Transcript Highlights:

• So having that law enforcement dispatcher and this community connector working side by side, as soon
• And that if one side determines another side is needed, that there’s no loss of information or delay
• Like you guys said earlier, just sitting side by side to say, no, no, we can do that.
• And also to our partners on the prosecutorial side and the judicial side.
• , the positive impact, both to policing and to community safety.

Summary: The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training. City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation. Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• on both sides of that debate.
• As my colleague, Senator Ortiz, said, this does have impact...
• As my colleague, Senator Ortiz said, this does have impact.
• As my colleague Senator Ortiz said, this does have impact.
• So there are issues on both sides of the fence.

Bills: HB2908, HB4042, HCM2001, HCM2002, HCM2005, HCM2006, HCR2047

Keywords: constitutional convention, faithless delegates, state delegates, oath of office, class 2 felony, civil penalties, parent-child relationship, termination of parental rights, child welfare, court procedures, abandonment, neglect, reunification services, felony conviction, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one side of it.
• But again, on the other side, there are good providers who are getting mixed up in all of this.
• Well, again, on the other side, there are good providers who are getting mixed up in all of this.
• No impact study for key rate setting. Access did not conduct an impact study.
• Access acknowledged that it changed behavioral health rates without an impact study.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next up is side Bridges on Zoom. Side Bridges, on Zoom: not available on Zoom.
• <00:32:55.880> the debed survey of the tourist impact the debed survey of the tourist impact
• No, that's on our side.
• No, that's on our side.
• It's on the conservative side, or yeah, that's the conservative side.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there will be no negative actuarial impact.
• It's a two-sided market.
• So that's how they fix for a two-sided market.
• Then we get to the consumer side, though.
• This will impact the system in Texas.

Bills: HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175, HB245

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• These contracts are one-sided.
• It is completely one-sided.
• Our biggest impact involves our outside haulers.
• And then on the other side of that, if the person is...
• Nothing from the defense side, okay? And there’s no gatekeeping.

Bills: SB30, SB517, SB1313, SB1314, SB1316, SB1541, SB1698, SB1845, SB1860, SB2420, SB2429, SB 30

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, yeah, for some, it definitely impacts their cash flow.
• the budgeting side of things than my office does.
• Don't forget about the production side: that's for incremental production.
• I'm maybe just taking the pause before I talk about this reinvestment side.
• Commissioner Krachis did a nice job of talking about how much money impacts that is.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Doesn't think we generate much impact in the state.
• Doesn't think we generate much impact in the state.
• <00:20:24.640> I generate much impact in the state. I generate much impact in the state.
• And uh impact on the state of Alabama.
• So with that I I do think both sides.

Bills: HB61, HB176, SB12

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The impact was so violent it capsized the boat, trapping Lucy underneath.
• accident report showed the vessel traveled in a straight line with an increase in speed on the wrong side
• If the financial impact statement is not produced, if the estimating conference does not meet within
• And so at the end of the day, we want to err on the side of investigation...
• And this language is agnostic as to the side of the issue.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for CS for SB 462 on transportation. A substitute amendment was adopted that would require counties receiving transportation surtax proceeds to report how the money is used to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, prohibit certain airport fees tied to collegiate aviation flight training, create a Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority pilot program, and dedicate $10 million annually for a traffic signal modernization program. The amendment also removed several provisions from the bill, including a sales-tax transfer to the State Transportation Trust Fund, a bid-protest-related contracting requirement, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. A late-filed amendment was tabled, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for CS for CS for SB 628, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties for leaving the scene of a vessel accident and reckless operation. After the sponsor withdrew a pending amendment, the committee heard emotional testimony from Lucy’s parents and others in support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee next considered CS for CS for SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, under a strike-all amendment. The bill’s major provisions included removing non-purity additives from public water systems, requiring clearer labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, criminalizing drone harassment over farmland, updating agriculture disaster recovery programs, creating an honest services registry for charities tied to countries of concern, expanding FFA-related scholarships and school infrastructure, and allowing the state to repurchase certain former agricultural lands converted to solar fields. Testimony included strong support from agriculture and related groups, opposition from the Florida Bankers Association over a private right of action related to financial discrimination, and criticism from speakers opposed to fluoride removal. The bill was amended and then reported favorably despite some opposition. The committee also reported favorably SB 796, which authorizes DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to replace failing septic tanks. The committee then took up a large strike-all for CS for SB 1618, a K-20 education package. The amendment combined provisions on VPK flexibility, early grade success, agriculture education, financial literacy, reading intervention, teacher assignment transparency, restrictions on spending public funds for political or social activism, emergency opioid antagonists, corporal punishment consent, teacher certification pathways, and other higher-education and workforce items from SB 1624, including guardrails for certain private religious postsecondary institutions. Members questioned the new prohibition on using public funds for political or social activism, with the sponsor saying it was intended to keep public schools from being a battleground for ideology; Equality Florida and the ACLU opposed that section. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began extensive debate on CS for SB 7016, a major initiative-petition reform bill. The sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse documented in a large Office of Election Crimes and Security report and would impose tighter rules on petition circulators, including Florida residency and U.S. citizenship requirements, training, shorter submission deadlines, stronger penalties, new identification requirements on petitions, and a 25% invalid-signature trigger for investigations by election-crimes officials. Senators raised numerous questions about due process, public records, penalties, the treatment of volunteers and former felons, the verification process, and the practical effect of the new deadlines and thresholds. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended, and no final vote on SB 7016 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the abuse side, maybe the—yeah.
• All right, and so there's a resource witness here who can speak to both sides, from the HOA side and
• the developer side, I believe.
• You're basically making a supply-side economic...
• Selling produce on the side of the road.

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But we always lose fact of that's the hard dollar impact, right?
• woman who is kind of interesting because it's the victim of fraud and what it looks like and how it impacts
• would add as well that the nine mil$9 billion is dwarfed by the ineffectiveness of government and its impact
• <00:02:16.080> We its impact on that same community.
• We its impact on that same community.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on fraud in Minnesota public assistance and human services programs, with an emphasis on the harm done to vulnerable recipients rather than just the dollar amounts. The senator described cases involving childcare, PCA, adult daycare, autism, housing support, and food programs, arguing that fraud and poor oversight leave children, disabled people, nursing home residents, and others in neglect or unsafe conditions. He said many of the programs are Medicaid-related or state-funded entitlements intended to address social needs, and that stolen funds directly worsen outcomes for those they are meant to help. He traced the problem to weak state oversight and agency inaction, citing the creation of the DHS Office of Inspector General after earlier childcare fraud concerns, whistleblower reports, and alleged failures by agency leadership to pursue larger, organized schemes. He pointed to the Feeding Our Future case as a major example, saying federal investigators uncovered broader fraud patterns across multiple programs and that state agencies failed to act despite warning signs. He also said recent audits, including one involving DHS Behavioral Health Administration, showed inadequate site visits and other serious deficiencies. The senator said he recently met with federal officials in Washington, D.C., because a large share of Minnesota spending includes federal dollars and federal partners have a stake in preventing misuse. He argued that federal action is necessary but not sufficient, and that Minnesota also needs stronger internal controls, standardized eligibility verification, identity and residency checks, site visits, and better use of data tools. He supported creating an independent Office of Inspector General passed last session, but said it is only a partial solution and that agencies themselves must be retrained and held accountable. No formal votes were taken in the exchange, but the senator described ongoing legislative efforts and said he was pessimistic about the governor’s willingness to act.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Senator Nicole Tobiassen, northeast Albuquerque, just on the other side of the highway.
• Eleanor Chávez, I represent House District 26, which is the west side of Albuquerque and also includes
• On slide 15, you'll see the annual impact. Families.
• This slide highlights the recovery housing individuals impacted by a substance use disorder.
• We run the housing side of the program there. have a contract.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without this interventions program, multiple levee breaches would impact local reclamation districts,
• , and this bill is very, very one-sided.
• And I just, I think coexistence is both sides, and I don't think that this bill hits that mark.
• This bill just is very one-sided, and I, it's frankly unfair. ...This bill just is very one-sided, and
• How would that be impacted? How would we monitor them?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on the Department of Finance side, we have Cynthia Elmore.
• The Department of Finance side, we have Cynthia Elmore.
• So our primary purpose has not been impacted by these moves.
• We're more on the legal side. We're also a member of CCWP under CWP. So we have...
• The impact is real and the need is urgent. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, good afternoon.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have data on how this impacts student attendance, graduation rates.
• And then the programming side is overseen by PED.
• And so you have some underlying impact to that education.
• And so you have some underlying impact to that education.
• So we can't narrowly look at how child care is impacting things.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The recent severe weather impact has revealed...
• What we found is that in some of the impacted zip codes in St.
• And I'm okay with the digital side, although I'm guilty of clicking, right?
• And that's why due process is important, both for the claimant side, but also the employer side.
• I've only seen it from the private side.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe all sides have expressed the desire for consumer protection.
• Clear written policies protect both sides, especially small landlords.
• Very serious impact.
• My main concern is the local governments and how it could impact them.
• And that can be for either side. And that can be for either side.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of term limits and those five themes that we've discussed in terms of the impacts.
• They don't care what the impacts are.
• On our administrative side, we are... On our administrative side, we are...
• for how to mitigate the impacts of term limits is an online resource directory.
• for how to mitigate the impacts of term limits is in online resource directory.

Summary: The Legislative Arrangements and Procedure Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up several follow-up items related to legislative security, public records, and the impacts of term limits. The Secretary of State’s office presented draft language to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records, with discussion of who would be covered, how the protection would work, and whether it should expire when a candidate’s term ends. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and whether the public should still be able to see enough information to evaluate residency requirements. Rather than act immediately, the committee set the draft aside for a future meeting and asked for an amendment reflecting the Secretary of State’s suggested changes. The committee also reviewed a security best-practices memo and NCSL materials on capitol security. The memo encouraged legislators to be aware of their surroundings, avoid real-time vacation posting, vary routines, report threats, and follow security alerts. Members discussed a recent incident and the need to improve alert distribution and update contact information so legislators and staff receive notices consistently. The Secretary of State and committee members noted that the alert system may need refinement, including a separate legislative notification channel. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on how to mitigate the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized interviews, surveys, and focus groups with legislators, the public, and stakeholders, identifying major themes such as loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, staffing pressures, and the need for stronger onboarding and training. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session, making interim committees more consistent with regular committees, adding office hours, formalizing mentorship and leadership succession planning, expanding staff and professional development resources, creating public-facing educational tools, and improving communication and virtual testimony options. Members generally appreciated the report and its phased implementation roadmap, while also debating the practicality of some recommendations and the tension between making service more demanding and keeping the legislature accessible to new candidates.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a very large impact upon A very large impact upon the youth detention center settlement fund, to move
• That's an impact, but these cases and...
• That's the danger. >> Representative, uh, President Carson, anybody on the House side?
• And so, um, you know, on the left-hand side of this chart is what we have in our law um The other side
• This side conversation. Our apologies. Apologies. >> Oh, okay. >> Oh, okay. >> Oh, okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee opened by approving the May 15 minutes and then recognized Pam Ellis for her long service with the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office and upcoming retirement. The committee adopted the consent calendar with two items removed for separate consideration, then approved transfers for the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Environmental Services after questions about court benefit costs and dam project funding. The Department of Health and Human Services also received approval for a general fund transfer item. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Youth Development Center settlement fund. New administrator Jared Boyle, joined by the Attorney General, described the fund’s remaining caseload, the payment matrix, and the need for additional funding to begin hearings in August. Members raised concerns about administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, payday loans, structured settlements, and the long-term fiscal impact on the state. Boyle requested $55 million, but the committee ultimately approved a reduced appropriation of $20 million, with members noting the possibility of returning for more funding later depending on revenues and the October revenue review. The Department of Corrections then received approval for a smaller shortfall transfer and a larger overtime-related transfer, with officials citing a 52% corrections officer vacancy rate, ongoing recruitment, academy classes, and efforts to use civilian staff in some non-security roles. A late item from the Veterans Home was also approved to cover overtime, holiday pay, and indirect cost shortfalls within its existing budget. The committee then heard an informational presentation on implementation of Senate Bill 134 and the new federal Medicaid work-requirement rule. DHHS said it plans to submit a state plan amendment, seek approval for hardship exceptions, start with one eligibility check cycle, and use existing federal grant funding to make system changes. Finally, the committee received a performance audit of the Doorway opioid treatment program, which found weak written procedures, incomplete data use, reimbursement delays, and problems with the Governor’s Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention. Members discussed follow-up reporting, and the next Fiscal Committee meeting was scheduled for August 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, consider the fiscal impact on the state, impact on families, and health plans as it relates
• One, consider the fiscal impact on the state, impact on families, and health plans as it relates to critical
• And so, you know, as we talk about putting a pause, um, that pause impacts families.
• pause, um that has that pause impacts pause, um that has that pause impacts families.<00:03:49.800
• provider and the payer side. provider and the payer side.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on House File 4188 met on May 16, 2026, with a quorum present and indicated it was intended to be the final meeting. The main issue discussed was an amendment to the 62J language concerning home care nursing services for children with complex medical needs. Chair O'Driscoll said the amendment would direct the Departments of Commerce and Health and Human Services to review the fiscal impact on the state, families, and health plans, and to develop possible legislation for 2027. Supporters described the proposal as a pause to allow more review, while also acknowledging it was not a complete solution. Senator Bolden and others testified strongly against allowing the coverage changes to stand, saying the issue affects roughly 200 to 250 families statewide, many of them children who need hospital-level care at home. They warned that capping or denying private coverage would shift costs to Medicaid waivers, strain family waiver budgets, increase state costs, and potentially force more children into hospitals, reducing critical care capacity. Committee members also questioned Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold and department staff about the distinction between home care nursing and home health services, statutory definitions, billing units, essential health benefits, waiver budgets, and the effect of enforcement actions involving HealthPartners. The committee adopted the A30 amendment by voice vote, and the motion prevailed. Members then took up another provision, described by staff as the meat raffle/paddle wheel language, and adopted an amendment to add the game of Haus und Pfeffer before approving the provision as amended. In final remarks, members from both chambers praised the committee’s work and professionalism, but several expressed regret that the home care nursing issue was not resolved in the conference report and said it would need further work next session. They also noted other items that did not make it into the bill, including reinsurance and certain other policy provisions.