Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Reyes. Senators Reyes. Present. Ray is present. Senator Blake's present. Presbyer.
• Senator Choi. Yeah. Senator Troy here. Senator McNerney. McNerney here. Thank you.
• As staff points out, and we have heard now from many examples, it will And staff points out, and we have
• That motion has been made by Senator McNerney. Please take the roll. Senators Reyes: Aye.
• Senate Budget Subcommittee 2 is adjourned.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy met for a vote-only hearing on the Senate budget plan, with the chair noting a difficult budget year and the need for continued negotiations with the Assembly and administration. Public comment focused on several budget items, including support for $25 million for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, rejection of special fund position cuts at CDFW and the State Water Board, redistribution of Proposition 1 funds, support for local conservation corps and job projects, funding for offshore wind, and opposition to the Governor’s proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit/incentive on the grounds that it would be costly and could raise fuel prices or benefit out-of-state refineries. There was also support for the safer consumer products program and for preserving vacant staff positions at CDFW. The committee then took multiple roll-call votes on grouped budget issues. It approved staff recommendations for a first large set of items by a 4-0 vote, a second set by 3-1, and a third set by 3-0. The committee also approved Part B items in three grouped motions, including a 4-0 vote on one group, and additional groups approved by 3-0 votes. During discussion of Part B, the chair expressed concern about proposed changes to the cap-and-invest program and said the budget plan withholds Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund appropriations, including continuous appropriations, until specified conditions are met, citing the need to protect legislative priorities such as transit, affordable housing, air quality, and safe drinking water. The hearing concluded with thanks to public witnesses, the LAO, and the Department of Finance, and the chair invited additional written comments for the record before adjourning the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , highlight issues that staff might miss.
• We now have four staff who are dedicated to that work.
• Senator Irwin, I just want to... Chair. Senator Irwin?
• Parks, you and your staff for your work.
• Parks, you and your staff for your work.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on products that may be attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on complaints rather than pre-market review. The audit found disagreements with DCC’s conclusions in 13 of 80 packaging reviews, and noted weaknesses in tracking repeat violators and escalating penalties. The auditor recommended clearer statutory standards, better internal review tools, stronger repeat-offender policies, and consideration of options such as plain packaging or pre-approval systems. Committee members and the audit requester emphasized rising cannabis poison-control calls involving children under five and cited examples of legal products with cartoon imagery, bright colors, candy-like names, and beverage packaging that resembled ordinary drinks. DCC representatives said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized review team, improved databases, enhanced technology tools, and new procedures to track compliance history and apply progressive discipline. They also stressed that illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp remain major sources of youth exposure and argued that some issues require both regulatory refinement and more legislative clarity. Public health witnesses argued that California has not done enough to protect children and urged plain packaging, limits on flavors and child-appealing design, and a pre-market review process. Industry representatives agreed that cannabis should not be marketed to children but said the current rules are too subjective and inconsistent, and asked for objective, bright-line standards rather than broader bans. Several members said the examples shown were plainly child-appealing and called for stronger statutory guardrails, while also acknowledging the need to keep pressure on the illicit market. No formal vote or action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Senator Mary Kunesh.
• &gt;&gt; Senator<00:03:48.720><c> Kun.</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Kun. &gt;&gt; Senator Kun.
• Our staff members.
• </c> costs, and staff retention challenges. costs, and staff retention challenges.
• </c> Thank you, Senator. Next we're going to hear from Senator Umaru Verbeten.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So I do see that Senator Hunt is here, and Senator Hunt will be hearing your bill, Senate Bill 6222.
• Are there any questions for staff? Yes, Senator Wilson.
• Senator Krasn, thank you, Senator Mazzal, for bringing this forward.
• Are there any questions for staff? No. Senator Nobles, tell us about your bill.
• Senate Bill 6118 will give school staff the confidence and clarity to act when seconds matter.

Bills: SB6222 , SB6263 , SB6118 , SB6261 , SB6320

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator Kim. Senator Ricketts. Thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Senator Reid. We'll turn to Senator Hagerty.
• of staff?
• Correct, Senator.

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: legislation, housing affordability, financial regulation, public testimony, accountability, oversight

Summary: The meeting involved significant discussions around key legislative proposals, primarily focusing on various bills such as HB2 and SB5. The committee examined the implications of these bills on issues like housing affordability and financial regulation. Notable members engaged in debates, providing differing perspectives on the potential economic impacts of the proposed bills. The meeting witnessed public testimony, which included a call for accountability in government actions and oversight of current financial policies. Members echoed concerns about following through on commitments to address critical issues affecting everyday Americans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, please come to work. First up, we're going to introduce some new members and staff.
• Are they are and— I saw Senator Heintzeman locked in, so Senator, welcome.
• Senator Putnam.
• SENATOR PUTIN.
• Senator, Senator Akey, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a historic move to show that we are a staff establishing in this Texas Senate a budget culture
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator Hinojosa. Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Miles. Senator Paxton. What purpose?
• Thank you, Senator Paxson. Thank you, Senator. Senator Betancourt for what purpose?
• Thank you, Senator West. Senator Menendez, what purpose?

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB26 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28

Transcript Highlights:

• here to our side and also to all of the Senate Finance staff who, you know, the LFC staff throughout
• to all of the Senate Finance staff who, you know, the LFC staff throughout the interim and during the
• And I really appreciate the entire staff of both LFC and the Senate, and everybody that has really helped
• Senator Steinborn, explain your vote. Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, thank you to the staff.
• Senator Woods—Senator Woods votes yes. Senator Schendo—Senator Schendo votes yes.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rocky Adams here. Senator Wilson here. Senator Yates present. Representative Bridges here.
• There are staff amendments. Is there a motion for approval of the staff amendments?
• Uh, up first we have... staff amendments. Um we have uh groups staff amendments.
• So thank you Senator in the field. So thank you Senator Yates. Yates. Yates.
• There is a staff amendment. Is there a motion for approval of the staff amendment?

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then took up several administrative regulations. The first was an Office of the Attorney General regulation creating an online submission process for an annual certification report to replace prior quarterly notarized certification forms; there were no amendments or questions. The main discussion centered on Personnel Cabinet regulations 101 KAR 2:034, 2:102, 3:015, and 3:045, which include staff-suggested technical amendments and address state employee compensation and leave. The compensation provisions clarify salary and rehiring/demotion rules, increase critical position premiums from one to three, and update weekend premium and ACE award practices. The leave provisions would provide up to six weeks of paid leave per 10-year interval for birth, adoption, foster placement, or a serious health condition, and allow one paid adverse-weather day per year with supervisor approval. Staff explained that annual and sick leave already accrue and roll over, and that the new six-week benefit was intended as an additional enhancement tied to the 10-year and 20-year sick-leave milestones.

Transcript Highlights:

• So moved by Senator Bjerke, seconded by Senator Shippy to approve the minutes of January 22.
• Senator Lenney. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Questions? Senator Lenney.
• Madam Chair, Senator Blaylock, first, just to Director. Madam Chair, Senator Blaylock.
• Senator Lenney.
• Madam Chair, Senator Lenney, yes.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• It's sponsored by Senator Harris.
• Welcome, Senator Harris. Thank you, Senator Paul Harris out of the mighty 17th.
• Senator, I want to call the next panel. Thank you. Senator, I want to wait.
• It's a question for staff.
• Thank you, Senator Conway.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact. Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our staff.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you. We're going to go to Senator Reyes.
• I'll go with Senator Reyes and then Senator Laird.
• Thank you, Senator Laird. Senator Jones. So Senator Laird set it up.
• Senator Laird.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out Senate Bill 1080.
• Vice Chair, and I'm honored to sponsor the Senate Bill by Senator Huffman. Thank you, Mr.
• Senate Bill 1610 is Senator Perry's bill, and I am the House sponsor.
• We are against Senate Bill 1610.
• I'm asking you to vote no on the Senate bill. Senate Bill 1610.

Bills: HB1826 , HB1969 , HB2708 , HB2729 , HB3618 , HB4515 , HB4764 , SB1021 , SB1610

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wack... Senator Conway, I'll go ahead and call on folks. Senator Conway, go ahead.
• Senator McEwen. Good morning, Senator McEwen, 35th District.
• Senator Fortunato and then Senator Conway.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Conway.
• Echo Senator Wagoner's gratitude toward our staff.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• If staff can help, this is the one that we can have Representative—excuse me, Senator Draheim walk us
• On the R1 that we discussed, after talking further with staff after Senator Drazkowski introduced the
• Chair, I should say that I just heard from our House staff that they've conferred with Senate Council
• Chair, I should say that I just heard from our House staff that they've conferred with Senate Council
• Chair, I should say that I just heard from our House staff that they've conferred with Senate Council

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any questions of staff on this bill? Certainly, Senator Harris. Sure, thank you.
• This committee heard the Senate companion of this bill, Senate Bill 6072, back in January.
• Are there any questions of staff on this bill? Certainly, Senator Slatter.
• I think the best way for me to use my time might be to respond to Senator Christian's and Senator Harris's
• Senator Slatter has a question. It might be for staff.

Bills: HB2340 , HB2155 , HB2531

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: HB 2340, nursing assistants, nurse aide, substance use disorder monitoring program, monitoring program, credentialing, licensure, disciplinary records, enforcement action, public disclosure, privacy, third-party website, stipend program, financial assistance, treatment costs, drug testing, peer support, recovery, rehabilitation, board-approved program

Transcript Highlights:

• Ily Cato, committee staff.
• Do anybody have any questions for staff? No. Senator Christian Dawson.
• Are there any questions for staff? Yes, Senator Harris. Thank you, Chair. Hey, Alex.
• Questions for staff. Yes, Senator Harris. Thank you, Chair. Hey, Alex, is this categorical?
• Alex Fairfortune, staff. The bill before you is Senate Bill 6042 relating to school mapping.

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

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Edward Price [member_2845]. Senator Larry Selders [member_2914].
• Senator Beth Mizell [member_2868] for Senator Kirk Talbot [member_2708]. Here. Julie Ralph. Here.
• Usually one hour of training is provided by student affairs staff, whether they be specific conduct staff
• I have staff—I've probably 10,000 staff—that don't interact with students. I may never even...
• I have staff, I have probably 10,000 staff that don't interact with students.

Summary: The task force met with a quorum to review and adopt final recommendations responding to the death of Caleb Wilson and broader hazing prevention concerns in Louisiana higher education. Members and the Wilson family discussed the need for clearer legal definitions and stronger accountability, including whether Southern University’s expulsion of the Omega Psi Phi chapter was permanent; leaders said the current law leaves ambiguity and a legislative fix is needed to define suspension and expulsion. The committee also approved the November 3 minutes and received updates on hazing sanctions and hearing panel processes across the public postsecondary systems. A major portion of the meeting focused on recommendations for annual hazing-prevention training for students, advisors, faculty, and staff, plus training for conduct panel members. Witnesses from LSU and other systems described current practices, including online modules and in-person training, while members raised concerns about scope, mandatory reporter obligations, and whether all employees should be covered. Several recommendations were adopted, including annual student training, annual advisor training, annual faculty and staff training with an amendment to apply to “appropriate” personnel, and a sustainable funding mechanism to support training and reporting. The task force also adopted an amnesty policy recommendation to encourage reporting and help-seeking, clarified that it would be left to legislation whether organizational amnesty is included, and supported reverting the evidentiary standard in institutional hazing proceedings from clear and convincing evidence back to preponderance of the evidence. The committee further approved recommendations to add hazing incidents, prevention efforts, and compliance data to the annual power-based violence report, to impose clear penalties for noncompliance tied to bond commission consequences, and to align hazing reporting penalties with existing power-based violence reporting rules. For K-12 schools, the task force discussed expanding bullying and hazing materials to nonpublic schools, updating educational materials, and improving data collection. Closing remarks from student members, university leaders, and the Wilson family emphasized that hazing is a culture problem requiring education, accountability, and sustained leadership, and several system presidents and LSU representatives pledged to implement the recommendations and continue working with the legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have a Second Substitute Senate... Next, we have Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968.
• Well, staff, please call the roll. Will staff please call the roll. Mena. Votes aye.
• For the record, again, Desire Almi, staff to this committee, and Gross Substitute Senate Joint Memorial
• Let's suspend the hearing on Senate Bill 6160 and open a hearing on Senate Bill 5000.
• We will suspend the hearing on Senate Bill 5325 and open the hearing on Senate Bill 6044.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on several bills. On Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, dealing with voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, members considered amendments affecting tribal meeting requirements and an electronic ballot portal; one amendment to study the portal rather than authorize it was adopted, while the tribal-meeting amendment was not. The bill was then reported out with a due pass as amended recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6081, concerning nondisclosure of sex designation records, saw an amendment adopted to limit the privacy protections to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, but the amendment was later rejected on final passage and the bill was reported out due pass. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, was amended to require Senate confirmation of the executive director and was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6084 on repeat voting was reported out due pass without amendment. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968, implementing Executive Order 25-03 on agency credentials, had one amendment adopted on annual ORIA reporting and another rejected; it was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering was amended to restrict certain prop bets and to make threats tied to wagers a gross misdemeanor, then reported out due pass as amended. The committee then opened public hearings on a number of bills. The most extensive testimony was on Gross Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8014, which calls for a U.S. investigation into the death of Aishanur Ezgi Eygi; family members, University of Washington students and staff, advocates, and others testified in support, emphasizing accountability and the need for an independent investigation, while one speaker opposed the memorial as a misuse of legislative time. The committee also heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5840, which would change campaign finance reporting schedules and participation rules; Public Disclosure Commission staff supported the bill as a transparency and consistency measure, while campaign treasurers and compliance officers opposed it, arguing the added reporting would be burdensome and costly. Substitute Senate Bill 6049, expanding Public Records Act exemptions for certain survivors, anonymized demographic data, and Healthy Youth Survey responses, drew support from OFM and opposition from a public-records advocate who warned against adding more exemptions. Substitute Senate Bill 6160, reducing or changing the frequency of numerous agency reports, was supported by OFM as a way to right-size reporting requirements. The committee also heard brief testimony on Senate Bill 5000 designating “The Evergreen State” as the official state nickname, Senate Bill 5325 designating the state cactus, Senate Bill 6044 recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, Senate Bill 6313 creating a Capital Centennial Stewardship Account, and Substitute Senate Bill 5827 expanding veterans’ preference documentation to include pre-discharge certification. No votes were taken during the public hearing portion, and the meeting adjourned after closing testimony on the final bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to first hear SB 484 by Senator Abraham. Staff, if you could please.
• We're going to first hear SB 484 by Senator Abraham. Staff, if you could please.
• Next stop, we have Senator Jenkins with SB 157. Staff, if you could please read in the bill.
• Thank you, staff. Senator Klein-Peter, on your bill. Good morning, Madam Chair, members.
• Carpenter, you want to first hear Senator Barrow's SB 338? I can. Okay. So staff, we will hear.

Bills: HR249 , HR251 , HB395 , HB902 , SB83 , SB132 , SB157 , SB338 , SB450 , SB484 , SB501 , SB507

Committee: House Education