Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote yes. Thank you.
• Please vote yes. Thank you.
• Please vote yes. Thank you.
• Please vote yes. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.
• We have Kelly Johnson, I believe, remote.

Bills: HF1082 , HF1042 , HF1295 , HF1686 , HF1998 , HF1775 , HF1163

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Camera is on for those remote to vote. Senator Marty votes no. Senator Frentz votes yes.
• Senator Pratt votes yes. Senator Champion votes no. Senator Draheim votes yes.
• Senator Johnson votes yes. Senator Jasinski votes yes. Senator Mohamed votes no.
• </c><01:04:54.039><c> to</c><01:04:54.279><c> vote</c> camera is on for those remote to vote camera is
• on for those remote to vote Senator<01:04:56.160><c> Marty</c><01:04:56.599><c> Marty</c><01:04:56.920

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• are working remotely or hybrid so<00:13:39.880><c> that</c><00:13:40.000><c> is</c><00:13:40.199><c>
• > to</c><00:54:05.920><c> urge</c><00:54:06.079><c> a</c><00:54:06.240><c> no</c><00:54:06.480><c> vote
• c><00:54:06.760><c> on</c><00:54:07.599><c> um</c><00:54:07.760><c> the</c> I'm going to urge a no vote
• on um the I'm going to urge a no vote on um the icorn<00:54:08.559><c> motion</c><00:54:09.559><c> th
• Senator Maye Quade: Before we move on to the vote, do you have a preference on how you would like the

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> can go to the ballot and vote on this. can go to the ballot and vote on this.
• Please vote no.
• Please vote no. reproductive rights. Please vote no.
• </c> The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Hudson.
• </c> members voting remotely. members voting remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote green.
• Vote green.
• Vote green.
• Vote green.
• I support Representative green vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have several matters on our discussion calendar as well as several matters on our vote-only calendar
• I think COVID was very impactful in terms of trying to get faculty to learn how to teach remotely.
• items on our vote-only calendar.
• We'll take up the vote-only items. Items on our vote-only calendar include items 6 through 17.
• Oh, we'll take the votes and then continue on with our agenda. My apologies.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're not going to be voting on policies today. No legislation will get action today.
• And so we represent rural areas, and we only have a couple of votes in Northern California.
• And if you go to our urban areas, that's where most of the votes are.
• And if you go to our urban areas, that's where most of the votes are.
• I've been to several sites where folks were sort of giving up backbreaking work and taking on remote

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry held its first meeting at Napa Valley College, with Chair Christopher Cabaldon and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry opening the hearing by stressing the wine industry’s importance to California’s economy, communities, and tourism. They said the purpose of the hearing was informational rather than legislative, with no votes or bill actions taken, and framed the day as a fact-finding session to inform future legislation, budget work, and oversight. The first panel focused on research and trends, with Dr. Damien Wilson of Sonoma State, UC Davis professor Ben Mumpeteet, and wine economist Chris Bitter describing the industry as facing structural change rather than a temporary downturn. The research panel highlighted falling wine production and sales, rising costs, and changing consumer behavior. Wilson argued the industry has relied too heavily on premiumization and technical elitism, pricing out younger consumers and needing to focus more on new customer acquisition, accessible brands, and evidence-based business decisions. Mumpeteet emphasized external threats such as grapevine diseases, extreme weather, water shortages, and wildfire smoke, and called for more public investment in viticulture and enology research, especially through California’s university system. Bitter said growers are dealing with depressed grape demand, a grape glut, vineyard removals, and sharply higher production costs driven largely by regulation and labor, and he urged review of regulatory costs, trade conditions, vineyard removal support, and barriers to replanting. Committee members then asked about how the industry can adapt, whether change will come through existing producers or market turnover, and how California might use its research capacity to improve regulation and compliance. Witnesses said the industry needs cultural change, better marketing to younger consumers, more data on health and consumption trends, and more efficient, science-based regulation. The second panel, with representatives from growers and the Wine Institute, described severe market stress: unharvested grapes, vineyard removals, and closures in some regions. Michael Miller said growers are seeing fruit left on the vine and called for relief on regulatory and trade pressures, while Honor Comfort described Wine Institute’s Share Wine Co-Lab, an open-access marketing platform aimed at helping wineries reach younger consumers through digital and data-driven strategies. A final panel addressed tourism, farmworkers, and water regulation. Visit Napa Valley’s Lindsay Gallagher said Napa remains relatively strong but is broadening its message beyond wine to cuisine, wellness, and outdoor experiences, while noting international visitation, especially from Canada, has fallen sharply. Sonia DeLuca of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation said declining sales and rising costs reduce hours and income for farmworkers and called for targeted relief, wage-loss support, and continued workforce training. Annalisa Kiara of the State Water Board provided an update on the Winery General Order, explaining that it was created to streamline and standardize wastewater permitting while protecting water quality; she said 56 wineries have enrolled and 122 more are under review, and noted ongoing coordination with industry sustainability programs. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for updated regulations, better data, and collaborative solutions, but no formal action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're not going to be voting on policies today. No legislation will get action today.
• So we represent rural areas, and we only have a couple of votes in Northern California.
• And if you go to our urban areas, that's where most of the votes come from.
• And if you go to our urban areas, that's where most of the votes come from.
• I've been to several sites where folks were sort of giving up backbreaking work and taking on remote

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry held its first meeting at Napa Valley College, with opening remarks from Chair Senator Christopher Cabaldon and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry emphasizing the industry’s importance to California’s economy and communities. The chair said the hearing was intended to gather information and ideas, not to vote on legislation, and to inform future policy, budget, and oversight work. The first panel focused on research and trends, with speakers from Sonoma State, UC Davis, and Terrain describing the industry as facing structural change rather than a temporary downturn. Panelists said California wine is confronting falling consumption, rising costs, labor shortages, housing pressures, tariffs, and competition from imports. Dr. Damien Wilson argued the industry has relied too heavily on premiumization and must focus on attracting new consumers, especially younger generations, through more accessible products, better marketing, and evidence-based decision-making. UC Davis’s Ben Mumpeteet said grapevine disease, extreme weather, and water shortages require long-term research investment and stronger university-industry-state partnerships. Chris Bitter, a wine economist, reported that California wine sales are down about 25% since 2019, that large amounts of grapes have gone unpicked, and that vineyard removals and falling vineyard values reflect a severe supply-demand imbalance; he urged regulatory review, trade competitiveness analysis, and transition support for growers. The committee then heard from industry representatives. Michael Miller of the California Association of Wine Grape Growers described a crisis in which growers can produce high-quality fruit but have no buyers, leading to abandoned or removed vineyards, lost farm revenue, and pressure to restore market balance. Honor Comfort of the Wine Institute presented the Share Wine Co-Lab, an open-access marketing platform designed to help wineries better reach younger consumers through data-driven, collaborative outreach. Jane Lisa Tamayo of Family Winemakers of California discussed the burden on smaller wineries and growers, including regulatory and market challenges. Members and witnesses also discussed changing consumer preferences, the need to adapt to younger drinkers, and concerns about tariffs and trade policy, with the chair warning that broad tariff calls had harmed export markets such as Canada. A final panel addressed tourism, farmworker impacts, and water regulation. Visit Napa Valley’s Lindsay Gallagher said tourism remains strong in Napa but is increasingly dependent on broader destination marketing beyond wine, while international visitation has declined. Sonia DeLuca of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation said declining sales and rising costs reduce hours and income for farmworkers and urged targeted relief, wage-loss support, and continued bilingual training. State Water Board official Annalisa Kihar outlined the 2021 Winery General Order for winery process water, saying it was designed to streamline permitting, improve consistency, and reduce burdens on small wineries while protecting water quality; she reported 56 wineries enrolled and 122 under review, and said the board is working with industry partners on technical support and sustainability-based compliance pathways.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify today remotely.
• Please vote favorably on this bill and let 2026 be the year the act is finally voted into law.
• I'm asking you to vote yes on S. 1249 and H. 1919.
• So today I ask you respectfully to please vote favorably out of committee.
• So today I ask you respectfully to please vote favorably, favorably out of committee.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil rights, immigration, hate crimes, and reparations bills. Chair Edwards and Chair Day opened with strict testimony rules, including two-minute limits, written testimony options, and decorum requirements. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell testified in strong support of S. 1126/H. 1920, the Combating Hate in the Commonwealth bill, saying Massachusetts needs stronger tools to address rising hate and bias incidents. Her Civil Rights Division chief explained that the bill would give the division civil investigative demand/subpoena power, expand civil rights enforcement, close loopholes in the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, add protected classes to the hate crimes law, and require better hate-crime data reporting. The committee also heard support for H. 1954 on access to counsel in immigration proceedings, H. 4684 on law enforcement identification and public trust, and H. 1927 to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Several bills focused on discrimination and civil rights enforcement. Supporters of S. 1248 on organizational standing said fair housing nonprofits need explicit authority to bring discrimination complaints in their own names, especially as federal protections are under attack. On H. 1246, advocates urged adding sex and gender as protected classes in the hate crimes statute, arguing women are not protected under current state law. H. 1820 drew testimony for protections against height and weight discrimination. H. 1995 would regularize sentencing for hate crimes by requiring diversity awareness training for both convictions and continuances without a finding, and H. 1056/H. 1589 would broaden hate-crime victim standing and require restitution to be used to repair harm. H. 1886 would clarify that defense-based social service staff are exempt from mandated reporter obligations when working under attorney-client privilege. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1889/S. 1064, a bill to eliminate disparate impact. Environmental justice advocates, fair housing attorneys, and community members argued that neutral policies can still produce discriminatory outcomes and that Massachusetts should allow state-court claims and a private right of action to address them. Committee members raised concerns about litigation floodgates, punitive damages, and the scope of protected classes, while supporters said the bill would mainly target systemic harms and injunctive relief. Additional testimony supported H. 1922/S. 119, the Fair Investment Act, which would create civil rights protections in venture capital and other investment settings for founders and investors, especially women and minority entrepreneurs. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1683, the Sex Trade Survivor Act, which would expand vacatur and expungement relief for trafficking survivors, remove archaic offenses from the code, and create an interagency commission; supporters emphasized reducing barriers to housing, employment, and reentry. Finally, the committee heard extensive support for H. 1753/S. 1181, establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts. Testifiers described the state’s history of slavery, redlining, and ongoing racial disparities, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kloba is participating remotely today, but I think we can still do a voice vote.
• Walen votes aye. Hackney votes aye. McClintock votes no. Dufault votes no. Abbarno votes no.
• Berry votes aye. Corry votes no. Donaghy votes aye. Kloba votes aye. Morgan votes aye.
• Reeves votes no. Ryu votes aye. Santos votes aye. Steele votes no. Nay, do not pass.
• Walen votes aye. Hackney votes aye. Representative Hackney votes aye. Hackney votes aye.

