Transcript Highlights:

• system, because they are provided some access to it.
• We have an ununified judicial system.
• We've had instances where 911 systems were disabled.
• It caused faults on the system that could injure or kill line workers, leave system protection devices
• It's not just the power system.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a very mechanical system. Um, so it's a very mechanical system.
• </c> distribution system. distribution system.
• </c> on your distribution system. on your distribution system.
• </c> or any system impacts we see happen. or any system impacts we see happen.
• </c><04:56:45.600><c> It</c> systems. It doesn't create clouds. It systems.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's plenty of room in our conveyance system to put the water.
• And the intent is to allow for permitted diversions when it is extremely wet in the system.
• Also, this is just creating the system for the State Board to identify water that's available.
• And historically, before we had channelized and engineered systems...
• the water flows down the channelized systems, and most of it goes out to the ocean in these really,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• statutory constraints can seem small in nature, when added together in our overall mental health system
• parties here in our state have worked very closely together to help build out our behavioral health system
• statutory constraints can seem small in nature, when added together in our overall mental health system
• ><c> health</c> help build out our our behavioral health help build out our our behavioral health system
• </c> system that really needs a lot of work. system that really needs a lot of work.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To put that into context, there are over 20 fish passage projects in our system that the utility has
• That's in addition to the work our crews do already to strengthen the system.
• In the 1980s, I could only have dreamt of the possibility of riding a rapid transit system when I was
• The system being built today will serve this region for generations. And the state important.
• The system being built today will serve this region for generations.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5690, which would require WSDOT to improve coordination with utilities on fish barrier removal projects and utility relocations, provide advance notice when feasible, and seek to maximize federal funding for relocation costs. Staff described the bill’s background, including the federal culvert injunction and WSDOT’s fish barrier work, and noted fiscal impacts tied to grant monitoring and possible revenue changes. Senator McEwen said the bill was narrowed from a prior version to reduce fiscal concerns and cited a district example where poor coordination allegedly wasted public and ratepayer funds. Utility representatives from PUDs testified in support, emphasizing better communication, advance notice for budgeting, and access to federal funds; no opposition was presented on this bill before the public hearing was closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6148, which would extend the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years and remove eligibility for regional mobility grant funds if an RTA uses bonds longer than 40 years. Staff and committee fiscal discussion focused on how longer terms reduce annual debt service but increase total interest paid over time, with examples comparing 25-, 40-, 50-, and 75-year bonds. Supporters, including Sound Transit board members, local officials, labor, and transit advocates, argued the bill would give Sound Transit flexibility to manage inflation, preserve project schedules, and align financing with long-lived infrastructure and the federal TIFIA loan program. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term costs, shift burdens to future generations, and is premature because Sound Transit is still revising its plan and already has substantial cash and bonding capacity. The hearing ended after questions about debt safeguards, refinancing, and how the proposed authority would interact with TIFIA loans.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was nothing in your system that let you know whether or not this was reviewed or not reviewed?
• until it's time for that renewed or extended then there's no notifications from the system until it's
• Number 12, DHS, Division of County Operations, with E Systems Incorporated.
• Number 17, University of Arkansas, with Parking Guidance Systems.
• Just with the system over that period of the contract, providing a warranty to ensure this system is

Summary: The committee first considered an $88,000 used tire program contract for District 4 with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could worsen cash flow before funding was confirmed. Questions were also raised about procurement language in the RFP that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. After discussion, a motion was made and approved to hold the contract until next month so the tire board could appear and answer questions. Members then reviewed a large slate of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included capital projects at ASU Mid-South, Arkansas Tech, Ozarka, UA Fayetteville, UA Little Rock, UAMS, and UCA; a new UCA multi-purpose arena project estimated at $75.5 million; and DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, and rural hospital quality improvement. All of these items were reviewed without objection. The committee also heard a ratification request from UAMS for a Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing contract with FMLA Source. UAMS said an amendment had been prepared but never submitted for review, and payments continued after expiration; members expressed frustration and asked UAMS to review whether other contracts had similarly lapsed. The committee then reviewed numerous construction-related, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including airport economic impact study work, parking guidance technology at the University of Arkansas, veteran nursing services, and multiple DHS service contracts. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after reports of routine contract amendments and minor contracts were presented for information.

Transcript Highlights:

• I HAVE SHARED IN THE SENATE RECENTLY WE ARE THE FOURTH LARGEST ECONOMY AND THIRD-LARGEST SYSTEM IN THE
• THE SYSTEM WILL ABSOLUTELY CRASH AT SOME POINT IF WE DON'T ADDRESS IT AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HERE
• I THINK IT WORKS WELL AND I ALSO THINK THE SYSTEM WE HAVE WORKED FOR DECADES WORKS WELL IF WE PAY AN
• WHAT WE HAVE DONE AS WE WORKED EFFECTIVELY STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGE SYSTEMS.
• NOW WHAT I'M DOING IS I'M DOING A FARM SYSTEM.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:01.120><c> and</c> to assess the ethics of AI systems and to assess the ethics of AI systems
• ,</c> Kentucky Education Technology System, Kentucky Education Technology System, KS,<00:42:54.240><c
• </c> Kentucky school accountability system Kentucky school accountability system for<01:35:02.320><c>
• We're also looking at a system that is actually available through MUN, which is the state ERP system,
• </c><02:03:02.000><c> will</c> the state ERP. um um system that will the state ERP. um um system that

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:25 Approval of Minutes – 3-50 2025 RS SB 253 – 4:25 Computer Science and AI Literacy – 27:36 Fayette County School District Budget Update – 51:46 Adjournment – 2:09:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, introductions, and approval of the previous meeting minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation on SB 253, focused on expanding support for teacher apprenticeship and teaching-and-learning pathways. Senator Hickman and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and Nelson County Schools described how the program uses dual credit, work-based learning, and registered apprenticeship to help students earn an associate degree in high school and continue toward a teaching degree. They said the goal is to address the teacher shortage by creating a sustainable pipeline into the profession. Witnesses emphasized that the main barrier is cost. Mary Taylor said Kentucky’s youth apprenticeship model has been successful in other fields and that education should be added as an in-demand sector, but an associate degree alone will not solve the teacher shortage because teachers still need a bachelor’s degree and certification. Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools described the district’s Lead Nelson program, saying the district has invested more than $800,000 since 2021, currently has 37 students in the pathway and seven committed apprentices, and spends about $85,000 per apprentice from freshman year through certification. She said district staffing, planning, and university partnerships are also significant hurdles. Members asked about job guarantees, tenure, and retirement; Arnold said employment is performance-based and retirement issues are being considered. Senator Hickman said the bill would use lottery funds to help cover tuition and dual credit costs so more districts can participate, noting that a prior version died because of a high fiscal note. Representative Payne and Representative Tipton praised the program but stressed the need for funding and noted inconsistencies between statute and budget language on Work Ready Kentucky and dual credit support. Representative Tipton also cautioned that lottery revenue may not keep pace with demand and said the General Assembly may need to make broader funding decisions. After the apprenticeship discussion, the chair moved the committee to the next agenda item on computer science and AI literacy, where Code.org began a presentation on the importance of computer science for all students.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a systemic lack of training and a systemic lack of qualifications among the vast majority of
• As individuals, it is very much a systemic issue in the industry, okay?
• , it integrates with like a loss prevention system.
• I am someone that has a compromised immune system.
• Water systems are capital intensive, debt financed, and long range.

Bills: HB2015, HB2060, HB2062, HB2100, HB2118, HB2165, HB2258, HB2327, HB2397, HB2445, HB2460, HB2641, HB2745, HB2876, HB2917, HB4011, HB4049, HB4056, HB4087, HCR2013, HCR2016, HCR2040, HCR2044, HCR2048, HCR2056

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• It is very possible that the system caught them and then did not allow them to vote.
• But that is something then that once is in the system, that proof remains in the system and it does not
• And right now... ...proof remains in the system and it does not have to be done again.
• I understand that you're speaking directly to the state university system.
• system can truly support these new requirements.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and featured a series of member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, a newly awarded PhD, and the day’s doctor. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. After routine business, the Senate moved to special order bills. The first measures taken up were CS/SB 68 on health care patient protection, which required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, readiness assessments, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. CS/SB 350 on public records, protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the names of law enforcement officers who are victims in the line of duty, passed 33-4 after questions about access for victims’ attorneys. CS/SB 576 on local government cybersecurity established a state-administered cybersecurity protection program for local governments, prioritized rural and fiscally constrained communities, and was amended before passing 37-0. CS/SB 532 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and incorporating related provisions on legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee splits, passed 38-0. CS/SB 696 on trademark registration modernized the filing system and passed 38-0. CS/SB 698 on septic system permits, addressing permit delays and aligning House and Senate language on liability if construction begins early, also passed 38-0. The longest debate centered on CS/SB 1334 / CS/HB 991 on elections and election integrity. The bill would use REAL ID data to verify citizenship for voter registration and list maintenance, revise candidate-qualification rules, change acceptable voter IDs, add citizenship markers to driver licenses and ID cards by July 1, 2027, and make other election-administration changes. Multiple amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to allow attestations in lieu of documentation, exempt seniors, require human review over automated systems, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, and delay implementation to July 1, 2027. One amendment was adopted to retain a stock-trading disclosure for candidates. The chamber then continued debate on the underlying bill, with supporters citing state reports of non-citizen registrations/voting and opponents warning of disenfranchisement for students, seniors, and others who may lack the required documents.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that they're trying to defraud the system. Many of them are American born.
• I don't think that they're trying to defraud the system. Many of them are American born.
• But that is something that, once it is in the system, that proof remains in the system and it does not
• I understand that you're speaking directly to the state university system.
• and the voter registration system can truly, truly support these new requirements.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public safety officials, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up several bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others substituted with House companions before final passage. No committee reports, governor messages, or House messages were on the desk at the start of the regular order of business. The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric emergency care policies, training, pediatric equipment, a designated pediatric emergency care coordinator, and participation in the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senators also passed CS/CS/HB 1113 on public records, clarifying confidentiality protections for victims and for law enforcement officers who become victims in the course of duty, though that bill drew questions about access to information in misconduct cases and received four no votes. The Senate then passed CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a Florida Digital Service-administered program to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and grants, with amendments shifting the grant-award deadline and rejecting House differences such as locating the program at USF and adding a sunset date. The chamber also passed CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above Article V projections and revising related fee distributions, despite concerns from some senators and municipalities about revenue shifts. Additional bills passed included CS/CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration, and CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, which addresses long permit delays and clarifies liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. Several other bills were taken up, including elections legislation (SB 1334/HB 991) that generated extensive debate and multiple failed amendments on voter ID, citizenship verification, student and senior IDs, and implementation timing; the transcript ends while that bill is still under consideration, after the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected several others.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I disagree because what you're alluding to there are systemic failures, and those systemic failures
• </c> you're alluding to there are systemic you're alluding to there are systemic failures<00:50:13.359
• and those systemic failures failures and those systemic failures start<00:50:16.079><c> with</c><00:
• Why do I say we are school system. Why do I say we are responsible?
• </c> whole circle of this educational system. whole circle of this educational system.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:08 26RS SB 3: 0:02:50 26RS SB 1: 0:21:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the system.
• </c> is a limitation of their support system is a limitation of their support system um<00:53:11.839>
• </c> of our Health and Human Services System of our Health and Human Services System uh<01:18:30.760>
• </c><01:46:46.880><c> that</c> and committed but they need systems that and committed but they need systems
• </c> hospital and other Hospital Systems hospital and other Hospital Systems across<02:09:24.440><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> school in one of our school systems, school in one of our school systems, three<00:43:10.400><c
• We didn't have enough money to the computer system of the unemployment system was no good.
• We didn't have enough money to the computer system of the unemployment system was no good.
• need to be talking, our school systems, our juvenile justice systems.
• our school systems, our juvenile<01:14:23.679><c> justice</c><01:14:24.000><c> systems.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, part B is the grant system to deal with immediate needs across the system.
• ,</c> governance of the 911 system, governance of the 911 system, operations,<00:03:52.720><c> expenses
• That's the two to our 911 system.
• </c> the system we've got today? the system we've got today?
• </c><00:08:40.479><c> to</c><00:08:40.719><c> share</c> 91 systems to share 91 systems to share uh<00

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Another thing that's unique is our transportation system.
• So we have an absolutely enormous transportation system.
• So we have an absolutely enormous transportation system.
• I know it was hard on every school system.
• </c> do think this Bill makes the system do think this Bill makes the system better<01:37:55.360><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provide security at the library system provide security at the library system and<01:19:14.320><
• The system that DEHRD is using, NeoGov, is a sister system.
• NeoEd is also using a similar system too. system it would be really difficult to system it would be really
• </c><03:49:27.319><c> called</c> support licensing for a system called support licensing for a system
• </c><03:49:32.399><c> that</c> system it's a substitute system that system it's a substitute system that

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As these technologies continue to evolve, it is important that our education system evolves alongside
• By preventing costly complications, AB 1843 reduces long-term system spending.
• The community college system has become a critical pathway.
• Many greenhouse systems, especially in agriculture, Specified findings by the Energy Commission.
• Exactly the population this regulated system is meant to serve.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system.
• for workers' compensation to a competitive private market system.
• The bill repeals obsolete code sections and makes technical... ...private market system.
• . ...but is instead meant to protect children that are in our school system.
• Teachers in our school system are mandatory reporters.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• We kind of mirrored that system for this because that system has been in place since prohibition and
• So, and it's been a while since I've, you know, I've been educated about the three-tier system.
• And it's been a while since I've been educated about the three-tier system.
• But why the three-tier system?
• I mean, why go through the same three-tier system as we do with alcohol in this?

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 2699, which concerns offenses involving the judiciary. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute and two amendments: one adding circuit clerks, deputy circuit clerks, court administrators, division clerks, and municipal clerks, and another adding court reporters who are active participants in courtroom activities. The substitute bill was then voted do pass by a roll call of six ayes, two noes, and two present; one member stated a personal interest and voted present. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2848, the so-called “mask intimidation” bill sponsored by Representative Dolan. The bill would create a Class C misdemeanor for intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening another person while concealing one’s identity with a mask or similar covering, with exceptions for legitimate uses such as medical, religious, holiday, and First Amendment-related activity. Supporters, including the Anti-Defamation League, said the bill would address masked intimidation by extremist groups and protect targeted communities; there was no opposition testimony. A public hearing followed on House Bill 2765, sponsored by Representative Justice, which would regulate intoxicating hemp beverages through a framework modeled on alcohol’s three-tier system. The bill would set licensing, testing, labeling, packaging, age-21 sales restrictions, and THC limits, and assign oversight to the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Support came from the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association, Hemp Beverage Alliance, Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Torch Drinks, Total Wine, and others, who argued the bill would create needed guardrails, keep products away from minors, and preserve a regulated retail market; some witnesses also urged broader regulation of other hemp-derived products. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee concluded its hearing without taking final action on HB 2765.