Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with a staff briefing by Ms. Smith. Ms.
• Are there any questions for staff?
• Again, Lily Smith, staff to the committee.
• Again, Lily Smith, staff to the committee.
• With that, are there any other questions for staff?

Bills: SB5919, SB5816, SJM8015, HB2737

Keywords: fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, federal response, wildfire protection, community safety, infrastructure, natural resources, commercial shellfish, shellfish fees, Department of Health, biotoxin testing, export certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• Council staff too.
• Are there any questions for staff?
• Are there any questions for staff?
• I'm staff to the committee.
• Brandon Popovac, staff.

Bills: SB6131, SB6155, SB6238, SB5824, SB6110, SB5839, SB6032, SB6148

Keywords: traffic safety, roadway fatalities, Washington traffic safety commission, policy update, road safety, accident prevention, disability, parking privileges, accessibility, special parking, local government, oil tankers, restricted waters, environmental safety, maritime regulations, state law, fifth-wheel, travel trailers, vehicle regulation, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Ryan Gianni, staff counsel to this committee.
• Tim Ford with staff for the committee.
• We will start with staff briefing.
• Any other questions for staff? Okay.
• Tim Ford's staff with... Go ahead, Tim.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. SB 5720 would enact the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, adding complaint and notice requirements before default judgments in consumer debt cases and preserving existing debt-buyer protections; the sponsor and witnesses from consumer and collection groups described it as a compromise measure, and there was broad support with 53 people signed in pro. SB 5833 would allow a vehicle to remain running for up to 30 minutes to keep a pet safe from heat or cold; the sponsor said he would amend liability language, while animal control and police groups raised concerns about shifting the focus away from animal welfare and creating liability issues, though many sign-ins were pro (107 pro, 4 con). SB 5936 would update human trafficking law by allowing prosecution of business entities that knowingly benefit from trafficking, adding confidentiality protections for victims, and creating a process for T and U visa certifications; survivors and advocacy groups supported it, while hospitality and law enforcement groups asked for clarifying amendments, especially on business liability and duplicative visa procedures, and sign-ins showed 24 pro and 283 con. SB 5993 would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and shorten enforcement of judgments involving medical debt to six years without renewal; supporters said it would reduce financial harm and help patients, while hospitals, physicians, collectors, and business groups warned it could discourage payment and worsen provider finances, especially for rural hospitals, with 129 sign-ins pro and no con sign-ins. Finally, SB 5735 would create state standards for labeling imitation firearms, including BB guns and toy guns, with advisories and penalties for altered markings; the sponsor said it was intended to reduce mistaken shootings, while gun-rights and firearms-training witnesses argued federal law already covers the issue and that the bill would burden lawful training and competition, with 8 pro and 184 con sign-ins. The committee closed each public hearing and adjourned without recorded votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Maya Aitah, staff counsel to this committee.
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee.
• And we're going to start with staff. Senate Bill 5868.
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee again.
• Do any of the staff members have any questions?

Bills: SB5865, SB5880, SB5912, SB5855, SB6011, SB6009, SB5868, SB5974

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Maya Aitah, staff counsel to this committee.
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee.
• Any of the questions for staff? Thank you so much, Tim.
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee again.
• Do any of the staff members have any questions?

