Transcript Highlights:

• Keep our doors open for survivors of sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and other violent
• This is the state's primary tool for supporting high-demand workforce programs.
• the Medicaid pharmacy benefit in managed care. 340B revenue is core to HealthPoint's comprehensive primary
• The HRC enforces Washington's law against discrimination and is the state's primary civil rights enforcement
• The HRC enforces Washington's law against discrimination and is the state's primary civil rights enforcement

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't matter what the primary mission is.
• It doesn't matter what the primary mission is.
• Obviously, the Coast Guard is the primary one that we have big concerns about."
• The PRA process does not open law enforcement officers to doxing or other employments.
• And this bill will not open the floodgates.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with extensive testimony and debate. AB 1535 would add political affiliation as a sentencing aggravator when a felony is motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived political affiliation. The author said the bill is intended to deter political violence while preserving judicial discretion; supporters framed it as a response to rising threats and attacks tied to politics. Opponents, including ACLU Cal Action, Initiate Justice, and public defender groups, argued the term is vague, could sweep in protected speech and association, and would expand punishment without addressing crime prevention. The bill was later moved on a due-pass recommendation and passed on roll call. AB 1656 would add human trafficking to the list of offenses that qualify for good-cause continuances so a vertical prosecutor can stay with a case. The author and a San Diego DA representative said the change would support trauma-informed prosecution and improve continuity for survivors. Most support testimony came from prosecutors, victim advocates, and civil liberties groups, while some public defender and justice organizations remained in opposition or pending review of amendments. The committee ultimately approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended vote. AB 1589 would allow Level 1 reserve peace officers to use firearm suppressors while on duty, matching the exemption already available to full-time officers. The author and reserve officer witnesses said the bill is a narrow safety measure tied to hearing protection and parity in training and equipment. Opponents, including Brady and ACLU Cal Action, said suppressors are unnecessary, could endanger the public and other officers, and further militarize policing. After discussion about safety, fiscal concerns, and community trust, the committee passed the bill on a due-pass vote. The committee also took up AB 1566, which would align the statutory definition of severe neglect with the structured decision-making tool used by county child welfare agencies. Supporters said the bill would reduce overreporting, racial disparities, and unnecessary family trauma while keeping mandated reporting in place. Opponents, including school resource officer groups, warned it would lower reporting thresholds and risk missing serious abuse. Members debated the impact on child safety versus unnecessary investigations, and the bill was held on call after a split vote. In addition, the committee approved several consent items, including bills on human trafficking data, criminal procedure jurisdiction, firearms/unsafe handguns, and the Hugs Act of 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will now open it up to see if any of the other members of the committee have any questions.
• That does not extend it to every primary care practice, to every hospital, to every emergency room, to
• Imagine if a chemist isolated the primary alkaloid in coffee, which is caffeine, and then exposed the
• Kratom's primary alkaloid, mitragynine, is naturally metabolized to 7-OH.
• Kratum's primary alkaloid metragene is naturally metabolized to 70H.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), focusing on public health risks, overdose deaths, and regulatory gaps in California. The chair opened by noting that FDA and CDPH consider kratom and 7-OH products unlawful, yet they remain widely sold in smoke shops, vape stores, gas stations, and convenience stores. Members referenced AB 1088, which would be considered later, and said the hearing was intended to clarify the science, medical perspective, and whether stronger safeguards are needed. The first panel featured a toxicology expert, state and local public health officials, an emergency/addiction physician, a medical examiner, and county health representatives. Witnesses from CDPH and Los Angeles County described rising deaths and enforcement actions, including statewide advisories, retailer letters, and product removals from manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Medical testimony emphasized that 7-OH acts much more like an opioid than traditional kratom leaf, can cause dependence, withdrawal, and respiratory depression, and may require naloxone, buprenorphine, or methadone in overdose or withdrawal cases. Local officials said enforcement is difficult because packaging is inconsistent, testing capacity is limited, and counties lack resources and statewide infrastructure; they generally favored a centralized state framework if regulation is pursued. Committee members asked about testing, age restrictions, scheduling, and whether a distinction between kratom and 7-OH could be enforced. Witnesses said forensic labs can potentially test for 7-OH but validated assays are not routine, emergency departments cannot readily distinguish exposures, and local health departments do not have the lab capacity to verify product labels. Several officials warned that a ban or abrupt scheduling could push products into the black market and discourage research, while others argued that current prohibition and enforcement are the most protective approach because legalization or age-limited regulation could create confusion about legality and safety. The second panel included kratom and 7-OH advocates and industry representatives, who argued that natural kratom leaf and concentrated or synthetic 7-OH are different products and should be regulated differently. They supported age-gating, labeling, testing, and packaging rules for kratom leaf while opposing a ban on the botanical. They said 7-OH is used by many adults for pain relief or harm reduction, and that prohibition would drive consumers to illicit markets and worsen harm. Committee members pressed them on whether 7-OH is more potent than kratom, the availability of testing, and whether any safe dose is known. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, with the chair noting the issue will continue to be considered in future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've just been making opening remarks at this point.
• And legislation like this will open up more opportunities for them to be bullied. ...like this will open
• And that opens up a whole can of... How are they going to tell?
• Hence he's an open water swimmer. Yeah.
• Hence he's an open water swimming. Yeah.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level. The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The nutritious U Food Pantry that we have is an incredible resource, but it's only open for a couple
• </c> and the food pantry is their primary and the food pantry is their primary source<00:05:13.360><c
• </c><00:36:54.560><c> just</c> uh that uh we supported and opened just uh that uh we supported and opened
• It's going to open this fall, as Dr. Prasad said. Just wonderful. I can also share that Dr.
• ><c> this</c> school campus it's going to open this school campus it's going to open this fall<00:43:

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> considers an investigation still open. considers an investigation still open.
• :56.000><c> an</c> the Justice Department opened an the Justice Department opened an investigation, investigation
• So, are we asking the prose the opened.
• Why aren't we opening up or proposing to open up more mental institutions so those who are violently
• up or proposing to Why aren't we opening up or proposing to open<02:14:15.599><c> up</c><02:14:15.840

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's wide open.
• It's wide open.
• It's wide open.
• It's wide open.
• It's wide open.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, a proposal tied to the Southern Regional Education Board’s crisis recovery network. Senator West and Dr. Puit explained that, for an additional $10,000 in dues, Kentucky would help create a network of 40 trained counselors in each of the 16 Southern states to provide post-crisis stabilization and psychological first aid after events such as the Marshall County shooting. They emphasized that the effort would be complementary to local and state response, would run through the school district, would not replace therapeutic services, and would allow districts to coordinate parent notifications and other protocols as usual. Members asked about parent involvement and whether pastoral counselors could participate; the presenters said local districts would remain in charge and that pastors could be included if properly credentialed. The committee then voted, and SCR 43 passed with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up Senate Bill 207, the School of Innovation Act, with a committee substitute. Senator West described the bill as creating an optional path for districts to contract with an outside education service provider for a three-year school-of-innovation model, aimed at turning around low-performing schools or supporting other schools that want to innovate. He said the model would preserve core district functions such as transportation, facilities, and SEEK funding, while allowing waivers from certain statutes and regulations inside the school building. The committee substitute also added a high-quality instructional materials component, creating a vendor-supported repository of vetted instructional materials that KDE would still control, with testing data used to evaluate whether the materials were improving outcomes. Members questioned how the proposal differed from existing district-of-innovation law and what safeguards would exist for students. Senator West said the bill would repeal the unused district-of-innovation framework and replace it with a clearer process and guardrails, including KDE oversight, attendance rules, and authority to shut down a school arrangement for financial malfeasance. He also said the model could work with local partners, including superintendents’ associations, and could be used by magnet or other schools, not only low-performing ones. The discussion also touched on whether the bill would allow more flexibility in choosing third-party providers and whether it could support longer-term recovery and even philanthropy in schools. The transcript ends during the discussion of SB 207, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• operations and that they had to primary operations and that they had to have<00:12:56.959><c> backups
• So, uh, we'll open up just, uh, talking a little bit about the, uh, or giving you a brief overview, I
• Uh, really two primary components: new construction and asset preservation.
• Uh really two primary recommendation.
• </c> Certainly open to any questions. >> Thank you. Well, um, anybody have any questions?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11 Approval of Minutes 00:02:00 Information Items 00:02:25 CPE Special Report 00:03:26 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48 A. Attorney General 00:32:10 B. Court of Justice 00:36:41 C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44 D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06 E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers. CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings. Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is their primary residence.
• This is their primary residence.
• This is their primary residence.
• This is their primary residence.
• This is their primary residence.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, in support.
• And we'll keep that open. I turn 4 to 0, and we'll keep that open. And then, Mr.
• That bill is open for a while. Close to ponder.
• We're open to trying to work through this.
• Okay, we can keep that open. It's 2 to 4 right now. Okay, we can keep that open.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was there for the grand opening of the parking area for, I think it was IEA or Pearl City, and it was
• purpose, and it's in section the primary purpose, and it's in section 101.3 101.3 101.3 of<01:05:29.480
• intent of the building codes the primary intent of the building codes is<01:05:36.560><c> to</c><01:
• Just a small one-word, letter change from "insures" to "insured," which will open up opportunities for
• </c> from insures to insured, which will open from insures to insured, which will open up<01:30:35.760

Bills: HB1700

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> who has a traumatic event, a primary who has a traumatic event, a primary traumatic<00:22:40.799
• primary primary trauma<00:33:40.159><c> a</c><00:33:40.480><c> decade</c><00:33:40.720><c> or</c><00
• </c><00:35:09.040><c> event</c> 10 years ago is when the primary event 10 years ago is when the primary
• </c><02:17:47.519><c> the</c> Is there anyone here to open the Is there anyone here to open the testimony
• </c><02:47:40.720><c> the</c> further comment question and open the further comment question and open

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state. that isn't now non-primary state. that isn't now non-primary residence<01:15:54.000><c> is
• And use it as their primary residence.
• </c> higher than our primary family home. higher than our primary family home.
• This bill does not punish primary homeowners.
• </c> forced to shut down one of its primary forced to shut down one of its primary wells<02:43:39.760

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is open for co-sponsorship.
• And so, it was a radical idea for Blacks, especially in the North, where things were a lot more open
• President, the sponsors of the resolution we just took up would like to open it for co-sponsorship.
• The resolution is open for co-sponsorship.
• The resolution is open for co-sponsorship.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and handled several motions to discharge and substitute identical Assembly or Senate bills, along with a number of amendments. The chamber also welcomed student visitors from the League of Women Voters’ Students of Albany program and a group of Staten Island titleholders, and later adopted previously approved resolutions honoring Dorothy E. Reid for her role in Brown v. Board of Education and recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Delta Day, with multiple senators speaking in support of both recognitions. The bulk of the floor session was devoted to third-reading votes on a large number of bills, most of which passed with broad support. Measures addressed public health, workers’ compensation, education, environmental conservation, insurance, labor, criminal procedure, domestic relations, tax, municipal authority, and correction law. Several bills were explained by sponsors as advancing stormwater management authority, labor-law transparency, public health protections, and stronger penalties for trafficking-related offenses; one bill on immunization in summer camps drew a defense from Senator Skoufis as a child-protection measure, while another on correction law passed with some Republican opposition. The chamber also took up a controversial public health/electronic health records bill by Senator Fernandez. Senator Martin questioned the bill at length about redacting certain categories of information, emergency access, provider obligations, and the impact on doctors’ ability to see complete medical histories. Fernandez said the bill was intended to protect patients from discrimination and to limit access to a small list of sensitive services, while also noting emergency exceptions and support from more than 200 health care providers. The debate remained focused on balancing privacy protections with concerns about continuity of care and record integrity.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we are certainly open to doing that.
• The primary increase is primarily due to two significant budget adjustments.
• The primary increase is primarily due to two significant budget adjustments.
• So there are about 200,000 open cases that are currently assisted.
• Before we adjourn, all items 1 through 18 are held open.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a provider meeting, which is an open meeting. The agenda changes.
• So our association and Eileen with the Primary Care Association joined hands and provided that project
• Here's why we don't think we could do it, or yes, we're totally open.
• And we have an open RFP out for a PDL program.
• I can't comment... ...much more on that since it's an open RFP, but we are moving forward.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The room is open for attendance. We expect everyone to behave.
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any additional witnesses in opposition?
• And with that, I also want to open up the committee hearing room to members of the public on any bill
• SB 1229 reflects a thoughtful and targeted approach, one that keeps the door open for disaster victims
• SB 1229 reflects a thoughtful and targeted approach, one that keeps the door open for disaster victims

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing room will be open for attendance of this hearing this morning.
• Are there any primary witnesses in opposition? Sure, sir, if you want to approach. I'm sorry.
• that's inside of the festival, once the festival is done, they move it into the city, and they use open
• We'll hold the roll open for For absent members, and thank you, it will be out.
• Okay, we'll keep the roll open for five more minutes for any absent members.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We opened up our online courses at VCSU for dual credit two years ago.
• Its primary use and purpose allow us to...
• So the scale score is a primary score, the primary piece of information that then, like I said, puts
• So the scale score is a primary score, the primary appreciative information that then, like I said, puts
• Representative Richter and Chairman Jonas, that is open.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess that's that's open like this?
• And so I'm open to an everyone.
• </c> I do have concerns with two primary I do have concerns with two primary sections<00:21:38.240><c
• That I'm open to having that conversation and open to amendment there. should be $750 fine or up to $1,000
• That I'm open to having &gt;&gt; yes. No. No.

Bills: HB0083 , HB0102 , HB0178

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: subpoena, legislative authority, penalty, compliance, law enforcement, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, public employment, labor organization, dues withdrawal, collective bargaining, public funding, 916, all