Transcript Highlights:

• IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THIS AS INTENDED LEGISLATIVELY, WE UPDATED OUR MANAGED-CARE CONTRACTS TO INCLUDE
• THE NURSING HOME MULTISTATE STUDY DIRECTED US TO CONTRACT WITH THE SAME VENDOR IMPLEMENTED AT THE TIME
• WE ARE IMPLEMENT IN THE FEBRUARY THROUGH SEPTEMBER RATE PERIOD IT WE ROLLED OUT THE NEW CONTRACTS.
• THIS PAST FEBRUARY HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS THAT WERE OF ANY
• Cassel: AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF RECEIVING THE DRUGS THAT WE'VE SORT OF CONTRACTED FOR THE PRESCRIPTION

Transcript Highlights:

• And so in their contract, I don't think that their contract was like they had to be building Kohler.
• But I, I don't think that their contract was like they had to be building Kohler, but I am willing to
• And so they already have a four-year contract. They just signed their contract with AT&T.
• And so I don't think in the contract, it says Kohler.
• I'm not sure because I haven't seen their contract.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements. Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers. Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• is language from House File 3900 and the A6 amendment, and what this does is it is for the tribal contract
• schools, of which there are four in Minnesota, and it provides for those tribal contract schools an
• in section two provides that same amount in the $70,000 range per year to each of the four tribal contract
• of in total to each of the four to each of in total to each of the four tribal<00:06:49.560><c> contract
• schools</c><00:06:50.919><c> and</c><00:06:51.040><c> that</c><00:06:51.240><c> amount</c> tribal contract

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate File 4282 met with a quorum present and heard a walkthrough of the bill, which contains forecast adjustments for several agencies. Senate staff explained that Article 1 makes education forecast adjustments for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Article 2 adjusts appropriations for the Department of Human Services, Article 3 does the same for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Article 4 increases special transportation services funding for Metropolitan Council programs including Metro Mobility and Metro Move by $8.9 million in FY 2026 and $10.9 million in FY 2027 to match the February forecast. House staff noted that the House language matched Article 1 but did not include Articles 2 through 4. Representative Youakim presented amendment A26-0180, describing six sections that add provisions on paraprofessional qualifications, aid for tribal contract schools tied to revised permanent school fund distributions, expanded allowable uses of school operating capital revenue to include certain utility costs, an extension of an existing appropriation for gender-neutral single-use restrooms, and two school district fund transfer provisions for West St. Paul/Mendota Heights/Eagan and Maple Lake. Members discussed that several items were no-cost and that some fund transfer language had been previously discussed in committee. The amendment was adopted on an 8-0 roll call vote. After adopting the amendment, the committee voted on the bill as amended. The conference committee agreement for Senate File 4282 passed on an 8-0 vote, and the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a flood protection authority that is well versed in open meetings, public works contracting, and
• The current board chair, Peter Vicari, testified in that meeting that he signed a contract for the chief
• That contract was egregious in nature. It included up to 12 years of a term at one point.
• Vicari's admission that he signed a contract written by his own employee is grounds for him to not be
• Basically, the situation is that the former levee board members, when they did their contract estimates

Summary: The committee first adopted Amendment Set 527 without objection, then adopted Amendment Set 5327, which adds a compliance officer requirement and related qualifications for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority. Supporters of Senate Bill 56 argued that the Lafitte levee district lacks sufficient recurring revenue to maintain its system and that the West Bank flood authority could provide professional management, coordination, and financial support. Testimony also raised concerns about governance problems at SLFPA East and about unresolved landowner damage claims tied to prior levee work. The committee reported SB 56 favorably with amendments. The Department of Transportation and Development secretary then gave an update on the agency’s transformation initiatives, including outsourcing, construction process improvements, faster contractor payments, quicker change-order approvals, and higher project delivery rates. The committee next reported Senate Bill 171 favorably, which cleans up language for the recreation, economy, navigation, and transportation authority board, and Senate Bill 252 favorably, which allows driver’s license records to reflect both acceptance and refusal of anatomical gift authorization. Senate Bill 72, dealing with electronic vehicle titles and registration, was amended extensively to modernize OMV processes, require electronic lien and title functions for certain users, and set implementation timelines; it was then reported with amendments. House Bill 939, which would create a Louisiana Vehicle Commission by consolidating the motor vehicle commissions, was amended with a substitute but then voluntarily deferred to allow more stakeholder work. Senate Bill 129, creating a Master Combat Infantry Specialty license plate and adding a special plate provision for designated state officials tied to Supreme Court parking/security concerns, was reported with amendments. Finally, House Resolution 243, urging safety warning signage on the Tickfaw River after a fatal boating accident, was amended to shift responsibility to parish governing authorities and was reported with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• with them, and those contracts are very expensive.
• I reached out to colleagues across the state to get a sense for what contract fees cost right now, and
• These are contracted employees, not on staff. Occupational therapists, $95 an hour.
• These are contracted employees, not on staff. Occupational therapists, $95 an hour.
• Answer did not have a transportation program in 2010, but we did contract for six weeks to take our kids

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was my question on page four that may contract with one or more entities.
• I'm looking at the bottom of page one: it's the Board of County Commissioners shall approve the contracts
• This just narrows down when you can declare emergency for schools, approving emergency contracts whenever
• It's a civil contract that we as a state support.
• It's a civil contract that we as a state support. It's a civil contract that we as a state support.

Bills: HB3015 , HB3114 , HB3411 , HB3567 , HB3568 , HB3749 , HB3891 , HB4229 , HB4237 , HB4253 , HJR1019 , HJR1046 , HJR1084

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: electronic credentials, Service Oklahoma, digital identification, data protection, driver's license, electronic monitoring, criminal justice reform, nonviolent offenders, Department of Corrections, parole, state law, biosolids, PFAS, environmental safety, agriculture, public health, Department of Environmental Quality, testing regulations, soil amendments, HB3567

Summary: The committee first announced that House Bills 3568 and 3891 and H.J.R. 1019 would be laid over and not heard that day. It then took up a series of bills, adopting PCS versions where offered and generally moving them forward with do-pass recommendations. House Bill 3015 would allow Oklahomans to add a driver’s license to a digital wallet and use it as an optional credential; members questioned why legislation was needed now versus the 2019 digital ID effort and whether the state would work directly with Apple and Google rather than a third-party vendor. The bill passed 10-0. Other measures included House Bill 314, which adds a DOC electronic monitoring ineligibility item; House Bill 3567, which increases transparency in campaign fund use and was amended to correct a citation; House Bill 3749, which lets county clerks, county court clerks, and county commissioners retain outside counsel; House Bill 4229, which narrows when schools may declare emergencies for contracts when facilities are unusable; and House Bill 4237, which modernizes collection of criminal court fees, fines, and costs. Each of these bills advanced, with HB 3749 drawing the most discussion over whether it duplicates district attorney services and whether county commissioners would be approving their own outside-counsel contracts. The committee also advanced House Bill 4253, a union-related bill that the author said he was carrying as a vehicle and would substantially revise before final passage; members discussed federal labor-law concerns and the bill passed 10-0. House Joint Resolution 1046 would exempt homeowners from property tax for a year if a residence is uninhabitable for six months after a disaster; members debated the impact on local tax bases and whether existing ad valorem refund mechanisms should be used instead, and it passed 10-0. House Joint Resolution 1084, which states that Oklahoma and U.S. constitutional standards govern courtroom matters and no court should enforce incompatible religious law, passed 8-2 after questions about whether it addressed a current problem. Finally, House Bill 3411 on biosolids and PFAS testing would require DEQ testing and disclosure to landowners and authorize treatment protocols; it passed 9-1. The meeting ended with notice that the next rules meeting was moved to Thursday at 11:30 in a different room due to technical difficulties.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you may recall, the 2025 Budget Act included a one-time appropriation for CDCR to enter into a contract
• It also includes the Department of Health Care Services in that contract.
• But specific to CDCR, BCG is looking at things like contract management and streamlining, the department's
• As you may recall, the 2025 Budget Act included a one-time appropriation for CDCR to enter into a contract
• It also includes the Department of Healthcare Services in that contract.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety heard updates on CDCR’s population projections and the preliminary fiscal impacts of Proposition 36. CDCR said its fall 2025 projections show continued declines in the institution and parole populations through June 2030, while noting Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but remain uncertain. The LAO said the administration’s Prop. 36 estimates may be somewhat low because they were based on only six months of implementation data, and the Department of Finance agreed the methodology is still developing. Committee members asked about the offenses driving admissions and the sentence-length impacts, and CDCR identified the main qualifying offenses and enhancements it is tracking. No votes were taken. The committee then discussed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave cashouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said vacancy reductions and prison closures have reduced the salary savings historically used to