Peter Abbarno — She says the bill is not intended to provide tax relief for the SMR project at Hanford.
Peter Abbarno — She clarifies the bill is aimed at nuclear industry manufacturing, not a state-built SMR.
Peter Abbarno — She says other bills address tribal consultation more directly and that she is working on that issue separately.
Peter Abbarno — She says she would be open to tribal consultation language if needed, but had not considered it for this bill.
Peter Abbarno — She confirms the bill does not replace permitting requirements.
Peter Abbarno — The sponsor is thanked and the questioning period appears to end.
Peter Abbarno — He thanks the sponsor for bringing the bill forward again.
Peter Abbarno — She references the sponsor's remarks about jobs and the project.
Peter Abbarno — He thanks the sponsor for her work on the bill.
Sharon Shewmake — Representative Santos is called on to ask the first question, explains that she supported the prior bill but has a new concern, and asks whether the sponsor would be open to adding language requiring consultation with tribes. The discussion later returns to that same tribal consultation issue when Josh Wees responds to her concern.
Ed Orcutt — He asks whether the bill is only a tax incentive and not a permit, and whether normal permitting and consultation still apply.
Ed Orcutt — He thanks the sponsor and comments on the simplicity of the explanation.
Ed Orcutt — The ranking member is addressed in the witness's opening remarks.
Ed Orcutt — Ranking Member Orcutt is addressed during the opening of testimony as a committee member receiving the presentation.
Ed Orcutt — Representative Ed Orcutt was part of a brief exchange about whether the bill would apply retroactively. The sponsor thanked him for raising the question, and Orcutt then raised the concern that the bill could be retroactive because it would apply to sales made before the effective date; he was also referenced as the ranking member in the exchange.
Ed Orcutt — Addressed as Ranking Member Orcutt.
Chipalo Street — The vice chair transitions the committee to public testimony.
Chipalo Street — Vice Chair Street is addressed by the witness; likely Representative Chipalo Street.
Chipalo Street — Vice Chair Street is thanked and identified as the person moving the hearing forward.
Chipalo Street — Addressed as Vice Chair Street.
Chipalo Street — Called on as Vice Chair Street to proceed with testimony.
Josh Weiss — Named as the first in-person witness to testify.
Rayelle Candelaria — Named as a remote witness to testify next.
Joe Schissel — Joe Schissel is introduced as the next remote witness and then testifies as the City of Richland’s deputy city manager, stating his support for the bill.
Josh Wees — Josh Wees testifies on behalf of Benton County in support of the legislation, explaining that the TUA has been successful in the Tri-Cities and that the bill’s adjustments support the SMR-related project. He also notes that he has not heard of tribal concerns with the bill but is willing to discuss them if they arise.
Jerry Vanderwood — Jerry Vanderwood is called up as part of the next testimony panel and then introduces himself as being with Associated General Contractors before beginning his testimony.
Jan Heimbaugh — Jan Heimbaugh was called up as part of the next testimony panel and then testified on behalf of the Building Industry Association of Washington, stating that she agreed with Jerry's concerns.
Carolyn Lowe — Named as part of the next testimony panel.
Rayel Candelaria — Rayel Candelaria of Framatome testifies about the Richland facility, its workforce, and energy output, then explains that the NRC’s strict and lengthy regulatory process makes it difficult to meet project timelines under the current TUA structure. She supports the bill because it would help Framatome meet deadlines and sustain jobs in clean energy manufacturing.
Mark Schoesler — The speaker addressed Chair Berg and Ranking Member Orcutt; 'Orcutt' likely refers to Representative Ed Orcutt.
Mark Schoesler — Ranking Member Orcutt is mentioned twice during the committee opening greeting as part of the formal introduction of testimony and acknowledgment of committee leadership.
Carolyn Logue — Testified on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors and opposed the PLA portion of the bill.
Sue Ellen Mealy — Testified in opposition to House Bill 2608 as a volunteer with the 350 Washington Civic Action Team.
HB2608 — The witness opposes House Bill 2608, describing it as a proposal that would provide millions of dollars in local property tax breaks for nuclear fuel production and possibly small modular reactors.
Nancy Morris — Nancy Morris testified remotely in opposition to House Bill 2608, stating that she agreed with the previous speaker and raising concerns about safety oversight related to projects tied to Hanford and changes at the NRC.
Nancy — The chair asked Nancy to finish up her remarks.
Brandon Husk, Keeper — Testified in opposition on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington and Southwest Washington Contractors Association, focusing on PLA provisions.
Dr. Kathleen Saul — Testified on behalf of the Washington chapter of the Sierra Club in opposition to HB 2608.
Rob Chase — Representative Rob Chase followed up after testimony from 350 Washington with questions about whether nuclear energy and small modular reactors should be favored because they reduce greenhouse gases and can use nuclear waste as fuel. The chair then began addressing his question.
350 Washington — Representative Chase questioned the witness from 350 Washington, referencing the organization’s goal of reducing atmospheric CO2 to 350 and directing a follow-up question to the witness.
Ms. Sullen — Identified as no longer on Zoom; likely the 350 Washington witness being referenced.
350 Washington witness — Referenced as no longer on Zoom.
Sierra Club witness — The chair asks whether the question is for the Sierra Club witness.
HB2227 — The committee opens the hearing on HB 2227 and briefly describes it as a bill concerning the REET exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing.
Serena Dolly — Serena Dolly, staff to the committee, was introduced as the person providing the briefing on HB 2227 and then presented the committee briefing, explaining the REET exemption for qualified affordable housing.
Serena Dolly — Identified as providing the briefing on House Bill 2528.
HB2227 — House Bill 2227 is presented as a bill expanding the real estate excise tax (REET) exemption for affordable homeownership transactions, including community land trust resales and other nonprofit affordable housing programs, so buyers can receive the same tax benefit without labor participation requirements. Witnesses explain that the bill would reduce transaction costs, improve affordability, and support long-term affordable homeownership, and they urge support for the measure. The discussion includes a question about whether the bill imposes any requirements on community land trust sales, followed by staff clarification, and then the hearing on House Bill 2227 is closed.
Kathleen Hossfeld — Testifies for Homestead Community Land Trust in support of House Bill 2227.
Rose — A witness named Rose is referenced as the next speaker, but the transcript indicates someone else is filling in for her.
Coulson Community Land Trust representative — Describes the organization's work creating permanently affordable homeownership and serving 236 households.