Transcript Highlights:

• And it requires the Washington State Attorney General to indemnify and defend jails, corrections personnel
• I'm sure when we do, the state does things or... Madam Chair, my apologies.
• This is a fairly, again, major shift in policy for Washington State.
• When we put out a bid, we said if folks want to build them in Washington State, they get a 10% to 15%
• of Washington, this is not the level of detail that we put in state statute.

Bills: HB2510, SGA9305

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• I work as a victim advocate for the state.
• And that's how he ended up at Western State Hospital for seven years.
• Washington remain strong.
• Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center on the fundamentals of stalking.
• State still currently operates.

Bills: HB2510

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• Between 8% and 11% of children in middle and high schools have asthma, as stated by the Washington State
• The Washington State Nurses Association and the School Nurses Organization of Washington also testify
• According to the Washington State Nurses Association, as stated by Washington State Department of Health
• in the School Nors Organization of Washington. the Washington State Nurses Association and the School
• We have several clients in the state of Washington, including the State 911 Program within the Emergency

Bills: SB5992, SB5918, SB5951, SB6042, SB5952, SB5961, SB5969

Keywords: youth development, funding, positive programs, youth services, community programs, school funding, education, supplies, operating costs, K-12 education, albuterol, access, public schools, private schools, healthcare, school safety, emergency preparedness, mapping, local education policies, curriculum requirements

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5992, which would create a non-appropriated Youth Development Fund account at OSPI to support grants for positive youth development programs serving ages 5 to 24. Staff explained the fund could receive gifts, grants, endowments, federal funds, legislative appropriations, and other receipts, and that grants could go to nonprofits, tribal entities, and parks and recreation organizations, with school districts and ESDs eligible in limited circumstances. Senator Krishnadasan and several members described the bill as a way to expand access to mentoring, after-school, summer, arts, sports, STEM, and other wraparound supports, especially for youth facing mental health, poverty, homelessness, or other barriers. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, including from students, youth-serving nonprofits, tribes, and state agencies, though one tribal witness asked for consultation, reserved tribal access, and data sovereignty protections. No vote on SB 5992 occurred in the portion provided; the committee moved on to other bills and later returned to testimony on it. In executive session, the committee acted on three bills. For Senate Bill 5952, which would have created a standardized process and form for excusing high school students from PE, the committee adopted Senator Wellman’s substitute, which instead requires districts to honor a prior excusal if a student transfers, and then gave the substitute a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. For Senate Bill 5961, which transfers the Imagination Library of Washington program from DCYF to OSPI, the committee adopted Senator Wilson’s substitute adding a directive for OSPI, subject to appropriations, to contract with a nonprofit experienced in early literacy through pediatric office visits, and then sent it to Ways and Means with a due pass recommendation. For Senate Bill 5969, concerning IEP transition plans and high school and beyond plans, the committee adopted Senator Cortez’s substitute removing student election language and instead directing OSPI to minimize duplication in the statewide IEP system, then sent the bill to Ways and Means with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5918, which would increase materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) funding by $100 per student or $100,000 per district, whichever is greater, starting in the 2026-27 school year. Staff said the bill had no limiting language requiring the money to be spent only on MSOC, and the fiscal estimate projected significant state costs. Supporters from school districts, administrators, PTA, rural education groups, and labor organizations said districts are using local levies to cover basic operating costs such as utilities, insurance, curriculum, and supplies, leaving less for enrichment and forcing cuts to programs. One remote witness opposed the bill on tax and affordability grounds. The sponsor emphasized that MSOC is part of the state’s paramount duty and that districts are using enrichment dollars simply to keep schools open. The transcript then moved on to Senate Bill 5951 on stock albuterol in schools and Senate Bill 6042 on school mapping for first responders, with testimony beginning on both bills but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools across Washington... Could you state who you are and where you...
• In 2025 in Washington State, our state, a public... ...and invasive.
• I hope this becomes a role model for all Washington State legislation.
• of Washington and United States.
• I'm a student at the University of Washington as a first-year student.

Bills: SB5901, SB5860, SB5956, SB5574, SB5922, SB5858

Keywords: school construction, school facilities, capital budget, school plant project, state funding assistance, school construction assistance program, on-base schools, military base, Department of Defense school, military families, public school facilities, instructional space, Superintendent of Public Instruction, SIP, school district capital funding, school housing burden, rapid growth, enrollment growth, free and reduced-price meals, alternative learning experience

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff said the bill would help districts such as Clover Park and Medical Lake, where on-base schools can reduce eligibility for state funding even though that space is not available to the broader district. Senator Christian and supporters from OSPI and the affected districts said the measure would prevent local taxpayers from bearing extra costs and could unlock significant renovation funding; no opposition was presented during the hearing. The committee then held an executive session on two bills. Senate Bill 5922, concerning transfers from transportation vehicle funds when districts reduce their fleets, was recommended “do pass” to the Rules Committee. Senate Bill 585, concerning pupil transportation safety net awards for excess costs serving special passengers, was recommended “do pass” to the Ways and Means Committee. Both motions passed by voice vote subject to signatures. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation and training. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care costs to be reimbursed for meeting attendance, require periodic review of compensation levels, and direct WASDA to provide fiscal and finance training for directors. Supporters argued the current compensation is outdated and that higher pay and child care support would broaden participation and improve board diversity; opponents and some testifiers raised concerns about using levy funds, the added cost, and whether the training should be mandatory, while others said financial training is important for board oversight. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance, and Senate Bill 5574 on instruction in Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history. SB 5956 would bar schools from using automated decision systems or surveillance technology as the sole basis for discipline or risk scoring, limit biometric and law-enforcement data sharing, and require updated OSPI guidance and a WSSDA model policy; testimony largely supported guardrails to prevent bias and misuse. SB 5574’s substitute would require districts to include those histories in required social studies courses on a timeline tied to the state standards review cycle, with annual reporting beginning in 2030; many educators, students, and community members testified in support, saying the bill would make curriculum more complete, reduce bullying and exclusion, and better reflect Washington’s diverse communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• His school is Auburn University at Montgomery, and his major is in interdisciplinary studies.
• for dual credit by the state department to be available to eligible high school students.
• Then it would also state that there would be no obligation to incorporate the dual enrollment into the
• in the state into the dual enrollment process.
• . ... ...the four-year university level.

Bills: HB9, HB102, HB9

Keywords: three-cueing system, reading instruction, K-12 education, structured literacy, scientific strategies, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state tax rebates that these cities receive are from the state hotel occupancy tax.
• This includes the state hotel occupancy tax and state sales and use taxes from their hotels, restaurants
• will rebate state revenue.
• back to the city to take what is state revenue.
• to keep the state revenue that the state would have with this project.

Bills: SB1071, SB1444, SB1483, SB1556, SB1703, SB1756, SB1854, SB2036, SB2133, SB2297, SB2622, SB2779, SB2955, SB2979

Keywords: municipality, tax revenue, hotel project, convention center, economic development, hotel tax, municipal authority, local governments, local authority, convention centers, hotel occupancy tax, municipal finance, local tax revenue, tourism, hotel and convention center project, Tax Code Chapter 351, city revenue, special district, Texas municipalities, venue financing

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of, we are lucky in our state to have at the University of Washington the iLabs.
• Washington State is one of the most regulated states when it comes to homeschooling.
• Washington state is not the only state that allows parents to wait until eight.
• Washington state is not the only state that allows parents to wait until eight.
• Washington State is not the only state that allows parents to wait until eight.

Bills: SB6222, SB6263, SB6118, SB6261, SB6320

Keywords: public education, technology access, surplus hardware, digital divide, student resources, school district, public bidding, bid limits, procurement, public works, construction contracts, competitive bidding, lowest responsible bidder, small works roster, quotations, school purchasing, Washington-grown food, local food, inmate work programs, Department of Corrections

Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for Senate Bill 6320, then heard several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6222 would let school districts and educational service districts sell surplus technology hardware such as laptops and tablets to public school students at depreciated cost, or give them free to low-income students, with priority for low-income public school students. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill would help students keep access to devices for school, work, and college; one member asked whether tribal compact schools were included. Testimony was generally supportive. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6263, which raises school district public bid thresholds for purchases and repairs. The sponsor said the limits had not been updated in about 20 years and should be aligned with cities and ports to reduce costs and delays. School employees, finance officers, and coalition representatives supported the bill, saying current thresholds create unnecessary administrative burden and can slow maintenance and purchasing; the fiscal note showed no fiscal impact. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6261, which would require parents of six- and seven-year-olds not enrolled in school to file annual signed declarations of their education plans. The superintendent of public instruction supported the bill as a way to align Washington with other states and improve enrollment data, while homeschool parents, students, and advocacy groups strongly opposed it as burdensome, intrusive, and unnecessary. Senate Bill 6118 would require each school district to create cardiac emergency response plans for schools and athletic facilities, including AED placement, staff training, and coordination with emergency responders. The sponsor said the bill was personal because of her brother’s death from heart failure, and witnesses described sudden cardiac arrest incidents and argued that preparedness saves lives. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6320, which would restrict state-funded online and remote alternative learning experiences to public or nonprofit providers and reduce levy equalization for some remote ALE enrollment, with limited exceptions for medically fragile, severely ill, injured, or severely bullied students. Supporters said it would prevent privatization and better align funding with in-person schooling, while opponents said it would harm students who rely on online programs, especially those with special needs or other barriers to traditional school.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Jewell, on behalf of the members of the Washington State Association of Counties.
• Paul Jewell, on behalf of the members of the Washington State Association of Counties.
• And in the state of Washington, I’m not able to request it to be deleted.
• Our members provide more than 360,000 homes in the state of Washington.
• We are an alliance of 110 community-based organizations across Washington State.

Bills: SB5884, SB5885, SB5937, SB5938

Keywords: sales tax, redevelopment, economic incentive, underutilized property, infrastructure, affordable housing, religious organizations, zoning laws, land use, community development, smart access system, smart lock, residential landlord-tenant act, tenant privacy, biometric data, fingerprint, face scan, iris scan, key fob, key card

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard public testimony on several bills focused on housing supply, tenant protections, and foreclosure prevention. SB 5885 would expand incentives for affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold from 100% to 50% of units and adding a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying projects. The sponsor and supporters from cities, faith groups, and housing nonprofits said the bill would help churches and other religious organizations use underutilized land for housing, while a county planning representative asked for funding to cover local code updates. SB 5884 would broaden an existing sales tax deferral program for redevelopment of underutilized property by expanding eligible land beyond surface parking lots to vacant, partially used, or underutilized parcels and by adjusting affordability thresholds; cities including Spokane, Vancouver, and Kent supported it, while contractor groups opposed a provision they said could favor project labor or apprenticeship requirements and burden nonunion and small contractors. A county association also asked that counties be included in the program. The committee also heard SB 5937, which would require landlords using smart access systems to offer tenants a non-biometric, non-app-based alternative key upon request and to provide privacy and data-retention information, while limiting data collection to what is necessary for access. The sponsor and tenant advocates said the bill would protect renters from being forced to use phone apps or biometric systems and from excessive data collection; landlord groups supported the concept but argued the bill was too broad and could impose burdens on small housing providers, especially if it covered simple keypad systems or required lengthy privacy disclosures. Testifiers asked for narrower definitions and clearer implementation language. Finally, SB 5938 would make technical changes to the foreclosure prevention fee created last year, including lowering the reverse mortgage exemption age, exempting certain chattel loans, limiting duplicate fee collection on some state-supported transactions, and requiring Commerce to study a possible homeowner assistance fund. Supporters from the Washington Homeownership Resource Center, legal aid, HOA advocates, and community organizations said the bill would clarify administration, reduce unfair charges, and strengthen foreclosure prevention and homeowner stability. The committee took no votes and adjourned after closing public testimony on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• academies or state options?
• It has been well executed across major institutions, learning institutions, states, in all of our states
• We've identified as a state, and like I said earlier, other states have also identified some issues and
• They must comply with all state standards. They must comply with all state standards.
• or contracted out, was this contracted-out entity, or is it within the state, utilizing the state?

Bills: HB2, SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• So they spread throughout the state, and their students come from all over the state of Alabama.
• University of Mobile.
• university.
• state.
• So there's no state funding of this other than the fact that the universities may incur expenses in setting

Bills: HB46, HB379, SB22, HB487, HB273, HB525

Keywords: rural physician, tax credit, healthcare access, physician recruitment, Alabama, HB379, Alabama income tax, nonresident exemption, remote workers, traveling employees, mobile workforce, withholding tax, state tax reciprocity, multistate employees, temporary work, work location tracking, time and attendance system, remote work taxation, professional athlete, professional entertainer

Transcript Highlights:

• And it serves students at every college and every university in the state.
• Um and so, I I university in the state.
• Thousands of students at the University of Minnesota rely on both the state grant and the North Star
• The U, privates, some of them in state universities, they're going to be impacted.
• </c> privates, some of them in state privates, some of them in state universities,<01:40:11.400><c> they're

Bills: HF4252

Keywords: higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Operating a profitable business right now in Washington State is really, really hard.
• Curtis Steinhower with the Washington State Association of Counties and the State Association of County
• I'm Gregor Dorr, Chairman of Government Affairs for Washington State Young Republicans.
• I'm Gregor, Chairman of Government Affairs for Washington State Young Republicans.
• I'm a practicing structural engineer, registered structural engineer in the state of Washington.

Bills: HB2517, HB2480, HB2588, HB1529, HB2223, HB2006, HB2573, HB2141

Keywords: municipal permitting, transit projects, high capacity transit, infrastructure, urban development, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, county ferry district, ferry district, passenger-only ferry, passenger ferry, Puget Sound, Vashon, Seattle, Southworth, county transportation, local taxing authority

Summary: The committee opened public hearings on HB 2141 and HB 2573, then paused for caucus and later took executive action on several bills before returning to testimony. HB 2141 would impose a 10-year pause on most State Building Code Council updates after the 2024 codes, extend future update cycles to six years, restrict local amendments until the 2036 model codes, and remove the 2031 energy-code reduction target. Supporters, including builders, business groups, counties, and some local officials, argued the bill would reduce regulatory churn, lower housing costs, and give developers and local governments more certainty. Opponents, including environmental groups, architects, fire marshals, code professionals, and manufacturers, said the bill would freeze safety and energy-efficiency improvements, raise long-term utility costs, and undermine climate goals. No final action was taken on HB 2141 during the hearing. HB 2573 would require advance notice before grocery stores, pharmacies, and similar facilities close or are sold in communities that relied on them for housing, transit, or health planning; add a health and food access goal and a new healthy communities element to the Growth Management Act; authorize zoning tools to require or incentivize grocery or health-related uses; and allow cities and counties to impose excise taxes or nuisance fees on vacant former grocery-store properties, with some waivers for temporary or community uses. Supporters said the bill responds to recent closures in places like Lake City and Everett that created food and pharmacy deserts, harmed seniors and low-income residents, and disrupted local planning. Opponents from grocery industry groups argued the bill is punitive, could chill investment, and would unfairly penalize property owners who did not cause the closure. The hearing on HB 2573 was also left open without final action. During executive action, the committee adopted amendments and reported several bills out with do-pass recommendations: HB 2517, as amended to require notice to property owners before regional transit authorities apply for permits and to add property-owner consent protections; HB 2588, expanding county ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries; HB 1529, allowing counties to assist cities with paving and marking streets; HB 2223, allowing limited irrigation-district contract interests involving a director’s spouse; and HB 2006, as amended to narrow and extend the deadline for certain rural counties to designate industrial land banks. After those votes, the committee returned to testimony on HB 2141, heard additional support and opposition, and then adjourned without hearing all registered testifiers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington State does not fully fund our courts. We are in a crisis right now.
• For some context, I know that in 2024, the Washington State Patrol, their per capita rate of traffic
• That's not here in Washington State.
• And, you know, it is in Washington State, and it's a federal detention center.
• And I have to bring up the fact that I think Washington and state as far. something better.

Bills: HB1228, HB1982, HB2156, HB2165, HB2173, HB2203, HB2220, HB2362, HB2403, HB2464

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, impaired driving, toxicology, forensic toxicology, breath test, blood test, THC, marijuana, cannabis, alcohol concentration, state toxicologist, implied consent, evidence admissibility, venous blood draw, forensic phlebotomist, certified laboratory, accredited laboratory, law enforcement, DWI

Summary: The Community Safety Committee met in executive session to act on several bills previously heard in public hearings. House Bill 1228, dealing with certification of toxicology labs for blood and breath analysis, was amended to allow use of a private lab with an out-of-state expert available for pretrial interview and virtual trial appearance if requested by the prosecutor and agreed to by defense counsel, and to require a Washington State Patrol report on implementation and backlog reduction by October 1, 2031. The committee adopted amendments 261 and 341, withdrew amendment 340, and reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 1982, expanding vacatur eligibility for convictions tied to exercise of treaty Indian rights and requiring Office of Public Defense representation, was advanced as a proposed substitute that reorganizes the statute and clarifies hunting-rights eligibility; it was reported out due pass. House Bill 2156, concerning Attorney General investigators’ authority to obtain email search warrants, also passed out of committee after a roll call vote of 6-3, with supporters citing efficiency and opponents wanting more stakeholder work. The committee next considered House Bill 2165, creating the gross misdemeanor of false identification as a peace officer. The proposed substitute moved some conduct from criminal impersonation into the new offense, narrowed defenses, and defined “peace officer” to include state, local, reserve, and federal officers. Members raised concerns about clarity, honorary or reserve officer issues, and possible unintended effects, but the substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 8-1. House Bill 2173 was held because a Senate companion is moving. House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency operations and allowing recovery of emergency response costs, was amended to reduce penalties in some cases and shorten license suspensions; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill out unanimously. House Bill 2220, relating to the Criminal Justice Training Commission, was deferred to a later executive session. The committee also advanced House Bill 2362, the so-called 0.05 impaired driving bill, after a divided debate. Supporters argued lower blood alcohol limits reduce deaths and injuries, while opponents raised concerns about toxicology backlogs, court capacity, racial disproportionality in traffic stops, disability-related enforcement issues, and the lack of a broader second-chance policy for DUI convictions. The bill passed 5-4. House Bill 2403, modifying failure-to-register offenses for sex offenders and kidnapping offenders, was reported out 6-3 after debate over whether the offense should remain treated as a sex offense. Finally, House Bill 2464, requiring private detention facilities and local law enforcement to report incidents to the Department of Health, passed 6-3 amid arguments over transparency and whether the issue should be addressed at the federal level. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals at all DOC facilities in Washington State.
• of Washington State residents.
• We don't need any additional barriers in Washington State.
• of Oregon into the state of Washington.
• of Oregon into the state of Washington.

Bills: SB5917, SB6080, SB6085, SB5940, SB5945, SB5957, SB5966

Keywords: abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access, medication abortion, early pregnancy loss, miscarriage management, Department of Corrections, Department of Health, health care providers, health care entities, Indian health care providers, pharmacy distribution, wholesale distribution, reproductive rights, women's health, emergency clause, immediate effect, public health

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 5917 would change how the Department of Corrections and Department of Health distribute abortion medications from state stockpiles, removing the current requirement that they be sold at cost plus a $5 fee and allowing broader, more flexible distribution to health care providers and entities. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, the Governor’s health policy advisor, DOH, and advocacy groups, said the change would prevent expiration of existing stockpiles and improve access to medication abortion and miscarriage care. Opponents argued the bill would effectively give away state-purchased drugs, raised constitutional and taxpayer concerns, and objected to abortion medication distribution. No vote was taken on SB 5917 in the hearing portion described. The committee also heard SB 6080, which would require written federal contracts before local jails accept people in federal custody, require reimbursement of full detention costs, and prohibit contracts for people transported across state lines absent a valid judicial warrant. The sponsor said the bill responds to a Clark County situation involving out-of-state detainees and is intended to create clarity, accountability, and local control. Support came from local government and immigrant-rights advocates, while the sheriffs’ association raised concerns about unintended consequences for routine federal arrests and the practicality of requiring contracts in all cases. The hearing then moved to SB 6085, which would revise the institutional welfare account (formerly the incarcerated individual betterment fund) to require more feedback from incarcerated people and families, annual reporting, and changes to allowable uses. The sponsor and DOC supported the bill’s intent, while the reentry council and DOC raised concerns about law library funding and the use of funds for reentry services. The committee also took executive action on other bills: a proposed substitute for SB 5940 was adopted and sent to Ways and Means after several amendments were rejected; SB 5957 passed to the Rules Committee; and SB 5966 on medically tailored meals passed to the Rules Committee after one amendment failed and members noted a floor amendment would be offered to address small-business participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• State.
• The reason why insurance got so high in condos in the first place is, in the state of Washington, you
• The reason why insurance got so high in condos in the first place is, in the state of Washington, you
• So if you extrapolate that to the 1.1 million rental households in Washington State at roughly four pages
• Curtis Diner, the Washington State Association of County Regional Planning Directors, testifying today

Bills: HB2304, HB2664

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they not all Washington State Public Education General Education students first?
• The University of Washington has really good research. They've studied it. We know what to do.
• Washington state public schools do not..." "...without, excuse me, should receive albuterol.
• Robin Ortenberg, and I am a pediatric pulmonologist practicing in Washington State.
• I am also a retired school nurse corps administrator and school nurse here in Washington state.

Bills: HB2246, HB2360

Keywords: firearm violations, education, student discipline, school policies, safety measures, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on two bills. First, House Bill 2246 would expand and clarify school discipline rules for firearm-related violations. Committee staff explained that the bill extends existing firearm expulsion and readmission provisions to charter schools, state tribal education compact schools, the School for the Blind, the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth, and ESDs, and would allow governing boards to deny readmission or limit return after a firearm-related incident. Representative Lowe, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a local incident and was intended to give districts more flexibility and clearer guidance. OSPI testified that it supports safe schools but had concerns about limiting reconsideration to one appeal and wanted to work on amendments. Team Child opposed the bill, arguing it could make it harder for students to return successfully and could further exclude them from extracurricular activities. Committee members asked about current law, constitutional education rights, and whether the bill would cover threats made online; staff clarified it applies to actual carrying of a firearm or displaying something that appears to be a firearm. The hearing closed with 246 pro, 7 con, and 1 other signed in. The committee then heard House Bill 2360, which would allow public and private schools to maintain stock albuterol beginning in the 2027-28 school year under a statewide standing order from the Department of Health. Staff described the bill’s provisions for school nurses and trained staff to administer albuterol to students with prescriptions, and for nurses to administer it in emergencies to students without a prescription. Representative Donaghy said the bill was modeled on school epinephrine access and was intended to address asthma emergencies, especially in rural areas and when a student’s own inhaler is unavailable. OSPI and school nurse groups supported the bill, citing asthma prevalence, absenteeism, and the potential to reduce 911 calls and emergency room visits. The Department of Health had asked to strike one section, and some school nurse testimony raised concerns about scope of practice, staffing, training, and the lack of a detailed protocol or fiscal note. Other nurse testimony strongly supported the bill, saying school nurses can assess respiratory distress, administer stock albuterol, notify parents, and recommend follow-up care. The hearing closed with 113 pro, 2 con, and 1 other signed in, and the committee then adjourned.

Keywords: HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re7wy3s5l6I, 2026-07-02T01:23:14+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 0:00 - Start 0:10 - University of Hawaii, Athletics 33:30 - DM WAM 10:02 AM 35:48 - University of Hawaii, Early Clinical Trial Research Center Briefing Notice: WAM-HRE 9:30 AM https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM-HRE_02-06-24_INFO_.pdf Hearing Notice: WAM 10:02 AM https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM_02-06-24_.pdf, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii within the University of Hawaii. Hawaii within the University of Hawaii.
• >> For university.
• . state. state.
• </c> &gt;&gt; state your name, please. &gt;&gt; state your name, please.
• State your name again, please. &gt;&gt; Okay. State your name again, please.

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• the university, the state, whatever their concept is, is helping them put together the budget for NIL
• the university, the state, whatever their concept is, is helping them put together the budget for NIL
• are functioning right now is that they either the university, the state, whatever their concept is,
• are functioning right now is that they either the university, the state, whatever their concept is,
• </c> the state auditors um audits? the state auditors um audits?

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 3263, which would create a state-supported endowment for University of Hawaii athletics NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding. University of Hawaii Athletics Director Matt Eliott supported the bill, saying NIL requires both immediate funding and a longer-term sustainable solution. He asked for several changes: lowering the initial endowment target from $10 million to $2 million so the fund could start sooner, allowing NIL reporting by team rather than by individual student-athlete, and clarifying that athletes may choose whether to use an agent, while still allowing certified agents or a parent/guardian if desired. Committee members raised concerns about using taxpayer dollars for athlete compensation, the burden on a small-state budget, and whether the university could realistically raise the required matching funds. Several senators questioned whether the university had a concrete fundraising plan and whether the endowment would meaningfully help UH compete with larger programs. Eliott said UH is already fundraising privately for current NIL obligations, had raised more than $1.6 million toward a $3 million annual goal, and would continue fundraising for both short-term needs and the endowment match. He also said the university is not trying to compete with Power Five schools on the same scale, but to be successful at its own conference level. Members also discussed transparency and privacy, with some senators arguing that if state money is used, the public should know how it is spent, while Eliott said individual student-athlete NIL information should remain private and team-level reporting would be preferable. He confirmed international student-athletes are eligible for NIL and said about 60 to 70 UH athletes are currently participating, with more than 100 expected next year. The discussion also touched on UH’s Mountain West media rights and local TV rights, with Eliott explaining that the conference distribution is expected to remain around $3.5 million and that local TV rights would be negotiated separately. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state government committee is responsible for numerous entities within state government, and that
• Article 2 is the state government policy.
• We send a lot of money to Washington, D.C. as the state of Minnesota, and it's the AG that stands to
• Chair now of State Government Finance.
• Please state your name and affiliation.

Bills: HF2783, HF2603, HF2846, HF2354, HF1836, HF2713, HF1198, HF1389

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant