Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, also today in the rotunda on the first floor is the Idaho Food Bank, along with food pantry
• They're available to talk about food insecurity in our communities and the work that they do to support
• Senators, also today in the rotunda on the first floor is the Idaho Food Bank, along with food pantry
• They're available to talk about food insecurity in our communities and the work that they do to support

Transcript Highlights:

• because I'm like, how do farmers, how does that support our farmers and help us to get to greater food
• 00:28:57.919><c> added</c><00:28:58.399><c> processed</c><00:28:59.760><c> uh</c><00:28:59.919><c> food
• 00:29:00.559><c> as</c><00:29:00.880><c> part</c><00:29:01.120><c> of</c> value added processed uh food
• as part of value added processed uh food as part of the<00:29:01.640><c> 30%</c><00:29:03.000><c> spending
• 25.840><c> to</c><00:29:26.720><c> um</c><00:29:27.120><c> greater</c> And help us to get to greater food

Transcript Highlights:

• EVERYWHERE IT'S DARK IS A WILDLIFE CORRIDOR WHERE ANIMALS AND AQUIFER RECHARGE AND WE CAN GROW THE FOOD
• TODAY BUT THREE YEARS FROM NOW. 5 YEARS FROM NOW, 20 YEARS NOW WITH THE POPULATION TO KNOW WHAT THE FOOD
• CROPS, IF YOU GO BACK 30 YEARS AGO, WE USE 50 – 70%, 80% IN SOME CASES LESS WATER TODAY TO GROW MORE FOOD
• THAT WE DID 25 YEARS AGO. 80% IN SOME CASES LESS WATER TODAY TO GROW MORE FOOD THAT WE DID 25 YEARS
• UNDERSTANDING WHERE OUR FOOD IS COMING FROM AND WHAT COST TO GET IT TO US.

Transcript Highlights:

• When two large bear species compete for the same limited habitat and food resources, displacement is
• When two large bear species compete for the same limited habitat and food resources, displacement is
• when deer come, people put up little fences to keep them from eating your flowers and eating your food
• Grizzly bears are different. eating your food and all that, and I've seen that.
• Those barriers limit animal access to food, water, habitat, and mates.

Summary: The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed. SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support. SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained. SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes construction, food, insurance, professional services, even philanthropists.
• We had clean water and safe food. We had access to culture and recreation.
• We had clean water and safe food. We had access to culture and recreation.
• We have to carefully budget and make sure we can cover costs such as staffing, materials, and food for
• Staffing, materials, and food for the program, as well as for our own families.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you talk about the traditional food, it's Chinese food in Mexico. Thank you.
• And when you talk about the traditional food, it's Chinese food in Mexico.
• and her talent and her experience and the things that we love most, more than anything, and that is food
• Teigen released Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat, which debuted number one on the New
• With the Napa City Council and has continued weekly food deliveries to local veterans and seniors.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 35 recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month, with extensive floor remarks from caucus leaders and members highlighting AAPI history, contributions, and solidarity with other communities. The chamber then honored 14 AAPI honorees from across the state, including public servants, advocates, artists, health professionals, and community leaders, before moving to the regular file. On the floor, the Assembly passed a series of bills on social media harms to minors, labor privilege, foster care family-finding, low-impact camping areas, student body association governance, drink-spiking prevention at music festivals, behavioral health access, greenhouse gas recapture, physical therapy access, housing enforcement, insurance licensing, density bonus clarification, water district proxy voting, park district updates, secured transactions, and property tax relief during emergencies. Most measures passed with broad or unanimous support; notable votes included AB 2 on social media platform accountability passing 59-0, AB 1109 on union communications privilege passing 45-4, AB 409 on student body association open meetings passing 55-6, AB 518 on low-impact camping passing 55-0, AB 668 on drink-spiking protections passing 72-0, AB 348 on behavioral health access passing 69-0, AB 663 on HFC recapture passing 71-0, AB 574 on physical therapy access passing 68-0, AB 712 on housing enforcement passing 57-1, AB 943 on insurance pre-licensing reform passing 63-0, AB 87 on density bonus law clarification passing 63-0, AB 523 on Metropolitan Water District proxy voting passing 62-1, AB 769 on park district code cleanup passing 68-0, AB 771 on secured transactions passing 69-0, and AB 1416 on property tax installment deferrals passing 66-0. The Assembly also took up AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, which would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. Supporters described the practice as predatory and discriminatory, while noting ongoing concerns about preserving legitimate discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing hidden price discrimination and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The transcript ends amid repeated and partially duplicated readings of AB 446, without a final vote shown for that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• answers calls of desperate constituents who are too afraid to go to work, too afraid to stand in a food
• pantry or apply for food assistance, and too afraid to go to the hospital for sometimes life-saving
• Scott's words, food remains one of the few pleasures left in my life.
• And what their everyday needs are, including housing, food insecurity, and other factors that impact
• I learned that sometimes she skipped meals to provide food for her children.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our food programs ensure that children do not go to bed hungry.
• Food security is an issue that many of you have worked with us on this past year.
• A lot of that money goes to support food and nutritional programs.
• A lot of that money goes to support food and nutritional programs.
• And that's helpful content. ...more money on actually getting food to people.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session on health and human services, held in Clinton and opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs, local officials, and committee members. The chairs emphasized the importance of hearing directly from agencies about the Commonwealth’s health care and human services budget needs, thanked Clinton for hosting, and introduced the day’s panels, beginning with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and then MassHealth. Secretary Kiame Mahania presented Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS budget, describing a $33.7 billion request driven largely by non-discretionary cost growth, caseload increases, and federal uncertainty. He highlighted targeted investments in foster parent reimbursement, family resource centers, maternal health, food assistance, immigrant legal services, and workforce rates, while warning that federal cuts and the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act could strip billions from state health funding. Members questioned him about primary care shortages, federal program integrity audits, ConnectorCare, regional health disparities, and the proposed cap on adult dental coverage; he defended the cap as a difficult but necessary cost-control measure and said the administration would continue cooperating with federal partners. Undersecretary Michael Levine then testified for MassHealth, saying the agency faces two major challenges: rapid cost growth and looming federal changes. He outlined a $22.7 billion gross MassHealth budget and proposed actions including a moratorium on new expansions, capping adult dental benefits at $1,000, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management spending to peer-state levels, and convening work groups to slow growth in personal care attendant, adult foster care, and adult day health programs. He also warned that federal policy changes could cause about 300,000 residents to lose coverage by 2030 and reduce federal revenue by about $3.5 billion, and said MassHealth would use outreach and systems changes to help eligible members stay covered. Members raised concerns about the impact of these cuts on homeless care, preventive services, dental access, GLP-1s, and regional hospital and specialist shortages, while Levine argued the proposals were aimed at preserving core coverage and sustainability.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> obviously uh public health and food obviously uh public health and food security.<01:10:35.760><
• </c> students experiences food insecurity. students experiences food insecurity.
• Money for child care, housing, food, car repairs, etc. St.
• , housing, food, car repairs, etc.<01:25:09.120><c> St.
• needs such as food and housing payments. payments. payments.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We're actually looking at this food waste diversion program where we're trying to have a feasibility
• </c> that's coming in so uh we have the food that's coming in so uh we have the food and<00:52:45.160
• </c> Municipal solids as well but the food Municipal solids as well but the food and<00:52:51.839><c>
• waste diversion program where this food waste diversion program where we're<00:53:08.799><c> trying<
• waste with a to collect all the food waste with a depackaging<00:53:15.839><c> unit</c><00:53:16.240

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Family Investment Program provides cash and food assistance to low-income families with
• She said the supportive services they provide, including transportation and food, and those provided
• </c><00:54:27.960><c> support</c> housing but also food support housing but also food support Transportation
• </c> well-being need to stock up on food well-being need to stock up on food after<00:54:46.880><c> SNAP
• </c> there that are providing housing food there that are providing housing food supports<01:03:10.400

