Video & Transcript : 'JROTC programs' :
Page 291 of 500
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a one-year program, and they are all occupying the back-center row.
- One is the certification, that's A, and B is the loan mobilization program rules.
- And Airbnb offers a host damage protection program.
- on the prices that each milestone would yield to a program participant.
- Today I'm here to present a rule for the SNAP program.
Committee:
All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
Summary:
The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates and had no questions, so both were filed. The Department of Commerce sought repeal of rules tied to the minority and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act, explaining the rules were repealed by implication or duplicative of statute; all were reviewed and approved. The Insurance Department presented a new rule implementing Act 426 of 2025 for online marketplace guarantee providers, using Airbnb-style host damage protection as an example, and it was approved. The Department of Education updated the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program rule to reflect statutory payment amounts for milestones and diplomas, and it was approved. DFA presented a rule creating a reporting method for the Arkansas rice beer and sake excise tax credit; members asked about verification of Arkansas rice use, and the rule was approved. DHS presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes to work requirements and energy assistance counting, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64 and removing some exemptions; it was approved after questions about terminology and waiver-related issues.
The committee also approved DHS Medicaid rules allowing rehab hospitals to bill for psychiatric units and exempting Arkansas from the federal recovery audit contractor requirement, citing other program integrity measures already in place. The State Board of Public Accountancy, under Labor and Licensing, presented rules implementing Act 428 of 2025, including a new CPA licensure pathway with a bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience, substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of the government not-for-profit accounting requirement; despite some negative comments, both rules were approved. The committee then granted the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, and approved its request to retain all 18 Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation rules under Act 781 review. Remaining outstanding 2023-session rulemaking and monthly updates were noted in packets with no questions, and the meeting adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agency Performance Review and Budget Request Hearing - Office of Emergency Management Feb 16th, 2026 at 05:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, we believe that between the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and
- The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, we believe that between the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and
- The public assistance program...
- We may see it in the next, because there's congressional intent to fund those programs.
- So that loan program helps shorten that.
Summary:
The committee held a budget hearing for the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, with Director Annie Verst presenting the agency’s FY26/FY27 request and explaining the agency’s role in disaster response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation. She said OEM remains a lean agency focused on coordinating resources for local governments, supporting recovery after disasters, and helping communities build resilience. She highlighted recent activity including wildfire response, multiple fire management assistance declarations, $83 million in public assistance payouts, use of the new state disaster revolving fund, and implementation of an Oklahoma resilient recovery strategy and ARPA-funded rural public safety grants.
Verst emphasized uncertainty in federal funding and FEMA operations, saying hazard mitigation assistance has been canceled for the first time since 1988, some obligations were delayed under DHS’s “Defend the Spend” review, and the emergency management performance grant period was shortened before later being resolved. She said OEM has restructured by eliminating obsolete administrative work, repurposing positions to regional coordinators, ending warehouse leases, and assigning fleet vehicles more efficiently. Her budget request included $3.7 million to cover a possible loss of federal operating support, $1 million for a required state hazard mitigation plan update, $3.8 million for the state emergency fund to cover anticipated 12.5% state shares and replenish prior expenditures, and $800,000 for anticipated other-needs/temporary sheltering cost share.
Members questioned her about Oklahoma Task Force One, the revolving fund, and whether OEM is shifting toward a response-focused agency. Verst said response remains local and OEM’s role is coordination, recovery, and mitigation, not replacing local emergency management. She explained Task Force One is used when local capacity is exceeded, is not currently funded by OEM for routine operations, and the revolving fund helps bridge reimbursement delays. She also said the hazard mitigation plan update would likely be done by an outside contractor or university partner. No votes were taken; the hearing ended after questions and thanks from the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It relates to the Rural Economic Development and Investment Program in the Texas Economic Development
- The rural economic development and investment program needs expansion and modernization to better meet
- This bill expands the rural economic development and investment program to serve rural counties with
- As you know, the Major Events reimbursement Program, MERP.
- We're big fans of the TIERRA program.
Committee:
Senate Economic Development
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Apr 22nd, 2025
Aging and Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- We would have spent CAPI so that we could access these programs.
- We deserve to have access to retirement programs and to be able to grow old with dignity.
- We deserve to have access to retirement programs and be able to age with dignity.
- That this population be included in an existing program called CAPI Cash Assistance Program, which is
- The Senior Real Program of the City of needed alternatives to get the required nutrition.
Committee:
House Aging and Long-Term Care
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1574 relates to a Centers of Excellence program developed by the
- Members, the Centers of Excellence program is an initiative by the Texas Judicial Council to identify
- The program seeks to recognize courts that meet standards of excellence.
- Generally then, Senate Bill 1574 would codify. by the Centers of Excellence Program that identifies,
- And encourage them to join a program like this.
Committee:
Senate Finance
Keywords:
hydraulic fracturing, sales tax exemption, oil and gas, environmental impact, water reuse, justice, judicial council, centers of excellence, court operations, recognition program, franchise tax, retail trade, tax classification, business regulation, economic impact, SB 2873, Texas Tax Code, electronic filing, e-filing, tax reports
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- of the four programs.
- Uh, was created by the legislature in 2023 to support four programs, the NEROt Generation Loan Program
- , a completion bonus program for in ERCOt Generation.
- By expanding that program, why would we do that?
- There was really no, um, we had no DEI programs, and, and we've reviewed our, um.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I worry that we are moving away... body cuts to those programs. We're body cuts to those programs.
- </c> participate in the federal RAD program participate in the federal RAD program while<00:52:03.599
- Um other their programs was removed.
- </c> interlock program. interlock program.
- </c><01:39:40.320><c> from</c> restart the time for the program from restart the time for the program
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming
Transcript Highlights:
- GSEP is no longer a program for just replacing gas pipes. It's a gas transition program.
- GSEP is not a safety program.
- GSEP is not a safety program.
- In 2015, when the GSEP program started, the spending per mile was $1.32 million.
- So beginning with the GSEP program.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations.
Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals.
Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So CARB runs a program called H-RIP, HVIP.
- So it's basically the Hydrogen or Heavy Vehicle Incentive Program.
- So it's basically the Hydrogen or Heavy Vehicle Incentive Program.
- I came out of a 342 apprenticeship program.
- I came out of a 342 apprenticeship program.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And so the program, you know, truly is growing.
- program for the drinking water.
- also through the irrigated lands program.
- I'm the program director at Friends of the River.
- We've invested in programs. Thank you.
Committee:
Senate Rules
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill updates the Early Steps program by aligning Neonatal intensive care services.
- He's a member of the Florida State University Honors Program.
- And it also sunsets the program on July 1, 2031. That is the amendment.
- The House removed the provision referencing my Safe Florida Condo Pilot Program.
- Any indication why the House removed the My Safe Florida Condo Pilot Program language?
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, staff, visitors, and a military veteran. After routine announcements, the chamber took up several House-returned bills and special-order measures, with most motions to concur or refuse to concur adopted without objection. Early actions included unanimous concurrence in House amendments to SB 118 on RV park special assessments and SB 572 on ethics rules for public officers and employees, both passing 38-0. The Senate then debated and passed CS/CS/HB 991 on election integrity by a 27-12 vote after extensive opposition focused on voter registration documentation, student IDs, provisional ballots, and potential disenfranchisement; the sponsor defended the bill as a citizenship-verification and election-security measure. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 182, an education package combining several related provisions, by 37-0, and later approved SB 474 on military affairs by 39-0 after a technical amendment restoring certain retirement eligibility positions. The Senate refused to concur in the House amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service, and refused to concur in the House strike-all amendment to SB 598 after the House had added composting language to the cremation definition. Several other messages were temporarily postponed.
