Transcript Highlights:

• But I worry that we're burning some people out that could be lifelong educators in that process.
• Building-level administrator has to navigate the end process of this certification.
• The process is complicated within our state, many different lanes, but a building-level principal for
• Most of the calls are dealing with the certification process, completing it, trying to get finished.
• Do any of those things count toward either hours or the certification process?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, we have some software and processes in place to make sure that we're catching fraud
• And so, you know, we have some software and processes in place to make sure that we're catching fraud
• But otherwise, a process if they want to dispute it.
• The school budget process is a four- to six-month-long process.
• And just want to say what an honor it is to participate in Washington state's democratic process.

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, this bill doesn't affect the body cam. process at all.
• That's a legal process, and there's a process working its way through that this would not affect in any
• You know, we definitely want transparency in the process.
• That's due process. You don't just get everything, regardless of who you are.
• During that negotiation process, they made a deal.

Bills: SB 15

Keywords: law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• departments do it, not just to do a study, but to actually help them implement these changes and process
• And then, presumably, you're going through a process to identify a consultant for the next round of the
• Um, I, it would follow the budget timeline so it would start I believe the process in July but I can
• Is there a process that has?
• And I hope that as you go through this process, you really do find these cost savings.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as we do this process and work to improve this program, what's the VA learning?
• Second or third hand, we have a mechanism and process in place.
• Congress should require the VA to establish a simplified intake process for veterans already screened
• Another persistent challenge is the absence of a national referral process. between grantees and the
• So if the outcome of oversight is to change the process and improve the process, we're seeing it a little

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can produce nuclear weapons. more efficiently and reduce risk in that process. Mr.
• It's important in that process if you are confirmed, so thank you for that.
• So would you support such a planning process for our services? Senator is a strategist.
• facility, the Savannah River plutonium processing facility. and others.
• I think we can agree the process is extremely broken.

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Streamline the process, make it easier and quicker for everybody.
• We stakeholders involved in that process?
• It doesn't affect the G permit process in any way.
• Capabilities, um, by using a third-party credit card processing fee or processing company just like a
• process in each of the states that I moved to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, we need to streamline the acquisition and budget process with appropriate fiscal controls.
• The Space Force is in the process of growing.
• We're in the process of modernizing pretty much across all the five core mission areas.
• the processes and the policies were not in place to get them to the NICO.
• But I am aware they're in the process. of attempting to transition to that kind of concept.

Keywords: Air Force modernization, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, air superiority, national security, recapitalization

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on military procurement and modernization, with significant discussions surrounding the Air Force's capabilities and strategic needs. Key topics included the urgent need for recapitalization of the Air Force's fighter squadrons, as well as the importance of integrating new technologies like autonomous systems to bolster military effectiveness. Several senators raised concerns about the current resources available to the Air National Guard and the potential loss of skilled service members if recapitalization plans are not swiftly developed. There were also discussions on the importance of maintaining air superiority in light of evolving threats, particularly from adversaries like China.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that will help everyone through this process.
• It makes me think of things that I've heard my colleagues say throughout this process.
• And while we were in that budget process, I watched a lot of goals.
• I'm very proud of the way in which we were able to help guide the process.
• You've come to the budget process more recently, and it's remarkable to me.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous day’s journal, and a series of special guest introductions recognizing family members, interns, students, public servants, and community advocates. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on a large number of amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818. The main floor action centered on the state budget, especially House Bill 2 (public education). The budget chair explained the conference report’s funding mix for K-12 schools, including $8.4 billion for public education, changes to the foundation formula, use of blind pension funds, and possible ARPA dollars later in the process. Members debated whether the report underfunded schools by $45 million or more, with opponents arguing the state was not fully funding the formula and supporters saying total school funding remained at record levels and that the issue was the source of funds rather than the total amount. A substitute motion to send HB 2 back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was third read and passed 83-68. The House then took up House Bill 2003 on higher education, where the conference report largely restored the governor’s recommendation and directed the department to develop a new funding formula by the end of the year. Members discussed performance-based funding, scholarships, apprenticeships, and the need for a slower transition to any new model. The conference report passed 119-28, and the bill was third read and passed 109-32. House Bill 2004, covering Revenue and Transportation, included about $20 million for rural roads and other transportation funding; members discussed constitutional concerns, MoDOT projects, and a small local safety fix. The conference report passed 128-21, and the bill was third read and passed 127-27.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in that process, it has come to light that DCS has a lot of discretion.
• lax process in place to protect children, and I find a problem with that.
• This will be the process.
• Doesn't this further politicize the entire process?
• But there really has to be a more robust stakeholder process here.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That may be part of this process, right?
• You worked with them for this process? No.
• And that you're there to help manage that process and engage with that process, and keeping the goals
• Have you been involved in this process? Yeah.
• This is what regulations are, and this is the process.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:16:15.480> and try to protect that while du process and try to protect that while du process
• you just Define for me what process you just Define for me what process review<02:01:06.280>
• processes aren't done at the state so processes aren't done at the state so those<02:02:04.639> are
• <02:02:23.079> valuation that you're having the process valuation that you're having the process
• committee to look at the process committee to look at the process review<02:03:41.520> um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting covered two main items. First, the solid waste subcommittee reviewed draft language for HB 707, focusing on landfill siting and permitting standards. Members and the Department of Environmental Services discussed replacing repeated references to “aquifer” with “drinking water well,” clarifying that aquifer is a broad term, and considering whether a statutory definition was needed. They also debated the bill’s setback and time-of-travel provisions, including the 10^-5 standard, a 1,500-foot distance, and whether the bill should rely more on performance-based criteria than prescriptive distances. Another major topic was permit denial language tied to applicants with significant histories of repeated serious violations or landfill-related litigation; the department said it already has related authority in current rules, but noted some wording was still too vague and could be tightened. No vote was taken, and the chair closed the hearing with plans to continue work later. The second item was a work session on HB 424, which would direct the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food to create forms for businesses to request information about service animals and establish a study committee on fraudulent or untrained service animals. Several members said the problem raised by the bill was real but expressed concern that the legislature may be limited by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Others argued that a study committee would likely not produce a workable solution and might conflict with leadership’s direction to avoid unnecessary study committees. Members discussed whether the bill should be retained, amended, or instead replaced with a letter or resolution to the federal delegation. The committee appeared to lean toward ITL and possibly pursuing a letter to federal officials, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The process under chapter in decades.
• the process of district formation. the process of district formation.
• We've been at this for 4 long process.
• go through the process. go through the process. >> Senator<01:26:54.560> Ankney.
• for our members in the process. for our members in the process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we're in the Senate um process. we're in the Senate um process.
• <01:38:29.199> they couple weeks. um all the processes they couple weeks. um all the processes
• <01:44:48.320> where shouldn't be part of the process where shouldn't be part of the process
• application processes. application processes.
• ,<02:08:22.800> agreeing during the application process, agreeing during the application process

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the process is standard across all the schools.
• 53:36.159> all<01:53:36.400> the process is standard across all the process is standard
• So there's already a process in place, and we feel that this is a good process in place according to
• So there's already a process in place, and we feel that this is a good process in place according to
• So there's already a process in place, and we feel that this is a good process in place according to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• To ensure everyone can view, process.
• competitive processes, grant processes. competitive processes, grant processes.
• Um there continues to be a this process.
• <00:59:16.880> to um that hadn't begun that process to um that hadn't begun that process to
• peer review process. peer review process. The<01:54:47.599> Mary<01:54:48.000> C.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• could have a long drawn out process could have a long drawn out process um<00:16:34.079> without
• getting hurt through this process getting hurt through this process because<00:21:21.360> of<
• <00:51:13.200> of required and so we're in the process of required and so we're in the process
• So is is the the that process with CMS.
• ><01:13:35.600> I'm<01:13:35.920> speaking process um uh and I'm speaking process um uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for requests for information processed for requests for information processed by<00:36:44.640>
• <01:18:13.600> Um this process. Um this process.
• , but not just the judicial process.
• , but not just the judicial process.
• , but not just the judicial process.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee continued its hearing on enforcement and compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, first taking additional public testimony from Melissa Zimmerman and Matt Senot of the East Side Corridor residents in Owatonna. They described submitting roughly two dozen data requests across several government entities related to a proposed highway project, saying some agencies responded but others did not, and that even after they substantially prevailed in a data practices complaint and the court imposed a maximum civil penalty, they still did not receive meaningful access to the records. Zimmerman said the lack of access harmed their ability to comment on the project’s environmental review, and both witnesses argued that the law needs stronger enforcement, realistic timelines, better communication, and more accessible remedies for requesters who cannot afford repeated litigation. They also raised practical barriers such as inaccessible file formats, missing software on a county-provided laptop, and the need for electronic delivery options. The committee then heard from Eric Johnson of Anoka County, who testified about Chapter 13 issues involving third-party polygraph data used in probation monitoring. He argued that when the state relies on third-party-generated summaries, the responsible authority’s obligations for access, retention, and correction are unclear, and there is no effective remedy when the third party does not respond. Johnson said the county directed him to seek raw data from the third party, which had not responded, and he warned that short retention periods can make data subject rights unenforceable if the records are destroyed before a request is resolved. Members asked about statutory citations and retention schedules, and several commented that the issue may warrant review of data-retention rules. During member discussion, legislators broadly agreed that the Data Practices Act’s enforcement mechanisms are not working well enough and that many requesters cannot afford to pursue administrative or court remedies. Co-Chair Scott suggested staff compile the testimony into a report to identify possible legislative fixes, while Senator Lucero said there may be some “low-hanging fruit” that could be addressed quickly in the short session. The chair also floated the idea of involving the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution in a mediation role to improve communication and reduce gridlock, though members noted that any process would still need to produce results consistent with the law. The committee then moved on to its next agenda item, a discussion of the BCA Fusion Center and its annual reporting requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the local warrant article process.
• So it works out, it's fine. then we went through the process with then we went through the process with
• <00:38:39.920> which turn into an opt out press process which turn into an opt out press process
• . processed. processed.
• plan proc plan process that we correct. plan proc plan process that we correct.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your consideration in the confirmation process.
• So if the avenue is there for that gambling app, that process, they'll do it.
• And we've gone through two recent appeals processes.
• I think that... ...that process is a public process.
• They have an ability to come before us and participate in that process.

Keywords: 987, senate, all