Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to meet with the bill's sponsor staff. I spoke about this a lot.
• The bill states that any unlicensed activity must be performed or in good faith started to perform work
• This is the unlicensed activity where no license is existing. They're going to homes.
• This is the unlicensed activity where no license is. This isn't exactly getting at that.
• This is the unlicensed activity where no license is existing. They're going to homes.

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second challenge in our current system is unlicensed operators.
• Where we're at, I mean, my office has a very small staff.
• But the, you know, unlicensed operators, you know, there's no check at the platform.
• Well, thank you to you and your staff for the conversations we had on this bill.
• Thank you, Chair, Committee, and staff.

Summary: The committee heard multiple bills, with extensive discussion focused on short-term rental regulation, street vending, park/public safety financing, transit-oriented housing fees, and demographic data collection. SB 346 would require short-term rental platforms to provide local governments with listing addresses and related information to help collect transient occupancy taxes and enforce local ordinances; supporters argued cities and counties need the data to identify unlicensed operators and recover taxes, while opposition from platforms raised privacy and due process concerns and said administrative subpoenas already exist. The bill was amended and passed 7-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, sought to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared in ways that could expose them to federal immigration enforcement; supporters described raids and fear in vendor communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. SB 499 would clarify that certain park and recreation facilities designated in local safety or hazard mitigation plans can qualify for fee deferral exemptions when they serve emergency or public safety functions; supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and recovery hubs, while some housing advocates sought a clearer nexus to development impacts. The bill passed as amended 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which would modernize traffic impact fee rules to better reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, drew support from housing and transportation advocates and passed 8-0 to Appropriations. SB 515, aimed at improving demographic data collection and reporting by local governments and state entities, passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote. The committee also took up SB 276, presented by Assembly Member Stefani on behalf of Senator Wiener, which would allow San Francisco to create a permit-and-enforcement system for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks. Supporters said the measure is needed to address fencing operations and protect legitimate vendors, while emphasizing it is narrowly targeted and not aimed at food vendors or permitted sellers. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 276, with supporters from the Mission street vendor community and San Francisco Public Works describing enforcement problems and the need for clearer rules and city resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• First I would like to thank you and your staff for your work on this complicated issue.
• I thank the chair, committee staff, author, and his staff for working with us.
• I would like to thank the author and for the chair and staff for their work on this bill.
• As my staff and I were talking about this bill.
• We have been working with the author and his staff as well as the sponsors.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the funding to hire the staff to do these evaluations.
• A technology tool that can scan images of labels and then advise staff, highlight issues that staff might
• So we now have four staff who are dedicated to that work.
• We also have staff who are proactively monitoring the market.
• Parks, you and your staff for your work.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My staff and I were having a debate about this: who has heard of Mario Day? Okay, I had not.
• Our staff are not specialized in that.
• Good morning, committee members, consultants, and staff.
• staff,...
• Our application of licensing services staff, our consumer protection services staff, or the staff of

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with opening remarks emphasizing legislative oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are efficient and effective. BRN leaders reported progress since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, expanded nursing program enrollment, and new statewide data collection on faculty. Committee members then questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, English proficiency, online nursing education and clinical placements, military and veteran pathways, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, the LVN-to-RN 30-unit option, and the role of the board’s RN executive officer. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, the 500-hour direct patient care clinical requirement, and its use of nursing education consultants and board-approved programs to oversee schools and placements. Members also discussed retention problems, especially for new graduates, and the board said shortages are often driven by burnout, lack of support, and employers’ reduced use of new-grad training programs. Public comment largely centered on proposed BRN sunset issues affecting advanced practice nursing, education oversight, and workforce development. Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthesiology groups generally supported the BRN sunset report but asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, support for APRN-to-RN delegation authority, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and protection of the current population-focus model. The California Medical Association raised concerns about out-of-state nurse practitioners practicing independently without California transition-to-practice requirements, specialty delegation, ratios, and data collection. Higher education representatives from UC, CSU, private nonprofit colleges, and nursing associations urged the board to reduce duplicative documentation, modernize clinical placement rules, improve parity between in-state and out-of-state programs, and address bottlenecks in securing clinical sites. An online nursing school argued that California should create a pathway for distance-learning programs so students can complete clinicals in-state rather than traveling out of state. Several speakers also highlighted the need to expand access for rural and underserved communities, support diverse and nontraditional students, and preserve affordable pathways into nursing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also live streaming the hearing, so members of the public, senators, and staff have the option
• make a few brief announcements about how we will proceed so that members of the public, senators, and staff
• Senator Umberg, SB 342, Contractors Unlicensed Work. Of 5 to 2 with Republicans voting no.
• Senator Umberg, SB 342, Contractors Unlicensed Work. The action is due pass.
• I want to thank the staff, because they do an awesome job, and it's bittersweet to be leaving the position

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met in a vote-only suspense file hearing with no public testimony. The chair explained that measures would be taken up alphabetically, with some bills amended before voting and addendum analyses to follow on the committee website. A quorum was present, and the committee then moved through a long list of Senate bills covering topics such as battery recycling, property tax exemptions, rail safety, military protective orders, affordable housing and youth housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, elections, family research centers, electrical rates and political influence, AI standards, student health, air quality, abandoned electrical infrastructure, disaster preparedness, contracts bid preferences, presidential election qualifications, unlicensed contractor work, alcohol and drug programs, generative AI, kratom and nitrous oxide, unmanned aircraft, adoptees’ birth certificates, body-worn cameras, physician discipline, and deprivation of constitutional rights. Several bills were amended before passage, including measures on railroads, military protective orders, housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, youth housing, property taxation, kratom/nitrous oxide, adoptees’ birth certificates, and constitutional rights. The committee repeatedly substituted prior roll-call votes for similar measures, resulting in many bills passing on unanimous 7-0 votes or 5-2 votes with Republicans voting no. SB 691 on body-worn cameras passed on a 6-0 vote, and SB 742 on abandoned electrical facilities was approved after a brief roll-call correction. Overall, the committee advanced all measures heard that day and adjourned after the chair noted it was their last meeting presiding over Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They said staff might explain the amendment better.
• They said staff might explain it better.
• One part of it was that an unlicensed facility must have a One part of it was that an unlicensed facility
• Have you spoken to Kate Brumley or his staff?
• Have you spoken to Kate Brumley or his staff?

Bills: HB611, HB897, HB902, HB931, HB1030, HB1092, HB1100, HB1118, HB1138, HB1143, HB1160, HB1185, HB1216

Keywords: pregnancy help centers, healthcare services, licensure, Department of Health, medical services, counseling, regulatory compliance, public health, healthcare data, privacy, pregnancy services, confidentiality, client rights, Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative, trauma-informed, child education, mental health, training program, adverse childhood events, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• Of your staff. And they were under different departments within LDH.
• Again, I want to thank Chairman Miller and the staff. I do want to make my correction from Mr.
• or would be treated as unlicensed.
• Do you want to do it in concept because staff can't find the amendment? Okay.
• So, y'all, the staff doesn't have the amendments. We have two questions, Rep. Egan.

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein and CMS Medicaid Director Dan Brillman, who discussed ongoing federal-state collaboration and praised Louisiana’s work on Medicaid and health system reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 1214 by Chairman Miller, which would create an Office of State Healthcare Facilities within LDH to centralize oversight of five state-operated inpatient facilities. LDH said the bill would streamline administration, combine shared services, add no new FTEs, and improve care and outcomes for vulnerable residents. Members asked about capacity and waiting lists at the facilities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee next considered House Bill 1041 by Representative Ghali, a medical-freedom bill aimed at prohibiting denial of access or discrimination based on “medical intervention status.” After amendments were adopted, the bill was narrowed to exclude K-12 schools, colleges, hospitals, health care facilities, and tuberculosis-related actions, while keeping existing school outbreak exclusion law in place. Supporters, including patients, nurses, physicians, and advocacy groups, testified that mandates during COVID caused coercion, job loss, and harm, and argued for bodily autonomy and informed consent. Opponents, including the Louisiana Hospital Association, American Lung Association, and Louisiana Families for Vaccines, said the amendments addressed some concerns but warned the bill could weaken outbreak protections for children; after debate, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 414 by Representative Chenevere, which closes a loophole in background-check law by barring hiring of certain direct-care workers with substantially similar out-of-state convictions that would disqualify them in Louisiana. Amendments clarified the definition of covered workers, removed licensed ambulance personnel, and addressed documentation and third-party screening. The Attorney General’s office said the bill is intended to protect vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries from people with serious criminal histories, and supporters from disability and EMS communities backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 786 by Representative Egan, which would prohibit managed care organizations from using extrapolation to determine provider audit overpayments or recoupments, requiring decisions to be based on actual claims. Members discussed a proposed amendment preserving the Department of Health and Department of Justice’s ability to use extrapolation in fraud investigations under existing law, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are supervising staff attorneys.
• </c> unlicensed practice. unlicensed practice.
• </c><05:34:55.120><c> practice</c> the it would be an unlicensed practice the it would be an unlicensed
• So this for any unlicensed practice.
• </c> the current statute for unlicensed the current statute for unlicensed practice.<05:35:25.440><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to the accident, the offender had eight driving unlicensed charges on his record, and the day he
• For the ninth time driving unlicensed. Since that time, he's had five more unlicensed charges.
• Driving unlicensed is no different than driving under the influence, in my opinion, of an intoxicating
• They were pulled over for other reasons when it was discovered that they were unlicensed.
• Why is driving unlicensed treated as a lesser offense than other arguably equal offenses?

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s excellent staff in place to lead the team.
• </c><00:13:40.120><c> in</c> budsman uh there's excellent staff in budsman uh there's excellent staff
• </c> Office Buildings they're unlicensed Office Buildings they're unlicensed placements<00:26:45.399>
• </c><00:29:11.399><c> have</c> appropriately and that staff have appropriately and that staff have direction
• </c><01:07:03.799><c> the</c> to ensuring the safety of our staff the to ensuring the safety of our staff

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You come to Into Action, you're going to have a hard time knowing the difference between our staff and
• And that certainly extends to your legislative staff, who I know does a lot of the work.
• This staff member was previously funded for some peer work on our HIV side of our services.
• The second is unlicensed intoxicating cannabinoids.
• I think the Chief of Staff has the electronic copy to distribute.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The task force heard extensive testimony on substance use treatment, recovery supports, harm reduction, and related workforce and reimbursement issues. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he said recovery housing, peer support, employment, accountability, and community connection are what help people stay sober and avoid relapse. He urged continued state investment in recovery support services, recovery housing, peer recovery support, and recovery community centers, and said his organization relies on a mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private funding. Members asked about remaining housing needs, program referrals, treatment court, transportation, and support for people on medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and Haniken said longer-term housing support and public awareness about MAT would help. Matt Cushman of Raytown Community EMT made a strong case for expanding harm reduction, including syringe service programs and safer-use supplies, saying stigma and abstinence-only approaches leave many people without help. He argued that Missouri should decriminalize needle exchange programs, expand access to naloxone and test strips, and remove barriers to MAT in jails, while noting that harm reduction can reduce overdose deaths, infectious disease, hospitalizations, and crime. Committee members questioned how harm reduction would work in practice, whether evidence supports syringe services, and how it relates to faith-based recovery programs; Cushman and other witnesses said the goal is not to replace treatment but to create more entry points into care. A member also noted a pending House bill that would remove paraphernalia penalties for approved syringe service sites and require treatment-program partnerships. Representatives from Ozarks Medical Center and Four Rivers Community Health Center focused on the need to reimburse peer support specialists, community health workers, and care coordinators, especially in rural federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). COMC and Four Rivers said these staff help patients with transportation, housing, food, insurance, school, and reentry planning, and that their organizations use grants to fund many of these positions because Medicaid reimbursement is limited or unavailable in their settings. Monet Lehman of COMC gave a personal account of trauma, recovery, and her work inside the Pulaski County Jail helping people prepare for release with housing, benefits, education, and treatment connections. Members and staff discussed the confusing reimbursement structure between FQHCs, CCBHCs, Medicaid, and state grants, and several witnesses emphasized that transportation and housing remain major barriers in rural Missouri. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the funding, to hire the staff to do these evaluations.
• , highlight issues that staff might miss.
• We now have four staff who are dedicated to that work.
• Parks, you and your staff for your work.
• Parks, you and your staff for your work.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on products that may be attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on complaints rather than pre-market review. The audit found disagreements with DCC’s conclusions in 13 of 80 packaging reviews, and noted weaknesses in tracking repeat violators and escalating penalties. The auditor recommended clearer statutory standards, better internal review tools, stronger repeat-offender policies, and consideration of options such as plain packaging or pre-approval systems. Committee members and the audit requester emphasized rising cannabis poison-control calls involving children under five and cited examples of legal products with cartoon imagery, bright colors, candy-like names, and beverage packaging that resembled ordinary drinks. DCC representatives said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized review team, improved databases, enhanced technology tools, and new procedures to track compliance history and apply progressive discipline. They also stressed that illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp remain major sources of youth exposure and argued that some issues require both regulatory refinement and more legislative clarity. Public health witnesses argued that California has not done enough to protect children and urged plain packaging, limits on flavors and child-appealing design, and a pre-market review process. Industry representatives agreed that cannabis should not be marketed to children but said the current rules are too subjective and inconsistent, and asked for objective, bright-line standards rather than broader bans. Several members said the examples shown were plainly child-appealing and called for stronger statutory guardrails, while also acknowledging the need to keep pressure on the illicit market. No formal vote or action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff-to-youth ratios are appropriate in alignment with PREA.
• instead of four staff members and in no event less than three staff members to every eight children.
• instead of four staff members and in no event less than three staff members to every eight children.
• How long do we need five new staff for to do this? Forever?
• No, we're not asking for additional staff.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1544, which would require DCYF to study and improve the risk assessment tool used in child abuse and neglect investigations, including better identifying family strengths and needs, substance use-related risk, and service needs, and to certify the tool every three years. Staff explained the bill and noted it had passed the committee unanimously in substitute form last year. The prime sponsor, Representative Rule, said the tool would help reduce bias and support better decisions about child safety. Members raised questions about whether the bill would require new data systems or create a fiscal impact, and DCYF testified that the recertification process would focus on evidence-based literature and fidelity to the tool, though the agency acknowledged limitations in its data system. Support testimony from Partners for Our Children and DCYF emphasized that the current tool is not evidence-based and that the department is piloting the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale. The hearing on HB 1544 was then closed. The committee then received a lengthy work session from DCYF on juvenile rehabilitation. Juvenile Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redman and security classification administrator Jeff Endermark described a growing JR population that is older, serving more adult-sentence youth, and projected to rise to about 481 by 2031. They said Green Hill School remains crowded, Harbor Heights is being brought online as a short-term option, and Echo Glen is near safe operational capacity. They explained JR’s classification system, behavior management process, and the role of multidisciplinary teams in placement decisions, as well as the expansion of community transition services (CTS), which uses electronic home monitoring for eligible youth. Staff described CTS eligibility, supervision expectations, and examples of successful placements, but also said the program needs more after-hours staffing and community supports. Members questioned the validity and equity of the risk tools, the availability of community resources, the impact of behavior policies and escapes, the use of single bunking, and broader concerns about lawsuits and sexual abuse in the system. JR reported an escape rate increase from 1.78 per 100 youth in 2001 to 3.92 in 2025 and said additional capacity and staffing are still needed. The committee then heard House Bill 2219, which would allow child care centers more flexibility in mixed-age grouping during parts of the day and waive repeated DCYF pre-service orientation for people who have already completed it. The prime sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is meant to ease burdens on small providers. Testifiers from SEIU 925, a family child care provider, the Washington Child Care Centers Association, a child care center director, and the Children’s Campaign Fund supported the bill as a practical way to improve staffing flexibility and reduce duplicative licensing requirements, though one association asked that the bill’s daily time caps on mixed-age grouping be revised or removed. The committee then heard House Bill 2253, an agency-request technical corrections bill for DCYF licensing. Staff said it would allow child-specific licenses for certain relatives under interstate placements, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, remove licensing exemptions for physicians and lawyers, allow termination of inactive licenses, revise crisis residential center staffing ratios, and eliminate state monitoring requirements for the Washington School for the Deaf residential program. Members asked about how inactivity would be defined and whether the School for the Deaf inspections had historically produced savings. DCYF said the bill would help right-size licensing workloads after budget cuts and would let the agency work with stakeholders to define inactivity in rule. Testimony from DCYF, Community Youth Services, and Partners for Our Children supported the bill, especially the staffing ratio fix for crisis residential centers and the child-specific licensing changes for relatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• that operates during non-traditional hours is essential for many of our officers and our civilian staff
• And lastly, it's also ensuring that those unlicensed registered providers have a pathway to licensure
• And lastly, that's basically also ensuring that those unlicensed registered providers have a pathway
• The families are now having help paying for their child care and they're able to pay their staff their
• I was advised by the chief of staff to have an amendment prepared for the sub for the committee.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to all of your staff.
• Patients are going to an unlicensed living situation.
• I'd like to quickly introduce my staff who are here today.
• It is additional work for our staff to manage these funds.
• point, and then bringing in the new staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's open the hearing on HB 2151 with a staff report. Good morning.
• For the record, Kelly Leonard, staff to this committee.
• I will defer to staff in terms of the fiscal challenges.
• I didn't know if it had a fiscal... if staff has a...
• Allison Ryan, staff to the committee.

Bills: HB2355, HB2151, HB2372, HB2472, HB2409

Keywords: labor protections, domestic workers, wage standards, employment rights, worker safety, factory built housing, commercial structures, national standards, construction regulation, building safety, workers' compensation, benefits, employment, injury claims, insurance, liability, fire protection, sprinkler systems, licensed contractors, certified fitters

Summary: The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2151 would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules by directing L&I to consider newer national off-site construction standards and by allowing inspections to be performed by qualified third-party agencies without a direct contract requirement. The sponsor said it would reduce costs and speed inspections for manufactured housing; L&I supported the bill as a way to simplify third-party inspection relationships and keep up with workload. HB 2372 would change workers’ compensation time-loss calculations so injured workers receive 100% of the employer’s monthly health care contribution unless the employer keeps paying it directly. Supporters, including building trades representatives and an injured worker, said the current formula leaves families unable to afford coverage; NFIB opposed the bill, arguing the money should go directly to insurers or employers and raising concerns about whether workers would use the funds for premiums. L&I said the bill would require administrative time and funding and noted attorney fees can take up to 30% of additional benefits in some cases. The committee also heard HB 2355, a domestic workers bill of rights. The bill would create standalone protections for domestic workers covering wages, written agreements, notice or severance before termination, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation rules, and protections against discrimination, while also removing certain domestic-worker exemptions from the Minimum Wage Act and extending some discrimination protections. The sponsor and multiple workers, advocates, Seattle labor officials, and an employer testified in support, describing wage theft, lack of notice, and vulnerability in private homes; L&I said it had technical questions and would need time and funding to implement the measure. The committee then heard HB 2409, which would create a collective bargaining framework for agricultural workers under PERC, including union representation procedures, mediation, and interest arbitration. Supporters said it would correct a historic exclusion of farmworkers from collective bargaining rights and improve dignity and safety; opponents from farm groups argued agriculture’s time-sensitive nature means strikes could devastate crops and farms, and they warned the bill could harm the agricultural economy. Finally, the committee heard HB 2472 on fire sprinkler system contracting and fitting. The bill would require contractors and fitters to show licenses or certificates to local fire code officials, authorize stop-work orders for violations, and allow requests for payroll records during investigations. Supporters from labor, fire sprinkler industry groups, and fire marshals said it would improve public safety and enforcement against unqualified work; the Building Industry Association of Washington opposed the bill as drafted, asking for narrower language to avoid unintended reach into residential or other sprinkler systems. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The definition of an unlicensed setting is expanded to include certain units of a hospital on January
• Settings and Pediatric in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Hospital<00:23:31.520><c> Overstay</c><00
• setting such as from using an unlicensed setting such as a<00:23:43.520><c> hotel,</c><00:23:43.920>
• </c><00:24:10.520><c> setting</c> The definition of an unlicensed setting The definition of an unlicensed
• </c> state agency to prevent sort of staff state agency to prevent sort of staff intensive<01:19:37.000

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's start out, though, because I also want to introduce my subcommittee staff.
• You cannot believe how many staff that takes.
• You cannot believe how many staff that takes.
• The commission also processed two staff-assisted rate cases in the water utility sector.
• And I got to tell you, your staff has been incredible. They have served the folks in my community.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have no staff. They have no state-owned space.
• And so Wavon has an actual staff that does her licensing.
• So having a full-time staff itself.
• Obviously, that resulted in an increased workload for staff.
• </c><01:05:00.640><c> activity</c> 26, we did not have unlicensed activity 26, we did not have unlicensed

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 22 January, 2026; 8:00 AM, 925, all