Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that work is damage work orders.
• Part of that work is damage work orders.
• </c> had that worked under the Lumen work had that worked under the Lumen work also<00:21:22.360><c>
• I work for STF Services.
• That concludes our work today.

Bills: HF47 , HF335

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

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads

Transcript Highlights:

• cannot win the work anyway.
• cannot win the work anyway.
• cannot win the work anyway.
• cannot win the work anyway.
• I worked on 'Monar,' I worked on 'Red One,' 'Moana,' and 'Lilo.'

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 422, relating to school impact fees. The Education Committee recommended passage with amendments, and Ways and Means concurred. The amendments would repeal the construction fee component of the school impact fee while retaining the land impact fee and in-lieu fee requirements, remove related statutory language, exempt certain developments from school impact fees, raise the unit threshold for satisfying the land component to 100 units, require the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules and policies, and require a report to the Legislature on the effect of repealing the construction portion of the fee. The measure was also given a sunset date of June 30, 2029, with the committee report to note that the changes are intended to test the efficiency and efficacy of the fee structure and could be made permanent if the report supports that outcome. The committees adopted the recommendation, with one senator initially voting no and then changing to yes after the amendments were explained. The meeting also included a separate hearing on House Bill 1155, concerning procurement for Department of Transportation projects and construction manager/general contractor procurement. DOT testified that it supported the concept but wanted to narrow the bill, saying the current language was too broad and that the goal was to allow more innovative procurement while preserving selection safeguards. The State Procurement Office said it supported the bill’s language but was willing to work with DOT on alternative wording. Several construction-related organizations, including subcontractors, iron workers, elevator constructors, and building trades representatives, opposed the bill, arguing that exemptions from the procurement code would weaken protections such as retainage, equality, and prompt payment and could invite favoritism or corruption. In response to those concerns, the chair proposed amendments limiting the exemption to DOT, narrowing the qualifying contracts, adding a two-year sunset, requiring a report after the first year, and clarifying that project management could not be procured under the section. The amended recommendation passed, though several members voted with reservations. A separate item, House Bill 476, was briefly called up at the end of the agenda, with a recommendation to pass with amendments to increase a rate from 7.25% to 8%, but discussion was not completed in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm working in Asian Health Services.
• I work for the Watts Health Center in Los Angeles. I've worked there for 31 years.
• I work at Gardner. members of SCIU 521. I work at Garner, Family Health Services, San Jose.
• Thank you so much for the question and appreciate working through the scenario here, and certainly working
• Thank you so much for the question and appreciate to work through the scenario here and certainly working

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• the compensation program and get their feedback on what's working and what hasn't been working on that
• . ...compensation program and get their feedback on what's working and what hasn't been working on that
• It doesn't work. That deterrent doesn't work. But you can respond if you'd like.
• It doesn't work. That deterrent doesn't work. But you can respond if you'd like.
• work.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal strategies such as deterrents, conflict reporting, and outreach. The author and supporters said the program had been effective but lost funding in 2024, and they argued it would help communities, ranchers, and wildlife by preventing conflicts before they escalate. Support came from conservation, animal welfare, local government, and county groups, while the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Farm Bureau opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer limits on when nonlethal measures are practicable and protections so compensation funds for livestock losses are not reduced. Members discussed wolf-livestock conflicts, compensation, and the need for continued collaboration. The committee voted 2-0 on call to send the bill to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large housing and development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA. The author and sponsor EBMUD said the bill is needed to keep water planning tied to land-use planning and avoid “paper water” problems, especially as climate and drought conditions worsen. Supporters included water agencies, environmental groups, labor, and local governments. The California Building Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that current law already requires verified water supplies, that the bill could add unnecessary process and litigation risk, and that it could slow housing production. Members raised concerns about duplication in cities that also operate their own water systems, but the author said the goal was better coordination, not more bureaucracy. The committee voted 4-1 on call to send the bill to Local Government. The committee also heard SB 1270, which would expand the state wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot to the top 10 counties by wildfire risk and social vulnerability, adding Riverside, Calaveras, Los Angeles, and Tehama counties and prioritizing future funds for those areas. The author said the bill responds to recent destructive fires and aims to extend home-hardening assistance to more high-risk communities. There was no opposition, and members discussed how to scale funding, whether the program should be broader than the listed counties, and how to focus on cost-effective mitigation. The committee voted 5-0 on call to send the bill to Emergency Management. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major science funding measure that would place a $23 billion bond on the ballot and create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support research in the state. The author and supporters said California’s research sector is a major economic engine and that federal funding cuts and instability threaten jobs, talent retention, and scientific progress. There was broad support from UC, CSU, labor, health, and research organizations, with no formal opposition. Some members raised concerns about the role of sponsoring unions and the potential for politicization, but the author said the new foundation would operate under California law and that the measure is meant to protect science funding and collaboration. The committee discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on SB 895.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis, that might work.
• Louis, that might work.
• Louis, that might work.
• My nurse manager, who was tremendous and worked for me, or worked there for 20 years, worked for me,
• I work with those attorneys every single day and work out non-competes.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> been working on. been working on.
• </c> clearly does not work. clearly does not work.
• Um nice work, Steve. Nice work. Any &gt;&gt; Wow. Um nice work, Steve. Nice work. Any questions?
• It's working. This is efficient work.
• is about committee work, not my work. work. work.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm delighted to continue to work with our most vulnerable populations and continue the great work you've
• It's really been a joy and pleasure to work with everyone.
• Okay, colleagues, we still have a lot of work to do.
• hand in hand, it's not going to work.
• Additionally, I have worked, and my colleague here, we have worked with Mark Miller with the Chesterfield

Summary: The Virginia Disability Commission held its first meeting of the year on June 18, established a quorum, and introduced members. Senator Barbara Favola was elected chair and Delegate Amy Laufer was elected vice chair, both unanimously. The commission also reviewed and unanimously approved its electronic/remote participation policy, which mirrors last year’s policy and allows limited remote participation under Virginia FOIA rules. Staff then reviewed a package of 14 disability-related bills that passed last session and were signed into law. Topics included disabled veterans’ vehicle registration fee exemptions, open captioning requirements for movie theaters, guardianship/conservatorship order forwarding, service dog team definitions, education and transition planning for students with disabilities, Blue Envelope and driver communication training for law enforcement and driver education, deferred disposition and jury service protections, voting rights in guardianship cases, expansion of the Virginia Human Rights Act, continuation of a DD waiver eligibility change, and DMAS training authority for autism competency checklists. Members discussed implementation concerns, especially making the Blue Envelope/driver communication program more visible and considering a follow-up letter and DMV presentation. The commission then adopted its interim work plan unanimously, with discussion of possible presentations on DMAS and Medicaid waivers, DBHDS telehealth training implementation, SCHEV and VDOE transition planning, transition from institutions to community settings, criminal justice reform, transportation and parking accessibility, adult-sized changing tables, and school accessibility. Members also suggested adding EVV concerns, seclusion and restraint, rare disease issues, and insurance coverage problems for needed medications. Public commenters urged the commission to address burdensome EVV requirements for family caregivers, improve accessibility for local government meetings and documents, and explore a standardized credential/career pathway for direct support professionals. The chair said follow-up work would be assigned on EVV and implementation issues, and the meeting location would move to the Senate side of the Capitol going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my team, now that we own the work and are leading the work, we're able to disaggregate the data a
• But again, my team is continuing this work.
• This work is close to my heart.
• Navajo Nation does a lot of work in using technology.
• Jemez has asked... for some of this work.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to his work as a loan officer, Mr.
• working with industry partners as well.
• We can work together.
• And I'm very much looking forward to working with the Chairman as we work on a farm bill to increasing
• In your specialty crop world, crop insurance insurance is working on those crops, working well?

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management

Summary: The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but when it comes to this conversation about really keeping working lands working and working for
• </c> worked with, um, Lucy Py in the past. worked with, um, Lucy Py in the past.
• And so we appreciate the work.
• that we know work.
• A little bit more work.

Committee: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows her to work.
• It allows her to work.
• It doesn't work.
• It doesn't work.
• It doesn't work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we can make it work, and it does work.
• Because we can make it work, and it does work.
• work on this, Mr.
• to go work for them.
• Brian, for your work on this. I know that we worked hard on the security language.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require AI companion chatbots to respond to credible self-harm or violence-related crisis expressions by displaying the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, warning users, and pausing the chat for human review after repeated crisis signals. The author and supporters said the bill is a measured safety standard to redirect vulnerable users to human help, citing research and cases where chatbots worsened suicidal ideation or violent behavior. Support came from crisis and medical advocates, while no opposition testimony was offered. The chair and members expressed strong support, and the bill was held pending quorum before later action on the agenda. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for users to create or maintain accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and would create an E-Safety Advisory Commission in the Attorney General’s office. The author argued the bill targets product design, not speech, and is intended to curb compulsive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds while allowing safer or non-addictive platforms to remain available. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, compulsive use, and mental health harms; opponents, including EFF, ACLU-Cal Action, TechNet, and youth advocacy groups, warned about privacy, First Amendment, and access-to-community concerns, especially for LGBTQ youth and other marginalized groups. Committee members debated whether the bill is a ban or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the proposal would be effective or could push youth to less safe spaces. Several members said they would support the bill as a first step, while others raised concerns about enforceability, privacy, and constitutional issues. The author emphasized that the bill is limited to specific harmful design features, not content or general internet access, and that the new commission would monitor evolving technology and recommend future updates. No final vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We asked CMS to do was to have work requirements, to put in a waiver for work requirements.
• It's not the work requirements that we had developed.
• It was for the working poor.
• I've never seen it working, but I know it works faster than other states. Representative McCann.
• But it is very similar because I think some of the people that worked on our work requirements also worked

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to take a lot of work for us to work on this collectively together.
• Months of work, I know, and hard work—bipartisan work—to come up with some bills that will help our students
• It's been fantastic working with her.
• We need to work alongside our state and local organizations. As I said, this works.
• We need to work on MDE; we need to work on increased data sharing.

Transcript Highlights:

• How long has your organization been doing this work, and what cities do you primarily work in?
• , how insurance works.
• , our workforce program work, with our entrepreneurship work. have worked uh chair actually chair have
• </c><00:49:11.200><c> with</c><00:49:11.359><c> our</c> work our Workforce program work with our work
• I work nights, which works well for my sleeping preferences, and I work weekends, which frees up my weekdays

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working closely.
• We are working on that. We are also working with CYFD and the plaintiffs in.
• and the hard work of all the people that work at CYFD.
• work, and then they come and work for CYFD for two years.
• work that you do.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we need to make sure that everyone who wants to go to work can go to work by removing barriers
• I remember... ...we need to make sure that everyone who wants to go to work can go to work by removing
• So we're working with communities, making sure they understand this exists, working with businesses,
• We have created Child Care Works.
• There are representatives here from the department that work with the works program day in and day out

Committee: House Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• It can only fund off-based work. It cannot support on-base actions. is the only work.
• lands working.
• lands working.
• This works to align conservation, working lands, and military readiness goals.
• So it works for both of us.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military- and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining that it works through voluntary, non-regulatory cooperation with landowners to reduce encroachment around the base by conserving prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and limiting incompatible development. He described REPI funding, recent and pending conservation projects, and possible policy supports such as state designation, a dedicated funding stream, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-rights transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director David Puente and Deputy Director Solomon Gilbert updated the committee on a proposed state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and the Spokane Veterans Home replacement project. For the cemetery, they said the VA has identified a need within a 75-mile radius, the agency has two candidate parcels in Richland/West Richland, and a state-funded pre-design study is underway; they also noted future operating costs will likely require general fund support because the Armed Forces license plate fund is limited. On the Spokane home, they described plans for a 120-bed, small-house-model facility on a 42-acre site near the VA medical center, with improved privacy, outdoor space, memory care potential, and better staffing retention. They also reviewed budget reductions affecting outreach, counseling, and veteran service organizations, and answered questions about wellness services, adult day health care, and cemetery operations. Blue Star Families Puget Sound Executive Director Megan Barnes described the chapter’s family-support programs, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor cohorts, resume workshops, and Blue Star Welcome Week events. She said the organization is focused on belonging and connection for military families and is using its online network and local outposts to expand beyond the South Sound. Members raised concerns about food insecurity among military families, and Barnes said the group is seeing increased need and is distributing grocery gift cards and coordinating with food banks and partner nonprofits. In the closing discussion, members previewed possible legislation for the upcoming session, including a bill to restore the Washington National Guard retention strategy, a proposal to expand military family eligibility for E-CAP early learning, a bill to update the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee composition, and a concept to allow transitioning service members to access veterans’ preference in hiring before receiving a DD-214. Senator Conway also asked for a formal report on state and federal cuts affecting veterans services, and the committee adjourned after thanking staff and presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• People are telling us that they're working.
• And so again, working with.
• Collision, right, where folks from maybe not working on the same things, but are working in a shared
• what has worked and what has not worked, and to make connections with national organizations that can
• If it works for hydrogen networks and H2S, we can functionalize it to work with many other gases, enabling

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• and don't work.
• and don't work.
• and don't work.
• And um leases work and don't work.
• </c> systems work. systems work.

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.