Transcript Highlights:

• some accessibility standards, and Senator Stanley's bill dealt with child labor and making that a term
• in state contracts to prohibit child labor.
• During the 2026 session, the bill eventually became a bill to make that part of the statewide contracts
• , any additional required term to have vendors say they're complying with this particular law.
• And you brought the bill to just make sure that all the Commonwealth contracts comply with that federal

Keywords: Public Body Procurement Workgroup, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, public testimony will be limited to, uh, 2 minutes per speaker.
• But, uh, the, the counties do contract out with surrounding counties to provide their services.
• And just so people realize, we, we tried, Lubbock County tried to contract or were contracting, and now
• the contracts are being denied because Where we were contracted in Tarrant County and maybe part of
• So whatever we can do to recruit not only domestically but internationally in the short term, we want

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract with parents. And parents can drive that decision.
• Limited in terms of money or students it's limited in terms of money when When the appropriation is,
• Senator Providy's guideline in terms of application. Yes, sir.
• They're prioritized in terms of application. But not in terms of acceptance.
• We have limited state dollars. We have limited taxpayer funds.

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, they are much more satisfied in terms of their working conditions.
• In terms of whether or not they have ratios, I can't tell you.
• So if you could just ask the question in terms of the bill, not in terms of who does what and what they
• They should be involved in negotiating contracts with a hospital.
• They have been very active in terms of attempting to negotiate safe staffing in their union contracts

Transcript Highlights:

• So what you see in terms of blocks is permitting volume expressed as units per quarter.
• So in terms of the report outcomes, and keep in mind, this is the first year...
• Some things that they reported in terms of key...
• First, we want long-term evaluation of localities’ abilities to meet land use permit deadlines.
• It's a big investment of our staff time, and when you have limited resources, you can be behind.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in work session and heard a series of presentations on SEPA, permitting reforms, and building code implementation. Department of Ecology staff gave an overview of the State Environmental Policy Act, explaining its role in state and local decision-making, common exemptions, planned actions, and recent housing-related statutory changes such as transit-oriented development exemptions and SEPA appeals protections for certain local ordinances. Committee members asked about repeated SEPA reviews, cultural and historic resource review, and how SEPA relates to NEPA; Ecology responded that repeated reviews usually occur when proposals change and that programmatic EISs can help front-load analysis. Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections described how recent SEPA exemptions reduced residential review volume and supported more housing permits, and said the city is considering raising thresholds further. The State Building Code Council provided an update on code adoption timelines and legislative tasks tied to the 2024 codes, including single-stair housing, multiplex housing, dwelling unit size, and temporary emergency shelter standards. Council staff said the content of the codes is largely set, but administrative timelines have been delayed, prompting a motion to postpone final adoption while pursuing ways to preserve the planned implementation schedule. Members asked about the timing of code changes and the impact on housing costs, and staff said the legislative topics remain on track for inclusion in the 2024 code package. Committee staff then reviewed recent permitting legislation, including SB 5290’s permit decision deadlines and fee-refund provisions, later bills limiting pre-application meetings and clarifying that building permits are excluded from those timelines, and project-specific changes affecting middle housing, ADUs, lot splits, passive house projects, self-certification, transit-oriented development, and parking requirements. Commerce’s Dave Anderson reported on SB 5290 implementation, including guidance on permit fees, studies on staffing and statewide permitting systems, grants to local governments, and the first annual performance report, which showed mixed results and highlighted the importance of digital tools, clear checklists, staff training, and coordination across departments. Local officials from Issaquah and Kitsap County described their own process improvements, including code updates, optional pre-application meetings, new staffing, reporting systems, and a phased “Two by Six” review model in Kitsap, while also noting challenges from staffing shortages, agency coordination, and the burden of implementing multiple new mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are opposed to the same terms of the compact.
• It adjusts contract language because in our 89 school districts, school-year contracts are varied lengths
• So now it just says it matches the teacher contract. ...work.
• So now it just says it matches the teacher contract.
• What is the correlation between the cost of these terms? Over.

Bills: HB10, HB12, HB34, SB130, SM21

Keywords: physician assistants, interstate compact, medical services, licensure, cross-state practice, military families, regulatory authority, physical therapy, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare, military spouses, criminal background check, HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and you said it's used on a limited basis. Can you tell me how limited that has been?
• how limited that has been? how limited that has been?
• <01:43:09.760> Limiting passive receivers of PIFAs. Limiting passive receivers of PIFAs.
• They have a sense it's a contract.
• to Senator Waters because my first term to Senator Waters because my first term in<02:05:49.599>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The end of a contract is a reason.
• We have a contract. The people signed a contract. They knew the terms of the contract.
• They knew the terms<01:40:00.960> of<01:40:01.119> the<01:40:01.280> contract.
• <01:40:02.000> When<01:40:02.239> that terms of the contract.
• When that terms of the contract.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's startling if you look at where we are as a state in terms of fraud. What is the equation?
• It's startling if you look at where we are as a state in terms of fraud. What is the equation?
• It's startling if you look at where we are as a state in terms of fraud. What is the equation?
• <00:02:37.519> of<00:02:37.800> fraud we are at as a state in terms of fraud we are
• All agencies would be required to use it under this proposal, which would include vendor contracts and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The order provides an opportunity to take steps toward long-term economic and strategic security for
• No one knows the long-term effects of modifying sunlight, cloud cover, or atmospheric temperatures and
• of the district school superintendent to reassign the teacher during the period of the contract.
• This is prior to the expiration of the 2028 exemption of the cost per student station limit.
• Secretary: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 316, a bill to be entitled an act relating to Limited

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• purpose fee-for-service contracts.
• of figuring this out, in terms of working together, and in terms of honoring each other, and honoring
• It really has meant a lot. in terms of figuring this out, in terms in terms of figuring this out, in
• It limits the long-term financial liabilities created by the bill, which would alleviate the concerns
• the contracting local governments. the contracting local governments.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill when um during my first term this bill when um during my first term in<00:02:56.480>
• <00:04:45.360> and law, it is handled with contracts and law, it is handled with contracts
• is limited. I think it was 3 3.7. is limited. I think it was 3 3.7.
• that um the risk to the state in terms that um the risk to the state in terms of<01:25:09.280>
• then lastly, co-create a long-term then lastly, co-create a long-term strategy<01:30:03.040>

Bills: HF4609, HF4401

Keywords: infertility, fertility treatment, fertility preservation, IVF, assisted reproductive technology, ART, oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, egg freezing, sperm freezing, reproductive health, maternity coverage, health insurance mandate, health plan benefits, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, family planning, oncology fertility preservation, chemotherapy

Transcript Highlights:

• Tarr, rate ban limits for outpatient primary care services. All those in favor... Oh, what a shock.
• health care services, primary health care services, ...for contracted health care services, primary
• health care services, and establish a rate ban, which would be a reasonable upper limit based on that
• lower limit so that there's a window of reimbursement for primary care services.
• They do their best with limited resources that they have available to them.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a primary care health care bill and also took up a separate literacy bill. Several amendments were withdrawn, including one on artificial intelligence in health care and others related to cost controls, direct primary care, and provider studies. The Senate adopted amendments on preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness, modernizing the definition of primary care, clarifying payment rates for community health centers, excluding pharmaceutical spending from primary care expenditure calculations, and strengthening health equity reporting. Other amendments on rate bands, alternative payment systems, private equity reporting, scope of practice, and ownership disclosure were rejected. The Senate then approved the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the primary care bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up final passage of An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy, with senators describing it as a long-awaited compromise focused on improving early reading outcomes. Supporters said the bill requires evidence-based K-3 literacy curricula, regular student screening and family notification, dyslexia screening protocols, professional development for teachers, and a free state-developed curriculum option. Senators emphasized the need to address declining third-grade reading proficiency and equity gaps. The bill passed to be enacted by a unanimous roll call and was sent to the Governor. After the literacy bill, the Senate returned to the primary care bill, where senators again debated cost containment, innovation, and access. The final version included the adopted amendments and was passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed, adjourning in memory of Henry Thomas III, former Representative Ben Swan, and Mr. Dennis Frane.

Transcript Highlights:

• He removed Section D1, which talks about the prohibition of private contracts.
• <00:49:52.119> should indicative of what a contract should indicative of what a contract should
• <03:05:28.439> to 1352 yeah okay so they're limited to 1352 yeah okay so they're limited to
• <03:09:39.640> on details yet for the the limitations on details yet for the the limitations
• We've heard the term “Final Fix” over and over.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language. The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent. Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.

Transcript Highlights:

• to have a more of a longer term focus. to have a more of a longer term focus.
• The contract 638 I'm very familiar with. The contract 638 I'm very familiar with.
• hold the contract for that. hold the contract for that.
• terms of service. terms of service.
• We're not going to contract at this us. We're not going to contract at this one. one. one.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll next talk about estimates of the 2023 market size and data limitations.
• We have already issued an RFI for a long-term reporting system.
• This all limits its ability to ensure patient safety.
• DOH posts data to its website, though it provides limited analysis of the data.
• DOH post data to its website, though it provides limited analysis of the data.

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a contracted vendor for the I-Connect platform, yes.
• So as a part of, as we mentioned, the original contract was 2015.
• That original contract ended in June of 2024.
• You said there was a renewed contract.
• It was the original contract.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy presentation on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ I-Connect system, based on an ILAB assessment of the platform’s performance and requirements. ILAB said the system provides useful centralized records, reporting, compliance support, and audit trails, but users described it as cumbersome, outdated, and inefficient, with excessive manual entry, weak navigation, limited notifications, no mobile app, poor printing/export options, and performance issues. ILAB also said the original 2013-era requirements were too high-level and that only a portion of the requirements could be verified, with some features de-scoped or never implemented. Their recommendations included better integration with electronic health record systems, improved performance monitoring, electronic signatures, OCR, and more modern export and verification tools. Public testimony from providers and advocates echoed those concerns. A support coordination provider said the system is nicknamed “I Disconnect,” described problems with EVV/GPS sign-ins, lengthy support plans, lack of a phone app, and possible HIPAA concerns. Another advocate said the system should have preserved family access to records and criticized the need for providers to use workarounds and additional software. APD staff said the agency has spent about $19.7 million through FY 2023-24, has regular build updates under the current contract with WellSky, and uses an internal help desk and vendor ticketing process to triage bugs versus enhancement requests. They said some issues are handled case-by-case, critical tickets have SLAs, and the agency is working on interoperability and other requested improvements. Members questioned whether the system should be fixed or replaced, whether the original contract and SaaS arrangement were sufficient, and whether the state received value for the money spent. APD said the system went live in phases and that all functionality was in place by June 2024, while ILAB and members noted significant technical debt and unresolved gaps. The committee also discussed record retention, provider access to records after a consumer changes providers, and whether federal funding or compliance could be affected. The meeting ended with broader budget remarks emphasizing completion over expansion, stronger upfront planning for technology projects, and more accountability before funding new systems or major enhancements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you also contracted by the utilities, or will be contracted by utilities, to create what they're
• First, these customers must sign a long-term contract, at least 12 to 17 years, making them financially
• It's really that long-term contract and all of those financial guarantees, the collateral payments, the
• We've started to bake them into our longer-term forecasts, and they've signed contracts.
• We've started to bake them into our longer-term forecasts, and they've signed contracts to pay for that

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rentals instead of short-term rentals.
• The part that I have problems with is there's no limit.
• When we talk about long-term rentals, somebody could say it's a long-term rental.
• Yes, there are going to be limitations.
• Yes, there are going to be limitations.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was outside the statute of limitations.
• I mean, the statute of limitations expired on this almost 12 years ago.
• I mean, the statute of limitations expired on this almost 12 years ago.
• The scope of absolute judicial immunity is limited.
• This was a breach of construction contract case. Mr.

Summary: The committee first reviewed litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing involving wage claims brought under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act. Members questioned the department’s authority, jurisdiction, use of attorney fees and costs, and whether defendants had to be licensed. The department explained it has long enforced wage and overtime laws, that the claims were small-dollar cases handled by investigators and counsel, and that one case had been paid and dismissed while others were unresolved or had service issues. The committee voted to review or batch-file the labor cases after discussion. The University of Arkansas System then reported three pending lawsuits: an age- and race-discrimination claim by a tenured professor that was resolved early; an ADA/FMLA retaliation claim by a former employee that survived in part on a motion to dismiss and was moving into discovery; and a Section 1983 claim against a UAMS sergeant arising from a parking-ticket dispute, with the university explaining that only punitive damages could create personal exposure for the officer. The committee reviewed each report and voted to accept them. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000 and waiving interest and penalties, which the committee approved for review. The Claims Commission then presented several claims: an unpaid salary differential for a Department of Health employee, reissued warrants, unpaid DHS bills, and multiple negotiated settlements involving ATRS, UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT. Members approved or affirmed most of these items, including a $65,000 settlement in the Tetronics/ATRS matter, a $150,000 medical-negligence settlement, and several vehicle-accident settlements. The most extended debate involved a tax-delinquent property sale claim by Sharon Greer and relatives. The claimant argued they were not properly notified and sought the $4,200 excess from the 2009 sale. Land Commissioner counsel explained the excess had escheated to the county after the statutory claim period expired, while members debated sovereign immunity, standing, heirs, and whether the committee could or should award money anyway. The committee ultimately chose to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session rather than decide it immediately. The committee also heard appeals from dismissed claims, including a UAMS medical-negligence claim, a land-sale notice claim, a pothole claim against ARDOT, and a judicial-immunity claim against the Court of Appeals; most dismissals were affirmed, and the Simpson matter was held over for additional review after the claimant testified.