Transcript Highlights:

• A 2422 by Goodwin relating to the seller's disclosure regarding water services for the water rights and
• AP 2495 by Dutton relating to certain rights of sole manager conservatorship in a child or relationship
• veteran or their surviving spouse as such veteran based on the disability rating of the veteran.
• The right of every person to keep and bear arms for the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety
• UC proposing a constitutional amendment establishing an individual's rights to personal reproductive

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as the disability rights community and have provided updated language that we believe addresses
• It reflects California's longstanding leadership in advancing disability rights while supporting responsible
• Tremel Watson with Disability Rights California in strong support. Thank you. Thank you.
• And I think doing so with the disability rights community at the front and center, which is so critical
• That's right. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. That's right. Okay.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, she's right here. Oh, there's Kristen, and Malik, I think, is not here.
• I do think that's probably a conversation that will continue, but I appreciate your right; it's a big
• it so I do think that's probably you know a conversation that will continue but I appreciate your right
• issue and I appreciate you raising it today conversation that will continue but I appreciate your right
• to notice regarding the rent increase exemption for low-income elderly persons and persons with disabilities

Committee: Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development met to open the 2006 session and discussed the governor’s executive budget, housing affordability, housing supply, and barriers to construction. Chair Brian Kavanaugh emphasized efforts to lower barriers to building housing and expand rental assistance and SCRIE/DRIE-related eligibility, while Ranking Member Jack Martins called for rolling back regulations that impede housing production. Senator Helming stressed that, especially in upstate New York, lack of electrical capacity is a major obstacle to new housing and urged attention to utility infrastructure; the chair responded that the budget includes a $3.75 billion proposal for water and sewer capacity and noted that electrical transmission and generation issues fall outside the committee’s direct jurisdiction. The committee also noted a joint Senate-Assembly budget hearing on housing scheduled for February 25. The committee then took up a 10-bill agenda, largely consisting of measures previously reported by the committee and many of which had passed the Senate in prior sessions. Bills addressed tenant registration statements for LLCs (S.119), leasing to business and other entities (S.240), notice requirements for SCRIE/DRIE rent increase exemptions (S.561), housing production reporting to the Department of State (S.919A), creation of a New York Main Street Development Center (S.1851), retroactive benefit calculations for SCRIE/DRIE (S.2534), a common application and web portal for housing funding and incentives (S.2707), tenant access to complete rent histories (S.3569), continuation of SCRIE benefits after temporary income increases (S.4252), and eligibility requirements for disability rent increase exemptions (S.6510). Several members raised questions or comments on specific bills, including the absence of an Assembly sponsor on S.2707 and the need for technical alignment with Assembly versions. All ten bills were reported out of committee, with some advanced to the floor and others to the Finance Committee. Senator Walchick voted in the negative on several measures, while Senators Helming and Martins occasionally voted “without recommendation” on selected bills. No bill was defeated, and the meeting adjourned with notice that another housing committee meeting was expected the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:00:55.760><c> anyone</c> welcome all right anyone welcome all right anyone else<00:00:58.480>
• specific or special learning disability specific or special learning<00:15:21.519><c> disability</c>
• disability specific learning disability<00:15:24.480><c> uh</c><00:15:24.600><c> to</c><00:15:24.800
• </c> that all right so here we go I was right that all right so here we go I was right 30%<00:50:48.119
• </c><00:57:49.319><c> uh</c> again but but you're exactly right uh again but but you're exactly right

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills and first received a presentation from Paige Cash of Kentucky FFA/Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education. She described the reach of CTE in Kentucky, saying more than 143,000 secondary students are enrolled in CTE courses, and highlighted work-based learning, dual credit, industry certifications, and student organizations such as FFA, DECA, FCCLA, HOSA, TSA, and SkillsUSA. She said CTE funding has helped update lab equipment, support teacher training, fund field trips, and expand participation in career and technical student organizations. Representative Wilson presented House Bill 132, which would address home hospital instruction reimbursement in cases involving short stays, particularly mental health placements that are often under five days. He said schools continue providing instruction even when they are no longer reimbursed under current rules. The committee advanced the bill unanimously after a motion and second, with the measure passing with an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee then heard House Bill 272 on dyslexia, sponsored by Representative Heavrin. The bill would require KDE to annually update the dyslexia toolkit, require local boards to adopt policies for identifying and assisting K-3 students with dyslexia, require KDE to report district implementation data to LRC, and require teacher preparation programs to include dyslexia instruction. Members discussed whether the bill would require teacher diagnoses, how it would interact with existing IEP/504 and RTI processes, and concerns about added reporting and district burden. Supporters said many students are falling through the cracks and that earlier identification is needed; Representative Willner noted a shortage of school psychologists. The committee passed HB 272 with a motion and second, though several members voted pass and explained concerns about reporting burdens, red tape, and district costs. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 193, a dual credit cleanup bill presented by Joe Carol Ellis of KHEAA. She said the bill would consolidate the statutes governing general education dual credit and CTE/work-ready dual credit scholarships to match current funding practice and reduce confusion for K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions. The presentation was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right.
• You want to stop right there? Sure. Okay. Okay. Question. You want to stop right there? Sure. Okay.
• Right. That's easiest way to say that.
• Right. That's easiest way to say that.
• So, and she was right. She was right.

Committee: Joint Finance

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. All right. We have a winner.
• All right. I believe, if I can remember right, where we're at here.
• All right. I believe, if I can remember right, where we're at here.
• All right, I'd like to close. Thank you, Chairman.
• All right, Senator Woodward. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 531, which updates Idaho school code language on epinephrine delivery systems so schools are not limited to referencing only auto-injectors like EpiPens. The sponsor and school nurse testimony said the change would allow newer FDA-approved options, such as nasal spray, without creating new staffing, training, reporting, or fiscal requirements. Members confirmed the bill does not require schools or LEAs to keep epinephrine on hand. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1288, which creates the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to help reimburse districts and charter schools for unusually high special education costs tied to a student’s IEP. The bill sets a $30,000 threshold, reimburses 100% of costs from $30,000 to $80,000 and 80% above that up to $100,000 per student, and reserves funding between rural and non-rural districts with flexibility to use unused funds where needed. Testimony from school boards, districts, educators, and parent advocates described the bill as a way to stabilize budgets and protect services for students with complex medical, behavioral, and sensory needs. After questions about the funding split and current special education shortfall, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 624, which revises rules for virtual education programs and Idaho Home Learning Academy. The bill requires school board approval of contracts with education service providers, verification of Idaho residency, alignment of curricular materials with state standards, conflict-of-interest safeguards, limits on direct payments to parents, clearer rules for eligible supplemental learning expenses, and district/charter control over hiring and evaluation of teachers. Supporters from Idaho Home Learning Academy, school districts, and parents said the changes preserve virtual school choice while adding transparency and accountability. The committee voted to send House Bill 624 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right. All right. We have a winner.
• You were right on. Okay.
• All right. I believe, if I can remember right, where we're at here.
• All right. I believe, if I can remember right, where we're at here.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Thank you. And may all the other bills go as quickly. Right. Next we have SB 347.
• Right now, veterans are forced to choose the homeowners exemption to get a higher benefit.
• We recently worked on another bill that would exempt 100% disabled veterans from property taxes as well
• You're absolutely right.
• All right. Senator Grayson has moved the bills. Will the Secretary call the roll?

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Thank you. Any further questions from the committee?
• So it's right.
• Right, and that really is the ultimate goal.
• Right. And listen to this ago. Let's think about this. Yeah.
• Right now, that does not exist.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, right?
• All right.
• All right?
• You battle for education rights. You battle for medical rights.
• &gt;&gt; Right. &gt;&gt; Right. &gt;&gt; Right.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened by adopting its mission and priorities for reviewing Kentucky’s 1915(c) home- and community-based services waiver wait lists, including evaluating current capacity and bottlenecks, comparing other states’ practices, and considering a tiered priority system based on urgency of need. The chair also announced that, although public comment was not on the agenda, the committee would allow 30 minutes for comments and asked speakers to keep remarks brief. He noted that public comment would not continue in the smaller subcommittees after this meeting, but could still be made at the larger MOAB meetings or by email. Department for Medicaid Services officials Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock then gave a detailed overview of Kentucky’s waiver programs: the acquired brain injury waiver, ABI long-term care waiver, home and community-based waiver, Model 2, Michelle P. waiver, Supports for Community Living waiver, and the newly approved child waiver. They explained each program’s eligibility and level-of-care requirements, described funded, filled, allocated, reserved, and available slots, and said the state had already added new slots from House Bill 500. They emphasized that available slots can coexist with a wait list because of reserved slots for money-follows-the-person transitions, emergency slots, annual slot churn, and waiver-year reconciliation. They also reported that the unduplicated wait list total was 18,948, and gave current wait-time figures by waiver, noting that the numbers change constantly. Members asked about how level-of-care determinations are made, whether all people on the wait list have been assessed, and whether undocumented individuals appear in the counts. The department said full level-of-care assessments are done only when a person is moving off the wait list into a reserved slot, and that only Medicaid-eligible individuals can reach the wait list. Senators and representatives also pressed on the meaning of “churn,” why slots cannot be reissued immediately when someone leaves, and whether people who receive even a small amount of service keep their slot for the rest of the waiver year under CMS rules. Officials said that once a participant receives service during the waiver year, the slot generally cannot be reassigned until the next waiver year, even if the person later disengages. The department also presented county distribution, annual member growth, average total cost per member, and total annual waiver expenditures, saying fiscal year 2025 closed at about $1.8 billion in waiver services. In response to questions, officials said they would provide additional churn data for other waivers, including Michelle P., and would look into the average wait-time calculations requested by members. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The alternative dispute resolution would be litigation, so isn't that right?"
• I'm not convinced that this really resolves much, so that's where I'm at right now.
• All right. I'm turning the chair over to Assembly Member Lackey.
• That's right.
• We have the right under the First Amendment to organize a union, but that right is hollow if our employer

