Transcript Highlights:

• appointed currently there are 17 members appointed currently there are 17 members appointed for fouryear
• whether they're a member of a appointed whether they're a member of a appointed whether they're a member
• seven members the the governor appoints seven members the the governor appoints seven members the speaker
• one member uh and all the each appoint one member uh and all the each appoint one member uh and all
• members by the governor nine appointed members by the governor nine appointed members by the governor

Bills: SJR 36 , SJR 2 , SB 4 , SR 45 , SR 47 , SR 63 , SR 66 , SR 70 , SR 85 , SCR 14 , SB 10 , SB 11 , SB 10 , SB 11

Transcript Highlights:

• So we thought, Rochelle thought, which would be really important, is that the members that were appointed
• So three members were appointed by the Senate president, and they all had to have districts that had
• : one Senate Minority Leader appointee, three House members appointed by the Speaker, same thing, districts
• One is a House member and a Senate member leading the commission.
• members."

Summary: The meeting was the first organizational discussion of the newly created commission to study the feasibility of establishing a Massachusetts Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Boston. Senator Liz Miranda opened with background on the seven-year effort to create the commission, the seed funding included in the state budget, and the commission’s one-year mandate to produce a report on location, funding, and next steps. Members introduced themselves and described their Cape Verdean ties, with discussion emphasizing the historical importance of Cape Verdean communities in Boston, New Bedford, Falmouth/Cape Cod, Brockton, and other parts of the Commonwealth. A major topic was how to structure the commission’s leadership. Members discussed whether the co-chairs should be legislators, outside appointees, or a mix, and several noted the need to follow open meeting law and other public meeting requirements. Representative Cabral suggested Senator Miranda and Representative Diggs as co-chairs, with possible vice chairs drawn from other appointees. The group also discussed the need to keep the commission representative of the broader state, not just Boston, and to consider an advisory group of Cape Verdean association presidents and other community leaders outside the formal membership. The commission then reviewed a long list of potential additional members, focusing on people with experience in arts, culture, education, history, community building, philanthropy, construction, health, and related fields. Members were asked to review the list, suggest additions or gaps, and send feedback to staff. No final appointments were made at this meeting. The commission voted to reconvene in two weeks to organize itself, potentially elect co-chairs and vice chairs, and move forward with additional appointments; the motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• members to the House Democracy Partnership: the Honorable Dina Titus of Nevada, Ranking Member; the
• Thank you for your attention to these appointments.
• member to the Commission on Reform and Modernization of the Department of State.
• member to the Commission on Reform and Modernization of the Department of State.
• Thank you for your attention to this appointment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you, Chair Duerr and Ranking Member Klicker, members of the committee, for having me.
• I just meant that if we have an elected official that is incapacitated, we are appointing an appointed
• An appointed coroner is likely to be a partisan appointment based on the appointed authority, so no different
• An appointed coroner is likely to be a partisan appointment based on the appointed authority, so no different
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair Dewar, Ranking Member Klicker, members of the committee.

Summary: The House Local Government Committee heard public testimony on HB 2588, which would let county ferry districts exercise broader authority over ferries rather than being limited to passenger-only ferries. The sponsor and county officials from Whatcom, Pierce, and Skagit described rising operating and capital costs for county-run vehicle ferries and said the bill would give local governments a needed funding tool. Opponents argued it would create another tax burden and that county councils do not directly represent voters on such decisions. The hearing on HB 2588 was later reopened for additional testimony, but no vote was taken in the hearing portion. The committee also heard HB 2094, which would require non-charter counties to appoint coroners rather than elect them, unless they use appointed medical examiners. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address accountability and staffing problems, citing Yakima County as an example and arguing that coroner positions are technical and should be filled through hiring rather than partisan elections. Supporters said appointment would reduce ballot complexity and allow for professional management, while opponents, including elected coroners and the Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, argued that elected coroners provide independence, public accountability, and the ability to order inquests without political pressure. The public hearing on HB 2094 was closed without committee action during the hearing. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing passed with three adopted amendments and a 7-0 vote. HB 2298 on county title protection programs also passed with one adopted amendment and a 7-0 vote. HB 2566 on local government procurement passed 7-0 without amendment. HB 2267 on urban forest management ordinances passed 4-3 after a substitute was adopted, with some members expressing concern about state guidance becoming too regulatory. HB 2530 on public facilities districts for regional aquatics and sports facilities passed 7-0 after removing the deadline for forming such districts, and HB 2388 on siting distributed energy generation on agricultural lands passed 7-0 after an amendment narrowing the bill’s scope. The committee then returned to public testimony on HB 2094 and HB 2588 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to your action, the chair appoints the following members to serve on the part of the House:
• > to</c><00:14:10.639><c> serve</c> appoints the following members to serve appoints the following members
• , the remaining members of the select board may appoint a person eligible to fill that position until
• , the remaining members of the select board may appoint a person eligible to fill that position until
• , the remaining members of the select board may appoint a person eligible to fill that position until

Transcript Highlights:

• : Danielle Hubbard of Centennial, Colorado, to serve as a member with expertise in dementia, appointed
• </c><00:29:11.480><c> Aaron</c> academic community, appointed. Aaron academic community, appointed.
• </c> the public at large, appointed. the public at large, appointed.
• Members, members, members, we are back in the game. Third reading of bills. Consent calendar, Mr.
• </c> appointments, consent calendar. Mr. appointments, consent calendar. Mr.

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 Scartvat, is confirmed as a member of the Gambling Commission
• Foucai, Senate gubernatorial appointment number 9262, be confirmed as a member of the Spokane Colleges

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial activities, approval of the previous day’s journal, and adoption of Senate Resolution 8689 recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Senators spoke in strong support of the resolution, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, self-advocacy, family caregivers, and the principle of “nothing about us without us.” The resolution was adopted, and all members’ names were added as sponsors. The chamber also welcomed student visitors and later recognized individuals with developmental disabilities and caregivers in the gallery. The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments. Charles G. Knutzen was confirmed to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board by a 48-0 vote. Noah Scartvet was confirmed to the Gambling Commission by a 43-5 vote, and Kelly K. Foucai was confirmed to the Spokane Colleges Board of Trustees by a 48-0 vote. The Senate also considered and confirmed additional appointments while excusing several members from attendance during parts of the day. The chamber spent much of the meeting concurring in House amendments and passing a series of bills. Among the measures approved were bills dealing with clean energy exemptions for certain backup fossil fuel use, police data and body camera/ALPR distinctions, housing and rental assistance flexibility, creation of a cabinet-level Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs with Senate confirmation, school district interfund transfers under financial oversight, civic engagement and voting services, wildfire-resistant home-hardening materials, and technical corrections to prior tax and revenue legislation. Most of these bills passed with clear majorities, though some drew recorded opposition, including Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035 and Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6113. The Senate also adopted a striking amendment and passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, creating a tourism self-supported assessment program. Supporters said the negotiated proposal would improve fiscal transparency and help fund statewide tourism promotion, while opponents raised concerns about the assessment structure. The bill passed after concurrence in the House amendments and final passage by a 43-5 vote. The Senate then returned to the fourth order of business and stood at ease for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you, Chair Duerr and Ranking Member Klicker, members of the committee, for having me.
• I just meant that if we have an elected official that is incapacitated, we are appointing an appointed
• official who... ...that is incapacitated, we are appointing an appointed official who is going to take
• An appointed coroner is likely to be a partisan appointment based on the appointed authority, so no different
• Now Chair Duerr, Ranking Member Klicker, members of the committee, Axel Swanson with the Association

Bills: HB2451 , HB2298 , HB2566 , HB2267 , HB2530 , HB2388 , HB2588 , HB2094

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: tax increment financing, local government, economic development, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, urban forestry, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, public facilities district, regional aquatics

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair Nobles, members of the committee.
• So I think you would be an excellent member.
• hearing on Senate Gubernatorial Appointment 9288, former Senator David Frockt appointed to the Western
• members.
• two members of the committee.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee first waived the five-day notice rule and held a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2525, which would establish a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. Staff explained the bill was narrowed from the original version and would require WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards and a list of rare and lost apple varieties, with a null and void clause and fiscal note available. Representative Gloria Mendoza testified in support, describing Washington’s apple history and the effort to identify and preserve old apple trees still found on farms and trails around the state. Members asked questions about how the program would locate trees and preserve historic varieties, but no vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard several gubernatorial appointments to higher education boards. Representative Deborah Inteman was nominated to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Bryce W. McKibben to the Pierce College Board of Trustees, former Senator David Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and former Senator Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Each appointee described their background in higher education, public service, and community college or university advocacy, and members asked about attendance, board service, and how they would help bridge legislative and institutional priorities. The committee also held a work session on Central Washington University’s geothermal and decarbonization efforts, with staff explaining the university’s open-loop geothermal system, planned geo-eco plants, and climate action goals tied to state clean building and decarbonization mandates. CWU officials said the project is intended to reduce emissions, support campus heating and cooling, and serve as a living laboratory for students. In executive session, the committee moved to report a panel of gubernatorial appointments, including the higher education appointments heard that day, with a recommendation that they be confirmed. The motion passed by voice vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• appointed on the floor soon after that.
• Thank you, Chair and members. Appreciate it.
• Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Good morning, Chair, members of the committee.
• Good morning, Chair, members of the committee.

Summary: The Law and Justice Committee first heard testimony on four gubernatorial appointments to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission. Kristen Ferreira, a Chelan County Superior Court judge, said she would bring a rural court perspective; Lisa Mannion, the King County Prosecuting Attorney, emphasized fairness, equity, victim input, and modernization of sentencing grids, and answered a question about her gun responsibility advocacy by saying responsible gun ownership and Second Amendment rights can coexist. Kate Bedward, an appellate public defender with experience in tribal and other defense systems, said she wanted to help evaluate whether the sentencing scheme is meeting Washington’s goals. Rochelle Cleland, seeking renewal in the survivor/lived-experience seat, stressed the importance of survivor and victim voices and criticized the commission for leaving the victim advocate seat vacant and for how it handled a recent vote. The chair said the committee would take executive action on the appointments the following Tuesday. In executive session, the committee reviewed and amended several bills. SB 5906, concerning data and personal safety protections in public accommodations, was amended with a substitute and an amendment requiring notification of union representatives when certain early learning or school employees are subject to immigration enforcement; it received a due pass recommendation. SJM 8014, requesting an investigation into the killing of Aishanor Eski Aege, was amended for more neutral language and also received a due pass recommendation, with members noting the emotionally charged nature of the memorial. SB 6087, expanding liability protections for donations of baby items, and SB 5890, reclassifying certain high-speed driving conduct as negligent driving in the first degree, both advanced after substitutes/amendments were adopted. SB 6017, addressing victim- and witness-centered court procedures, advanced after the sponsor withdrew a proposed amendment for later floor work; members discussed trauma-informed protections and funding concerns. The committee also advanced SB 5520 on compensation for wrongly convicted persons after rejecting amendments that would have removed civil detention language and advance-payment provisions, with members debating the scope and fiscal impact of the bill. SB 6239, concerning arbitration for older tort claims, moved forward after extensive discussion about balancing survivor access to compensation with state and local fiscal concerns and sovereign immunity. SB 5886, expanding personality rights to forged digital likenesses, was advanced with a substitute combining it with related subject matter. Finally, SB 6190 on critical infrastructure protection and scrap metal records was amended to require photographs and database reporting for certain transactions and then received a due pass recommendation. The committee adjourned after sending the bills to the Rules Committee, subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Message from the Governor: Senate confirmation number four appointing Napoleon Bracie to the Alabama
• Message from the Governor: Senate confirmation number eight appointing Kevin Kid to the Alabama Board
• Message from the Speaker of the House: Senate confirmation number twenty-one appointing Pay R.
• President, members, this is a Mr.
• Bill Cabanis was a member of this body up until 1990.

Bills: SB 2 , SJR 36 , SB 2 , SB 2 , SR 29 , SB 2

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there's no question that some communities appoint planning board members, select board appointment
• ><c> appointed</c> planning board members appointed planning board members appointed officials?
• </c> members, select board appointment. members, select board appointment.
• I'm going to go back to my question, which is: are appointed members volunteer members of a planning
• Three are elected; you have one appointed from the school board as an ex officio member and one member

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Glorioso, Bacala, Riser, Eccle[s], vote your machine, members. Members, are you through voting?
• Members, are you through voting? The clerk will close the machine. We have 98 members.
• The President appoints the following conference committee members to House Bill 258 by Representative
• The President appoints the following committee members to confer... Kleinpeter, Miller, and Reese.
• The President appoints the following committee members to confer the disagreement to House Bill 35359

Bills: HR320 , HR321 , HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , SCR65 , SCR74 , SCR76 , HR245 , SCR30 , SCR40 , HB1259 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB276 , SB319 , SB333 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB484 , SB501 , SB509 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB119 , HB129 , HB233 , HB283 , HB538 , HB789 , HB850 , HB870 , HB1236 , HB1241 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB149 , HB463 , HB998 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , SB82 , SB97 , SB283 , SB326 , SB518 , SB197 , SB268 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB89 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449

Keywords: Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair Nobles, members of the committee.
• So I think you would be an excellent member.
• hearing on Senate Gubernatorial Appointment 9288, former Senator David Frockt appointed to the Western
• members.
• two members of the committee.

Bills: SGA9314 , SGA9282 , SGA9288 , SGA9296 , SGA9232 , SGA9233 , SGA9235 , SGA9236 , SGA9237

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• No member that is appointed will sit on the board beyond the end of their term of office, beyond the
• to be changing that to say that the members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
• So on page 3 it says any member of the board may be removed by his respective appointing authority at
• appointing authority that appointed the board member.
• So you appoint someone for a two-year term, but something happens between you and that member... ...appoint

Summary: The House Municipal Committee met and first advanced HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, which would extend existing lien/privilege authority for unpaid utility service charges and user fees to parishes, sewerage districts, and waterworks districts, including Jefferson Parish. Lyons explained it was intended to address master-metered multifamily properties and align Jefferson Parish with other parishes. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use inmate labor to cut grass at a private cemetery known as the Zachary Public Cemetery. Members raised concerns about using unpaid prison labor on private property, whether the cemetery was abandoned, and whether the bill should be narrowed. The author and city representative explained the city already contracts with DCI for inmate work and that the bill was meant to clarify legality. The motion to advance was withdrawn, and the bill was voluntarily deferred to a later meeting for further work. Several other bills were advanced, including HB 893 by Rep. Knox on the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, HB 1007 creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in Orleans Parish, and HB 1153 by Rep. Coates establishing a clearer local burn-ban framework with amendments on notice, lifting bans, and penalties. The committee also considered HB 1215 by Rep. Baham on the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments; after amendments and extensive questions about costs, coordination with the lieutenant governor’s office, and local zoning authority, the bill was voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 362 and HB 484 by Rep. Newell were handled, with HB 362 advanced and HB 484 deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment to the New Orleans Regional Business Park board. Several other bills and resolutions were announced as deferred or not heard, and the committee adjourned after scheduling a larger agenda for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• required to appear, starting with item 2G: the appointment of Paulette Brown Hines, PhD, as a member
• We're going to start with item 1A, the appointment of Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, as a member of the San
• the appointment of Paulette Brown-Hines, PhD, as a member of the California Transportation Commission
• Item 1A, the appointment of Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, as a member of the San Joaquin Valley Unified
• Council. 1F, the appointment of Ann Patterson, J.D., as a member of the Delta Stewardship Council.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• It's my honor to be able to bring to you this gubernatorial appointment.
• It's my honor to be able to bring to you this gubernatorial appointment.
• President and members of the Senate, that I've noticed is that as we appoint to places like the Human
• President and members of the Senate, that I've noticed is that as we appoint to places like the Human
• That's what we need, and that's why Megan Runk is a good fit for this appointment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is only re-appointments. This is only re-appointments. We have a group of reappointments.
• I'm honored to have been appointed by the governor to serve on the St. ...and the members of the committee
• Let’s go to our next new appointment. And that is Robert Michael—” “Go to our next new appointment.
• Pullum, a new appointment. He's a new appointment to the Board of Trustees of Valencia College. Mr.
• And any questions, members? We so appreciate your commitment. And any questions, members?

Bills: S1570 , S1376

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to our next new appointment.
• Pullum, a new appointment. He's a new appointment to the Board of Trustees of Valencia College. Mr.
• And any questions, members? We so appreciate your commitment. And any questions, members?
• She's the last one on our new appointments and we want to vote on the new appointment.
• She's the last one on our new appointments and we want to vote on the new appointments before we go to

Bills: S1570 , S1376

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• committee of four members of the House to meet with a like committee appointed by the Senate on the
• been appointed. The message is signed been appointed.
• The Speaker announced the appointment of the following members of the House to a conference committee
• </c> urge members support. urge members support.
• </c> the appointment of the following members the appointment of the following members of<00:12:28.080