Transcript Highlights:

• It supervised operative experience.
• </c> operations I had being successful? operations I had being successful?
• </c> of our regions. of our regions.
• This amends S.60, an act relating to establishing the farm and forestry operations security special fund
• > to</c> operations security special fund to operations security special fund to provide<02:34:58.640

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ... experts is UTSA, and it's building a new College of AI, cyber security, and cyber security. and computing
• But UTSA is a benefit to the entire state, most certainly in their cyber security.
• Today the East End is the commercial center of the city.
• The East End links the industrialized centers of the United States.
• UTD is such a great institution in the whole region of North Texas.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SR19, SR27, SR30, SR32, SCR11

Keywords: Houston East End, Chamber of Commerce, East End Day, economic development, community involvement, scholarships, business events, McAllen, celebration, community pride, cultural events, economic growth, McAllen Day, community recognition, South Texas, local pride, Wise County Day, Texas Senate, Wise County, state recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Alejandro Solis, on behalf of the Rural Prosperity Center and Rural Development Centers, as well as Los
• occupation centers and programs operated by the county office of education or joint powers authority
• I'm the superintendent of Southern California Regional Occupational Center.
• I'm the superintendent of Southern California Regional Occupational Center, which provides career technical
• Full disclosure, I'm a former trustee of the Southern California Regional Occupational Center, a regional

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This August, I am proud to say the new regional medical school in St.
• </c><00:58:26.440><c> campus</c> Mission support into the region campus Mission support into the region
• </c> to support with our own operational to support with our own operational funds<01:06:51.400><c> because
• </c> we have the henpen County Medical Center we have the henpen County Medical Center which<01:09:20.880
• </c> fellowship at Hen County Medical Center fellowship at Hen County Medical Center which<01:09:29.159

Bills: HF2090, HF982, HF2229

Keywords: higher education, scholarship, financial aid, state grant, tuition assistance, Pell grants, student retention, education equity, disabled veterans, veterans' dependents, dependent children, college affordability, books and fees, University of Minnesota, public colleges, Office of Higher Education, veterans benefits, military families, permanent disability, 100 percent disability

Transcript Highlights:

• centers.
• The school-based health center program is in statute and provides planning, startup, and operation grants
• These are part of the regional school safety centers.
• The regional school safety centers are required to provide behavioral health coordination that includes
• The regional centers are also required to work in collaboration with one another and with the Office

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and its school-based behavioral health and suicide prevention subgroup, followed by a public hearing on House Bill 1634, as amended in a proposed second substitute. Work group leaders Lisa Callan and Tisha Kirschbaum described the group’s statewide, cross-agency structure, its Washington Thriving strategic plan, and the goal of moving toward a more integrated “system of care” for children and youth. They emphasized that behavioral health, physical health, and education are interconnected, that families and schools often face a fragmented system, and that Washington’s youth flourishing outcomes show a need for stronger supports. Committee members raised concerns about regional disparities, rural access, language and cultural responsiveness, and the burden on schools and educators, while the presenters stressed that schools should be supported to identify needs and connect students to outside clinical services rather than carry the full burden themselves. Representative My-Linh Thai and Christian Stark then outlined the school-based subgroup’s work and recommendations. They said the subgroup meets monthly, includes students, parents, educators, providers, and agencies, and has focused on prevention, early identification, early intervention, and crisis response in schools. For the 2026 session, the subgroup recommended maintaining current investments in school behavioral health programs, strengthening statewide guidance on school behavioral health, and creating a coordinated technical assistance and training network for schools. They explained that the proposed substitute for HB 1634 would direct OSPI and the educational service districts to work with behavioral health agencies and community partners to conduct a needs assessment, map resources, and build a statewide framework for technical assistance and training, with public posting required by August 1, 2027. Testimony in support came from school staff, OSPI, behavioral health professionals, students, parents, and advocacy groups, who described high student anxiety, suicide risk, staffing shortages, and the need for coordinated, accessible supports. One witness from a psychiatric watchdog group opposed the bill, arguing it could increase labeling and drugging rather than holistic care. No vote was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:53.160><c> planning</c> $100,000 loss to the regional planning $100,000 loss to the regional
• Oh, the welcome centers, yes, right.
• Oh, the welcome centers, yes, right.
• </c> from the Josiah Bartlett U operation from the Josiah Bartlett U operation ation<03:32:46.760><c>
• There are 14 existing operators that have the license to operate these games.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And welcome from three of the non-profit leaders here in the region.
• Support to secure sustainable funding to address these growing shortfalls.
• Have operated under both federal and state statute.
• We have also increased expenditures for staff and operations as well.
• There's a sitting in an empty building in there that has no operations. Out of a veteran center.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I'm showing on this slide is the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
• Well, what this really was was basically a consumer fraud center.
• And so they created a national anti-scam center.
• There's an operational impact.
• There's an operational impact to us as well.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s cannabis market study, presented by JLARC staff member Susanna Pratt. The report found Washington’s cannabis production in 2023 was likely two to three times higher than retail sales, with production estimated at 292,000 to 443,000 pounds of THC versus 139,000 pounds sold. Pratt explained that canopy data are inconsistent and that the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s traceability system is incomplete and unreliable, limiting data-driven regulation, tax verification, recall tracking, and diversion enforcement. JLARC recommended that LCB submit a plan by the end of 2025 for obtaining accurate licensee data by the end of 2026; LCB partially concurred and said a 2027 timeline may be more realistic. JLARC also concluded that the social equity producer licenses would likely have only a minimal effect on statewide production capacity, and suggested the legislature consider broader ways to increase equity in the industry. Members asked about the slow issuance of social equity licenses and about comparable traceability systems in other states. The committee then heard a series of presentations on fraud and scam prevention. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association described the scale of fraud losses, the role of telecom spoofing, social media scam ads, SIM farms, and crypto ATMs, and argued for a shared-responsibility approach involving banks, telecoms, and platforms. Katie Clark of IQ Credit Union described member-to-member fraud, romance scams, and the operational and financial impacts on credit unions, and recommended better information sharing, safe harbors for returning scam-related funds, and stronger fraud education. Kyle Innes of SIFMA highlighted investor fraud and Washington’s 2009 report-and-hold law, which he said helped shape similar protections in most states, and emphasized the need for better communication among financial firms, APS, and law enforcement. Brian Gerard and Ali Higgs from the Department of Financial Institutions discussed “pig butchering” and other investment scams, focusing on how scammers build trust through social media, dating apps, fake websites, and crypto schemes before extracting funds. Across the fraud presentations, witnesses repeatedly stressed consumer education, interagency information sharing, and stronger controls on telecom, social media, and crypto ATM activity. Members asked about model laws from other states, the role of financial education in schools, and whether crypto ATMs should be regulated or banned. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where's your center of operation, and what would it look like if you did New Hampshire? >> Sure.
• Where's your center of question.
• Where's your center of operation<02:47:12.560><c> and</c><02:47:12.880><c> what</c><02:47:13.120><c>
• The data will not be secure in the way we think it's secure.
• > it's</c><03:25:53.359><c> secure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:39.640><c> budget</c> 25 general fund operating budget 25 general fund operating budget appropriation
• </c> more land or area that we can secure more land or area that we can secure for<01:30:33.840><c> the
• </c><01:42:36.480><c> and</c> um for for facilities and operations and um for for facilities and operations
• Innovation Center are key to fostering Innovation Center are key to fostering small small small business
• </c><05:23:34.320><c> in</c> added Product Development Center in added Product Development Center in

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> how our state government is operating how our state government is operating would<00:03:50.799><
• There are some things that operating.
• </c> number which is the gross uh operating number which is the gross uh operating income<00:10:52.320
• they call the west central region.
• the</c><00:48:53.040><c> only</c> region, the region includes the only region, the region includes the

