Transcript Highlights:

• Dig in a little deeper to how it's connected to the district attorney.
• Senator McMouth, I keep hearing you go back and forth between Inspector General and Attorney General.
• Is that a— Not Attorney General. Okay. Not Attorney General. Okay. Okay. All right.
• District attorney. Okay, all right. All right. Thank you.
• District attorney. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, the board is clear.

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee met and advanced a series of local bills, mostly by unanimous voice vote after brief questions. SB 430 by Sen. Jenkins renewed the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s 1.5% hotel occupancy tax for 12-year periods by voter approval, with discussion about continued planning and coordination among tourism entities. SB 286 by Sen. Duplessis updated the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond renewal voting boundaries. The committee also favorably reported SB 198 by Sen. Mizell, requiring government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district rules for new construction; SB 172 by Sen. Luneau, expanding a planning-commission waiver process for certain property divisions to municipalities below 150,000 population; and SB 439 by Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, adding pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s cancer for firefighters and fire service employees. Testimony on the firefighter bill emphasized the health risks from carcinogen exposure and the value of early detection, and members expressed strong support. Additional bills advanced included SB 458 by Sen. McMath, creating a mechanism for local ethics-entity tax revenues in St. Tammany Parish to be transferred to the district attorney’s office if an inspector general office is created; SB 447 by Sen. Bass, changing Bossier City Police Department promotions from competitive to promotional seniority; SB 281 by Sen. Barrow, expanding the Baker Economic Development District boundaries to include additional commercial areas; SB 385 by Sen. Harris, changing appointments to the City Park Improvement Association board and allowing City Park to opt out of certain ORM insurance coverage; HR 84 by Rep. Walters, urging Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA workers during federal shutdowns; and SB 417 by Sen. Allain, adding two members to the St. Mary Parish drainage district board. All of these measures were reported favorably, with one member recusing himself from the City Park bill due to board membership. The committee then recessed briefly, noting several remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not arrive soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've talked to several of our constitutional officers who are in support of it, including our attorney
• general uh Russell Coleman I'll attorney general uh Russell Coleman I'll be<00:04:51.320><c> glad</c
• </c><00:10:45.519><c> General</c><00:10:46.399><c> so</c><00:10:46.639><c> very</c> office of Attorney
• General so very office of Attorney General so very briefly<00:10:47.240><c> what</c><00:10:47.399><c
• Do you have any idea, when we talk about employing investigators, in terms of the cost to the Attorney

Keywords: Consideration of HB 373 02:30 Consideration of HB 455 10:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with opening prayer, pledge, and procedural reminders, then took up two election-related bills. House Bill 373, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, would modernize campaign finance law to allow campaign funds to pay for reasonable security measures for state candidates, officeholders, their families, and campaign or office staff. Williams said the bill uses campaign funds only, not state dollars, and is modeled on recently changed federal language. Members discussed whether the coverage included all state officeholders and close family members, and supporters cited increasing threats and harassment toward public officials; one member opposed the bill, warning about possible misuse and fraud. The bill passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 455, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Flannery, which creates an Office of Election Investigations and Security within the Attorney General’s office. Flannery said the bill would codify existing practices, establish a complaint and allegation review process, create a voter fraud hotline, and provide for investigations, referrals, and legislative oversight. Members asked about cost and whether the office duplicated existing functions such as the Public Integrity Office; Flannery responded that the bill creates a statutorily defined office and is intended to make the process less dependent on who holds the office. Supporters said the measure could improve transparency and voter trust, while opponents argued it duplicates existing agencies, could increase government size and cost, and might expose people to harassment or retaliation. The bill also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd just like to welcome my county attorney, who is here with us from Kenton County.
• And I know that we have county attorneys and Commonwealth attorneys from around the state with us.
• And I know that we have county attorneys and Commonwealth attorneys from around the state with us.
• The county attorney handles these cases by law.
• ><c> these</c><00:26:13.440><c> cases</c> The county attorney handles these cases The county attorney

Keywords: 00:00:06 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:23 - Review of Referred Administrative Regulations 00:02:00 - Discussion of 26RS HB 485 01:00:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 485 01:03:25 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:21.440><c> from</c> some of the Commonwealth attorneys from some of the Commonwealth attorneys
• </c><00:24:39.440><c> is</c> defendant cannot afford an attorney is defendant cannot afford an attorney
• That attorney can argue appointed one.
• :50.400><c> going</c><00:26:50.559><c> to</c> Commonwealth attorney then is going to Commonwealth attorney
• They're given their attorneys read them.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ' attorneys that are filing these cases.
• The average attorney payout is $352,000. So these... These are what I would call mill attorneys.
• The average attorney payout is $352,000. The average attorney payout is $352,000.
• So these are what I would call mill attorneys.
• As I mentioned to you, I’ve also been a workers’ comp attorney.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointments and routine agenda items by 4-0 votes, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 to be heard after the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard the appointment of Clint Kellam as Director of the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis regulation, especially illicit market activity, consumer education, labeling, and youth protection. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts such as the Real California Cannabis website, the required educational pamphlet for new users, inspections, and package review. Senators raised concerns about attractive-to-children packaging, high-dose beverages, and the need for tighter labeling rules; Kellam said the department is open to legislative changes, is working on an AI tool to help licensees review packaging, and uses recalls, citations, and administrative actions when products violate rules. He also described enforcement efforts against illegal cultivation and retail, including the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies. The committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointment. The committee next heard Jennifer Osborne’s appointment as Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. Osborne described her background in state administration and said she aims to remove barriers, improve systems, and support workplace safety, wage enforcement, workers’ compensation, and apprenticeship programs. Senators asked about PAGA enforcement, Cal/OSHA audit findings, backlogs, staffing shortages, and complaint handling. Osborne said DIR’s role in PAGA is limited, but the department is working on Cal/OSHA policy revisions, training, additional investigation staff, centralized intake, IT modernization, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also said the department is addressing vacancy and backlog issues through classification changes and new hiring strategies. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• ' attorneys that are filing these cases.
• The average attorney payout is $352,000. So these... The average attorney payout is $352,000.
• So these are what I would call mill attorneys.
• The average attorney payout is $352,000. So these... These are what I would call mill attorneys.
• So out of that $700,000 settlement, when $302,000 went to the attorney, the enhanced employee got $50

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and procedural items. It unanimously approved three appointments not required to appear: Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (Health) to be heard past the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Senators focused on illicit cannabis activity, consumer education, youth protection, labeling, and packaging that may be attractive to children. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts including the Real California Cannabis campaign, the SB 540 pamphlet, inspections, a package-review team, and an AI image analyzer for licensees. He also discussed enforcement against illicit cultivation, coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, and the department’s role in helping bring legal market compliance and access into balance. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on Cal/OSHA audit findings, workplace safety, PAGA-related litigation, case backlogs, staffing shortages, and how her administrative background would help manage the department. Osborne said she would focus on fixing systemic issues, improving staffing and classification rules, modernizing IT systems, adding intake and investigative capacity, and addressing the Cal/OSHA audit recommendations. She also said DIR would continue working on worker safety, compensation, and apprenticeship programs, and would follow up on some questions about natural-disaster-related enforcement and backlog metrics. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for consideration by the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one of the things I talked to the Attorney General about, and I think somebody from the Attorney
• Would you have engaged an attorney? Would you have turned the situation over to your insurance?
• Would you have engaged an attorney?
• HB 2274, we are willing to, we definitely want to work with the Attorney General's Office.
• But generally speaking, attorneys are, I would say, in terms of the attorneys experienced in this space

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2229 would update the professional engineers registration act by removing the U.S. citizenship requirement for board members, increasing pro tem board positions, giving the board more discretion over experience and continuing education requirements, removing some registration exclusions, and making various technical updates. The bill sponsor and the board described it as a cleanup and modernization measure, and a board representative said one naming change in the draft was unintended and would be corrected. No public testimony was taken before the hearing was suspended and later closed. House Bill 2274 would revise the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act after a Washington Supreme Court decision led to a wave of lawsuits over email subject lines. The bill would require a sender to have a “reliable basis” to know an email is held by a Washington resident, narrow when a subject line is actionable, require recipients to show they reviewed and relied on the email to recover damages, and repeal the act’s per se Consumer Protection Act violation while keeping statutory damages. Retailers, small business owners, hospitality groups, and e-commerce representatives supported the bill, saying the current interpretation is producing costly, technical lawsuits over ordinary promotional language and creating settlement pressure even without consumer harm. Consumer advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections against deceptive subject lines and that the current law already targets false or misleading claims. The committee took no final action on the bill. House Bill 2294 would prohibit future negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies, with exceptions for existing restrictions, relocations, and certain retail centers. The sponsor said the measure is intended to improve food and pharmacy access, especially after grocery closures such as the one in Lake City, and noted similar local ordinances already exist. Food industry and grocery association witnesses generally supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to food access and help independent grocers, while also asking for clearer guardrails to avoid unintended effects on legitimate business arrangements. The sponsor said she was open to working on enforcement and other details. The committee then moved to executive session and passed House Bill 1269, which would adjust pawn broker loan terms, interest, document preparation fees, storage fees, and allow online payment for renewals. Members described it as a modest increase after 11 years without changes, and the bill was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, with 15 members voting in the affirmative.

Transcript Highlights:

• , public defenders, and regional conflict counsel attorneys.
• , public defenders, and regional conflict counsel attorneys.
• , public defenders, and regional conflict counsel attorneys.
• Not for state attorneys or public defenders, but yes, for the judges.
• Not for state attorneys or public defenders, but yes, for the judges.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and environmental/agricultural programs. Major items discussed included school funding increases, workforce and university investments, Medicaid and child welfare funding, corrections operating deficits, housing and hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and state employee compensation. Members asked detailed questions about several budget items. In education, senators discussed teacher salaries, declining enrollment supplements, scholarship funding growth, and charter school capital outlay. In higher education, they asked about Bright Futures, New College funding, and the EASE grant program. In health and human services, senators focused on the iBudget waiver, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, the ADAP HIV drug program, and the use of opioid settlement funds. In criminal justice, questions centered on DOC deficits, inmate health care and food service costs, public defender and state attorney funding, and whether the budget would prevent the need for National Guard support. In environmental and state agency budgets, senators discussed Florida Forever land acquisition, conservation easements, cultural grants, the Emergency Management Trust Fund, and election security funding. After the budget presentations and questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments to place Senate language onto the House vehicles for conference. The chamber passed HB 5001, the appropriations bill, by a 36-0 vote and agreed to conference. It also passed the implementing bill, collective bargaining and state employee bills, retirement legislation, fuel tax and SLERS bills, the court trust fund bill, judicial certification bill, K-12 and higher education conforming bills, and other related measures, generally by unanimous votes. Several motions were adopted to request the House to pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do think we have the Office of the Attorney General here to speak to the bill.
• I'm the legislative director in the Office of the Attorney General.
• I'm a staff attorney at Columbia Legal Services, here in support of SB 5852.
• We want to echo the concerns raised by both the prime sponsor and the Attorney General.
• We strongly support the Attorney General's Immigrant Worker Protection Act.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6045, which would place agricultural employees under the Public Employment Relations Commission for collective bargaining, including card-check or election certification, bargaining duties, and interest arbitration. Staff explained the bill’s scope, exclusions, enforcement provisions, and fiscal note, and members asked about the domestic-violence privilege language, the fiscal impact, and implementation timing. Public testimony was sharply divided: labor and farmworker advocates said the bill would correct a historic exclusion of agricultural workers and improve wages, safety, and dignity, while growers and industry groups argued it would raise costs, create coercive card-check concerns, and risk disruptions during short harvest windows. The sponsor closed by saying the bill was a starting point and that she would continue working with stakeholders. The committee then took up Senate Bill 6188, an agency-request bill on asbestos training rules. Staff said it would remove a limit on Labor and Industries’ rulemaking authority so the agency could adopt additional training and certification requirements beyond those specifically required by federal law; the fiscal note showed no fiscal impact. The sponsor and L&I said the change would let the state strengthen worker safety around asbestos removal, while the Building Industry Association opposed it, warning about divergence from federal standards and added costs. The hearing then moved to Senate Bill 6053 on domestic workers, which would create statewide labor protections including minimum wage and overtime, written agreements, notice requirements, anti-discrimination protections, and enforcement by L&I and private actions. Testimony from domestic workers, advocates, and caregivers supported the bill as a needed extension of basic protections, while L&I noted implementation costs and technical amendments. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5852 on immigrant workers and I-9 audits. Staff described requirements for employers to notify workers within 72 hours of a federal inspection notice, provide copies of results and correction timelines, limit voluntary access to records without a warrant or subpoena, and prohibit retaliation, with enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. The Attorney General’s office and supporters said the bill would add due process and transparency and reduce fear during workplace raids, while business, hospitality, county, and small-business representatives argued it could conflict with federal law, create heavy compliance burdens, and expose employers to severe penalties and lawsuits. No votes were taken in the transcript; the committee heard testimony and closed hearings on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is My Ragsdale, and I'm the Club's active director of the [unknown] bars and a licensed attorney
• The amendment directed attorneys with accounts to bank with institutions.
• You know, in 1981, Florida bankers and attorneys worked together to solve a problem.
• If you look at—if you're a law firm, probably with 50 to 80 attorneys, you could probably very easily
• If you are a sole proprietor or your small law firm in your community that has 5 to 10 attorneys, it's

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll start with the Attorney General's budget.
• So we'll start with the Attorney General's budget.
• The House had moved that from the Attorney General Refund Fund to the general fund.
• The House had moved that from the Attorney General Refund Fund to the General Fund.
• This would be moving it back to the Attorney General Refund Fund.

Bills: SB2012

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on budget and bill amendments. The committee first took up the Attorney General’s budget and reviewed a detailed amendment package that adjusted FTE levels, salary equity funding, funding sources, and several one-time appropriations. Changes included removing some House-added items, adding contingent funding tied to other bills, restoring certain funding sources, increasing the electronic smoking device manufacturer fee, and adding a provision on 24/7 sobriety program fees. Senator Dwyer then offered a further amendment to make the electronic smoking device fee a $2,000 application fee with a $500 annual renewal fee, which passed. The committee then voted 4-1 to adopt the budget as amended and give it a do pass recommendation as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1143, relating to Great Plains Food Bank funding. After testimony from Amy Cleary on behalf of Great Plains Food Bank, members discussed the organization’s statewide role and the project’s financing, including a planned $30 million facility and existing fundraising. Senator Burkhard moved to restore the appropriation from $5 million to $10 million, and the motion passed 4-1. The committee then voted 4-1 to give the bill a do pass recommendation as amended, with Senator Burkhard designated as carrier. Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 1524, which would fund regional planning councils and authorize 16 FTEs. Members expressed sympathy for the councils’ work but concerns about approving new state-funded positions. No action was taken, and the chair asked to hold the bill over for further review. The committee then recessed, noting remaining budget work and upcoming hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney in Stillwater, Kelly.
• And so, in a case like a power of attorney, it could actually be helpful.
• And those order to get to an attorney.
• ,</c><00:09:27.440><c> it</c> case of like a power of attorney, it case of like a power of attorney,
• In addition, not similar to an attorney.

Bills: HF3560, HF3295, HF2937, HF3540

Keywords: electronic signatures, estate planning, uniform law, legal documents, Minnesota statutes, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, parenting consultant, parenting time, custody, family court, family law, neutral third party, alternative dispute resolution, child custody, visitation, parenting coordinator

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1148 relates to the licensing of attorneys for the practice of law by requiring that the
• licensing and not delegate that duty to any other organization and lays out some requirements for attorney
• And although the bill itself gives the Supreme Court authority to license attorneys, it mandates exactly
• Chairman, Madam Rules Attorney, not really an expert in constitutional law, certainly not anymore, but
• Madam Rules Attorney, even assuming there is a compelling state interest, my understanding is the point

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And enforcement authority is by the attorney general, the candidate who is injured or likely to be injured
• </c><00:01:58.960><c> general,</c> authority is by the attorney general, authority is by the attorney
• Um, have you worked with the attorney general's office and talked with them about the enforcement piece
• Um, have you have you worked with<00:02:49.599><c> the</c><00:02:49.760><c> attorney</c><00:02:50.080
• and with the attorney general's office and talked<00:02:51.360><c> with</c><00:02:51.519><c> them</c

Keywords: Technology - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 11:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PAST TWO WEEKS REGARDING SALARY INCREASES AND COMPETITIVE DIFFERENTIALS FOR OUR ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY
• AND WE'VE DONE THAT THROUGHOUT THE SILO AND I KNOW THERE ARE SOME PLACES WHERE FOR INSTANCE STATE ATTORNEYS
• I'VE HEARD FROM MULTIPLE PUBLIC DEFENDERS AS WELL AS STATE ATTORNEYS INCLUDING FROM ORLANDO WHERE THERE
• IS A NEW STATE ATTORNEY WHO INHERITED A BUNCH OF OLD VACANCIES.
• WE'RE NOT REQUIRING STATE ATTORNEYS OR PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO FIRE PEOPLE THEY JUST HIRED.

Transcript Highlights:

• ask both the Democratic and Republican Senators to meet in the caucus room along with the majority attorney
• ask both the Democratic and Republican Senators to meet in the caucus room along with the majority attorney
• ask both the Democratic and Republican Senators to meet in the caucus room along with the majority attorney
• the caucus room along with the meet in the caucus room along with the majority<00:04:55.759><c> attorney
• </c><00:04:56.320><c> and</c><00:04:56.520><c> the</c> majority attorney and the majority attorney and

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> General</c> And so without Attorney General And so without Attorney General enforcement,<00:18:02.120
• </c> seen in states where there's no Attorney seen in states where there's no Attorney General<00:24:
• ><c> is</c><00:58:36.000><c> necessarily</c> attorney general's office is necessarily attorney general's
• </c> the Attorney General to enforce these. the Attorney General to enforce these.
• </c> don't know for sure that the Attorney don't know for sure that the Attorney General<01:05:33.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jenny Nakamoto, Deputy Attorney General.
• From the Attorney General's office, Amanda Dolan or Jeffrey Kent. >> Aloha. Welcome.
• I'm Deputy Attorney General. Um, we have comments on this bill.
• </c><00:43:23.839><c> Attorney</c><00:43:24.240><c> General's</c> There it is. Okay.
• Attorney General's There it is. Okay. Attorney General's office. I'm<00:43:30.240><c> sorry.

Bills: SB3179, SB2872, SB2391, SB3282, SB2836, SB2181

Keywords: educational workers, harassment, workplace safety, temporary restraining orders, investigation procedures, retired education employees, teacher shortage, rehired retirants, entry level salary, collective bargaining agreements, pension benefits, education, teacher salaries, automatic increments, collective bargaining, teacher retention, workforce development, Pell grant program, short-term education, eligibility

Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another point of contention for this bill was any adjudication by the Attorney General was to be final
• Why are we using the Office of the Attorney General for enforcement? Senator Massullo.
• '. ...line 142 of the bill itself, which reads, 'The Attorney General's findings are final.'
• This ...pet stores to treble damages and punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
• Moody, and now there's one with the current Attorney General regarding House Bill 3.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1236, which would make state economic development incentives contingent on employers using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. Senator Massullo said the bill was intended to guide how the state spends taxpayer dollars, not to regulate private businesses directly, and noted he would adjust the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Several speakers opposed the bill as government overreach and union-busting, while supporters argued it protected workers from card-check coercion and aligned with existing NLRB secret-ballot procedures. The committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. The committee then took up CS/SB 198, a bill to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks in response to fraud targeting seniors and other vulnerable Floridians. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, receipts, blockchain analytics, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions. Support came from the Florida Bankers Association, AARP, and others who described widespread scams and losses; one industry witness supported the bill but suggested narrower limits for existing users. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and consumer protections. After adopting an amendment removing state oversight of local animal shelters, the sponsor described the bill as a response to puppy mills and inhumane breeding conditions, with breeder registration, welfare standards, financing disclosures, and penalties for violations. Petland supported much of the bill but objected to the waiting period, shelter-space requirement, expanded lemon-law remedies, and unfair trade practice provisions. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors, requiring age verification, parental consent, app-content disclosures, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Testimony split between supporters who said it would strengthen child safety and opponents who warned of privacy, data-security, and constitutional concerns; the bill was reported favorably after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The difference in color is the Attorney General's Office cost versus what we call special assistant attorneys
• Special assistant attorneys general are private attorneys that are hired, contracted to represent the
• But don't we have enough attorneys within our Attorney General office to cover most of these?
• Don't we have enough attorneys within our Attorney General Office to cover most of these?
• I'll be talking about attorney-client privilege or attorney advice, but the select committee specifically

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.