Transcript Highlights:

• I will be keeping time of the opening and will give you a prompt when it is time to close that opening
• I will be keeping time of the opening and will give you a prompt when it is time to close that opening
• I will be keeping time of the opening and will give you a prompt when it is time to close that opening
• We will keep time, and we'll prompt you as you get close to that time. You may begin. I agree.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard from Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as Chief Medical Officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Members questioned him about EMSA’s strategic plan, statewide standards versus local flexibility, ambulance patient offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, and alternatives to emergency department transport. Garzon emphasized data-driven planning, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and other stakeholders, and the need for safe alternatives such as community paramedicine, telehealth, and triage programs. He was confirmed by the committee on a 4-0 vote and sent to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon described her tribal background, rural experience, and prior public service, and said her work would focus on equity, community partnership, and serving underserved populations. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, rural technical assistance, and how the office would continue its work amid federal opposition to DEI language. Public commenters strongly supported her nomination, citing her leadership on the California Reducing Disparities Project and related programs. The committee approved her appointment 4-0 and adjourned after concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Members, please be prompt. Any other members seeking recognition under this order of business?
• Members,<00:29:58.559><c> please</c><00:29:58.799><c> prep</c><00:29:59.360><c> be</c><00:29:59.760><c> prompt
• </c><00:30:00.799><c> Any</c> &gt;&gt; Members, please prep be prompt.
• Any &gt;&gt; Members, please prep be prompt.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to this transition, unfortunately, the prompt initiation of rulemaking was missed and not done on
• transition during due to this transition unfortunately<00:20:41.880><c> the</c><00:20:42.039><c> prompt
• </c><00:20:42.400><c> initiation</c><00:20:42.919><c> of</c> unfortunately the prompt initiation of unfortunately
• the prompt initiation of rule<00:20:43.400><c> making</c><00:20:43.760><c> was</c><00:20:43.960><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and adopted the consent calendar without changes. It then took up several administrative rules, beginning with the Missing Adult Program and Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert Program rules (Item 144), which were adopted after the department explained the delay in implementation was due to staffing problems and COVID-related disruptions. The committee then reviewed the Pesticide Control Board’s aquatic pesticide application rules (Item 146), where staff raised a substantive concern that the rule did not clearly explain how the division would reconsider a special permit if treatment were postponed and adverse effects were likely. The agency agreed to consider revisions, and the item was postponed to the March meeting. The Board of Mental Health Practice item was also postponed to April with a waiver of the committee deadline, after OPLC requested more time for a conditional approval request; one member noted concern that the board was not meeting frequently enough. The Department of Revenue Administration’s business profits tax rule (Item 164) was postponed to March as well, after staff said the agency needed to incorporate supporting schedules into the rule text to address a legislative intent issue. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control rule was postponed at a member’s request so concerns about dates, requirements, and impacts on businesses could be reviewed against the statute, though the department noted it had already sought stakeholder input multiple times with no response. The committee then approved the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Women and Children rule (Item 236), which implements a program created in 2023. Staff noted the rulemaking was delayed for nearly two years and pointed out that dried herbs, herb plants, and pickled vegetables are excluded under the state plan; department staff said the delay stemmed from staffing changes and a lengthy contracting process. Members briefly discussed the program’s benefits and the exclusion of herb plants, but the rule was adopted. Finally, the Board of Natural Scientists item was postponed to March with a waiver so OPLC and the board could work on a conditional approval request, and the Board of Psychologists temporary license rule received a preliminary objection because a newly added emergency-practice provision had not been properly noticed for public comment. The committee adjourned after noting the Dental Board matter remained unresolved and was still expected back in April.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I am paying for coverage that was bound, pay out. It's not simply about the money either.
• now, what were you paying.
• So they are still paying out of pocket.
• Because I pay, that's what I paid.
• Even though I pay only for a coverage of 50%? No, you pay, no.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have one specific question on this project: What prompted the request?
• I think that's what prompted it. It wasn't so much that the increase in enrollment was doing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I am paying for coverage that was bound, pay out. It's not simply about the money either.
• now, what were you paying.
• So they are still paying out of pocket.
• Because I pay, that's what I paid.
• Even though I pay only for a coverage of 50%? No, you pay, no.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1315, the “Drive My Car Act,” from Senator Cabaldon. The author explained that the bill was intended to address the overlap between autonomous features and human driving, with a focus on preventing software updates from disabling a purchaser’s ability to drive a vehicle they bought for that purpose. He said the bill would be redirected to the Transportation Committee and amended to remove insurance provisions. Members broadly supported the concept as a forward-looking issue, and the committee voted due pass to Transportation on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call until all members were recorded. The committee then took up SB 876, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, presented by the Insurance Commissioner and the committee chair. The bill would make a broad set of changes to disaster claims handling and coverage after declared wildfires, including stronger replacement-cost and contents coverage, higher additional living expense limits, building code upgrade coverage, faster claim payment timelines, adjuster status updates, insurer emergency response plans, and stronger penalties and restitution for unfair claims practices. Supporters, including United Policyholders, California Environmental Voters, the Los Angeles Mayor’s office, AARP California, and the Consumer Federation of California, said the measure would help wildfire survivors avoid underinsurance, delays, and repeated trauma in the claims process. Opposition came from insurance industry and related groups, including APCIA, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, the Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the California Building Industry Association. They argued the bill remained too broad even after amendments, would raise premiums, increase claim severity, reduce flexibility, and potentially worsen availability in an already fragile market. Committee members questioned several provisions, especially the cost and feasibility of mandatory coverage expansions and faster timelines. The commissioner and author said the bill was about disaster recovery rather than rates, that many provisions were optional or limited to declared disasters, and that any cost impacts could be reflected in future rate filings. The committee ultimately passed SB 876 as amended to Judiciary on a due pass vote, with one member absent and the bill held open briefly for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fourth finding, according to DFA's Financial Management Guide, is that if an agency pays an invoice
• Or what would prompt you to say, hey, we need to review more instead of sticking with maybe that original
• as long as their utilization warrants that vehicle being there, then they can keep that vehicle and pay
• as long as their utilization warrants that vehicle being there, then they can keep that vehicle and pay

