Transcript Highlights:

• This is where the CCA-funded geophysical remote sensing surveys, led by my colleague Mike, occurred.
• This is where the CCA-funded geophysical remote sensing surveys led by my colleague Mike where they've
• the following: the legislature or Commerce direct additional funding to DNR to oversee geophysical remote
• and our last panel on this topic includes Sam Bowers with the Clean Air Task Force, who's with us remote
• Portable batteries include common batteries such as those found in flashlights, cameras, and TV remotes

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee’s interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), with presenters from industry, nonprofits, and state agencies describing Washington’s geologic potential, the role of basalt formations, and the difference between point-source capture, direct air capture, utilization, and permanent storage. Industry and project developers emphasized that Washington has major opportunities to reduce industrial emissions, create jobs, and support hard-to-electrify sectors, while state agencies explained current policy touchpoints in the Cap and Invest Program, emissions exemptions for permanently stored CO2, and the Clean Energy Transformation Act. Several presenters urged clearer statutory and regulatory pathways, including rules for pore space, subsurface rights, pipeline siting, and long-term liability; others cautioned that CCUS should be limited to real emissions reductions and not treated as a substitute for broader clean energy measures. Committee members asked about public comment opportunities, whether mineralized carbon would qualify for exemption under the Climate Commitment Act, the energy intensity of capture systems, aquifer protection, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Ecology said it is developing guidance through a public engagement process running through late June and that mineralized or otherwise permanently stored CO2 would likely qualify if it meets the 1,000-year permanence standard. DNR and outside experts also discussed trust lands, water rights, and the need for additional geophysical surveys and test wells. The panel did not take any votes or formal actions. The second half of the meeting turned to hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility. Ecology reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described how moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste are currently collected through county facilities and events. Ecology said the electronics program is its best model, while the mercury lamp program is currently in transition after the prior stewardship organization exited and a new organization is seeking approval. Ecology recommended that future EPR programs have clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong enforcement authority. Local government witnesses from King County and Douglas County described rising costs, access barriers in rural areas, and the need for stable funding and flexible local delivery models. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and argued that EPR could reduce costs for ratepayers and improve equity. Douglas County stressed that rural residents are willing to participate when services are available, but travel distance and operating costs make access difficult. An industry representative supported narrowly scoped stewardship programs like PaintCare but warned that broad household hazardous waste EPR systems can become difficult to administer and may require legislative revisions if responsibilities are not clearly defined. No votes were taken on the hazardous waste topic either.

Transcript Highlights:

• services, out of state services, remote services, out of state services, you<01:21:36.159> know,<
• sales tax and um what uh defines remote sales tax and um that<01:23:04.080> we<01:23:04.239><
• <01:23:40.800> um regarding um uh remote sales tax. um regarding um uh remote sales tax. um
• And now today to learn that the with.
• And now today to learn that the cannabis<01:37:24.760> funding,<01:37:25.760> which<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Think of somebody dangling from a helicopter to pick somebody up in a very remote spot.
• to fly at night and do night operations, which, as we know, if somebody is maybe camping in a very remote
• uh<00:04:32.759> they're<00:04:32.960> doing<00:04:33.320> very very remote
• spot uh they're doing very very remote spot uh they're doing very dangerous<00:04:34.800> uh<
• area they might need help remote area they might need help overnight<00:05:05.520> it's<00:05

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're conducting this hearing in a hybrid format, with testifiers joining both in person and via remote
• We, of course, recognize the monumental effort DUA staff has been tasked with in learning to navigate
• And we are going to move to a remote testimony from Jessin Beck. Testimony from Mr.
• Do we have any remote... Oh, and Janelle Lamones?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski, the bill’s sponsors, said they filed it after seeing many constituent cases involving delays, unresolved claims, and difficulty navigating the unemployment system, especially for seasonal workers and others facing financial instability. They argued the commission should review claim data, gather stakeholder input, and identify gaps in the process so the system is more efficient, equitable, and transparent. Greater Boston Legal Services testified in support, describing numerous client cases in which claimants waited months for determinations or were stuck in limbo after the launch of a new online benefits system. Attorneys said DUA’s backlogs and timeliness metrics had worsened, citing large increases in non-monetary, separation, and hearings backlogs, and they urged the committee to consider systemic fixes, including better notice about paid family and medical leave and possibly more funding or staff for DUA. Committee members generally praised the bill and the sponsors’ collaboration, and one suggested the commission’s reporting deadline might need to be extended. No vote was taken during the hearing. After testimony and brief discussion, the chair closed the hearing and concluded the committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let us listen not to respond or find fault, but to learn and understand and to see how to work together
• <00:06:01.320> fault,<00:06:02.320> but<00:06:02.560> to<00:06:02.800> learn
• <00:06:03.120> and or find fault, but to learn and or find fault, but to learn and understand
• <01:25:20.159> from of Laos so very remote from of Laos so very remote from civilization.
• Our elder rather live in a remote area in a highland of Laos, but modernization caught up with us and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.
• And the ones they claimed they did, they said they did it remotely.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on fraud in Minnesota public assistance and human services programs, with an emphasis on the harm done to vulnerable recipients rather than just the dollar amounts. The senator described cases involving childcare, PCA, adult daycare, autism, housing support, and food programs, arguing that fraud and poor oversight leave children, disabled people, nursing home residents, and others in neglect or unsafe conditions. He said many of the programs are Medicaid-related or state-funded entitlements intended to address social needs, and that stolen funds directly worsen outcomes for those they are meant to help. He traced the problem to weak state oversight and agency inaction, citing the creation of the DHS Office of Inspector General after earlier childcare fraud concerns, whistleblower reports, and alleged failures by agency leadership to pursue larger, organized schemes. He pointed to the Feeding Our Future case as a major example, saying federal investigators uncovered broader fraud patterns across multiple programs and that state agencies failed to act despite warning signs. He also said recent audits, including one involving DHS Behavioral Health Administration, showed inadequate site visits and other serious deficiencies. The senator said he recently met with federal officials in Washington, D.C., because a large share of Minnesota spending includes federal dollars and federal partners have a stake in preventing misuse. He argued that federal action is necessary but not sufficient, and that Minnesota also needs stronger internal controls, standardized eligibility verification, identity and residency checks, site visits, and better use of data tools. He supported creating an independent Office of Inspector General passed last session, but said it is only a partial solution and that agencies themselves must be retrained and held accountable. No formal votes were taken in the exchange, but the senator described ongoing legislative efforts and said he was pessimistic about the governor’s willingness to act.

Transcript Highlights:

• Early on, we learned that hard work alone does not always create wealth.
• Emergency personnel were left on hold for 53 minutes as remote operations were overwhelmed.
• But remote workers can only do so much. ...and can be located outside the United States.
• But remote workers can only do so much.
• malfunctioning AV without waiting for remote assistance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chief clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Green.
• The chief clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Green.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Green. Go ahead.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. [Clears throat] Green.
• <00:55:35.920> that protection order because we learned that protection order because we learned

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4760, a public safety package, and first adopted an amendment to insert House language into the Senate file. Members then heard brief explanations of several included provisions, including a section from House File 3870 that would make Office of Justice Programs research and victim-related data private, clarify privacy for data collected by the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls office and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office, and remove outdated statutory language. Representative Novotny also described the package as combining a number of previously passed stand-alone bills and a few additional provisions. The chamber then adopted amendments A5, A7, and A8. A5 inserted House language and adjusted an effective date related to public employer discretion in hiring; A7 allowed the Office of Legislative Auditor to request BCA fingerprinting and federal tax information as required by federal rules; and A8 clarified language affecting jail medical services and custody-related safeguards after collaboration among Representative Witty, the sheriffs association, the Department of Corrections, and advocates. Representatives Hansen, Moller, and Witty all urged support for those changes. A proposed A3 amendment from Representative Duran, which would have kept the current age of delinquency rather than implementing the previously enacted change, drew extensive debate. Supporters argued counties, law enforcement, and other stakeholders were not ready for the change and lacked infrastructure, while opponents said the 2024 law was intended to address serious gaps in juvenile justice and child welfare and should take effect as planned. After a roll call, the House rejected A3 by a vote of 66 yeas to 67 nays. The transcript then indicates another Duran amendment, A2, was called up, but the excerpt ends before its disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have one panelist appearing remotely.
• We will have one panelist appearing remotely.
• Cooper, Supervising Judge, Collaborative Courts, Orange County Superior Court, will be appearing remotely
• And as we've learned, the further you push it out, the less likely a defendant is going to want to try
• Thank you for your testimony and for the remote testimony.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bless the members of this House with the courage to listen deeply and the humility to learn from those
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Hold on, hold on, Pat.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Go ahead. Christine and aye.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Call the name of the member participating remotely. Katiza Wachun.
• Can you say, participate remotely? At Union Station Area, Katiza Watoon, present.
• We've been learning the roles of the newly rechristened Election and Government Operations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• One, it started my time on city council and learning how important housing and affordable housing issues
• 00:01:54.240> and started my time on city council and started my time on city council and learning
• how important housing and learning how important housing and affordable<00:01:57.119> housing
• Next will be Jason Hail, who I believe is remote.
• <01:32:43.679> so will be Evan vogle who is remote so will be Evan vogle who is remote so

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I learned of one this morning that's not on the list, and we'll probably add it to it as well.
• But on that subject there, you just said, I think some just said, then we'd have to learn how to run
• And to represent a compliment's point or to your point, it's like now they've got to learn how to run
• Which is a bracelet that is used for remote monitoring and detects alcohol.
• Remote breath test is a device that is sent with the individual.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will tell you I'm still learning things every single day about PBMs.
• And I will tell you I'm still learning things every single day about PBMs.
• Or a provider, which we've learned is the same person that's negotiating the drug price.
• Ranches in Nevada are very remote, and firefighters are not going to get there soon, and when they do
• Ranches in Nevada are very remote and firefighters are not going to get there soon, and when they do,

Bills: AB93, AB204, AB414, AB504, AB598

Keywords: public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, medical debt, collection agency, healthcare, consumer protection, financial assistance, occupational safety, air quality, greenhouse gases, employee monitoring, safety program, hemp, hemp products, cannabidiol, CBD, cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it is always an ongoing learning process.
• it is always an ongoing learning it is always an ongoing learning process.<01:04:49.520> The<
• On the remote Thank you, Madame Chair.
• The remote testimony shows two in support and zero opposed.
• In the remote Thank you, Madam Chair.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported. The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:34:47.960> and stand in opposition to my learned and stand in opposition to my learned
• But shouldn't the remote person recording the remote vote actually get an affirmative aye or nay from
• But shouldn't the remote the person out.
• But shouldn't the remote the person recording<04:30:46.520> the<04:30:46.600> remote<04
• The person came not recorded remotely.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received the House message on Senate File 4807 concerning benefits for veterans of the secret war in Laos, and voted not to concur in the House amendments, appointing a three-member conference committee. The chamber also received a batch of House files, laid several of them on the table, and adopted committee reports and other routine motions. Senate Resolution 84 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senator Murphy designated special orders for immediate consideration. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4059, the supplemental finance omnibus bill. Senators described the bill as a slim, supplemental budget focused on urgent affordability needs, including $52 million for state grants in higher education, $15 million for LIHEAP, school district compensatory revenue adjustments, support for public television stations facing federal cuts, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and consumer restitution for scam victims. The Jobs article was presented first, with roughly $4.9 million in Workforce Development Fund appropriations for workforce and job-training programs, including support for rural oncologist training, homelessness-related employment programs, youth training, local news talent development, transportation-related employment assistance, and manufacturing support. Several amendments were offered and debated. Senator Farnsworth offered the A14 amendment to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off Iron Range miners, but withdrew it after being told it would unbalance the bill and after receiving a commitment to continue working on the issue in conference committee. Senator Draheim offered the A18 amendment to redirect Cookie Cart funding to rural hospital maternity training grants; after debate, the Senate rejected the amendment by a roll call vote of 32 ayes and 34 nays. The discussion emphasized competing priorities between youth workforce programs and rural health care needs. The Senate then moved into Article 1 on K-12 education, where Senator Kunesh outlined provisions including anti-grooming language, a district health insurance reporting requirement, extension of a gender-neutral bathroom grant, compensatory hold-harmless aid, operating capital flexibility, literacy aid hold harmless language, and several cost-neutral district fund transfers. Senator Nelson offered the A29 amendment to require school sports teams and participants be designated by biological sex at birth; debate on that amendment began near the end of the transcript, but no final vote was shown before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• FAST FORWARD TO JULY AND WE NOW HAVE INDIVIDUALIZED PERSONALIZED LEARNING PATHWAYS FOR EACH KID.
• THE INSTRUCTION MODEL ITSELF IS IN PERSON AND ONLINE AND BLENDED LEARNING.
• IF WE LOOK AT HOW IT CREATES A BLENDED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EOC SERVICES ON ANOTHER
• WITH LEARNING GAINS WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL PROGRESS MONITORING TOOL WE
• THE KIDS ARE LEARNING, GROWING, AND ACHIEVING.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Travis Moore is joining us remotely. All right, Travis, we can see and hear you. Go ahead.
• Chairman, just want to let you know that Representative Hawkins is now joining us also remotely.
• We are moving on to Alan Schaefer remotely. Yes, I'm here. Good morning. Can you hear me?
• I guess Patty is here with us remote. Apologies. Good morning. Good morning. One second, Patty.
• We repeat each run to account for learning effects and variables.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on a wide range of bills involving consumer protection, auto regulation, alcohol licenses, and professional licensure. A major focus was legislation to require a one-hour domestic violence awareness training for salon and cosmetology licensees (H.323/S.200), supported by District Attorney Marion Ryan, law enforcement, and a salon industry witness who described the program’s value in identifying and helping victims. The committee also heard strong support from the Attorney General’s office for auto consumer protection legislation (S.228/H.379) that would expand used-car warranty protections, extend the Lemon Law return period to seven days after receipt of the vehicle, raise the mileage cap to 200,000 miles, and increase dealer surety bonds to $50,000. Independent dealers opposed those changes, arguing they would burden small businesses and that dealer education, not expanded liability, was the better solution. The committee also took testimony on bills related to vehicle financial products and repair information. A trade association supported GAP waiver legislation (H.4188/S.281), saying it would create clear consumer protections and standard disclosures. On right-to-repair and heavy-duty vehicle service information (S.266), engine and truck manufacturers supported an exemption for commercial vehicles, while others argued that releasing service data to the general public could create safety, cybersecurity, and emissions risks. The committee then heard extensive testimony on auto dealer franchise and warranty reimbursement legislation (S.201/H.406), with dealer groups supporting changes to warranty labor reimbursement and manufacturer groups opposing them as costly and unnecessary. Manufacturers from GM, Volvo, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, and others said their current time-study and appeals processes already compensate dealers fairly and that the bill would raise costs for consumers. In addition, the committee heard testimony on H.333, which would move auto damage appraiser licensing from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Occupational Licensure. Collision repair advocates supported the change, saying the current board structure leads to repeated dismissals of complaints and lacks accountability, while emphasizing that the bill is intended to protect consumers and ensure proper repair reimbursement. The hearing also included testimony in support of a local alcohol license petition for Westwood and a separate local alcohol measure for a town grant license. At the end of the hearing, the chairs announced that all docketed bills had been heard, noted that a joint poll would be held on H.4184, and the committee voted to adjourn by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I later learned of his family, and it was just a joy to serve with him.
• Clerk: HB 368 by Landgraf, relating to the prohibition on remotely controlling electronic devices of
• Clerk: HB 368 by Landgraf, relating to the prohibition on remotely controlling...
• Clerk: HB 2147 by VanDeaver, relating to remotely conducting disposition hearings and other proceedings
• Members, this allows for remotely conducting procedures in juvenile cases. I move passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must also preserve the opportunity to visit them, honor those buried, and learn from their stories
• While the Office of Court Administration offers remote interpreter services to assist courts without
• But yet we are in a remote location.
• It's the Texas Court Remote Interpreter Service program that judges. can schedule ahead of time 30 minute
• First, um, I do encourage the judges to utilize remote interpretation services, so OCA, as well as a

Bills: HB113

Keywords: HB 113, Texas, Government Code Chapter 1253, general obligation bonds, bond election, voter approval, political subdivision, local government, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds, capital projects, public finance, bond referendum, ballot measure, five-year waiting period, rejected proposition, election law, municipal finance