Transcript Highlights:

• Today is a work session. We have a number of work sessions scheduled. We'll go in order.
• We’re still working with that.
• We work very, very closely with Dr.
• We work very, very closely with Dr.
• What does it require to be able to work in your lab? How many folks do you have working there?

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met for a work session focused on Washington agriculture’s condition, food security, behavioral health, and animal disease surveillance. WSDA Director Derek Sandison and economist Maddie Roy presented an update on agricultural viability, describing Washington agriculture as highly diverse and valuable but increasingly strained by rising production and labor costs, aging producers, consolidation, trade barriers, land pressures, stagnant research funding, infrastructure concerns, and climate impacts. They cited declining farm numbers, falling net farm income, and negative take-home pay for farmers, while also noting strengths such as climate, soils, ports, irrigation, universities, and other infrastructure. Committee members asked about commodity-specific impacts, comparisons with other states, and the role of regulation in worsening costs. Kelly McLean followed with a discussion of opportunities to support agriculture, including trade, domestic food systems development, climate mitigation, clean energy, ag tech, workforce and education, and mental health. She highlighted investments in port and transportation infrastructure, local food processing and distribution, land access and incubator opportunities, climate resilience projects, and programs supporting farmworker and farmer mental health. Katie Raines then updated the committee on food systems and food security, explaining WSDA’s reorganization into a Farm and Food Systems Development Division and describing trends in household food insecurity, the state’s hunger safety net, and the importance of food system infrastructure. She noted that food insecurity is rising again and that even higher-income households are reporting need, while legislators asked about eligibility thresholds and the impact on lower-income residents. The committee also heard from WSU Skagit County Extension’s Don McMoran and Maddie Van der Koi on agricultural stress and suicide prevention. They described the Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership, crisis and referral resources, peer-to-peer outreach, trainings, and free counseling vouchers for farmers and farmworkers. They emphasized that farmers face chronic stress from financial volatility, weather, labor shortages, isolation, and stigma, and cited elevated suicide rates in agricultural populations. Members asked about reluctance to seek help and whether flooding had increased demand for services. Finally, Dr. Kevin Snekovic of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory described WADDL’s role in disease testing, food safety, wildlife surveillance, and rapid response to outbreaks such as avian influenza and chronic wasting disease. He said the lab supports trade and quarantine decisions, and members asked about elk hoof rot research, workforce needs, and how to connect constituents to the lab. No votes were taken; the session ended with a preview of upcoming Thursday work sessions on marine resources, Columbia River Basin supply, Ecology’s report back, and agricultural natural resources issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of see that continue to be worked on. of see that continue to be worked on.
• It clearly was not working.
• It clearly was not working.
• It clearly was not working.
• </c> enforcement like how would that work? enforcement like how would that work?

Bills: HF3418 , HF3739 , HF3791 , HF3356 , HF3695 , HF3430

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority, county roads, city streets, tribal transportation, capital improvements, safety design solutions, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:11.080><c> together</c> all of these Partners working together all of these Partners working
• was done in in be work uh work similar was done in in Texas<00:20:11.679><c> and</c><00:20:11.799><c
• </c> coordinate and really Advance the work coordinate and really Advance the work of<00:21:14.919><c
• </c> exploration opportunities work exploration opportunities work experience<00:41:30.319><c> and</c
• The research speaks to our work.

Bills: HF1936 , HF849 , HF989 , HF1130 , HF1223 , HF1907 , HF1847 , HF1957

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to working together with you to work toward this.
• </c><00:57:01.480><c> middle</c> work are also working with middle work are also working with middle
• Thank you for your work.
• </c> GSA to work in those networks uh work GSA to work in those networks uh work with<06:01:45.840><c
• So, um, I appreciate your work.

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:12.959><c> um</c> that we're focused on as we um work um that we're focused on as we um work
• </c> exhibitions of their art their work exhibitions of their art their work really<00:12:02.360><c>
• They do amazing work.
• </c> Shaka and fairbolt which I'm working Shaka and fairbolt which I'm working with<00:21:27.320><c>
• Espinosa: Seven years of my work with what I'm doing, within the people that I've been working with,

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes away the parents being able to work out, you know, if the parents can work something out, and
• can work something know, if the parents can work something out<00:18:40.080><c> and</c><00:18:40.400
• I mean, you know, we're acting like they're working, but I mean, is it work?
• ><c> work?
• </c> but I'll continue to work with you. but I'll continue to work with you.

Bills: HB19 , HB170 , HB171 , HB173 , HB174 , HB19 , HB170 , HB171 , HB173 , HB174

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, HB170, supplemental appropriations, Education Trust Fund, Alabama education budget, school funding, K-12 education, local boards of education, textbook adoption, school buses, school safety, charter schools, summer programs, afterschool programs, reading intervention, college and career readiness

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the committee itself in terms of working the committee itself in terms of working on<00:07:28.720
• </c> we have the option to do the uh work we have the option to do the uh work requirements<00:07:52.960
• How does that work?
• </c> they're exempt from the work they're exempt from the work requirements.
• </c> the work requirement. the work requirement.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to working with you.
• That gives us something to work with.
• So, I mean, one thing that I've been wanting to work on, one thing we are working on, is having group
• Not only for the work—well, I guess, just saying work requirements—you’re going to have to do a further
• We always appreciate your work. It's amazing work, and we're lucky to have all of you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions, comments, assembly members of work.
• to work.
• They've been wonderful to work with in terms of trying to work this out.
• on something that they worked on previously, or are they banned from working on that issue again?
• So that means if you've worked on some matter with a proceeding, So that means if you've worked on some

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills focused on wildfire resilience, affordability, electrification, and clean energy development. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that beneficially use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing firm renewable power, and the bill passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt local electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization, with emphasis on disadvantaged communities; it passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would bar investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit activities, and would add transparency and penalties; utilities opposed parts of the bill as overly broad, but the measure passed 7-0 with members noting continued work on the language. The committee also advanced AB 1417 on offshore wind community benefits and transparency. The bill, presented by Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen, would require reporting of developer funding to local and tribal communities for capacity-building and expand the voluntary offshore wind and coastal resources protection program to allow such grants. After amendments, industry groups that had opposed the bill moved to neutral, and the measure passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require backup power, tank topping, and facility hardening for water districts in high fire-risk areas in Ventura County; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. Later, AB 745, by Assembly Member Irwin, would allow investor-owned utilities to finance undergrounding through securitization and disallow a return on equity for undergrounding projects. Supporters argued it would lower ratepayer costs; utilities argued it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other costs. The bill passed 7-4. AB 1423, also by Assembly Member Irwin, would apply reliability standards to state-funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should not fund unreliable infrastructure, while charging-network groups raised retroactivity and legal concerns, including issues with the Electrify America consent decree. The bill passed 13-0. Finally, AB 388, by Assembly Member Rogers, began discussion of a narrow change to the electrical corporation definition and the “over-the-fence” rule to facilitate green hydrogen projects; supporters emphasized decarbonization and job creation, while Southern California Edison raised concerns about regulatory oversight and customer protections. The transcript cuts off before a vote on AB 388.

Transcript Highlights:

• > the</c><00:03:10.959><c> goal</c><00:03:11.120><c> of</c> work is done with the goal of work is done
• </c><00:03:34.080><c> of</c> last year advocating for the work of last year advocating for the work of
• </c><00:13:58.399><c> So</c> maximize how those programs work. So maximize how those programs work.
• For 10 years, I worked as a cook at the Mayo Hospital in Albert Lea. Now I work in home care.
• </c> working conditions become untenable. working conditions become untenable.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I know for a fact that CAWCD staff is working on those issues.
• Others are working on getting recovery wells. Yes.
• So you haven't, or you have worked with them to try that?
• We continue to work with them almost weekly, actually.
• We continue to work with them almost weekly, actually.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority on its role storing Colorado River water underground and holding long-term storage credits for CAP municipal and industrial subcontractors, on-river contractors, the Hualapai Tribe, Mojave County Water Authority, and Nevada. Members asked about future firming for CAP subcontractors, recovery constraints, funding sources, and whether the authority could use groundwater withdrawal fee credits for Indian firming and CAP users. The manager explained the authority has no post-2026 firming policy yet for CAP M&I subcontractors, relies mainly on withdrawal fees and ad valorem taxes, and distributes credits on paper through ADWR transfer forms rather than delivering wet water. No action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard SB 1445, which would allow certain small municipalities to conduct bacteriological testing on site with EPA-approved equipment and originally limited ADEQ sampling requirements to no more than four times per month. The sponsor and the mayor of Kearny argued the bill would reduce costs and travel burdens for rural towns while allowing more frequent testing. Committee discussion focused on whether the change was already possible under existing law and whether the amendment would weaken testing requirements. The Griffin amendment removed the language restricting ADEQ’s sampling frequency. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. The committee also considered SB 1137, a modernization measure for Arizona’s 811 call-before-you-dig system that sets procedures for large project coordination meetings, positive response communication, and related enforcement. Supporters from Associated General Contractors and an underground utility contractor said the bill reflects stakeholder consensus and would improve safety and efficiency without adding state costs. The Taylor amendment shifted implementation procedures from the Corporation Commission to the One Call Notification Center and made other technical changes. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0. SB 1287, which extends to all active management areas the ability of holders of irrigation grandfathered rights to withdraw up to 10 acre-feet annually for stockwatering or domestic use, also passed 9-1. The committee next approved SB 1335, as amended by a strike-everything amendment tied to the Ag-to-Urban program, allowing a groundwater savings holder to continue irrigating for up to two years after issuance of groundwater savings credits. DWR and irrigation district representatives said the change would address timing problems between relinquishing irrigation rights and finalizing development, while some members objected that it could increase groundwater pumping. The bill passed 5-4. Finally, SB 1336, which continues the State Land Department for four years and adds reporting, planning, and oversight provisions including a new oversight board, passed 5-4 after debate over whether another board was necessary and whether the reauthorization period was long enough. The committee concluded with SB 1677, appropriating $3 million for salt cedar mitigation along the lower Gila River and the Gila-Colorado confluence. Supporters from Audubon Southwest, the City of Buckeye, and local landowners described flood, fire, habitat, and water-supply benefits, while members questioned herbicide use and the need for data. The bill passed 9-0, and the meeting adjourned after all votes were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• These women still have a tremendous amount of value to bring to the table at work.
• It did not benefit the company she was working for.
• So I look forward to working with Mr.
• or high-pressure work like warehouses and driving commercial vehicles.
• or high-pressure work like warehouses and driving commercial vehicles.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several workplace-related bills. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech training as part of existing harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees; supporters said it would help workers recognize and report workplace hate, while opponents raised First Amendment and definitional concerns. The bill passed on a do pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary, with the roll left open for absent members. AB 1940 would add perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause to FEHA’s sex protections and clarify related workplace protections; supporters emphasized workplace equity and retention, while business groups said existing accommodation laws already cover many issues and raised concerns about expanding protected classifications. It also passed and was re-referred to Judiciary with the roll open. AB 1838 would require bidders on public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations and how they were addressed; labor groups supported the transparency measure, while contractors and business groups questioned definitions and disclosure scope. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. AB 1859 would give joint labor-management committees access to public works job sites to help identify labor-law violations; supporters said it would improve enforcement of wage theft laws, while opponents raised due process, property access, and constitutional concerns. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee also considered two workplace AI and surveillance bills. AB 1883 would prohibit certain invasive surveillance technologies in the workplace, including facial, gait, and emotion recognition, while placing limits on some facial recognition uses; supporters argued these tools are discriminatory and unreliable, and opponents said a ban was too broad and could eliminate useful safety and operational tools. The bill passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1898 would require employers to give workers advance notice before using AI tools to surveil or manage workers, including disclosure of the tool’s purpose, data collected, and affected decisions; supporters framed it as a basic transparency measure, while opponents objected to the breadth of notice requirements, possible veto power over deployment, and enforcement language. It also passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee additionally took up AB 1707, which passed and was re-referred to Appropriations with a consent-calendar recommendation, though the transcript does not provide the bill’s subject matter.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we receive, and that work group will finish its work next May, but they're issuing rolling recommendations
• Is that how that generally works with those contracts? Correct. Okay.
• So we are paying someone a double shift to work that post as well.
• So we are paying someone a double shift to work that post as well.
• to work with.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms. The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns. No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where I work, you've got to have your license.
• I have been working closely on this. I want to continue working closely on this.
• out the way you thought it would work out.
• out the way you thought it would work out.
• I've very much enjoyed working with all of you. It's been both fun and serious and a lot of work.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee heard and voted on four bills. HB 587 on self-storage spaces would let rental agreements include an alternate contact person and allow default notices to be published online instead of only in newspapers, while keeping existing notice timelines and servicemember protections. Newspaper and press witnesses opposed the online-notice change, arguing it could reduce public reach and transparency, especially in rural areas; the sponsor said newspapers could still be used and the bill was only adding another option. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to October 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably 12-2. HB 6033 would repeal the Florida Labor Pool Act. The sponsor argued the act duplicates other state and federal protections, while opponents said it contains unique safeguards for day laborers, including limits on fees, transportation charges, and deductions, and a private right of action. Testimony from labor advocates and workers warned repeal would reduce protections for vulnerable workers; the sponsor and supporters said other laws already cover the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably 11-3. HB 897, dealing with timeshare plan management, was presented as a clarification of conflicts created by recent condominium legislation and would require faster records responses, more disclosure of contracts, and clearer remedies for mismanagement. Support came from industry groups, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The final measure, PCS for HB 1385, created a civil remedy for parental abduction or unlawful withholding of a child in violation of a timesharing order. Family law attorneys opposed it over concerns about added litigation, child involvement, and overlap with existing remedies, while the sponsors and supporters said it would provide needed deterrence and compensation in serious cases. The committee adopted the PCS and reported it favorably 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in that bill, we worked on getting We're also working on reducing recycling rates, addressing chemicals
• I am all into making that work.
• Let's see how that works. Let's give the regulations time.
• With that and kind of the ongoing work you've committed to.
• No, but I look forward to work you working with opposition. Hadwick, no. Castillo? No.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:26.199><c> representative</c> organization's uh work representative organization's uh work
• uh</c><00:13:04.320><c> faculty</c> been working um working with uh faculty been working um working with
• One last question: you say work with. What is your understanding of what work with means?
• the um the work like for example the um the work happening<00:14:47.839><c> with</c><00:14:48.199><c
• um this is primarily work the university um this is primarily work the documented<00:15:50.399><c> work

Transcript Highlights:

• WEATHER WORKING IN CONGRESS -- WHEN WORKING IN CONGRESS OR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, SHE BELIEVED PUBLIC
• But our work is not done.
• Let's get back to work.
• LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.
• WALKING WITH HUMILITY, TO LOVE JUSTICE, TO WORK DILIGENTLY, AND CHUY HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY.

Bills: HR878 , HB2659 , HB1608 , HB2261 , SB260 , HB5078 , HB2212 , HR782 , SB2392

Keywords: cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, CISA, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, FBI, interagency task force, Volt Typhoon, People’s Republic of China, PRC, state-sponsored cyber actors, Chinese cyber threats, cyber espionage, critical infrastructure protection, homeland security, national security, information sharing, threat intelligence, digital forensics, sector risk management agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh this bill took a lot of work and collaboration. It's better because of their work.
• And it works when you want it to work. And it takes<00:19:37.520><c> effort.
• So in this bill, off that working group goes to prove that legislators can do working groups, that working
• And the work with the Senate was really, it worked out in the end good.
• And the work with the Senate was really, it worked out in the end good.

Transcript Highlights:

• our legacy work and our partnership<00:12:55.680><c> work.
• </c> partnership work. partnership work.
• </c> coming to work with them in our parks. coming to work with them in our parks.
• This work is happening across the state. This is not all of the work that we do.
• </c><01:32:00.480><c> we're</c> of the work and the work that we're of the work and the work that we're

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a work in progress.
• </c><00:24:41.039><c> in</c> introduce and this is a work in introduce and this is a work in progress
• We're also going to have Joe work on getting this evening set aside for extra committee work.
• works.
• </c> work on this. So thank you everyone. work on this. So thank you everyone.

Bills: HF3553 , HF3513 , HF3576

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation