Transcript Highlights:

• The chlorpyrifos ban, the launch of spray days in California last year, the nation's first statewide
• The regulatory system in California operates at two tiers.
• Fifty-six county agricultural commissioners operate in the state, covering 58 different counties.
• The challenges of managing pests and pest management regulations are not operating in a vacuum.
• My day of today, I'm going to Santa Maria to be able to launch my voice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Training no longer operates the way it did decades ago.
• Basin, also the extraction workers and pipeline operators.
• How do you collect against a company that's no longer operating?
• The companies operating in the space are doing extraordinary work.
• Basin, as well as extraction workers and pipeline operators.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched it in October.
• The operation went off without a hitch.
• We have set up internal operations such that we continue to review how we operate.
• So, the folks that are at home, I run 24/7 operations.
• And they are operate.

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> be done uh and no that's local oper be done uh and no that's local oper sales<00:18:53.720><c> tax
• launch into the workforce<00:43:20.359><c> we</c><00:43:20.520><c> also</c><00:43:20.760><c> know</c
• It has become more expensive to launch into adulthood, and we keep the true costs hidden.
• It has become more expensive to launch into adulthood, and we keep the true costs hidden.
• In other words, they would have to be operating in Minnesota and have to be subject to the corporate

Bills: HF2274 , HF1932

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 2 discusses DPS facility Recommendations for infrastructure operations include 66.1 million in all
• Item 5 discusses DPS's vehicle and aircraft operations.
• Border Security Operations Center, and to the law enforcement in those areas.
• For us, the expense related to Operation Lone Star is travel per diem in overtime. overtime, because
• And in looking for those individuals, You see, as some of the operations, just in the last couple of

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• whereas, Reverend Jackson played a pivotal role in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation
• Jackson maintained deep and enduring ties to New York State, shaping its civil rights landscape and launching
• That was the same year that Jessie Louis Jackson launched his presidential campaign.
• That was the same year that Jesse Louis Jackson launched his presidential campaign.
• And so all of his work, his body of work, even as the founder of Things like Operation PUSH.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this bill really helps Space Florida take off to a whole new launching pad by exempting tangible
• This bill is imperative to help make sure that Florida is still the leading edge of not just launching
• The SS American Victory is one of only four operational World War II merchant vessels left in the country
• So, you know, outside of the normal repair and work that would have to happen for maintaining an operation

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up several memorials and bills. It first reported favorably Senate Memorial 1714, which urges Congress to pass the No Tax Dollars for Terrorist Act to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from benefiting the Taliban in Afghanistan. The committee then heard and approved SB 1512, expanding tax exemptions and procurement flexibility for Space Florida, with support from Space Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. It also approved SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship, replacing the Western Union, after discussion of the ship’s World War II service, museum role, and no known fiscal impact. The committee next approved SM 1186, urging Congress to increase the Florida National Guard’s force structure, with members noting Florida’s population growth and emergency response needs. It then considered SB 1602, creating the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in selected counties to help landlords house veterans through vacancy relief and risk mitigation funds; the bill was amended twice, including technical and clarifying changes, and reported favorably as a committee substitute. Senator Sharief expressed support and asked to co-sponsor the veterans housing measure. Finally, the committee passed SB 1604, which creates the associated vacancy relief and risk mitigation trust funds within the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to support the veterans housing pilot program. That bill also received a technical amendment before being reported favorably as a committee substitute. After the bills were disposed of, members were invited to record votes if needed, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched that last April. So we fully launched it.
• </c> launched. We launched that last April. launched. We launched that last April.
• So very, very small operating budget there. So very, very small operating budget there.
• </c> operational challenges ahead. operational challenges ahead.
• </c> general fund operating general fund operating budget. budget. budget.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we see is we already operate in that model.
• That's how we've always operated, and that's our number one concern. And appreciate your testimony.
• I eventually took that data and launched a nonprofit organization called 46 Brooklyn Research, where
• Upon launching that organization in 2018, we were bombarded by state attorneys general, employers, and
• I launched a consulting firm in 2019 called Three-Axis Advisors.

Bills: SB511 , SB512 , HB591 , HB909 , HB938 , HB1154 , HB1187

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Transcript Highlights:

• decisions that have expanded marketing tactics and implemented new procedures to improve agency operations
• destinations across the state with content including B-roll, photography, and produced video since we launched
• decisions that have expanded marketing tactics and implemented new procedures to improve agency operations
• destinations across the state with content including B-roll, photography, and produced video since we launched
• We have really started, I think, in the last probably six months, we launched a couple new activity-based

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Revenue launched the My Taxes portal in March of this year.
• </c> availability above 99% since our launch availability above 99% since our launch in<00:29:45.960>
• as to how their programs are run and their senior centers are operated.
• We're operating within the budget that we have. Yes. Okay.
• As we stand today, our operations.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding. The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays. The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched the EAC policy on our website, and it became a provision on every new statewide contract.
• We launched the EA's policy on our website, and it became a provision on every new statewide contract
• The Operational Services Division, OSD, has been extremely engaged with SDO in ensuring that we’re applying
• The discussion also covered the models already happening or being developed, costs associated with launching
• and startup funding opportunities, and examples of successful apprenticeship initiatives currently operating

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met virtually and in person for its June meeting. Members approved the March meeting minutes and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, including the successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 Northampton event and an October National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the State House. The October event will include a panel with MassAbility on artificial intelligence and its impacts on people with disabilities, with discussion of both accessibility benefits and risks such as bias and discrimination. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. Staff described the program’s evolution from a pilot launched after 2016 legislation to a statewide policy now included in new state contracts. The program aims to increase certification of disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, expand workforce participation by people with disabilities, and use vendor reporting to track progress toward a 3% workforce goal. The office reported about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and expectations that the number of participating vendors will grow to about 130 by November. Commissioners praised the program and asked about its reach, data, and potential replication in other states or institutions. The advisory council update highlighted broad engagement across topics including accessibility, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, AI, and supported decision-making. Members were asked to share fact sheets and resources for posting on the commission website, and two council members will help plan the October employment event. Subcommittee reports followed: the employment subcommittee reviewed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a SEED policy brief; the workforce supports subcommittee discussed apprenticeships and a May webinar on addressing workforce barriers through apprenticeships; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard about care coordination training resources and a presentation on post-COVID health care inequities for people with disabilities. The executive director also reported on ongoing work with state agencies, MassHealth-related conversations, caregiver and aging issues, and AI planning. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, followed by adjournment by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the past four years, Papahana O Kaiona has been operating out of a temporary space in Nanakuli, having
• In the 2023-24 school year, she partnered with the city's Department of Transportation Services to launch
• /c><00:25:31.840><c> walking</c><00:25:32.440><c> school</c><00:25:33.000><c> bus</c> Services to launch
• a walking school bus Services to launch a walking school bus route<00:25:34.040><c> expanding</c><00
• ><c> first</c> also launched the county's first also launched the county's first Hawaii-based<00:27:01.760

Bills: HB1576 , HB2490 , HB1546 , HB1588

Transcript Highlights:

• In our operating budget request, you will see a special appropriation for $500,000 to continue to build
• Again, the timeline just goes through when we launched our abortion fund in 2018.
• At that point, that's when we launched our midwifery fund. After that, we went to the press.
• At that time, they found that she had a cyst, so they told her, "We're going to operate on you."
• They operated on her, and she was doing fine and all that.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• white chef's coats here today and the people in this industry that I know very well, as an owner-operator
• previous</c><00:03:08.200><c> times</c><00:03:08.680><c> with</c><00:03:09.120><c> my</c> owner operator
• in previous times with my owner operator in previous times with my restaurants<00:03:09.879><c> I</c
• This program extends beyond the cooking instruction; it serves as a launching pad for students to gain
• This program extends beyond the cooking instruction; it serves as a launching pad for students to gain

Transcript Highlights:

• Coast Guard, which clears it for commercial operations.
• So we would do a compatibility assessment prior to designing any vessel for this operation.
• Phase four is prepare for the program launch.
• It's only for those that operate turbojets and turbine-powered aircraft.
• I am a transit operator for King County.

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law

Transcript Highlights:

• Coast Guard, which clears it for commercial operations.
• Phase four is prepare for the program launch.
• It's only for those that operate turbojets and turbine-powered aircraft.
• A dedicated funding source for ferry capital and operations, and shoreside facilities.
• I am a transit operator for King County.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• that will require that public funding to operate.
• So we haven't been working on the operating side of it.
• They also do not include operational savings benefits over time.
• It's operating.
• It's operating.

Summary: The committee first received a Commerce overview of capital budget grant programs, including behavioral health facilities, Building for the Arts, Building Communities Fund, early learning facilities, library capital improvements, and youth recreational facilities. Commerce described program eligibility, match requirements, funding cycles, and project examples such as an early learning center in Spokane, a rural library in Stevens County, and a youth clubhouse in Prosser. Members asked about behavioral health capital projects, including how many facilities have been opened and how capital planning aligns with operating funding; Commerce said it could provide more data later and noted it focuses on capital while HCA, DSHS, and DOH handle operating requests. Members also raised concerns about nonprofit financial stability, project licensure, siting, and the burden of non-state match, while Commerce emphasized shovel-ready projects, community match, and efforts to reduce application burden. The committee then heard an update on the Clean Buildings Performance Standard from Commerce. Staff reviewed Washington’s building emissions laws, compliance tiers, exemptions, incentives, and district energy system decarbonization planning under House Bills 1543, 1976, and 1390. Commerce reported nearly 5,000 inquiries in 2025, a fellowship program that has helped more than 250 buildings in 16 counties, and review of nearly 30 district energy plans. The presentation highlighted that over half of Tier 1 buildings are already meeting targets, that Tier 2 incentive applications suggest the 30-cent-per-square-foot incentive often covers compliance costs, and that district decarbonization plans face common challenges such as aging infrastructure, grid readiness, workforce, and inconsistent cost reporting. Members asked what additional legislative action might help, and Commerce said it was still learning from the new rulemaking and implementation changes. Western Washington University and Corex then presented on WWU’s campus heating conversion project and a possible off-campus thermal energy partnership with the Port of Bellingham. WWU described its aging steam system, high emissions, maintenance costs, and the $51 million in Climate Commitment Account funding it has received to transition toward an electric hot-water system using technologies such as geo-exchange, heat recovery chillers, and air-source heat pumps. Corex explained its existing district energy system at the Port of Bellingham, which uses industrial waste heat and is operating at very high efficiency, and said it is exploring a heat transmission line to WWU and possibly sewer-heat recovery. Testimony from WSU and UW supported the broader decarbonization effort but raised concerns about the scale of costs, deferred maintenance, and the need for predictable state funding. A contractor witness urged the state to think bigger about public-private partnerships and other financing tools rather than forcing campuses to compete for limited funds. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2330, which would create a prioritization process for capital funding for state campus district energy system decarbonization projects. Staff said the bill would establish a Commerce committee to score and rank projects, issue a preliminary framework report by December 30 of this year, and provide biennial recommended project lists beginning in 2028, while also studying barriers to energy-as-a-service contracts and public-private partnerships. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to create a thoughtful, predictable process for deciding which projects to fund, emphasizing energy savings, emissions reductions, operating cost reductions, shovel-readiness, and the value of public-private partnerships. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive: WSU and UW backed the bill as a way to advance compliance and predictability, though WSU warned that compliance costs could be very large and that the university would likely seek state help if fines were imposed. A contractor witness supported the concept but argued the bill should help build a larger funding “pie” through partnerships and financing tools rather than simply dividing scarce resources. The committee then opened and heard testimony on House Bill 2338, which would authorize community-scaled weatherization projects. Commerce staff said the bill would allow weatherization funds and matching funds to be used for neighborhood-scale projects affecting multiple dwelling units, while still prioritizing low-income households; the fiscal note estimated about $273,000 in FY 2027 and about $237,000 per biennium ongoing for administration. Supporters from community action agencies and Spark Northwest said the bill would improve health, safety, affordability, and contractor participation by allowing weatherization to be done at a community scale, especially in mobile home parks and low-income neighborhoods. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have operated for over 56 years in our community.
• Operational decisions become very painful.
• So, yes, we had $28 million General Fund for the operational cost.
• Our plan is to be prepared to launch once we know.
• Our plan is to be prepared to launch once we know that the date is certain.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extended briefing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, followed by testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and county officials. DHCS described major Medi-Cal changes in H.R. 1, including work/community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, reduced federal matching for some emergency services, narrower immigrant eligibility, reduced retroactive coverage, and limits on provider taxes and directed payments. CDSS outlined CalFresh changes, especially the expanded able-bodied adults without dependents time limit, reduced exemptions and waivers, and the new federal-state-county administrative cost split. Both departments emphasized implementation plans, automation, outreach, and county coordination, while acknowledging significant expected coverage losses and administrative burden. The LAO and an independent policy expert discussed how H.R. 1 could increase demand on county indigent care systems and public hospitals as people lose Medi-Cal. They reviewed the history of county indigent care, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, explaining that counties already rely on a patchwork of funding and that current realignment revenues are often used for public health rather than indigent care. They warned that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents, with wide variation in how counties respond, and raised concerns about equity, financing, and whether a more standardized state-county program should be created. Committee members pressed witnesses on county funding, exemptions, homelessness, older adults, undocumented residents, and the effect of administrative burden versus true ineligibility. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described the expected local impacts and asked for additional state support. They said H.R. 1 would drive major losses in Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollment, increase uncompensated care, strain eligibility staff, and worsen homelessness and food insecurity. Several counties urged the Legislature to fund eligibility workers, preserve enrollment, and consider a CalFresh match waiver; Santa Clara and San Bernardino also cited local tax measures and staffing reductions already underway. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• recognizing that Cecil Field offers a different set of capabilities than Kennedy Space Center or another launch
• Cecil has horizontal launch capability, out at Kennedy we have vertical.
• So we want to make sure that we are developing Cecil Field as a spaceport operator with the same zeal
• Or do they also get a tax break if they are operating privately?
• The intent of the district is to install, operate and maintain the stormwater and flood control facilities