Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5956 prohibits school districts, charter schools, and state tribal education compact
• Association must develop and periodically update a model policy and procedure that school districts, charter
• schools, and state tribal education compact schools may adopt And procedure that school districts, charter
• your testimony that this legislation would affect both state tribal compact schools as well as our charter
• your testimony that this legislation would affect both state tribal compact schools as well as our charter

Bills: SB6278

Committee: House Education

Keywords: teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12, high-need schools, Title I, special education, English language learner, rural schools

Transcript Highlights:

• it equitable to give the school district of 10,000 or the school district of 2,000 or the virtual charter
• The essence of the math is every school district gets the same amount, even if they're a virtual charter
• So is it fair to give the small school district or the virtual charter school district as much money
• as... ...school district or the virtual charter school district as much money as the very big urban school
• tech, to develop and implement a common course number to be used by all public schools and public charter

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Do<01:01:32.240><c> fishing</c><01:01:32.559><c> boats</c><01:01:32.960><c> off</c><01:01:33.200><c>
• So the 2017 dam that failed, that was a fish and game dam at the time.
• That fish and game dam up in Warren was actually tied into a town road.
• It was a a fishing game dam at the time.
• </c><01:20:45.920><c> that</c><01:20:46.239><c> fish</c> economic damage of the sort. that fish economic

Summary: The committee first heard testimony from State Treasurer Monica Misipelli on House Bill 1042, which would increase the contingent credit limit for the BFA. She explained that under RSA 66 the state’s debt capacity is capped at 10% of unrestricted revenue, and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is not direct debt. She said the state currently has about 65% of its capacity used, roughly $120 million of remaining room, and that raising the BFA contingent credit limit from $200 million to $450 million would reduce that capacity. She noted the state’s debt-to-revenue ratio is about 4.2%, that the state’s credit rating is not immediately affected by the guarantee program unless the state actually has to assume the liability, and suggested unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Peace Development Authority, could be reviewed in the future. Members asked whether a credit guarantee affects bonding ability like actual debt, what the usual debt level is relative to the statutory cap, and whether the increase would crowd out future capital borrowing. Misipelli answered that guarantees are included in the formula and do affect available capacity, though the current ratio remains manageable. She also said she had been using a $120 million benchmark for capital budget planning and was now modeling $130 million in future state debt. When asked whether the full $250 million increase was necessary, she deferred to the BFA, saying the question should be answered by the agency. James Key Wallace, executive director of the New Hampshire BFA and interim commissioner of Business and Economic Affairs, then testified in support of the bill. He said the request was driven by larger project costs over the last several decades, with construction inflation causing guarantees to be used up in bigger chunks, and by the fact that the BFA has been close to its current cap. He said the agency does not use taxpayer funds, has never had a payout on a guarantee in nearly 35 years, and requires collateral, reserves, and an 80% loan-to-value buffer. He told members the Senate had a similar bill to raise the limit to $400 million and that the BFA considered that range acceptable. In response to questions, he said a smaller increase such as $150 million would cover known transactions but might not provide enough runway for future opportunities, and he confirmed the bill was brought at the BFA’s request. He also said businesses consider housing availability when deciding whether to locate in New Hampshire, since housing and workforce are key location factors. At the end of the work session, the chair closed House Bill 1042 and opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage of pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Nagel began introducing the bill and asked for copies of the treasurer’s debt-capacity report, but the transcript cuts off before any further action on HB 241.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also brought L28, which was our charter-at-risk hold harmless.
• The charter school working group had come to an agreement on how to move forward with calculating the
• charter school's funding, specifically related to at-risk funding.
• It also applies the same rules for online contractors that apply to charter schools.
• To multiple school districts or charter schools that are eligible for a school transformation grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:35.960><c> There</c> and charter schools in our state.
• There and charter schools in our state.
• ,</c> um a majority of districts, um charters, um a majority of districts, um charters, and<00:37:39.320
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools, representing charter public
• More than half of charter public schools are projected to lose funding.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• by Congress, chartered by the federal government, not by a state.
• I have to go and ask the state via the conditions of a charter to be conferred that power.
• I have to go and ask the state via the conditions of a charter to be conferred that power.
• </c><01:09:33.600><c> And</c> charter to be conferred that power.
• And charter to be conferred that power.

Bills: SB2045 , SB2354

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• veteran service organizations chartered veteran service organizations will<01:03:32.319><c> finally<
• </c><01:04:54.760><c> veterans</c> c3s congressionally chartered veterans c3s congressionally chartered
• There are two different classifications for congressionally chartered veterans organizations.
• veterans organizations uh both chartered veterans organizations uh both have<01:08:01.359><c> the</c
• </c><01:33:25.760><c> veteran</c> eight congressionally chartered veteran eight congressionally chartered

Bills: HF169 , HF195 , HF194 , HF1756 , HF2133

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of H-5497, an act amending the town charter of the
• Under the current town charter, Plymouth's annual town meeting is held in April, while local elections
• We don't have that; it is our version of a charter, if you will.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:

• every federal grant that we get, like ESSER or competitive grants that flow directly to districts or charter
• Staff: So starting in the next fiscal year, about $125 million will flow to districts and charter schools
• $3.4 million for rural education, and Title VII A, $111.4 million for impact aid to districts and charters

Transcript Highlights:

• PROVIDES GRANTS FOR THE PATIENT AND EXPANSION OF AUTISM FOCUSED CHARTER SCHOOLS.
• I WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR CHARTER SCHOOL IN MARTIN COUNTY, HOPE SCHOOL FOR AUTISM, AS WELL AS THE CENTER
• I CAN TELL YOU WE NEED MORE SCHOOL SPECIFICALLY AND CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE REALLY THE BEST PLACE.

Transcript Highlights:

• When he asked me once what I'd like for dinner, I recall suggesting fish the next evening.
• Like for dinner, I recall suggesting fish.
• The next evening, I came home to his newest creation: meatloaf in the shape of a fish.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled routine procedural business including re-referrals of several Senate bills, removal of AB 1156 from the inactive file, and withdrawal of ACR 210 to the second reading file. The chamber also heard multiple guest introductions, including family members of members and two CIF Scholar Athletes of the Year, Ryan Liu and Mona Sugawara, before moving to the daily file and consent calendar. The main floor item was ACR 191, which designated June 5 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in California. Assemblymember Stephanie and several colleagues spoke in strong support, sharing personal and district-level experiences with gun violence, highlighting the impact on children, schools, graduations, and communities, and urging continued state and federal action. Speakers emphasized prevention, safe storage, community violence intervention, and the need to resist complacency; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 55 co-authors were added. On the consent calendar, ACR 206 and several Senate concurrent resolutions were adopted, with ACR 206 passing 60-0. The Assembly also heard an adjournment in memory for Michael George Savan, a longtime Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department commander, Marine Corps Reservist, and former Lomita mayor and councilmember. The house then announced the next session schedule and adjourned until Monday, June 8 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• When he asked me once what I'd like for dinner, I recall suggesting fish the next evening.
• Like for dinner, I recall suggesting fish.
• The next evening, I came home to his newest creation: meatloaf in the shape of a fish.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when I think of law enforcement, I also think of Fish and Game.
• Representative Pohanka, I believe Fish and Game had some issues with the Fourth Amendment egregious actions
• There's no reason why Fish and Game should be able to just roll up on you while you're duck hunting just

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Why would anyone want to open a business here with all the tax laws and now fishing expedition into your
• Attorney General's office has been given a free get-out-of-jail card to go after every business for fishing
• Attorney General's office has been given a free get-out-of-jail card to go after every business for fishing

Bills: SB5223 , SB5928 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB6061 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB6137 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5834 , SB5837 , SB5872 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB5925 , SB6019 , SB6148 , SB6190 , SB6237 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5992 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB5395 , SB6282 , SB5905 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5838 , SB5845 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5922 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5982 , SB5984 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6034 , SB6035 , SB6070 , SB6097 , SB6110 , SB6246 , SB6248 , SB6278 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB6054 , SB5835 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6247 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB5974 , SB6044 , SB5906 , SB6081 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6323 , SB6210 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB5346 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, zero emission, cargo handling, port district, environmental impact, grant allocation, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Fishing<00:09:21.360><c> do</c><00:09:21.600><c> pass.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Fishing do pass. All in favor? &gt;&gt; Fishing do pass. All in favor? &gt;&gt; I.

Committee: Joint Environment Prot, Cons and Water Res

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the charter form of government, which has a population greater than 400,000, that's Jackson
• And then the charter former government, which has a population greater than 400,000, that's Jackson County
• The charter form—oh— A couple things for clarification.
• The charter form of government—that's more than 400, next to 900—that's St. Charles County, St.
• A county with a charter form of government, which has a population greater than 400,000?

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 982. Members adopted a House committee substitute that updated the bill to reflect recently enacted sex offense classifications and added language related to sexual violent predator civil commitment, including permission for the Department of Mental Health to contract with the Department of Corrections for housing. After questions about the civil commitment process and registry-related provisions, the committee adopted two House committee amendments, rolled them into the substitute, and voted the bill do pass by a vote of 14 aye, 1 no, and 1 present. The committee then approved House Bill 3414 by a vote of 12 yes, 1 no, and 3 present. Next, it considered a combined substitute for House Bills 3434, 3460, and 2628, which dealt with emergency contraception and related health care facility language. Members discussed whether the substitute should include religious objection protections and whether the facility definition was broad enough for rural clinics. After adopting an amendment clarifying that emergency contraception does not include medication approved to terminate a pregnancy, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the combined bills do pass by 11 aye, 4 no, and 1 present. In public hearing, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 87, which would place the election of sheriffs in the Missouri Constitution and preserve local election of sheriffs, with carve-outs for St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jackson County, and the City of St. Louis. The sponsor and supporting witnesses argued it would protect local control and accountability, while members asked about removal procedures and the role of the Attorney General versus local prosecutors. Supporters, including the Osage County sheriff and the interim sheriff of the City of St. Louis, testified in favor; no opposition testified. The committee also heard House Bills 1868 and 3257, identical bills creating an offense for impeding, threatening, or harassing first responders after an oral warning to stay back. Sponsors said the measure was intended to protect officers, EMS, firefighters, and others from interference at scenes, and supporters from ambulance, physician, and fire service groups backed the bill, with a suggested cleanup to remove the outdated term “ambulance driver.” Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3017, which would create the offense of permitting a public nuisance on property after repeated documented complaints and allow authorities to secure or board up nuisance properties. The sponsor and Kansas City police supported it as a tool for public safety, while members raised concerns about landlord liability, due process, and whether the felony penalty and boarding costs were too burdensome; Kansas City police testified in support and no opposition was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• The act applies to school districts, charter schools, and state tribal education compact schools, and
• the state auditor, JLARC, OSPI, the State Board of Education, the Executive Director of the State Charter
• First, this legislation requires that after 2027, anytime a school district, charter school, or state
• First, this legislation requires that after 2027, anytime a school district, charter school, or state
• First, this legislation requires that after 2027, anytime a school district, charter school, or state

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three K-12 bills focused on behavioral health, literacy, and review of education mandates. On House Bill 1634, staff and Rep. Milin Tai described a framework for OSPI and educational service districts to coordinate with state and local partners on behavioral health technical assistance and training for schools, aligned with the Washington Thriving prenatal-to-25 plan. Testifiers, including students and education/behavioral health representatives, said the bill would improve coordination, early intervention, and access to supports for students and families. The bill was presented as having no fiscal note because it relies on existing funding, and testimony emphasized parent and student engagement in the framework. On House Bill 2636, staff and Rep. Skyler Rude explained that the bill creates a Public Education Review Steering Committee to identify existing policies and funding provisions for JLARC review, with the goal of determining whether they achieve intended outcomes, improve student performance, are cost-effective, and should be maintained, modified, or repealed. Supporters said the bill is intended to help reduce burdensome or ineffective requirements on school districts and free resources for students, while some members questioned how the committee would define policy and whether it could affect future mandates. A representative of the Washington State School Directors Association supported the concept as a meaningful review of unfunded mandates. The committee also heard House Bill 1295, which would require evidence-aligned literacy curriculum updates after 2027, require comprehensive K-4 literacy programs using structured literacy practices, direct PESB to revise literacy endorsement standards, require literacy-related continuing education, and direct OSPI to develop educator literacy training. Supporters, including parents, educators, students, dyslexia advocates, and district staff, argued that structured literacy is supported by research and would improve outcomes for struggling readers and students with dyslexia. One witness from the Washington Education Association supported the bill but raised concern about adding another continuing-education requirement. Testimony on the bill was extensive and largely in favor, with some discussion about whether the approach would address older students and how it would interact with existing district and ESD efforts. After public hearings, the committee moved into executive session and approved three gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation. It adopted an amendment to House Bill 1796 and advanced the bill to Ways and Means, passed Engrossed House Bill 2317 to Rules, and adopted a striking amendment to Substitute House Bill 2594 before advancing it to Ways and Means. All actions were taken by voice vote, with no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our participating school districts and charter schools are those participating employers, and they work
• districts that have been approved for their teacher apprenticeship programs, and we have, it says, four charter
• So we've had five charter schools, and we have a few schools and charter schools in the queue to be reviewed
• sponsor, so they maintain all the apprenticeship standards and then they approve any school district or charter
• Students in Florida, if you're in a public school or a public charter school, have free access to that

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The charter FMR average is 77.22%.
• What is the comparison again between charters and districts?
• It's the same assessment for charters and public schools, but that is the difference.
• In state charters versus public school districts, all the state charters are grouped into one.
• Chair, members, state charters are performing just a little bit higher than the public schools.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Game and fish should go back to game and fish. Just we can talk more about this.
• purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish
• , wildlife, and other natural land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. resources. resources
• Um, some people like hunting and fishing.
• , and gather on all the lands that fish, and gather on all the lands that we<01:45:35.360><c> seated<

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy