Video & Transcript : 'first grade' :

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 4th, 2025

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • I appreciate you putting me first.
  • I appreciate you putting me first.
  • I had the privilege of being the first full-time supervisor on that unit.
  • And if you look at the first three, they're kind of law enforcement related.
  • First off, I wanted to wait towards the end to really address all of our law enforcement.
Summary: The committee heard a series of domestic security and law enforcement presentations from the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDLE. Sheriff Rob Hardwick outlined the sheriffs’ legislative priorities, focusing on adding xylazine to Florida’s trafficking statute and increasing penalties for luring or enticing a child under 12 from a misdemeanor to a felony. He also discussed domestic security coordination, fusion center intelligence sharing, and jail-based reentry efforts. Members asked about xylazine prevalence in Broward County and whether canine units can detect it; Hardwick said he would follow up with data and noted that dogs are not specifically trained for xylazine, though fentanyl-certified dogs may alert on mixtures. Chief Charlie Vasquez of the Florida Police Chiefs Association presented three priorities: stronger protections for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and their families when threatened because of their jobs; faster and more consistent access to blood-borne pathogen testing results after exposure incidents; and mandatory life without release for anyone convicted of murdering a police or correctional officer, reviving a version of the Jason Raynor Act. Senators asked about delays in blood testing after exposure, and Vasquez said officers can be forced to take prophylactic medication while waiting for results and that the process should be streamlined. Florida Highway Patrol Director Dave Kerner described FHP’s domestic security role, including criminal interdiction, canine units, traffic homicide investigations, aviation, drones, border operations, and responses to threats such as human smuggling and the October 7-related security posture at synagogues and campuses. He said staffing remains constrained by vacancies and pay disparities, so he was not seeking more authorized troopers at this time. FDLE Deputy Commissioner David Binder then reviewed the state’s domestic security structure, fusion centers, critical infrastructure assessments, and grant funding, warning that federal homeland security dollars have declined sharply while threats remain high. He highlighted work on drone mitigation, radiological detection, vehicle barriers, and school security assessments, and emphasized the need for continued interagency coordination. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 5th, 2025

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the river, first, halt the construction of new projects and floodways.
  • Now, is, um, how many hours of the 80 in the first year are civil.
  • Um, it's the first stab.
  • House Bill 2 is, is just the first step in this process.
  • and all disciplines of first responders to collaborate.
Bills: HB1 , HB 2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 1

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The chief clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading.
  • Introduction and first reading of House Files 5156 through 5160. their first reading.
  • Introduction and their first reading.
  • ><00:06:29.400><c> files</c><00:06:29.680><c> 5156</c> first reading of House files 5156 first reading
  • ><c> 5156</c> First reading House files 5156 First reading House files 5156 through<00:06:36.440><c>
Keywords: 1183, house
WV
Transcript Highlights:
  • So that's the first exemption.
  • Sorry, I can answer the first. Thank you for those questions. Of course.
  • And I don't mind being the first in the nation to start this.
  • And so they've already been read a first time.
  • So you'd have, it'd be first on Thursday, second on... They've already been read a first time.
Keywords: 994, senate, all
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up House Bill 4852, a strike-and-insert bill revising West Virginia’s food additive restrictions. Counsel explained that it moved the existing additive list into a new code section, kept the 2028 effective date, added exceptions for dietary supplements, alcoholic liquor, non-intoxicating beer, and small sellers under $5,000 per month, and created civil penalties for knowing violations. Testimony split between industry witnesses, who argued the bill and last year’s law would raise costs, burden interstate commerce, and conflict with federal regulation, and advocates who said the law is already prompting companies to reformulate and that the bill clarifies vague language tied to a federal injunction. Several amendments were offered to tie the law to FDA action or exempt soda, pepperoni rolls, frozen confections, and snack foods; some were adopted and others failed. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment as amended and reported HB 4852 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 5484, which creates felony offenses for interfering with a victim’s access to medical treatment or forensic care related to a sexual offense, or for forcing a victim of a sexual offense who becomes pregnant to have an illegal abortion, along with a conspiracy offense. Counsel said the strike-and-insert added clarifying language and definitions. Members raised concerns that the conspiracy language could be read to include the victim herself, and the bill sponsor said the intent was to target traffickers and abusers who keep victims from medical care and force abortions outside medical facilities. An amendment was adopted clarifying that nothing in the subsection imposes criminal liability on the victim of the sexual offense. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported HB 5484 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, and adopted a title amendment. The final bill discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 4468, which narrows confidentiality protections for victims in criminal complaints by limiting redaction to names and addresses, while still allowing disclosure to other governmental entities and permitting victims to request redaction of addresses from appellate decisions after July 1, 2026. Counsel said the bill would replace broader existing confidentiality language and remove provisions allowing disclosure upon a showing of justice or by subpoena. Members questioned whether the change would weaken victim privacy protections, noting that identifying information can include much more than names and addresses. The committee then began hearing testimony from a county prosecutor on the bill, but the excerpt ends before any vote or final action on HB 4468.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Preferential scoring for housing projects in communities with land trusts 3/10/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, we'll move to our first item on the agenda today, which is House File 3600.
  • Uh, the first bill today, House File 3600, is a community land trust bill, and this bill will be laid
  • This is my first time in the committee, and I did not bring treats.
  • First up will be Jeff Washburn, if you're with us virtually. tool in the box per se.
  • First up will be uh Jeff our testifiers.
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 03/04/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> of and first reading of Senate bills. of and first reading of Senate bills.
  • </c><00:08:13.640><c> reading</c> calendar are given their first reading calendar are given their first
  • The first change is Senate File 4137.
  • We are on, just so everyone is clear, the eighth order of business, which is the introduction and first
  • </c> first reading and referred as indicated. first reading and referred as indicated.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So first the criteria is listed here.
  • So first I'll just look at borrowers.
  • </c> Uh first we have Representative Uh first we have Representative Bojanowski.
  • </c><01:03:20.240><c> generation,</c> that represent first generation, that represent first generation
  • </c> my first job tomorrow as commissioner. my first job tomorrow as commissioner.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Austin Reid of the National Conference of State Legislatures on education-related provisions in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Reid said the law is projected to increase the federal deficit over 10 years, with major savings coming from Medicaid, student loan changes, and SNAP. He focused on how those changes could affect schools, including possible effects on free and reduced-price meal certification, state funding formulas that use SNAP as a proxy for low-income status, and Medicaid-funded school services for students with disabilities. Reid also outlined the new federal scholarship tax credit, which gives a dollar-for-dollar credit for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. He said families up to 300% of area median income may benefit, the program begins in 2027, and states must opt in and designate eligible organizations. He noted unresolved questions about whether states can add their own criteria and said Treasury regulations will be important. He also described the expansion of 529 plans to cover more K-12 and postsecondary expenses. On higher education, Reid explained a new workforce Pell grant option for short-term programs, with states and governors playing a role in determining eligible programs. He said the programs must meet placement, completion, and earnings measures and that implementation is expected to be tight before the July 1, 2026 effective date. He also reviewed student loan changes, including lower institutional loan limits, prorated borrowing for part-time enrollment, new caps on graduate and Parent PLUS loans, and a new earnings-based accountability standard that could make some programs ineligible for student loans if graduates earn too little. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 3rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that is our first kind of big goal that we're always working on.
  • But the first couple of years, they were running at a solid 3 to 4.
  • But the first couple of years, they were running at a solid 3 to 4.
  • colleges. the first, but we're trying to do it really well.
  • Let me do that first. So folks, I can either read them or copy them.