Bills: HB2428 , HB2399 , HB2087 , HB2629 , HB2483 , HB2477

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to urge you to vote yes on HB 2320, the 3D printer bill.
• Lewis, and I'm here to urge a yes vote on HB 2320.
• Please vote to protect our future children and families.
• I urge you to vote yes on HB 2320. Thank you. Thank you so much. Dr.
• Please vote this bill out of committee. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the members voted. The roll call is 68 voting aye, 27 voting no. The motion to concurred...
• Voting aye, 27 voting no, the motion to concur has been adopted.
• All those in favor, vote aye; those opposed, vote no.
• All those in favor, please vote aye. Those opposed, vote no. ...
• All those in favor, please vote aye. Those opposed, vote no.

Transcript Highlights:

• The members participating remotely, to indicate your vote of yay or nay, you may physically raise your
• Has every member voted? Would any member like to change their vote?
• Has every member voted? Would any member like to change their vote?
• Has every member voted? Representative Rude, how do you vote?
• Has every member voted? Representative Ty, how do you vote?

Bills: HB2325 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2675 , HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Transcript Highlights:

• The following members intend to vote from a remote location pursuant to Rule 40.7: Senators Carlson and
• members intend to vote from a remote<00:04:36.680><c> location</c> remote location remote location pursuant
• Senator Franzen, for those voting pursuant to rule 40.7. Okay, who's doing the remotes?
• </c> votes I. And Senator Latz votes I. votes I. And Senator Latz votes I.
• </c> Latz votes I. Senator Latz votes I. Latz votes I. Senator Latz votes I.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've got some witnesses, and we also have Brian Goodman from the National Association all coming remotely
• we've got some witnesses and we also have Brian Goodman from the National Association all coming remotely
• learned of this hearing late last week, and I appreciate the committee's opportunity to let me testify remotely

