather than sealing records entirely. The committee then took up HP 1775 relating to foreclosures, but the transcript only shows in-person opposition comments from the Hawaii State Bar Association Collection Law Section, the Hawaii Credit Union League, and the Hawaii Bankers Association. The credit union and banking groups said they had concerns about broader negative impacts on mortgage lending and other requirements, but no detailed discussion or action was captured before the committee moved on. The next measure, HB 1560 relating to consumer protection, drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and cryptocurrency companies including Coinflip and America Digital, which said they already use wallet-pinning and other safeguards to prevent fraud. AARP Hawaii did not take a formal position but said the bill addressed a real problem, noting that Hawaii residents, especially in Kona, had lost more than $920,000 in 2024 to cryptocurrency ATM scams and arguing that stronger oversight was needed. The committee also heard HB 1642, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the ban as the best way to protect consumers from fraud, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed it, arguing kiosks provide cash-based access to crypto, especially for unbanked or underbanked consumers, and that targeted regulation would be better than an outright ban. AARP Hawaii took no formal position but strongly emphasized the harm caused by scams, saying victims are often frightened into acting quickly and that kiosk transactions currently lack enough friction or intervention. Finally, HB 1647, also on consumer protection, would impose liability on host businesses that provide space for crypto kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection warned small businesses might not understand the liability, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed the bill, saying it would unfairly shift enforcement duties to host stores and could discourage businesses from hosting kiosks, effectively creating a de facto ban. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It specifies that the rounding is applied after all applicable taxes, fees, adjustments, and discounts
• It allows the customer the option to pay the total price without any rounding adjustment if they have
• To pay the total price without any rounding adjustment if they have the exact amount in legal tender.
• Vice Chair Lovick, Senate Bill 6230, adjusting the price of a cash transaction to eliminate the need

Bills: SB6131, SB6311, SJM8016, SB6230, SB6032, SB6335

Keywords: traffic safety, roadway fatalities, Washington traffic safety commission, policy update, road safety, accident prevention, pedestrian safety, construction, accessibility, public safety, urban planning, bridge repair, infrastructure, emergency funding, transportation, cash transactions, pennies, currency, economic efficiency, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The rounding adjustment again does not affect the tax calculation, and any electronic payment from credit
• , or 9 and is rounded up, the is 3, 4, 8, or 9 and is rounded up, the rounding<00:07:45.680><c> adjustment
• </c><00:07:46.160><c> again</c><00:07:46.479><c> does</c><00:07:46.720><c> not</c> rounding adjustment
• again does not rounding adjustment again does not affect<00:07:47.199><c> the</c><00:07:47.520><c> tax

Bills: HB545, HB545

Keywords: Escambia County, probate court, court fees, legal services, judicial legislation, HB545, legal tender, cash rounding, nearest five cents, nickel rounding, in-person cash transaction, cash transactions, change making, sales tax, Department of Revenue, merchant payments, consumer payments, currency rounding, cash payment, retail transactions

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've adjusted that amendment conversation. Any other conversation on this amendment?
• </c><00:38:42.480><c> So</c><00:38:42.640><c> we've</c><00:38:42.880><c> adjusted</c><00:38:43.280><c
• So we've adjusted that good. Okay.
• So we've adjusted that amendment<00:38:44.880><c> uh</c><00:38:45.760><c> conversation.

Bills: HB0101, HB0062, HB0109

Keywords: guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, property tax, tax exemption, homeowner, armed forces, residency requirement, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As with every virtual currency bill, the nature of this bill is suspect in many ways.
• Okay, so because it didn't impact federal adjusted gross income.
• But those are below-the-line adjustments on the federal return.
• Chair, those four provisions were—they are below-the-line adjustments, correct?
• That is a below-the-line adjustment. It does not flow through for Arizona.

Bills: SB1042, SB1043, SB1044, SB1135, SB1136, SB1142, SB1180, SB1221, SB1252, SB1254, SCR1003

Keywords: public funds, virtual currency, bitcoin, investment, Arizona Strategic Digital Asset Reserve Act, state treasurer, retirement system, state payments, cryptocurrency, Arizona law, payment methods, government transactions, property tax, tax exemption, Arizona Revised Statutes, digital currency, workers' compensation, death benefits, burial costs, spousal compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll move to our second public hearing on Senate Bill 6230, adjusting the price of a cash transaction
• The bill specifies that rounding is applied after all applicable taxes, fees, adjustments, or discounts
• Senate Bill 6170 adjusts the monetary limits regarding thresholds for state forces being able to do state
• Senate Bill 6170 adjusts the monetary limits regarding thresholds for state forces being able to do state
• Vice Chair Lovick, Senate Bill 6170, adjusting monetary limits regarding contracting rules for state

Bills: SJM8016, SB6230, SB5234, SB6081, SB6265, SB6170, SB6131, SB6155, SB6176, SB6238, SB6253, SB6311, SB6032, SB6262

Keywords: bridge repair, infrastructure, emergency funding, transportation, public safety, cash transactions, pennies, currency, economic efficiency, financial regulation, snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation

Summary: The committee’s work session focused first on ignition interlock device compliance. Traffic Safety Commission staff described a Yakima County pilot that provides enhanced probation supervision and support for DUI-affected drivers, reporting that compliance with interlock installation rose from roughly 16%–20% before the program to 41% after implementation among the medium- and high-risk population. Staff identified major barriers as cost, confusing and inconsistent procedures, and transportation access, and suggested policy changes such as allowing payment plans and simplifying compliance pathways. JLARC then presented its preliminary audit, estimating an overall 41% installation/completion rate statewide, finding that installation rates rise with income, that financial assistance reaches only about 11% of eligible users on average, and that the Department of Licensing and State Patrol need clearer coordination, goals, and a formal agreement to jointly administer the program. The State Patrol also reported on a Snohomish County outreach pilot that made 616 contacts, found many drivers were unaware of financial assistance, and identified some drivers as physically unable to drive, without vehicles, unable to afford the program, or subject to active warrants; the patrol said it would continue similar outreach in Yakima and use data analysis to target compliance efforts. The committee then received a broader traffic safety update from the Traffic Safety Commission. Staff reported that serious injuries and fatalities in traffic crashes rose sharply over the last several years, though 2024 showed some improvement, including a 9% drop in fatalities and a 15% drop in impaired-driving fatalities from 2023. Pedestrian deaths remained high, while unrestrained and speeding-related fatalities also remained significant concerns. The commission also presented telematics-based research showing that targeted enforcement and visible police presence can reduce speeds; one project found each additional hour of officer presence per mile was associated with a 5.6 mph decrease in average speed. A second telematics project using opt-in insurance-based data showed high rates of phone use and speeding among drivers, and the commission said local agencies are using the tool for corridor-level enforcement planning and evaluation. In public hearing, the committee heard Senate Joint Memorial 8016, which asks federal officials to treat the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement as an emergency and to accelerate federal review. The sponsor and several supporters from Wilkeson, Carbonado, recreation groups, and nearby communities said the bridge closure has hurt tourism, emergency response, and access to Mount Rainier and surrounding recreation areas. Testimony was entirely in support, and the chair announced 67 pro and zero con sign-ins. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6230, which would require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five-cent increment in light of the Treasury’s decision to stop minting pennies. Staff explained the bill’s rounding rules and noted a Department of Licensing fiscal note of about $186,000 for technology changes; retail and food industry representatives supported the bill but asked for amendments on permissiveness, tax treatment, consumer protections, and local preemption. During executive session, staff briefed several bills and substitutes, including snowmobile registration fee increases, gender-designation record confidentiality, streamlined salvage-title transfers, utility and fish-barrier-related changes, inflation adjustments for emergency state highway work thresholds, public-health authority language for the Traffic Safety Commission, special parking privilege renewal changes, expired registration enforcement, oil tanker tug-escort requirements, and transit board labor-member provisions. No final votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided, though the committee waived the five-day notice to hear the day’s public hearing bills.