Bills: HF3298

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of humanity all try to teach us that our happiness begins when we are able to transcend our self-centered
• The Monterey Bay Area Stewardship Authority created under this bill will bring the region together to
• And in our state, one of those places is very clearly in our transit-rich downtown city centers.
• AB 1167 was intended to prevent operators from shifting closure costs to financially unstable operators
• I was deeply concerned about the secure track youth. But the author has done the work.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then you put the admin that the broker is required to get to provide the call center in each region and
• </c><00:22:33.840><c> in</c><00:22:34.080><c> each</c><00:22:34.240><c> region</c> provide the call center
• in each region provide the call center in each region and<00:22:34.640><c> and</c><00:22:34.960><c>
• </c> continue to operate. Yeah. continue to operate. Yeah.
• </c> establishing a new hospice care center. establishing a new hospice care center.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless you can afford a legal team, compliance experts, and a full-time political operation.
• Now you're talking about security of this interface.
• Security mechanisms need to be top-notch.
• Supervisors already have it proven and secure.
• Supervisors already have a proven and secure verification process to highlight real fraud.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, a retiring sergeant-at-arms employee, and advocates visiting for a Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness resolution. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators should not plan to be in next week while negotiations continue. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, a citizen-initiative elections bill. Sponsors said it was intended to address petition fraud and protect the integrity of the constitutional amendment process, citing investigations, arrests, and fraudulent petition activity tied to recent initiatives. Opponents argued the bill would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to place amendments on the ballot, chill volunteer participation, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate interests. After extensive debate, the bill passed 28-10. The Senate then moved through a series of education bills, including measures on Bright Futures, Gold Seal, Florida ABLE, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy, all of which passed unanimously. After a recess, the chamber took up House messages and concurred in amendments to bills on stem cell therapy, student athlete ECGs, cardiac emergency response plans, and school safety. Those measures also passed with broad support, with the school safety bill drawing some questions about the Guardian program and child care facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The founding vision promised the potential to secure stability through labor and perseverance.
• integration into the national story accelerated after the Lewis and Clark expedition traveled the region
• The Corps of Discovery represents an early consequential moment in the history of the region.
• Those routes they mapped became corridors of migration and exchange, tying the region to the rest of
• Medical Center.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal. Members also received notice of a substitute legislator appointment for District 32. The chamber then held its Idaho Day program, including a performance of the national anthem, a historical presentation by Justin Vipperman on Idaho’s frontier and founding ideals, and remarks honoring former Representative Lyndon Bateman, who was remembered for Idaho Day, cursive writing, history, teaching, and his public service. The House suspended rules and took up House Concurrent Resolution 31, which recognized and commended Bateman’s lifetime achievements. Several members spoke in support, sharing personal memories and describing his kindness, handwritten letters, cartoons, and advocacy for Idaho history and Idaho Day. The resolution passed the House by roll call vote, 68 ayes, and was sent to the Senate. Afterward, the House received messages from the Senate and governor, committee reports, and first-reading referrals for numerous bills. Among the measures introduced or referred were bills on minors and school/library protections, taxation, stablecoins, parental rights and child custody, license plates, honey industry regulation, Idaho Digital Learning Academy governance, transportation, agricultural products, veterans, retirement, naturopathic licensing, trespass, state controller reporting, elections, cloud seeding, irrigation rights-of-way, water delivery, and cell-cultivated animal protein labeling. The House also placed several bills and resolutions on the third-reading calendar, moved House Bill 750 to General Orders, and adjourned until Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a total of one million, leaving me with two million dollars to operate all of my schools.
• This helps you maintain your operational budget. So that's what the difference in this bill is.
• This helps you maintain your operational budget.
• , consistent with applicable security and confidentiality requirements. ...and data center, consistent
• with applicable security and confidentiality requirements.

Bills: HB2440, HB2551, HB2593

Keywords: education, ombudsman, record-keeping, transparency, advocacy, school funding, financial solvency, education budget, district financial health, state funding, accounting, budgeting, reporting, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Roxy Ortiz from the Association of Regional Center Agencies in support.
• Isenia Morales works at Northeast Valley Health Center.
• Over 2,000 community health centers and clinics, including urban Indian health centers, serve as lifelines
• Where health centers are often the only care available.
• That's how I've always led in the health center space.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• McKenzie. with you today on defense mobilization, which is essential for our nation's security.
• However, if we don't bring demand back to those more secure sources, they will not survive. have the
• I mean I think making sure that it is centered on national defense issues and national security is critically
• Clearly national security is a huge piece of that, border security is another one.
• in most operational planning is the role of industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• You probably remember that Oklahoma City Regional Airport was the first airport to take advantage of
• these drones for homeland security as well as a downrange operational portfolios.
• And so that means us unmanned aircraft operators have to really focus on that.
• Spent about $40,000 on a security system. Several $100,000 getting onto the state network.
• My understanding is they have since shut down that operation.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract, City of Gilroy in Santa Clara, Operation New Hope in San Bernardino.
• Taralena Pina, Chief Operations Officer, Yurok Tribe.
• These operations are different from retail theft operations.
• Just one question, it is a two-parter, but it's about the surge operations.
• From the National Center for Mis-Exploited Children.

Keywords: 988, house, all