Transcript Highlights:

• compensation; and lastly, $2.8 million in fiscal year 26 and $3.1 million in fiscal year 27 for software
• compensation; and lastly, $2.8 million in fiscal year 26 and $3.1 million in fiscal year 27 for software
• compensation; and lastly, $2.8 million in fiscal year 26 and $3.1 million in fiscal year 27 for software
• compensation; and lastly, $2.8 million in fiscal year 26 and $3.1 million in fiscal year 27 for software
• compensation; and lastly, $2.8 million in fiscal year 26 and $3.1 million in fiscal year 27 for software

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your passion, your hard work, and your practical application.
• I have almost 30 years of experience in software engineering and technology.
• It is to configure proven technology for this specific application.
• I'm a software engineer in the open-source community, and I strongly oppose.
• At first, I couldn't even get a copy of the application.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These grant applications were denied.
• Three, simplify the grant application process for small counties.
• The application of these translation methods should be accelerated.
• The software was, they had the actual software engineers.
• The software was, they had the actual software engineers come in on their own time and actually program

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so including applications in education and healthcare.
• for job applications.
• So what makes AI different than traditional software?
• So that's the next thing we're starting to see: software agents.
• We do, we did start inventorying the AI applications.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for implementation as well as licensing of software, which is to support regulatory activities
• This is to conduct a statewide information technology applications assessment.
• This is a new original contract, and it is for the purchase of software and services needed to implement
• This is a new original contract, and it is for the purchase of software and services needed to implement
• It's however long the department takes to make their selection process because they select the applicant

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• period before accepting employment for a particular employer after helping to select and purchase a software
• It's a, um, sort of a buyer of software that uh that resells at a reseller of software.
• Um, the opinion concludes that the requester must wait 2 years until after the contract for the software
• , um, because he was involved in the procurement, um, and the procurement involved the, the, the software
• , the, the actual software vendor here, um, and I mean, he, he clearly was involved in this procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• Or we can vote to have them submit an amended application which updates that to have another shot at
• OK, have an I have a motion in a second for Wahito County to submit an amended application for their
• I would make The motion to approve this grant application.
• The International Public Safety Consortium is basically public safety software vendors that will be in
• vendors that are there and attend some of their various different classes to try to steer those software

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The total cost was about $9,000 for software and equipment.
• The total cost was about $9,000 for software and equipment. Thank you. ...smooth.
• There will be no software to install.
• However, no software development company will respond to our proposals to implement the software until
• We didn’t have any software.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to talk about software for human services.
• So, it's really inefficient, and you can imagine that each of these applications, if they have to do
• So, counties are experiencing the need to hire more staff just to do these basic applications.
• So, counties are experiencing the need to hire more staff just to do these basic applications.
• Now, this software we've been talking about is for the Department of Human Services.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on the need to modernize Minnesota’s human services software systems, especially MAXIS and related county-administered eligibility tools used for programs like SNAP and Medical Assistance. The senator described seeing a Ramsey County demonstration of the MAXIS system, saying the process was tedious, repetitive, and based on outdated green-screen technology that is difficult for workers to learn and use. The outdated systems were said to create long wait times for residents seeking basic needs assistance and to make it harder for counties to keep up with application volume. The senator said the old, siloed systems also create program integrity problems because they do not communicate well with one another, making it harder to detect fraud and more likely that errors will go unnoticed. Counties reportedly need to hire more staff just to process basic applications, and those added costs can ultimately affect county budgets and property taxpayers. The senator also said modernization is important to maintain federal funding and avoid penalties tied to error rates and compliance requirements in programs such as SNAP and Medicaid. Senate File 4719 was presented as a short-term bill to create a Human Services System Steering Committee made up of county representatives, state agencies, DHS, DCYF, and MNIT to develop recommendations and prioritize improvements collaboratively. The senator said the committee could begin meeting within a couple of months after enactment, with the goal of getting work started quickly this biennium. A longer-term proposal, Senate File 5020, would establish an IT funding account and require MNIT to develop a modernization plan for larger system investments. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the exchange.

Transcript Highlights:

• application.
• application.
• So what are the limitations of the current software you have, the applications that you're using?
• So what are the limitations of the current software you have, the applications that you're using?
• Chair: Thank you, Senator Chair: So what are the limitations of the current software you have, the applications

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will do so because of the complexity of this topic and our desire to demonstrate our advanced software
• Runner plenty of time to actually demonstrate the software, which is the power of the presentation here
• , so I'm going to walk through some of how the software actually works, but I think the crux of this
• What states are already using the software, and specifically in the child safety space? So, Mr.
• In fact, I saw a comment in some pilot software that we use. It off.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Intel Expert/Expert Works on using its Intel Expert software to help the Department of Child Safety and law enforcement process large volumes of audio, video, and text data in cases involving missing, abused, neglected, and exploited children. The presenters said the tool can triage hotline calls, identify names, locations, relationships, criminal methods, and coded language, and produce translated and aggregated transcripts, with the goal of reducing hundreds of hours of manual review to minutes. Members discussed possible use with DCS, sheriffs, DOC, procurement and RFP issues, cost, and whether the system could help identify backlogs, serial abusers, and trafficking networks; the presenters said it is already used in Iowa and could be adapted quickly for Arizona. Committee members indicated interest in pursuing legislation, a pilot, or budget action, and said they would follow up with agencies and the presenters. The committee then considered HB 2460, which would preempt local ordinances that penalize businesses for theft of movable property, especially shopping carts. The sponsor argued cities were shifting the cost of stolen carts onto businesses and consumers instead of pursuing thieves, while city and league representatives argued local ordinances were needed to address blight, sidewalk hazards, and abandoned carts, and that the bill would unnecessarily limit local control. After debate over whether businesses should be required to retrieve carts or use anti-theft devices, the committee passed HB 2460 on a 4-3 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 2060, which would prohibit public educational institutions and ABOR from encouraging or facilitating abortions. The sponsor said taxpayer-funded schools should remain neutral and not use official roles to promote abortion, while opponents argued the bill would chill constitutionally protected health care information and referrals, especially on campuses where student health services may be the only care available. Supporters testified that campuses should provide alternatives such as pregnancy resources and adoption information. The committee passed HB 2060 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2210, as amended, which would prohibit the state, political subdivisions, and private entities from using ADS-B aircraft surveillance data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators. Supporters said the technology was intended for aviation safety and should not be repurposed as a tax-collection tool, warning that pilots might turn it off to avoid fees and reduce safety. Opponents, including the City of Phoenix, said airports need flexibility and that the bill could interfere with local airport operations. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment and then passed HB 2210 as amended on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• and they must submit a structured safety case demonstrating the safety of the vehicle's hardware, software
• rating of 10,000 pounds or more, and heavy-duty autonomous vehicles must still comply with all applicable
• , and operations. the safety of the vehicle's hardware, software, and operations.
• And so if an AV experiences a critical detachment or software freeze, it blocks a lane on an interstate
• The DMV has long been able to deny permit applications and suspend or revoke permits.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard an informational hearing on California’s newly finalized autonomous vehicle regulations, with DMV and CHP officials describing the updated framework and committee members pressing them on safety, enforcement, and first-responder impacts. DMV said the rules, effective April 28, 2026, expand reporting, create a phased permitting system from testing to deployment, add requirements for safety cases, remote operations, and first-responder coordination, and open a path for heavy-duty AV testing and deployment while still prohibiting oversized loads and hazardous materials. CHP said it worked with DMV on enforcement tools, first-responder interaction plans, and training local agencies on the new notice of noncompliance process. Members asked about crash data, immobilizations, freeway and construction-zone safety, weigh-station enforcement, and whether foreign licenses can qualify for remote assistants or drivers; DMV and CHP said the rules are intended to keep AVs accountable and that heavy-duty AVs will be held to the same roadway standards as human-driven commercial vehicles. A second panel focused on data collection and enforcement. Consumer attorneys argued the prior rules were too limited because DMV stopped collecting meaningful data once AVs moved from testing to deployment, making it difficult for the public and litigants to understand incidents; they supported the new regulations but urged that the collected information be made public. The industry association said California now has the nation’s most robust AV oversight, with monthly or quarterly reporting of collisions, system failures, immobilizations, harsh braking, vehicle miles traveled, and notices of noncompliance, plus broad DMV authority to restrict or suspend operations. In response to questions, the industry said it generally supports the new framework, believes the regulations are clear, and does not favor full federal preemption of state AV rules, though it wants federal standards for design, construction, and performance. A third panel addressed first-responder interaction and remote operations. The San Francisco Fire Department described repeated AV interference with emergency scenes and said AVs have generated hundreds of “sleeper calls,” where passengers fall asleep and trigger 911 responses; the department said these incidents consume significant staff time and it wants better protocols to reduce unnecessary dispatches. Waymo said it has trained thousands of public-safety personnel, maintains a 24/7 emergency line, uses geofencing/avoid-the-area messages, and can allow first responders to manually override or move vehicles when needed. Committee members asked about sleeper-call prevention, remote assistant licensing and drug testing, communication redundancies during outages, and how manual overrides work for vehicles without traditional controls; Waymo said it is collaborating with responders and that its vehicles are designed to reach a safe stop if connectivity is lost. The final panel began with testimony on heavy-duty autonomous vehicles. A transportation researcher said freight is essential to California’s economy and that heavy-duty AVs pose distinct safety risks because of their weight, stopping distance, and the potentially severe consequences of crashes or immobilizations on highways. He said the new regulations are important because they create a regulated pathway for heavy-duty AV deployment, require a safety case, set mileage thresholds, and add reporting categories that can serve as leading safety indicators. The hearing was still in progress when the transcript ended, with additional testimony expected from labor and industry witnesses on heavy-duty AV deployment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Defense, page 174, sequence 1071: software and services contracts modified to $88,500.
• and services contracts modified software and services contracts modified to to to 88,500<01:07:40.960
• <01:30:11.119> House<01:30:11.480> concurs<01:30:12.480> Governor's Software House
• concurs Governor's Software House concurs Governor's message<01:30:13.320> trans<01:30:13.719
• <01:30:22.560> and 27s for terminal map application and 27s for terminal map application and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• changes that clarify eligible homes, allow homeowners to submit a subsequent initial inspection application
• So I just want to say, if the CFO's office or in working on this bill can identify a portal or a software
• , or, you know, ...office or in working on this bill can identify a portal or a software or some way
• many of the issues that a lot of us were running into because I was concerned about the cost of software

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 1221, the Department of Financial Services agency package, was presented as a streamlining and modernization bill covering the My Safe Florida Home Program, unclaimed property, and the state’s new PALM accounting system. Two amendments were adopted: one restoring the current $15 million cap DFS may retain in the unclaimed property trust fund and another making conforming changes to replace references to FLAIR with PALM. The bill was supported by public witnesses and was reported favorably after a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then heard HB 1291, dealing with the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA). The sponsor explained that the bill was intended to address concerns that NICA could fall below actuarially sound funding in the 2027-2028 fiscal year and that current law lacks clear triggers for funding remedies. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s fiscal impact and preserved a $20 million reserve. NICA representatives spoke in support, and the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. Finally, the committee took up CSHB 1329, which would modernize local government budget transparency by requiring budgets to be posted 14 days before hearings, retained online for five years, and made searchable and accessible, while also requiring a 10% budget-cutting exercise before adoption. Local government groups and the CFO’s office discussed costs and suggested that the EDR portal may be a better centralized way to present the data, especially for smaller jurisdictions. Members generally supported the transparency goal but raised concerns about implementation costs; the sponsor said the bill was still being refined. The bill was reported favorably on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no for now. The meeting then adjourned after the chair noted submission of the FY 2026-27 budget recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the research I found indicated there was about a dozen counties that aren't on a commercial software
• The commercial software system in most cases can produce this information within a day or so.
• And like I said, that's why we did the research on who's got commercial software and learning about how
• That developed from owning a tire store and having many folks come in and grab an application...
• That developed from owning a tire store and having many folks come in and grab an application only to

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee heard and advanced several bills. HB 615, allowing landlords to send required notices electronically with tenant written consent, was amended to allow either landlords or tenants to send messages electronically and passed favorably after testimony from legal aid and tenant advocates urging stronger opt-in, opt-out, and notice protections. HB 665, dealing with local government impact fees and development permits, would limit certain art-related impact fees, define “extraordinary circumstances,” and require more public process before fee increases; it passed after local government and industry testimony focused on refining the extraordinary-circumstances definition and concerns about public art funding. HB 365, a tenant protection bill for affordable housing units receiving public incentives, was amended to apply only to leases of 13 months or less and to take effect in July 2026; it passed with support from housing advocates and AARP and was described as preventing mid-lease rent increases while preserving renewal-time adjustments. HB 381, requiring issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers within a set timeframe, was amended to extend the deadline to 20 business days and shift the fee consequence to the address fee rather than the building permit fee; it passed after discussion about delays affecting developers and local government responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• HR5457 unnecessary software licenses.
• The text we are considering software.
• :02:40.319> unduly software purchasing without unduly software purchasing without unduly limiting
• <03:03:30.160> The Oversight of Software Asset Act. The Oversight of Software Asset Act.
• I have no further speakers and I'm prepared to close. software management, automate processes, software

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, December 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We submitted both Part A and Part B of the application, and we're currently waiting to hear back on the
• It includes teacher training, model car kits, new computer software, and other program expenses.
• We bought new computer software and other program expenses.
• And it's important when these applications are submitted that they align with the labor market data in
• We also write letters to support Quincy’s Chapter 74 applications, which you also heard about.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held an informational hearing at Quincy Public Schools focused on career and technical education (CTE). Committee members said the visit was intended to gather input for statewide CTE legislation, including efforts to expand awareness and access, improve middle school exposure, invest in equipment and facilities, and strengthen ties to workforce boards and labor pathways. Quincy officials described their CTE system as integrated with academics and highlighted support from district, city, and state partners. School leaders outlined Quincy’s CTE offerings, including 15 Chapter 74 programs at Quincy High School and four at North Quincy High School, with about 1,360 students enrolled. Presenters emphasized curriculum aligned to DESE frameworks, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials, safety training, business electives, dual enrollment and articulation with Quincy College, and grant funding such as Skills Capital and Perkins. They also discussed support liaisons for nontraditional careers and military pathways, advisory committees, and plans to seek Chapter 74 approval for an engineering program at North Quincy, along with new computer science and business offerings. Testimony from MassHire South Shore described workforce partnerships, YouthWorks, job fairs, resume workshops, and the Credit for Life Fair, while the assistant superintendent explained Quincy’s MyCAP planning grant and efforts to build a student-driven college and career readiness system. Three students testified about their pathways in welding, early education and care, and healthcare technology, describing hands-on learning, certifications, clinical or co-op experiences, and future plans for college and careers. Committee members praised Quincy as a model for combining CTE with general education, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jennifer Harp, Executive Director for our Office of Application Technology Services.
• So, all of our applications can be accessed by anyone at home, right?
• Uh, all of our applications are web-based.
• I don't even know if that's still an applicable application from back in the day. Uh, yeah, right?
• , in our in our software system, in our permitting<00:51:11.640> systems.

Keywords: Investments in Information Technology Improvement & Modernization Projects Oversight Board will met upon adjournment of both chambers. The time set is noon on YouTube, But the official time will likely vary based on chamber proceedings. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:00 Tools for Managing Remote Work Kentucky Personnel Cabinet 00:00:30 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 00:20:20 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:33:10 Housing, Buildings and Construction 00:47:40 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:56:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.

Transcript Highlights:

• application providing civil penalty for the Committee of Trade Workforce and Economic Development.
• HB 4489, but Ross of Harris ruling to the issuance of educators certificate and certain applications
• HB 4495 by Bella Montgomery relating to the spacing and density requirements applicable to certain oil
• AG 4901 by fairly ruling the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software, software
• applications for mobile devices or for the Committee of Trade Workforce and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• be like you skip, you direct interview or something like that, or you get extra points on your application
• And so creating those conversations of what the career navigations look like, when the applications open
• , what the out-of-work list looks like, and what application requirements are needed.
• we do here also is that we participate in an event called Capture the Flag, which is a specific software
• And yes, it's not just the software side or the virtual side that we secure, but the physical components

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.