Transcript Highlights:

• Conducting activities to test seismic activity.
• I assume that's part of the seismic...
• And do you know what activities you're concerned with regarding any disturbance of the continuous disturbances
• Any continuous disturbance of the bedrock is our acute concern.
• Seismic activity is a problem. What does the state do at that point?

Bills: SB2037, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759, HB29

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Bills: SB2037, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources took public testimony on Senate Bill 1757 and its committee substitute, a measure dealing with aggregate production operations and a new permitting option for rock crushers/aggregate facilities. Testimony centered on whether the bill should remain focused on air permitting or also include broader quarry operations such as stormwater, reclamation, monitoring, and public participation requirements. Supporters of the substitute, including representatives of the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association and Associated General Contractors, said the bill would provide a voluntary third permitting option, preserve existing authorizations, and create a more practical regulatory path for Texas growth. Opponents and critics, including representatives of Texas for Responsible Aggregate Mining, Job Materials, and Public Citizen, argued the bill as written was too weak or too broad in the wrong ways. They said best management practices should be set in statute or through negotiated rulemaking rather than left to TCEQ rulemaking, and they raised concerns about limited monitoring periods, vague air-monitoring standards, public notice procedures, and the inclusion of non-air requirements in an air permit. Several witnesses said the bill should better balance industry needs with neighborhood impacts and public health protections. Chair Birdwell questioned witnesses about ongoing negotiations between industry groups and said the bill was intended to be a practical compromise. After testimony and questions, public testimony was closed. The committee left SB 1757 and its committee substitute pending, with no vote taken.

Bills: SB2037, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759, HB29

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• What does that have to do directly with seismicity?
• Our machines are not creating seismic activity.
• Seismic activity, whether your machines are running or not?
• No, we're not generating seismic activity. Correct.
• This really put a target on us as far as... seismic activity.

Bills: SB1757, SB1758, SB1898, SB2050

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• you for your continued investment in the small district modernization grant program and the school seismic
• We're very supportive of your investment in small district modernization, similar to seismic.
• And finally, we're in strong support of the school seismic safety retrofit program, $175 million, including
• We're in strong support of the school seismic safety retrofit program, $175 million, including North

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on proposed substitute HB 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff briefed the committee that the proposal totals nearly $911 million in spending, including about $400 million in bonds and significant new Climate Commitment Act funding, with major investments in housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and clean energy/decarbonization projects. The chair noted the hearing would be run at one minute per testifier due to the large number of speakers. Testimony was broadly supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Speakers highlighted funding for affordable housing and homeownership, weatherization, manufactured housing preservation, early learning facilities, behavioral health and substance use treatment, school modernization and seismic safety, community health hubs, and tribal and local infrastructure projects. Several tribal, local government, and nonprofit representatives thanked the committee for projects such as the Quinault tribal courthouse replacement, Thurston County’s justice center request, the Skokomish land return, community forests, and floodplain restoration, while urging continued support in conference with the Senate. Other testimony focused on project-specific requests, including Cascadia College’s next building, Eastern Washington University’s solar array and maintenance needs, WSU deferred maintenance and health education space, the Port of Tacoma’s cleanup grant language, and the City of Kent’s request for rooftop solar funding. Environmental and climate advocates supported investments in flood resilience, clean energy, and CCA-funded programs, while some cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. At the close of the hearing, the chair said the committee would not take amendments, would work on a technical fix striker, and planned to vote the bipartisan capital budget out on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and instead of using emotional disturbance and serious otal disturbance, we're changing to mental illness
• and instead of using disturbance and instead of using emotional<00:02:03.079><c> disturbance</c><00:
• serious otal emotional disturbance and serious otal disturbance<00:02:05.560><c> we're</c><00:02:05.719
• </c><00:03:24.440><c> and</c> terms emotional disturbance and terms emotional disturbance and emotional
• When they referred to emotional disturbance or serious emotional disturbance, we put in the terms mental

Bills: HF2196, HF2586, HF2187, HF2037

Keywords: mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board

Bills: HB55, SB15, SB247

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, sex offenders, employment restrictions, first responders, public safety, juvenile offenders, local laws, registration requirements, picketing, protesting, residential protest, noise amplification, amplified sound, residential picketing, harassment

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just really disturbed that you seem to have such a... seem to not care where people end up living
• Unreasonable, loud and unreasonable noise, disturbs. The definitions of harassment are vague.

Bills: HB2244, HB2364, HB2573, HB2749, HB2862, HB2870, HB4117, HCR2004

Keywords: evictions, judgment satisfaction, tenant rights, landlord obligations, court procedures, abortion-inducing drugs, medical abortion, pharmaceutical regulation, felonies, state law, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges, alcohol education, felony conviction, misdemeanor designation, court judgment, criminal justice reform, rehabilitation

Bills: HB259, SB247, HB259, SB247

Keywords: income tax credit, tax incentive, recruitment, remote work, remote worker, recruited worker, rural counties, small counties, county population tiers, opportunity zone, teacher recruitment, nurse recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, workforce development, economic development, relocation incentive, Alabama Department of Revenue, nonrefundable tax credit, tax carryforward, state income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, House Bill 4117 makes it unlawful to disturb a religious service by means of indecent
• Chairman, members, House Bill 4117 makes it unlawful to disturb a religious service by means of indecent
• This bill is going to make a new crime: disturbing a religious service by knowingly disturbing or disquieting
• I think at the end of the day, none of us want to be disturbed when we're at a religious service.
• For anyone, regardless of politics, to show up and try to disturb a service.

Bills: HB2495, HB2557, HB2594, HB2615, HB2800, HB2861, HB2862, HB2931, HB2995, HB4042, HB4070, HB4117, HB4136

Keywords: vulnerable adults, sentencing, felonies, criminal justice, enhanced penalties, medical records, patient rights, healthcare access, privacy, healthcare providers, timeliness, address confidentiality, domestic violence, privacy protection, voter registration, court proceedings, parenting time, supervised visitation, family court, high-risk cases

Transcript Highlights:

• Big Island maybe has a higher seismic activity than other counties, so they can adjust those types of
• Big Island maybe has a higher seismic activity than other counties, so they can adjust those types of
• Big Island maybe has a higher seismic activity than other counties, so they can adjust those types of
• Big Island maybe has a higher seismic activity than other counties, so they can adjust those types of
• To physical scope of work and define it as the size, location, and depth of ground disturbance.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing held a public hearing on January 31 and heard testimony on a series of housing and building-code bills. The first major item, HB 1 relating to building codes, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters, including BIA Hawaii, Grassroot Institute, Dr. Horton, and several builders and trade groups, argued the current code-adoption process is slow, fragmented, and costly, and that reform would help housing production. Opponents, including Sierra Club Hawaii, AIA Hawaii, ICC, and labor representative Kiko Bosi, said the bill would weaken public safety, reduce statewide consistency, and could leave tenants and first responders at greater risk. No vote was taken during the hearing, and members asked questions about the effect of a governor’s emergency proclamation suspending the Building Code Council and about county authority over code amendments. The committee then heard HB 745 and HB 1321, both also relating to building codes. Grassroot Institute supported both measures, saying the system is broken and needs streamlining, while BIA Hawaii and others emphasized the cost burden of repeated code updates. Opponents, especially Bosi and ICC, argued that the bills would undermine the State Building Code Council’s role, create confusion, and prioritize cost over safety; Bosi also said labor should be included in any code discussions. Members questioned whether counties can remove state code provisions and whether the state code already supersedes county codes, and one member noted the need for clarity and consistent enforcement rather than a wholesale overhaul. Later, the committee heard HB 284 on housing, HB 761 on county permitting and inspection, and HB 738 on historic preservation. HB 284 drew support from several housing and real estate groups, while DLNR opposed it. On HB 761, HHFDC supported the bill, DLNR warned that the proposed changes could jeopardize Hawaii’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, DAGS said it would likely need to duplicate county permitting staff, and the Department of Planning and Permitting opposed it; Grassroot Institute and NAIOP supported it. For HB 738, HHFDC, DLNR, Grassroot Institute, Hawaii YIMBY, NAIOP, and others supported the measure, with Grassroot and NAIOP suggesting clarifications so expedited review would also cover mixed-use projects and better define the scope of work. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then their next project was a $9.4 million seismic retrofit and just was not able to be able to support
• And then their next project was a $9.4 million seismic retrofit.
• And then their next project was a $9.4 million seismic retrofit and just was not able to be able to support
• the creation of a program that provides housing and other services to children with emotional disturbances
• shall not discharge such a child to, admit children with an emotional disturbance shall not discharge

Bills: SB6, SB62, SB74, SB90, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB133, SB135, SB182, SB185, SB193, SB207, SB217, SB229, SB233, SB260, SB262, SB280, SB281, SB300, SB306, SB378, SB382, SB393, SB403, SB422, SB427, SB431, SB434, SB442, SB452, SB456, SB468, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB6

Keywords: cloud seeding, Nevada, water conservation, agriculture, Desert Research Institute, victim compensation, hate crimes, property remediation, criminal justice, vulnerable persons, elections, voter registration, mail ballots, candidate eligibility, cybersecurity, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• If they weren't paying for that seismic remodel, which that building they fixed did not make it through
• So, is the seismic safety program part of the cost increase that hospitals are facing?
• As I indicated earlier, we have heard that seismic safety is an issue for hospitals.
• We talk about Medi-Cal reimbursement, talk about seismic.
• On seismic, that's a difficult one, because we want to make sure that our hospitals are a safe place

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress. The bill also included a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would have to be not-for-profit, have less than 10 days cash on hand, show best efforts to exhaust other financing, and have a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients; the bill also gives HCAI expedited contracting and rulemaking authority. Members and the LAO noted the proposal is intended as a short-term bridge until July 1, while broader hospital support is expected in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Much of the discussion focused on whether $25 million is enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day cash threshold is too narrow. Several senators argued the administration had not provided enough data or a clear methodology, and raised concerns about fairness compared with the earlier Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which used broader criteria and provided loans rather than grants. Members also raised broader policy issues affecting hospital finances, including Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, seismic retrofit costs, federal funding changes, and the need for better data and more immediate assessment of hospital distress. The LAO said the current proposal is narrower than the prior loan program and emphasized the need for better reporting and analysis going forward. Public commenters, including the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and county officials, supported the bill and urged additional longer-term funding for distressed hospitals. The chair and several members said the bill is a short-term emergency measure for a small number of hospitals at risk of imminent closure, while broader solutions will be addressed later in the budget process. AB 108 was then moved and passed out of committee on an 18-0 vote, with the roll held open briefly to secure remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The seismic issue that was addressed briefly.
• So, the seismic safety program, is that part of the cost increase that hospitals are facing?
• As I indicated earlier, we have heard that seismic safety is an issue for hospitals.
• We talk about Medi-Cal reimbursement, talk about seismic.
• On seismic, that's a difficult one, because we want to make sure that our hospitals are a safe place

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If they weren't paying for that seismic remodel, which that building they fixed did not make it through
• So the seismic safety program, is that part of the cost increase that hospitals are facing?
• As I indicated earlier, we have heard that seismic safety is an issue for hospitals.
• We talk about Medi-Cal reimbursement, talk about seismic.
• On seismic, that's a difficult one, because we want to make sure that our hospitals are a safe place

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress, along with a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would need to show less than 10 days cash on hand, best efforts to exhaust other financing options, a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients, and nonprofit status, with expedited contracting and rulemaking exemptions so funds could be distributed quickly. Members repeatedly questioned whether $25 million was enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day threshold was too narrow, while also raising broader concerns about hospital reimbursement rates, seismic compliance costs, federal policy changes, and the need for more up-to-date data and a longer-term solution. Several members and the LAO noted that the bill was intended as a short-term bridge to keep a very small number of hospitals open until July 1, while the larger distressed-hospital discussion would continue in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Some members argued the state should consider grants rather than loans more broadly, and others emphasized that hospitals serving Medi-Cal and uninsured patients, including safety-net facilities like MLK Community Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, face structural pressures. Public comment was uniformly supportive of the bill, with the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, counties, and CHLA all backing the proposal and urging additional funding for distressed hospitals in the coming budget. The committee approved AB 108 on a roll call vote of 18-0 and held the roll open briefly to secure remaining votes before formally reporting the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only that, but out of state produced water contributes to our substantial seismicity concerns, of
• Look, seismicity has been an issue basically since I've been at the commission.
• Uh, look, we, we spent a lot of time monitoring seismic.
• And so we created the permanent seismicity through the Bureau of Economic Geo uh, geology at UT.
• To OK our projects so we aren't disturbing anything.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a seismicity problem.
• The permanent seismicity arrays was it 15? 2013. 13. Okay, come on.
• Because what we now understand is deep disposal is causing some of the seismic issues.
• These seismic response areas are working because we aren't having the earthquakes in.
• Close proximity to the seismicity issues. You're talking about UIC? Yep.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Several terminals have seismic risk as well as possible water quality or environmental issues due to
• So, Michael, earlier you talked about the need for terminal work, capital work, some of which is seismic
• Can you get us information on those three terminals and is it seismic and environmental for each, or
• is it seismic for some and environmental for others?
• Seismic for some and environmental for others. Do you mind giving us that information, please?

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• to respond to the increased seismicity that Technet had reported in the area.
• Seismicity in the state of Texas has increased since 2009.
• Seismic monitoring is important.
• Uh, to the seismicity.
• Do you all partner with the DOD at all in terms of um seismic research?

Bills: HB206

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding