Transcript Highlights:

• districts in order to fund assistant district attorneys.
• district attorney, when we understand what, in fact, an assistant district attorney... ...for an assistant
• I recently advertised for assistant district attorneys in Baton Rouge.
• I lost 36 assistant DAs in 18 months. I cannot keep up the pace.
• But it'll assist him in not having to go to the table today. Ms.

Bills: HB513 , HB581 , HB596 , HB660 , HB719 , HB766 , HB802 , HB940 , HB950 , HB1028 , HB1183 , HB1201 , SB233 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB411

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: supplemental pay, law enforcement, probation officers, parole officers, constitutional amendment, plugging credit, inactive well assessment, oil and gas regulation, well plugging, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, HB 660, district attorney salary, assistant district attorney salary, prosecutor pay raise, Louisiana prosecutors, state-paid salaries, warrant payment, R.S. 16:10, R.S. 16:11, general fund impact

Transcript Highlights:

• district attorney, when we understand what, in fact, an assistant district attorney... ...for an assistant
• We are seeking to raise the amount of pay that the state contributes to district attorney and assistant
• I recently advertised for assistant district attorneys in Baton Rouge.
• I lost 36 assistant DAs in 18 months. I cannot keep up the pace.
• But it'll assist him in not having to go to the table today. Ms.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 513 by Representative Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness activity for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a task force and sets guardrails such as parental consent and prohibited NIL categories. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then heard several Senate bills from Senator Mizell and Senator Cloud. Senate Bill 233 would create a statewide data exchange compact to allow state agencies to share information more efficiently; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300 would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and procurement process clarifications; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 would allow executive branch agencies to buy or share technology solutions with other states and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411, removing a 20-year lease limitation for certain Orleans Parish state property, was also reported favorably. The committee spent substantial time on House Bill 660 and House Bill 719, both dealing with district attorney funding and staffing. HB 660 would raise the state warrant amount for assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000, with supporters arguing it is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors; an opposition witness argued the state should fund both prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. HB 719 would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; it too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. House Bill 596, which would have created an inactive well-feet assessment credit for oil and gas operators, was voluntarily deferred after concerns that it could reduce funding for the oil field site restoration fund. Later, the committee reported favorably as amended House Bill 802, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood restoration work in the Amite River Basin, and House Bill 940, which creates a task force and rules framework for law enforcement responses to unlawful drone activity. It also reported favorably House Bill 76 on coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications, House Bill 950 on consumer protection materials for seniors, and began discussion of House Bill 1028, which would require higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> enforcement has scanners, so at roadside enforcement has scanners, so at roadside uh<01:23:56.960
• Um, we thank you, everyone, and particularly Senator, for your time and assisting us in completing these
• </c><02:18:49.840><c> us</c><02:18:50.080><c> in</c> to for your time and assisting us in to for your
• time and assisting us in completing<02:18:50.719><c> these</c><02:18:51.040><c> acquisitions</c><02:
• And it's good when I introduce myself and remember I am the commissioner, not the assistant commissioner

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance with the registration or the testimony process, please consult with some of
• And I asked the courts for assistance programs, and my requests were always ignored.
• House Bill 2101 seeks to assist law enforcement and evaluate unreported gunshots in our communities.
• I assist with warrant details.
• I assist with warrant details, I assist with missing persons investigations, because I'm a veteran officer

Bills: HB1455 , HB1777 , HB2101 , HB2136 , HB2609 , HB3142 , HB3552 , HB3846 , HB4155 , HB4514 , HB4879 , HB4995 , HB5014 , HB5139 , HB5228 , HB5436 , HCR40

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Canada removed the requirement for an officer to have suspicion of alcohol before administering a roadside
• Another thing about a program that we've started with your help, the Active Transportation Assistance
• Another thing about a program that we've started with your help, the Active Transportation Assistance

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't look like we're going to be able to establish a quorum yet, so I'm sure I'll have the assistant
• Furthermore, SB 1246 gives our first responders the tools and assistance they need.
• assistance for private AV companies.
• I am a native Californian and a retired assistant commissioner with the California Highway Patrol.
• I am a native Californian and a retired assistant commissioner with the California Highway Patrol.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on local transportation funding, roadway safety, e-bike regulation, veterans’ parking access, high-speed rail reporting, autonomous vehicle oversight, and wildlife-vehicle collision planning. SB 1408 would authorize Contra Costa County to place a countywide transportation sales tax measure on the ballot; supporters said it would continue funding highways, transit, bike/pedestrian projects, and paratransit, while CalTax opposed it over affordability and tax burden concerns. SB 990 would allow targeted Caltrans business-logo signage for Ridgecrest along Highway 395; supporters framed it as a rural safety and economic access measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1167 would tighten consumer protections by clarifying what qualifies as a legal e-bike and requiring clearer labeling and disclosures; supporters included bicycle advocates, medical groups, local governments, and auto clubs, while no opposition testified. SB 1034 would make it easier for disabled veterans rated permanent and total by the VA to obtain disabled parking placards, with strong support from veterans’ organizations and no opposition. SB 1177 would require the High-Speed Rail Project Update report to continue including additional information on revenue options, timelines, and international comparisons; the City of Burbank opposed, while the sponsor argued the bill preserves a historical record and transparency. SB 1246 would impose new remote-operations, response-time, and manual override requirements on autonomous vehicles; first responders and labor groups supported it, industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative of recently enacted law and DMV rules, and the committee discussed possible amendments and coordination issues. The committee also considered SB 1279, which would extend Long Beach’s speed camera pilot to Pacific Coast Highway; supporters cited fatal crash data and pedestrian safety, while the CHP association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions. The committee then took up SB 1250, a planning bill to integrate wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation into transportation planning, with the author emphasizing targeted crossings and fencing at known hotspots. Several consent items were approved on a 10-0 vote, and SB 1246 was reported out 7-2, while other bills were held on call pending quorum or later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't look like we're going to be able to establish a quorum yet, so I'm sure I'll have the assistant
• But when remote assistance gets delayed, There are humans involved even with autonomous vehicles.
• Furthermore, SB 1246 gives our first responders the tools and assistance they need.
• assistance for private AV companies.
• I am a native Californian and a retired assistant commissioner with the California Highway Patrol.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• On my way up today, I saw another balloon by the roadside, and those foil things that last forever.
• We're often seeing balloons by the roadsides.
• I've spoken to many members of the Department of Safety, including Assistant Commissioner Edwards, on
• I've spoken to many members of the Department of Safety, including Assistant Commissioner Edwards, on
• I've spoken to many members of the Department of Safety, including Assistant Commissioner Edwards, on

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• And so what this does, it allows the assistant and a new sort of term of assistant manager, um, who does
• </c><00:01:03.039><c> manager</c> liability company assistant manager liability company assistant manager
• And so what this does, it allows the assistant and a new sort of term of assistant manager, um, who does
• ><c> um</c><00:04:16.160><c> who</c> sort of term of assistant manager um who sort of term of assistant
• </c> so that they can't leave the roadside so that they can't leave the roadside and<01:37:55.040><c>

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, the reason we do these roadside inspections and the reason we ask for these trucks to pull
• So I'm just wondering how can we as a state assist local?
• We're going to have to look to our government to assist with that.
• So it's just a conundrum, but my office, I just have one assistant, but it's better than nothing.
• A couple of years ago, we had zero assistance.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure the assistant commissioner could probably say better than I how many.
• > commissioner</c> I'm sure the assistant commissioner I'm sure the assistant commissioner could<00:49
• For the record, my name is David Rodriguez, assistant commissioner.
• </c> is David Rodriguez, assistant is David Rodriguez, assistant commissioner.<02:06:42.560><c> We</c
• </c> is um you mentioned it was an assisted is um you mentioned it was an assisted living.<02:14:13.599

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• is the coach of the state coordinator of the Lifesmarts team of Prior, and I have Artine Pidley, assistant
• Roberson, assistant coach, Carly Thomas, captain, who is a senior at Prior High School, Aurora Marks,

