Transcript Highlights:

• Because Rolette County is about 80% American Indian.
• Because Rolette County is about 80% American Indian.
• And we have a lot of mixed marriages, non-native. 80% American Indian.
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs turned around and received a copy.
• The Bureau of Venn and Affairs turned around agency received a copy.

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:

• I represent APAPA, Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, and I support DACA.
• I'm Councilwoman Lori Gonzalez from the Rincon Band of Lisenyo Indians.
• I'm Winnepapa Indian and I support the bill.
• James May on behalf of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association in support.
• Thank you Assemblymember Terri Nicole Baca, Vice President of Legislative Affairs for AT&T.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Gonzalez, Vice President of State Affairs for Consumer Energy Alliance.
• Chairman, members of the committee, Matthew Gonzalez, Vice President of State Affairs for Consumer Energy
• Any implementation must align with ICWA and IFPA, or the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Indian Family
• Any implementation must align with ICWA and IFPA or Indian Child Welfare Act and the Indian Family Any
• implementation must align with ICWA and IFPA, or Indian Child Welfare Act in the Indian Family Protection

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 7, the Apprenticeship Assistance Act, which would keep apprenticeship trust fund distributions at $2.5 million rather than reducing them and remove a reference to the tobacco settlement permanent fund. Labor, construction, business, and environmental groups testified in support, emphasizing workforce development, retention of workers in New Mexico, and expansion of apprenticeship opportunities. The bill was moved and adopted without opposition. Members then considered House Bill 66, as amended, to increase funding for health professional loan repayment and related workforce supports. The amendment struck an appropriation because the funding was already included in House Bill 2. Testimony from health care providers, chambers of commerce, social workers, and physical therapy advocates supported the bill as a way to address provider shortages and improve recruitment and retention. After questions about eligibility, repayment terms, and overlap with similar Senate bills, the committee voted to do pass the bill as amended. House Bill 96, creating a working group to study a possible New Mexico Space Commission, was also amended to strike an appropriation. Support came from the chamber, Virgin Galactic, and aerospace advocates, who said a commission could help coordinate economic development and workforce efforts in the space sector. Members asked about other states’ commissions, workforce pathways, and the working group’s timeline, and the sponsor agreed to add clearer dissolution language later. The committee then passed the bill as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 80, a committee substitute to redirect more of the oil and gas conservation tax to the reclamation fund for orphan well plugging and site remediation. Supporters from industry, environmental groups, tribal advocates, and chambers said the bill would better align the tax with its original purpose and provide stable funding for cleanup, while an opponent argued the bill shifts costs from industry to the public and should instead raise the tax or bonding requirements. After discussion of backlog, phase-in timing, and procurement reforms, the committee voted do pass. The committee also heard House Bill 4, as amended, which phases in a larger share of premium surtax revenue to the Health Care Affordability Fund over three years. Supporters said it would sustain BeWell enrollment and affordability programs, while opponents questioned the burden on private payers and the size of the general fund impact. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 10-7 vote. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 65, as amended, creating a Foster Care Plus pilot project for children in CYFD custody, with testimony both supporting the need for better services and cautioning that implementation should respect tribal law, cultural practices, and family reunification. The committee also tabled House Bill 68 at the sponsor’s request. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 88, which would make minor changes to the land grant assistance fund, including capturing reverted payments that currently go back to the general fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are businesses on Indian School that are concerned.
• I own and operate a business on Indian School for 20 years here in Phoenix.
• More than a thousand businesses on the Indian School corridor... because every dollar we spend is not
• We own two businesses in the Phoenix area on Indian School with properties, and we think that SB 1332
• They had to close down, and some of them moved to Indian School. Now they have the same problem.

Bills: SB1059 , SB1209 , SB1273 , SB1332 , SB1452 , SB1456 , SB1549 , SB1552 , SB1818 , SB1826 , SB1827

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, nonoperating identification, homeless exemption, veterans, emancipated minors, Arizona Department of Transportation, transportation, infrastructure, pavement rehabilitation, funding, Arizona, SB1332, light rail, light rail expansion, Maricopa County, Phoenix

Transcript Highlights:

• committee made up of tribal leaders that provide direct ongoing input to the Secretary of Tribal Affairs
• so programs can... ...direct ongoing input to the Secretary of Tribal Affairs so programs can be shaped
• I am Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs for Treasury Wine Estates.
• The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe deeply rooted in the Kumeyaay
• The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe deeply rooted in the Kumeyaay

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Brown, that would be an agreement that is arranged through the Indian Affairs Department
• should this appropriation go through, that would be a negotiation that occurs between the Pueblo and Indian
• Affairs.

Summary: The House Appropriations and Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 273 and Senate Bill 274 and first adopted an amendment combining the two measures into one appropriations bill. Staff explained that SB 273 was a response to House Bill 9 and would provide temporary funding to Torrance, Otero, and Cibola counties to offset losses tied to prison facility closures or reduced operations, while SB 274 funded several executive priorities including aging and long-term services, DOT raises, PED school improvement activities, compensation for the Pueblo of Zia regarding use of the Zia symbol, and CYFD-related needs. Committee members asked about the Cibola prisoner transport costs, the tribal inmate arrangements, the Zia symbol payment, and whether the county aid would help preserve jobs and operations. The committee then adopted a series of amendments. The first reduced SB 273 to FY27-only funding rather than spanning FY27 and FY28, with Otero’s appropriation largely unchanged because it is needed up front. A second amendment corrected the distribution language from one-twenty-fourth to one-twelfth, and a third voice amendment, based on additional data from Representative Lord, increased Torrance-related amounts and added a prisoner transport appropriation for Torrance County. Members noted the changes were intended to better match current data and allow the legislature to revisit FY28 needs later if necessary. After limited public comment from Representative Lord, who said she had corrected the Torrance numbers using clerk-provided data, the committee voted to do pass the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 273 as amended three times. The motion passed without opposition, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The California Indian Heritage Center represents something different. support.
• The California Indian Heritage Center represents something different.
• The California Indian Heritage Center is long overdue.
• On behalf of the Hamo-Indian Village, I respectfully urge your aye vote. Thank you.
• Motion is do pass to Military and Veterans Affairs. Papin? Aye. Papin, aye. Jeff Gonzalez.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Alicia Carey Micah, Director of Government Affairs for B. Braun Medical.
• The Department of Corrections to prioritize bulk distribution of abortion medications to Indian health
• It adds Indian health care providers and urban Indian health organizations to the definition of health
• This is our Indian health care providers and our urban Indian health organizations ask it for a yes vote
• This is our Indian health care providers and our urban Indian health organization ask it for a yes vote

Bills: HB2384 , HB2402 , HB2505 , HB1904 , HB2145 , HB2182 , HB2211 , HB2242 , HB2247 , HB2329 , HB2339

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: continuing care retirement community, CCRC, life plan community, senior housing, retirement community, long-term care, assisted living, nursing home, actuarial analysis, solvency, financial oversight, resident contracts, entrance fee, disclosure statement, registration, insurance commissioner, DSHS, consumer protection, elder care, aging services

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Alicia Carey Micah, Director of Government Affairs for B. Braun Medical.
• requires the Department of Corrections to prioritize bulk distribution of abortion medications to Indian
• health care providers and urban Indian health organizations to the definition of health care entity
• This is our Indian health care providers, and our urban Indian health organizations ask for a yes vote
• This is our Indian health care providers and our urban Indian health organization ask it for a yes vote

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several health-related bills. House Bill 2384 would require continuing care retirement communities that offer life care contracts to submit actuarial analyses every other registration cycle for review by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, with the Department of Social and Health Services using the review in registration decisions. The bill sponsor and residents’ advocates said it would improve transparency and protect seniors’ prepaid care promises, while the CCRC industry supported the goal but raised concerns about scope, cost, and implementation details. House Bill 2505 would exempt certain foster family homes and child-specific foster care homes from adult family home licensure when former foster youth remain in the home as adults and certain safety conditions are met; DSHS supported the narrow exemption as a way to avoid displacing vulnerable young adults. House Bill 2402 would phase out DEHP and other orthophthalates in IV solution containers and later IV tubing, with exemptions for certain blood and cell therapy products; supporters cited health and environmental risks and the availability of safer alternatives, while manufacturers and hospitals supported the goal but asked for longer timelines, supply-chain protections, and implementation assistance. In executive session, the committee took action on a series of bills. It adopted an amendment and passed House Bill 1904, which prohibits cat declawing, on a 13-3 vote. It passed a proposed substitute for House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug program on an 11-5 vote after debate over reporting requirements and the state’s authority. It rejected several amendments to House Bill 2182 on abortion medications held by the Department of Corrections, adopted an Indian health care provider priority amendment, and passed the bill on a 10-6 vote. House Bill 2211 on medically tailored meals passed 15-1. The committee also passed Substitute House Bill 2247 on veterinarian-client-patient relationships, Substitute House Bill 2329 on midwives and lactation consultants, and Substitute House Bill 2339 on nurse licensing, each with technical amendments and broad support.

Transcript Highlights:

• a member of the board of trustees, the governing body of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian
• Consultation should involve a structured engagement model to ensure federally recognized Indian tribes
• It's a good day to be here, and my Indian name is Bhaneshet. And I come from the Big River.
• I'm Daniel Heimbaugh, government affairs program manager with Energy Northwest.
• I'm Steve Taylor, Director of Regulatory and Regional Affairs for Calut's PUD.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5821, which would direct the Department of Commerce, if funded by gifts or grants, to develop a nuclear power strategic framework and integrate it into the state energy strategy. Supporters, including Sen. Braun, Energy Northwest, public power representatives, and several pro-nuclear advocates, said Washington needs to keep advanced nuclear on the table to address rising electricity demand, reliability concerns, and clean energy goals. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill gives nuclear special treatment, lacks sufficient guardrails on waste, safety, cost, and public process, and was rushed without adequate tribal consultation. Several tribal testifiers said the bill should require early, meaningful government-to-government consultation and stronger protections for treaty rights and cultural resources. The committee then held a work session on a Washington State Institute for Public Policy report reviewing state policies supporting small modular reactors. Staff and researchers explained that the report surveyed 79 policies in 35 states and found most states are still in preliminary planning stages, with policies focused on feasibility studies, siting, workforce development, permitting, financial support, and market integration. Members asked about water use, waste, footprint, and whether the report covered fusion; the researchers said it was limited to fission and that water needs vary by reactor design. Some senators noted the need to consider lifecycle impacts and compare nuclear with other energy technologies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6010, which would change FSEC tribal consultation procedures by exempting most government-to-government consultations from the Open Public Meetings Act when there is no deliberation or commitments, requiring all FSEC members to participate in consultation, and giving tribes a chance to review and correct the consultation summary before it goes to the governor. Tribal witnesses and environmental groups supported the bill as a way to improve confidentiality and meaningful consultation, while the Association of Washington Business opposed it, saying it could add delays and suggesting timelines. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6004, which would update contracting statutes so public entities can contract for renewable or non-emitting generation capability under CETA definitions; utilities supported the update as a modernization, while consumer and environmental opponents warned it could shift financial risk to ratepayers, especially for nuclear projects. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• By State Affairs Committee; Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee; Intergovernmental Affairs
• By the State Affairs Committee and the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Brackett
• By the State Affairs Committee and the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Schof,
• By the State Affairs Committee and the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Schof,
• State Affairs Committee, Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Schof, C.S. for C.S.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, Local Government Planning Fund, and Cultural Affairs
• requiring specific effective dates for an ordinance changing the imposition of tax imposed by an Indian
• requiring specific effective dates for an ordinance changing the imposition of tax imposed by an Indian
• requiring specific effective dates for an ordinance changing the imposition of tax imposed by an Indian

Summary: The Senate debated and passed Senate Bill 241, a child care assistance measure. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s education requirements, residency definitions, sustainability if oil and gas revenues decline, fraud and misuse of funds, staffing needs for unannounced inspections, liability insurance, and whether the state would be left covering costs in a shortfall. Supporters argued the bill reflects the reality of working families, would expand access to child care, and includes guardrails and a five-year funding plan. After debate, the Senate passed the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 241, as amended, by a vote of 25-15. The chamber then received House messages announcing passage of several House bills and referred them to committees: HB 63 on water project funding to Senate Conservation, HB 64 on appropriations to Senate Finance, HB 165 on industrial revenue bond lease assessments to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 285 on disabled veteran property tax exemptions to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 184 on the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund to Senate Finance, and HB 291 on a range of tax and revenue changes to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation. Senate Memorial 30, requesting a study of safety and maintenance issues on U.S. Highway 491, was introduced and referred to Senate Rules. During announcements, members outlined upcoming committee meetings, including Rules, Tax, Business and Transportation, Education, Finance, Conservation, and others. The Senate also discussed the upcoming 100th Bill Party and related social events. The body then recessed until 11 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those who don't know, Indian Health Services individuals who are enrolled in Indian Health Services
• in their sovereign state and the way that they do eligibility reviews tribe to tribe and at urban Indian
• them very early on, and one of the commitments we made at Centennial Accord is in the Governor's Indian
• Chair's Cleveland and Brunaski, Evan Klein, special assistant for legislative and policy affairs, the
• My name is Ashley Lind, and I am the Director of External Affairs at LifeCenter Northwest.

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was heard in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. It moved to Human Services.
• This bill was heard in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. It moved to Human Services.
• House File 2184 would exempt the Ombudsperson for American Indian families from court fees.
• House File 2184 would exempt the Ombudsperson for American Indian families from court fees.
• The Ombudsperson for American Indian families does really important work.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There are businesses on Indian School that are concerned.
• I own and operate a business on Indian School for 20 years here in Phoenix, especially Meadowville.
• More than a thousand businesses on the Indian School corridor... because every dollar we spend is not
• We own two businesses in the Phoenix area on Indian School with properties, and we think that SB 1332
• They had to close down, and some of them moved to Indian School. Now they have the same problem.

Summary: The committee heard several transportation-related appropriation and policy bills. SB 1273 would appropriate $14 million in FY2027 for pavement rehabilitation of Olga Frontage Road between Bowie and San Simon; after brief discussion about the road’s length and whether it was on a rural transportation priority list, the bill was reported out 3-2 with a do pass recommendation. SB 1452 would create a cargo theft task force in the Attorney General’s office, modeled on the retail theft task force, with reporting and investigative duties; Tony Bradley of the Arizona Trucking Association testified in support, describing cargo theft as a growing, sophisticated problem and noting the funding would come from the consumer fraud protection fund rather than the general fund. The committee adopted an amendment making the task force subject to appropriations and then passed the bill 5-0. The committee also considered SB 1332, which would require the Auditor General and an independent transportation research entity to study Maricopa County light rail expansion and compare it with other transit technologies. Senator Kavanaugh argued the study was needed before committing billions more to light rail and said the governor’s office was open to the concept. Supporters, including local business owners, said the study would provide needed transparency and reflect concerns about business impacts and changing transportation options. Opponents, including Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, and transit advocates, argued the state should not second-guess locally approved transit plans and pointed to existing studies, ridership, and economic development along light rail corridors. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1059 appropriates $9.2 million for an additional right-turn lane at State Route 87 and State Route 260, and Senator Wendy Rogers used the hearing to describe several rural road projects she and Representative Blackman were pursuing, emphasizing safety, congestion, and local requests from mayors and councils. Members broadly supported the need for rural infrastructure, and the bill was reported out unanimously. The committee then took up SB 1209, which would exempt homeless individuals and others without a residence address from non-operating ID fees if they prove U.S. citizenship. Testimony from the Homeless ID Project and ADOT focused on how IDs help people obtain work and services, how citizenship and authorized presence are verified, and whether the amendment would create operational or fiscal issues; the discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown for that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the next bill: State Affairs Committee; Governmental Affairs Subcommittee; Natural Resources and
• By State Affairs Committee, Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee, Intergovernmental Affairs
• By the State Affairs Committee and Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Brackett, CS
• By the State Affairs Committee and Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Brackett, CS
• By the State Affairs Committee and Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Schof, CS for

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum verification. Members then adopted the special order report and a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also recognized Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano as law enforcement officer of the day and several visiting groups in the gallery. On the floor, HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously, 109-0. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about surplus conservation lands and oversight by the Acquisition and Restoration Council; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign-country-of-concern restrictions, critical infrastructure, gifts, contracts, sister city agreements, and related ethics and criminal provisions, passed 80-20 after debate and a germane amendment was adopted over objections. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197 on information technology procurement and contracting, aimed at modernizing oversight of major IT projects, by 109-0. CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations passed 71-38 after extensive debate over development fees, manufactured homes, and reducing local supermajority requirements for comprehensive plan changes; an amendment to preserve Orange County’s rural boundary vote failed, and a strike-all amendment was ruled out of order. Members then adopted a technical amendment clarifying manufactured homes language. Several local bills also advanced: HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed 109-0; HB 4051 and HB 4053 on Santa Rosa County fire protection district assessments passed 84-25 and 83-27, respectively, after compromise amendments; HB 4081 on the East Point Water and Sewer District passed 110-0; and HB 4093 on the Felsmere Water Control District passed 109-0. The transcript ended as the House moved on to HB 4095, with no final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Jessica Hoffy, and I am the Director of Government Affairs at the Washington
• For the record, my name is Jessica Hoffy, and I am the Director of Government Affairs at the Washington
• For the record, my name is Jessica Hoffy, and I am the Director of Government Affairs at the Washington
• And I'm James Townslau, Belakula First Nations, here on behalf of the American Indian Health Commission
• Members, my name is Adam Zeran, Director of State Government Affairs for Blood Cancer United, and I'm

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several health-related bills. SB 5904 would restrict nursing titles such as RN, NP/ARNP, and LPN to licensed human people and prohibit non-human entities, including AI chatbots, from using those titles. The sponsor and nursing advocates said the bill is meant to prevent confusion and protect public trust, while preserving the use of AI as a support tool. SB 5877 would add a $70 surcharge for certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and access HealWA resources; supporters said it closes a technical gap and aligns CAAs with other medical professions. SB 5185 would create a pilot pathway for certain international medical graduates with clinical experience licenses to obtain full primary care licensure; supporters from the medical commission, physicians, and IMG advocates said the program has worked well, has shown no patient safety issues, and could help address workforce shortages. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 6210, which would let the Health Benefit Exchange adopt additional market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, including standards aimed at preserving access and affordability in underserved counties. Supporters, including the exchange, OIC, consumer advocates, tribal representatives, and patient groups, said the bill is needed to respond to federal policy changes, rising premiums, and disappearing coverage in places like San Juan County. Opponents from carriers and employer groups argued the timeline is too fast, the criteria are too discretionary, and the bill could reduce competition and raise costs. The committee then heard SB 5981, which would strengthen protections and reporting requirements for the federal 340B drug pricing program and limit manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and data requests. Hospitals, clinics, and patient advocates said the bill protects safety-net care and rural access, while manufacturers, employers, and business groups argued it would expand a program that already raises costs and lacks transparency. In executive session, the committee took action on SB 5917, related to Department of Corrections distribution of abortion medications, rejecting five proposed amendments and then advancing the bill on a 10-6 vote with three excused. The committee also advanced SB 5988, which concerns Department of Health opioid treatment program accrediting activities, on a do-pass recommendation after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Hernandez, I'd like to defer to our— Director of Legislative and Executive Affairs
• Additionally, we did some rulemaking in 2023 to address how tribes, Pueblos, and Indian Nations can go
• Affairs attorneys.
• In Indian country and federal Indian lands, depending on where the jurisdiction lies, we will assign
• We have our Deputy of Public Affairs, Tara Nix.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• By the State Affairs Committee, Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee, Intergovernmental Affairs
• By State Affairs Committee and Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Brackett, CS for
• By State Affairs Committee, Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Schof, CS for CS for
• By State Affairs Committee, Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Shoaf, CS for CS for
• By State Affairs Committee, Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, Representative Shoaf, CS for CS for

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report and a rules report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also heard several recognitions and a farewell speech from Representative Nixon, who reflected on constituent service and her legislative priorities. On the floor, HB 1405, relating to a statewide project for missing persons with special needs, passed unanimously. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about the handling of surplus conservation lands and agricultural uses; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, was explained as a broad package restricting foreign-country influence in government, procurement, gifts, cultural agreements, and related areas. An amendment adding restrictions on surrogacy and adoption involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern was adopted after debate over possible impacts on families and adoption practices, and the bill then passed 80-20. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197, a bill to modernize state information technology procurement and contracting, unanimously after debate about improving oversight of large IT projects. HB 1103, allowing local governments to fast-track action on derelict vessels, also passed unanimously. The chamber then considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations, including limits on development fees, changes to local voting thresholds for comprehensive plan and boundary actions, manufactured homes in RV parks, and resort-related provisions. Several amendments were debated, including one on local control and rural boundaries that failed and another strike-all amendment ruled out of order; the bill ultimately passed 71-38. The final item reached before the transcript ended was a local bill for the Pace Fire Rescue District in Santa Rosa County, described as adjusting its assessment formula to provide tax relief.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5923 allows any rural hospital located on a federally recognized Indian reservation
• to make sure that we are provided health care for the community members, not only for the American Indians
• , the tribal... ...provided health care for the community members, not only for the American Indians,
• I'm the government affairs director for the Washington...
• I'm the Government Affairs Director for the Washington State Association of UA Plumbers and Pipers, here

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 2689 on Working Connections Child Care. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would keep eligibility at 60% of state median income, eliminate scheduled expansions to 75% and 85%, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, end enhanced regional rates, and change reimbursement rules from prospective enrollment-based payments back to attendance-based payments with a reduced monthly payment after 11 absent days. Child care advocates thanked the committee for removing the proposed cap on the program but opposed the cuts to provider rates and eligibility expansions, warning of harm to families and providers. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care, with staff noting administrative costs and indeterminate fiscal effects; hospitals supported the bill as a way to reduce discharge delays and reliance on single-case agreements. Senate Bill 5832, which would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to support the Lemon Law arbitration program, drew support from the Attorney General’s Office and auto dealers, who said the fee had not been updated since 1995 and the program was underfunded. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5862, providing a one-time 3% COLA for certain PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees, with retirees testifying in favor and local government representatives warning about added employer costs. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer money from the Transportation Vehicle Fund to other funds if they reduce their fleet and receive OSPI approval; staff said the bill would mainly add administrative work for OSPI, and no one testified. Substitute Senate Bill 5923 would allow a hospital on an island in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital if federally certified; Island Health testified that the designation would help sustain rural services, and a committee member asked about bed count and Medicaid/charity-care pressures. Senate Bill 5944 would require language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that statutes prevail over conflicting contract terms; WFSE supported the bill, saying it would equalize bargaining rights across agencies. Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of population size; labor supported the bill as a retention tool, while cities and counties opposed it, arguing it would raise costs and should include ability-to-pay protections. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, authorizing the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge accreditation fees, which DOH said was needed to avoid winding down the program. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6151, which would move Ecology fee revenues for landfill methane emissions and laboratory accreditation into dedicated accounts; Ecology supported the bill as improving transparency and reinvesting fees into the programs, and staff said the lab fee shift would be offset by a related budget action. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194 would pay a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Astria Toppenish, at 150% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate beginning in 2027; hospital leaders and community members testified that the hospital serves a high-Medicaid, rural, and tribal population and faces persistent losses. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would direct L&I to investigate possible misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects involving multiple workers doing the same finishing work; labor and business representatives both described it as a negotiated compromise to address underground economy abuses. The committee took no final votes during the hearing and ended by reiterating amendment deadlines for bills scheduled for executive session.