Transcript Highlights:

• this is actually the merger of a Los Alamos or National Labs Oversight Committee and a, uh, IT commission
• I'll start with the energy, security and reliability, um, looking at uh uh stable and predictable energy
• for carbon capture and storage, and, and, um, what is, what is it going to take to enhance energy security
• of you have, that have been on this committee or have been to, uh, other, with other committees to secure
• White Sands, you're gonna need all of your essential background information so they can do their security

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to his time at EERC, Kevin served on the North Dakota Industrial Commission in several capacities
• Regulations for Class VI should be based primarily on geologic siting, operation, and security, as well
• To develop safe and effective regulations, all the ingredients are there to implement safe and secure
• It will strengthen our supply chains, trade, and our national security.
• I firmly believe our nation's energy security depends on what I call affordable, reliable, and clean

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's transition to an overview of the Office of Equity and commissions.
• For the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.
• And I'll give a little bit of an overview of the commissions.
• And I'll give a little bit of an overview of the commissions.
• the LGBTQ Commission, work very intentionally to center.

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• 10:45.600><c> the</c><00:10:46.000><c> Public</c><00:10:46.320><c> Service</c><00:10:46.640><c> Commission
• </c> provides the Public Service Commission provides the Public Service Commission with<00:10:47.279>
• <00:43:14.079><c> property</c><00:43:14.880><c> used</c><00:43:15.119><c> to</c><00:43:15.280><c> secure
• </c><00:43:15.599><c> a</c><00:43:15.760><c> loan</c> personal property used to secure a loan personal
• property used to secure a loan in<00:43:16.319><c> the</c><00:43:16.480><c> event</c><00:43:16.640><

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with Senate Bill 21104, and we're going to recognize Commissioner Jay McDaniel with the Gaming Commission
• Office Investigations, the Mississippi Office of<00:19:14.000><c> Homeland</c><00:19:14.480><c> Security
• , and our Forensics of Homeland Security, and our Forensics Lab.<00:19:16.640><c> Um,</c><00:19:17.200
• Chair. >> Commission, we appreciate you. &gt;&gt; Commission, we appreciate you.
• &gt;&gt; Commission, we appreciate you. &gt;&gt; Appreciate<00:24:34.480><c> you.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is</c><01:01:44.720><c> a</c> Historic Preservation Commission is a Historic Preservation Commission
• </c><03:10:07.760><c> because</c> chairs of those commissions because chairs of those commissions because
• , like we have the Oahu Historic Preservation Commission, for example?
• </c> county historic and cultural commissions county historic and cultural commissions and<03:29:04.049
• </c><04:42:42.798><c> district</c> um the land use commission district um the land use commission district

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, there's other states that are doing amazing things, taking a Social Security number, running
• it through an AI database, and going, oh, this Social Security number might be here, here, and here,
• </c><01:25:31.719><c> number</c> things taking a social security number things taking a social security
• </c><01:25:36.880><c> number</c> going oh this social security number going oh this social security number
• So when DHS came before the Legislative Audit Commission, at that point I had asked a question about

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the JLARC is directed to provide staff for the commission.
• So the J-LARC is directed to provide staff for the Commission.
• This is a huge task for the commission.
• The bill calls for the commission to begin on July 1, 2009.
• I don't mean to trivialize this proposed commission. It's important.

Summary: The committee first took up a motion from Ranking Member Root to promptly schedule public hearings on two citizens’ initiatives. Supporters argued the Constitution and public accountability required hearings so voters could hear pro and con arguments; opponents said the legislature was not obligated to act that way and the initiatives would still be heard at the ballot. On a voice vote, the motion failed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 1295, which would require evidence-aligned, comprehensive literacy instruction for K-4 students, update teacher endorsement standards and preparation programs, and require literacy-related continuing education for some teachers. The bill also repeals several older literacy-related provisions. The sponsor and supporters said Washington’s reading results are too low and that structured literacy reflects the science of reading; districts such as Puyallup described strong gains after adopting evidence-aligned instruction. Opponents and alternative-program advocates argued the bill could narrow instructional approaches and exclude programs they say have worked well. PESB testified neutrally that much of the endorsement work is already underway but asked for clarification on recertification language. The hearing on HB 1295 was suspended and later resumed with additional pro testimony from students, parents, and literacy advocates. House Bill 2262 was then heard and completed. It would require high school civics instruction to include teaching students to produce a legible, repeatable official signature and explain how signatures are used in elections and ballot processes, while also requiring related outreach and reporting on signature mismatch ballot rejections. The sponsor and county auditor testimony emphasized that younger voters often have signatures that change over time and that better instruction could reduce ballot rejections; questions focused on whether the bill should account for printed signatures and diverse writing systems. The Secretary of State’s office and county auditors were reported as supportive, and the hearing closed after a large number of pro sign-ins. The committee also heard House Bill 2636, which would create a public education performance, operations, and funding review commission to evaluate whether education mandates and funding are effective, relevant, and adequately supported. Supporters said the bill would help identify unfunded mandates and reduce administrative burdens on districts; rural district testimony urged a narrower scope and earlier start date. Finally, House Bill 2007 was heard, proposing competency-based assessments as additional graduation pathway options in place of some existing course/exam requirements. Student testimony supported more flexible, equitable pathways, while the State Board of Education said it supports competency-based education but preferred to wait for its broader Future Ready graduation-requirements work and noted the bill would require additional rulemaking. The hearing on HB 2007 closed after testimony from students and a neutral statement from SBE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Access to Justice Commission has been a game changer.
• Corrections implementation commission to Corrections implementation commission to guide<00:38:23.400>
• To further enhance civic education, the Court established the PACE Commission under the leadership of
• The commission has conducted three-day law and justice academies for high school students on Maui and
• [questionable], and Joe Cardoza at the Access to Justice Commission, to Bob Lir?

Keywords: State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• employees with an anti-harassment training program that meets the standard of the Massachusetts Commission
• Third: federal regulations on which Massachusetts overtime regulations rely are secure...
• Federal regulations on which Massachusetts overtime regulations rely are secure and unchangeable.
• The New Deal excluded farm workers from the Fair Labor Standards Act, from the NLRA, from Social Security
• Immigrants were always very important leaders in the labor movement and in securing a lot of the benefits

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about restoring stability, security, and dignity to the lives that were upended.
• It's about restoring stability, security, and dignity to the lives that were upended.
• experience, I have witnessed the most vulnerable households struggle to utilize their voucher and secure
• Julie Snyder with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Association of Bay Area Governments.
• Security guards and staff sexually harassed me and other women.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• money, the treasurer just writes the money directly to these based on the percentages, there's a commission
• that oversees it, okay, an appointed commission.
• other thing that could happen is you could pressure the governor to reappoint new people to that commission
• When we have that uncertainty in D.C., it is good to have some security and consistency here at the state
• When we have that uncertainty in D.C., it is good to have some security and consistency here at the state

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee first met in executive session and voted 8-0, with one member absent, to do pass House Bill 3405. Members described the bill as clarifying how pass-through entity tax information and credits are handled, with supporters saying it would reduce confusion and administrative burden while preserving the tax credit. In public hearing, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2457 and House Bill 1782, both related to food pantry tax credits. HB 2457 would extend the food pantry/soup kitchen/homeless shelter credit to 2032, add food banks as eligible entities, and raise the cap from $1.75 million to $4 million, while keeping the credit at 50 percent. HB 1782 would remove the sunset from the food pantry tax credit. Supporters said food banks and related charities need stable, predictable funding to address rising hunger and food waste; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 3518, which would redirect the existing athletes and entertainers tax into a dedicated fund and require distribution to arts, humanities, libraries, public broadcasting, and historic preservation, while extending the sunset to 2060. The sponsor and supporters argued the money was intended for these purposes and that current appropriations fall short of the statutory split, creating instability for cultural and educational organizations. Witnesses from arts groups, libraries, and humanities organizations cited economic impact, statewide reach, and the need for long-term planning; some members raised concerns about oversight, general revenue impacts, and the long sunset, but no vote was taken on HB 3518 in this transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calculations of excess treasurer commission were not prepared or distributed in a timely manner.
• Calculations of excess treasurer commission were not prepared or distributed in a timely manner.
• On the treasurer's commission, I have done that.
• I quit my full-time job and the security I had to focus on my hometown.
• I quit my full-time job and the security I had to focus on my hometown.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the February 12 minutes and then received updates on delinquent municipal water and sewer reports, noting substantial progress in bringing cities back into compliance. Several items were deferred at the request of local officials, including Fargo’s municipal accounting code report, Jericho’s misuse of street funds matter, Biggers, Holly Grove, Gilmore, and several private water and sewer reports lacking proper responses. The committee also filed a number of reports with no questions or with resolved findings. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on repeat audit findings and management responses. The City of Strong’s mayor described corrective steps on undeposited funds, improper use of solid waste funds, unsupported spending, IRS payroll tax issues, accounting controls, restricted fund transfers, and budget overruns; the committee commended the city’s efforts and filed the report. Calhoun County’s report, involving improper county spending for an appreciation banquet and altered receipts in the collector’s office, was also filed after discussion about educating local officials on constitutional spending limits. Other reports filed included Salem, Briarcliffe, Compton Water Association, and Montgomery County Regional Public Water Authority, while several private water reports were deferred or referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The committee reviewed a major regional solid waste management districts report, with significant findings for Pulaski County and Faulkner County involving unapproved payroll items, missing documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, lack of competitive bids, and weak internal controls; Benton County had fewer issues, and several districts had no findings. On motion, the Pulaski County report was deferred so district representatives could answer questions. The committee also heard from Nevada County, where unauthorized withdrawals and interlocal landfill agreement problems were discussed; the county judge said the issues were being corrected, and the report was filed. Later, the committee heard from the City of Grubbs about long-standing IRS debt and from Cross County Rural Water System about overdue audit posting and water quality problems; both witnesses described corrective efforts and ongoing funding or infrastructure projects, and the committee filed the reports after extensive discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The additional amount is, if we were to go ahead and secure it, and it's, The additional amount is if
• we were to go ahead and secure, and it's not, this won't happen, but there will be a small amount that
• process is basically about the electricity attributes, so it doesn't rewrite the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• process is basically about the electricity attributes, so it doesn't rewrite the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• safety rules. waste Israel with regards to ...rewrite the Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety rules

Bills: SB47 , SB195 , SB196 , SB197 , SB198 , SB78

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, soil conservation, water resources, training services, outreach programs, environmental protection, animal care, veterinary services, spay and neuter, Las Vegas, community funding, animal welfare, animal shelter

Transcript Highlights:

• That scale of event brings new security challenges, and one of the most serious is the misuse of drones
• I think it's in the national security interest. So, thanks. Questions for the bill sponsor?
• So a drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• A drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• And so it's no different than anything else used in the course of the commission of a crime.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That scale of event brings new security challenges, and one of the most serious is the misuse of drones
• I think it's in the national security interest. So, thanks. Questions for the bill sponsor?
• So a drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• A drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• And so it's no different than anything else used in the course of the commission of a crime.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Crime and Public Safety first heard House Bill 397, a companion to HB 1882, which would create a youth police initiative tax credit to support the Youth Police Initiative program. Representative Tiffany Price and supporters described the program as a way to build trust between at-risk youth and law enforcement through a week-long, relationship-based experience. Testifying in support were a youth participant, Kansas City Police Department Commander Kari Thompson, and others who said the program improved behavior, mentorship, and community trust. Members raised questions about the tax credit structure, eligible entities, and how the program would operate, but no opposition testified. The committee then heard House Bill 2055, which would fix a language issue in Missouri’s hands-free cell phone law so municipalities can enforce mirror ordinances in their own municipal courts. Representative Jeff Vernetti and several law enforcement witnesses said the current statute prevents local enforcement and forces cases into overburdened county or state systems. Supporters argued the change would improve efficiency and roadway safety while preserving the law as a secondary offense. No one testified in opposition. House Bill 2587, sponsored by Representative Jones, followed and would update Missouri law on unmanned aircraft to address drone threats near critical infrastructure and large public gatherings, including upcoming World Cup events in Kansas City. The sponsor and law enforcement supporters said the bill would allow trained officers to detect, track, and mitigate dangerous drone activity using federally authorized tools, while protecting lawful recreational drone use. Some members and the Missouri Chamber raised concerns about the scope of “mitigation,” possible use of force, and the need to avoid conflict with federal rules, but supporters said the bill includes guardrails and notice requirements. After the hearings, the committee adopted a committee substitute combining HB 1882 and HB 3097 and voted the combined substitute do pass by a 16-0 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• to prepare the state for the coming challenges... that will impact so many issues, including food security
• commitment to offshore wind that was allocated in the portion That's going towards the California Energy Commission
• Remind me again the timing—the **Little Hoover Commission** evaluation of the governor's reorganization
• The **Little Hoover Commission** process was actually already published, and the plan went into effect
• we want to thank Assemblymember Jackson (member_20229), Michael, Nicole, and budget leaders for securing

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Commission on Teacher Credentialing here. Welcome.
• The commission to provide some input on this question.
• So I don't know if the commission wants to reply to that.
• "Any other thoughts from the Commission on this?"
• Commission has nothing to add. Okay. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They shouldn't be forced displacement unless for their own security?
• You said if it's for their own security, they could be forced out of Gaza?
• He wants them to have have security.
• and our national security.
• . and our national security interests.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: Israel, Hamas, Panama Canal, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, diplomacy, Chinese influence

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.

Transcript Highlights:

• The commissioner is an AV-rated securities attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience and a
• He founded a securities transactional litigation law firm, which he ran until he became commissioner
• Prior to that, he served as a securities and transactional litigation attorney in the private sector.
• Senate, as well as the CIA, DIA, FBI, SEC, Homeland Security, and the Justice Department.
• And my husband's Social Security, my Social Security, and my retirement, I can't survive.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.