Transcript Highlights:

• The State Fair is a big part of our state celebration and truly marks the end of the summer season and
• and other facilities around our state that need them.
• So this happens in our border states as well.
• Increase in state funds because of special ed funds.
• Article 7 is our state agency bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• state employees.
• The budget also includes a 5% pay increase for state law enforcement, state firefighters, state correctional
• for many projects across the state.
• And finally, we funded $5 million for public library construction grants, providing funding for 10 libraries
• concern, and state and local parks at $42.2 million.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state auditor is elected directly by the people of the state of Washington.
• This plan covers all areas of the state and applies to all of the state agencies.
• First and foremost, I'd like to thank the state auditor for its thorough review of the state Digital
• The forum also includes libraries, OSPI, DSHS, community leaders throughout the state, and tribes.
• And then from state agencies down.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee held a hybrid hearing to receive three State Auditor’s Office performance audits. The first audit examined implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act. Auditors said the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training, but six community/cultural topics were still unfinished, the patrol tactics curriculum was incomplete in one area, and the agency lacked a systematic project management approach. They reported that most officers had not completed the 40 required hours, with low participation in patrol tactics training, weak communication, limited data to track compliance, and ineffective incentives or consequences. Committee members questioned staffing, liability, and enforcement, and the Commission said it generally agreed with the findings and had begun implementing recommendations, including improving training development and communication. The second audit reviewed Washington’s digital equity planning. Auditors concluded the state lacked a comprehensive, unified digital equity strategy, a designated lead, and reliable funding. They said the existing PEAR/Impact Plan, BEAD five-year plan, and NTIA-approved digital equity plan each addressed parts of the issue but none provided a full statewide framework with clear authority across agencies. The Department of Commerce’s Broadband Office and the Office of Equity said they agreed with the findings and were open to working with the legislature and the Digital Equity Forum on a more structured approach. A public witness described local and regional digital equity planning efforts and emphasized the importance of coordination and community-based work. The third audit focused on Commerce’s management of the Digital Navigator Program. Auditors said Commerce did not consistently use a competitive process, did not adequately vet grantees and subgrantees, wrote contracts that lacked clear deliverables and monitoring requirements, failed to enforce reporting, and paid $10.7 million without sufficient documentation to verify reimbursement eligibility. They said agency staff had raised concerns that were ignored and that some payments and contract expansions occurred despite warnings. Commerce officials said new leadership had already begun major contract-management reforms, including centralized oversight, risk assessments, clearer documentation standards, and staff training, and they said they would pursue recapture where appropriate. Committee members expressed strong concern about accountability, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement officers in the state of Washington that are abided. state, law enforcement officers
• The Washington State Constitution also provides that the state and county share the cost for Superior
• The Washington State Constitution in Article 11, Section 5 states that the Legislature shall prescribe
• Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, and enforcing state law as interpreted by our courts
• He stated that the bill violates the Constitution, the state constitution, and the United States Constitution

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on several bills. SB 5865 on garnishment forms was amended to require the Washington Pattern Forms Committee to finish the new forms by December 31, 2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2027; a competing amendment was withdrawn, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. SB 5880 on toxicology testing by certified laboratories was amended to clarify that local governments may accept private donations to help fund ISO-IEC 17025 testing, without requiring them to do so, and it also received a due pass recommendation. SB 5912 to reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force was amended to remove legislators from the task force, add members, revise duties and reporting, and adjust staffing and reimbursement provisions; it too was advanced. SB 5855 on law enforcement face coverings drew extensive amendment debate. The committee rejected amendments that would have narrowed mask exceptions, added weather/environmental language, created a private right of action against federal officers, and established a claims account for officers, but adopted the proposed substitute and sent the bill forward on a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard public testimony on SB 6011, which would let Court of Appeals bailiffs conduct threat assessments and access certain criminal history information for Court of Appeals judges and staff, mirroring authority already given to Supreme Court bailiffs. The bill’s sponsor and the acting chief judge for Division I said the change would address increasing threats and allow bailiffs to investigate and refer matters efficiently; there was no opposition testimony. SB 6009, which would make permanent direct-review procedures for certain administrative and land-use decisions, was described as a successful COVID-era process that reduces unnecessary court steps and conserves resources. The sponsor and a Court of Appeals judge supported making the sunset provisions permanent, and testimony was generally favorable. Public hearing also continued on SB 5868, which would add one Superior Court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Court officials, county leaders, and the Administrative Office of the Courts testified that both counties have growing caseloads, trial delays, and backlogs, and that the counties had budgeted their share of the cost. The committee then heard SB 5974, which would add eligibility requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, restrict the use of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, and clarify duties of sheriffs. Supporters argued the bill would improve professionalism, accountability, and public trust, especially in immigrant and survivor communities. Opponents, including several sheriffs, cities, and counties, argued it would undermine local control and voter authority, impose costly background checks, and raise constitutional concerns. Public testimony on SB 5974 closed when time expired, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement officers in the state of Washington that are abided. state, law enforcement officers
• The Washington State Constitution also provides that the state and county share the cost for Superior
• The Washington State Constitution in Article 11, Section 5 states that the Legislature shall prescribe
• I will also state that we would be the only elected officials in the state of Washington where this will
• Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, and enforcing state law as interpreted by our courts

Bills: SB5865 , SB5880 , SB5912 , SB5855 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably the most urban district in the state.
• that we would have for the state?
• So we've got a state surplus site at the Napa State Hospital that has just been made available as affordable
• Additionally, since 2020, the state budget has provided TCAC $500 million in state tax credits to be
• And state statute also requires $25 million of state tax credits to be designated for farmworker housing

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That position is funded by both the state and the state and covers Valley and Boise counties.
• Why did I put state legislators in there?
• And since the state lost them, the state should pay instead of the county. Follow up. Go ahead.
• Representative Boyle, does the state have the ability to ask reimbursement from another state then, to
• It's our prisoner, our state prisoner, that escapes and goes to another state and has to be collected

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Heavenly Father, as Pennsylvania, a state once known as a keystone state, a keystone, for those who don't
• aid for public libraries and community colleges.
• For a program that the state already does.
• And when it comes to programs, I am the state.
• What has Penn State done to earn that trust?

Summary: The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills. Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote. The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• That position is funded by both the state and the state and covers Valley and Boise counties.
• Why did I put state legislators in there?
• And since the state lost them, the state should pay instead of the county. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr.
• Representative Boyle, does the state have the ability to ask reimbursement from another state then, to
• It's our prisoner, our state prisoner, that escapes and goes to another state and has to be collected

Summary: The Idaho Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee began with introductions of a new page and visiting family members, then unanimously approved the minutes from February 19, 2026. The committee heard presentations from court administrators on court assistance offices, family court services, and treatment courts. Testimony described services for self-represented litigants, family law support, mediation and fee assistance, and the structure and outcomes of treatment courts. Members asked questions about recidivism, sanctions, and court procedures, and one line of questioning about child interviews in family cases was cut short because of pending legislation in that area. The committee then took up House Bill 692, which would expand access to child protection hearings and create a rebuttable presumption for attendance by children, relatives, foster parents, fictive kin, service providers, and legislators unless the judge finds exclusion appropriate. The sponsor and advocates said the bill would improve transparency and allow children and caregivers to be heard; opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, confidentiality, and the inclusion of legislators and broad categories of service providers. After discussion, the committee rejected a motion to send the bill directly to the floor and instead approved a substitute motion to send it to general orders by a 15-1 vote. Next, House Bill 23, a House rule change for procedures during a call of the house, was explained as allowing members and staff access to offices and restrooms while still requiring attendance and voting. It passed unanimously. House Bill 683, concerning sex offender residency definitions and removing a care-facility exemption near schools or daycares, also passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor and a sheriff. House Bill 684, shifting transport costs for escaped state prisoners from counties to the state, passed unanimously as well. Finally, House Bill 615, which would add religious gatherings and houses of worship to the disturbing-the-peace statute, drew both support and constitutional concerns about vagueness and First Amendment issues; it passed the committee 9-2 and was sent to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• California is the only state that has this.
• It doesn't matter the state.
• It doesn't matter the state.
• You know, in your excitement, you mentioned the other states, you know, we're one of four states that
• So that's what we've seen in other states.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard three bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for transportation network companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, with committee amendments adding findings and declarations, higher limits than originally proposed, and a joint study on UM/UIM impacts. Supporters, including Uber, Lyft, business groups, and some consumer advocates, argued the bill would lower fares and increase driver earnings by reducing insurance costs. Opponents, including consumer attorneys, labor groups, and consumer watchdog organizations, warned it would cut protections for riders and drivers and might not guarantee savings would be passed through. The committee approved SB 371 on a due-pass basis and re-referred it to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard SB 716 by Senator Durazo, which would create a Home Internet Lifeline Program to let eligible low-income households apply Lifeline subsidies to home broadband service. Proponents said the bill addresses broadband affordability after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program expired, and that it would help students, workers, and families access reliable internet. Opponents from the wireless industry objected to the funding mechanism, arguing the surcharge would fall unfairly on wireless consumers, while one broadband group moved to neutral after amendments. The bill was approved on a due-pass basis and sent to Appropriations, but the roll was held open and later completed with the bill passing 7-1. The committee also took up SB 480 by Senator Archuleta relating to autonomous vehicles as a consent item, with no presentation or debate. It was approved on a due-pass basis and re-referred to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly focused on affordability, consumer protection, and whether savings from the bills would actually reach riders, drivers, or households.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also states that the board has an increased burden of proof to clear and convincing evidence.
• Arizona is a right-to-work state, so we are not allowed to strike.
• state housing affordability districts throughout the state.
• EPA if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects the state.
• EPA if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects the state.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others. Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work. The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Representative Fley from District 59A, North Minneapolis.
• State Representative Fley from District 59A, North Minneapolis.
• State Representative Fley from District 59A, North Minneapolis.
• </c><00:27:13.760><c> and</c> focused on the needs of the state and focused on the needs of the state
• .<00:27:45.840><c> Senator</c> state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I respectfully ask that the state.
• I met with a state private.
• So, you what you know, what is stated.
• </c> meet the state law, they have to do it. meet the state law, they have to do it.
• Uh the state all dramatically increased.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• guests are asked to remain standing and join with me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands
• State police barracks or requesting envelopes online.
• Three years ago, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a Massachusetts State Trooper.
• It's time for Massachusetts to join that list of states.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have the power to do that here in the state.
• Louis Costa with the State Legislative Board of SMART Transportation Division, in support. ...State Legislative
• State your name and affiliation, please.
• If you can line up, please, and state your name and affiliation.
• I would personally think that this is getting into a nanny-state, watchdog-state that is concerning to

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee met with a new membership roster and adopted its committee rules after quorum was established. The hearing then began with AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act, which would require generative AI developers to provide copyright holders notice when registered copyrighted works are used in training data. The author and supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, the Transparency Coalition, voice actors, writers, labor groups, and other creators, argued the bill would give artists a practical way to learn whether their works were used and to vindicate their rights. Opponents, including EFF, CalChamber, RIAA, CCIA, Chamber of Progress, Bay Area Council, BSA, and TechNet, said the proposal was technically unworkable, could burden startups, conflict with existing law and pending litigation, and raise federal preemption concerns. Members discussed the bill’s amendments, including a fingerprinting approach and narrowing the bill to model developers, and the committee voted 8-2 to pass AB 412 as amended to the Judiciary Committee. The committee then heard AB 446, which would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” or the use of personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. The author and supporters, including Consumer Watchdog, UFCW, labor organizations, and consumer/privacy groups, described examples of differential pricing tied to device type, location, shopping behavior, and digital price tags, and argued the bill would protect consumers from discriminatory and predatory pricing. Business and industry opponents, including CalChamber, grocers, retailers, travel, broadband, and other associations, said the bill could conflict with the CCPA, interfere with loyalty and rewards programs, and create confusion about personalized discounts and dynamic pricing. The discussion focused on how the bill would treat loyalty programs, whether existing privacy law already covers the issue, and whether the proposal would unintentionally affect legitimate discounts and promotions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does state tax exemption rely on IRS tax exemption, federal tax exemption?
• As for how it works across state lines, I'm not sure what other states are doing.
• I'm not sure what other states are doing.
• taxes in the state of Idaho, then the Tax Commission would deal with that K-1 form?
• So the county has a levy, the library has a levy, and your schools had a levy.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on February 19, 2026, and first approved the minutes from its February 13 meeting. It then considered RS 33462, which would signal Idaho’s willingness to participate in a federal education freedom tax credit program and set up a framework for scholarship-granting organizations. Members raised questions about possible general fund impacts and the federal nature of the credit. A substitute motion to hold the RS for further committee debate failed on a roll call vote, and the original motion to introduce the RS and send it to the second reading calendar passed, with Representatives Barbieri, Shepherd, and Birch recorded as nays. The committee next heard RS 3302, a sales tax exemption proposal for the Salvation Army. Representative Cornilles said the bill was complicated and would not move beyond introduction this session, with more work to be done over the summer. Members asked about the organization’s federal tax-exempt status and the broader policy implications of granting similar exemptions to other groups. The RS was introduced. The committee also heard RS 33398, which would align Idaho’s partnership audit procedures with the federal model by allowing audits at the partnership level rather than separately for each partner. Supporters said this would improve efficiency for the Tax Commission and taxpayers, while members questioned whether reduced granularity could affect revenue capture; the RS was introduced. Finally, the committee considered RS 33417C1, a change affecting certain rural school districts with wind, geothermal, or solar energy revenue. Representative Furman said the proposal would adjust how tax distributions are calculated when a district no longer has a supplemental levy, using the county levy rate instead, and would apply only to geothermal and wind, not solar. The committee introduced the RS without objection. The meeting then adjourned, and members were told there would be no meeting the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with these other states. with these other states.
• </c> the state hospital. the state hospital.
• At this point in time, we don't have any requests before us for things like the library or other state
• things like the library or other state<03:16:43.040><c> facilities</c><03:16:43.600><c> that</c> state
• </c> other state um, offices may rely upon. other state um, offices may rely upon.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please make welcome our second doctor of the day. that he provides our state.
• Members, welcome them to your state capitol. Thank you, students, for being here.
• Your determination and all three million Arkansans across our great state.
• This is the appropriation for the State Library. I'm happy to answer any questions.
• Happy to answer any questions on the Arkansas State University appropriation.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal and received committee reports from Joint Budget on several appropriations bills, along with an executive communication from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders noting approval of House Bill 1001 as Act 2. The Speaker also recognized several guests, including law enforcement personnel, physicians, a nurse, STEM students, line workers, and Council of State Governments visitors. The main business was the budget calendar. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes for East Arkansas College, DHS resource reallocations, Nursing Board positions, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office staffing reductions. The chamber then sent the amendments to engrossing. Members passed House Bill 1060, the State Library appropriation, by 77 yeas, 15 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 5, the Tobacco Settlement Commission appropriation, by 90 yeas, 5 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 13, the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission appropriation, by 98 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; Senate Bill 39, the Arkansas State University appropriation, by 97 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; and Senate Bill 56, the Auditor of State continuing education appropriation for local offices, by 81 yeas, 14 nays, and 3 present. The Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and moved next week’s floor schedule from Tuesday-Thursday to Monday-Wednesday, with a likely Monday start time around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. The House then adjourned until 1:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• somehow to create a state general fund tax credit or whatever for this.
• Does state tax exemption rely on IRS tax exemption, federal tax exemption?
• I'm not sure what other states are doing.
• There are 116 school districts in our state, and 12 of them have green energy...
• So the county has a levy, the library has a levy, and your schools had a levy.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• He cherished time with his family, maintained an extensive personal library, and found joy in both Boston's

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating Anna Karaz on her 100th birthday. It then took up and passed to be engrossed a home rule bill authorizing bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole for the Town of Randolph. The sponsoring senator spoke in support, saying the measure would improve access, inclusivity, and voter participation for Randolph’s growing Haitian Creole-speaking population, and noted the town’s low recent turnout and the importance of not waiting for a federal language-access review. The Senate also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the Town of Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor. It later adopted a Ways and Means order advancing a House bill on teacher preparation and student literacy with a new draft, and suspended rules to refer several Senate petitions. Additional local bills were enacted, including measures concerning Provincetown’s charter, the appointed town clerk in Avon, and Westwood liquor license authority. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition on retirement benefits for a Massachusetts Maritime Academy associate professor. Later, the Senate amended and passed a bill validating and confirming certain acts and proceedings of elected and appointed officials in the Town of Plymouth. A senator also offered remarks congratulating Sweet Paws Rescue on its 15th anniversary and new facility, which were ordered printed in the Journal. The chamber then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Gerard W. Moynihan of North Reading, followed by a moment of silence, and adjourned until the following Monday at 11 a.m.