Transcript Highlights:

• The language is put together by several different groups, including the Oklahoma Dental Association,
• Section D, the name of the dentist or dentists actually providing the dental services to the patient
• you Help me understand why we would be removing the name of the dentist or dentists providing the dental
• It improves access to care while maintaining strong safety standards.
• I know I've heard quite a few concerns on folks with the diagnosis of diabetes and being able to access

Bills: HB3767, HB3934, HB4199, HB4336, HB2947, HB3834, HB4302, HB4095, HB3287, HB3649, HB4430, HB4431, HB2059, HB3647

Keywords: controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling

Transcript Highlights:

• The language is put together by several different groups, including the Oklahoma Dental Association and
• we are removing, beginning on line one, section D: The name of the dentist actually providing the dental
• you help me understand why we would be removing the name of the dentist or dentists providing the dental
• I know I've heard quite concerns on folks with the diagnosis of diabetes and being able to access quite
• a concerns on folks with the diagnosis of diabetes and being able to access treatment.

Bills: HB3767, HB3934, HB4199, HB4336, HB2947, HB3834, HB4302, HB4095, HB3287, HB3649, HB4430, HB4431, HB2059, HB3647

Keywords: controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee first considered three executive nominations. Shonda Lasseter was reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, with discussion focused on pharmacy staffing shortages, PBMs, and broader health care workforce challenges; she was advanced 11-0. Dr. Lane Sabara was renominated to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, where members discussed rural physician shortages and training pipelines; he was advanced 12-0. Dr. Paul Wright was nominated to fill an unexpired term on the same commission and was advanced 12-0 after questions about his availability and experience supporting rural medicine. The committee then heard several health-related bills. HB 3767, which adds 14 chemicals used to enhance fentanyl to Oklahoma’s controlled substances schedules, advanced 10-0. HB 3934, a dentistry workforce and cleanup bill updating insurance-claim and billing language, advanced 11-0. HB 4199, creating a three-year tri-share workforce pilot program for the Department of Commerce, was amended to change eligibility language and then advanced 9-2. HB 2947, allowing supervised behavioral health interns to bill Medicaid, advanced 10-1. HB 3834, authorizing the Department of Health to begin stage-one clinical trials for ibogaine and creating a revolving fund for that purpose, drew extensive testimony about veteran and first responder treatment, safety, funding, and state liability, and advanced 10-2. Additional measures also moved forward. HB 4302, after amendment, advanced 12-0 on a juvenile oversight reporting and law enforcement notification issue. Committee member bills included HB 495, reinstating the 211 Collaborative advisory council, which advanced 11-0; HB 3287, requiring domestic violence and human trafficking signage in health facilities, which advanced 11-0; HB 3649, allowing the Mental Health Department to sell underused property and keep the proceeds in its trust, which advanced 12-0 after amendment; HB 4430, clarifying malpractice coverage for APRNs and PAs at state facilities, which advanced 12-0; HB 2059, creating a mechanism to reimburse medication costs for incarcerated people in county and municipal jails, which advanced 12-0 after questions about continuity of care; and HB 3647, creating an all-payer claims database and transparency board, which advanced 10-2. The committee adjourned after announcing another meeting the following week.

Bills: SB5223, SB5067, SJM8002, SB5855, SB5865, SB5272, SCR8406, SB5000, SB5500, SJM8006, SB5325, SB5286, SB5937

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, impaired driving, driving safety, alcohol regulation, public health, transportation, Medicare, healthcare, insurance, elderly, budget impact, face coverings, civil liberties, garnishment, debt, form standardization

Summary: The Senate convened on January 28, 2026, approved the previous day’s journal without objection, and then processed routine committee and bill referral business. A standing committee report listed Senate Bill 5395 on prior authorization, which was referred to the Committee on Rules. The Senate also advanced to first reading of bills and received Senate Bill 6328, sponsored by Senator Saldaña, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation. No substantive debate or testimony occurred in this brief floor session. Senator Riccelli made the motions to dispense with the journal reading, refer reported measures as designated, advance to the fifth order of business, and refer newly introduced measures as designated. All motions were adopted without objection. The only action taken at the end of the meeting was adjournment. The Senate agreed to adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• one of the largest, most important things that our constituents are facing right now, it is lack of access
• in order to support a robust original Medicare system that will lower costs and improve benefits, access
• Substitute Senate Bill 5937, the Secretary will read: An act relating to the use of a smart access system
• An act relating to the use of a smart access system in a residential property subject to residential
• fact, it was a housing authority that came to me and asked, you know, to make sure that their smart access

Bills: SB5223, SB5067, SJM8002, SB5855, SB5865, SB5272, SCR8406, SB5000, SB5500, SJM8006, SB5325, SB5286, SB5937

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, impaired driving, driving safety, alcohol regulation, public health, transportation, Medicare, healthcare, insurance, elderly, budget impact, face coverings, civil liberties, garnishment, debt, form standardization

Summary: The Senate opened with a ceremonial welcome for the Washington National Guard, including a color guard, prayer, and a resolution recognizing the Guard’s service. Senate Resolution 8668 was adopted unanimously, with members praising the Guard’s flood response, election support, counterdrug work, youth programs, and community assistance. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Eliza Munoz Estee to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865 on garnishment forms after adopting an amendment delaying the effective date to May 1, 2027. The chamber also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5855 on law enforcement face coverings after rejecting several amendments that would have broadened or clarified exceptions, including proposals related to timing after transport, warrants, and other scenarios. Debate centered on federal immigration enforcement, public safety, accountability, and whether the bill would affect local law enforcement; the bill ultimately passed on a 30-19 vote. The Senate then passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105, with a technical amendment, to address explicit depictions of minors and AI-generated or altered child sexual abuse material. It also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, updating community custody provisions for unlawful firearm possession after a date-fixing amendment. Engrossed Senate Bill 5081, revising unattended motor vehicle rules for remote starts, passed unanimously. Senate Joint Memorial 8002, urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud and supporting original Medicare, also passed unanimously. Finally, the Senate advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure to reduce impaired driving, while opponents argued it would have limited effect and that enforcement and staffing issues were more important. The bill was debated at length and then passed 38-11.

Transcript Highlights:

• one of the largest, the most important things that our constituents are facing right now is lack of access
• in order to support a robust original Medicare system that will lower costs and improve benefits, access
• forward to working with anyone here to take the next big steps to make child care more affordable and accessible
• Substitute Senate Bill 5937, the Secretary will read: An act relating to the use of a smart access system
• fact, it was a housing authority that came to me and asked, you know, to make sure that their smart access

Bills: SB5223, SB5067, SJM8002, SB5855, SB5865, SB5272, SCR8406, SB5000, SB5500, SJM8006, SB5325, SB5286, SB5937

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, impaired driving, driving safety, alcohol regulation, public health, transportation, Medicare, healthcare, insurance, elderly, budget impact, face coverings, civil liberties, garnishment, debt, form standardization

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial honors for the Washington National Guard, including the presentation of colors, a prayer, and recognition of Major General Welsh and other Guard members in the chamber. Senators then adopted Senate Resolution 8668, which praised the Guard’s service in emergencies, disaster response, elections support, counterdrug training, and youth programs. Several members spoke in support, citing recent flood response efforts and the Guard’s work during COVID, and the resolution was adopted unanimously with all members’ names added as co-sponsors. The chamber then confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Elisa Munoz Estes to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College. Each confirmation passed by wide margins or unanimously after brief supporting remarks about the appointees’ education, military service, and community involvement. The Senate also considered and passed several bills. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865, concerning garnishment forms, was amended to delay implementation and then passed 46-3 after supporters called it a technical fix and opponents focused on timing. Substitute Senate Bill 5855, dealing with face coverings by law enforcement officers, drew extensive debate and multiple failed amendments; supporters framed it as a transparency and accountability measure aimed at masked federal immigration enforcement, while opponents argued it was overbroad, ineffective against federal officers, and harmful to state and local law enforcement. The bill passed 38-19. The Senate also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 on explicit depictions of minors, after an amendment clarifying liability and defenses, and Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268 on community custody for unlawful firearm possession, after a date update amendment. Finally, Engrossed Senate Bill 5081 on unattended motor vehicles and Senate Joint Memorial 8002 urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud were both adopted unanimously or by large margins. Later, the Senate took up Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05; the bill drew strong support from the sponsor and law enforcement-focused supporters, but also criticism that the lower threshold would not address the most dangerous impaired drivers and might have limited practical effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:13.880><c> it</c> entities are violating data access it entities are violating data access
• I'm sorry, I did not bring my computer, so I don't have access to it.
• I'm sorry, I did not bring my computer, so I don't have access to it.
• I'm sorry, I did not bring my computer, so I don't have access to it.
• I'm sorry, I did not bring my computer, so I don't have access to it.

Bills: HF414, HF768, HF359

Keywords: data practices, filing fee, government transparency, complaints, public access, free speech, human rights, censorship, protected speech, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, real property, partition, eminent domain, transfer on death deeds, property rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking at the AZ Dental Hygienists Association, Arizona Public Health, AZ Dental Association, AZ
• It benefits dental health across populations, especially for those lacking regular dental access."
• We're talking the American Dental Association, the American Dental Hygienists Association, the CDC, the
• And I am the past chair for the American Dental Association Council on advocacy for access and prevention
• Access to these libraries have access to microfiche and to all the records. Mr.

Bills: HB2015, HB2060, HB2129, HB2170, HB2210, HB2228, HB2352, HB2460, HB2533, SB1019, SB1045, SB1050, SB1078, SB1083, SB1167, SB1184, SCR1006

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, procurement, foreign adversary, China, state contracts, information technology

Transcript Highlights:

• any accessible ports on such equipment would be required to be locked with tamper-proof seals.
• The fact of the matter is that if we're going to have transparent elections, we've got to have access
• Lowering fees protects equal access to our constitutional right.
• While there were over... ...become 85% more lethal with access to a gun.
• And then the person said, 'shouldn't have easy access.' Campus life is risky.

Bills: SB1003, SB1006, SB1029, SB1037, SB1038, SB1039, SB1040, SB1053, SB1057, SB1060, SB1061, SB1068, SB1069

Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, barriers to entry for new and beginning farmers are first, land access, and then second,
• Local small producers aren't able to access the funds.
• It's limited land access, and looking at the individuals that...
• ...that really fit into this category of limited market access.
• I guess it's not really because point F is the limited market access.

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to see who is accessing these loans. to see who is accessing these loans.
• And so our local small producers aren't able to access the funds.
• And so our local small producers aren't able to access the funds.
• And so this um uh access the funds.
• And so it's, you know, it's limited land access.

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• The original intent of the bill was to have it where the public has not prevented access to a government
• people have a right to access a public building without having to comply with getting a shot or have
• But I do believe people have a right to access a public.
• , that's one thing. ...that during an epidemic period they would be limited access, that's one thing.
• They control pricing, reimbursement, and access. They do it behind a curtain.

Bills: HB689, HB742, HB926, HB946, HB948, HB1028, HB1095, HB1114, HB1121, HB1155, HB1185, HB1217, HB1220, HB1227, HCR76

Keywords: public assistance, child welfare, benefit adjustment, DCFS, LDH, fraud detection, household reporting, Medicaid, immunization, healthcare eligibility, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, health policy, vaccination requirements, vaccination status, vaccine mandate, medical freedom, medical autonomy, public buildings, public access, government services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> access to health care was turned off. access to health care was turned off.
• ><c> foster</c> They couldn't access extended foster They couldn't access extended foster care<01:14:
• </c> the bill aims to ensure complete access the bill aims to ensure complete access to<01:14:59.120>
• </c> one accessible document. one accessible document.
• </c><01:24:14.560><c> to</c> that non-foster youth have access to that non-foster youth have access to

Bills: HF3877, HF3714, HF3750, HF3024

Keywords: public authorities, dissolution cases, court system, child protection, legal notice, foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, foster youth, extended foster care, bill of rights, out-of-home placement, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260C, social services agency, caseworker, permanency team, sibling visitation, relative contact

Bills: HB0015, HB0017, HB0019

Keywords: right to repair, digital electronics, consumer protection, embedded software, manufacturers, repair providers, tools and documentation, anti-theft measures, blockchain, financial technology, digital innovation, economic development, select committee, trespass, hunting, land use, public access, wildlife, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is it takes this issue of accessing is it takes this issue of accessing public<00:16:14.800><c>
• </c> legislature should direct public access. legislature should direct public access.
• </c><00:58:25.359><c> If</c> additional access on the corners. If additional access on the corners.
• </c> assure multiple avenues of access. assure multiple avenues of access.
• </c> authorized to access does the trick. authorized to access does the trick.

Bills: HB0015, HB0017, HB0019

Keywords: right to repair, digital electronics, consumer protection, embedded software, manufacturers, repair providers, tools and documentation, anti-theft measures, blockchain, financial technology, digital innovation, economic development, select committee, trespass, hunting, land use, public access, wildlife, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The themes also included improving consumer access to medications, especially as more patients need access
• and mobile dental care.
• and mobile dental care.
• Things like patient navigators, case management, language access, dental care.
• critical access hospitals.

Bills: HB2145, HB1828, HB2155, HB2437

Keywords: 340B drug pricing, healthcare access, patient rights, discounted medications, manufacturer limitations, health professions, plasma donation, physician substitutes, medical regulation, nursing titles, healthcare, regulation, professional standards, licensure, accreditation, opioid treatment, health services, fee authority, public health, 904

Summary: The committee heard staff reports, sponsor testimony, and public testimony on House Bill 2437, which would place the Department of Health’s existing opioid treatment program accreditation role into statute and authorize the department to set fees to cover the cost of administering accreditation. Supporters, including the prime sponsor and DOH, said the bill would preserve a critical service for opioid treatment programs, including many tribal providers, and help avoid reliance on third-party accreditors with more burdensome requirements. No vote was taken on the bill during the portion provided. The committee then held an extended work session on the 340B drug pricing program and later opened public testimony on House Bill 2145, which would prohibit manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers from restricting 340B drug acquisition or delivery and from conditioning access on claims or utilization data. Staff and outside presenters explained how 340B works, recent litigation over contract pharmacy restrictions, and state trends in 340B-related legislation. Testimony was sharply divided: hospitals, community health centers, tribal representatives, labor groups, and some pharmacies argued the bill protects safety-net care, rural access, and patient services funded by 340B savings; manufacturers, employer groups, and business associations argued the program has grown far beyond its original purpose, lacks transparency, increases costs for employers and taxpayers, and should be reformed federally instead. No action was taken on HB 2145 in the excerpt. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2155, which would bar non-human entities from using nursing titles such as nurse, RN, LPN, or advanced registered nurse practitioner. The prime sponsor and the Washington State Nurses Association said the bill is intended to protect patient safety, transparency, and the integrity of the nursing profession as AI tools become more common in health care. A committee member asked about enforcement and liability if an AI system misrepresented itself as a nurse, and staff said they would follow up with more information. Public testimony on HB 2155 had just begun when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2218 is the bill that relates to access to medical care in the workers' compensation system
• so hard to just make it work for everybody, making sure that there's no stopgates, that people can access
• just make it work for everybody, making sure that there's no stopgates for people, that people can access
• make it work for everybody, making sure that there's no stop gates in for people that people can access
• at the most vulnerable time of their lives can access the services that they've paid into and that they

Bills: HB2188, HB2218, HB2524, HB2563

Keywords: transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, workers' compensation, medical care, healthcare access, employee rights, insurance coverage, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards, industry board, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met to executive several bills, briefly setting aside House Bill 2563 and later removing it from consideration. House Bill 2188, which requires L&I to publish more information about workers’ compensation premium rates and actuarial data, had no amendments and was reported out with a due-pass recommendation on an 8-0 vote, with one member excused. Members described it as a transparency measure, and support was unanimous. The committee then considered House Bill 2218, dealing with access to medical care in the workers’ compensation system. After a proposed substitute was explained, Representative Schmidt’s Amendment RL 025 was adopted to allow L&I to hire additional claims managers and reduce caseloads. The substitute, as amended, was reported out with a due-pass recommendation on a 6-2 vote, with one excused. Supporters emphasized improving access to care, especially in rural areas and for workers who struggle to navigate the system, while opponents raised concerns about the fiscal note and said they would follow up on inducement language in provisos. House Bill 2524, creating a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board to set minimum employment standards and authorize enforcement, was also advanced. Amendment 236, a technical change adjusting the board’s first meeting date and remittance language, was adopted, while Amendment 237 to remove the private right of action was rejected. The substitute bill then passed out of committee on a 5-3 vote, with supporters arguing it would improve training, stability, and worker protections for security guards, and opponents citing cost concerns and potential impacts on collective bargaining and existing private-sector security jobs.

Bills: SB140, HB102, SB133, SB34

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, violence prevention, conflict resolution, mediation, public education, high school graduation, 1136, house, all

Bills: SB367, SB368, SB350, SB351

Keywords: rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety

Transcript Highlights:

• beach access and public trust<01:24:19.760><c> resources.
• It affects public beaches, access, safety, agencies, and taxpayers.
• It affects public beaches, access, safety, agencies, and taxpayers.
• It affects public beaches, access, safety, agencies, and taxpayers.
• It affects public beaches, access, safety, agencies, and taxpayers.

Bills: SB2982, SB2367, SB2818, SB2944, SB2022, SB2240, SB2986, SB2547, SB2401, SB3031, SB3035, SB3032

Keywords: foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, Ala Wai Harbor, DLNR, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, state boating facility, small boat harbor, public-private partnership, PPP, marina management, harbor lease, fast lands, submerged lands

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 2982 on campaign finance, which would prohibit foreign entities and foreign-influence businesses from making contributions and expenditures. The Attorney General’s office testified first, followed by the Campaign Spending Commission, which supported the bill but asked for clarification on constitutional review authority and additional implementation time for certifications, forms, and procedures. Common Cause also supported the measure, arguing it would help protect elections from dark money and foreign influence. No vote was taken. The committee then took up SB 2367 on a state boating facilities lease program for the Ala Wai small boat harbor. DLNR supported the bill, while UPW opposed it, warning about privatization of a public asset and possible job displacement. Several members of the public supported the concept but urged amendments to protect public access, affordability, youth ocean programs, and state employee jobs. Committee members questioned DLNR about the scope of the lease, the role of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and whether public access and existing concessions would remain protected. DLNR said current leases would remain, the board would retain approval authority, and employees would not necessarily be displaced, but members indicated more discussion and possible amendments were needed. For SB 2818 on boating penalties, DLNR testified in support and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 2944 on conservation, which would require wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to NOAA guidance and reporting requirements; DLNR said it stood on its written testimony. SB 2022 on water code penalties drew support from DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management, which said the bill’s two-tiered penalty structure would preserve deterrence while keeping the current $5,000 penalty for first-time or non-harmful violations. The Board of Water Supply submitted comments, and Ulupono Initiative supported the measure as a needed enforcement tool. Committee members discussed whether the higher penalty ceiling should be phased in and asked for stakeholder input on the amount of the penalties. Finally, the committee began SB 2240 on land use, which would require water availability certification from the Commission on Water Resource Management before a district boundary amendment proceeds to the Land Use Commission. DLNR supported the bill and said it often reviews project documents that lack sufficient information on water needs and availability, so the measure would allow earlier review and comment. The committee also indicated it would seek amendments and further feedback on the water penalty bill before it moved to the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, child care has been a critical... ...can have access to early learning.
• One of those types are critical access hospitals.
• As was noted, we're working with our federal delegation to qualify for critical access status.
• Without critical access hospital status, essential services... Island Health.
• Without critical access hospital status, essential services could be diminished.

Bills: SB5872, SB5879, SB6047, SB5988, SB5923, SB5832, SB5970, SB5994, SB5949

Keywords: preK promise account, early childhood education, child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, state treasury, trust fund, investment earnings, gift grants donations, dedicated account, general fund, nonreverting balance, appropriation, treasurer, Washington early learning, school readiness, education assistance program, legislative audit

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on nine bills. Senate Bill 5872 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic gifts for the ECAP preschool program; supporters including the Ballmer Group, DCYF, and the governor’s office said the account would support a 10-year commitment to expand access by up to 10,000 seats per year, while members asked how the annual funding would flow. Senate Bill 5879 would eliminate two JLARC studies, one on lodging tax revenue use and one on the training benefits program; supporters said the reports were redundant and burdensome, while the Washington Hospitality Association cautioned against losing transparency on lodging tax spending. Senate Bill 6047 would permanently codify and update capital budget administration provisions, including minor works flexibility, lapse rules for projects, and a higher eligible percentage for some early learning grants; testimony focused on technical fixes for capital and early learning projects, including nonprofit co-located developments and a cultural center’s BCF funding issue. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, which would authorize the Department of Health to charge fees for accrediting opioid treatment programs; DOH said the fee authority would keep accreditation services available, including for tribal programs, and would replace current funding sources. Senate Bill 5923 would allow Island Hospital in Skagit County to be paid as a critical access hospital once federally certified, which supporters said would improve rural hospital sustainability and Medicaid reimbursement. Senate Bill 5832 would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to fund the Attorney General’s Lemon Law program; supporters said the program has a high consumer success rate and returns significant value, while the bill would increase receipts to the arbitration account and require system updates. Two tax-related bills drew substantial testimony. Senate Bill 5970 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers; AARP supported it as a way to preserve community services for older adults and caregivers. Senate Bill 5994 would preserve timber tax distributions for school districts that recently lost qualifying levies, with forest industry witnesses supporting the school funding fix and noting possible implications for state forest transfer lands. Senate Bill 5949 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses so it applies only to the insurer paying the premium tax and would apply retroactively to 2019; the Department of Revenue and supporters said it would restore tax equity and generate about $73 million over four years, while insurers and business groups opposed it, warning of retroactive liability, higher premiums, and possible effects on health, auto, home, and life insurance costs. No votes were taken; each bill was heard and the committee adjourned after public testimony.