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we were doing is using those salary savings for a contract for remote court reporters.
• We moved those contract costs into the court technology fund, so that is where the remote services are
• being funded from. ...to the court technology fund, so that is where the remote services are being funded

Summary: A joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee heard presentations on the Idaho judicial branch budget, beginning with court operations. Legislative staff reviewed the branch’s structure, staffing, recent technology upgrades funded with ARPA dollars, and prior budget enhancements, including support for court technology, judicial compensation, and additional judges in several districts. Court officials explained a late budget request for an additional $800,700 from a dedicated magistrate retirement fund to cover unexpected retirement bonuses and purchase-of-service costs for seven magistrates, as well as the impact of a governor holdback and reduced federal support for some treatment and domestic violence court-related services. Committee members asked about the timing of the revised retirement request, the purpose and success of the magistrate retirement bonus program, the court’s technology modernization, and the effect of losing federal and other outside funding. Court officials said the retirement timing could not be known earlier because magistrates had until January to notify the court, and they described the bonus as helping judges complete their terms. They also said the court had moved case management and recording systems to the cloud and built a statewide network, and that cuts to treatment court and peer support funding would likely force reductions in non-constitutional services. The committee then heard the Guardian ad litem division request, including a $77,900 general fund enhancement for the Second Judicial District CASA program. The CASA director said the money would support a recruiter/trainer/data supervisor position and required compliance costs such as financial review, office space, and liability insurance. She described volunteer shortages across a large rural district, declining VOCA and grant funding, and the need to spend more time fundraising instead of serving children. Members asked about the decline in VOCA funds, the share of funding coming from donations and fundraising, the number of children served, and the role of CASA for older youth. The director said about 30% of the program’s funding comes from fundraising, that the district serves children over age 12 and some older youth, and she gave an example of a case where CASA helped stabilize a family and reunify children with their parents. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that all panelists are calling in remotely. Are they all there? Okay, great. Mr.
• I believe that they will all be testifying remotely.
• I believe that they will all be testifying remotely. Thank you. Mr. O'Sullivan, can you hear us?

Bills: HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff have supplied information on registering for in-person and remote public testimony via Zoom on
• And I believe they are remote. Yes. Hello. Thank you.
• And Carolyn, Cato, and Nancy Patino from the state auditor's office will be presenting remotely.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s State Auditor Subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two Initiative 900 performance audits. The first audit examined CARES programs run by fire agencies to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems. Auditors reported there are 52 such programs statewide, but many communities still lack one despite need. Key barriers identified were unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, lack of statewide guidance, and inconsistent access to patient records. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended legislative action to consider private insurance reimbursement and to convene a statewide CARES work group. Fire agency representatives largely agreed with the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain, while some noted support from accountable communities of health and hospitals. Committee members asked about why only a small share of programs receive Medicaid or accountable community of health funding, and auditors clarified that the 10% figure referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the payment is too low relative to the administrative effort. Agency witnesses said ACH support can help but is often temporary and uncertain. Members also asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help fund these programs, but fire district representatives said it is generally not a direct option for them. The second audit focused on improving performance management in the Department of Commerce’s economic development programs. Auditors found the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness lacks a division-wide strategic plan and has inconsistent performance management across its 16 programs. They recommended stakeholder engagement, clearer goals and measures, alignment between program and division goals, and stronger contract and grant performance provisions. Commerce officials agreed with the findings, said work on a statewide economic development plan is already underway, and described efforts to align divisional planning with broader agency strategy. The chair asked Commerce to return next year with progress updates, and the meeting ended with notice that written testimony could still be submitted and that another JLARC meeting would occur in November.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff have supplied information on registering for in-person and remote public testimony via Zoom on
• I believe they are remote. Yes. Hello. Thank you.
• And Carolyn Cato and Nancy Patino from the State Auditor's Office will be presenting remotely.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we can try to get our remote witness on the screen, we'll go ahead and begin with Norman Rogers.
• Also joining us remotely will be Neil Mahoney, who is with the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy
• York, who should be joining us remotely. All right. I think I'm connected. Yes, welcome.
• I believe our next guest is also remote.
• But at this point, today, after urgency legislation and unanimous votes in the Legislature, there is

Committee: House Utilities and Energy