Video & Transcript : 'disability rights' :

Page 170 of 500
MO
Transcript Highlights:
  • Right. And then now we're mice is teaching your child on an iPad. Right.
  • Right. So this whole solution is a framework of basing this in the evidence. Right.
  • Right? So these are things that are not necessarily... And what is that? Sand. Right?
  • Yeah, that's right.
  • Yeah, that's right.
Summary: The House first established a quorum after introductions of the Freedom of the Road Riders and Warsaw High School students. Members then took up House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on alpha-gal syndrome. The sponsor described the bill as a public health surveillance measure to add alpha-gal to Missouri’s reportable conditions, require lab reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services, and send aggregated data to the CDC. Supporters said the bill would help identify hotspots, guide education and funding, and address a serious tick-borne condition affecting rural and urban Missourians alike. Opponents raised concerns about cost, false positives/negatives, and privacy, but the sponsor and others said the system would be HIPAA-compliant and de-identified at the federal level. Two amendments to HB 1855 were debated. An amendment changing the department’s follow-up authority from “may” to “shall” was adopted, with supporters arguing that if the legislature funds follow-up, the department should be required to do it. A second amendment creating an opt-in/opt-out consent process for reporting was rejected 41-10 after extensive debate over privacy, data collection, and whether consent would undermine disease surveillance. The House then adopted the House committee substitute for HB 1855 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Bills 2230 and 2978, a revised education measure aimed at reducing screen time in K-5 classrooms and encouraging handwriting and cursive instruction. The sponsor said the bill was based on research linking heavy screen use to poorer educational and behavioral outcomes, and supporters emphasized local control, parent access to screen-time policies, and the need to bring experts together through a state-level focus group. An amendment to exclude virtual school programs was adopted. The House then adopted the committee substitute for HB 2230 and 2978 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 2355, the Food Is Medicine Initiative. The sponsor said the bill would let Missouri use federal funds through 1115 waivers to pilot medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition counseling, and related interventions to improve health and lower Medicaid costs. Members generally supported the concept, citing food deserts and the benefits of better nutrition, but an amendment adding vitamin therapies and cleanup language prompted concern from one member about supplement quality and regulation; the transcript ends during that amendment discussion.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House passes human services policy bill 5/11/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's<00:04:36.400><c> right.
  • All right, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • </c> who are using this service right now. who are using this service right now.
  • </c><00:08:51.200><c> shape</c> bill is in the right shape bill is in the right shape and<00:08:52.600
  • </c> we have right now. we have right now.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/26/25

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right. Thank you. Any other questions? None. All right.
  • All right. Thank you. Any other agency. All right. Thank you. Any other questions?
  • All right. Thank you questions? None. All right.
  • All right. Thank you. Thank you. I believe there's no more questions. All right.
  • All right. I motion uh for this bill. All right.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • , because as kids with disabilities and adults with disabilities and, frankly, seniors as they age and
  • develop disabilities, they're expensive.
  • ... ...as a parent of children with disabilities, I was just like, because as kids with disabilities
  • and adults with disabilities and, frankly, seniors as they age and develop disabilities, they're expensive
  • </c> up where we need to end up because right up where we need to end up because right now<00:54:19.000
Keywords: 1183, house
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • WE TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.
  • WHERE WE TRY TO BALANCE THE DELICATE STAFF RIGHT NOW.
  • RIGHTS AS WELL THAT IS WHERE WE TRY TO BALANCE THE DELICATE STAFF RIGHT NOW.
  • CHILDREN, ADULTS, ALL FOLKS WITH VARIOUS DISABILITIES.
  • BUT I THINK I HAVE A MOTION RIGHT? BUT REGARDLESS, CHAIR HARRELL YOU SAID IT RIGHT.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> All right.
  • </c> All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you.
  • All right.
  • &gt;&gt; All<01:32:54.719><c> right.</c> &gt;&gt; All right. &gt;&gt; All right.
  • </c> All right.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We would rather have some folks on there than not, right?
  • We would rather have some folks on there than not, right?
  • Do you think it's the right time to extend that report?
  • All right. All right, we have some individuals wishing to testify.
  • All right, I think we have a plan.
Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2468 would update the Revised Code of Washington to match DSHS’s 2025 reorganization, replacing references to eliminated administrations with the new Home and Community Living Administration and Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration, and also removing a 2028 sunset on the Dementia Action Collaborative, adjusting advisory committee membership, and eliminating a staffing mandate tied to no-paid-services caseloads. The sponsor and DSHS testified in support as a technical cleanup bill, while members raised questions about possible amendments, including whether to keep or remove the Dementia Action Collaborative sunset. DSHS said it was open to changes and noted some statutory references still need correction. No vote was taken. HB 2529 would rename the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board, move it to OFM for administrative purposes, narrow some duties, require at least twice-yearly engagement with affected communities, allow the board to request ombuds reports, broaden some membership qualifications, and change the annual report to an every-other-year report starting in 2027. Representative Dent, a board member, said the changes were intended to make the board less political, improve attendance and membership flexibility, and focus the report on more useful recommendations. A union representative asked for language ensuring a DCYF caseworker board member can attend meetings as part of job duties rather than using personal leave. Members also questioned whether the reduced reporting frequency was appropriate given recent fatalities and near-fatalities at the agency. No action was taken. HB 2455 would create a two-year pilot program providing rental assistance and related housing fees for 50 youth in extended foster care who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, beginning January 1, 2027, with a report due in 2029 and transition planning required before youth age out at 21. The sponsor and multiple youth advocates testified strongly in support, describing homelessness, instability, and barriers such as “double-dipping” restrictions that prevent youth from combining housing supports. Testifiers said the bill would help youth focus on school, work, and healing, and urged the committee to expand the program if possible. Members asked about the pilot timeline and whether an interim review might be useful. The hearing closed with no vote on the bill, followed by committee announcements about Friday’s 8:30 a.m. meeting and an agenda change removing HB 2200 from Friday executive session and moving it to possible executive session next week.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • And it sounds like some of it's tossed back to a judge right now.
  • All right. So now I do have some questions. And Jessica. Ms.
  • All right. Thank you. So I'm taking over as chair for a moment.
  • Just real quick, so we have a teacher pipeline problem, right?
  • And we are, I think, right about at noon at this point. We are right at 12 o'clock.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 17th, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right.
  • All right.
  • Many school districts are going through repurposing or right-sizing right now, where they're looking
  • Right. Yeah. Thank you. And just follow up.
  • All right, we do have one appearance form.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered a series of education-related bills, many of them after adopting amendments. SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School was amended to remove virtual preschool provisions and then passed favorably, with the sponsor describing it as a clarifying bill about FLVS operations, revenue sources, reporting, and student access. SB 1374, on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, was also approved; it requires faster district action and reporting when instructional personnel are arrested for certain offenses and clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt. SB 1402, on student enrollment and dropout retrieval programs, was amended and passed to broaden eligibility for dropout retrieval services and allow certain virtual providers to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade. SB 364, moving the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Education to Florida Memorial University, was amended and reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 772 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow districts to obtain and store glucagon for emergency use by trained school staff or nurses, with liability protections included. SB 1102 on school readiness programs for children with disabilities passed after testimony that it would expand identification of disabilities, require more training for providers, and direct special-needs funding toward better-supported classrooms. SB 1382, also on school readiness, was approved and would change the definition of economically disadvantaged families, adjust priority tiers, and update the waitlist and forecasting process for child care assistance. The most debated measure was SB 140, which was substantially rewritten by delete-all amendment to create “job engine charter schools,” allow municipalities to seek charter schools aimed at attracting industry, authorize parent votes for conversion of existing public schools, and set requirements for district five-year property plans and surplus property use, including affordable housing and charter school purposes. Supporters argued it could aid economic development and repurpose underused property, while opponents raised concerns about privatization, reduced stakeholder input, unclear voting procedures, and loss of district control over property. Despite extensive debate and multiple public speakers against it, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 430, a merged AED and cardiac emergency response bill requiring public schools to have a cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and an operational AED in a publicized location, with reimbursement provisions and liability protections; it passed after supporters emphasized life-saving benefits and manageable training costs. The committee adjourned after recording additional members’ votes on selected bills.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 7th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It reflects California's longstanding leadership in advancing disability rights, while supporting responsible
  • Here with me to testify in support are Evan Fern, Public Policy Advocate for Disability Rights California
  • I'm Evan Fern, Public Policy Advocate with Disability Rights California, in support of AB 2190.
  • The majority of disability civil rights legislation was enacted well before web access became ubiquitous
  • The majority of disability civil rights legislation was enacted well before web access became ubiquitous
Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on transparency, public health, labor enforcement, health privacy, high-speed rail oversight, and antitrust policy. AB 1544, by Assemblymember Crowell, would strengthen transparency and access to courthouses; the author said it was aimed at protecting press and public access, and the bill was pulled pending quorum. AB 1604, by Assemblymember Stephanie, would ban BPA and other bisphenols in thermal receipt paper by 2027-2028; supporters from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Californians Against Waste, and a broad coalition argued receipts are a major source of toxic exposure and recycling contamination, while the author said she would continue working with opposition. AB 1859, by Assemblymember Jackson, would let Joint Labor Management Committees visit public works sites to help identify wage and safety violations; labor groups supported it as a low-cost enforcement tool amid a large wage-theft backlog, while contractors and local government groups opposed it as creating private enforcement, liability, and safety concerns. The committee later took up AB 1930, by Assemblymember Burr and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and Equality California, which would require notice to the Attorney General before certain entities respond to subpoenas or inquiries involving legally protected reproductive or gender-affirming care; supporters framed it as a patient privacy and anti-intimidation measure, while opponents said it would shield providers from scrutiny and interfere with lawful investigations. The bill was approved on a 6-2 vote and placed on call. The consent calendar, including several unrelated bills, was also approved. The committee also heard AB 1584, by Assemblymember Jackson, which would create an Office of Civil Rights within the California Air Resources Board to provide training, language access, and compliance oversight. Supporters said CARB needs a stronger legal framework and dedicated office to enforce civil rights commitments, while an opponent argued CARB already has a civil rights office and should expand existing structures instead of creating a new one. The bill was moved to Appropriations after a roll call vote. AB 1608, by Assemblymember Wilson, would expand the powers and staffing tools of the High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General, including public reporting requirements and authority over classifications and purchasing; supporters said stronger independent oversight is needed for the costly project, while opponents criticized the project itself and raised concerns about confidentiality and who should receive reports. The bill was also passed to Appropriations after extended discussion. Finally, AB 1776, by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, would revise California antitrust law to address single-firm conduct under the Cartwright Act. Supporters, including small business and labor advocates, argued dominant firms can harm competition and that the bill would protect small businesses and workers; opponents from business, biotech, retail, housing, and other sectors warned it would create legal uncertainty, expand litigation, and chill investment. The transcript ended during that bill’s testimony and debate, before a final vote was taken.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, I think they got a match, right?
  • And what's the right dollar for that job?
  • So it's not an easy plan, and you're right.
  • All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
  • of children with disabilities in school.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session: 2025 First Special Session - part 1 Jun 9th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, that's right.
  • Right?
  • Since her diabetes was poorly managed, she lost her right foot. ... right foot.
  • Right, Jim Joy?
  • disabilities.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Donald Trump's words about immigrants and diversity, inclusion, are divisive dog whistle to right-wing
  • Right now, there is a concerted effort at the federal level to resegregate our society.
  • we are in an all handson disabilities we are in an all handson deck<00:03:21.879><c> situation</c><00
  • So next I will invite Senator Pha up to make her... ...Through an Equal Rights Amendment.
  • from any of the rights that we all<00:10:34.160><c> uh</c><00:10:34.360><c> abide</c><00:10:34.760><
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 28th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right. Mickley Sukau. Is it Suke. Did I get that right? “Is it Sukkah? Did I get that right?
  • All right, while we’re waiting. Hello again? Hi, hi, hi. All right.
  • All right, speak from the heart. It’s usually more authentic.” “You’re right, you’re right.
  • All right, all right.
  • All right, all right.
Bills: S0124 , S0206 , S0420
Summary: The committee first heard SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School’s statute to remove outdated language and clarify its service, funding, governance, reporting, and district coordination provisions without changing day-to-day operations. Florida Virtual School testified in support, members praised the bill, and it passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for SB 206 on students with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Harrell explained that the bill would require autism and neurodevelopmental training in educator preparation programs, require ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, create an Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, provide salary supplements for teachers with the autism endorsement, and require district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. A large number of speakers—teachers, parents, students, and advocacy groups—supported the bill while urging that implementation be fully funded, high quality, and not become an unfunded mandate. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing the growing number of students with autism and the need to recruit and retain special education teachers. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 420 on patriotic displays in classrooms. Chair Burgess explained the bill as a way to place portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in schools to encourage civic and patriotic reflection, and he offered an amendment narrowing the requirement from every classroom to one prominent display in each school and adding language making it subject to state appropriation. The amendment was adopted. Testimony on the bill was mixed: some speakers supported the idea as a spark for civic discussion, while many others opposed it as symbolic, unnecessary, or better addressed through curriculum and teacher training rather than mandated displays. In debate, some senators argued the portraits could prompt broader historical conversations, while others raised concerns about representation, classroom autonomy, and funding. The transcript ends during debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Jan 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Could you tell me how you define disabled veterans? Is it just veterans who are disabled or?
  • Do you tell me how you define disabled veterans?
  • Is it just veterans who are disabled or a specific disabled veterans due to service-related things?
  • Yes, it's service-related disabilities.
  • All right. All right. Okay, wait to work on the screen there, I guess.
Summary: House Finance met in work session on January 13, 2026, beginning with the introduction of new member Rep. Janice Zahn and a reminder about short-session amendment deadlines. The committee then heard JLARC’s 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine preferences. JLARC recommended continuing several preferences, including natural gas transportation fuel exemptions, reduced B&O rates for travel agents and tour operators, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior centers, a sales and use tax remittance for disabled veteran adapted housing, a trade convention attendance nexus exemption, a B&O exemption for agricultural fertilizer and seed sales, and a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides. JLARC also recommended allowing unused silicon smelter-related preferences to expire. Members asked about legislative intent, data limitations, and how performance metrics should be tied more clearly to policy objectives; committee leaders and JLARC staff discussed a new standardized rubric for future tax preference performance statements and fiscal note review. The committee also noted that bills related to some of the reviewed preferences were already introduced. For the low-income housing exemption, JLARC said nonprofit developers were building homes as intended but that the current spending-based metric did not fully reflect the policy goal, and it recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify the preference. For multipurpose senior centers, JLARC said the exemption met its inferred objective and recommended continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For the disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, JLARC said few eligible veterans were claiming the benefit and recommended continuation with changes to improve access and consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs. On the trade convention attendance exemption, JLARC said use was unknown but the preference likely helped keep Washington competitive with other states and recommended continuation, though members questioned the lack of direct evidence and the administrative-burden rationale. The committee then received an update from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. The forecast showed the U.S. economy slowing but still growing, with Washington expected to have modest growth, weak employment gains, continued personal income growth, and slow construction. ERFC said tariffs and trade policy remained the biggest risks, inflation was expected to stay elevated in the near term, and the Federal Reserve had cut rates three times in 2025 with two more cuts projected in 2026. State revenues were up $105 million in the current biennium compared with the November forecast, but down $185 million in the next biennium, with growth driven in part by recent legislative changes and improved estate tax collections. Members asked about sector-specific employment trends, the impact of high-income households on retail sales, and how state revenues compare with personal income over time. The meeting adjourned after the forecast presentation.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Finance Committee 3/12/26

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> planning is is you know going right now? planning is is you know going right now?
  • The Article 1 was a bill of rights.
  • You've already done the right thing.
  • </c> all to support this um step in the right all to support this um step in the right direction<01:10
  • ,</c> for students with disabilities, for students with disabilities, regardless<01:14:11.920><c> of<
Bills: HF3790 , HF3654 , HF3371 , HF3470 , HF1099
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Health Committee Meeting - 2025-05-07

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are right now a very bipartisan body.
  • I'm personally affected by a disabling post-viral illness.
  • I know I am one of the only tech folks in the room right now.
  • And I think that, from my perspective, health care is a human right.
  • Vice Chair Nadeau, you're absolutely right—it is about economics.
Bills: HF2435
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Jan 13th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Could you tell me how you define disabled veterans? Is it just veterans who are disabled or?
  • Do you tell me how you define disabled veterans?
  • Is it just veterans who are disabled or a specific disabled veterans due to service-related things?
  • Yes, it's service-related disabilities.
  • All right. All right. OK, wait to work on the screen there, I guess.
Committee: House Finance
Keywords: 904, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (02/11/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Rosenberg from the disability Rosenberg from the disability rights<03:16:34.680><c> Center</c><03
  • She said she is the policy director of the Disability Rights Center of New Hampshire and that they are
  • </c> disability rights Center of New disability rights Center of New Hampshire<03:17:17.000><c> and</
  • She said that as foster parents they had no right to apply for Social Security disability when the child
  • </c><04:37:29.199><c> to</c> my rights as a parent my right to my rights as a parent my right to religious
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern. The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments. The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 27th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not just about heart attacks, right?
  • All right. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • Our chair is testifying on a bill right now, so she has left, all right? Yeah.
  • All right. Thank you.
  • All right. Thank you.
Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.