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then heard audit reports from Tom Bullington, including two reports with findings and three without findings, which were filed without objection. The Department of Public Safety FY24 audit had two findings: a duplicate vendor payment of nearly $3,700 that was later recouped, and a $2.5 million collateral shortfall tied to bank-held cash funds because securities were not properly pledged in the State Police’s name. Agency representatives from Arkansas State Police and the Department of Public Safety answered questions, and members discussed how collateralization works for deposits above FDIC coverage. The committee next reviewed the Department of Transformation and Shared Services FY24 audit, which contained five findings. These included an $800 career service overpayment caused by a rehire data entry error, delayed deactivation and inventory issues for assets including stolen cameras, a double count of more than $940,000 in year-end cash records, $10.3 million in health claims that should have been recorded as fiscal year 2024 payables, and repeated deficiencies in vehicle mileage logs. Agency officials explained that the stolen cameras were recovered through restitution, that inventory reviews are being expanded, and that the vehicle log problems are expected to be addressed through a statewide electronic GPS/telematics system. Members asked about the scope of audit testing, asset tracking, vehicle oversight, and whether the new vehicle system would allow monitoring of use, fuel purchases, geofencing, and possible sharing of vehicles across agencies. Shared Administrative Services said it would administer the statewide system, with departments retaining operational responsibility and access controls. After discussion, the committee filed the report without objection and adjourned, noting the next meeting would be held June 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fourth finding: according to DFA's Financial Management Guide, if an agency pays an invoice in the
• Or what would prompt you to review more instead of sticking with maybe that original number?
• as long as their utilization warrants that vehicle being there, then they can keep that vehicle and pay
• as long as their utilization warrants that vehicle being there, then they can keep that vehicle and pay

