Transcript Highlights:

• It modifies the exemption for financial institutions by exempting financial institutions that are subject
• the report, the required contents of the report that's supposed to be submitted with the plan, such
• , and that report explicitly states the agency... ...the 2025 Digital Equity Forum report, and that report
• , a community reinvestment plan report, and a community investment plan implementation report.
• plan report, and a community investment plan implementation report.

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee first met in executive session on House Bills 2157, 2351, 2365, 2357, and 2446. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for each bill. HB 2157, concerning high-risk AI systems, was amended to exempt activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and covered entities under HIPAA; members discussed balancing consumer protections with flexibility for developers and deployers. HB 2351, addressing protections for emergency responders and emergency operations, was described as clarifying definitions and procedures, including a mental health crisis defense and changes to emergency operation zone notifications; some members raised concerns about deconfliction and implementation details. HB 2365, on digital equity, was amended with several definitional and data-sharing proposals, though some amendments were rejected over fiscal concerns. HB 2357, creating the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, passed without amendment. HB 2446, on developing a quantum technology industry strategy, was amended to extend the strategy deadline, broaden who Commerce may contract with, and correct terminology; members noted concerns about industry involvement in the strategic plan and fiscal impacts. All five bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes of 8-5 on HB 2157, HB 2351, and HB 2365, unanimous support for HB 2357, and 12-1 for HB 2446. The committee then held a public hearing on HB 2523, which would make the community reinvestment program ongoing, require periodic updates and reporting, and direct a study of fund distribution and use. Testifiers from workforce boards, tribal programs, reentry services, community organizations, and Commerce described successful uses of the program for job training, reentry, small business support, legal services, and economic mobility, and urged the bill’s passage. Some suggested strengthening accountability, reporting, and access for new organizations. Commerce staff said the program has served more than 190,000 people and supported over 400 organizations, and asked for technical adjustments to keep administrative costs low. The bill was then closed for hearing. The committee also heard HB 2606, which would revise the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and performance measures, remove some reporting requirements, and add review of agency AI projects. The prime sponsor described it as a “stay-in-your-lane” cleanup bill responding to JLARC recommendations, and the state chief privacy officer testified in support, saying the office could implement the changes within existing resources. After questions about local government support and public resources, the hearing on HB 2606 was closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They build equity, they gain financial stability, and when they sell, if they sell, They share in the
• I'm happy to report that we are nearly ready to go vertical on the site.
• rental units, and 80% reported not enough accessible rental units that were also affordable.
• deep financial challenges, and that's been critically important.
• These communities face financial challenges that limit their long-term stability.

Bills: HF1143 , HF1548 , HF1340 , HF2549 , HF2559 , HF1673 , HF2740 , HF2507 , HF2461 , HF2381 , HF2695

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• By her financially and emotionally manipulative husband.
• And we know that there's no lack of reporting on this. We read about it frequently.
• In 2023, the Globe reported of a 93-year-old Massachusetts resident, right?
• to report suspected financial exploitation to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, an adult
• It authorizes financial institutions to temporarily delay suspicious transactions.

Summary: The Senate considered a large number of amendments to an economic development bill and adopted them one by one, with repeated brief recesses as members finalized language. Early amendments made permanent the option for hybrid public meetings and added procedures for alleged open meeting law violations, authorized speed camera enforcement in school and construction safety zones, and created a retirement credit option for part-time teachers who reduced hours to care for children. Other adopted amendments updated gateway municipality designations every three years, capped ticket resale prices and banned speculative “ghost tickets,” and addressed vulnerable road users, crumbling concrete, and a fund for seasonal communities housing. Members also approved amendments to create a new framework for responding to crimes against women, including better investigation of staged suicides and adding sex and gender to the hate crimes statute; to establish a trigger law protecting private-sector labor organizing rights if federal labor law is weakened; to create a bottom-up “Enough Act” fund to fight poverty; to allow airport restaurants and bars at Logan to operate during flight hours; and to protect seniors and adults with disabilities from financial scams by allowing temporary delays of suspicious transactions and reporting to protective agencies. Additional housing-related amendments were adopted for rural communities, residential PACE financing, and a five-community tenant opportunity to purchase pilot program. A Senate Ways and Means amendment was then adopted, the substitute draft was applied to the underlying bill, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. The chamber also adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar. The Senate then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So all of these positions really have a financial nexus.
• You should have received a copy of our annual report.
• They review almost 700 audit reports.
• We've provided 828 financial certifications.
• So I want a written report on what that's going to be.

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the State Land Office, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State said its requested general fund budget of $15.88 million was intended to maintain baseline operations, replace lost federal cyber and election support, and address a 12% vacancy rate. Officials warned that the House recommendation still left major gaps for election security, tabulator replacement, campaign finance system upgrades, overseas and military ballot services, ballot tracking, and a new tax lien filing system. Senators pressed about the election fund, county burdens, and the risk of underfunding election administration; the office said the House had provided $15 million for the election fund for the primary and another $15 million for the general election, but not enough for operations or all capital needs. The State Land Office said it was satisfied with the House budget action and had no additional request. Staff described the office’s record revenues, low vacancy rate, clean audits, and proposed new positions tied to forestry, economic development, petroleum, geothermal, and royalty compliance work. Senators asked about long-term revenue trends, forest thinning and biomass opportunities, and bookkeeping around the land maintenance fund; the office said the new positions were intended to generate revenue and support land management, including fire mitigation. The Attorney General’s office presented a budget built around a 0% general fund increase, greater use of the Consumer Settlement Fund, and $4.5 million in special/extraordinary litigation funding. The AG emphasized active litigation and investigations involving consumer fraud, Medicaid fraud, federal funding cuts, Meta and other technology platforms, AI and child safety, gaming compacts, tobacco, and possible litigation over abandoned uranium mine cleanup. Senators asked about scam enforcement, the structure of settlement funds, and whether the office could take on uranium-related litigation; the AG said the office could prepare a litigation budget but warned such efforts would require sustained funding. The State Auditor said the House budget added only modest increases while the office faced about a 40% vacancy rate, difficulty recruiting auditors, and a shrinking pool of public accounting firms, creating risks for constitutional audit responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:41.840><c> services</c> administration and uh financial services administration and uh financial
• </c> collect financial reports or at least collect financial reports or at least have<01:06:16.960><c
• Um, and then it creates a structure for the Department of Agriculture to request financial reports and
• The Department of Agriculture to request financial reports and producer lists to say, well, who are you
• Subcommittee report is adopted.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• TERMS THAT THEY HAVE AND FINANCIAL SOLVENCY TO PAY ON THE OTHER HAND AT THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
• WE WILL APPROVE THEM AND LOOK AT FINANCIAL SOLVENCY IN THEIR MARKET CONDUCT AND MAKE A DETERMINATION
• WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT AS THE DEPOPULATION REQUEST ARE COMING THE COMPANIES TRULY HAVE THE FINANCIAL
• AS YOU WORK TO BRING FOR THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY HAD ALSO BEEN TOOLS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THEY
• . >> KNOW IT REPORTS TO YOU. >> YES REPORTS TO US AND SO WE DID NOT HAVE EXTERNALLY ANYTHING AROUND THAT

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> supporting them with financial literacy. supporting them with financial literacy.
• And going back on my feet financially.
• </c><00:32:19.080><c> literacy,</c> helping teach them financial literacy, helping teach them financial
• Local reporters Minnesota's communities.
• </c> community than we can report on. community than we can report on.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• education, financial literacy.
• Financial education as a foundation to our K-12 setting in terms of students graduating.
• Financial literacy is really a life skill.
• Treasurer: The biggest difference lies in the reporting requirements.
• What we have right now is no requirement for financial education of any sort.

Summary: State Treasurer and Senator Adrian Cortes announced a push to pre-file legislation requiring financial education as a high school graduation requirement in Washington. Supporters said the measure is intended to give students basic personal finance skills such as budgeting, loans, credit, taxes, leases, and interest rates, and to reduce long-term debt and economic hardship. Speakers included educators, a representative of the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, and Washington credit unions, all of whom argued that financial literacy is a basic life skill and should not depend on a student’s family background. Senator Cortes said he was surprised Washington remains one of the few states without a financial education requirement and framed the bill as support for working families and future small business owners. Vanessa Reilly Medina described the real-world financial decisions students face after graduation, while Christy Johnson and Tracy Godat emphasized the complexity of today’s financial system and the availability of curriculum and teacher training resources. Joe Atomack said credit unions see the need daily and noted that school-based credit union programs also teach job skills. In response to questions, the Treasurer said the new bill differs from a prior House bill mainly by reducing reporting requirements and therefore lowering fiscal impact. He said the proposed requirement would take effect in 2033 or earlier, depending on integration with the State Board of Education’s Future Ready process, and that the content should be broad while allowing districts flexibility. No vote was taken at the event; it was a public announcement and Q&A supporting the upcoming legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So next up, we have the variance report.
• In the full reports, startup and closeout reports that were forwarded to the committee, you can find
• Committee, any questions on any of the projects that were reported? report on major projects.
• And then that does flow in and show as revenue into the financials that you'd see in that annual report
• Each entity will get a report.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So, welcome to the Committee on Financial Services hearing today.
• I urge the committee to report the bill out favorably, and thank you again for this opportunity.
• I’m happy to report that all stakeholders remain fine with the language of the DCFA as introduced.
• Senate 741 protects seniors and adults with disabilities from financial exploitation.
• That also limits four choices for credit unions and the financial institutions.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on consumer debt, mortgage regulation, credit unions, and foreclosure prevention. The Attorney General’s Office strongly supported the Debt Collection Fairness Act (S. 735/H. 1275), saying it would curb abusive debt collection, prevent stale claims, limit civil arrest warrants, modernize wage garnishment rules, and reduce judgment interest rates. Senator Eldridge and legal aid advocates echoed that support, while the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association supported bills on credit union mission/competition, consumer privacy in mortgage applications, subprime loan definitions, UCC updates, and protections for vulnerable adults, but opposed foreclosure mediation proposals and several credit union expansion measures, arguing they would distort competition and add unnecessary burdens. A large portion of the hearing focused on foreclosure prevention bills (S. 765/H. 1090), with testimony from homeowners, housing organizers, and legal advocates describing predatory lending, confusing servicing practices, health harms, and displacement caused by foreclosure. Supporters said a statewide pre-foreclosure mediation program would give borrowers and lenders a chance to reach alternatives such as loan modifications or repayment plans, and cited local experience in Lynn where mediation reportedly produced high rates of foreclosure alternatives. Opponents from the banking industry argued Massachusetts already has strong foreclosure protections and that a new mandatory process could delay resolution without added benefit, though they also noted a 2024 pilot should be evaluated first. The committee also heard strong support for H. 1282/S. 684, which would update the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code. State Street and a bankruptcy attorney said the changes are needed to keep commercial law current with electronic transactions, tokenized assets, and blockchain technology, and to maintain competitiveness with other states. The hearing concluded after public testimony, with no bill votes taken during the session; the chair thanked speakers and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so moving on to our agenda item Roman numeral three: finance the PSCOC financial plan.
• The final piece, the final plan, the financial plan assumptions and summaries.
• Chair, you know, I'm going to speak on the financial.
• First is the quarterly lease assistance status report. Mr.
• Thank you for the status report, and we'll move on.

Transcript Highlights:

• So now we'll proceed to the state auditor for the status report.
• A second review found additional failures involving vendor management and financial reporting systems
• Don Batiz, the chief financial officer.
• that we have submitted the appropriate reports.
• Current reporting requirements rely heavily on self-reported data from community-based service providers

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Transcript Highlights:

• Errors, or seek financial assistance.
• So, I think we would suggest that we don't really need to do the reporting if we're going to report it
• Now, what I would say on that report, that's a report of all physicians, not all physicians that have
• Financial sense for hospitals.
• Events Reporting System.

Bills: SB227 , SB269 , SB407 , SB463 , SB527 , SB547 , SB1283 , SB1380 , SB1383 , SB1511 , SB1640 , SB1784 , SB2069

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• in your packets, members, you do have the most recent 990, their audited financial report, their annual
• report, and I believe they're going to go through their annual report here with us to kind of let us
• </c><00:18:41.679><c> and</c> the most recent audited financials and the most recent audited financials
• report</c><00:20:53.840><c> and</c> financial report their annual report and financial report their annual
• reports packet.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some ability to transfer funds between our financial aid programs.
• So, together all these factors drive up demand and cost for state financial aid.
• Report that they also had an uptake in their enrollment. Is that correct?
• You asked for clarity on the financial.
• I appreciate it and understand the financials.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not comfortable allowing financial not comfortable allowing financial institutions<00:03:55.439>
• You still have to complete your uniform financial report and you still have to complete your financial
• </c> trouble complying with uh reporting trouble complying with uh reporting requirements<00:12:14.160
• </c> have to complete your uniform financial have to complete your uniform financial report<00:13:25.000
• and you still have to complete report and you still have to complete your<00:13:26.560><c> financial

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered several bills. House Bill 684, an elections “continuous improvement” measure, drew the most discussion. Rep. Jennifer Decker said it was based on issues identified during the 2024 election cycle and included changes to absentee voting for primary caregivers and other election administration updates. Senators focused on a committee substitute removing credit and debit cards as a second form of ID for provisional ballots; Decker said local election workers had reported people trying to use cards with no photo ID, and she did not want financial institutions determining voter eligibility. The bill also clarified that certain ballots could be issued by hand or by mail. It passed 9-1, with some members voting no or passing because they wanted more time to consider the ID change. House Bill 71, requested by the Kentucky Public Pension Authority, would reorganize KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the CFO into an executive director-level role. Testimony said the change was structural only, with no impact on system funding and minimal short-term costs. It passed unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 290, by Rep. Nick Wilson, would allow county law libraries to use funds for online legal research resources, computers, and internet-related equipment. Supporters said libraries had money but were limited to buying books; the bill passed unanimously, with the chair noting it would let libraries use existing funds more effectively. House Bill 555, as amended by committee substitute, addressed audit and reporting requirements for small cities. Supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Auditor’s Office said many small cities struggle to find certified CPAs, and the bill would raise the threshold for less frequent audits, expand the exemption threshold, allow the Auditor’s Office to contract to perform audits, and clarify that state-fund withholding for noncompliance would not apply to contractual or utility payments. It passed 10-1, and the title amendment was adopted. House Bill 160, with a committee substitute, would regulate manufactured housing and local zoning by establishing standards that supporters said were needed to prevent discrimination against modern manufactured homes. Several senators expressed concern about state interference in local zoning, while others supported the bill as a housing access measure; it passed 10-1. Finally, House Bill 455 would create a Unit of Election Investigations and Security in the Attorney General’s Office to handle election-crime allegation review, the voter fraud hotline, prosecutorial referrals, and legislative oversight. Supporters said it codified existing practices and would not require new funding, but opponents objected to placing the hotline in a partisan office. The bill passed 9-1 with one pass, and the committee adjourned after reporting favorable action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> report 102. report 102.
• </c> Report<04:43:04.240><c> number</c> Report number Report number 129,<04:43:06.798><c> report</c><
• Report<05:17:09.680><c> number</c> Report number Report number 213<05:17:11.840><c> represent</c> 213
• </c> Report<06:29:49.040><c> number</c> Report number Report number 247.<06:29:51.920><c> Report</c><
• </c> Report<06:30:17.520><c> number</c> Report number Report number 251.<06:30:20.240><c> Okay,</c><06

Transcript Highlights:

• education, financial literacy.
• Financial literacy is really a life skill.
• But it’s really broader than just financial services.”
• “The biggest difference lies in the reporting requirements.
• What we have right now is no requirement for financial education of any sort.

Summary: Treasurer and legislative supporters held a press event to announce pre-filing of legislation that would require financial education for Washington students as a graduation requirement. Treasurer said the goal is to give young people a foundational understanding of personal finance so they are not dependent on their parents’ money knowledge and can better navigate loans, credit, interest, taxes, housing, and other financial decisions. Senator Adrian Cortes said he is leading the effort in the Senate and described the bill as important for preparing students for adult life and supporting working families and future small business owners. Testimony from an educator, a financial education nonprofit leader, and a credit union representative all backed the proposal. Vanessa Medina, a Vancouver public school teacher, said students need practical skills for student loans, car loans, leases, and job benefits. Christy Johnson said the financial system is increasingly complex and that financial literacy is a life skill and social justice issue, especially given the wealth gap and the pressures facing young people. Tracy Godat said her organization already has free materials and professional development ready for educators, and Joe Atomack said credit unions see the need every day and can help expand access through school branches and student work experience. In response to questions, Cortes said the new bill differs from a previous House-passed version mainly by reducing reporting requirements and therefore lowering fiscal impact for districts and OSPI. He said the bill would align with the State Board of Education’s Future Ready process and could take effect by 2033 or earlier, depending on integration. The treasurer said the issue has broad bipartisan support and argued that Washington is behind other states in not already requiring financial education.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have them put a financial strain on people for having a match, and they have a financial strain on
• . required to submit a monthly progress report.
• . inspections and those monthly reports.
• I don't know how many of you saw the news report.
• Based on the most recent report of... 2023.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will have the OIC look at the actuarial report.
• The OIC will look at the actuarial reports from the very few CCRCs in our state.
• The result of this financial mystery, The result of this financial mismanagement is that residents of
• The Department of Health is required to prepare a template reporting form, and the information reported
• So I'm asking for a no on a formal report.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several health-related bills. House Bill 2384 would require continuing care retirement communities that offer life care contracts to submit actuarial analyses every other registration cycle for review by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, with the Department of Social and Health Services using the review in registration decisions. The bill sponsor and residents’ advocates said it would improve transparency and protect seniors’ prepaid care promises, while the CCRC industry supported the goal but raised concerns about scope, cost, and implementation details. House Bill 2505 would exempt certain foster family homes and child-specific foster care homes from adult family home licensure when former foster youth remain in the home as adults and certain safety conditions are met; DSHS supported the narrow exemption as a way to avoid displacing vulnerable young adults. House Bill 2402 would phase out DEHP and other orthophthalates in IV solution containers and later IV tubing, with exemptions for certain blood and cell therapy products; supporters cited health and environmental risks and the availability of safer alternatives, while manufacturers and hospitals supported the goal but asked for longer timelines, supply-chain protections, and implementation assistance. In executive session, the committee took action on a series of bills. It adopted an amendment and passed House Bill 1904, which prohibits cat declawing, on a 13-3 vote. It passed a proposed substitute for House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug program on an 11-5 vote after debate over reporting requirements and the state’s authority. It rejected several amendments to House Bill 2182 on abortion medications held by the Department of Corrections, adopted an Indian health care provider priority amendment, and passed the bill on a 10-6 vote. House Bill 2211 on medically tailored meals passed 15-1. The committee also passed Substitute House Bill 2247 on veterinarian-client-patient relationships, Substitute House Bill 2329 on midwives and lactation consultants, and Substitute House Bill 2339 on nurse licensing, each with technical amendments and broad support.