Transcript Highlights:

• on Hispanic Affairs, Nina Gallo, Lordeus Herensia, Laura Isordoria, Mathias Tejillo del Doyos; Home Care
• Long-term Care and Miss Traceries Board, Curry Crimson; Oregon Board of Maritime bullets, Elliot Levin
• , Care and Ministry, Lassau, Eric Scar.
• Long-term Care and Miss Traceries Board, Curry Crimson, Oregon Board of Maritime bullets, Elliot Levin
• way of making sure that we are improving education in Oregon and that professionals are included at

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy. The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate. The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOUSING FOR CARING YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND OUR PUBLIC SAFETY THREAT.
• BUT WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE BEDS TO CARE FOR THESE KIDS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE MONEY THAT IS WHAT HURTS
• THE RATE OF THESE PROCEDURES AND THE NEED FOR INFIRMARY BASED POSTEVENT CARE FOR HOSPITAL VISITS HAD
• RESPECTIVELY AS LONG AS IN ADDITION TO LONG TERM ACUTE CARE SPACE IS AVAILABLE.
• IN THIS CASE AND OF THE COURT WAS CAREFUL TO CONSIDER WHAT IT KNOWS ABOUT ITS CASELOAD AND GROWTH.

Transcript Highlights:

• The health care landscape is evolving.
• We provide registered dietitian services in long-term care, senior living, and post-acute care, including
• In long-term care and post-acute care settings, nutrition is not optional.
• rural dental health care?
• Is there any research been done that it has improved rural dental health care?

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• in a manner that they can’t take care of themselves.
• in a manner that they can’t take care of themselves.
• They may depend on the community to have to take care of them.
• </c><00:46:40.680><c> and</c><00:46:40.880><c> information</c> healthc Care and information healthc Care
• passed that we need to improve.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working internally and with Health Care Authority on a more state-specific, Health Care Authority-specific
• The last few forecasts I intend to cover are in long-term care.
• In this case, the balance improved. So it was about $1.1 billion.
• We saw in Eric Cornelia's presentation today things like home care in DHS, long-term care and developmental
• HCA, the largest drivers related to managed care rates.

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met for a work session and first heard an economic and revenue forecast update from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. The forecast described moderate U.S. growth, elevated near-term inflation, weak Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and slower housing permit activity. Revenues were revised up about $105 million for the current biennium and down about $185 million for the next biennium, with uncertainty tied largely to tariffs, federal policy, and the recent federal shutdown. Members asked about the outlook for February, income inequality, and housing affordability; the presenter said the forecast does not measure income distribution and that housing permit data does not directly address affordability. The committee then received a caseload forecast update. Most forecasts were unchanged or nearly unchanged, but several programs moved: Washington College Grant caseloads rose, TANF and Working Connections changed due to immigration-related assumptions and updated policy timing, and long-term care caseloads increased. The largest change was in Medicaid low-income adults, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce caseloads significantly through narrower non-citizen eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. Members raised concerns about downstream effects such as uncompensated care and higher premiums, and the presenter noted some effects could be delayed depending on federal implementation guidance. A wildfire funding and 2025 fire season update followed. Staff explained the state’s base wildfire suppression funding and estimated a supplemental need of about $139 million in state funds. DNR reported a busy fire year with lower snowpack, drought, more than 1,100 DNR jurisdictional fires, about 76,000 acres burned, 31 aircraft used, 690 DNR firefighters, and 350 out-of-state resources brought in; the agency said its suppression effectiveness improved to 94.1% of fires kept under 10 acres. Questions focused on National Guard use, aircraft counts, and the higher number of residences lost in complex fires. The committee then heard a budget preview showing the near general fund outlook worsening to about a $4.3 billion ending balance by fiscal year 2029 after maintenance-level costs, while noting that policy items such as wildfire costs and liability account decisions were not yet built in. The final major topic was the state’s tort liability and self-insurance account, where the Risk Manager reported a sharp rise in indemnity costs, from $223 million in fiscal year 2023 to nearly $500 million in fiscal year 2025, driven largely by DCYF claims, especially sex abuse cases. Defense costs also rose as the Attorney General’s Office relied more on special assistant attorneys general to handle volume. Members asked about older claims, comparisons with other states, insurance coverage, and whether costs might decline if the AG’s office hires more attorneys. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust about statewide water shortages, declining snowpack, drought, overappropriated basins, and the need for more storage, recharge, conservation, and enforcement. Tribal witnesses emphasized water sovereignty, salmon habitat, and the need for tribes to be involved early in legislation, while Ecology described major projects in the Odessa and Yakima basins and the challenges of climate change and legal constraints. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a woman who pioneered gender-affirming care the Stonewall uprising.
• It was a woman who pioneered gender-affirming care in the United States.
• It was a woman who cared for members of our community at the height of the AIDS crisis.
• We took care of the babies, we took care of the husband, we cleaned the house.
• You've worked tirelessly to improve your community.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then dispensed with the reading of the prior journal and handled routine motions, including re-referring AB 432 and AB 564 to committees. The main item of business was House Resolution 14, proclaiming March 2025 as Women’s History Month. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from the LGBTQ, Native American, Asian American Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, Jewish, and other caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing women’s historical contributions, ongoing inequities, and the importance of representation and parity in public life. Assemblymember DeMaio also supported the resolution while urging attention to girls’ sports. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 78 coauthors were added. The chamber then held its annual California Women of the Year ceremony, with Aguiar-Curry and other members recognizing honorees from across Assembly districts for leadership in education, health care, public service, advocacy, business, and community work. The lengthy roll call highlighted a broad range of women’s accomplishments and community impact. Guest introductions followed, including Sacramento District Attorney Tien Ho, VSP Vision Care executives celebrating the company’s 70th anniversary, and EMTs and ambulance support staff being honored by the California Ambulance Association. The Assembly also took up the second-day consent calendar, which was adopted 71-0. Assemblymember Schultz then delivered an adjournment in memory of Barbara Beckley, founding member and artistic director emerita of the Colony Theatre Company, praising her contributions to Los Angeles theater and the arts. The House then adjourned until Thursday, March 13 at 9 a.m., with a Revenue and Taxation Committee hearing scheduled upon adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, another, uh, technical targeted bill to improve how, um, this one would improve how OCM, the Office
• how um this one targeted bill to improve how um this one would<00:04:23.840><c> improve</c><00:04:24.200
• </c><00:24:14.840><c> accountability</c> Uh the goal is to improve accountability Uh the goal is to improve
• The park does not take care of dead The park does not take care of dead trees. trees. trees.
• </c> case across our full health care case across our full health care continuum<01:46:01.800><c> with

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciative of that strong support in your investment in performance-based funding that's helped us improve
• Our goals are ambitious and prove that we want to continue to improve.
• Since 2011, our system has improved our four-year graduation rates by 25 percentage points.
• We've used these funds every single year to partner with the health care providers in the local area,
• and we've taken the funds and they've been able to partner with the local health care providers...

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, and its legislative budget request. University officials described the plan’s five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. They highlighted Florida’s continued status as the top higher education system in the nation, low tuition, strong graduation outcomes, rising median wages for graduates, and expanded use of the My Florida Future website to help students and families compare degree outcomes and earnings. Members asked for follow-up information on programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and social work workforce needs, wage data over time, and how the system supports innovation moving toward commercialization. The committee also discussed campus safety, prompted in part by recent events at FSU. System officials said universities and the Florida College System recently held a safety summit to share best practices on building security, threat assessment, and coordination with law enforcement, and they agreed to provide a report back to the committee after the Board of Governors reviews recommendations in November. Senators also raised questions about Pell student support, first-generation student success, and whether liberal arts graduates’ earnings catch up over time. Officials said Pell students are tracked through performance-based funding metrics and that the system’s accountability plans will continue to emphasize access and completion. A separate update covered line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and licensure preparation. They reported over 1,900 new nursing graduates, more than 200 new student slots, over 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff said that issue would be revisited this year. The Board of Governors’ legislative budget request totaled $634.5 million and included $295 million for performance-based funding institutional investment, a request to restore and increase the state investment portion to $400 million, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for State Fire Marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions lie ahead. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We applaud updates to other programs that have a proven record. of improving student outcomes, including
• We appreciate the bill's targeted investments that are focused on improving student outcomes, which will
• Section 1.07, improving alignment between child care scholarships and pre-kindergarten eligibility. also
• Without a willing district partner, child care programs have no pathway to engage.
• We must also include a policy lever giving eligible children in child care programs a direct pathway

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• It will be safer and will have improved clearance for the movement of freight.
• like RRFBs installed or additional roadway lighting to improve safety.
• This is improved.
• communities that we serve and improving quality of life for all.
• That's all thanks to the hiring. improved while we're waiting for those.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• out-of-pocket legal expenses, while institutions absorb investigative and legal costs that do not improve
• These barriers are perhaps greatest for our students who have experienced foster care or unaccompanied
• By ensuring that youth who have experienced foster care and homelessness are automatically qualified
• This bill also improves transparency by providing clear communication... ...great success.
• And these improvements will help catch fraud earlier.

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:

• The state-tribal relationships have improved, but there is much more to be done.
• But this came about because of wise and careful decisions made by. each of the tribal governments.
• Question from the Senate: When calculating your revenue-sharing, are those capital-improvement costs?
• We truly believe that the state can be a great place to work, but some major improvements need to be
• While they have been a huge improvement and have prevented me from being completely forced out of my

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:16.080><c> program</c> yeah, we did actually improve program yeah, we did actually improve
• 00:32:17.760><c> the</c><00:32:17.919><c> past</c> improved in performance over the past improved in
• We're always interested in improving our technology and improving our approach to doing things.
• We're always interested in improving our technology and improving our approach to doing things.
• We're always interested in improving our technology and improving our approach to doing things.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• It is for payment for children in foster care and in a community reintegration program.
• Number 18, DHS Division of Medical Services with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care.
• Number 18, DHS Division of Medical Services with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care.
• Number 28, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton with Daisy Lawn Care.
• Number 29, UA with AMS Cornerstone Child Care Center.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The subcommittee first considered a used tire program contract for Arkansas District 4, an $88,000 one-year contract with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could leave the district unable to pay. Questions also focused on solicitation language that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. On motion, the committee held the contract until next month and encouraged the tire board to appear. Members then reviewed and, without objection, moved forward a series of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included multiple university and college projects such as renovations, roof replacements, a new UCA multipurpose arena, and a revised financing package for UA Fayetteville’s Maple Hill residence hall. The committee also reviewed DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition outreach, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, maternal health, and rural hospital quality improvement. The committee next handled contract items, including a UAMS ratification for FMLA Source after an amendment was not submitted for review and payments continued past expiration; UAMS said it had retrained staff and would review for other missed contracts. Members also reviewed numerous construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts across state agencies and universities. Questions were raised about an out-of-state aeronautics study, a U of A Fayetteville parking guidance system, and a Veterans Affairs nursing contract. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after informational reports on contract amendments and minor contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• within your tab one, and it's a report on the committee's previous objections to the Agency for Health Care
• By letter dated March 5, 2025, the Agency for Health Care Administration advised the committee that it
• Andrew Sheeran, I'm the General Counsel for the Agency for Health Care Administration.
• Those two of those rules relate to health care licensing, and three relate to certificates of need.
• These improvements aren't just limited to Solaris.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee reviewed several agency rules and objections under Chapter 120. First, the committee revisited prior objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules containing sunset provisions. AHCA’s general counsel said the agency amended 26 of the objected rules but declined to amend five others, arguing sunset provisions are lawful, are not themselves rules, and were consistent with a 2019 gubernatorial directive. Committee members questioned that position, especially for licensing and certificate-of-need rules, and urged the agency to consider legislative changes; no formal action was taken on that item during the discussion. The committee then considered an objection to Department of Management Services Rule 60G-1.001 defining the Governor’s Mansion grounds. Committee staff argued the rule is vague and improperly refers to future land acquisitions without updating the rule since 1998. DMS defended the rule as a general definition tied to publicly recorded property and a master lease, but said it would not object if the Legislature chose to codify the definition in statute. After discussion, the committee voted to file the objection. Members also received informational updates from the Department of Environmental Protection on the Solaris state lands inventory system, and from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on its response to the Tampa Bay Downs unadopted-rule litigation, in which the commission said it has stopped relying on the prior tax interpretation and will not promulgate a rule on that issue. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation said it would remove an unsupported cigar wholesale dealer permit reference, repeal an obsolete excise-tax deduction rule, and amend penalty guidelines and an affirmation in its alcohol, beverage, and tobacco rules. Finally, the Division of Administrative Hearings’ interim director discussed case-processing times, possible changes to ALJ status, and whether the Florida Rules of Evidence should apply in administrative proceedings, emphasizing the need to weigh costs, independence, and impacts on pro se litigants. The chair noted this was likely the committee’s final meeting of the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they just didn't care. You know, this makes sure they care.
• Predictable timelines also improve planning across the board.
• Right now, sole proprietors and they access health care coverage.
• But we reached a point where we need health care for our family.
• I wouldn't care if it was 1 to 25.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first went into executive session on House Bill 2099, adopting a House committee substitute and an amendment clarifying language about non-private, non-commercial property and authorized agents, including executors, administrators, trustees, and verified heirs. Members discussed the amendment as a way to prevent people from exploiting recent obituaries to occupy property without authorization. The committee then voted unanimously to do pass the House committee substitute for HB 2099. The main public hearing was on House Bill 1791, which would set deadlines for political subdivisions to act on building permit applications and reduce fees if deadlines are missed. The sponsor and supporters, including the Missouri Municipal League’s critics from the construction industry, argued the bill would reduce costly delays, improve predictability, and help housing and business development. Opponents from municipal groups said the bill could create liability concerns, impose one-size-fits-all mandates on cities of different sizes, and interfere with local inspection and safety processes. Several witnesses said they were willing to work on the bill’s definitions and timelines, but no vote was taken in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2465, which would let sole proprietors and single-member businesses obtain group health coverage outside the ACA framework and would revise the employee-count threshold from two to one, with discussion about whether the upper limit should remain 50 or be changed. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses, especially family-run firms, access more affordable and flexible coverage, including out-of-network options; one witness described personal difficulty obtaining coverage for a spouse who works in the business. Members raised questions about federal implications and the impact of changing the 50-employee cap, but the hearing ended without a recorded vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2717, a storage-unit and public notice bill that would modernize notice requirements by reducing reliance on newspaper advertisements, allow electronic delivery of rental agreements, shorten certain notice periods, and address storage units being used as housing. Supporters said the bill reflects current business practices and improves communication and efficiency, while opponents focused on preserving newspaper notice and raised concerns about public awareness and process. The sponsor said the bill had been repeatedly introduced in prior sessions and was intended to update the industry’s rules; the hearing concluded without final action in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, they don't care, right?
• Can't do that going to Washington, D.C., nor do they care.
• You talked about rural health care, I guess, premium—not premiums, but individual health care plans improving
• access to health care.
• People also report higher productivity and improved mood.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The restoration times were improved.
• I care to say. But I have to tell our story today.
• , improved vegetation management.
• Those are the improvements in reliability do too.
• And >> I however >> my office is very careful about not engaging.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the Mass Ready Act improves infrastructure.
• It includes $764 million for DCR improvements to support core infrastructure like roads, bridges, and
• Really grateful for the improvements that are coming to Dross Evan Park; it's very exciting, and DCR
• Really grateful for the improvements that are coming to Dross Evan Park; it's very exciting, and DCR
• Amending them will take care of ambiguous language currently in the environmental bond bill.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record. Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language. Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{

Transcript Highlights:

• But improve, and I heard the word trust just one more time.
• It is an improvement on what we have.
• I really don't care about it."
• For employers, these improvements matter.
• either not improving fast enough or...

Bills: HB8

Committee: House Public Education