Transcript Highlights:

• way of background, disposition of human remains after cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic

Bills: HB2239, HB2304, HB2095, HB2248

Keywords: interment, location choices, remains, Washingtonians, funeral services, condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, corporate filings, secretary of state, business entity filings, annual reports, foreign corporation

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2239, which would allow family burial grounds on privately owned land. Staff explained that the bill would permit private landowners to establish burial areas, including mausoleums or columbaria, with limits on size, setbacks, recording requirements, and construction standards, while leaving some questions about obligations of later property owners and local regulation. The sponsor said the measure is intended to help rural families and some Native communities keep burial sites on land with deep family and cultural significance. Testimony from a farmer and the Washington Cattlemen’s Association strongly supported the bill as a way to honor family roots and land stewardship. The committee then heard House Bill 2304, a follow-up to last year’s condominium warranty reform. The bill would expand eligibility for the 2-10 warranty option to stacked-flat and other condominium buildings up to four stories, rather than limiting it to lower-rise buildings. The sponsor and supporters from housing, builder, realtor, AARP, Habitat for Humanity, Seattle, and other groups said the change would help make condos and stacked flats more feasible to build, increase attainable homeownership, and improve accessibility for older adults and people with mobility challenges. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill but suggested technical language changes, saying the warranty product is not insurance under the insurance code. In executive session, staff reviewed House Bill 2095, which would add education requirements and civil-liability changes related to vulnerable users of public ways, and House Bill 2248, which makes technical changes to Secretary of State filing laws. The committee deferred action on HB 2095. It then voted 11-0, with two excused, to report the proposed substitute for HB 2248 out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it addresses provisions of the Uniform Business Organization Code, which provides general rules
• The Secretary of State also administers the state's International Student Exchange Program.
• An International Student Exchange Program, International Student Exchange Program, an International Student
• Exchange Visitor placement organization that operates in Washington must register with the Secretary
• State's office, and there are circumstances under which the Secretary of State must terminate a placement

Bills: HB2248, HB2158, HB2178

Keywords: corporate filings, secretary of state, business entity filings, annual reports, foreign corporation, domestic corporation, nonprofit corporation, registered agent, trademark assignment, charities division, entity registration, foreign registration, ministerial filing duty, filing refusal, international student exchange, exchange visitor placement organization, doing business in Washington, remote worker, branch campus, notary certification

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2248, a Secretary of State cleanup bill covering business filings, foreign entity registration, trademarks, international student exchange program procedures, and authentication services. The prime sponsor and Secretary of State staff described it as a technical clarification measure that does not create new fees or policy changes. Testimony supported the bill, and a question from the ranking member focused on trademark assignment tracking; staff said the public record would still reflect ownership changes. No vote was taken on HB 2248 during the hearing. In executive session, the committee first considered House Bill 2178, which revises court rules and procedures and includes a substitute that removes a two-year extension for electronic submission of protection order petitions while adding statutory authority for the state treasurer to distribute LFO collection grants to county clerks. Members generally supported the substitute, though one member voted no without recommendation over concerns about how the change affects compliance with earlier legislation. The committee approved the substitute 10-2, with one excused, and reported HB 2178 out with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2158, which updates the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts for remote notarization of tangible records. The substitute narrowed the procedure for confirming a record’s identity, added the word “tangible” for clarity, delayed the effective date to January 1, 2027, and made a technical correction. Supporters said the changes improve clarity, address implementation concerns, and give the Department of Licensing time for rulemaking. The committee approved the substitute unanimously, 12-0 with one excused, and reported HB 2158 out with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year alone, visitors spent nearly $30 billion in our state.
• Last year alone, visitors spent nearly $30 billion in our state.
• These communities rely on visitor spending.
• However, we're a community also of about 70,000 winter visitors.
• Last year alone, visitors spent nearly $30 billion in our state.

Bills: HB2107, HB2588, HB2946, HB2950

Keywords: SNAP, nutrition assistance, fast food, vitamins, waiver, food policy, municipal planning, homeowner association, building permits, single-family home, property rights, design standards, development fees, municipalities, infrastructure, public services, annual reporting, property development, tourism improvement area, TIA

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the chairman of the Greater O'Gala Santa Cruz County Port Authority, which is an organization comprised
• of Apache Junction for development and construction of enhancements to Superstition Trails and a visitor
• The Superstition Trails and a visitor gateway. I have to answer questions.

Bills: HB2113, HB2237, HB2824, HB2926, HB2939, HB2950

Keywords: utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, appropriation, Apache Junction, tourism, recreation, Superstition trails, funding, infrastructure, C-PACE, capital expenditure, special assessment, property improvement, local government financing, energy efficiency, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• engine for cultural exchange.
• Flickerville has a vibrant festival economy, attracting visitors from all over the state.
• dollars back into facilities and capital improvements that are primarily used by those visitors.
• For the larger towns, we need the visitor money.
• I think there's a lot of benefit to having visitors come to our state and our city.

Bills: SB1071, SB1444, SB1483, SB1556, SB1703, SB1756, SB1854, SB2036, SB2133, SB2297, SB2622, SB2779, SB2955, SB2979

Keywords: municipality, tax revenue, hotel project, convention center, economic development, hotel tax, municipal authority, local governments, local authority, convention centers, hotel occupancy tax, municipal finance, local tax revenue, tourism, hotel and convention center project, Tax Code Chapter 351, city revenue, special district, Texas municipalities, venue financing

Transcript Highlights:

• They hold campus events with some of these organizations here in the United States, here in Louisiana
• They hold campus events with some of these organizations here in the United States, here in Louisiana
• Foreign source shall mean any of the following: a partnership, association, corporation, organization
• A partnership, association, corporation, organization, or any other combination of persons organized
• It's a North Carolina company, incorporated and organized in Delaware, with offices across the United

Bills: HR171, HCR49, HB632, HB1084, SB310, SB351, SB399

Keywords: HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who have knowledge of or involvement in an organization
• I also shared with you research that my organization, PSM, has done over the last year, studying illegal
• As you are also probably aware, there are organizations that are 503A, and then there are organizations

Bills: HB2746, HB2750, HB2765, HB4036

Keywords: trade offices, committee, Arizona commerce authority, stakeholder input, efficiency, Arizona-Sonora, Sonora, Mexico, trade commission, cross-border trade, bilateral trade, international trade, economic development, foreign relations, border economy, investment, infrastructure, business exchange, academic exchange, legislative commission

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> placement, an 87% decrease from 2019. placement, an 87% decrease from 2019.
• :50.080><c> was</c> That adoption placement agreement was That adoption placement agreement was denied
• </c> relative placement instead. relative placement instead.
• </c> against relative placement. against relative placement.
• ,</c> placement or if placement occurs, placement or if placement occurs, staying<01:02:25.040><c> within

Bills: HF3665, HF3002, HF4217, HF4125, HF4174

Keywords: foster care, early childhood education, child care programs, placement plan, social services, extended foster care, kinship care, relative custody, permanent legal and physical custody, Northstar kinship assistance, independent living plan, transition services, youth aging out of care, medical assistance, Medicaid, child welfare, children youth and families, out-of-home placement, case plan, relative placement

Bills: SJR7, SB261

Keywords: property exchange, Santa Fe, real estate, urban development, state-owned property, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, 996, all

Bills: SJR7, SB261

Keywords: property exchange, Santa Fe, real estate, urban development, state-owned property, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, 996, all

Bills: SJR7, SB261

Keywords: property exchange, Santa Fe, real estate, urban development, state-owned property, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• standards and requirements, and it changes submission frequency requirements for student teacher field placement
• He said the research was conducted by a very prominent research organization, though he could not recall
• The chair said the research had been conducted by a prominent research organization, though he could
• and requirements and changes the frequency for those requirements for student and teacher field placement
• and requirements and changes the frequency for those requirements for student and teacher field placement

Bills: SB6278

Keywords: teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12, high-need schools, Title I, special education, English language learner, rural schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Under IDEA and OSPI rules, any individual or organization may file with OSPI a written, signed complaint
• Finally, beginning January 1, 2027, the student teacher field placement plans must be submitted to the
• Finally, beginning January 1st, 2027, the student teacher field placement plans must be submitted to
• One notable change is that the bill grants greater flexibility for the submission of field placement
• The requirement that programs are to submit field placement plans every even-numbered year, and this

Bills: SB6278

Keywords: teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12, high-need schools, Title I, special education, English language learner, rural schools

Transcript Highlights:

• child is taken into custody under one of those methods, or when a petitioner is seeking out-of-home placement
• And interestingly, our organization both has representatives and members who represent parents' rights
• We would also urge stronger partnerships with community-based organizations, so families receive help
• With community-based organizations, so families receive help from trusted providers in their own communities—organizations
• Akin is a statewide community-based organization focused on strengthening families, preventing harm,

Bills: HB2511, HB2660

Keywords: child welfare, dependency, imminent physical harm, child abuse, neglect, foster care, extended foster care, shelter care, out-of-home placement, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, family law, juvenile court, child protection, unsafe home, substance use, caregiver impairment, relative placement, guardianship, adoption

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2511, which would define “imminent physical harm” in the child welfare context as a substantial risk of serious harm arising from home conditions, caregiving conduct, neglect, unsafe environments, substance use, or other circumstances likely to cause significant injury. Representative Tom Dent, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to give caseworkers clearer tools to protect children while preserving family unity when possible. Supporters, including some foster parents, kinship caregivers, DCYF staff, and advocates, argued the current standard is too vague or inconsistently applied and has contributed to fatalities and near-fatalities. Opponents, including legal aid, public defense, and family-support advocates, said the bill is legally inconsistent, could increase removals, and should be paired with more services and training rather than a broader removal standard. DCYF testified “other,” saying clearer language could help but that the bill’s wording raised concerns; no vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2660, which would allow courts at shelter care hearings to order certain safety conditions and services for parents of children under five when a child is returned home, with referrals required within seven days and participation not treated as an admission of abuse or neglect. Representative Lisa Ortiz-Self said the bill is aimed at critical incidents, especially among very young children, and would let courts impose conditions when there is reasonable concern even if the child does not meet the removal threshold. DCYF and the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds supported the bill, saying it could help prevent future critical incidents and allow earlier intervention, though they emphasized the need for services. Some child welfare and legal organizations were neutral or opposed, raising constitutional and due process concerns and warning that services alone do not ensure safety. Several testifiers urged more community-based treatment and in-home supports; no vote was taken on either bill.

Bills: SB94

Keywords: adoption, adoptive parent, adoptee, minor adoption, adult adoption, Alabama Minor Adoption Code, Alabama Adult Adoption Code, Department of Human Resources, DHR, county department of human resources, putative father registry, paternity, consent, relinquishment, implied consent, notice of adoption, contested adoption, home study, pre-placement investigation, post-placement investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• communities in particular, this can be a meaningful tool to elevate their visibility, attract new visitors
• Destinations will fund them locally using TIA dollars that come almost entirely from out-of-state visitors
• Destinations will fund them locally using TIA dollars that come almost entirely from out-of-state visitors
• Why not just have your organization offer this as a service to go to each hotel and say, 'For this much
• The Sound Money Defense League is a grassroots public policy organization that works to promote gold,

Bills: HB2091, HB2140, HB2320, HB2384, HB2398, HB2502, HB2780, HB2918, HB2939, HB2950, HB2999, HB4020, HB4026, HB4029

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, investment, state treasurer, gold bullion, treasury management, financial regulations, school districts, bonds, financial advisors, elections, municipal advisors, cost of borrowing, lease agreements, school property, tax exemptions, impact aid revenue bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to elevate all of the other powerhouse organizations across Hawaiʻi doing the same work.
• of the other uh powerhouse powerhouse powerhouse who<00:24:08.960><c> and</c><00:24:09.200><c> organizations
• </c><00:24:09.840><c> across</c><00:24:10.240><c> Hawaii</c> who and organizations across Hawaii who
• and organizations across Hawaii doing<00:24:11.120><c> the</c><00:24:11.440><c> same</c><00:24:11.600
• </c><01:35:59.520><c> wish</c> of two two competing organizations wish of two two competing organizations

Bills: HB1881, HB2218, HB1956, HB2151, HB1845, HB1844, HB2103, HB2424, HB1650, HB376, HB2599, HB1861

Keywords: land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this would allow someone to stay in the placement that's ordered by the judge until they turn 19.

Bills: SB1558, SB1983, SB1796, SB1806, SB1426, SB633

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Transcript Highlights:

• So this would allow someone to stay in the placement that's ordered by the judge until their 19th birthday

Bills: SB1558, SB1983, SB1796, SB1806, SB1426, SB633

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Summary: The committee first announced that Senate Bills 1426 and 633 would not be heard and then took up several foster-care-related measures. Senate Bill 1983, presented by Representative Kane, would require the Department of Human Services to provide aggregated foster care data to private child-placing agencies under contract with DHS so they can better identify shortages, placement needs, and sibling separation issues. Members discussed how the information would be used and emphasized that no private information would be shared. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to oversight. Majority Leader Lawson then presented Senate Bill 1796, which largely codifies existing foster care administrative rules and adds a 72-hour cap for informal care. Members asked about screening and background checks for temporary caregivers, and Lawson explained that caregivers must be screened and that DHS must verify placements are safe. The bill passed 6-0 and moved on. Lawson also presented Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for certain youth who are aging out or who achieved permanency after age 16, with education, training, or work requirements. Members discussed the need for post-21 services, possible future review of additional supports, and the bill’s potential to draw federal matching funds. It passed 6-0 and was reported out. Representative Geis presented Senate Bill 1558, which clarifies the definition of a child for licensing level E group homes so a youth can remain in a judge-ordered placement until age 19 to receive rehabilitation services. The committee had no questions or debate, and the bill passed unanimously 6-0. In closing, the chair thanked members for their attendance and work on children and family issues, noted the committee’s accomplishments during the year, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• TPIGA is a non-profit organization that was created by the legislature.
• private health insurance into the OIG's Texas Fraud Prevention Partnership, enabling real-time data exchange
• Expectations should look like when a consumer is trying to exchange one annuity for another in what's
• called a 1035 exchange.
• secondary insurance. in order for them to maintain a transplanted organ.

Bills: HB1464, HB1635, HB2516, HB3317, HB3502, HB4012, HB4268, HB4386, HB4877, SB916

Keywords: prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool