Transcript Highlights:

• group of press organizations, including CalMatters, successfully petitioned a court to unseal the warrants
• They found that, in addition to voted ballots, those warrants authorized the seizure of other election
• So if, you know, somebody, for example, there's a warrant for someone's failure to pay taxes, they can

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity. Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no. The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards. The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This warrant article passed Topsfield Town Meeting with resounding support.
• I thank you for This warrant article passed Topsfield Town Meeting with resounding support.
• So the concern about shelters not being able to charge for the birds they adopt out is not warranted

Bills: H5432 , H5433 , S3093 , H5363 , H5137 , H5247

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution

Transcript Highlights:

• policymakers, since this is happening with enough regularity over a long enough period of time to where it warrants
• policymakers, since this is happening with enough regularity over a long enough period of time to where it warrants
• indictment on their interpretation, just that they have one now that has changed things, and so it warrants

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee considered several Senate bills dealing largely with cryptocurrency, county tax liens, and tax conformity. SB 1042 would allow state retirement systems to invest up to 10% in virtual currency holdings, and SB 1043 would let state agencies accept virtual currency payments through agreements with providers; both were described as permissive rather than mandatory and were returned with due pass recommendations on 5-3 votes. Members expressed caution about volatility and government involvement in digital assets, but supporters said the bills simply create options and could improve efficiency. The committee then took up SB 1067, which addresses county cleanup assessments for blighted properties in unincorporated areas. Chairman Olson offered an amendment removing the bill’s original mechanism for placing the assessment directly on the property tax bill, while preserving the lien so it survives a tax lien sale. County officials and the County Supervisors Association testified in support, saying counties currently absorb cleanup costs for hazardous properties and the amendment would help make counties whole without broadening property tax use. The amendment was adopted and the bill was returned with a due pass as amended recommendation on an 8-0 vote. SB 1180, on Department of Revenue tax conformity forms and instructions, prompted extended debate over whether DOR should presume conformity with federal tax changes and how to avoid an automatic tax increase without legislative action. Chairman Olson’s amendment would have DOR presume conformity only when federal changes reduce income or tax liability, while nonconformity would be presumed for increases; the sponsor said he wanted the bill to move but did not prefer the amendment. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 5-3, with members noting the issue needed further work and clearer statutory language. SB 1221, requiring DOR to notify legislative tax chairs before new interpretations that adversely affect taxpayers and to testify if asked, also passed 5-3 after adoption of an intent-clause amendment. SB 1292, clarifying PSPRS’s 5% voting-stock cap applies to publicly traded corporations, passed unanimously, and SCR 1033, a nonbinding resolution encouraging retirement systems to monitor digital asset ETFs and report back before the next session, passed 5-3. SB 1503 was held at the sponsor’s request, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• policymakers, since this is happening with enough regularity over a long enough period of time to where it warrants
• policymakers, since this is happening with enough regularity over a long enough period of time to where it warrants
• indictment on their interpretation, just that they have one now that has changed things, and so it warrants

Bills: SB1042 , SB1043 , SB1067 , SB1180 , SB1221 , SB1292 , SB1503 , SCR1033

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: public funds, virtual currency, bitcoin, investment, Arizona Strategic Digital Asset Reserve Act, state treasurer, retirement system, state payments, cryptocurrency, Arizona law, payment methods, government transactions, taxpayer protection, law interpretation, transparency, public hearings, tax policies, PSPRS, public safety personnel retirement system, pension board

Transcript Highlights:

• think part of the challenge in front of us is to better understand when some of these issues are warranting
• that the work needs to be done and creating new divisions and new departments doesn't necessarily warrant
• Departments doesn't necessarily warrant additional people if we're just calling it different departments

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget of 987 positions and $1.9 billion, and members focused on edible food recovery funding under SB 1383, beverage container recycling fees and infrastructure under SB 1013, plastic packaging reduction under SB 54, and composting implementation under SB 279. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has recovered more than 300 million meals but lacks ongoing funding, explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and reflect higher recycling costs for difficult-to-recycle materials, and noted that SB 54 implementation will include a pollution prevention mitigation fund for legacy plastic cleanup. The committee also discussed the need for more composting capacity and the role of volunteer cleanup groups, while public commenters urged continued funding for food recovery, composting, and landfill response. CalEPA presented its department overview and a proposal to strengthen landfill response and enforcement, emphasizing climate, air quality, water, and cleanup priorities. Secretary Garcia described the agency’s work on methane monitoring, toxics reduction, drinking water compliance, Exide cleanup, pesticide alternatives, and implementation of AB 617, while also noting the agency’s response to federal rollbacks. Members pressed CalEPA on landfill fires and subsurface elevated temperature events, especially at Chiquita Canyon, asking about authority, scientific resources, and when intervention should occur. CalEPA said it has authority to respond but needs more coordinated technical and enforcement capacity, and later presented a $5.1 million, 12-position multi-agency proposal involving CalEPA, CalRecycle, DTSC, and the Water Board to address current landfill events and improve future prevention and response. DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety presented several proposals tied to reform implementation, hazardous waste oversight, and emerging waste streams. DTSC reported progress in clearing its permit backlog, advancing safer consumer products regulations, and continuing Exide cleanup, while seeking additional resources for cost recovery and enforcement, PFAS work, recycling infrastructure for solar panels and lithium batteries, and a new statewide planning division to implement the hazardous waste management plan and consolidate reporting systems. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals process, and fee-setting authority, and said its priorities include permit appeals, hazardous waste plan oversight, and performance metrics. Members questioned whether DTSC was creating too many new subdivisions, but the department said the new structure is needed to handle growing workload and modernize regulation. Public testimony generally supported the landfill proposal, DTSC consumer product enforcement, water board staffing, and continued funding for food recovery and composting programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• even regardless of training, I'm trying to get at the idea of the combination of circumstances warranting
• even regardless of training, I'm trying to get at the idea of the combination of circumstances warranting
• even regardless of training, I'm trying to get at the idea of the combination of circumstances warranting

Transcript Highlights:

• making no probable cause determinations when the facts suggest that there is clearly probable cause to warrant
• House Bill 2282 simply raises the fee for warrants from $50 to $75 for that motion to suspend the regular
• the reimbursement fee paid by the defendant for a peace officer executing a processing and arrest warrant

Bills: SB393 , SB731 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2082 , SB2717 , SB2919 , SB3074 , HJR133 , HB2 , HB18 , HB24 , HB26 , HB35 , HB43 , HB49 , HB75 , HB 103 , HB 120 , HB 126 , HB143 , HB163 , HB180 , HB216 , HB413 , HB647 , HB700 , HB748 , HB851 , HB1422 , HB1445 , HB1481 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB1586 , HB1732 , HB1828 , HB1851 , HB1916 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB2026 , HB2038 , HB2067 , HB2193 , HB2282 , HB2293 , HB2310 , HB2464 , HB2508 , HB2516 , HB2518 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB2674 , HB2713 , HB2715 , HB2974 , HB3016 , HB3057 , HB3062 , HB3071 , HB3120 , HB3161 , HB3180 , HB3214 , HB3234 , HB3250 , HB3463 , HB3512 , HB3556 , HB3627 , HB3680 , HB3732 , HB3801 , HB3824 , HB3833 , HB3966 , HB4044 , HB4129 , HB4226 , HB4230 , HB4263 , HB4377 , HB4384 , HB4395 , HB4396 , HB4535 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB4751 , HB4903 , HB5033 , HB5149 , HB5154 , HB5247 , HB5331 , HB5436 , HB5667 , HB5688 , HB5693 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR127 , SJR5 , SB3 , SB4 , SB9 , SB20 , SB21 , SB23 , SB27 , SB33 , SB34 , SB36 , SB38 , SB40 , SB75 , SB213 , SB269 , SB379 , SB458 , SB528 , SB647 , SB648 , SB650 , SB681 , SB740 , SB777 , SB840 , SB843 , SB924 , SB1061 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1150 , SB1188 , SB1198 , SB1202 , SB1253 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1405 , SB1423 , SB1448 , SB1535 , SB1566 , SB1574 , SB1621 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1789 , SB1862 , SB2037 , SB2078 , SB2268 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB2544 , SB2570 , SB2601 , SB2778 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , HB2525 , SB1538 , SB1749 , SB2603 , SB3038 , SB3062 , SB3065 , HB24 , HB 128 , HB216 , HB388 , HB519 , HB609 , HB685 , HB766 , HB 1237 , HB1314 , HB1445 , HB1458 , HB1522 , HB1592 , HB1606 , HB1612 , HB1633 , HB2011 , HB2025 , HB2061 , HB2259 , HB2273 , HB2358 , HB2421 , HB2434 , HB2464 , HB2518 , HB2563 , HB2637 , HB2697 , HB2713 , HB2791 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3126 , HB3161 , HB3233 , HB3395 , HB3424 , HB3487 , HB3505 , HB3510 , HB3597 , HB3745 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3806 , HB4224 , HB4310 , HB4396 , HB4738 , HB4945 , HB5084 , HB5155 , HB5180 , HB5667 , HB5686 , HCR9 , HCR10 , HCR135 , HCR142 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1538 , SB3071 , SB3065 , SB3062 , HJR133 , HB2715 , HB3627 , HB5033 , HB2282 , HB26 , HB388 , HB1633 , HB685 , HB1606 , HB1458 , HB2791 , HB2061 , HB647 , HB4738 , HB2563 , HB 128 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2358 , HB4384 , HB748 , HB5180 , HB3806 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB1522 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB1314 , HB 1237 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3505 , HB5652 , HB2025 , HB3395 , HB18 , HB2516 , HB2713 , HB24 , HB519 , HB609 , HB1592 , HB 120 , HB2421 , HB2273 , HB2464 , HB5084 , HB4396 , HB43 , HB5686 , HB2518 , HB4310 , HB180 , HB3745 , HB4044 , HB5155 , HB5667 , HB1445 , HB 1306 , HB2637 , HB5436 , HB3966 , HB2026 , HB3487 , HB4226 , HB216 , HB49 , HB4112 , HB3233 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB322 , HB1481 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB3180 , HB2530 , HB2524 , HB1916 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB3120 , HB1629 , HB 103 , HB3234 , HB3680 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB5693 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB3732 , HB2508 , HB2293 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB5331 , HB5247 , HB4751 , HB4690 , HB4668 , HB4464 , HB4395 , HB4063 , HB3833 , HB3623 , HB3214 , HB3512 , HB3250 , HB3016 , HB2520 , HB2221 , HB2213 , HB3824 , HB2067 , HB1732 , HB1562 , HB700 , HB1545 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB1851 , HB3619 , HB3071 , HB3556 , HB851 , HB4230 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5699 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB5149 , HB4903 , HB4743 , HB4666 , HB4377 , HB4535 , HB4129 , HB3812 , HB3801 , HB3595 , HB3057 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB35 , HB346 , HB2974 , HB2512 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5671 , HB5674 , HB5688 , HB1586 , HB5154 , HB2038 , HB163 , HB413 , HB3463 , HB3185 , HB2761 , HB2593 , HB2348 , HB2073 , HB1828 , HB1422 , HB75 , HB1871 , HB 108 , HB2306 , HB2017 , HB 1135 , HB144 , HB3689 , HB5308 , HB 101 , HB2193 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5680 , HB5658 , HB5696 , HB4144 , HB3159 , HB3254 , HB3866 , HB3010 , HB4520 , HB3642 , HB3928 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB1690 , HB2128 , HB4158 , HB4530 , HB4630 , HB5659 , HB1523 , HB2078 , HB2427 , HB145 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB3181 , HB3133 , HB3053 , HB2885 , HB2820 , HB2294 , HB2253 , HB1661 , HB1506 , HB 1234 , HB640 , HB621 , HB551 , HB521 , HB493 , HB272 , HB229 , HB223 , HB201 , HB186 , HB 119 , HB2080 , HB2818 , HB5394 , HB4795 , HB4466 , HB4454 , HB3940 , HB3749 , HB3151 , HB3284 , HB1403 , HB 1106 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB1500 , HB4488 , HB4264 , HB4 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4281 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4749 , HB4995 , HB5081 , HB5115 , HB5138 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB3711 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB2243 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB2313 , HB3686 , HB500 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB 1056 , HB42 , HB4486 , HB3000 , HB 100 , HB2240 , HB718 , HB27 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB2853 , HB5129 , HB5093 , HB4765 , HB4748 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB4211 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB4687 , HB705 , HB 1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HCR141 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR10 , HCR135 , HCR142 , HCR9 , HCR76 , HCR108 , HJR133 , HB18 , HB35 , HB43 , HB49 , HB75 , HB 103 , HB 120 , HB163 , HB216 , HB413 , HB647 , HB851 , HB1422 , HB1481 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB1586 , HB1732 , HB1828 , HB1851 , HB1916 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB2026 , HB2067 , HB2193 , HB2293 , HB2310 , HB2464 , HB2508 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB2974 , HB3062 , HB3071 , HB3120 , HB3180 , HB3214 , HB3234 , HB3250 , HB3463 , HB3512 , HB3680 , HB3732 , HB3801 , HB3824 , HB3833 , HB4044 , HB4129 , HB4226 , HB4230 , HB4377 , HB4395 , HB4396 , HB4535 , HB4668 , HB4903 , HB5149 , HB5154 , HB5247 , HB5331 , HB5436 , HB5688 , HB5693 , HB2282 , HB2715 , HB3627 , HB5033 , HB2674 , HB3556 , HCR127 , SB3 , SB21 , SB379 , SB1405 , SB1538 , SB1749 , SB3038 , SB3062 , SB3065 , HB24 , HB 128 , HB388 , HB519 , HB609 , HB685 , HB766 , HB 1237 , HB1314 , HB1445 , HB1458 , HB1522 , HB1592 , HB1606 , HB1612 , HB1633 , HB2025 , HB2061 , HB2259 , HB2273 , HB2358 , HB2421 , HB2518 , HB2563 , HB2637 , HB2713 , HB2791 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3126 , HB3233 , HB3487 , HB3505 , HB3597 , HB3745 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3806 , HB4224 , HB4310 , HB4738 , HB5084 , HB5155 , HB5180 , HB5667 , HB5686 , HCR9 , HCR10 , HCR135 , HCR142 , SB2603 , HB3395 , HB636 , HB5655 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB636 , HB5655 , HB5689 , HB5690

Keywords: SB 393, Sparks, Middleton, local government, political subdivision, public securities, government debt, municipal bonds, general obligation bonds, certificates of obligation, anticipation notes, debt maturity, weighted average maturity, economic life, useful life, tangible personal property, real property improvements, public finance, Texas Government Code, Chapter 1253

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m with Kauai Search and Rescue. >> No, we got your written.
• I’m with Kauai Search and Rescue. >> No, we got your written.
• I’m with Kauai Search and Rescue. >> No, we got your written.
• I’m with Kauai Search and Rescue. >> No, we got your written.
• I’m with Kauai Search and Rescue. >> Okay. Uh, my name is Noel.

Bills: SB2064 , SB2312 , SB2811 , SB2662 , SB2744 , SB2809 , SB2862 , SB2343 , SB2336 , SB2075 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2397 , SB2219 , SB2849 , SB2449 , SB2781

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee met for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week and took up a series of government operations, procurement, public records, public meetings, and related bills. Several measures were deferred one week to February 12, 2026, including bills on state construction projects, government accountability, gubernatorial appointments, the legislature, public procurement, and a bill on Hawaiian lei sales, largely so the committee could compare similar measures, address concerns, or integrate related reports. The committee also deferred SB 2449 on public meetings for the year, citing concerns that the proposed business-day definition was overly prescriptive and unnecessary. The committee passed several bills with amendments. These included measures clarifying UIPA applicability to records created or maintained by agencies, with amendments changing “government function” to “agency function” and committee report language noting Attorney General concerns and exempting ERS for now; SB 2811 on state building projects with technical amendments and a delayed effective date; SB 2809 on budget-related reports; SB 2336 on trees, with a Senate draft and removal of “political subdivision”; SB 2308 on small purchase vendor compliance, setting the threshold at $5,000 and adding a delayed effective date; SB 2601 on procurement, reorganizing misdemeanor language and leaving funding/FTE issues to Ways and Means; SB 2219 on a capital visitor center working group; and SB 2849 on public meetings, with technical amendments and a delayed effective date. Bills on neighborhood board concerns and public notice were also adopted, with SB 2929 drawing testimony both for and against. Testimony was generally supportive on procurement and small business measures, especially SB 2928 establishing permanent small business procurement coordinator positions, which drew strong support from the State Procurement Office, DBEDT, the Chamber of Commerce, DOT, the Ethics Commission, and others. On public notice, the County of Maui supported allowing website posting, while another witness raised concerns about accessibility, centralized notice locations, and impacts on kūpuna and people with disabilities. On search and rescue, the committee heard support for creating a statewide coordination structure, along with discussion of where such an office should reside; the Attorney General raised constitutional and placement concerns, while witnesses suggested law enforcement, DLNR, or DoD as possible homes. The committee also heard support for a bill protecting home addresses of covered public servants and candidates, though the Public First Law Center urged broader coverage and a better fit with existing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:48.240><c> and</c> uh that have their own local search and uh that have their own local search
• and rescue, such as Laurel County, London search and rescue, or Floyd County search and rescue.
• </c> it's not just the Kentucky urban search it's not just the Kentucky urban search and<00:15:10.320
• </c><00:21:46.520><c> Uh</c> search and rescue teams. Uh search and rescue teams.
• Uh all of our urban search right now.

Summary: The committee received a budget and program update from Kentucky Emergency Management on the state’s urban search and rescue buildout. Eric Gibson and Doug Hargrave said the legislature’s funding was used to create FEMA-type urban search and rescue capacity, including Kentucky Task Force 1 and 2, the incident support team, and the helicopter aquatic rescue/hoist team. They emphasized that the effort is not just equipment purchases but also training, credentialing, warehouse and training-facility development, canine program expansion, and coordination with local search and rescue agencies across the Commonwealth. Gibson reported that the agency executed 99.4% of the $16.175 million appropriation by the end of the fiscal year and said the team met its readiness target ahead of schedule, with equipment already being deployed in recent flood response operations. He also said $500,000 per year was set aside for local search and rescue grants, with about $482,000 awarded to 29 teams in one year and $490,000 to 36 teams in the next, averaging about $20,000 per grant. Several members urged the committee to consider increasing support for local responders in future budgets, noting rising equipment costs and the importance of local teams as first on scene. Members asked about staffing, coverage, and benefits. Gibson explained that the task force is a mixed workforce of full-time fire personnel loaned from local departments, professional service staff such as doctors and engineers, and temporary deployment staff, with workers’ compensation coverage provided through KYEM and/or home agencies depending on the arrangement. He also said local search and rescue members are not currently included in line-of-duty death benefits. In response to questions about coverage and deployment, he described the two task force locations as designed to keep resources within roughly 100 miles of every Kentuckian. The discussion also turned to recent flood response and disaster recovery. Gibson said the state had mobilized up to 24 teams over the weekend, documented roughly 60 to 80 water rescues or assisted evacuations, and was seeing significant damage in counties such as Cumberland, Clinton, and Metcalfe, including agricultural losses. He said several counties were meeting FEMA public assistance thresholds and that the state was preparing a broader relief request that could include FEMA, SBA, and USDA assistance. He also updated members on efforts to claw back and reallocate unused “strained fiscal liquidity” funds by the statutory deadline, saying notices were sent and funds were redirected where possible to unmet local needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So by the time it would get to any legal process, should one even be warranted, oftentimes that construction
• So by the time it would get to any legal process, should one even be warranted, deal with it.
• So by the time it would get to any legal process, should one even be warranted, oftentimes that construction
• One of the things that I haven't heard in conversation today that I think warrants consideration is that

Transcript Highlights:

• So by the time it would get to any legal process, should one even be warranted, oftentimes that construction
• So by the time it would get to any legal process, should one even be warranted, deal with it.
• So by the time it would get to any legal process, should one even be warranted, oftentimes that construction
• One of the things that I haven't heard in conversation today that I think warrants consideration is that

Summary: The chamber first established a quorum, then moved through House Bills for Perfection. The first major measure discussed was House Bill 305, which would set policies for reconsideration of library materials in public and school libraries, require appeals processes, and prohibit tracking or retaining personalized user data, especially for minors. Supporters framed it as a local-control and parental-rights bill that largely codifies existing library practices, while some members raised concerns about the privacy language and whether materials should be removed during reconsideration. After discussion, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then took up House Bills 2366 and 2511, a bipartisan construction-industry bill aimed at combating illegal labor and off-the-books hiring. The bill would give the Attorney General more investigative authority, including subpoena power, require complaints to be made by affidavit, and impose stronger penalties on violators. Supporters said it would protect law-abiding contractors and workers and level the playing field, while some members asked about possible overreach and whether the bill could be used against businesses unfairly. The substitute was adopted and the bills were ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2409 followed, proposing child care tax credits for contributions to providers, employer assistance, and provider expansion; it was presented as a response to Missouri’s child care shortage and workforce challenges. Members from both parties largely supported it as an economic and family policy, though one member noted the bill’s fiscal cost and contrasted it with recent budget cuts to child care subsidies. The House adopted the substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. The chamber also considered House Bill 1885, which makes changes to the Missouri Clean Water Commission by adjusting membership qualifications and conflict-of-interest rules to make appointments easier while adding recusal procedures. Members said the changes would help fill vacancies and bring in knowledgeable members, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2658 addressed telephony laws, expanding the no-call list to any phone subscriber, adding anti-spoofing provisions, and creating penalties for caller ID spoofing; an amendment adding misdemeanor penalties for spoofing was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed. House Bill 1919 would require more employers to file certain tax withholding documents electronically, aligning state practice with IRS rules; it passed with support and was ordered perfected and printed. Finally, House Bill 1871, an omnibus elections bill, proposed several election administration changes, including electronic receipt of notices, shifting filing deadlines away from holidays, expanding testing windows for voting equipment, protecting the confidentiality of the permanently disabled voter list, requiring tax compliance for certain local candidates, and tightening write-in candidate rules. A key amendment removed an expansion of no-excuse absentee voting to keep the fiscal note at zero; that amendment was debated at length and then adopted before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• For some background, the military department is responsible for the coordination of search and rescue
• For each political subdivision is responsible for land-based search and rescue activities.
• Remaining funds may be used for search and rescue costs, including training.
• And the second part is to help be a reimbursement for search and rescue missions only.
• I'm actually a former member of the search and rescue team, high-angle rope rescue team, swift water

Summary: The committee heard six bills on January 27, 2026. Senate Bill 6084 would clarify the prohibition on voting more than once in an election, in response to a court ruling that interpreted “election” narrowly; the sponsor and Secretary of State’s office said the bill is meant to ensure a person votes only once in Washington or in one state and another on the same election date. Testimony was brief and supportive, and the hearing was closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. Senate Bill 6044 would recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, and Senate Bill 5950 would add several non-legal holidays, including Sikh, Baha’i, Jewish, and Buddhist observances. Sponsors and supporters described the bills as a way to acknowledge minority faith traditions, promote inclusion, and help communities feel seen; testimony came from Jewish, Sikh, multi-faith, Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist representatives. The committee recorded substantial support for both measures, with no opposition testimony, and closed both hearings. Senate Bill 6046 would establish the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department to better coordinate volunteer aviation support for disasters, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and other missions. The sponsor, Military Department, Civil Air Patrol, and veterans’ representatives said it would improve command and control and help the state use Civil Air Patrol more efficiently at no added cost. Senate Bill 5763 would create a grant program for local law enforcement aviation support units and expand wildfire-related aviation support to sheriff’s offices; sheriffs and police chiefs strongly supported it as a way to sustain helicopter-based search and rescue and disaster response, while DNR raised concerns about wildfire aviation standards, liability, and possible bill drafting issues. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5784, which would require agencies to collect and report more detailed demographic data under updated federal standards; the sponsor said better disaggregation is needed for accountability and to identify disparities, and the Office of Equity supported the policy while noting fiscal and privacy concerns and the need for possible amendments. The meeting ended after the final hearing, with no votes taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be able to search the budget using keywords?
• I mean, the search is a big one for the website for sure. That's down the road.
• it have we made progress with keyword searches to be able to search the budget using keywords because
• But I think the easier it is to search, I think the more user-friendly and the more it will be used.
• Yeah, the search capabilities on the fiscal website is, we're aware of the certainly, capabilities on

Committee: Joint Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program

Summary: The LEAP Committee met on June 18, 2025, with introductions from members and staff, and received a report that LEAP had completed a clean audit with no findings for 2020–2024 covering accounts payable, disbursements, theft-sensitive assets, and data backup/recovery. Staff also outlined the interim work plan, including a full rewrite of the capital budget application (BuildSum), updates to the transportation bond model and operating budget application, website/report improvements, and continued cautious research into possible AI uses in budget tools and the website. Members asked about responsible AI use and improving keyword search and mobile usability for the public-facing fiscal website. The committee then approved the July 8, 2024 minutes and considered several agency budget structure changes. The Department of Corrections was approved to move chemical dependency and sex offender treatment from Offender Change into Health Care Program 500 and to rename Program 700 as Reentry Services. The Department of Revenue was approved to move the AMP program from executive management services into tax analysis, interpretation, and technology support. The Washington State Department of Transportation was approved to rename a toll subprogram for SR 167 and add new subprograms for SR 509 Expressway Operations and SR 167 Expressway Operations to reflect new toll facilities and improve reporting clarity. Kevin Feltis also provided a staffing update, noting the hiring of three new associate consultants in October 2024 after recent retirements, and announcing that Sherry Randage will retire in December 2025 after more than 35 years of state service. The new staff members briefly introduced themselves, and members thanked Randage for her service. The meeting ended after the committee reached quorum, completed its business, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:28.720><c> article</c><00:19:29.200><c> put</c><00:19:29.360><c> a</c> put a new um warrant
• article put a put a new um warrant article put a warrant<00:19:29.840><c> article</c><00:19:30.080><
• c> on</c><00:19:30.240><c> the</c><00:19:30.400><c> ballot</c><00:19:30.720><c> to</c> warrant article
• on the ballot to warrant article on the ballot to increase<00:19:31.280><c> the</c><00:19:31.600><c>
• </c> warrant and we said, "Do you want this?" warrant and we said, "Do you want this?"

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• To be able to search the budget using keywords, because I think the general public, in order, there has
• I mean, the search is a big one for the website, for sure. That's down the road.
• it have we made progress with keyword searches to be able to search the budget using keywords because
• But I think the easier it is to search, I think the more user-friendly and the more it will be used.
• Yeah, the search capabilities on the fiscal website is, we're aware of the certainly, capabilities on

Committee: Joint Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program

Summary: The LEAP committee met on June 18, 2025, with introductions from members and staff, then received a clean audit report from the State Auditor covering 2020–2024. The audit reviewed accounts payable, general disbursements, theft-sensitive assets, and data backup/recovery, and found no findings. Staff also outlined the interim work plan, including a full rewrite of the capital budget application (Build Sum), updates to the transportation bond model and operating budget tools, website improvements, and continued research into secure, responsible AI use. Members asked about AI safeguards, keyword search improvements, and making the website more user-friendly, especially on mobile devices. The committee approved the July 8, 2024 minutes after a quorum was reached. It then considered and unanimously approved several budget format changes: the Department of Corrections moved chemical dependency and sex offender treatment into its health care program and renamed Program 700 from “Offender Change” to “Reentry Services”; the Department of Revenue moved the AMP program into its tax analysis and technology support program; and the Department of Transportation changed a toll program title and added new sub-programs for State Route 509 and State Route 167 toll operations to reflect new facilities and more accurate reporting. Kevin Feltis also provided staffing updates, noting the retirements of longtime LEAP staff, the hiring of three new associate consultants in October 2024, and an upcoming December 2025 retirement for Sherry Randage after decades of state service. The new staff members briefly introduced themselves and expressed enthusiasm for their work. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment after the committee completed its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> be determined in a warrant article. be determined in a warrant article.
• <c> article</c><01:24:53.360><c> out</c><01:24:53.520><c> there</c><01:24:53.840><c> to</c> put a warrant
• article out there to put a warrant article out there to change<01:24:54.960><c> the</c><01:24:55.199
• article for each of the separate warrant article for each of the funds. funds. funds.
• sometimes during the budget process for districts, I mean, you're doing these massive budgets and warrant

Summary: The commission met to continue its study of the cost of special education, with the chair emphasizing that the group needs to narrow its focus over the coming year toward specific cost drivers, including the IEP process, Medicaid, charter schools, and EFAs. Members reviewed a draft first report due November 1 and agreed it would be a brief synopsis of prior meetings, with minutes attached. The September 30, 2025 minutes were amended to correct the number of federally funded department staff from 234 to 23, and to revise language about Senator Sullivan’s comments so they reflected concerns about IEP advocates and fees charged to families rather than support for the concept. The amended minutes were then approved unanimously, with abstentions noted for members who were absent. The main presentation focused on how special education costs are handled for students attending charter schools. The DOE representative said there are 804 students with disabilities in charter schools across 88 of the state’s 176 districts, and that the district of residence remains responsible for all services and costs. She explained that students must meet IDEA criteria through district evaluation and parent consent, and that services are determined through individual IEP meetings rather than by a blanket charter-school decision. Members asked how those costs are tracked, whether any students are merely “monitored,” and whether districts separately identify charter-school special education expenses; the answer was that most districts fold those costs into their overall special education budget, though some may break them out as a line item. The discussion then turned to transportation and mileage costs for staff providing services at charter schools. Testimony indicated that districts may use their own staff, contract staff, or contract with a charter school for certified services, and that travel costs are often either built into contracts or absorbed as part of staff time rather than separately reimbursed. Members questioned whether mileage is reimbursed when staff travel to distant charter schools and whether those costs can be isolated in district budgets; the response was that practices vary by district and are not usually broken out by special education function. Several members argued this makes it difficult to determine the true cost of delivering special education, especially given New Hampshire’s model in which the district of residence pays regardless of where the charter school is located. The chair noted the complexity of the system and compared it to the state’s separate tuition and transportation approach for career and technical education centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney present during the search.
• B5 specifies that, for purposes of certain requirements related to conducting searches of individuals
• Amendment B7 requires body cavity searches and strip searches to only be conducted by a medical professional
• The inmates that they can have a defense attorney present during this search.
• The inmates that they can have a defense attorney present during this search.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on February 24 to executive a large docket of bills and one gubernatorial appointment. The committee first heard and then moved several bills in two packets. Topics included the Community Protection Program (SHB 1390), jail search policies for transgender and intersex individuals (EHB 1604), medically tailored meals (EHB 2211), limits on DSHS reviews of community residential service providers (SHB 2230), and a children and youth behavioral health coordination bill (2SHB 2429). Later, the committee also considered bills on foster care licensing and adult family homes (SHB 2505), DOC supervision of stalking convictions (HB 2510), inmate funds and indigency thresholds (SHB 2539), and transparency for residential habilitation centers (SHB 2350), along with the reappointment of Corey McNally to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. Most of the debate centered on SHB 1390 and EHB 1604, where Senator Christian offered numerous amendments aimed at adding restrictions, notifications, assessments, and delays; most of those amendments failed on party-line votes. On SHB 1390, the committee adopted only a technical amendment updating agency names and references, then advanced the bill to Rules. On EHB 1604, all proposed amendments failed and the bill was sent to Rules. On EHB 2211, an amendment to add a competitive bidding credit for nonprofit and small-business meal vendors failed, and the bill advanced. SHB 2230 moved forward without amendment, and 2SHB 2429 was amended with a striking amendment and referred to Ways and Means because of its fiscal impact. In the second packet, SHB 2505 and HB 2510 were both moved out of committee without amendment. On SHB 2539, the committee rejected an amendment to lower the indigency threshold to $50, adopted an amendment allowing the threshold to be at least $100 and adjustable, and then advanced the bill as amended. On SHB 2350, the committee adopted a negotiated amendment requiring notices about residential habilitation center noncompliance to be emailed to relevant legislative committees, withdrew a second notice amendment, and passed the bill. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of Corey McNally’s appointment to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. Several bills were reported out subject to signatures, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is labeled B1, and it applies to searches of transgender and intersex individuals to private
• attorney present during the search.
• B5 specifies that, for purposes of certain requirements related to conducting searches of individuals
• B8 specifies that certain requirements related to conducting searches of individuals confined at a jail
• This one gives the individual the opportunity to have a defense attorney available during the search.

Bills: HB2510 , SGA9305

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:06.000><c> you</c> did a full search, did everything. you did a full search, did everything
• </c><00:05:05.600><c> a</c> to have probable calls to to search a to have probable calls to to search
• <00:10:08.800><c> for</c> searching for searching for &gt;&gt; but<00:10:09.760><c> a</c><00:10:10.000
• </c><00:12:48.320><c> by</c> law enforcement officer can search by law enforcement officer can search
• So, we're going search of the vehicle.

Committee: Joint Ports and Marine Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• People who cross borders in search of dignity, safety, and life.
• In 1924, the Johnson Reed Act sought to preserve American homogyny. to be free from unlawful searches
• and to be free from unlawful searches and seizures,<01:20:24.080><c> the</c><01:20:24.239><c> Fourth
• </c><01:24:17.760><c> This</c> unreasonable searches and seizures.
• This unreasonable searches and seizures.