Transcript Highlights:

• things regarding changes with Republicans not voting.
• AB 1296 Bonta Local Education Agency Housing development, do pass as amended to clarify HCD's technical
• changes.
• Do pass as amended to ensure certain changes are cost neutral among other clarifying. changes that's
• changes out with Republicans not voting.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, peer support changes lives.
• Members peer support changes lives.
• This bill does have a set of technical amendments. ...have a set of technical amendments.
• The set is purely technical. All right, members, I offer the set of technical amendments.
• It is purely technical. Okay, members, I offer up the set of technical amendments.

Bills: HR174, HR194, HCR98, SB39, SB124, SB190, SB236, SB270, SB273, SB359, SB415, SB426, SB437, SB451

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and first reported HCR 98 favorably without objection. The resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP benefits could be used to pay grocery delivery fees and related costs, especially for elderly and mobility-limited recipients. The author said the measure would not change SNAP rules, only request a study, and LDH was not opposed. The committee then advanced several Senate bills. SB 273, on hospice care in inpatient licensed facilities, was amended and reported favorably; the bill requires documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions and clarifies facility responsibility when multiple providers are involved. SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, was amended and reported favorably; the author described it as a privately funded, charity-run food card program for people in need, with LDH to develop rules. SB 437, a cleanup bill on judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was reported favorably, with LDH explaining that facilities providing treatment must be licensed and surveyed. The committee also approved SB 451 on newborn hearing screenings, which updates terminology and expands reporting requirements to improve early detection and intervention for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. SB 426, modernizing the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creating a licensure pathway for peer support specialists, was reported favorably with amendments after testimony from behavioral health providers and training organizations. SB 236 on annual LDH reviews of kidney disease treatment in Medicaid, SB 39 creating provisional licenses for massage therapist graduates, SB 190 tightening oversight of nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program, and SB 124 allowing peer review sharing within a health system were all reported favorably, most with technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably HR 174 urging study of fenbendazole for cancer, SB 270 allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities, SB 359 changing terms for a Morehouse Parish hospital district board, and HR 194 requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for researchers. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The valuation exclusions have not changed since its creation in 2008.
• <00:03:32.000> we've we've had some significant changes we've we've had some significant changes
• But we need to make some technical changes.
• we need to make some techn changes we need to make some techn changes there's<00:06:30.520> the
• there are a lot of different technical there are a lot of different technical reasons<00:06:47.720

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one on line 304 is a technical change relating to rural emergency hospitals payment methodology
• This is a series of budget technical changes that correct coding errors that were in last year's bill
• a technical change relating to rural a technical change relating to rural emergency<00:08:32.599
• <00:10:01.360> changes uh, budget technical changes uh, budget technical changes um,<00:10
• On line 509 is another one of those technical changes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , I don't think we're going to see that change.
• Technical review, several steps, um, very tech, you know, each, each one very technical in nature.
• application technically complete.
• If they, if the change never comes, then the status quo remains.
• And so if we begin changing things or specifying that if things change, the first thing to go away is

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, technically I think it's $14 million, and then it's $1.9 million last year that Yes, technically
• We're recognizing the technical fields.
• And so I think the systemic changes, and not just the one, but with the changes in the waiver, all these
• within career and technical education.
• within career and technical education.

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs. Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The changes in it are technical in nature.
• the deadlines for petitioners who were previously awarded, and make a couple technical changes.
• The House amendment made some technical changes and authorized the Commissioner of Administration to
• These amendments basically just change some simple language; it's technical, really, in nature.
• The amendments seem like they're technical in nature, changed the wording of three definitions.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• year due to these changes.
• Otherwise, most of these are very small language changes and technical cleanup.
• Are we Feel free to change it; just curious.
• We're looking at funding for your technical assistance, generally.
• A change to what was calculated before. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• technical.
• We changed some of the definitions.
• I would also like to make a couple of changes that are more technical changes.
• I would also like to make a couple of changes that are more technical changes.
• I would also like to make a couple of changes that are more technical changes.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• your answer to the technical question. your answer to the technical question.
• the technical score. Is that correct? the technical score. Is that correct?
• result in changes of the the appeal? result in changes of the the appeal?
• The office does hasn't changed. We've just seen a name change.
• name change. name change.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contract Committee met with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Representative McCool after the death of his sister, and approved the April 14 minutes. The committee then reviewed a large agenda of contracts and amendments, beginning with a deferred Office of the Controller procurement involving broker services. Members questioned why a contract that had previously been handled for about $300,000 annually was now priced at about $1 million, and why the procurement was limited to one year. Office of the Controller staff said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the work had previously been treated as not practical to bid, and the new RFP was intended to increase competition. They said the technical evaluation was scored before cost was considered, that past performance was not scored because it was seen as unreliable, and that AON received the highest technical score despite not being the lowest bidder. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action and let the contract proceed to the Finance Cabinet, with members noting continuing concerns about the pricing and process. The committee next considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment for language services. DCBS representatives said the additional funding did not come from a new cut elsewhere, but from reduced spending on interpreter services because commonly used forms had been translated into other languages, freeing up funds for the contract. The committee approved the item unanimously. The final major item discussed was an initial contract for the Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists for legal services. Board staff said the board had been without a permanent general counsel since March 2024 and had relied on special and conflict counsel because of unusually heavy litigation, including 11 active cases, plus broader disciplinary and licensing changes tied to recent legislation and an oversight report. They said the contract was a not-to-exceed amount funded entirely by agency fees and that the board was currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing prior legislation and oversight findings about problems at the board and saying the contract was needed to help the board address ongoing litigation and corrective work. The committee approved the contract and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, sending them forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we change the word to made >> Okay.
• the do they're providing the technical the do they're providing the technical and<00:24:46.320><
• that carries on any other technical that carries on any other technical amendments<00:31:58.320>
• > then<00:36:52.720> also technical amendments and then also technical amendments and then
• Uh and then we're also going to change Uh and then we're also going to change the<00:37:07.760><

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:

• It hasn't changed in decades.
• It hasn't changed in decades.
• How do we change that up?
• However, we recognize that those plans are subject to change as we adapt to changing priorities or recently
• And if we have to make a change, it's usually a relatively minor change that doesn't impact the overall

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment that you just adopted gives the bill in a form that, with small technical changes that
• changes that were with small technical changes that were brought<00:42:27.200> to<00:42:27.359
• Our bill as amended makes changes in four key areas in the NIC space. "Well, it's technical." Mr.
• In addition to these model rules, there are also technical changes around franchise registration and
• <00:57:03.280> changes rules, there are also technical changes rules, there are also technical

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the A28 is basically a technical change to the House language regarding the conditions in which the
• But the A28 is basically a technical change to the House language regarding the conditions in which the
• <00:01:33.320> changes,<00:01:34.320> Senate<00:01:34.720> language technical changes
• <00:01:51.439> change<00:01:51.840> to A28 is basically a a technical change to A28
• is basically a a technical change to the<00:01:52.240> house<00:01:52.479> language<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We requested a technical change to HB 1 to move the correct positions; there was a technical issue.
• um we are we requested a technical um we are we requested a technical change<00:30:31.799> to
• <01:27:46.960> changes are some cleanup uh technical changes are some cleanup uh technical
• <02:07:50.400> change<02:07:50.679> to would uh need for a technical change to would
• changes to that have any technical changes to that provision provision provision ni Yeah.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Environmental Services on proposed changes in House Bill 2 and related technical changes in House Bill 1 tied to the governor’s permitting realignment initiative. The proposal would move environmental review staff from Fish and Game and DNCR to DES to create a more centralized “one-stop shop” for applicants needing DES permits, especially for wildlife and natural heritage reviews. DES said the goal is to speed permitting, support a 60-day review clock, and improve coordination among agencies while keeping the substantive review work in place. Members asked about staffing impacts, the scope of the transferred duties, and whether the change would create redundancy or weaken the other agencies. DES said most of the affected staff work primarily on these reviews, though Fish and Game staff also handle other state and federal reviews, which is why the proposal was adjusted to keep one of the four Fish and Game positions there and move three to DES, along with two positions from DNCR. DES also described a new supervisory position in HB 2 to manage the transferred staff within its land resources bureau. Officials said the reviews would still be done by specialists, but under DES supervision, and that the agencies would continue to coordinate recommendations on species impacts and mitigation. The committee also discussed fee increases intended to offset costs, including a 50% increase in wetlands fees and a 100% increase in alteration-of-terrain fees, with the department saying the changes would cover the new positions. Members raised concerns about impacts on private homeowners, possible incentives to work without permits, and whether fines should be used more as a revenue source or for mitigation. DES said wetlands permits are roughly split between homeowner-related and commercial projects, that permit-by-notification already creates a two-tier structure for smaller projects, and that enforcement relies partly on public complaints and online permitting systems. The department also said most fines currently go to the general fund and vary widely year to year, with about $75,000 budgeted, and that the proposal would also create permit-by-notification authority for alteration-of-terrain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet, mirroring language in Senate Bill 110. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that business and technical fields.
• Office of Career and Technical Office of Career and Technical Education.<00:18:16.160> And
• > college community and technical college community and technical college component,<00:24:42.080
• So we Community and Technical College.
• our high schools and our technical our high schools and our technical centers<00:25:05.520> every

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:55 26RS SB 22 – 04:52 26RS SB 46 – 0:34:36, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and opened the session by recognizing staff and an intern before taking up SB 22, relating to the dual credit scholarship program. Senator Jimmy Higdon presented the bill with Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools, explaining that it is a narrower version of a prior proposal that had been too broad and had drawn an unfavorable fiscal note. The bill would create a Grow Your Own teacher apprenticeship scholarship for students in registered teacher apprenticeship programs, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, allowing up to 20 dual credit courses total and no more than eight per year. It requires a district-approved commitment form, annual completion of at least one teaching-and-learning pathway course, and maintenance of a 2.75 GPA on scholarship-funded coursework. Students who withdraw or fail to meet academic requirements would lose eligibility and could be required to repay scholarship funds, though waivers for cause are included. The sponsor said the estimated costs were relatively modest at first and could grow over time, and described the program as a way to address the teacher shortage and help students earn an associate degree in high school and then complete teacher certification with less debt. Testimony from Nelson County Schools described the Lead Nelson model as a partnership among the district, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, and Western Kentucky University, with students beginning education coursework in high school, earning dual credit, and receiving clinical hours in classrooms earlier than in traditional preparation programs. Witnesses said the model includes key assessments, university oversight, and collaboration on curriculum and outcomes, and that it has already produced at least one teacher who returned to Nelson County. Members asked about the GPA cutoff, possible reinstatement after academic recovery, federal funding opportunities, the amount and structure of apprentice pay, and the role of postsecondary partners. Mary Taylor of the Kentucky Department of Education said there appears to be federal support for similar apprenticeship efforts and noted a possible U.S. grant opportunity, while the presenters said high school apprentices are paid hourly and adult apprentices average about $24,000 annually. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and committee members. not only provide technical assistance not only provide technical assistance
• <00:47:57.160> assistance business lending technical assistance business lending technical
• focuses on lending and Technical focuses on lending and Technical assistant<00:48:05.440> components
• In July 2024, I joined the Change Starts With Community workforce program, and everything changed.
• in school in July 2024 I joined change in school in July 2024 I joined change star<01:13:45.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to make technical amendments and change the effective date to July 1, 2077 in the committee
• We're going to change the effective date to July 1, 2077 and make any other technical amendments.
• <00:01:58.719> the the drug uh we're going to change the the drug uh we're going to change
• The amendments change the effective date to July 1, 2077, and make any technical amendments.
• technical amendments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:21.200> fix bipartisan Bill mostly a technical fix bipartisan Bill mostly a technical
• It changes the effective dates.
• The bill is primarily technical, and the two substantive changes are the addition of two new exempt groups
• The bill is primarily technical.
• <01:07:41.119> was layout and organization changes was layout and organization changes was

Bills: HF1855, HF102, HF1082, HF1354, HF2184, HF1792, HF2296, HF2429, HF2543, HF2566

Keywords: veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion, any edits, any changes?
• And we don't intend to change that. We're going to continue doing that.
• Would that generationally change? Is that what you're looking at?
• Yeah, like Kathy said, I don't think it's any change to our actual hope.
• Yeah, like Kathy said, I don't think it's any change to our actual practice.

Summary: The committee began with introductions of members and staff, then approved the minutes from the previous meeting and approved a step increase for Code Advisor Kathy Buckley. Staff reported on publication sales and distribution, noting that 2024 paper and paid sales were down from prior years, while online access and reduced demand for printed copies continued to trend downward. Members discussed the continuing role of printed RCWs and session laws, with staff explaining that libraries and counties remain the main paper purchasers and that some specialized titles are still produced in print and electronic formats. The committee then reviewed a table of “multiple actions” affecting RCW sections from the 2025 session. Staff explained that 153 sections had multiple amendments or related actions, but most could be merged through editorial authority; about 10 sections would likely need future legislative cleanup. The committee approved the table, allowing staff to proceed with merging where possible. Financially, staff reported the office was on track to return about $542,000 to the state, though that amount may decrease slightly because of end-of-year purchases, including a shared printer for LSS. They also noted a slight budget reduction for the next fiscal year, but said staffing adjustments and existing coverage should prevent problems. The committee discussed upcoming rulemaking to align the office’s public records procedures with House and Senate practices, including designating a public records officer and updating language to reflect current legislative structure. Staff said the process would follow standard APA rulemaking and could take roughly six months. Members also heard about a prior “video auditor” incident at the office and the office’s response and training. Finally, staff provided a building update: the office is scheduled to move back into the renovated Pritchard building on September 14, 2026, with furniture selection underway. At the end of the meeting, staff shared session statistics, including 424 session law chapters, 1,305 House bills introduced, 1,082 Senate bills introduced, 238 House bills passed, and 193 Senate bills passed, and the committee adjourned.