On the special-order calendar, the Senate passed CS/CS/HB 425 on historic cemeteries by 39-0, allowing historic Black cemetery boards to sell surplus property not used for burial to fund maintenance. It also passed HB 929 on chickee regulation by 39-0, limiting local restrictions on chickee construction and setting spacing, fire-safety, and permitting rules. SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation was substituted with identical CS/HB 35 and passed 39-0, expanding habitual offender treatment to repeated driving without a valid license. The chamber then returned to CS/CS/CS/SB 902, the Department of Health package, which was substituted with CS/HB 733 and amended to retain the Senate’s medical marijuana location limits, adjust NICU nutrition language, modify the dental student loan repayment program, and require a pediatric trauma center designation for certain specialty children’s hospitals; it passed 37-0. The Senate also moved CS/CS/CS/HB 905 on foreign influence to the special-order calendar and began debate on a strike-all amendment defining foreign terrorist organizations and foreign countries of concern, restricting gifts and business ties, tightening sister-city affiliations, and adding ethics training and reporting requirements, but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Aug 14th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a strong film program, our digital arts program, our Diné material arts, so we've incorporated
- Madam Chair, on the residential program that you have, there's also another residential program, a BIE
- program.
- They, too, are a residential program. They have a residential program.
- And then recreation money because you have programs listed. Do those programs incorporate?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing: Human Services Committee and Health and Human Services Committee - Part 1 - 05/04/26
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> real results to address program real results to address program integrity<00:01:46.560><c> this<
- ,</c> actions to terminate the HHS program, actions to terminate the HHS program, housing<00:03:49.680
- </c> relating to modernizing program relating to modernizing program integrity<00:14:46.160><c> and</
- assistance program.
- </c> services program. services program.
Summary:
The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms.
The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget.
Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training.
No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (9-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm very familiar with the program.
- </c> with the program. with the program.
- They had an rehabilitation programs.
- </c> program and that was not by our choice. program and that was not by our choice.
- But she showed up in our program.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:28
Kentucky Recovery Vocational: Workforce Reimagined 00:01:31
Update on College Athletics and 25RS SB 3 00:24:39
Goodwill Kentucky Excel Center 01:09:53, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Kentucky Recovery Vocational Workforce and Re-entry Incorporated, led by Executive Director Jerick D'vor, on its vocational training model for people in recovery and formerly incarcerated individuals. He said the nonprofit operates in Russell Springs and serves students from across Kentucky, offering manufacturing and welding training tied to recovery services through Spark Recovery. D'vor emphasized that the program combines treatment, soft-skills coaching, job placement, and continued support after employment, arguing that training should begin around 90 days into recovery rather than earlier. He reported strong outcomes, including 292 students served, 259 certificates earned, and 250 job placements, with many participants placed in manufacturing jobs and 17 welders trained and placed through the new welding academy.
Members praised the program but asked about funding, retention, and employability barriers. D'vor said the pilot was supported by opioid abatement grant funding, and the program now relies mainly on donor contributions and Spark Recovery’s investment in clients, with possible future support from additional opioid abatement funds or 1915(i) mechanisms. He said participants are not charged tuition and that the organization provides soft-skills training and job coaches. In response to questions about long-term outcomes, he said the program does not yet have a full alumni tracking system but is exploring technology options and continues to provide post-employment support for 90 days.
After approving the committee minutes, members received an update on college athletics and Senate Bill 3 from University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird and University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. They said Kentucky’s NIL framework and reporting requirements are working reasonably well and praised the state for not trying to create a competitive advantage in the evolving college sports environment. Heird reported that 521 student-athletes have signed up for NILGO and about 240 deals have been approved through the system, while noting the need to ensure NIL agreements are legitimate marketplace deals rather than artificial payments. The discussion also touched on the House settlement, the $600 approval threshold, and broader federal changes affecting college athletics.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force Jun 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- So that, in addition to the substance use treatment programs, of course.
- There's a Dots mobile program that is run by DMH, not my department. It is an exemplary program.
- There's a Dots mobile program that is run by DMH, not my department. It is an exemplary program.
- I just know it was an exemplary program, great data, national best practice.
- We don't have great evidence-based intervention programs, is the challenge.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Does that Who are trying to be a part of this extensive program.
- So who in the end would end up paying for all of this new program?
- Do you see this program being like the car battery program?
- For one individual to administer this program.
- any type of rollback if the program is not completed?
Committee:
Senate Energy
Keywords:
climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment
Summary:
The committee took up several measures dealing with environmental regulation, waste management, and energy. Early on, it passed sunset-extension bills for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and several environmental advisory councils. It then heard extensive debate on HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, which would create a battery recycling system for small and medium batteries through DEQ. Supporters argued it would reduce landfill and garbage-truck fires, protect the environment, and create recycling value, while opponents raised concerns about added regulation, costs shifted to producers and retailers, and the creation of a new state FTE. Despite those objections, the bill passed 8-3.
The committee also considered HB 3403, a pilot study on biosolids and sewage sludge applied to farmland. Members debated a committee substitute that shortened the study timeline from five years to three years and added a phased rollback of land application. Supporters said the study was needed because of unresolved questions about PFOS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while critics argued the timelines conflicted and the bill could be hard to implement. The committee substitute was adopted, an amendment to delete key rollback provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 8-2 after testimony from Oklahoma City utilities officials and multiple rounds of questions about testing, health risks, and disposal practices.
The committee then passed HB 3175 to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, with members noting it would have minimal fiscal impact and could help Oklahoma build nuclear expertise and jobs. It also passed HB 3986, expanding a gross production tax exemption for wells completed with recycled water, and HB 3466, which removes the statutory requirement that the Corporation Commission maintain a petty cash fund. Finally, HB 3411, another biosolids-related bill to buy testing equipment and provide information to landowners, and HB 4246, a rural water transparency/lowest-bid bill, both passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The meeting ended with the chair thanking members and adjourning.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 16th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- We also have an organized care model called the PASS program.
- So the UPL program, or the upper payment limit program, was established by federal statute to be used
- The upper payment limit program, or access payment program, is limited to the private hospitals currently
- Now let's go ahead and confuse the UPL program even more.
- Our PAST program is a 1915(c) waiver. We have 1115 waivers for the expansion program.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Property - Room 409, 26 February, 2026; 11:10 P.M.
Public Property
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> And finally, it enhances program And finally, it enhances program flexibility<00:13:33.040><c> and
- </c> program or the grants or anything. program or the grants or anything.
- I know for some particular program.
- </c> Street grant program Street grant program >> 22?
- </c> peculiar to this program, I guess. peculiar to this program, I guess.
Committee:
Joint Public Property
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public Health Effects of Xylazine Feb 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I think of strong consensus there are strong existing outreach programs on the risks of xylazine.
- These outreach programs also include drug checking and test replications that we've seen provided by
- The area of inquiry, as a reminder, the availability of effective outreach and treatment programs for
- I think of strong consensus there are strong existing outreach programs on the risks of xylazine.
- These outreach programs also include drug checking and test replications that we've seen provided by
Summary:
The Special Commission on xylazine convened a public meeting to review and discuss the first draft of its final report, approve prior minutes, and gather feedback for revisions. The commission first approved the December 11 minutes by roll call vote, then reviewed the report structure, which will include a commission overview, working group findings and recommendations, and appendices with public meeting materials and public resources. Staff explained the report’s framing of xylazine as both a licensed veterinary drug and an illicit drug supply contaminant, and members discussed the distinction between legal animal use and illicit importation/adulteration, with several commissioners emphasizing that people who use drugs do not intentionally seek xylazine.
The commission then walked through draft findings and recommendations for best practices in oversight and enforcement, outreach and treatment, and education and training. Members discussed whether xylazine should be further scheduled or instead addressed through other public health and enforcement measures, with the draft leaning toward maintaining the current Schedule 6 status while strengthening public health responses, surveillance, drug checking, and targeted enforcement against illicit production and distribution. Commissioners also proposed stronger coordination among public safety, law enforcement, and public health, including real-time alerts, centralized data sharing, and possibly a DPH task force on emerging drug supply threats. The outreach and treatment section focused on existing harm reduction, wound care, naloxone, and mobile/low-threshold services, while noting gaps such as lack of an FDA-approved human reversal agent, geographic access barriers, insurance issues, and limited provider familiarity.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on education and training for first responders, clinicians, non-clinicians, and people who use drugs and their families. Commissioners supported tailored, stigma-free materials that cover xylazine basics, signs and symptoms, wound care, withdrawal, harm reduction, and when to seek medical care, with repeated emphasis on including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and other first responders in definitions and training. Members also stressed the need for consistent, centralized, and up-to-date public health data, better communication of emerging contaminants beyond xylazine, and practical guidance to prevent people with xylazine-related wounds from being turned away from care or recovery settings. The meeting ended with agreement to incorporate the feedback into a revised draft to be circulated by March 2, with another meeting scheduled for March 9 and a backup meeting later in March if needed; the commission then adjourned by unanimous motion.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a program for that, the drug offender sentencing alternative.
- or working with folks who are opting not to go into this program.
- a program that did a lot of really good and has reduced recidivism.
- a program that did a lot of really good and has reduced recidivism.
- We have a pretrial SUD diversion program, treatment courts.
Summary:
The House Community Safety Committee met on January 29, 2026, and announced it would not hold executive session that day because of the large number of public hearing sign-ups; those executive sessions were pushed to the following Monday. The committee first heard House Bill 2558, relating to the mental health sentencing alternative (MHSA). Staff explained that the bill narrows eligibility to people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, adds restrictions for certain domestic violence and prior violent offense cases, requires more detailed DOC reports, lengthens some community custody terms, mandates regular progress hearings, and shifts assessment work to contracted providers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus the program on people whose offenses are tied to serious mental illness and to reduce misuse in domestic violence and other violent cases. No public testimony was taken on HB 2558 that day, and the hearing was held open for later testimony.
The committee then heard House Bill 2217, which would replace the current first-time offender waiver with a pretrial deferral option and a suspended sentence option for eligible first-time felony defendants. Supporters, including public defense, immigration advocates, judges, economists, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, argued the bill would create a meaningful rehabilitation pathway, reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and avoid the long-term harm of an immediate felony conviction. They also said the deferred-adjudication structure could help immigrants avoid immigration consequences and would better incentivize restitution and compliance. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim advocates, raised concerns about expanding eligibility to offenses such as assault 2 and robbery 2, the meaning of “violent offense,” the possibility of judicial diversion without prosecutor consent, and the impact on victims and public safety. After testimony, the sponsor said she would remove the bill’s strong presumption in favor of relief, and the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2217.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2641, the “ICE Out Act of 2026,” which would bar Washington law enforcement agencies from hiring people who were sworn ICE officers after January 20, 2025, with the restriction applying prospectively beginning October 1, 2026. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect communities and prevent hiring officers associated with federal immigration enforcement practices she described as harmful. The committee then heard House Bill 2648, which would require state and local officers who encounter suspected ICE employees conducting immigration enforcement to activate body and dash cameras, report the encounter, and document it, while providing state indemnification for officers acting in good faith. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect communities and officers; the Washington State Patrol said many of the practices already align with its policies. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs expressed concerns about added reporting requirements, possible effects on federal-local cooperation, and asked for changes to soften mandatory language and strengthen indemnification. The committee ended the hearing without further testimony and adjourned, noting executive sessions on about a dozen bills would occur the following week.