Bills: SB378 , SB985 , SB1246 , HB3720 , SB1500 , SB1984 , HB4118 , SB1644 , SB1546 , SB483

Keywords: bail bondsman, bondsman license, multicounty agent bondsman, surety bondsman, Insurance Commissioner, bail bond regulation, bond deposit, forfeiture, deposit ratio, writing capacity, license transfer, power of attorney, surety bond, bail industry, Oklahoma insurance law, financial solvency, administrative action, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Bills: HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• With the amendment, the training that's involved in it will assist those...
• Training that's involved in it will assist those working with them. Okay.
• provide for maximum loan finance charges, to provide for an origination fee, to provide for an assistance
• I've gotten great assistance from LED on this, and we're moving down. Actions that are involved.
• I've gotten great assistance from LED on this, and we're moving down the path to try to find out if we

Bills: HB489 , HB545 , HB555 , HB583 , HB670 , HB672 , HB797 , HB814 , HB913 , HB952

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: transfer on death, TOD, beneficiary designation, investment accounts, brokerage accounts, securities, nonprobate transfer, estate planning, succession, probate, community property, forced heirship, financial advisor, broker-dealer, custodian, transfer agent, banking, wealth transfer, inheritance, Louisiana Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Mike Sophanovachamba, a pharmacist and an assistant professor of pharmacy focused on patient
• It authorizes nurses to delegate tasks to a credentialed medical assistant.
• It adds registered nursing assistants to those that may administer medication through delegation.
• other technical language changes, such as removing duplicative immunity provisions for nursing assistants
• Just a simple bill allowing nurse assistants to take advantage of a preexisting program that is not funded

Bills: HB2545 , HB2613 , HB1496 , HB2155 , HB2283 , HB2340 , HB2425 , HB2437 , HB2577

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, patients, cardiovascular procedures, outpatient services, surgical facilities, HB2613, compounded medications, compounded drugs, pharmacy compounding, bulk drug substances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, API, drug safety, patient safety, pharmacy license, Washington pharmacy law, RCW 18.64, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA, pharmaceutical compounding

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• for school districts, and that's been the traditional role: to come in and support with technical assistance
• that Running Start does save tuition costs for families and potentially save the state tuition assistance
• students participated in the first year in areas such as mechatronics, construction trades, nursing assistant
• Summer access allowed her to attain a certified nursing assistant credential.
• Summer access allowed her to attain a certified nursing assistant credential at no cost and enter the

Bills: SB6130 , SB6247 , SB6260 , SB6268 , SB6278

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: voter registration, elections, national holiday, civic engagement, government initiative, school funding, financial management, budgeting, transparency, district governance, SB 6260, public education, K-12, Washington State, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, education finance, school transportation, school buses, zero-emission bus

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, please contact the committee staff.
• The program provides financial assistance to expiring appraisers and certified supervisory appraisers
• out House Bill 2204, which would reduce... administrative work and the licensure process and will assist
• Board, essentially cutting red tape. reduce administrative work in the licensing process and will assist
• This can empower them to safely and appropriately assist victims and refer clients to resources. and

Bills: HB679 , HB1764 , HB1788 , HB2186 , HB2204 , HB2418 , HB2885 , HB2983 , HB2996 , HB3250 , HB3352 , HB3756 , HB3816 , HB3913 , HB3928 , HB4077

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: environment, regulation, land use, public health, community development, alcohol, Sunday sales, local option election, Texas, business hours, alcohol sales, liquor, off-premise consumption, alcoholic beverages, CPA, Certified Public Accountant, licensing, accountancy, state regulation, continuing education

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, please speak with our assistant clerk, Alex Volpe
• Additional tools will include directories of kidney health providers and financial assistance resources
• My boss, Francisco Cigarroa, was asked to be the chair, and I had to assist him in that endeavor. ...

Bills: HB514 , HB1652 , HB2117 , HB2298 , HB3269 , HB46 , HB46

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: maternal health, maternal care, pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum, doula, birth worker, midwife, obstetric care, women's health, rural health, health workforce, workforce development, trauma-informed care, public outreach campaign, health equity, minority health, underserved communities, Texas Department of State Health Services, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• Disabilities Assistance Levy.
• It's subject to appropriations, but the assistance would follow the $2.8 million.
• This is related to health insurance premium assistance.
• program and the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• program and the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Bills: HB2675 , HB2249 , HB2120 , HB1069 , HB1983 , HB2431 , SB6006 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6353 , HB2521 , HB2091 , HB2104 , SB6355 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB5808 , HB1796 , HB1376 , SB6260 , HB2353

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering