Kristen Frazier — Kristen Frazier appears before the committee regarding her potential appointment to the Board of Tax Appeals, delivers her remarks, and concludes by inviting questions from members.
Kristen L. Frazier — Kristen L. Frazier is sworn in and affirms that her testimony and submitted documents are truthful, then introduces herself as the governor’s appointee pending confirmation to serve as an independent member of the Board of Tax Appeals.
June Robinson — Frazier refers to Senator Robinson as someone familiar with the committee's work.
June Robinson — The witness addressed Chair Robinson while giving testimony.
Drew Hansen — The speaker notes Representative/Senator Drew Hansen’s presence, thanks him for his service, jokes about accidentally using the wrong title out of habit, and then asks him a question about Board of Tax Appeals challenges.
SB5893 — The chair announces the committee will move on to public hearings on bills, starting with a bill transcribed as 'Senate Bill 5893,000' (questionable transcription).
SB5893 — Senate Bill 5893 was introduced as an appropriations bill aimed at long-term forest health and wildfire reduction. It would move money from the Natural Climate Solutions Account into a dedicated wildfire and forest health account, providing $65 million and bringing the account total to $125 million. The bill was then discussed in support as funding wildfire response and forest health work.
SB5893 — The witness testified in strong support of the bill.
SB5893 — The chair closed public testimony and the hearing on SB 5893.
HB1168 — House Bill 1168 is referenced as the 2021 law that originally envisioned full funding for wildfire response and forest health work, with the later mention repeating and reinforcing that same point.
Jed — Provided the committee briefing on Senate Bill 5893.
Jed — Answered questions about the account balance and transfer sufficiency.
Steve Conway — Steve Conway repeatedly asked how much money is in the Natural Climate Solutions Account, what the total balance is, and whether there is enough money available to make the proposed transfer.
Matt Domit — Matt Domit is called to testify and then speaks as an advocate for the Washington Forest Protection Association, representing large private forest landowners, in support of Senate Bill 5893.
Jesse Pistana — Called to testify as an advocate; spelling uncertain.
Heath Heichola — Called to testify as an advocate; spelling uncertain.
Washington Forest Protection Association — Organization represented by Matt Domit in support of the bill.
SB5893 — The witness testified in support of the bill and wildfire resilience funding.
Heath Eichla — Testified on behalf of the American Forest Resource Council in support of SB 5893.
Shelly Short — Geisler thanked Senator Short for sponsoring the legislation and for leadership on wildland fire efforts.
George Geisler — Identified himself as Washington State Forester and DNR deputy over forest resilience and wildland fire management programs.
SB6229 — The committee moved on to Senate Bill 6229, which concerns taxation of long-term capital gains from Section 1202 small business stock.
SB6229 — The bill is opposed because it would weaken the QSBS exemption.
SB6229 — Described as breaking a promise to protect QSBS and increasing the tax burden when founders and early employees finally succeed.
SB6229 — Amy Harris urges the committee to reject the bill.
SB6229 — The witness testifies in strong support of the bill.
SB6229 — The chair closes public testimony and public hearing on Senate Bill 6229.
Tiani — Tiani, a committee staff member, briefs the committee on SB 6229 and then concludes the presentation, inviting questions from members.
SB6029 — SB 6029 is described as making the excluded amount from long-term capital gains on the sale of qualified small business stock (QSBS) subject to Washington’s capital gains tax.
Patrick Connor — Patrick Connor is called forward for public testimony and then appears on behalf of NFIB representing Washington to testify that small business owners oppose bill 6229.
Aviel Ginsburg — Aviel Ginsburg is called forward for public testimony and then appears to testify as president of Foundations, the largest community of tech founders in the Pacific Northwest, stating his respectful opposition to SB 6229.
Dave Parker — Dave Parker was called forward, along with other listed witnesses, to provide public testimony.
Amy Harris — Amy Harris was called forward for public testimony.
Amy Harris — Amy Harris, Government Affairs Director for the Washington Technology Industry Association, introduces herself and begins testimony opposing Senate Bill 6229. She explains that WTIA believes the bill would weaken the qualified small business stock exemption, which she describes as an important incentive for founders and early employees and a support for innovation.
Gensberg — A witness name is called, but the spelling is uncertain and may refer to Aviel Ginsburg.
Dave Perker — Testifies as a Washington native, startup founder, and former chair of startup programs at the Washington Technology Industry Association in opposition to the bill.
Jamie Pedersen — Senator Wellman asks a question about whether the witness represents any venture capitalists and their views on the bill.
Lisa Wellman — Asks the witness whether he represents any venture capital firms and what their views are on the bill.
Founders Co-op — The witness says he is a general partner there and describes its fund size and history.
Nikki Torres — Senator Torres is referenced as the member asking follow-up questions and then asks whether removing the exemption would weaken startups, companies, and entrepreneurs in Washington State.
Stephanie McClintock — A senator identified as Benke asks for specifics on how many founders or startups would leave the state.
Stephanie McClintock — The witness continues responding to Senator Benke's question about business departures and startup formation.
Stephanie McClintock — Amy Harris addresses Chair Robinson and the committee.
Stephanie McClintock — Matt Schobe addresses Chair Robinson and the committee.
Unidentified witness — Responds that more than 200 founders replied to a post saying they were looking at where to move, and argues Washington has less venture capital and fewer resources than California.
Matt Schobe — Introduces himself as a four-time tech startup founder and UW graduate who moved back to Washington in 2009.
SB6229 — The witness says the proposed tax under SB 6229 would push Washington further down the leaderboard for entrepreneurs.
SB6229 — Multiple speakers urged the committee to oppose SB 6229. Nicole Doyle said the bill would hurt Washington’s competitiveness and suggested working with founders on better ways to raise revenue. Emily Troy Green and Lori Lane also asked members to vote against the bill, with Lane arguing it would harm small businesses and the broader economy.
Mia Shigamara — Introduces herself as a senior policy analyst at the Washington State Budget and Policy Center and testifies in support of Senate Bill 6229.
John Braun — Senator Braun follows up on testimony about projected revenue, questioning why witnesses claimed the proposal would bring in $50 million when the fiscal note shows only $1 million, and asks for supporting data and an explanation of how the committee should reconcile the two figures.