Mike Steele — Acknowledged as Ranking Member Steele in the opening remarks.
April Berg — The transcript says 'Representative Duer,' likely referring to the prior speaker; kept as transcribed due to uncertainty.
Mary Dye — Representative Mary Dye asked about renewable wood and whether it should be considered an embedded carbon sink in buildings, and that same question was later referenced again in the discussion.
Mary Dye — Representative Mary Dye questioned why the statute names the Public Works Trust Fund rather than the Curb Board, continuing that line of inquiry across the two consecutive mentions.
Tana Senn — Chair Callan is addressed in the question.
Corey Shaw — Corey Shaw, Executive Director of the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association, testified in opposition to the bill as drafted. He said the proposed blanket 30% requirement is problematic without a project-specific carbon budget and could lead to higher costs, delays, and other project challenges due to material limitations. He noted that Commerce is currently studying the issue and that he has been invited to a subworking group discussing possible adjustments among steel, concrete, and wood. He also said the association provides training and education on carbon-related issues, has held two carbon symposiums, and plans to host another in October.
Jeff Pack — Listed as one of the next witnesses to be promoted/recognized.
Jeff Pack — Chair asked whether Jeff Pack was in the room before moving on to the next witness.
Jeff Pack — Testified in opposition to the bill on affordability, taxes, and the claimed benefits of the legislation; criticized the school exemption and cited sign-in opposition numbers.
Alexander Johnson — Alexander Johnson is mentioned as one of the upcoming witnesses, and shortly afterward the chair announces moving on to Alexander Johnson to speak.
Christine Cooley — Listed as one of the next witnesses to be promoted/recognized.
Christine Cooley — Chair called the next witness after Johnson's testimony.
Alexandra Johnson — Representing the Duwamish River Community Coalition and Duwamish Valley residents; testified in strong support of House Bill 2273.
Chelle Anderson — Online witness who began testimony in strong support of HB 2273.
HB2273 — HB 2273 was discussed in a continuous hearing segment that included both support and opposition. Chelle Anderson testified in strong support, describing the bill as a modest step toward reducing embodied carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, noting its three compliance pathways similar to California, and saying it would help build industry consistency without adding noticeable costs or project delays. Jeff Pack then testified in opposition, arguing the bill does not address affordability, does not reduce costs, and objecting to exemptions for schools. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 2273.
Chale Anderson — Identified as a lifelong Washingtonian and architect; testified in strong support of HB 2273.
SB5188 — The committee opened the hearing on Senate Bill 5188 and received a staff briefing explaining that the bill would authorize the Public Works Board to issue loans through the broadband service expansion program for repair and replacement of middle-mile and last-mile broadband infrastructure, with priority for areas that would otherwise remain unserved. Fiscal note implications were noted. Testimony then shifted to concerns about the bill’s funding source, including the use of the state broadband account and the possibility that the transfer could set an unfavorable precedent or undermine confidence in the account’s long-term viability. Another witness suggested the bill likely moved forward because the program already exists within the Public Works Board structure. The hearing on SB 5188 was then closed.
Rob Hatfield — Rob Hatfield, committee staff, introduced himself as staff to the committee while presenting the staff briefing on SB 5188.
Stephen Ellis — Stephen Ellis was introduced as the first testifier for SB 5188 and then testified on behalf of the Association of Washington Cities, raising concerns about unintended consequences for the Public Works Assistance Account.
Ernie Russ Minson — Mentioned as a remote participant who may be promoted to testify.
Nicole Macri — Chair Callan was addressed in the exchange; the transcript likely misheard the chair's name, but the question was directed to Chair Callan.
Kevin Waters — Kevin Waters was praised for successfully handling the transfer of the program and for reinstating the Curb Board as a key access point for smaller towns to obtain broadband.
Ernie Rusmenson — The committee checked whether Ernie Rusmenson was present remotely.
HB2353 — House Bill 2353 was described as raising the pre-designed threshold for capital construction projects from $10 million to $15 million and indexing it to inflation. Later, the committee reported the bill out with a do pass recommendation after an 18-0-1 vote.
HB2420 — House Bill 2420, concerning increases to small works roster/public works contract limits, is discussed along with proposed substitute H-3267.2. The committee moves the substitute, explains that the bill updates contract limits to better reflect price changes, and then advances the proposed substitute out of committee with a do pass recommendation, moving toward a voice vote.
HB2470 — Introduced as the next bill on the list, relating to school construction assistance program support for on-base schools.
HB2470 — Possible executive session action on House Bill 2470 is referenced, with amendments due by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Mari Leavitt — Representative Mari Leavitt is identified as the sponsor of the proposed substitute for House Bill 2470, with a brief additional reference noting it is near EBB.
Steve Tharinger — Steve Tharinger was noted as excused for the vote, and later the chair again noted that he was excused.
HB2420 — The substitute bill is reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation.
HB2236 — Members are reminded to submit any amendments for House Bill 2236 by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
HB2236 — The speaker says the bill's updates will make new financing innovations possible for affordable housing.
HB2236 — The speaker says the bill is intended to provide additional resources to help fill financing gaps.
HB2236 — The speaker explains the bill is meant to add lower-cost resources to fill financing gaps.
HB2236 — The speaker says the bill will allow some direct lending focused on production rather than single-family mortgages.
HB2236 — The chair closes the hearing on SHB 2236.
Don Eichner — Staff to the committee; provided the bill briefing.
Janice Zahn — Representative Janice Zahn, the bill sponsor, introduced herself and expressed support for the bill. She explained that the measure updates and modernizes the Housing Finance Commission’s decades-old statute, clarifies that the commission is not making individual retail mortgage loans, and notes that the bill does not use general fund dollars, with additional detail to be provided by other testifiers.
Lisa Callan — Addressed as Chair Callan.
Davina Duerr — Mentioned as being in the audience.
Davina Duerr — Johnson quoted Rep. Davina Duerr from a recent local government committee meeting on the bill, echoing her point that the building industry is highly polluting and energy-intensive and that construction cannot simply be avoided.
Steve Walker — Steve Walker was introduced as a witness and then began his testimony as executive director of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. He explained that the proposed changes would not alter the commission’s mission or purpose and emphasized its ongoing financing work.
Lisa Vatsky — Lisa Vatsky is introduced as one of the in-person testifiers and identified as the director of all multifamily housing programs.
Ameer Mar — Scheduled to testify remotely.
Ameer Mar — The chair asks whether Ameer Mar is still present online, but notes they are not online.
Melanie Morgan — Representative Melanie Morgan is recognized and then asks questions following a presentation, raising concerns about racial disparities in lending and down payment assistance criteria.
Melanie Morgan — Asked whether the bill includes education about carbon emissions and building materials.
Travis Couture — The transcript says 'Representative Wask,' which appears to be a transcription error; the likely intended member is Representative Travis Couture, though this is uncertain.
HB2273 — The chair opens the hearing on House Bill 2273, and staff then introduces the bill, which concerns reducing embodied carbon emissions from buildings and building materials.
HB2273 — House Bill 2273 is discussed as a bill that initially drew criticism for imposing a blanket 30% requirement without accounting for project-specific carbon budgets, but the testimony then shifts to strong support for the measure. The speaker argues that the bill addresses upstream emissions and environmental justice impacts, encourages offsets and sustainable business practices to reduce carbon footprints, and helps create the infrastructure and support needed for green construction.