Transcript Highlights:

• We're able to pay them a competitive wage.
• That's nowhere near a livable wage, right?
• That's nowhere a living, a livable wage, right?

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we have high wage earners in our state, very high incomes.
• You know, we have high wage earners in our state, very high incomes, and we have a lot of low-income
• personal income numbers are an aggregate for everybody in Washington, and it's made up of salary and wage

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• private capital investment, $343 million in projected new state revenue, and $3.8 billion in new state wages
• This resulted in 300 new high wage-paying jobs and a major long-time anchor tenant in the state.
• There are 50 high-wage-paying jobs that are coming into the state, and that is under the existing Red

Committee: Joint Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fully implemented, the system will allow the state to monitor the impact of its investments, like wage
• Or, yeah, dual, and so they're able to maximize some revenues and pay their educators the wages that
• I don't know if you want to speak to the pay parity program and some of the other wage supplement programs

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• between 150 and 600 clock hours of instruction that provides education aligned with high skill high wage
• read of suggest 90% of 90% top temperatures 90% of tax breaks are actually going to the top 10% of wage
• earners and well I won't even say they earned those wages but of rich people Right.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• very key industries and choosing to increase prices to maximize their profits, all while slashing wages
• Now these To maximize their profits, all while slashing wages for workers.
• Opaque algorithms that, if used without guardrails, can also just as easily be used to set disparate wages

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to privacy, consumer protection, and online harms. SB 259 by Senator Wahab would prohibit surveillance pricing based on device data such as geolocation or battery level; supporters argued it would curb discriminatory and predatory pricing, while opponents raised concerns about geolocation definitions, legitimate location-based pricing, and impacts on discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee and passed 8-1, with members noting amendments and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. SB 22 by Senator Laird would raise the amount of gift cards that can be redeemed for cash, with the author saying the goal is to update the long-standing $10 threshold for inflation and preserve consumer value. Consumer advocates supported the bill, while retailers, restaurants, grocers, and chambers of commerce opposed or opposed unless amended, citing fraud concerns, safety issues, and the need for clarification on donated or returned gift cards. The committee voted the bill out on a 6-1 vote and kept it on call. SB 576 by Senator Umberg would apply broadcast-style loudness rules to streaming advertisements. The author said the bill is intended to prevent ads from being much louder than programming, especially for children, while the opposition argued that streaming ad insertion is technically different and that existing industry standards and FCC oversight already address the issue. The bill passed 8-0. SB 683 by Senator Cortese would clarify that people can seek injunctive relief, including a TRO, for unauthorized use of name, image, or likeness; supporters said it strengthens privacy protections, while opponents warned about prior restraint and First Amendment concerns. The bill was moved out on a due pass motion and kept on call. The final bill discussed, SB 771 by Senator Stern, would clarify that existing civil rights and hate-related laws apply to social media platforms and their algorithms, with higher penalties for intentional or reckless violations. Supporters, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Islamic Networks Group, described online hate as fueling real-world violence and urged stronger accountability; opponents argued the bill could conflict with Section 230, chill lawful speech, and create vague standards. Members raised questions about constitutionality, definitions, and whether the bill would be workable, but several expressed support for the author’s goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they create all those jobs, if they pay their new employees the wages that they committed to, if they
• In that situation, they would have—let's assume they met all of their other milestones, their wage milestones
• that shows the number of jobs they committed to create, their industry, where they're located, the wages

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard presentations from Go-Biz and the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on the Governor’s budget proposals. Go-Biz described California Jobs First, the state’s 10-year economic development strategy, and emphasized support for small businesses, workforce development, and targeted investment in sectors such as ag tech, life sciences, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. Members raised concerns about federal policy changes, tariffs, tourism, housing, child care, and whether state incentives are truly additive; Go-Biz responded that it tracks federal actions closely, works with chambers and advocates, and uses programs like California Competes to target jobs that would not otherwise come to California. The committee then reviewed the proposal to restore the California Competes grant program with $60 million. Go-Biz said the grant would help businesses that cannot use the nonrefundable tax credit, and explained the program’s five-year contracts, milestone-based awards, and recapture provisions. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the grant could be effective but recommended stronger oversight and clearer eligibility criteria, while also noting the 30% cap in trailer bill language may be too restrictive given the smaller funding level. Public testimony supported the grant and suggested considering refundability or transferability for the tax credit to broaden access for smaller and startup businesses. Members also heard the CHIPS-related proposal for $25 million to support Natcast’s semiconductor design and collaboration facility in Sunnyvale. Go-Biz and public witnesses argued the state investment would help secure a major federal research facility, retain engineering talent, and leverage billions in broader investment, while the LAO recommended rejecting the item because of its dependence on uncertain federal funding and the state’s budget condition. The committee also considered a $17 million continuation of CA RISE, which supports employment social enterprises; Go-Biz and several grantees cited strong job placement and workforce outcomes, while the LAO recommended rejection absent a more rigorous evaluation, noting prior LA RISE evidence did not show long-term employment gains. Finally, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented budget requests for IT security and rent increases, and a trailer bill to raise fees across several programs. DFPI said decades-old fee schedules, inflation, and new regulatory responsibilities have created a structural deficit and warned the department could face insolvency without adjustments. The LAO recommended approving the fee increases only on a three-year limited-term basis and asked for more detailed revenue plans for programs not covered by the proposal, so the Legislature can assess actual collections and market impacts before making the changes permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we want students to go into this teaching profession, they need to be guaranteed a livable wage.
• Their essential staff members a living wage.
• work with students to ensure they have access to pathways that lead to careers. with self-sustaining wages

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure that we're doing right by all our employees and that they're making a good wage.
• Fair wages for educators are essential for recruiting and retaining quality teachers who serve all Texas
• students taught by unqualified teachers experience learning loss, and this is linked to lower annual wages

Bills: SB26 , SB 26

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, SB 26, Texas Property Code, colonia, colonias, Spanish translation, bilingual contract, real estate contract, executory contract, residential property, border county, international border, economically distressed area, consumer protection, language access, translator certified in Spanish

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is about SB 525, the health care minimum wage. I did not see that in the budget.
• receiving that additional nine billion dollars to offset their costs for implementation of the $25 minimum wage
• part of the managed care rate-setting process, the total impact of the health care worker minimum wage

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and the minutes from April 10th, 2025 are adopted.
• The<00:05:11.760><c> motion</c><00:05:12.120><c> prevails,</c><00:05:12.720><c> and</c><00:05:13.000>
• <c> the</c><00:05:13.480><c> minutes</c> The motion prevails, and the minutes The motion prevails, and
• With seven ayes and seven nays, the motion does not prevail. The DE is not adopted.

Bills: HF1338

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and House File 2431, as amended, is placed on the general register.
• The motion prevails.
• The<00:37:08.560><c> motion</c> The motion The motion prevails.<00:37:10.880><c> Uh,</c><00:37:11.200
• ><c> I</c><00:37:11.440><c> also</c><00:37:11.680><c> ask</c><00:37:11.839><c> that</c> prevails.
• Uh, I also ask that prevails.

Bills: HF2431 , HF2438 , HF2783 , HF1943

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails and the minutes are approved.
• could offer a more subtle answer, but um the reality is that yes, the damages theory that ultimately prevailed
• 10.079><c> theory</c><00:16:10.560><c> that</c><00:16:11.440><c> ultimately</c><00:16:11.839><c> prevailed
• </c> damages theory that ultimately prevailed damages theory that ultimately prevailed in<00:16:12.320

Bills: HF333 , HF2712 , HF1064 , HF1069 , HF1113 , HF2207 , HF204 , HF2867 , HF2924 , HF746 , HF1530 , HF2587 , HF1078

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 14 ayes in the House and nine ayes in the Senate, the motion prevails, and candidates Young
• Joint Convention as a slate. nine eyes in the Senate the motion nine eyes in the Senate the motion prevails
• <c> candidates</c><00:34:11.079><c> young</c><00:34:11.679><c> and</c><00:34:11.879><c> yang</c> prevails
• and candidates young and yang prevails and candidates young and yang are<00:34:13.159><c> recommended
• having 14 ayes in the House and eight ayes in the Senate, with one nay in the Senate, the motion prevails

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails.
• oppose the amendment is adopted the oppose the amendment is adopted the motion<00:03:16.280><c> prevails
• 17.599><c> the</c><00:03:17.680><c> bill</c><00:03:17.920><c> is</c><00:03:18.040><c> in</c> motion prevails
• now that the bill is in motion prevails now that the bill is in the<00:03:18.599><c> shape</c><00:03
• The motion prevails, and the bill is on its way. Thank you, Representative Gilman.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• coming here, starting with workers' compensation, then boiler and elevator inspections, and finally wage
• coming here, starting with workers' compensation, then boiler and elevator inspections, and finally wage
• So if you're over 70% disabled through the VA, they're going to pay us what's called a prevailing rate
• So if you're over 70% disabled through the VA, they're going to pay us what's called a prevailing rate
• rate and that is called um a prevailing rate and that is $587<02:39:37.760><c> 120</c><02:39:38.359>

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the next four slides are just looking at housing affordability in our metro areas and looking at wages
• And you'll see it varies from workforce stability, so staff wages, wage increases, staff benefits and
• It varies from workforce stability, so staff wages, wage increases, staff benefits and bonuses, and then

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, eligible for clean slate and have their record expunged, that's nearly 220 million in increased wages
• uh, eligible for clean slate and have their record expunged, that's nearly 220 million in increased wages
• expunged, that's nearly 220 million in expunged, that's nearly 220 million in increased<00:18:04.040><c> wages
• and</c><00:18:05.120><c> the</c><00:18:05.200><c> associated</c><00:18:05.679><c> tax</c> increased wages
• and the associated tax increased wages and the associated tax revenue<00:18:06.240><c> to</c><00:18:

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have the revenues because people don't have the wages.
• people don't have the revenues because people don't have<00:59:11.599><c> the</c><00:59:11.839><c> wages
• </c> have the wages. have the wages.
• And all of us also, we want more wage protection against those skyrocketing costs of health care.

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lost when we start talking about damages is economic damages are the past meds, future meds, lost wages
• Lost wages going to go to pay the mortgage payments that families are behind on or college tuition for
• I want my economic wages and my pain and suffering that medical evidence, uh, Mr.
• And calculate the interest on each payment of your insurance bills and each lost wage check because it
• Same for lost wages in the past. That is just crazy. And it also applies to property claims.

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence