Transcript Highlights:

• He's a former tourism and economic development director, also with General Services, but now with Ski
• . ...get more services for the commission, for the speech and hearing commission.
• So thank you very much for doing this for us and being of service to the state of New Mexico.
• Shuttle service is provided on the east side of the capital, and it's going to... it.
• rosary service and 11:00 a.m. for the funeral service at the Basilica.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our second day in the Early Learning and Human Services Committee.
• Community transition update—so, community transition services update.
• I serve as the CEO for Community Youth Services, or CYS.
• I serve as the CEO for Community Youth Services, or CYS.
• service locations in Thurston, Pierce, Lewis, and Mason County.

Bills: HB1544, HB2219, HB2253

Keywords: child welfare, risk assessment, investigation, child abuse, neglect, HB 2219, child care licensing, early learning, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, Washington child care, preschool licensing, family child care, child care centers, nature-based child care, outdoor preschool, mixed-age ratios, staff-to-child ratio, group size, zero tolerance

Transcript Highlights:

• Contrary to popular belief, this is not a commercial for phone service. But good afternoon.
• And what service areas and what counties they're offering in, up across the state and what service areas
• Number one, people are using more health care services.
• The services that they're using are more intensive.
• To the preventive services, right, mammography, all of the prenatal care services.

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 11-hour service time is critical for drivers.
• The service network, because I'm sure, Mr.
• It varies upon the service that's being provided.
• The last thing you want to do is put services out there that will...
• and deliver service to our constituents and our residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• . services. services.
• </c><00:16:06.240><c> and</c> overlap to optimizing aging services and overlap to optimizing aging services
• ,</c><00:19:05.200><c> and</c> transportation, aging services, and transportation, aging services, and
• </c> modernization to improve service modernization to improve service resiliency<00:26:40.159><c> and
• , service delivery will be impacted.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And ideally, existing cities grow... ...services can be efficiently provided.
• Cities are the best equipped to provide urban services. Counties are not.
• Services are provided. Water's installed. Sewers installed.
• Or a disincentive for them to require that and add cost to their service provisions.
• Staff capacity is a real challenge across development services in general.

Summary: The committee held a work session on local government issues, beginning with an update from the State Building Code Council on four legislatively mandated code amendments now in CR-102 rulemaking: temporary emergency shelters, reduced minimum dwelling unit size, multiplex housing up to three stories and six units, and single-exit apartment buildings up to six stories. Council staff also described a separate embodied-carbon appendix proposal that remains under public review, with testimony both supporting and opposing it. Members asked about the rationale for some of the code limits, including the restriction on connecting multiplex buildings. The committee then heard a panel on annexations from MRSC, Pierce County, and the Association of Washington Cities. Witnesses reviewed annexation methods, including petition, election, and interlocal agreement approaches, and said larger annexations are increasingly using interlocal agreements because they can address infrastructure, revenue sharing, and public process concerns. They described barriers such as inconsistent local standards, the cost of infrastructure, referendum risk, census requirements, and the difficulty of persuading residents and local officials to support annexation. Members asked about the five-year restriction on residential zoning changes in one annexation method and whether a hearing examiner could reduce political pressure on local decision-makers. A second panel discussed subdivision reform. The Master Builders Association urged raising the short-plat threshold within urban growth areas to 30 lots as a simpler first step, citing permitting delays and added housing costs. The City of Spokane described implementation problems with recent housing laws, including uncertainty about how to review plats under HB 1110, lot-splitting administration, and added notice requirements for unit lot subdivisions. AWC said there was broad agreement that subdivision decisions should be more administrative, but public hearings remained a point of disagreement. The committee also heard from FutureWise, the Washington State Association of Counties, and Lewis County on county development regulation and enforcement, with witnesses emphasizing underfunded code enforcement, inconsistent standards between counties and cities, and the need for better coordination, incentives, and possibly stronger enforcement tools. No votes were taken; the chair said the committee would continue working on possible solutions in future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations, Madam Vice Chair, and thank you for your two years of service.
• I'm from the Division of Legislative Services.
• During session, I serve as counsel to the House Health and Human Services Committee.
• Service Council to the House Health and Human Services Committee.
• My understanding is that the Department of Social Services will be rolling...

Keywords: Virginia Commission to End Hunger, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:51.520><c> paid</c> funding, $1 million in debt service paid funding, $1 million in debt service
• ,</c><00:04:02.000><c> and</c> counseling, and training services, and counseling, and training services
• So, the debt service is significant.
• </c> So, the debt service is significant. So, the debt service is significant.
• So, the service that lasts for decades.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, House Bill 2050 modifies Department of Health Services standards regarding radiologic
• We had a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services-required process for skilled nursing.
• mental health facility or other facility capable of providing equivalent services in another state to
• I thank you for your service. I think...
• I thank you for your service. I thank you for your work in this area.

Bills: HB2050, HB2082, HB2176, HB2195, HB2202, HB2307, HB2584

Keywords: radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice, health workforce, rural health care, critical access hospital, supervision, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• As a land grant, we have that mission to, in fact, do public service.
• But the idea for me is, how do we continue to offer these services in an expanding way?
• And first, as I've always said, for your service to the state. We appreciate what you do.
• We have other behavioral health services and recovery support services.
• Services at that moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• As an almost 24-year assistant state attorney, I'm committed to public service.
• And so that's Florida that may be looking for life after the service.
• I intend to carry that level of professionalism to my service.
• As you can tell from my prior comments, I'm committed to public service.
• So thank you all for your service to this country.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Provide clean, safe, and reliable water service to Californians.
• The Government Code specifically states that water service is a property-related service that aids in
• to provide water service to aid in extinguishing wildfires.
• demands. ...services to residents and visitors.
• Assembly Bill 2405 is related to the Emergency Medical Services Act.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Armed Service members... ...or ballot, nearly 2.5 million of our U.S.
• Armed Service members deployed overseas cast their ballots.
• In 2018, the Electronic Transmission Service was narrowed into the DOD Fax Service, which allowed military
• Indeed, just last month, the Postal Service announced that it would terminate mail service to several
• Chairman, yeah, I mean, the Postal Service is the only department listed in the Constitution.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 would require lobbyists to file employment changes, terminations, and amendments directly with the Secretary of State through the Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through their employer or firm, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining that the notice is not itself a petition. Both bills drew support from the Secretary of State’s office and election officials, with no opposition heard in committee. The committee also heard SB 1369, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, said the measure would protect judicial independence and safety amid what they described as politically motivated recall campaigns; one member raised concerns about treating judges differently from other officials. SB 1414 would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County, modeled on other California jurisdictions, to draw supervisorial districts through a more transparent process. It had support from good-government groups and only limited concerns from the county, which said it wanted further amendments. The committee then heard SB 970, which would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, with the author saying California should modernize as fax service declines and mail service becomes less reliable. County election officials and veterans’ groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting-security advocates opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not currently feasible and could conflict with existing law. SB 1420 would expand voter education and guidance around “sign, scan, and go” voting, which lets voters cast a vote-by-mail ballot in person at a voting site; supporters said it can speed processing and improve voter convenience, while the Secretary of State’s office sought more clarity on double-voting safeguards. SB 1310 would allow limited information from jury questionnaires to be shared with election officials to help identify possible voter-registration issues, but opponents warned it could lead to wrongful purges and harm eligible voters. All bills were voted out of committee, with SB 1175 and SB 1357 receiving unanimous support, SB 1369 and SB 1414 passing on 4-1 votes, and SB 970, SB 1420, and SB 1310 passing unanimously or near-unanimously after absent members were added on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Armed Service members deployed overseas cast their ballots.
• In 2018, the Electronic Transmission Service was narrowed into the DOD Fax Service, which allowed military
• Indeed, just last month, the Postal Service announced that it would terminate mail service to several
• They are methodically destroying the Postal Service. I mean, just tearing it apart. They are...
• That would decide to destroy the Postal Service.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 by Senator Rubio would require lobbyists to file employment changes and terminations directly with the Secretary of State through the new Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through employers or firms, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining the notice’s purpose. Both bills drew support from state election officials and were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard SB 1369 by Senator Reyes, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring oral disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, argued the bill would protect judicial independence and safety amid recent recall efforts, while one senator questioned whether judges should be treated differently from other officials. The bill passed on a 3-1 vote and was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Public Safety. SB 1414, also by Senator Reyes, would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters said it would reduce gerrymandering and improve public trust, while county representatives raised concerns but remained open to amendments. It advanced on a 3-1 vote to the Local Government Committee. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes would direct the Secretary of State to adopt regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, responding to the loss of the federal DOD fax service and mail delays. County election officials and veterans groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting integrity groups opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not feasible and could conflict with existing law. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1420 by Senator Richardson, which would expand voter awareness of “sign, scan, and go” voting and require guidance on implementation; it was supported by election officials and advocacy groups and advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1310 by Senator Choi would allow limited sharing of jury questionnaire information with election officials to help update voter rolls, but opponents warned it could lead to erroneous voter cancellations; the author narrowed the bill’s scope in response to concerns, and it passed to Judiciary. Several bills were held on call briefly until absent members were added, after which the committee completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Armed Service members, or ballot, nearly 2.5 million of our U.S.
• Armed Service members deployed overseas cast their ballots.
• In 2018, the Electronic Transmission Service was narrowed into the DOD Fax Service, which allowed military
• Indeed, just last month, the Postal Service announced that it would terminate mail service to several
• Chairman, yeah, I mean, the Postal Service is the only department listed in the Constitution.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides relative to service of process.
• Right now, the postal service is terrible.
• I think anything that requires an appearance requires service unless you waive service.
• , I prefer this type of service.'
• all the legislative intent that currently allows service after the original service of the petition

