Transcript Highlights:

• But as he indicated, we do have very serious reservations about how Section 2 is written, and it is this
• But as he indicated, we do, and we have very serious reservations about how Section 2 is written.
• We do not have large reserves that are available to us. And PEMCO's mission is to free...
• We do not have large reserves that we that are available to us.
• The long takebacks put a burden on our cash reserves and administrative hours.

Bills: SB5845, SB5916, SB6102, SB6071, SB6103, SB6159, SB5877, SB5967, SB5904, SB5915, SB6025

Keywords: health insurance, health carrier, insurance carrier, prompt pay, timely payment, claims processing, clean claim, remittance advice, provider reimbursement, hospital billing, medical billing, prior authorization, claims denial, interest on late claims, administrative penalty, Washington insurance commissioner, RCW 48, public employees benefits board, school employees benefits board, Medicaid managed care

Transcript Highlights:

• be on a closed loop system and so beyond the initial water, which would likely be brackish water reserves
• The Workforce Development Fund. the Tax Stabilization Reserve.
• growth-focused funds are able to handle temporary downturns in the way that the Tax Stabilization Reserve
• If we've got this much money in reserves, why are we not retiring debt?
• is 4.9 million lower for the Workers Compensation Fund and 409,000 higher for the Public Property Reserve

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve geolocated voters’ addresses within tribal reservation boundaries to try to understand the voter
• experience within tribal reservations compared to outside.
• rejection rates, and this is true for a lot of different outcomes, are comparable within tribal reservations
• going to continue to look at trends in registration and turnout both within and outside tribal reservations
• What we're able to do is locate voter addresses within tribal reservation boundaries and outside.

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to rely on their cash reserves. Also, the pandemic was major.
• them in the healthy right-hand side of your chart is that we spent down those savings, those cash reserves
• We've done so by tapping into our cash reserves, our rainy day funds.
• We've done so by tapping into our cash reserves, our rainy day funds.
• In addition to dipping into our cash reserves and pulling all the levers I've talked about, we've had

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state standards, did not consistently require proof of those inspections, did not review adverse health event corrective plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. JLARC also raised a possible language-access barrier in the complaint system. Members asked about complaint filing by staff, the meaning of adverse health events, inspection outcomes, and whether the audit compared DOH to other agencies. JLARC said it had not reviewed inspection results or cross-agency comparisons, but noted inspectors were dedicated and working long hours. DOH later said it concurred with the recommendations and outlined a strategic plan with target dates for improving timeliness, verifying accreditation standards, expanding language access, reviewing adverse event laws, and improving public data access, with annual reporting to the Legislature expected. The committee then heard a Department of Health presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current certificate of need process, which reviews need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility changes and new services, and said the program has not been modernized since the 1980s. DOH proposed 10 statutory modernization recommendations, including clarifying the program’s purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, updating access-to-care standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, strengthening long-term funding, and using better data systems. Members asked about oversight of freestanding urgent care and EDs, funding sources, and whether the process could be streamlined or made more responsive to complaints or other triggers. A third panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care. Lucy O’Rourke of the Coalition for Health AI described CHAI’s work on responsible AI principles, technical standards, model cards or “nutrition labels,” testing and governance tools, and educational resources for providers. She said the group is focused on trust, transparency, fairness, safety, security, and privacy, and noted Washington’s AI-related policy work as among the more progressive in the country. No questions were asked. The final portion focused on the financial impact of federal and state health care policy changes. The Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals are facing low or negative operating margins, service reductions, layoffs, and closures, and that state cuts and taxes enacted in 2025, combined with federal HR1 changes, will significantly worsen finances. Providence Swedish leaders described staffing reductions, service cuts, delayed capital investments, and pressure from denials, tariffs, and reimbursement changes, while emphasizing that frontline staffing cuts are tied to service reductions rather than nurse-to-patient ratio changes. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange then began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits, state Cascade Care Savings assistance, and eligibility changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens, with examples showing large premium increases for customers if federal subsidies expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• ago by some financial folks that because New Mexico has so much cash, we have $32 billion in cash reserves
• Before the day's end and see if there are any implications on whether bonding at a time of high cash reserves
• And then because that's the reluctance: why are we borrowing when we have $32 billion in cash reserves
• So politically, it's tough to raise taxes because we're sitting on $32 billion. there's cash reserves
• , but those cash reserves are for the 90% of government not including DOT.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local governments categorize their fund balances in order to differentiate those funds that are reserved
• While the majority of counties reserve roughly 25% of their general funds, the largest counties in terms
• The division reviews budgets, quarterly reports, and financial audits to make sure reserve requirements
• But when those counties are the biggest counties and they have these types of reserves, if you will,
• The only requirement by the division for local government finances is to maintain some reserve in their

Transcript Highlights:

• We reserve your right to close. The Chair calls... under Katara. Thank you.
• Okay, I'll reserve questions for the representative as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• If you have any questions, I can attempt to answer those questions, and I reserve Chairman Canales' right
• If anyone does have any questions, if not, we'll reserve your right to close, Mr. Vice Chair.
• I'm happy to answer any questions, but reserve the right to close. So you can talk to the experts.

Bills: HB1540, HB3837, HB5571, SB370, SB2425

Keywords: government review, Texas Sunset Act, regulatory oversight, agencies, sunset provisions, autonomous vehicles, regulation, safety, criminal offense, Autonomous Vehicle Commission, registration, regulations, Level 4 automation, Level 5 automation, self-driving technology, traffic laws, permit system, collision reporting, safety standards, Automated Vehicle Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the three members in attendance, are there any voting with reservations or in opposition?
• Are there any other reservations or nos? Seeing none, the recommendations adopted. Oh sorry.
• Are there any other reservations<00:20:53.440><c> or</c><00:20:54.039><c> nos?
• </c><00:20:55.039><c> Seeing</c><00:20:55.360><c> none</c><00:20:55.600><c> the</c> reservations or nos
• Seeing none the reservations or nos? Seeing none the recommendations<00:20:56.240><c> adopted.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard and acted on several resolutions related to housing, emergency preparedness, public safety, corrections, transportation, and wildfire mitigation. Measures discussed included HCR 67 on developing a comprehensive strategy for updated building codes; HCR 164 on maintaining publicly accessible hurricane shelter lists; HCR 180 on coordinated homelessness response; HCR 37 on emergency outreach to kupuna; HCR 121 on expanding Kolekole Pass as an emergency exit route; HCR 43 on studying highway patrol and speed cameras; HR 69 on vegetation management and wildfire risk; HCR 133 on supporting a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor; HCR 153 on reducing the use of private out-of-state prisons; and HTR 23 on the new Oahu Community Correctional Center design and inmate release procedures. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. Supporters included state agencies, advocacy groups, and individuals, with some measures drawing comments or suggested amendments. For HCR 69, the Division of Consumer Advocacy, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, Charter Communications, and Life of the Land all supported the measure, though some requested amendments or raised due process concerns. For HCR 121, the Department of Transportation said improvements were planned later in the year to allow emergency access through Kolekole Pass, and public testimony emphasized wildfire, tsunami, and evacuation concerns. For HCR 43, DOT supported the study, and testimony noted possible benefits for enforcement and court efficiency. HCR 37 received strong support from ARP Hawaii, social work students, caregivers, and other community groups focused on kupuna safety. The committees took action on all items. HCR 67, HCR 164, HCR 180, HCR 37, HCR 121, HCR 43, HCR 133, HCR 153, and HTR 23 were all recommended for passage, with some measures passed as is and others with amendments. HCR 69 was amended to add the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education, and to incorporate suggested amendments from Charter Communications and Hawaiian Telecom. HCR 121 was passed with technical amendments. Votes were recorded in favor on each measure, with some members excused and one no vote noted on HCR 43. The meetings concluded with adjournment after the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, uh, with that, I'm happy to take questions, and I have, uh, several witnesses that I'd like to reserve
• With that, I'm happy to answer any questions and reserve my right to close.
• Certainly reserve the right to close. Members, any questions?
• Otherwise, I reserve respectfully reserve the right to close. Thank you, Chair Meyer.

Bills: HB249

Keywords: real property, ad valorem tax, tax appraisal, property value limitation, real estate taxation, property ownership

Transcript Highlights:

• Project 2025 author, ordered CFPB employees to stop work, and rejected agency funding from the Federal Reserve
• Now, under the law, it is the Federal Reserve Bank that provides that same supervision for small banks
• Banks now under the law it is the large Banks now under the law it is the Federal<00:03:44.879><c> Reserve
• Bank</c><00:03:46.720><c> that</c><00:03:47.720><c> provides</c><00:03:48.280><c> that</c> Federal Reserve
• Bank that provides that Federal Reserve Bank that provides that same<00:03:49.080><c> supervision</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grew in this immediately unknown fashion was you had an unexpected, what we would call adverse loss reserve
• When it comes to reserve, I know even though you're going through a lot of issues, and I appreciate the
• work hard trying to bring some solutions to the people of Florida, I know you have built a lot of reserve
• Can some of the reserve be used to offset the cost, the need for, you know, to lower the rate at this
• we can even, not even talking about me, talking about those seniors who have to come up with the reserve

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.

Transcript Highlights:

• on behalf of the lot of reserving on behalf of the insurance<00:25:19.880><c> carriers.
• bottom line because if you release reserves, it appears as if it becomes like a negative paid loss or
• bottom line because if you release reserves, it appears as if it becomes like a negative paid loss or
• A released reserve is that like profit?
• A released reserve is that like profit? I mean, it's just a negative incurred loss.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: HB389, HB1166, HB1510, HB1541, HB1605, HB1661, HB1663, HB1678, HB1769, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1840, HB1853, HB1860, HB1891, HB1952, HB1960, HB1969, HB1970, HB1972, HB1976, HB2050, HB2094, HB2104, HB2158, HB2165, HB2171, HB2208, HB2246, HB2271, HB2300, HB2310, HB2315, HB2319, HB2338, HB2339, HB2343, HB2443, HB2498, HB2551, HB2599, HB2606, SB17, SB83, SB99, SB148, SB411, SB709, SB847, SB874, SB888, SB1032, SB1166, SB2001, SB2014, SB2031, SB2041, SB2050, SB2057, SB2061, SB2074, SB2075, SB2089, SB2095, SB2101, SB2102, SB2108, SB2109, SB2110, SB2125, SB2135, SB2138, SB2140, SB2146, SB2151, SB2152, SB2175, SB2203, SB2239, SB2246, SB2247, SB2253, SB2261, SB2268, SB2271, SB2272, SB2320, SB2340, SB2347, SB2353, SB2363, SB2367, SB2372, SB2376, SB2386

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• And so again, all three of these are kind of reserved for longer term stays at like a medium or higher
• And so again, all three of these are kind of reserved for longer term stays at like a medium or higher
• And so again, all three of these are kind of reserved for longer term stays at like a medium or higher
• And so again, all three of these are kind of reserved for longer term stays at like a medium or higher
• Minimum custody is reserved for people who really pose low risk.

Bills: HB389, HB1166, HB1510, HB1541, HB1605, HB1661, HB1663, HB1678, HB1769, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1840, HB1853, HB1860, HB1891, HB1952, HB1960, HB1969, HB1970, HB1972, HB1976, HB2050, HB2094, HB2104, HB2158, HB2165, HB2171, HB2208, HB2246, HB2271, HB2300, HB2310, HB2315, HB2319, HB2338, HB2339, HB2343, HB2443, HB2498, HB2551, HB2599, HB2606, SB17, SB83, SB99, SB148, SB411, SB709, SB847, SB874, SB888, SB1032, SB1166, SB2001, SB2014, SB2031, SB2041, SB2050, SB2057, SB2061, SB2074, SB2075, SB2089, SB2095, SB2101, SB2102, SB2108, SB2109, SB2110, SB2125, SB2135, SB2138, SB2140, SB2146, SB2151, SB2152, SB2175, SB2203, SB2239, SB2246, SB2247, SB2253, SB2261, SB2268, SB2271, SB2272, SB2320, SB2340, SB2347, SB2353, SB2363, SB2367, SB2372, SB2376, SB2386

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• conversations to experience issues with the fund while ensuring the fiscal responsibility of the fund is reserved
• CONVERSATIONS TO EXPERIENCE ISSUES WITH THE FUND WHILE ENSURING THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FUND IS RESERVED

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Budget Subcommittee on Health convened as part of the 2026 Annual Budget Committee, with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members, alternates, and the meeting rules. The chairs reviewed subcommittee procedures, including limits on alternates’ voting rights, no proxy participation, germane-topic restrictions, and the requirement that any report receive an affirmative majority vote from each house’s delegation. The co-chairs outlined the main health budget issues under discussion: the global cap, capital funding, hospital and safety-net hospital funding, early intervention, reproductive health, the Medical Indemnity Fund, aging issues, insurance prior authorization, EMS biomarkers, and nursing home funding. The chair emphasized the state’s responsibility to families affected by the Medical Indemnity Fund. Minority members raised support for restoring the full 15 percent capital Medicaid reimbursement for nursing homes, increasing aid for financially distressed hospitals, and addressing home care funding shortfalls. They also urged stronger measures against Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse, warning against budget gimmicks and emphasizing long-term fiscal sustainability, including careful use of any Medicaid savings tied to the federal 1331 health program. The meeting ended with members saying they would continue consultations with each other and staff to work toward a final, on-time budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, if I could, I'd like to reserve the rest of the time for Lieutenant Colonel Chappell, if there
• If I could, I'd like to reserve the rest of the time for Lieutenant Colonel Chappell, if there might

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 742, which would modernize Idaho’s vehicle titling system by expanding secure electronic records, allowing the Transportation Department to accept electronic ownership documents and digital titles from other states, and shortening the lien-release timeline to up to 10 days after verified funds are received. Representative Mitchell said the bill was developed with input from auto dealers and banks and was intended to reduce paperwork and speed up title processing. With no opposition or further testimony, the committee voted to send HB 742 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. At the sponsor’s request, House Bill 508 was held at the call of the chair while remaining issues are worked out. The committee then took up House Bill 507, a lengthy update to the Idaho Code of Military Justice. Representative Brown and Lieutenant Colonel Lauren Chappell explained that the bill would remove outdated language, improve compatibility with the Idaho National Guard’s Title 32 status, and strengthen commanders’ ability to maintain good order and discipline. Chappell focused on two main changes: separating reduction-in-rank authority from promotion authority so lower-level commanders can impose non-judicial punishment more effectively, and limiting the absolute right of service members to refuse non-judicial punishment and demand court-martial for minor offenses. She said the changes would preserve due process while making discipline more efficient and keeping senior officers available as appellate authorities. After questions from members and no negative testimony, the committee voted to send HB 507 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, if I could, I'd like to reserve the rest of the time for Lieutenant Colonel Chappell.
• If I could, I'd like to reserve the rest of the time for Lieutenant Colonel Chappell, if there might

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 742, sponsored by Representative Mitchell. The bill was described as a modernization of Idaho’s vehicle titling system, expanding secure electronic records, allowing the Transportation Department to accept electronic ownership documents and digital titles from other states, and shortening the timeline for lien releases to 10 days after verified funds are received. The sponsor said he had worked with auto dealers and banks and had not heard opposition. The committee moved HB 742 to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The committee then agreed by unanimous consent to hold House Bill 508 at the call of the chair while some issues are worked out. After that, it heard House Bill 507, presented by Representative Brown on behalf of Representative Ted Hill. The bill updates the Idaho Code of Military Justice, with testimony from Lieutenant Colonel Lauren Chappell of the Idaho Military Division explaining that many changes are administrative, but the main policy changes would improve commanders’ ability to impose non-judicial punishment, including reduction in rank, and would limit the absolute right of service members to refuse NJP and demand court-martial for minor offenses. She said the changes would better align Idaho’s system with active-duty practice and other states, while preserving appellate review and due process for more serious punishment. Members asked several questions about how the current system works and how the bill would change the chain of command for discipline and appeals. No negative testimony was offered. The committee then moved HB 507 to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're asking about trying to pay cash for just kind of small assets and equipment, and to reserve our
• So I would say that we have done that in this bill. because the bonding capacity was really reserved

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• I will support the motion, but I just want to note my reservation on reducing barriers of entry strictly
• I will support the motion, but I just want to note my reservation on reducing barriers of entries strictly

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Business Committee met with a quorum and introduced a new vice chair, Rep. Josh Wheeler of District 35. The committee then considered three RS drafts. RS 33072, by Rep. Mark Sauter, would extend property insurance nonrenewal notice periods from 30 to 60 days and align commercial notice periods as well, while not changing cancellation rules for nonpayment; members noted concerns about insurance nonrenewals and premium increases in affected areas, and the RS was introduced. RS 33048, by Rep. Jeff Ehlers, would lower barriers to CPA licensure by allowing alternative education pathways beyond 150 credit hours and easing reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs; it was introduced after some discussion about whether other competency-based alternatives should be considered, and one member expressed general caution about reducing standards solely to expand the workforce. The committee also heard RS 3303 from Rep. Brent Crane, which would require initial plan reviews for school district building permits within 30 calendar days to reduce delays and rising construction costs. Members asked about the definition of an initial plan review, whether exceptions or penalties were included, and whether the measure would help school districts move projects to bid more quickly; Crane said the bill was intended to speed the upfront process and did not include penalties or exceptions. RS 3303 was introduced. The committee then announced the next floor session would begin the following day at 9 a.m. and adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll answer any questions and reserve the right to close. That was a beautiful layout.
• With that, Chairman, I'm happy to take questions and reserve my right to close. Thank you.

Bills: HB4538, HCR89, HCR142, SCR1, SB2139

Keywords: vessel registration, derelict vessels, waterways, removal fee, Parks and Wildlife Department, General Land Office, HCR 89, official state gun, cannon, Texas state symbol, Texas Revolution, Battle of Gonzales, Come and Take It, Alamo, San Jacinto, Twin Sisters, Angelina Eberly, Texas history, historical preservation, heritage tourism