House passes package of bills including school albuterol access, Community Protection Program phase-out and energy, housing measures

The House of Representatives passed a series of bills on the floor, moving several measures into law or onward in the legislative process.

Representative Donahue (44th District) urged passage of substitute House Bill 23 60, saying the measure "will allow schools to have albuterol in the event that a student has respiratory distress," and noting the substitute incorporated input from nurses, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health. Supporters argued the change provides an emergency tool for students who have asthma attacks at school and may not yet have a diagnosis.

Opponents raised concerns about training and follow-up. Representative Marshall (2nd District) said he supported the bill’s goal but could not back the bill as written, citing "concerns... with what happens after this emergency tool is used, as well as what is the level of training in these schools," and warning that not all schools have registered nurses. The House advanced the substitute and then adopted final passage by roll call; the clerk announced the tally as 60 ayes, 34 nays.

On a separate, high-profile item, Representative Goodman (45th District) presented substitute House Bill 13 90 to phase out the Community Protection Program, which places certain individuals under restrictive conditions in community settings. Goodman argued the Department of Social and Health Services requested the change after federal guidance and compliance concerns. The bill prompted extensive floor debate. Opponents, including Representatives Couture and Penner, warned of public-safety risks if monitoring and supervision were removed; Representative Farvar read testimony describing long confinement and restrictive conditions for some program participants and supported the phase-out. The House passed the substitute, 52 yays to 44 nays, with 2 excused.

Other measures approved with little or no opposition included: • Substitute House Bill 24 67, clarifying measurement for fifth-wheel travel trailers to allow local sales and support small dealers; passed 94-0. Representative Timmons and Representative Stevie described the bill as clarifying definitions that had prevented in-state sales. • House Bill 19 83, adjusting tax classification for timberland sales to the Department of Natural Resources, which sponsors said would remove a competitive disadvantage for public purchasers; passed 68-26, 4 excused. Supporters said it restores a 1.28% rate in specified situations; opponents questioned DNR management and potential lost revenue for local services. • House Bill 25 31, updating the ambulance-quality-assessment fee to align with federal guidance so the state can draw matching federal funds; passed 94-0. Sponsors emphasized the bill preserves funding streams for emergency medical services. • Substitute House Bill 23 55, establishing labor protections for domestic workers; passed 57-39, 2 excused. Supporters framed it as a dignity and workplace-rights measure for a historically underserved class of workers; opponents cited the fiscal note and affordability concerns. • House Bill 25 34, ensuring educational stability for children of military families; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 96-0. • Engrossed second substitute House Bill 19 74, establishing a land-banking framework to support affordable housing development; an amendment reducing the REIT exemption was adopted and the bill passed 59-37, 2 excused. • House Bill 22 23 (irrigation district governance adjustments) and House Bill 22 39 (allowing small family burial grounds on private property) were also approved unanimously or by large margins.

Votes and formal outcomes matched roll-call tallies announced on the floor. Several members asked that contested bills receive further committee work or noted implementation questions; none of the final passage votes on the record were reversed that day. The House recessed for caucus after the evening roll-call votes. The next procedural steps vary by bill: some were declared passed and enrolled; others advance to the Senate or to the governor depending on their status and the substitute language adopted on the floor.