Transcript Highlights:

• Now, courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of conviction.
• Courage anchors conviction in the midst of cultural tides.

Transcript Highlights:

• or a finding of fact, could be as damaging as a conviction itself.
• or a finding of fact, could be as damaging as a conviction itself.
• or a finding of fact, could be as damaging as a conviction itself.
• or a finding of fact, could be as damaging as a conviction itself.
• </c> a con as a um conviction a con as a um conviction itself itself itself and<00:26:37.440><c> so</

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• essence, to say something to the effect of the Division of State Police shall report any criminal conviction
• Criminal conviction information to the commissioner or to a Department of Safety employee as designated
• by the commissioner who is authorized to receive criminal conviction information.
• The current language says the Division of State Police shall report any criminal conviction information
• </c> >> Receive criminal conviction information. Period. Is that correct?

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't make it easier for convicted felons, including those convicted of stalking or intimate partner

Keywords: gun violence, legislation, public safety, firearm access, community advocacy, testimony, survivors

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions surrounding gun violence legislation and the implications of proposed bills aimed at easing access to firearms. Numerous advocates and survivors of gun violence shared their emotional testimonies, expressing concerns about the safety of children and communities in the aftermath of tragic incidents. Notable speakers included representatives and community leaders who condemned the proposals that would allow younger individuals to obtain handguns and reduce restrictions on firearm carry in schools. The meeting concluded with a rallying call for lawmakers to prioritize public safety over the interests of gun lobbying groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a Class C felony. No other guardrails to fall down. It's a Class C felony.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5941 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received a House message announcing passage of engrossed substitute House Bill 1604. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8679 recognizing Taiwan, with remarks emphasizing Washington’s trade relationship, shared democratic values, and Taiwan’s support during COVID. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments: Mark Silva to the Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees, Shilpa Tavari to the Higher Education Facilities Authority, and Christine Johnson to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. The Senate then took up several bills on final passage. Substitute Senate Bill 5720, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, passed after supporters said it strengthened consumer notice protections and reflected extensive stakeholder work. Substitute Senate Bill 5824 passed, allowing fifth-wheel travel trailers up to 46 feet and aligning length rules for legal sales and highway use. Substitute Senate Bill 5886 passed to protect personality rights by addressing name, likeness, and voice in the context of deepfakes and AI. Senate Bill 6013 passed to update ski area and winter sports terminology, and Substitute Senate Bill 6039 passed to let the Department of Labor and Industries use electronic or non-electronic notices at the recipient’s choice. Substitute Senate Bill 6036 passed to exempt certain former foster care providers from adult family home licensure, with supporters saying it would preserve stability for youth aging out of foster care. Senate Bill 6178 passed to prohibit post-loss assignment of property insurance benefits, with the sponsor saying it would keep homeowners in control of claims after disasters. Senate Bill 5892 passed to protect voter registration database information by routing requests through the Secretary of State, despite opposition over the bill’s felony penalty and strict process. Substitute Senate Bill 5941 passed to allow limited exemptions from renewable energy system requirements for certain school districts in cold, remote areas. Senate Bill 5177 passed to expand the topics considered in educator professional development on supporting historically marginalized and underrepresented students. Finally, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5912 passed after an amendment assigning staff support for the Indigent Defense Task Force to the Office of Public Defense; supporters said the task force is needed to address public defender shortages and caseload standards. The Senate then announced a later start time for the next day and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• clarifies that paratransit services are for persons with disabilities, and makes it a second-degree. felony
• It makes it a third-degree felony to willfully deface or damage an autonomous vehicle if the damage exceeds

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it's a class six felony if certain... ...crimes.
• You know, it's a class six felony if a certain location is met; otherwise, it's a class one misdemeanor

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills and a memorial, with extensive testimony on each. SB 1018 would amend Arizona’s foreign-law statute to expressly include Sharia law. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to prevent foreign legal systems from being enforced in Arizona courts and said it would not restrict private religious practice. Opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona, said the measure singled out Islam, was based on fear rather than evidence, and was unconstitutional. After debate, the committee approved SB 1018 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1075, which restricts conveyance of Arizona land to foreign entities deemed hostile to the United States and adds disclosure and penalty provisions through an amendment. The sponsor said the bill was modeled on similar efforts in other states and was intended to prevent adversarial foreign ownership near sensitive sites. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended on a 4-3 vote. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors, would require electors to vote for a properly nominated successor if a winning presidential or vice presidential candidate dies or withdraws before the Electoral College meets, and would treat an elector’s office as vacant if the elector fails to appear. Supporters said the bill closes a gap in Arizona law and helps avoid a deadlock in an unlikely but possible contingency. The committee passed SB 1141 unanimously, 7-0. Finally, the committee heard SCM 1003, a memorial urging Congress to affirm state authority over election processes and campaign finance through a constitutional amendment. Supporters framed it as a federalism measure responding to concerns about outside money in politics, while some members questioned claims about money laundering and noted the memorial’s broad language. The committee approved SCM 1003 unanimously, 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, it's a class six felony if certain... ...crimes.
• You know, it's a class six felony if a certain location is met; otherwise, it's a class one misdemeanor

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2671, chronic felony offender. HB 2673, mental illness prisoners.
• chronic colony offender 267 627 homebuyer assistance 2660 at appropriation broadband 26 71 chronic felony

Transcript Highlights:

• You will see, and I meant to take this out, but the House had that as a felony is what they had put into
• And again, as you stated, the only question, well, and that's a policy was about misdemeanor felony.

Bills: HB1329

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Summary: The Education Division met with all members present and first took up House Bill 1329, which would create a transparency database and website for school spending information. Senator Schaible offered Amendment 0204 to turn the bill into a study, citing concerns that the proposal would impose major data-collection burdens on 168 school districts, require new data standards and privacy protections, and likely cost far more than the $500,000 in the bill. Several members supported transparency but agreed the implementation costs and technical feasibility were unclear. The committee adopted the amendment 4-1, then passed HB 1329 as amended on a 5-0 vote, with Senator Shively to carry the bill. The committee then discussed House Bill 1540, the education savings account/voucher bill. Representatives from the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Public Instruction explained that they had not been consulted on the original drafting and outlined needed administrative changes, including clarifying the Bank as administrator, using a third-party program manager, involving DPI in rulemaking, adding audit and appeal procedures, and adjusting language on eligible purchases and school disqualification. They also said the current timeline was likely too aggressive to launch by the 2026-27 school year and estimated the program would require about 15 months to implement, with a fiscal note now around $5.1 million. Members also discussed policy-related amendments on means testing and application timing. Senator Shively proposed a 300% of poverty-level means test and a sign-up period to reduce costs and limit open-ended enrollment, while Senator Axman proposed a tiered approach that would keep all students technically eligible but phase in funding levels by income, preserving access for students who qualify for other federal supports. DPI said it could not currently disaggregate some data by family income and that the appeal process and procurement timeline still needed work. The committee did not move HB 1540 out that morning and instead recessed to continue discussion later after members had time to review the administrative and fiscal issues separately from the means-testing proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• cover in another section you call some trees critical infrastructure, and someone is going to get a felony
• So if... what's going to happen to a person who would do something to get a felony at that plant?

Bills: SJR 5 , SJR 36 , SJR 5 , SJR 5 , SR 105 , SR 121 , SB 17 , SB 19 , SB 25 , SB 28 , SB 17 , SB 19 , SB 25 , SB 28

Transcript Highlights:

• It will be funded by those convicted of some of the most heinous crimes imaginable.
• incarceration is due to a child conceived as the result of rape or incest by the father, when the parent is convicted
• incarceration is due to a child conceived as the result of rape or incest by the father. when the parent is convicted
• When the parent is convicted of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, or an attempt to commit those

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and a quorum call before moving into committee reports and floor action. Committees reported a number of bills and resolutions, including measures from Local Government, Energy, Health, Judiciary, Appropriations, Rules, and Finance. The chamber also announced caucus and committee meetings, then recessed and later reconvened for final consideration of legislation. Several bills passed the House finally, including House Bill 2299 on body cameras for county probation officers, House Bill 167 designating a scenic byway along Allegheny River Boulevard, House Bill 95 requiring disclosure when content or advertising is generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence, House Bill 1944 expanding medical amnesty and Good Samaritan protections on campuses, House Bill 2443 creating a child victim recovery fund, House Bill 246 updating references from the Public Welfare Code to the Human Services Code, and House Bill 2586 establishing title protection for music therapists. The House also adopted House Resolution 463 recognizing Korean-American Citizenship Day, House Resolution 499 recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day, and House Resolution 547 directing a study of electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration. The House spent significant time on amendments to House Bill 133, which concerns reinstatement of parental rights, and House Bill 138, which addresses parental incarceration and termination of parental rights. Both bills received bipartisan amendments adding guardrails and exceptions, and the amendments were adopted unanimously. The chamber also debated House Bill 2224, the Fair Act, with multiple amendments on utility rates, return on equity, and scope; some amendments were adopted, several tied votes failed, and the bill was left amended for reprinting. House Bill 2544, dealing with school administrators’ rights and negotiations, saw an amendment to allow individual bargaining, but that amendment failed and the bill was agreed to. The session ended with a correction to the record on House Bill 1944, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until June 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the reckless driving statute, the license is suspended upon conviction.
• Is it suspended upon conviction? Is that a 30-day suspension? Is that, is that?
• suspending the driver, or the probability of suspending the driver's license for a period of time upon conviction
• reckless—but language that would make it possible or optional for a driver's license suspension upon conviction

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney providing post-conviction relief for non-citizens facing immigration consequences that
• A federal defender reached out about a prior conviction because that prior conviction would impact that
• After reviewing the record, I discovered a more problematic conviction for immigration purposes.

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee first met in executive session on House Bills 2157, 2351, 2365, 2357, and 2446. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for each bill. HB 2157, concerning high-risk AI systems, was amended to exempt activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and covered entities under HIPAA; members discussed balancing consumer protections with flexibility for developers and deployers. HB 2351, addressing protections for emergency responders and emergency operations, was described as clarifying definitions and procedures, including a mental health crisis defense and changes to emergency operation zone notifications; some members raised concerns about deconfliction and implementation details. HB 2365, on digital equity, was amended with several definitional and data-sharing proposals, though some amendments were rejected over fiscal concerns. HB 2357, creating the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, passed without amendment. HB 2446, on developing a quantum technology industry strategy, was amended to extend the strategy deadline, broaden who Commerce may contract with, and correct terminology; members noted concerns about industry involvement in the strategic plan and fiscal impacts. All five bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes of 8-5 on HB 2157, HB 2351, and HB 2365, unanimous support for HB 2357, and 12-1 for HB 2446. The committee then held a public hearing on HB 2523, which would make the community reinvestment program ongoing, require periodic updates and reporting, and direct a study of fund distribution and use. Testifiers from workforce boards, tribal programs, reentry services, community organizations, and Commerce described successful uses of the program for job training, reentry, small business support, legal services, and economic mobility, and urged the bill’s passage. Some suggested strengthening accountability, reporting, and access for new organizations. Commerce staff said the program has served more than 190,000 people and supported over 400 organizations, and asked for technical adjustments to keep administrative costs low. The bill was then closed for hearing. The committee also heard HB 2606, which would revise the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and performance measures, remove some reporting requirements, and add review of agency AI projects. The prime sponsor described it as a “stay-in-your-lane” cleanup bill responding to JLARC recommendations, and the state chief privacy officer testified in support, saying the office could implement the changes within existing resources. After questions about local government support and public resources, the hearing on HB 2606 was closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Holmes was wrongfully convicted of robbery, sentenced to 400 appropriated from general revenue. Mr.
• Holmes was wrongfully convicted of robbery, sentenced to 400 years in state prison, of which he spent
• Holmes was wrongfully convicted of robbery, sentenced to 400 years in state prison, of which he spent
• , and I'm loathsome to even bring these claims bills forward, but 34 years from being wrongfully convicted

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee considered a long agenda of claims bills, housing and business measures, and court-administration legislation. It reported favorably several claims bills, including SB 20 for J.N., a minor, SB 14 for the estate of Pennial Janvier, SB 10 for Sidney Holmes, SB 8 for Marcus Button, SB 22 for Eric and Jennifer Miles, and SB 26 for Kristen and Leah McIntosh. Members also approved SB 520 on curators of estates, SB 386 on self-storage lien-sale notices, SB 362 on reusable tenant screening reports, SB 316 creating series LLCs in Florida, and SB 1650 and SB 1652 on vexatious litigants and related public-records issues. SB 248, expanding eligibility for private school and homeschool students to participate in FHSAA sports at public schools, also passed after amendment. Most of the claims bills were described as settled cases with amounts above sovereign-immunity limits, and several senators spoke in support of compensating victims of catastrophic injury or wrongful conviction. SB 10 drew comments about the 34 years Sidney Holmes spent incarcerated after a wrongful conviction, and SB 8 prompted discussion about the long delay in resolving Marcus Button’s injuries from a 2006 school-bus crash. SB 26 was presented as an uncontested claim arising from a DACS employee’s fatal crash that severely injured two teenage girls, and the committee adopted an amendment placing funds for the minor claimant into trust. The policy bills drew more substantive debate. SB 386 would let self-storage operators use websites instead of newspaper ads for lien-sale notices, with newspaper representatives opposing the change and storage-industry witnesses supporting modernization and lower costs. SB 362 would let renters reuse tenant screening reports for 30 days, with the sponsor saying it would reduce repeated application fees. SB 316 would authorize series LLCs while adding record-keeping protections, and SB 1650/1652 would broaden Florida’s vexatious-litigant rules and create a public-records exemption for certain stricken filings. SB 248 passed over concerns from private-school and public-education witnesses about instructional time, funding, and fairness in athletic participation. All measures were reported favorably, with recorded votes ranging from 7-2 on SB 248 to unanimous or near-unanimous support on the other bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• People that set up fights can go to jail because it's a misdemeanor or a felony.
• want to ask you because People that set up fights can go to jail because it's a misdemeanor or a felony
• If you're putting it on, that's where it could be a misdemeanor or a felony, correct? Yeah.
• If you're putting it on, that's where it could be a misdemeanor or a felony, correct? Yeah.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of these fees are paid by litigants themselves in civil cases and other felony criminal
• litigants themselves in civil cases and litigants themselves in civil cases and other<00:04:10.720><c> felony
• </c><00:04:11.200><c> criminal</c><00:04:11.599><c> cases</c><00:04:12.319><c> where</c> other felony
• criminal cases where other felony criminal cases where they're<00:04:13.040><c> not</c><00:04:13.280

Committee: Joint Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• They modify felony murder and accomplice liability provisions and provide retroactive relief for certain
• c><00:16:10.000><c> uh</c><00:16:10.160><c> they</c><00:16:10.399><c> modify</c><00:16:11.120><c> felony
• </c> Verbaton's bill. uh they modify felony Verbaton's bill. uh they modify felony murder<00:16:12.000

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, having not been convicted of anything, they can lose jobs, housing, parental rights, and even
• <00:13:00.320><c> having</c><00:13:00.639><c> not</c><00:13:00.800><c> been</c><00:13:01.279><c> convicted
• </c><00:13:01.680><c> of</c> Again, having not been convicted of Again, having not been convicted of
• it should be also used to support non-citizens and understanding their rights and how criminal convictions
• and charges intersect with convictions and charges intersect with the<00:29:10.399><c> with</c><00:29

Bills: SB2040 , SB2248 , SB2530 , SB2732 , SB2871 , SB2919 , SB3076 , SB3300 , SB3301

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment. SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members. SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies. SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• He had 38 criminal convictions and had been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
• Roberts, Adrian Peeler, a drug kingpin who was convicted in the death of an eight-year-old boy and his
• And those who have the courage of their convictions to go to houses of worship, in my book, will never
• Patel: you find the people that you were convicted of harming, call them, write them a letter, apologize
• Who makes songs with convicts? Who attack law enforcement. How did we get here?

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary