Transcript Highlights:

• I've got to think that since it works in these other states, we can find a way to make it work here.
• I've worked for Providence for three years and now for Compassus for nearly one year.
• The work is already done.
• And we worked with the ATF in 2024 and 2025.
• Thank you for your time and dedication to your work. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2255, House Bill 2548, and House Bill 2320. HB 2255 would regulate third-party litigation funding by requiring disclosure of funders and agreements, prohibiting funder control over litigation, capping funder recovery at 25%, and creating enforcement remedies. Supporters, including the sponsor, insurance groups, and liability reform advocates, described it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure that could improve court efficiency and reduce costs. Opponents, including the Washington State Association for Justice and the commercial litigation funding industry, argued it would burden plaintiffs, reveal protected work product, chill access to justice, and create satellite litigation. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and asked testifiers to submit written comments. HB 2548 would expand state oversight of health care market transactions by broadening the types of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and ownership/control changes that trigger notice to the Attorney General, pausing transactions until information requests are substantially complied with, expanding interagency data sharing, and revoking nonprofit status in certain transactions. Supporters, including patient advocates, nurses, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General’s office, physicians, and individual health care workers, said private equity and consolidation are driving higher costs, reduced access, and lower quality. Opponents from the Washington State Hospital Association and MultiCare said the bill is unclear, may contain drafting errors, does not adequately target private equity structures, and could create problems around nonprofit status and charitable assets. The hearing ended with the committee moving on to the next bill. HB 2320 would update Washington’s ghost gun laws to address 3D-printed firearms, CNC manufacturing, digital firearm manufacturing code, and the sale of machines marketed for firearm production, and would make certain violations per se Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor and supporters, including school officials, gun violence prevention advocates, a trauma survivor, a 3D-printing industry representative, and others, said the bill closes a public safety loophole and responds to the growing availability of untraceable weapons. Opponents, including the NRA, makerspace representatives, and some industry witnesses, argued the bill is overbroad, may sweep in lawful 3D-printing and CNC activity, raises First, Second, and Fifth Amendment concerns, and could create uncertainty through rebuttable presumptions and the CPA provisions. The transcript ends during the HB 2320 hearing, with additional testimony panels still to come and no final committee action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I believe that working with the massage board... ...to an inspection.
• I just wish we had some time to work on it. Representative Medellia.
• , and I would even consider co-sponsoring it if it had some work.
• I hope to work with you.
• working.

Summary: The House Health and Human Services Committee heard SB 266, as amended, a bill concerning licensing and inspection of massage therapy establishments. The sponsor said the measure was intended to give the state more oversight over massage therapy facilities, both to protect public health and to help identify possible human trafficking. Melissa Salazar of the Regulation and Licensing Department testified that the bill would create establishment oversight under RLD, with inspectors hired by RLD and future details left to board rulemaking. A representative of the New Mexico chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association said the group was neutral but urged careful rulemaking on inspections and licensure. Most of the discussion focused on privacy and enforcement concerns. Several members questioned whether inspectors could enter during active sessions or into treatment rooms, whether the bill effectively made RLD a law-enforcement tool, and whether the statute was too broad because it left key standards to future rules. Salazar said other boards already use rules to limit inspections to posted business hours or to reschedule when a client is being treated, and that similar rules could be adopted here. The sponsor acknowledged the bill was intentionally broad so the board could set specifics, and said no amendment had been offered to narrow the inspection language. Members also asked about the bill’s history, whether acupuncture was included, how inspectors would be trained, and whether establishment fees could cover the new costs. The sponsor and witness said acupuncture was not included, inspectors would be trained by RLD, and fees would likely be set by the board. After debate, the committee moved a due pass motion and approved the bill 5-4. Several members said they supported the bill’s intent but wanted amendments or clearer privacy protections before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does it work with rent?
• </c> unregulated unlicensed unregulated unlicensed programs<00:20:39.080><c> that</c><00:20:39.600><c
• a lot of the work that these Centers do a lot of the work that these Centers do I<00:25:30.320><c> don't
• </c> seniors not that low-income working seniors not that low-income working family<00:43:17.880><c>
• in our counties who wants to go to work in our counties who wants to go to work<02:16:50.280><c> and

Bills: HF25 , HF4

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• c> [clears throat] Having worked in [clears throat] Having worked in insurance, insurance, insurance,
• </c> have taken some extreme steps to work have taken some extreme steps to work for<00:26:40.799><c>
• So again in this committee we try to work things together. everybody worked together.
• </c> our sleeves and trying to get the work our sleeves and trying to get the work done done done &gt
• </c> February, um in the vein of working February, um in the vein of working together,<00:48:32.000><

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they worked on this and came up with different concepts.
• I really look forward to work.
• Oftentimes, a subcontractor works under small margins.
• Oftentimes, a subcontractor works under small margins.
• you for... ...your work on the fourth floor, I'm not going to pay you for your work on the eighth floor

Bills: HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3287 , HB3288 , HB3289 , HB3290 , HB3344 , HB3712 , HB3862 , HB3874 , HB4196 , HB4308 , HB4901 , HB4984

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending. In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh serious uh equipment we we we worked uh serious uh equipment we we we worked on<00:53:49.000>
• </c> the top of the organization or working the top of the organization or working for<00:54:11.079><
• It could open the door for unlicensed individuals to perform work that should remain under the oversight
• the door for unlicensed individuals to perform<01:03:49.000><c> work</c><01:03:49.240><c> that</c><01
• work frequently work schedules providers work frequently work schedules that<01:43:30.599><c> are</c

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> law best practices when I first worked law best practices when I first worked on<00:04:15.760><c
• </c><00:05:12.560><c> on</c> that we will work with her and work on that we will work with her and work
• </c><00:58:22.400><c> okay</c> with the ability to do that work okay with the ability to do that work
• say thank you. which we worked very hard in the last uh which we worked very hard in the last uh session
• work with you on work um I'll definitely work with you on that<01:02:57.279><c> because</c><01:02:57.520

Bills: HF2371 , HF2147 , HF2557 , HF1165 , HF2466 , HF2465 , HF2482

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Schultz's work on this, but also the DNR's work on this proposal.
• Water issues broadly can be contentious; that's why there's been so much work on this bill.
• Schultz's work on this, but also the DNR's work on this proposal.
• </c> the the changes that we've been working the the changes that we've been working with<00:48:03.040
• </c> able to have that narrow scope to work able to have that narrow scope to work through<00:59:03.319

Bills: HF647 , HF2824 , HF1249 , HF623 , HF820

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:34.400><c> for</c><00:38:34.640><c> most</c> that'll work for most that'll work for most people
• I mean, we do, but you've just heard testimony that clearly it's not working.
• I mean, it's clearly not working.
• The intent is to have law for all community managers that work under the broker.
• </c><01:27:41.600><c> is</c> again that that type of work is again that that type of work is generally

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees. The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns. HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've made it work, but student needs.
• </c> agreements and work with the libraries. agreements and work with the libraries.
• </c> communications work. communications work.
• </c><00:32:35.519><c> with</c> they would we would have to work with they would we would have to work
• </c><01:32:57.360><c> Questions,</c> and work on it later. Questions, and work on it later.

Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Michelle and I conducted the work on this audit.
• Some of this process is working well.
• unlicensed care.
• They're documented to work here? Yeah, thank you, Representative Pollet.
• So we've been working diligently with DOH.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states. The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unlicensed paraprofessionals. unlicensed paraprofessionals.
• In my work this year, I have school.
• </c> request and one that I hope we can work request and one that I hope we can work on.<00:52:10.400
• </c><01:27:13.760><c> directly</c> on our website, MDE does work directly on our website, MDE does work
• Thank you again continue that good work.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked on it in the state of Montana.
• So we are excited to continue that work.
• That has been important work.
• So we are excited to continue that work.
• We've worked on the work group all year long.

Bills: SB6178 , SB5831

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked on it in the state of Montana.
• So we are excited to continue that work.
• That has been important work.
• I've been pleased to work with the OIC.
• We've worked on the work group all year long.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several insurance and consumer protection bills. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5928, staff and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner described wildfire risk score and model disclosure requirements for homeowners, including notices when policies are nonrenewed, canceled, or premiums are adversely affected, plus insurer website disclosures about mitigation discounts and rate filing transparency. Supporters, including the OIC, AARP, the mayor of Medical Lake, and a fire chief, said the bill would improve transparency, help homeowners understand and reduce wildfire risk, and protect consumers facing cancellations and rising premiums. Industry witnesses said they supported the goal but warned the bill could add regulatory cost and complexity, and some urged narrower, simpler disclosure language and a delayed implementation date. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6031, which would expand the insurance fraud program and create a standalone Class B felony for insurance fraud, the OIC and AARP supported the bill as a tool against organized fraud and restitution for victims. A criminal defense representative raised concerns that the new felony language overlaps with existing misdemeanor insurance fraud law and could create conflicting statutes and harsher penalties for the same conduct. The committee also heard testimony that the bill had already incorporated amendments limiting criminal investigators’ role in regulatory investigations and focusing them on complex schemes. The committee then heard substitute Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, described as largely mirroring a House bill already passed by the committee. Testimony from the travel insurance industry said agreed-upon amendments had been incorporated, including changes addressing conflict-of-interest concerns, and urged the bill’s advancement. Finally, the committee heard substitute Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes grant program to fund wildfire home-hardening and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk as a disqualifying factor for homes meeting IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. The OIC, fire commissioners, AARP, and the prime sponsor supported the bill as a way to reduce nonrenewals and improve insurability, while insurers opposed Section 7, arguing it could interfere with underwriting and should be removed if the bill is to remain a grant program. The committee also began hearing engrossed Senate Bill 5280 on virtual currency kiosks, with staff and the Department of Financial Institutions describing daily transaction caps, fee limits, disclosures, and receipts to curb fraud; consumer protection and law enforcement witnesses supported the bill, while industry witnesses raised concerns about burdens on compliant businesses and passive retail hosts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the work is vital to our strategy as we move forward.
• , and we look forward to working with you.
• We know it works. Insurance companies recognize it after years of working with them.
• And that's what I'm working on. Great. Great.
• So it's something that we're working on as well.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked very hard to get us here.
• We're going to kind of work our way through that.
• ...can continue our work. Any other debate? I'd like to comment as well.
• Clearly, though, this particular section of the bill needs additional work.
• I work to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers and debunk myths.

Bills: S0050 , S0054 , S0176 , S0178 , S0198 , S0290 , S0420 , S0502 , S0538 , S0706 , S0834 , S0936 , S0962 , S1004 , S1080 , S7022

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Michelle and I conducted the work on this audit.
• Some of this process is working well.
• unlicensed care.
• They're documented to work here. Yeah, thank you, Representative Pollet.
• So we've been working diligently with DOH.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients. The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program would provide loan repayment support for three veterinarians per year who would work in
• work-life balance, a financial basis to thrive, and helping them to remain in Florida.
• You know how this works, man. All right. Senator Bruch, no, no, no, okay, no.
• Because that veterinarian is going to be working with the person.
• If there's concerns, let's sit down, let's work them out.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it considered SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The sponsor said the bill would define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax, arguing they are a less harmful alternative for nicotine users. Senators asked about youth access and regulation, and the sponsor said he would research those issues further. A representative of the Florida Retail Federation appeared in support, and the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, allowing individuals with a master’s degree and national competency exam to perform certain delegated veterinary tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also expanded the allowable period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products and other medications. Supporters said the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and help address veterinary shortages, while opponents from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association argued the proposal was unnecessary, could create safety and federal-law concerns, and that existing veterinary technicians and other workforce measures were a better solution. After testimony and debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. During final debate, several senators said the VPA proposal was more limited and better balanced than earlier versions, with the veterinarian retaining liability and control over delegated duties. The sponsor closed by emphasizing rising veterinary costs, shortages of care, and the need for more affordable access for pet owners. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very often that’s a paraprofessional or other unlicensed person that works in the district, and at least
• Very often that’s a paraprofessional or other unlicensed person that works in the district, and at least
• Very often that’s a paraprofessional or other unlicensed person that works in the district, and at least
• Very often that’s a paraprofessional or other unlicensed person that works in the district, and at least
• Very often that’s a paraprofessional or other unlicensed person that works in the district, and at least

Bills: HF846 , HF1538 , HF1959

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:07.960><c> is</c> or the in the infrastructure works is or the in the infrastructure works
• or kind of get to know to go to work or kind of get to work<00:34:33.800><c> or</c><00:34:34.000><c>
• </c> invest tigation for fraud from working invest tigation for fraud from working in<00:48:59.240><c
• </c><01:07:31.839><c> on</c> mean um and there's a lot of work on mean um and there's a lot of work on
• </c> hope that this this committee can work hope that this this committee can work collaboratively<01

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy