Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go ahead and start with Jonathan Pinkis, who is remote, and Sebian Black, who is also remote.
• up again remotely.
• Those are all three remotes.
• Those are all three remotes.
• We have Laura Marquez Garrett remotely.

Bills: HB1170 , HB2157 , HB2225

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, AI-generated content, deepfake, synthetic media, content provenance, provenance data, metadata, watermarking, disclosure, transparency, consumer protection, unfair or deceptive acts, unfair competition, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, platform regulation, AI detection tool, media authenticity

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd ask for a yes vote. Further remarks?
• Ask for a yes vote. Further remarks?
• Ask for a yes vote. Further remarks?
• I encourage a yes vote. There are no further remarks.
• Bipartisan support, bipartisan sponsorship, unanimous vote out of committee. Further remarks?

Summary: The committee first approved moving Senate Bills 5067 and 5758 from the X-file to the white sheet. It then advanced a long series of measures from the white sheet to the floor calendar, including SB 5067 on impaired driving (lowering the per se BAC threshold from 0.08 to 0.05), SJM 8002 opposing Medicare privatization, ESSB 5061 on annual prevailing wage adjustments for public works contracts, SB 5855 restricting unlawful face coverings by law enforcement, SB 5865 updating garnishment forms for variable pay schedules, and SB 5081 clarifying remote vehicle starting on streets. Also advanced were ESSB 5268 on 12 months of community custody for unlawful firearm possession, SB 5272 on school event safety and interference penalties, SCR 8406 on civic health, SB 5000 making “the Evergreen State” the official nickname, SB 5500 modernizing Working Connections Child Care reimbursement rates, ESSB 5105 addressing digitally altered sexually explicit depictions of minors, and SSB 5156 on elevator standards. Additional measures moved forward included SJM 8006 asking the state Supreme Court to reinstate and expand the limited licensed legal technician program, SB 5325 designating the Columbia Plateau cactus as the state cactus, SB 5286 creating a community partnership policing program for Medical Lake and Eastern State Hospital while recognizing the existing Lakewood/Western State Hospital partnership, and SB 5937 concerning smart access systems in residential properties under the Landlord-Tenant Act. Several members briefly explained their bills, with some noting bipartisan support, prior committee approval, or existing budget provisos. The only recorded substantive opposition came from Senator King, who said he had concerns that SB 5067 might not achieve its intended safety outcomes. Most other motions were adopted by voice vote with no further debate. The meeting ended after a brief clarification that one motion should have been to the second-and-third-reading calendar, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ask you members to vote green. ask you members to vote green.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. >> Jones. >> I. >> Jones votes I
• </c> members participating remotely. members participating remotely.
• </c><00:09:48.880><c> Raric</c> &gt;&gt; Jones votes I. Raric &gt;&gt; Jones votes I.
• &gt;&gt; Raric votes I. &gt;&gt; Raric<00:09:52.880><c> votes</c><00:09:53.279><c> I.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I first introduced it, it had a second part that would remove the ability to vote via remote.
• So, again, in conclusion, this would not change the ability of the body to vote remotely.
• And finally, I’ll say, should this committee or the Senate allow remote voting for executive sessions
• So, again, this would not change the ability of the body to vote remotely.
• voting for executive allow remote voting for executive sessions<01:17:04.800><c> or</c><01:17:05.040

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I encourage a no vote.
• So let's vote yes on this DE.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Hussain votes aye.
• Vote for Laurel.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Hussain, no. Hussain votes no.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Andrew Eccles from 350 Washington is coming in remote.
• California has just had its renewal vote.
• Anybody who would be subject to that assessment would have an opportunity to vote yes or no.
• It’s all remote. All right. Next up is our last panel. It’s all remote.
• And Kevin Shaps with Storage Court, all remote. So Joe, we'll start with you.

Bills: SB6061 , SB5844 , SB6079 , SB6137 , SB5831 , SB6031 , SB6178

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• You will also see firsthand the great benefits of remote proceedings.
• You didn't think I would get through this without mentioning remote proceedings.
• Remote proceedings have been universally... ...to courthouses annually.
• Through budget trailer bills,... ...for an extension of remote proceedings.
• The Judicial Council will vote on this recommended rule later this year.

Summary: The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches. Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails. A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• 14:53.120><c> solely</c><00:14:53.519><c> on</c><00:14:53.839><c> recruiting</c><00:14:54.399><c> remote
• </c> is focused solely on recruiting remote is focused solely on recruiting remote workers.<00:14:55.519
• be in the medical field, you could be an entrepreneur, you could be an accounting, you could be a remote
• And then we'll have a public hearing, and I will not ask you to vote on this today. >> Okay.
• strongly for us to oppose members voted strongly for us to oppose SB57.

Bills: HB179 , HB354 , SB57 , SB137 , HB431 , HB179 , HB354 , SB57 , SB137 , HB431

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: campus chaplain, chaplain, school chaplain, volunteer chaplain, public schools, public K-12 education, public charter schools, local control, teacher support, student support services, religious volunteer, faith-based support, church-state separation, background check, sex offender registry, school volunteer, education policy, district attorney, compensation, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> remotely or in person and testified. remotely or in person and testified.
• </c> Beler will be a remote testifier, Dr. Beler will be a remote testifier, Dr.
• That feels like an easy vote.
• That feels like an easy vote. have seen. That feels like an easy vote.
• Please vote yes.

Bills: HF4077 , HF3798 , HF3886

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• And your system of vote-by-mail is over 83 percent, I think, of all of our voting takes place by mail
• nothing to vote for.
• . to register and to vote.
• voting unless you have a passport.
• What does it matter if we can't vote?

Transcript Highlights:

• Fully automated equipment is equipment that is remotely operated or monitored, whether or not a human
• Please vote in favor of Senate Bill 5995. Thank you.
• Please vote in favor of Senate Bill 5995. Thank you.
• Now we're going to go to remote testifiers.
• Go to remote testifiers. He says, Sten and Dan Tuig, if you can accept the prompt to be a panelist.

Summary: The committee heard four bills. On kit homes (ESSB 5552), staff explained the bill would direct the State Building Code Council to adopt rules for residential kit homes of 800 square feet or less by March 31, 2027. Prime sponsor Sen. Jeff Wilson said the bill would add housing options and asked that kit homes be treated as a distinct category from modular or factory-built structures; members asked whether current rules exist and whether the bill would cover 3D-printed homes. The public hearing was postponed, and later one supporter testified that the bill would help create clearer statewide standards without changing local zoning or safety requirements. On SB 5467, staff said the bill raises the thresholds for water-sewer districts to sell surplus property without notice or by private sale, increasing the personal property threshold to $5,400 and the real property threshold to $7,500. Sen. Keith Goehner said the change simply updates outdated limits to reflect inflation and improve efficiency. A representative of the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts supported the bill, noting the thresholds had not been updated since 2011 for real property and 1993 for surplus property. The committee closed the public hearing without action. The committee also heard SB 5820, which would repeal Clark County’s authority to apply a freight rail-dependent use overlay to certain lands under prior law. Sen. Adrian Cortes argued the existing exemption has harmed agricultural and forest lands, led to environmental violations, and cost taxpayers money, while local supporters said the overlay has not produced promised economic benefits and should be removed. Opponents, including a railroad operator, the Association of Washington Business, and others, said the rail line supports economic development, rail-served industrial demand, and existing contractual and public investments, and warned repeal could strand investments and limit future freight and climate-friendly transportation options. The hearing was closed with no vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 5995, which would remove the 2031 sunset from the existing prohibition on using public port funds to buy fully automated marine cargo container handling equipment, while continuing to allow zero- and near-zero-emission equipment purchases. The sponsor and labor witnesses said the bill protects family-wage jobs, keeps taxpayer money from subsidizing automation, and preserves human oversight for safety and efficiency. Port and shipping industry opponents argued the bill is premature, could reduce port competitiveness, and should remain subject to the current sunset so the policy can be revisited later. The public hearing was closed with no action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tara LaVelle, Madison, and Arn Child, who is remote. Are you remote? Okay, great.
• Tara LaVelle, Madison, and Arn Child, who is remote. Are you remote? Okay, great.
• I urge you to vote in favor of H. 1368 and S. 847.
• It was remote. Thanks.
• I urge the committee to vote for increased regulation and oversight of prior authorizations by voting

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Four votes. All right, that has four votes. We'll leave that open for members to add on.
• Four votes. All right, that has four votes. We'll leave that open for members to add on.
• Four votes. All right, that has four votes.
• Four votes. All right, that has four votes. We'll leave that open for members.
• Four votes. Great. That has four votes. We'll leave that open for members to add on.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established a quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to State Bar appointments requiring testimony. The committee heard from George Cardona, reappointed as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar, who described reforms made after the Girardi matter, efforts to reduce discipline disparities, backlog reduction measures, and staffing shortages tied to a vacancy rate and increased incoming complaints. Senators questioned him about safeguards against misconduct, the John Eastman disbarment case, discipline disparities affecting Black and Latino attorneys, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, and the use of AI in complaints and pleadings. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 3-0 to advance him to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Laura Enderton Speed, nominated as Executive Director of the State Bar. She emphasized restoring public trust, improving operations, addressing the February 2025 bar exam problems, and strengthening discipline and admissions processes. Senators asked about the State Bar’s structural budget deficit, the ongoing audit and investigations related to the bar exam, conflict-of-interest safeguards after Girardi, and plans for the future of the bar exam. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted 5-0 to advance her nomination to the Senate floor. The meeting concluded with final votes on the earlier items, thanks to Senator Jones for his service on the committee, and adjournment to executive session after a cake presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Myrdal asked whether the vote in the Gaming Commission was a 3-2 vote. Mr.
• So I guess I'm struggling with this vote here just a little, but having voted to avoid the rule or to
• The working group did not vote on any of these bills.
• Okay, so we're voting on the bill. Senator Klein: Mr.
• They vote, they pass, and move on.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Transcript Highlights:

• He urged everyone to vote no and feel very good about doing so.
• Chair West voted no. Vice Chair Nelson voted no. Representative Altendorf voted no.
• Representative Coulter voted yes. Representative Hanson voted yes. Representative Hicks voted yes.
• Representative McDonald voted no. Representative Nadeau voted no. Representative Olson voted no.
• Representative Pérez-Vega voted yes. Representative Zeleznikar voted no.

Bills: HF1169 , HF1916

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We probably need to vote on my amendment, don't we? We shall vote on the amendment. Right?
• So with that, I would urge a yes vote. The vote will now occur on Senate Bill 2143.
• And I ask for your yes vote.
• Senate Bill 1989 having received 8 votes, zero nay votes, and two constitutional privileges.
• So, I ask for a yes vote. Stand the no vote.

Bills: SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing

Transcript Highlights:

• And then remote will be Lisa Woodward, Carolyn Monroe, and Carolina Summer.
• We'll turn our attention to the screen for our remote testifiers.
• Our first panel is remote: Alicia Strom, Peter Meterko, and April Provost.
• The next panel will be remote: Commissioner Melanie Bacon and Sean Morris.
• In closing, I urge you not to view a vote against this bill as a vote for pharmaceutical companies.

Bills: SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025 , SB5933 , SB5990 , SB5981

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines

Transcript Highlights:

• And then remote will be Lisa Woodward, Carolyn Monroe, and Carolyn Summer.
• And then remote will be Lisa Woodward, Carolyn Monroe, and Carolina Summer.
• We'll turn our attention to the screen for our remote testifiers.
• The next panel will be remote: Commissioner Melanie Bacon and Sean Morris.
• In closing, I urge you not to view a vote against this bill as a vote for pharmaceutical companies.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a hearing on several bills. SB 5904 would prohibit non-human entities from using nursing titles; the sponsor and nursing groups said it is meant to increase transparency around AI and ensure patients know when they are interacting with a real nurse. SB 5915 would change Health Technology Assessment Program review criteria and timelines, with supporters arguing it would better account for Medicare coverage and national guidelines, especially for rare and life-threatening conditions. SB 6025 would update the definition of fetal death to allow gestational age to be determined by the best clinically accurate method rather than last menstrual period, and medical professionals and the sponsor said this would reduce emotional, financial, and legal burdens on grieving families. SB 5933 would require near real-time sharing of overdose data into ODMAP; public health, local government, and recovery advocates said it would improve overdose response, while one witness asked that poison center data be included and clarified separately. SB 5990 would allow APRNs and physician assistants to serve as local health officers in counties under 100,000 population; rural county officials supported the added flexibility, while public health groups and naturopathic physicians raised concerns about qualifications and asked that naturopathic doctors be included as well. SB 5981 would restrict drug manufacturers from limiting 340B drug access through contract pharmacies or requiring data as a condition of discounts; safety-net hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies, and patients said it protects access and reinvestment in care, while manufacturers, employer groups, and industry representatives argued it increases costs, lacks transparency, and may not ensure savings reach patients. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript; each bill was heard and testimony was closed. Sign-in counts were reported for several bills, including strong pro support for SB 5904, SB 5915, SB 5933, and SB 5981, and mixed or substantial opposition on SB 6025 and SB 5990.

Transcript Highlights:

• A remote driver is one that actually can perform the driving task from a remote location.
• A remote driver is one that actually can perform the driving task from a remote location.
• And then finally, under the remote operations requirements, our remote support personnel maintain the
• And then my next question is, what's the difference between remote assistance and remote driving?
• don't drive the vehicle remotely.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard an informational hearing on California’s newly finalized autonomous vehicle regulations, with DMV and CHP officials describing the updated framework and committee members pressing them on safety, enforcement, and first-responder impacts. DMV said the rules, effective April 28, 2026, expand reporting, create a phased permitting system from testing to deployment, add requirements for safety cases, remote operations, and first-responder coordination, and open a path for heavy-duty AV testing and deployment while still prohibiting oversized loads and hazardous materials. CHP said it worked with DMV on enforcement tools, first-responder interaction plans, and training local agencies on the new notice of noncompliance process. Members asked about crash data, immobilizations, freeway and construction-zone safety, weigh-station enforcement, and whether foreign licenses can qualify for remote assistants or drivers; DMV and CHP said the rules are intended to keep AVs accountable and that heavy-duty AVs will be held to the same roadway standards as human-driven commercial vehicles. A second panel focused on data collection and enforcement. Consumer attorneys argued the prior rules were too limited because DMV stopped collecting meaningful data once AVs moved from testing to deployment, making it difficult for the public and litigants to understand incidents; they supported the new regulations but urged that the collected information be made public. The industry association said California now has the nation’s most robust AV oversight, with monthly or quarterly reporting of collisions, system failures, immobilizations, harsh braking, vehicle miles traveled, and notices of noncompliance, plus broad DMV authority to restrict or suspend operations. In response to questions, the industry said it generally supports the new framework, believes the regulations are clear, and does not favor full federal preemption of state AV rules, though it wants federal standards for design, construction, and performance. A third panel addressed first-responder interaction and remote operations. The San Francisco Fire Department described repeated AV interference with emergency scenes and said AVs have generated hundreds of “sleeper calls,” where passengers fall asleep and trigger 911 responses; the department said these incidents consume significant staff time and it wants better protocols to reduce unnecessary dispatches. Waymo said it has trained thousands of public-safety personnel, maintains a 24/7 emergency line, uses geofencing/avoid-the-area messages, and can allow first responders to manually override or move vehicles when needed. Committee members asked about sleeper-call prevention, remote assistant licensing and drug testing, communication redundancies during outages, and how manual overrides work for vehicles without traditional controls; Waymo said it is collaborating with responders and that its vehicles are designed to reach a safe stop if connectivity is lost. The final panel began with testimony on heavy-duty autonomous vehicles. A transportation researcher said freight is essential to California’s economy and that heavy-duty AVs pose distinct safety risks because of their weight, stopping distance, and the potentially severe consequences of crashes or immobilizations on highways. He said the new regulations are important because they create a regulated pathway for heavy-duty AV deployment, require a safety case, set mileage thresholds, and add reporting categories that can serve as leading safety indicators. The hearing was still in progress when the transcript ended, with additional testimony expected from labor and industry witnesses on heavy-duty AV deployment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move the remote folks over.
• Please vote no on HB 2429 as written. Amend the bill to... Please vote no on HB 2429 as written.
• under the instant runoff voting method and single transferable vote method.
• implement ranked choice voting.
• majority voting.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.