Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:44:22.560><c> and</c> and advancing public education and and advancing public education and engagement
• It stabilizes a successful system power.
• </c> search and rescue, on public education search and rescue, on public education such<03:00:01.600>
• </c> have just as easily gone to education. have just as easily gone to education.
• An example is the right to education education education and<03:54:20.720><c> that</c><03:54:21.040><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ensuring that every child, particularly those in our inclusion school community, receive a high-quality education
• ensuring that every child, particularly those in our inclusion school community, receive a high quality education
• Division of Occupational Licensure, pass rigorous exams, and maintain our licenses with continuing education
• Our work is physically demanding and carries serious risks. ...with continuing education.
• They are not medically stabilized yet, so it also gives us a very hard work environment.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement classification and benefit bills affecting municipal and state employees. Much of the hearing focused on proposals to move various workers from Group 1 to Group 2 or Group 4, including municipal building officials (H. 2776), MassDOT highway workers (H. 2908/Sousa’s Law), DCF attorneys (H. 2771), probation officers, licensed electricians, drinking water operators (H. 3000/S. 1834), MWRA non-clerical workers (S. 1803), transitional parole officers (H. 2878), Plymouth BCI criminal investigator officers (H. 2975/S. 1863), Beverly fire alarm operators/public safety telecommunicators (S. 1876), Massport pipefitters and refrigeration technicians (H. 2788/S. 1829), and other public safety or hazardous-duty classifications. Witnesses generally argued that their work is physically dangerous, understaffed, or comparable to already higher-classified employees, and several said the changes would help recruitment and retention with little fiscal impact because the affected groups are small. The committee also heard testimony on H. 4508, a home rule petition to grant a disability pension to Boston principal Patricia Lampron. Supporters, including Representative Dan Hunt, Boston city councilors, and Lampron herself, described a severe 2021 assault at the Henderson Inclusion School that left her with lasting physical and psychological injuries and forced her into early retirement. They urged the committee to advance the bill quickly. One witness, Pamela McLaughlin, testified in opposition, arguing the bill would set the wrong precedent and describing alleged prior misconduct by Lampron, and asked that the bill be sent to study. Several witnesses and committee members asked brief questions, mainly about the scope of the bills, whether certain workers were already in higher groups, and the fiscal or precedent concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing. At the end, the chairs announced that testimony was complete, asked whether anyone else wished to speak, and then the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• suicide prevention must extend beyond health care alone and include community connection, economic stability
• This includes expanding transition support, increasing engagement with younger veterans, improving education
• This includes expanding transition support, increasing engagement with younger veterans, improving education
• outreach growth, and veteran health navigator model expansion, suicide mortality reviews, stronger education
• and outreach growth, veteran health navigator model expansion, suicide mortality reviews, stronger education

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• component; whether the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to mandatory driver education
• motorcycle component; if the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to mandatory driver education
• towns with populations of 32,500 or less, WSDOT is responsible for installing and maintaining slope stability
• Cities always will focus on education first, but currently the primary options cities have to enforce
• We are hopeful that the work group will be able to recommend rules and provide a plan for education of

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• component; whether the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to mandatory driver education
• component; whether the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to mandatory driver education
• towns with populations of 32,500 or less, WSDOT is responsible for installing and maintaining slope stability
• Cities will always focus on education first, but currently the primary options cities have to enforce
• We are hopeful that the work group will be able to recommend rules and provide a plan for education of

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation bills. ESSB 6262 would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 to 9,000 pounds for vehicles subject to gross weight license fees; the sponsor and city representatives said it would close a loophole, make fees more equitable, and help fund road maintenance, while the fiscal note was described as indeterminate. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, aligning Washington with other states and supporting RV dealers; the bill drew support from the RV industry. SB 6110 would exclude certain faster electric vehicles from the e-bike definition and create a Department of Licensing work group to recommend a framework for electric motorcycles; testimony generally supported the effort but urged clearer e-motorcycle definitions and earlier work-group action, with some concern about youth safety and local enforcement. SB 5833 would allow a person to leave a vehicle running for up to 30 minutes to heat or cool a pet inside, with locking and brake requirements; the sponsor and a sheriffs’ association witness discussed balancing pet safety with auto-theft concerns, and the committee heard no fiscal impact. The committee also heard ESSB 6066, which would establish crash prevention zones in areas with unusually high serious-injury or fatal-crash rates, initially for a specific stretch of U.S. 395 and later more broadly beginning in 2029. The bill would allow local governments and WSDOT to designate zones, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, use speed cameras in the zones, and dedicate related revenues to safety improvements; supporters from Pasco and county risk pools backed the approach, while the sponsor asked for broader geographic coverage. ESSB 6311 would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction near hospitals, parks, and school routes, with temporary routes, safety plans, inspections, and enforcement tools such as stop-work orders and penalties; the sponsor said it was modeled on local practices and aimed at protecting pedestrians during construction, and contractors and transportation advocates supported it with a requested amendment clarifying design responsibility in design-bid-build projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed each public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1112 helps returning citizens access legitimate work, stabilize their lives, and successfully reintegrate
• recognition bill honoring the influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education
• for work in the morning or unwinding at the end of the day I would listen to him because of his educational
• Who looks at her and looks at me and questioned if we would be capable or educated enough to work in
• our workspaces for going to college for years and still having your integrity or education, the values

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're not giving out tickets or anything, but they're just educating.
• It's part of the education of people: how do you recreate in Idaho?
• most of the experts, they were telling me we're looking three to five years before we're able to stabilize
• Is it like continuing education? What type of training? I see the value in it.
• Chairman, Senator, or sorry, Representative Bruce, so it's continuing legal education.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first heard a budget presentation for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Legislative analyst Janet Jessup reviewed the agency’s structure, dedicated funds, prior ARPA and general fund infrastructure appropriations, and the department’s FY 2027 requests. Those requests included additional park personnel and trail maintenance staff, one-time project funding, and a supplemental $9.8 million transfer to move grant funds from a consolidated program into the current park operations program. Director Susan Buxton said the agency has no general fund request, emphasized the economic impact of outdoor recreation, and highlighted completed and ongoing capital projects at parks statewide, including Ponderosa, Heyburn, Priest Lake, Eagle Island, Cascade, Harriman, Ashtonia Trail, and Bruneau Dunes. Committee members asked about resident access to campsites, out-of-state pricing, vacancy filling, the new Twin Peaks property in Lemhi County, OHV education, and trail maintenance. Buxton said the agency is filling positions quickly, that higher nonresident fees have increased availability for Idahoans, and that the Twin Peaks acquisition is expected to become revenue-positive within two years. The committee then heard the Office of the State Public Defender budget. Analyst Janica Bicharat summarized the office’s staffing, fund balance, and FY 2027 requests, which included six additional trial attorney positions, secure hosted data storage, and one-time laptop and data migration costs. Director Eric Frederickson described the agency’s transition to a statewide public defense system, noting that it inherited more than 1,300 cases on day one, has since reduced vacancies to about 7%, and is building pipelines for attorneys and social workers. He warned that the pending Tucker v. State of Idaho case could lead to renewed litigation if the system is not adequately funded. In response to questions, Frederickson said the office can absorb the current year’s rescissions through vacancy savings, but future cuts could force reductions in training and contract attorneys, increasing caseloads and risking attorney retention. He also said CPA case costs are running above appropriation, county lease/MOU issues remain unresolved in some counties, and public defenders are generally paid less than county prosecutors and attorney general attorneys. The committee adjourned after announcing the next day’s budget hearings for the Industrial Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Secretary of State.

Transcript Highlights:

• support this really sensible shift by eliminating that 6 to 9 a.m. requirement and bringing more education
• Motorcycle is defined as a motor vehicle designed to travel on no more than three wheels, excluding stabilizing
• trails, and we are hopeful that the study group will be able to set rules and provide a plan for education
• trails, and we are hopeful that the study group will be able to set rules and provide a plan for education
• trails, and we are hopeful that the study group will be able to set rules and provide a plan for education

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2307 would update the commute trip reduction program by removing the current 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. arrival-time requirement from key definitions, so more employers and shift workers could qualify for CTR benefits. The bill sponsor and several supporters, including Microsoft, transit and transportation nonprofits, local transportation management groups, and city representatives, said the change would modernize the program, improve equity, reduce congestion, and help workers with transportation costs. No one testified in opposition. HB 2374 would distinguish electric-assisted bicycles from higher-powered electric motorcycles, clarify labeling and equipment rules, and direct DOL to convene a work group on enforcement and consumer protection. The sponsor and many supporters, including cities, trail and park organizations, Washington Bikes, and several students, said the bill would address unsafe high-powered vehicles being marketed as e-bikes, especially those used by younger riders, while preserving access to true e-bikes. Some testifiers asked for additional work group members and suggested civil enforcement options for underage riders. HB 2379 would require WSDOT to suspend tolling on facilities that serve as evacuation routes during emergencies such as wildfires or levee breaches. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by constituents facing evacuation while tolls were still being charged; staff noted the fiscal impact would be indeterminate and could reduce toll revenue during suspensions. After the hearings, the committee took executive action on two bills. It adopted proposed substitute H-2771 for HB 1823, which cleans up Transportation Improvement Board provisions and removes obsolete language while retaining remaining bond authority. It also passed HB 2111, which directs interest earned from toll revenues for the Interstate Bridge project to be credited to that project. Both actions were approved by voice vote, 27-0, with two members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Dawn is what Iraqi Freedom transitioned to in 2010, where it became a stability and support mission
• increasingly newer and more sophisticated threats to our state, targeting our water systems, power grids, educational
• The bill strategically invests in the entire life cycle of our members, from education and active service
• I have degrees in elementary, secondary, and adult education, and I have a master's degree in supervision
• and music education.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• February is Career and Technical Education Month, and today we are proud to recognize students and leaders
• </c><00:07:55.520><c> And</c><00:07:55.759><c> this</c> technical education jobs.
• And this technical education jobs.
• We even seek to educate our youth on math and science and robotics through our SAR-based program.
• What followed was a stabilized.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with outside groups and trying to provide our members with overall transportation information and education
• </c> Transportation information and education Transportation information and education and<00:41:50.880
• centers some of these education centers some of these communities<01:18:55.800><c> have</c><01:18:56.000
• I am a coalition organizer with the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability and help staff the Blue Line
• stability and help staff<01:25:46.159><c> the</c><01:25:46.320><c> Blue</c><01:25:46.560><c> Line</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You talked about the training and or education. Can you just repeat that?
• It provides stability for their children, builds lasting relationships with neighbors, and creates a
• our trades with quality people, infuse federal dollars, as the Senator said, for health care and educational
• The California Tax Reform Association is a nonprofit organization of labor, public health, education,

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs heard several veteran-focused measures, with extensive testimony in support from veterans’ organizations and individual veterans. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, addressing a situation where disability benefits can disqualify veterans from tax relief. SB 1354 would prohibit military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the Governor’s express permission, while preserving Title X activity, training, and mutual aid arrangements. SB 623 would place the Veterans Bond Act of 2026 on the ballot to authorize a $1.25 billion general obligation bond for the CalVet Home Loan Program, which supporters said is nearing depletion of bond authority and remains a critical path to homeownership for veterans and military families. SB 1407 would increase the state income tax exclusion for military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits to the first $40,000, subject to income caps, as a retention measure to keep military retirees in California. Supporters for the bills emphasized housing stability, affordability, retention of veterans in California, and the economic benefits of keeping military retirees and their income in the state. SB 888 and SB 623 drew broad support from veterans’ groups, county veterans service officers, and related organizations, with no opposition testimony. SB 1354 also received support from veterans’ advocates, while committee members sought clarification on training, mutual aid, and the bill’s scope, and the author agreed to work on amendments. SB 1407 drew strong support from veterans and military organizations, but also formal opposition from the California Tax Reform Association, which argued the state already provides generous veteran benefits and that the tax break would be unfair to other public servants. The committee voted to advance all four measures. SB 888 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation; SB 1354 was approved as amended and re-referred to Public Safety; SB 623 was approved as amended, given urgency, and re-referred to Housing and Community Development; and SB 1407 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation. The consent item, SCR 143, was adopted unanimously. After the initial votes, the committee later took add-on votes to confirm passage of SB 888 and SB 1354, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You talked about the training and or education. Can you just repeat that?
• Putting down roots in a community after years of frequently moving while in military service provides stability
• our trades with quality people, infuse federal dollars, as the Senator said, for health care and educational
• The California Tax Reform Association is a nonprofit organization of labor, public health, education,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Woodson: HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE NEW RATES WILL AFFECT THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE PROVIDERS?
• Tant: NOT TO THIS BUT REPRESENTATIVE TRABULSY DID A COMMITTEE HEARING LAST WEEK FOR EDUCATIONAL AND WORK
• AND I THINK WHAT WE WILL RECEIVE FROM YOU ARE AT MEETINGS LIKE THIS ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE
• WE HAD BARRIERS LAST YEAR AROUND THIS EDUCATED US AT THE CBC AND WHY WE ARE DOING THIS.

Transcript Highlights:

• My wife has a PhD in education and has served in both public school classrooms as well as a professor
• And then they also oversee and regulate the education requirements that potential licensees receive to
• And those types of entities, in my opinion, have a threat to the Neighborhood stability and the neighborhood
• It was her staff that educated me on all of these policy issues that arose after Winter Storm Uri and

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see there how it's divided into inspections, grants, education, and administration, and we are
• You can see on the screen some folks only saw an average; their premiums stabilized, meaning they didn't
• She is with the Florida Retired Education Association, educators association, and she is speaking for

Summary: The committee heard three informational presentations. First, Lieutenant Rob Rowe of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed derelict vessel removal, explaining the legal definition of derelict and at-risk vessels, the causes of vessel abandonment, and the impact of recent hurricanes on the number of cases. He said FWC has nearly 1,000 active derelict vessel cases, with 576 ready for removal, and described the agency’s use of ARPA funds, grants to local governments, contractor lists, and the V-TIP vessel turn-in program to speed removals and prevent vessels from becoming derelict. Senators asked about how to expedite removals, insurance coverage, due process timelines, and storage challenges; Rowe said the 21-day process is constrained by constitutional due process and that more staffing and prevention funding would help. Next, Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services presented on the My Safe Florida Home program, which provides grants for homeowners to harden homes before storms. He reviewed program eligibility, grant types, reimbursement averages, and performance data, and said the program has received $633 million in appropriations overall. He noted that the program is outsourced to private vendors, has low administrative overhead, and has processed large numbers of inspections and reimbursements. Senators questioned contractor requirements, permits, overhead costs, and whether the program should be brought in-house; Fielder said permits are required before reimbursement, contractor licensing is verified, and the department is considering several administrative clarifications, including townhome roof work, inspection expiration, and whether grants should be limited per person or per home. A retired educator also testified in support of more assistance for homeowners facing insurance problems. Finally, Tom Berger of the Department of Management Services outlined the Florida Facilities Pool and the state’s real estate development and management work. He described the bonded facility program, the state’s 112 managed facilities, lease administration, parking contracts, maintenance operations, and more than $1 billion in active construction projects. He highlighted major projects such as the Emergency Operations Center, Capitol complex upgrades, a new visitor screening center, and facilities for other agencies including veterans’ services, juvenile justice, and the courts. Senators asked about lease terms, appropriation language, vacancy in leased space, and whether the state uses a uniform lease form; Berger said the lease document is standardized and that agencies determine their space needs. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• education education Advocate<01:18:36.400><c> is</c><01:18:36.520><c> that</c><01:18:36.800><c> right
• </c><01:24:49.560><c> really</c> investment in special education really investment in special education
• </c> student if we have two par Educators student if we have two par Educators look<01:29:11.000><c>
• </c><01:35:41.000><c> um</c> really broken down educational um really broken down educational um environments
• </c><03:20:56.439><c> trust</c> is General funded um education trust is General funded um education trust

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from Charlotte Harding of the Conservation Land Stewardship Program, who explained that the office protects the state’s interests in conservation lands by monitoring conservation easements and related stewardship obligations. She described the program’s funding sources: a land conservation endowment held at the State Treasury and administered by the Council on Resources and Development, plus transfers from Fish and Game for easements not covered by the endowment. Members discussed how the endowment is funded when new easements are created, the program’s staffing, the loss of a state vehicle, and the need to increase in-state travel so staff can use personal vehicles for field monitoring. Harding said the office has two full-time positions and a seasonal employee, that the work is mostly monitoring rather than hands-on land management, and that enforcement issues are referred to the grantee agencies or, if needed, to the Council on Resources and Development. She also noted that the office works directly with landowners to resolve smaller issues and that stewardship has become a greater focus in the conservation community because ongoing oversight requires funding. Members asked about examples of properties under the program, including LCIP lands such as Musquash Headwaters, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and Nash Stream, and the committee did not take a motion before moving on. The committee then heard from Paul Breen and Susie Anzelone of the Pease Development Authority regarding the Division of Ports and Harbors operating budget. They explained that the authority provides finance, legal, environmental, and engineering support to the division, which operates New Hampshire’s only deep-water berth at Market Street, as well as facilities in Hampton, Rye, the Portsmouth Fish Pier, and navigational waters in the Piscataqua and Great Bay. They described the authority’s history after the closure of Pease Air Force Base, the transfer of roughly 2,400 acres, and the creation of a self-sustaining enterprise fund tied to airport and port operations. They emphasized that the division does not draw on the general fund because revenues from wharfage, dockage, parking, registration, and mooring fees cover operating costs, with any surplus retained for capital improvements and replacement. Members questioned several budget lines, including a sharp increase in overtime and workers’ compensation. Breen said overtime is driven largely by security needs at the deep-water port and fluctuates with vessel traffic, such as salt shipments, while workers’ comp is a DAS-set cost and not something the division controls. He said the budget is conservative and that if revenues fall short, capital projects would be the first items scaled back. The discussion also covered fee-setting, with Breen saying rates are reviewed against the local market and infrastructure constraints, and that some smaller facility fees had recently been increased after being stagnant for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Revenue Stabilization Schedule that is in your packet, identical in B1 or 2, so that's for
• Page 14, House Bill 1055, education. Do we have any questions on House Bill 1055?

Summary: The committee first reviewed a list of bills already ready for “do pass,” including several House bills (HB 1010, 1018, 1020, 1023, 1041, 1055, 1077) and Senate bills (SB 4, 16, 23, 24, 55, 59). It then took up the JBC Personnel Subcommittee report (B1), where a substitute motion to separate out the governor’s staff-related item for a separate vote was debated at length. Members raised concerns about transparency, a requested appearance by a governor’s staff member, and whether the administration should be compelled to testify. The substitute motion failed on a roll-call division vote, and the committee then adopted the subcommittee report as presented. The committee next questioned Treasurer John Thurston on House Bill 1034 and his office’s budget request, focusing on salary increases for his executive team, the size of raises under the new pay plan, office hours, and whether the increases were justified. Thurston said the request was to fully fund the approved pay plan, later reduced to a 10% increase after discussion with legislative leaders, and explained that salaries were set within the approved plan. Several members criticized the raises as too large or unfair, while others noted the compromise and thanked him for cooperating. The committee then adopted the HB 1034 letter. After that, the committee reviewed Schedule C and several special-language items, including amendments to SB 4, SB 58, HB 1052, and SB 77. It discussed a new item allowing DFA to establish a GAMP program for agricultural extension office improvements, with no funding attached, and adopted it. The committee then passed or adopted a series of measures, including SB 29, SB 51, HB 1034, and the remaining ready bills listed at the start of the meeting. SB 4 was set aside as not ready. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would reconvene in 15 minutes in another room to handle special language.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Revenue Stabilization Schedule that is in your packet, identical in B1 or 2, so that's for
• Page 14, House Bill 1055, Education. Do you have any questions on House Bill 1055?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• manage the deferred comp side of it to figure out whether they're gaining the kind of retirement stability
• So maybe if we can have a presentation on Plan 3 for May, that would be educational. Go ahead, Bev.

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes by roll call vote, with a majority of members voting aye and some members excused. Staff then provided brief litigation updates: Fowler et al. v. Leathers remains pending in federal district court over interest calculations on transferred TERS funds, with summary judgment motions expected to be heard May 1; Dolan v. King County was decided against the state in Pierce County Superior Court on the issue of recouping attorney’s fees from a former PERS member, though no fees were assessed against the state in that case. An actuarial update noted upcoming presentations on the agency’s work and the latest valuation report, including new contribution rates reflecting updated demographic assumptions. The committee then reviewed its draft interim work plan and correspondence items, focusing on requests related to Plan 3, Plan 1 COLAs, teacher retirement age, and a missed early retirement factor. Members discussed a possible study of Plan 3’s design and outcomes compared with Plan 2, including retirement ages and benefit adequacy, and staff was asked to work with DRS on a study outline. The committee also discussed ongoing COLA requests and the need for retiree groups to bring forward a more formal proposal for the next budget cycle, with members noting that any recommendation should likely be made by October or November. Another major topic was the study of LEOFF 1 medical/disability boards, including how many boards exist, how they operate, and what costs they incur; staff said it was still gathering basic information and would provide an overview next month. Staff also explained planned changes to how correspondence will be handled and posted online due to cybersecurity concerns. The committee approved the May agenda by voice vote and then adjourned.