Bills: HB135, HB142, HB170, HB194, HB215, HB216, HB226, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB609

Keywords: exemption, motor vehicles, health savings accounts, debt relief, bankruptcy, civil procedure, abandonment, default judgment, court costs, notice requirements, construction contracts, jurisdiction, dispute resolution, public policy, Louisiana law, professional engineer, peremptive periods, construction, architect, real estate developer

Transcript Highlights:

• Tyler Village, and foster and relative care services.
• Health and Human Services and Appropriations. HB 4100, municipal water providers.
• Health and Human Services. HB 4104, appropriation in Arizona Arts Trust.
• Health and Human Services. HB 4126, individual savings plan program.
• Health and Human Services and Government. HB 4134, fire service station fund.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And emergency services are always there. Disaster relief of flooding.
• And emergency services are always there. Disaster relief of flooding.
• service and humanitarian missions.
• That was a three-to-two vote to allow commercial air service.
• There was customer service provided in the app through an in-app customer service feature, which had

Bills: HB2347, HB2410

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership

Transcript Highlights:

• They can also be alternatives for existing banking services, both deposit and cash-like services, but
• also lending... ...banking services, both deposit and cash-like services, but also lending, investment
• So this inequality... ...is built into the provision of financial services.
• How much is the state currently paying on debt service?
• Washington is struggling to fund its core services.

Summary: The committee first received a JLARC work session on the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences and recommending legislative action on eight. JLARC reviewed natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, and several shorter reviews including senior center property tax relief, a disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, trade convention nexus treatment, wholesale sales of fertilizer/pesticides/seed, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and three energy-related preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally recommended continuing preferences that met stated or inferred objectives, modifying some to improve reporting or performance metrics, and allowing the unused silicon smelter preferences to expire. The Citizen Commission endorsed JLARC’s recommendations, and committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about trends in travel agent/tour operator beneficiaries and the housing exemption’s performance metric and data issues. The committee then heard a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. A presentation from California public banking advocates and the Bank of North Dakota described public banks as government-owned financial institutions intended to keep public funds working locally, support lending for housing, infrastructure, and community development, and partner with community banks and credit unions. Committee questions focused on leverage, liquidity, constitutional issues, and how the model would interact with existing state investment and debt structures. Staff summarized the bill’s structure, including activation conditions, governance, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting the fiscal note was largely indeterminate and startup costs could be significant. Public testimony on SB 5754 was divided. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor, educators, community advocates, and residents, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, improve access to capital, keep public money in Washington, and help finance infrastructure, housing, and disaster resilience. Opponents included community bankers and county treasurers, who warned about risks to safety and liquidity of public funds, questioned the need for a new institution given existing programs, and argued the proposal lacked a proven track record in Washington. The hearing concluded with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The support Medicaid, home and community-based services, hcbs waiver programs and related services.
• And ultimately any state government delivers services for its constituents.
• We have a subscription service with them.
• It's a infrastructure as a service but the actual hosting as infrastructure as a service.
• Also general services.