Transcript Highlights:

• </c> calculate this into their budget. calculate this into their budget.
• </c> offsets their budget with those dollars. offsets their budget with those dollars.
• Sections 12 and 13 have an unknown potential impact on future budgets.
• </c> potential impact on future budgets. potential impact on future budgets.
• I respectfully request that the presiding officer list the bills that they're passing over.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the division manager for budget policy analysis.
• A reminder, the budget stabilization fund balance is $880 million.
• A reminder, the budget stabilization fund balance is $880 million.
• Effectively, this is language to help balance the 2027 budget.
• As we discussed upstairs, this was a way to help balance the budget in 2027.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The joint House Appropriations and Senate Finance committee met with a quorum and began by recognizing two pages, who each described their plans after serving and what they learned about the legislative process. The committee then turned to year-end cash transfer proposals presented by Keith Bybee, who explained that the packet contained 14 motions tied to balancing the current and upcoming budgets and managing fund balances. The proposals included transferring remaining legislative remodel funds back into the legislative account and reducing legislative transfers in fiscal years 2026 and 2027; moving unobligated money from the Idaho Broadband Fund and inactive school district building accounts to the general fund; and creating flexibility to use the 27th payroll fund only in an emergency. Other items would redirect interest earnings from several funds, including the budget stabilization fund, public education stabilization fund, water pollution control fund, permanent building fund, ARPA-related funds, and Strategic Initiatives funds, with some proceeds going to the general fund, fire suppression deficiency account, or transportation-related purposes. Members asked about balances, obligations, and the meaning of terms like “unobligated” versus “unawarded,” and Bybee said he would verify some figures before the noon meeting. Several members discussed the broader budget strategy, including the rationale for aiming for a $150 million ending balance and whether the committee should rely on reserve transfers versus other budget adjustments. Some members emphasized preserving legislative control over future supplemental spending and providing a roadmap for new committee members, while others noted that the state’s fiscal situation was partly the result of revenue decisions made by the legislature itself. The committee did not vote on the motions during this session and adjourned until noon, when it planned to take action after members had time to review the updated green sheet and follow up on questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I would like to request a recorded vote. Mr.
• Speaker, I would like to request a recorded vote. The yeas and nays are requested.
• Speaker, I'd like to request the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested.
• Your request is granted. The House will be in order.
• Let's pass a balanced budget amendment.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> year so it can go through the budget year so it can go through the budget process<01:19:24.560><
• </c> I took this request to our rescue squad. I took this request to our rescue squad.
• When you put in a grant request, you have to give a budget and make sure that all those are approved
• , you have to you put in a grant request, you have to give<01:45:44.800><c> a</c><01:45:45.040><c> budget
• . request. request.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard the request. Is there an objection? Hearing none, it is so ordered. Mr. President.
• We found that these rules, all rules, were in order and request your aye vote on this resolution.
• We hear people talk about a constitutional amendment, a convention of states to balance the budget, and
• A roll call has been requested and not supported. Sir, further debate. Mr. President.
• When you look at Health and Welfare and realize the majority of their budget is Medicaid, and you see

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and moved through committee reports and messages. Committee actions included referral of a large group of newly printed Senate bills to the appropriate standing committees, a do-pass report on House Bill 55 from Health and Welfare, and referral of Senate Bills 1270 and 1271 for possible amendment. The Senate also received a gubernatorial appointment of Jeff Seelich to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho Board and House bills 576, 577, 632, and 607 for introduction. In the 10th order, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 114 on Education Committee rules and Senate Resolution 115 on temporary and pending rules for several state agencies, both without opposition. It also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 109, which urged Congress to address campaign finance concerns and out-of-state influence in Idaho elections, and House Joint Memorial 9, which asked Congress to reaffirm FLPMA as the governing framework for federal land management and exchanges. House Joint Memorial 11 was also adopted, calling on Congress to fully fund IDEA at the promised 40% level; supporters emphasized the burden on state and local budgets and property taxpayers, while opponents argued the state should resist federal overreach and dependency. The Senate confirmed the committee report recommending Ryan Lanham as State Athletic Commissioner, with supportive testimony highlighting his combat sports background and experience. It also adopted the committee report confirming Juliet Sharon as Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, with senators citing her Medicaid and program integrity experience and the size and complexity of the agency. In first and second reading, the Senate referred House Bills 576 and 577 to Transportation and House Bills 632 and 607 to State Affairs, and advanced House Bill 533, Senate Bill 1258, and House Bill 502 to third reading. The chamber then heard announcements about caucus and lunch events before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're doing it to save one-half of one percent of the general fund budget.
• We are about to begin our budget.
• Budget structures are as follows.
• budget.
• So the city manager proposed a budget at the voter approval rate, a balanced budget that didn't include

Bills: SB9

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear Senate Bill 9, which would lower the voter-approval tax rate for certain local taxing units from 3.5% to 2.5%. Sen. Bettencourt, the bill author, argued the change would continue the state’s property tax reforms begun in 2019, slow local levy growth, and give voters more say over larger tax increases. He and supporters cited data showing property tax levies have grown faster than population plus inflation, and said the bill would help protect taxpayers while preserving the state’s broader investments in school tax relief, water, rural law enforcement, and ambulance funding. Supporters included the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and the Texas Association of Manufacturers. They said the bill would improve transparency, encourage more disciplined budgeting, and create certainty for homeowners and businesses. They argued that lower tax-rate growth would help attract and retain employers and investment, and that voters would still be able to approve higher rates when needed. Local officials and other opponents said the bill would constrain cities and counties facing rapid growth, inflation, infrastructure needs, and public safety costs. Testimony from county judges, city finance officials, firefighters, and urban county representatives emphasized pressures from jail operations, roads, water, EMS, police and fire staffing, and unfunded mandates. Several witnesses asked for carve-outs or exemptions for public safety and disaster-related costs, warning that a one-size-fits-all cap could force service cuts or shift costs elsewhere. The committee heard extensive questioning but no final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm doing the budget in JFAC for the immunization, and I always thought that that premium that we're
• According to the budget analyst that I'm working with, Ms. Poloni, I believe that's who it is.
• I guess talk to the budgets as it sounds like you have, so okay. Any other questions?
• with Disabilities Education Act, and the House of Representatives at that time made a very similar request
• So that's what this memorial is doing also, is just making a request, making a statement to the federal

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not request any additional state funding.
• The Dream Loan Program has a fixed budget of roughly $2 million annually, and AB 681 would allow existing
• The Dream Loan Program has a fixed budget of roughly $2 million annually, and AB 681 would allow existing
• The state budget includes an annual $2.5 million appropriation for UC's portion of the Dream Loan Program
• I request your aye vote on AB 572. Thank you. Thank you. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 9, 2025, with a large regular-order agenda and a consent calendar. The committee first approved a set of unanimous consent bills, then heard and acted on several measures, generally with authors describing them as having minor or absorbable fiscal effects. Bills discussed included AB 439 on Coastal Act streamlining, AB 322 on school-based health and mental health reimbursement participation, AB 679 on state park land acquisition exemptions, AB 482 updating the California Table Grape Commission law, AB 681 increasing the Dream Loan Program cap, AB 40 clarifying emergency services include reproductive health care, AB 454 making the California Migratory Bird Protection Act permanent, AB 572 creating protections for families of people killed or seriously injured by peace officers, and AB 639 narrowing the definition of dams to avoid extra regulation for certain water operators. Testimony was largely in support of the bills. Supporters included representatives from the University of California, the California Table Grape Commission, Audubon California, Sempervirens Fund, emergency physicians, health equity groups, water districts, and several impacted family members and advocacy organizations on AB 572. AB 572 drew especially emotional testimony from family members describing police-involved deaths and the need for transparency and protection from coercive questioning. No organized opposition was raised on most of the bills heard in committee, though AB 439 drew no-votes from some Republicans, and AB 572 and other measures were framed as low-cost or cost-neutral. The committee reported the bills out on roll calls after motions and seconds, with several measures passing on B-roll calls and AB 482 passing on an A-roll call. After the hearing on presented bills, the committee also approved the suspense calendar and accepted brief public comment on bills not heard that day, including opposition to AB 339 and support for AB 335. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could probably fit within the budget.
• We are happy to provide that if requested.
• We are moving forward with that plan, and this is coming out of our budget to do the best.
• We have been blessed to some extent to have some base operating budget.
• , but it's going to take time unless you guys bless me with the funding request.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We looked at cutting $65,000 from the fire budget because of the budgets going up in our town.
• , we have a town budget, we have all these budgets, and if one goes up, where are the teachers in all
• </c> factors is the administrative budgets factors is the administrative budgets even<03:58:59.479><c
• <c> uh</c> the fire budget fire fighter budget uh the fire budget fire fighter budget uh because<04:02
• </c> town budget we have all these budgets town budget we have all these budgets and<04:03:09.159><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:13.399><c> the</c> wer in the previous budget the wer in the previous budget the governor's
• </c> we have a difficult time with the budget we have a difficult time with the budget I<00:17:23.679
• Further discussion. was the 2011 budget and I believe that was the 2011 budget and I believe that the
• This is a tough budget here, okay?
• Budgets reflect our values and our judgments, and in the end this budget is what reflects back to the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division II work session considered several amendments to HB 2. The first two items were rejected: a proposal to add a new “Lakes” license plate with proceeds to the cyanobacteria fund failed 7-8, and Amendment 1040, which would have imposed a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds to raise general fund revenue, failed 4-5. Representative Maguire explained the fee would apply only to new revenue going forward and would not change existing fund balances; he also described exemptions for federal funds, bequests, and other special cases. Representative Murray questioned the consistency of the approach and who currently pays administrative costs, while Maguire said the charges are often handled case-by-case by agencies or the treasurer. The committee then revisited revenue distribution changes in HB 2. Members first reconsidered and reversed prior acceptance of sections affecting the Education Trust Fund, then adopted Amendment 1381H, which changes the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, along with related sections, to shift more money to the General Fund. Supporters argued the change was needed to address revenue shortfalls and to align with historical distributions; opponents said it reduced support for education. The reconsideration motion passed 7-3, and the amendment itself passed 5-3. The committee also adopted Amendment 1413H, incorporating the language of HB 741 on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools. Supporters said it was House policy and had sufficient policy and fiscal impact to belong in HB 2; opponents noted the underlying bill had been controversial and passed the House by a relatively close margin. Finally, the committee considered a USNH budget reduction proposal that would cut the University System of New Hampshire by $25 million per year net. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that K-12 obligations had to take priority, while opponents argued the cut would harm workforce development, the state economy, and student retention. The transcript cuts off during extended debate, and no final vote on the USNH item is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• recorders. ...to the bill, but the main thing was the numerical change at the precincts that was requested
• also how can we, as the legislature, be able to do a good job in developing a fiscally responsible budget
• also how can we, as the legislature, be able to do a good job in developing a fiscally responsible budget
• House Bill 2417, as amended by the Judiciary Committee, allows courts, upon the request of the offender
• Whether it be never having a balanced budget, Social Security, spending just completely upside down.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a large number of bills and resolutions across education, federalism, government, health, commerce, and judiciary-related topics. In education, members heard bills on moving the statewide testing window later, allowing paper-based testing in more cases, posting school administrator compensation data, expanding who may receive student directory information, reviewing duplicative ADE reporting requirements, requiring religious excusals, creating a school fitness recognition program, and a proposed ballot measure on sex-designated school sports and private spaces. In federalism, the committee discussed banning foreign nationals from funding ballot-measure committees and a proposal to eliminate voting centers and return to precinct-based voting. Other items included memorials urging the U.S. to withdraw from the United Nations and the IMF, and a government bill penalizing agencies that fail to submit financial reports on time. Health and human services bills focused on lactation care, a state certification program for lactation providers, prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors, requiring chief medical officers at state agencies to hold active licenses, clarifying air ambulance statutes, seeking a SNAP waiver to restrict non-eligible food purchases, and collecting hospital patient immigration-status data for reporting. Sponsors generally framed these as consumer protection, public health, or administrative cleanup measures, while some members raised concerns about cost, privacy, and possible legal conflicts. In commerce, the committee heard bills on digital goods disclosure, protections for child content creators, liability limits for river outfitters, landlord utility billing transparency, appraisal management company definitions, unemployment eligibility verification, and association-based health plans. Several measures were pulled from consent or flagged for amendments. The judiciary portion included bills creating a civil cause of action for violations of anti-DEI laws, expanding hate-crime-style penalties to include political affiliation and expression, adding reporting requirements for name changes by sex offenders, penalizing possession of falsified commercial driver’s licenses by unlawfully present individuals, adding penalties for mailing abortion-inducing drugs, allowing speed-limiting devices as an alternative to license suspension, extending inmate transition services, increasing penalties for sexual extortion involving older teens, requiring legislative approval to close state shooting ranges, and advancing an Article V convention resolution for congressional term limits. Several sponsors emphasized public safety, parental rights, election integrity, or government accountability, while some members raised constitutional or implementation concerns, particularly on liability, voting systems, and the term-limits resolution. Multiple bills were reported as being on consent calendars, with some pulled for amendments or further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:28.959><c> is</c> that is what our $6 million request is that is what our $6 million request
• And then we are requesting received.
• </c> Guard budget. Guard budget.
• </c><00:43:31.280><c> and</c> you would break down that request and you would break down that request
• </c> you request the list. you request the list.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• At the appropriate time, I would request an aye vote, and I do not have a primary witness today.
• It's one of the reasons, and I'm going to put a plug up there, we're asking a budget request for these
• It is critical for California that our utilities stick to their budgets. Thank you.
• Respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you. Okay. We will now turn to others in support.
• Respectfully request a no vote. Okay. Others in opposition?

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you will have heightened scrutiny on agency budget requests for FY 27, but I assure you that the executive
• Sometimes we know about it through the budget process and put it in the, the, the budget, uh, House Bill
• General fund budgets about $10.8 billion.
• Of the federal budget that they're dealing with through budget reconciliation, the thing that you're
• budget.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• 46.399><c> Office,</c> That's the Congressional Budget Office, That's the Congressional Budget Office
• This bill budget of this government.
• The yeas and nays are requested.
• The yeas and nays are requested.
• ><c> address</c> Request unanimous consent to address Request unanimous consent to address house<07:12

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time where there's a budget shortfall in Hawaii, adding a new office would potentially be a poor
• I respectfully request that you support SB 3019 and help protect Hawaii residents from price gouging
• I respectfully request community.
• I respectfully request that<01:00:17.000><c> you</c><01:00:17.120><c> support</c><01:00:17.680><c> SB
• Um, voting on SB 3250 SD1. request that the next committee take a request that the next committee take

Bills: SB2603 , SB3007 , SB3019 , SB3022 , SB2795 , SB2256 , SB3250 , SB2147

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, state funding, public performances, educational programs, cultural arts funding, culture and arts, arts policy, cultural preservation, community development, economic revitalization, place-based planning, public spaces, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, mixed-use development, business improvement district, Honolulu Chinatown, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, state foundation on culture and the arts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2603 SD1, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra, require annual reports to the legislature, and appropriate funds. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the orchestra, the Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, business and arts groups, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the orchestra’s cultural value, its role in inspiring youth and supporting arts education, and its broader community impact. No opposition or questions were raised, and the chair offered praise for the level of public engagement around the measure. The committee then took up SB 3007 SD2, relating to culture and the arts, which would create an Office of Community Culture and Innovation within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, require annual reporting, appropriate funds, and establish a Community and Cultural Partnerships Program. The Attorney General’s office warned that section four, which separately funds preservation and relocation of artwork from Aloha Stadium, may be non-germane and should be moved to a separate bill; it also suggested the office would be more properly placed under DAGS rather than SFCA. SFCA Director Karen Ewald testified with concerns about added costs, staffing burdens, and the need for earlier communication, while also saying the agency could support the work if properly coordinated. Opposition testimony argued the bill was duplicative or unnecessary, while supporters, including Governor Abercrombie and Dean Sakamoto, said it would help communities, especially Chinatown, and could support planning and cultural revitalization. The chair noted roughly eight opposition testimonies and five in support, and questioned witnesses about coordination and the cost of relocating the Aloha Stadium artwork, which Ewald estimated could cost at least $1.2 million. The AG’s office said removing section four would substantially reduce legal risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 3019 SD2, a consumer protection measure that would cap ticket resale prices at no more than $3 above the original price for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to adopt enforcement rules and fines. The Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill, arguing it would strain limited enforcement resources, push sales to less regulated channels, and likely eliminate the protections offered by established secondary platforms. Chamber of Progress also opposed the bill, saying price caps would encourage black-market sales, scams, and fraud, and that resale markets serve legitimate consumer needs. In support, the National Independent Venue Association backed the measure, though the remainder of its testimony was not fully captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and I respectfully request your support on HR 92. Thank you, Assemblywoman Calderon.
• And with that, I respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you. Assembly Member Schiavo.
• The reason why the project is so over budget and behind schedule is that it is a boondoggle.
• This bill has enjoyed broad bipartisan support, and I respectfully request your aye vote.
• This bill has enjoyed broad bipartisan support, and I respectfully request your aye vote.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved a procedural motion by a 41-17 roll call to re-refer AB 2690 and AB 1863 to Appropriations and to allow guests for the Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. House Resolution 92, recognizing Cinco de Mayo Week, was adopted after supportive remarks from members of several caucuses, and the chamber then held the 2026 Latino Spirit Awards ceremony honoring 11 individuals and organizations in higher education, human rights, philanthropy, health and science, advocacy, business, environmental justice, journalism and media, culinary arts, and a legacy award for Los Tigres del Norte. After the ceremony, the Assembly resumed business with guest introductions and moved through the daily file, passing or retaining a number of bills and resolutions. Among the measures taken up, the Assembly passed AB 1657 on domestic violence restraining order procedures (64-0), AB 2042 on civil procedure and service of process (66-0), AB 1660 on probate and public guardians (45-10), AB 1917 on criminal procedure and reinstatement of dismissed charges (43-15), AB 2148 clarifying that public school employees are human beings in the context of AI (69-0), AB 1647 protecting juvenile statements at transfer hearings (63-0), AB 1555 expanding community college access in Siskiyou County (66-0), AB 1608 on High-Speed Rail Inspector General oversight and reporting (45-18), AB 1803 requiring anti-hate speech training in workplace harassment prevention (50-9), AB 2128 protecting tenants in subsidized housing from certain federal work requirements and time limits (44-16), AB 2576 as a land-use cleanup bill protecting historic resources (61-0), AB 2601 allowing concurrent review for certain housing projects, and AB 2764 on extended foster care eligibility (60-0). Several items were passed and retained on file, and AB 2601 was interrupted by a call of the house before later business continued. The chamber also adopted ACR 159 on indigent defense after adding 59 coauthors, then heard guest introductions from chief public defenders from multiple counties. ACR 179, designating Wildland Urban Interface Preparedness and Resilience Day, was adopted with 65 coauthors after remarks on wildfire risk and forest management. Later, ACR 183 establishing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week was presented with extensive testimony from members of multiple caucuses emphasizing racial health disparities, maternal mortality, life expectancy gaps, and the need for systemic change; the debate continued beyond the excerpt provided. Throughout the session, members repeatedly used guest introductions to recognize visiting groups and individuals, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members, UAW President Shawn Fain, California Women in Agriculture, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that top rung of the inverse triangle there looks at the request for total intervention.
• Those are not unique families; those are unique calls or requests for intervention.
• So that top rung of the inverse triangle there looks at the request for total intervention.
• Those are unique calls or requests for intervention.
• So additional staff requests, requested to support rehabilitation, is coming through in a decision package

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session on child welfare dependency, focusing on implementation of HB 1227 (Keeping Families Together) and SB 6109 (the fentanyl response bill), along with related data and system updates. DCYF first reviewed the dependency process, explaining intake, shelter care, fact-finding, disposition, and review hearings, and emphasized that removal standards are separate from service provision and that children may be in-home or out-of-home at different stages. DCYF said 1227 raised the removal threshold to imminent physical harm and strengthened kin placement, with nearly 60% of children now placed with relatives or suitable others. The department also said 6109 directs courts to give great weight to fentanyl’s lethality and added legal liaisons to support staff in court preparation. DCYF presented data showing that entries into out-of-home care declined after 1227 but rose again after 6109, returning close to pre-1227 levels. The agency also reported a sharp increase in reviewable critical incidents in 2022-2025, especially near-fatalities, which it linked to the opioid and fentanyl crisis, parental stress, and system complexity. DCYF said it has responded with statewide Safe Child Councils, staff consultations, hotspot monitoring, and additional training, and noted that some contracted services authorized under 6109 were not implemented because of fiscal constraints. Senators asked about where children are in the process, who participates in court, the timing of data releases, age breakdowns, and geographic hotspots. Advocates and lived-experience witnesses from LCYC and a family intervention clinic argued that 1227 has not prevented courts from removing children when necessary and said the law appropriately requires the state to show a causal link between home conditions and risk. They said 6109 appropriately highlights fentanyl’s danger, but stressed that the larger issue is lack of prevention and treatment resources, inconsistent county-by-county practice, and insufficient supports such as inpatient beds, family treatment, housing, transportation, and third-party safety plan participants. A parent ally described how early support, peer guidance, and kin placement helped her achieve recovery and stability after losing parental rights in an earlier case. The committee also heard an update on SB 6068 from the Administrative Office of the Courts and K Implementation and Evaluation. The report identified 15 dimensions of relational permanency and child well-being, found that some data already exist while other measures need development, and recommended a phased data collection plan, a restored data-sharing agreement between AOC and DCYF, and a standing cross-agency work group. AOC said its dependency data system lapsed when the prior agreement expired in June 2025 and needs to be rebuilt. The meeting also included a brief update on bridge housing for youth exiting inpatient treatment, with presenters saying two programs are now open, one in King County and one in Spokane, and a short introduction to juvenile rehabilitation capacity updates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So members, we now have seven audit requests to consider this afternoon.
• And I do know that they are likely to go back out to the public and request support.
• It isn't a budget.
• Any public comment on this audit request, please come forward now.
• For those reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to approve the audit request.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Keywords: 987, senate, all