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I encourage you to increase the base pay for Texas judges.
• But yes, I think that people are really looking at the pay.
• As an organization, 100% fully behind increase in judicial pay.
• On the pay raises, I would have loved to have seen the pay raises actually higher than what has been
• On the pay raises, I would have loved to have seen the pay raises actually higher than what has been

Bills: HB40

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met to hear House Bill 1761, a broad judicial package focused on increasing judicial compensation and adding accountability and efficiency measures. The chair explained that HB 1707 and HB 2100 were withdrawn from the agenda, and that HB 1761 would be taken up first because many judges and stakeholders were present. The committee substitute for HB 1761 proposed a 30% increase in base judicial pay to $182,000, changes to judicial retirement linkage, stronger judicial conduct provisions, and efficiency measures such as targeted reporting for judges not meeting benchmarks, appellate in-person meeting encouragement, and time limits on certain motions. The chair and several supporters said judicial pay had reached “emergency status,” citing Texas’s low national ranking and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified judges. Witnesses in support included presiding and district judges, the State Bar’s judicial section, business and trial lawyer groups, and prosecutors. They emphasized that many judges work long hours off the bench, handle warrants at night and on weekends, manage heavy dockets, and face recruitment problems in both urban and rural counties. Supporters also said higher pay would help attract experienced lawyers, retain judges, and improve court efficiency. Several witnesses and members discussed judicial accountability, including public reporting of court performance and the role of the Texas Supreme Court and presiding judges in setting benchmarks. Some members raised concerns that raw statistics can be misleading because judges also do substantial off-the-bench work and often help cover other courts’ dockets. There was also testimony and discussion about the bill’s conduct and discipline provisions. A representative of the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed parts of the bill that would tie pay raises to changes affecting judicial independence, warning about subjective bail-related discipline standards and possible chilling effects. The executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct cautioned against civil penalties for complainants, saying it could discourage good-faith complaints and create litigation risks. Other witnesses supported accountability reforms but urged caution about unintended consequences, especially for family and emergency cases and for judges handling warrants and other time-sensitive matters. After testimony, the committee withdrew the committee substitute and left HB 1761 pending, then recessed the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And an administrator or insurer that fails to pay a claim within a required time period must pay interest
• Georgia also participates in prompt pay laws.
• for rent or still pay for food.
• They figured out how to pay for it.
• They figured out how to pay for it.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 55.039><c> and</c><00:30:55.360><c> not</c> should be paying taxes and not should be paying taxes and
• Healey. concerns, which prompted me to try and concerns, which prompted me to try and understand<03:07
• So, it could be that they end up paying too much. Could be that they end up paying too little.
• So it could be that they end up paying too much. Could be that they end up paying too little.
• </c> on community power shouldn't be paying on community power shouldn't be paying to<04:07:21.680><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires ambulance services to pay this—I'm sorry, requires insurance companies to pay the ambulance
• So this requires ambulance services to pay this, I'm sorry, requires insurance companies to pay the ambulance
• Patients pay the price. Let's all think about hand washing and maternal death.
• Patients pay the price. Let's all think about hand washing and maternal death.
• By ensuring direct and prompt pay, we can allow more Massachusetts residents to seek resourceful ambulance

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with more than 70 people signed up to testify, focusing mainly on health insurance and health care access bills. Early testimony centered on H.1257/S.712, which would require insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of genetic craniofacial conditions. Supporters included legislators, dentists, and medical experts who said these conditions are not cosmetic, can severely affect eating, speech, pain, and social functioning, and often create major financial hardship because insurers deny coverage. A related dental bill, H.1262/S.676, drew technical testimony from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts about implementation issues with the 2022 dental loss-ratio law, while the Massachusetts Dental Society supported H.1306/S.696 on transparency in dental network leasing and opposed H.1262. Representative Gentile also testified for H.4013, which would ban for-profit acute care hospitals and for-profit health insurers in Massachusetts, arguing that profit incentives undermine patient care. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H.1261/S.799, a bill to protect patients from surprise ambulance bills. Municipal fire chiefs, Boston EMS, nonprofit ambulance providers, and the bill’s Senate sponsor said the measure would require insurers to pay ambulance providers directly and promptly, cap patient out-of-pocket costs, and reduce confusion caused by out-of-network billing. Witnesses described ambulance services as essential public health infrastructure and said current billing practices can discourage people from calling 911 or leave municipalities and nonprofits unable to recover costs. Committee members asked about unpaid debt, municipal billing burdens, and how the bill would affect rates and reimbursement. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H.1249/S.805, which would require screening for PANS/PANDAS in medical and clinical settings. Legislators, clinicians, parents, a teen with the condition, and educators described PANS/PANDAS as an infection-triggered inflammatory illness that can present as sudden psychiatric symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as a mental health disorder. Supporters said routine screening at well visits, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings would help identify children earlier, reduce unnecessary psychiatric treatment and hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Testifiers repeatedly urged favorable action, emphasizing the personal and financial toll on families and the potential for early treatment to prevent long-term harm. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on these bills; no committee action or votes were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad we have the funding to pay for this.
• And Medicaid pays for most of them.
• Medicaid will pay for it.
• And Medicaid pays for most of them.
• Medicaid will pay for it.

Bills: SB20, SB21, SB166, SB177, SB181, SB189, SM6

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• Cat Brady says the measure was prompted by Alvin Jardine’s case.
• > Jardine's</c><00:23:23.840><c> illegal</c> prompted by Alvin Jardine's illegal prompted by Alvin Jardine's
• What it has done is it's prompted movement of these petitions.
• What it has done is it's prompted movement of these petitions.
• What it has done is it's prompted yet.

Bills: HB1997, HB2343, HB2566, HB2493

Keywords: students with disabilities, individualized education programs, emergency plans, evacuation procedures, support services, Hawaii education law, HB2343, Maui State Veterans Home, veterans home, veterans, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, Alzheimer's care, respite care, assimilate, transfer deadline, Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And did this group not get that pay?
• Oh, so if they went on strike now, then they would get the six weeks of pay.
• And did this group not get that pay?
• Oh, so if they went on strike now, then they would get the six weeks of pay.
• We're like last in the nation for farmer take-home pay in 2024.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken. HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would hope that you guys will listen and pay close attention to a very, very important issue we are
• what we've got today in front of you, Senate Bill 1500 does pertain to PBMs and it has to do with prompt
• If we can't get the same amount that they've agreed to pay their subsidiaries, at least we could get
• an even fee amongst the pharmacies they own, where they pay themselves very large dispensing fees and
• they choose to pay the independent pharmacies a minimal fee.

Bills: SB1673, SB1500, SB1447, SB1646, SB2007, SB1275, SB2074

Keywords: prosthetics, health insurance, medical necessity, patient rights, insurance liability, pharmacy benefits manager, healthcare providers, claims processing, reimbursement, insurance regulation, employees insurance, contract awarding, certifications, state procurement, insurance plan, mental health, substance use disorders, utilization review, benefit coverage, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to pay whatever.
• I get it costs money, but a lot of time, like, big pockets, you're not paying.
• You're not paying. It's the insurance that's paying. That's okay. Let's just be honest.
• I mean, if that's what you want to say, but it's usually insurance is paying out.
• If you were paying the bills, you’d be concerned about it too. Okay. Thank you.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard House Bill 2926, which would extend sovereign or derivative immunity and a liability cap to private contractors, subcontractors, and employees working on Missouri Department of Transportation projects. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to protect contractors from being named in lawsuits before they begin work, and to limit exposure when they are following MoDOT plans and specifications, arguing that contractors are often sued as “deep pockets” even when they did nothing wrong. Several members pressed the sponsor on the bill’s wording and timing, noting confusion over whether immunity applies only before work begins or throughout the project and after completion. Supporters, including representatives from asphalt, construction, insurance, and business groups, said the current system drives up insurance costs, increases legal expenses, and discourages firms from taking roadwork jobs. They cited examples of contractors being sued before starting work or after following approved traffic-control plans, and argued that the bill would align Missouri with other states that provide similar protections. Opponents, including trial attorneys and injured workers and family members, argued that the bill would improperly extend government immunity to private businesses, reduce accountability, and limit recovery for seriously injured people. They said existing tort law already protects non-negligent actors and warned that the bill could make it harder for injured parties to find counsel or recover full damages. Testimony also focused on the $500,000 state liability cap, with opponents calling it too low and supporters saying it is already the standard for public entities and should apply to contractors acting on the state’s behalf. Several witnesses described tragic crashes and work-zone incidents on MoDOT projects, while others emphasized that distracted drivers, not contractors, often cause the accidents. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee took only testimony and then adjourned after hearing from both proponents and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one case, one of our university systems, after being prompted by a committee hearing here, said we
• Don't prompt them. No, I'm available.

Bills: HB2, HB3

Keywords: capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is about who pays.
• The first is about who pays. And I want to try to stay within your, ...about who pays.
• Should the state pay? Should local governments be paying? Should homeowners be paying?
• And then if I pay, what about my neighbors on each side?
• If I pay, what about my neighbors on each side?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals who are fired cannot afford to wait over a year for reinstatement and back pay.
• And did this group not get that pay?
• Witness: We're like last in the nation for farmer take-home pay in 2024.
• We also pay them to transport them to and from Mexico. Thank you. Thank you. Any more questions?
• Witness: We're like last in the nation for farmer take-home pay in 2024.

Bills: HB2405, HB2406, HB2471, HB2478, HB2492

Keywords: mental health, PTSD, treatment program, research, pilot program, veteran support, trauma, healthcare funding, labor, communication, Department of Labor and Industries, workplace standards, modernization, collective bargaining, labor relations, employee rights, union representation, non-covered employees, wage enforcement, labor standards

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2492, which would require building and construction apprenticeship programs to provide at least two hours of behavioral health and wellness training starting July 1, 2027. The prime sponsor and many labor and industry witnesses said the bill is intended to address high rates of suicide, overdose, and untreated mental health issues in the trades by teaching apprentices how to recognize distress, reduce stigma, and connect to resources. Testifiers from electrical workers, bricklayers, carpenters, the building trades council, labor council, contractors, and individual apprentices and family members described personal losses and said the training could save lives and improve workplace culture. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed after testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot program for early workers’ compensation treatment of PTSD for certain occupational disease claims, with up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after claim closure. L&I and NFIB supported the bill as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while the Washington State Association for Justice supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and said the bill should focus more on workplace prevention and culture. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights cautioned against turning the pilot into a vehicle for psychiatric drug treatment. The hearing was closed without action. House Bill 2406, another L&I request bill, would allow the department to send many notices electronically instead of by mail, with an option for recipients to choose non-electronic notice. L&I said the change would modernize communications and reduce mailing costs, but the Washington State Association for Justice and the Washington State Labor Council opposed the workers’ compensation portions, arguing that email should not become the default for notices affecting rights and deadlines and that vulnerable workers may lack reliable internet access or tech literacy. The committee then heard House Bill 2478, which would give L&I discretion to investigate wage complaints and allow civil penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported the bill as a way to address workplace-wide wage violations more efficiently, and members discussed how workers would still be informed and able to pursue private rights of action. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2471, a trigger bill creating a state collective bargaining system through PERC if federal labor law coverage disappears or the NLRB loses jurisdiction. Labor groups strongly supported it as a backstop for organizing and dispute resolution, while agricultural employers and growers opposed it, arguing that the bill would not fit the seasonal, perishable nature of farm work and could make harvest disruptions and strikes especially damaging. The hearing on HB 2471 remained open at the end of the transcript, and no votes were taken on any bill.