Transcript Highlights:

• distance learning program, they don't have to register with the state, but the state has to come evaluate
• This version has now evaluation of programs.
• There is not an application process and there is not an approval process per se.
• Chair, Representative, so the previous version had an application and approval process in addition to
• They have a rigorous application process that has to go through all the approvals.

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• It will require employers to notify applicants and workers before using automated decision-making systems
• Applicants and workers before using automated decision-making systems, or ADSs, in employment decisions
• And I would note that our remaining concern is that this bill is applicable across the board, regardless
• fair as the data that they're trained on, SB 238 requires institutions to disclose AI usage and evaluate
• its impact to help prevent racial, AI usage and evaluate its impact to help prevent racial, gender,

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker rights, workplace technology, pay equity, and retail/self-checkout standards. SB 703 would require ports to collect and report information on trucking companies to help identify worker misclassification in the port trucking industry; supporters, including Teamsters and the California Labor Federation, said better data is needed for enforcement, while trucking and retail groups said they were working with the author and expected to remove opposition after amendments. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar of other measures. SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for annual employer notices about workers’ labor and civil rights, including emergency contact notification if a worker is detained or arrested. Supporters said the bill would help workers understand their rights amid federal rollbacks and weak enforcement; the California Restaurant Association opposed it. SB 7 would require notice and human review before employers use automated decision-making systems for discipline or termination, and would bar predictive use of such systems for employment actions. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while HR, chamber, retail, and local government groups raised concerns about breadth, notice burdens, and small-business impacts. Both bills passed 5-0 to their next committees. The committee also advanced SB 238, which would require disclosure about workplace surveillance and AI monitoring tools, and SB 442, which sets staffing and operational standards for self-checkout, including at least one staffed lane, one employee dedicated to monitoring self-checkout, item restrictions, and a 15-item limit sign. Supporters argued both bills improve transparency, safety, and worker protections; opponents warned SB 238 could expose security practices and SB 442 could raise costs and create preemption issues. SB 464 would expand state pay-data reporting to better capture public-sector workforce demographics in line with reparations and pay-equity goals, and SB 642 would strengthen the Equal Pay Act by extending recovery periods, clarifying wage definitions, and updating pay-scale language. SB 464 and SB 642 also passed, with some opposition from county and business groups over scope and retroactivity. All measures taken up in the hearing were approved by committee, generally on 5-0 votes, and re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• high-reward research, providing coordinated, sustained funding from early discovery to clinical applications
• The number of AI, ML-enabled applications have increased 12-fold, and only 1,000 AI, ML devices have
• they need is an ability to understand that the agency is capable, has the expertise required to evaluate
• on a scientifically based foundation how to evaluate the safety and efficacies of these medicines, and
• It's focused primarily on veterans and members of the military, but it has many applications beyond.

Transcript Highlights:

• is the Substance Use Disorder Care Coordination and Navigator Services, and it also includes an evaluation
• It requires the Commissioner of Human Services to conduct an evaluation of housing support background
• Applications for housing supports right now, even if that's significantly expanded, will take time for
• Our second round of grants to states, state agencies, and non-profits exceeded 100 applicants who are
• First, an amendment to apply it only to new waiver applicants; otherwise, existing waiver recipients

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• A state funded evaluation by the Nutrition Policy Institute found that students, teachers, and school
• innovative practices to deeper student engagement and those would be lifted up both through an evaluation
• So if you don't submit an application, then you wouldn't get, and essentially what the students get,
• So we would have to evaluate our ability to afford to provide all the courses for the students that we
• , a FAFSA or CAIDA application, the commission's role is to provide preliminary award notifications.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um there are currently many applicants.
• c> ship<00:50:10.400> is<00:50:11.359> very application to cruise ship is very application
• see which fines and fees are unlawful applications of the respective state statutes.
• would eliminate the need to evaluate would eliminate the need to evaluate statutes<01:00:11.760>
• fines and fees are unlawful applications fines and fees are unlawful applications of<01:00:15.839

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um applicants maybe not term them out.
• And then we evaluated them. coverage. And then we evaluated them.
• it virtually all applications.
• application application the<04:15:47.520> SPFs<04:15:48.479> works<04:15:49.040> in
• all applications. all applications.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To business and commerce, Senate Bill 715 by Sparks relating to the applicability of certain generation
• Bill 716 by Sparks relating to the issuance of an occupational license to certain out of state applicants
• education for certain paramedics to education K through 16, Senate Bill 751 by Eckhart relating to applicability
• Evaluation of degree and certificate programs at public institutions of higher education based on certain
• Senate Bill 760 by Colcourse relating to an application for a ballot to be voted by mail submitted by

