Video & Transcript : 'performance evaluations' :

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/12/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • on the world's most ...elite dancers, many of whom go on to perform on the world's most prestigious
  • And whereas the performing arts play a vital role in enriching our communities, fostering creativity,
  • dancers, ...powerful force in shaping the next generation of elite dancers, many of whom go on to perform
  • Phoenix Ballet not only delivers breathtaking performances, but also uplifts our communities by offering
  • On this National Ballet Day, let us honor the power of the performing arts to unite, heal, and elevate
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Fred Kogan. Members also introduced numerous guests and groups, including Lunar New Year celebrants, Freedom Academy students, local officials from Nogales and Santa Cruz County, and representatives of Phoenix Ballet, which was honored in a proclamation recognizing National Ballet Day and the company’s contributions to Arizona’s arts community. The chamber also announced committee assignments, upcoming committee meetings, and several birthday and event notices, including African American Legislative Day and a statehood celebration for Arizona. On third reading, House Bill 2190, relating to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants and the Physician Assistant Compact, failed on a 20-38 vote after debate over licensing compacts and rural health workforce needs. House Bill 2206, relating to SNAP rulemaking, passed 33-25 after a dispute over whether it created new rulemaking authority; supporters said it clarified existing authority and would help administer the program, while opponents argued it improperly delegated legislative power. House Bill 2396, also relating to SNAP and food restrictions, passed 34-25 after extensive debate about whether the state should limit purchases by low-income families; supporters framed it as promoting healthier choices and responsible use of public funds, while opponents argued it was paternalistic and harmful in food deserts. During the SNAP debate, members on both sides cited food access, nutrition, personal freedom, and the cost of living. Supporters referenced WIC restrictions, school lunch standards, and concerns about taxpayer-funded benefits, while opponents emphasized food deserts, rising prices, and the need for families to make their own choices. After the votes, the House recessed briefly, then returned for additional announcements and procedural business, including committee substitutions, bill referrals, and first reading of HB 4097. The House then adjourned until Monday, February 16, 2026.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 10th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Have you had any experience or observed where the efforts and the performance to go ahead and restore
  • Have you had any experience or observed where the efforts and the performance to go ahead and restore
  • the... ...mitigation bank has not continued to perform the way it needs to perform.
  • , if it is or it's contemplated for the same performance on these wetlands, and you're sort of spurring
  • I'm going to lay. ...performance on these wetlands, and you're sort of spurring that question in my head
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and advanced a large slate of bills, beginning with SB 978, which directs DEP to report on large sewage disposal facilities, rank them for wastewater treatment upgrades, and provide progress reports; it was reported favorably without public opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and favorably reported SB 1388, which restricts vessel safety inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, addresses spring protection zones, and bars FWC fishing licenses for commercial vessels owned by alien powers. Members raised some questions about spring protections and boating access, and one public witness urged further review of the spring-zone language. The committee then favorably reported SB 880, designating the American flamingo as state bird and the Florida scrub jay as state songbird, after testimony supporting both birds as symbols of Florida’s identity and conservation values. Several other measures were heard and passed. SB 830, dealing with lost or abandoned migrant vessels and aligning with House language, was amended and reported favorably. SB 1326, which requires local plans to maintain hurricane evacuation clearance times and allocates building permits in Monroe County and nearby municipalities, was amended to spread allocations over at least 10 years and then passed. SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility to correctional officers and correctional probation officers and exempting certain public safety personnel from the waiting period for rifles and shotguns, was reported favorably after support from the Florida PBA. SB 26, an uncontested claim bill for injuries from a 2022 crash, also passed, with one member suggesting future consideration of health insurance coverage for victims in similar cases. The committee additionally approved SB 98 on securities regulation and fingerprinting requirements, SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety, SB 196 on labeling food and cosmetics that contain vaccine materials or certain chemicals, SB 1300 restricting oil and gas drilling structures in sensitive areas, SB 1612 on financial institution assessment and stock offering timelines, and SB 492 on mitigation banking and wetland conservation easements. SB 1212 drew strong support from firefighters, while SB 492 drew both support and opposition from environmental and development interests, with concerns raised about wetland function, credit release timing, and conservation easement releases. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of 12 appointees to water management district governing boards and adjourned after members recorded individual votes on selected bills.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (03/18/2026)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:53:40.160><c> abortions,</c> even for those that perform abortions, even for those that perform
  • And, um, she wasn't made to perform an abortion.
  • </c> she wasn't made to perform an abortion. she wasn't made to perform an abortion. she<01:09:24.560
  • </c> provider that was ever asked to perform provider that was ever asked to perform an<01:11:02.640>
  • </c> participating in providing performative participating in providing performative abortions<01:11:
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 04/09/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • 46, you can see that the bill would eliminate the allocation for CARS implementation support and evaluation
  • ,</c><00:08:59.440><c> though</c><00:08:59.680><c> the</c><00:08:59.839><c> A3</c> support and evaluation
  • , though the A3 support and evaluation, though the A3 does<00:09:00.959><c> make</c><00:09:01.760><c>
  • </c><01:45:24.320><c> We</c><01:45:24.560><c> strongly</c> still being evaluated.
  • We strongly still being evaluated.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • So 'performance' will become 'production.'
  • Obscene sexual performance becomes obscene sexual production. away the connotation of sexual performance
  • same thing, swapping out the sexual performance by a minor for child sexual abuse material and the performance
  • It's opting for the term production rather than performance and replacing any references to sexual performance
  • , child performance.
Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So there are guidelines that the evaluators have to follow in each of the activities of daily living
  • So there are guidelines that the evaluators have to follow in each of the activity of daily living categories
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The subcommittee met with MassHealth LTSS Chief Leslie Darcy to review the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program and the legislative work group focused on its long-term sustainability and cost containment. Darcy and Charlie described the work group’s five meetings and three consensus recommendations: enforce the 66-hour overtime cap, address fraudulent activity in the PCA program, and eliminate MassHealth handling of PCA paperwork/administrative work for members without a live-in exemption because those members are subject to EVV. They explained EVV as an electronic visit verification system replacing paper timesheets, and noted the rollout is expected to be completed this fall. The group estimated about $7 million in savings from the consensus recommendations and agreed to continue meeting through June to consider additional ideas. Darcy presented data showing the PCA program served about 56,000 members in state fiscal year 2024 and has grown from $1.2 billion in FY20 to $1.6 billion in FY24, with projections near $2 billion by 2027. She said much of the growth is driven by wage increases and older adults using more services, and compared PCA costs with other LTSS programs. The discussion also covered overtime spending, the role of federal financial participation, and how Massachusetts’ PCA program differs from other states because it has no hard caps on hours or activities. Several members emphasized the program’s value for independent living and community participation, while also acknowledging the need to control growth without undermining services. Members asked about undocumented immigrants and MassHealth funding, and Darcy explained that some eligibility categories are state-funded only and do not receive federal matching funds. Another member asked about workforce recruitment and wage pressures; Darcy said recent collective bargaining agreements raised PCA wages, with some workers eventually reaching $25 per hour and the entry wage reaching $20. The group also discussed whether IADL hours are disproportionately high compared with ADL needs, and reviewed data suggesting potential savings if IADL hours were limited relative to ADL hours, though no consensus recommendation was made on that point. The meeting ended with approval of the prior minutes by roll call vote, an update that the next health equity informational hearing is scheduled for May 19, and a motion to adjourn carried unanimously.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 29th, 2026

Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a fairness and equity bill ensuring that farmworker housing is evaluated based on the realities
  • of where... ...farmworker housing is evaluated based on the realities of where farmworkers live and
Keywords: 988, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-25 (5:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • protocols for patients of all ages, continuing patient and family education, periodic comprehensive evaluations
  • Periodic comprehensive evaluations and other disease-specific health maintenance services, psychosocial
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator Charlie Dean. Senators also introduced guests, including family members, church leaders, and visiting students. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate passed a series of bills focused on consumer protection, transportation safety, health, and financial regulation. CS/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks passed 37-0 after being substituted for SB 198 and amended to adopt Senate language aimed at limiting fraud and setting transaction controls. SB 382 on electric bicycles passed 37-0 after amendment to broaden the task force to micro-mobility devices. SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education passed 37-0, requiring certain health professionals to complete training on care management. SB 1014 on municipal utility service outside city limits passed 37-0, and SB 428 on the swimming lesson voucher program passed 36-0 after amendments expanding the program to ages 1 through 7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents. The Senate also passed CS/CS/CS/SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation, which creates cybersecurity program requirements for certain licensees, expands oversight of some investment advisers, and updates credit union and anti-money-laundering provisions; it passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 1440 on public records passed 35-1 after technical amendments tied to related cybersecurity exemptions and reporting requirements. SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients passed 36-0, directing certain benefits for foster youth toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to certify all passed bills to the House and retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • And she's just seeking the court to evaluate her case and decide whether or not that is something that
  • diagnosis of some kind of dementia, or medical infirmity, and it will be the court that actually evaluates
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 29th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have the opportunity to evaluate their disposition.
  • And so we do work on that to ensure that we're evaluating that and making sure we're setting them up
Committee: House Education
Summary: The House Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 515, sponsored by Representative Chris Matthias, which would require school districts to adopt procedures for reporting suspensions related to bullying, harassment, intimidation, and related conduct to families, while removing a prior state-level reporting requirement. Matthias said the bill is intended to help families respond quickly and to keep the focus on local school-level accountability; he noted earlier versions had included language about limiting access to means of harm and notifying law enforcement, but those provisions were removed after prior defeats. Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association testified in support, saying the bill improves communication and trust with families and eliminates redundant reporting to the Department of Education. The committee then voted to send HB 515 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also received a presentation from Brooke Blevins of the Idaho Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the University of Idaho on educator preparation programs. She described collaboration among Idaho’s colleges and universities and said programs have expanded coursework and field experiences in classroom management, educator ethics, career and technical education, rural school preparation, literacy and the science of reading, and the ethical use of AI. Members asked about literacy instruction and the earlier state literacy funding, with several expressing concern that phonics and the science of reading had not been emphasized enough in the past. Blevins said higher education institutions are aligning with state literacy efforts and that the $50 million literacy initiative primarily funds Department of Education programs rather than universities. Committee members also asked about teacher preparation pathways and workforce readiness. Blevins said Idaho has multiple routes to certification, including traditional undergraduate programs, alternative authorizations, alternative programs, apprenticeships, graduate programs, and CTE pathways, and estimated that about 63% of current Idaho teachers were educated through institutions like those represented. She emphasized early field experiences to help candidates determine whether teaching is the right fit and said institutions are studying student success across different educational settings. No further action was taken on the presentation, and the chair adjourned the meeting after reminding members to review the rules in their folders for the following week.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 29th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have the opportunity to evaluate their disposition.
  • And so we do work on that to ensure that we're evaluating that and making sure we're setting them up
Committee: House Education
Keywords: 989, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Jan 13th, 2026

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The assessment evaluated the condition of existing amenities, including visitor centers, utilities, infrastructure
  • DEP also conducted analysis that evaluated future growth and recreational demands through the review
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

October 15, 2025 - 01:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Re-evaluate how funding is determined. ...in an effort to increase transparency.
  • Re-evaluate how funding is determined for waiver enrollees and allow families of individuals with developmental
Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the new director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on implementation of House Bill 1103. The director said APD is working to update the funding algorithm through a contracted study due November 15, 2025, expand transparency on its website, launch an online crisis application by the end of 2025, improve client choice in qualified organizations and waiver support coordinators, and coordinate with AHCA on the managed care pilot and Florida HealthFinder listings for APD providers. He also said APD is working on family resource materials, a monthly newsletter, and stronger transition planning with DCF. Members asked about whether the new algorithm would include transportation and what services might change, but the director said the replacement model is still being developed and any new methodology would be implemented through rulemaking. Questions also focused on Family Care Councils, including the statewide council’s membership and appointment process; the director said the statute sets the process and APD is helping councils recruit and organize. On transparency, members praised the website improvements and asked for more interactive data tools. The director said APD would consider suggestions and continue expanding public reporting. The committee also discussed eligibility and waiver notices, including concerns about outdated language in APD letters and how autism cases are reviewed. The director said clinicians and behavioral analysts review cases and asked to see the specific letter. On the pre-enrollment list, the chair asked about the wait list, and the director said APD recently sent 5,612 service offers to people on the list and is working to better distinguish those who truly need services from those who do not. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Appropriations May 8th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • to answer this question is, but what I'm trying to get an understanding of as we're looking and evaluating
  • but it does mean there are other factors that make this a little more complex situation for us to evaluate
Bills: SJR 4
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 14th, 2025

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • was testified that quality of life and the ability for spouses to be able to work soonest is an evaluation
  • This has become an important, uh, aspect of evaluating different installations when they're considering
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 72 Mar 24th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You're setting your targets on performance, academic performance, and then every year you make different
  • You're going to review your performance, and after a few years looking at that performance, there's the
  • They already use strategic performance.
  • Most high-performing organizations utilize strategic planning and strategic performance objectives.
  • They have a great strategic performance plan.
Keywords: 989, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is related to the use of grid enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors in the ERCOT
  • This is related to the use of grid enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors in the ERCOT
  • This is related to the use of grid enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors in the ERCOT
  • This is related to the use of grid enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors in the ERCOT
  • This is related to the use of grid enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors in the ERCOT
Keywords: 1184, house, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 31, 2025 - 01:30 PM

Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • They were out of work for two years because there wasn't a single live performance in the state of Florida
  • I think a perfect example was brought up: live performers. They didn't take a job for two years.
  • That's because they didn't have one in live performance.
  • with a master's degree in veterinary clinical care who have passed a national competency exam to perform
  • Members, House Bill 715 allows for the ability of licensed roofing contractors to perform roof-to-wall
Summary: The committee took up eight bills and memorials and reported each favorably. It first passed HM 4063, a memorial urging Congress to lay the groundwork for a federal sovereign wealth fund. Sponsor Rep. Anderson described it as a long-term economic security measure, while several members questioned how such a fund would be structured, governed, and balanced against paying down debt. Ranking member Hunschofsky and Rep. Spencer raised concerns about transparency, market disruption, and the lack of specific parameters. The memorial passed on a recorded vote. The committee then approved CS/HB 139, allowing pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms, with SMG testifying in support as a modernization and pro-business change. It also adopted an amendment and passed HB 1157, which tightens reemployment assistance requirements by adding work-search, interview, identity, immigration, and availability checks; the amendment added protection for missed interviews due to emergencies and removed an email reporting requirement. The Florida AFL-CIO and Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy opposed the bill, arguing Florida’s unemployment system is already overly restrictive and that the proposal would further limit access to benefits, while supporters said it would ensure claimants are actively seeking work and verify eligibility. Members also passed CS/HB 497 to create nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans for farmers and ranchers, with support from Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Hospital Association, and the Farm Bureau; CS/HB 729 to authorize veterinary professional associates to perform limited duties under veterinarian supervision, with testimony from veterinarians and advocates citing access and workforce shortages; and HB 311, a right-to-repair bill for motorized wheelchairs, which drew strong support from disability advocates who described long repair delays, high costs, and the impact on independence and health. Rep. Tramont praised the wheelchair repair bill during debate, and the committee voted it favorably. Finally, the committee passed CS/HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill intended to help regulate financial institutions more efficiently, and CS/HB 715, which allows licensed roofing contractors to perform roof-to-wall connections during reroof or repair projects and extends the emergency cancellation window to 180 days after a declared emergency. HB 715 was amended to require a contract notice advising property owners to verify insurance coverage before signing when the work is tied to an insurance claim. Roofing industry groups and home inspection representatives supported the measure as a way to reduce costs and improve wind mitigation. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced the agenda was complete and the committee rose.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Protection and Victim Services Committee May 13th, 2026

Protection and Victim Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • ...away the connotation of sexual performance.
  • Obscene sexual performance becomes obscene sexual production.
  • And then we redefine performance for production.
  • and the performance for production.
  • It's opting for the term production rather than performance and replacing any references to sexual performance
Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Opening Ceremonies Jan 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • privileged today to have students from River Ridge High School's American Sign Language program here to perform
  • the State of Washington, and the rules of the Washington State Senate, and that I will faithfully perform
  • the State of Washington, and the Rules of the Washington State Senate, and that I will faithfully perform
  • the State of Washington, and the Rules of the Washington State Senate, and that I will faithfully perform
  • The appointments are confirmed, and the senators are excused to perform their duty.
Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 2026 session with roll call, presentation of colors by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, a signed national anthem by River Ridge High School ASL students, and an invocation. The President welcomed new Senator Victoria Hunt and noted the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the challenges of democracy and the need for grace and respect. The Senate then received certification of the November 2025 election results and administered the oath of office to newly elected Senators Emily Alvarado, Victoria Hunt, Deborah Krishnadasan, Tina Orwall, and Vandana Slatter. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8660 to notify the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready for business, confirmed the committee appointed to deliver that message, and adopted Senate Resolution 8663 making minor rule changes. The President also confirmed the 2026 Senate standing committee memberships. During first reading and referral, several bills and measures were introduced and sent to committees, including bills on toxicology testing, supplemental leave benefits for public employees, crime victims and witnesses, and fire code administration, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 establishing cutoff dates. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 was debated, with support arguing it set the session’s schedule for efficient work and opposition criticizing the traditional budget-and-policy sequence and calling for budget-first reform. The resolution passed. The Senate then received House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407, adopted both, and heard messages from the Governor’s office, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Senate, including provisional certifications of initiatives and transmitted bills. The session concluded with notice of an upcoming joint session and committee meeting, and the Senate adjourned until the next legislative day.