Transcript Highlights:

• There is, under no circumstance, does that check not make it to someone's bank account.
• There is, under no circumstance, does that check not make it to someone's bank account.
• </c> not make it to someone's uh uh bank not make it to someone's uh uh bank account<00:38:20.960><c>
• </c> funding calculations are producing act funding calculations are producing act accurate<00:41:44.160
• </c> provisions and the systems retained act provisions and the systems retained act or<00:45:39.480>

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been life-saving for many small- and medium-sized food banks.
• and medium-sized food banks also have access to gleaning.
• The food banks are seeing a huge demand and less food available.
• Local Foods, Northwest Harvest, Harvest, the Bonney Lake Food Bank, and multiple other food banks around
• The Bonney Lake Food Bank and multiple other food banks around our region, we have been able to donate

Bills: HB2279 , HB2463 , HB1941 , HB2238

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• but they do have debt, and they end up paying an interest rate, whether they’re borrowing it from a bank
• I'd like to speak more specifically to capital infrastructure costs and a rate banking.
• I'd like to speak more specifically to capital infrastructure costs and a rate banking component called
• And so then we can act because we have the power to bring people to the table.
• honest with you, to do the things that you're doing, but we certainly have the time and wherewithal to act

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds. Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget. Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Reauthorization Act. Reauthorization Act.
• </c> Congressional Award Act. Congressional Award Act.
• Act. Act.
• Pipeline Act. As we barrel towards Pipeline Act.
• Act. This bill would reauthorize Act.

Bills: HB3187 , SB284 , HB2400 , HR1098 , HB3872 , HB3176 , HB3620 , HB2815 , SB2878 , HR1045 , HR972 , HB2876 , HB3962 , HB4183 , SB216 , HR923 , HB5457 , HB5810 , SB222

Keywords: Perry County Arkansas, Perryville, Forest Service land, federal land conveyance, quitclaim deed, public purpose, education, youth development, land transfer, property disposal, reversion clause, CERCLA, environmental liability, historic preservation, National Historic Preservation Act, USDA, federal property, county government, public use, surplus land

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not I'm not talking about merger.
• Um, was acquired in that first merger.
• conduct our merger reviews under RSA 356, which is the combinations and monopolies act. it a required
• </c> and we also primarily conduct our merger and we also primarily conduct our merger reviews<00:23:
• </c> Right now, when we conduct a merger Right now, when we conduct a merger investigation, investigation

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The ACES Act is for them.
• The ACES Act is for them.
• The ACES Act is for them.
• The ACES Act is for them.
• </c> we must act now. We must act decisively. we must act now. We must act decisively.

Bills: HR36 , HR530 , HB1800 , HB2416 , HR1316 , HB1724 , HB1540 , HB1486 , HB1512 , HB1503 , HB1912

Keywords: federal programs, government efficiency, budget cuts, committee, oversight, rules resolution, House Rules Committee, procedural rule, floor procedure, appropriations, military construction, Veterans Affairs, VA funding, fiscal year 2026, immigration enforcement, special interest aliens, DHS reporting, monthly report, inadmissible, deportable

Transcript Highlights:

• Acting Chair.
• Acting Chair. Yes, ma'am.
• Acting Chair. Thank you, Mr. Acting Chair. Good morning.
• Acting Chair. Why does it do that every time? There we go. Thank you, Mr. Acting Chair.
• Acting Chair.

Bills: HB398 , HB906 , HB1201 , SB41 , SB47 , SB106 , SB210 , SB218 , SB220 , SB248 , SB289 , SB397

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers, website disclosure, official journal, Louisiana public bodies, parish board of election supervisors, Department of State elections hotline

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3263 is the David Ber Act and what it does is designate the morale mushroom as the state mushroom
• Additionally, expanding the Terry North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act to a statewide program.

Bills: HB3406 , HB2975 , HB3977 , HB3263 , HB2988 , HB3404 , HB1770

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: agriculture, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, HB3977, State Veterinarian, Oklahoma veterinary license, food animal veterinary practice, livestock, animal health, State Board of Agriculture, veterinary qualifications, appointed office

Transcript Highlights:

• Others may interpret them as acting up because they grunt and cry.
• Others may interpret them as acting up because they grunt and cry.
• So they're off duty, they get hurt, they have Victims of Crime Act rights.
• So if they're acting outside their jurisdiction, the answer would be no.
• So again, that's a real-time process up to us to be able to act, right?

Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be serving, I guess I'll call it, in an acting chair capacity today for the purposes of running
• For the record, Luke Maslink, Senior Act...
• And so these current banks are so significant that we actually already assume 3% annual increases for
• It was called the LTSS Trust Act and rebranded as the WACares Fund a couple of years later.
• I've been serving in an acting chair capacity today because we don't currently have a chair.

Committee: Joint Pension Funding Council

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on October 8 with introductions from council members and staff, then received a detailed presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on long-term economic assumptions and the state pension systems’ financial condition. OSA reported that the combined pension systems are currently 100% funded on a smoothed basis, with open plans above 95% funded, and that legacy Plan 1 systems remain on a path toward full funding under current policy. The actuaries recommended updating assumptions to 3% inflation, 3.5% general salary growth, and a 7.25% investment return, while keeping Plan 1 membership growth at 1%. They also explained asset smoothing, the role of recent strong investment returns, and the expected budget impacts of the recommended changes. Representatives from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the State Investment Board offered supporting perspectives, generally describing the assumptions as reasonable and consistent with their own outlooks. The council also heard an overview of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (WACares) from DSHS and OSA. Program staff described the program’s social insurance structure, premium collection, benefit eligibility, and upcoming implementation milestones. OSA reported that the program’s first actuarial valuation showed a positive actuarial balance under the base scenario and recommended no change to the current 0.58% premium rate during the program’s early learning phase, noting that future changes would depend on experience and the program’s risk-management framework. OSA also said the recommendation would remain the same regardless of the outcome of the pending ballot measure affecting investment options. During public comment, a representative of the Washington State School Retirees Association urged continued work on Plan 1 funding and related legislation, while the Association of Washington Cities cautioned against increasing pension assumptions in a way that could raise future employer costs and reduce flexibility for current local government services. In action, the council adopted a motion to maintain the current long-term economic assumptions by a 4-2 vote, adopted the recommendation to keep the WACares premium rate at 0.58% by a 6-0 vote, and then elected Katie Chapman as council chair by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> traditional banks these non-bank traditional banks these non-bank entities<00:09:08.640><c> don't
• Most of the banks have opted to be a state-chartered bank, which is great.
• Bank, one of the large national banks? Thank you.
• The larger banks, so Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, are federally chartered.
• </c><00:45:39.520><c> one</c><00:45:39.640><c> of</c> banks at Wells Fargo or US Bank one of banks at

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• infrastructure in place with our professional staff, our contacts at the rating agencies, and the banking
• Under the NMFA Act, rules are established by our board and the oversight.
• our local government planning fund, and a couple of other programs that are authorized under the NMFA Act
• We also met with Silicon Valley Bank, who admitted that every single time one of their companies, their
• You can't take that to the bank.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Bills: HB1823 , HB2092 , HB2111 , HB2114

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• Because in the budget, we are dealing with the Choose Act and the Raise Act, which is just all The Raise
• However, we had the Choose Act to cover and the Raise Act to cover.
• We also took $101 million from the ETF for the Choose Act and put that into the Choose Act fund.
• , the Raise Act.
• The reduction of $3.4 million is also part of the $58 million in the raise act. act.

Bills: SB113 , SB114 , SB305 , SB111 , HB600 , SB112 , SB150 , SB109 , SB122

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: education funding, appropriations, local education boards, school safety, workforce development, Alabama, technology, higher education, career technology centers, public institutions, grants, local education agencies, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students

Transcript Highlights:

• , FLPMA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and the National Forest Management Act, and the
• National Historic Preservation Act.
• The SHPO duties are outlined within the National Historic Preservation Act.
• National Historic Preservation Act required by federal law.
• You know, how recently did this merger take place?

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• So, members, SB 112 is the School Release Time Education Act.
• SB 112 is the School Release Time Education Act.
• Acting Speaker. Representative Billings, I just have a quick question.
• Acting Speaker. Speaker Pro Tem, this is for any public property or just the Capitol grounds?
• House Resolution by Representative Dana Henry to create the expropriation and act.

Bills: HR295 , HR296 , HR297 , HR298 , HR299 , HR300 , HR301 , HR302 , HR303 , HR304 , HR305 , HR306 , HR307 , HCR115 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HR286 , HR287 , HR288 , HR290 , HR291 , HR292 , HR293 , HR294 , SCR61 , SCR68 , SB121 , SB250 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HR252 , HR253 , HCR96 , HCR103 , HCR108 , SB268 , SB283 , SB414 , HCR98 , HR179 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB74 , HB108 , HB956 , HB1085 , HB1137 , HB75 , SB39 , SB99 , SB111 , SB112 , SB124 , SB134 , SB174 , SB189 , SB190 , SB201 , SB233 , SB236 , SB258 , SB270 , SB273 , SB288 , SB307 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB326 , SB331 , SB339 , SB341 , SB345 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB357 , SB359 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB419 , SB422 , SB426 , SB435 , SB437 , SB440 , SB451 , SB464 , SB470 , SB487 , SB488 , SB495 , SB504 , SB505 , SB518 , SB523 , HR84 , HB646 , HB998 , HB1191 , SB78 , SB81 , SB97 , SB100 , SB109 , SB123 , SB125 , SB208 , SB385 , SB479 , SB56 , SB163 , SB197 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: Energy Caucus, Louisiana House of Representatives, energy policy, fossil fuels, oil and gas, natural gas, renewable energy, solar, wind power, nuclear power, legislative caucus, industry group, economic development, state legislature, House resolution, energy sector, victims' services, criminal justice, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Act No. 370

Transcript Highlights:

• or any local regulations adopted pursuant to the act.
• HB 2266 also reflects the core principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• I'll call up to the testimony table, James McMahon, Brad Banks, and Derek Nunnalee.
• We're members of committee, Brad Banks, here.
• Over 500 specific references in the Public Records Act or other statutes...

Bills: HB1316 , HB2401 , HB2557 , HB2720 , HB1073 , HB2685 , HB2640 , HB2403

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access

Transcript Highlights:

• or any local regulations adopted pursuant to the act.
• Finally, the provisions of the act preempt local regulations.
• HB 2266 also reflects the core principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Brad Banks here on behalf of the Association of Counties.
• We're members of committee, Brad Banks, here.

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute House Bill 1128, which would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor and Industries to study child care workforce conditions and make recommendations on employment standards. Staff explained that the proposed second substitute narrows the board’s role from setting enforceable standards to making recommendations, with estimated ongoing costs for L&I staffing and smaller costs for board member stipends and possible DCYF support. Supporters, including child care providers, SEIU 925, and labor representatives, said the bill would help address understaffing, low wages, and retention problems; opponents, including child care industry groups and private schools, argued it duplicates existing work, adds bureaucracy, and creates unfunded costs. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would direct OSPI and ESDs to develop a technical assistance and training framework to help schools coordinate student behavioral health supports. Staff said the bill aligns with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and could largely be implemented with existing work and limited additional costs, though DOH would need some support. Testifiers from behavioral health and school counseling fields described severe youth mental health needs and urged passage, and OSPI said the work is doable with current resources. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2636, which would create a public education review advisory council to recommend K-12 policies and funding provisions for JLARC review; staff described JLARC, OSPI, and State Board costs, and no public testimony was offered. The committee next heard House Bill 1316, which would expand the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness program so additional university campuses can access funding. The sponsor said the program has strong retention outcomes, and student advocates testified that campuses such as UW Bothell need access to already appropriated funds for emergency aid, food pantries, and case management. Staff then briefed Substitute House Bill 2474, which would allow the Student Achievement Council Tuition Recovery Trust Fund to be used for refunds tied to broader consumer protection violations, with no expected fiscal impact; there was no testimony. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2365 on digital equity, which would expand the Broadband Office’s role, revise the digital equity forum, and rename the grant program; supporters emphasized rural access, affordability, and the loss of federal digital equity funding, while staff estimated significant Commerce staffing costs and some additional agency impacts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2401, creating a Washington State Boys and Men Commission contingent on non-state funding, with staff outlining OFM startup and fundraising costs and an estimated operating budget if fully funded. Supporters said boys and men face mental health, education, and mentorship gaps and that the commission would improve coordination; the bill drew testimony from rural school leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community members. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language access, which would require the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines and a report on interpreter and translator shortages; staff said the office could absorb the work but other agency and local government impacts were uncertain. Substitute House Bill 2517, on permitting for high-capacity transit, would let regional transit authorities apply for permits earlier and streamline land-use processes; Sound Transit and the sponsor said it would speed delivery of major projects, while staff estimated Commerce technical-assistance costs and possible local government impacts. The last bill heard was Substitute House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug pricing program, which would bar manufacturers from restricting contract-pharmacy access and require reporting to DOH; supporters said it protects safety-net providers and patient services, while opponents warned of higher costs for employers, state health plans, and litigation burdens. No final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next year, if this merger is complete, we can look toward accomplishing moving rules to statute.
• Board of Pharmacy administers the regulatory provisions of our state's Uniform Controlled Substance Act
• , in accordance with Idaho Code 37-2, subsection A, seeks to update the Idaho Controlled Substances Act
• In alignment with the theme of last year's House Bill 14, Idaho Cleanup Act, In alignment with the theme
• This bill also corrects spelling, numbering, and drafting errors from previous versions of the act.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Mergers were incentivized by the creation of a new funding mechanism, the fire benefits charge.
• No similar mechanism was offered to agencies who did not undertake a merger.
• No similar mechanism was offered to agencies who did not undertake a merger.
• Ultimately, a second pass at the Camas-Washougal merger RFA was approved by our voters and Camas voters
• taken actions with the premise and forethought of working to support the state's Growth Management Act

Bills: SB5903 , SB6037 , SB5983 , SB5995 , SB6016 , SB6066

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: cemetery districts, elections, local governance, public policy, administrative procedures, fire protection, districts, emergency services, funding, legislation, tax exemption, land transfer, governmental entity, property tax, current use classification, zero emission, cargo handling, port district, environmental impact, grant allocation