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> already making meals and mobile food already making meals and mobile food shelves<01:34:35.960><
• I love food, and I love when people get to eat.
• Cloud that we operate, we use food rescue for that food.
• We have a fairly significant food shelf in St.
• Cloud that we operate, and we use food rescue for that food.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• insecurity crisis before this in a food insecurity crisis before this before<00:46:03.040><c> these<
• </c><00:47:35.520><c> security</c> you know, the counties and food security you know, the counties and
• And today, my wife's daycare, they can't seem to figure out the food program.
• </c><02:14:43.360><c> reporting</c> addition to the current food reporting addition to the current food
• so I assume we could serving food so I assume we could accommodate<02:14:51.599><c> it.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• .3214B by Senator Kavanaugh, an act to amend the Education Law in relation to prohibiting the sale of foods
• Hinchey, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law in relation to requiring the testing of baby food
• Hinchey, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law in relation to requiring the testing of baby food
• New Yorkers and kind of the call from, you know, small to large-scale companies that are creating food

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Standing Committee on Agriculture considered a full agenda of bills covering animal welfare, school food standards, farm succession planning, microchipping, electronic reporting, and baby food safety. Several measures were reported or advanced without objection, including S.1743 (referred to Codes), S.30738 on a civil remedy for companion animals denied proper care, S.5488 on microchipping certain animals, and S.5689 on authorizing electronic reporting. S.3214B, which would prohibit the sale of foods containing synthetic additives in schools, was advanced to the Education Committee; two members were recorded without recommendation on that bill. The committee also discussed S.4755A, Senator Bailey’s farm ownership succession planning program, though the transcript does not capture a final vote on that item. The most detailed discussion centered on S.8701A, Senator Hinchey’s bill requiring testing of baby food and formula for toxic heavy metals and disclosure of results. Members asked about federal standards, supply-chain impacts, and whether ingredient suppliers should also be covered. Supporters said there are limited federal standards, cited similar laws in California, Virginia, Maryland, and Illinois, and argued the bill would protect consumers without disrupting supply. The bill was then moved to the Consumer Protection Committee. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted the large number of animal-related bills on the agenda and mentioned upcoming Animal Advocacy Day. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am currently a student at the University of Idaho studying food and nutrition with hopes of getting
• One of my favorite CDEs when I was in high school was milk quality and products, also known as dairy foods
• Here in Idaho, we are under the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, under Agriculture, Food
• One of my favorite CDs by I was in high school was milk quality and products, also known as dairy foods
• , here in Idaho, we are under the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, under Agriculture, Food

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to walk by three of my people who are under the age of 18 who can serve food at the tables, can
• convention centers, and all of our major sports facilities in the Twin Cities, craft brewing, distilling, food
• > distilling</c> the Twin Cities craft brewing distilling the Twin Cities craft brewing distilling food
• 03:36.840><c> we</c><00:03:37.000><c> also</c><00:03:37.200><c> have</c><00:03:37.400><c> 1600</c> food
• service and we also have 1600 food service and we also have 1600 people<00:03:38.319><c> on</c><00:03

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1203 by Gonzalez of Dallas relating to the establishment of the Office of Food System Security and
• Resiliency in the Department of Agriculture and the Management of the Texas Food System Security Resiliency
• HB HB 1290 by Harris-Davalo relating to prohibiting food additives from being included in free or reduced
• beverage manufacturers at a restaurant opened by the manufacturer, creating a wine, malt beverage and food
• HJR 94 by Swanson proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to produce meat and meat food

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the food there is great as well.
• And the food there is great as well.
• </c><00:14:42.240><c> And</c> the food there is great as well. And the food there is great as well.
• </c> These are the deepest cuts to food These are the deepest cuts to food assistance<07:19:38.160><c
• </c> benefits and food stamps in this body. benefits and food stamps in this body.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 151 which is doubling the state's food 151 which is doubling the state's food production,<01:14:
• This includes your food, non-food, as well as intellectual property.
• </c> look at how do we double food look at how do we double food production,<01:31:01.840><c> how</c>
• With food is different.
• With food is different. You equipment. With food is different.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> history, PEPAR, and strengthened food history, PEPAR, and strengthened food assistance<02:21:36.479
• Food is medicine.
• </c> health care and ransacks the food health care and ransacks the food budgets<02:45:55.600><c> of<
• ,</c> some of these people between food, some of these people between food, medicine,<02:51:53.040><c
• It also provide food for people.