Summary: The committee heard several labor and employment measures. AB 465 would require local public employers, at a union’s request, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal rights, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters, including AFSCME and SEIU, said it would create fairer and more consistent due process protections for local government workers; opponents from county and city groups argued it would impose binding arbitration and rigid discipline rules that could undermine local flexibility and accountability. The bill passed on a 5-0 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations. AB 792 would allow court interpreter bargaining to be consolidated when multiple regions are negotiating at the same time. The author and the California Federation of Interpreters said the change would reduce repeated bargaining, improve efficiency, and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would really solve wage and staffing problems; the bill passed 5-0 and was placed on hold. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by tying salaries more closely to comparable local fire departments, drew strong support from firefighters and no opposition. Members praised Cal Fire’s work and the bill passed 7-0 and was held for add-ons. The committee also approved AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing federal cuts or office closures. Supporters said Social Security is essential to seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and children, and warned that reductions would increase poverty and homelessness. One member objected to naming political figures in the resolution, but the measure still passed 7-0 and was held. AB 1247, which would require contracted-out school classified workers to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address related retirement contributions, passed 5-2 despite opposition from county superintendents and school administrators who said it would add costs and limit contracting flexibility. Finally, AB 288, which would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB fails to remedy labor claims by a deadline, passed 6-0 with strong union support and no opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to deprive any human being of the right to deprive any human being of the right to<00:04:21.040>
• </c> STR 518, right? STR 518, right? &gt;&gt; Yes.<00:08:32.240><c> I'm</c><00:08:32.399><c> sorry.
• </c><00:09:00.080><c> You're</c> it's right there on line 266. You're it's right there on line 266.
• All right. favor say I. Any opposed? No. All right. Thank<00:13:30.560><c> you.
• , but they weren't able to disability, but they weren't able to vote<00:20:38.400><c> right</c><00:20

Committee: Joint Elections

Keywords: Elections - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 1:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:12.080><c> it</c> devastate people with disabilities it devastate people with disabilities
• We're about what's real and what's right now, so I want to talk a little bit about what's real and right
• They were the right thing to do in '23 and '24.
• </c> bipartisan interest right bipartisan interest right now<00:15:12.880><c> you</c><00:15:13.000><c
• </c><00:20:01.600><c> it's</c> it's the people with disabilities it's it's the people with disabilities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would rather have some folks on there than not, right?
• We would rather have some folks on there than not, right?
• All right. All right, we have some individuals wishing to testify.
• We mean we are not all physically present on campus right now.
• All right, I think we have a plan.

Bills: HB2455 , HB2468 , HB2529

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: housing assistance, youth, foster care, pilot program, social services, terminology correction, healthcare, regulatory compliance, department reorganization, Washington, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, accountability board, oversight board, child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, juvenile justice, early learning, family preservation, children and families

Transcript Highlights:

• I have worked for 20-plus years as an advocate for the right of voters with disabilities to vote privately
• All right.
• Liza Ryan Gill with the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
• I think we have time to vote Right here. All right. Okay.
• All right, any questions or concerns about any of that?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes. The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses. HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right. There are different ratings.
• Right. So I love that. Yeah. So it's not, right. So we provide, so you regulate, we coach.
• But you hit it right on the head.
• We advocate for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• All right. Good afternoon, everyone.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on Washington’s child care oversight and subsidy system, focusing on Working Connections Child Care, licensing, audits, and fraud prevention. DCYF officials said the program serves over 63,000 eligible families, with about 6,600 licensed providers and roughly 2,200 license-exempt family, friend, and neighbor providers. They described annual unannounced licensing visits, complaint investigations, attendance tracking, eligibility verification, random and focused audits, and referrals to the Office of Fraud and Accountability or Office of Financial Recovery when needed. Senators asked about voucher amounts, visit frequency, and what happens when children are not present; officials said the average subsidy is about $2,200 per month, providers are paid directly, and repeated failed visits can lead to license closure. Child Care Aware and provider testimony emphasized the quality system, Early Achievers, and a virtual provider described the practical realities of home-based care and unannounced inspections. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5952, which would standardize the process for waiving high school physical education requirements. The bill’s sponsor said the goal was to make PE waiver decisions consistent across districts so students who move schools are not disadvantaged, especially in six-period schedules with limited room for electives. Student supporters said a uniform process would improve fairness and help students fit in AP, career, or other coursework. Opponents, including PE teachers and the Washington Association of School Principals, argued that PE is a core academic subject, that athletics is not interchangeable with PE, and that local flexibility should remain. The State Board of Education supported the bill, saying current district policies vary widely and a standardized process would improve equity and transparency. Next, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 5961, which would transfer the Imagination Library of Washington from DCYF to OSPI. The sponsor called it a simple administrative move to align the book-gifting program with early literacy and K-12 education, noting the program serves about 120,000 children in all 39 counties. OSPI and program representatives supported the transfer, saying it better fits the birth-to-grade-three literacy continuum and strengthens accountability. Testifiers highlighted the program’s role in school readiness, early brain development, and access to physical books for young children. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 5969, which would allow a student’s IEP transition plan to satisfy high school and beyond plan requirements if the IEP team chooses. The sponsor, a special education teacher, said the bill would reduce duplication and better support students with disabilities as they transition to postsecondary life. The committee then began hearing testimony on the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood, affecting both movement and
• Whereas cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood, affecting both movement and
• Whereas cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood, affecting both movement and
• . ...and adults with cerebral palsy and other related disabilities.
• Speaker, right before this bill went up, I had flagged for Representative Olson, page 37, lines 22 through

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Laura Mercer. Members also made several personal privilege introductions, including guests for National Women’s History Month, Father Andres Arango and Interfaith Day participants, Jeremiah Pate, and a proclamation recognizing March 25, 2026, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Representative Simacek and others highlighted United Cerebral Palsy’s work, early diagnosis, and expanded services for people with cerebral palsy. On the floor, the House announced committee substitutions and bill referrals, then moved into Committee of the Whole. Three Senate bills received do pass recommendations: SB 1092, described as ending probation or early release for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children; SB 1097, the annual claimant bill; and SB 1135, a government-related measure. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred those bills to engrossing. The House then took up SB 1430, a tax corrections bill. Representative Calles raised concern that a provision might remove multiple tax exemptions, while Representative Olson said the measure was a technical cleanup and that any policy-changing language had been removed in committee. The bill passed 51-0, with nine not voting, and was sent back to the Senate. The House also received committee meeting announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh and we're going to start to my right uh and we're going to start to my right so<00:02:08.319>
• All right.
• disability rights, as well as other forms of justice that need to be delivered all across the state.
• ><01:25:18.280><c> as</c><01:25:18.920><c> uh</c><01:25:19.199><c> other</c> disability rights um as
• well as uh other disability rights um as well as uh other uh<01:25:20.320><c> forms</c><01:25:20.639>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right.
• And this is the generation that gave us, you know, the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement
• All right, y'all.
• I was thinking of the Mass Senior Action, right? Mass Senior Action, right?

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming its first full-time director, Alison Bauer, who introduced her background in state government, public health, philanthropy, teaching, and LGBTQ family advocacy. Commissioners approved the December quarterly meeting minutes, then turned to a presentation by Adriana Bullen on diversity, equity, inclusion, power, belonging, and intersectionality. Bullen led an interactive workshop using reflection, anonymous polling, and discussion to connect DEI concepts to the commission’s work, including examples from participants’ personal and professional lives and a brief history of intersectionality rooted in Black feminist scholarship and the DeGraffenreid v. General Motors case. The group then applied the discussion to the commission itself, identifying examples of successful DEI work such as listening sessions across the Commonwealth, targeted recruitment, inclusive trainings, the strategic plan, the commission website, and advocacy that helped pass the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights. Participants also named conditions that support the commission’s power, including collaboration, commitment, openness, empowerment, persistence, and strong relationships, while noting barriers such as invisibility of older adults, limited racial and ethnic diversity, and lack of trans elder representation. Several commissioners emphasized the need for more Black, Latino, immigrant, and trans voices, and discussed recruitment challenges, including the difficulty of asking marginalized people to be the only one in the room. Bullen concluded by introducing an equity-lens tool for evaluating decisions and actions, using the commission’s strategic priority on representation as an example. Commissioners discussed whether to expand membership, create an advisory board, or use a broader network of organizations to cultivate future commissioners, noting that some changes would require legislative or procedural action. The meeting ended with appreciation for the workshop and a commitment to continue the work, with the next quarterly meeting scheduled for June.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lopez: Right.
• Chair now calls Tanya Lavelle, Disability Rights Texas for the bill.
• I am the policy specialist with the housing and transportation team at Disability Rights Texas, and we
• Disability Rights Texas is the state's federally designated protection advocacy agency for people with
• disabilities.

Bills: HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency