Transcript Highlights:

• I also was thankful that they understood the budget crisis and the budget crunch we're in and trying
• UW Intercollegiate Athletics budget, at, uh— UW Intercollegiate Athletics budget last year was about
• A fiscal note was requested and is near EBB. Questions for staff?
• Now the governor's supplemental budget proposes deeper cuts.
• Now the governor's supplemental budget proposes deeper cuts.

Bills: SB6209, SB6217, SB6227, SB6235

Keywords: financial aid, higher education, private institutions, student awards, affordability, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, educational access, data collection, parenting students, education, support services, academic performance, college athletics, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, student athletes, financial agreements, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a few requests that do, however, and we understand it’s a tricky budget. you, etc.
• We do have a few requests that do, however, and we understand it's a tricky budget.
• We do have a few requests, however, and we understand it's a tricky budget situation that we're entering
• We took a lot of time to consider our operating capital budget requests, knowing the financial constraints
• The budget is going to be challenging, but I wanted to share a little bit in response to that question

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget for this, the amount of money for this budget is $345 million, of which 75% is federal funding
• The budget is about state and national security.
• The amount of money for this budget is $345 million, of which 75% is federal funding.
• The budget is about state and national security.
• So we... ...respectfully request your yea vote. Senator Powers.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum call, then took up House amendments to Senate Bills 2009, 2147, and 2113. On motion, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendments and appointed conference committees for each bill. The chamber then considered several House bills, adopting amendments and passing House Bill 1556, which creates a Children's Cabinet work group to study out-of-home placement and treatment for children with behavioral health issues, and House Bill 1363, which directs development of a customizable cardiac emergency response plan template for schools and athletic events. House Bill 1533, requiring students to complete a half-unit of financial literacy for graduation, also passed after amendment. House Bill 1226, dealing with masks in public places and protest-related identification concerns, passed after the Judiciary Committee removed language about complying with law enforcement requests to unmask.

Transcript Highlights:

• Family income and the 2025-27 biennial budget.
• We can appropriate that money in the budget.
• I mean, we can appropriate that money in the budget. have budget conference left.
• I mean, we can appropriate that money in the budget.
• There were requests to add other things.

Bills: HB2689, SB5420, SB5868, SB5877

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• Patrick's Day, and welcome to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee Five on State Administration hearing today
• If you're unable to attend this hearing in person, you may submit your comments via email to ASM Budget
• I'm new to this budget subcommittee, so this is the first time I'm hearing from you.
• The BCPs reflect a request for permanent position authority.
• And this next item is a request for $502,000... ...with the Civil Rights Department.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:04.680><c> over</c> unanticipated mutual aid requests over unanticipated mutual aid requests
• </c> State Patrol and Capitol security budget State Patrol and Capitol security budget items. items.
• </c><01:28:52.600><c> of</c> So, we did leave this this request of So, we did leave this this request
• &gt;&gt; Constituent<01:43:23.640><c> requests.</c> &gt;&gt; Constituent requests.
• &gt;&gt; Constituent requests. &gt;&gt; Constituent<01:43:24.680><c> requests.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I request a roll call vote. Yes, ma'am. I also request a roll call vote. Okay.
• It is not twice as large a budget.
• request for the next budget.
• request for the next budget.
• And hopefully the governor, whoever the governor is next year, would put in their budget request whatever

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1167, which would allow municipalities and counties to satisfy certain public-notice requirements by posting advertisements, publications, and printings on their official websites. The sponsor argued the bill is permissive, intended to modernize notice practices, reduce costs, and help governments meet statutory deadlines, while a Blackmun amendment required a six-month transition period in which notices would still be published in newspapers and the public would be alerted to the change. Newspaper and media representatives, along with tribal and rural community advocates, opposed the bill, arguing that print notices remain important for transparency, historical recordkeeping, and access in areas with limited internet service. Supporters from county and local government said newspaper publication schedules have become unreliable and that websites are a more effective way to reach the public. The committee adopted the Blackmun amendment and then passed SB 1167 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1021, as amended by a strike-everything that would require the Auditor General to refer evidence of possible criminal activity involving health profession regulatory boards to the Attorney General, with procedures for investigation and conflict-of-interest handling. The sponsor and amendment sponsor said the measure would create a mechanism for criminal findings in audit work to be acted on. With no opposition testimony, the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1021 as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next was SB 1011, which would require county medical examiners or forensic pathologists to review an infant’s immunization and vaccination history, along with any countermeasures administered in the prior 90 days, in sudden unexplained infant death cases. The sponsor said the bill was a data-collection measure meant to improve accuracy, transparency, and prevention efforts. Opponents, including vaccine advocacy and disability representatives, said Arizona already collects this information, that unsafe sleep is the primary issue in most SIDS cases, and that the bill could fuel misinformation about vaccines. The committee passed SB 1011 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard SB 1013, a merit-based public employment bill that would prohibit hiring based on conditions other than merit. Supporters said it would ensure public employees are selected by qualifications and objective criteria; opponents argued existing law already bars discrimination and that the bill could create litigation risks and hinder outreach to underrepresented communities. The committee passed SB 1013 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 1015 and a strike-everything amendment that would replace the bill’s original detransition-liability language with the Arizona Thriving Families Act, creating a family and medical leave insurance program within Medicaid beginning in 2029. The original bill sponsor defended the underlying detransition-related liability concept as accountability and support for detransitioners, while opponents said it would function as a discriminatory backdoor ban on transition care for minors. The transcript ends during debate and explanation of the strike-everything amendment, before a final vote on SB 1015 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• . and in that we to supplement in our fiscal year 25 supplemental budget.
• And through the members, I request unanimous consent to withdraw the pending amendment.
• I'm also going to request unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.
• The Senate has to request unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment. Are there any objections?
• I request unanimous consent to make a brief statement on the pending matter.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several bills and procedural matters. It adopted an emergency preamble and passed to be enacted a sick leave bank for Anisee Contreras of the Trial Court, and it also passed a bill reauthorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional on-premises liquor licenses. The chamber ordered several other bills to third reading, including a Wellesley bill on police and fire residency limits and a House bill on Commonwealth bond terms, along with multiple calendar items that were advanced without debate. The Senate then considered and passed the bill increasing access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. Senators Comerford and O'Connor spoke in strong support, describing the measure as a continuation of prior Senate action and a response to period poverty, with O'Connor highlighting community efforts by Free Period and related funding support. The bill was amended, ordered to a third reading, and passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. The Senate also passed a bill on menstrual product ingredient disclosure after adopting a Ways and Means amendment; Comerford said the measure would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients and chemicals, citing concerns about PFAS and other harmful substances. That bill also passed to be engrossed by roll call. The chamber next took up a major public safety bill strengthening the move-over law. Senator Tarr described the bill as expanding protections to utility workers and disabled vehicles and adding escalating penalties, while Senator Feeney emphasized the dangers faced by workers on roadways and the need to protect them. Several proposed amendments were considered: one on municipally owned utility vehicles was adopted, while amendments on interior lights during stops, higher penalties, non-surchargeability, green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, and public access to driving records were rejected or withdrawn. The amended bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call. The Senate also paused to honor the late Senator Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell, adopting a motion to adjourn in his memory after a tribute to his public service and community advocacy. Earlier, the chamber recognized a guest, Rocco LaGrasso, during Italian-American Heritage Month. The session ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can understand this request, and today I vote aye.
• I can understand this request, and today I vote aye. Representative Connolly? Aye.
• And so I think last year they requested three and they were authorized seven.
• It would just be a request that we are happy to work with the appropriation chairs and the OSBBB, requesting
• make sure that request is related to the people that write the budget.

Summary: The Commerce Committee considered several bills and advanced all of them. House Bill 2174, as a strike-everything amendment, would redefine “advisory organization” as a modeling and data organization and allow insurers to file models with DIFI, with DIFI able to request supporting data to verify compliance. Representative Livingston said the measure was the product of extensive stakeholder negotiations and was technical in nature. The committee adopted the strike-everything and returned the bill with a due-pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote. House Bill 2496 would require construction contracts entered into by revitalization districts to include payment protections allowing contractors to pause or terminate work if the district fails to pay. Supporters said the bill was a fairness measure to prevent contractors and subcontractors from being forced to continue working without payment. Opponents, including bond counsel and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, argued existing public prompt-pay laws already protect contractors and warned the bill could disrupt financing and delay public infrastructure. After debate, the committee passed the bill 9-1 with one present vote. House Bill 2910 would extend from 10 to 20 days the time a contractor has to contest an ROC recovery fund claim after notice. The sponsor described it as a minor procedural change, and the committee approved it 10-1 with one present vote. House Bill 2938, the “penny bill,” would require Swedish rounding of cash transactions to the nearest five cents when pennies are unavailable, with an amendment clarifying tax calculation and compliance protections. Representative Martinez said the bill was prompted by inconsistent business practices and the need for statewide uniformity; business groups supported it. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill with broad support. Finally, House Bill 2744 would authorize the Industrial Commission of Arizona to investigate and adjudicate overtime wage violations at the state level. Supporters from the carpenters’ unions said the bill would provide a faster path for workers to recover unpaid overtime than the backlogged federal process. The Industrial Commission testified it would need additional FTE authority and funding to handle the workload, but not general fund money. Despite some concern about expanding administrative authority, the committee passed the bill 10-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• A reminder to members: all bill drafting requests and capital outlay reauthorization requests must be
• A reminder to members: all bill drafting requests and capital outlay reauthorization requests must be
• There's been a request for a moment of silence. Thank you.
• We're starting to hear budgets.
• So just remember, the budget is starting to cross.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, first on the A22, I'd like to request a roll call, Madam Speaker.
• In the 2024 Transportation, Housing, and Labor Omnibus Budget Bill, there was a study requested on youth
• look like that, you're gonna find out things you never knew were in that budget.
• So this budget is a reflection. Of that work. It was bipartisan work.
• So you'll see that this budget is a direct result of that hard work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget requests right now are to open up 50 new classrooms over the next two years.
• This is just another way to look at our budget request, and this is the trajectory of the Executive Office
• budget requests right now campus um our budget requests right now are<00:28:16.880><c> to</c><00:28:17.320
• </c><01:04:10.279><c> requests</c><01:04:11.039><c> and</c> that we do have some budget requests and
• that we do have some budget requests and one<01:04:11.440><c> is</c><01:04:11.760><c> to</c><01:04:12.359

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand there are some things for you all to work on, at least the education side of the budget.
• Senate Bill 19 is a result of some of the big issues that have caused a hole in the budget due to some
• We have not yet approved the request. LEA, their district to include a new school.
• And we have not yet approved those requests, but those requests alerted us that they were going to be
• . that their request to have a new school would be authorized by the secretary.

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the anticipated budget for this? What do you anticipate to raise? What's your goal?
• Uh and we're um budget is never static.
• </c> But every year and every moment budget But every year and every moment budget and<00:42:18.160><
• on a budget, physical activity, and overall being healthy with food.
• ,</c> stretching a budget, eating on a budget, stretching a budget, eating on a budget, uh uh uh physical

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the September 19 meeting minutes and then took up a deferred University of Kentucky personal services contract amendment for guardianship services. UK officials explained that the contract covers court-appointed guardians for patients who cannot make medical decisions and are not eligible for state guardianship, with the work funded by UK Medical Center agency dollars rather than the general fund. Members questioned the large increase in the not-to-exceed amount, the number of cases, the hourly billing structure, and whether there are safeguards to prevent unnecessary costs or reimbursement issues if a patient later has resources. UK said the increase reflects shifting work from a prior firm, anticipated new cases, a move from a monthly fee to hourly billing, and the need for a second firm because one prior attorney died and another firm has had difficulty appearing in court promptly. The committee ultimately approved the contract, while Senator Thomas said he would vote aye but urged future review of attorney fee limits and broader guardianship statutes, which he described as outdated and inconsistent. The committee then deferred three Office of Energy Policy memorandum of agreement items to the November 2025 meeting without objection. After that, it approved the remaining agenda items, including the contract lists and deferred items not separately selected for review. The final major item was a University of Kentucky personal services contract related to fundraising and philanthropic outreach. UK representatives said the contract supports marketing and donor engagement efforts to grow the university’s endowment pipeline and philanthropic support. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its questions or took final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of higher education's budget recommendations actually included a lot of policy.
• Part of higher education's budget recommendations actually included a lot of policy.
• Part of higher education's budget recommendations actually included a lot of policy.
• </c> this particular change is also a request this particular change is also a request from<00:24:31.520
• Um it is also a request training grants.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hatcher, that you brought up that public information request.
• Is that it wouldn't require an open records request.
• The construction and request one final survey of their completed facility.
• I respectfully request a favorable recommendation from committee, and I close. Thank you.
• This aligned reporting with the state's budget cycle and reduces necessary duplication.

Bills: HB 2510, HB 3589, HB 4611, HB 4655, HB 4665, HB 4666, HB 4670, HB 4700, HB 4730, HB 4798, HB 4838, HB 5136, HB 5243, HB 5302, HB 5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• requests as we see the need.
• Um and I requests as we see the need.
• </c><00:30:00.280><c> the</c> be it resolved clause to requesting the be it resolved clause to requesting
• </c> budget from there. budget from there.
• </c> structure of your existing budget structure of your existing budget because<01:36:21.880><c> you

Bills: SB2960, SB2347, SB2272, SB3137, SB3132, SB2271, SB2804, SB2175, SB2487

Keywords: homeowners insurance, disaster recovery, replacement cost value, state of emergency, policyholder rights, insurance extensions, tenant rights, landlord obligations, housing crisis, eviction prevention, multilingual access, SB2272, Act 105, home health licensing, home health agency, home health services, Department of Health, DOH, CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions and one bill focused on energy reliability, utility infrastructure, insurance, tenant rights, and home health licensing. On the energy side, members heard HCR 203/HR 193 on a status update for the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, HCR 204/HR 194 on a comprehensive PUC analysis of cost reduction and risk, and HCR 202/HR 192 creating a legislative task force on future energy pathways. Testimony on the energy measures was generally supportive from the PUC, DCCA’s Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with OHA urging that equity, native Hawaiian impacts, and public trust resources be considered alongside cost savings. The committee also heard HCR 125/HR 117 on coordinating with utilities to address aging utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors; Hawaiian Electric supported the measure, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum said much of the work is already underway and questioned whether the resolution was necessary, and committee questioning focused on existing double-pole tracking and the role of DOT and the PUC. The committee then took up HCR 137/HR 129 on timely reimbursement of health care claims under the clean claims statute. The DCCA Insurance Division and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the measure as drafted, saying it could be read to require payment beyond policy limits and could raise premiums or reduce market participation. United Policyholders supported the measure, arguing it would simply give policyholders more time to collect benefits they already purchased, and clarified that it was not intended to increase coverage beyond policy limits. The committee later amended the resolution to direct the DCCA Insurance Division to prioritize investigation and enforcement of clean claims complaints. In the decision meeting, the committee recommended and adopted passage of HCR 203/HR 193 as is, HCR 204/HR 194 with an amendment removing the eighth whereas clause, HCR 202/HR 192 with an amendment adding a committee representative to the task force, HCR 125/HR 117 as is, and HCR 137/HR 129 with amendments. The committee also heard SB 2960 SC1 on property insurance, which would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to document replacement-cost claims. The Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurers Council opposed it, warning it could force coverage beyond policy limits and increase premiums, while United Policyholders supported it and said it would help disaster survivors recover benefits they already paid for; members questioned whether similar laws in other states had caused premium spikes and clarified that the bill was not intended to exceed policy limits. The committee also heard SB 2347 SD1 on multilingual tenant-rights notices, with OHA, Hawaii Appleseed, and others supporting the bill but urging restoration of language requiring landlords to directly provide the notice at lease signing. Finally, SB 2272 SD1 HD1 on home health licensing drew support from the Department of Health, SHPDA, and the Health Care Association of Hawaii, with the association requesting an effective date amendment; testimony explained that the bill would allow state licensing compliance to be demonstrated through CMS-approved accreditation or certification surveys, potentially reducing duplication and freeing state resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> because as you know this is a budget because as you know this is a budget year<00:09:15.560><c>
• Yeah, so you mentioned the budget and what a small part housing gets this budget year, but there is a
• </c> houses yeah so you mentioned the budget houses yeah so you mentioned the budget and<00:20:03.200
• </c> with uh you know a a challenging budget with uh you know a a challenging budget uh<00:20:28.919>
• </c><00:20:36.000><c> uh</c> what we heard in mmb's budget uh what we heard in mmb's budget uh forecast

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department's FY27 budget submission.
• So was there a request for more funding that the legislature didn't pass, or was there no request?
• **Madam Chair**: There was no request.
• Madam Secretary, what is your budget for outreach for this program?
• So I would really request that IEPs be part of the data that we get.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now on to the 2027 budget.
• When it comes to this budget, the question is, how does this budget lower our residents' costs?
• So let me share the quick highlights of this budget. The budget is a $60.75 billion budget that...
• The budget is a $60.75 billion budget that reflects the governor's introduced budget amount.
• The governor's budget message is reflected here today in a $60.75 billion budget.

Keywords: 1146, all