Transcript Highlights:

• a Black member and during Black History Month to honor a racist man who thought I didn't have the brain
• I will note that it shows that has been filed to the Government Operations subcommittee.
• If you don't have the brain processing part, otherwise take you've taken really seriously.
• Yeah, we know you don't have the processing brain power otherwise. We take it really seriously.
• vote on a bill for a man who wasn't even a constituent of this state who didn't think I possess the brain

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there's pretty big changes to how the state can set up our health care taxes.
• </c> the second one indexed um the operating the second one indexed um the operating part<00:43:09.200
• It's on the mental health targeted case management. You said it was delayed due to systems work.
• So right now, for example, we have a brain injury waiver amendment in already, the amendment that we
• What can we do to promote health and safety and strong program integrity controls?

Bills: HF3379

Keywords: housing stabilization, disability services, predatory funding, provider requirements, housing accessibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:00.960><c> development</c> impact the child's brain development impact the child's brain development
• challenges we are getting mental health challenges we are getting better<00:23:42.559><c> right</c><
• I'm Jenny O'Higgins, and I'm the legislative liaison for Behavioral Health at DHHS.
• costs including repair ongoing operating costs including repair and<00:58:14.319><c> maintenance</c>
• would be required for operating would be required for additional<01:03:12.079><c> maintenance</c><01

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Health care claims data is regularly used in health services research and policy analysis.
• rebuild their community health assessment and community health improvement plans.
• There’s the community health improvement plan and the community health assessment.
• Tiffany Murphy, Chief Operations Officer with Mental Health America of California.
• health nonprofit.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MY FAMILY RELOCATED FROM TEXAS TO SOUTH FLORIDA FOR MY HUSBAND'S POSITION AT ADVENT HEALTH AND WE GREW
• CURRENTLY THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF LIKE WELL CAPITAL GROUP, A PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM THAT PARTNERS
• I AM SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE OPERATIONS WHICH INCLUDES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SAFETY AND
• TRAINING OF CONSTRUCTION CREWS AS WELL AS OUR ELITE OPERATIONS.
• UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HAS 67 COUNTIES IN WHICH IT OPERATES THROUGH ITS IFU S PROGRAM.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to do what we can to make sure that that person is compensated for the harm that they've endured
• Housing, mental health is number one.
• that are relevant to the particular circumstance or parties in the case, such as the party's age, health
• They often operate under very thin margins, and their work is often threatened by outside actions or
• for the purpose of the prohibition on collecting ALPR data near facilities that provide protected health

Summary: The committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 5520, which revises Washington’s wrongful conviction compensation law. Staff said the bill changes the proof standard for filing claims, expands treatment of Alford pleas, requires the Attorney General to concede qualifying claims in most cases, includes civil detention in compensation calculations, changes attorney fee provisions, and extends filing deadlines. The prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington Innocence Project and exonerees said the bill would reduce unnecessary relitigation and improve access to compensation, while one witness argued it would broaden eligibility and state costs. The bill was not acted on in the excerpt, but testimony was taken and questions focused on the term “actually innocent.” The committee then heard Senate Bill 5536 on property division in dissolution and legal separation cases, which would direct courts to consider real-estate sale costs, homelessness risk, and housing needs when dividing property and liabilities, and would clarify enforcement of real property orders. The sponsor said the bill is meant to make property divisions more equitable when one spouse must keep and later sell the family home. No public testimony was taken on the bill in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee considered Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5925 on Attorney General civil investigative demands. Members debated and voted on many amendments; most Republican-sponsored amendments were rejected, but Amendment 279, limiting use by the Criminal Justice Division, and Amendment 273, requiring consultation with local law enforcement in matters that may involve criminal violations, were adopted. The committee then passed the bill out with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 7-5 vote. The committee also heard and advanced Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6002 on automated license plate readers, adopting a striker and then passing the bill out 7-5 as amended, with members emphasizing privacy protections, retention limits, and limited law-enforcement uses while some members urged broader operational flexibility. Later, the committee took brief public testimony on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6086, which would let Administrative Office of the Courts security staff conduct threat assessments and expand Supreme Court bailiff authority; witnesses described rising threats to judges and court personnel. It also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties, with local officials citing caseload growth and budget strain. Senate Joint Memorial 8006, urging restoration and expansion of the limited license legal technician program, drew support from a paralegal and victim advocate who said it would improve access to justice for domestic violence survivors. Finally, the committee considered Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5993 on medical debt interest rates, which would lower the interest cap on new medical debt and prohibit interest in certain circumstances; the bill was moved out of committee with a do pass recommendation in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of that growth is concentrated in health care and government employment.
• Most of that growth is concentrated in health care and government employment.
• We are working internally and with the Health Care Authority on a more state-specific, Health Care Authority-specific
• And basically, that's our DNR-owned and operated, as well as exclusive-use aircraft.
• What this represents is the four-year impact near general fund operating. Dollars are in billions.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board.
• They owned and operated the Circle of Love for 29 years.
• Their brains are still growing. Their bodies are still growing.
• cottage food operations.
• House Bill 526 will be referred to the Health and Welfare Committee.

Summary: The Senate convened with 33 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and received communications including a temporary substitute appointment for Legislative District 20. The chamber also received several committee reports and House messages, and welcomed numerous guests, including Idaho Farm Bureau members and other visitors in the gallery. The Senate acted on several gubernatorial appointments and memorials. It adopted committee reports confirming Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, Erica Malman to the Idaho Personnel Commission, Michael Kennedy to the Idaho Judicial Council, and Representative John Weber to the State Insurance Fund Board. It also adopted House Joint Memorial 10, which urged federal officials to favor sugar over artificial sweeteners in school nutrition standards, with supporters arguing it promoted real food and Idaho’s sugar industry. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 1233, the “Constitutional Courts Act,” which would bar state courts from enforcing or applying religious or cultural law that does not conform to the U.S. and Idaho constitutions. Supporters said it protected constitutional supremacy and religious neutrality, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, legally risky, and potentially targeted religious law in a way that could invite constitutional challenges. After roll call, the bill failed by a vote of 15 ayes to 19 nays, with one absent and excused, and was filed in the Secretary’s office. The Senate also introduced and referred a slate of new bills, including measures on transportation, veterans, state employment, public employee retirement, accessory dwelling units, religious land development, housing covenants, and the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit. The chamber then moved to miscellaneous business, heard a few final announcements and introductions, and adjourned until 11 a.m. on February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:40:38.240><c> injury,</c> dementia, traumatic brain injury, dementia, traumatic brain injury,
• Now, violating her quality of health.
• It comes from our operations area.
• </c><01:56:34.000><c> and</c> then it gets referred to Health and then it gets referred to Health and
• And control how the community operates.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> leaving those of us trying to operate leaving those of us trying to operate without<00:12:21.720
• </c> Mr chair that the Department of Health Mr chair that the Department of Health does<00:21:31.640>
• Monahan the commissioner and have him, uh, with his brain noodle, through this.
• Like, that's the conundrum of Health and Human Services.
• So the provider would still have to be allowed to operate in that zone.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in public health, I know that the... in public health and in Houston, Texas in public health and in
• And I was in public health in the Wyoming Department of Health here for 20 years.
• And I was in public health in the Wyoming Department of Health here for 20 years.
• And I was in public health in the Wyoming Department of Health here for 20 years.
• And I was in public health in health."

Bills: HB0008, HB0009

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That our operations were sustainable. Part of our operations is also our regional support.
• We fund the Health Commons, which is a local office for the Department of Health.
• They operate more like a community college.
• Pay for maintenance operations every single year.
• We're looking for suggestions to help that area operations-wise.

Transcript Highlights:

• had a number of constituents representing childhood cancer advocacy day as well as physicians and health
• </c><00:05:04.960><c> departments</c><00:05:05.360><c> and</c> physicians and health departments and
• physicians and health departments and numerous<00:05:06.000><c> groups</c><00:05:06.479><c> and</c><00
• </c><00:40:04.720><c> the</c> Reyard for developing and operating the Reyard for developing and operating
• Please, please continue. health alternative community response health alternative community response

