Transcript Highlights:

• We'll share how coordinated care across campus is improving access to support, what we're learning from
• If you would stop sharing your slides, we could see that. Thank you. Thank you. Wonderful. Rep.
• So Meg and I am thinking about what we wanted to share today.
• I'm just going to share. Okay. Can you all see the screen? Yes, we can. Thank you. Excellent.
• Sometimes they're sharing things with roommates or perhaps saying things to faculty members.

Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll share, and I think we've shared in other forums, that costing out the technology, we're looking
• I'll share, and I think we've shared in other forums, costing out the technology, we're looking at upwards
• broadly so that you all can share those with your constituents as well.
• I wanted to share a little bit about the legal basis for donation.
• Ashley, can you share what are some of the common misconceptions...

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for sharing.
• Okay, I just asked, do you have anything you can share? I'd also have to do my calculator.
• Board, so we will turn it over to you all to share your thoughts.
• So we could share that with CSAC, but again, that data is a year old.
• Also, as was mentioned, typically are sharing aggregate information.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you've shared with us the most devastating of consequences.
• The Higher Education Data Sharing Transparency Act is simple.
• I think I share some of the, you know, ...on the issue.
• Can you share more about that and how you...”
• I also shared concerns with the author earlier today.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• permitting appropriate cost sharing for permitting appropriate cost sharing for certain<01:00:23.680>
• stuff all shared until they made their stuff all shared until they made their decision.<01:03:06.880>
• So we will share those accomplish.
• In January, we'll share the we'll<01:04:00.079><c> share</c><01:04:00.319><c> the</c><01:04:00.559><c
• I would say that there's shared I would say that there's shared frustration<01:23:50.480><c> across</

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our criminal information operations section is an information sharing hub that works on sharing information
• Our criminal information operations section is an information sharing hub that works on sharing information
• </c> health insurance side we have share health insurance side we have share regulation<00:37:02.920>
• </c> line the information that can be shared line the information that can be shared and<00:43:31.319
• We will be sharing information.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'm going to pass it so they can go ahead and share their stories and the presentation.
• My colleague gave me permission to share this experience.
• My colleague gave me permission to share this experience.
• And I'll share. applicant's identity. And I'll share with you some of the things that we do.
• I know when we toured Big Bend, you were sharing some of that in the past.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session on student complaints in higher education. Faculty, union, and research witnesses argued that current complaint systems are sometimes misused in bad faith, disproportionately affecting faculty of color, women, and contingent faculty, consuming institutional resources, and chilling academic freedom. They called for an initial screening process for bias or retaliation, routine data collection and equity review, and a faculty bill of rights. Committee members asked about FERPA, Title IX, and how complaint data could be tracked consistently across institutions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6090 would create a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University to register and preserve heritage orchards and rare apple varieties; Senator Braun said it would honor Washington’s apple history and support research at low cost. SB 5931 would make technical changes to the Workforce Education Investment Oversight Board, including two-year co-chair terms, a later annual report date, and removal of a dashboard requirement; WASAC, labor, and Microsoft testified in support. SB 5963 would automatically qualify Passport to Careers students as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and align financial aid definitions; WASAC, College Success Foundation, students, and student advocates supported it as a way to reduce barriers for foster and homeless youth. The committee also heard SB 5978, which would codify and expand the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program and require annual student notifications about admissions, financial aid, dual credit, and related opportunities. Supporters included the Council of Presidents, faculty, students, parents, and the Washington Roundtable, who said guaranteed admission and better outreach would reduce anxiety, improve transparency, and help more students enroll. Finally, SB 6082 would direct JLARC to audit fraud in state financial aid programs, including fictitious students and AI-enabled abuse; the sponsor cited recent fraud concerns, while community and technical college officials said colleges already have fraud controls in place, warned the audit was unfunded and potentially duplicative, and asked for more resources. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• equal footing with other districts and preventing local taxpayers from bearing a disproportionate share
• I want to thank Senator Christian for bringing this... ...proportionate share of school construction
• On the flip side, they have shared concern that any compensation increase funded by district budgets
• It protects student data from unnecessary sharing with law enforcement.
• But instead of bearing the complicated truths, we can share our culture, our stories...

Bills: SB5901, SB5860, SB5956, SB5574, SB5922, SB5858

Keywords: school construction, school facilities, capital budget, school plant project, state funding assistance, school construction assistance program, on-base schools, military base, Department of Defense school, military families, public school facilities, instructional space, Superintendent of Public Instruction, SIP, school district capital funding, school housing burden, rapid growth, enrollment growth, free and reduced-price meals, alternative learning experience

Transcript Highlights:

• The council shares your commitment to improving early mathematics outcomes.
• But I want to share an experience of a student that I had.
• But I want to share an experience of a student that I had.
• And I can just share my comments from the dais as the acting chair. Okay.
• Many of them quietly raise their hand to share this issue.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to share. Thank you. Good morning.
• I will share with you something I shared recently on a webinar.
• CLSA also funds the sharing of physical and digital materials statewide.
• They use CLSA funds to address their needs, including shared digital books.
• near Amador and Lodi may cancel their Link+ book-sharing program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the details of when I shared it before, right?
• the details of when I shared it before, right?
• the details of when I shared it before, right?
• the details of when I shared it before, right?
• "Share this photo, shouldn't be able to get into all the details of when I shared it before, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2567, a Judiciary package measure concerning temporary restraining orders for threats and harassment tied to a public employee’s official actions. Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and the Judiciary said they had worked out a compromise to address earlier concerns, including a two-year pilot project, broader coverage for state officers and employees across all branches and counties, a special fund to pay for private counsel in some cases, and authority for Judiciary staff attorneys or Judiciary funds to represent Judiciary personnel. Members asked about coverage for retired judges, funding limits, and whether the measure could be used for workplace disputes; the witnesses said retired judges and per diem judges could be covered if the harassment related to their work, the fund would be limited and subject to available appropriations, and petitions would not be allowed between employees in the same branch. The chair recommended passage with amendments, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The committee then heard SB 2448, which creates a civil remedy for the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images under the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act. The bill’s proponent from the Uniform Law Commission explained that a plaintiff would need to show intentional disclosure or threat of disclosure of a private intimate image without consent, and said the privacy question would be fact-specific. Supporters, including the Commission on the Status of Women and Imua Alliance, favored giving survivors civil recourse. Opponents from the Sex Abuse Treatment Center and others warned that the term "private" could invite victim-blaming and broad discovery into a survivor’s past, while still acknowledging the need for some privacy limitation to avoid overbreadth, especially for people who intentionally distribute intimate content online. Committee members questioned whether the definition of "private" should be tightened. The bill’s proponent said the term should remain because it aligns with the related criminal statute and helps keep the measure focused on classic revenge-porn situations, while still allowing Hawaii-specific changes if needed. The committee did not take final action on SB 2448 in the portion provided, but testimony and discussion centered on balancing survivor protections with concerns about discovery and the scope of liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we share Assemblymember Schiavo's request to reform the share of cost program.
• Today, Adam and Angel have come to share their stories.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and I'll just share your dismay.
• Thank you to the panelists for sharing the information.
• I was intrigued by the data shared, especially by the.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I’ve shared this with you.
• But he always shares with us.
• Senator Conway and I shared... to mention this.
• Senator Conway and I shared.
• President, as the member on this floor that gets to share...

Bills: SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, suspended rules to allow committee work and additional floor resolutions, and referred committee and gubernatorial appointment reports as designated. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments in third reading. Megan Matthews was confirmed as director of the Washington State Office of Equity by a 45-2 vote, and Robert A. Zupon, Denise E. Gideon, Andrea Buchanan, Michelle R. Smith, and Edison A. Valerio were each confirmed to various community and technical college boards of trustees by large bipartisan margins. The chamber then considered Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation revenue and policy measure. After rejecting the Transportation Committee’s original striking amendment and adopting a narrower floor striking amendment, senators debated the bill’s changes, including repeal of the luxury aircraft tax and replacement with higher aircraft fuel taxes, registration fees, and an annual excise tax, along with technical corrections and safety-related transportation provisions. Supporters said the bill was a workable compromise that would sustain transportation funding and support future aviation investments; opponents argued it would raise costs on small aircraft owners and general aviation. The bill passed final passage 33-15. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8703 honoring Senator Steve Conway for his 34 years of legislative service. Multiple senators spoke in praise of his leadership on labor, pensions, veterans, and district advocacy, as well as his institutional knowledge, mentorship, and personal integrity. Senator Conway then offered a personal statement thanking colleagues, staff, family, and constituents, and saying he would continue advocating for working people after leaving the Legislature. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local share, because local share is back...
• Local share, because local share is backed up, so you add up the total need, then you back out the amount
• is the employee share?
• It's the 80% share. Chair.
• Employer share. That's the 80% of the cost.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 611 in 2023, which addressed competency proceedings, and these provisions clarify DCT's ability to share
• On line 8.18, there's also a clarification about DHS's ability to share when we have issued a payment
• when we have issued a payment share when we have issued a payment withhold<00:06:44.240><c> against<
• </c><00:06:50.319><c> that</c> not require us to share that not require us to share that information,
• And the sharing, you know, if we've got a bad actor in one program, the ability to let other programs

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2260, a Judiciary Committee clone of portions of the larger DHS policy bill, and adopted the A1 amendment, which was described as largely technical but also incorporating changes from the related human services bill. The bill was presented as covering several DHS-related policy areas, including background studies transparency, anti-kickback provisions for medical assistance and child care assistance, and personal data protections for human services judges. The amendment also added a number of provisions related to direct care and treatment, competency restoration billing and data sharing, fraud enforcement tools, behavioral health fund eligibility, and clarifications to prior law. Testimony from DHS Office of Inspector General legislative director Ardian Diddy emphasized that the bill would improve transparency in background studies, update investigative and arrest data access, extend a limited set-aside to similar provider types, and correct an effective-date error from last session. He also said the anti-kickback language would mirror federal Medicaid law for medical assistance and create a state-level prohibition for CCAP, giving DHS and law enforcement more tools to investigate fraud and misuse. Additional provisions would add human services judges to existing personal data protections for judicial officials. Diddy also explained amendment sections from the governor’s fraud package, including authority to act against entities convicted of fraud or theft, data-sharing improvements, and a disqualification from management and billing positions. Members raised questions about possible conflicts of interest involving DHS employees with outside LLCs and about the need for stronger safeguards against fraud. The chair and other members referenced recent fraud cases and said the bill would help prevent similar abuses. Christy Grumman of DHS testified on the judge privacy section, saying there are about 35 human services judges and describing a recent incident in which a judge received violent threats serious enough to require the family’s temporary relocation by the State Patrol. Representative Hudson supported the anti-kickback provisions as a needed codification of agency authority. The committee then approved the amended bill and recommended it be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety, Finance, and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I will have Chair Kristen Robbins come forward and share some of what else is in her bill.
• With that, I will have Chair Kristen Robbins come forward and share some of what else is in her bill.
• With that, I will have Chair Kristen Robbins come forward and share some of what else is in her bill.
• We have had many people come forward and want to share information with us, and they are in fear of their
• that with law um and we can then share that with law enforcement<00:09:28.240><c> or</c><00:09:28.399

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: State Representative Jim Nash and Representative Kristin Robbins discussed a package of fraud-prevention bills, centered on House File 3 and a separate whistleblower-protection measure. HF 3 would require annual reports based on Office of the Auditor (OA/OLA) findings to be sent to ranking members of relevant committees, with the goal of giving appropriators more information about internal controls and follow-up on audit recommendations. Nash said the bill is intended to help reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, cited the Feeding Our Future case as an example of weak controls, and noted that the OA helped draft the proposal and supports it. He also said the bill’s language is modeled in part on Colorado and on earlier recommendations for more information to be shared with decision-makers. Robbins said her bill would expand whistleblower protections for state employees, including unclassified employees, and add new protected reporting channels and definitions. She said employees are often afraid to come forward because of job and career concerns, and that the bill would better protect reports made to legislators, the OA, governmental bodies, and law enforcement. She and Nash said they were working with DFL members and committee chairs on bipartisan amendments to define “fraud” and “misuse,” and to align the language with the Inspector General bill and prior law. In questions, Robbins explained that current law protects only certain employees and that her bill would broaden coverage and make it easier for employees to report concerns without fear. She said the OA supports the effort and that the added reporting pathways would help with follow-up on agency recommendations. Nash and Robbins both emphasized that the measures are part of a broader fraud-fighting package and expressed hope for bipartisan support, though Nash criticized DFL leadership for not backing the bills more openly. No votes or final actions were taken in the exchange shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:15.280><c> And</c> Whereas Colin and Sophie Hortman shared how to honor their parents: plant
• Bake something, bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
• , and share it with someone.<00:04:19.840><c> Try</c><00:04:20.160><c> a</c><00:04:20.320><c> new</c>
• ><00:04:32.560><c> and</c><00:04:32.800><c> Sophia</c><00:04:33.360><c> also</c><00:04:33.759><c> shared
• </c> whereas Colin and Sophia also shared whereas Colin and Sophia also shared that<00:04:34.720><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We say it is a joy to share and collaborate with all of you, and we wish you much success.
• But just like I share Sacramento County with our majority leader, I share Sister Michelle as a constituent
• And I want to thank you for sharing your light with all of us. Your light with all of us.
• Progress doesn't have... ...for bringing us all together around this shared goal.
• Rosario inspired those around her to dream big, work hard, and share a shift.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've already shared that I want to get an answer today.
• I share the disappointment in the veto.
• So speaking of data sharing, I did have a question because it does seem like data sharing across agencies
• Could you explain closed loop referral system versus data integration sharing.
• Griginsky has some blanket data sharing agreements with HEB and CYFD.

Transcript Highlights:

• District after district is sharing concerns about classrooms being cleared out, not having the ability
• concerns about classrooms being sharing concerns about classrooms being cleared<00:03:16.519><c> out
• , I want to just share some other components.
• Thank you for sharing your stories.
• </c><01:44:43.400><c> your</c> bills or not thank you for sharing your bills or not thank you for sharing

Keywords: 1183, house