Transcript Highlights:

• So there was concern on the front end that we may have to put some troopers on overtime status to complete
• I know the federal government pays our county jails to house federal prisoners or federal detainees,
• two DWIs in two years and had not done a thing to take care of either one of those DWIs, as far as pay
• be deported back to their country and let their country deal with that and deal with, you know, in paying
• Nothing against private clubs, but not everybody can pay, you know, $1,000, $2,000 a night to go on a

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about the agency’s role in federal immigration enforcement. Colonel Mike Hager said State Police has completed 287(g) training for all but 12 personnel and is now authorized to assist ICE in an assisting role only, not as a primary immigration enforcement agency. He explained that troopers do not stop people based on appearance or conduct immigration checks during traffic stops; instead, when someone is lawfully detained for another offense and cannot be identified, officers may notify ICE for further vetting. Members asked about tracking, costs, and local participation, and Hager said the agency began keeping records in September and had detained 48 people since then, mostly in connection with other criminal matters such as pursuits, narcotics, DWI, or domestic violence. He also said any ICE-related operation would require approval up the chain of command and that State Police would use discretion and common sense. Members raised concerns about civil liberties, the treatment of long-term undocumented residents, and whether State Police could be drawn into aggressive federal operations. Hager said the agency was not conducting raids or proactive immigration sweeps and emphasized that troopers work for the state and will make the final decision on whether to participate in any operation. Questions also covered reimbursement and recordkeeping for local agencies and county jails, with Hager saying State Police training costs were absorbed during normal duty time and that counties generally keep separate records for federal billing. The chair said the committee would try to bring in the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training at a later meeting to answer questions about statewide training records. The committee then received an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission update from Director Doug Schoenrock on water management, duck season, and related issues. He reported that most moist-soil units and green-tree reservoirs were flooded or otherwise in usable condition, with only one pump issue tied to a new area lacking a gas connection. He also updated members on Lake Conway construction, dock removal notices, and a recent fatal boating accident at Biomito WMA, saying the agency is working on safety outreach and a memorial effort with the victim’s widow. On waterfowl, Schoenrock said Arkansas remains the nation’s top duck destination, but drought has reduced water availability and shifted bird numbers; he cited survey figures showing about 1.4 million ducks in late December and 545,000 in early January, with mallards making up most of the total. He rejected claims from the Louisiana-based Flyway Federation that standing corn is illegally holding ducks in the mid-latitudes, saying federal law still governs waterfowl hunting framework and that Arkansas is working with other states and federal officials on the issue. Members also questioned the commission about private-land hunting, U.S. Fish and Wildlife coordination, and possible impacts from wind turbines and solar panels on migration. Schoenrock said the commission works with federal officers when needed, but Arkansas largely enforces the same migratory bird rules on its own because federal resources are limited. He said the agency has a Conservation Incentive Program and other habitat programs, and acknowledged ongoing research at the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s waterfowl center on wind-related avoidance behavior, which he said could take at least two years. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• wage, workers overtime, minimum wage, workers compensation,<00:25:32.480><c> unemployment</c><00:25:
• Our members' top priorities are pay, pensions, and healthcare.
• There are three professions federally barred from overtime: doctors, lawyers, and teachers.
• ,</c><00:31:00.960><c> doctors,</c> federally barred from overtime, doctors, federally barred from overtime
• their fair share so that we can to pay their fair share so that we can have<00:53:28.400><c> all</c>

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the county, some of that money went to the suburban cities for overtime, also for training as well
• went to the suburban money went to the suburban cities<00:05:16.720><c> for</c><00:05:16.880><c> overtime
• ,</c><00:05:18.000><c> also</c><00:05:18.400><c> for</c> cities for overtime, also for cities for overtime
• then I think the remainder of the money, I don't know the allocations, but it was used for training overtime
• because I think the hard part in all of this is that the temptation would be to use this money for overtime

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay a fine for a fraction of what they stole, and then Minnesotans end up paying for it twice.
• They settle they pay a consequences.
• </c><00:54:06.800><c> 9.8</c> alone, uh, in 2027, we will pay 9.8 alone, uh, in 2027, we will pay 9.8
• </c><00:54:26.480><c> to</c> counties are going to have to pay to counties are going to have to pay to
• And neither is police overtime.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> during the fall semester and paying during the fall semester and paying expenses<01:19:34.159><c
• <01:20:04.440><c> rate</c> pay rate pay rate um<01:20:07.239><c> I've</c><01:20:07.520><c> gotten</c>
• The specifics may vary, but my story is not unique to paying attention to a new bill that was paying
• </c> nearly broke me I was working overtime nearly broke me I was working overtime at<01:52:09.960><c
• </c><01:52:22.840><c> shift</c> were a blur I would work overtime shift were a blur I would work overtime

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you tell me how we are paying for this mentorship program? Chair: You are recognized.
• I appreciate the $3,000, and I think you would have a suggestion of how to not have it as "overtime"
• AND I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE A SUGGESTION&nbsp;&nbsp; 79 OF HOW TO NOT HAVE IT AS "OVERTIME" OR NOT HAVE
• districts the ability to adopt this policy and also funds that they are already allocated to be able to pay
• ADOPT&nbsp;&nbsp; 153 THIS POLICY AND ALSO FUNDS THAT THEY ARE&nbsp; ALREADY ALLOCATED TO BE ABLE TO PAY

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 157, School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program, would create a Department of Education program allowing school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools as mentors, with a proposed $3,000 stipend per mentor per mentee. Members questioned the funding source and contract-time implications; the sponsor said the program would use previously decategorized education funds and that mentoring could be done within existing planning, before-school, after-school, or weekend time. An amendment clarifying that the bill would use a contract template rather than a DOE contract was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 859, Exceptional Students and Video Cameras in Public Schools, which would require school boards to adopt policies for video cameras in self-contained ESE classrooms upon a parent request, with redaction of other students from footage. Public testimony strongly supported the bill, including emotional accounts from a parent of a nonverbal adult with autism who described past abuse in a classroom and from the Autism Society of Florida, which argued cameras are a necessary safety measure for vulnerable students and noted other states already allow or require them. Members emphasized student safety and the need to fund the policy, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered HB 561, Educator Certification, which aims to reduce barriers for experienced educators returning to the classroom by expanding temporary certificate eligibility to those with expired Florida certificates, allowing prior subject-area exam results to count for reinstatement, and updating references related to educator professional learning support. The sponsor said the bill preserves standards while making reinstatement more efficient and less costly. There was broad support from members, who noted the value of retaining experienced teachers, and HB 561 was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over on page three, the next bill before you is House Bill 27, relating to overtime for certain employees
• House Bill 27 provides overtime protections for domestic workers, including nannies, house cleaners,
• The remaining amendments align the bill with the expansion of the pay-or-quit period from five to 14
• This bill provides that an employer that violates provisions relating to minimum wage, overtime wage
• reinstates the knowledge requirement for general contractor liability when a subcontractor does not pay

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:16.520><c> for</c> program will pay for program will pay for prior<00:15:18.040><c> to</c>
• ><c> property</c><00:35:31.240><c> taxes</c> we're already paying via property taxes we're already paying
• The only question left is who pays?
• The only question left is who pays?
• It just changes the mailing... question left is who pays? question left is who pays?

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• No tax on overtime would be $265 million.
• Motans are paying household budgets.
• </c> overtime and tips that was mentioned. overtime and tips that was mentioned.
• A very able to pay their rent.
• We're sources uh that will pay for it.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:33.760><c> Uh</c> and they're paying for coverages. Uh and they're paying for coverages.
• </c> supported for us to have competitive pay supported for us to have competitive pay and<00:54:21.520
• So are not eligible for the overtime.
• </c><01:02:30.720><c> them</c> our cadetses that now we're paying them our cadetses that now we're paying
• ,</c> if we can staff it, competitive pay, if we can staff it, competitive pay, we<01:15:51.679><c> can

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Conference USA requires them to pay athletes. and move that.
• Conference USA requires them to pay athletes. ...conferences.
• Conference USA requires them to pay athletes.
• The conference for UNM doesn't require them to pay athletes.
• Why would a conference require you to pay athletes?

Bills: HB97 , HB280 , HB183 , HB151 , HB202

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2, the General Appropriations Act, and reviewed the Senate Finance Committee substitute and amendments. Staff described the budget as balanced, with recurring growth of about 2.65% and reserves maintained at roughly 28% if the related disaster reform bill passes. Members discussed the bill’s major spending areas, including health care, child care, public safety, economic development, natural resources, and education, along with technical corrections, cleanup items, and where the public could find the revised bill online. There was also discussion of contingent appropriations that depend on other bills passing, and staff said a hot list of those items would be circulated. Several members asked about specific allocations, including university athletics and facilities funding for UNM and NMSU, tourism, the State Racing Commission, the Spaceport Authority, and school-related items. The committee also discussed reserve levels, oil and corporate income tax revenue assumptions, disaster and fire recovery funding, and concerns about fraud, waste, and abuse in emergency spending. Members raised questions about a Gallup DA funding issue, online school funding, and a personal care/health care item in the Health Care Authority budget. Staff clarified several line items and explained that some appropriations were tied to future legislation or temporary provisions. After debate, the committee adopted the Senate Finance Committee amendments and then voted on the committee report for House Bill 2. The motion to do pass House Bill 2 as amended passed 8-3. The chair noted that the committee would need to return later because of caucuses and the floor schedule, and staff thanked members for the process and preparation.

Transcript Highlights:

• labor perspective, the NCU and sheriffs are parties to collective bargaining agreements that outline pay
• We have them, but we basically have to partner with and pay for them through...
• Additionally, staffing... ...more staff to monitor those trips, resulting in more overtime.
• This also leads to prolonged staffing shortages and forced overtime, which drives overworked staff to
• So I'll pay where I, folks know, we are adjourned. Thank you all. So I'll be right.

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on union and correctional staff testimony. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Union representatives from KOUF, NCEU, AFSCME, and local county correctional unions described the daily realities of correctional work, emphasizing staff safety, staffing shortages, retention problems, mental health impacts, and the need to preserve local sheriff’s offices and collective bargaining agreements. Testimony centered on several recurring concerns: violence inside facilities, the spread of synthetic drugs such as K2, inmate suicides and suicide attempts, and the strain these issues place on officers, EMS, and local resources. Speakers also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing they can create safety and workplace issues for staff, and urged more support for officer wellness, debriefing, and programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses argued that county facilities should remain locally controlled and that consolidation with the Department of Correction would weaken programming, staffing, and community-based reentry work. One witness described the Norwegian correctional model as a possible source of ideas for more rehabilitative approaches. Commission members responded with support for correctional staff and asked questions about K2 detection, paperless systems, EMS transports, and possible metrics to quantify incidents and facility needs. Members also discussed the importance of individualized assessments of each facility rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The commission voted to seek an extension of its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30, and agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit and a June 15 hearing. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• labor perspective, the NCU and sheriffs are parties to collective bargaining agreements that outline pay
• We have them, but we basically have to partner with and pay for them.
• More staff to monitor those trips, resulting in more overtime.
• This also leads to prolonged staffing shortages and forced overtime, which drives overworked staff to
• So I'll pay where I, folks know, we are adjourned. Thank you all. So all in favor? Aye.

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on correctional labor perspectives, with testimony from union representatives and correctional officers from state and county facilities. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Witnesses emphasized that officers are central to any reform discussion and described the daily realities of staffing shortages, violence, mental health crises, substance use, and the need for better wellness support. Kevin Flanagan of the correctional officers’ union said officers face serious safety risks, citing weapons recovered, assaults, suicides, and the spread of synthetic drugs like K2 that are often introduced through paper soaked with chemicals. He urged stronger contraband controls, including paperless systems and technology to detect synthetic drugs, and criticized policies he said can be manipulated in gender-identity housing and search situations. He also argued that staffing shortages, forced overtime, and low morale are worsening retention, and that officers need more support after traumatic incidents, including fuller use of the OnSide Academy program. Other union representatives, including NCU and county officers, opposed consolidating sheriffs’ offices or merging them with the Department of Correction, warning it could weaken collective bargaining, reduce local accountability, and harm programming and reentry work. They argued that county facilities are distinct and should be funded and staffed based on local needs, not a one-size-fits-all model, and several speakers supported expanding vocational and reentry programming. Commissioners responded with support for officer wellness and asked for more information on EMS transports, medical interventions, and possible models from other jurisdictions, including Norway and Germany. At the end of the hearing, the commission discussed extending its reporting deadline beyond September 30, with members agreeing to seek an extension to November 30. The commission also agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit, and adjourned after adopting the motion to request the extension.

Transcript Highlights:

• labor perspective, the NCU and sheriffs are parties to collective bargaining agreements that outline pay
• We have them, but we basically have to partner with and pay for them.
• More staff to monitor those trips, resulting in more overtime.
• This also leads to prolonged staffing shortages and forced overtime, which drives overworked staff to
• So I'll pay where I, folks know, we are adjourned. Thank you all. So I'll be right.

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation in public safety held a hearing focused on correctional labor testimony, with union leaders and officers from multiple county facilities and the Department of Correction describing staffing, safety, wellness, and programming concerns. Speakers emphasized that correctional officers face high levels of workplace violence, exposure to synthetic drugs like K2, inmate suicides and assaults, and significant mental health strain. They also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing that current practices can create unsafe conditions for staff, and urged stronger debriefing and wellness supports after traumatic incidents, including fuller use of programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses from unions including KCU/NCU and local county bargaining units argued against consolidating sheriff’s offices or merging them with the Department of Correction. They said consolidation could weaken collective bargaining, harm retention and recruitment, increase commute times, and disrupt locally tailored programming and reentry services. Multiple speakers stressed that county facilities are distinct and should be evaluated individually, not by a single formula, and that staffing levels, training, and facility-specific needs must drive any policy changes. One witness described innovative programming such as welding and shed-building partnerships, while another highlighted Norfolk County’s accreditation, budget stability, and reentry efforts. Commission members largely thanked the witnesses and echoed concerns about officer safety and wellness. They discussed the need for more facility tours, including Norfolk, and debated whether the commission should seek an extension beyond its September 30 reporting deadline. After discussion, the commission voted to request an extension to November 30, with the understanding that the report would still be completed and filed later. Members also discussed the possibility of examining the Norwegian correctional model and reaching out to the judiciary for additional testimony. The hearing concluded with an adjournment after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because even if you are doing overtime, it's going to be a lot.
• in Washington was $2.49 billion, representing approximately 1,206 RV industry-related businesses, paying
• When uninsured drivers cause crashes, it's insured Washington households and small businesses who pay
• For drivers who accept UM coverage and pay for that coverage, that can cost somewhere around $100 to
• I support what the subagents have said about the operational aspect, and we want to pay close attention

Bills: SB5839 , SB5824 , SB5864 , SB6032

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: county authority, transportation, ferry district, infrastructure, government powers, fifth-wheel, travel trailers, vehicle regulation, state law, motor vehicle, insurance verification, automobile regulation, state compliance, traffic safety, highway safety, load limits

Transcript Highlights:

• I noticed you did make a note here that staffing would be, you know, overtime or increased shifts and
• Because even if you are doing overtime, it's going to be a lot.
• in Washington was $2.49 billion, representing approximately 1,206 RV industry-related businesses paying
• When uninsured drivers cause crashes, it's insured Washington households and small businesses who pay
• For drivers who accept UM coverage and pay for that coverage, that can cost somewhere around $100 to

Summary: The committee began with a work session on transportation planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Western Washington. April Putney of the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 Local Organizing Committee described the event as a statewide, 39-day tournament with six Seattle group-stage matches, additional possible matches, fan zones across the state, and major transportation impacts centered in the Seattle area, including street closures, increased I-5 traffic, and heavy use of transit, shuttles, ferries, and active transportation. She said the goal is safe, seamless mobility with 80% of stadium attendees arriving by non-personal vehicle, and noted coordination with federal agencies on border crossings and security. WSDOT’s Travis Phelps outlined roughly $25.65 million in World Cup-related funding for tunnel maintenance, traffic operations, signage and digital messaging, public transit support, ferries, and related staffing and training, emphasizing use of existing staff, overtime, and current fleets rather than new hires or vehicles. Senators asked about border staffing and ferry capacity, and WSDOT said it would follow up on ferry staffing concerns. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 5839 would remove the “passenger only” limitation for county ferry districts, allowing them to support vehicle ferries; supporters from Whatcom County and the Association of Counties said the change would help aging ferry systems, improve funding flexibility, and support essential island access, while some testimony was opposed. SB 6032 would amend the secure-your-load law to allow vehicles with mud, rocks, or debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before being towed on paved highways; the sponsor and industry witnesses said it would save time and water for construction equipment operators, and the hearing closed with strong support and little opposition. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, allowing up to 46 feet measured from the kingpin to the rear of the trailer; RV industry, dealer, and business groups supported it as a safety-neutral clarification that would align Washington with other states and improve competitiveness, and the hearing closed with overwhelming support. Finally, SB 5864 would create an online motor vehicle insurance verification system at the Department of Licensing, require insurers to provide policy data, and use the system at registration renewal beginning in 2029 after a pilot period. The sponsor and supporters from insurers and law enforcement said the bill would reduce uninsured driving, improve roadside verification, and lower costs shifted to insured drivers, while county auditors and vehicle subagents supported the policy but warned that implementation must be technically reliable and adequately funded so renewals are not slowed. The public hearing closed with substantial support and some operational concerns raised, and the committee adjourned after the final hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the items through their fiscal agents: three school districts and one Board of Education tax levy to pay
• None of which needed an additional tax levy to pay debt service.
• > of which needed an additional tax levy of which needed an additional tax levy to<00:01:32.640><c> pay
• service</c><00:01:33.520><c> reported</c><00:01:33.920><c> an</c><00:01:34.200><c> upcoming</c> to pay
• debt service reported an upcoming to pay debt service reported an upcoming Revenue<00:01:35.360><c>

Summary: The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions. The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line. Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%. Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.

Transcript Highlights:

• the fees are eco-modulated, that means that the materials that are most sustainable, those companies pay
• the least, and the materials that are the worst and the least recyclable, those pay the most.
• important change that will reduce the costs that our local governments and New Yorkers indirectly are paying
• In fact, we're overtime, so 9588, Senator Hartford.
• In fact, we're overtime, so 9588, Senator Hartford.

Committee: Senate Environmental Conservation

Summary: The Senate Environmental Conservation Committee met with a quorum and a very full agenda, moving quickly through a series of environmental and natural resources bills. Early action included approving S.1343B, the clean fuel standard bill, which was referred to Finance with one nay. The committee then took up S.1464A, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, where supporters said it had been heavily amended to address industry concerns and protect public health by reducing packaging waste and toxic chemicals. Opponents, including Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Stec, raised concerns about costs, unintended consequences for business, agriculture, dairy, food safety, and consumer prices. Supporters argued the bill would reduce waste, protect people from toxins, and that many farms and dairy operations were exempted. The bill was advanced to Finance with two nays and one without recommendation. The committee also considered several bills tied to climate and energy policy. S.2712, sponsored by Senator Stec, would delay CLCPA implementation for 10 years and require a cost-benefit analysis; Stec argued New York has not adequately studied the law’s costs and cited rising utility bills, while Chair Harckham and others defended the state’s clean energy direction and said the bill would not move forward. S.3652, which would prohibit certain restrictions on motor vehicle sales, and S.5611, which would create a Climate Action Cost Council and limit annual climate-related rulemaking, were both voted down and not referred onward. By contrast, S.797A, the Mohawk River Basin Management Act, advanced to Finance with support from its sponsor, Senator Fahy. The committee then took up S.8933, Senator Helming’s bill to prohibit PFAS in photovoltaic modules. Helming said the bill was a common-sense measure to keep forever chemicals out of solar panels and protect water and soil; Harckham responded that the bill’s timeline would effectively halt the solar industry and said there was no evidence of PFAS leaching from solar panels. The bill was not advanced. The committee also advanced S.9206 on brush-fire area reed removal for Staten Island, S.9280 on open water data, S.9462 on deer management permits, S.963 on Atlantic bonito and false albacore management, and S.9479A on tidal wetlands definitions. In the final portion of the meeting, the committee rapidly approved a long slate of routine end-of-session fisheries and marine resource extender bills, including measures on sharks, lingcod, black sea bass, blueback herring, fluke, scup, commercial food fish licenses, special management areas, American eel, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, squid, and winter flounder.

Transcript Highlights:

• No one likes to pay taxes. The state doesn't like to pay taxes.
• No one likes to pay taxes. The state doesn't like to pay taxes.
• The bill requires hiring entities to pay domestic workers at least the minimum hourly wage and overtime
• Are they from wage complaints for not paying overtime or not paying, or are these from businesses that
• Are they from wage complaints for not paying overtime or not paying, or are these from like businesses

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:04.159><c> for</c> much you're going to have to pay for much you're going to have to pay for
• Pay is actually one of them.
• Pay is actually one happen uh over time. Pay is actually one of<00:44:04.720><c> them.
• </c> the proposed changes to the overtime the proposed changes to the overtime laws,<00:58:37.599><c>
• </c><01:00:34.240><c> under</c> that regard not only for overtime under that regard not only for overtime

Committee: Senate Commerce