Transcript Highlights:

• And this year, we are on track to have 100,000 tips.
• Because we track it all. Okay, well, I would love to see some of that data.
• Is there anything in your wheelhouse that you do to target or track that down?
• I think there's more we can do on the tech side to be able to track this.
• If we have enough money in the state to track all of this down.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Cullen, I'm not aware of any tracking on...
• So when you—do you track your parent participation?
• Are you tracking how much involvement the parents have?
• We do track and we do log.
• We track attendance at every event that we have for parents.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• However, association health plans do not have a good track record.
• However, association health plans do not have a good track record.
• The Association of Health Plans do have a poor track record, was another quote, both in terms of insolvency
• By the way, for those keeping track, I will be voting yes on this bill.
• this this is not for all times this is just for personal income tax and corporations had a separate track

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the February 16, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 2173, which would let tax officers and taxpayers communicate electronically about proposed property tax corrections or claims unless certified mail is required. County and assessor representatives supported the bill as a modernization measure, and the committee voted 6-0 to give it a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered several Arizona State Retirement System-related measures and nominations. It recommended confirmation of Thomas J. Connolly as a public member of the ASRS Board and Charles Essex as a retired member, both by 6-0 votes. The committee also passed House Bills 2089, 2090, and 2092, which clarified ASRS health subsidy eligibility, changed the disability determination timing for long-term disability benefits, and adjusted the waiver window for new eligible members age 65 or older. Each of those bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support. Members next approved House Bill 2693, as amended, which revises Arizona’s association health plan and multiple employer welfare arrangement rules to align with current federal law and adds a study by the Department of Administration on state and school employee health insurance options. Supporters said it could expand affordable coverage for small businesses, while Senator Epstein raised concerns about consumer protections, preexisting conditions, and prior fraud issues; the bill passed 5-1. The committee also passed House Bill 2120, allowing Social Security disability determination letters to help certify eligibility for the property tax exemption for disabled persons, and House Bill 2138, clarifying workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters traveling directly to or from duty, both with some discussion but no opposition. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2273, which creates a one-time $300 income tax rebate for certain Pinal County residents using remaining escrow funds from the county transportation tax litigation, though members debated whether the money should instead go to roads. The bill passed 3-2 after comments from the sponsor, a Pinal County mayor, and senators who said they wanted the funds directed to transportation projects. The committee then passed House Bill 2786, exempting income from renting required college textbooks from transaction privilege tax, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was probably put in place on tracks.
• Trains can't run over 10 miles an hour because tracks and bridges need to be upgraded.
• I was off the track.
• For many of these rural communities, we operate on low-density tracks with deferred maintenance.
• They would be used for upgrading ties, track, and bridges.

Bills: SB 682 , SB 1013 , SB 1369 , SB 1422 , SB 2001 , SB 2080 , SB 2366 , SB 2705 , SB 2841

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on several bills aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of Texas transportation and port authorities. Key discussions included the implications of SB2080, which seeks to streamline operations for navigation districts by raising procurement authority, exempting security discussions from recording requirements, and aligning Texas ports with national standards to foster economic growth. Senator Alvarado advocated fervently for the bill, emphasizing its positive impact on competitiveness with ports in states like Virginia and New Jersey. Public testimony reflected mixed responses, with strong support from industry representatives but opposition from some municipal authorities concerned about the potential overreach of port authorities into local development.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how do we track— is it true, does DMV track how often, say, that person gets reckless, right?
• Do we track how often someone gets a warning letter?
• The DMV does not track when they send out warning letters to drivers.
• I'm just trying to track.
• So how do we track the actions we've taken on a driver? Sure.

Summary: The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, road design, and the broader traffic safety system in California. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the purpose was to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on at the hearing. They emphasized the scale of the problem, including thousands of fatal and serious injury crashes each year, and framed the discussion around a Safe System approach that combines infrastructure, enforcement, education, and technology. The first panel covered current DUI law and traffic safety research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalty structure, including escalating misdemeanor and felony penalties, license suspensions, ignition interlock devices, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses such as vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and Watson murder. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, and speeding in fatalities, and state efforts such as the Safe System approach, safety corridors, and grant funding for impaired-driving countermeasures. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley SafeTREC presented research favoring systemic interventions like self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders, while noting that first-time DUI offenders account for a large share of fatal crashes. Members pressed the panelists on first-offense DUI treatment, ignition interlocks, speed governors, diversion, and whether tougher sanctions or vehicle technology would better reduce recidivism. Several senators raised concerns about repeat offenders, alcohol-use disorder, and the need for earlier intervention, while others questioned the effectiveness and cost of in-car devices. The panel also discussed data gaps and the need for better reporting and coordination between courts and DMV. The second panel, with DMV Director Steve Gordon and Judge Lisa Rodriguez, explained how administrative and court processes work in parallel: DMV receives court abstracts and can impose administrative per se suspensions quickly, while courts handle criminal cases, probation, and sentencing on a slower timeline. Both witnesses said the system is complex and paper-heavy but improving, and they acknowledged the need for better integration, clearer statutes, faster reporting, and more timely license actions to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this year, we are on track to have 100,000 tips.
• And we try, I mean, we track a lot of metrics on, you know, our prosecutions.
• Because we track it all. Okay, well, I would love to see some of that data.
• Because we track it all. Okay, well, I would love to see some of that data.
• I think there's more we can do on the tech side to be able to track this.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first reviewed the Department of Justice FY 2027 budget, which was presented at $117.8 million, with most funding coming from statutory dedications and the largest program areas being criminal law/Medicaid fraud and civil law. The Attorney General described major work in Troop NOLA, Medicaid fraud, opioid and PBM litigation, and especially child exploitation and online predator investigations. She said ICAC tips are rising sharply, local law enforcement partnerships have expanded, and her office needs more analysts, more permanent positions, and more expenditure authority for the legal support fund and related programs. Members asked about case backlogs, staffing, settlement funds, and whether more resources could be directed toward outreach, mental health, and technology; the Attorney General said she wants to expand cyber capacity, training, and prevention efforts, and that some settlement recoveries are being used to support existing programs and fraud enforcement. Committee members also focused heavily on child safety, truancy, and mental health. Several representatives described local concerns about online exploitation, trafficking, self-harm, and the need for school-based training and community outreach. The Attorney General said she wants a broader prevention strategy involving parents, schools, and behavioral health resources, and she discussed using outreach models such as anti-vaping campaigns and town halls. On opioid settlement oversight, members raised concerns about the size of the funds and the need for stronger state oversight; the Attorney General agreed more structure and compliance monitoring would be useful and said drug courts and treatment programs are effective investments. The committee then moved to the judicial branch budget presentation. The judiciary requested $229.6 million in FY 2027, plus $5.6 million in one-time funding, with most of the budget coming from state general fund. The presentation highlighted increases for judge salaries, staff pay adjustments, health insurance, operating costs, and 17 unfunded positions, along with one-time requests for security and technology upgrades. Chief Justice John Weimer and other justices said the budget would help core court functions and statewide programs such as CASA, drug courts, and FINS, and they emphasized the need for better staffing and technology in the courts. A major discussion centered on truancy and the FINS program. Justice Griffin said statewide collaboration with education officials had reduced truancy and that FINS officers are trained to identify children who may be runaways or trafficking victims. The justices and members supported expanding FINS so every judicial district has coverage, and they said the program helps keep children out of deeper system involvement. Members also asked about security funding, technology improvements, and the 17 unfunded positions, which were described as mostly clerical, IT, and support roles in appellate and district courts. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schaffner: ...for a driver's license like they track the 2007 federal law to track pseudoephedrine because
• Representative Collier: How would we track any type of adverse reaction? to ivermectin? Ms.
• tracked if you buy aspirin?
• We are not going to track our Texans. Ms. Schaffner: I move to table. Member: Mr.
• And it's not for tracking purposes. It's for safety purposes.

Bills: HB25 , HB48 , HB149 , HB254 , HB26 , HB192

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert

Transcript Highlights:

• I have ADHD with the best of them, so a slide deck is to keep me on track.
• So that's kind of hard to track, kind of hard to regulate.
• So, you know, in those situations, it's hard to track. It really is.
• So it's hard to track, yeah. It's kind of hard to track. So the loopholes are hard to track?
• I guess I'm having a hard time tracking. Well, you... I'm having a hard time tracking of...

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have ADHD with the best of them, so a slide deck is to keep me on track.
• So that's kind of hard to track, kind of hard to regulate.
• So, you know, in those situations, it's hard to track. It really is.
• So it's hard to track, yeah. It's kind of hard to track. So the loopholes are hard to track?
• I guess I'm having a hard time tracking. Well, you... I'm having a hard time tracking of...

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The Committee on Health and Mental Health first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2370, House Bill 3278, and House Bill 1638 do pass. HB 2370 passed 13-9, while HB 3278 passed 15-0 and HB 1638 passed 17-0. The committee then moved into public testimony. Senate Bill 1015, sponsored by Senator Nuremberg, was presented as a measure creating a legal process for assisted outpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness who are at risk of deterioration, hospitalization, or harm. Supporters, including the Missouri Behavioral Health Council and the Missouri Association of Public Administrators, said it would reduce hospitalization and incarceration and improve access to care. The senator and witnesses emphasized collaboration with hospitals and the Department of Mental Health, and no opposition was offered. The committee also heard a detailed presentation on the STARS program from SSM Health representatives, explaining it as a Missouri-based EMS and pediatric emergency planning system that uses physician-approved, electronic care plans for children with complex needs. Members asked about costs, access, and how the program differs from the bill discussed previously; witnesses said the program is free for EMS and emergency access, but hospitals that write plans pay implementation and subscription fees. House Bill 2903, by Representative Mayhew, would give county and district hospitals relief from certain public-entity requirements, including some Sunshine Law-related burdens, board qualifications, and financial reporting timelines, to help them compete with private hospitals. Supporters from Phelps Health said the bill would reduce administrative burden and protect proprietary information; there was no opposition. Finally, House Bill 3379, by Representative Dolan, would expand and strengthen Missouri’s employee disqualification and mandated reporting rules for abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The bill adds more mandated reporters, including bank personnel and first responders, creates penalties for knowingly failing to report, and requires quicker DSS follow-up to reporters. DHSS supported the bill, citing recent financial exploitation complaints, while the Missouri Bankers Association said it supports the goal but wants to work on the mandatory reporting language so banks are not exposed to liability for situations they cannot readily detect. No formal opposition was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically, there's two different tracks the students can take.
• You have a 24-track, 24-credit track, or you have an 18-credit-hour track.
• Under both tracks, all boxes need to be checked.
• Okay, so this is just clarifying that both tracks have to pass the assessment, and they all qualify for
• And maybe that's just a financial exercise that we can't track where all the money is going.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met during Budget Week and first considered three member bills. House Bill 1111, by Rep. Valdes, would eliminate the option for students to leave high school with a certificate of completion instead of a standard diploma. Valdes said the bill was inspired by students who met credit requirements but could not pass a required assessment, and argued the certificate does not provide access to college, trade school, or military service. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. CS for House Bill 127, by Rep. Kendall, would support students with disabilities by using existing Florida Department of Education curriculum to create micro-credentials and coordinating with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA on workplace safety. Goodwill, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida PTA, and others supported the bill, which also passed unanimously, 15-0. House Bill 1367, by Rep. Booth, addressed chronic absenteeism by requiring statewide definitions and more uniform attendance reporting, along with rules for excused and unexcused absences and early identification of chronically absent students. Testimony emphasized inconsistent district policies and the need for clearer data and interventions. The bill passed 13-0, with some members noting concerns about implementation details and future rulemaking. The committee then took up PCB-P-PKB-2501, the proposed conforming bill for the fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget. The chair said the bill was designed to align statutes with budget and scholarship funding procedures, especially around the Florida Education Finance Program and scholarship payments. The PCB would require Florida student ID numbers for scholarship students, standardize cross-checking against FTE survey data, set quarterly payment dates, and use one data source for both reporting and withholding scholarship-related FFP amounts. It also would reduce certain add-on weights by 50%, remove the budget stabilization program, and repeal the educational enrollment stabilization program. Several members raised concerns that the add-on weight reductions could hurt career and technical education, AICE, IB, and CAPE programs, while the sponsor argued the data showed too much spending in an “other” category and that the reductions were aimed at aligning funding with actual program costs. Public testimony was mixed: some supported tighter accountability and clearer payment rules, while others warned against undermining expensive career-readiness programs. The PCB passed 11-2. After the conforming bill, the chair presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget, totaling just under $21 billion, about $400 million below the current year. She said the budget reflects a need to slow spending growth and includes $20 million for New Worlds Scholarship Accounts, $7 million for security grants at Jewish day schools and preschools, $14 million for public school transportation stipends, an overall FEFP increase of about $747.7 million, $100 million for teacher salary increases, and increases in the base student allocation and funds per student. The committee did not vote on the budget recommendation at this meeting; it was distributed for review and will move to the Budget Committee next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• He ran a bill, and I think we're tracking toward hopefully a statewide strategic plan, which, when you
• We're actually tracking pretty well.
• I think we took some steps with Chairman Boryok, this session he ran a bill, and I think we're tracking
• towards, hopefully, state, Watcher. with Chairman Boriak this session he ran a bill and I think we're tracking
• terminal district great delafuge port commission how those projects moving along we're actually tracking

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met to receive public testimony and act on port priority applications for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 Port Priority Construction and Development Priority Programs. After a roll call showing 18 members present, the committee adopted the March 9, 2026 minutes without objection. Commissioner Andrew Killshaw of the Office of Multimodal Commerce explained the Port Priority Program criteria and presented two applications from the Avoyelles Harbor and Terminal District: a $3.4 million building addition and infrastructure project requesting $2.853 million in state funds, and a $1.5 million Workforce Training Center redevelopment requesting $1.287 million. He said the projects were projected to create 265 jobs and generate substantial state benefits, with very high benefit-cost ratios. Members expressed support for the projects and for strengthening the port program overall. Chairman Boriak moved to approve the applications, and Senator Carter and others discussed the need to increase investment in ports and develop a statewide strategic plan to better compete for federal dollars. DOTD Multimodal Commerce staff, including Molly Bergoin, testified that the program has more than $200 million in backlog, that annual Transportation Trust Fund financing has made it difficult to reduce, and that the department hopes to clear 10 to 12 low-balance projects this year. They also said the request cap had been increased to $7 million per project this year and up to $21 million going forward, and that most projects are proceeding under reimbursement agreements because construction costs have risen sharply. After discussion, the committee voted without objection to accept the port priority applications received through March 1, 2026, for the FY 2027-2028 program. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:00.279><c> the</c> issue that report each bium to track the issue that report each bium to
• track the emission<00:27:00.799><c> reductions</c><00:27:01.640><c> received</c><00:27:02.080><c> as
• So I'm excited to see that there's interest in tracking those dollars.
• that those dollars um I seeing tracking that those dollars um I have<00:51:24.160><c> some</c><00:51
• </c><01:10:02.120><c> in</c> Canada uh it's a different uh track in Canada uh it's a different uh track

Bills: HF276 , HF413 , HF411

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a ticket tracking system, and that's why we are recommending that.
• We have a ticket tracking system, and that's why we are recommending that.
• No, we're not currently tracking that.
• Or maybe something simpler like the ticket tracking. Exactly.
• Like the ticket tracking. Exactly.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the good news is we're tracking really close to that.
• Right, but I mean, you guys track this stuff. What would you say?
• I mean, are we on track if you consider the emissions from wildfires, yes or no?
• But what I'm asking is, are we on track? even with the allowances, right?
• Right, but I mean, you guys track this stuff. What would you say?

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• plan to improve the tracking of Federal broadband permit applications.
• PLAN TO IMPROVE THE TRACKING OF FEDERAL BROADBAND PERMIT APPLICATIONS.
• in place to address the causes, and then track to see if those policies are working?
• in place to address the causes, and then track to see if those policies are working?
• in place to address the causes, and then track to see if those policies are working?

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> geographic areas s such as census track geographic areas s such as census track level.<00:23:07.200
• So are identified by censor track level.
• <00:23:41.440><c> uh</c> the data in the sensor track level uh the data in the sensor track level uh
• I was on the right track. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
• I was on the right track.<00:51:20.400><c> Thank</c><00:51:20.559><c> you.</c> track.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we currently are tracking<00:14:15.360><c> 22,046</c> tracking 22,046 tracking 22,046 unique<00:14
• Y'all know our students and the tracks they're following.
• Y'all know our students and the tracks they're following.
• These are the academic track students.
• Uh 53% a tracks they're following.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 14 January, 2026: 3:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the lowest since the state began tracking this data in 2001.
• But what I find interesting is in those trends from the Auditor General, since we started tracking the
• classroom spending, but just sticking with the status quo definitions as they are, since we started tracking
• the whole Auditor General's report last evening to prepare for this, to make sure that we were on track
• we are at spending, the dollars going to the classroom are at the lowest point since we started tracking

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government considered only SCR 1032, along with a strike-everything amendment. The amendment would require school districts, subject to voter approval, to dedicate at least 60% of operational spending to teacher pay, with a phased-in increase beginning in FY 2028 for districts below that threshold. It also ties compliance to Classroom Site Fund eligibility, requires unexpended CSF monies to revert if a district is found out of compliance, and allows limited waivers from the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The sponsor argued the measure would correct what he described as a long-term misallocation of education funding and give voters a chance to prioritize teachers. Supporters, including representatives from Heritage Action, the Goldwater Institute, and the Center for Arizona Policy, said district spending has risen while teacher pay has remained flat in real terms, and argued the measure would increase transparency and accountability and ensure more money reaches teachers. Opponents, including a representative of the Rural Arizona School Coalition, said the proposal would be difficult for rural districts to meet and would squeeze out other necessary costs such as fuel, insurance, facilities, and minimum wage increases. A committee member also raised concerns that the measure could harm special education and other student support services by forcing districts to shift funds away from those areas. During discussion, the sponsor said charter schools were not included because he viewed them as private businesses, despite a member noting state law defines them as public schools. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then approved SCR 1032 as amended. The final vote was 4 ayes, 3 nays, and 0 not voting, sending the measure out with a do pass as amended recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• share going to instruction has fallen to just over 52%, and that's the lowest since the state began tracking
• But what I find interesting is in those trends from the Auditor General, since we started tracking the
• But just sticking with the status quo definitions as they are, since we started tracking it in 2001,
• read the whole Auditor General's report last evening to prepare for this to make sure that we were on track
• , we are at spending—the dollars going to the classroom are at the lowest point since we started tracking

Bills: HB2035 , HB2041 , HB2611 , HB2860 , HB4004 , HB4049 , SCR1032

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• It adjusts an implementation deadline related to electronic filing and tracking of protection orders.
• That change is intended to ensure that... ...the filing and tracking of protection orders.
• stored varies significantly by local jurisdiction, which makes it infeasible for the electronic tracking
• The new case management system... ...for the electronic tracking system.
• Meeting more and more courts will have access over time, and full statewide implementation is on track

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 2158, which updates Washington’s electronic notarization laws to reflect 2021 changes to the Uniform Law Commission’s notarial act model. Staff explained that the bill would allow remote notarization of tangible paper documents, authorize remote administration of oaths or affirmations to remotely located individuals, and clarify how a notary can acknowledge a signature on a tangible record sent in from a remote signer. Representative Abel, the sponsor, said the measure would improve access, especially in rural areas where notaries may be far away. Testimony from the Uniform Law Commission supported the bill as a modest update that adds flexibility while maintaining consumer protections. A committee member raised concerns about fraud and manipulated video, and the witness responded that the bill includes safeguards such as required recordings, identity verification, and retention of audiovisual records. The committee then heard House Bill 2178, an Administrative Office of the Courts request bill making several mostly technical changes to align statutes with court rules and current practice. Staff described changes to civil infraction filing and response deadlines, payment plans for infractions, the dollar threshold for aggregated malicious mischief damage, a two-year extension for courts of limited jurisdiction to implement electronic protection-order filing, and repeal of an outdated statutory grant-distribution provision. Representative Tye noted concern specifically about the extension in Section 6 and said she was still seeking an explanation for why the deadline should move from 2026 to 2028. AOC witness Jay Lee Schultz said the extension is needed to align with the rollout of the state’s new case management system and to support statewide electronic protection-order tracking. Elizabeth Hendren of the Sexual Violence Law Center testified in opposition to Section 6, saying the delay would further postpone reforms intended to improve access to protection orders, judicial access to related orders, and survivor notifications. She argued that the legislature had already given the courts five years to implement the changes and asked for more transparency about funding, barriers, and why additional time is needed. After hearing the testimony, the committee concluded its business for the day and also took time to introduce members and staff.