Transcript Highlights:

• comes to the redistricting aspects in particular, I find it very interesting just the different standards
• What standard are you worried about? What is it? >> That they can't split precincts.
• What's the standard you're worried about? You brought up political motivation.
• </c><00:30:31.640><c> on</c><00:30:31.760><c> order</c> some conformity, some standards on order some
• conformity, some standards on order to<00:30:32.000><c> go</c><00:30:32.160><c> through</c><00:30:32.360

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:04 Roll Call 00:00:14 HB 682 Discussion 00:01:41 HB 682 Vote 00:03:10 HB 731 Discussion 00:04:33 HB 731 Vote 00:06:26 HB 607 Discussion 00:09:24 HB 607 Vote 00:32:15 Adjournment 00:34:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They also hold the copyright to the design for the standard license plate that you see, the red, white
• It's used on standard plates and many other specialty plates.
• And because of that... ...on standard plates and many other specialty plates.
• So they still have to meet all those standards, and so it's not just automatic.
• But as they get better and as they gain the... ...standards, and so it's not just automatic.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• don't think that we're actually helping them see their potential or reach their potential within a standard
• Well, this is also a standard feature in some of our litigation around public entities where we can bring
• It overrides Arizona's education standards and processes and imposes another statewide curriculum mandate
• And they had wonderful civic standards at that time, and unfortunately those have been replaced, but
• they sent out a survey to see how those civic standards were being implemented in the school.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have inspectors for life safety codes, so they're looking at building standards.
• So nursing staffing standards, of course, in 2023 there was a standard about 3.08 hours of case-mix-adjusted
• Health promulgated NOIRA, or Notice of Intended Regulatory Action, and then CMS imposed a federal standard
• to study the nursing home workforce, so we can move this forward and figure out exactly what that standard
• I had to step out for a minute because my bill that you just talked about related to nursing standards

Committee: House Health and Human Services

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work, but to ensure that we agree that everything is being done in accordance with the actuarial standards
• We'll run through the contribution calculation following the actuary's report, and then actuarial standards
• the primary goal here is to focus on whether everything's being done in accordance with actuarial standards
• We feel like it falls within the actuarial standards of practice, make sure that the disclosures are
• that we understand what's actually occurring, because that's one of the requirements of actuarial standards

Summary: The Public Retirement System Actuarial Committee met on February 23, 2026, approved the December 18, 2025 minutes, and heard actuarial valuation reports and experience studies for several retirement systems. Presenters repeatedly noted strong investment performance, payroll growth, and generally improving funded ratios across the systems, with most plans showing lower minimum recommended employer contribution rates for fiscal 2027. The committee also received explanations of funding deposit accounts, frozen unfunded liabilities in some plans, and how recent legislative changes, including the move to five-year DROP periods in some systems, affected costs and assumptions. For the Clerk of Court, District Attorney, Firefighters, Municipal Employees (Plans A and B), Municipal Police, Registrars of Voters, and Sheriffs systems, the committee reviewed 2025 actuarial evaluations and, where applicable, 2025 experience studies. The actuarial reviewers reported no significant deficiencies and said the valuations were completed in accordance with applicable actuarial standards, generally accepted actuarial practice, and state statutes. The experience studies generally led to modest assumption changes, with some cost decreases from salary, mortality, withdrawal, and asset experience, while some plans saw offsetting increases from retirement or post-DROP behavior. The committee asked a brief question about mortality assumptions and was told the studies use separate male/female and safety/non-safety tables adjusted for Louisiana experience. The committee adopted each valuation and experience study without objection. Key fiscal 2027 minimum recommended employer contribution rates included 14.75% for Clerk of Court, 3.0% for District Attorneys, 25.5% for Firefighters, 20.75% for MERS Plan A, 8.75% for MERS Plan B, 26.5% for Municipal Police, 0% for Registrars of Voters with a $207,683 allocation to the Member Supplemental Savings Fund, and 7.75% for Sheriffs. The committee also recognized DROP crediting rates where applicable and adjourned after completing all agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• the work, but to ensure that we agree everything is being done in accordance with the actuarial standards
• We’ll run through the contribution calculation following the actuary’s report, and then actuarial standards
• the primary goal here is to focus on whether everything is being done in accordance with actuarial standards
• look at the process, make sure we understand it, and we feel like it falls within the actuarial standards
• doesn't mean that anything that was done in any of the reviews was not in accordance with actual standards

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Public Retirement System Actuarial Committee met on February 23, 2026, approved the December 18, 2025 minutes, and heard no public comment. The committee then reviewed actuarial valuation reports and, for most systems, accompanying experience studies. The actuaries reported generally favorable investment and demographic experience across the systems, with funded ratios improving and employer contribution rates declining in several plans. They also explained the role of funding deposit accounts, frozen unfunded liabilities in some plans, and how recent legislative changes, especially the move to five-year DROP periods in some systems, affected assumptions and costs. For the Louisiana Clerk of Court Retirement Relief Fund, the committee adopted the valuation and experience study, recognizing a fiscal 2027 minimum recommended employer rate of 14.75%. For the District Attorney’s Retirement System, it adopted the valuation and experience study and recognized a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 3.00%. For the Firefighters’ Retirement System, the committee adopted the valuation and experience study, recognized a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 25.5%, and noted that DROP balances left on deposit will earn the market rate of return of 11.7%. The committee also adopted the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System valuation for both Plan A and Plan B, recognizing fiscal 2027 minimum rates of 20.75% and 8.75%, respectively. It adopted the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System valuation and experience study, recognizing a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 26.5%, a DROP crediting rate of 7.4%, and a policy range up to 29.35% for future contributions. For the Registrars of Voters Employees’ Retirement System, the committee adopted the valuation and experience study, recognized a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 0%, and noted a $207,683 allocation to the Member Supplemental Savings Fund for fiscal 2026. Finally, it adopted the Sheriff’s Pension and Relief Fund valuation and experience study, recognizing a fiscal 2027 minimum rate of 7.75%. All motions passed without objection, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are also no national certification standards for electronic ballot return.
• The National Institute for Standards and Technology...
• For electronic ballot return, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, NIST, the FBI, the
• A scientist has likened this to: how do you develop standards for secure drunk driving?
• It can't be done, so we don't have standards.

Bills: SB6084 , SB6137 , SCR8406 , SB5892 , SB5863

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• There are also no national certification standards for electronic ballot return.
• There are also no national certification standards for electronic ballot return.
• The National Institute for Standards and Technology, NIST, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security
• A scientist has reckoned this to be, how do you develop standards for secure drunk driving?
• It can't be done, so we don't have standards.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 6137 would expand Washington sports wagering by allowing wagers placed over the internet to be accepted at any tribal gaming facility, not just the same tribe’s facility, and would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington institutions while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington athletes’ performance. Washington State University opposed the bill over concerns about harassment, point shaving, and broader gambling harms, while the University of Washington supported the individual prop-bet ban but urged caution. An Emerald Queen Casinos representative supported the bill, saying it would move existing illegal wagering into a regulated system with safeguards. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, which would require regular consultation with tribes on voting access and authorize a secure electronic ballot return portal for military, overseas, Native American, and disability voters. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill’s tribal outreach and said it was more comfortable with the revised portal language, but several election-security witnesses opposed the portal sections, arguing internet ballot return is too risky and lacks adequate standards. King County Elections supported the portal as a more secure option than current email and fax methods, and said it would improve access while preserving paper trails and security checks. Substitute Senate Bill 6034 would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency. The office and a tribal health liaison testified in support, saying codification would stabilize government-to-government relations with tribes and ensure continuity beyond executive preference. Substitute Senate Bill 6081 would restrict public disclosure of sex designation information in certain licensing and vital records; supporters said it would protect transgender people from doxing, harassment, and violence, while opponents argued it would make official records less accurate. Staff also briefed Senate Bill 5863 on Lakeland Village records, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 reestablishing the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, and Senate Bill 5892 on voter data protections. The committee adopted amendments to SB 5863 and SB 5892, rejected some other amendments, and reported SB 5863, SCR 8406, and SB 5892 out of committee with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aligning state law with federal standards allows agencies to recruit from the full pool of individuals
• This bill does not lower standards or expand eligibility beyond what is allowed by federal law.
• I believe this bill would grant a lot of people who meet the standards of what law enforcement in the
• This is about clarity and consistency, where clear standards protect officers and the public alike.
• This is about clarity and consistency where clear standards protect officers and the public alike.

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• category of being considered satisfactory as opposed to just saying it's, you know, 60% of some standard
• category of being considered satisfactory as opposed to just saying it's, you know, 60% of some standard
• But under the current Hazelwood standard, But under the current Hazelwood standard, we are teaching them
• tackle the issues affecting their lives under the guidance of trained educators and professional standards
• at least at the high school level, some policies for boards of education to pass, so there is standardization

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we have some way to cover the insurance, I know it's against the standards that we've had before
• They will tighten underwriting standards, which actually goes against what the mayor has already mentioned
• So does that homeowner have the option to decline flood coverage in his otherwise standard homeowners
• Hopefully, we're going to get discounts from the insurance companies if we take on these IBHS standards
• And IBHS, as people may or may... ...on these IBHS standards.

Bills: SB154 , SB187 , SB193 , SM3

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 93, introduced by Representative Senna Cortez, an act relating to taxation, increasing the standard
• deduction for income tax purposes to 205% of the standard deduction allowed by the federal government
• by title, is ruled germane pursuant to Article 4, Section 5B1 of the New Mexico Constitution. the standard
• deduction for income tax purposes to 205% of the standard deduction allowed by the federal government
• House Bill 121, introduced by Representative Silva, an act relating to public finance, standardizing

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Anti-discrimination standards and protections for pharmacies were one of the top trends we tracked last
• So as I was saying, anti-discrimination standards and protections for pharmacies was one of the top trends
• Randolph Institute believes meaningful reform of the 340B program must establish clear, uniform standards
• It is a controlled, repetitive process with standardized protocols and strict federal oversight.
• In summary, HB 1828 aligns Washington law with federal standards, recognizes EMT capabilities, and responds

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2437, which would put the Department of Health’s authority to accredit opioid treatment programs into statute and allow the department to set a fee to cover the cost of those services. The prime sponsor and DOH said the bill would preserve a service that is especially important to tribal and rural providers and would be self-sustaining rather than supported by the general fund. Members asked about the relationship between DOH and HCA and whether the bill would duplicate existing authority; staff and the department said DOH already performs the accrediting role and the bill mainly formalizes that authority and fee-setting power. Public testimony on the bill was then closed. The committee then held an extensive work session on the federal 340B drug pricing program and later opened public testimony on House Bill 2145, which would prohibit manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers from restricting 340B drug acquisition or delivery and from requiring claims or utilization data as a condition of access. Committee staff and NCSL gave background on how 340B works, recent growth in the program, contract pharmacy issues, and state efforts in other jurisdictions. Testimony on HB 2145 was sharply divided: hospitals, community health centers, tribal representatives, contract pharmacies, and labor groups said the bill would protect safety-net providers, rural access, HIV and behavioral health services, and tribal programs from manufacturer restrictions; business groups, pharmaceutical companies, and employer coalitions argued the program has expanded beyond its original intent, lacks transparency, shifts costs to employers and taxpayers, and should be addressed through federal reform instead. No vote was taken in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2155, which would bar non-human entities from using nursing titles such as RN, APRN, or LPN or otherwise implying they are licensed nurses. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients from being misled by AI systems and to preserve transparency and public safety as health care technology expands. The Washington State Nurses Association testified in support, saying AI can be useful but should not replace nurses or be presented as a licensed professional. A member asked about enforcement and liability, and staff said they would follow up on those details.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are the custodian of fish protection standards, and those fish protection standards are incorporated
• passed 2E SSB 6406, a bill that directed the Forest Practices Board to incorporate fish protection standards
• Standards into rules, and the board responded.
• that through that program, we restored 31,000 miles of forest roads into compliance with current standards
• Expanded riparian buffers, improved road maintenance and abandonment standards, and enhanced protections

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thing on the budget request that I want to talk about is a $0 request for some changes to their standard
• A zero-dollar request for some changes to their standard language.
• So the graphic on the screen shows Section 67-3511 of Idaho Code, what the normal or standard object
• language. a zero dollar request for some changes to their standard language the Department of Health
• The normal or standard object transfer limitations are.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: JFAC began with a presentation from Legislative Services on the general fund and the “green sheet,” explaining how the committee tracks starting cash, revenue forecasts, transfers, appropriations, and ending balances. The analyst walked through general fund revenue sources, the difference between transfers and expenditures, structural balance, and how the green sheet is used to compare current-year collections against forecasts. Members asked about continuously appropriated funds, federal dollars, sales tax exemptions, and cash reconciliation issues tied to the state’s new Luma finance system and interest allocations. The discussion also covered the revenue monitor and how the committee can use it to track collections against forecasted amounts. The committee then moved into the Department of Health and Welfare’s overall budget overview. Legislative Services reviewed the department’s size, organizational structure, vacancy rate, five-year spending trends, and the role of continuously appropriated funds such as the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and Rural Physician Fund. Members asked about personnel vacancy rates, reverted funds, and whether the department could provide a list of subgrants and trustee-and-benefit payments. Department officials explained that some vacancies reflected a department-wide review, hiring freeze, and FTP realignment, including moving positions to State Hospital South and reverting some federal spending authority. They also said the department was actively filling funded positions and would provide additional information on grants and other payments. The committee then heard the first division-level budget presentation for Indirect Support Services. The analyst described the division’s role in centralized administration, IT, legal, communications, and management support, along with its staffing, historical expenditures, and base budget changes. The division’s budget request included a one-time irrigation system project at State Hospital West, a fund adjustment for the background check unit, the transfer of 58 FTP and related costs to the Office of Information Technology as part of modernization, and a request to remove restrictive budget language on personnel and trustee-and-benefit transfers. The governor’s recommendation also included support for some replacement items and a major new item tied to Idaho’s Rural Health Transformation Program, including 12 limited-service FTP in 2026, ongoing FTP in 2027, and $294 million in one-time operating funds. Members questioned the need for the new FTP, the use of AI, the definition of “rural,” and the mechanics of the IT transfer; department and ITS officials explained the transfer was a budget shift of personnel and operating costs, not a net increase in staffing. The committee adjourned after members also raised broader concerns about public input on Health and Welfare budgets and suggested a joint public meeting with the Health and Welfare committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it was basically designed to 1950s design standards and built for a 1950s level ferry service.
• So it was basically designed to 1950s design standards and built for a 1950s level ferry service.
• It is one that we have a priority to make structurally safe and modify designs up to current standards
• We were able to extract that cabinet, install standardized signage, making it a four-way stop.
• We were able to extract that cabinet, install standardized signage, making it a four-way stop.

Bills: SB5989

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it was basically designed to 1950s design standards and built for a 1950s level ferry service.
• So it was basically designed to 1950s design standards and built for a 1950s level ferry service.
• It is one that we have a priority to make structurally safe and modify designs up to current standards
• And of our 460 active projects, we have maybe four per year that don't meet that standard, so less than
• We were able to extract that cabinet, install standardized signage, making it a four-way stop.

Summary: The committee first met in brief executive session and advanced Senate Bill 5989 without recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Staff explained the bill would redistribute sales tax on aircraft fuel, affecting general fund revenue, which was why it was better suited for Ways and Means. The motion passed by voice vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith on WSDOT’s 2025 work and 2026 priorities. She highlighted agency reorganization, safety initiatives, preservation needs, bridge strikes and storm damage, ferry service improvements, major projects such as Revive I-5, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project, fish passage work, and preparations for the World Cup. Members praised the department’s communication and work, and asked about additional paving and preservation funding; Meredith said WSDOT had prepared projects that could be advanced if more money were available. Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary John Vizina and staffer Jenna Forty followed with a detailed briefing on vessel and terminal preservation. They described the aging fleet, the need for new hybrid-electric vessels, the governor’s proposed funding for three additional ferries and life-extension work on older vessels, and the importance of terminal upgrades such as Fauntleroy. Senators asked about service contingency planning, the cost and timing of hybrid versus diesel vessels, and whether additional vessels would require rebidding; staff said hybrid-electric construction is the fastest path and that any expansion would depend on statutory direction and legal review. The committee then heard from local government representatives on preservation and storm recovery. The Association of Washington Cities and the Transportation Improvement Board described city road and bridge needs, limited local funding, and the importance of sustained preservation investment and programmatic grants. County representatives from the Washington State Association of County Engineers, Snohomish County, and the County Road Administration Board discussed the December flooding, road washouts, bridge damage, and recovery costs, emphasizing that counties face large preservation backlogs and need state and federal help for repairs and resiliency.

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, in Washington, the Criminal Justice Training Commission establishes the standards and
• At the end of the day, we do really need to make sure that they are operating on the same legal standards
• Do we actually hold ourselves to the standard of not concealing our identity in public?
• And House Bill 2173 only clarifies that we hold law enforcement to this same standard.
• There is no ...clarifies that we hold law enforcement to this same standard.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2203 would create the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving on a roadway known to be closed due to hazardous conditions, with gross misdemeanor penalties, a possible Class C felony enhancement if a rescue leads to injury or involves a minor or vulnerable adult, license suspension, and emergency-response cost recovery. The prime sponsor described recent flooding rescues in Orting as the impetus, and local police support emphasized responder safety and limited resources. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission opposed the felony section, saying the conduct did not warrant felony treatment and recommending a traffic infraction for the first level and a gross misdemeanor for the second. House Bill 2293 would bar Washington law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and related personnel from training with foreign militaries, intelligence agencies, or security services, or funding travel for that purpose. The sponsor said civilian policing should not be trained like military service and argued officers should be trained under U.S. constitutional standards. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association argued the bill was too broad and unclear, could block valuable counterterrorism and best-practice training, and might need exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and other legitimate international partnerships. Members discussed possible amendments and clarification language. House Bill 2165 would create a new gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, covering possession or creation of realistic badges, insignia, or other items identifying someone as an officer when they are not commissioned, while preserving defenses for honorary, reserve, posse, and protected expressive uses. The sponsor and governor’s office said current law is too limited because it often requires an active impersonation before enforcement can occur; law enforcement groups supported the goal but raised concerns about definitions, vehicle markings, federal-agent coverage, and whether the offense could be plea-bargained away. House Bill 2173 would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT protective gear, and medical or environmental masks, and would allow civil suits for violations. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and trust and responds to concerns about masked immigration enforcement; opponents warned it could expose officers to doxxing, create liability and recruitment problems, and raise constitutional issues, especially as applied to federal officers. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It implements and enforces training certification and continuing education standards for peace officers
• Now, when we talk about our agency challenges, like most I'm sure this is a pretty standard answer across
• We have a national standard for that.
• We believe the standard for LEAT in Oklahoma is so much higher than that.
• The standard for excellence in our training is we believe is high, and that we believe that will fit

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, a standardized way to classify diseases.
• The second two are standardized ways to codify medical procedures and services.
• So, excessive consumption In New Mexico, the cost is $2.2 billion, or 77 cents per standard drink.
• In 2023, the cost is almost $4 per standard drink to our state.
• Adjusting for inflation, that's $3.1 billion in 2023, or $3.93 per standard drink.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee