Transcript Highlights:

• siblings and extended family parents siblings and extended family parents siblings and extended family
• that may not send you might have parents that may not send you might have parents that may not send
• fail to send their days when parents fail to send their days when parents fail to send their kids to
• and many parents trying to hurry parents and many parents trying to hurry parents and many parents trying
• for many many years you public educator for many many years you public educator for many many years

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It punishes professionals who care and educate them.
• It can't be parental choice when you want it to be parental choice and then not be parental choice when
• It can't be parental choice when you want it to be parental choice and then not be parental choice when
• We're second-guessing parents.
• It's a parent trying to provide for their family.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and voted on a series of bills covering child abuse reporting, firearms products liability, crime victim records, guardianship eligibility, historic monuments, animal welfare, juvenile justice, and restrictions on sex reassignment care for minors. HB 373, on the statute of limitations for violations involving required child abuse reports, passed unanimously. HB 1551, as amended, clarified that a firearm is not defective merely because it lacks optional safety features and preserved design-defect claims and nonretroactivity; after substantial testimony and debate, it passed 13-5. CS/HB 1113, expanding public-records protections for crime victims and briefly exempting law enforcement victims, passed unanimously. CS/HB 737, allowing courts more discretion in appointing guardians with prior felony convictions and adding a narrow exception for certain older convictions, also passed unanimously as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Senate Education.
• It addresses educators who move between administrative roles and classrooms.
• Chairman Lent and Senate Education Committee members, good afternoon.
• valued education.
• work ethic, or my parents' involvement.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He is our MC3 State Commissioner and our Deputy Superintendent of the Idaho State Department of Education
• I want to provide a clear picture of who those students are, specifically their educational challenges
• Barsey will be discussing our Speak Study, Idaho State Department of Education website, and the military
• for the Department of Education.
• How does the military compensate for those costs of educating the kids?

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 27 and January 28, 2026, with a correction noted to the January 28 minutes regarding the listing of Haley Sweeten as incoming executive director of IHLA. Members were also reminded to review upcoming rules work and to wait until testimony is complete before making motions during bill hearings. The main presentation focused on support for military-connected students in Idaho. Dominique Haig, school liaison for Mountain Home Air Force Base, and Dr. Spencer Barsey of the Idaho Department of Education described Idaho’s Purple Star School designation, the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MC3), and related supports such as the military student identifier and a state website with resources for families. They highlighted the challenges military children face from frequent moves, deployments, and school transitions, and described school-based activities at Stevenson Elementary such as student ambassadors, Month of the Military Child events, and Flagpole Friday. Barsey explained that Idaho joined MC3 in 2013, adopted advance enrollment in 2020, and now identifies military-connected students as a distinct reporting group to better track and support them. In response to questions, Haig said the compact helps compare credits and graduation requirements when students move between states, but it applies only to public schools and not homeschool or charter schools. She also said the department supports any educational choice families make. In response to a question about school funding, she said schools with enough military-connected students can receive federal impact aid, with districts reportedly receiving about $1 million to $3.5 million annually. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is our MC3 State Commissioner and our Deputy Superintendent of the Idaho State Department of Education
• He is our MC3 State Commissioner and our Deputy Superintendent of the Idaho State Department of Education
• I want to provide a clear picture of who those students are, specifically their educational challenges
• for the Department of Education.
• How does the military compensate for those costs of educating the kids?

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a caregiver for my parents, and I support the bill. Thank you. Good morning.
• I had a grandmother that my parents took care of.
• However, the definition of local educational agencies excluded employees of JPAs.
• As a parent, most people are parents, a lot of people are parents.
• They're trying to figure You know, as a parent, most people are parents, a lot of people are parents.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement met for its first hearing of the session, adopted committee rules, and heard several labor-related bills. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including limits on testimony and expectations for orderly conduct. Members then took up measures affecting public employee bargaining, contracting, confidentiality, school employee benefits, pay stub information, and state correctional health staffing. AB 672 would require public employers to notify PERB when filing court actions involving statutes PERB administers and allow PERB to intervene; it drew support from SEIU, AFSCME, school employees, labor groups, and no opposition, and was passed out of committee. AB 283 would move IHSS bargaining from the county to the state level; providers and recipients testified about low wages, long delays in bargaining, and care access concerns, while counties and public authorities raised cost, scope, and implementation issues. The bill passed 7-0 after members discussed family care worker concerns and the author said he would continue working on the issue. AB 339 would require local governments to give unions 120 days’ notice before contracting out bargaining-unit work. Labor supporters said the bill would make existing meet-and-confer rights meaningful and protect jobs, while counties, cities, special districts, chambers of commerce, and staffing groups argued it would burden local agencies and interfere with existing MMBA procedures. The committee also heard AB 340, which would make communications between employees and union representatives confidential for PERB purposes; supporters said it codified existing case law, while school administrators, special districts, counties, and business groups warned it could hinder investigations. AB 378 would extend the classified school employees summer assistance program to JPA employees, and AB 374 would require more detailed pay stubs for classified school employees; both had labor support and some education-sector opposition over implementation and cost concerns, and both advanced. AB 393 would require cost analyses before contracting out physician work at CDCR and the Department of State Hospitals; supporters argued the state was overpaying contractors amid high vacancy rates, and the bill also advanced. At the end of the hearing, the committee recorded final votes showing AB 283, AB 340, AB 374, AB 378, AB 393, and AB 672 all passing out of committee, while AB 339 remained on hold with a 4-0 vote and some members not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:26.400><c> or</c> hospital or a planned parent or hospital or a planned parent or something
• than parental supervision and public<00:37:56.400><c> education</c><00:37:57.280><c> and</c><00:37:57.599
• And I think, you know, it's easy to say that parents can block and parents can put these things on.
• It's not that easy for the parents. You have parents who have one child that's homeschooled.
• You have parents who have poor kids of all ages that are out. This is for the parents and the kids.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by explaining that the meeting was a work session and that votes would only be taken where there was clear consensus. CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” was discussed first but not acted on because the prime sponsor was absent. Members raised concerns about whether the issue belonged in the constitution and what the amendment would mean in practice, and the chair recessed the matter for a future meeting. HB 74, concerning the definition of “citizen” for the right-to-know law and disclosure of preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body, drew little support. Members noted the Senate’s prior rejection of a related bill and agreed the proposal was unlikely to advance. A motion to ITL the bill passed unanimously by roll call, 15-0, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 232, dealing with rights of conscience for medical professionals, was also recessed. Members said they had not yet seen the amendment, which was described as narrowing the bill to abortion-related issues and limiting penalties. Several members said they could not judge the bill without the amendment and expected disagreement, so the chair recessed it. HB 253, on interest-bearing pooled trust accounts maintained by lawyers, was discussed at length; the chair said the bill did not address the underlying IOLTA issue and would likely create conflict with the bar and judiciary. Members cited existing Supreme Court procedures and suggested the bill was unnecessary. A straw vote showed support for interim study and ITL, and the committee ultimately voted 15-0 to place HB 253 on consent. HB 293, aimed at preventing minors from accessing obscene material on internet-connected devices, prompted substantial debate. Members generally supported the goal but objected to the bill’s private right of action, its focus on manufacturers rather than content providers or internet platforms, uncertainty about the filtering technology required, and concerns about defining obscenity on a national rather than community basis. The committee discussed forming a subcommittee to work on the bill further, and members volunteered to serve, indicating the issue would be revisited rather than voted on immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:49.000><c> in</c> opportunities for public education in opportunities for public education
• </c><00:10:26.519><c> investing</c> high quality Early Education investing high quality Early Education
• </c> expanded also focusing on our Educators expanded also focusing on our Educators who<00:12:04.200
• Resuming the Committee on Education.
• Our parent union, the National Education Association, gives examples of Community Schools becoming a

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further to the Committee on Education.
• Education. SB 1306, ESA's expenditures, enrollment limitations. Education.
• Education. SB 1328, domestic relations, parents' rights. Judiciary and Elections. Thank you.
• Education. SB 1328, domestic relations, parents' rights. Judiciary and Elections.
• Education. SB 1361, empowerment scholarship accounts post-secondary education. Education.

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then recognized several guest groups and proclamations, including Alzheimer’s Association advocates, Arizona Society of CPAs members, the Arizona Airports Association, and students from Onyose Day Academy. A proclamation was read declaring January 26, 2006, as Arizona Aviation Day, highlighting the economic and public-safety importance of Arizona’s aviation sector and its airports. The bulk of the meeting consisted of points of personal privilege and floor statements, many focused on condemning recent deaths and injuries involving federal immigration enforcement actions in Arizona and other states. Senators called for investigations, transparency, due process, and an end to what they described as excessive force and warrantless enforcement. One senator also read a resolution supporting human rights and the people of Iran, condemning state violence and supporting secular protections and international accountability. The chamber also handled routine business, including gubernatorial nominations, which were referred to the appropriate committees, and the introduction and first reading of numerous bills and resolutions covering topics such as taxes, education, immigration, elections, health care, water, labor, housing, firearms, and appropriations. After committee announcements, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn and recessed/adjourned until Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for your interest in civic education and being wonderful Girl Scouts.
• President, your Committee on Education, having under consideration SB 1327 relating to Board foreign
• President, your Committee on Education, having under consideration SB 1327 relating to Board foreign
• temporary legal decision-making or parenting time.
• Low scores result in being banned from travel, education, and employment.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions recognizing judges, medical and mining guests, students, and Girl Scout Troop 6354. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a long calendar of bills, with most measures receiving committee amendments and do-pass recommendations. Bills discussed included SB 1272 on the Douglas port of entry, SB 1327 on Arizona Board of Regents restrictions involving foreign countries, SB 1400 on public safety employee information, SB 1519 on off-highway vehicles, SB 1627 on unmanned aircraft, SB 1630 on AHCCCS home and community-based services and mental illness, SB 1720 on parenting time, SB 1763 on school district finances, SB 1826 on rural wayfinding signs, and SB 1827 on vertiports/advanced air mobility. Several bills drew floor amendments and brief explanations, including changes to off-highway vehicle use, drone restrictions near schools, parenting-time standards, and school finance reporting. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1272, SB 1327, SB 1400, SB 1519, SB 1627, SB 1630, SB 1720, SB 1763, and SB 1826. SB 1827 initially failed on a 15-15 vote. Members also debated SB 1111 on automatic license plate readers during a later Committee of the Whole session; supporters said it added guardrails such as warrant requirements, training, logging, and felony penalties for misuse, while opponents argued it still enabled broad surveillance and contained loopholes. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole report and then proceeded to third reading votes on the earlier bills. In the later session, the Senate considered SB 1111, SB 1214 on stem-cell/regenerative therapy, SB 1683 on foreign ownership/advisory limits for real property, SB 1686 on a memorial designation, and SB 1745 on local excise tax rate limits. SB 1214’s sponsor said the bill created a framework for regenerative medicine and medical tourism, while opponents said the policy was too significant for floor amendment and should be developed through stakeholder meetings. SB 1683 and SB 1745 were amended and advanced, and SB 1686 passed without amendment. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the Senate then took up a motion to alter the report on SB 1111 to include the Hoffman amendment and exclude the Payne amendment, with debate centered on whether the bill was a necessary surveillance safeguard or an unconstitutional mass-surveillance measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Education Committee will come to order.
• and special education.
• These... ...districts, all of our educators, all of our parents and communities, that you want local
• educators.
• My hope is that the bill will finally educate the adults entrusted with my child's education so they

Summary: The committee first took up a motion from Ranking Member Root to promptly schedule public hearings on two citizens’ initiatives. Supporters argued the Constitution and public accountability required hearings so voters could hear pro and con arguments; opponents said the legislature was not obligated to act that way and the initiatives would still be heard at the ballot. On a voice vote, the motion failed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 1295, which would require evidence-aligned, comprehensive literacy instruction for K-4 students, update teacher endorsement standards and preparation programs, and require literacy-related continuing education for some teachers. The bill also repeals several older literacy-related provisions. The sponsor and supporters said Washington’s reading results are too low and that structured literacy reflects the science of reading; districts such as Puyallup described strong gains after adopting evidence-aligned instruction. Opponents and alternative-program advocates argued the bill could narrow instructional approaches and exclude programs they say have worked well. PESB testified neutrally that much of the endorsement work is already underway but asked for clarification on recertification language. The hearing on HB 1295 was suspended and later resumed with additional pro testimony from students, parents, and literacy advocates. House Bill 2262 was then heard and completed. It would require high school civics instruction to include teaching students to produce a legible, repeatable official signature and explain how signatures are used in elections and ballot processes, while also requiring related outreach and reporting on signature mismatch ballot rejections. The sponsor and county auditor testimony emphasized that younger voters often have signatures that change over time and that better instruction could reduce ballot rejections; questions focused on whether the bill should account for printed signatures and diverse writing systems. The Secretary of State’s office and county auditors were reported as supportive, and the hearing closed after a large number of pro sign-ins. The committee also heard House Bill 2636, which would create a public education performance, operations, and funding review commission to evaluate whether education mandates and funding are effective, relevant, and adequately supported. Supporters said the bill would help identify unfunded mandates and reduce administrative burdens on districts; rural district testimony urged a narrower scope and earlier start date. Finally, House Bill 2007 was heard, proposing competency-based assessments as additional graduation pathway options in place of some existing course/exam requirements. Student testimony supported more flexible, equitable pathways, while the State Board of Education said it supports competency-based education but preferred to wait for its broader Future Ready graduation-requirements work and noted the bill would require additional rulemaking. The hearing on HB 2007 closed after testimony from students and a neutral statement from SBE.

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit under the program under a private education choice program. education choice program, and then
• parent and family engagement.
• As a reminder, education savings accounts cover a wider range of approved educational expenses, though
• education agencies.
• Getting a quality education, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2313, Education, please.
• Pay a HB. 2313, education, please. 2313.
• , and pupils who are the child of an active-duty military parent.
• Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Committee on Education, House Bill 2838 establishes the education
• that a parent is not entitled to equal access to a child's records when the other parent is in said

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been ongoing for years, and we were all talking about education.
• I mean, our children, our grandkids, are there to be educated.
• I'm also an educator.
• They take parents to court if their child is absent.
• All of the educational assistants are Zuni people.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives parents and students more control.
• Parents, educators, researchers, and lawmakers all have roles to play.
• And importantly, teens can't opt out without parental permission.
• Second, platforms are empowering parents with real controls, not checkbox parenting tools.
• Parents can see...

Bills: SB5928

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents and kids should never have to question whether the coaches and staff have the equipment or the
• And then there will be recurring costs for education and purchases of new AEDs periodically thereafter
• Referees, uniforms, equipment, coach education, coach background checks, fingerprinting, and insurance
• AB 708 is a parental empowerment bill that will increase children's safety and uphold parental choice
• I can imagine in the future maybe a foundation that could also play a role in this for parents.

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met as a subcommittee and heard three youth-sports safety bills. AB 310 would require youth sports organizations to have written emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies, maintain and test AEDs, and ensure coaches have training in AED use and CPR. The author and supporters, including the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation and the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology, argued the bill would save lives and build on last year’s AED requirement. Youth soccer organizations opposed the bill’s broader AED mandate on cost grounds, saying compliance could total millions statewide and could force higher dues, while asking for grants, liability protections, and public-field AED installation. The committee discussed costs and funding options, then passed AB 310 on a 9-0 vote. The committee then considered AB 437, which would add sports-related injuries, including head injuries, to the health and safety information the CIF must report to the Legislature and Governor. Support came from the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and there was no opposition. Members said the measure would improve reporting on athlete safety and accepted technical amendments. AB 437 was approved 9-0 as amended. Finally, AB 708 would allow parents to choose soft-shelled helmet add-ons for youth football to reduce concussion risk. The author described the bill as a parental-choice and safety measure, noting studies showing reduced concussion risk. Members praised the bill as a common-sense alternative to banning the sport and emphasized that it would let families choose additional protection. There was no opposition, and the committee passed AB 708 9-0. The committee also adopted a consent calendar item with amendments before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education in Washington cannot go with less.
• Parents in my program can't go to work if the doors close.
• And if so, how many dollars go directly to K-12 education?
• I'm the chair of the Association for Higher Education with the Washington Education Association.
• are now unsure if they can continue their education.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the LifeSmarts Consumer Education in the LifeSmarts Consumer Education competition. competition
• </c> of Hawaii public school educators. of Hawaii public school educators.
• Primary Years Program Educator, Primary Years Program Educator, Kylie<00:24:00.000><c> integrates</c>
• It was a pleasure to co-chair this year's Senate Education Week with our education chair, Senator Kim
• </c> for Senator Kidani's work on Education for Senator Kidani's work on Education Week<00:25:47.880>

Bills: HB1576 , HB2490 , HB1546 , HB1588

Keywords: HB1576, Hawaii film industry, DBEDT, BLNR, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Board of Land and Natural Resources, film permits, motion picture production, television production, commercial filming, digital media tax credit, film production tax credit, public notice, transparency, state lands, film studio, land set-aside, revocable permit, memorandum of agreement, memorandum of understanding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> looking for good bills in education looking for good bills in education Finance<00:02:09.640><c>
• </c> in education in education settings<00:07:44.479><c> so</c><00:07:44.639><c> when</c><00:07:44.759
• </c><00:25:01.200><c> programs</c> Centers alternative education programs Centers alternative education
• But we are the minority of parents.
• educator educators of greater Minnesota educator educators of color<01:38:23.239><c> Grant</c> color

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents have a natural duty to provide their children with a proper education, as evidenced by Ephesians
• Constitution, the power to aid parents in providing children... ...with children with quality education
• Constitution, the power to aid parents in providing children with quality education is reserved for the
• parental authority, and fails to increase the quality of education nationwide, we ask you to see...
• Institute of Education Sciences, which is the gold star for education research.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 883, which would give qualifying high-performing charter schools and traditional school districts more flexibility over spending and reduce certain state reporting requirements. The sponsor and Emily McClure of the Idaho Charter School Network said the bill is intended to reward strong academic, financial, and operational performance with greater local control, while preserving accountability and avoiding any threat to federal funding. Supporters from American Classical Schools of Idaho said the measure would help schools allocate funds more effectively and reduce redundant compliance work; a district witness opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment among public schools and conflicts with the idea of common schools. After questions about which reports would be waived and whether federal funds would be affected, the committee voted to send HB 883 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Joint Memorial 19, which expresses support for a federal effort to disband the U.S. Department of Education. Senator Den Hartog argued that education is not an enumerated federal power and said dismantling the department could reduce federal overreach while preserving student protections and shifting administration of programs elsewhere in the federal government. Testimony in support came from Idaho Family Policy Center, which said the department violates federalism and parental authority. Opponents raised concerns about uncertainty over where programs such as Title I, Pell Grants, special education, and school nutrition would be housed, and one witness warned that eliminating the department could worsen inequities and undermine civil rights and research functions. The committee ultimately voted to send HJM 19 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, and then adjourned.