Transcript Highlights:

• Elena Bucker, committee staff.
• Jeff Olson, staff to the committee.
• For the record, Elena Becker, committee staff.
• We'll now take a staff report on House Bill 2343.
• Jeff Holson, staff to the committee.

Bills: HB2104 , HB2554 , HB2619

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, tribal rights, fishing rights, salmon management, state-tribal agreements, natural resources, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:17.600><c> and</c> It's really hard to retain staff and It's really hard to retain staff and
• staffs.
• staffs.
• Uh, and we do that for other cities and counties as well. ad staff much like your LRC staff as ad staff
• </c> team and extension of your your staffs. team and extension of your your staffs.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Discussion of County Clerks’ Land Records Update 00:02:42 Discussion of Area Development Districts 00:22:48 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:50:09 Discussion of Local Taxing Sources 01:02:33 Adjournment 01:29:16, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up an update from the Kentucky County Clerks Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. Testimony explained that legislation from the 2021 task force created funding and deadlines for counties to provide online search portals and complete a 30-year property record search, with a later move to a 60-year standard. Speakers said the money has been awarded to counties, but much of the work is still in progress because records must be scanned, indexed, and manually verified. They said only a handful of counties are fully compliant with electronic recording so far, while many are still working through staffing and vendor issues. They also noted that the 60-year standard may ultimately be easier and more efficient to complete than the 30-year standard, and that compliance is expected to improve by next summer. The clerks’ representatives also raised related issues, including deed fraud, the county document storage fee, and KDLA digitization grants. They said online recording can make deed fraud easier to attempt, so they expect to seek legislation next session to address it. They described an existing notification service available in many counties that alerts property owners when a document is recorded, which can help detect suspicious activity quickly. They also said the storage fee and separate county account structure has generally worked well, but that two recent KDLA grant cycles have not released money for clerks, limiting support for digitization work. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and verified, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive under KDLA control. Members asked about the balance in the KDLA fund, what the General Assembly could do to help lagging counties, and how much of the $25 million modernization funding had been spent. Witnesses said they did not have the current fund balance but would try to get it, that the main obstacle now appears to be staffing rather than additional money, and that the funds have been awarded but not fully expended because work is still ongoing. They emphasized that counties are helping one another and asked members to alert association leadership if any county is struggling. The committee then heard a presentation from Dan London, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, who described area development districts as regional staff extensions and technical resources for cities and counties, and highlighted their role in coordinating regional services and partnerships across county lines.

Transcript Highlights:

• So staff will be spread thin.
• by other staff as there is capacity.
• That staff person and it will be picked up by other staff as there is capacity. And, oh, okay.
• We already, this staff position is filled.
• No additional staff are necessary for grant delivery.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the adoption of the spreadsheet, the table document, and amendments presented by nonpartisan staff
• <00:40:00.480><c> are</c> move that nonpartisan staff are move that nonpartisan staff are empowered<00
• Well, Madam Chair, I just wanted to thank our nonpartisan staff and our partisan staff as well.
• thank all of our staff who made this thank all of our staff who made this happen<00:40:25.440><c> and
• </c> nonpartisan staff and our partisan staff nonpartisan staff and our partisan staff as<00:40:34.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any initial comments that you'd like to make, Chair Heintzeman, or would you like the staff
• And then our DFL staff, although Mr. Strowmire isn't here today, Mr.
• And then our DFL staff, although Mr. Strowmire isn't here today, Mr.
• </c><00:30:06.320><c> to</c> on ways and means and instruct staff to on ways and means and instruct staff
• </c><00:30:24.320><c> make</c> direction that nonpartisan staff make direction that nonpartisan staff

Bills: HF2439

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have something that is pre-built to share with staff.
• We don't have something that is pre-built to share with staff at this time.
• In fact, there was a requirement that school districts ensure that teachers, staff, support staff are
• Usually it's one or two that also then support, and we have district staff.
• So staffing, keeping the schools fully staffed and even the support staff, is a big challenge.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to review Florida’s cell phone and social media literacy law, with Representative Brad Yeager describing the 2023 policy as aimed at removing classroom distractions and teaching students how to use social media responsibly. He said the law was intended to keep phones out of classrooms unless used for instruction, require social media literacy education, and limit access to certain sites on school Wi-Fi and government devices. Yeager said feedback since passage has been mixed: many teachers support it and some have adopted inexpensive shoe-organizer or pouch systems, but implementation varies by school and administrator enforcement. He said he is not currently pursuing a broader statewide mandate. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez and Timber Creek High School Principal Mr. Wasco described Orange County’s approach as bell-to-bell phone restrictions, while Pasco County’s Dr. Zetchy described a similar policy with some flexibility during lunch or passing periods at the high school level. Both districts said the policy was implemented with parent communication, town halls, surveys, and transition periods, and that concerns about emergencies were addressed by allowing phones to be returned at the end of the day and by establishing procedures for parent contact. They reported few theft problems and said discipline issues related to phones have generally been manageable, though some teachers still struggle with enforcement or with students trying to evade the rules. A major portion of the discussion focused on social media literacy instruction. Orange County said it uses counselor-led programs, Canvas courses, resiliency days, and curriculum materials to teach students about cyberbullying, human trafficking, privacy, and the permanence of online posts, with progress tracked through the learning platform. Pasco said it has some resiliency modules but lacks a fully built-out, pre-made social media curriculum and would welcome more guidance from DOE, especially for high school classrooms where instructional time is limited. Members also asked about student anxiety, 504/IEP accommodations, caregiver students, and parent education; the districts said exceptions are handled through school committees and that parent academies and district resources are being used to help families set boundaries and understand the risks and benefits of phones and social media. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, and with thanks to the staff for the explanation.
• </c> it's it's amazing the space uh the staff it's it's amazing the space uh the staff that<01:03:22.880
• </c> to work with you and as we get new staff to work with you and as we get new staff they<01:19:41.600
• </c> with and so thank you and all the staff with and so thank you and all the staff in<01:19:46.159>
• </c> opinions of the experts and the staff. opinions of the experts and the staff.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:19.519><c> that</c> security staff really appreciate that security staff really appreciate
• </c> staff would too. Thank you. staff would too. Thank you.
• One is the total number of paid staff and volunteers. We have 262 paid guardians ad litem staff.
• </c><01:19:19.360><c> That</c> guardians at lightum uh staff. That guardians at lightum uh staff.
• </c><01:22:46.000><c> Is</c> paid staff at this time as well. Is paid staff at this time as well.

Bills: HF2825

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: expungement, criminal justice, background check, security industry, private detective, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We may need additional staff.
• However, the Office of Special Investigation staff, or OSI staff, are not sworn law enforcement officers
• The OSI staff, due to the nature of them being civilian, non-sworn staff, are unable to refer these cases
• </c><02:02:50.000><c> not</c> investigation staff or OSI staff are not investigation staff or OSI staff
• </c> attorney for prosecution The OSI staff attorney for prosecution The OSI staff due<02:03:24.719><

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Asloxen, staff to the committee.
• Asloxen staff to the committee.
• Any questions for staff on this?
• Again, for the record, Erin Gutierrez, committee staff.
• When somebody hits send on that, they don't have to send it through the staff and have the staff ask,

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't want to forget about professional staff this year.
• I have a question about those professional staff.
• And we're just completely being devastated by other agencies hiring our staff.
• It's not just the feds; everybody's hiring your staff. Yeah, everybody, including DPS.
• Last year I'm running up and down the halls asking for pay raises for staff at DPS.

Bills: SB1048 , SB1071 , SB1092 , SB1314 , SB1391 , SB1400 , SB1401 , SB1452

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: juvenile services, Coconino county, rehabilitation, detox center, financial appropriation, Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, probation, dangerous crimes, children, Arizona Revised Statutes, criminal justice, juvenile offenses, appropriations, salary increase, corrections, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, this is Corey Patton, staff to the committee.
• Are there any questions of staff?
• I want to commend staff for their excellent briefing on the bill.
• Do members of the committee have any questions of staff?
• Do members have any questions of staff?

Bills: HB2387 , HB2490 , HB2508 , HB2539

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: elected sheriff, sheriff accountability, recall election, peace officer certification, certified peace officer, law enforcement authority, Washington RCW, criminal justice training commission, special election, public official recall, decertification, sheriff removal, voter accountability, county sheriff, police powers, extraordinary medical placement, compassionate release, medical parole, terminal illness, serious medical condition

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the staff coordinator for the Law and Justice Committee.
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee.
• For the record, Maya Eita, staff counsel to this committee.
• Any other questions for staff?
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee.

Bills: SB5865 , SB5880 , SB5912 , SB5837 , SB5855

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

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, guardianship, conservatorship, protective arrangement, protective arrangements, supported decision-making

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m the staff coordinator for the Law and Justice Committee.
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee.
• For the record, Maya Eita, staff counsel to this committee.
• Any other questions for staff?
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee.

Summary: The committee began with introductions and then heard Senate Bill 5865, which would repeal statutory garnishment answer forms and require use of Washington Pattern Forms Committee forms instead. Staff, the prime sponsor, and judges’ association witnesses said the bill is a technical fix that would make garnishment calculations more accurate and efficient without changing substantive law. A collectors’ association witness said the current statutory form can be used if needed until new forms are available and raised concerns about the timeliness of pattern form updates, but was open to working on language. The public hearing on SB 5865 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-certified or accredited forensic lab. The sponsor and supporters, including the Seattle city attorney and traffic safety experts, described severe backlogs at the state toxicology lab, with some DUI blood results taking many months or longer and cases expiring before charges can be filed. Counties, prosecutors, sheriffs, and defense representatives generally agreed the backlog is a serious problem, but several warned the bill could shift costs to local governments, create uneven access to private testing, and raise due process concerns unless discovery cooperation is required. The committee then closed the hearing on SB 5880. Senate Bill 5912 would reinstate the indigent defense task force to study Washington’s public defense system and report recommendations by 2028. Supporters from counties, cities, public defense offices, and tribal interests said the statewide shortage of defense attorneys and rising costs are straining local budgets and delaying access to counsel, especially in rural and eastern Washington. Some witnesses urged the bill be amended to add more stakeholder representation, including clients and practitioners, and cautioned that the task force should not delay immediate action on funding and caseload standards. The hearing on SB 5912 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5837, a broad update to guardianship, conservatorship, and protective arrangement procedures. The bill would lower the minimum age for a proposed guardian from 21 to 18, expand notice options, clarify appointment of counsel, and streamline service and hearing procedures. Testimony was largely supportive, especially from kinship caregivers, legal aid, and estate-law practitioners who said the bill would reduce costly publication requirements and improve access to justice, though some witnesses requested amendments on notice, waiver language, emergency procedures, and counsel provisions. The committee reported 40 pro and 70 con sign-ins on the bill, then moved on. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing facial coverings during public interactions except in limited circumstances such as undercover work, SWAT operations, or health and safety needs. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase transparency, accountability, and trust, especially for immigrant and marginalized communities, while opponents argued it could endanger officers, conflict with federal authority, and is tied to ongoing litigation over similar California legislation. Testimony was sharply divided, with some witnesses emphasizing public fear and trauma from masked officers and others arguing the bill would make officers more vulnerable and create constitutional problems. The hearing continued with additional public testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• TODAY OUR STAFF DIRECTOR MARTY WHO IS AWESOME WILL BEGIN BY DISCUSSING OUR CURRENT YEAR BASE BUDGET HE
• WITH YOUR INDULGENCE I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST INTRODUCE OUR COMMITTEE STAFF.
• STAFF ATTORNEYS.
• THE MORE WE PUT PRESSURE ON THE SYSTEM TO STAFF THESE HOUSING UNITS THAT WE DON'T HAVE STAFF FOR IN FTE
• OF THE VACANCY RATES IN THE PANHANDLE AND NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA, WE'VE STRUGGLED MORE TO STAFF.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And [clears throat] my staff is sitting up here. Uh Sam's... My staff is sitting up here.
• Uh, Sam's staff, Kurt's staff, our minority office, and I'd like to just turn the attention to them right
• And especially the Ways and Means Chair, Senator Dela Cruz, and his staff.
• And I also want to thank my staff, CIP staff Joseph Kupshay, and district staff Alex Ozawa, Nicoletovich
• And I want to take this opportunity to thank my staff, Kathy, Sierra, and Anne.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will note that there was a transitional period in this outgoing staff and incoming staff where those
• We do have some new staff members on the team that are actively working on defining the timeline so we
• So I don't think that issue goes away, and it's hard to kind of staff here. that some members of the
• My hope is once we get an accounting firm on to help support staff, we are going to get this done in
• But as previous staff has mentioned, we've been actively working on bringing in consultant support.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• If we could start with Substitute Senate Bill 5901 with the staff briefing, please.
• John Wilson, committee staff. I am briefing this morning on Substitute Senate Bill 5901.
• Member Steele, members of the committee, John Wilson, committee staff.
• If we could start with the staff briefing and invite Senator Conway to the dais.
• My name is Rob Hatfield, staff to this committee.

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 5901, which would change the School Construction Assistance Program formula for school facilities on military bases. Staff explained that the bill would exclude instructional space on military bases from a district’s available inventory and add an extra 15% to the state funding assistance percentage for projects located on a military base. Senator Leonard Christian said the bill was intended to help districts such as Clover Park and Medical Lake, where base facilities reduce eligibility for off-base school construction funding. Testimony was strongly supportive from OSPI, Clover Park, and Medical Lake, while one citizen raised broader concerns about school funding and common school trust lands. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, which would require annual adjustments to prevailing wage rates in most public works contracts, with exemptions for small works, residential construction, and certain other projects. Staff described the bill’s delayed effective date of July 1, 2028 and reviewed fiscal impacts, including significant L&I operating costs and an indeterminate but potentially substantial capital cost impact. Senator Steve Conway said the bill was a technical fix to align contract wages with regularly updated prevailing wage rates and noted that the bill had been amended to exempt small works and low-income housing projects. Proponents from labor and mechanical contractors said annual updates would better reflect negotiated wage schedules and help retain skilled workers, while opponents from contractor groups warned of unpredictability, higher project costs, and the need for a change-order safeguard if wage increases exceed 5%. L&I testified that the fiscal note reflected the need to rework its IT system to track annual adjustments. The hearing was then closed. The committee also received a briefing on a proposed substitute to House Bill 2295, which would add funding for several new projects and make technical and language changes. Staff said the substitute would increase spending by $611,000 in bonds and $3 million from the Waste Tire Removal Account. The committee then moved into executive session and, by a vote of 18-0 with one excused, reported proposed substitute House Bill 2295 out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The chair also announced plans for future executive sessions, including one on Substitute Senate Bill 5901, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lori McDonald, Chief of Staff, DHS.
• Lori McDonald, Chief of Staff, DHS.
• Madam Chair, can we have them or ask staff to send these out?
• We did not increase staff.
• We have one other attorney on staff dedicated to OMIG.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, huge thanks to the author and staff who have done Yeoman's work and time with us.
• Thank you, Chair and staff, for your good work. Absolutely. Thank you, Senator.
• I'm a staff attorney with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates, or HERA.
• I want to thank the author, author staff, committee staff, and the sponsors for the many, many, many
• We appreciate the dialogue with the author and staff.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all