Transcript Highlights:

• We have 16 beds, because that's the state regulation. We can't have more than that.
• We have 16 beds, because that's the state regulation. We can't have more than that.
• And it was, it's a big body of water and it's growing.
• But states also have a role to play to introduce flexibilities in the licensing regulations of OTPs,
• There are other regulations on OTPs that may need flexibility, such as requirements that individuals

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Summary: The meeting focused on Turtle Mountain’s public health and behavioral health priorities, especially access to rural health transformation funding and a long-running data use agreement with the state. Tribal public health leaders described how, during COVID, a temporary data-sharing arrangement allowed them to do their own contact tracing and case management, and they argued that a similar agreement is now needed to respond more quickly to very high syphilis rates and other infectious disease concerns. Committee members generally expressed support and said they would follow up with state officials, while tribal representatives emphasized that they already have the staff and infrastructure to use timely data effectively. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center and the broader issue of the IMD exclusion and residential treatment capacity. Tribal leaders described the center’s opening, its five levels of care, its 16-bed limit, and its efforts to become financially sustainable through billing, grants, and partnerships. They shared success stories and argued for an IMD waiver or similar flexibility so the center could expand to 32 beds and better meet local need. Committee members discussed the policy barriers to expanding residential treatment, including federal approval timelines, state funding choices, and the need to preserve a continuum of care that includes outpatient and community-based services. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Hector Hernandez-Dogato of the National Health Law Program on the history and mechanics of the IMD exclusion and Section 1115 waivers. He explained that the exclusion limits Medicaid payment for services in facilities with more than 16 beds, but noted existing exceptions and alternatives such as state plan options, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He also reviewed mixed results from states that have used IMD waivers, warning that they do not automatically improve overdose deaths, emergency room use, or access to community care, and may risk reinforcing institutionalization if not paired with strong upstream services. The committee discussed a draft bill to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE for HHS to pursue an IMD waiver, with members suggesting the bill may need to explicitly include serious mental illness as well as substance use disorder and asking for department input at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They take care of essential services, water and wastewater in all of our cities, and I want you to make
• balance when we talk about common-sense regulations.
• You know, this bill— Common-sense regulations, you know, this bill—the physicians who are doing their
• And they should be subject to those regulations too.
• And they should be subject to those regulations too.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several member introductions and announcements, including recognition of guests from foster care, a Bayless High School Scholar Bowl team, public utility representatives, and family members. The chamber then moved into House Bills for Perfection, beginning with HB 1812, a voter-roll maintenance measure that requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to send deceased-voter lists to the Secretary of State every 30 days for distribution to election authorities. An amendment added a 10-day processing deadline, and the bill was supported as an election-integrity measure before being ordered perfected and printed. Members also advanced HCS for HB 3308, a sales-tax exemption for materials used to construct facilities or improvements for public use that will be deeded to a political subdivision, such as parks. Supporters said it would help public-good projects while limiting the exemption to public-use construction; questions focused on fiscal impact and ensuring there is a formal agreement to transfer the property. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up HCS for HB 3010, a prior-authorization reform bill for health care providers. Supporters said it would reduce administrative burden, add an API-based tracking component, and create a gold-carding process for providers with high approval rates; members from both parties emphasized the strain prior authorization places on physicians and patients. The committee substitute and bill were adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered HCS for HB 2872, a major literacy bill centered on the science of reading. The bill requires phonics-based instruction, early screening in grades 1-3, teacher training, and retention for students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, subject to exemptions for students with disabilities, English learners, IEPs, 504 plans, prior retention, and other good-cause cases. Amendments clarified that three-cueing cannot be the primary instructional strategy and added parent involvement and earlier intervention language; the most contentious debate focused on retention and parental rights, but the amendment passed 103-27-1 and the bill was then adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House advanced HCS for HB 1826 and related bills to expand authorized epinephrine products beyond EpiPens to include nasal spray and other approved forms for use in schools, child care centers, nursing homes, and by first responders; supporters cited allergy emergencies and needle fear, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber also began debate on HCS for HB 2069/2208, a bill to authorize autonomous vehicles in Missouri, with the sponsor describing safety and economic benefits and the first amendment adding liability, jurisdiction, and U.S.-based operator requirements; a second amendment removed commercial vehicles and made technical changes. Debate on the underlying autonomous-vehicle bill continued, with supporters emphasizing modernization and opponents raising concerns about local control, surveillance, and the lack of independent safety data.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Senator David Waters, District 4, here to introduce Senate Bill 417.
• </c> country when it comes to regulating country when it comes to regulating tracking<01:06:19.599><c
• There is no regulation that will 100% provide protection all the time.
• But regulations also need to make sense and be based on actual risk.
• But regulations matters to all of us.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is in the language they have put forth for future regulations.
• What is being added in the draft regulations and what has been put forth here is that unless a court
• </c><00:18:49.919><c> modernization</c> me, the draft regulation modernization me, the draft regulation
• . and it um if you were to regulations. and it um if you were to remove<00:19:01.200><c> that</c><00:
• currently operate. tap regulations currently operate.

Bills: HF2078 , HF777 , HF841 , HF1112 , HF1098 , HF1926

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So, so let's say they say that the fee to have water is $500, but we know that it's not $500.
• </c><00:17:42.880><c> utility</c> &gt;&gt; water?
• Water would be considered utility &gt;&gt; water?
• </c> plenty of properties that will get water plenty of properties that will get water on<00:35:40.960
• 04.079><c> that</c><00:36:04.320><c> pulls</c> there's some water that that pulls there's some water

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 5, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> regulations alone. regulations alone.
• So it is a heavily regulated program. We feel that it's uh regulated program.
• c> by</c> The same agency that regulates 340B regulates federally qualified health centers.
• ><02:51:13.120><c> federal</c> program regulated by the federal program regulated by the federal government
• They municipal water and sewer systems.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, Committee on Judiciary, Elections and Water Conservation to H.C.R. 2001, relating to citizens
• House Bill 2257, an act relating to voting and water sports.
• House Bill 2257, an act relating to voting and water sports.
• SB 1217, water supply, development fund, cap. Rules. SB 1256, and Z4, technical correction.
• SB 1308, elections registration regulations. Rules. SB 1311, technical correction. Rules.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then turned to the crippled waterfowl provision, noting that there was a change in the federal regulations
• The witness continued that the change in federal regulations concerns crippled waterfowl.
• to retain the personnel that we currently have, plugging that hole that we have before adding more water
• </c> that we have um before adding more water that we have um before adding more water would<01:06:09.520
• collecting a leak and if bucket of water collecting a leak and if that<01:23:34.960><c> leak</c><01:

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it strengthens safeguards and ensures Louisiana law aligns with federal regulations governing
• As part of that system, we are required to follow federal regulations, including 28 CFR... ...to follow
• federal regulations, including 28 CFR Part 20 and CJIS security policies.
• And the consequences are too dire to water that down, to give anybody that you just described with those

Bills: HB343 , HB378 , HB394 , HB396 , HB426 , HB439 , HB491 , HB523 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB1025 , HB1038

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: parole eligibility, juvenile offenders, rehabilitation, first-time offenders, reentry programs, substance abuse treatment, education programs, emergency responders, law enforcement, obstructing traffic, public safety, penalties, parole, criminal justice, release extension, prison reform, autopsy, criminal evidence, photographs, court proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• charter schools to distribute a notice regarding California children's access prevention law and laws regulating
• required to distribute a notice regarding California children's access prevention law and laws regulating
• Most of the time, kids are just told to drink water and stay in the shade, but we aren't taught what
• And kids are even more susceptible to heat illness than adults because we can't regulate our core temperature

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, with the chair outlining hearing procedures and several bills on consent. The committee heard and advanced AB 1581, which would improve collection of tribal affiliation data for California students so Native students are more accurately counted and better served; supporters said current systems undercount Native students and erase their needs. AB 1586 also passed, requiring school resource officers who volunteer to carry naloxone to receive opioid overdose response training every two years; supporters emphasized student safety and the need for rapid response to overdoses on campus, while one school employees’ group raised concerns about retaliation protections for non-volunteers. Both bills were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations, with roll calls held open for absent votes. The committee then approved AB 1943, which updates school notices about secure firearm storage by making the information clearer, more visible, and more likely to reach families at key moments such as counseling or discipline interventions. Supporters from gun violence prevention groups, educators, and parents argued that many school shooters obtain guns from home and that plain-language, digital, and timely notices could help prevent child deaths and suicides; the author shared a personal story about a child accessing a gun at home. AB 1792 also advanced, directing the Instructional Quality Commission to consider updating health education to address digital safety issues such as deepfakes, extortion, grooming, and AI-generated exploitation; supporters said students need instruction that reflects modern online risks, while an opponent objected to language referencing LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse students. AB 1653 passed as well, adding heat-illness guidance to the health framework after a young Girl Scout described students suffering during extreme heat and not recognizing symptoms. Later, the committee approved AB 1861, which would require the California Department of Education to create a public database of special education investigation reports with personal information redacted; supporters said families need better access to complaint outcomes and accountability, while an opposition witness warned of unintended consequences, misuse of incomplete information, and added burdens on districts. AB 1721 also moved forward, creating a stakeholder work group to review and streamline school safety plan requirements so plans remain practical and focused on emergency preparedness. AB 1631, which would make kindergarten mandatory, received mixed testimony: supporters argued it would help close achievement gaps and improve readiness, while opponents framed it as an intrusion on parental choice; the bill was held on call after a split vote. Finally, AB 1809, extending job order contracting authority for school and community college districts, was also held on call after opposition from contractors who argued project labor agreement requirements raise costs and reduce competition. The committee then began hearing AB 1659, aimed at improving transitions for court school students back to their home districts, with testimony describing re-enrollment barriers and the need for a designated district contact.

Transcript Highlights:

• largely unaffordable for many people is because the government as a whole interjects itself into the regulation
• And I think that health care, if it was regulated by the free market and the government stepped out of
• And I think that health care, if it was regulated by the free market and the government stepped out as
• But I have to think that we're poking our finger into the water and we don't know what the ripple effect

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Washington State has been really a great place to be because we've had hydro energy and water and
• we see this as being too broad, pushing into a category of facilities that are more appropriately regulated
• that there's a lot of creativity happening with data centers trying to get power, and we need the regulations
• that that will continue to make planning and achieving our climate goals difficult for businesses, regulators

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took testimony on each. SB 6013 would update ski lift terminology in State Parks law to include aerial tramways, tows, and conveyors; the sponsor and Washington State Parks said it is a simple technical update and a companion to a House bill previously passed by the committee. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the time a non-certified on-site wastewater inspector may work under supervision before becoming certified; the sponsor and local public health witnesses said the change would help retain staff because the certification exam is difficult, offered only twice a year, and often results in turnover if the deadline is missed. The committee also heard ESB 6246, which would change policy for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act. The bill would require Ecology to produce a new report on post-2034 allowance reductions and leakage risk, and would require EITEs to submit periodic assessments of technically and economically feasible emissions-reduction options, reviewed by a licensed engineer. Supporters said the bill is a necessary first step to plan for decarbonization while keeping industry in Washington; environmental groups urged stronger third-party verification and clearer reporting, while industry groups supported the general framework but asked for changes on leakage analysis, confidentiality, and penalties. Ecology supported the overall direction but raised concerns about implementation language and resource needs. Finally, SSB 5982 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to include port districts that distribute electricity and certain large self-generating or affected market customers, while preserving some exemptions for pre-existing cogeneration and certain PUDs. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes so all new generation is subject to clean electricity standards, especially as ports and data centers explore behind-the-meter or fossil generation. Opponents from industrial and business groups argued the bill could sweep in facilities that were not intended to be covered and could create additional costs during a period of tight power supply. Ecology and Commerce testified that the bill would clarify CETA but noted possible effects on no-cost allowance allocations under the Climate Commitment Act. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, what this bill does and doesn't do, it does regulate the use of this powerful surveillance
• Because of farmers and others that volunteered their equipment, water, and others, we saved those two
• act relating to aligning the quality assurance fee for the Ambulance Transport Fund with federal regulations
• technical bill aligning the quality assurance fee for the Ambulance Transport Fund with the federal regulations

Bills: SB5223 , SB5286 , SB6002 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5874 , SB5863 , SB5972 , SB5941 , SB5203 , SB6014 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB5825

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, policing costs, state hospitals, local funding, budget allocation, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, LPR, surveillance, driver privacy, vehicle tracking, location data, law enforcement technology, data retention, audit trail

Summary: The Senate convened with ceremonial opening activities, approved the previous day’s journal, and referred committee reports and new introductions, including SB 6346, to the appropriate committees. It also confirmed several gubernatorial appointments to college and board positions: Glenn F. Ellis to the Peninsula College Board of Trustees, Suzanne Donaldson to the Clark College Board of Trustees, and Jesse E. Johnson to the Highline College Board of Trustees, each by large bipartisan margins. The chamber then considered and passed a series of bills, often after suspending the rules to move them directly to final passage. These included SB 6014 on pregnancy-related accommodations; SB 5863 on preservation and inspection of Lakeland Village historical records; SB 5874 on correcting unemployment insurance employer reporting procedures for small businesses; SB 5972 expanding interest arbitration for certain correctional employees; SB 5286 formalizing reimbursement for local public safety services provided to state hospitals; SB 5877 making a technical correction related to certified anesthesiologist assistants; SB 5904 restricting nursing titles to licensed human persons; SB 5915 updating the health technology assessment program; SB 5919 creating voluntary wildfire-prevention incentives for agriculture; SB 5938 adjusting foreclosure prevention fees and exemptions; SB 5957 expanding the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee; SB 6102 aligning the ambulance transport quality assurance fee with federal rules; and SB 6103 advancing a rural hospital conversion intended to help East Adams Hospital remain open. The most debated measures were SB 5825, which authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments, and SB 6002, which regulates automated license plate reader systems and driver privacy. On SB 5825, two Jeff Wilson amendments seeking to limit administrative use of donated funds and cap contributions were both rejected, but the bill ultimately passed 33-16. On SB 6002, an amendment to broaden authorized uses of ALPRs was rejected, a striking amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 48-9 after extensive floor debate focused on privacy, surveillance, law enforcement utility, and the need for clear rules. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, though SB 5972 and SB 5203 drew some dissent over impacts on smaller counties and land-use concerns tied to wildlife connectivity planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Management Division is responsible for all construction of buildings, acquisition of new property and land, water
• Also, we have been fighting the health care sharing ministries, who argue that they are not regulated
• The danger with health care sharing ministries is that there are absolutely no regulations.
• That's the point; they're not regulated at all. Across the country? Yes, across the country.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Private detention facilities are subject under current law to a wide range of operational regulations
• of the Attorney General is authorized to enforce violations of this provision, as well as other regulations
• There’s an old saying that as the watering hole gets shallower, the animals around it start to look at
• Teaching participants how to recognize triggers, regulate emotions, and plan for healthy responses to

Bills: HB1228 , HB1239 , HB2310 , HB2464

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, impaired driving, toxicology, forensic toxicology, breath test, blood test, THC, marijuana, cannabis, alcohol concentration, state toxicologist, implied consent, evidence admissibility, venous blood draw, forensic phlebotomist, certified laboratory, accredited laboratory, law enforcement, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• interest in Israel, this trade encompasses many of Florida's most important economic sectors, such as water
• Discrimination will expand the application of the law to regulate against 8 financial contacts with nonprofits
• It will expand application the law to regulate against state financial contacts with parties engaged
• application of the law to political subdivisions of the state will expand application of law to regulate

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Laws, rules, and regulations are of utmost importance in an institution with an enormous budget and a
• Have you adhered to applicable laws and regulations? Yes.
• federal government, we don't buy LIDAR. technology, we stop buying Chinese garlic that's made in sewer water
• Make sure that all the necessary laws and regulations are met.

Committees: Senate Cybersecurity Subcommittee , Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• It comes down through Manchester, Salem, and Atkinson, and we have a flowing water line.
• /c><00:19:04.400><c> have</c><00:19:04.559><c> a</c><00:19:04.799><c> flowing</c><00:19:05.360><c> water
• </c> Atinson, and we have a flowing water Atinson, and we have a flowing water line.<00:19:06.400><c>
• House Bill 214 relative<00:27:08.480><c> to</c><00:27:08.640><c> the</c><00:27:08.799><c> regulation<
• /c><00:27:09.120><c> of</c> relative to the regulation of relative to the regulation of recreational<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and in terms of how that is with regulation of speech, we do regulate speech around work already.
• And so I something that we regulate.
• </c> regulated at all. regulated at all. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:22:25.760><c> you.
• . regulating. regulating.
• </c> rules at the administrative regulations rules at the administrative regulations at<02:07:20.079>

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123. The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review. Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or like global regulation, right?
• AI chatbots really need more regulation than there is right now.
• , that also aren't affected by the regulation.
• So things like that really need to be regulated.
• So things like that really need to be regulated.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all