Transcript Highlights:

• The committee chair maintains control of this hearing, and I have the following expectations: signs and
• hearing.
• Everything you will hear today.
• So I'm glad to hear that that's part of it. All right, I think we're done with you.
• So I'm glad to hear that. That's part of it. All right. I think we're done with you.

Bills: HF3727 , HF3684 , HF3467

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
• You're going to hear a lot today.
• Hurst, can you hear us? We can. Hi, how are you? Can you hear me? We can. Thank you. Yes.
• It's waiting for a hearing in judiciary rules.
• On the other hand, I hear the need to rein in unchecked power.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Ryu and members of the committee, thanks for hearing this important bill.
• You're going to hear more about how this is an emerging issue in our society.
• We are hearing from families who've suffered severe harms when AI goes wrong.
• And I think that there is, and this is what you were hearing from Dr. Agnew.
• open the hearing on Senate Bill 6046.

Bills: SB6046

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear it. The rates are high. It's getting difficult.
• I would say in picking on which bill to hear going forward and which bills to continue to work on is
• Because, again, we have four different approaches that we're going to hear today.
• I hear it's in Kentucky. Thank you for that invitation. I look forward to joining.
• Sorry, I couldn't hear. There's people saying, could you kind of restate what you said?

Bills: HB3048 , HB3259 , HB3646 , HB3696 , HB3780 , HB3781 , HB3802 , HB3818 , HB4294 , HB4488 , HB2929

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Summary: The committee heard a series of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on homeowners insurance rates, transparency, and regulatory oversight. House Bill 3696, a proposed rate-approval style measure for homeowners insurance, drew extensive questioning about whether it would actually lower premiums, its comparison to Texas, the role of the Insurance Department and Attorney General, and possible effects on carriers and agents. The author said the bill was intended to increase transparency and consumer protections, acknowledged it was a work in progress, and agreed to strike the title and keep working with the committee. The bill ultimately passed the committee on a recorded vote. The committee also advanced House Bill 3259, which would prohibit certain health care contract clauses such as all-or-nothing, anti-steering, gag, and most-favored-nation provisions; House Bill 4294, a follow-up to Dylan’s Law dealing with epilepsy-related insurance coverage and neurostimulator devices; and House Bill 4488, which would let the Insurance Commissioner appoint an impartial umpire when a body shop and insurer cannot agree on a loss value. House Bill 3646, a broad and still-developing insurance bill involving rate review, litigation, venue, AI use, and Attorney General involvement, generated substantial concern from members about workability, litigation, and agent exposure. Its author said it was not final, but the committee voted it down. Later, the committee passed House Bill 3048, a cleanup measure for surplus lines licensing laws; House Bill 3780, requiring an independent actuary review as a transparency measure; House Bill 3781, changing the timing from use-and-file to file-and-use with a 60-day review period while the author said he did not want rate approval; House Bill 3802, delaying rate adjustments after a spouse’s death until renewal; House Bill 3818, creating a home and auto savings account framework intended to help policyholders raise deductibles and lower premiums; and House Bill 2929, which limits how far back insurers may look at homeowners and auto claims for underwriting purposes. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition after brief questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was voted out of our committee on a vote of 5-3-1. distribution, pre-etition hearings, site
• distribution, pre-etition hearings, site visits,<00:14:28.560><c> and</c><00:14:28.720><c> the</c><00
• ,</c><00:14:35.199><c> and</c><00:14:35.440><c> significant</c> intervention hearings, and significant
• </c><00:14:41.120><c> and</c> procedures, evidentiary hearings and procedures, evidentiary hearings and
• A question I hear all the time in my community is what does the lieutenant governor actually do?

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:39.599><c> at</c> amendments the committee will hear at amendments the committee will hear
• Representative Huff thanked the Chair and the members for hearing the bill.
• Chairman, for hearing &gt;&gt; Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for hearing this<00:08:36.000><c> bill.
• Do I hear a &gt;&gt; We have a motion on the sub. Do I hear a second? second? second?
• what we're hearing other communities across<00:12:32.000><c> the</c><00:12:32.240><c> state.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 00:50 Roll call 05:09 HB 140 06:56 HB 140 Vote 08:04 HB 144 09:50 HB 144 vote 11:12 HB 189 18:47 HB 189 vote, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have three bills scheduled for public hearing.
• That closes the public hearing on House Bill 2142.
• Can you guys hear me okay?” “Yes, we can.” “Great.
• Can you hear me? Yes, we can.
• Hello, can you hear me? Yes, we can. Okay, great.

Bills: HB2142 , HB2369 , HB2432

Committee: House Education

Keywords: remote learning, hybrid learning, education reform, alternative education, student engagement, local food, public schools, nutrition, sustainability, agriculture, technology access, educational resources, surplus hardware, student support, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules for today's hearing include no talking and no loud noises from the audience.
• Of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time.
• Rules for today's hearing include no talking and no loud noises from the audience.
• So I'm pleased to hear maybe things have changed positively in the last couple of years.
• So I'm pleased to hear maybe things have changed positively in the last couple of years.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have a briefing and the public hearing on the governor's supplemental budget.
• We can hear you. Can you go to another person and I'll try back?
• We can't hear you. Does this sound okay? Do I come through at this point now? Yes, sir.
• ..thing you've heard or will hear on pavement, but I do want to just highlight quickly.
• With that, this concludes our public hearing.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard a presentation from WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith on the agency’s mission, 2025 accomplishments, and 2026 priorities. Meredith emphasized preservation, safety, emergency response, ferry reliability, culvert replacement, and major projects such as the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge work, North Spokane Corridor, Confluence Parkway, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. She highlighted the state’s aging transportation assets, recent storm and flood damage, bridge strikes, and the need for additional preservation funding, including the governor’s proposed $1 billion investment in Washington State Ferries and continued work on the World Cup and future regional growth planning. Members asked about ferry service disruptions, rising IBR costs, staffing needs, aviation assets, and bridge-strike certainty tied to the Coast Guard’s upcoming decision on bridge clearance requirements. The committee then received a briefing on HB 2306, the governor’s supplemental transportation budget, which totals $16.7 billion and increases the enacted budget by about $1.2 billion, with most of the increase directed to WSDOT capital spending. OFM staff said the proposal is driven by preservation, maintenance, and ferry needs, and relies on about $3.1 billion in bonding against transportation revenues, while staying below the Treasurer’s coverage ratio. The proposal includes $2 billion for preservation, $164 million for paving this summer, $756 million for paving over 10 years, $250 million for maintenance, $150 million for preserving existing ferries, $15 million for Lower Columbia River dredging, and smaller investments for WSP communications, DOL access, and local road grants. Committee members asked about debt service, remaining bonding capacity, and the impact of office closures and ferry service reductions. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s budget, especially its preservation and ferry investments. Local officials and associations backed ferry funding, local road grants, pavement and bridge preservation, and the Columbia River dredging match. Several speakers urged more support for cities and counties, while rail and transit advocates asked for more rail capital funding and less highway expansion. One ferry advocate criticized the cost of hybrid-electric vessel maintenance compared with diesel, and another witness warned against a pay-per-mile tax. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair announced a short caucus before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Do I hear a motion?
• I hear a... asking for the same thing. It would asking for the same thing.
• Thank you for hearing me today. This is a bill that we passed two years ago.
• Do I hear a motion on the &gt;&gt; All right. Do I hear a motion on the amendment? amendment?
• I hear a motion. amended? All in dog. I hear a motion.

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin today's hearing. I see zero Senators.
• I see zero Senators. where we're hearing Senate bills.
• And so if we don't have Senators, it's hard to have a hearing. So if Senate staff, I don't.
• Also want to mention these hearings used to go for hours.
• The hearing is adjourned.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are obviously several other hearings going on this morning, members, and we know that we'll have
• We just need everybody to hear it the same way, and so I think this is good.
• Hearing none, it's been ordered. Thank you, Senator Menéndez. Absolutely, Madam Chair.
• from everybody because we want to hear from everyone.
• Well, again, we really want to hear from, I guess, During the testimony, we'll hear from people.

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm not hearing anything on how we're going to pay this bill.
• I'm hearing nothing on how we're going to pay this bill. And this is $25 to $30 million.
• But I'm not hearing anything on how we're going to pay this bill.
• Do you ever hear concerns over that?
• We hear from our members, frankly, that... What we're talking about here.

Bills: SB2160

Committee: House Industry, Business and Labor

Keywords: health insurance, public employees, uniform group insurance, retirement, state employees, 908, all

Summary: The committee resumed work on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the Public Employees Retirement System health plan from grandfathered to non-grandfathered status under the Affordable Care Act. PERS officials Rebecca Frickie and Derek Holbein explained that the bill would allow more flexibility in plan design, including higher deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums, while also adding enhanced preventive benefits. They clarified that ACA “essential health benefits” apply to individual and small-group markets, not to PERS as a large employer, and that the bill’s projected cost increases were based on actuarial estimates and prior bid scenarios from Sanford and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Members debated whether the bill would actually save money or simply shift costs to employees. Supporters argued that non-grandfathered status would create more levers to manage medical inflation and could produce net premium savings through plan redesign, citing prior bid comparisons showing potential reductions of 1% to 8% depending on the option. Opponents, including Representative Schauer and North Dakota United president Nick Archelette, questioned how the state would pay for the estimated $25 million to $30 million in added benefits and warned that employees could face higher out-of-pocket costs amid already strained household budgets. Frickie said the legislature would control funding decisions and that current law requiring the state to pay full family premiums could be changed only by statute. The committee also discussed reserve funding, with members noting that a $4.3 million reserve draw in the bill was intended to cover the final months of the biennium and could be modified. After testimony and discussion, Vice Chair Johnson moved a do-pass recommendation and referral to Appropriations. The motion passed 10-3-1, with Representatives Ostlie, Schatz, and Schauer voting no. Representative Gump agreed to carry the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no. Senator Grall moves to allow staff to make technical adjustments.
• Hearing no objection, show that motion adopted. Thank you, Senator.
• Hearing no objection, show that motion adopted. Thank you, Senator Avila.
• Chair, for hearing this legislation today.
• But for a moment, I'll ask you to hear my personal story.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The committee first reviewed the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal for transportation, tourism, and economic development, which totals about $18 billion and includes major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, affordable housing, library/cultural/historical initiatives, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. Members approved staff technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 666, which creates a specialty license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, with proceeds supporting scholarships and school academic, athletic, and arts programs. CS/SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, drew extensive testimony from the sponsor, law enforcement, advocates, and victims’ families. Supporters argued it would create a clearer, easier-to-enforce prohibition on holding a wireless device while driving and help reduce crashes and deaths; some senators raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways for Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen and Charlotte County Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, which would create the International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills had supportive testimony and no opposition noted. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of you won, which you hear from today.
• Hear invited testimony, hear public testimony, and then we will vote on each bill.
• So that's that course and scope that we hear about a lot.
• So that always kind of perks up my ears when I hear that.
• And I always hear the same resounding answer, no. And yet Texas law says.

Bills: SB20 , SB1621 , SB412 , SB441 , SB442

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, visual material, artificial intelligence, criminal penalties, law enforcement, defense against prosecution, obscenity, judicial officer, deepfake, deep fake, synthetic media, AI-generated content, machine learning, nonconsensual pornography, revenge porn, sexually explicit media, intimate images, digital manipulation, visual depiction

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So before we begin our hearings, I'd like to explain how hearings this year will run moving forward
• </c><00:07:20.319><c> can</c> need to gavvel so the hearing can need to gavvel so the hearing can progress
• </c> Seeing none, uh I will close the hearing Seeing none, uh I will close the hearing on<00:17:18.240
• </c> before the bill hearing. before the bill hearing. It's<01:35:58.400><c> important.
• </c> not hear from that person. not hear from that person.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to prepare for and run a hearing.
• to prepare for and run a hearing.
• I don't see the right to a hearing.
• </c> additional hearings would be required. additional hearings would be required.
• I hear some of the ambiguity.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Speaker, and thank you, everyone, for hearing this bill today.
• I guess I am disappointed to hear uh that it seems to be changing.
• I guess I am disappointed to hear uh that it seems to be changing.
• I guess I am disappointed to hear uh that it seems to be changing.
• > about</c><00:21:27.040><c> mandates</c> As we continue hearing about mandates As we continue hearing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we did hear this bill in your committee on elections. It's very important.
• Hearing none, the lady from Jasper is recognized to close. I close.
• , the hearing was the original bill.
• Now hear me out.
• Your committee on crime and public safety will be meeting in Hearing Room 5.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several member introductions and announcements, including recognition of guests from foster care, a Bayless High School Scholar Bowl team, public utility representatives, and family members. The chamber then moved into House Bills for Perfection, beginning with HB 1812, a voter-roll maintenance measure that requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to send deceased-voter lists to the Secretary of State every 30 days for distribution to election authorities. An amendment added a 10-day processing deadline, and the bill was supported as an election-integrity measure before being ordered perfected and printed. Members also advanced HCS for HB 3308, a sales-tax exemption for materials used to construct facilities or improvements for public use that will be deeded to a political subdivision, such as parks. Supporters said it would help public-good projects while limiting the exemption to public-use construction; questions focused on fiscal impact and ensuring there is a formal agreement to transfer the property. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up HCS for HB 3010, a prior-authorization reform bill for health care providers. Supporters said it would reduce administrative burden, add an API-based tracking component, and create a gold-carding process for providers with high approval rates; members from both parties emphasized the strain prior authorization places on physicians and patients. The committee substitute and bill were adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered HCS for HB 2872, a major literacy bill centered on the science of reading. The bill requires phonics-based instruction, early screening in grades 1-3, teacher training, and retention for students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, subject to exemptions for students with disabilities, English learners, IEPs, 504 plans, prior retention, and other good-cause cases. Amendments clarified that three-cueing cannot be the primary instructional strategy and added parent involvement and earlier intervention language; the most contentious debate focused on retention and parental rights, but the amendment passed 103-27-1 and the bill was then adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House advanced HCS for HB 1826 and related bills to expand authorized epinephrine products beyond EpiPens to include nasal spray and other approved forms for use in schools, child care centers, nursing homes, and by first responders; supporters cited allergy emergencies and needle fear, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber also began debate on HCS for HB 2069/2208, a bill to authorize autonomous vehicles in Missouri, with the sponsor describing safety and economic benefits and the first amendment adding liability, jurisdiction, and U.S.-based operator requirements; a second amendment removed commercial vehicles and made technical changes. Debate on the underlying autonomous-vehicle bill continued, with supporters emphasizing modernization and opponents raising concerns about local control, surveillance, and the lack of independent safety data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you again for hearing my bill, Senate Bill 1087.
• for you hear from Jeff Chappell, our court administrator?
• The last hearing on this bill was not a fair shake.
• Seeing none, that now concludes the hearing on HB 3491. Okay.
• Seeing none, that concludes a hearing.” “Seeing none, that concludes a hearing. Oh, I’m sorry.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all