Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of this informational briefing is to provide an update on findings from the deportation data
• The purpose of this informational briefing is to provide an update on findings from the deportation data
• on Oahu.
• on Oahu.
• Here on Oahu.

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on findings from the deportation data project and possible policy responses to increased federal immigration enforcement in Hawaii. In opening remarks, the chair said the committee was concerned about changing federal executive orders, policies, and enforcement actions, and framed the issue as one involving due process and public safety. The chair and presenters described reports of ICE activity on multiple islands, including raids, courthouse presence, and fear in immigrant communities, and said the committee was considering whether state policies should be advanced more quickly. Mandy Fernandez of the ACLU of Hawaii presented updated deportation data and argued that increased immigration enforcement is creating fear, reducing crime reporting, and potentially making state and local agencies extensions of the federal immigration agenda if they accept federal funding with conditions. She said the deportation data project, housed at UC Berkeley Law with UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy, uses FOIA requests and its latest data runs through late July 2025. She reported 153 ICE arrests in Hawaii from January through July 2025, up from 41 in the same period in 2024; 96 removals, up from 15; a federal detention center average daily population of 91 in June 2025 versus 31 in June 2024; and 111 ICE detainers issued in Hawaii from September 2023 through July 2025, with 49 issued in 2025. She also cited an immigration court backlog of 1,144 pending cases as of August 2025 and noted that about one in five Hawaii residents were born outside the United States. Haley Chang of the Office of the Public Defender said her office is seeing a marked increase in ICE presence around courthouses and more ICE contacts with clients, including reports of people being detained after court appearances or while on supervision. She emphasized that the office is not an immigration law office and that much of its information is anecdotal, but said the pattern appears new compared with prior years. In response to committee questions, she explained that ICE detainers are requests, not judicial warrants, and said local law enforcement is generally not required to honor them unless accompanied by a judicial warrant or other legal authority. She also said the public defender’s office had not yet seen new criminal charges arise solely from an ICE detention or failure to appear tied to immigration enforcement, though cases could be affected if defendants are removed from the criminal process.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was on there, so it was on there for a second. It left, so stand by one. So stand by one.
• It starts on page 14 of your packet. Red line begins on page 16. Red line begins on page 16.
• , I may keep my comments very brief on this one because otherwise I'd be repeating many of the things
• We are on to the next one, 18-04-15. to the next one, 18-04-15. Thank you, Mr.
• Vice Chairman, I do have a couple questions on this one. Mr.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, seeing no one in opposition on Zoom, if you are in support on Zoom, please raise your hand.
• on Medicaid.
• on.
• So, um, yeah, on. On double committee substitute on Senate Bill 443.
• Are you wanting to make sure that CYFD puts it in their budget on a regular basis?

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I spoke with one of them last night on the phone.
• The last two weeks before we voted on a budget, my next-to-last week was 85 hours, and you were still
• day one.
• day one.
• This is one time I'm going to be very brief, Senator Pasadomo, because I just want to say thank you for

Transcript Highlights:

• And this, of course, is on top of all the money that's already within the recurring budget in relation
• Brief us on it, but as we move forward, those are things that would be good to have and invite the public
• Chairman, my understanding is there's one in McKinley, one in Sandoval, one in Santa Fe, one in Bernalillo
• County, one in Curry, one in Eddy, and one in Doña Ana County.
• One by one. I can go over them.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Being one of the be-blazered frequent flyers, I will keep it brief.
• Um, what we do on an annual basis, we have a process for a capital budgeting task force, which includes
• Um, what we do on an annual basis, we have a process for a capital budgeting task force, which includes
• Um, what we do on an annual basis, we have a process for a capital budgeting task force, which includes
• Um, what we do on an annual basis, we have a process for a capital budgeting task force, which includes

Bills: HF4841 , HF4234 , HF3697

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• Hold on one minute. >> One minute, please. Hold on one minute. Can we just listen, please?
• Colleagues, the capital budget subcommittee will meet on Monday at 3 p.m. in the Appropriations Committee
• Um, I just wanted to remind folks we have our second briefing on Monday at 11:00 and uh you should have
• </c> remind folks we have our second briefing remind folks we have our second briefing on<00:35:02.400
• Come on. Come<00:40:24.640><c> on.</c> Come on. Come on.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen in a particular case that we were on, I saw a $300,000 budget be utilized for a recreation
• The Summit hotel, the Summit condominium, which again just came out on the news, the restoration budget
• , Which again just came out on the news, the restoration budget piece is somewhere in the $18 million
• So I just wanted to read a brief statement from one of the building officials and see if I could have
• So I just wanted to read a brief statement from one of the building officials and see if I could have

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on condominiums, focusing on recent statutory changes, building safety, reserve studies, inspections, insurance, and related enforcement issues. Pete Dunbar, speaking for the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, reviewed the evolution of Florida’s condominium law and recommended several refinements, including allowing boards to levy special assessments and borrow for post-inspection repairs, easing termination when repair costs exceed value, clarifying treatment of nonresidential condominiums, strengthening recall procedures, clarifying reserve and inspection standards, addressing conflicts of interest, improving electronic participation, and cleaning up notice and disclosure requirements. He also suggested revising insurance provisions so a third coverage option could be used more effectively. Ron Liseca and engineer Mr. Noguera explained the milestone inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SERS) process, emphasizing that milestone inspections assess structural deterioration while SERS estimates long-term repair and reserve funding needs. They described the 25- and 30-year inspection timelines, the lack of a central statewide database, and the practical challenges of finding qualified professionals and educating associations. Secretary Melanie Griffin said DBPR oversees 27,750 condominium associations, has increased outreach and complaint resolution, and has seen a 39% increase in complaints this fiscal year. She reported that about 11,270 associations self-reported buildings three stories or higher, and that as of early February DBPR had received 4,096 SERS completion submissions after follow-up outreach, with a median reported SERS cost of $6,000, though she cautioned that much of the optional data is unreliable. Emilio Rodriguez, a contractor, stressed the cost and capacity challenges facing associations and contractors, warning that some projects are delayed by board disputes, legal challenges, and a shortage of qualified labor, which can lead to higher assessments and repeated repairs. Members asked about enforcement, insurance availability, coastal deterioration, sinking and foundation issues, and private provider conflicts of interest. Witnesses generally supported more uniform standards, better local and state coordination, and possible tighter oversight of private providers, while cautioning against frequent statutory changes that could add confusion. In closing discussion, members highlighted the burden on older residents and fixed-income owners, the need to keep communities habitable, and the importance of clearer allocation of assessments and stronger board accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in on on the on the energy bill.
• </c> on this one. on this one.
• </c> body to vote no on this one. body to vote no on this one.
• Let's go to B&T, budget and taxation concurrence calendar. to proceed on the amendment. to proceed on
• </c> right one on there. right one on there.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy,
• But I'd also like to brief you on some of the work we've already done to date so that you have some access
• Can DTSC elaborate on that and explain what the potential budget impacts could be if these positions
• On issue number five, we strongly support the budget change proposal by the administration to add 12
• I want to thank the committee for putting issue number 10, the EJAC budget for DPR, on the agenda, and

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation heard an informational hearing with Secretary Garcia and CalEPA-related departments on the administration’s budget proposals and related environmental programs. Secretary Garcia highlighted CalEPA’s work on methane reduction, community air protection, water infrastructure, Exide cleanup, safer pesticide alternatives, Prop 4 implementation, and Bay-Delta water quality, while emphasizing the impact of federal rollbacks and the need for flexible state response. Members raised broader policy concerns about the polluter-pays principle, special fund vacancies, and whether the state is maintaining sufficient staffing and enforcement capacity, especially after recent fee increases. A major portion of the hearing focused on landfill support, response, and enforcement, particularly subsurface elevated temperature events at Chiquita Canyon and El Sobrante. CalEPA requested $5.1 million and 12 positions to improve monitoring, technical response, coordination, and enforcement across CalRecycle, CARB, DTSC, the Water Board, and OEHHA. Assembly Member Schiavo described severe community impacts from Chiquita Canyon and pressed for stronger state action, more transparency, and accountability from landfill operators; Assembly Member Rogers emphasized that accountability must mean forcing operators to take preventive measures and bear the costs. Agency staff said the proposal would help augment current response efforts, support local enforcement agencies, and improve early detection, while acknowledging that the causes of set events are not fully understood and may involve factors such as lithium-ion batteries, oxygen intrusion, and gas extraction practices. The committee then heard an update on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water program and the effects of the new cap-and-invest structure. State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel reported that the program has reduced the number of Californians without safe drinking water from 1.6 million to about 600,000 since 2019, while also bringing 320 systems back into compliance and distributing $1.8 billion in drinking water grants. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that under SB 840, SAFER is now in a lower funding tier, which could reduce annual proceeds from the prior $130 million level to a projected $92 million in 2026-27 and delay funding until later in the year. Members expressed concern that this deprioritizes rural drinking water needs, while the board said it would continue using SAFER’s flexible funds for emergency water, technical assistance, and construction, and would keep pushing consolidations and other long-term solutions for the remaining failing systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• That sums up the testimony on this, I think, this fragment of the budget.
• AFPI takes no position on the remainder of the budget.
• I want to just spend just a minute, and it will be brief on the fiscal picture of this.
• Again, I understand you face decisions on a constrained budget, and one, frankly, we hope is even perhaps
• This year, we are talking about roughly one-fifth of the state budget.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now back on the underlying bill, discussion on the underlying bill.
• She and I sat on the...
• Discussion on the title.
• coming from the budget.
• You know, that one fee, we've gotten more efficient on emissions.

Summary: The House convened after a quorum call and received a Senate message refusing to concur in House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 994, leading the House to refuse to recede and appoint a conference committee. The chamber then reconsidered and amended Senate Bill 1019, stripping out earlier language and replacing it with a narrower substitute amendment focused on Lyme disease and alpha-gal, before giving the bill third read and passage. Members also adopted Senate Substitute for House Bill 1740, known as Melanie’s Law, after extensive debate about ignition interlock devices, affordability for low-income drivers, and the bill’s goal of reducing drunk-driving deaths; it passed overwhelmingly after emotional testimony from sponsors and family members affected by impaired driving. The House next passed Senate Bill 1033, which included a DNR solvency fix and agriculture provisions affecting farm truck inspections and cotton gin permitting/air-dispersion modeling. Supporters said it would help keep environmental programs solvent and better align Missouri rules with neighboring states, while some members raised concerns about future funding and EPA oversight. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 916, which limits contractor indemnity obligations before work begins or after final acceptance on public projects while preserving liability for contractor negligence; supporters said it would reduce costs and protect contractors from being sued before mobilization, while one member objected to expanding immunity language for MoDOT-related agents. The House also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, encouraging Missouri participation in America 250 celebrations in 2026. Later, it adopted a conference committee report on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 975, described as restoring a local-state system and giving local districts options for organizing and electing board members. The session ended with announcements about committee meetings and a motion to stand at recess until additional conference committee reports and Senate bills were ready, with adjournment set for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We call this third meeting of the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education
• We have two items on the agenda today related to the additional budget request.
• </c> 13% on average of their take-home pay on 13% on average of their take-home pay on child<00:17:56.880
• </c><00:31:34.399><c> in</c> might be one one to two classrooms in might be one one to two classrooms
• budget.

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and first heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials on career and technical education funding. KDE explained that House Bill 499 created a CTE funding formula using 60% weighted full-time equivalent enrollment and 40% incentives, but House Bill 6’s budget language excluded area technology centers (ATCs) from that supplemental funding. KDE requested approval of an additional budget request of $14,789,352 in each fiscal year 2027 and 2028 to include ATCs in the formula and hold local districts harmless. Officials said ATCs serve students from 117 of Kentucky’s 171 districts and argued the change would reduce funding disparities and better reflect the return on investment from CTE programs, citing growth in dual credit and work-based learning participation. Members asked whether the issue would need to be revisited each budget cycle. KDE responded that the problem could be fixed by removing the notwithstanding language from the budget bill, which they said would allow ATCs to be included under the existing statute. Representative Klein supported the request, saying the current clause could lead to stagnation and that the committee should help the program continue to grow. No vote was taken on the CTE item during the portion of the meeting provided. The committee then heard a presentation from PreK for All on expanding preschool access in Kentucky. Advocates said the state’s preschool program has been funded since 1990 and currently serves about 14,200 children at roughly $84 million per year, but that many working families still fall into a coverage gap. They proposed expanding eligibility to 250% of the federal poverty line, which they said would add about 9,600 children at a cost of $40 million in year two, after a planning year. The proposal also included regulatory flexibility for classrooms and partnerships with private child care providers and nonprofits, with speakers emphasizing child care deserts in some counties and citing research that early learning improves kindergarten readiness and later outcomes. No action or vote was taken on the preschool proposal in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have 12 measures on our agenda, seven of which are on consent.
• Today we have 12 measures on our agenda, seven of which are on consent.
• The bad news is we are not on track to deliver on those.
• The bad news is we are not on track to deliver on those.
• the table or keeping the lights on. ...between putting food on the table or keeping the lights on.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on grid reliability, affordability, clean energy infrastructure, and industrial decarbonization. AB 222, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require more data reporting on data centers and aim to prevent ratepayers from bearing related grid costs; supporters said better information is needed to plan for rapidly growing electricity demand from AI and data centers, while opponents warned about privacy, security, trade-secret, and cost-shifting concerns. The bill passed the committee on a 13-4 vote, with the roll left open for absent members. AB 941, by Assemblymember Bonta, would impose a 270-day timeline for CPUC review of priority transmission projects to speed clean-energy infrastructure buildout. Supporters argued that transmission delays are slowing California’s climate goals and raising costs, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA process, staffing, and prioritization. The bill passed 15-0. AB 1191, by Assemblymember Tangipa, would make existing large hydroelectric facilities eligible for the Renewable Portfolio Standard; supporters framed it as a way to lower rates and ease affordability pressures, while opponents said it would undermine the purpose of the RPS by substituting existing resources for new renewable development. That bill failed on a 4-11 vote. AB 1280, by Assemblymember Garcia, would expand state grant programs to support thermal energy storage projects for industrial decarbonization. Supporters said it would help modernize manufacturing, cut pollution in disadvantaged communities, and preserve jobs, with broad support from environmental and clean manufacturing groups and no opposition testimony. The bill passed 17-0. AB 1117, by Assemblymember Schultz, would require the CPUC to offer optional dynamic electricity rate tariffs for customers to shift usage away from peak periods; supporters said it could lower bills and improve grid efficiency, while utilities said they were not opposed to the concept but wanted more flexibility and time in the regulatory process. That bill passed 14-0. The committee also approved its consent calendar and other noncontroversial items, with several measures moving forward unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, can we please get a briefing?
• is on landing.
• First, I've been clear on the focus on affordability relative to home appliances.
• First, I've been clear on the focus on affordability relative to home appliances.
• Just one follow-up on that.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on three bills. SB 5652 would require the University of Washington, Commerce, the King County Department of Public Health, and the Port of Seattle to study and mitigate aviation-related air quality and noise impacts around Sea-Tac, create a work group and grant program, address failed noise insulation “port packages,” and require a state auditor review. The sponsor and supporters from affected cities and community groups described serious health and quality-of-life harms from airport noise and pollution, while the Port of Seattle, Washington Public Ports Association, and AWB opposed the bill, arguing it would impose new mandates, raise cost and governance concerns, and interfere with airport operations. Testimony on the bill was reopened after other business and then closed; no vote was taken. SB 6124 would direct Commerce to study an appliance affordability index that would consider repairability, maintenance, recyclability, performance life, and related factors. The sponsor said the bill is meant to help consumers compare lifetime costs and repair options, drawing on family experience with durable appliances. Consumer and environmental advocates supported the idea as a way to improve transparency and encourage repairable products, while industry groups opposed a state-specific index, warning it would create a patchwork of standards and compliance burdens. The hearing closed after testimony, with no action reported. SB 5466 would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority, give it powers to support transmission development and, in some cases, acquire property and own or sell transmission projects, and provide a SEPA categorical exemption for certain transmission upgrades with tribal and resource-protection conditions. Supporters from clean energy, labor, utilities, and state agencies said the bill is needed to expand grid capacity, improve reliability, speed clean energy interconnection, and create jobs, though many asked for bonding or financing authority and refinements to the exemption language. Some utilities and business groups supported parts of the bill but opposed state ownership or said the authority should focus more on permitting and coordination; others raised concerns about ratepayer risk and duplication. The hearing closed after extensive testimony, with no vote announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please brief us on the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Staff, can you please brief us on the bills?
• Hearing none, please brief us on the next bill.
• on House Bill 2266.
• I did want to just barely touch on one point.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on several measures and two gubernatorial appointments. At the start, the committee waived the five-day notice rule for Substitute House Bill 2354, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590. The committee also heard public testimony on House Bill 1859, which would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold needed to qualify for a density bonus. Supporters, including the sponsor, faith leaders, and local officials, said the current 100% affordability requirement has made projects difficult to finance and that the bill would better unlock underused church land for housing. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, which would further standardize where and how permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and shelters can be sited, while limiting local barriers and allowing some negotiated conditions near schools or when local governments provide significant support. The sponsor and supporters from King County, housing providers, the Attorney General’s office, disability advocates, medical professionals, and others argued the bill would reduce discriminatory or inconsistent local siting rules and expand needed housing. Some local government representatives supported the bill but asked for additional amendments to preserve local flexibility, require on-site contacts, and clarify how operating conditions and funding agreements would work. The committee also heard House Bill 2590, which would revise rules for limited equity cooperatives so they can better function as a long-term affordable homeownership model and remain exempt from certain Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act requirements. Supporters said the bill would help preserve manufactured housing communities and other cooperative housing while maintaining affordability and oversight. House Bill 2354, a trailer bill to WACOIA, would make technical changes affecting common interest communities, including EV charging and heat pump cost responsibility, reserve studies, and audit thresholds; the Washington State Community Association’s Institute testified in support. In executive session, the committee confirmed gubernatorial appointments Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone and voted do-pass recommendations for EHB 1687, SHB 2269, and HB 2304, all subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you turn your camera on, on your camera?
• Can you turn your camera on? It's on. It's on. It's on. Yep. We had problems earlier.
• Can you turn your camera on? It's on. We don't see you. Can you turn your camera on? It's on.
• We can vote on the entire block at one time, but we will pull out and We can vote on the entire block
• on an individual nominee.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up Tab 1, which is a presentation on the Governor's fiscal year 2026-2027 budget
• budget.
• Human trafficking, a big one. Drug trafficking, another big one.
• One problem. One last question.
• There's no one on the other side to answer.

Summary: The committee received a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $8.2 billion for the public safety silo and includes funding for the Departments of Law Enforcement, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections, along with courts and legal affairs. The Governor’s Office highlighted recurring reductions and vacancy eliminations, while agency heads outlined their major requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert-system upgrades, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, additional staff, facility construction and maintenance, communications upgrades, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about immigration enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, capacity, mental health services, contraband, housing, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. Public testimony also urged better prison conditions and basic necessities for incarcerated people. The committee then took up and reported favorably CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would strengthen penalties and clarify that a person may not resist an officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties. An amendment conforming the bill to House language was adopted, and the bill passed with Senator Smith voting no. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 54, which concerns use of substances affecting cognitive function and limits certain medical-record disclosures to information relevant to investigations of violent offenders; Senator Smith voted no on that measure as well. Next, the committee considered Senator Berman’s bills on domestic and dating violence. CS/SB 296 would direct a study of a secure web-based alert platform for victims, including a discreet phone-number/code system and geolocation support, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims. The bill drew emotional support testimony from survivors and advocates describing the dangers victims face when trying to leave abusive situations, and it was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, would extend public-records protections in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims; it was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is that it no longer requires a one-on-one check.
• We filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of Secretary Hobbs, which will be fully briefed as of today, and
• We filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of Secretary Hobbs, which will be fully briefed as of today. to
• dismiss on behalf of Secretary Hobbs, which will be fully briefed as of today, and we have a hearing
• I'd just add that in our briefing in the lawsuit challenging the second executive order, one concern

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a virtual work session focused first on federal actions affecting elections. A representative from NCSL reviewed recent U.S. Supreme Court and pending cases, including a redistricting/Voting Rights Act case and a case on whether mailed ballots received after Election Day can be counted. She also discussed a Trump executive order directing USPS to draft mail-ballot rules, the federal SAVE system’s expanded use for voter list maintenance, DOJ requests for unredacted voter rolls, and reduced federal election-security support. Committee members asked about proof of citizenship requirements, whether DOJ requests are compulsory, and how federal election funding and grants may be changing. The Attorney General’s Office then described Washington’s litigation challenging two election-related executive orders and DOJ’s lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration lists. State lawyers said courts have already enjoined parts of the executive orders, including documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements and voting-system changes, and have upheld Washington’s ballot-receipt deadlines so far. They said DOJ’s voter-roll demands have been rejected by multiple courts and that Washington’s position is that state law limits disclosure of sensitive voter data. Members asked about the legal basis for DOJ’s requests, the risk of immigration-enforcement use, and whether attestation on registration forms counts as proof of citizenship; the office said it does under state law and that no evidence of mass voter-fraud problems in Washington has been shown. Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers then gave a broader overview of the Attorney General’s federal litigation, saying Washington has filed 61 cases since January 2025, often with other states, and has had notable success obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable summary judgments. He highlighted cases involving election rules, environmental and energy disputes, public health funding, student loans, housing, and data privacy, and said many challenges involve executive-branch conditions added to congressionally appropriated funds. He also described a growing number of federal audits and inquiries directed at state agencies. Finally, Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews discussed how federal actions are affecting state and local equity work, community organizations, and public confidence. She said the office is coordinating more closely with the Attorney General, governor’s office, other agencies, and local governments through the immigration subcabinet, while also working on data privacy, Keep Washington Working compliance, and community outreach. Committee members asked about the office’s human-trafficking work and how it is encouraging agency compliance; Matthews said the focus is on clearer guidance, technical support, and consistent expectations across agencies. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just real brief.
• It may be a different pot of money, but I'm curious on your take on what appears to be a budget that
• The governor, when, especially when times have been good with the budget, he's been very focused on pre-funding
• So I have one final question. You said that these budget cuts will affect Eastern Idaho.
• But on the back end, ultimately, if we can't fill those positions, and if these budget cuts do pass,

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment