Transcript Highlights:

• when restrictions ended and everyone starts spending again, you had that, a big increase in, in monetary
• The second is compensation. The third is 30% of total revenue, and the last is 1 million.
• Uh, include for purposes of that compensation deduction.
• compensation can be deducted for purposes of calculating the tax.
• But there's no compensation for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Increase in monetary demand for goods and services financed by the extra savings. combined with cost
• of one. four deductions, one of four deductions, the first being cost of goods sold, second is compensation
• I'm looking at item on your slide three, compensation.
• Companies are allowed to deduct employee compensation, but they are statutorily capped at only. including
• Limited the how much compensation employee compensation can be deducted for purposes of calculating the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• settlements, and other monetary settlements, and other monetary penalties<03:22:27.840> collected
• compensation and assistance programs. compensation and assistance programs.
• The legislation would increase compensation for Chapter 7 trustees for the first time in more than 30
• for inflation since 1994 to compensation for inflation since 1994 to $120. $120. $120.
• Imagine the United States having been forced to compensate Britain for our independence.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This particular piece will make sure that the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program policy
• See no further member questions except I am happy to see the great start compensation program restates
• <00:23:04.039> program great start compensation program great start compensation program restates
• in this committee and around licensing, and often those conversations have sort of focused on the monetary
• savings really a sort of direct monetary savings by<01:29:26.800> building<01:29:27.120> a

Bills: HF1918, HF2305, HF897, HF2191, HF2617, HF2551, HF2137

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• home tax credit, which provides tax credits against various Florida taxes to businesses that make monetary
• The industry standard tends to be, however, it is one years prior compensation in order to buy out of

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will compensate for what they're considering a revenue loss, which is not— it will be compensated
• the bill intends to lay the groundwork for an alternative currency system in the event of federal monetary

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here tonight to fight for better compensation. which a normal retirement benefit is which a normal
• :16:26.160> fight<00:16:26.399> for<00:16:26.639> better<00:16:26.959> compensation
• All positions who are working outside of our schools because the compensation is better in the private
• caring, I have yet to encounter an educator who is not making sacrifices, whether these are monetary
• , sacrifices, whether these are monetary, sacrifices, whether these are monetary, emotional,<00:38

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eventually they wanted everybody wanted medical benefits and they wanted compensation for their role
• Eventually they wanted everybody wanted medical benefits and they wanted compensation for their role
• Eventually they wanted everybody wanted medical benefits and they wanted compensation for their role
• Eventually they wanted medical benefits and they wanted compensation for their role in Laos, and this
• Compensation for their role in Laos, and this is another part of that effort to be equalized as U.S.

Bills: HF3919, HF3467, HF3741

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, veterans affairs, food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, state resources, reporting requirements, agency initiatives, veterans, educational assistance, tuition waiver, spouses, children, military service, benefits

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard an update from Metro Meals on Wheels on a veterans home-delivered meals grant funded by the committee in 2023. Testifiers said the program has served more than 82,000 meals to over 500 veterans, but funding is running short; enrollment was stopped in July 2025 and meal service was reduced to five per week to stretch dollars. They said the program is serving 168 veterans as of January 31 and will likely run out of funds in July unless additional money is provided. Members asked about eligibility and how the program ensures the grant is used only for veterans who do not qualify for other services; the organization said referrals come through county veteran service officers, MACV, hospitals, and other partners, and that it can provide confidential tracking information. No vote was taken on funding, but members expressed support and interest in more documentation. The committee then took up House File 3919, which implements recommendations from a task force on benefits for SGU veterans and irregular forces who served in the secret war in Laos from 1961 to 1975. The Department of Veterans Affairs said the bill largely reflects the task force report and technical recommendations, including adding SGU veterans to the burial fee statute so burial costs in state cemeteries can be covered, while noting there is still an unresolved issue about headstone costs for spouses and dependents. A testifier from the task force supported the bill but objected to creating a separate SGU veteran designation on driver’s licenses, arguing it could create two classes of veterans and add administrative costs; he urged using a single veteran designation instead. Other public testimony emphasized the service of Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and other allies in Laos and urged the legislature to adopt the recommendations broadly. The committee discussed the burial fee language and the purpose of the designation, but no final action or vote on HF 3919 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• residency model, as my understanding, as it’s proposed here, provides...” “...even more kind of monetary
• Empowering districts to offer differentiated compensation that reflects the level of preparation will
• Empowering districts to offer differentiated compensation that reflects the level of preparation will
• It also aids in giving teachers financial compensation for pursuing a high-quality... ...program and
• , North Forest had to, you know, merge less than four years later because by that time the extra monetary

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• and likeness activities for compensation and likeness activities for compensation as<01:02:09.040
• a set compensation a set compensation when<03:24:39.880> um when um when um doing<03:24:41.840
• Compensation information can be sensitive in nature.
• so they can negotiate compensation so they can negotiate compensation packages, packages, packages
• And three, removing compensated from the bill.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to recover monetary damages to make<04:16:57.840> up<04:16:58.000> for<04:16:58.159>
• Importantly, while monetary penalties Importantly, while monetary penalties may<04:17:28.960> be
• <04:18:13.600> Courts to recover monetary damages. Courts to recover monetary damages.
• I ask you compensated for that injury.
• be able to recover monetary damages. be able to recover monetary damages.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your monetary doesn't jump around.
• :04.480> at That's their monetary entitlement at That's their monetary entitlement at that<00:
• monetary per individual. monetary per individual.
• We want every individual that's eligible to get one monetary and one monetary alone.
• to get one monetary and one monetary<01:13:40.400> alone.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the system is that monetary the system is that monetary determination determination determination
• Hence, 26 weeks because... would that monetary determination for would that monetary determination for
• <00:37:30.960> say available, would it their monetary say available, would it their monetary
• um concern around the changing monetary um concern around the changing monetary determinations<01
• the fluctuating monetary. the fluctuating monetary.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Claimant sought compensation for wrongful death and bodily injury. DHS denied liability...
• Claimant sought compensation for wrongful death and bodily injury.
• The refusal resulted in compensable harm, cognizable by the Claims Commission.
• The Arkansas Claims Commission has jurisdiction over claims seeking compensation for damages caused by
• Compensable harm is adequately alleged.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the authority to assess the harm, seek compensation from responsible parties, and oversee the
• Uh, once, and that is the way to, to come up with a, a monetary estimate of what it's gonna take to fix
• We cannot compensate individuals for, uh, individual losses. OK, so that's like an NMED thing.
• And so we can seek compensation for that.
• And I think the way that it's set up right now, we're just, we're not able to compensate individuals,

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 1 further defines daily compensation and mileage reimbursement, according to section 54-03-20
• Section 1 further defines daily compensation and mileage reimbursement, according to section 54-03-20
• Section 1 further defines daily compensation and mileage reimbursement according to section 54-03-20
• you look at the total compensation.
• It allows you to put more into compensation for employees.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• But one of the ways that we can look at it from a monetary perspective is the follow-on funding.
• Funding to compensate the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission for taking on the responsibility
• This request is further supported by the recent Texas SAO’s FY 2025 Executive Compensation for State
• This request is further supported by the recent Texas SAO’s FY 2025 Executive Compensation for State
• Indemnity compensation for filing a disability claim, or assist them with the burial services, or to

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Homeless Services, the Arizona Homeless Services Board, the Property Loss Homelessness Compensation
• Office of Homeless Services, the Arizona Homeless Services Board, the Property Loss Homelessness Compensation
• So this here basically what the statute does is it creates real consequences, monetary consequences,
• the previous year and so this here basically what the statute does is it creates real consequences monetary

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Intel Expert/Expert Works on using its Intel Expert software to help the Department of Child Safety and law enforcement process large volumes of audio, video, and text data in cases involving missing, abused, neglected, and exploited children. The presenters said the tool can triage hotline calls, identify names, locations, relationships, criminal methods, and coded language, and produce translated and aggregated transcripts, with the goal of reducing hundreds of hours of manual review to minutes. Members discussed possible use with DCS, sheriffs, DOC, procurement and RFP issues, cost, and whether the system could help identify backlogs, serial abusers, and trafficking networks; the presenters said it is already used in Iowa and could be adapted quickly for Arizona. Committee members indicated interest in pursuing legislation, a pilot, or budget action, and said they would follow up with agencies and the presenters. The committee then considered HB 2460, which would preempt local ordinances that penalize businesses for theft of movable property, especially shopping carts. The sponsor argued cities were shifting the cost of stolen carts onto businesses and consumers instead of pursuing thieves, while city and league representatives argued local ordinances were needed to address blight, sidewalk hazards, and abandoned carts, and that the bill would unnecessarily limit local control. After debate over whether businesses should be required to retrieve carts or use anti-theft devices, the committee passed HB 2460 on a 4-3 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 2060, which would prohibit public educational institutions and ABOR from encouraging or facilitating abortions. The sponsor said taxpayer-funded schools should remain neutral and not use official roles to promote abortion, while opponents argued the bill would chill constitutionally protected health care information and referrals, especially on campuses where student health services may be the only care available. Supporters testified that campuses should provide alternatives such as pregnancy resources and adoption information. The committee passed HB 2060 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2210, as amended, which would prohibit the state, political subdivisions, and private entities from using ADS-B aircraft surveillance data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators. Supporters said the technology was intended for aviation safety and should not be repurposed as a tax-collection tool, warning that pilots might turn it off to avoid fees and reduce safety. Opponents, including the City of Phoenix, said airports need flexibility and that the bill could interfere with local airport operations. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment and then passed HB 2210 as amended on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The term taxes was widely considered to include things from federal to state, including workers' compensation
• Number three: the legislature should consider escalated penalties, monetary and otherwise, focusing on
• utilizing independent contractors, it allows a project for that work to not have to pay workers' compensation
• utilizing independent contractors, it allows a project for that work to not have to pay workers' compensation
• workers who may have been exposed to that radiation may not be able to get access to that federal compensation

Summary: The committee heard a report on the Underground Economy Task Force in Washington’s construction industry. Labor and Industries said the task force, created by a 2024 budget proviso, met 11 times and developed consensus recommendations to improve enforcement against worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums. Consensus items included defining and regulating construction labor providers, improving interagency data sharing, increasing penalties for repeat offenders, expanding L&I authority over successor accountability, reviewing agency penalty rules, and exploring tracking of cash payments. Majority-but-not-consensus ideas included posting subcontractor notices at job sites, setting an independent-contractor threshold that would trigger L&I review, holding direct contractors liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, and reviewing reporting requirements. Testifiers from labor, business, and the Attorney General’s Office generally supported stronger enforcement and transparency, while business representatives cautioned against overregulation and said any new rules should avoid burdening legitimate contractors or restricting lawful cash payments and independent contracting. L&I said the final report would be distributed by December 31 and the task force work group would be reconvened. The committee then reviewed the wage recovery work group report. L&I explained current wage complaint procedures and said the work group, made up of labor and business representatives, reached five consensus recommendations: allow L&I to prioritize wage complaints strategically, permit aggregation of related complaints, raise the minimum penalty under the Wage Payment Act from $1,000 to $1,500 and create a penalty matrix, improve employer awareness with materials for new hires, and establish a wage recovery fund. The fund would be seeded by penalties, would not require new employer assessments, and would allow limited early payments to eligible workers facing hardship, with a proposed cap of $2,500 and a later review of the program. Business and labor representatives both supported the overall framework, though business raised concerns about fraud safeguards and recovery of funds if a claim is later found invalid. Members also received an overview of Washington’s apprenticeship system. L&I described the state’s apprenticeship agency structure, the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, and the difference between Washington’s state apprenticeship standards and the federal Office of Apprenticeship system. The presentation highlighted current participation levels, program approval and objection processes, and strong post-completion outcomes, including median annual earnings above $100,000 and an estimated $7.80 return for every public dollar invested. Committee members asked about how apprentices apply, how sponsors work with L&I, and whether recurring objections could be addressed earlier in the process. Finally, the committee heard updates on wildland firefighter respiratory protection, federal cuts to NIOSH, and economic and federal policy impacts on unemployment insurance and workforce services. L&I said wildland firefighters face significant smoke exposure and cancer risk, but current rules do not require respiratory protection for that work because of technical and operational challenges; the agency is watching efforts in other jurisdictions and at the federal level. On NIOSH, L&I warned that federal staffing and grant cuts could weaken occupational safety research, training pipelines, and programs affecting Washington workers, including firefighter cancer tracking and Hanford exposure assessments. ESD reported rising UI claims, a stable unemployment rate, and pressure on the trust fund, while also describing technology and process changes that have improved claims handling. ESD also said HR1 will significantly increase demand on WorkSource services through new work-search requirements for SNAP and Medicaid recipients, creating an unfunded mandate that the agency is preparing to implement with partner agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's valuable in terms of monetary generation, but also downstream value generation, job creation, taxes
• It's almost impossible to design compensation fee schemes to make trade distortions whole for the victims
• In 2018–19, we dedicated about $23 billion to compensating agricultural producers that lost market share
• So they did get compensated for the losses that occurred.
• government shuts down tomorrow, I'm not really sure when that might be implemented or what kind of compensation

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers. Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data. The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.