Committee advances four bills in executive session; amendments adopted and due‑pass recommendations sent

The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee held an executive session in which members adopted an amendment and advanced four substitute House bills by voice votes.

Key outcomes: • Substitute House Bill 1253 (joint use agreements): Senator Behnke offered and the committee adopted a striking amendment A intended to synchronize ownership and control language among public utility districts, cities and joint operating agencies. The committee then moved the bill with a due‑pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The committee record states the bill passed subject to signatures.

• Substitute House Bill 1302 (utility connection charge waivers for industrial symbiosis): The committee moved the bill with a due‑pass recommendation to the Rules Committee by voice vote; the record shows the bill passed subject to signatures.

• Engrossed House Bill 1461 (joint operating agency procurement thresholds): The committee moved the bill with a due‑pass recommendation to the Rules Committee by voice vote; the record shows the bill passed subject to signatures.

• Substitute House Bill 1670 (sewage‑containing spills): The committee moved the bill with a due‑pass recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Sponsors urged the bill as a public‑health transparency measure; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

The votes were recorded as voice votes in committee; the transcript records “all in favor say aye” and did not list recorded no votes during the session.

Ending: All four bills were recommended for further action (Rules or Ways and Means) following adoption of a technical striking amendment and voice votes in executive session.