Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Patel, thank you for joining, and I'm sure other members, as is this time slot tends
• , get an appropriate appointment, get the continuity of care appointment.
• We have members and providers here...
• Thank you, Assembly Member Carrillo. Assembly Member Schiavo.
• Good afternoon, Chair and members.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on Kaiser Permanente’s behavioral health care system, focusing on Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) enforcement actions, Kaiser’s corrective action work plan, and member access to timely behavioral health services. DMHC officials reviewed a long history of deficiencies and enforcement, including a 2012 survey and fine, a 2017 settlement, a 2022 non-routine survey that found multiple deficiencies in Northern and Southern California, and a 2023 settlement that included a $50 million penalty and $150 million in required community investments over five years. Officials said Kaiser’s corrective action work plan was initially too vague, was revised after extensive meetings, and will be monitored through quarterly reports, ongoing surveys, complaint review, and possible additional enforcement if Kaiser fails to comply. Committee members pressed DMHC on what “timely access” means, how continuity of care should work in behavioral health, and how the department evaluates whether treatment is clinically appropriate. DMHC explained that appointments generally should be available within about two weeks for initial care, within days for urgent needs, and within 10 days for follow-up, with out-of-network care required when in-network access is unavailable. Officials also said the department looks at complaints, medical records, surveys, and annual timely-access reporting, and that the help center can assist enrollees in real time. Members raised concerns that the corrective action plan lacked specific dates and metrics, and DMHC said the quarterly reporting process is intended to provide more detail and flexibility as implementation continues. In the second panel, a Kaiser enrollee described delayed and inadequate care for his daughter after a suicide attempt, including long waits for follow-up, intensive outpatient treatment, and dialectical behavior therapy. A Kennedy Forum representative argued that stronger transparency, standardized reporting, and more aggressive corrective enforcement are needed, including out-of-network reimbursement when networks are inadequate. A Kaiser therapist and NUHW member testified that short appointment times, heavy caseloads, inappropriate referrals, and pressure to use group therapy or webinars undermine clinical care, while NUHW’s president said Kaiser systematically undervalues behavioral health compared with medical-surgical care, especially in Southern California, and urged legislative action. Several lawmakers echoed concerns about Kaiser’s absence from the hearing and asked about workforce shortages, regional disparities, and whether the state’s remedies are arriving too slowly to protect patients in real time.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have gubernatorial appointment 9-016. We do have gubernatorial appointment 9060 before us.
• the appointment be confirmed.
• Gubernatorial appointment 9169.
• the appointment be confirmed.
• Gubernatorial appointment 9266.

Summary: The Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee met in executive session on cutoff day and received staff briefings on several gubernatorial appointments and bills, including SB 6248 on travel insurance, SB 5976 on false subject lines in commercial emails, SB 6079 on a wildfire mitigation grant program, SB 6250 on small loan principal limits, SB 6257 on real estate appraiser trainee licensing tolling, SB 6289 on the Department of Commerce’s economic development strategic plan, SB 6230 on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, and SB 6149 on the definition of rural counties. Staff also noted a new substitute for SB 6149 that narrowed the rural county definition and reduced the fiscal impact. The committee briefly paused for caucus before taking action. In executive session, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of gubernatorial appointments 9060 (Alicia Levy), 9169 (Michael Charles), 9265 (Brian Bennett), and 9266 (Noah Skartford), all subject to signatures. It then advanced SB 6248, SB 6079, SB 6250, SB 6257, SB 6289, SB 6230, and SB 6149, generally by adopting proposed substitutes and sending the bills to Rules, except SB 6079, which was sent to Ways and Means. SB 5976 was not considered. At the close of the meeting, the chair thanked members, stakeholders, and staff for their work during the short session and noted the committee had completed its agenda. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has four core actors: the State Board, an 11-member body that's appointed by the governor.
• entirely, and ensuring that all members of the state board are appointed by the governor.
• to appoint.
• The State Board, whose members are all appointed by the governor, is, quote, in Education Code, the governing
• for the first time, which, as was discussed earlier, would become the only member who is not appointed

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee first heard two bills. AB 1665 by Assemblymember Pacheco would require school sports coaches to complete approved mental health training. Supporters said coaches are trusted adults who are often first to notice student-athlete distress, and a witness described personal experience with body image and disordered eating pressures in athletics. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved out of committee on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, ultimately passing 9-0 after add-on votes. AB 2316 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow charter schools to apply for the same financial hardship relief in the state school facilities program that traditional districts can seek. Supporters argued this would improve parity and help smaller and low-income charter schools access permanent facilities; some initially opposed agencies said their concerns were addressed by amendments. The bill also passed unanimously, 9-0, to Appropriations. The committee then took up a consent calendar containing 12 additional measures, including bills on education funding, facilities, and other school-related matters, plus a resolution. Those items were approved on a 7-0 vote, with the roll left open for add-on votes. After the bill hearing portion was recessed and later reconvened, additional members added votes to AB 1665, AB 2316, and the consent calendar, bringing each to 9-0. The committee then held an informational hearing on state-level education governance, centered on Governor Newsom’s proposal to restructure the California Department of Education and the role of the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, with AB 2117 serving as a policy vehicle carrying the same language and no action to be taken. Testimony came from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Education Commission of the States, and former CDE chief deputy Richard Zager. Witnesses reviewed the history of California’s governance structure, compared it with other states, and discussed accountability, legislative oversight, and the role of the superintendent under the proposal. Committee members raised concerns about preserving checks and balances, the fiscal implementation plan, county-office relationships, and whether the superintendent’s role would be reduced too far; no vote was taken at the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no additional members in the queue for discussion.
• The Governor's appointments and reappointments...
• The Governor's appointments are confirmed in block.
• I rise in opposition to these appointments.
• I do not believe that these appointments, I apologize, I do not believe these appointments through the

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:

• He serves as a non-lawyer member of the Idaho Judicial Council.
• He serves as a non-lawyer member of the Idaho Judicial Council.
• He serves as a non-lawyer member of the Idaho Judiciary.
• He serves as a non-lawyer member of the Idaho Judicial Council.
• He's served on the magistrate commission council as a member.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board, whose members are all appointed by the Governor, is, quote, the governing and policy-determining
• This would become the only member throughout our state's history who is not appointed by the Governor
• They’ve said, well, I get to appoint members of the State Board of Education, but of course those aren
• So this would be the first time that you have a non-gubernatorially appointed member of the State Board
• So I know there have been some suggestions that there could be some governor-appointed board members

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Members, do you have other questions? Members, do you have other questions?
• </c><00:48:20.319><c> Members,</c> no. And that motion is adopted. Members, no.
• Members, other questions or France. Members, other questions or comments?
• Senator Pappas asked on line 2.6 who appoints the member with climate science expertise.
• from members and those appointed<01:12:50.080><c> to</c><01:12:50.239><c> those</c><01:12:50.560><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have one member being appointed to the, uh, Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
• Uh, we have one member being appointed to the, uh, Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
• And that's serving at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Members, do you have questions?
• Uh, we have one member being<00:21:36.080><c> appointed</c><00:21:36.400><c> to</c><00:21:36.640><c>
• Uh, she has served on this committee in the past as a member appointed by the House of Representatives

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I move that Amy Perez, Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9092, be confirmed as a member
• Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9103, Carl Bruner, is confirmed as a member of the Skagit Valley
• I move that Laura Flores, Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9116, be confirmed as a member of the
• President, I move that Susan Kane, Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9269, be confirmed as a member
• Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9269, Susan Kane, is confirmed as a member of the State Board of

Transcript Highlights:

• the appointment be confirmed.
• Gubernatorial appointment 9169.
• the appointment be confirmed.
• Gubernatorial appointment 9266.
• that the appointment be confirmed.

Bills: SB6248 , SB5976 , SB6079 , SB6250 , SB6257 , SB6289 , SB6230 , SB6312 , SB6149 , SGA9060 , SGA9169 , SGA9265 , SGA9266

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: travel insurance, travel protection plan, travel assistance services, cancellation fee waiver, travel retailer, travel administrator, limited lines producer, insurance producer license, blanket travel insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel medical coverage, emergency evacuation, repatriation, inland marine, premium tax, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, insurance commissioner, Washington RCW

Transcript Highlights:

• The board includes 12 members, 11 appointed by the governor and one appointed by the Commissioner of
• Members appointed by the governor are limited to three consecutive terms.
• members, 11 appointed by the governor and<00:13:06.720><c> one</c><00:13:06.880><c> appointed</c><00
• <c> governor</c><00:13:16.400><c> are</c> Members appointed by the governor are Members appointed by
• and 12 members appointed by the Governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Frazier, Senate gubernatorial appointment number 9306, be confirmed as a member of the Board of Tax Appeals
• I move that Sharmila Swenson, Senate Gubernatorial Appointment Number 9158, be confirmed as a member
• I move that Sharmila Swenson, Senate Gubernatorial Appointment Number 9158, be confirmed as a member
• Senate Gubernatorial Appointment Number 9158, Sharmila Swenson, is confirmed as a member of the Highline
• Insurance Appeals. appointment number 9140 be confirmed as a member of the Board of Industrial Insurance

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675 , HB2426 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint a committee of four members
• Speaker, I move that the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint a committee of four members
• Speaker, I move that the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint a committee of four members
• Speaker, I move that the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint a committee of four members
• Speaker, I move that the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint a committee of four members

Transcript Highlights:

• Sha, please read the appointments listed on the consent calendar. >> A lot of consents. >> Member of
• Sha, appointments consent calendar. Mr.
• </c> Pines, Colorado to serve as a member Pines, Colorado to serve as a member from<00:24:39.440><c>
• </c><00:24:43.039><c> Members</c><00:24:43.279><c> of</c><00:24:43.360><c> the</c> Members of the Fire
• Appointed members of the board of trustees for Western Colorado University, for a term expiring December

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the appointing his or her new member. Uh the appointing his or her new member.
• member, again appointed by the speaker of the house. appointed by the speaker of the house. appointed
• member of the board shall each appointed member of the board shall each appointed member of the board
• rejects any appointed member, then the appointing authority uh member, then the appointing authority
• Each appointed member of the state. D. Each appointed member of the state. D.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'd like to grant the request of the Senate to appoint a conference committee on Senate Bill
• Speaker, members, I've moved to grant the request of the Senate to appoint a conference committee on
• Members, I move to grant the request of the Senate to appoint a conference committee on Senate Bill 23
• Members, I move to grant the report. request of the Senate to appoint a conference committee on Senate
• I refuse to consider a Senate amendment to request appointment. Members, Mr.

Bills: HB149 , HB2017 , HB705 , HB223 , HB 1056 , HB2854 , HB4623 , HB3000 , HB46 , HB 117 , HB3619 , HB4464 , HB5646 , HCR84 , HB500 , HB2963 , HB5509 , HB1973 , HB3909 , HB718 , HB252 , HB5666 , HB 119 , HB346 , HB5624 , HB5658 , HB5677 , HB1545 , HB3073 , HB4081 , HB 121 , HB4236 , HB3848 , HB4144 , HB40 , HB5682 , HB3697 , HB3333 , HB3642 , HB20 , HB549 , HB2731 , HB4233 , HB4690 , HB 127 , HB2525 , SB1637 , SB1 , SB1198 , SB509 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB268 , SB331 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1540 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2337 , SB2753 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB14

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, community supervision, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, municipality, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• at large, appointed.
• > the</c><01:03:52.200><c> task</c> appoint additional members to the task appoint additional members
• Appointed member of the Juvenile Parole Board: Tiffany Pelham Webb of Denver, Colorado, to serve as a
• </c><01:32:39.640><c> Parole</c> appointed member of the Juvenile Parole appointed member of the Juvenile
• Seeing none, the motion is the appointment of members to the Board of Governors for Colorado State University

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports and appointment recommendations. Committees reported favorably on a number of bills and appointments, including local government, health and human services, transportation and energy, business/labor/technology, and judiciary items. The chamber also announced a change on the Senate Finance Committee, with Senator Adrian Benavidez appointed to replace Senator Julie Gonzales for the remainder of the session. A major floor item was House Bill 1136, creating the Pathways to Public Service Program in the Department of Personnel and Administration to identify coursework that could qualify students for entry-level state government jobs. Supporters said it would help attract young people to public service and fill state vacancies using existing resources; opponents argued it promoted government employment over private-sector careers and could expand government unnecessarily. After debate, the Senate adopted the bill on second reading, and the Committee of the Whole report later reflected that HB 1136 passed second reading and was ordered revised and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 1023 recognizing Latino/Latina Advocacy Day after reading it at length and hearing remarks in support of civic engagement and Latino participation in policymaking. In addition, the chamber concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 74, which clarifies penalties and procedures related to excessive claims in public construction performance bond disputes; the bill then passed again on re-passage. Several other bills, including Senate Bill 63 and remaining calendar items, were laid over to later dates, and the Senate also considered and began processing consent-calendar gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it gives the appointing authority the ability to appoint and remove library board members.
• of an appointing authority may serve as a member of a local library board."
• No, this allows appointing members. Now, they could serve.
• This clears it up to make sure they know that appointing authority and member could have served on the
• </c> appointing bodies would just appoint appointing bodies would just appoint themselves.<00:37:04.960

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that Noah Scarfitt's Senate gubernatorial appointment number 9266 be confirmed as a member of
• And it's an interesting appointment because it confirms a long history of having a member.
• An interesting appointment because it confirms a long history of having a member of the firefighter on
• Senate gubernatorial appointment 9266, Noah Scartvet is confirmed as a member of the Gambling Commission
• Foucai, Senate gubernatorial appointment number 9262, be confirmed as a member of the Spokane Colleges

Transcript Highlights:

• the appointment be confirmed.
• the appointment be confirmed.
• that the appointment be confirmed.
• that the appointment be confirmed.
• that the appointment be confirmed.

Summary: The State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee met on February 24, 2026, for what was described as its last regular meeting of the session. The committee reviewed a large slate of bills and gubernatorial appointments, with staff briefing measures on voting rights, voter registration challenges, military justice victims’ rights, terminology changes from “alien” to “non-citizen,” shared leave for hate-crime and immigration-enforcement-related absences, civil service coverage for Washington Technology Solutions security staff, language-access services, small works roster limits, deceased candidates on ballots, postgraduate degree requirements, foreign national participation in elections, public records exemptions, and personal information protections. Several amendments were discussed, including changes to voting-rights language, county-residency requirements for voter-registration challengers, and a proposal on foreign national certifications; a satirical amendment to the terminology bill referencing “extraterrestrial” was also presented and later withdrawn. After caucus, the committee moved into executive session and took action on four gubernatorial appointments, recommending confirmation for Megan Matthews, Reedy Mukapade, Kiana Daniels, and Gauri Shratria, all subject to signatures. The committee then voted out the bills, generally on unanimous voice votes, sending most to the Rules Committee and several fiscal measures to Ways and Means. Amendments were adopted on HB 1710, HB 1750, HB 1916, and HB 2123, while the amendment to HB 2632 was withdrawn. HB 2574 and HB 2637 were noted as not being moved that day. The chair and members closed by thanking staff for their work and adjourned the meeting.