Transcript Highlights:

• I thank the Chair from Watertown for filing this bill that led to the legislation before us today, and
• This legislation is a long-term investment in our students, our workforce, and the economic strength
• Thank you to the leader from Wellesley for filing one of the bills that led to the legislation before
• Speaker, for your support and work on this very important piece of legislation.
• When we drafted this legislation, we were looking for precision.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural orders early in the session, including extending the reporting deadline for the Housing Committee on H.4655 and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a petition seeking to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. It then advanced three Ways and Means bills on education-related topics: personal financial literacy education (H.4670), expanded access to the state seal of biliteracy (H.4671), and teacher preparation and student literacy (H.4672), each moving through amendment adoption and third reading or engrossment procedures. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.4670, which would require personal financial literacy instruction in middle and high school and establish a financial literacy trust fund for curriculum and teacher training. Members spoke in support, emphasizing budgeting, credit, student loans, and long-term financial planning, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a 154-0 roll call. H.4671, which broadens access to the seal of biliteracy for students in public and private schools, also drew support and passed to be engrossed 155-0. The most extensive debate centered on H.4672, a literacy bill requiring evidence-based reading instruction, DESE-approved curricula or approved local alternatives, screening and progress monitoring, professional development, and related implementation measures. Members described concerns about declining reading scores and argued for a shift away from three-cueing toward phonics-based, science-of-reading approaches. Several amendments were considered: a proposal to change intervention language from “significantly” to “at risk of falling behind” failed, while amendments adding funding language, stakeholder collaboration, and other implementation details were adopted. One amendment clarifying that pictures may be used as a supplement in literacy curricula was also adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed 155-0. The House also observed moments of silence for former Judge Leslie Harris, former Representative Mark Carron, and former Representative Dennis Rosa, and adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• , some uh existing now and legislators, some uh existing now and some<00:03:33.080><c> previous,</c><

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Legislators and reporters discussed the final contours of a Minnesota bonding and tax package centered on a $1.2 billion capital investment bill. Supporters said the bill would fund state and local infrastructure projects, maintain state assets, and include anti-fraud measures such as electronic verification for service providers and a 100% excess tax on fraud proceeds to prevent offenders from profiting. They also said the package would backfill road-and-bridge funding so the fee reduction would not reduce transportation dollars. A major point of emphasis was a temporary reduction in tab fees, described as a $254 million savings for taxpayers in 2027. Republicans said the reduction was a top priority and that it was secured through negotiations, though they acknowledged it is only a one-year reprieve unless changed in a future session. They estimated the average savings at about $145 on a $50,000 vehicle, with larger savings for households with multiple vehicles. They also noted that the first proposal had included both a depreciation change and a rate change, but only the rate cut remained in the final compromise. In response to questions, lawmakers said the tab fee cut was driven by constituent complaints and that they would try to extend it next year. They also discussed related transportation issues, including accelerating collection of an auto parts sales tax and concerns about greenhouse gas-related costs for roads and bridges. On other topics, one lawmaker said gun control proposals in the House were not part of these negotiations and urged continued movement on the broader package. No formal vote was taken in the exchange, but participants expressed confidence that the bonding portion of the deal was largely settled, while some details of the full package still needed to be finalized.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we have concerns about the initial underlying legislation with this, we think this resolution is
• We have testified in the past on scenic rivers legislation.
• Like, will we use legislative...
• Like, will we use legislator?
• It's just as President's legislative support for his U.S. Senate migratory flyway with ducks.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we have concerns about the initial underlying legislation with this, we think this resolution is
• We have testified in the past on Scenic Rivers legislation... ...or adjacent to these water bodies.
• Like, will we use legislative space?
• Like, will we use legislator?
• It's just as President's legislative support for his U.S. Senate migratory flyway with ducks.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And additionally, because we're under prior legislation responsible for training animal control officers
• Is it a choice, or do you take it as a legislative directive in omission?
• There's a legislative process that can take time.
• I'm just skeptical based on a long experience with animal and human legislation.
• And in some ways, it's the same with animal legislation.

Summary: The joint Audit Committee meeting focused on implementation of Ali’s Law, including MDAR’s progress on kennel regulations and municipal reporting. MDOT/MDAR officials said the department formed the required advisory committee, held trainings for animal control officers and municipal clerks, created a public information webpage, and completed draft regulations that are now under secretarial review. They reported that 269 of 351 municipalities had filed kennel counts, leaving 82 out of compliance, and said the reported statewide total was 1,408 licensed kennels, with an estimated 1,800 to 1,850 statewide. Committee members pressed the department on the pace of rulemaking, the lack of a clear enforcement mechanism for municipalities that fail to report, and the need for stronger accountability. The chair said he wanted to avoid a formal investigation if answers could be obtained, but urged MDAR to move quickly and to consider stronger public reporting and possible sanctions. He also asked about injury reporting and suggested that injury data should be sent to the state and tracked in a way that provides context, such as the number of animals in a facility. Representatives from animal welfare organizations and the advisory committee supported the law’s goals but emphasized that rollout should be fair to compliant businesses and that municipalities and ACOs need better training, resources, and standardized guidance. They backed a filed bill, House Bill 4849, which would give MDAR authority to fine municipalities that do not comply and would add more detailed reporting, including last inspection dates and injury reports. They also raised concerns about third-party advertising platforms that may list unlicensed kennels and argued that public education, consumer transparency, and stronger oversight are needed to prevent bad actors from operating.

Transcript Highlights:

• This puts parameters on it, so it makes it more—I think it's annually under this piece of legislation—so
• He said in his letter also that it is possible that legislative or policy changes could be considered
• And I really appreciate the nice balance in the legislation providing a welfare check.
• I mean, I want to be able to be behind this piece of legislation because I do care.
• This legislation itself needs work so that we can get something like this passed.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although she is no longer here today, her voice and values still live on through this legislation.
• I do want to point out a couple of things in the legislation, as was brought up by the...
• I do want to point out a couple of things in the legislation, as was brought up by the last testifier
• It's just clarifying what the legislative intent is in a more full way.
• Representative Raymond, I represent Legislative District 31.

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1241 as amended, known as the Working Animal Protection Act or “Leilani’s Law.” The sponsors said the bill is intended to protect working animals used in agriculture, ranching, hunting, transportation, education, and related activities from local ordinances that would effectively ban or unduly restrict them. Testimony in support came from family members, FFA students, the Idaho Farm Bureau, and others who described working animals as well cared for and important to Idaho’s agricultural heritage. One testifier from Horse and Halo raised concerns that the bill could limit animal welfare oversight or create conflicts when inspections or local rules affect operations, but the sponsors said the bill does not override existing animal cruelty and care laws and still allows the Department of Agriculture to enforce them. The committee then passed SB 1241 as amended to the House floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered Senate Joint Memorial 110, which urges Congress and the President to update federal sugar policy, especially the tier-two over-quota duty, to better protect Idaho’s sugar beet industry from low-priced, subsidized imports. The bill sponsor and industry witnesses from the Snake River Sugar Beet Growers Association and Amalgamated Sugar said world sugar markets are distorted by subsidies in countries such as Brazil, Thailand, and India, and that Idaho growers are facing rising costs and market pressure. The committee approved the memorial and sent SJM 110 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The final agenda item was the annual report from Candy Fitch, executive director of the Idaho Apple, Cherry, and Hop commissions. She reviewed market conditions for hops, apples, and cherries, noting reduced hop acreage, continued pressure on apple prices, and a difficult cherry market affected by crop timing, pricing, and export uncertainty. She also described specialty crop grant-funded promotions, trade missions, and commission budgets, and announced her retirement at the end of June. Committee members thanked her for her long service to Idaho agriculture and to the committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill adds new legislative intent sections to Chapter 26.09, RCW.
• The bill adds new legislative intent sections to Chapter 26.09, RCW, which governs proceedings for dissolution
• Several legislative findings are made, recognizing constitutional rights and providing that parents are
• Thank you very much, speaking in enthusiastic support of this mind-numbing legislation.
• Thank you very much, speaking in enthusiastic support of this mind-numbing legislation.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2735, the “Troxel 2” bill relating to establishing a constitutional floor in family law cases. Staff explained that the bill would add legislative findings and intent to Chapter 26.09 RCW, emphasizing parental fitness, equal standing for similarly situated parents, and a duty to cooperate. The prime sponsor and public testifiers largely supported the bill, arguing that family courts too often restrict fit parents’ access to children without sufficient due process and that the bill would restore constitutional protections and reduce conflict. Some testimony also framed the proposal as a way to improve child safety, stability, and outcomes. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on multiple bills. It advanced bills on garnishment forms (ESSB 5865), child hearsay/testimony rules (SSB 5169, amended), immigration-enforcement policies for health care and related facilities (ESSB 5906, amended), compensation claims for wrongly convicted persons (SSB 5520), reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force (ESSB 5912), preserving streamlined administrative and land-use review procedures (SSB 6009), authorizing court security threat assessments (ESSB 6086), adding superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties (SB 5868), requesting reinstatement of the limited license legal technician program (SJM 8006), expanding personality rights to digital likenesses (SSB 5886), and liability protections for certain children’s item donations, including car seats (ESSB 6087). Several bills were amended before passage out of committee. Votes were recorded on each measure, with most passing on strong bipartisan margins. Notable split votes occurred on SSB 5169 and ESSB 5906, reflecting concerns about balancing child protection, due process, and immigration-related enforcement issues. The committee concluded by thanking staff and adjourned after reporting all listed executive-session bills out of committee with do pass recommendations, some as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a need for this piece of legislation.
• So I would urge your support for this legislation. Thank you. Thank you very much.
• I think we've heard all that we need to hear about why this is an important piece of legislation for
• And I just, this legislation is important, you know, at least to say, you know, they are not following
• This piece of legislation would allow the city to use the reasonably anticipated future needs statute

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee approved the February 13 minutes and rearranged the agenda to hear HJM 13, HB 737, HJM 14, and HB 676. HJM 13, a memorial urging implementation of the Sackett Supreme Court ruling on federal wetlands regulation, drew extensive testimony from Mike and Chantelle Sackett, who described their 20-year fight with EPA and the Army Corps over a home site they said was wrongly treated as wetlands. Supporters, including attorneys and water-user representatives, said the ruling is not being followed consistently and that clearer enforcement is needed. The committee voted to send HJM 13 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HB 737 would merge the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Representative Boyle said the offices have similar permitting-related missions and could work more efficiently together. An Idaho Conservation League witness opposed the bill, arguing the offices have distinct roles and that merging them could create conflicts of interest and weaken species conservation funding. Several committee members spoke in support, saying the merger could improve coordination and help landowners and industry navigate federal permitting. The committee passed HB 737 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HJM 14, sponsored by Representative Fuhriman, urges federal cooperation on research, planning, and feasibility for expanding reservoir storage in East Idaho. It drew little opposition and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HB 676, sponsored by Representative Petzke, would allow certain municipal geothermal heating systems to use the reasonably anticipated future needs process if the system is non-consumptive and reinjects water. Supporters from the City of Boise, water-user groups, geothermal experts, and conservation advocates said the bill would streamline expansion of geothermal heating and support renewable energy development. One water attorney urged tabling the bill for further discussion among aquifer users, but the committee ultimately voted to send HB 676 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a need for this piece of legislation.
• So I would urge your support for this legislation. Thank you. Thank you very much.
• I think we've heard all that we need to hear about why this is an important piece of legislation for
• And I just, this legislation is important, you know, at least to say, you know, they are not following
• This piece of legislation would allow the city to use the reasonably anticipated future needs statute

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• collaboration, but when it comes to the transparency of this, is there going to be any way for legislators
• I am just looking at this, and one of our responsibilities as a state legislator is to try to make sure
• And that's really where my heart and mind is with regard to this particular legislation.
• Thank you, Representative West, for this piece of legislation, and I recognize your intent.
• We are creating a board, but as it stands right now, the legislation that's in front of you, it's for

Bills: HB3131, HB3380, HB3502, HB3552, HB3849, HB3886, HB3907, HB4201, HB4302, HB3448, HB3409, HB4095, HB3637

Keywords: homelessness, shelter standards, safety, accountability, state funding, local governance, regulation, Oklahoma Homeless Shelter Safety and Accountability Act, foster care, child welfare, Department of Human Services, educational opportunities, employment support, technology in child welfare, faith-based organizations, self-sufficiency, financial literacy, HB3502, Oklahoma, children's code

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 3552, which would let child care providers bridge the gap between subsidy reimbursement rates and tuition rates. An amendment was adopted unanimously to make the bill subject to approval by the Administration for Children and Families, with the author explaining it was intended to protect federal DHS funding. The bill then passed on a 4-1 vote. Members then heard several child welfare and human services measures. House Bill 3380, on foster care reform and DHS transparency, passed 5-0 after questions about how public input and scoring would be documented. House Bill 3502, the parental rights and child welfare bill, passed 4-1 after debate over whether the bill addressed a real problem and whether resources would be better spent recruiting foster parents. House Bill 3849, updating and broadening a mentoring program for children and youth, passed 5-0, and House Bill 3886, requiring Health Department personnel to remain on site after an immediate jeopardy finding at a nursing home until a removal plan is accepted, also passed 5-0. The committee also approved House Bill 3907, which would prohibit certain facilities serving vulnerable juveniles and adults from being staffed through temporary staffing agencies, on a 5-0 vote. House Bill 4201, changing master teacher requirements in licensed child care from license capacity to actual enrollment, passed unanimously after discussion of how staffing ratios would work in practice. House Bill 4302, as amended, passed unanimously after removing subpoena language and instead allowing the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to disclose a complainant’s identity to law enforcement when needed to protect safety. House Bill 3448, requiring umbrella insurance coverage for certain child care caregivers, and House Bill 3409, streamlining recertification for five-star child care providers, both passed unanimously. House Bill 4095, reauthorizing and clarifying the 211 collaborative as the state lead entity for hotline services, also passed 6-0. The most extensive debate came on House Bill 3131, which would establish statewide baseline standards for transparency, public safety, and health safety in homeless shelters and create an advisory board. Members raised concerns about local control, rural county burdens, agency workload, and whether the bill duplicated existing requirements, while the author said he was open to further changes, including strike title and possible population-based exceptions. Despite objections, the bill advanced to the Oversight Committee on a 4-3 vote. Before adjournment, the chair said the committee would begin a deeper review of OCCY multidisciplinary teams and CAC child advocacy groups in upcoming meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strongly support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Apodaca. Next.
• The legislation incorporated some feedback from Senate Finance, and Senate Finance.
• The general capital outlay that legislators receive and the infrastructure fund.
• De Raza, in the legislation, we have a rulemaking process by DFA.
• I'm just trying to figure out what we can do as legislators to change that.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TCC supports this legislation before you for a number of reasons.
• These barriers are ones that we believe can be addressed, and we're happy to support this legislation
• Well, for the record, Andrew Barkis, State Representative in the Second Legislative District.
• But I thought to myself, you know, I'm a legislator. And what do legislators do? We write laws.
• I also live in the Second Legislative District, and so it's personal for me. And I...

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then moved to executive session on three other bills. HB 2550 would require certain community and technical college students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs to be allowed to ride transit for free as a condition of transit support grant eligibility. Staff said the current program already requires zero-fare access for riders 18 and under, and the bill would expand that requirement to CTC students. Testimony from the sponsor, students, and transit advocates supported the goal of reducing barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association raised implementation concerns, including how eligibility would be verified and the potential loss of fare revenue and added administrative costs. The fiscal note discussion estimated local impacts of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year for affected transit agencies. HB 2645 concerned the emergency replacement of the closed Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The bill and proposed substitute would declare an emergency and give WSDOT expanded authority to expedite bridge replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. The sponsor and many local residents, business owners, recreation advocates, and emergency responders testified that the bridge closure has cut off communities, limited access to Mount Rainier and public lands, and significantly increased emergency response times. WSDOT testified that it is already moving forward with planning and design for a replacement bridge, but said much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review. No vote was taken on HB 2550 or HB 2645 in the transcript. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2109, which allows certain towed vehicles with debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before transport, and passed it out of committee 27-0. The committee also adopted an amendment to HB 2134, which updates regional transportation planning requirements related to greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions, and passed the bill out 16-12. Finally, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops involving neurodiverse individuals, then passed the bill out of committee 28-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, I'm Chairman Joseph Chaplick, Legislative District 3.
• To my right, my Vice Chair, Alexander Colleton, also of Legislative District 3.
• Representative Rachel Keschel, not in Legislative District 3. I'm in District 17.
• Representative Rachel Keshel is not in Legislative District 3.
• Children would suffer and die unnecessarily should this legislation pass. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: HB2086, HB2248, HB2688

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, recently we passed legislation as current law now that if you're a tenant and you want
• and what we can do to maybe minimize the damage that we think the legislation would do.
• And I am, for the record, Senator Lisa Wellman from the 41st Legislative District.
• I'm the Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager for the Women's Commission.
• I represent the 19th Legislative District. Thank you for hearing this bill.

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 23, 2026, first taking executive action on several bills. The committee held SB 6035 and SB 5842 for another week, then worked through SB 5973 on initiative and referendum signature gathering rules. Members debated 12 amendments to a proposed substitute and the underlying bill, but none were adopted. The substitute would prohibit pay-per-signature and require 1,000 pre-filing signatures for initiatives; opponents argued it would burden the initiative process, while supporters said it would curb fraud and improve accountability. The committee then advanced SB 5892, SB 6081, SB 5877, SB 5968, and SB 6034, each on a due pass recommendation, with SB 6081 referred to the Transportation Committee and the others sent to Rules or Ways and Means as noted in the motions. During public hearing, the committee heard SB 5888, which would remove Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women's Commission. Senator Wellman said the change would align the commission with similar bodies and correct an inconsistency, and commission staff testified in support, saying the appointment process is already thorough and that the governor would retain appointment authority. The committee also heard SB 6123, expanding a public-records exemption for voluntarily supplied demographic information to local government employees; a Pierce County HR director supported the bill, saying it would help build trust while preserving aggregate reporting. The hearing on SB 5853, sponsored by Senator Wilson, drew strong support and no opposition; it would create a statewide emergency notification system for public officials to alert them to targeted threats, with the Secretary of State and Military Department involved in administration. Secretary of State staff said they supported the concept but wanted to work with the sponsor on implementation details, and the sponsor said he was willing to amend the bill to address those concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as your chief of staff during this legislative session.
• It's very rare for someone from the executive branch to come into a legislative committee.
• And sharing that this is a piece of legislation that is not just a piece of legislation that's coming
• The department shall report to the legislature or the Legislative Finance Committee if the legislature
• Senator Padilla, right now, you know what we're looking at here with this legislation is 1.5 billion.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS LEGISLATION SEEKS TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLE REGARDING MATERIALS HARMFUL TO MINORS.
• THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING THIS FINE PIECE OF LEGISLATION. THIS IS SIMPLE.
• THIS LEGISLATION TAKES DECISIONS AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO OUR STUDENTS.
• TODAY WE NOW HAVE LEGISLATION PROTECTING THOSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
• THIS LEGISLATION RAISES SIGNIFICANT ORAL EDUCATIONAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I understand that there's competing priorities for you all, for the executive and legislative branch
• There's working on some legislation... ...to drone and cell phones with the FAA and the FCC.
• It was federal legislation. It wasn't state or at our level. And we have legislation moving.
• It was federal legislation; it wasn't state or at our level.
• This legislation would change that. And members, that is the bill. Thank you.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, and our first bill today is Senate Bill 60 on behalf of the Nevada Silver-Haired Legislative
• Sitting next to me is Ashley Kalina, research analyst of the Research Division of the Legislative Council
• The forum may submit one bill draft request to each regular legislative session.
• The forum may submit one bill draft request to each regular legislative session.
• I'm a former Nevada youth legislator and a graduate of the Davidson Academy in Reno.

Bills: SB60, SB85, SB323

Keywords: elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you for all of our elected colleagues for putting forth good legislation and understanding
• AB 61, Pacheco, legislation and utility rates: do pass out on an A roll call.
• intent to pass subsequent legislation to appropriate funds; out with Republicans not voting.
• intent to pass subsequent legislation to appropriate funds; out with Republicans not voting.
• on appointees from the legislative and executive branches and, as requested by the author, technical

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.