Transcript Highlights:

• our credentialing application for employees of the industry.
• Right now, I think we're processing applications.
• We've had really good applicants. We've been very lucky.
• We evaluate every FTE that vacates to ensure that it is a position that does need to be refilled.
• There is a built-in evaluation component to this.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An inland Port analysis was part of that as well as an evaluation for an autonomous vehicle test track
• , a hydrogen fueling hub, and a commercial Port analysis was part of that as well as an evaluation for
• We are working on our trade port designation application as soon as Secretary Black and his team finish
• We are working on our trade port designation application as soon as Secretary Black and his team finish
• The City of Gallaudet and ourselves, we both have applications out for the Water Trust Board for water

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New builds, and depending on where they build those new ones, they're re-evaluating the need for all
• We'll be evaluating proposals in FY 25.
• They've already institutionalized the integration and application of artificial intelligence.
• Our advertisements out, we had a number of applicants for all of our positions—far more applicants for
• Account as we work with them on the evaluation.

Transcript Highlights:

• a neutral fact-finder, distilling facts, analyzing arguments, making decisions based on facts, applicable
• <00:08:19.560> law decisions based on facts applicable law decisions based on facts applicable
• Senator Clark, and how often is the accreditation process itself looked at for, you know, evaluating
• <00:30:30.840> it<00:30:31.240> itself for the you know evaluating it itself for the
• you know evaluating it itself and<00:30:32.399> the<00:30:32.559> standards<00:30:32.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have evaluated all states so far as their GIS governance, and they are the top leaders, and they
• They<00:21:10.200> have<00:21:10.400> evaluated<00:21:11.480> all<00:21:12.600><
• c> states They have evaluated all states They have evaluated all states so<00:21:14.120> far
• And in the GMA, again, we evaluate coordination separately.
• They can use the OSHA 300, evaluation.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision two establishes the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission to field applications
• which a legislative advisory commission which will<00:14:34.600> field<00:14:35.160> applicants
• <00:14:35.759> and<00:14:35.880> make will field applicants and make will field applicants
• and said okay here are the evaluations and said okay here are the recommendations<01:28:58.639> we
• <01:34:29.719> and Audits and program evaluations and Audits and program evaluations and special

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it would create a framework for Cal Fire to systematically evaluate and quantify the risk-reduction
• Lastly, the bill expands the applicability of the WUI building code to reconstruction of homes after
• Lastly, the bill expands the applicability of the WUI building code to reconstruction of homes after
• You could look at a fuel cell application.
• We just want to make sure that we've identified all the appropriate and applicable energy sources, how

Summary: The committee first heard SB 14, which would direct state agencies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste diversion at state facilities by updating integrated waste management plans, increasing reusable foodware use, reducing paper purchasing, and requiring better employee education and recycling/composting practices. Supporters from the California Compost Coalition, Republic Services, Waste Management, and others said the bill would help build composting and recycling markets and let the state lead by example. Several groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were now neutral after amendments, including the removal of a 90% requirement. The bill was moved out on a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee then took up SB 326 on wildfire mitigation. The bill would create a framework for Cal Fire to evaluate the risk-reduction benefits of fuels management and landscape resilience investments, and it would accelerate implementation of Zone Zero defensible-space standards, including grants for local enforcement and broader application to rental and sale properties and post-fire reconstruction. Support came from Stanford climate researcher Michael Mastrandrea and several local government, insurance, and climate groups. With no opposition, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. Next, SB 34 on port emissions and the South Coast Air Quality Management District drew extensive testimony. The author said the bill was narrowed by committee amendments to preserve the ports’ ability to reduce emissions while preventing cargo throughput caps and addressing concerns about automation, local control, and the timeline for port clean-air planning. Supporters included ILWU, business groups, and port-related stakeholders, while the South Coast AQMD and many environmental and community organizations opposed it, arguing it would weaken public-health protections and set a bad precedent. After lengthy debate, the committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Transportation, with some members voting no and others abstaining. The committee also heard SB 279, which would expand composting options for farmers and small community composters by allowing limited on-farm composting after large biomass events and increasing the amount small operations may process and sell. Supporters said the bill would help address agricultural waste, expand composting capacity, and reduce landfill disposal. Commercial composting representatives opposed it, warning that the bill could create regulatory inequities, strand recent investments in permitted facilities, and allow too much unregulated food waste. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations on a due pass vote. The transcript also briefly referenced SB 613 on upstream methane emissions data, described as having no opposition and intended to improve tracking of imported oil and gas emissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Class AA biosolids are not permitted by DEP for land application.
• regulated as a fertilizer product by the Department of Agriculture with no site permitting, no application
• And by prohibiting the application of Class B, the bill effectively ends the Class B land application
• Class AA biosolids are not permitted by DEP for land application.
• And by prohibiting the application of Class B, the bill effectively ends the Class B land application

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard and approved two bills. First, it took up CS for SB 290, an agriculture and consumer services bill, and adopted a strike-all amendment that covered a wide range of issues: density limits for certain small municipalities, a delay in biosolids rule changes from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028, higher insurance and penalty requirements for fumigation businesses, longer payment timeframes for contractors to pay subcontractors and suppliers, restrictions on county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renaming the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about the contractor penalty increase, local government preemption, and the biosolids provisions. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids sections, while several industry and agriculture groups waved in support. The committee then voted the bill favorably, with Senator Bracey Davis voting no. The committee next heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements in areas such as assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting; expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts; streamline salary supplements and testing calendars; give districts more flexibility with Title I and capital funds; update facility planning rules; and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. Supporters from several school districts and education groups waved in favor. Senators generally supported the goal of reducing administrative burdens, though one question was raised about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education inquiries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a more direct reporting path and reduce unnecessary layers of regulation. SB 320 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the recommendations that came out of the startup of what they call the Link are really applicable
• as a crisis stabilization center or any other crisis... ...are really applicable to a crisis stabilization
• all under the same RCWs, but some communities have them taken into the hospital for the DCRs to evaluate
• And from evaluating those calls for service, we feel that about 80% of those calls would have gone to
• And we always want to evaluate what's in the client's best interest and then dispatch the appropriate

Summary: The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training. City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation. Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes the establishment of the site evaluation committee, which includes moratorium language, which
• establishment of the site evaluation establishment of the site evaluation committee<00:27:39.520
• , and I asked the governor, "So, what will happen if the budget doesn't go through to your site evaluation
• <00:34:24.240> committee um to your sighting evaluation committee um to your sighting evaluation
• So that language was changed a little bit just to say that the application has to include the plan.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee met in executive session on SB 302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners. The chair announced a staffing change, noting Representative Comtois was no longer vice chair and Representative Barber would serve in that role. The chair then explained that the committee had before it an amendment incorporating Senator Pearl’s updated language and additional technical changes requested by DEES Director Whimsat for FBI background-check requirements, and a separate amendment offered by Representative Patenza that would add language from the budget bill relating to a site evaluation committee, moratorium provisions, and harms-and-benefits language. Representative Patenza argued that the governor’s solid waste and site evaluation language had been developed over years with the committee, the governor’s office, and DEES, and should be moved into a standalone bill so it would not be lost if the budget failed. She said she had been told by Senator Roseford that the budget language would be placed into a separate House bill, and several members supported having a standalone vehicle as a backup. Representative Bixby, Haskins, Gruber, and others said they favored keeping the work alive in a separate bill, while Representative Scully said he disliked non-germane amendments and would vote only for the base bill and the chair’s amendment. Representative Barber asked for clarification on why the amendment was considered non-germane, and the chair and Representative Patenza explained that the budget-related policy had not had a separate public hearing. Members discussed legislative procedure, including whether the committee should recess to allow a hearing on the non-germane amendment and then return to act on SB 302. After discussion, the committee took a show of hands and overwhelmingly favored recessing the executive session to Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. in LOB room 301-303, so a separate hearing could be held on Representative Patenza’s amendment before further action on SB 302.

Transcript Highlights:

• who has a valid placard to an applicant who has a valid removable<02:51:54.399> windshield<02
• <03:01:51.600> And<03:01:51.760> that evaluating these products.
• And that evaluating these products.
• Hawaii faces evaluator shortages that contribute to backlogs and prolonged custody disputes.
• Allowing them to serve as evaluators reflects their qualifications and strengthens court capacity.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places. Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii. A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do appreciate the opportunities for transparency in this bill to further evaluate the accuracy
• If the applicant is not a legal resident, resident, they should receive neither a driver's license nor
• Now an applicant is not required to register to vote at DPS.
• They're confused by the way that the online application. that then requires me to get in works.
• that, let my counties evaluate that. as well, so my hope would be that I would rather see both bills

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity