Transcript Highlights:

• But anyone who watched the hearings, or was at the hearings, or who talked to anyone that was at the
• Why now are we hearing that?
• I didn't hear back from him.
• Why now are we hearing that?
• I didn't hear back from him.

Bills: HR17 , HB385 , HB406 , HB787 , HB1021 , HB1058 , HB1059

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education, investment, workforce development, TOPS, higher education, repayment, scholarships, academic eligibility, financial aid, athletics, high school sports, state report, student wellness, computer science, scholarship, curriculum requirements, workforce training, education funding, data administration, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, HB 475 is reported favorably with amendments.
• Hearing none, HB 475 is reported favorably with amendments. Rep.
• Hearing none, any objections? Hearing none, the amendments are adopted. Rep.
• And you may hear some individuals come up and speak more to that.
• What many of you often hear, and you hear every time we have this conversation, is the what if.

Bills: HB414 , HB457 , HB475 , HB611 , HB616 , HB740 , HB897 , HB925 , HB926 , HB931 , HB949 , HB962 , HB1076

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: healthcare, criminal convictions, employment, background checks, prohibited offenses, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, transitional housing, group home, halfway house, shelter standards, housing standards, sanitation, habitability, fire marshal, inspection, local permitting, parish government, Louisiana Department of Health

Transcript Highlights:

• in addition to child support administrative hearings came and our hearing officers are often being noticed
• So we have to go down ask the circuit judge to remove our hearing office and this would be consistent
• Um number four,<00:04:39.840><c> administrative</c><00:04:40.479><c> hearings.
• </c><00:04:48.639><c> officers</c> hearings came and our hearing officers hearings came and our hearing
• </c><00:07:40.160><c> officers</c> to to be to get those hearing officers to to be to get those hearing

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:10.799><c> and</c> him following last year's hearing and him following last year's hearing
• </c><00:21:33.600><c> that</c> I'm am I just correct in hearing that I'm am I just correct in hearing
• And I think we're hearing that that's still being figured out.
• And I think we're hearing that that's still being figured out.
• And I think we're hearing that that's still being figured out.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to hear them both together.
• We're not going to hear testimony for one and not the other.
• You'll hear from testimony later on why that is.
• We appreciate the committee taking time to hear this bill.
• I'll also just share, we hear a lot from our members about this.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee first took up a combined substitute for House Bills 2115 and 1876, which would encourage cursive instruction and add a future cursive assessment. Members discussed that the substitute removed an immediate fifth-grade test and instead would phase in an assessment later, with no penalty for failure. Some members raised concerns about teacher training, costs, and added demands on elementary classrooms, while supporters said the measure was only a recommendation and could be improved on the floor. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed the House Committee Substitute for both bills on a roll call vote of 13-9, with several members present or absent. The committee then heard House Bill 2776, as amended and substituted, a teacher-certification bill aimed at addressing Missouri’s teacher shortage through a tiered associate certification system for pre-K and elementary grades. Sponsors explained that Tier 1 and Tier 2 certificates would be temporary and nonrenewable, with mentoring, literacy training, and a minimum salary floor, and that Tier 3 would lead to full certification and retirement-system participation. Members questioned the pay differential, the effect on teacher quality, the role of literacy training, and how the bill would treat leaves or incomplete years of service. After adopting an amendment and rolling it into a new substitute, the committee passed the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2776 by a vote of 12-5 with one present. In open session, the committee heard House Bills 1698 and 2120 together, both anti-bullying measures that would strengthen reporting, parent notification, school-board awareness, and immunity protections for good-faith reporting. The sponsors described the bills as responses to a student bullying case that ended in suicide, and witnesses from the family gave emotional testimony urging immediate reporting and stronger accountability. Committee members raised questions about definitions of bullying, off-campus conduct, mandatory reporting to law enforcement, and the need to avoid sweeping in protected speech or sincerely held religious beliefs. No vote was taken on those bills in the portion provided. The committee then began testimony on House Bills 2230 and 2978, the Hands-on Learning Restoration Act, which would limit screen time and one-to-one device use in K-5 classrooms and emphasize books, paper, pencils, and cursive. Sponsors and supporters argued that heavy reliance on Chromebooks and other devices has harmed literacy, attention, and child development, citing low NAEP scores and research on handwriting and screen exposure. Teachers, physicians, and parents testified in support, while some members noted the bill may be too prescriptive and would need work on implementation, testing, and local flexibility. The hearing continued with additional testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't hear me. Is that better now? I'll move the mic closer. All right.
• Thank you for hearing this bill. You did hear it last year, so if it's deja vu, that is why.
• That concludes our public hearing on Senate Bill 5234.
• We have a bunch of public testimony and another bill to hear.
• That closes our public hearing on Senate Bill 6110.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on impaired driving, beginning with data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and a discussion of a proposed reduction in the legal per se blood alcohol concentration limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Mark McKekney presented crash and fatality data showing that about half of traffic fatalities involve an impaired driver, that alcohol remains the most common substance involved, and that impairment is strongly associated with speeding and higher crash risk. He also summarized a Washington/AAA survey finding support for lowering the limit rose from 54% to 71% after respondents received information about safety impacts, and he said the most persuasive arguments were that the change would save lives and reduce impaired driving. Committee members asked about how much alcohol can produce a 0.05 BAC, enforcement practices, blood testing in fatal crashes, and whether other states or countries use lower limits. The committee then heard emotional testimony from Joshua Jackman, who described severe injuries and long-term consequences from being struck by a drunk driver in 2007, and said the proposed law could help prevent similar tragedies by encouraging people to plan ahead. A panel followed with testimony from AAA Washington, the Washington State Patrol, and the Department of Transportation. AAA supported a 0.05 standard and cited research and international experience showing fewer fatalities and serious injuries without major effects on arrests or the hospitality industry. The State Patrol said the bill is intended to prevent crashes rather than increase arrests and would not change stop standards or DUI investigative practices. WSDOT described the safety, work-zone, congestion, equipment-damage, and liability costs caused by impaired driving, including recent crashes involving snowplows and road crews. No vote was taken on the impaired-driving discussion. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5234, which would raise snowmobile registration fees from $50 to $75 and vintage snowmobile fees from $12 to $18, with additional revenue going to the snowmobile account for grooming, plowing, sanitation, and other State Parks snowmobile programs. State Parks said the program has seen declining registrations and reduced services, while supporters from the snowmobile community said the increase is needed to stabilize the program and keep trails open. Some testimony supported the need for more revenue but opposed the fee increase as the wrong solution, arguing the program needs broader reform and that many snowmobiles remain unregistered. The hearing record noted 3 people signed in pro and 105 con. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6110, which would clarify the definition of e-bikes, exclude vehicles capable of exceeding 20 mph solely on motor power or easily modified to do so, and direct the Department of Licensing to convene a work group to develop recommendations for regulating electric motorcycles. Committee discussion focused on the distinction between legal e-bikes and faster e-motos, with questions about wattage, speed, youth use, and whether the bill should define e-motorcycles more directly. Students, local officials, city representatives, trail advocates, and bicycle groups testified in support, describing safety concerns, injuries, and confusion in enforcement, while also emphasizing that true e-bikes improve mobility and access. Several local government and advocacy witnesses asked for a clearer statutory definition of e-motorcycles and a civil enforcement path for juveniles. No final action was taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to hear a few bills. So let's begin with a public hearing on House Bill 2109.
• Chair and committee for hearing my bill today.
• Okay, with that, I'm going to close the public hearing on House Bill 2109 and move to the public hearing
• Okay, we can hear you now, Dean. Go ahead. All right.
• Thank you so much for hearing this bill.

Bills: HB2109 , HB2139 , HB2192

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: vehicle loads, public highways, transportation, road safety, infrastructure, HB2139, snowmobile registration, snowmobile fee, vehicle license fee, registration fee, Department of Licensing, RCW, vehicle registration, winter recreation, off-road vehicle, moped, motorcycle, trailer, recreational vehicle, vintage snowmobile

Transcript Highlights:

• We have five bills up for public hearing.
• So we'll go ahead and suspend public hearing on House Bill 1904 and move on to public hearing for House
• I really appreciate you taking the time to hear, and thank you, Dr.
• ahead and open up a public hearing on House Bill 2339.
• And that concludes the hearing on House Bill 2106. The hearing on House Bill 2106 is concluded.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several health-related bills. House Bill 1904 would prohibit cat declawing except for therapeutic purposes, with staff explaining definitions, fines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The prime sponsor and animal welfare advocates described declawing as cruel and linked it to pain and behavior problems, while the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association supported the substance of the bill but asked to remove the added reporting and disciplinary provisions as redundant and burdensome. House Bill 2211 would provide guidance for medically tailored meals under existing Medicaid-related nutrition supports, including standards for Washington-based nonprofit providers where possible, menu review, and nutrition requirements. The sponsor said it would clarify implementation without expanding the program, and supporters from meal providers, food distributors, and local farms said it would improve health outcomes, keep dollars local, and support Washington jobs and agriculture. House Bill 2329 would allow licensed midwives to delegate certain tasks to medical assistants and to supervise medical assistants, with the sponsor and birth center operators saying it would fix an omission in current law and help rural and under-resourced birth centers operate more efficiently. Supporters said it would improve staffing and financial stability, while the sponsor indicated the lactation consultant language would likely be removed because those consultants are not regulated by the Department of Health. The committee then returned to House Bill 1904 for additional testimony from humane organizations, veterinarians, shelter leaders, and local officials, all supporting a ban on declawing and emphasizing animal pain, shelter impacts, and available alternatives. House Bill 2247 would expand and clarify veterinary telehealth and veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules, allowing a VCPR to be established in certain telehealth circumstances and setting guardrails for consent, practice standards, and when in-person exams are still required. Supporters from shelters, animal welfare groups, mobile clinics, and veterinarians said telehealth would improve access in rural and underserved areas, reduce shelter intake, and help animals receive care sooner; the veterinary association supported the bill with amendments to clarify recordkeeping and access-to-care findings. House Bill 2339 would update nursing license terminology and processes for advanced registered nurse practitioners, including title changes, controlled substance rules for CRNAs, transcript submission, and interim permits. Nursing board and ARNP representatives supported the technical updates, while the hospital association and medical association raised concerns about title language for clinical nurse specialists and the deletion of a reference to the medical profession. Finally, House Bill 2106 would require health carriers to give 90 days’ notice of significant mid-contract payer modifications and provide the actual modification language, with the sponsor and hospital and provider representatives saying insurers are increasingly making unilateral changes that affect payment, services, and patient access. UW Medicine and a rural hospital district described examples where insurers changed imaging or preventive service coverage mid-contract, causing financial losses and forcing difficult choices about network participation. Carriers were noted as opposing the bill, while providers and facilities argued it would improve transparency and prevent one-sided contract changes that disrupt care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, next item on our agenda was to hear from somebody from Granite Case Management.
• We can hear from those folks toward the end of the meeting. I know Mr.
• Um,<00:07:19.840><c> we</c><00:07:20.080><c> can</c><00:07:20.240><c> hear</c><00:07:20.479><c> from<
• </c><00:25:38.640><c> hearing</c><00:25:39.039><c> your</c> interested in your hearing hearing your interested
• in your hearing hearing your thoughts<00:25:39.520><c> on</c><00:25:40.720><c> that</c><00:25:40.960

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care approved the prior meeting minutes as amended after correcting the first paragraph. The chair then outlined the committee’s plan to produce a preliminary report by October 1, with additional meetings to follow, since some questions remain about the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) and its effects on Medicaid financing and managed care. The main discussion focused on New Hampshire nursing home funding and how ProShare and MQUIP work. Members reviewed Medicaid rates, supplemental payments, intergovernmental transfers, and the role of federal matching funds. The chair and Mr. Litman concluded that OB3’s phase-down of payments above the Medicare rate likely would not directly eliminate ProShare or MQUIP in New Hampshire, but uncertainty remains about intergovernmental transfers and about how these payments would function if the state moved nursing facilities into managed care. Mr. Litman said managed care would likely require waivers for supplemental payments, and Texas was cited as an example of a state operating under such waivers. The committee also discussed dual eligibles, DNIP, PACE, and the possibility of carving out HCBS from nursing facility services. DHS said its managed care contract would allow the state to use MCOs for DNIP, with the goal of better coordination between Medicaid and Medicare, while PACE would likely require more study and might be more feasible in populated counties. Members also reviewed OB3’s new presumptive eligibility provisions and a state waiver request modeled on Washington’s approach, plus a separate grant for transitioning people from facilities back to the community. The rural health transformation fund was discussed as a possible source for workforce, telehealth, mobile integrated health, and other support investments, but not for direct construction or major building renovation. County representatives emphasized that any county role in PACE or DNIP would require significant vetting, infrastructure, capital investment, and a realistic timeline. The meeting ended with the chair saying the draft report would outline issues and possible alternatives, but not recommendations yet, and the committee adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair hears none. The bill is left pending. Thank you.
• The Chair hears none. And House Bill 1547 is left pending.
• But I did write this down before coming and hearing that.
• The chair hears none; the bill...
• The chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.

Bills: HB329 , HB361 , HB546 , HB1547 , HB1745 , HB2786 , HB3235 , HB3370 , HB3575 , HJR83

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome you to this hearing, considering the nomination of John Sauer.
• Each of you has impressive qualifications, and we're looking forward to working with to hearing from
• , and I have valued hearing their concerns and ideas about the Civil Rights Division.
• Appeals, re-hearings, various motions, et cetera. You're familiar with them.
• We're going to hear from Senator Hirono now. and we'll just go right down the line.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion

Summary: The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> citizens with that um I'm eager to hear citizens with that um I'm eager to hear the<00:02:59.519
• Would you like to hear from OHE first, or would you like to hear from the nonpartisan about the DREAM
• </c><00:09:37.279><c> uh</c> first or would you like to hear from uh first or would you like to hear
• The chair said they would continue so they could hear from students.
• Samantha Diaz: Madam Chair and members, can you hear me?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're excited to hear from you, Katie. Please proceed whenever you're ready.
• DOJ lawyers have also confirmed in hearing voters from those lists.
• Bowers, so we would love to hear from you. Sure. Thank you very much.
• Bowers, so we would love to hear from you. Sure. Thank you very much.
• What are we hearing from, you know, the outreach that we're doing?

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a virtual work session focused first on federal actions affecting elections. A representative from NCSL reviewed recent U.S. Supreme Court and pending cases, including a redistricting/Voting Rights Act case and a case on whether mailed ballots received after Election Day can be counted. She also discussed a Trump executive order directing USPS to draft mail-ballot rules, the federal SAVE system’s expanded use for voter list maintenance, DOJ requests for unredacted voter rolls, and reduced federal election-security support. Committee members asked about proof of citizenship requirements, whether DOJ requests are compulsory, and how federal election funding and grants may be changing. The Attorney General’s Office then described Washington’s litigation challenging two election-related executive orders and DOJ’s lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration lists. State lawyers said courts have already enjoined parts of the executive orders, including documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements and voting-system changes, and have upheld Washington’s ballot-receipt deadlines so far. They said DOJ’s voter-roll demands have been rejected by multiple courts and that Washington’s position is that state law limits disclosure of sensitive voter data. Members asked about the legal basis for DOJ’s requests, the risk of immigration-enforcement use, and whether attestation on registration forms counts as proof of citizenship; the office said it does under state law and that no evidence of mass voter-fraud problems in Washington has been shown. Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers then gave a broader overview of the Attorney General’s federal litigation, saying Washington has filed 61 cases since January 2025, often with other states, and has had notable success obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable summary judgments. He highlighted cases involving election rules, environmental and energy disputes, public health funding, student loans, housing, and data privacy, and said many challenges involve executive-branch conditions added to congressionally appropriated funds. He also described a growing number of federal audits and inquiries directed at state agencies. Finally, Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews discussed how federal actions are affecting state and local equity work, community organizations, and public confidence. She said the office is coordinating more closely with the Attorney General, governor’s office, other agencies, and local governments through the immigration subcabinet, while also working on data privacy, Keep Washington Working compliance, and community outreach. Committee members asked about the office’s human-trafficking work and how it is encouraging agency compliance; Matthews said the focus is on clearer guidance, technical support, and consistent expectations across agencies. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the motion passes. A few brief statements to kick us off.
• Can you hear me? Yes? Okay. I don't think mine's working. Can you hear me? Yes, okay. Thank you.
• Um, actually, Mayor Fuller, I want to make sure that folks online can hear you.
• Commissioner Polanski, we can't hear you or see you yet. Can you hear me now?
• Now we can see you and hear you. Okay, thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to review and discuss draft preliminary recommendations, with the co-chairs explaining that the draft had been released publicly and that the meeting was intended for open discussion and edits rather than a final vote. They emphasized the urgency of addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, especially in K-12 schools, while noting that the recommendations are preliminary, may be revised, and will be supplemented by further testimony and a final report later. Several members also referenced recent allegations and incidents in local schools as examples of why the commission’s work is needed. Commissioners broadly supported the draft but proposed numerous refinements. Common themes included clarifying the distinction between antisemitic incidents and hate crimes; strengthening reporting systems and privacy protections; adding clearer guidance from DESE and the Attorney General on First Amendment issues, curriculum, and investigations; expanding Holocaust and genocide education; and improving professional development for educators, school committees, and administrators. Several members urged better links to mental health and victim services, more support for the Genocide Education Trust, and stronger language on bystander training, digital literacy, and the role of school committees in addressing bias. There was also discussion of how to frame antisemitism as a distinct form of hate, how to address antisemitism related to Israel and Zionism without restricting legitimate political speech, and how to avoid unfunded mandates for school districts and municipalities. Some commissioners suggested adding timeframes, a centralized reporting or investigative mechanism, and more explicit model policies for schools. The meeting ended with the chairs thanking participants and the public for their input, and the commission then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's, I mean, and then I'm hearing you're funding. sports.
• It's always good to hear from the frontline people.
• We hear that from a lot. Of people, we're not seeing growth.
• And we were all bated breath to hear your report and stuff.
• And Nina Simbana Hello, can you hear me? Yes, please go ahead. Can you hear me?

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals may speak once per hearing. Individuals may speak once per hearing.
• So we're going to have a nice civil hearing.
• You can hear from many people whose lives he changed.
• Can you hear me? Let me get you already. Okay, great.
• That concludes the hearing.

Bills: H4783 , H4826 , H4876 , H5111 , H5116 , H5244 , S2975 , S2976

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: homelessness, homeless, unsheltered, unhoused, shelter rights, anti-camping, anti-loitering, public space, public land, encampment, sleeping in public, life-sustaining activities, right to rest, right to sleep, vehicle dwelling, RV living, tiny home, civil rights, municipal liability, affirmative defense

Transcript Highlights:

• With five present, we're going to start into the public hearing on House Bill 3175.
• With five present, we're going to start into the public hearing on House Bill 3175.
• Seeing none, that concludes a hearing on House Bill 3175.
• Christ thanked the committee for hearing his bill this evening.
• Seeing none, that concludes the public hearing on House Bill 366, and that will conclude the hearing

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Amanda, we're having trouble hearing you.
• I'm here today to respectfully clarify several statements made during this hearing and the previous hearing
• Hello, can you hear me? Yes.
• I'm hearing it's still not ready.
• Thank you for hearing this again, House Bill 234.

Bills: HB294 , SB40 , SB43 , SB35

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: cannabis, cannabis packaging, cannabis labeling, cannabis regulation, Cannabis Control Division, adulterated cannabis, artificial color additive, food dye, youth appeal, minor appeal, child-resistant packaging, black-and-white packaging, edibles, product labeling, consumer protection, marijuana, hemp, dispensary, licensed cannabis business, cannabis manufacturer

Transcript Highlights:

• That closes... ...the hearing on a public hearing on 5977, and do we have any testifiers?
• So that closes the hearing on 5977, and we'll open the hearing on Senate Bill 6184, updating the Office
• And with that, it closes the hearing on Senate Bill 6184.
• Hearing none.
• Hearing none? By saying aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none. Amendment E-1 has been adopted.

Bills: SB5977 , SB6184 , SB5681 , SB5917 , SB5942 , SB6024 , SB6036 , SB6080 , SB6085

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: child safety, near fatalities, public reporting, child welfare, transparency, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, employment services, community inclusion, age limitations, disability services, home and community living, abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access

Transcript Highlights:

• You can exit the hearing room once you're done testifying or return to your seat.
• During the hearing, we will hear from two separate panels to discuss industry and consumer perspectives
• I look forward to hearing from our panelists today and the public comment at the end of this hearing.
• And I would want to thank the Chair for convening this hearing.
• To close out the hearing, we'll move to public comment.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all