Transcript Highlights:

• Across California, County Veterans Services Officers...
• In 2018, the electronic transmission service was narrowed into the DOD FAC service, which allowed military
• Indeed, just in the last several months, the Postal Service announced that it would terminate mail service
• Several months ago, the Postal Service announced that it would terminate mail service to several countries
• So what I know is that the DOD fax service ended, right?

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Randy and Brian were never afforded the opportunity to live the lives that were taken from them, and
• Since that day, my life and my family's lives have been a living hell.
• I saw people lose their lives.
• or behavioral health services.
• or behavioral health services.

Summary: The Senate Public Safety Committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of bills. Early items included AB 2605, which would require statewide reporting on public defense services; supporters said California lacks basic data on how indigent defense is delivered and that the bill would help identify under-resourced counties, while no opposition appeared. AB 1650 would require rental vehicles used in law enforcement operations to display agency identification; supporters framed it as a transparency and community-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement tactics, while sheriffs and police groups opposed it unless amended, arguing it could compromise undercover and task-force operations and raise legal and indemnification concerns. AB 1930 would require notice to the Attorney General before business entities respond to subpoenas involving legally protected abortion or gender-affirming care information; supporters said it protects patient privacy and provider safety, while opponents raised constitutional, law-enforcement, and business-burden concerns. The committee also heard AB 458, directing state procurement guidelines for firearms and accessories so agencies buy from responsible vendors, with support from police chiefs, gun-violence prevention groups, and local officials, and no opposition testimony offered. The committee then heard AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers, which would update the definition of sideshows, include motorcycles and dirt bikes, and align penalties with street racing. Supporters, including police, city, transportation, and road-safety advocates, said the bill responds to dangerous events, property damage, and injuries; opponents from civil liberties and public defender groups argued higher fines and criminal penalties are ineffective and disproportionately harm low-income people, favoring roadway design and community-based prevention instead. AB 910, the Survivors Act, would expand affirmative defenses and vacature relief for survivors of trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence; supporters, including a survivor who described decades of abuse and wrongful conviction, said the bill gives survivors a chance to tell their stories and seek relief, while district attorneys opposed expanding relief to violent offenses and warned it could erase restitution and undermine victims’ rights. AB 2624 would expand Safe at Home confidentiality protections to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters described threats, doxxing, and harassment against immigrant-serving organizations, while opponents claimed the bill was prompted by investigative reporting on fraud and would chill journalism and transparency. The committee also heard AB 31, making the tribal police pilot program permanent and creating a missing and murdered Indigenous persons task force, which drew strong support from tribal representatives and no opposition. Later, AB 1959 sought to close a resentencing loophole tied to a 2001 Santana High School shooting case by restoring judicial discretion in resentencing for certain juvenile offenders; supporters said the current process can lead to automatic release even after parole denial, while opposition testimony began with concerns that the bill was responding to one case and lacked broader evidence. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly noted they supported several bills but could not formally vote because the committee lacked a quorum, so motions were held for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• He loves the commercial registered agent as an address because he knows that is a service.
• What is the scope of the social transition, I suppose? Representative Haas: Mr.
• So is a pediatric sex transition what? Can you just tell me what that, what you mean by that?
• So is a pediatric sex transition what? Can you just tell me what that, what you mean by that?
• I would love an example if you can give one of what a social transition is.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That night, a gunman opened fire at the dance studio, taking 11 lives and injuring nine others.
• Eleven lives were stolen during that awful day. It was a day of joy. It was the Lunar New Year.
• Bob was intensely proud of his service, as he should have been.
• She lived a long and amazing life. We lost her in October last year.
• , and ...energy, disability services, ag land preservation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• together to honor service.
• But service didn't stop there.
• But service didn't stop there.
• But service didn't stop there.
• . service. service.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a joint hearing recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and focusing on civic education, free speech, voting, and Minnesota’s America 250 commemorations. Opening remarks emphasized the importance of education, Indigenous land acknowledgement, and the idea that democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. The chair then invited student debaters from the Minnesota High School League to testify about how debate, free speech, and evidence-based reasoning have shaped their education and civic participation. The students argued that debate teaches critical thinking, helps young people engage with difficult issues, and should be protected as part of a healthy democracy; one also urged lawmakers to move beyond empty promises and take action on issues such as eviction moratoriums, ICE collaboration, and protest protections. Commissioner Willie Jett of the Minnesota Department of Education testified that public education is where citizenship first becomes real, and that schools, libraries, and educators help students learn to listen, question, debate respectfully, and understand both the ideals and failures of American history. He said democracy is something each generation must learn and strengthen, and thanked the committee for convening the hearing. Former students Sarah Griffin and Charlie Crocker then offered tributes to Senator Swedzinski, describing how his teaching encouraged civic engagement, disagreement, and action, and how his classroom shaped their lives and public service. Their remarks emphasized that democracy is not a spectator sport and that ordinary people build it through small, courageous acts. Secretary of State Steve Simon followed with testimony on Minnesota’s civic culture and voter participation. He said Minnesota has long ranked near the top nationally in voter turnout, including youth turnout, and attributed that to a combination of good election laws and a strong pro-voting culture. He highlighted school-based civic education efforts such as pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and the Students Vote mock election program, and noted that Minnesota’s congressional delegation was unanimous in supporting the Voting Rights Act in 1965 as an example of the state coming together on major moral questions. The Minnesota Historical Society then began its presentation on America 250, with Kent Whitworth describing the organization’s role, the new edition of the Northern Lights curriculum, and broader commemorative activities; Dr. Bill Convery introduced historical context about how Americans have celebrated independence and how the semiquincentennial can leave a legacy for future generations.

Transcript Highlights:

• McCalpin had kind of Services. Mr.
• look to upgrade their ambulance services look to upgrade their service<00:24:25.039><c> from</c><00:
• Um, as we see more and more services have to make the transition from, uh, volunteer or paid on call
• to make the and more services have to make the transition<00:31:51.279><c> from</c><00:31:52.159><c>
• ,</c> take any time off for medical services, take any time off for medical services, vacation,<00:42

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:48.920><c> operating</c> driver and vehicle services operating driver and vehicle services
• </c><00:53:13.240><c> our</c> decided that we should transition our decided that we should transition
• </c> my district do need language services my district do need language services and<00:59:05.520><c>
• and vehicle services.
• most</c><01:14:37.840><c> of</c> services and vehicle services most of services and vehicle services

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here, here, or app person might live here, here, or here.<00:03:58.080><c> Um,</c><00:03:58.240><c>
• But for me, we're going to transition from focusing on the child to focusing on the family.
• But for me, we're going to transition from focusing on the child to focusing on the family.
• But for me, we're going to transition from focusing on the child to focusing on the family.
• But for me, we're going to transition from focusing on the child to focusing on the family.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because those are the dollars that can be rolled back into services, whether it be career services, training
• They don't apply for services.
• Because one of, you know, we talk about workforce services here, but also, you know, human services,
• by state employees who provide those services.
• The question is, do you have an integrated service delivery structure where a person who lives and works

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• leadership and staff from both the Department of Health and the Department for Social and Health Services
• They help people perform activities of daily living.
• They help people perform activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and transferring in and
• When clients qualify for Medicaid long-term services and supports, DSHS case managers assess clients'
• One was challenges around transitioning to a new licensing system in 2024.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients. The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• This meeting is being streamed live on YouTube.
• Um, so this bill, as you mentioned with the last testifier, sets a 12-month break in service versus the
• versus the previous or the break service versus the previous or the other<00:13:39.600><c> bill</c><
• I live in a very ideal environment considering some of my colleagues and other parents.
• </c><00:48:03.280><c> uh</c> the school had made the transition uh the school had made the transition

Bills: SB3179 , SB2872 , SB2391 , SB3282 , SB2836 , SB2181

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: educational workers, harassment, workplace safety, temporary restraining orders, investigation procedures, retired education employees, teacher shortage, rehired retirants, entry level salary, collective bargaining agreements, pension benefits, education, teacher salaries, automatic increments, collective bargaining, teacher retention, workforce development, Pell grant program, short-term education, eligibility

Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:10.640><c> for</c> utilities or a defined service area for utilities or a defined service area
• </c> running a utility and providing service running a utility and providing service to<01:15:45.600>
• </c> reliable service to Minnesota customers. reliable service to Minnesota customers.
• </c> filings called electric service filings called electric service agreements.<01:24:47.360><c> Uh<
• </c> service or billing assistance that Mr. service or billing assistance that Mr.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal ultimately is to not have debt service with the Finance Authority.
• I have no idea what grant services are. Sure. Mr.
• Is it an IT service? Is it a contract service? That's what I can't figure out.
• It says to grant services category 400. Is that a contracting service? Mr. Chairman, no.
• Health and public safety services positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• specialists who work in youth services and our adult protective service.
• specialists who work in youth services and our adult protective service.
• specialists who work in youth services and our adult protective service.
• And youth services is Oakley and then the youth services counselors.
• impact our youth services as well as our adult protective service.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next is assistance services.
• count as pretrial services.
• But we also do a number of social work-oriented services, which is helping individuals find transitional
• But we also do a number of social work-oriented services, which is helping individuals find transitional
• housing, connecting with social workers, connecting services, which is helping individuals find transitional

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a hearing on a State Auditor’s Office performance audit about expanding pretrial services in Washington. Audit staff said most of the 14 courts reviewed wanted to expand or implement pretrial services but faced barriers such as funding, limited community resources, and public safety concerns. They also reported that only three courts could provide usable data, that pretrial service use varied across courts, and that some demographic disparities appeared in the data, including lower rates of pretrial services for Hispanic defendants at two Spokane courts and for Black defendants at Spokane Superior Court. The audit also found that many courts do not collect pretrial data in an accessible format and recommended clearer guidance, better data systems, stakeholder outreach, and evaluation of program effectiveness. The State Auditor’s Office also noted that the Administrative Office of the Courts’ pretrial pilot program had received legislative funding and was being expanded. Representatives from Spokane Municipal Court, Grays Harbor County District Court, and Yakima County discussed their local programs and data. Spokane officials described a robust integrated system and said their pretrial services unit, launched in 2021, had reduced bail use, jail time, failure-to-appear rates, and recidivism, while helping judges make quicker release decisions. Grays Harbor staff echoed the audit’s findings on cost savings and said data collection is labor-intensive for limited-jurisdiction courts, especially without dedicated staff. They also described using risk assessment tools and pilot funding to support alternatives to jail. Yakima and Spokane participants emphasized that stable funding and standalone pretrial services units would improve program consistency and outcomes. Committee members asked about how pretrial services reduce detention time, how courts can better communicate cost savings and public safety benefits, and why statewide data collection is difficult. Audit staff and court representatives said early assessments, better information at first appearance, and integrated case-management systems help reduce jail stays and improve release decisions. The hearing ended without formal committee action, and the chair adjourned the meeting after inviting written public testimony on the audit topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next is assistance services.
• count as pretrial services.
• But we also do a number of social work-oriented services, which is helping individuals find transitional
• But we also do a number of social work-oriented services, which is helping individuals find transitional
• housing, connecting with social workers, connecting services, which is helping individuals find transitional

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on expanding the use of pretrial services in Washington. Auditors said most of the 14 local courts they reviewed wanted to expand or implement pretrial services but faced barriers such as funding, limited community resources, and public safety concerns. The audit found variation in how courts use pretrial services, potential disparities in who receives them, and major data limitations because most courts do not track pretrial outcomes in an accessible, standardized way. Auditors recommended that local courts engage stakeholders early, improve data collection and evaluation, and that the Administrative Office of the Courts provide more standardized guidance and support. They also noted the legislature had funded an AOC pilot program to help courts expand pretrial services. Court representatives from Spokane Municipal Court, Grays Harbor County District Court, and Yakima County described their own programs and supported the audit’s general conclusions. Spokane officials said their pretrial unit, funded locally and built around risk and needs assessments, had reduced bail use, detention time, failures to appear, and recidivism, but emphasized the need for stable funding and better public understanding of pretrial alternatives. Grays Harbor staff similarly said pretrial supervision and least-restrictive alternatives save jail costs and reduce reoffending, but that collecting data across all cases is labor-intensive and difficult without dedicated staff. Yakima and Spokane also highlighted the value of integrated case-management systems and centralized data tracking. Committee members asked about how reduced detention time occurs, how courts can communicate cost savings and public safety outcomes, and why many courts struggle to track pretrial data. Auditors explained that early risk and financial screening helps judges make quicker release decisions and that better data and stakeholder communication are key to building support. No formal action or vote was taken; the committee held the required hearing and then adjourned after public testimony was invited and written testimony information was provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, this chair's too tall for me, but I guess I just got to live with it. I'll go up here.
• language came to be in that work group by labor representatives, employer representatives, legal services
• There are definitely more restrictions when you add spirits, food service, and the like. Great.
• I worked remotely from Washington, where I live.
• And it hurts employees' abilities to go to the best place, earn the best living, take their families

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 2479 would create a wage recovery program within L&I to advance part of unpaid wages to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship, funded by civil penalties, while also increasing and restructuring wage theft penalties and complaint prioritization. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, labor advocates, and employer representatives from the work group, said it would help workers get paid faster and was a consensus proposal; questions focused on how the current complaint process works and whether general fund money would be needed. Engrossed House Bill 1941, as amended, would allow licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural cooperatives, with the striking amendment limiting any cooperative to three producer licenses; supporters said cannabis producers should have the same cooperative tools as other agricultural sectors, while some testimony urged future changes for interstate commerce and warned against consolidation. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476 would expand the spirits, beer, and wine theater license from 120 to 200 seats per screen and add stronger alcohol-control measures when minors are present; theater operators and LCB supported the change, and committee questions focused on youth access and enforcement. House Bill 1526 would allow snack bar licensees to sell wine by the glass in addition to beer; the sponsor said it simply modernizes the license, and LCB noted a likely fee alignment issue and a small revenue impact. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155 would void non-compete agreements and expand related notice and non-solicitation rules, with testimony split between labor and worker advocates supporting broader worker mobility and business and health care groups seeking narrower exemptions for executives, physicians, and financial institutions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2303 would prohibit employers from requesting or coercing employees to accept microchip implants, with no testimony offered. Substitute House Bill 2405 would create a three-year pilot for earlier PTSD treatment coverage in workers’ compensation for eligible occupational disease claims, with L&I supporting it as a way to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The committee also took public testimony on these bills, with strong pro and con positions noted on the wage recovery, cannabis cooperative, and non-compete measures. In executive action, the committee adopted a striking amendment and passed House Bill 1069, narrowing it to Department of Corrections employees and making supplemental retirement bargaining mandatory, despite concerns from one member about the change. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on House Bill 1347 concerning cannabis testing labs, then passed it to Rules; passed Second Substitute House Bill 1701 on liquor licensees sharing property; passed House Bill 291 on employee information for public employers to Ways and Means; passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2229 updating engineer registration provisions; passed House Bill 2264 on unemployment eligibility for workers in employer-initiated layoffs; passed Substitute House Bill 2472 adding enforcement for sprinkler contractors and fitters; and passed Second Substitute House Bill 2345 on paid family and medical leave premium allocation. A striking amendment to Second Substitute House Bill 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board was not adopted, and the bill then passed to Rules. The committee also announced it would hold House Bill 1066 for later action and planned to return the next day for its final executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> her progression uh including her service her progression uh including her service at<00:03:21.840
• </c> to know what I guess support services to know what I guess support services there<01:19:05.040><
• uh community service community service uh community service gumator<01:23:14.960><c> nominee</c><01:
• You know, I live in Moana Gardens.
• Chair votes I. national and community service. national and community service.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with the Forest Service. We've got the weather network we have.
• They were the group charged months ago with transition of leadership.
• They were the group charged months ago with transition of leadership.
• They feel NDSU wherever they live.
• , work, and play here every day and choose to want to be here for their lives.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• All are encouraged to watch the hearing from its live stream on the Assembly's website.
• As a proud trans woman who transitioned as a teenager, I am in support of this bill.
• I live in Lassen County.
• Libertarians, it used to be about letting people live their lives, stay out of my bedroom, stay out of
• I'm also here on behalf of California LGBTQ Health and Human Services.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all