Transcript Highlights:

• For those that haven't heard the news, the heating system is not functioning.
• So we've seen recently how fragile our system is.
• We've seen recently how fragile our system is, with bridge closures and things.
• I think it's a priority for us and I think it should be a priority for the system.
• Imagine the load it would take even off the ferry system.

Bills: SB6005

Keywords: transportation budget, transportation appropriations, capital budget, supplemental budget, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferries, Puget Sound ferries, tolling, express toll lanes, highway safety, traffic safety, impaired driving, ignition interlock, speed cameras, transit funding, public transit, multimodal transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Melissa Rice, University of Arkansas System. Good morning.
• This is an original contract for the migration of the OCSE systems to cloud-based systems.
• Senator Rice, number 12, DHS, I've got a question. systems to cloud-based systems number 16 Department
• our entire system consists of two people at the system office level.
• Pulaski Tech and Comfort Systems USA.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly brought up the quota system.
• So when we talk about a quota system, they use it against us.
• , a better educational system to motivate our kids.
• But I understand that it's very difficult to move through these systems, when the systems I speak about
• But I understand that it's very difficult to move through these systems, and the systems I speak about

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

Transcript Highlights:

• This came up earlier about the POS system such as Toast.
• This came up earlier about the POS system such as Toast.
• They are all in a pricing cartel system together.
• They are all in a pricing cartel system together.
• And yet the current system does not support us. It only takes from us.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to continue studying credit card payments, interchange fees, fraud, chargebacks, and the impact of card processing costs on small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurant owners, payment-industry representatives, and an airline trade group. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a major and rising expense, that businesses are paying fees on sales tax and tips that are merely pass-through amounts, and that merchants have little negotiating power. Several restaurant and retail witnesses described thin margins, higher costs for card-not-present transactions, and chargebacks that they said usually favor cardholders and leave merchants absorbing losses and fees. Witnesses from the Cooperative Credit Union Association cautioned that state-level interchange regulation could reduce revenue used for fraud prevention, compliance, and member services, and could lead to higher rates or reduced access. Retail and restaurant representatives countered that fees have risen sharply, that statements are difficult to decipher, and that rewards programs and card-network pricing are subsidized by merchants and ultimately by all consumers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and independent operators urged legislation to bar fees on tax and tip portions of transactions and to allow businesses to pass along card fees if they choose, saying this would improve transparency and fairness and help keep small restaurants open. Other testimony came from the National Restaurant Association, which supported interchange reform and said modern point-of-sale systems can already separate tax and tip amounts, and from a payments-industry group that emphasized the broader economic benefits of digital payments and warned against state-by-state rules. Airlines for America opposed changes that could undermine airline credit card rewards programs. Commission members asked detailed questions about fee structures, card types, chargebacks, POS systems, and whether consumers paying cash are also affected. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I should note, automated decision systems are not only AI.
• Those include that a system cannot be used as the sole basis of an adverse decision.
• You cannot use that system all by itself to say no.
• So if what I read in the bill is that this system has already...
• We do want guardrails related to automated decision systems.

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the tribal-state gaming compact with the Yurok Tribe. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the existing 2006 compact through December 31 to preserve the status quo while longer-term negotiations continue. Members asked about the compact process and why Bureau of Indian Affairs approval is not needed for a simple extension; staff said only substantive compact changes require federal approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. Supporters, including the authors’ representatives and members of the committee, described the bill as a way to honor farmworkers and the broader farmworker movement, especially in light of recent allegations involving the holiday’s prior namesake. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the floor. The committee also approved several consent calendar items and later advanced SB 1044, which raises the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and indexes it to inflation; supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce and veteran business groups said the change would expand access to state contracts for small, micro, and disabled veteran-owned businesses. That bill was sent to Appropriations. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related SOGI and intersex data with federal agencies except where legally required. Equality California and other supporters said the bill would protect trust and prevent misuse of sensitive data, while no opposition testified. The committee passed the bill to Privacy. Cabaldon also presented SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, arguing it would create baseline guardrails, require human review for adverse decisions, and improve service delivery. Labor groups opposed it, saying the bill authorizes use before establishing enforceable standards and that workers were not adequately included in stakeholder discussions. After extensive debate about AI, collective bargaining, and implementation, the committee voted to send the bill to Privacy. The committee also advanced SB 1273, which would allow short-form social media videos to promote instructional events at wineries, and SB 917, which would loosen farmers’ market rules so more small wineries can sell wine there; both were supported by wine industry representatives and sent forward on due pass motions. The transcript then began SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and payment systems, with strong support from nonprofit organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of automated decision systems within state government.
• And I should note, automated decision systems is not only AI.
• It's why human beings looking at any noes or edge cases are so critical to this system.
• So if what I read in the bill is that this system has already...
• We do want guardrails related to automated decision systems.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm thankful that our school system,<00:14:17.760><c> our</c><00:14:18.079><c> superintendent</c> system
• And those aren't just random systems.
• </c><00:15:37.839><c> or</c><00:15:38.079><c> are</c> systems that already have or are systems that already
• </c> superintendent and those school systems superintendent and those school systems to<00:15:57.600>
• So school systems as they see best fit.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, a general contractor could go install the stormwater system and inspect their own system
• a third-party inspection system.
• It covers systems all throughout Florida. It's a five-year recertification program on the systems.
• that these systems are inspected.
• installed systems.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up several environmental and infrastructure bills. SB 1682 on local administration of vessel restrictions was presented as a tool for cities and counties to address abandoned and derelict vessels, with support from the Florida Association of Counties and favorable comments from members about the statewide problem. SB 1468 on advanced wastewater treatment would require DEP to compile a detailed statewide report on wastewater treatment plants and related pollution data; Florida Rural Water Association raised cost concerns about any move toward requiring advanced treatment without funding. Both bills were reported favorably by roll call. The committee also approved a strike-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/SB 1294 on biosolids management. The amended bill is aimed at closing a loophole in which Class AA biosolids are labeled as fertilizer or compost but are not actually sold, requiring agronomic land application only through a bona fide sale or at a permitted DEP site, with a transition date moved to July 1, 2028. Supporters said it protects water quality and legitimate fertilizer and compost markets, while Florida Rural Water urged funding for utility upgrades and grant support. A lengthy debate followed on CS/SB 1628, which would prohibit governmental entities from adopting or funding net zero policies, including related taxes, fees, cap-and-trade programs, and certain climate-related requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect residents and businesses from higher costs and preserve predictability, while opponents said it would block local climate and clean-energy planning, harm affordability and innovation, and favor fossil fuel interests. Despite strong opposition testimony from environmental and local-government advocates, the committee reported the bill favorably on a party-line style vote. The committee then advanced CS/SB 1474 on biosolids management, which would stop DEP from issuing or reissuing permits for Class B biosolids land application when a wastewater treatment facility is within 50 miles, with an amendment applying the statutory definition of septage. Supporters said it would encourage higher-level treatment, while Florida Rural Water asked for rural exemptions; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 558 on stormwater system standards was heard with an amendment making technical changes and tying local construction and inspection standards to FDOT guidelines. The sponsor said the goal was a statewide baseline after recent flooding failures, but counties, contractors, and engineers warned the bill could preempt stronger local standards, raise costs, and create inspection bottlenecks. The transcript ends during testimony and debate on that bill, before any final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the three-tier system in this state.
• That's the three-tier system in this state.
• to train the system.
• There are certain types of systems that are exempt from the requirements of the bill, including systems
• And served on the State Automated Decision Systems Work Group in 2022.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2325, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program to fund statewide tourism promotion. Staff explained that the bill would let the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority develop and administer an assessment program overseen by a 10-member ratepayer board, subject to a referendum of affected businesses, and would add a public records exemption for business financial and commercial information. The prime sponsor and supporters from State of Washington Tourism, the hospitality industry, the Port of Seattle, breweries, and wine interests argued that Washington is underinvesting in tourism compared with other states and that an industry-led assessment would provide sustainable, competitive funding. Opposition testimony from a taxpayer group objected to new assessments and unelected authority over tax-like charges. No vote was taken on the bill in the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2481, which would prohibit surveillance-based price discrimination and surge pricing for certain retail goods, require clear price posting, and temporarily bar electronic shelf labels in larger grocery stores while Commerce studies their effects. The sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure that customers in the same store pay the same price and to prevent AI-driven pricing based on personal data. Labor, privacy, and consumer advocates supported the bill, citing concerns about hidden price discrimination, worker stress, and consumer harm. Grocery and retail groups, along with an ESL manufacturer and a tech association, opposed the bill as written, warning that the definitions were too broad and could interfere with loyalty programs, discounts, inventory management, and electronic shelf label systems; several said they were working with the sponsor on amendments. The chair indicated amendments were expected and asked stakeholders to submit language soon, but no vote occurred. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 2503, which would require developers of generative AI systems to post high-level documentation about training data before public release and make violations a Consumer Protection Act issue. The sponsor described the bill as a transparency measure meant to function like an ingredients label for AI, helping consumers, researchers, and creators understand what goes into a model. Supporters from TechNet and Chamber of Progress said they generally backed the concept but wanted the bill aligned more closely with California’s recent law, especially on enforcement and the private right of action. Members raised questions about trade secrets, applicability to large versus small developers, and whether the bill could affect medical or other specialized AI uses; the sponsor said amendments were anticipated and that the bill was still early in the process. The hearing on HB 2503 then moved to public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The system is open. Please proceed to vote. Thank you.
• The system is closed.
• The system is closed.
• Connolly, Arizona State Retirement Systems Board, and Charles Essex, Arizona State Retirement Systems
• The system is now open. Please proceed to vote. Thank you. All right. The system is closed.

Summary: The Senate convened, took attendance, approved the journal, and received gubernatorial communications and nominations. Several nominations were referred to committee, and messages from the House were entered, including transmission of Senate Bills 1058, 1237, and 1294 to the Governor. The chamber recessed for caucus, then reconvened and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2082, HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296 (the transcript also contains some misstatements of bill numbers/titles). Amendments were adopted on HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296, including a Rogers floor amendment to HB 2749 establishing a sunset and a Shope floor amendment to HB 296 making technical and coordination changes related to water infrastructure and the Clean Water Act. The Committee of the Whole reported all of those measures do pass as amended, and the Senate later adopted the report. The Senate then took up additional business, including confirmation votes on gubernatorial nominees. John A. Conley, Ruby Dylan Williams, Thomas J. Connolly, Charles Essex, and Dr. Lynette Levesay were all confirmed. The chamber then passed several House bills on third reading, including HB 2308, HB 4011, HB 2049 as an emergency measure, HB 2253, and HB 2663, with recorded votes largely showing 24 ayes and 0 nays. Committee announcements were made for upcoming Natural Resources and Education meetings. Near adjournment, Senator Epstein gave a personal privilege statement criticizing ICE conduct in a Minnesota case and calling for accountability, and Senator Gonzales thanked her and offered birthday wishes to a family member. The Senate then adopted a motion to notify the Governor of the day’s confirmations and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, subject to earlier recall by the President if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• In almost every respect, our juvenile and adult justice systems are separate.
• These systems have different rules and different purposes, but under current law, there's one very big
• If we're going to have separate systems, juvenile and adult, then they need to truly be separate.
• The juvenile cases in that system.
• And our justice system is. ...meant to serve youth with more significant behavioral issues.

Bills: HB1821, HB1822, HB1943, HB3882, HB4263, HB4476, HB4628, HB4631, HB4885, HB4923, HB5461, HB5483, HB5525

Keywords: juvenile records, sealing, privacy, criminal justice, youth rehabilitation, legal procedures, juvenile court, record sealing, nondisclosure, age jurisdiction, criminal justice reform, juvenile board, compensation, Winkler County, juvenile justice, county funding, grants, career education, technical programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the frustration in the system.
• Item twelve would be an information management system for our old CAHPS system.
• There's no longer support for those types of phone systems in the U.S., so our systems are at risk of
• know how to play the system.
• And I'm done with kids in your system getting by with it because they know how to play the system.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are, and we found contaminants above maximum levels in multiple systems.
• When that system breaks down, it is communities like ours that pay the price.
• When that system breaks down, it is community like hours that pay the price.
• We represent over 500 mutuals and small water systems across California.
• unless those systems are being absorbed.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The system is now closed.
• The system is now closed.
• The system is now closed.
• The system is now closed.
• The system is now closed.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The system is now open to the Senate for an opposite vote. Thank you.
• The system is now open to the Senate for an opposite vote.
• The system is now open to the Senate for an opposite vote.
• The system is now open to the Senate for an opposite vote.
• The system is now open to the Senate for a vote.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is coming on top of a food system, a emergency food system that has grown and stretched in recent
• The system really is at capacity.
• The system really is at capacity. basis. The system really is at capacity.
• </c> our systems. They haven't been advanced. our systems. They haven't been advanced.
• </c><00:04:04.480><c> To</c> modernize our systems. Absolutely. To modernize our systems.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TO THIS WONDERFUL STATE, I KNOW EACH ONE OF YOU HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO IMPROVING OUR POSTSECONDARY SYSTEM
• I'VE BEEN FRUSTRATED TO HEAR OTHER STATES BRAG ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, THE CALIFORNIA SYSTEM
• AND I WAS EXCITED AT THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE AT THE FLORIDA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AT THE TIME.
• IF CONFIRMED I LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING ON THE LEGACY OF THIS GREAT SYSTEM.
• I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND ALSO YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our door locking system and beach refurbishment, building system repairs, golf course green conversions
• systems in park operations.
• ,</c> 56 include building systems, 56 include building systems, accommodation<00:13:47.040><c> upgrades
• Other life safety projects include updates to and repairs to fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems
• is tracked within that system.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Energy and Environmental Protection met at 9:00 a.m., approved the June 3 minutes, and heard a presentation from the Department of Parks and the Finance Cabinet on Kentucky State Parks capital projects. Commissioner Mark Keelin and Scott Baker described the scope of the state parks system, the ongoing coordination with DECA/Finance Cabinet, and the status of projects funded through House Joint Resolution 76, House Bill 553, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. They said 36 of 44 state parks have received renovations or upgrades, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, and outlined work on campgrounds, utilities, wastewater systems, broadband, building systems, safety upgrades, ADA improvements, pools, golf courses, marinas, and lodge accommodations. The presenters highlighted several completed or active projects, including campground upgrades at Carter Caves, Ken Lake, and My Old Kentucky Home; utility and grid-resilience work at parks such as Kentucky Dam Village and Kincaid Lake; wastewater projects at parks including E.P. Tom Sawyer, Carter Caves, Dale Hollow, and Blue Licks Battlefield; and building and hospitality renovations at parks such as Lake Barkley, Baron River, and Cumberland Falls. They also noted completed playground upgrades, lock system replacements, beach refurbishment, and golf course improvements, and said the parks system is managing additional internal projects beyond those discussed. The department emphasized that parks often serve as sheltering locations during disasters and that infrastructure replacement is a high priority. Scott Baker then explained DECA’s role in managing the Commonwealth’s capital construction program, saying it oversees about 1,300 active projects across 28 cabinets and agencies, including 149 parks projects. He described DECA’s team-based approach, with dedicated project managers and field staff assigned to parks, and said monthly status meetings and more frequent check-ins are used to keep projects moving. In response to committee questions, Keelin and Baker said projects are assigned to DECA based mainly on the need for architectural or engineering services, while smaller or less complex work can be handled in-house by parks staff or the P11 construction crew. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been, for plug-in solar systems.
• There is nothing in here that talks about an attachment of a solar system into an electrical system in
• </c> about an attachment of a solar system about an attachment of a solar system into<00:18:27.000><c
• </c> backfeed the system. backfeed the system.
• </c> home wiring systems. home wiring systems.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way the model works with the entries into the system, the historical trends in entries into the system
• It's tied to a university system, which is unique.
• it affects so much else in the system.
• I think instead of saying this is a system of, system. population-wide issue of violence, instead I think
• And, but your fix. is for a system that's not really bad.

Keywords: 1184, house, all