Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, today's color guard is composed of the dedicated and outstanding
• The State Patrol Honor Guard is composed of Captain Matt Fahler, Sergeant William Rutherford, Sergeant
• The Honor Guard will now present the colors. And Trooper Jared Rayber.
• The Honor Guard will now present the colors. Thank you. Okay, up, sit.
• It was also a great risk to each and every one of them, which is why the authors concluded the declaration

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 session with roll call, presentation of colors by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, a signed national anthem by River Ridge High School students, and an invocation. The chamber welcomed new Senator Victoria Hunt and heard ceremonial remarks about the nation’s 250th anniversary and the challenges of governing during budget constraints. The Secretary of State certified the November 2025 election results, and newly elected Senators Emily Alvarado, Victoria Hunt, Deborah Krishnadasan, Tina Orwall, and Vandana Slatter were sworn in. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8660 to notify the Governor that it was organized and ready to conduct business, confirmed the committee appointed for that purpose, adopted Senate Resolution 8663 making minor Senate rule changes, and confirmed the 2026 standing committee memberships. The Senate then handled first-reading referrals and supplemental introductions, including measures referred to committees and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 establishing cutoff dates for the 2026 session. Senator Riccelli supported the cutoff schedule as necessary to complete work within the 60-day session, while Senator McCune opposed it, arguing the Legislature should prioritize budgeting earlier and take a different approach to fiscal planning. After debate, the resolution was adopted. The Senate also received House messages transmitting House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407, and both were adopted by the Senate, with 4406 calling for a joint session and 4407 addressing the status of bills and measures. The chamber received additional messages from the Governor, Secretary of State, and Senate offices, including transmittals of several engrossed and substitute Senate bills and provisional certifications of initiatives. Senators Hunt and Torres reported back after escorting the Governor’s message, noting his readiness to work with the Legislature and a lighthearted Seahawks-49ers challenge. The session concluded with reminders about the upcoming joint session and a Rules Committee meeting, and the Senate adjourned until 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, today's color guard is composed of the dedicated and outstanding
• The State Patrol Honor Guard is composed of Captain Matt Fahler, Sergeant William Rutherford, Sergeant
• The Honor Guard will now present the colors. And Trooper Jared Raber.
• The Honor Guard will now present the colors. Thank you. Okay, up, sit.
• It was also a great risk to each and every one of them, which is why the authors concluded the declaration

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 2026 session with roll call, presentation of colors by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, a signed national anthem by River Ridge High School ASL students, and an invocation. The President welcomed new Senator Victoria Hunt and noted the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the challenges of democracy and the need for grace and respect. The Senate then received certification of the November 2025 election results and administered the oath of office to newly elected Senators Emily Alvarado, Victoria Hunt, Deborah Krishnadasan, Tina Orwall, and Vandana Slatter. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8660 to notify the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready for business, confirmed the committee appointed to deliver that message, and adopted Senate Resolution 8663 making minor rule changes. The President also confirmed the 2026 Senate standing committee memberships. During first reading and referral, several bills and measures were introduced and sent to committees, including bills on toxicology testing, supplemental leave benefits for public employees, crime victims and witnesses, and fire code administration, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 establishing cutoff dates. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 was debated, with support arguing it set the session’s schedule for efficient work and opposition criticizing the traditional budget-and-policy sequence and calling for budget-first reform. The resolution passed. The Senate then received House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407, adopted both, and heard messages from the Governor’s office, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Senate, including provisional certifications of initiatives and transmitted bills. The session concluded with notice of an upcoming joint session and committee meeting, and the Senate adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that 547 authorized positions with 458 classified, 89 unclassified, 42 authorized other charges
• You'll see that 547 authorized positions with 4007. FY27.
• You'll see that 547 authorized positions with 458 classified, 89 unclassified, 42 authorized other charges
• Your Louisiana National Guard ranks among the finest reserve component forces in the nation.
• Your Louisiana National Guard meets these challenges head on.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, questions for the bill author on the substitute.
• The Chair recognizes Dean Thompson to question the author on the substitute. Mr.
• I live on the Gulf Coast and I would be easily be able to set a draft adrift, uh, when it comes to CD
• Now I can't predict, but I sure do love the house map and the authors.
• Members, any other questions, uh, for the author on the substitute?

Transcript Highlights:

• The mayor was raised on the east coast and has lived on the west coast.
• Fiscal Year 25 was a turning point for the New Mexico Border Authority.
• Super Authority projects that are in progress.
• The New Mexico Border Authority POV parking lot is at 90% construction.
• I am a Commissioner and I also serve on the Border Authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Empower them, Lord, not merely with authority, but with godly convictions.
• Empower them, Lord, not merely with authority, but with godly convictions.
• Don't we also have the constitutional authority? Senate to adopt this map.
• There's no districts that go from the east coast to the west coast. So how is that compact?
• It is now in our hands, and we have the authority to accept it, to reject it, or to amend it.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D, later substituted with House Bill 1D, both establishing Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Senator Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a proposed redistricting plan on short notice and argued that mid-decade congressional redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based provisions in the Fair Districts Amendment are unconstitutional. He repeatedly said the Legislature was not being asked to prove the Governor’s legal theory, only to consider the proposal, and noted that no amendments were offered. A lengthy question-and-answer period followed, with senators raising concerns about the rushed process, lack of statewide public hearings, and the map’s effects on minority communities, compactness, communities of interest, and partisan fairness. Senators questioned whether the map cracked Latino and Black communities, whether partisan data was used, whether the Governor’s office had outside consultants, and whether the plan complied with the Florida Constitution, the Fair Districts Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act. Gates generally deferred on legal conclusions, said the Governor’s representatives had testified the map was race-neutral and used political data only as one factor, and emphasized that any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. After a motion to temporarily postpone failed by a recorded vote of 12 yeas to 23 nays, the Senate continued debate. Senators Rouson, Bernard, and others spoke in opposition, arguing the proposal was rushed, partisan, and harmful to communities of interest and minority voting power. Gates maintained that the Governor had a constitutional prerogative to propose the map and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The House companion bill was then substituted for the Senate bill, read a third time, and the chamber moved into final debate on the congressional redistricting plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• Typically, when a bill is heard and the author wants an amendment on, we usually... ...has heard and
• If the author wants to explain what that amendment set does, can you get those, Mr. Placky?
• So we have two maps, one whose author was able to articulate and justify their decisions.
• The other author was not. Furthermore, the author of SB 407...
• And I always thought how bold the authors of the 1898 Constitutional Convention were.

Bills: SB116, SB121, SB130, SB407

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a newly authorized program.
• 1979, which authorized the formation of solid waste authorities by counties and municipalities.
• No response from the authority was provided in the reports.
• The authority provides solid waste management services for bulk, residential, and commercial The authority
• It was the Board of Directors of the Solid Waste Authority.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will defer to Representative Mhler, the author of the bill, uh, to explain the bill.
• It's the undermining of federal authority. I got mine. I got mine.
• It's the undermining of federal<00:19:30.720><c> authority.</c> January 6.
• federal authority when<00:20:08.640><c> it</c><00:20:08.799><c> comes</c><00:20:08.960><c> to</c><00
• when it comes to immigration authority when it comes to immigration law<00:21:53.440><c> and</c><00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:06.079><c> is</c> pension offset for when the guard is pension offset for when the guard is
• </c><00:53:17.839><c> service</c> stipen for National Guard service stipen for National Guard service
• Chair, and I'm sorry to speak after the bill author, but just to say a couple things.
• Uh, Chair Vang is the lead co-author. I don't know. We got new terms around here.
• I don't is the lead uh lead co-author.

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• We have authority to do what the statute mandates.
• So we get those types of complaints, and that’s the authority and the mandate we have.
• We don’t have the authority to intervene. Okay, thank you. Representative Pierson, Dr.
• So I guess my next question is for our chairman, the author of the bill.
• Coast Guard counter-narcotics unit.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BECAUSE WITH THE SITUATION WHERE WE ARE LOW ON ACTUAL GUARDS THE RATIO IS DECEIVING FROM THE STANDPOINT
• THE NUMBER OF WALKING GUARDS THAT WE NEED TO KEEP A SAFE ZONE FOR BOTH INMATES AND EMPLOYEES. >> Chair
• THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED $1.8 MILLION I'M SORRY, $2.3 MILLION WHICH WAS TRUST FUND AUTHORITY FROM THE
• THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED WITH THE TRUST FUND AUTHORITY LAST SESSION WITH NO EXPENDITURES OCCURRING TO
• SO IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEN THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZED 3090 JUDGESHIPS INCLUDING TWO FOR

Transcript Highlights:

• Second update is that House Bill 2158 authorizes an electronic records notary public to administer an
• The bill authorizes a notary public to take an acknowledgment of a signature on that tangible record
• I'm here solely to address Section 6 and to express our disappointment in Section 6, which would authorize
• I'm Jim Walsh, a representative from the 19th District, which is the coast of Washington down to the

Bills: HB2158, HB2178

Keywords: electronic signatures, notary, digital transactions, authentication, legal documents, court rules, court procedure, civil infractions, notice of civil infraction, malicious mischief, physical damage, computer crime, digital property damage, electronic records, data destruction, computer programs, cyber damage, default judgment, payment plan, restitution

Transcript Highlights:

• Second update is that House Bill 2158 authorizes an electronic records notary public to administer an
• The bill authorizes a notary public to take an acknowledgment of a signature on that tangible record
• I'm here solely to address Section 6 and to express our disappointment in Section 6, which would authorize
• I'm Jim Walsh, a representative from the 19th District, which is the coast of Washington down to the

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 2158, which updates Washington’s electronic notarization laws to reflect 2021 changes to the Uniform Law Commission’s notarial act model. Staff explained that the bill would allow remote notarization of tangible paper documents, authorize remote administration of oaths or affirmations to remotely located individuals, and clarify how a notary can acknowledge a signature on a tangible record sent in from a remote signer. Representative Abel, the sponsor, said the measure would improve access, especially in rural areas where notaries may be far away. Testimony from the Uniform Law Commission supported the bill as a modest update that adds flexibility while maintaining consumer protections. A committee member raised concerns about fraud and manipulated video, and the witness responded that the bill includes safeguards such as required recordings, identity verification, and retention of audiovisual records. The committee then heard House Bill 2178, an Administrative Office of the Courts request bill making several mostly technical changes to align statutes with court rules and current practice. Staff described changes to civil infraction filing and response deadlines, payment plans for infractions, the dollar threshold for aggregated malicious mischief damage, a two-year extension for courts of limited jurisdiction to implement electronic protection-order filing, and repeal of an outdated statutory grant-distribution provision. Representative Tye noted concern specifically about the extension in Section 6 and said she was still seeking an explanation for why the deadline should move from 2026 to 2028. AOC witness Jay Lee Schultz said the extension is needed to align with the rollout of the state’s new case management system and to support statewide electronic protection-order tracking. Elizabeth Hendren of the Sexual Violence Law Center testified in opposition to Section 6, saying the delay would further postpone reforms intended to improve access to protection orders, judicial access to related orders, and survivor notifications. She argued that the legislature had already given the courts five years to implement the changes and asked for more transparency about funding, barriers, and why additional time is needed. After hearing the testimony, the committee concluded its business for the day and also took time to introduce members and staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• public comment on any bill placed on the suspense file by the committee today and for which. to the author
• Now, I just wanna thank the author and the original author as well.
• Schultz, and with joint author, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen.
• We don't believe this expanded authority is necessary.
• I'd like to call on authors Coloza, Schiavo, Hart, and Irwin.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will be implemented under the authority of the secretary, later approved by the Louisiana Wildlife
• The one down in Harrison County near the coast, that is a sample size of one, and it appeared to also
• Is that a similar relationship in Mississippi where your ag department has authority over pens versus
• If they are strictly exotic, we have no authority within them. They are livestock.
• We flew one-mile transects from the coast to the Tennessee line, and in other words, about a feeder per

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the agenda, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from Julie Grenwald of Louisiana Hunters for the Hungry, who described the nonprofit’s protein donation programs, including freezer clean-out days, deer and fish processing partnerships, and a paused feral hog donation program that had collected about 3,500 hogs and 137,000 pounds of pork before funding ran short. She said the group has donated roughly 300,000 pounds of protein over two years, works with food banks and local agencies, and is protected under Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law. Members asked about processor locations, exotic species, signage, sponsorships, and whether the program could expand to other invasive species or mobile drop-off options; Grenwald said expansion is possible if processors and funding are available. The task force then received a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries update from Jonathan Bordelon on chronic wasting disease testing. He reported more than 2,800 samples collected and over 2,300 results returned, with nine positives total: eight in Tensas Parish and one confirmed in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey WMA, which triggered preparation of an emergency declaration and future rulemaking to adjust the control area. He said harvest and sampling remain near record levels, most samples are voluntary, and the agency continues to monitor symptomatic deer reports and public submissions. The final major presentation was from William McKinley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, who gave a detailed overview of Mississippi’s CWD response. He said Mississippi has 529 detections across 18 counties, with prevalence rising from about one in 500 samples to about one in 80 statewide, and much higher in some counties. He described Mississippi’s surveillance system, targeted tags within three miles of positives, environmental sampling, feeder bans in CWD zones, and research showing contamination at feeders and in scrapes. He also discussed possible multiple strains, including one linked to the Wisconsin whitetail strain and another around Vicksburg/Issaquena, and said the disease appears to be expanding about 3.5 miles per year. Members asked about high-fence enclosures, live deer movement restrictions, baiting and feeding rules, hunter participation, and whether Louisiana should develop similar environmental testing capacity; no votes were taken on these issues, but members discussed possible future legislative or budget action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Glenn served 16 years on the Glen Coast Silver Lake School Board, where you worked tirelessly to improve
• Glenn served 16 years on the Glen Coast Silver Lake School Board, where you worked tirelessly to improve
• Glenn served 16 years on the Glen Coast Silver Lake School Board, where you worked tirelessly to improve
• So the percent of units authorized being built was around the same as historic.
• It's a give or take 80% of units authorized built, so it's really on the authorization side where we're

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 364, an act relating to benefits for Kentucky National Guard members.
• Pleasure Ridge Park, Shepherdsville, Zoneton, Lexington, Fayette County, the Kentucky Air National Guard
• ,<00:19:02.720><c> Mount</c><00:19:03.120><c> Washington,</c><00:19:03.919><c> Nicholls,</c> Guard, Mount
• Washington, Nicholls, Guard, Mount Washington, Nicholls, Lebanon<00:19:05.360><c> Junction,</c><00:19
• Similarly, the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Louisville Airport Authority Police Department

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:55 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 11:09 Motion to Act on HR 21 15:13 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:52 ConC and Rules Report 29:29 Adjournment 31:04, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the current statute, the school marshal are authorized to carry firearms in two ways.
• In Allen ISD, a security guard left his gun in a faculty restroom.
• In Bryan ISD, a security guard left their duty belt in a nurse's bathroom.
• In Arlington ISD, a security guard left their duty belt in a school bathroom.
• Then they have the same arrest authority as another police officer. Okay.

Bills: HB259, HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation, healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But even lacking the clarity around the jurisdictions of authority and the Department of Revenue's role
• , that's currently in the... ...jurisdictions of authority and the Department of Revenue's role that's
• It has the authority to make loans or deposits with mortgage lenders for the purpose of making mortgage
• We ask you to please authorize the Ninth Superior Court Judge for Yakima County so we can right-size
• We ask you to please authorize the Ninth Superior Court Judge for Yakima County so we can right-size

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.