Keywords: 1212, all
Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities opened its June virtual meeting with roll call and approval of the March minutes. The chair reported on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, noting strong attendance and positive feedback from the Lowell event, and announced the next community conversation will be held July 14 in Northampton. The commission also previewed its National Disability Employment Awareness Month event for October 7 at the State House, which will include a panel on artificial intelligence and its impact on people with disabilities. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. The coordinator described the program’s history from a 2016 law and 2018 pilot to its statewide launch on July 1, 2025, and said it now applies to new statewide contracts. She reported about 292 active disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses certified, about 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and growth expected to about 80 by July and more than 130 by November. The program’s goals include increasing certification and contracting opportunities, improving workforce participation, and reaching a 3% disability workforce goal among vendors. Members praised the program and asked about the mix of disability-owned and veteran-owned businesses, geographic reach, and how the model might be replicated elsewhere. The advisory council update highlighted ongoing collaboration across access, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, and AI, with members sharing resources and planning to support the October employment event. Subcommittees then reported on recent work: the disability employment subcommittee heard about transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a State Exchange policy brief on disability employment; the workforce supports subcommittee hosted a webinar on apprenticeships as a response to workforce shortages in disability services; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard presentations on care coordination resources and on health care inequities for people with disabilities during and after COVID. The executive director also reported on ongoing meetings with state agencies and advocacy groups about MassHealth, caregiving, aging, AI, and employment barriers such as the benefit cliff. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, discussion of housing and transportation as employment-related issues, and a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, so that's my first reaction to that as far as the definition of fraud.
  • This is the first time I've heard all.
  • This is my first term, my first campaign year in the legislature.
  • , I'll I'll take my first term, but go<00:13:45.000><c> ahead.
  • </c> I This is my first term, my first camp I This is my first term, my first camp campaign<00:14:35.400
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: Senate Republicans discussed the governor’s supplemental budget and criticized proposed cuts to nursing homes, disability services, and counties, arguing the changes would hurt vulnerable Minnesotans and that the tax package would amount to roughly an $868 million increase. They said they were open to some family-focused tax provisions, such as an expanded child care or dependent credit, but opposed broader tax increases and several previously rejected ideas, including sales tax changes and a social media tax. A major topic was fraud prevention and the Office of Legislative Auditor report on kickbacks. Republicans said the report reinforced their push for a statewide independent Office of Inspector General with a law enforcement division and a broader fraud definition, and they argued the office would have handled the cases more effectively. They also said they support the concept of an OIG bill but want only modest amendments, while criticizing House Democrats for resisting the law enforcement division and for raising constitutional objections they called a drafting issue. The lawmakers also reacted skeptically to the governor’s proposed AI-related job development fund and $10 million in forgivable loans for businesses affected by Operation Metro Search, saying the aid would mainly benefit downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul rather than the broader state. They closed with broader comments that the session felt relatively normal and less intense than past years, noted ongoing work on a bonding bill, and joked about campaign politics, possible candidates, and even the idea of a Senate dog.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

LBT-PSM, LBT Public Hearings 02-18-2026

Labor and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • First up is Senate Bill 3095.
  • First up is Senate Bill 3095.
  • First up is Senate Bill 3095.
  • First up is Senate Bill 3095.
  • First up is Senate Bill 3095. making. First up is Senate Bill 3095.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint committees on Labor and Technology and Public Safety and Military Affairs heard testimony on several measures. SB 3082, relating to military families and leave protections, drew support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the military community relations office, the Hawaii National Guard, and the U.S. Department of Defense, all of whom said the bill would align state law with federal standards and better account for military-related leave needs. SB 3110, relating to the Hawaii National Guard, was supported by Department of Defense witnesses who said it clarifies that employees of the Guard’s youth and adult educational programs are excluded from collective bargaining. The committees also heard SB 3251, which would prohibit certain state law enforcement agencies from hiring former ICE or Border Patrol agents as law enforcement officers. The main testimony in support argued the bill could help prevent local police staffing losses to higher-paying federal agencies and avoid future workforce instability if federal funding changes. The measure drew significant public testimony, with the chair noting 62 testimonies in support, five in opposition, and three comments. Members discussed the bill’s impact on recruitment and retention, and one member voted with reservations while another voted no. Later, the committees heard SB 3095 and SB 3264, both concerning Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund salaries. EUTF testified in support of SB 3095, which would allow the board to set salaries for investment office staff, and SB 3264, which would authorize the board to set the salary for an assistant administrator. After testimony, the committees moved into decision-making and passed SB 3082, SB 3110, SB 3251, SB 3095, and SB 3264 with amendments, generally including technical changes and revised effective dates of January 1, 2077 for the EUTF salary bills and SB 3082.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Jan 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is 2 o'clock on January 12th, Monday, the first day of this 2026 session, and we are in Human Services
  • That's what happens when you have a short session and lots of things happening the first day.
  • The first thing we're going to do is brief the bill that we'll be having a public hearing on, and that
  • First, the able-bodied adults without dependents waiver.
  • First, work requirement changes, including the new American Indian exemption.
Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on the first day of the 2026 session and heard a briefing and public testimony on Senate Bill 5966 concerning medically tailored meals. Committee staff explained that the bill would define medically tailored meals and set statewide standards for meals provided through state programs, emphasizing medical guidance, dietary and cultural accommodations, and prioritizing Washington-based nonprofit providers when possible. Senator T’wina Nobles, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a clear baseline for quality and accountability without expanding benefits or creating a new program, but rather to streamline and standardize existing efforts. Testifiers in support described existing medically tailored meal and food box programs already operating in Washington. Representatives from Meals on Wheels, Chicken Soup Brigade, Cascadia Produce, Emergency Food Network, and Meals on Wheels Spokane said these programs improve health outcomes for people with chronic conditions, support recovery, and help keep people stable in their communities. They also emphasized that local providers, volunteers, farmers, and food businesses benefit when state dollars stay in Washington. Several members asked whether the bill would create a new system; supporters said it would instead coordinate and standardize current waiver-based and contract-based services. Questions also touched on funding sources, delivery costs, and the role of Medicaid and other programs. The committee temporarily set aside the bill to hear from newly appointed DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who outlined the department’s reorganization into new administrations and said the goal is to reduce silos, improve customer experience, and make services easier to navigate. She also briefed members on federal HR1-related changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid, including work requirements, immigrant eligibility changes, and tribal consultation, and said DSHS is developing a verification hub to reduce administrative burden. Members raised concerns about implementation, data collection, and how to avoid benefit loss due to paperwork issues. After the secretary’s presentation, the committee resumed testimony on SB 5966 and then adjourned without taking a vote.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • WE CAN TELL FROM THEIR FROM THE FIRST YEAR THERE WERE 11 PROGRAMS THAT DID NOT MEET THE FIRST MAGIC AND
  • THE FIRST TWO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ARE THE FIRST TWO PROGRAMS WE HAVE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
  • THE FIRST ONE IS THE OPEN-DOOR PROGRAM.
  • THIS IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE FIRST.
  • SO THE FIRST THING WE DO IS WE GO TO THE FRAMEWORK.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/11/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • First things first in Arizona is the only public-funded source dedicated exclusively to early childhood
  • I know firsthand that First Things First works, because before we put my five-year-old into preschool
  • I met with First Things First. I really care about what they do.
  • Why aren't you out there advocating for marijuana to be paying into First Things First?
  • First reading of bills. The first reading of bills.
Keywords: 1182, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Aug 21st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • What we're going to do first, committee, is we're going to ask for a brief introduction.
  • I'd like to introduce my colleagues first.
  • The first thing I want to speak to is something that was said by Mr.
  • In the key Points on the first page of your memo.
  • So, moving on to prioritization and vetting, the first two items...
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Intergovernmental Affairs Jun 24th, 2026

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, the first. That can be recognized.
  • That you were at that place first.
  • Criminals are criminals first.
  • I'm just looking this way first, make sure we kind of balance the ladies first. Ladies for...
  • This way first, make sure we kind of balance the ladies first. Ladies first, must hear the winner.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, first up we have Department of Accounting and General Services.
  • Um first up we have, and them together.
  • Uh first that require county permitting.
  • Um first up, this is, okay, just to read Um first up, this is, okay, just to read it<00:01:44.960><c>
  • First one we had today was SCR 177 and SR 172.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to state facilities and agency procedures. SCR 177/SR 172 asked the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to convene a cooperative working group to address state projects requiring county permitting; DAGS supported the measure, and it was adopted unanimously. SCR 37/SR 36 requested a study on the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect; DAGS offered comments, but the chair deferred the resolution, citing a similar bill and lack of funding for a study. The committee then considered SCR 86/SR 77, which would require bi-level lighting in newly constructed state buildings and facilities beginning in 2028. DAGS and the State Energy Office provided comments, while DLNR, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Climate Future Forum testified in support. The committee amended the measure to apply to state buildings and facilities with designs finalized on or after January 1, 2028, and adopted it. SCR 122/SR 114, which would require written notice before final administrative action affecting protected liberty or property interests, drew comments from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and written comments from DOE, but was deferred due to limited support and time constraints. In the joint GVO/HHS portion, the committee heard SCR 87/SR 79, encouraging the state to examine requiring AEDs in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The State Health Planning and Development Agency, DOE, the American Heart Association, the Department of Health, an individual testifier, and DAGS all supported the measure; DAGS also described ongoing installation and training efforts in its facilities. The measure was adopted without amendment by both committees, with members noting broad support and no reservations.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • We will be hearing the first bill, the squatter bill, so named, SB 1426.
  • Okay, first of all, call the roll, if you would. Senator Hitchell, here. Senator Hattelie, here.
  • I'm going to now defer to our first testifier to explain: John Thomas. Mr.
  • First. ...collaborate and improve this legislation.
  • Maybe the first week of June is better.
Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee met with a hard stop at 4:30 p.m. and approved the February 4, 2026 minutes. Members announced several bills would be held for a later supplemental meeting, then took up SB 1426, the “squatter” bill, which would expand forcible detainer law to cover certain unauthorized occupants who refuse to leave after a reasonable request and require immediate writs of restitution after judgment. Law enforcement and county representatives testified in support, and the committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1426 a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1687, a strike-everything amendment moving Arizona’s primary election date from late July to the Tuesday before Memorial Day beginning in 2027. The sponsor said the goal was to create more time between the primary and general elections and align Arizona more closely with other states. County election officials were neutral but raised implementation concerns, including filing deadlines, redistricting timelines, polling place availability, and interactions with presidential preference and local elections. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a 4-3 do-pass recommendation, with some members voting no over concerns about clean elections timing and local control. Members then heard SB 1110, creating a home confinement program for certain nonviolent inmates with GPS monitoring, work requirements, and DOC rulemaking, while excluding serious and violent offenses. Supporters said it would reduce recidivism, save money, and help families; an opponent questioned the fiscal impact and monitoring costs. The bill received a 5-1 do-pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1275, which would allow judges limited discretion to depart from mandatory minimum sentences for qualifying veterans and first responders with diagnosed service-related PTSD or similar conditions; supporters framed it as a narrow safety valve, while opponents warned it could undermine mandatory sentencing and victims’ rights. SB 1275 passed 7-0. Finally, the committee considered SB 1140, a misdemeanor expungement bill. The amendment adopted by the committee extended the waiting period for expungement of convictions to five years for all eligible misdemeanor convictions, while keeping a three-year period for eligible matters that did not result in conviction. Supporters said the bill would remove barriers to employment and housing and help survivors and people who have turned their lives around; the committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1140 as amended 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - House Judiciary

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Wynn since his first year, too. Thank you. And since his first year, too. Thank you.
  • This is my first session here, and I am the majority policy intern. Thank you.
  • I'm a majority research intern, and it's my first session. Thank you.
  • Let us first acknowledge the sanctity of life.
  • It doesn't become first-degree murder.
Committee: House Judiciary
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • And the first order of business, Emily, is going to take the roll.
  • The first is possible constitutional changes.
  • The first is possible constitutional changes.
  • First, institutional knowledge.
  • So we'll first be taking a peek at Nevada.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard an update from Garty Consulting on the interim study of legislative term limits. The consultants outlined their research plan and preliminary themes, including loss of institutional knowledge, shifts in power toward executive agencies and lobbyists, reduced long-term policy capacity, faster leadership turnover, and recruitment/support challenges. They also described possible recommendation categories ranging from constitutional and statutory changes to procedural and cultural adjustments. Committee members asked about how other states repealed term limits, how the public survey would address perceptions of term limits, and how stakeholder focus groups would be selected. The committee also heard a presentation from NCSL on term limits in other states, including examples from Nevada, Montana, and Colorado, with discussion of training programs, staffing changes, annual-session debates, bill limits, and impacts on decorum and leadership continuity. Several members requested follow-up data on part-time versus full-time legislatures, taxpayer costs, and nonpartisan staff devoted to oversight. The committee then considered revisions to the legislature’s workplace harassment policy and related forms. Legislative Council explained changes that clarified the definition of harassment, added captions for readability, extended several deadlines, allowed informal resolution before a review panel is appointed, clarified the role of Legislative Council in intake and documentation, and updated confidentiality/open-records language. Members, especially Senator Hogan, said the revisions better formalize the role of counsel and provide a less intimidating path for resolving complaints. The committee adopted the revised policy and forms by roll call vote. Finally, the committee approved a motion to enter executive session at 1:00 p.m. to review the results of a capital threat assessment and discuss legislator security, citing the applicable open-meetings exemptions. Members were instructed to limit discussion to the stated purpose and not take final action until returning to open session.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Higher Education Committee Dec 3rd, 2025

Joint Higher Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • And first up will be Sarah Rupp with OFM, should be followed by UW, WSU.
  • So first off, what is WIA?
  • I can speak from first-hand experience.
  • The first is for the Washington College Grant.
  • The first is for the Washington College Grant.
Summary: The Joint Higher Education Committee met for a work session on higher education accounting practices and financial transparency. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state accounting rules and higher education reporting differ, including what data is captured in AFRS today and what will move into Workday, with universities generally reporting summary-level fund data, mandatory codes, and most balance sheet and income statement activity, but not transaction-level detail or vendor payment information. Representatives from the University of Washington and Washington State University described the complexity of their own accounting systems, the many entities and business lines they must track for audits and compliance, and the need to reconcile university-level accrual accounting with state reporting requirements. The committee also heard from the Education Research and Data Center on the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512; ERDC said the dashboard is based on publicly available data, is best used to examine institutions individually rather than compare them directly, and will be updated with additional metrics in 2025 and 2026. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended uses for higher education, financial aid, and workforce development. He said recent legislation significantly increased WIA revenues and that, in the 2025–27 budget, the account is being used in new ways, including to replace general fund support for University of Washington operations and to fund a larger share of the Washington College Grant and some faculty compensation costs. Anderson said roughly 98% of current WIA appropriations go to higher education, but the share used to supplant other higher education funding has grown, and he estimated about 60% to 70% of current spending still aligns with the account’s original intent. He also described a new effort to track WIA appropriations across biennia in more detail and noted the WIA Oversight Board’s role in recommending uses of the account and monitoring outcomes. No votes were taken; the committee ended by moving into executive session for staffing issues and then adjourned.