Transcript Highlights:

• Another category of data that hospitals must report is related to adverse health events.
• DOH should review this event and plan as it deems necessary.
• Of these events, 62% included a report for how the hospital would correct the issue.
• to prevent the reoccurrence of these events.
• I want to go back to the adverse health events that you talked about.

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state standards, did not consistently require proof of those inspections, did not review adverse health event corrective plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. JLARC also raised a possible language-access barrier in the complaint system. Members asked about complaint filing by staff, the meaning of adverse health events, inspection outcomes, and whether the audit compared DOH to other agencies. JLARC said it had not reviewed inspection results or cross-agency comparisons, but noted inspectors were dedicated and working long hours. DOH later said it concurred with the recommendations and outlined a strategic plan with target dates for improving timeliness, verifying accreditation standards, expanding language access, reviewing adverse event laws, and improving public data access, with annual reporting to the Legislature expected. The committee then heard a Department of Health presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current certificate of need process, which reviews need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility changes and new services, and said the program has not been modernized since the 1980s. DOH proposed 10 statutory modernization recommendations, including clarifying the program’s purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, updating access-to-care standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, strengthening long-term funding, and using better data systems. Members asked about oversight of freestanding urgent care and EDs, funding sources, and whether the process could be streamlined or made more responsive to complaints or other triggers. A third panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care. Lucy O’Rourke of the Coalition for Health AI described CHAI’s work on responsible AI principles, technical standards, model cards or “nutrition labels,” testing and governance tools, and educational resources for providers. She said the group is focused on trust, transparency, fairness, safety, security, and privacy, and noted Washington’s AI-related policy work as among the more progressive in the country. No questions were asked. The final portion focused on the financial impact of federal and state health care policy changes. The Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals are facing low or negative operating margins, service reductions, layoffs, and closures, and that state cuts and taxes enacted in 2025, combined with federal HR1 changes, will significantly worsen finances. Providence Swedish leaders described staffing reductions, service cuts, delayed capital investments, and pressure from denials, tariffs, and reimbursement changes, while emphasizing that frontline staffing cuts are tied to service reductions rather than nurse-to-patient ratio changes. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange then began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits, state Cascade Care Savings assistance, and eligibility changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens, with examples showing large premium increases for customers if federal subsidies expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there are the sustained needs as that event goes on.
• So that role we played to be redundant was employed in real time in those events.
• We will learn from these events so that we can do better in future events in California.
• We will learn from these events so that we can do better in future events in California.
• So it really is something that It's something that's tailored to the event, but it's informed by how

Summary: The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration. The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work. A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program. The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.

Transcript Highlights:

• state-based organizations without a paywall that provide public announcements, such as community events
• It is the possibility of the event that occurs to compromise critical service.
• I think that one of the big takeaways of this flooding event was that mitigation works.
• For example, the OIC has staff attend over 25 community events in the past five weeks relating to the
• December flood event.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2579, which would create a Public Media Broadcaster Program and a Digital Equity Program funded by a 20-cent-per-line monthly tax on wireless, prepaid wireless, VoIP, and landline service. Staff explained that 80% of the revenue would support public media grants, 20% would support digital equity grants, and a small share could be used for administration. The prime sponsor, Rep. Chris Stearns, and many public media, community media, and digital equity supporters testified that public radio and television provide emergency alerts, local news, education, training, and community connection, especially in rural and underserved areas, and that federal funding cuts have made state support more urgent. Several witnesses described how public media helped with emergency communications, youth training, Indigenous programming, and access to local information. Opposition came from CTIA and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes. CTIA argued the tax would add to already high wireless taxes in Washington and would be regressive because low-income residents rely heavily on wireless service. Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes objected to the bill as another tax increase and said it would worsen affordability. One supporter said an amendment would be offered to address a misunderstanding in the fiscal note. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then received a cybersecurity and critical infrastructure briefing from state emergency management and cybersecurity officials. They described Washington’s layered cybersecurity model, the role of state agencies, the Fusion Center, WOTEC, the National Guard, and the Emergency Management Division, and the growing threat from ransomware, supply-chain attacks, and AI-enabled attacks. Members asked about volunteer cyber response capacity, the most vulnerable sectors, and whether the legislature should fund more real-time threat monitoring and intelligence sharing. Officials said the state is working to establish a volunteer cyber incident response team and that the main gap is real-time monitoring across participating local and private networks. The committee also heard updates on the December 2025 flooding response and wildfire resilience. Emergency management officials reported widespread flooding, landslides, power outages, evacuations, rescues, and infrastructure damage, but said mitigation investments helped prevent worse outcomes. They identified gaps in statewide alerting, search and rescue coordination, and local emergency management capacity, and said a statewide alert system like Oregon’s would require ongoing funding. In the wildfire update, DNR and partner agencies described increasing wildfire risk, the use of aircraft, AI-enabled detection cameras, and common operating pictures, and ongoing work on hazard and risk mapping, community wildfire preparedness, and home hardening. Members asked about predictive technology, sediment removal, and other mitigation tools, and officials said they are working with universities and federal partners to improve prevention and response.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and 17 times in spring-summer growing season events.
• So it's been a very traumatic event for the city and the surrounding area...
• And I said this in the committee event, and it's very much the truth.
• It was the contractor, I told, have events. I mean, he said, I believe it, but I work for them.
• I pray he thinks of all these events for the community and the meal which she shared.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• GASB 56 draws a bright line between two types of subsequent events: recognized events, which are events
• </c><02:19:09.599><c> or</c> subsequent events as events or subsequent events as events or transactions
• </c><02:19:28.960><c> Recognized</c><02:19:29.599><c> events</c> of subsequent events.
• Recognized events of subsequent events.
• These are events Non-recognized events.

Transcript Highlights:

• same thing here in the metro area: a lot of times these posts are very large, and they have these event
• halls, but these event halls are outdated.
• </c><00:03:21.080><c> halls</c><00:03:21.799><c> but</c> and they have these event halls but and they
• have these event halls but these<00:03:22.120><c> event</c><00:03:22.400><c> halls</c><00:03:22.640>
• event halls are out they're outdated<00:03:24.239><c> you</c><00:03:24.360><c> know</c><00:03:24.480

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> amount of violence at political events. amount of violence at political events.
• So the task force is in your event.
• </c> people that are attending the events people that are attending the events safe.<00:05:08.320><c>
• </c> political event. political event.
• event.

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have our LDEs, which are leadership development events.
• These are events that individuals can communicate.
• Our LDEs, which are leadership development events, are events that individuals can compete in to give
• One of my favorite FFA events was called the River Walk.
• One of my favorite FFA events was called the River Walk.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Abbarno, because I know he's short on time, and I want to make sure he gets to his next event.
• Rachel Duncan, my program manager, is actually at Camp Murray this morning at an event, so we divided
• Back in 2024, we held over 70 events across the South Sound, and we are eagerly expanding to reach our
• There was a speed friending event that was held at the Cohen Clinic for military spouses.
• We did a hike and some other events.

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:

• event.
• Larger events require a lot more law enforcement to be in the stadium or the arena where the event is
• I mean, how much with to get to one of these events cost?
• Senator Find SB 814, weapons or firearms as school-sponsored events or on school property.
• You probably had an eventful college experience. I know I did. >> Is that a question?

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we've gone to events quite often.
• ,</c> I have to tell you when we go to events, I have to tell you when we go to events, my<00:09:49.839
• So, we've gone to events quite Jabo.
• </c><00:10:02.000><c> But</c><00:10:02.160><c> yes,</c> we'll have fun at the events.
• But yes, we'll have fun at the events.

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes cardiac, stroke, and trauma events.
• current data set that the Department of Health uses for trauma care, plus a new data set for cardiac events
• and another new data set for stroke events.
• Cardiovascular disease, including acute events such as heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and stroke, account
• It is recognized that cardiac events and stroke events are costly, with the average cost of a heart attack

Bills: HB1812 , HB2232 , HB2250 , HB2340 , HB2577

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: anesthesia services, healthcare access, reimbursement, patient care, equitable treatment, emergency services, healthcare outcomes, health infrastructure, system improvement, charity care, residency requirements, medical assistance, low-income, HB 2340, nursing assistants, nurse aide, substance use disorder monitoring program, monitoring program, credentialing, licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• He was privately owned by a police officer, and he had responded to several events, including the Las
• </c> events including the Las Vegas shooting. events including the Las Vegas shooting.
• Comfort dogs serve in unpredictable environments, from crisis scenes, schools, community events, and
• </c><02:28:40.720><c> Obviously,</c><02:28:41.200><c> at</c> didn't remember the event.
• Obviously, at didn't remember the event.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• In that event, please know that your written testimony will be considered by the committee.
• In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule a hearing or schedule a meeting
• In the<00:12:04.240><c> event</c><00:12:04.480><c> of</c><00:12:04.640><c> a</c><00:12:04.800><c> network
• failure, it may the event of a network failure, it may be<00:12:05.920><c> necessary</c><00:12:06.240
• So it is appropriate for the department to allow these events on their lands.

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, because that would be considered an event, right?
• It's not specifically an event or so, yeah.
• The City of Phoenix has some events where they do permitting. ...events and specific, like specific destinations
• Anytime we have car club events, we have police there.
• They widely promote these events online.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do all the Division I athletic events, some of the world major marathon events, some festivals, and
• </c> do all the division one athletic events. do all the division one athletic events. uh<00:03:54.720
• </c><00:13:06.480><c> for</c> students down to to work that event for students down to to work that event
• So this is one of our pinnacle events.
• </c><01:28:45.360><c> So,</c> or any other kind of an event. So, or any other kind of an event.

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force met with a quorum, adopted the minutes from the previous meeting, and heard a presentation from Western Kentucky University’s Disaster Science Operations Center. WKU described its multidisciplinary disaster science effort, including meteorology, emergency management, the Kentucky State Climate Center, the Kentucky Mesonet, and the Disaster Science Operations Center, which was created in 2021 and serves as an operational hub for forecasting, emergency planning, crisis management, training, and decision support. Speakers emphasized applied learning, student field work, partnerships with industry and event venues, and a five-year NSF/UK-led research project focused on weather hazards, disaster preparedness, and building a statewide disaster database to improve mitigation and resilience. Members asked about flooding, the relationship to EKU’s program, Tennessee’s capabilities, and the timeline and goals for the research project; WKU said the data collection is underway and that the evidence suggests tornado risk is shifting east and occurring more at night. A WKU graduate student also described the value of hands-on storm-chasing and operational forecasting experience, saying it helped prepare her for work in forecasting and emergency management. Members asked about her motivation for joining the program and about the practical realities of storm chasing. The discussion also touched on whether Kentucky’s tornado risk is shifting east; WKU said the evidence from tornado observations and other studies points in that direction, with added concern about nighttime events and communicating warnings to vulnerable communities. The task force then heard from Amy Shaquinn of the Mayfield Graves County Long-Term Recovery Group, who outlined the county-level recovery process after the 2021 tornadoes. She said Kentucky ranks among the top states for federally declared disasters, has seen a high number of tornadoes in recent years, and also faces major flood risk and earthquake concerns along the New Madrid fault. Shaquinn stressed the distinction between immediate response and long-term recovery, explaining that response covers rescue, cleanup, temporary housing, and short-term assistance, while recovery is the longer effort to restore survivors to safe, sanitary, and secure housing through local long-term recovery groups. She said community-led recovery is essential and that preparedness and mitigation follow once immediate recovery needs are addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Convention Center consists of an 18.5-acre complex which hosts over 250 events each year and has
• Our venue complex hosts more than 1,000 events a year. ...more than 500 events annually and encompasses
• They want to host events without driving to Austin, although we love Austin.
• Right now, people drive to Austin for conferences. and events, spending time in traffic and money on
• We'll be able to attract regional conferences, trade shows, and cultural events, bringing in visitors

Bills: SB1071 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB1756 , SB1854 , SB2036 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2622 , SB2779 , SB2955 , SB2979

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The second violation is 5% of gross ticket sales for the event.
• c> preserves legitimate nonprofit events preserves legitimate nonprofit events and<01:49:55.720><c> forces
• I know in my own community in events.
• It is common practice that these events just don't arise out of nowhere.
• Event sponsors already do these things.

Transcript Highlights:

• But does that make sense if you're going to do an event that way, panelists?
• But does that make sense if you're going to do an event that way, panelists?
• We had a great co-event a few months ago with a disability employment focus. immigration issue.
• We had a great co-event a few months ago with disability employment focus.
• We had a great co-event a few months ago with disability employment folks.

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%. Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them. The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1312 requires a moratorium on disconnection of electric service during extreme weather events.
• Right now, electrical providers are not allowed to disconnect service during an extreme weather event
• or on a weekend day, but the definition of extreme emergency weather event is very constrictive and
• does not account for extreme weather events that are Weather event is very constrictive and does not
• account for extreme weather events that are unrelated to temperature.

Summary: Senator Molly Cook held a press event on the deadline to file bills for the 89th Legislative Session to introduce her first legislative package, which she said is guided by a “nurse-first” approach focused on public health and safety. She described six pillars for the agenda: access to health care, safe homes and infrastructure, a clean environment, opportunity through jobs and public education, belonging and connection, and healthy and fair systems. She said the package includes 93 bills, with more than 20 developed from constituent input or collaboration in Senate District 15. Cook highlighted several measures, including SB 1312, which would bar electric service disconnections during extreme weather events; SB 1550, which would require hands-on CPR instruction in schools; SB 1764, which would set clearer rules for exiting a state takeover of a school district; SB 2725, the “Safe Streets Bill,” which would let cities lower residential speed limits to 20 mph without a costly study; SB 2723, which would repeal homosexual conduct as a criminal offense; and SB 2728, which would help new mothers use their Medicaid card to enroll newborns. She also noted bills on AED access, housing affordability and renters’ rights, youth e-cigarette exposure, hurricane preparedness, criminal justice reform, LGBTQ+ protections, women’s health, education accountability, and anti-corruption. In response to questions, Cook emphasized that the smoke-shop and e-cigarette bills were prompted by constituents concerned about a vape shop near an elementary school and would restrict advertising near schools and other sensitive locations, keep minors out of shops, and limit proximity to schools. She also explained that the speed-limit bill would remove the need for a costly study before cities lower residential speeds, while still requiring signage and public notice. The event ended with Cook thanking her staff and saying she looked forward to continuing the work in Austin.