Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state workers in the executive branch. state workers in the executive branch.
• <00:40:03.839><c> code</c><00:40:04.160><c> enforcement,</c><00:40:05.280><c> electrical,</c> building
• code enforcement, electrical, building code enforcement, electrical, plumbing,<00:40:06.720><c> boiler
• To meet that need, Norton Healthcare is building a new state-of-the-art Norton Children’s Campus in Jefferson
• c> Norton</c> building a new state-of-the-art Norton building a new state-of-the-art Norton Children's

Keywords: Several minutes after the convene vote and before the introduction failed to properly steam. This version was pulled from a local back up., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The enlistment incentives provide state tuition reimbursement and state re-enlistment bonuses.
• Incentives, like I said, include state tuition reimbursement and state re-enlistment bonuses.
• We've opened three new state veterans homes and one new state veterans cemetery.
• Interagency Council on Homelessness has made that determination for the states and the continuums of
• So it is utilizing state resources to more broadly serve the entire state of Minnesota.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans who want to live in this wonderful state, beautiful state of California, but they're feeling
• This isn't about revenue loss to the state.
• come to their states, such as Georgia.
• It aligns state and federal systems.
• Representing the American Legion, AMVETS, CalMVA, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, and

Summary: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard several veterans-related bills, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services officers, and local government representatives; there was no opposition. The bill was moved to Appropriations and later recorded as passing 4-0. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for maintenance endowments for veterans’ cemeteries, with the state matching private or local contributions up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. Supporters emphasized the need for sustainable perpetual care funding for state and county cemeteries, and there was no opposition. SB 1407, the chair’s bill, would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax; supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the economy, while members noted similar bills had previously stalled in Appropriations. SB 1034 would streamline disabled veteran parking placard eligibility for certain 100% permanent and total veterans, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and related changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and connect applicants to county veterans service officers. All of these bills received support from veterans groups and related organizations, with no opposition heard. SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, with supporters framing it as a safeguard for state authority and civil liberties. The committee asked about legal testing of the proposal, and the author said it had not yet been tested in court. After roll calls and a brief recess to regain members, the committee recorded 4-0 votes to pass the bills and consent calendar items, and the meeting adjourned after thanking veterans for their service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans who want to live in this wonderful state, beautiful state of California, but they're feeling
• This isn't about revenue loss to the state.
• This bill aligns state law with existing rules.
• Representing the American Legion, AMVETS, CalMOAA, the California State Commanders Veterans Council,
• constitutional authority as commander-in-chief here in the state of California and the state militia.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several veterans-related bills. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services groups, and local officials; there was no opposition, and the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for veterans’ cemetery maintenance endowments, with the state matching private or local deposits up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. It drew support from veterans groups and county representatives and was also approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1407, which would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse military retirement benefits from state income tax. The author and supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the workforce and economy. The bill received broad support from veterans organizations, county officials, and labor representatives, with no opposition, and was moved to Appropriations, with the roll held open and later completed. SB 1034 would streamline access to disabled veteran parking placards for veterans rated 100% permanent and total, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and other changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and ensure referrals to county veterans service officers. Both bills had support from veterans advocates and food banks, no opposition, and were approved to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, while preserving Title 10 activations and mutual aid arrangements. The author and the California Public Defenders Association framed it as a safeguard for state authority and civil rights; there was no opposition, and it was sent to Public Safety. After the main votes, the committee later completed the held rolls and reported the bills out, then adjourned after thanking veterans and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't about revenue loss to the state.
• come to their states, such as Georgia.
• This bill aligns state law with existing rules.
• Representing the American Legion, AMVETS, CalMOA, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, and
• This means SB 1201 builds on an existing infrastructure.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are blessed that the structure of a state government includes an executive council that reviews all
• </c> the state. the state.
• or four different states.
• It tends to be the larger states.
• </c> Medicare versus other states? Medicare versus other states?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee chair opened by explaining that the committee has expanded from a traditional audit-follow-up role into an oversight role focused on whether audit recommendations are implemented and whether controls are in place to detect fraud. He said the committee was concerned about fraud uncovered in social service programs in other states and wanted to understand New Hampshire’s safeguards, especially around major contracts and program performance. Charles Buchanan, director of the New Hampshire Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and investigator Tim Brackett described the unit’s structure and mission. Buchanan said the unit, housed in the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Bureau, investigates and prosecutes fraud by health care providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of residents in health care facilities. He outlined common Medicaid fraud schemes such as billing for services not rendered, upcoding, using unqualified staff, drug substitution, kickbacks, supplemental charges, and inflated customary charges. He also described resident abuse/neglect and drug diversion in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living settings. Brackett said his role is financial investigator/auditor and noted the unit is grant-funded and must include a prosecutor, investigator, and auditor. The witnesses then explained how cases reach the unit and how they are handled. Most referrals come from the state Department of Health and Human Services’ program integrity unit and from managed care organizations’ special investigations units, which look for fraud, waste, and abuse and refer credible allegations. Other sources include qui tam whistleblower actions, the national Medicaid Fraud Control Units association, citizen complaints, provider referrals, adult protective services law-enforcement referrals, local law enforcement, and federal agencies. Once a referral is received, the unit can accept or deny it; accepted matters may be investigated criminally or civilly, while nonviable matters can be referred back to HHS or other agencies for administrative action, including repayment demands and reimbursement offsets. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chair of the state building code review board.
• within the state building code where this bill differs from the model code.
• within the state building code where this bill differs from the model code.
• Within the state building code where this bill differs from the model code.
• </c><02:39:21.600><c> of</c> state building code that consists of state building code that consists of

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 71 buildings across the state with a replacement value of nearly half a billion dollars.
• Twelve of these buildings are part of our state veterans homes and have a 24/7 occupancy.
• Building that would be vacated by MnDOT for other agencies to be able to state agencies from the Centennial
• These buildings are in the statutorily defined state historic sites network.
• We estimate that the replacement value of the buildings, structures, and landscapes across the state

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All other support and opposition can be stated at the standing mic when we call upon you to simply state
• It updates state law to allow APCs to practice to the full It updates state law to allow APCs to practice
• many were delayed or denied because states lacked a clear system for recognizing out-of-state licenses
• and integrating... ...or denied because states lacked a clear system for recognizing out-of-state licenses
• My insurance was denied by the state.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• colleges and other state-funded... ...or state agencies.
• So like community colleges and other state-funded. to the state-funded things, so like community colleges
• and other state-funded, you know, or state agencies.
• And it's not the same one as Bay State.
• I mean, there's a billion job codes for DCR.

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the January minutes and then heard an update from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler on apprenticeship expansion in the Healey-Driscoll administration. Cutler described apprenticeship as a key workforce tool, especially for sectors with labor shortages, and highlighted growth in early education, health care, banking, bio, and human services. He noted the administration’s milestones and supports, including reaching 10,000 registered apprenticeships, expanding the registered apprenticeship tax credit (RATSY), lowering program fees, adding apprenticeship liaisons, and issuing Grow grants to help employers start programs. Members focused on how apprenticeship could better serve people with disabilities and human services employers. They raised examples such as sterile processing, radiology, PCA services, developmental disability supports, and community college partnerships, and asked how smaller or lower-paid providers could afford to participate. Cutler explained that apprentices are W-2 employees, programs must include on-the-job learning, related instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages, and employers largely design their own programs. He said the state can support through tax credits, grants, and intermediaries such as trade associations or disability organizations that help employers navigate the process. The discussion also covered employer outreach, the role of intermediaries, and possible collaboration with community colleges and organizations like Commonwealth Corporation. Cutler said Eastern Bank did not currently have a program but could be a potential partner, and he confirmed that the RATSY credit is $4,800 per apprentice, with a cap and online application process, and that it can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit. The subcommittee agreed to follow up with Cutler’s team, identify a few priority occupations, and consider a targeted panel or information session to help expand apprenticeship opportunities for people with disabilities and in human services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> at the state level. at the state level.
• . building. building.
• . state. state.
• </c> state by lumen. state by lumen.
• Again, everything we talk about here is history within the state of Colorado and building those relationships

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in Orleans, the state gives them, we, the state, gives them directly the money, $7 million.
• and the state departments.
• So the funds are generated to pay the salaries of the people that operate in that building and not state
• Those people that operate in that building and not state general funds. Thank you for your answer.
• There is only one parish in our state that gets direct money from the state of Louisiana.

Bills: HB141 , HB178 , HB179 , HB187 , HB188 , HB527 , HB782 , HB911 , HB916

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: court proceedings, transcription, criminal law, recording, judicial discretion, court reporters, record retention, criminal cases, civil cases, legal proceedings, judicial administration, Louisiana Supreme Court, court reporting services, digital reporting, remote proceedings, virtual courts, court reporter fees, judicial district, statewide revision, costs

Transcript Highlights:

• , federal, state, or counties.
• </c> why thank you Mr quati and just state why thank you Mr quati and just state your<00:07:29.919><c
• Code Title 38, Chapter 59.
• Code Title 38, Chapter 59.
• Code Title 38, Chapter 59.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in addition to their already stated First Amendment rights.
• And unfortunately, these issues are no longer confined to other states.
• , a white collar, or a state-issued ID badge.
• Fire Code that result in serious bodily injury, harm, or death.
• Fire Code that result in serious bodily injury and harm or death.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the future of our state and our nation, and by going to college, we have the chance to build that
• And at the state level, that's impacted where $500,000 to $700,000 of state funds...
• State aid fraud is reported immediately to the Student Achievement Council so they can review any possible
• State aid fraud is reported immediately to the Student Achievement Council so they can review any possible
• loss of state funds, and any confirmed loss is reported to the State Auditor's Office and to the State

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session on student complaints in higher education. Faculty, union, and research witnesses argued that current complaint systems are sometimes misused in bad faith, disproportionately affecting faculty of color, women, and contingent faculty, consuming institutional resources, and chilling academic freedom. They called for an initial screening process for bias or retaliation, routine data collection and equity review, and a faculty bill of rights. Committee members asked about FERPA, Title IX, and how complaint data could be tracked consistently across institutions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6090 would create a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University to register and preserve heritage orchards and rare apple varieties; Senator Braun said it would honor Washington’s apple history and support research at low cost. SB 5931 would make technical changes to the Workforce Education Investment Oversight Board, including two-year co-chair terms, a later annual report date, and removal of a dashboard requirement; WASAC, labor, and Microsoft testified in support. SB 5963 would automatically qualify Passport to Careers students as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and align financial aid definitions; WASAC, College Success Foundation, students, and student advocates supported it as a way to reduce barriers for foster and homeless youth. The committee also heard SB 5978, which would codify and expand the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program and require annual student notifications about admissions, financial aid, dual credit, and related opportunities. Supporters included the Council of Presidents, faculty, students, parents, and the Washington Roundtable, who said guaranteed admission and better outreach would reduce anxiety, improve transparency, and help more students enroll. Finally, SB 6082 would direct JLARC to audit fraud in state financial aid programs, including fictitious students and AI-enabled abuse; the sponsor cited recent fraud concerns, while community and technical college officials said colleges already have fraud controls in place, warned the audit was unfunded and potentially duplicative, and asked for more resources. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• or below 120% of the area median income in the communities that they build, and they often build with
• Amendment 17 by Senator Gildon limits the amount the state may retain to only the general fund state
• Amendment 18 by Senator Gildon removes the Apple Health employer assessment exemption for state, state
• Council 28.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, John Traynor, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, on behalf

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 5808, a proposal to require nonprofit health carriers with “excess surplus” to pay 10% of that surplus into the state health care affordability account for Cascade Care Savings. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $330 million one time in 2027, while the Office of Insurance Commissioner would have implementation costs. Supporters argued the bill would redirect consumer premium dollars to help people afford coverage, while opponents from health plans said reserves are needed for solvency, claims, and capital needs and warned the bill would destabilize nonprofit insurers. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2254, which would let the Partnership Access Line assessment cover administrative costs; HCA and Seattle Children’s supported it as a technical fix that saves general fund dollars, and a child psychiatrist asked that savings be reinvested in behavioral health services. House Bill 2385, which extends deadlines for the Medicaid Access Program because of federal restrictions on new provider taxes, also drew support from provider groups seeking future Medicaid rate increases. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 6286, which would increase fines on private detention facilities that deny Department of Health inspections and dedicate the fines to an account for community repair and assistance to harmed individuals and families. Supporters, including Tacoma’s mayor and family members affected by detention, framed the bill as an accountability measure; fiscal staff estimated Department of Health costs of about $395,000 in the 2025-27 biennium. Senate Bill 6006 would exempt food banks from sales tax on certain services enacted last session, with food bank and tribal representatives saying the savings would go directly to food and operations. Senate Bill 6351 would create exemptions from the new sales tax on live presentations for before- and after-school care, arts and cultural nonprofit classes, and K-12 school purchases; school districts, arts groups, and PTA representatives supported it, while asking for clarifying language and broader nonprofit exemptions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 would let cities and counties create local sales tax remittance programs for affordable housing projects, and housing builders, Habitat affiliates, counties, and city officials supported it as a local tool to lower development costs. In executive session, the committee received briefings on several tax and spending bills and then voted to advance multiple measures. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5949, which narrows a B&O tax exemption related to insurance premiums; a proposed retroactivity-removing amendment failed. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6129 on cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes after rejecting several amendments, including proposals to study the tax policy or replace the bill with illicit-market enforcement language. The committee also passed Senate Bill 6228 repealing a preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers, Senate Bill 6231 repealing data center sales tax exemptions, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5965, which retained a bag-fee approach rather than a full ban after adopting an amendment. The committee then returned to public hearing and began testimony on Senate Bill 6353, a major Working Connections Child Care bill that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, lower the provider rate target from the 85th to the 75th percentile, and make other program changes; the briefing was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do types of, you know, minor remodels, bringing buildings up to safety code, but we can't build
• So, for example, the director of State Board of Ed, director of the Workforce Development Council, we
• As I mentioned earlier, we can't build new buildings, we can't build a new hospital, we can't build a
• electrical code, you know, federal, state, and local safety code.
• So, ...electrical code, you know, federal, state, and local safety code.

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an overview from Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on Idaho’s Rural Health Transformation Program application and the federal rules governing the five-year funding. Sharon explained the program was created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that Idaho’s award is about $186 million annually in year one, and that the state must obligate the funds by October 30 or risk losing them. She reviewed the application timeline, the federal scoring process, reporting and audit requirements, and the state’s plan to hire a 12-person limited-term team to manage solicitations, monitoring, and compliance. Committee members asked about scope-of-practice issues for dental hygienists and physician assistants, the risk of losing or gaining funds, survey methodology, telehealth, and how the state will use the money for workforce, technology, behavioral health, infrastructure, and tribal set-asides. Sharon said the department would continue working with the legislature on scope-of-practice policy, provide more detail on survey data and funding caps, and set up a shared information space with LSO for committee access. Sharon also walked through the five main initiative areas in Idaho’s plan: technology and access, innovative models, workforce, chronic disease and behavioral health, and rural infrastructure/partnerships. She emphasized that allowable uses include telehealth and EHR modernization, cybersecurity, EMS support, workforce recruitment and retention incentives, evidence-based behavioral health and chronic disease programs, renovations and mobile units, and a 3.5% tribal set-aside. She said the department is still refining what is allowable with CMS and that the committee will receive monthly summaries, procurement information, and performance reports. Members raised concerns about the survey’s heavy use of “other” responses, the amount of money going to administration, and whether telehealth spending is the best use of funds. Chris Jones of Catalyst Policy Group then offered outside perspective on rural health strategy and the federal program. He praised Idaho’s application but urged the committee to think in terms of integrated, patient-centered systems rather than isolated projects. He highlighted examples from other states involving community health workers, telehealth hubs, remote monitoring, value-based care networks, rural training pipelines, and partnerships among hospitals, FQHCs, and tribal providers. He cautioned against focusing on social determinants of health funding, encouraged use of technology to reduce labor burden and improve sustainability, and emphasized that training providers in rural areas tends to keep them there. No votes were taken. The committee agreed to tentatively meet again on May 28 during CMS’s planned Idaho visit, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen in Washington State.
• We've seen in Washington State.
• And I've done a lot of work at our state DEP. I serve on the Clean Air Council.
• the infrastructure to keep our state healthy, safe, Union jobs building the infrastructure to keep our
• Right now, the state budget includes some of those costs, and that's in the state budget.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> compliance with state building compliance with state building standards,<01:28:36.880><c> accurate
• and the state office building in 2023.
• and the state office building in 2023.
• and the state office building in 2023.
• and the state office building in 2023.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the state responsibility area, where Cal Fire is the lead state entity.
• Federal, state, local, state parks, Cal Fire, Forest Service. You can see it all on our dashboard.
• This part of the state relies, and many parts of the state rely on fire to remain healthy.
• the state of California has to be the lead in keeping the state of California from burning.
• We will have a state-level director in the United States Forest Service.

Summary: The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request. Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals. Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression. The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.