cover these costs. The LAO supported the funding only on a limited-term basis and urged more oversight and reporting on CDCR’s structural shortfall, while the Department of Finance argued ongoing funding is needed because leave liabilities are mandatory and salary savings are less stable. Members raised concerns about transparency, asked about leave buyback practices and accrued leave balances, and requested more information before the May Revision. Members also heard CDCR’s proposals for $10 million for the final two statewide video surveillance projects and $15.2 million for Fire Watch coverage and related fire alarm work. The LAO supported the Fire Watch request as a one-time health and safety cost, while CDCR explained the aging prison infrastructure and the need for interim safety measures while longer-term replacement planning is developed. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s proposal to close the California Rehabilitation Center, which would produce a net General Fund reduction of $99.6 million in 2026-27 and ongoing savings of more than $150 million starting in 2027-28. CDCR said the closure is driven by sustained population declines and will include retention and realignment funding; the LAO recommended approval. Public comment focused on county funding for Prop. 36 implementation, opposition to using Prop. 36 as a reason to keep prisons open, and support for community-based rehabilitation programs. The hearing adjourned without any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year we paid out over a billion dollars in construction contract payments.
• Last year, we paid out over a billion dollars in construction contract payments.
• It wasn't only just a couple of years ago that our payout on contract construction was right around $300
• We have a strong relationship with the contracting companies that...
• We have a strong relationship with the contracting companies that perform this work.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 20 minutes without objection. It then received a lengthy update from Idaho Transportation Department Director Scott Stokes, who described ITD’s responsibilities, staffing, budget sources, major highway and bridge projects, winter maintenance, DMV and aeronautics services, and the department’s safety and innovation efforts. He emphasized the department’s focus on operating, preserving, restoring, and expanding the transportation system, and answered questions about funding growth, freeway and work-zone safety, emergency repairs, and workforce needs. Members then considered several RS drafts for introduction. RS 32984 would eliminate the requirement to display vehicle registration stickers, with the sponsor citing reduced cost and redundancy; it was introduced. RS 32869 would allow parents to teach driver’s education even in urban districts, restoring flexibility after prior changes; it was introduced after discussion about safety and possible fiscal effects tied to Idaho Digital Learning Alliance enrollment costs. RS 32834 would consolidate proof-of-identity and DMV registration processes for out-of-state customers; it was introduced. The committee also heard RS 32841 C1, a cleanup bill to streamline distribution of vehicle registration fees and taxes and to raise the annual transfer for local bridge inspections from $175,000 to $300,000 to help draw down federal matching funds. After questions about the funding flow and match requirements, the committee voted to introduce the measure. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many public executive employee contracts contain golden parachutes payout clauses that result in substantial
• There's nothing really wrong with that if that's what they have in their contract, and I just think these
• We have one employment contract and that's with our city manager.
• They got 250 responses. 150+ city managers in the state of Texas have employment contracts.
• Those employment contracts have severance. It is a market principle.

Bills: SB 1079 , SB 1243 , SB 1504 , SB 1579 , SB 1708 , SB 1844 , SB 1851 , SB 1879 , SB 1921 , SB 1951 , SB 2237 , SB 2238 , SB 2406 , SB 2407

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• In February 2025, the California State University announced a $17 million contract with OpenAI to provide
• The contract between the CSU and OpenAI is a large... ...initiative.
• The contract between the CSU and OpenAI is the largest contract ever established between a university
• On May 26, CSU renewed its system-wide contract with OpenAI for a three-year term, costing $13 million

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does that mean you're losing a contract that was previously provided by a tenant or by the currently
• They were under contract.
• There's already security, but it's a rented contract, I believe, much like this building was.
• So that security contract is going to go away. They're not going to renew that contract.

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee met to consider several budget and staffing requests tied to constitutional offices and the Supreme Court, with opening remarks noting that fringe benefits are now calculated at 40% to 45% and that constitutional officers may pay the maximum if they choose. Item B, a Supreme Court request for one new Supreme Court police chief position with no appropriation increase, was approved. Item C, from the Secretary of State, sought five additional Capitol Police corporal positions, title realignments, and salary maximum adjustments, along with a $498,000 appropriation increase; members questioned how the office could absorb pay changes without new funding, and the office explained it was cleaning up a large and outdated classification structure while also preparing to provide security for an additional building. The item was approved. Item D, from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, proposed moving from line-item maximum salaries to state pay-plan grades, with no change in total positions but about a $349,000 increase in salaries and matching funds. Office representatives said the office had not had raises in nearly a decade and needed the change to stay competitive and retain staff, but members raised concerns about comparing the office’s pay to other agencies and about office staffing and accessibility. Senator Hill asked to hold the item for offline discussion, and the committee agreed to hold it until the next day. Item E, from the Auditor’s Office, requested salary realignments, increases to line-item maximums, and two new positions tied to UCP claims and compliance work, with a total increase of $579,468. The auditor said the office had already pulled a government relations position from the request after an updated packet was issued, and defended the remaining increases as market-based and revenue-neutral, with some work funded by interest earnings. Members questioned the need for a legislative affairs position and whether the salary increases were aligned with the market, but after discussion the committee approved the item. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oklahomans to protect them from any kind of foreign law, legal code, or system that would void a contract
• Senate Bill 1595 prohibits state agencies or contracted entities from recommending specific commercial
• I Senate Bill 1595 prohibits state agencies or contracted entities from recommending specific commercial
• So there's a contract there. It's their job to cover that.
• Representative, would you agree that contract laborers actually help keep the cost of groceries down?

Summary: The Civil Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up a long series of Senate bills, adopting a committee substitute for SB 1716 as a working draft before hearing the bill. SB 1716 clarified data privacy language as it applies to utility companies, and it passed on a recorded vote with one nay. The committee then heard and advanced SB 1303, transferring property and records from the Advisory Council on Workers’ Compensation to the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and SB 2180, the Foreign Principal Lobbying Oversight Act, which requires agents of foreign principals to register with the Secretary of State subject to stated exceptions. Both measures passed without opposition. Members also approved SB 504 setting the minimum marriage age at 18, SB 1209 changing eviction timing to exempt only Sundays and holidays, SB 1448 as a Consumer Protection Act cleanup bill, and SB 1597, a mirror CASA bill clarifying that it does not affect receipt of national funds. SB 1679, described as preserving Oklahoma values and protecting against foreign law overriding Oklahoma contracts, also passed after questions about constitutional and interstate issues. SB 2182, creating a Uniform Civil Remedies Act for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, was adopted after a committee substitute was filed. Later, the committee adopted an amendment to SB 2112 and advanced it as an open-pastures bill for certain county roads in western Oklahoma, then passed SB 2170 requiring supervised visitation for individuals with substantiated DHS findings of sexual abuse. Additional measures approved included SB 2084 limiting settlements in wrongful termination suits involving higher education faculty to two years’ salary, SB 1496 updating OSBI authority and information-sharing rules, SB 1595 restricting state agencies and contractors from steering commercial driver training school choices, SB 1655 expanding post-adoption services through the Children’s Specialty Plan Program, SB 1876 modernizing service of process for foreign insurance companies, SB 1621 allowing county district attorneys to defend county law libraries, SB 1944 clarifying agricultural payroll and independent contractor thresholds, SB 1266 on notary accountability, SB 2072 expanding title-theft investigations and fee waivers, SB 2104 cleaning up the Uniform Trust Code, SB 1769 allowing short-term rental owners to require photo ID from renters and guests age 18 or older, and SB 1827 removing certain University Hospital Trust physician faculty and staff from the Government Tort Claims Act. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most recently, there was a contract or a letter of intent signed... Taiwan and Idaho.
• Most recently, there was a contract or a letter of intent signed between our wheat growers and Taiwan
• The procurement process that Lewis County used to enter into contracts pursuant to those grants were
• The one thing that entering into longer-term grant cycles and longer-term contracts does is that it helps
• And so short-term and standalone purchases can cost up to 40% more than long-term contracts.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 20 and then reordered the agenda to hear several Senate measures. Senate Bill 1350, on cash rounding when pennies are unavailable, was presented as a voluntary guide for cash transactions only; it would round to the nearest five cents and was supported by the Idaho Retailers Association. After a brief question about change-making and a note of support from Pam Eaton, the committee sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Members then heard Senate Joint Memorial 112, which urges Congress to propose a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget. Representative Raymond argued the federal deficit is unsustainable and said Idaho’s congressional delegation should lead on the issue; the memorial was advanced on a due pass motion. Senate Bill 1322, concerning voter affidavits for voters without photo ID, would require additional identifying information such as name, address, and either date of birth or driver’s license number before a ballot is issued. The Secretary of State’s office said about 1,200 voters used the affidavit in 2024 and supported the bill, which also received a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced Senate Joint Memorial 109, reaffirming Idaho’s sovereignty and the Tenth Amendment in election administration, and House Concurrent Resolution 35, honoring Idaho’s 2026 Olympians, including medalists Breezy Johnson, Jalen Koth, and Hillary Knight. Representative Church read a statement from Sammy Smith’s coach praising her athletic competitiveness. Senate Concurrent Resolution 122, reaffirming Idaho’s relationship with Taiwan and its economic ties, was likewise sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. In the final item, the committee considered temporary and pending rules for the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission governing multi-year 911 grant authority and related scoring/application provisions. Sheriff Andy Creech said the rule would provide clearer limits and guidance for grants supporting next-generation 911 and that prior grants would remain valid. Despite his explanation, the committee voted to reject both docket 15-0601-2501 and docket 15-0601-2215, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For a brief background, public utility districts are required to contract for any work ordered by the
• One exception to that requirement is that PUDs are not required to contract for work accepted as an industry
• First, until 2045, for projects up to $500,000 in value, PUDs would not be required to contract for work
• It modifies the manner in which PUDs may solicit and award contracts for the purchase of materials and
• what this bill will allow us to do is, instead of having to go to bid and then constructing the contracts

Bills: SB6313

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• standards on the private detention facilities, they didn't necessarily put all of that into their contract
• is a private company that's making millions of dollars, so they need to live up probably to their contract
• standards on the private detention facilities, they didn't necessarily put all of that into their contract
• They didn't necessarily put all of that into their contract and they're losing money on that.
• is a private company that's making millions of dollars, so they need to live up probably to their contract

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on February 25 and received staff briefings on three bills. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2253, the DCYF licensing bill, was described as affecting foster care licensing, crisis residential center staffing ratios, and child care licensing. Staff reviewed multiple proposed amendments, including changes related to immediate threats to children’s safety, substance use, subsidy fraud, reporting channels, and DUI-related ineligibility, as well as a Wilson striking amendment that would remove many of those floor changes. After caucus, the chair announced she would pull ESHB 2253 from executive action for further work over the interim, and no vote was taken on the bill. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2319, which renames certain residential habilitation centers, had one amendment to rename Yakima Valley School as the Yakima Valley Residential Habilitation Center. The committee adopted the amendment despite opposition from Senators Warnick and Christian, who said constituents in Yakima did not support the change. The bill then received a do-pass recommendation and was sent to Rules, with Senators Warnick and Christian voting no. House Bill 2464, concerning incident reporting by private detention facilities to the Department of Health and local law enforcement, was also considered. Senator Christian offered six amendments, including a JLARC study, public posting and legislative sharing of reports, expanded reporting requirements, food-safety consistency, and reimbursement for compliance costs; all six amendments failed. The committee then approved the bill on a do-pass recommendation and sent it to Rules, with Senator Christian opposing and Senator Orwall supporting the measure as a human-rights and safety bill. The chair closed the meeting after noting the committee had reached the policy cutoff and thanking staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2223 concerns irrigation district director beneficial interests and contracts.
• House Bill 2223 concerns irrigation district director beneficial interests and contracts.
• quick reminder, state law provides that no municipal officer may be beneficially interested in any contract
• provided that the spouse is employed prior to the date of the director's initial election, that the contract
• the spouse is similar to everyone else's, and that the director does not vote on their spouse's contract

Bills: HB2104 , HB2223 , HB2348 , HB2554 , HB2619

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, irrigation, district director, contracts, beneficial interests, agriculture, timber sales, land sales, process efficiency, legislation, department language, tribal rights, fishing rights, salmon management, state-tribal agreements, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2223 concerns irrigation district director beneficial interests and contracts.
• House Bill 2223 concerns irrigation district director beneficial interests and contracts.
• quick reminder, state law provides that no municipal officer may be beneficially interested in any contract
• provided that the spouse is employed prior to the date of the director's initial election, that the contract
• the spouse is similar to everyone else's, and that the director does not vote on their spouse's contract

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reviewed several House bills in executive session. Staff briefed bills on aviation assurances for wildland fire response (HB 2104), derelict vessels (HB 2199), irrigation district director spouse employment conflicts (HB 2223), statewide food security strategy (HB 2238), water quality and game farms (HB 2343), timber sales efficiencies (HB 2348), treaty reserve fishing rights and repeal of Initiative 456 (HB 2554), and a task force on reducing regulatory stress in agriculture (HB 2619). Members noted that HB 2238 had been heard previously as a striker but was now being considered as the engrossed substitute. Several bills had no amendments and little or no fiscal impact, while others carried modest fiscal notes. The committee took action on most bills: HB 2104, HB 2199, HB 2238, HB 2348, HB 2554, and HB 2619 all received due pass recommendations and were sent either to Ways and Means or Rules, with votes recorded by voice and no opposition noted. The committee took no action on HB 2223 or HB 2343. Members also thanked staff and acknowledged departing senators for their service. In the work session, the Washington State Department of Agriculture presented an overview of the 2024 local farms, workers, and food overtime reimbursement grant. WSDA described how it used targeted outreach, cross-agency coordination, and a streamlined application to administer the one-time program, which reimbursed qualifying overtime wages for hand-harvest vegetable farms selling to local markets and schools. The agency reported that 24 farms received about $213,000 total, and members asked about lessons learned, including how the experience might inform future grant design and broader agricultural support programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• general fund to CYFD, our Children, Youth and Families Department, for the Office of Tribal Affairs to contract
• a straight appropriation, and Senator, are you making a motion to make sure I get it correct: to contract
• And there is also appearing on line 22 the same thing: to contract for—strike a field liaisons and add—okay
• appropriation and Senator are you making a motion to for a change and make sure I get it correct to contract
• it's three million dollars for one person and there is also appearing on line 22 the same thing to contract

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 226, which would appropriate $50 million for continued cleanup of abandoned uranium mine sites. Supporters, including Navajo and Pueblo advocates and conservation groups, described serious health and environmental harms from unreclaimed mines and argued state funding is needed because federal cleanup has been insufficient. One witness representing uranium companies said prior state funding helped clean up four sites in McKinley County and that additional money would continue meaningful progress. After questions about land ownership, cleanup responsibility, and existing budget funding, the committee adopted a due pass motion and approved the bill on a 4-0 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 242, which appropriates $3 million to CYFD’s Office of Tribal Affairs to contract for field liaisons to help ensure compliance with the New Mexico Indian Family Protection Act and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act. The sponsor offered and the committee approved a technical amendment changing the bill to authorize multiple liaisons. Tribal advocates and child welfare organizations supported the measure, saying CYFD needs more capacity and accountability in Indian child welfare cases. The bill passed unanimously on a 4-0 due pass vote. Next was Senate Bill 249, an appropriation to support the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force and related work in the Attorney General’s office, including maintaining a portal and IT support. Supporters said sustained funding is needed for accountability, coordination, data collection, and justice for Indigenous families, and that the issue remains a critical public safety and sovereignty concern. The sponsor noted he would continue working to fit funding into the budget. The committee voted due pass 4-0. Finally, Senator Campos presented Senate Bill 201, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Cultural Affairs Department for rural library operations in FY27, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. He said the bill is intended to help additional rural libraries that qualify for grants and complements other library funding measures already considered. A Pueblo of Pojoaque lobbyist spoke in support, citing the bill’s importance to cultural integrity in northern New Mexico. The committee approved SB 201 on a 4-0 due pass vote and then recessed until the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• children and teens, and the First Approach Skills Training program for providers and patients through a contract
• HCA bears the cost of contracting with a third-party administrator to calculate and administer the assessment
• This bill would allow the state to move the cost of contracting with a third-party administrator away
• when implementing provider payment initiatives under Medicaid managed care organization, or MCO, contracts
• expenditures when implementing provider payment initiatives under Medicaid managed care organization or MCO contracts

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2251, sponsored by Rep. Fitzgibbon, would reorganize Climate Commitment Act revenue accounts by repealing several existing accounts and creating new operating and capital accounts, changing how auction proceeds are distributed when revenues are above or below a set threshold, broadening some tribal and overburdened-community spending language, adding electric vehicles and certain housing uses, capping Ecology administrative costs, and moving some reporting from annual to every two years. Supporters said the bill would simplify a confusing account structure and improve predictability, while opponents criticized the reduced reporting frequency and said it could weaken accountability. No vote was taken. House Bill 2254 would adjust the funding model for the Partnership Access Line and related behavioral health consultation programs by allowing the cost of the third-party administrator to be included in the carrier assessment rather than paid from general funds. Committee staff said this would produce general fund savings, and testimony from HCA, UW Medicine, Seattle Children’s, and others supported the bill as a technical fix that would stabilize the programs and potentially free up funds to restore service levels. No vote was taken. House Bill 2385 would extend deadlines and the expiration date for the Medicaid Access Program created last session, after federal HR1 restrictions prevented implementation of the original program and provider assessment. The bill would push out CMS submission deadlines, update the rate-setting reference year, and extend the act’s sunset date. The sponsor and the Washington State Medical Association supported the bill as necessary to preserve the option of pursuing the program later. The committee took no action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:34:11.040><c> with</c> to DHS for contracts with to DHS for contracts with community-based<01
• </c> contracts in over 10 years. contracts in over 10 years.
• , because I see why you need to review them for multi-year contracts.
• . contracts. contracts.
• </c> determine whether any existing contract determine whether any existing contract is<01:46:09.360>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up gubernatorial message nominations. Margaret Jackson was heard for reappointment to the State Council on Mental Health, where she said her lived experience with family members facing schizophrenia, houselessness, and substance use issues motivates her service. Andrew Savaiano was heard for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council and said he wanted to continue elevating youth voice and lived experience. Tao Yan was heard for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants and emphasized the importance of wastewater treatment to public health and the environment. The Department of Health testified in support of the nominations, and the committee later adopted chair recommendations to advise and consent to all three nominations, noting Senator Favela’s excuse and no recorded objections. The committee then heard HB 1853 relating to dementia. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies, advocacy groups, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience, including a person living with Alzheimer’s and his caregiver spouse, who described the value of early diagnosis and coordinated support. Supporters said the bill would expand memory care navigation and access, especially on neighbor islands and in rural areas, and help families connect to resources earlier. One member raised concerns about the cost and scale of the proposed program, asking about the number and cost of dementia specialists and noting broader budget pressures, but the bill remained under discussion with no final action shown in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 1591 relating to health care, which would expand the preceptor tax credit to additional health professions, including physician assistant students and PAs, with testimony in support from nursing, public health, medical, and provider organizations. Supporters argued the measure would help address workforce shortages and improve training opportunities for local and economically disadvantaged students. A committee member asked about the aggregate cost of the credit and whether the existing credit had been fully utilized; the chair noted the bill was being kept narrower than broader proposals because of fiscal concerns. The transcript then moved to HB 1961 relating to health care access near facilities, with supporters arguing it protects access to legal reproductive health care and opponents saying it is unnecessary, vague, and burdensome on free speech and protest activity. No final vote on the bills appears in the excerpt provided.