Transcript Highlights:

• These leaders understood the need to equip residents with self-defense skills and knowledge of non-lethal
• need to equip residents<00:20:57.000><c> with</c><00:20:57.200><c> self-defense</c><00:20:58.000><c> skills
• </c><00:20:58.880><c> and</c> residents with self-defense skills and residents with self-defense skills

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> the</c><02:07:50.320><c> training</c><02:07:50.679><c> or</c><02:07:50.960><c> professional</c> skill
• set the training or professional skill set the training or professional capacity<02:07:52.520><c> to
• > and I know I know uh from your dog and I know I know uh from your dog training<02:09:51.480><c> skills
• <c> you'll</c><02:09:52.159><c> be</c><02:09:52.320><c> able</c><02:09:52.520><c> to</c> training skills
• I was working with someone who was less than skilled.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 24 is the Labor Industrial Relations Commission.
• On page 50 is the Division of Labor Standards.
• On page 50 is the Division of Labor Standards Mine and Cave Safety Program.
• Last call for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
• And that'll conclude the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the top expenses we face is labor.
• So beyond these rising costs, labor itself is one of our top challenges.
• And one of the top expenses we face is labor.
• So beyond these rising costs, labor itself is one of our top challenges.
• labor-intensive crops here.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the top expenses we face is labor.
• So beyond these rising costs, labor itself is one of our top challenges.
• And one of the top expenses we face is labor.
• So beyond these rising costs, labor itself is one of our top challenges.
• As you heard because labor costs...

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met for a work session focused on Washington agriculture’s condition, food security, behavioral health, and animal disease surveillance. WSDA Director Derek Sandison and economist Maddie Roy presented an update on agricultural viability, describing Washington agriculture as highly diverse and valuable but increasingly strained by rising production and labor costs, aging producers, consolidation, trade barriers, land pressures, stagnant research funding, infrastructure concerns, and climate impacts. They cited declining farm numbers, falling net farm income, and negative take-home pay for farmers, while also noting strengths such as climate, soils, ports, irrigation, universities, and other infrastructure. Committee members asked about commodity-specific impacts, comparisons with other states, and the role of regulation in worsening costs. Kelly McLean followed with a discussion of opportunities to support agriculture, including trade, domestic food systems development, climate mitigation, clean energy, ag tech, workforce and education, and mental health. She highlighted investments in port and transportation infrastructure, local food processing and distribution, land access and incubator opportunities, climate resilience projects, and programs supporting farmworker and farmer mental health. Katie Raines then updated the committee on food systems and food security, explaining WSDA’s reorganization into a Farm and Food Systems Development Division and describing trends in household food insecurity, the state’s hunger safety net, and the importance of food system infrastructure. She noted that food insecurity is rising again and that even higher-income households are reporting need, while legislators asked about eligibility thresholds and the impact on lower-income residents. The committee also heard from WSU Skagit County Extension’s Don McMoran and Maddie Van der Koi on agricultural stress and suicide prevention. They described the Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership, crisis and referral resources, peer-to-peer outreach, trainings, and free counseling vouchers for farmers and farmworkers. They emphasized that farmers face chronic stress from financial volatility, weather, labor shortages, isolation, and stigma, and cited elevated suicide rates in agricultural populations. Members asked about reluctance to seek help and whether flooding had increased demand for services. Finally, Dr. Kevin Snekovic of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory described WADDL’s role in disease testing, food safety, wildlife surveillance, and rapid response to outbreaks such as avian influenza and chronic wasting disease. He said the lab supports trade and quarantine decisions, and members asked about elk hoof rot research, workforce needs, and how to connect constituents to the lab. No votes were taken; the session ended with a preview of upcoming Thursday work sessions on marine resources, Columbia River Basin supply, Ecology’s report back, and agricultural natural resources issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is a fountain of wisdom when it comes to labor issues in our state.
• He is a fountain of wisdom when it comes to labor issues in our state.
• And it's been an absolute honor to serve on the Labor and Commerce Committee with him.
• Not only on labor policy, but also on understanding how this place works.
• I've been on the labor committee for many years. I can tell you almost every name of that staff.

Bills: SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution, 904

Summary: The Senate convened on March 9, 2025, approved the previous day’s journal, suspended Rule 46 to allow committees to meet during floor sessions, and referred committee and gubernatorial reports as designated. It also received several new bills and appointments, including Senate Bill 6359, and later suspended Rule 20 to allow additional floor resolutions. The chamber then moved through a series of gubernatorial confirmations, with broad support for Megan Matthews as Director of the Washington State Office of Equity and for several college board trustees, including Robert A. Zupon (Renton Technical College), Denise E. Gideon (Clark College), Adria Buchanan (Clover Park Technical College), Michelle R. Smith (Columbia Basin College), and Edison A. Valerio (Columbia Basin College). Each confirmation passed by majority roll call vote, with some members excused. The Senate then considered Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation revenue and policy measure. Members rejected the Transportation Committee’s original striking amendment and adopted a narrower striking amendment that, among other changes, repealed the luxury aircraft tax and replaced it with higher aircraft fuel taxes, registration fees, and an annual excise tax, while also making technical corrections and creating a sustainable aircraft fuel account. Supporters said the bill reflected a bipartisan agreement, improved transportation funding, and supported aviation sustainability; opponents argued it would disproportionately burden small aircraft owners and general aviation. The bill passed the Senate on a 33-15 vote. The final major action was adoption of Senate Resolution 8703 honoring Senator Steve Conway for his 34 years of legislative service. The resolution highlighted his long career in the House and Senate, his leadership on labor, pensions, veterans, and local projects, and his reputation for institutional knowledge and mentorship. Numerous senators from both parties offered personal remarks praising his integrity, advocacy for working families, and support for colleagues. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and Senator Conway, joined by family and friends in the gallery, offered brief remarks thanking the Senate, his staff, family, and constituents before the chamber recessed for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support. Thank you.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support. Good morning.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions, proud co-sponsor and support.
• Yvonne Fernandez with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
• Yvonne Fernandez, California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement met for its first hearing of the session, adopted committee rules, and heard several labor-related bills. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including limits on testimony and expectations for orderly conduct. Members then took up measures affecting public employee bargaining, contracting, confidentiality, school employee benefits, pay stub information, and state correctional health staffing. AB 672 would require public employers to notify PERB when filing court actions involving statutes PERB administers and allow PERB to intervene; it drew support from SEIU, AFSCME, school employees, labor groups, and no opposition, and was passed out of committee. AB 283 would move IHSS bargaining from the county to the state level; providers and recipients testified about low wages, long delays in bargaining, and care access concerns, while counties and public authorities raised cost, scope, and implementation issues. The bill passed 7-0 after members discussed family care worker concerns and the author said he would continue working on the issue. AB 339 would require local governments to give unions 120 days’ notice before contracting out bargaining-unit work. Labor supporters said the bill would make existing meet-and-confer rights meaningful and protect jobs, while counties, cities, special districts, chambers of commerce, and staffing groups argued it would burden local agencies and interfere with existing MMBA procedures. The committee also heard AB 340, which would make communications between employees and union representatives confidential for PERB purposes; supporters said it codified existing case law, while school administrators, special districts, counties, and business groups warned it could hinder investigations. AB 378 would extend the classified school employees summer assistance program to JPA employees, and AB 374 would require more detailed pay stubs for classified school employees; both had labor support and some education-sector opposition over implementation and cost concerns, and both advanced. AB 393 would require cost analyses before contracting out physician work at CDCR and the Department of State Hospitals; supporters argued the state was overpaying contractors amid high vacancy rates, and the bill also advanced. At the end of the hearing, the committee recorded final votes showing AB 283, AB 340, AB 374, AB 378, AB 393, and AB 672 all passing out of committee, while AB 339 remained on hold with a 4-0 vote and some members not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:53.160><c> uh</c> long-term care settings um skilled uh long-term care settings um skilled
• </c><01:08:49.480><c> nursing</c> hospitalization skilled nursing hospitalization skilled nursing facilities
• It is about allowing skilled nurses to do a task that they are licensed to do under the Nurse Practice
• nurses to do a task that they skilled nurses to do a task that they are<01:34:59.080><c> licensed</c
• </c><01:38:20.080><c> and</c><01:38:20.440><c> expertise</c> to leverage their skills and expertise to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As an English teacher, he wants his students to practice these skills not only in the classroom, but
• ><c> thinking</c> they have much higher critical thinking they have much higher critical thinking skills
• . skills. skills. 87.5%<00:54:13.520><c> analyzed</c><00:54:14.160><c> information</c><00:54:14.720><
• :08:45.440><c> display</c><01:08:45.759><c> my</c><01:08:46.000><c> culinary</c><01:08:46.480><c> skills
• </c><01:08:47.359><c> and</c> uh to display my culinary skills and uh to display my culinary skills and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:26.320><c> and</c> for real purposeful work skills and for real purposeful work skills and
• I also developed skills in research, storytelling, and advocacy.
• In closing, this bill provides a platform for students to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and talents
• But it is not the only skill students may need to use to prevent STI.
• </c> students with the knowledge and skills students with the knowledge and skills they<00:55:12.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not anti-American, but deep, enduring patriotism, a civic skill and an American ideal.
• That's not anti-American, but deep, enduring patriotism, a civic skill and an American ideal.
• That's not anti-American, but deep, enduring patriotism, a civic skill and an American ideal.
• That's not anti-American, but deep, enduring patriotism, a civic skill and an American ideal.
• That's not anti-American, but deep, enduring patriotism, a civic skill and an American ideal.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Labor Day bill. Sorry.
• </c> permitting schools to start before Labor permitting schools to start before Labor Day<00:06:53.120
• </c><00:10:49.320><c> Day</c> tradition of starting after Labor Day tradition of starting after Labor
• So we're not talking about losing a week before Labor Day.
• We're not talking about losing a week before Labor Day.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• suffering and in need of healing retreats so they can re-acclimate into society or just gain some skills
• and functioning back uh I want to skills and functioning back uh I want to thank<00:48:32.359><c> you
• So we started to utilize a program called ASIST training, which is Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
• So we began to leverage this Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, which is a two-day training
• </c><01:19:44.040><c> and</c> and suicide intervention skills and and suicide intervention skills and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Labor and Industry does to protect meat Labor and Industry does to protect meat and<00:02:25.520><c>
• </c> provisions from the Department of Labor provisions from the Department of Labor and<00:04:14.120
• </c> of Labor and Industry. of Labor and Industry.
• and organized labor.
• Of unionized labor and organized labor really fall off.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm totally against those actions, but free the expression for Western skill should be protected.
• Also, there are many high-net-worth and high-skilled immigrants who wish like... who would like to bring
• If this bill passes, it will drive away skilled professionals and the investors, make it harder for business
• process. by the U.S. government to live, work, and study here legally. when B visa holders, highly skilled
• It is unfair and punishable. is just legal immigrants, including skilled professionals and business owners

Bills: HB17, HB34, HB41, HB 118, HB 119, HB 127, HB 128, HB 129, HB 130, HB132, HB133, HB17, HB41, HB118, HB119, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB132, HB133

Keywords: foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Over time, can we see whether it is inflation, the cost of labor, or something else driving the cost?
• In our testimony, we describe one program, Practical Money Skills, a program that Visa developed nearly
• I became a food delivery driver and applied my newly learned financial skills to make the most of what
• driver and applied my newly learned driver and applied my newly learned Financial<01:54:59.320><c> skills
• <c> make</c><01:54:59.960><c> the</c><01:55:00.079><c> most</c><01:55:00.280><c> of</c> Financial skills

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• to promote not only improved focus in the classroom but the development of actual in-person social skills
• this is bad for the kids, it's bad for their ability to talk to their friends and develop social skills
• A direct quote from a youth I work closely with says, 'I think social media can affect social skills
• It often takes time away from mastering skills, just like computation and higher-order thinking.
• They interfere with healthy development, impair focus and executive function, and erode social skills

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• want us to talk about economic development funds, bond funds, high growth funds, Bluegrass state skills
• </c><00:03:29.360><c> and</c><00:03:29.599><c> other</c><00:03:29.760><c> training</c> state skills and
• other training state skills and other training programs.<00:03:30.640><c> A</c><00:03:30.959><c> large
• </c> We love the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation.
• We provide a quarterly meeting on Bluegrass State Skills.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Energy and Environment, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and approved the February 10 minutes. The committee then heard a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development, led by Secretary Jeff Noel, with staff from the cabinet and Kentucky Innovation. The presentation focused on the cabinet’s strategy, including workforce, entrepreneurship, innovation, infrastructure, and placemaking, and emphasized a goal of supporting higher-wage jobs while tailoring programs to urban, non-urban, and rural “heritage communities.” The cabinet reviewed several funding tools and programs, including economic development bond funds, EDF funds, KBI, the Kentucky Innovation Pool, KSTC-related startup and commercialization programs, veteran workforce programs, and Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training funds. Officials said many projects take years to close and that funds are often committed before they are actually disbursed because reimbursements occur after project completion. They also said Kentucky is less competitive than before because of changes in tax policy and that EDF funds are increasingly important to remain competitive with other states. Members asked about whether previously allocated money remained available, whether some funds could be clawed back, and the status of the Blue Oval project. The cabinet said it is oversubscribed, with some committed dollars likely to go unused and be reoffered to other projects. On Blue Oval, officials said progress had been made and described negotiations tied to repayment and job creation requirements. They also discussed the Ford/SK loan structure, saying the companies may assume the full $250 million obligation and that repayments would be required if job targets are not met. The presentation closed with discussion of workforce coordination and the need to connect economic development projects with training and support systems, including possible ripple effects for rural suppliers and related businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's practicing daily living skills. He contributes to his community and household.
• Learning new skills require slow, consistent, repetitive instruction.
• Learning new skills require slow, consistent, repetitive instruction.
• She requires 24 hours of skilled care.
• Social skills, life skills, and math skills. And math skills. Very good.

Summary: The committee first heard the State Auditor’s fiscal year 2027 budget request. Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick described rebuilding the office after staffing had fallen to a historic low, explaining that the office has grown from 92.5 to 119 FTE but still needs several years to reach full staffing, especially at the manager level. He said most of the budget is payroll, noted the office’s use of lapsing general revenue while staffing is rebuilt, and outlined requests including core operating funds, a small sports betting audit NDI, and a $290,000 increase to the CPA stipend to address recruitment and retention problems. Members also discussed the auditor’s authority to audit state agencies and subrecipients, the office’s role in performance audits, and the meaning of “E” appropriations and the auditor’s recent general revenue conditions report. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 10, focusing on Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health issues. One witness from the American Heart Association supported continued funding for cardiac emergency response planning in schools, citing AEDs, CPR training, and about 480 schools served. Another witness from the Alzheimer’s Association urged rejection of a proposed $1 million reduction to the Missouri caregiver program, arguing it supports families caring for people with dementia and helps avoid more expensive institutional care. Most of the testimony concerned proposed cuts to developmental disability services, especially day habilitation and self-directed supports (SDS). Providers, family members, and workers said the proposed reductions would force service cuts, reduce wages, and threaten community-based care that keeps people at home and out of more costly facilities. They argued the cuts would shift costs to emergency, residential, or institutional settings and asked the committee to preserve current funding levels. Several members asked questions about provider rates, the share of services delivered by private providers, and the cost difference between SDS and institutional care. The hearing ended with the chair apologizing for earlier tension, explaining the schedule, and recessing the committee to return later because of House floor obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• an entity founded in 2012 in the state that educates people through the development of knowledge, skills
• My drivers have a level of English skills, and they're predominantly from Mexico and Costa Rica that
• The driving test, as we'll call it, the skills test, has to be administered in English only.
• And then somebody has to sign off that they've been able to do all these skills.
• They take that to the state of Arizona and say, I'd like to take my skills test.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.