Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no further testifiers, we are going to close the hearing on HB 2608 and open the hearing on HB
• Seeing no further testifiers, we are going to close the hearing on HB-2608, open the hearing on HB-2202
• I appreciate you hearing House Bill 2528.
• I’ll close the public hearing.
• We will close the hearing on HB 2292.

Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we’ll have James and then we’ll hear from Doug.
• It's great to hear from you. With that, Amy?
• And that concludes our hearing on 6204.
• Can you hear me? Sorry. Go ahead and begin. Thank you.
• With that, our hearing today is concluded. Thank you.

Bills: SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6195 , SB5882 , SB6134

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: kratom, taxation, regulated substances, health safety, state revenue, cannabis, marijuana, home grow, home cultivation, personal cultivation, adult use cannabis, recreational marijuana, 21 and older, controlled substances, RCW 69.50, Liquor and Cannabis Board, LCB, plant limits, cannabis possession, cannabis concentrates

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear me now? I hear you. Thank you very much.
• And I hear so much AI, and I hear this, and they're not.
• Hopefully you can hear me okay. Now I see you. Yes, we hear you. Okay, great.
• I hear your enthusiasm. There is no doubt we hear your enthusiasm, and we wish you the very best.
• Can you hear me? Yes, I hear you.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a large slate of confirmations and reappointments to boards of trustees for Florida’s colleges, universities, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the importance of trustee appointments to maintaining Florida’s higher education system, and the committee heard brief testimony from each nominee about their background, ties to the institution, and priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, and community partnerships. Several nominees highlighted personal connections to their schools, including alumni status, family legacy, or prior service on the board, while others emphasized experience in business, law, education, health care, or public service. Testimony focused heavily on workforce development and institutional growth. Speakers cited nursing, dual enrollment, applied programs, military and veteran support, broadband access, agriculture, law enforcement, and technical training as key areas for colleges to meet regional labor needs. University nominees discussed research expansion, affordability, strategic planning, and partnerships with industry and government, with Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, the University of West Florida, and the University of South Florida each described as being in periods of growth or transition. Miami-Dade College, Tallahassee State College, Polk State College, and other state colleges were praised for enrollment, economic impact, and job placement outcomes. The committee also heard from the Florida Prepaid College Board reappointee, who described the program as a long-term promise backed by public trust and reported recent technology and customer-service improvements. After testimony, the committee took up the nominations as a group. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, had withdrawn and was not voted on. The remaining trustees were approved unanimously by roll call and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have six bills up for public hearing.
• Thank you so much for hearing the bill.
• Thank you very much for hearing the bill.
• I appreciate you hearing the bill.
• Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Hi, my name is Lori Lane, and I'm from Buckley, Washington.