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and approved the journal from February 17, 2026. The House communicated passage of several bills and requested concurrence, and committee reports were received, including favorable reports on Senate Bills 70, 74, 80, 127, and 154. Senate Bill 191 was also reported and then recommitted to the Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Senate Bill 104 was passed over and retained its place on the calendar. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 47, which provides line-of-duty death benefits for search and rescue volunteers, with supporters emphasizing the dangerous emergency work these teams perform and the need to treat them like other first responders. Senate Bill 159, concerning missing and unidentified persons and aligning Kentucky with federal “Billy’s Law” database requirements, also passed unanimously after testimony about its value in helping families and law enforcement. Senate Bill 85, allowing state retirement beneficiaries to establish special needs trusts, passed unanimously as well, with members describing it as a way to provide long-term security for dependents with special needs. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 78 honoring the CSX Santa Train and Senate Resolution 76 honoring Frank Ryard and the Ryard’s Scoreboard for its long-standing role in Kentucky high school athletics. Members spoke about the scoreboard’s importance to athletes, families, and sports coverage statewide. Later, new bills and a concurrent resolution were introduced, including measures on state government, duty-related disability benefits, arrest-related deaths, detainee fatality review, carbon dioxide sequestration, and a mental health alternative response task force. The Senate received notice that Senate Bill 172 had been delivered to the Governor, then recessed for committee meetings and adjourned until February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> mandate</c> new health insurance mandate new health insurance mandate that<00:50:54.240><c> really
• </c> shape and get free health care. shape and get free health care.
• If I know that this is about children's brain development and physical health, and if I know that many
• , sexual health services, health services, sexual health services, gender-affirming<05:26:41.440><c>
• </c> adverse health consequences or death. adverse health consequences or death.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disturbance um, in the mental health disturbance um, in the mental health children's<00:48:06.560
• :07.599><c> was</c> children's mental health act which was children's mental health act which was changed
• </c> broken bones and traumatic brain broken bones and traumatic brain injuries<00:58:46.240><c> um</
• It seems to be a trend. programs with higher mental health programs with higher mental health supports
• </c><01:40:22.560><c> together,</c> kind of all of our brains together, kind of all of our brains together

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, it was a combination of the operator and the county.
• No, it was a combination of the operator and the county.
• terminal gate lanes and yard operations.
• Please support 5995 to keep our ports operating safely and efficiently with human operation and oversight
• Unpermitted construction activities by the operator have severely damaged...

Bills: SB5820, SB5467, SB5995

Keywords: freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits

Transcript Highlights:

• Also sort of to staff the legal health line.
• This item is the local mental health court liaison program.
• Commission on Mental Health. It was an agency initiative.
• Four, correctional managed health care.
• There was a slightly different approach taken with base funding in regards to operations and health care

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Spoliation, we think, is on the rise because of the advance of electronic health records.
• It was all male staff, and I wasn't given any mental health care.
• It was all male staff, and I wasn't given any mental health counseling.
• Ryan Suzanne, on behalf of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and APLA Health, in support.
• Motions do pass to health committee. Calra? Aye. Calra? I, Dixon.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 50 million Americans have gained health 50 million Americans have gained health coverage.<00:36:
• </c><02:25:38.720><c> The</c> national security operations. The national security operations.
• I want FEMA fully operational.
• I want FEMA fully operational.
• We've operated this Congress time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now high desert homeowners who need to remove or trim up to 10 Western Joshua trees to address health
• and safety needs. homeowners who need to remove or trim up to 10 Western Joshua trees to address health
• I mean, California is rich in a brain trust. Why not take advantage of it?
• another one I have is how involved would water districts need to be to make sure that river data and operations
• especially in my district, the entire San Joaquin Valley depends on water for jobs, our economy, and our health

Summary: The committee heard three water- and environment-related bills. AB 1663, by Assembly Member Wallace, would provide relief for high desert homeowners by allowing permits without mitigation fees for removing or trimming up to 10 Western Joshua trees for health and safety needs, including defensible space. Support came from the California Association of Realtors and the Community Water Systems Alliance, and members discussed balancing conservation with property maintenance. The bill was moved out of committee on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 1772, by Assembly Member Papin, sought to create a statewide framework to prevent the spread of golden mussels through watercraft decontamination standards, reciprocity for certifications, and long-term funding. Testimony in support highlighted Lake Tahoe’s invasive species prevention program as a model, while Recreational Boaters of California expressed caution about funding fairness, reciprocity, and how the system would work if infestations become widespread. After discussion about mandatory decontamination standards and funding, the bill was also passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 2521, also by Assembly Member Papin, would use a watershed-wide water availability analysis from the California Council of Science and Technology to help streamline groundwater recharge permitting and reduce applicant costs. Members raised concerns about protecting existing water rights and ensuring stakeholder input, and the author emphasized the study would be informational rather than binding. The bill passed to Appropriations, and the committee later took add-on votes confirming passage of AB 1663, AB 1772, and AB 2521.