Transcript Highlights:

• That program was interrupted by the Great Recession in 2008.
• That program was interrupted by the Great Recession in 2008. The Great Recession had...
• Can I just interrupt?

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair—sorry to interrupt, I was just going to close. Madam Chair, sorry to interrupt.
• I'm sorry to interrupt you, but you're out of time. Oh, okay. Sorry.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Induced abortion means the purposeful interruption of pregnancy with the intention other than to produce
• Induced abortion means the purposeful interruption of pregnancy with the intention other than to produce
• Chairman, I'm sorry to interrupt for the sake of time. I'm just going to interject here.

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: Senate Judiciary began by announcing that Senate Bill 136 would be rolled over because the sponsor was unavailable. The chair then addressed criticism from the floor over how a prior bill had been handled, defending the committee’s practice of using committee substitutes and amendments without waiting for a new version from council, and emphasizing his authority to set hard stops and limit debate when he believes discussion is repetitive or dilatory. Several members responded, with some supporting the chair’s approach and others arguing that contentious bills deserve more time and fuller committee vetting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 30, which would repeal New Mexico’s requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar. The sponsors argued the reporting law is outdated, unnecessary for public health, and potentially dangerous because provider information can be disclosed under broader vital statistics statutes; supporters from the ACLU, League of Women Voters, Bold Futures, and NOW echoed privacy and safety concerns. Opponents argued the reporting requirement provides transparency and public health data. After debate, the committee approved SB 30 on a roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 43, a bipartisan measure to modernize the Adult Parole Board statute after a prior veto. The bill would update parole factors for life-sentenced inmates, authorize per diem and closed hearings, and prevent parole hearings from being scheduled on victims’ birth or death dates. It received support from corrections officials and victims’ advocates, and the committee passed it without objection. The final major item was Senate Bill 50, which would remove several statutory in-service training mandates for law enforcement and give the Standards and Training Council more flexibility to set curriculum. Supporters said the current requirements are outdated and too rigid; opponents warned the bill could weaken recurring training in domestic violence, sexual assault, crisis intervention, and other high-risk areas. A motion to table failed, and the committee ultimately passed SB 50 on a roll call vote, despite divided member views.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to take those pauses as an opportunity to interrupt with member questions.
• I'm going to take those pauses as an opportunity to interrupt with member questions.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and I apologize, JJ, for interrupting your flow.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions, focusing on how the products work, how they are used in Washington, and whether existing state law adequately protects consumers. Department of Financial Institutions staff described BNPL as short-term, usually no-interest installment financing offered at checkout, often with automatic payments, late fees, and varying credit-reporting practices. Members asked how BNPL compares with payday lending and earned wage access, whether it is effectively a loan or credit product, and whether Washington law already covers it. DFI explained that some BNPL structures may fall into a legal gray area under the Retail Installment Sales of Goods and Services Act because pay-in-four products may not meet the statute’s “more than four installments” language, while other structures may be covered; they also noted the Attorney General can enforce the act. DFI and committee members discussed consumer risks such as overextension, automatic debits, and lack of standardized disclosures, and DFI said it would follow up with additional data on defaults and related issues. Molly Gallagher of the Poverty Action Network and Nadine Chabrier of the Center for Responsible Lending argued that BNPL can help consumers but also poses significant risks, especially for lower-income consumers and consumers of color who already carry debt or use other alternative financial products. They said BNPL use has grown rapidly, often involves multiple simultaneous loans across providers, and can lead to overdrafts, late fees, and difficulty tracking obligations because payments are spread across different schedules. They emphasized concerns about weak disclosures, limited dispute protections, automatic payment structures, credit reporting inconsistencies, consumer overextension, and data privacy/dark-pattern marketing. They also described federal retrenchment, including the CFPB’s withdrawal of an interpretive rule that would have treated BNPL like a digital credit card, and pointed to state responses in places like New York, California, and Maryland. Committee members signaled interest in possible Washington legislation and stronger state oversight. Retail and business witnesses offered a more favorable view of BNPL as a cash-flow and sales tool. A Washington Retail Association representative described BNPL as an evolution of layaway and credit-card-style installment purchasing, noting that merchants receive payment up front minus fees while consumers get goods or services immediately and repay over time. A representative from a business using deferred-payment financing said the tool helps customers obtain equipment and helps the business manage inventory and cash flow, while NFIB said small businesses also use BNPL to bridge expenses and avoid higher-interest credit card debt. Members asked about merchant fees, consumer education, and whether BNPL is being used for impulse purchases or essential expenses like rent, car repairs, medical care, and travel. The chair concluded by saying the committee intends to pursue regulatory language and continue working with stakeholders, while also hearing from retailers to avoid eliminating legitimate financing tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hate to interrupt you.
• Without me getting into that deep, my only question to that would be: what if there was an interruption
• So my question would be: be: what happens if there's an interruption of your cash flow on these commitments

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• If you interrupt a clinical trial, you don't put it back together again.
• Sorry to interrupt your answers there. Other questions from members of the committee?
• I'm sure we can provide you with a long list of medical research that's been interrupted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Interfering with public duties is broadly defined as a person who interrupts, disrupts, impedes, or otherwise
• necessary policy solution to protect telecommunications infrastructure in order to prevent the interruption
• continued to increase, thousands of Texas residents have been forced... have suffered service interruptions

Bills: SB552 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1667 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1870 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB2180 , SB2405 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB1646

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Could I just interrupt you for just a second while the students are still here?
• Sorry for the interruption. No, that is perfectly... Okay. All right, Mr. Chair.
• Sorry for the interruption. No, that is perfectly, perfectly fine.

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Interrupting cycles of retaliation, mediating conflict before they escalate, and connecting individuals
• Studies show that every $1 spent on violence interruption and prevention saves up to $5 in reduced medical
• Last year, we interrupted or intervened in 569 situations that could have erupted in violence or were

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And Commissioner Christman, my question is, you talked about how interruptive it is to the process with
• And Commissioner Christman, my question is, you talked about how interruptive it is to the process with
• Feel free to interrupt me with any questions if anyone has any.
• They're learning the value of how that plant cannot be interrupted, and if we need it to be off grid,
• So they are subject to being interrupted or curtailed if the energy... ...being interrupted or curtailed

Committee: Joint Energy Development and Transmission Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Quade, Senator Hoffman, I believe I’m following your question correctly, but if I’m not, please do interrupt
• 00:40:27.000><c> do</c> correctly, but if I'm not, please do correctly, but if I'm not, please do interrupt
• I mean, the the language interrupt me.
• she just gave me permission &gt;&gt; Madam Chair, she just gave me permission to<00:40:34.080><c> interrupt
• </c> to interrupt you. to interrupt you.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I want it to be orderly and things of that nature, but I don't want to interrupt the conversation by
• I'm going to interrupt you just for a second because I think it's an important note.
• Chairman, to answer your question, yes, that seems reasonable to me, but could I interrupt maybe your
• Oh, no, no, no, I don't want to interrupt it.
• So instead of interrupting it or going till 12:30, we'll take our lunch break now and we'll come back

Committee: Joint Special Education Funding Committee

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 minutes, and received a lengthy Department of Public Instruction presentation from Stanley Schauer Jr. on North Dakota student performance data in math and ELA, with comparisons between students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Schauer explained the assessment systems used, the 1% alternate assessment cap for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, the absence of 2019-20 data due to the pandemic, and how state standards are set by North Dakota educators. Members asked about cohort trends, the role of alternate assessments, grade-level patterns, and whether the state should focus more on reducing the novice category than on moving students from approaching to proficient. Schauer also discussed the new NDA Plus assessment, the state’s planned growth model, and the possibility of future breakdowns by disability category or by schools using science-of-math approaches. Special education educators testified that students with disabilities continued to receive services during COVID because of FAPE obligations, which likely helped limit learning loss, and emphasized that IEP teams focus on individual growth rather than only proficiency buckets. Committee members then shifted to special education funding and possible funding models. Brandon Bombach of Grand Forks Public Schools presented on the state aid formula, focusing on the special education weighting factor and arguing that the current formula does not adequately respond to growing student needs because it counts enrollment but does not adjust when the number of students with IEPs rises. He used examples to show that a district can have the same enrollment and receive the same weighting even if the number of students needing services increases. Members discussed whether the formula should be tied more closely to actual need and accountability, and the chair indicated that the committee would continue gathering data and ideas for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, I think I'm sorry to interrupt.
• <c> to</c> &gt;&gt; Madam Chair, I think I'm sorry to &gt;&gt; Madam Chair, I think I'm sorry to interrupt
• I think DLI is probably interrupt.
• uh, we<01:03:15.920><c> We</c><01:03:16.080><c> want</c><01:03:16.200><c> to</c><01:03:16.240><c> interrupt
• </c> we We want to interrupt. we We want to interrupt.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, &gt;&gt; Rob, pardon the interruption.
• Sorry to interrupt you. Um, just a quick question.
• Sorry to interrupt you. Um, just a quick question.
• I didn't mean to interrupt you. I'm not the chairman. I interrupted you, sir. I apologize.
• I didn't mean to interrupt you. I'm not the chairman. I interrupted you, sir. I apologize.

Summary: The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library. The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider. Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.

Transcript Highlights:

• When an ADRC is interrupted, families trying to bring a loved one home from a hospital or nursing facility
• so that communities can maintain continuity and people can continue to receive support without interruption

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• When an ADRC is interrupted, families trying to bring a loved one home from a hospital or nursing facility
• so that communities can maintain continuity and people can continue to receive support without interruption

Committee: House Aging and Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:

• also emphasized the importance of ensuring that his pay, coverage, and benefits continue without interruption
• This reflects the real-world consequences that any delayed... ...interruption.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 21st hearing and took up late-filed bills, with testimony focused mainly on firefighter and police personnel matters. The committee heard strong support for H.5429/H.6138, Governor Healey’s bill to provide injured-on-duty compensation and full pay and benefits to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinelli after he was seriously injured while instructing at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Testimony from Rep. Simon Cataldo, Rep. Rodney Elliott, PFFM leaders, Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan, and others emphasized that Spinelli was performing public service training work, that the incident exposed gaps in coverage for firefighters serving in academy roles, and that the bill should be a prompt, statewide fix. Several speakers also urged future legislation to address broader policy gaps for DFS support-branch and part-time personnel. The committee also heard testimony on a Topsfield home rule petition, H.54435, to allow Police Chief Neil Hovey to continue serving until age 68 or retirement. Rep. Kristen Kasner and local officials praised Hovey’s leadership, training, regional coordination, and management of public safety at the Topsfield Fair, and asked for favorable passage. In addition, Sen. Ryan Fattman and Rep. Joe McKenna testified for S.3051, a bill to provide certain retirement benefits to the surviving spouse of fallen Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta, describing his death while assisting a stranded motorist in a snowstorm and the town’s support for honoring his family. PFFM and other police/fire union representatives generally supported the firefighter and LaPorta bills, while PFFM also stated opposition to H.5389, a separate bill authorizing continued employment of the Upton police chief. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a recorded vote during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• also emphasized the importance of ensuring that his pay, coverage, and benefits continue without interruption
• This reflects the real-world consequences that any delayed... ...interruption.

Bills: S3051 , H5380 , H5384 , H5389 , H5420 , H5428 , H5427 , H5429 , H5435

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: retirement benefits, police officer, surviving spouse, pension, public service, police chief, deputy police chief, civil service exemption, local governance, Medford, H5384, Craig Riley, Haverhill, firefighter, fire department, civil service, civil service examination, maximum age requirement, age waiver, age exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me interrupt here.
• Thank you, Senator Bryant, and I apologize for interrupting a while ago, but I wanted the explanation

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, their house of worship was interrupted.
• Interrupted.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders opened by criticizing several Democratic-backed measures they said would raise costs for Washington residents, including a utility surcharge in House Bill 2275, expanded producer responsibility for clothing, and a new tire fee in House Bill 2421. They framed the session around affordability concerns and argued that the majority was advancing taxes and fees that would make living and doing business in Washington more expensive. They also said the state should focus on transparency and accountability rather than new charges and restrictions. Much of the question period focused on immigration-related issues and public safety. The leaders condemned recent comments by Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown about events in Minnesota, saying the incidents should be investigated carefully without inflaming tensions. They opposed a Senate bill addressing face coverings for law enforcement and another proposal to fine the Northwest Detention Center if state inspectors are denied access, arguing both were attempts to regulate or pressure federal authorities. They also criticized a bill that would bar certain ICE agents from future law enforcement jobs in Washington, saying it would not improve public safety and would distract from the state’s shortage of officers. The leaders also discussed several other bills and policy ideas. They said a House bill limiting local anti-camping enforcement was delayed and expected back next week, with cities concerned about implementation and liability. They expressed general support for restoring College Bound funding for private universities, but said it should be handled through the budget without new taxes. They backed a bill to increase reporting and accountability for nonprofit and housing-related programs, citing concerns about fraud and misuse of public funds. They also strongly opposed a bill they said would make the initiative process harder, calling it undemocratic and a continued effort to reduce voter influence.