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on several bills. SB 5865 on garnishment forms was amended to require the Washington Pattern Forms Committee to finish the new forms by December 31, 2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2027; a competing amendment was withdrawn, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. SB 5880 on toxicology testing by certified laboratories was amended to clarify that local governments may accept private donations to help fund ISO-IEC 17025 testing, without requiring them to do so, and it also received a due pass recommendation. SB 5912 to reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force was amended to remove legislators from the task force, add members, revise duties and reporting, and adjust staffing and reimbursement provisions; it too was advanced. SB 5855 on law enforcement face coverings drew extensive amendment debate. The committee rejected amendments that would have narrowed mask exceptions, added weather/environmental language, created a private right of action against federal officers, and established a claims account for officers, but adopted the proposed substitute and sent the bill forward on a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard public testimony on SB 6011, which would let Court of Appeals bailiffs conduct threat assessments and access certain criminal history information for Court of Appeals judges and staff, mirroring authority already given to Supreme Court bailiffs. The bill’s sponsor and the acting chief judge for Division I said the change would address increasing threats and allow bailiffs to investigate and refer matters efficiently; there was no opposition testimony. SB 6009, which would make permanent direct-review procedures for certain administrative and land-use decisions, was described as a successful COVID-era process that reduces unnecessary court steps and conserves resources. The sponsor and a Court of Appeals judge supported making the sunset provisions permanent, and testimony was generally favorable. Public hearing also continued on SB 5868, which would add one Superior Court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Court officials, county leaders, and the Administrative Office of the Courts testified that both counties have growing caseloads, trial delays, and backlogs, and that the counties had budgeted their share of the cost. The committee then heard SB 5974, which would add eligibility requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, restrict the use of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, and clarify duties of sheriffs. Supporters argued the bill would improve professionalism, accountability, and public trust, especially in immigrant and survivor communities. Opponents, including several sheriffs, cities, and counties, argued it would undermine local control and voter authority, impose costly background checks, and raise constitutional concerns. Public testimony on SB 5974 closed when time expired, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> many years to recruit and retain staff many years to recruit and retain staff recognizing<00:39:
• It will also improve investigation into assaults against our staff and allegations of staff use of force
• It will also improve investigation into assaults against our staff and allegations of staff use of force
• </c> jointly teaching that with a a staff jointly teaching that with a a staff person<01:03:53.000><c
• </c> can tell you unequivocally um our staff can tell you unequivocally um our staff and<01:19:34.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And all of our research staff, all of the partisan and non-partisan staff who make the committees work
• staff who the partisan and non-partisan staff who make<00:02:17.400><c> the</c><00:02:17.480><c> committees
• </c><00:03:03.800><c> Um</c> to all your staff, you're amazing.
• Um to all your staff, you're amazing.
• . staff. staff.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and so it's really important that we make sure that this is a safe space not just for electeds and staff
• but for all the people who come staff but for all the people who come here<00:01:55.680><c> and</c><
• Um, I do want to just take a minute to thank all of our security staff as well.
• </c><00:13:42.240><c> Um,</c><00:13:42.639><c> you</c> of our security staff as well.
• Um, you of our security staff as well.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin with a high-level staff briefing on the nature of the bills, as well as any amendments.
• Do we have any questions of staff on the amendment or the underlying bill?
• Do we have questions of staff on either the bill or the amendments? Seeing none, let's move.
• Do we have questions for staff of the underlying bill or the amendment?
• My concern was that it was going to take five days away from overworked staff.

Bills: HB2007, HB2360, HB2369, HB2432, HB2440, HB2534, HB2557

Keywords: competency-based assessment, graduation requirements, education reform, student opportunity, pathway options, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Emily Poole, staff to the Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee.
• Jessica Van Horn, staff to this committee.
• I would now like a staff report on House Bill 15.
• I would now like a staff report on House Bill 1570 from David Pringle.
• Once again, Jessica Van Horn, staff to this committee.

Bills: HB1170, HB1570, HB1834

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, AI-generated content, deepfake, synthetic media, content provenance, provenance data, metadata, watermarking, disclosure, transparency, consumer protection, unfair or deceptive acts, unfair competition, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, platform regulation, AI detection tool, media authenticity

Transcript Highlights:

• It just means that the staff who does support them do that in the other duties as assigned category on
• And so the staff that does support this board are staff at our budget office, staff on our policy team
• And I'm joined by one of our staff members here today.
• What did not change during that time was my grants management staff: four staff members, when it was
• It's a challenge with the four staff that I have, but what my director has done, Dr.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee of Reference first heard a sunset review of the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board. Governor’s Office staff explained that the board was created in 2016 to lower borrowing costs for qualifying schools by providing a state guarantee that improves credit ratings, but the board has no dedicated staff or budget and is now largely in a monitoring role because it has reached its statutory leverage cap. Members discussed the long maturities of the approved financings, whether rural districts might benefit from additional capacity, and why a 10-year continuation was being requested. The committee voted to recommend continuing the board for 10 years until July 1, 2036. The committee then heard a sunset review of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE’s president described the interstate compact, its regional student access programs—WUE, WRGP, and PSEP—along with behavioral health fidelity reviews and cooperative purchasing savings. Testimony emphasized tuition savings for Arizona students, the return of health care graduates to Arizona, and the value of regional collaboration. The committee voted to recommend continuing WICHE for 10 years until July 1, 2036. Finally, the committee reviewed the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program performance audit. The Auditor General reported that the program has grown substantially, but many sampled schools were not fully complying with requirements such as operational plans, safety teams, training, activity logs, and reimbursement documentation. The department agreed with the finding and said it would implement the recommendations. The school safety director responded that the department has already begun tightening monitoring, training, and documentation procedures, and he answered questions about emergency plans and campus safety. No further action was taken on the audit, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to have an informational hearing on what we come up with, but I just wanted to in case um thank our staff
• , our amazing staff that has been working with us all the time, especially our nonpartisan staff who
• </c> like to thank our our partisan staff like to thank our our partisan staff Paulie<00:03:13.680><c
• And I'd like to also thank really thank um GOP partisan staff Jod Withers and Janelle Bula, who is an
• Uh, thank you to my colleagues uh from both sides and to all the staff and uh Natalie, of course.

Bills: HF2433

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our team does both through our own staff our team does both through our own staff and<00:20:50.440
• </c> good thing in many ways reduced staff good thing in many ways reduced staff attrition<00:26:35.000
• </c><00:36:59.960><c> reduction</c> think it was the 50% uh staff reduction think it was the 50% uh staff
• In the October 2024 all-staff meeting, staff first learned of our budget concerns.
• off of staff and when staff<01:26:18.719><c> have</c><01:26:18.880><c> case</c><01:26:19.080><c> loads

Bills: HF1538, HF1965, HF2251, HF2838

Keywords: teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district, cooperative unit, teacher pipeline, alternative licensure, apprenticeship program, labor and industry, union representation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> philosophy change where before staff philosophy change where before staff would<00:16:10.160><c>
• The counties can therefore then staff and take care of some of the situations that we have.
• These are some of their top challenges: staff education requirements.
• </c> some of their top challenges staff some of their top challenges staff education<00:41:40.920><c>
• Next bullet is strict staff-to-child ratios and scheduling ratios.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The turnover for these staff is the highest of all staff within child welfare departments.
• My staff ended up striking agreements with about 17 counties, including L.A.
• and state departments, but local county staff are not included in this.
• As a result, the increase in staff and the increase in the cost of doing business for staff has greatly
• As always, I want to thank committee staff.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our staff, right?
• We've done some TBRI training with our staff. We've done ACEs training with our staff.
• So as it relates to communications with staff, I travel all around the state and hold all-staff meetings
• And your staff is going to follow you.
• And I hope that your staff hears Your staff is going to follow you.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then post-COVID, we can't hire enough staff.
• </c> we can't hire enough staff. we can't hire enough staff.
• To your first question, yes, we try to be flexible with the staff.
• It really flexible with the staff.
• It's hard the staff. They they move it.

Bills: SF0010, SF0005

Keywords: mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, bankruptcy, hospital, county, healthcare, financial stability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Helen Roberts from the House Fiscal Staff.
• House fiscal staff you have a one-page House fiscal staff you have a one-page document<00:02:24.239><
• Chair, and thank you to our nonpartisan staff.
• Chair, and thank you to our nonpartisan staff.
• </c><00:43:45.400><c> or</c> guys and and if uh nonpartisan staff or guys and and if uh nonpartisan staff

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff would... Oh, this is the paddle wheel provision.
• </c><00:21:03.640><c> Staff,</c> Did you want to speak to it? Staff, Did you want to speak to it?
• Staff, okay. okay. okay.
• Staff or non-partisan staff, any... Staff or non-partisan staff, any suggestions?
• . staff. staff.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on House File 4188 met on May 16, 2026, with a quorum present and indicated it was intended to be the final meeting. The main issue discussed was an amendment to the 62J language concerning home care nursing services for children with complex medical needs. Chair O'Driscoll said the amendment would direct the Departments of Commerce and Health and Human Services to review the fiscal impact on the state, families, and health plans, and to develop possible legislation for 2027. Supporters described the proposal as a pause to allow more review, while also acknowledging it was not a complete solution. Senator Bolden and others testified strongly against allowing the coverage changes to stand, saying the issue affects roughly 200 to 250 families statewide, many of them children who need hospital-level care at home. They warned that capping or denying private coverage would shift costs to Medicaid waivers, strain family waiver budgets, increase state costs, and potentially force more children into hospitals, reducing critical care capacity. Committee members also questioned Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold and department staff about the distinction between home care nursing and home health services, statutory definitions, billing units, essential health benefits, waiver budgets, and the effect of enforcement actions involving HealthPartners. The committee adopted the A30 amendment by voice vote, and the motion prevailed. Members then took up another provision, described by staff as the meat raffle/paddle wheel language, and adopted an amendment to add the game of Haus und Pfeffer before approving the provision as amended. In final remarks, members from both chambers praised the committee’s work and professionalism, but several expressed regret that the home care nursing issue was not resolved in the conference report and said it would need further work next session. They also noted other items that did not make it into the bill, including reinsurance and certain other policy provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That way, staff like us could enjoy... ...should be good to go.
• For the record, David Munnicki, staff to the committee.
• For the record, Sandy Myers, staff to the committee.
• For the record, David Monarchy, staff to the committee.
• I'm not sure if it's so much for the sponsor or the staff.

Bills: HB1367, HB2172, HB2718, HB2139, HB2192, HB2307, HB2379, HB2467, HB2495, HB2604

Keywords: motorcycle safety, right shoulder, shoulder riding, limited access roadway, freeway, expressway, highway congestion, lane splitting, traffic safety, RCW, Washington traffic law, roadside assistance, emergency vehicles, tow truck, congested traffic, motorcyclist, route jurisdiction, abandonment, transportation, local governance