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:

• 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

Keywords: 1204, all

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:

• 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

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.

Keywords: 1183, house

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.

Keywords: 988, house, all

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.

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

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.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not charge anyone for our services.
• Our district reflects the values of the conservative community in which we live.
• Thank you for your service. ...and for standing with Texas public schools.
• I want a job that positively affects the lives of others.
• Education teacher, related services provider, and any other service provider.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are grateful for the sacrifice of Thy Son that allows us to have hope of returning and living with
• We're grateful for the beautiful of returning and living with Thee.
• This is not a communist country that we live in.
• I have mines around where I live. That cleanup happens.
• We're living in a time of a We're living in a time of a president who has taken many actions autonomously

Keywords: 1182, 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:

• It increases the penalty for blocking highways, freeways, transit, and roads to and from an airport.
• Do we need some services to get out of addiction? Absolutely.
• Do we need some services to get out of addiction? Absolutely.
• </c> for that and thank you for your service for that and thank you for your service I<01:03:37.880><
• Most importantly for me, my number one thing is to save lives and prevent people from being hurt.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• review of the process of housekeeping: please be aware that this hearing is being recorded and streamed live
• ominous fiscal trends such as uncertainty in global financial markets and the continuing rising cost of living
• but they're privately owned. ...they're run as businesses and they supply the same kind of public service
• and other kinds of training and support services to their communities, including access to the national
• They generally handle smaller aircraft, but in an emergency they have supplied services in many different

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 10 bills covering voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. Chair Adrian Madaro outlined the process, noted the July 12 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that written testimony would be accepted through July 7. Testimony was limited to three minutes per speaker, with questions from committee members after each witness. Several local and statewide measures were presented in support. Melrose Mayor Jennifer Grigoratus supported H. 3979, which would authorize Melrose to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption tied to the state Senior Circuit Breaker credit; she said the program has helped 209 senior households and provides relief of several hundred to about a thousand dollars per household. Michael Memelow of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination supported H. 3109 and S. 2014, which would create a Massachusetts Against Discrimination Fund allowing voluntary donations, including through tax returns, to help offset uncertainty in federal funding that supports about 20% of MCAD’s operations. Tom Hurley of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association supported H. 3125, which would exempt runway and taxiway infrastructure at privately owned public-use airports from property tax, arguing it would address an economic fairness issue for 10 such airports. Chris Gregory testified in support of H. 3037, a voluntary income tax checkoff for a least developed countries fund administered through Oxfam and the World Bank to support environmental work in the world’s poorest countries. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the number of Melrose households receiving the exemption, the scale and risk of MCAD’s federal funding, dual-filing procedures with the EEOC, the tax burden and local impact of privately owned airports, and the structure and administration of the least developed countries fund. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm grateful to live in a country where we have a constitutional right.
• celebrating an extraordinary individual who represents the spirit of determination, resilience, and service
• Annette, your dedication to service, advocacy and leadership embodies the very best of Texas, and we
• Please join me in congratulating them on their 10 years of service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you for carrying our folks in our great mass transit system.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm grateful to live in a country where we have a constitutional right to no law respecting the establishment
• celebrating an extraordinary individual who represents the spirit of determination, resilience, and service
• Annette, your dedication to service... advocacy and leadership embodies the very best of Texas and we
• And I am example that the University of Houston changes lives and makes people better. small town undergrad
• Everybody up there, thank you for being here, thank you for caring our folks in our great mass transit

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the library nonprofit entities' contracts under which the Department of Family and Protective Services
• has a single-source continuum contractor to provide foster care and adoptive services for the Committee
• relates to the exemption of certain activities from the regulation of the Structural Pest Control Service
• Matthew Schaefer relates to the informed consent requirements before the provision of health care services
• , for the Committee on Human Services.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They live with someone else.
• Don't live with their grandmother, right?
• So now, under those circumstances, if my dad, who's 89, no longer has a driver's license, lives with
• We have SportTran in my area, which is a complimentary bus service that will take the elders, as long
• We simply ask that our essential services no longer be deferred.

Bills: HR118, HR196, HR237, HR285, HCR85, HB442, HB443, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR63, SB25, SB202, SB319

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding