Transcript Highlights:

• Also part of the May revision and approved as part of this budget is the suspension of the statutory
• That means they would receive payment at the beginning of the service month instead of at the end.
• This settle up is for future payments, and we believe that it is a constitutional proposal, so I would
• We oppose any premiums because we know payments of any amount cause people to lose coverage.
• I want to thank the Legislature for the delay and the cut on Prop 66 dental payments.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> payment processing I just spoke to. payment processing I just spoke to.
• </c> payment and support functions. payment and support functions.
• . payments. payments.
• </c> withhold payment, and to allow payment withhold payment, and to allow payment withholdings<00:41
• payments? payments? No. No. No.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It caps the total state-directed payment amounts for inpatient hospital and nursing facility services
• at 100% of Medicare payment rates.
• For one year, it prohibits the payment of Medicaid funds to health care providers that are nonprofit
• It simplifies the payment plans by and large.
• payment error rate.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held its fifth hearing of the year to examine the newly enacted federal H.R. 1 and its effects on California. Members and the chair described the law as a major threat to state health, food, education, and climate programs, and emphasized that California would not be able to fully backfill the federal cuts. Several members also highlighted the bill’s tax provisions, including temporary deductions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, while warning that the largest benefits flow to higher-income taxpayers and that major cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and clean-energy incentives are delayed or phased in over time. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance presented detailed overviews of the bill’s likely impacts and implementation timelines. They identified the main affected areas as health care coverage and financing, food assistance, higher education, personal income taxes, and clean-energy/electric-vehicle credits. They explained that H.R. 1 limits provider taxes used to finance Medi-Cal, adds work and redetermination requirements, restricts CalFresh eligibility and increases state costs, changes student loan and Pell Grant rules, extends and modifies federal tax provisions, and phases out many clean-energy credits. Finance also noted major rescissions of Inflation Reduction Act funds, new border and immigration enforcement spending, and the possibility of PAYGO sequestration if Congress does not act to offset the deficit increase. During member questions, the committee focused on likely enrollment losses, administrative burdens, and fiscal exposure for the state and counties. Witnesses said many details still depend on federal guidance, but they estimated significant impacts on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and graduate/professional student borrowing, and noted that California’s high CalFresh error rate could increase state costs. UC testified that the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans would affect thousands of professional students, especially in health, law, and other high-cost programs. Members asked for follow-up data on county, health, and tax impacts, and staff agreed to provide additional tables and estimates as implementation guidance becomes clearer. Public commenters from counties, early childhood advocates, health coalitions, disability rights groups, immigrant-rights organizations, and other stakeholders urged the Legislature to mitigate the law’s effects. They warned of higher county costs, reduced access to health care and food assistance, increased administrative burdens, and harm to children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Several urged new state revenue solutions and stronger protections for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, and home- and community-based services. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with a commitment to continue monitoring federal guidance and to work on state responses in the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The shot clock, if you will, was still starting at the time when their absolute suspension ended, but
• Chairman, Senator Lent, so as you know, there is an absolute suspension of the license, and it could
• When funds are paid on a juvenile case, there needs to be a priority of payments that's determined as
• We have an adult priority of payments code in Idaho Code 31-3201I.
• It does put in place the priority of payments that the court has been using under the Supreme Court rule

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Once a child is adopted, county child welfare agencies are only mandated to authorize AAP payments.
• County child welfare agencies are only mandated to authorize AAP payments.
• The report provides detail about the families who received the pass-through payments.
• For many families, these payments mean the difference between stability and hardship.
• For many families, these payments mean the difference between stability and hardship.

Transcript Highlights:

• They both recommend 210,000 from the Motor Vehicle Suspense Fund.
• And that is the Motor Vehicle Suspense Fund, where we already get distribution.
• has grown 10 to 15 So I would suggest perhaps to give an additional 50,000 from the Motor Vehicle Suspense
• Suspense fund transfer.
• They already receive revenue for holding hearings from the Motor Vehicle Suspense Fund.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• for a period of time. ...on the hybrid, we're asking for the suspension for a period of time so this
• It's suspending that payment. Well, until you better define it because on, hang on, hang on.
• It's suspending the payment for people who have true hybrids.
• It's suspending that payment. Well, until you better define it because on, hang on, hang on.
• It's suspending the payment for people who have true hybrids.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 11, 2026, approved the April 27 minutes, and then took up several House bills. HB 618, by Rep. McMakin, would update Louisiana Economic Development fees and filing charges by indexing them to inflation and allowing some discretion to waive or reduce fees for small businesses; it was reported favorable. HB 732, by Rep. Owen, drew extensive discussion because it combined two issues: temporary OMV relief for a hospice-related ID problem and a suspension of the new hybrid vehicle road usage fee. Members and the OMV commissioner raised constitutional and drafting concerns about waiving or eliminating obligations, and the committee discussed how newer vehicle classifications blur the line between electric, hybrid, and gas-powered vehicles. The committee ultimately reported HB 732 favorable, with the understanding that amendments and further work would be needed before floor action. The committee also reported favorable on HB 217 and HB 214 by Rep. Henry, which would authorize local governments to grant property tax exemptions for the rehabilitation of blighted property and place the related constitutional amendment before voters. Testimony emphasized that the measure is permissive for local governments, applies only after a property is formally blighted and rehabilitated, and is intended to encourage redevelopment while preserving some tax revenue. Members discussed the exemption level, duration, and the need for clearer definitions of blight, but no objections were raised. HB 593, also by Rep. Henry, would raise the maximum service fee for OMV public tag agent offices statewide; the commissioner explained that many offices are locally operated and that the increase would help cover costs, and the bill was reported favorable. Later, HB 514 and HB 961, by Rep. Foreman, were reported favorable. HB 514 would allow local governments, by referendum, to provide additional property tax relief for seniors who meet income and freeze requirements, with phased age-based eligibility steps; HB 961 would extend a similar concept to certain homesteads held in trust. Members discussed the optional local nature of the program and the need to avoid overly broad rules. HB 908, by Rep. Mina, would increase certain Secretary of State business services fees to support operations and system upgrades; agency officials said the fees had not been comprehensively adjusted since 2013 and remained below regional averages, and the bill was reported favorable. The committee then heard an informational update on the capital outlay bill from the Division of Administration, including the use of bundled projects for universities and DOTD, the status of P1/P2/P5 funding, and available cash capacity. Finally, HB 1010, by Rep. Deshotel, was reported favorable after brief discussion; it would require assessors to report property tax collections to the Louisiana Tax Commission for centralized public reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the provision in the bill to repeal the sunset on the new payment withholding authority
• sunset</c><00:10:07.040><c> on</c><00:10:07.200><c> the</c><00:10:07.360><c> new</c><00:10:07.519><c> payment
• </c> repeal the sunset on the new payment repeal the sunset on the new payment withholding<00:10:08.399
• worry that eligible beneficiaries of state programs might be harmed during the lengthy enrollment suspensions
• worry that eligible beneficiaries of state programs might be harmed during the lengthy enrollment suspensions

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senator King moves, suspension of the. regular order of business.
• And with that, I move suspension of the regular order of business.
• Senator Middleton moves suspension of the regular order of business.
• Members, Senator Schwartner moves suspension.
• Suspension of the three-day rule. 2052 We'll call the roll.

Bills: SCR5 , SCR13 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB24 , SB35 , SB57 , SB65 , SB112 , SB284 , SB290 , SB388 , SB400 , SB402 , SB412 , SB495 , SB499 , SB502 , SB509 , SB621 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB854 , SB875 , SB893 , SB917 , SB974 , SB1025 , SB1061 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1268 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1451 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB495 , SB412 , SB10 , SB18 , SB565 , SB372 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB13 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SJR57 , SCR8 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB3 , SB6 , SB15 , SB35 , SB290 , SB706 , SB842 , SB917 , SB1281 , SB1451 , SB1902 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB19 , SB388 , SR261 , SR265 , SR276 , SR277 , SR281 , SR286 , SR293 , SCR5 , SCR13 , SB2425 , SB2880 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB388 , SB412 , SB495 , SB2425 , SB2880

Transcript Highlights:

• However, achieving these goals depends on whether implementation timelines and payment structures are
• Once a child is adopted, county child welfare agencies are only mandated to authorize AAP payments.
• Adam is now 15, and his parents are desperate for assistance as the AAP out-of-state payment will end
• The report provides detail about the families who received the pass-through payments.
• For many families, these payments mean the difference between stability and hardship.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem was highlighted last year when the government shutdown delayed impact aid payments.
• We're going to allow payment for childcare.
• surveillance technology to be the sole basis for student discipline-related decisions, including suspensions
• surveillance technology to be the sole basis for student discipline related decisions, including suspensions
• and expulsions, referring to for student discipline-related decisions, including suspensions and expulsions

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact. The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing. Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there are really two important suspense dates, August 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026.
• So there are really two important suspense dates, August 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026.
• So a lot of what was happening is they were adjusting to the state tax payment.
• </c><01:46:20.760><c> right</c> the outsized uh estate tax payment right the outsized uh estate tax payment
• </c> were adjusting to the state tax payment were adjusting to the state tax payment then<01:46:25.719

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:02.640><c> for</c> providers from requiring co-payments for providers from requiring co-payments
• . co-payments. co-payments.
• </c> also requires them to do co-payments also requires them to do co-payments for<00:19:12.080><c> this
• But also, what good parent wouldn't make that payment for their child?
• We talk about suspensions and we talk about seclusions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, payment of this benefit to an eligible individual is not going to impact or offset in any way the
• of this benefit to an eligible individual is not going to impact or offset in any way the payment of
• </c><01:03:51.440><c> rate</c> weekly workers compensation payment rate weekly workers compensation payment
• So, this is only for people suspensions.
• </c> provide some reason for suspension? provide some reason for suspension?

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• The question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• Stephen Olchino, relative to the treatment of cleft palate and cleft lip, comes from the House on the suspension
• The question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• This make-up amount could be paid through a payment plan or one lump sum and be paid to the retirement
• important than the dollars that are spent in this document, like that, perhaps more important than the payments

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two resolutions recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the nation’s 250th anniversary and congratulating Zachary Erich on becoming an Eagle Scout, and then took up several committee reports and extension orders. The chamber suspended rules multiple times to act immediately on committee extensions for Financial Services and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and it referred a House petition on cleft lip and cleft palate treatment to Financial Services. Members also adopted an order extending the Financial Services committee’s reporting deadline on credit union and mortgage financing matters. The Senate then considered and passed House No. 4361, a bill on teacher retirement benefits, after extensive debate in support of a one-time window for certain teachers who were excluded from Retirement Plus due to administrative errors. Senators described the measure as a long-overdue fix for more than 8,500 educators, noting that eligible teachers would have to pay the difference in contributions. The bill was ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call, and sent on for further action. The chamber also passed Senate No. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and Senate No. 3107 on commercial interior design licensure, both after supportive remarks about patient safety and professional regulation. A major item was the conference committee report on H. 5280, the FY26 fair share supplemental budget. Supporters highlighted funding for municipal winter relief, MBTA operations and capital needs, education initiatives, housing incentives, home heating assistance, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents raised concerns about MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax policy implications. After roll call, the report was approved by a 37-3 vote. The Senate also adopted the emergency preamble and passed H. 5470, the FY26 supplemental appropriations bill, and later enacted local bills including Berkeley recall authority, a Milton school deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate recognized guests from the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, who spoke about Caribbean American Heritage Month and partnership agreements with Massachusetts. The chamber then concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563, a bill updating disability-related terminology in the general laws, with senators emphasizing the importance of person-first language and dignity for people with disabilities. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and enacted the bill. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday and with adjournment in memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• Stephen Olchino, relative to the treatment of cleft palate and cleft lip, comes from the House on the suspension
• The question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• This make-up amount could be paid through a payment plan or one lump sum and be paid to the retirement
• important than the dollars that are spent in this document, like that, perhaps more important than the payments

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work. The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate. The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also identified a potential limit to DHS's current authority to withhold or reduce payments on the
• Those are the terminations, the sort of permanent payment holds.
• The ongoing issue that we're identifying is the suspension of payments during an investigation.
• , suspensions, and terminations.
• Prepayment review and post-payment review is underway for the IDB.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Repeat violations should result in suspension or revocation of licenses.
• And third would be to close loopholes in payment and identification, requiring payment by delayed check
• For our discretionary cases, the other outcomes can include a period of suspension, retraining—hopefully
• One resulted in discipline short of revocation—so suspension, retraining, and, like, and the other one
• So suspension, retraining, and, like, and the other one is we're still waiting for the final order, so

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The suspension is for seven days for each point over 11.
• A criminal offense is driving under suspension, driving under the influence.
• Madam Chair, Senator..." "...try and deter the suspensions.
• So 15 points is a suspension of license, correct? At 12 points? 12 points.
• You get a two-week suspension, and then it's a week of suspension for each point over 12.

Summary: The Judiciary interim committee met with a full quorum and approved the June 17 minutes. The main discussion centered on a detailed Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presentation about prison population, placement authority, classification, recidivism, and the role of transitional facilities. Director Colby Braun emphasized that DOCR’s job includes incarceration, supervision, victim services, and reentry, and said the department is operating over capacity, with people waiting in county jails and deferred placements. He described current and planned bed expansions, including added beds at MRCC, a proposed 600-bed minimum-custody men’s facility, and broader campus studies, while stressing that minimum, medium, and maximum custody are different security levels and that transitional facilities are tightly controlled placements, not releases. Committee members questioned the meaning of “release” versus “placement,” the use of terms like inmate and resident, and whether state law should be clarified to distinguish incarceration from supervision or placement in community-based settings. Braun said the parole board controls release authority, while DOCR controls placement, and explained that people who reoffend while in community placement are generally returned to prison after due process. He also reviewed data showing lower one-year recidivism in recent years, the impact of GPS monitoring, and statistics indicating that most people released never get a transitional-facility placement, while those who do generally have better outcomes. Members also discussed whether transitional facilities and work-release programs should be considered halfway houses and how much freedom and security they involve. The committee then heard a report from the Attorney General’s office on House Bill 1193 funding for law enforcement retention bonuses and tuition assistance. The office said all funds had been distributed, 73 of 101 recipients had reported back, 1,490 officers had received bonuses, and the average bonus amounts differed by agency size. Members generally viewed the program positively. Representative Steve Vetter also presented a pretrial services report, describing constitutional and statutory limits on pretrial detention, the use of risk assessment tools, court reminders, victim-notification practices, and North Dakota’s pilot pretrial programs. He suggested possible future legislation to expand detention authority for certain serious offenses and to require the Judiciary Committee to receive updated jail-population data before sessions. Finally, Megan Gordon from Legislative Council began her annual technical corrections bill presentation, outlining a series of non-substantive Century Code fixes such as cross-reference corrections, punctuation changes, and obsolete-reference removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, due to a lack of data, we are unable to accurately determine how successful the suspension of
• However, due to a lack of data, we are unable to accurately determine how successful the suspension of
• These reports will include information on the total number of requests by entities for suspensions of
• These reports will include information on the total number of requests by entities for suspensions of
• The bill would establish a $5 million market development payment within the Beverage Container Recycling

Committee: House Natural Resources