Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to provide testimony of any kind, you must register on the kiosk located... outside the chamber
• Currently, an SSCC that decides to prematurely terminate a contract with DFPS may do so with only 60
• Similarly, DFPS may opt to terminate a contract with an SSCC with a third... a 30-day notice.
• HHSC is required by law to contract with disinterested third parties. IDRs.
• Typically, we have four or five-star nursing homes at our locations.

Bills: SB623 , SB1266 , SB1310 , SB1373 , SB1580 , SB1952 , SB2032 , SB2269 , SB2544 , SB2653 , SB2796

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• , the contract is rendered unenforceable at times, and at best severely weakened.
• So we very likely had to give something up to have that language included in our contract, right?
• Or is there some— When I'm talking about the technology, I'm talking about their location technology.
• Your embarrassment and unseemly delays in getting these contracts funded, once the General Court has
• These rides are a vital form of transportation for such individuals to locations such as employment,

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The hearing opened with the co-chairs introducing House and Senate members and explaining the hybrid format, three-minute testimony guidance, and the deadline for written testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S. 2665, which would require employers to post notice to employees when an I-9 audit or similar federal immigration inspection is underway. Supporters, including immigration attorneys, a pediatrician, a labor leader, and an affected family member, argued the bill would protect privacy, give workers time to gather documents and consult counsel, and reduce fear and wrongful arrests. One witness from Illinois described a similar law there and said it had not caused the problems employers feared, while others said recent ICE enforcement has made notice especially important. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1360, a bill affecting collective bargaining rights for State Police, with the State Police Association arguing that a statutory gap lets departmental rules override their contract and that the bill would restore intended bargaining protections. A separate labor bill, S. 1305, was also briefly supported by the AFL-CIO as part of broader worker-classification protections for app-based delivery drivers. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 2066, which would impose fines on transportation network drivers who refuse rides to people with disabilities using service animals. Testimony from blind and disabled riders, service dog users, advocates, and the Disability Law Center described repeated ride cancellations, drivers pulling away after seeing a service animal, and the difficulty of enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws through MCAD or other agencies. Witnesses said the current system leaves riders without practical recourse because drivers are hard to identify and complaints can take years, and they argued that fines on individual drivers would create a real deterrent. Several witnesses also described the impact on employment, medical appointments, and daily independence. Committee members asked about service-animal verification, whether refusals are ever appropriate, and whether penalties should target drivers or companies; witnesses said legitimate refusals are limited to misbehaving or unsafe animals and that companies already have policies and some training, but enforcement remains weak. The committee also heard from a witness supporting a related bill on rideshare accessibility and from advocates describing broader transportation discrimination issues. One witness discussed a separate proposal to study service-animal denial, and others noted that Uber’s self-identification feature and company policies have not solved the problem. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended after the final witnesses on the service-animal bill and a brief organizational discussion about related legislation and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• extends the Arizona Competes Fund until July 1, 2028, and allows the Office of Defense Innovation to contract
• extends the Arizona competes fund until July 1 2028 and allows the office of defense innovation to contract
• It requires ASDB by November 1, 2026, to transfer existing contracts for supplemental early childhood
• listening and spoken language services to DES. ...to transfer existing contracts for supplemental early
• report to specified governmental entities within 10 days after the sale of Arizona-owned real property located

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the dwelling must be located in an area that has been declared a disaster area by the governor
• In addition, the bill allows for rental assistance to the allowable uses for counties located west of
• Department of Commerce and providers working to address the administrative burdens related to these contracts
• renewals due to the gap funding provision. ...and also preventing the volatility in contract renewals
• local funding the state is authorized to provide, and more practically, through public grants and contracts

Summary: House Finance met on February 26 and heard several tax and housing-related bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6343 would extend the deadline to apply for a property tax exemption for improvements to single-family homes damaged by natural disasters, with sponsors citing recent flooding and the need to help displaced homeowners in multiple counties. Local officials from Kent and Algona testified in support, describing flood damage and ongoing recovery needs. The bill was heard but no vote was taken. Senate Bill 6347 would roll back the higher estate tax rates enacted in 2025, while leaving the higher exemption amount in place. Committee staff said the bill would reduce revenue to the Education Legacy Trust account by about $44.8 million starting in fiscal year 2027 and about $389.9 million over the 2027-29 biennium. Supporters argued the higher rates could harm family businesses and encourage wealthy residents to leave; opponents said the bill would mainly benefit very large estates and would worsen budget pressures by reducing funds for education and child care. Public testimony was mixed, and the bill was heard without action. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products stored in Washington for out-of-state sale until 2038. The sponsor and a logistics witness said the exemption helps farmers get products faster, supports regional distribution, and improves competitiveness; staff said the revenue impact would be small. Finally, Senate Bill 6114 would define “fixture” and “affixed” for real estate excise tax purposes to make tax treatment of attached property clearer, and Senate Bill 6027 would broaden allowable uses of several local affordable housing funding sources, including rehabilitation and operations of existing housing, rental assistance in some counties, and expanded uses for Affordable Housing for All grants. Both of those bills drew support from state and local housing officials and advocates, and the committee adjourned after the hearings with no recorded votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They formed their own CIT that has 300 members located in 17 different countries, and since 9/11 they've
•   252 THEY FORMED THEIR OWN CIT THAT  HAS 300 MEMBERS LOCATED IN 17  253 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
• clear here: this does not prevent union presidents from continuing to do their job and negotiate a contract
• It still allows them to negotiate a contract beyond that one year.
• It still allows them to negotiate a contract beyond that one year.

Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum present and heard several bills, with HB 1483 temporarily postponed. The most contentious measure was HB 945, which would create a state counterintelligence/counterterrorism team within FDLE. The sponsor said it was aimed at terrorists, nation-state actors, and other criminal threats, not political speech, and noted an amendment would address First Amendment concerns later. Opponents from the First Amendment Foundation, ACLU Florida, and other groups argued the bill was too vague, lacked guardrails, and could enable surveillance of protected speech or political activity. Members also raised questions about fiscal impact, oversight, warrants, and the bill’s July start date. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 945 favorably by roll call vote. The committee then unanimously passed HB 6507, a claims bill appropriating funds to compensate for damages caused by departmental negligence. HB 813, which clarifies Florida’s firefighter cancer law and death-benefit provisions, also passed after an amendment narrowed the bill and added language allowing a firefighter’s family to receive the death benefit if the firefighter separates from employment and dies within one year. Firefighter representatives supported the bill as a compassionate fix, while one local firefighter representative opposed the amendment, saying it would remove protections and create an arbitrary cutoff. Sponsors responded that DROP would not be affected and that the change was intended to help terminally ill firefighters spend their final days at home without losing survivor benefits. Finally, HB 365, dealing with law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism, passed favorably. Supporters, including family members and autism advocates, said in-person training and positive interactions are crucial to preventing escalations and tragedies during police encounters. They described real-life incidents where lack of training led to harmful outcomes and urged adoption of the bill’s training provisions. Members from both parties voiced support, calling the measure overdue and important for both public safety and the autism community. The chair closed the meeting by noting it was likely the committee’s last budget meeting and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2420 would provide for a series of increases to the maximum value of public works contracts
• For background, with a few exceptions, contracts for public works generally must go through a competitive
• a better outcome from Lois Bitter, who's got a proven track record and has already agreed to our contract
• when determining eligibility for SCAP state assistance, school district instructional facilities located
• OSPI's note looked at the potential SCAP impacts of the bill for two districts with facilities located

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several capital-related bills. HB 2353 would raise the pre-design threshold for state-funded capital projects from $10 million to $15 million and index it to inflation beginning in 2027. The sponsor and a testifier said the change would reduce delays and save money on projects by avoiding costly pre-design work for mid-sized projects; staff noted the bill could reduce future capital budget costs. HB 2420 would increase the Small Works roster contract cap in stages from $350,000 to $650,000 by 2030, with a proposed substitute shifting the first increase from July 2026 to January 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. Testimony from universities, cities, ports, counties, and water/sewer districts supported the bill as a way to reduce administrative burden, speed projects, and help small and diverse contractors. The committee also heard HB 2470, which would change how the School Construction Assistance Program treats school facilities on military bases. Staff explained the bill would exclude on-base instructional space from a district’s available-space calculation and adjust state assistance to account for federal funding, potentially increasing eligibility for affected districts such as Clover Park and Medical Lake. The sponsor and supporters said current rules unfairly reduce state support for districts serving military families; OSPI testified in support but said the bill would need amendment to avoid federal-law issues and was working on a revised approach that would increase the SCAP funding assistance percentage instead of directly referencing federal funds. Clover Park School District and the Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported the measure. In executive session, the committee moved HB 2338, which expands the low-income weatherization program to include community-scaled projects, out of committee with a do-pass recommendation by a vote of 17 ayes and 2 excused. The committee then held a work session with the Recreation and Conservation Office on its competitive grant programs, including Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program accounts, youth athletic facilities, community forests, aquatic lands, boating, off-road vehicle, firearms and archery, and federal grant programs. Members asked about demand, ADA compliance, geographic distribution, and technical assistance; RCO said demand is high in several programs and that it uses scoring criteria, regional allocations, and outreach to improve access statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• personnel, the statutes require binding interest arbitration if the parties reach an impasse on contract
• allow for more public employees to have access to binding arbitration when it comes to resolving contract
• Yakima County Department of Corrections, and I have spent the last 11 years negotiating, enforcing contracts
• In 13 days, on January 26, Amazon plans to lay off 2,300 workers at various locations in Washington.
• January 26, Amazon plans to lay off 2,300 workers at various locations in Washington as it seeks to cut

Bills: HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

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

Transcript Highlights:

• in being responsible and And when you live in a community governed by deed restrictions, it's a contract
• so unfortunately yes there's a few people out there who despite knowing that they entered into a contract
• , they breach that contract for various reasons including financial of hardships, but there's things
• to succeed with the labor force that they need. as they themselves establish or expand to a new location
• Notifications must be in writing and sent to the board area in which the city or county is located within

Bills: HB406

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: local economic development, notification, workforce development, municipal agreements, county contracts

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony, Before the committee today, please fill out witness cards, which can be found at the table located
• I've been out there to the location in Harlingen, and I was very impressed with what... ...was taking
• Since we have now asked CenterPoint to hire within instead of contracting with outside folks, they're
• Cyber Command, co-located with the National Security Agency.
• comes a whole series of services related to cybersecurity, shared technologies, and cooperative contracts

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• NFIB represents over 10,000 small and independently owned businesses located in every corner of Minnesota
• NFIB represents over 10,000 small and independently owned businesses located in every corner of Minnesota
• We're located in Northeast Minneapolis, and we employ approximately 120 full-time employees.
• negotiations with most of for contract negotiations with most of the<01:24:18.120><c> largest</c><01
• </c><01:24:21.600><c> are</c> state this year those contracts are state this year those contracts are

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• When you look at the contract, you get what the contract calls for.
• When you look at the contract, you get what the contract calls for.
• When you look at the contract, you get what the contract calls for.
• When you look at the contract, you get what the contract calls for.
• When you look at the contract, you get what the contract calls for.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of them is around contract assistance.
• The state built an AI assistant to support contract specialists.
• It’s providing access to the contracts and procurement desk manual.
• It’s been architected to not access any external systems, contract or vendor information.
• Contract specialists are now able to focus on more valuable work, like doing contract analysis, vendor

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee held its first meeting of the session and began with member and staff introductions, followed by a work session on emerging technology, digital risks, and governance, focused on artificial intelligence in state government. Washington Technology Solutions officials Gretchen Perry, Katie Ruckel, and James Galvin described the state’s approach to balancing innovation with public trust, emphasizing human judgment, transparency, accountability, and the use of AI to augment rather than replace people. They outlined benefits such as automating repetitive tasks, improving fraud and anomaly detection, supporting multilingual access, and improving customer service and internal productivity. The presenters also discussed AI risks, including algorithmic bias, overreliance, hallucinations, and ethical concerns, and explained the state’s governance framework. That framework is based on NIST AI risk principles and includes statewide AI principles, inventory requirements, risk assessments for high-risk uses, accuracy and monitoring requirements, training, data-sharing controls, and restrictions on creating likenesses without consent. They noted the state adopted a statewide AI policy on December 11 and has created an AI community of practice and related subcommittees to support implementation. They also said the policy was bargained with unions where required and that agencies must give notice before consequential AI-related changes affecting working conditions. James Galvin highlighted current AI use cases across state agencies, including visual and spatial analysis for emergency response and flood recovery, the Department of Licensing’s Dolly chatbot for resident services, and an internal contract-assistance tool for staff that is limited to approved materials. Members asked about audit implications, language services and interpreters, the policy’s applicability beyond government, union involvement, return on investment, and whether the state uses off-the-shelf or custom AI models. The presenters said most uses rely on off-the-shelf large language models, that high-risk generative AI is not yet in production, and that the policy is designed to encourage low- and moderate-risk uses while adding more scrutiny for higher-risk applications. No votes or legislative actions were taken; the meeting concluded with committee housekeeping and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We sell power to utilities under long-term contracts, and the price of the contract...
• We sell power to utilities under long-term contracts, and the price of the contract is built upon our
• Of course, it is prospective in nature, so it does not impact any existing contracts or agreements on
• More than two million California households, approximately one in four, are located within proximity
• colleague, Jim Wood, passed a bill through the Legislature that required a seller of real property located

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We sell power to utilities under long-term contracts, and the price of the contract is built upon our
• We sell power to utilities under long-term contracts, and the price of the contract is built upon our
• Of course, it is prospective in nature, so it does not impact any existing contracts or agreements on
• More than two million California households, approximately one in four, are located within proximity
• a bill through the legislature that approved legislation requiring that a seller of real property located

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Line in the budget for the purpose of contracting with appropriate clinical experts to develop, implement
• lists, I guess, from line 14, the department in collaboration with the healthcare authority shall contract
• So they are considered the experts in the field, and that's who we have contracted with and would continue
• Also, Madam Chair, the Commission is located in Virginia.
• Members of the committee, Debbie Maestas, as a trainer and contract lobbyist for the New Mexico Dental

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• , evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher of the school district, or a teacher under contract
• There is also... ...brokers to participate in the state procurement systems and master contracts.
• It's located about 30 minutes outside of Spokane.
• We've heard it's easier; they're not trying to figure it out, they're not trying to write contracts.
• One part is that system that I was just talking about where OSPI writes contracts.

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Committee staff and the prime sponsor said the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs that may be online, hybrid, or site-based. Several members raised concerns that the terminology could unintentionally affect fully in-person programs; the sponsor and a retired principal testified that the bill is meant as a name change and would not materially alter current programs. The bill drew 52 pro, 4 con, and 0 other sign-ins. House Bill 2369 would create a Washington Local Food for Schools program in OSPI to help schools procure and distribute Washington-grown foods through existing USDA food distribution systems. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce logistical barriers for farmers and districts, support local agriculture, and improve the quality and appeal of school meals. Testimony came from school nutrition advocates, farmers, a school superintendent, students, and OSPI, with broad support and discussion of how the program would work through catalogs, ordering windows, and existing warehouses. The bill drew 455 pro, 64 con, and 1 other sign-in. House Bill 2432 would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated value, with priority for students with greater need. The sponsor said the goal is to help students transition to work, college, and other postsecondary opportunities. Committee members asked about whether the bill should address assistive devices and whether devices could be reserved for future graduating classes; staff noted existing law already covers transfer of assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance staff supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of devices and benefit students. The bill drew 57 pro, 5 con, and 0 other sign-ins. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced amendment deadlines for several bills scheduled for executive session later in the week and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would contract some of the council's high-subsidy bus routes. That would save $7.4 million.
• We would contract some of the council's high-subsidy bus routes. That would save $7.4 million.
• </c><01:27:02.560><c> We</c><01:27:02.800><c> would</c> of contracted capacity.
• We would of contracted capacity.
• ><c> council's</c><01:27:04.400><c> high</c> contract some of the council's high contract some of the

Bills: HF3676 , HF3593 , HF3785 , HF3774 , HF4111 , HF3513

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• , including EPA handler and worker training, logging every pesticide and fertilizer that we use, location
• , including EPA handler and worker training, logging every pesticide and fertilizer that we use, location
• ,</c> that we use, location, that we use, location, uh uh uh if<00:05:19.400><c> appropriate</c><00:05
• In general, I would depend on the location of the school to whatever the nearest facility is that is
• , you know, those kinds of contracts, you know, those kinds of things<00:18:00.200><c> have</c><00:18

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• What she didn't have was a viable location. location. location.
• </c> She's located in a strip mall area. She's located in a strip mall area.
• . location. location.
• </c> the numbers, it's where they're located. the numbers, it's where they're located.
• So, location.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But I understand that the ICE contract with the government is very long, but the contract with CoreCivic
• Our contract is not brief with MTC.
• in violation of their contract or their?
• The beds are set per the The contract is both with ICE and the facility, and the contract I think you
• What we're talking about here is public Contracts at the state and local level.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee