Transcript Highlights:

• They're creating jobs and they're helping the local communities they're in.
• I'm the political director with United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1445.
• More importantly, I'm a local owner-operator. I'm from Massachusetts.
• Local operation in this developing industry is important. This industry is still new.
• Support small businesses, support local businesses, support equity.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So cosmetology facilities are inspected, pharmacies, and then other pieces, so where there's a compliance
• So cosmetology facilities are inspected, pharmacies, and then other pieces, so where there's a compliance
• Pharmacy goes up to 2600; they have pretty extensive rules.
• 28.959><c> up</c><00:16:29.079><c> to</c><00:16:29.199><c> 2600</c><00:16:30.079><c> they</c> know Pharmacy
• goes up up to 2600 they know Pharmacy goes up up to 2600 they have<00:16:30.440><c> pretty</c><00:16

Summary: The meeting was an orientation-style overview from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), led by Executive Director Deana Jurus and staff. They described the office’s mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and the public trust, and outlined the agency structure: enforcement, licensing and board administration, operations, legal counsel, board counsel, and the hearings bureau. OPLC said it currently supports 57 boards, including seven advisory boards, and has about 104 filled positions out of 120 authorized. They also noted new voluntary certifications for doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers that are in rulemaking. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how boards and staff divide responsibilities under RSA 310:4. Staff explained that the office handles application processing, complaint intake and initial review, records retention, 91-A requests, and rule drafting, while boards make final decisions on licensure criteria, complaint dismissals or investigations, disciplinary actions, and some hearing matters. They also described the rule structure by chapter number ranges and the distinction between full licensing boards and advisory boards. The committee asked about complaint notifications, and OPLC said it is tightening policies so complainants are told whether a matter is closed or moving forward. The licensing process was discussed in detail, especially for nursing. Bethany Katrell explained that applicants apply through an online portal, may receive approval to sit for exams, can work under provisional authority in some cases, and then receive full licensure after exam results and criminal background checks are complete. OPLC said the portal now reduces back-and-forth paperwork and that, as of the latest biweekly report, 87% of applications were decided within the statutory 90-day period and 57% within 14 days. Members also raised questions about why some professions require board approval before taking an exam, and OPLC said that requirement varies by statute or board rule. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• provider is in the position where they have to, may I read, show that it would violate a state or local
• There is a challenge for our local health departments often to get enough staff.
• Generally speaking, coming out of the local government world, it may surprise you or may not surprise
• In this case, the underlying policy removes local control.
• Clark County and local organizations for their financial losses.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• But it drags along local law enforcement.
• Our state law enforcement agencies and our local law enforcement agencies.
• , nor should it be in any local government or state government law enforcement agency.
• That's not how we do it here in my local sheriff's office. I think we could have done better.
• That's not how we do it here in my local sheriff's office. I think we could have done better.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that should be left more to local school districts and local school boards.
• I think that should be left more to local school districts and local school boards.
• Let's let the school districts and the superintendents and the locally elected school boards make their
• Let's let the school districts and the superintendents and the locally elected school boards make their

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a challenge for our local health departments often to get enough staff.
• In this case, the underlying policy removes local control.
• Clark County and local organizations for their financial losses.
• Thank you. the underlying policy removes local control.
• Clark County and local organizations for their financial losses.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Summary: The House received several messages from the Senate announcing passage of engrossed or substitute versions of House Bill 2294, House Bill 2472, Senate Bill 606, Senate Bill 6335, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6266, and engrossed substitute House Bill 3. The chamber then moved through second and third reading on a series of measures, often suspending the rules to advance bills to final passage. A major floor debate centered on Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, which would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and expand its membership. Amendment 2131, offered to keep the committee at its current size rather than expanding it, was rejected after debate over fiscal restraint, committee scope, and whether the body functioned like a “proxy legislature.” The resolution then passed 83-10. The House also passed engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6200 on portable cooling devices for renters and mobile home occupants, Senate Bill 6084 on clarifying the prohibition on voting in more than one election, second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5105 on sexually explicit depictions involving minors, and Senate Bill 6046 authorizing the Civil Air Patrol to be used by the governor in emergencies; each drew debate over policy scope, enforcement, and state-federal authority, but all ultimately passed. The House next passed substitute Senate Bill 6054, limiting HOA and common-interest community restrictions that conflict with wildfire-hardening measures; substitute Senate Bill 6091, requiring greater transparency in real estate broker practices; Senate Bill 6291, giving more time to train and certify on-site wastewater inspectors; substitute Senate Bill 6081, creating a Public Records Act exemption for sex designation information to protect transgender people from doxxing and harassment; Senate Bill 5963, automatically enrolling certain vulnerable students in the Washington College Grant; and substitute Senate Bill 6226, addressing audiology scope-of-practice and telemedicine concerns. Most of these bills passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew dissent over added regulation, privacy, or scope-of-practice issues. The final portion of the transcript focused on Senate Bill 6106, which the Speaker ruled had an out-of-scope amendment related to agricultural seasonal workers; the bill itself passed 75-18 after debate over layoff notices and tribal sovereignty. Substitute Senate Bill 6014, dealing with pregnancy accommodations and related public records issues, saw a failed amendment to replace gender-neutral language with “pregnant woman” and then passed 68-25. The House also debated Senate Bill 5820, with multiple amendments concerning freight rail, greenhouse gas calculations, county planning, property rights, and rail safety; the excerpt ends amid that amendment debate before final action on the bill is shown.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• So it appears that if it's 100% local, you have to have a label.
• </c><00:26:18.760><c> col</c><00:26:19.240><c> you</c> appears that if it's 100% local col you appears
• that if it's 100% local col you have<00:26:19.559><c> to</c><00:26:19.679><c> have</c><00:26:19.799>
• </c> example the Medical Board the pharmacy example the Medical Board the pharmacy board<00:46:28.440
• But again, if you tinker with a little local value-added processing, you can actually find a lot more

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking for are more broad things as opposed to like, um, You know, I, I did a bill on 340B pharmacy
• So, uh, private equity-owned hospitals, uh, privately owned local clinics, uh, single practices, and
• Madam Chair, I know many people brought up behavioral health, but there's a lot of confusion at the local
• looking at Bernco as Senator mentioned, but also all the other uh coordination that's going on with our local

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Her medications were sent to the wrong pharmacy, delaying access to critical prescriptions.
• for the Middleboro School Committee because I have learned that making real change must start at the local
• I know this growth will bring in revenue for local businesses and tax revenue for the town, but I worry
• That burden has been quietly shifted onto our local taxpayers.
• communities to pay those costs. 85% of districts have now fallen into the students local communities

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• , and education service districts; community and technical colleges and public universities at the local
• This work is being led by our universities at the local level.
• This work is being led by our universities at the local level.
• We have a pharmacy tech program and a nursing assistant certification.
• I'm a local home builder here in Olympia and have been in the industry for nearly 40 years.

Bills: SB6209 , SB6217 , SB6227 , SB6235

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: financial aid, higher education, private institutions, student awards, affordability, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, educational access, data collection, parenting students, education, support services, academic performance, college athletics, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, student athletes, financial agreements

Transcript Highlights:

• OSBE's anonymous tip line, which allows all Idaho students to report safety and security threats to local
• So I guess my question is, are there any activities that can be returned to local control that won't
• White, Chairman, Representative Mitchell, in terms of returning activities to local control, I think
• we have a robust local control system related to our K-12 space, and I think that partnership is very
• And so we are having great success recruiting locally within our program. Great. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of the State Board of Education on its budget, including the FY 2026 supplemental reversion for the Empowering Parents program, the FY 2027 Canvas learning management system renewal, a transfer of risk manager positions back to the institutions, and a one-time federal grant for AI-related subgrants. Members asked about staffing growth, federal-fund spending trends, the Canvas contract, the school safety tip line CETL Now, and the rationale for moving risk management functions. Director Jennifer White said the Canvas contract had been extensively reviewed and remains the best statewide solution, and she explained that the risk managers are being moved back because they work more efficiently embedded at the institutions. She also discussed the board’s data modernization efforts and said the office is pursuing better data-sharing and a phased approach to any future changes. A major portion of the meeting focused on White’s presentation of an outcomes-based funding proposal for higher education. She said the proposal is only the beginning of the work and would shift Idaho from an enrollment-based model toward one that rewards progression, completion, and workforce-relevant outcomes. The proposal would place 10% of base funding at risk, with institutions earning back funds through momentum measures and Idaho First funds tied to resident enrollment, completions, and priority programs. White emphasized the need for better data, a phased rollout, caps to avoid volatility, and special consideration for community colleges and dual enrollment. Committee members generally supported the concept but raised concerns about accountability, community college impacts, and how unearned funds would be handled. The committee then reviewed family medicine residency funding. Dr. Campbell outlined the Family Medicine Residencies budget request for additional residents and a fellowship, and program leaders explained the mixed funding structure that combines state positions, federal support, and patient-care revenue. Members asked about the impact of the 3% holdback, clinical placement capacity, and whether federal rural health funds might help. Program officials said the holdback affects some programs more than others, but they do not expect current residency numbers to drop, and they stressed the importance of continued legislative support to grow Idaho’s physician workforce. The committee also heard from Eastern Idaho Medical Residencies and the psychiatry residency program. Dr. Hinkley said Idaho has a severe shortage of psychiatrists, especially child and adolescent psychiatrists, and that residency training is the main way to retain physicians in-state. He and Dr. Moe described the program’s growth, the role of local recruitment, and the three-legged funding model involving state support, patient revenue, and hospital sponsorship. Members asked about expanding training to other regions, private support, and the program’s 10-year strategic plan. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved on to the next medical education budget item.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Board of Pharmacy 2011 K2416 emergency.
• This emergency establishes the process for pharmacies to report data to the Department of Insurance in

Summary: The subcommittee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then took up several regulations. The first was a Department of Veterans Affairs regulation, with a staff amendment, to allow nurse practitioners to apply for the Veterans Affairs nurse loan repayment program year-round and to make technical drafting changes. The committee heard from the Office of Kentucky Veteran Centers, then adopted the staff amendment and approved the regulation without objection. The main item of the meeting was the Board of Optometric Examiners’ proposed amendment to 201 KAR 5:010, which would allow applicants to use the Optometry Examining Board of Canada written exam in place of part one of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam for licensure. The board said the change would improve access to care, provide an additional pathway for Canadian-trained candidates, and still require applicants to pass the remaining national board parts. Opponents, including NBEO officials, ARBO, Pearson VUE, and several optometrists, argued the Canadian exam is not equivalent, does not test the same biomedical science content, is not validated for U.S. scope of practice, and raises concerns about test security, transparency, and portability across states. They urged the committee to find the amendment deficient or vote no. Committee members questioned both sides about prior communication with the board, whether Kentucky would be the first state to adopt such a change, the rationale for the proposal, and the cost difference between the exams. Supporters said the board had received some written comments and one phone call, and that the proposal was driven by access concerns and the presence of Canadian students. Opponents said they had not had direct discussions with the Kentucky board before the hearing. No final vote on the optometry regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee heard extensive testimony and rebuttal before moving on.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal removes local preemption.
• So, removing the local preemption, would that allow local governments' jurisdictions to either ban flavor
• Local governments are great for zoning, property, and other types of local issues, but a regulated controlled
• Local governments are great for zoning, property, and other types of local issues, but a regulatory controlled
• regulations. local standards make it harder to deploy resources effectively.

Bills: HB2439 , HB2483 , HB2400

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, data broker, registry, consumer protection, privacy, data regulation, social media, content creation, online platforms, digital marketing, user-generated content

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the preemption of local control.
• Everyone's for local control until they aren't.
• We're not changing local zoning requirements.
• It would preempt local control.
• It would preempt local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• Omidy kind of touched on it, but what prevents— is there anything that prevents the local school boards
• They are employees of their local district.
• In our local school districts on ways that we continue to kind of protect and prioritize recess.
• Ashley, my question is in terms of what locals can do or should do versus a piece of legislation.
• Is there a policy at the local level for schools to follow or districts to follow? Yes, ma'am.

Bills: HR249 , HR251 , HB395 , HB902 , SB83 , SB132 , SB157 , SB338 , SB450 , SB484 , SB501 , SB507

Committee: House Education

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education

Bills: HCR75 , HR1259 , HR1251 , HCR96 , HR1346 , HR1252 , HR1274 , HR1275

Keywords: Iran, military force, War Powers Resolution, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, Congress, national security, China human rights, People’s Republic of China, PRC, political prisoners, religious freedom, free speech, arbitrary detention, dissidents, Hong Kong democracy, Uyghurs, Zion Church, Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu

Bills: HB85 , HB94 , HB276 , HB323 , HB374 , HB586 , HB656 , HB998 , HB1204 , SB42 , SB46 , SB51 , SB87 , SB110 , SB154

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: animal abuse, registry, law enforcement, felony offenses, public notification, firearms, due process, confiscation, law-abiding citizen, government funding, self-defense, bail, contradictory bail hearing, Gwen's Law, pretrial detention, criminal procedure, child sexual abuse, child rape, sexual battery, oral sexual battery

Bills: SCR173 , SCR78 , SCR114 , SCR162 , SCR48 , SCR160 , SCR87 , SCR28 , SCR74 , SCR20 , SCR32 , SCR55 , SCR69

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: ticket scalping, task force, consumer protection, event accessibility, local economy, menstrual health, menstrual cycle, period education, period poverty, menstrual products, menstrual dignity, health education, sexual health curriculum, DOE, Department of Education, public schools, school health, reproductive health, puberty education, hygiene education

Bills: HR38 , HR96 , HR160 , HCR31 , HCR61 , HB578 , HB668 , HB1198 , SCR19 , SB66 , SB68 , SB76 , SB139 , SB336 , SB475

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: privacy rights, surveillance, USA Patriot Act, FISA, Fourth Amendment, civil liberties, government oversight, civil bench warrants, judgment debtors, notification process, judgment debtor examination, Louisiana State Law Institute, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, real estate law, HCR 31, House Concurrent Resolution 31, foreign entities, foreign corporation