Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:10.880><c> necessarily</c> But again, no data to necessarily But again, no data to necessarily
• , that the data is not belong.
• </c> they have a private right to that data they have a private right to that data that<00:58:40.000>
• </c> software or I should say uh data software or I should say uh data available<01:34:14.159><c> so<
• </c> the data that the DMV has would tell me. the data that the DMV has would tell me.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh putting our system in a set of data uh putting our system in a set of data warehouses<00:10:33.120
• My own bill, 1836, made changes to the government data practices law.
• My own bill, 1836, made changes to the government data practices law.
• </c><01:19:50.960><c> sharing</c> The Authority for uh data sharing The Authority for uh data sharing
• The department statutes would provide for effective data sharing.

Bills: HF627 , HF474 , HF361 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so the data is there. We publish all that data.
• Um so the data is there we level.
• > data.
• </c> specific data we can do much finer data specific data we can do much finer data analysis<01:00:56.640
• <c> curriculum</c> Analyze data to evaluate curriculum Analyze data to evaluate curriculum frameworks

Summary: The Legislative Oversight Committee met to review statewide education improvement and assessment issues under RSA 193-C:8-a, with the chair focusing on curriculum frameworks, academic standards, and resource elements tied to the state’s adequate education statutes. The chair walked through the statutory relationship between minimum standards for public school approval, academic standards, and local control of curriculum, noting that New Hampshire law requires curriculum frameworks to guide what students should know and be able to do while leaving districts flexibility in instruction. He also raised concerns that some subject areas appear to have current frameworks or standards while others do not, and suggested the committee may need to consider an amendment creating a curriculum frameworks and academic standards coordinator at the Department of Education. Nate Green, director of the Division of Education Analytics and Resources, explained that the terms “academic standards” and “curriculum frameworks” have evolved over time and are often used interchangeably, but can mean different things depending on the subject area. He said the state’s more prescriptive standards largely developed after No Child Left Behind, especially in math, ELA, and science, while older or less-tested subjects such as arts, physical education, and health often retained looser framework-style documents. Green outlined one possible approach of standardizing terminology, but also said New Hampshire could instead define curriculum frameworks separately as a combination of standards, curriculum, and instructional approaches. He emphasized that state standards must support statewide consistency and assessment, while local districts retain control over how they teach. Committee members discussed how these distinctions affect different grade levels and subjects, using examples from math and science to show that minimum standards are broad while academic standards are more specific and grade-level based. Green described how science standards are organized by physical science, life science, and earth/space science across grade bands, while math standards are more directly tied to individual grades. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported during this portion of the meeting; the discussion remained informational and exploratory as members considered whether statutory language or departmental organization should be updated.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:58.880><c> for</c> very cooperative in providing data for very cooperative in providing data
• </c> to a large amount of deed employer data to a large amount of deed employer data which<01:53:20.080
• Section one is the requirement that DEED provide the data and lists the data that we need.
• Everyone in this room has retirement data, banking data sent back and forth.
• Everyone in this room has retirement data, banking data sent back and forth.

Transcript Highlights:

• This two-way directional system reports every hour the data, and the data service for those per meter
• </c> known as a headend or a meter data known as a headend or a meter data management<00:55:02.520><c
• /c><01:18:47.840><c> in</c><01:18:48.000><c> a</c> value of the data um use the data in a value of the
• data um use the data in a way<01:18:48.400><c> that</c><01:18:48.560><c> would</c><01:18:48.800><c>
• </c> answer any questions you have about data answer any questions you have about data existing<02:40

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> designed to provide EMS data designed to provide EMS data to<00:01:57.400><c> municipalities</c>
• </c><00:21:04.560><c> five</c><00:21:04.920><c> formerly</c> Data shows that one in five formerly Data
• </c> are presented based on data. are presented based on data.
• I don't have that data in front of me.
• I do not have that data for Dr. McKean.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Our schools need to have the best ability to thrive, so we want to urge everybody in this data-driven
• Our schools need to have the best ability to thrive, so we want to urge everybody in this data-driven
• We want to urge everybody in this data-driven AI exciting world that the United States is leading.
• It uses data collected from satellites to produce images of Earth.
• This imagery and data has a number of important applications.

Bills: HR240 , HR198 , HR1326 , HR359 , HB1534 , HR1368 , HR1350 , HR1325 , HR1318 , HR730

Keywords: resolution, death of a representative, honor, adjournment, Raul Grijalva, Raúl M. Grijalva, Arizona, House resolution, memorial resolution, condolence resolution, death of a member, adjournment in memory, tribute, obituary, congressional memorial, House of Representatives, committee funding, budget allocation, government expenditures, Congress

Transcript Highlights:

• The USCIS and SSA data that the SAVE system relies upon is notoriously error-ridden and stale.
• </c> personal data. personal data.
• </c> confirmation system that combines data confirmation system that combines data from<00:25:01.920>
• much helps with the quality of data that's available to elections officials.
• quality of data that's available to elections officials.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if you look at that data, we can see humanities and general education.
• I have that data just not with me, but the average age is 26. And so the average is 26.
• I know my team's right over there and they're going to get that data for us.
• and wanting to make sure that we have the most accurate data.
• have the most accurate data.

Bills: SB37 , SB29

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• So, on the number of people in—do we have the data across states?
• So do you have that data, done any comparison to see if these things are actually working?
• So, on the number of people in—do we have the data across states?
• So do you have that data, done any comparison to see if these things are actually working?
• I was told that there was some crucial data that had been removed.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also worked to improve our data systems.
• We've also worked to improve our data systems.
• We've also worked to improve our data systems.
• We've also worked to improve our data systems.
• With no way of aggregating data on the inspections that staff are conducting, should our data systems

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You know that through data.
• We don't have the data. 2025. What was that number? Total number. We don't have the data for 2025.
• So we’ve kept that capacity at about 16 to 20 in any given data.
• So we've kept that capacity at about 16 to 20 in any given data.
• I mean, we do have that data shared in some older reports in 2023.

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on consolidation, cooperation, and evidence-based supervision across the correctional system. Parole Board Chair Angela Gomez-June described the board’s mission, its coordination with the Department of Correction, houses of correction, courts, probation, law enforcement, victim services, and UMass partners, and outlined 2024 activity including 2,810 institutional release hearings, 18,238 victim notifications, 53 pardon petitions, 70 commutation petitions, 41 early termination applications, and supervision of 2,993 parolees. She emphasized the board’s shift toward individualized, data-driven decision-making, including revised GPS use, graduated sanctions, and more service-oriented community supervision. Members and sheriffs pressed for clearer breakdowns of the board’s data, including the difference between releases, hearings, and active supervision; average length of supervision; the share of lifers in the caseload; and how many people are placed in housing, employment, and treatment. The board said its active supervised population fluctuates around 1,600 to 1,800, with more than 400 lifers, and that about 30 to 36 percent of its population is housed through programs such as MASH, community justice resource centers, and sheriff-run residential programs like Rocky Hill and HOPE. Members also discussed parole refusals, noting that some individuals decline parole to avoid supervision or to serve time inside instead, and asked for a more detailed breakdown of those cases. The board and commission also discussed collaboration with DOC and UMass on risk assessment, reentry planning, and community pathways, including a tablet video explaining the parole process and pharmacist support for medication-related drug test issues. The board reported that after the SJC’s Matus decision, 210 individuals were identified as affected, 144 were immediately eligible for hearings, 100 hearings had been completed, and 10 more were scheduled; it also said clemency and commutation work had been slowed by staffing and Matus-related demands. The meeting ended with a request for follow-up data on outcomes, supervision lengths, housing and employment placements, and other consolidated statistics, and the commission announced its next public hearing for March 9 at 10 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• and challenges facing both the Commission and law enforcement agencies in capturing and reporting data
• both the Commission and law enforcement agencies in capturing and reporting data.
• For example, one consortium submitted data only once and another never submitted data at all.
• I believe there is some of that data. I don't have it with me here... Or school.
• I believe there is some of that data.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee held a hybrid hearing to receive three State Auditor’s Office performance audits. The first audit examined implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act. Auditors said the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training, but six community/cultural topics were still unfinished, the patrol tactics curriculum was incomplete in one area, and the agency lacked a systematic project management approach. They reported that most officers had not completed the 40 required hours, with low participation in patrol tactics training, weak communication, limited data to track compliance, and ineffective incentives or consequences. Committee members questioned staffing, liability, and enforcement, and the Commission said it generally agreed with the findings and had begun implementing recommendations, including improving training development and communication. The second audit reviewed Washington’s digital equity planning. Auditors concluded the state lacked a comprehensive, unified digital equity strategy, a designated lead, and reliable funding. They said the existing PEAR/Impact Plan, BEAD five-year plan, and NTIA-approved digital equity plan each addressed parts of the issue but none provided a full statewide framework with clear authority across agencies. The Department of Commerce’s Broadband Office and the Office of Equity said they agreed with the findings and were open to working with the legislature and the Digital Equity Forum on a more structured approach. A public witness described local and regional digital equity planning efforts and emphasized the importance of coordination and community-based work. The third audit focused on Commerce’s management of the Digital Navigator Program. Auditors said Commerce did not consistently use a competitive process, did not adequately vet grantees and subgrantees, wrote contracts that lacked clear deliverables and monitoring requirements, failed to enforce reporting, and paid $10.7 million without sufficient documentation to verify reimbursement eligibility. They said agency staff had raised concerns that were ignored and that some payments and contract expansions occurred despite warnings. Commerce officials said new leadership had already begun major contract-management reforms, including centralized oversight, risk assessments, clearer documentation standards, and staff training, and they said they would pursue recapture where appropriate. Committee members expressed strong concern about accountability, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I haven't seen that data. Can you help me with that?
• Senator Rader: And where is that data, and what does it say?
• I would love to share with you some of the data I have.
• But the data speaks for itself.
• The data was clear. So thank you for your leadership on this.

Bills: HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246

Committee: Senate Energy

Summary: The committee took up several measures dealing with environmental regulation, waste management, and energy. Early on, it passed sunset-extension bills for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and several environmental advisory councils. It then heard extensive debate on HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, which would create a battery recycling system for small and medium batteries through DEQ. Supporters argued it would reduce landfill and garbage-truck fires, protect the environment, and create recycling value, while opponents raised concerns about added regulation, costs shifted to producers and retailers, and the creation of a new state FTE. Despite those objections, the bill passed 8-3. The committee also considered HB 3403, a pilot study on biosolids and sewage sludge applied to farmland. Members debated a committee substitute that shortened the study timeline from five years to three years and added a phased rollback of land application. Supporters said the study was needed because of unresolved questions about PFOS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while critics argued the timelines conflicted and the bill could be hard to implement. The committee substitute was adopted, an amendment to delete key rollback provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 8-2 after testimony from Oklahoma City utilities officials and multiple rounds of questions about testing, health risks, and disposal practices. The committee then passed HB 3175 to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, with members noting it would have minimal fiscal impact and could help Oklahoma build nuclear expertise and jobs. It also passed HB 3986, expanding a gross production tax exemption for wells completed with recycled water, and HB 3466, which removes the statutory requirement that the Corporation Commission maintain a petty cash fund. Finally, HB 3411, another biosolids-related bill to buy testing equipment and provide information to landowners, and HB 4246, a rural water transparency/lowest-bid bill, both passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The meeting ended with the chair thanking members and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• All data sharing is voluntary, limited, and protected.
• According to federal data, there are 300,000 undergraduates who are student-parent.
• According to federal data, there are 300,000 undergraduates who are student parents in California.
• or their students' data once those tools are deployed.
• Or their students' data once those tools are deployed. This bill strikes a better balance.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the source of your data? Sure.
• The second source of data we get is from the RAND Corporation.
• What we know is aggregated data that's given to CMS from these institutions, and even their own data
• Solving contract pharmacy and claims data reporting is part of that effort.
• Popovian and a few others about data for charity care and other points.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several health-related bills. SB 5904 would restrict nursing titles such as RN, NP/ARNP, and LPN to licensed human people and prohibit non-human entities, including AI chatbots, from using those titles. The sponsor and nursing advocates said the bill is meant to prevent confusion and protect public trust, while preserving the use of AI as a support tool. SB 5877 would add a $70 surcharge for certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and access HealWA resources; supporters said it closes a technical gap and aligns CAAs with other medical professions. SB 5185 would create a pilot pathway for certain international medical graduates with clinical experience licenses to obtain full primary care licensure; supporters from the medical commission, physicians, and IMG advocates said the program has worked well, has shown no patient safety issues, and could help address workforce shortages. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 6210, which would let the Health Benefit Exchange adopt additional market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, including standards aimed at preserving access and affordability in underserved counties. Supporters, including the exchange, OIC, consumer advocates, tribal representatives, and patient groups, said the bill is needed to respond to federal policy changes, rising premiums, and disappearing coverage in places like San Juan County. Opponents from carriers and employer groups argued the timeline is too fast, the criteria are too discretionary, and the bill could reduce competition and raise costs. The committee then heard SB 5981, which would strengthen protections and reporting requirements for the federal 340B drug pricing program and limit manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and data requests. Hospitals, clinics, and patient advocates said the bill protects safety-net care and rural access, while manufacturers, employers, and business groups argued it would expand a program that already raises costs and lacks transparency. In executive session, the committee took action on SB 5917, related to Department of Corrections distribution of abortion medications, rejecting five proposed amendments and then advancing the bill on a 10-6 vote with three excused. The committee also advanced SB 5988, which concerns Department of Health opioid treatment program accrediting activities, on a do-pass recommendation after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide research, data, information on where they can site their businesses.
• And what the data showed us is that in large numbers, we agree.
• So at the end of the day, they even have my data.
• We know that data is valuable, and they have that data.
• We know that data is valuable, and they have that data.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee met for its first session under the committee’s new name and heard a work session on Washington’s economic development policy from the Department of Commerce. Commerce described its Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, including small business finance, export assistance, business attraction, and sector development work, and emphasized the need for a statewide economic development strategic plan with regular review, stakeholder input, and attention to rural and regional needs. Members asked about foreign trade offices, federal funding uncertainty, tax competitiveness, workforce programs, and the role of the Keep Washington Working program. Commerce said the state’s trade and investment efforts are valuable but face funding challenges, and that Washington must compete on more than taxes, including its business ecosystem and workforce. The committee then heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5919, which would encourage fire districts and insurers to develop voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation best practices related to agricultural activities. The sponsor described the bill as a way to reward farmers for practices such as defensible space, fire breaks, equipment storage, and avoiding high-risk work during red flag conditions. A fire chief testified in support, citing recent standing grain fires and the need for practical incentives in rural areas. The bill was described as having no appropriation and no requested fiscal note. Members also heard testimony on Washington in the Making 2040 from the Association of Washington Business and a business owner. Supporters said the 16-year economic vision plan was built from broad public engagement and focuses on workforce, business climate, infrastructure, housing, and community. They argued Washington needs more housing, a more competitive regulatory and tax environment, and reliable energy to support growth. Senators questioned how the plan would achieve its housing goals and what specific regulatory changes were needed; AWB said it would provide a regulatory study soon. The committee also received a wildfire mitigation work group update from the Office of Insurance Commissioner, which recommended stronger community mitigation, better data sharing, consumer transparency, and a possible grant program for home hardening, though it did not reach full consensus on a single property mitigation standard. Finally, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5871, which would prohibit assignment of benefits in property and casualty insurance and set new rules for motor vehicle glass repair claims, including ADAS-related disclosures and limits on steering and inducements. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Insurance Commissioner, Safelite, NAMIC, and the Northwest Insurance Council, said the bill would reduce auto glass fraud, improve transparency, and help stabilize premiums. Independent glass shop owners and the Independent Glass Association opposed the bill as written, arguing it would favor large vertically integrated companies, restrict small businesses, and fail to address insurer steering and conflicts of interest. Several witnesses requested technical amendments, and the committee took no final vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here is that data in more of a visual format.
• Here's some demographic data that we've compiled over the first three years of the program.
• Here's some demographic data that we've compiled over the first three years of the program.
• Last summer we engaged with federal agencies to see about being able to receive some data.
• To see about being able to receive some data for programs like SNAP and TANF that have very strict data

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be conflicting data and the feds are going to come in.
• Having this data, Mr.
• President and Senator, would you agree more data is better than less data? Mr.
• President, Senator, it's how you look at the data. Well, Mr.
• That's what the data shows.

Transcript Highlights:

• But to the primary question, that is not data that MMB maintains. My sincere apologies.
• But to the primary question, that is not data that MMB maintains. >> Representative Anderson follow-up
• Foremost, MMB does not maintain discipline data for the enterprise, so that is not information that I
• But to the primary question, that is not data that MMB maintains.
• </c><00:20:43.600><c> that</c> primary question that is not data that primary question that is not data