Transcript Highlights:

• The first vote will be to approve the committee rules and budget resolution.
• The necessary housekeeping items to run the committee include our rules and our budget.
• Our new budget will ensure that the committee has the resources to develop a surface transportation reauthorization
• I urge my colleagues to support our committee rules and budget resolution for the 119th Congress.
• member of Congress, repeatedly that he would respond to our letters, to our inquests, and to our requests

Bills: SB347 , SB351

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: brownfields, brownfield cleanup, site remediation, environmental cleanup, contaminated property, redevelopment, revitalization, CERCLA, Superfund, EPA grants, state response programs, environmental justice, disadvantaged communities, small communities, local government grants, nonprofit eligibility, community engagement, Alaska Native tribes, Regional Corporations, Village Corporations

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, This committee and both previously on the Budget Committee, I still am on the Budget Committee
• The one criticism of the budget proposal presented yesterday by the budget chair was that it relies solely
• But where does that level of stable— I guess I'm looking at the budget and the money, and I'm trying
• At Representative Black's request, I did present some changes that we would like to see.
• We wrote letters to the budget leaders in the General Assembly at the time.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2585. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute and a separate amendment, both described as clerical and technical changes to align the bill with Department of Higher Education workflow and state and federal law. The substitute for HB 2585 was then approved do pass by a 10-0 roll call vote. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1627, which would revise the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council by adding the Commissioner of Higher Education or designee, increasing business and commerce representation, shortening member terms, reducing required meetings, and adjusting reporting requirements. Representative Haley said the changes would better reflect workforce needs and strengthen ties between education and industry. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education testified in support, saying the changes were recommended by the advisory group. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2123, a broader higher education funding proposal that also includes a Bright Flight scholarship increase to full in-state tuition. Representative Black and Representative Shields described the bill as an effort to modernize Missouri’s long-standing base-plus funding model by moving toward a metric- and performance-based system tied to workforce needs, with a phased testing and approval process before implementation. Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development staff, the Missouri Community College Association, and the Council on Public Higher Education testified in support of continuing the work, though the council urged removing bill language that was too specific about the consultant’s model and timeline. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, implementation, and whether the model could be rolled out without harming institutions or students. The hearing on HB 2123 concluded without any vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• whereas IDWR's fiscal officer, Sasha Marston, has managed the commission support services, including budget
• One, to protect the budget for the benefit of all local conservation districts through match or through
• One, to protect the budget for the benefit of all local conservation districts through match or through
• So both revised legislation and... ...a combined budget for submittal.
• So both revised legislation and a combined budget would be worked on over the next year and submitted

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the February 10, 2026 minutes and then introduced RS 331-92, a proposal by Rep. VanderWater to allow additional milk-testing quality categories to be set by rule between producers and buyers. VanderWater said the measure would give the Department of Agriculture flexibility to address testing issues beyond butterfat, protein, and somatic cell counts, including possible bacteria-related standards. Members asked whether organic dairy would be included, and he said it would apply to dairy sold to processors. The motion to introduce the RS passed unanimously. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Matt Weaver of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Brian Keekley of the Langdon Group on a proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Idaho Department of Water Resources. They described a months-long evaluation process that included stakeholder interviews, a survey, a workshop, and a final report. The presenters said the recommended structure would keep the commission’s board and mission intact while moving support functions into IDWR, preserving local conservation district autonomy, maintaining the commission’s branding and non-regulatory identity, protecting funding, and creating a formal partnership framework to guard against enforcement or policy conflicts. Members generally expressed support for the proposal’s sideboards and the involvement of local districts. Questions focused on how the merger framework would be implemented and when. Weaver said Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 and House Bill 503 were the main legislative vehicles, with additional statutory cleanup and a combined budget expected for the 2027 session, along with a memorandum of understanding between the agencies. Committee members indicated they were comfortable with the legislation coming before them as early as Monday. The meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first being HCR 33, requesting the Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service to relocate
• some resolutions this session and testimony where testimony asks for cost to be inserted into the budget
• some resolutions this session and testimony where testimony asks for cost to be inserted into the budget
• some resolutions this session and testimony where testimony asks for cost to be inserted into the budget
• some resolutions this session and testimony where testimony asks for cost to be inserted into the budget

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two concurrent resolutions. HCR 33 proposed asking the U.S. Postmaster General to relocate the Pearl City Post Office from Kamehameha Highway and Acacia Road to Navy property on the Pearl City Peninsula. Testifiers, including Pearl City Neighborhood Board chair Larry Verrett and resident Lena Ala Baiton, supported the move, citing severe congestion, narrow access, safety concerns, and the potential to improve traffic flow and support transit-oriented development. Members noted a similar Senate measure had already passed, and HCR 33 was recommended to pass unamended. The committee then considered HCR 157, which would establish a task force to simplify permitting for enhanced economic development and coordinate state and intergovernmental permitting processes. Testimony in support was submitted by representatives connected to DBED/HHFDC and others. In discussion, members questioned whether such a task force was necessary, what projects it would address, how often it would meet, whether it could include housing and local-level projects, and what the cost might be; the response was that the resolution would provide more structure, no similar project had been executed before, and costs were not yet known but could be addressed later. The committee ultimately recommended HCR 157 pass unamended, and the recommendation was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll try to fit it in the budget.
• </c> banum is not in the governor's budget banum is not in the governor's budget and<00:18:53.400><c>
• put over onto the capital budget rather than the regular budgets.
• put over onto the capital budget rather than the regular budgets.
• put over onto the capital budget rather than the regular budgets.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met on February 18 and retained several bills for possible inclusion in the budget. House Bill 97, appropriating funds to the Department of Environmental Services for wastewater infrastructure projects, was retained on a 21-0 vote. House Bill 197, which would have the state pay 7.5% of certain political subdivision employees’ retirement contributions at an estimated annual cost of $28 million to $29 million, was also retained unanimously. House Bill 246, creating the Conservation District Climate Resilience Grant Program with a small appropriation of about $50,000 per year for two years, was retained 22-0. House Bill 519, appropriating $500,000 annually to support the Waypoint Youth and Young Adult Shelter, was likewise retained 22-0. The committee then shifted to a broader budget discussion. Representative Maguire said the committee was facing a roughly $732 million gap between projected revenue and spending, based on preliminary Ways and Means figures and the governor’s budget. He noted that the governor’s plan included $81 million from the rainy day fund and $127 million from proposed slot machine revenue, while other potential obligations such as $150 million in YDC payments and prison down payments were not included. Members discussed how Ways and Means revenue estimates are based on current law, meaning proposals not yet enacted would not be counted in the official forecast. Members also asked about the relationship between the education funding committee and Finance, and were told that many education bills would likely come back to Finance after action in the other committee and on the floor. The chair and members discussed donor towns, swept funds, and the possibility of moving more information technology spending into the capital budget if appropriate. The meeting ended with agreement to let Division 2 head to education funding, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• would say that the week before Senator Romo was passed away, he came over to the House and at my request
• The Department of Health may deny a request for vital records data, and a state or local registrar must
• This is literally about the record of a request to the Department of Health or the Department of Licensing
• Record of a request to the Department of Health or the Department of Licensing to change the gender marker
• a conversation, and would be happy to have some conversations because I know we're also in tough budget

Bills: SB6252 , SB6265 , SB6081

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transit support grant, free transit, fare-free transit, zero-fare policy, community college students, technical college students, public transportation, youth transit, student transportation, Washington State, Department of Transportation, local sales tax, voter-approved sales tax, equity, environmental justice, low-barrier access, bus pass, rail transit, public transit agency, transit agency grants

Transcript Highlights:

• But really, in all seriousness, we are working hard to balance our budget.
• I'm with the Office of Financial Management here today to testify in support of our OFM request bill,
• This OFM request legislation, to Senator Riccelli's point, was brought forward on behalf of executive
• really look at and recognize that the Legislature creates every year, both in statute and in the budget
• I'm here to testify in support of WOTEC agency request legislation 6461.

Bills: SB6215 , SB6160 , SB6313 , SB6049 , SB6164 , SB5046 , SB5842 , SB6035 , SB5853 , SB5888

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: fraud prevention, identity theft, consumer protection, security measures, legislation, government efficiency, state agencies, reporting, bureaucracy, transparency, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, student privacy, employee confidentiality, public disclosure, data protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We came in significantly under budget.
• This was initially presented when an applicant submits a request for leave.
• information from us about first request information from us about the<00:26:23.039><c> grant</c><00:
• </c> budget that was originally forecast. budget that was originally forecast.
• </c><00:44:56.000><c> for</c> most common uh type of request for most common uh type of request for information

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I brought copies of our requested amendments.
• Just so in the analysis, it also lists out the requested amendments as well.
• I asked for medical help, but my request was ignored.
• And potentially very serious impact to our budget, our state budget that's already kind of in flux.
• I'm here today to request your support of SB 934.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would request that... ...investigative process and is not meant to be punitive or disciplinary.
• The reason this bill is needed is because there has been requests from constituents across the state
• And we all know we're in a budget crisis. We can't afford it.
• Let's make sure that we scare everybody off because there's no money in the budget.
• Well, if there's make sure that we scare everybody off because there's no money in the budget.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and public testimony, beginning with introductions and then taking up several health and human services measures. A major focus was SB 1120 and SB 1121, which address radiation protection in cardiac catheterization and other ionizing-radiation procedure rooms. SB 1120 would require health care facilities to equip at least 50% of procedure rooms with radiation protection systems by July 1, 2027, while SB 1121 would prohibit requiring lead aprons in rooms with such systems and instead require real-time dosimeters for staff who opt out of lead aprons. Physicians, nurses, and a hospital executive testified that enhanced radiation protection systems can dramatically reduce occupational exposure, lower cancer and orthopedic risks, and help with workforce recruitment and retention; a hospital alliance remained neutral pending further stakeholder discussions. Both bills were amended and passed out of committee on 7-0 votes, and SB 1118, which appropriates state funds for a rural hospital grant program to install radiation protection systems, also passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1001, which appropriates $1 million to the Department of Economic Security for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, after testimony from blind and low-vision Arizonans and advocates describing long waitlists, the need for independent living training, and the program’s role in preventing unnecessary dependence. SB 1072, a major funding bill for home- and community-based services and room-and-board rate increases for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, drew testimony from providers about severe staffing shortages, overtime, turnover, and underfunding; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1125, requiring DCS to pursue MOUs with tribes and improve tribal communication and access to licensing and enforcement information, also passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then considered SB 1123, which removes a board-certification requirement so trained forensic pathologists can supervise autopsy training for residents and fellows; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and training fix, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1052, allowing mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living facilities under physician order and DHS rules, generated mixed testimony: supporters argued it could improve health and independence for residents, while opponents raised concerns about off-label treatment in nonmedical settings. The bill passed 5-2. SB 1112, which reduces the number of acquaintance witnesses required in court-ordered treatment proceedings from two to one and allows the court to waive the witness requirement under certain conditions, drew strong testimony from families and mental health advocates on both sides; it passed 5-2. The committee also began hearing SB 1113, which would allow certain service of process in court-ordered evaluation and treatment cases by evaluation-agency employees or other court-authorized persons, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And although the egg budget is a pretty small piece of the overall state budget, this bill is going to
• And although the egg budget is a pretty small piece of the overall state budget, this bill is going to
• And although the egg budget is a pretty small piece of the overall state budget, this bill is going to
• The egg budget is a pretty small piece of the overall state budget, this bill is going to do a lot of
• </c> today, this is a relatively small budget today, this is a relatively small budget and<00:35:49.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And indeed, in the last budget at the federal level, I think there was a reduction of $13 million to
• And indeed, in the last budget, the federal level, I think there was a reduction of $13 million to the
• from the kinds of data sharing that was requested through programs like TANF, WIC, SNAP, and DMVs.
• requests.”
• Requested administrative data because I was a senior executive at the U.S.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The hearing focused on census data privacy, administrative data sharing, and the role of state and local governments in improving census accuracy, especially for the 2030 census. Dr. Philip Rocco testified first, arguing that the census is increasingly intergovernmental and that state and local investments in address list work, outreach, and complete count commissions can materially improve self-response and reduce undercounts. He emphasized that hard-to-count communities are most affected when states delay planning, politicize census work, or lack capacity, and he pointed to examples such as LUCA participation, outreach funding, and group quarters review as important tools. He also warned that recent federal actions and a broader climate of distrust could threaten 2030 operations, and urged Massachusetts to begin readiness planning now. Members then questioned Dr. Rocco about the use of administrative data such as DMV, TANF, SNAP, and WIC records, and about group quarters enumeration. He explained that those data-sharing efforts were voluntary agreements with the Census Bureau, unlike group quarters data, which are often provided by facility administrators and sometimes state agencies. He said the Trump-era effort to use DMV and other records was tied to Executive Order 13880 and was widely resisted because states had confidentiality and legal concerns, and because the stated purpose appeared to shift toward citizenship-related uses. On group quarters, he described e-response, paper response, in-person enumeration, and administrator-provided directory information, noting that privacy issues arise mainly from FERPA limits on university data and from missing demographic details in administrative records. A second panel, Beth Giroz and Amy O'Hara, then explained how administrative data are used by the Census Bureau and why data quality and privacy concerns matter. They described administrative data as records collected for operational purposes, useful for frame-building, nonresponse follow-up, enumeration, and post-enumeration evaluation, but often incomplete or mismatched on key census variables such as race, ethnicity, household relationships, and residence timing. They highlighted that some sources, like IRS, Medicare, USPS, SSA, and Bureau of Prisons records, are especially valuable, while others such as SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, foster care, and driver’s license data vary in completeness and sharing. They stressed that privacy means collecting only what is needed, and that the Bureau typically uses limited header or roster data rather than full records. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee recessed briefly before continuing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> humanity Minnesota's long-term budget humanity Minnesota's long-term budget numbers<00:17:47.000
• That request has been out for several weeks at this point.
• I'm the budget director for the Department of Human Services.
• Before my questions, I'd like to request a roll call, please. Absolutely. Yep, roll call requested.
• </c> before my questions I'd like to request before my questions I'd like to request a<01:01:46.119><

Bills: HF10 , HF27

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides that, effective for the 2029-2030 school year, all school districts can request funding
• The bill provides that, effective for the 2029-2030 school year, all school districts can request funding
• So there isn't any impact on this budget, this 2027 budget.
• least five years and provide copies of the same to the Department of Commerce or the division upon request

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported. The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we should do that through the capital budget, maybe more effectively than we're doing it.
• I think we should do that through the capital budget, maybe more effectively than we're doing it.
• personal information, personal answers from students on this student health survey that could be requested
• I'm asking for a yes vote on this technical correction as requested by the Office of Financial Management
• And this was requested by the treasurers that we heard from in testimony.

Bills: SB5000 , SB5325 , SB6044 , SB6313

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, about eight of those 22 will be budget bills that, you know, we'll be tracking, meeting with Chairman
• after this committee meeting today, and should have a pretty good timeline as to when we expect those budgets
• year</c><00:11:20.560><c> you</c><00:11:20.800><c> had</c><00:11:20.880><c> a</c><00:11:21.279><c> request
• </c><00:11:21.600><c> from</c> think last year you had a request from think last year you had a request

Bills: HB247 , HB317 , HB318 , HB253 , HB271 , HB135 , HB247 , HB317 , HB318 , HB253 , HB271 , HB135

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, age verification, parental consent, consumer protection, app store regulations, data privacy, Internet filters, digital safety, minors protection, civil liability, device manufacturers, obscenity, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd also request that any reform thoughtfully formalizes coordination with the Department of Health
• It's adding an effective date, which is something that was requested in our public hearing from the Department
• The amendments limit it to just specific trades only, and it also made some changes that L&I requested
• also will acknowledge that this is a really tough time to do thoughtful frameworks when we have a budget
• Obviously, we will take a short break from policy committees as we move into our budget meetings.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee began by suspending the five-day notice rule for Senate Bill 629, then held testimony on the bill, which would restructure the Liquor and Cannabis Board. Proponents, including the Washington Hospitality Association, the Washington Cannabis Business Association, and the Cannabis Alliance, argued the current board structure is overburdened by alcohol and cannabis responsibilities, slows decision-making, and should be expanded or reorganized to improve accountability and focus. Opponents, including the Washington Association for Substance Misuse and Violence Prevention and a cannabis business owner, warned the bill would create unnecessary administrative costs, weaken executive accountability, and should not advance without more study. The committee did not take final action on SB 629 during the hearing portion, but later moved several bills out of committee. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes and advanced SB 6282 on behavioral health training for construction apprentices, SB 5379 on interest arbitration for Parks and Recreation Commission employees, SB 6197 on plumber license discipline, SB 6158 on factory-built housing and utility structures, SB 6302 on limits for independent contractors on public works finishing work, SB 5882 on PTSD workers’ compensation coverage for local correctional facility workers, SB 6180 on firefighter and law enforcement heart-related occupational disease presumptions, SB 6195 on cannabis producer oversupply, SB 6196 on kratom taxation, SB 6204 on home cannabis cultivation, and SB 6287 on kratom product restrictions. Several bills were sent to Ways and Means because of fiscal impacts, while SB 6204 was sent to Rules after adoption of an amendment allowing local governments to restrict home cultivation in residential areas. The committee also noted that SB 6303 on cannabis packaging and vapor devices would not move that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Glad to answer any questions and will allow any witness to testify and respectfully request the right
• I respectfully request the privilege to close. Thank you, Ms. Any questions for Chairman Canales?
• And I respectfully request the opportunity to close. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
• We've already secured 450,000 in the budget to make sure that licensed caregivers are compensated for
• Well, we've already secured that in, in this, uh, in this budget. Thank you, members.

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator [Menendez](link from function call): But my request today is that each person enters this Capitol
• Please grant our requests for the wisdom of Solomon as legislators navigate the political journey and
• innovative ways that you will be able to navigate the different challenges between having a $24 billion budget
• surplus and a $35 billion budget request from all the different constituencies that are seeking money

Bills: SCR7

Keywords: legislature, adjournment, permissions, Texas Constitution, session, legislative authority, 1185, senate, all