Transcript Highlights:

• Eric, the floor is yours. Eric Alieri: All right.
• >> Either you first or over to Eric. >> Derek, you want to go ahead and you can go first, Eric. >> Sure
• Uh either you first or or over to Eric. Uh either you first or or over to Eric.
• Eric, Eric, Eric, &gt;&gt; Derek,<01:17:32.080><c> you</c><01:17:32.159><c> want</c><01:17:32.239><c>
• </c> go ahead and you go first, Eric. go ahead and you go first, Eric.

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Eric Rubin, an opponent. Eric Rubin: My name is Eric. I'm 71 years old. I'm Jewish.
• Eric Rubin: Israel is not Jewish. Israel is a state.
• Eric Rubin: Everyone. And you fight for the underdog.
• Eric Rubin: Only to realize that.
• Eric Rubin: Jewish Palestine.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Center or ERIC. Center or ERIC.
• </c> ERIC member state. ERIC member state.
• So, we related to the ERIC system.
• </c> ERIC system sharing all this voter data. ERIC system sharing all this voter data.
• </c> a person when we share it with ERIC. a person when we share it with ERIC.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Eric Olson, you are recognized. Eric Olson: Okay. Thank you.
• Eric Olson: But we're used to hurricanes.
• Eric Olson: We lost and have demolition of 28 properties.
• We've been Eric Olson: managing it by volunteers doing what we can.
• Eric Olson: So we're excited to get these trailers coming in.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I’m Eric Hansen, senior budget advisor to the governor.
• And I'm Eric Hansen, senior budget advisor to the governor.
• And Eric, we'll talk about how we're going to get these resources.
• And Eric, always good to see you.
• As Eric Hansen noted in his presentation, last legislative session, As Eric Hansen noted in his presentation

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard a presentation from WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith on the agency’s mission, 2025 accomplishments, and 2026 priorities. Meredith emphasized preservation, safety, emergency response, ferry reliability, culvert replacement, and major projects such as the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge work, North Spokane Corridor, Confluence Parkway, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. She highlighted the state’s aging transportation assets, recent storm and flood damage, bridge strikes, and the need for additional preservation funding, including the governor’s proposed $1 billion investment in Washington State Ferries and continued work on the World Cup and future regional growth planning. Members asked about ferry service disruptions, rising IBR costs, staffing needs, aviation assets, and bridge-strike certainty tied to the Coast Guard’s upcoming decision on bridge clearance requirements. The committee then received a briefing on HB 2306, the governor’s supplemental transportation budget, which totals $16.7 billion and increases the enacted budget by about $1.2 billion, with most of the increase directed to WSDOT capital spending. OFM staff said the proposal is driven by preservation, maintenance, and ferry needs, and relies on about $3.1 billion in bonding against transportation revenues, while staying below the Treasurer’s coverage ratio. The proposal includes $2 billion for preservation, $164 million for paving this summer, $756 million for paving over 10 years, $250 million for maintenance, $150 million for preserving existing ferries, $15 million for Lower Columbia River dredging, and smaller investments for WSP communications, DOL access, and local road grants. Committee members asked about debt service, remaining bonding capacity, and the impact of office closures and ferry service reductions. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s budget, especially its preservation and ferry investments. Local officials and associations backed ferry funding, local road grants, pavement and bridge preservation, and the Columbia River dredging match. Several speakers urged more support for cities and counties, while rail and transit advocates asked for more rail capital funding and less highway expansion. One ferry advocate criticized the cost of hybrid-electric vessel maintenance compared with diesel, and another witness warned against a pay-per-mile tax. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair announced a short caucus before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Eric.
• Eric. Okay. Further member questions. I Eric. Okay. Further member questions.
• </c> Eric. Are you uh seeking recognition? Eric. Are you uh seeking recognition?
• Chair Eric. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay. Chair Eric. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Chair Eric, Further member discussion. Chair Eric, thank<00:36:13.119><c> you.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so sorry, Eric.
• Go ahead, Eric. All right, Madam Chair.
• So, um, like Eric will be standing, this is really loud.
• Thank you Eric. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Thank you so much, Eric. Thank you public for paying attention.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee, my name is Eric Shinye.
• Eric also mentioned it.
• This is one area where, as Eric mentioned, HCAFC came up a bit.
• Thank you, Eric and Secretary, for the presentation.
• And I, Eric, on your part, you brought this up.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And I’m Eric Hansen, senior budget advisor to the governor.
• And I’m Eric Hansen, senior budget advisor to the governor.
• And Eric, we'll talk about how we're going to get these resources.
• Thank you, Megan, and Eric.
• My name is Eric Fitch.

Bills: HB2306

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Eric covered it very well.
• And just to look a little bit about the math, Eric went into it in detail, but...
• Just to look a little bit about the math, Eric went into it in detail.
• And it's because of how Eric highlighted, most states focus on daycare centers.
• But I'll let Eric jump in on the Indiana.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas Workforce Connections and the Department of Commerce about a package of nine federal waivers submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor under WIOA and Perkins. The officials said the waivers would give Arkansas more flexibility over governance, funding, affiliate centers, and program rules, and that the state expects a response by August 29. They said the package is modeled more closely on Louisiana’s approved waivers than on states with more denials, and outlined a possible transition plan if approved, including a transition committee, policy changes, board training, staffing, and follow-up legislation. Members asked about whether the waivers would affect services for people with disabilities; the officials said not directly, because the waivers focus on WIOA Titles I and III rather than vocational rehabilitation under Title IV. The committee then focused on “benefit cliffs” and work disincentives in safety-net programs. Researchers from the Georgia Center for Opportunity and the Alliance for Opportunity explained how earnings loss rates from taxes and benefit phaseouts can exceed 50%, 75%, or even 100%, making additional work or promotions financially unattractive. They presented Arkansas-specific modeling showing multiple cliffs and stacking effects across SNAP, Medicaid/CHIP, LIHEAP, WIC, reduced-price lunches, child care, and housing assistance, and argued that child care and health coverage create some of the largest disincentives. They suggested policy options including SNAP demonstration waivers, child care subsidy redesign, TANF outcome-based funding, Medicaid premium assistance and health savings accounts, and a possible small-scale pilot to test a more integrated safety net. Heather Webb of Arkansas Family Alliance and Molly Palmer of the Heart of Arkansas United Way added testimony from families, employers, and nonprofits. Webb described a working mother who lost Medicaid and a housing subsidy as her income rose, saying the cliff left her stressed despite earning more. Palmer said Arkansas’s ALICE population often works multiple jobs and still cannot meet basic living costs, and that employers report recruitment and retention problems when workers face benefit cliffs. Members asked for more data on savings and program impacts, and the witnesses said they could provide Arkansas-specific modeling and scenario analysis. The meeting ended with discussion of public-private partnerships, employer-sponsored insurance premium assistance, marriage penalties, and the need to coordinate or consolidate fragmented programs before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emma Erdoll from the DFL side researcher Emma Erdoll from the DFL side researcher Eric<00:03:58.519><
• :03:59.840><c> to</c><00:03:59.920><c> thank</c><00:04:00.080><c> my</c><00:04:00.319><c> vice</c> Eric
• Um, I want to say thank you to our CLA's Emma Erle and Karen Hartwig, researchers Eric Anderson and Ben
• 27.280><c> Karen</c><00:05:27.600><c> Hartwig,</c><00:05:28.320><c> researchers</c><00:05:28.960><c> Eric
• </c> Erle and Karen Hartwig, researchers Eric Erle and Karen Hartwig, researchers Eric Anderson<00:05

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Eric Cubard.
• Eric and I did the Colorado 500.
• Eric and I did the Colorado 500. Dave. Eric and I did the Colorado 500.
• </c> Eric Hubard? What are you talking about? Eric Hubard? What are you talking about?
• Eric, appreciate you all coming. Eric, appreciate you all coming.

Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Siddham. And Nickerson Matthews is following Eric Siddham.
• Well, let's—Chairman, Chairman, Eric, just a second.
• Yes, and Eric, through the chair. Flag question from Camie. Yes, and Eric, through the chair. Mr.
• Any further questions for Eric? Boise Association flies those flags.
• Any further questions for Eric? Eric, Chair has a question for you.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Eric. Eric. Eric. Thank<00:08:07.400><c> you.</c> Thank you. Thank you.
• Chair<00:09:23.240><c> Eric.</c> Chair Eric. Chair Eric.
• Chair Eric, thank you.
• Chair<00:43:56.040><c> Eric.</c> Chair Eric. Chair Eric.
• >> Chair Eric. Mr.

Summary: The committee discussed a higher education attainment-goals bill and several related amendments. Members first reached agreement on funding changes: one amendment redirected money for fraud-prevention software for MnSCU and $5,000 for trees in Bemidji, and another moved $570,000 for workforce development-related funding. Members noted the use of general fund dollars to cover a FIG shortfall and expressed support for addressing fraud prevention while also saying MnSCU should be made whole in the next biennium. Both amendments were adopted. The main policy debate centered on an amendment updating the statewide attainment goal and related P-20 partnership language. Senator Um Ruebain proposed returning the attainment goal from 75 percent to 70 percent, and members discussed whether the bill’s expanded reporting and coordination duties would create costs for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Nonpartisan staff and Commissioner Olsen said the Office of Higher Education and the P-20 partnership expected no costs, while DCYF’s fiscal note assumed reporting and staffing costs. After discussion, DCYF indicated it would absorb the costs, but some members still objected to expanding the partnership and creating additional bureaucracy. Members also debated whether early childhood and K-12 subgoals should be included as part of the attainment-goals framework. Supporters said aligning early childhood, K-12, and higher education goals is necessary to improve postsecondary attainment, while opponents argued the committee should focus on existing higher education goals and basic K-12 achievement. The committee ultimately adopted the Senate language on the attainment-goals section as amended, including the change back to 70 percent and revisions directed by staff to ensure the correct references were updated. The A12 amendment on pregnant and parenting students was also adopted earlier in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> of</c><00:14:26.600><c> Southwest</c> Eric Hansen, the CEO of Southwest Eric Hansen, the CEO of Southwest
• Chris on deck we've got Eric Pershman.
• Eric Pershman is after Josh Kimber next.
• Is Eric Perschman &gt;&gt; Thank you so much. Is Eric Perschman here? here? here?
• Eric, if you please state your name for the record and begin your testimony. >> Yes, my name is Eric

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Eric Hall: GOOD AFTERNOON. >> Chair Garcia: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Eric Hall: I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE
• >> Chair Garcia: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Eric Hall: THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
• WE ARE GOING TO GO TO SIX NOW. >> Eric Hall: THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
• >> Eric Hall: I CAN GET YOU THE EXACT NUMBER BUT AS OF YESTERDAY THERE WERE I MAY HAVE THIS BACKWARDS
• >> Eric Hall: I CAN TELL YOU, I CAN GET YOU THE EXACT NUMBER BUT I THINK IT'S UNDER IDENTIFIED.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Chair<00:14:25.680><c> Eric.</c> &gt;&gt; Chair Eric. &gt;&gt; Chair Eric.
• Chair Eric. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair Eric. Thank you.
• I'm more than happy to let Chair Eric go. >> All right. Chair Eric. Okay.
• </c> Eric to go and then you wrap? Eric to go and then you wrap?
• Chair Eric. &gt;&gt; All right. Chair Eric.

Summary: The committee took up House File 4252 and first heard a walkthrough of a DE2 amendment that largely incorporated Office of Higher Education technical and statutory cleanup items, including reporting consolidations, updates to postsecondary registration and licensing statutes, and an anti-fraud provision. New provisions in the DE2 would require public postsecondary institutions to explain developmental courses before enrollment and obtain a written acknowledgement, revise the state grant tuition cap, add a $1.5 million ongoing appropriation in FY 2027 for an identity verification system to combat enrollment fraud, and provide $5,000 one-time funding for reforestation at Bemidji State University. Fiscal staff also noted additional special revenue fund revenue and expenditures tied to licensing and registration litigation response. The main debate centered on the A8 amendment offered by Representative Rarick, which would require the governor to appoint University of Minnesota regents only from candidates recommended by the joint legislative committee if the legislature fails to elect regents. Rarick argued the amendment was needed to address what he described as conflicts of interest and pay-to-play concerns in recent gubernatorial appointments. Several members questioned whether the language was constitutional, whether it actually addressed conflicts of interest, and whether it should instead refer to ARCAC-screened or ARCAC-recommended candidates. Nonpartisan staff said the governor’s appointment power is addressed in the university charter, not directly in the constitution, but could not definitively assess constitutionality if challenged. Members were divided: some supported the goal of cleaner governance but said the amendment was not ready or did not match the problem being described; others argued the legislature had failed to complete its own regent appointments and that the amendment was a response to that failure. No vote on the A8 amendment or the bill was reached in the portion provided, though a roll call was requested on the amendment and the chair indicated the bill would continue through amendment consideration before final discussion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric: Mr.
• And panelists, this may be for Eric.
• Eric, do you have a point there?
• So, if we have that documentation, Eric, I'd love to see it.
• Question, Eric, this one is for you.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will now move on to welcoming Eric Winger from UW and Matt Skinner from Wazoo.
• And thank you, Eric. Good morning. Thank you. Thank you, Eric.
• I also want to thank Sarah and Eric for their presentations.
• Similar to what Eric shared for the University of Washington, I thought it would be interesting just
• Thank you, Eric. Thank you, Eric. You make me smile. I'm thinking back to 1980.

Committee: Joint Joint Higher Education Committee

Summary: The Joint Higher Education Committee met with introductions from members and then held a work session on higher education and statewide accounting practices. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state and university accounting/reporting differ, including current AFRS/SAM requirements and the transition to Workday/WAM, and described what higher education data are currently included in state reporting versus what will remain excluded, such as transaction-level detail and vendor payment information. University of Washington and Washington State University officials then described the complexity of their institutions’ financial structures, including multiple campuses, auxiliary enterprises, component units, hospitals, clinics, bonds, and other reporting obligations, and how they submit summarized data to the state while maintaining more detailed local accounting systems. The Education Research and Data Center also presented the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512, emphasizing that the metrics are best used to examine trends within institutions rather than direct comparisons across schools; members asked about data availability and federal reporting delays, and ERDC said it was on track to update the dashboard with newer data and additional metrics. The committee then heard a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended purpose of supporting postsecondary attainment, high-demand fields, student aid, and workforce education. He said WIA revenue has grown substantially, especially after recent tax changes, and noted that most current appropriations go to higher education, including the Washington College Grant, community and four-year institutions, and some workforce-related programs. Members asked whether WIA supports apprenticeships and trades, and Anderson said it has in some cases, though nearly all current appropriations are now within higher education. Anderson also highlighted a major policy shift in the 2025-27 budget: WIA is now being used to supplant some general-fund higher education spending, especially a large transfer for University of Washington general operations. He said this has reduced the general fund share of higher education funding and increased the share from WIA, raising concerns about whether the account is still being used as originally intended. He also described how WIA is increasingly covering Washington College Grant caseload growth and faculty compensation costs, and said WSAC is working to improve public documentation of ongoing and carry-forward appropriations. The committee did not take any substantive votes on the presentation topics and then moved toward executive session and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will now move on to welcoming Eric Winger from UW and Matt Skinner from Wazoo.
• And thank you, Eric. Good morning. Thank you. Thank you, Eric.
• I also want to thank Sarah and Eric for their presentations.
• Similar to what Eric shared for the University of Washington, I thought it would be interesting just
• Thank you, Eric. You make me smile. I'm thinking back to 1980.

Committee: Joint Joint Higher Education Committee

Summary: The Joint Higher Education Committee met for a work session on higher education accounting practices and financial transparency. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state accounting rules and higher education reporting differ, including what data is captured in AFRS today and what will move into Workday, with universities generally reporting summary-level fund data, mandatory codes, and most balance sheet and income statement activity, but not transaction-level detail or vendor payment information. Representatives from the University of Washington and Washington State University described the complexity of their own accounting systems, the many entities and business lines they must track for audits and compliance, and the need to reconcile university-level accrual accounting with state reporting requirements. The committee also heard from the Education Research and Data Center on the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512; ERDC said the dashboard is based on publicly available data, is best used to examine institutions individually rather than compare them directly, and will be updated with additional metrics in 2025 and 2026. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended uses for higher education, financial aid, and workforce development. He said recent legislation significantly increased WIA revenues and that, in the 2025–27 budget, the account is being used in new ways, including to replace general fund support for University of Washington operations and to fund a larger share of the Washington College Grant and some faculty compensation costs. Anderson said roughly 98% of current WIA appropriations go to higher education, but the share used to supplant other higher education funding has grown, and he estimated about 60% to 70% of current spending still aligns with the account’s original intent. He also described a new effort to track WIA appropriations across biennia in more detail and noted the WIA Oversight Board’s role in recommending uses of the account and monitoring outcomes. No votes were taken; the committee ended by moving into executive session for staffing issues and then adjourned.