Transcript Highlights:

• I know this committee in particular, and I think all of our colleagues, are looking for budget savings
• I think this bill represents the white whale of budget savings.
• regressive, this gives us a chance to fund some programs that we found it difficult in these difficult budgeting
• regressive, this gives us a chance to fund some programs that we found it difficult in these difficult budgeting
• regressive, this gives us a chance to fund some programs that we found it difficult in these difficult budgeting

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2565, which would require University of Washington gifts, grants, and similar funds to be invested through the Washington State Investment Board instead of UW’s internal investment office. Staff and the prime sponsor argued the change would lower fees and improve returns, while UW’s representatives opposed the bill, citing concerns about donor intent, legal restrictions on thousands of individual endowments, and differences in portfolio management and liquidity needs. No questions were raised in the hearing, and no action was taken on the bill at that time. The committee then moved into executive session on several bills. On Third Substitute House Bill 1607, related to recycling and waste reduction, members adopted a technical amendment but rejected amendments that would have directed unredeemed deposits to the Working Families Tax Credit and litter programs, added accountability requirements for grants, or created a SNAP-related benefit. The bill was then reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation on a 17-13 vote. On Second Substitute House Bill 1622, concerning bargaining over public employers’ use of artificial intelligence, members adopted one amendment updating the AI definition and rejected three others that would have narrowed bargaining triggers or limited the bill to technologies with demonstrable material impacts. The bill was reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 19-11 vote. The committee also advanced House Bill 2254, which would cover administrative costs for the Partnership Access Line assessment, and House Bill 2385, which extends timelines for the Medicaid access program after federal changes affected implementation; both were reported out with do pass recommendations. House Bill 2531, continuing and adjusting the ground transportation quality assurance fee structure, also passed out of committee. Finally, House Bill 2543, allowing county clerks to increase certain fees to cover court-related costs, was reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 22-6 vote. The committee adjourned after completing its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our county continues to see restrictions on budget.
• is crucial for ensuring timely responses to emergencies regardless of geographic location or local budget
• As some background, in March of 2024, the United States Office of Management and Budget updated their
• As some background, in March of 2024, the United States Office of Management and Budget updated their
• are supportive of the policy, but the fiscal impact of the bill is not included in the governor's budget

Summary: The committee heard six bills on January 27, 2026. Senate Bill 6084 would clarify the prohibition on voting more than once in an election, in response to a court ruling that interpreted “election” narrowly; the sponsor and Secretary of State’s office said the bill is meant to ensure a person votes only once in Washington or in one state and another on the same election date. Testimony was brief and supportive, and the hearing was closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. Senate Bill 6044 would recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, and Senate Bill 5950 would add several non-legal holidays, including Sikh, Baha’i, Jewish, and Buddhist observances. Sponsors and supporters described the bills as a way to acknowledge minority faith traditions, promote inclusion, and help communities feel seen; testimony came from Jewish, Sikh, multi-faith, Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist representatives. The committee recorded substantial support for both measures, with no opposition testimony, and closed both hearings. Senate Bill 6046 would establish the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department to better coordinate volunteer aviation support for disasters, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and other missions. The sponsor, Military Department, Civil Air Patrol, and veterans’ representatives said it would improve command and control and help the state use Civil Air Patrol more efficiently at no added cost. Senate Bill 5763 would create a grant program for local law enforcement aviation support units and expand wildfire-related aviation support to sheriff’s offices; sheriffs and police chiefs strongly supported it as a way to sustain helicopter-based search and rescue and disaster response, while DNR raised concerns about wildfire aviation standards, liability, and possible bill drafting issues. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5784, which would require agencies to collect and report more detailed demographic data under updated federal standards; the sponsor said better disaggregation is needed for accountability and to identify disparities, and the Office of Equity supported the policy while noting fiscal and privacy concerns and the need for possible amendments. The meeting ended after the final hearing, with no votes taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• with significant, lengthy litigation that, frankly, we don't have money for right now in the current budget
• that it is properly appropriated by the Appropriations Committee and incorporated into the operating budget
• has, and the executive himself has, some limited flexibility in using resources appropriated in the budget
• Again, the state has an issue with our budget that is going to be a much larger conversation.
• including with the help of our stellar legislative, nonpartisan staff who monitors these kinds of budget

Bills: HB2384, HB2402, HB2505, HB1904, HB2145, HB2182, HB2211, HB2242, HB2247, HB2329, HB2339

Keywords: continuing care retirement community, CCRC, life plan community, senior housing, retirement community, long-term care, assisted living, nursing home, actuarial analysis, solvency, financial oversight, resident contracts, entrance fee, disclosure statement, registration, insurance commissioner, DSHS, consumer protection, elder care, aging services

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so, to you, sir, what’s your annual budget? I don't have those figures with me, sir.
• It's not a lot, but around $200,000 to $300,000 is your annual budget. Yes, sir.
• All right, so you've got a $200,000 budget, one and a half employees, and you're supposed to do a study
• And those three pages, if you go back to those, you'll see what the water budget was for that.
• And it's interesting, if you start on the page which says page 21, it talks about a water budget that

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What remains in that account after this budget proposal tightens up the direction to the department such
• It had a budget allocation, which we need time to get that settled for the other parts of the state.
• So, the first amendment is for $500,000 to food banks that have an annual operating budget of less than
• We need to stick to the deal so we can do good work, get out of here on time, and balance the budget.
• Our budget targets are not allowing the financial situation that we have in Minnesota, you know, the

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• These charges can bankrupt the county's behavioral health budget and are costs outside of a county's
• DCT expanded capacity was not included in the governor's proposed budget or bonding proposals this biennium
• bill increasing capacity, when a bill comes along next year or two years from now that increases the budgets
• The cuts that are happening federally and even here in the state, as we look at our budget deficits coming
• That were in this budget season, excuse me.

Transcript Highlights:

• HAS BEEN FILED AS A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND THE OTHER BILLS OUR SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS AND INTO THE BUDGET
• THIS WILL WE LOOK AT THIS AS A SMALL AMOUNT WILL POSSIBLY BANKRUPT THEIR BUDGET.
• SENATE BILL 674 SIMPLY PERMIT PROPERTY APPRAISERS IN ADDITION TO TAX COLLECTORS TO BUDGET AND PAY FOR
• STUFFING PUBLIC AGENCIES FACES CHALLENGES SUCH AS BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, COMPETITION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR
• I DID NOT HAVE ANY ABILITY TO PROVIDE IN I DID NOT HAVE ANY ABILITY TO PROVIDE IN MY BUDGET TO HAVE ANY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• master's in order to continue as a counselor with us, but it's very important to us. 5,000 FTEs, our budget
• , we're requesting for this upcoming biennium a budget of about $5.5 billion. 86% is federal dollars.
• Workforce development, its annual budget is about $538 million in federal funds. and about 71, little
• licensing of child care providers. the recipient of the child care development block grant. receive our budget
• So that's about half of our budget, of our total budget every year is for child care.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, there was a study that showed in Jefferson County, the pre-trial budget increased by $3 million
• , not for... budget increased by $3 million, not for people who were found guilty, but for those who
• This is an extreme financial burden and budget impact on those counties that really rely on the money
• And those smaller counties who have to spend a much greater portion of their budget will face a significant
• impact. spend a much greater portion of their budget on those issues.

Bills: SB76, SB35, SB116, SB119, SB118, SB129, SB32, SB31, SB115, SB75, HB27, HB40

Keywords: jury duty, nursing mothers, exemption, legal rights, parental responsibilities, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, SB116, machine gun conversion devices, switches, pistol conversion device, auto sear, firearm accessories, machine gun, automatic weapon, semiautomatic pistol, gun control

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also currently serving as chair of the Trial Court Budget Commission.
• I'm more of a numbers guy from the Trial Court Budget Commission and how we deal with that.
• They can emanate from budget issues that are part of our legislative budget request.
• So if the Legislature were to adopt the budget issue, there's a corollary statutory change for that issue
• So that is a budget issue principally, but would require statutory changes since the Legislature prescribes

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida balances our budget every single year. Florida pays down debt.
• Florida balances our budget every single year. Florida pays down debt.
• For the past several years, our balanced budgets and family-friendly tax measures have passed unanimously
• For the past several years, our balanced budgets and family-friendly tax measures have passed.
• For the past several years, our balanced budgets and family-friendly tax measures have passed unanimously

Summary: The Florida Senate convened for its organizational session with prayer, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence for the mother of Senator Fine. The chamber then received special guests and administered oaths to newly elected senators after reading certificates of election from the Secretary of State. Tracy Campbell Cantella was nominated and unanimously elected Secretary of the Senate, then sworn in. Ben Albritton was nominated, seconded, and elected as President of the Senate for the 2024–2026 term, and Jason Brodeur was later nominated, seconded, and elected President Pro Tempore. Both leaders were sworn in and delivered extended remarks about faith, service, Florida’s economy and education, hurricane recovery, insurance, rural communities, agriculture, water quality, Israel, veterans, and the need for data-driven, accountable government. After the leadership elections, the Senate adopted its rules for the new term and authorized the Secretary to make technical and conforming changes. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2-O-RG, which establishes the joint rules of the Florida Legislature for 2024–26. A committee was appointed to notify the House that the Senate had convened for organization, and the committee later reported back that the House had been informed. The Senate then received a communication from the Democratic caucus certifying that Senator Jason Pizzo was elected Democratic leader and Senator Tracie Davis Democratic leader pro tempore for the term. The session included additional remarks recognizing Senate staff and security personnel, as well as tributes to the late John Pasidomo and a moment of silence for him. The meeting concluded with a performance of “Amazing Grace,” brief closing comments, and an attempted motion to adjourn sine die that was briefly tabled until the House confirmed it was convened and ready to transact business. The Senate then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> declaration was part of the 2025 budget declaration was part of the 2025 budget package.<02:47:01.359
• </c> reopening the entire budget framework. reopening the entire budget framework.
• </c> package and that comprehensive budget package and that comprehensive budget compromise<02:47:46.160
• </c> Bill one, which is the actual budget Bill one, which is the actual budget with<02:49:00.319><c>
• So, I am here begging the big budget.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The impact on the budget of an affected state agency is not enough.
• Total budget for the association for 2025 is approximately $2 million." "Thank you."
• Total budget for the association for 2025 is approximately $2 million." "Thank you."
• Total budget for the association for 2025 is approximately $2 million. Thank you.
• Total budget for the association for 2025 is approximately $2 million. Thank you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first dealt with scheduling and housekeeping, including a plan to take a hard break at 2:00 p.m. for an early bill, hold a brief executive session, and then continue with the remaining afternoon bills. The chair also noted the next likely meeting date would be March 12, when the committee expected to take up the remaining bills before crossover deadlines. The main substantive item was House Bill 142, which would recognize the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and related remembrance purposes. Prime sponsor Rep. Michael Moffett described the bill as a bipartisan measure revised to address earlier concerns, arguing that the flag honors fallen service members, can be personalized with names, and complements rather than detracts from the American flag. He said many other states have already adopted it and suggested the committee could amend details such as the number of days and locations for display. He also raised practical issues about flag dimensions and whether the bill should use "shall" or "may" for display requirements. Testimony was divided. Janine Nutter opposed the bill, saying she supports Gold Star families but objected because the flag resembles the Viet Cong flag and because she believes the American flag should remain the sole symbol representing servicemembers. Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee under RSA 115:8, also opposed the bill, saying the committee believes the American flag is the only symbol needed, while still praising the work of Honor and Remember in creating personalized flags for families. Committee members asked questions about where the flag would be flown, whether the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is already displaying it, and how the bill’s language would interact with cemetery policies and committee discretion. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• proposed state budget project renovation amount<00:24:38.840><c> of</c><00:24:39.039><c> 28</c><00:24
• I have seen now this is legislative, and I think it's probably in the budget bill.
• To keep it budget neutral.
• </c> years yeah for the first in this budget years yeah for the first in this budget yeah<04:00:25.279
• He said that is why it is a constant burden on districts and affects their budgets so radically.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed HB 443, which would change terms and vacancy language for members of a higher education commission. Members raised concerns that the bill was too narrow to address broader issues with commission membership, including expired appointments, attendance expectations, and whether the Department of Education could replace the commission’s role. Several members suggested the bill was not ready for action and favored holding it for further work, possibly through a subcommittee or work session. One member suggested that if attendance standards were added, no more than two unexcused absences should trigger removal, given the commission’s meeting schedule. The chair said he would defer action and form a small subcommittee to report back before the committee deadline. The committee then moved to HB 484, dealing with repurposing Career and Technical Education classroom space after 20 years of exclusive use. The chair explained that the bill was aimed at the Milford CTE project, where shared use of space could allow a school to repurpose part of a CTE facility while still using it for CTE-related instruction. Members discussed other possible situations around the state, including Claremont, North Conway, and Jaffrey/Rindge, and whether the bill should be limited to Milford or broadened to allow local districts more flexibility. Some members favored passing the bill now to help CTE projects move forward, while others argued for an amendment removing the requirement that the space be vacated specifically to expand the CTE program occupying it. Testimony and discussion emphasized that the Milford project had state approval but reduced funding, requiring a smaller scope and repurposing of existing space. Supporters said the bill could help preserve CTE programs while also benefiting general education space needs, and that local districts should have flexibility after 20 years. Opponents or cautious members noted that the language might not fit every district situation and asked for feedback from Director Beard and Steve Rothenberg before final action. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, and instead discussed waiting for an amendment and additional input before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that you've noticed um after budget that you've noticed um after budget hearings<00:07:27.919><c
• So that is our road map that we’re using for our budget development.
• So that is our road map that we’re using for our budget development.
• </c> about it as we get into the budget about it as we get into the budget session<00:27:34.720><c> and
• I'll stop there because I know you're on time budget. Thank you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the agency pursued the decrease because of budget concerns, asked them to pursue the lower cost
• </c> expenses in alignment with our budget. expenses in alignment with our budget.
• So when water and wastewater funding is provided into a fund, there's language in the budget that says
• And in some cases, projects had budget estimates that were either lower than anticipated, so they had
• I had a project in my district that actually came in under budget of what we had allocated, and so they

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee met on July 16 and approved the June meeting minutes. Members received six information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, notice that the committee did not approve a Kentucky Community and Technical College System fire academy maintenance building project, reports of upcoming school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, a Northern Kentucky University asset preservation revision, and prior debt issues from the School Facilities Construction Commission. The committee then heard five project reports from the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Three new projects were presented for action and approved: a $1.3 million White Haven rest area renovation in Paducah, a $6.5 million Boone County north- and southbound rest area remodel and expansion to add truck parking, and a $4.5 million Bluegrass Station Building 14 modernization project funded by a Department of the Army grant. Members asked several questions about the Boone County rest area project, including truck congestion, restroom capacity, staffing, and the need to keep the facility open during construction; Transportation staff explained the project is meant to expand parking and improve facilities. Two emergency projects were reported with no action required: an amended Fort Boonboro flood remediation project in Madison County and a Kentucky Horse Park emergency flood repair project. The committee also approved three new leases after hearing from the Division of Real Properties. The leases included Department of Corrections parking spaces in Louisville, a Kentucky State Police office and lab lease in Hopkins County, and an Education and Labor Cabinet lease in Kenton County that was negotiated at a lower rate. Members asked about lease terms and how local match or negotiated rates were set, and staff explained that lease lengths are generally set by lessors and that the Kenton County lease was reduced through direct negotiation to stay within budget. A separate lease modification for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, involving reception-area renovations, was reported with no action required. Finally, the committee considered seven grant reallocations from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, including six Clean Water Program grants and one EKSF-related reallocation. Members questioned whether some flood-related water infrastructure work, especially an Olive Branch subdivision storage tank project, fit the intended purpose of the funding; staff explained the reallocations were needed to keep federal dollars from being returned and to move funds to eligible projects. The committee initially failed to approve the package on a 4-4 vote, but after a member noted a missed vote and changed to yes, the grants passed with favorable expression. The committee then began hearing three Kentucky Product Development Initiative grants for industrial site development in Russell County, Cumberland County, and Berea/Madison County, with members asking about match requirements, funding sources, and the scope of the projects; the transcript ends during the roll call on those grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move on to a panel, Jessica Trow and Adam Jones of the Mass Budget Policy Center.
• My name is Jessica Trow, and I'm the Deputy Director of Research and Policy Analysis at Mass Budget,
• And thank you so much, we saw that we're getting funding in the budget this year as well, so continued
• There are, of course, budget constraints, so we can't do that exactly, but we do base it in their goal
• As a mother in shelter said, the first things that I cut for my budget are necessities for myself.

Bills: H5085, H5286

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe you guys have already worked out... ...operating budget side.
• You know, you had $20,000, and so you blew your budget.
• But according to my numbers, in the current budget, the lion's share of spending goes to weatherization
• Only one-fifth of the Mass Save budget is devoted to electrification or decarbonization.
• Those would be more efficient energy-wise and budget-wise.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of energy efficiency, building decarbonization, school modernization, and lighting bills. Testimony generally came from municipal leaders, labor unions, environmental groups, and advocates who supported measures such as H. 3529/S. 2294 on building energy and decarbonization, H. 3577/S. 2286 on a zero-carbon renovation fund, H. 3476/S. 2275 on healthy and sustainable schools, H. 3565 on Mass Save zero-carbon assessments, H. 3477 on clean lighting and appliance efficiency standards, and the Dark Sky bills on outdoor lighting. Supporters argued these bills would cut emissions, lower utility bills, improve indoor air quality and school conditions, and direct resources to environmental justice, gateway, and low-income communities. Witnesses emphasized that Massachusetts’ older building stock and school facilities need major upgrades, and that state funding and financing tools are needed to close gaps left by declining federal support. Mayors, labor leaders, and environmental advocates said the proposals would create local jobs, expand apprenticeships, and help municipalities and schools undertake retrofits, ventilation improvements, heat pump installations, and other decarbonization work. Several speakers also defended Mass Save as highly cost-effective while urging new funding sources beyond ratepayer bills for larger-scale building upgrades. One representative asked about the difference between current Mass Save audits and proposed zero-carbon assessments, and the sponsor explained the new assessments would include heat pumps, solar, storage, wiring upgrades, and rate-structure guidance. There was also testimony on the Dark Sky bill, with astronomers and museum representatives arguing that better-shielded, downward-facing lighting would reduce energy waste, protect wildlife and human health, and preserve night skies without compromising safety. Committee members raised concerns about pedestrian safety and whether education might be enough instead of legislation; supporters responded that the bill follows established lighting standards and targets only unnecessary glare and skyward light. On the school bill, an open-shop contractor group opposed the measure, arguing its PLA and apprenticeship requirements would restrict bidding and reduce competition, while labor organizations strongly supported the workforce standards and prevailing wage provisions. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and several members asked clarifying questions, but the transcript does not show any final action or disposition on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's being authorized in this chamber, not in the budget room. I believe that would be correct.
• If you continue and you actually read it, it’s devastating to our budget.
• So I just want to read a few ...read it, it’s devastating to our budget.
• Any significant changes will be reflected in future budget requests. So look out next year.
• There’s no way to quantify how devastating this is going to be to our budget.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum, then took up several bills for perfection and printing. House Bill 2297, a fence-law bill, was presented as a way to let livestock owners enter up to 10 feet onto neighboring property to repair fences, remove trees and debris on the fence line, and avoid trespass liability while repairing damage caused by livestock escaping. Supporters said the measure addresses a real rural problem and protects farmers who are already responsible for keeping animals contained; the bill was adopted and perfected and printed after debate over property rights and access concerns. The chamber then considered House Bills 2142 and 2058, a film and television tax incentive measure. Supporters said Missouri’s film credit program has produced strong economic returns, created jobs, and attracted productions, and they argued for combining separate film and TV funding buckets while removing a proposed sunset extension. An amendment to keep the sunset at 2029 was adopted, and the bill was then adopted, perfected, and printed. The House also took up House Bill 3004, a hardwood labeling bill requiring products sold in Missouri to be labeled accurately as wood or non-wood materials; supporters framed it as truth-in-advertising and protection for the state’s timber industry, while one member questioned how the law would apply to online and out-of-state sellers. The bill was adopted and perfected and printed. Next, the House considered House Bills 3283 and 3306, which set a timeline and process for public-sector collective bargaining disputes, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, and defined “good faith” in bargaining. An amendment narrowed the bill so it would not apply to teachers, police, or other excluded public employees under existing law. Supporters said the bill would prevent years-long contract disputes and save taxpayer money, especially for firefighters and other first responders; the substitute was adopted and perfected and printed. Finally, House Bill 2536, a bill on sex-designated restrooms and other private spaces in government-controlled settings, drew extensive debate. The sponsor said it was intended to protect privacy and safety in restrooms, changing rooms, sleeping quarters, schools, airports, correctional facilities, and similar spaces, and an amendment clarified exceptions for corrections officers and other public safety duties. Opponents argued the bill would target transgender people, create enforcement problems, and rely on signage rather than preventing crime; supporters said it was needed to protect women and girls. The amendment was adopted, and debate continued on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• this school board had been on the board for 22 years, and she said to the media that knowing the budget
• The legislators you see up here who do the state budget are not required to have any kind of training
• This is not sound budgeting.
• own budget in this body.
• own budget in this body.

Keywords: 1182, all