Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I vote aye. Thank you. Director Chapman: aye. Senator Conway: aye.
• So I'll be voting for it. Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion?
• Representative Jacobson vote? Aye. Director Leathers? Aye. Senator McEwen? Aye.
• No need to vote on it.
• Let's move back to remote. We have Donna Albert. Hi. This is Donna Albert.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The committee approved the July minutes and then received an informational presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on the financial condition of the state retirement systems. The actuary reported that employer contribution rates are generally declining, helped by strong investment returns and reduced funding for PERS 1 and TERS 1, while funded ratios have continued to improve; on a combined basis the plans were reported at 100% funded in 2024, with open plans above 95% and legacy plans varying by system. The presentation also reviewed projected rates and funded ratios under current assumptions, noted that pension costs are taking a smaller share of the state general fund, and discussed risks from investment volatility, policy changes, and demographic experience. Committee members asked about savings from lower rates, deferred asset smoothing, and how Washington compares with other states. The committee then considered the state actuary’s recommendation on long-term economic assumptions and adopted all four recommendations by roll call votes: inflation at 3.0%, general salary growth at 3.5%, membership growth for Plan 1 funding at 1.0%, and investment rate of return at 7.25%. The actuaries explained that the inflation and salary growth increases were driven largely by higher long-term inflation expectations, while the investment return recommendation matched the current statutory assumption. Members discussed the timing of the Pension Funding Council’s decision, the effect of tariffs and inflation uncertainty, and how assumption changes would affect future contribution rates and budgets, particularly for open plans. Staff then gave an update on the LEOFF 1 study, explaining the difference between being “ahead of schedule” and truly overfunded, and summarizing responses received from DRS, the State Treasurer, and the State Investment Board on the merger and restatement proposals. DRS said both bills could be administered, though the merger bill’s COLA banking provision would be challenging until its new system is ready; the Treasurer urged caution, especially about the restatement bill and the use of one-time funds; and the Investment Board said removing assets from the trust would have some transaction costs but likely small impacts. The committee discussed whether to invite additional agencies and local government groups to testify, and staff said more responses, including from Ice Miller and the State Actuary, were expected for the October meeting. Finally, the committee heard a briefing on PERS 1/TERS 1 COLA policy and related bills from the last session. Staff reviewed the committee’s prior ongoing COLA recommendation, the SCPP-endorsed bills that would have created a one-time 3% COLA followed by an ongoing COLA, the Senate merger bill, and a separate ad hoc COLA bill. Public testimony largely supported Plan 1 COLAs and stable contribution rates, while several speakers urged caution about transferring LEOFF 1 surplus assets or merging legacy plans, and others raised concerns about climate risk and the pension fund’s investments. No further committee action was taken on the COLA item during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Representative Freriedman votes yes. &gt;&gt; Representative Freriedman votes yes.
• So I will be voting against it. >> For it.
• Um, I will not be voting in favor of the ITL motion.
• against will be &gt;&gt; Um yes, I will voting against will be voting<05:05:48.160><c> against</c><05
• </c><05:05:50.638><c> I</c> voting against the ITL DL motion. I voting against the ITL DL motion.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we do have one testifier for the bill who's joining us remotely: Dr. Michael Cary.
• So I really hope this is included in our bill, and I hope we can vote for it on the floor.
• for it on the and I hope we can uh vote for it on the floor<00:42:12.319><c> thank</c><00:42:12.520>
• If you could come up, and then we'll have two remote testifiers.
• With that, I have Leah Jones remote and Carrie Bacin-Bakan.

Bills: HF827 , HF1258 , HF2387 , HF2388 , HF2534 , HF2016

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Has every member voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?
• Has every member voted? Representative Berg, how do you vote?
• It will be a mixed vote over here, but I do encourage members to vote with me and vote yes on this bill
• As every member voted... Every member voted. Does any member wish to change their vote?
• Has every member voted? As every member voted, does any member wish to change their vote?

Transcript Highlights:

• a vote on that and we will not be taking a vote today on will not be taking a vote today on will not
• be taking a vote today on HB42.
• voting hearings and we will uh consider voting on those next week.
• Are we voting on this? have a procedure. Are we voting on this? have a procedure.
• Are we voting on this?

Bills: HB265 , HB146 , SB254 , HB202 , HB3 , HB42 , SB18

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: resisting arrest, penalties, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, youthful offender, capital murder, victims' rights, SB254, Alabama, statute of limitations, civil procedure, civil action, sex offense, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, survivor rights, tolling, disability, minor plaintiff

Transcript Highlights:

• Two remote testifiers, Marianne Nichols and Thad Duvall.
• Two remote testifiers, Marianne Nichols and Thad Duvall.
• One remote testifier, Allison Redenz. enforcement. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much, Kelly.
• One remote testifier, Alison Redenz. Hello. Yes, please proceed. Great. Hello, everyone.

Bills: HB2111 , HB2495

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: Interstate 5 bridge, toll facility, bond retirement, transportation, state funding, vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Two remote testifiers, Marianne Nichols, and that do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Two remote testifiers, Marianne Nichols and Thad Duvall.
• One remote testifier, Alison Redenz. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much, Kelly.
• One remote testifier, Alison Redenz. Hello. Yes, please proceed. Great. Hello, everyone.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on electric vehicles, renewable fuels, hydrogen, and related transportation investments, followed by public hearings on several bills. Agency presenters from WSDOT, Commerce, and Ecology described the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council’s work, Washington’s slowing EV adoption growth, charging infrastructure gaps, and programs such as NEVI, ZEVIP, and a new medium- and heavy-duty incentive program. Members asked about fast-charging standards and whether higher-capacity chargers could be supported. Commerce also outlined renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel efforts, including the Office of Renewable Fuels, hydrogen and SAF modeling, technical assistance, and the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator’s partnerships and funding. WSDOT then discussed hydrogen investments in transit, aviation, backup power, and corridor planning, while Ecology explained the alternative jet fuel programmatic environmental impact statement, its scope, timeline, and how it will support future project review. In the public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2114, the committee heard testimony supporting a no-fee replacement process for defective license plates within two years of issuance, with optional fee waivers later; the sponsor and county auditors said peeling or unreadable plates are a real customer-service problem, especially in eastern Washington. The hearing on House Bill 2111 concerned allowing the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project toll facility bond retirement account to keep its interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund; the prime sponsor said it is a straightforward fix requested by the state treasurer. Substitute House Bill 1823 would update Transportation Improvement Board statutes by replacing “non-motorized” with “active transportation” and removing obsolete references; TIB said it is a cleanup bill that aligns statutes with current grant practices and complete streets policy. The committee also heard House Bill 2495, which would let the City of Seattle direct immediate impoundment of unattended vehicles blocking streetcar operations, similar to existing authority for Sound Transit. Seattle’s streetcar manager said blocked tracks cause frequent delays and that the bill would reduce waits for police authorization and restore service faster. Public testimony and sign-in counts were noted for each bill, but no votes were taken in the transcript, and the meeting concluded after the final public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• implementing regionalized specialty and maternal care networks, implementing provider training, and remote
• Implementing provider training and remote care technologies to expand access, improve local capacity,
• Are there remote patient monitoring things we can do?
• And we can do remote patient monitoring and try to really sort of see, we get you home to your community

Bills: SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145 , HB2 , SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• He's coming in remotely.
• He's coming in remotely.
• Hospitality Association come on up, and then Andrew Eccles with 350 Washington, who will be zooming in remotely
• And then Andrew Eccles with 350, Washington, who will be zooming in remotely.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade and Economic Development Committee first held a work session on protecting children online. Testimony focused on a proposed Kids Online Protection Act that would limit addictive algorithmic feeds for minors and restrict push notifications during school hours and at night. Supporters included a former tech executive, a Meta whistleblower, and a psychology researcher, who argued that social media design exploits adolescent development, harms well-being, and that the bill gives parents and children more control without banning access to content. Industry and trade group witnesses opposed the approach, arguing it would violate the First Amendment, create privacy risks through age verification, and could reduce useful personalization and safety tools; they said companies are already implementing teen protections and parental controls. The committee did not take a vote during the work session. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5928, sponsored by Senators Warnick and Short at the request of the Insurance Commissioner. The bill would require property insurers using wildfire risk scores or models to disclose more information to consumers, explain adverse factors, provide appeal and rescoring processes, and account for mitigation actions in rate filings and discounts. The Office of Insurance Commissioner, a Colville Tribal representative, fire district testimony, climate advocates, realtors, hospitality businesses, and insurance agents generally supported the bill as a transparency and consumer-protection measure, with some urging inclusion of commercial lines and stronger recognition of local fire mitigation. Several insurance trade groups opposed or were neutral, warning that the bill goes too far, could expose proprietary underwriting information, increase regulation and costs, and should be narrowed to align with other states’ approaches. No vote was taken, and the chair adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call up people who signed up in person first, and then we'll go to folks who signed up as remote
• testifiers. ...to folks who signed up as remote testifiers.
• So we'll move to remote testimony. Let's see here. Let's have William Booth. Good afternoon.
• Okay, well, let's go to remote testimony then and see if we've got anybody teed up.

Bills: SB6003

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call up people who signed up in person first, and then we'll go to folks who signed up as remote
• testifiers. ...to folks who signed up as remote testifiers.
• So we'll move to remote testimony. Let's see here. Let's have William Booth. Good afternoon.
• Okay, well, let's go to remote testimony then, see if we've got anybody teed up.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• FIRST TOPIC WE HAVE WITH US DAN THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STATE POLICY FOR DATA CENTER COALITION ON REMOTELY
• WE HAVE CEE JAY MEYER THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF IMPLEMENTATION FOR CLL DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE REMOTELY
• DIORIO WHO IS REMOTE. >> CAN YOU SEE ME? >> Chair: YES WE CAN SEE YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
• SOLUTIONS SUPPORTED BY AI HELP ENABLE VIRTUAL CARE AND EXTEND THE MEDICAL SUPPORT TO PATIENTS IN REMOTE

Transcript Highlights:

• the real choices will just be right there, and we're not going to be able to go back into kind of remote
• /c><00:15:31.440><c> of</c> to be able to go back into kind of to be able to go back into kind of remote
• > ideological</c><00:15:33.839><c> bunkers</c><00:15:34.560><c> and</c><00:15:35.279><c> make</c> remote
• like ideological bunkers and make remote like ideological bunkers and make sort<00:15:36.000><c> of,

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, the minutes are approved.
• Obviously, you can have deliberations and discussions, but no votes, no canvassing for votes, no informal
• A committee was voting to make mask wearing optional. The agenda on.
• The committee was voting to make mask wearing optional.
• Fred, you're remote. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can you hear me okay? I can hear you. Thank you, Mr.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to vote no on Substitute House Bill 2203.
• Madam Chair, the votes both directions on this.
• So, asking for no vote. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Nay.
• I’m going to recommend a no vote. Thank you. Any other comments on this bill?
• I'm going to recommend a no vote. Thank you. Any other comments on this bill?

Bills: HB2543

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation

Transcript Highlights:

• So we urge you to vote no on this today. Thank you. Thank you. And last person, Robert Hobart.
• Voting. Thank you. So the impact of the amendment, the bill, the substitute has...
• No, and I'd like to explain my vote. Representative Martínez. Yes. Speaker Martínez.
• So that explains my no vote. Thank you. Thank you. You have a do pass.
• Do you take the vote, please? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative Abeita? Yes.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• If I can get two more members in here, we can go ahead and vote bills out.
• We will begin voting as soon as we get two more members.
• Nathan said he can be over here in 30 seconds to vote. He's right next door.
• We can vote all these out, and then I'm supposed to be in another committee as well.
• Otherwise, no nays, ayes vote 3928, reported to the full Senate.

Bills: HB227

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, vote to machine.
• Members, are you voting? Members, are you voting? The clerk will close the machine.
• House Bill by Representative Bacala, voting in public meetings, voting by electronic machines.
• Roll call, members voting machine. Members vote to machine. Madam Clerk, government machines.
• Members voting machine. Members voting machine.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received and processed multiple resignation notices and special-election proclamations for vacant seats. The chamber later recognized and swore in newly elected members Doyle Boudreaux, Reese Broussard, Chassity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray after no objections were raised to their qualifications. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session, and it adopted the proposed standing committee meeting schedule and referred prefiled bills to committee without objection. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the introduction and reading of a very large number of House bills and resolutions across many subject areas. Measures included the annual appropriations bill, a proposed constitutional convention, carbon dioxide sequestration and pipeline permitting, retirement-system changes, criminal justice and public safety proposals, education and workforce measures, local government and district creation bills, insurance and liability reforms, and numerous commemorative resolutions. Several prefiled bills were withdrawn, and many introduced measures were assigned to committees or allowed to lie over under the rules. The House then entered a joint session with the Senate for the governor’s address. Governor Jeff Landry outlined his administration’s priorities and praised recent legislative actions on taxes, insurance reform, transportation, education, and fiscal discipline. He urged support for Amendment 3 on teacher pay and retirement, called for further workforce and health initiatives, defended insurance and transportation reforms, and pressed for judicial reform, especially in Orleans Parish, citing the death of Jacob Carter and failures in electronic monitoring as examples. He also promoted replacing the vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code system and highlighted economic growth, lower taxes, and infrastructure investments. The joint session also included a presentation of the colors by the Louisiana National Guard and a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony for Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister, recognizing his 2018 rescue mission in Alaska. After the governor’s remarks and the military honor presentation, the joint session concluded and the House resumed introducing additional bills, continuing to file measures on topics such as health care, education, ethics, elections, local districts, and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just the last thing that I'll say is, you know, I want to vote for these pilot programs, be it the
• Counties that I represent and how many of them there are, and know that it's a pretty remote rural area
• Especially Harding and Union counties are very remote areas.
• And I want to talk to you about remote, and I want to talk to you about the fund sometime back.
• And especially in these remote areas, they need a little help to be able to do that.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd appreciate a yes vote. That concludes debate. The vote will now occur.
• The vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, you'll vote aye.
• The vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, you'll vote aye.
• The vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, vote aye.
• The vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, vote 'a'.

Bills: HB3002 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3419 , HB3463 , HB3919 , HB3985 , HB4303

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: counties, county officers, education, training, sunset law, county purchasing, procurement practices, budget management, public accountability, emergency procurement, reverse auction, bidding process, competitive bidding, public procurement, city council regulations, public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust