Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will essentially make Washington an enactment state for the Uniform Act on the Prevention and
• This bill will essentially make Washington an enactment state for the Uniform Act on the Prevention and
• It also tasks the Washington State School Directors' Association with developing a model policy, as well
• We've done a lot to help out with our traffic fatalities across the state.
• of Washington to do something that is constitutionally recognized.

Summary: The Senate took up a proposed consent calendar package and advanced it to the consent calendar by voice vote, with remarks noting the measures had broad agreement, no con testimony, and support from chairs and ranking members. Members also briefly noted that many of the items in the package were minority-party bills. The chamber then advanced a long series of bills from the white sheet to the floor or second reading calendar, generally without opposition. Topics included HIV antiviral drug coverage without prior authorization (SB 6183), limits on carrier refund requests to providers (SB 6071), extending limits on replacing jobs with fully automated equipment (SB 5995), medically tailored meals under Apple Health (SB 5966), earned wage access services (SB 5328), financial aid outreach for high school seniors (SB 5841), campaign finance reporting timing (SB 5840), a tourism promotion program (SB 6061), wage enforcement flexibility for Labor and Industries (SB 6058), workforce development changes (SB 5931), collective bargaining for language access providers (SB 5944), compensation petitions for wrongfully convicted persons (SB 5520), court safety background checks for judges and staff (SB 6011), liability protections for donated baby items (SB 6087), clean energy procurement for consumer-owned utilities (SB 6076), non-opioid pain treatment coverage (SB 5916), technical land-use changes involving aquifer recharge areas (SB 6016), human trafficking remedies and business liability (SB 5936), collegiate sports wagering limits in tribal casinos (SB 6137), pathways to medical licensure for overseas graduates (SB 5185), AI and surveillance limits in K-12 discipline and safety decisions (SB 5956), fetal death definition changes (SB 6025), permanent direct-appeal procedures for environmental and land-use cases (SB 6009), allowing unattended vehicles to idle briefly to protect pets (SB 5833), dementia education materials from the Department of Health (SB 6161), asbestos training rules (SB 6188), negligent driving changes tied to excessive speeding (SB 5890), abortion medication reimbursement changes in corrections settings (SB 5917), a Growth Management Act exemption repeal for one county (SB 5820), initiative and referendum process protections related to money in signature campaigns (SB 5973), a federal wildfire response memorial (SJM 8015), juice grapes under agricultural marketing rules (SB 5816), workers’ compensation rate transparency (SB 6136), and a real estate marketing transparency bill (SB 6091). Most motions passed by voice vote with little debate, though a few drew brief support or opposition. Senator Braun opposed the bill extending the prohibition on replacing jobs with fully automated equipment, and Senator Short opposed the bill on initiative and referendum financing and the bill removing a county-specific Growth Management Act exemption. The meeting ended after no further business was raised and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington, 1 to 28,000. California is falling behind.
• And so at this moment, we need to really assess what can the state do?
• Judy He, State Bill & Trace, in support.
• I think we should believe that as a state.
• I completely support the energy behind the Fair Chance Act.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on worker protections, AI, workplace safety, and employment access. AB 1697 would delay implementation of AB 692 on employer debt traps by one year to allow more time to address collective bargaining concerns; it drew support from the NFL and no opposition. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on immigration-related threats used by employers to intimidate workers, with strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and legal aid groups describing coercion and fear among undocumented and new-arrival workers; it advanced on a divided roll with some members voting no or not voting. AB 2511 would require DIR to study pay disparities between behavioral health and medical-surgical providers, with supporters arguing low reimbursement drives provider shortages and opponents warning of duplicative reporting, proprietary-data concerns, and added administrative burden; it was moved forward to the Health Committee. AB 2157 would make permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund Pilot Program, with displaced refinery workers and labor/environmental groups supporting the bill as a needed transition tool; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2530 would require 60-day notice for public-employer layoffs, relocations, and closures, narrowed by amendment to public agencies; supporters said public workers deserve the same notice protections as private-sector workers, while some opposition sought clarification, and the bill passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 2488, which would direct DIR and UC to study Cal/OSHA inspector vacancies and recruitment pathways. Supporters, including a laid-off refinery worker and WorkSafe, said chronic understaffing has weakened enforcement and that experienced workers could fill the gap; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2545 would create an EDD study of AI-related workforce displacement and safety-net impacts, with labor and tech-policy supporters warning of large-scale job loss and the need for data to plan for unemployment and other public programs; business groups opposed the reporting and task-force structure but acknowledged the issue, and the bill passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 2027 would restrict employers and vendors from using worker data to train or deploy AI systems that replace workers, while limiting collection to what is necessary for employment administration; supporters framed it as a privacy and anti-displacement measure, and opponents argued the definitions were too broad and could hinder useful workplace technologies. The bill advanced to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 2095, the Fair Chance Act bill, was presented to clarify and strengthen rules limiting conviction-history screening in hiring, including written explanations and protections for applicants seeking promotions or new roles with current employers. Supporters described ongoing discrimination against people with records and the need for a real second chance, while opponents said the bill was too broad, added burdens, and could conflict with existing statewide rules. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on AB 2095, but the discussion centered on balancing reentry opportunities with employer concerns about individualized assessments and safety-based hiring decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state of Minnesota and that $19 billion of dollars they've taken from the state of Minnesota.
• the state of Minnesota and that $19 billion of dollars they've taken from the state of Minnesota.
• state of Minnesota.
• state of Minnesota.
• </c> on the state. on the state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• state and federal mission.
• We do have another state fair, but this is not our state fair.
• Fair in Washington, D.C.
• This was new, obviously, post-State of the State.
• sources and state support?

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Missouri National Guard’s FY 2027 budget request in House Bill 2008. Brigadier General Bob Payne outlined the Guard’s dual state and federal mission, recent deployments and state activations, counter-drug work, and the need to maintain readiness and aging armory infrastructure. Members questioned several items, including a proposed internal auditor position required by statute, a World Cup-related NDI, the use of general revenue versus other funds, and a federal match for base operations support at Rosecrans Airport. The presentation then shifted into executive session, where the committee reviewed a House committee substitute and several amendments. One amendment to fund the Missouri State Fair’s Great American State Fair participation with ag and tourism funds was rejected, while an amendment reducing $50,000 in House and Senate legal contingency funding was adopted. Another amendment directing budget information to all committee members rather than only chairs was rejected. The committee then adopted the substitute and voted House Bill 2014 do pass by a 24-0-1 vote. The committee next took up the Department of Corrections FY 2027 budget in House Bill 2009. DOC described a new CERT stipend increase, a reduction in the Office of Director’s Staff, and several core items including professional standards, federal funds, community treatment programming, education grants, population growth pool, restitution payments, human services staff, telecommunications, general services, fuel and utilities, food purchases, food service, staff training, employee health and safety, overtime, adult institution staff, institution E&E, wage and discharge, and individual institutions. Members asked about the CERT stipend, PREA allegations, education funding, restitution payments, the population growth pool, the working capital revolving fund, food service costs, overtime, retention, warden turnover, the prison nursery, and the use of inmate canteen funds. DOC said CERT members are full-time employees who volunteer for additional duty, that staffing has improved but remains a challenge, that the food service increase reflects the end of inventory credits and inflation, and that the department generally spends non-GR funds first when possible. Discussion also turned to whether DOC facilities could be repurposed for pretrial or mental health populations; DOC said it is legally limited to post-sentence inmates and that staffing and labor-market constraints make reopening closed facilities difficult.

Transcript Highlights:

• Communications and reports from state officers. Motions and resolutions.
• What's happening in the United States today, Mr.
• HISTORY IN SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.
• Nothing that will reduce the cost of energy in New York.
• NOTHING THAT WILL REDUCE THE COST OF ENERGY IN NEW YORK.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:35:07.120><c> Code</c><02:35:07.520><c> to</c> And 84 of Title 5, United States Code, to authorize
• H.R. 3482, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code, to establish an online program through which
• H.R. 3482, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code, to establish an online program through which
• </c><04:26:01.840><c> Secretary</c> States Code, to authorize the Secretary States Code, to authorize
• </c> a bill to amend Title 38, United States a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code<04:33:40.719

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 1963, the United States Supreme Court decided that pursuant to the state, In 1963, the United States
• Chair, Representative Mathis, to keep visibly showing all the states that we are as one in our state
• WIFA is currently conducting both an out-of-state and an in-state...
• WIFA is currently conducting both an out-of-state and an in-state augmentation process.
• It's a 75-25 percent split of out-of-state to in-state projects for that funding.

Bills: HB2042 , HB2052 , HB2055 , HB2056 , HB2094 , HB2098 , HB2185 , HB2328 , HB2758 , HB2798

Committee: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• overtime usage at the state hospitals.
• For the Washington State Achievement Council and Workforce Training Board, it is... ...Washington State
• historically our state has increased spending about 15% per year.
• State.
• State.

Summary: The conference committee on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998 met to review the operating budget conference report. House and Senate budget coordinators walked through comparison documents showing the Senate-passed budget, House-passed budget, and the conference proposal, including statewide totals, agency detail, revenue assumptions, transfers, and the four-year outlook. They said the conference budget uses the February 2026 ERFC forecast, includes an $880 million transfer from the budget stabilization account to the general fund, and reflects a four-year net near-general-fund impact of about $800 million, with an ending fund balance of $231 million in 2025-27 and $563 million in 2027-29. They also noted that future collective bargaining agreements are not included in the outlook beyond those already settled. The briefing highlighted major policy items across the budget, including Working Families Tax Credit expansion, a proposed city and county fiscal health account, changes to Working Connections child care attendance payments, behavioral health facility and staffing adjustments, long-term care funding for certain non-citizen residents affected by federal changes, Apple Health and other health-related responses to H.R. 1, K-12 changes such as free school meals contingent on related legislation, Running Start and transportation depreciation adjustments, higher education administrative reductions, corrections staffing and bed changes, wildfire response funding, and state employee compensation agreements. Members also discussed the budget’s reliance on revenue measures and transfers, including legislation referenced as 2487, 6228, 6231, and 6346. After the presentation, Senator Robinson moved adoption of the conference report and passage of the bill as recommended by the committee. In discussion, supporters said the budget protected core services and responded to federal H.R. 1 impacts, while opponents criticized the size of the budget, the use of reserves, future outlook assumptions, and reductions in some K-12 and other programs. The committee then voted 4-2 to recommend the conference report and ESSB 5998 to the legislature, with Representatives Gregerson and Ormsby and Senators Robinson and Stanford in favor, and Representative Couture and Senator Gildon opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• . energy. energy.
• </c> energy. Thank you. energy. Thank you.
• I want to set up today sort of an intro to where the state of the energy system is in Minnesota and nationally
• Other plants followed suit, including at the end of the year in Colorado and in Washington state.
• balancing affordability, reliability, and state carbon reduction and energy efficiency goals.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a student at Sac State, and I oppose AB 715.
• I am also a lecturer at Sac State.
• I'm a state employee doing the water supply forecast for this state.
• I'm a professor at Sac State Ethnic Studies.
• And so that's the energy that I'm here with.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the United States, the Vice President of the United States in his capacity as the President of the
• representing the State of Idaho and the Congress of the United States.
• And to the congressional delegation representing the State of Idaho and the Congress of the United States
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1338 by State Affairs Committee, an act relating to the state treasurer, to
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1300 by the State Affairs Committee, Senate Bill 1301 by the State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and to the congressional delegation representing the state of Idaho and the Congress of the United States
• of the United States, the Vice President of the United States in his capacity as the President of the
• representing the State of Idaho and the Congress of the United States.
• And to the congressional delegation representing the State of Idaho and the Congress of the United States
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1338 by State Affairs Committee, an act relating to the state treasurer, to

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal. The chamber then moved through routine business, including petitions, resolutions, memorials, committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, and messages from the House. Several measures were referred to committees or placed on the appropriate reading orders, including Senate Concurrent Resolution 121 and Senate Joint Memorials 112, 113, and 114, as well as a number of House bills transmitted from the House. The Senate also received and referred gubernatorial appointments for Irving Littman, Judge Rudolph Rick Carnaroli, and Terry Kirkham. The Committee of the Whole considered Senate Bills 1241, 1270, 1271, and 1285, along with House Bill 494. SB 1241 was amended to clarify language about carriage driving, zoning, Idaho care law, and public health/safety ordinances. SB 1270 was amended to replace references to “alternative” with “cell cultivated,” add a definition, and soften a penalty provision. SB 1271 was substantially rewritten to narrow authority, remove summary abatement language, add legislative oversight, and make fiscal protections for cities and counties explicit. SB 1285 was amended across multiple sections to broaden the bill from homeschoolers to non-public schools, adjust licensure-related language, and change the effective date to upon passage and approval. All four bills were reported back as amended without recommendation, while House Bill 494 was reported as progress. The Senate also advanced a slate of bills from second reading to third reading, including SB 1300, 1301, 1331, 1332, 1308, 1309, 1311, 1317, 1272, and 1283, along with several House bills. At the end of the day, members made brief announcements, including a birthday note for Senator Nichols and notice of an Energy Caucus luncheon on an INL reactor project update. The Senate then adjourned until 11 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Practice law in the state.
• of certain Electronic Energy Storage, referred to the Committee on State Affairs, HB 1379 by Burdell
• and local taxes, including state.
• Code, refer to the Subcommittee on State and Federal Relations, H.R. 468 by Mesa-Rureka. organizing the
• D.C. statehood compact and petitioning the Congress of the United States to admit Washington, D.C.,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state did not.
• the state because of the project.
• , and he asked for those zip codes.
• And now with the state, which not all the states have been able to do, we've been able to pull down that
• I mean, these are all over the state.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the state of Florida, it's 77%.
• You've got to project out in northwest in Washington, northwest energy.
• I know there's the agreement state program at the NRC, which Florida is already a partnering state.
• Because if it's a chick initiative of the state, the state says this isn't the good of the state in some
• And then I would also say of this lawsuit does pan out where the you know, this states and last energy

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that it really holds the promise of a scaled clean future, clean energy future for the state
• I think Washington State has had a performance-based regulation, but in some sense, every state has performance-based
• budget, when it comes to energy ...through the state and federal budget when it comes to energy are
• energy goals of the state, do so reliably, and do so while delivering customers as affordable energy
• Today, on a day like today in March, 25 gigawatts or so is what the state needs to meet its energy need

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets. CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs. Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Alabama. state of Alabama.
• What that did is put it in line with all state immunity and we... in line with all state immunity and
• ID. state ID, etc.
• I always looked at it as being energy stuff. That's an energy thing.
• I don't want nothing with energy.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I started as the director of the Washington State Broadband Office. My name is Jordan Arnold.
• I started as the director of the Washington State Broadband Office on January 2nd.
• And then in addition, Washington dedicated state funding for public entities like PUDs, ports, cities
• We look, well, really the largest investment in broadband infrastructure in Washington state history.
• So I really appreciate your stepping up to coordinate with our Washington State broadband office.

Summary: The committee first heard an update from the Department of Commerce’s new state broadband director on Washington’s BEAD broadband program and permitting process. Jordan Arnold said Washington’s final BEAD proposal has been submitted to NTIA but remains unapproved after months of back-and-forth over federal rule changes, technology choices, cost, and tribal sovereignty. He said the program is expected to bring about $1 billion in broadband investment, connecting roughly 166,000 homes and small businesses, with a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and low-earth-orbit satellite. He also outlined permitting challenges, including rights-of-way and environmental/historic reviews, and said the office is working on permitting roundtables, federal coordination, and NEPA expertise to speed reviews. Members asked about the interaction of NEPA and SEPA, the reduction in deployable federal BEAD dollars, the long-term value of fiber versus other technologies, and possible coordination with other infrastructure permitting efforts. The committee then took executive action on House Bill 2684, which would add Middle Eastern and North African groups to the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises’ socially disadvantaged certification framework. Four proposed amendments were considered and all failed: an amendment narrowing the rebuttable presumption to groups with specific current discrimination, an amendment requiring disaggregated subgroup data and limiting use of aggregated data, an amendment tying the rules to the state constitution, and two amendments requiring consistency with federal law and Attorney General review. After debate over whether the bill was too broad or needed more specificity, the committee voted 7-4 to report HB 2684 out with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee unanimously approved House Joint Memorial 4012, which urges Congress to address the 20-year rule affecting certain combat-injured veterans and seeks parity in recognition and benefits. The memorial was reported out with a do pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote, with two members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we exceeded Wisconsin in 2018, and our industrial energy rates are the highest among competing states
• But we exceeded Wisconsin in 2018, and our industrial energy rates are the highest among competing states
• But we exceeded Wisconsin in 2018, and our industrial energy rates are the highest among competing states
• But we exceeded Wisconsin in 2018, and our industrial energy rates are the highest among competing states
• But we exceeded Wisconsin in 2018, and our industrial energy rates are the highest among competing states

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that it really holds the promise of a scaled clean future, clean energy future for the state
• I think Washington State has had a performance-based regulation, but in some sense, every state has performance-based
• of our energy bills today.
• energy goals of the state, do so reliably, and do so while delivering customers as affordable energy
• Today's, on a day like today in March, 25 gigawatts or so is what the state needs to meet its energy

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds. Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget. Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.