Bills: SB6081 , SB5902 , SB6034 , SB6035 , SB5892 , SB5973

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: SB 6081, Washington privacy, sex designation, gender marker, nonbinary, transgender, vital records, birth certificate, death certificate, fetal death, stillbirth, driver license, ID card, Department of Licensing, public records exemption, confidential records, record sealing, data sharing, government records, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have six bills up for public hearing.
• I really appreciate your time in hearing it.
• Thank you so much for hearing the bill.
• I appreciate you hearing the bill.
• Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Hi, my name is Lori Lane, and I'm from Buckley, Washington.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on six bills. SB 6081 would protect sex designation information and related records from public disclosure, limit sharing of such information by the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, and allow denial of records requests when disclosure could cause harm or disenfranchisement. The sponsor and many supporters, including transgender Washingtonians, privacy advocates, and allied organizations, said the bill would close a privacy gap and reduce doxing, harassment, and targeting; one witness opposed it on grounds of record accuracy, law enforcement, and concerns about sports and public safety. No vote was taken. SB 5902 would update voter notification and address-change procedures by allowing more flexible forms of voter registration updates, reducing mailed notices in some automatic registration situations, and expanding electronic communication options. The sponsor and county auditors said it would improve efficiency, reduce confusion, and save counties money; testimony was generally supportive. The hearing then moved to SB 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency and require ongoing training and reporting on government-to-government relations with tribes. The sponsor and tribal representatives supported the bill as a technical fix and a commitment to tribal sovereignty, and no action was taken. SB 6035 would require regular county and state meetings with tribes on election access and authorize an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including military, overseas, disabled, and some tribal voters. Supporters said it would improve access and collaboration, while the Secretary of State, Verified Voting, and others raised cybersecurity and secret-ballot concerns about the electronic portal; several witnesses also opposed that portion while supporting tribal outreach and drop boxes. SB 5892 would centralize requests for voter registration database records through the Secretary of State and make unauthorized disclosure of protected voter data a felony; supporters framed it as protecting voter privacy and resisting federal overreach, while opponents argued it would hinder voter-roll maintenance and transparency. Finally, SB 5973 would ban pay-per-signature compensation for initiative and referendum signature gathering and require 1,000 supporting signatures before a ballot title is issued; supporters said it would reduce fraud, misleading tactics, and ballot-title shopping, while opponents called it an added barrier to direct democracy. The committee heard extensive testimony on all bills, but the transcript does not show any votes or executive action taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing this bill.
• Can you guys not hear me?
• Angela, I can barely hear you, but we can hear you. ...hear you, but we can hear you.
• Can you hear me? We can. Go ahead. Okay.
• With that, we will close the hearing on public hearing on House Bill 2429.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on recommendations from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group. Tisha Kirshbaum of the Health Care Authority described the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan, a prenatal-to-25 system-of-care framework meant to reduce fragmentation, improve coordination across multiple state agencies, and expand early, community-based behavioral health supports. Members asked about duplication among agencies, simplification of the system, and upstream services such as community health workers, school-based supports, and crisis access. The committee then heard House Bill 2429, which would direct the governor and state agencies to align with the Washington Thriving plan, create an executive coordination officer and leadership council, extend the work group, and require broader alignment by state, tribal, local, and nonprofit entities. The bill received strong support from the governor’s office, the Health Care Authority, parents, youth, providers, and advocates, while a few testifiers raised concerns about government overreach, cost, or the need to address non-psychiatric causes of distress. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2364, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Work First Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force and updates the related advisory council to align with the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill reflects the evolution of the poverty-reduction effort and adds agencies such as the Department of Revenue, Health Care Authority, and Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Testimony from DSHS and advocates was uniformly supportive, emphasizing bipartisan collaboration and the need to update statute to match current work. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2171 on supporting foster youth. The bill would create an endangered foster youth alert system, require county rapid-response protocols, establish a foster youth empowerment account, create an oversight board through the Ombuds office, and expand training for foster parents and child welfare workers. The prime sponsor and several advocates described the bill as a response to lived experience and a way to improve accountability and long-term support. DCYF said it supports the intent but raised legal and cost concerns, and some youth advocates warned that public alerts could increase risk or trauma for youth who run away from unsafe placements. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2314, which would create a pilot allowing certain community-based clients with developmental disabilities to receive dental care at residential habilitation centers. Supporters said the bill would use existing dental capacity to address severe access gaps and long waits in the community, while opponents from disability advocacy groups argued it would pull people back into institutional settings instead of building community-based dental capacity. Testimony on the bill was mixed, and no final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And already we see and we hear about the holes that those funds have filled.
• And already we see and we hear about the holes that those funds have filled.
• And already we see and we hear about the holes that those funds have filled.
• And already we see and we hear about the holes that those funds have filled.
• And already we see and we hear about the holes that those funds have filled.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, hears none. The motion is adopted.
• Hearing none. The chair, motion is adopted. Chair, recognize Senator Hughes for a motion.
• So you're asking a motion for us to approve that you skip the hearing.
• Well, to have a meeting, have a hearing to consider the bills.
• The hearing has the members will decide that fate soon.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the public hearing for House Bill 1667. the public hearing for House Bill 1667.
• Hearing none.
• Hearing none. All in favor of vote? Hearing none.
• </c> Is there a second hearing? No second. Is there a second hearing? No second.
• You have your last day of hearings for public hearings. >> Yeah.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, in our hearing, in our first hearing, we sort of had a love fest with the CEC in terms of their
• And if they can’t, I’d love to hear why.
• Well, in our hearing, in our first hearing, we sort of had a love fest with the CEC in terms of their
• They're out there with the community at the public participation hearings, hearing the concerns, and
• Okay, my question is the hearing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have hearings all day.
• We're not planning on executing anything next week, but we will have hearings all day the following week
• We're going to exact the bills that we're hearing next week the following week.
• and I left maybe five so that we can exact those seven the following week and have time for some hearings
• and I left maybe five so that we can exact those seven the following week and have time for some hearings

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping about report deadlines and bill scheduling, noting that reports should be submitted as soon as possible, ideally by Friday night, so they can be reviewed and filed on time. The chair explained the process for Democratic and Republican reports, reviewed the timing sheet for early bills, and said the committee was trying to stay on schedule to avoid hearings during vacation week. He also shared his contact information for questions. The committee then moved into executive session on 10 bills. On HB 13, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill after the prime sponsor asked that it be held for possible local action. On HB 127, extending the closing date of OHRV trails on the Connecticut River headquarters property from September 30 to Columbus Day, members debated economic benefits for Pittsburgh versus concerns about local control, conservation easements, and hunting impacts. The committee voted 11-5 ought to pass; the chair noted it would not go on consent and would have a fiscal note. On HB 174, increasing the maximum weight of a utility terrain vehicle to 3,500 pounds unladen dry weight, supporters argued the change could help accommodate electric vehicles and heavier equipment, while opponents raised concerns about undefined terms, enforcement, private landowner rights, and unintended consequences. The committee voted 8-7 ought to pass. On HB 203, requiring C-COT approved personal flotation devices while on New Hampshire state waters, the committee heard a split between members who emphasized personal responsibility and those who said the bill would improve safety and education and could reduce drowning deaths. The motion to ITL failed 11-5, meaning the committee rejected the motion to kill the bill and advanced it instead. The transcript then moved on to HB 332, allowing for the establishment of a village district, but the discussion of that bill was not included in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, motion carries. Thank you, Representative Raymond.
• So I'd be interested to get to the bill hearing to hear why. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Hearing none, motion carries. Thank you, Representative McCann.
• In the hearing, we had this discussion with Governor DeSantis.
• Hearing none, motion carries. Committee will have before us RS 33361.

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of today's hearing is to lay out bills and to address pending business.
• Hearing none, we'll open for public testimony. We have no witnesses registered.
• Hearing none, we'll open for public testimony. We have no witnesses registered.
• The chair hears none.
• Hearing none, Senator Sparks moves that the committee stand in recess until 7 AM.

Bills: HB346 , HB1851 , HB2974 , HB5596 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR141

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• And by hearing it. It is happening.
• > we're</c><01:08:23.440><c> already</c> They're hearing it and we're already They're hearing it and
• So when you actually get a bill hearing, suddenly you start to hear from a lot of advocates and a lot
• , suddenly you start to hear from hearing, suddenly you start to hear from a<01:21:03.520><c> lot</c>
• </c> So I started to have meetings and hear So I started to have meetings and hear from<01:21:13.440>

Bills: HF4893

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, student support, aid allowances, appropriation, school funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:45.439><c> and</c> permitted um for today's hearing and permitted um for today's hearing and
• </c><00:04:43.520><c> the</c> to ask questions as well as hearing the to ask questions as well as hearing
• for our public hearing, which is we have a presentation hearing and we have a decision-making hearing
• for our public hearing, which is we have a presentation hearing and we have a decision-making hearing
• for our public hearing, which is we have a presentation hearing and we have a decision-making hearing

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• That brings us to today's hearing.
• Thank you so much, and we'll hear from our next panelist.
• To hearing more in the next panels. So thank you very much for the presentation.
• We will now. this hearing, and I want to thank all our panelists for coming today.
• I think that concludes our public comments for this hearing.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no opposition, those minutes will be approved.
• Hearing no objection, that amendment will be adopted.
• Hearing no objection, those amendments are adopted.
• Hearing no objection, those amendments are adopted.
• So I'm tired of hearing about it too.

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB517 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB362 , HB368 , HB377 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB664 , HB741 , HB822 , HB990 , HB1243

Committee: Senate Municipal

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, economic development, Baton Rouge North, commissioners

Summary: The committee on local and municipal affairs met on May 7, 2026, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up a series of local bills. HB 362 creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish was reported favorably without objection. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew questions about whether it targeted a specific entity and about how long an entity should be out of good standing; the committee adopted an amendment changing the trigger to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would give the Orleans Parish City Council more authority over the Sewer and Water Board. The sponsor, Council President J.P. Morrell, and Representative Hilfordy argued the bill would move New Orleans toward a more local, responsive public-works model and help address long-standing dysfunction. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified that it supported increased local control but urged a formal study or transition plan so the city would document the future governance structure. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying ownership of assets and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills and other local measures. SB 348, allowing third-party administrative support for motor vehicle enforcement, and SB 444, granting expropriation authority for certain public projects, were reported favorably. SB 485, transferring insurance premium tax authority to the City of St. George, was initially amended but then reconsidered; the amendment was stripped and the bill was reported favorably. HB 990, concerning Jefferson Parish and unpaid water/sewer bills on multifamily properties, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish property-tax rebates, HB 664 raising parish ordinance fines, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief for the Village of Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil-service pay restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 updating a crime prevention district fee, HB 368 raising fines for improper demolition of historic properties, and HB 441 returning Sewer and Water Board employees to city civil service were all reported favorably, most without objection. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete 16 hours of annual training, was amended to add continuing legal education and national conferences and then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• You hear from a panel of magistrate judges and then a separate panel of district judges.
• Chairman, for hearing this.
• I believe you’re going to hear from them.
• People like that are not able to attend these hearings. And we don’t think that’s right.
• Can you see me and hear me all right? Yes, we can. Okay, great.

Summary: The Idaho Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee began with introductions of a new page and visiting family members, then unanimously approved the minutes from February 19, 2026. The committee heard presentations from court administrators on court assistance offices, family court services, and treatment courts. Testimony described services for self-represented litigants, family law support, mediation and fee assistance, and the structure and outcomes of treatment courts. Members asked questions about recidivism, sanctions, and court procedures, and one line of questioning about child interviews in family cases was cut short because of pending legislation in that area. The committee then took up House Bill 692, which would expand access to child protection hearings and create a rebuttable presumption for attendance by children, relatives, foster parents, fictive kin, service providers, and legislators unless the judge finds exclusion appropriate. The sponsor and advocates said the bill would improve transparency and allow children and caregivers to be heard; opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, confidentiality, and the inclusion of legislators and broad categories of service providers. After discussion, the committee rejected a motion to send the bill directly to the floor and instead approved a substitute motion to send it to general orders by a 15-1 vote. Next, House Bill 23, a House rule change for procedures during a call of the house, was explained as allowing members and staff access to offices and restrooms while still requiring attendance and voting. It passed unanimously. House Bill 683, concerning sex offender residency definitions and removing a care-facility exemption near schools or daycares, also passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor and a sheriff. House Bill 684, shifting transport costs for escaped state prisoners from counties to the state, passed unanimously as well. Finally, House Bill 615, which would add religious gatherings and houses of worship to the disturbing-the-peace statute, drew both support and constitutional concerns about vagueness and First Amendment issues; it passed the committee 9-2 and was sent to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Five bills up for public hearing, three bills up for exec. Let's see here.
• Thanks for hearing the bill. Really appreciate it.
• Chair Bernaski, can you hear me okay? Go ahead. Yeah, we can hear you.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce the vote. Mr.
• Hearing and seeing none, staff will announce a vote. Mr.

Bills: SB5877 , SB5904 , SB5988

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: anesthesiology, medical personnel, surcharges, licensing, healthcare regulations, nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, opioid treatment, accreditation, health department, fee authority, substance abuse, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Five bills up for public hearing, three bills up for exec. Let's see here.
• Thanks for hearing the bill. I really appreciate it.
• Can you hear me okay? Go ahead. Yeah, we can hear you.
• Okay, hearing and seeing none.
• Okay, hearing and seeing none.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several health-related bills. SB 5904 would restrict nursing titles such as RN, NP/ARNP, and LPN to licensed human people and prohibit non-human entities, including AI chatbots, from using those titles. The sponsor and nursing advocates said the bill is meant to prevent confusion and protect public trust, while preserving the use of AI as a support tool. SB 5877 would add a $70 surcharge for certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and access HealWA resources; supporters said it closes a technical gap and aligns CAAs with other medical professions. SB 5185 would create a pilot pathway for certain international medical graduates with clinical experience licenses to obtain full primary care licensure; supporters from the medical commission, physicians, and IMG advocates said the program has worked well, has shown no patient safety issues, and could help address workforce shortages. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 6210, which would let the Health Benefit Exchange adopt additional market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, including standards aimed at preserving access and affordability in underserved counties. Supporters, including the exchange, OIC, consumer advocates, tribal representatives, and patient groups, said the bill is needed to respond to federal policy changes, rising premiums, and disappearing coverage in places like San Juan County. Opponents from carriers and employer groups argued the timeline is too fast, the criteria are too discretionary, and the bill could reduce competition and raise costs. The committee then heard SB 5981, which would strengthen protections and reporting requirements for the federal 340B drug pricing program and limit manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and data requests. Hospitals, clinics, and patient advocates said the bill protects safety-net care and rural access, while manufacturers, employers, and business groups argued it would expand a program that already raises costs and lacks transparency. In executive session, the committee took action on SB 5917, related to Department of Corrections distribution of abortion medications, rejecting five proposed amendments and then advancing the bill on a 10-6 vote with three excused. The committee also advanced SB 5988, which concerns Department of Health opioid treatment program accrediting activities, on a do-pass recommendation after brief discussion.