Transcript Highlights:

• Greg Vogel, committee staff.
• Greg Vogel, committee staff.
• Any questions for staff?
• Greg Vogel, committee staff.
• Countless hours of staff time go into these things.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on six bills. SB 6081 would protect sex designation information and related records from public disclosure, limit sharing of such information by the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, and allow denial of records requests when disclosure could cause harm or disenfranchisement. The sponsor and many supporters, including transgender Washingtonians, privacy advocates, and allied organizations, said the bill would close a privacy gap and reduce doxing, harassment, and targeting; one witness opposed it on grounds of record accuracy, law enforcement, and concerns about sports and public safety. No vote was taken. SB 5902 would update voter notification and address-change procedures by allowing more flexible forms of voter registration updates, reducing mailed notices in some automatic registration situations, and expanding electronic communication options. The sponsor and county auditors said it would improve efficiency, reduce confusion, and save counties money; testimony was generally supportive. The hearing then moved to SB 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency and require ongoing training and reporting on government-to-government relations with tribes. The sponsor and tribal representatives supported the bill as a technical fix and a commitment to tribal sovereignty, and no action was taken. SB 6035 would require regular county and state meetings with tribes on election access and authorize an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including military, overseas, disabled, and some tribal voters. Supporters said it would improve access and collaboration, while the Secretary of State, Verified Voting, and others raised cybersecurity and secret-ballot concerns about the electronic portal; several witnesses also opposed that portion while supporting tribal outreach and drop boxes. SB 5892 would centralize requests for voter registration database records through the Secretary of State and make unauthorized disclosure of protected voter data a felony; supporters framed it as protecting voter privacy and resisting federal overreach, while opponents argued it would hinder voter-roll maintenance and transparency. Finally, SB 5973 would ban pay-per-signature compensation for initiative and referendum signature gathering and require 1,000 supporting signatures before a ballot title is issued; supporters said it would reduce fraud, misleading tactics, and ballot-title shopping, while opponents called it an added barrier to direct democracy. The committee heard extensive testimony on all bills, but the transcript does not show any votes or executive action taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , usually a team, a therapist, and a case manager, a bachelor-level staff, who come in, are dedicated
• , usually a team, a therapist, and a case manager, a bachelor-level staff, who come in, are dedicated
• We've set up the kids, we've set up the staff to have them right back in that setting.
• Our staff is 16 licensed or under supervision of counselors that do prevention counseling and groups,
• So, we have, this is our staff: we have a coordinator, prevention staff coordinator, two mentors, and

Summary: The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff. Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing. Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of staff, we have staff that are in the office, some that are working remotely some days.
• Chairman, Senator, not the staff.
• You also talked, and we'll ask staff to follow up.
• We'll make sure our staff can ensure anything gets passed out.
• I want to thank the Deputy Director and the LLC staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me introduce, as the Chair said, the staff.
• Thank you, Chief Justice and your staff for being here today.
• Which districts don't need a full-time court staff and a full court?'
• Runs the agency, carries out its functions, and hires staff.
• , a lack of a full staff, and also a lack of a full board.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, I had to ask my staff, is this a joke? Did you slide this in to make me laugh?
• and UC staff to make sure that the CBOs that we are funding, their staff properly understand the laws
• And that includes our office, your subcommittee staff, policy staff, personal staff.
• How many staff does the Department of Finance have working on the budget?
• We need this additional staff in both of our programs. Thank you. DOF?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> And thank you to um you and your staff, And thank you to um you and your staff, Christine,<00:03
• ><c> from</c><00:08:30.560><c> security,</c> the staff interviewed from security, the staff interviewed
• ,</c> facilities, getting to know our staff, facilities, getting to know our staff, hiring<00:09:22.959
• And it's difficult for medical staff to make those choices, for security staff to make those choices
• </c><01:43:40.239><c> to</c> requires a large amount of staff to requires a large amount of staff to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was congressional leaders and their staff that attended.
• staff now working these block captain programs, privately funded, right?
• Would absolutely love to see some type of a staff training program for the legislative staff on what
• We met with them several times, and their staff are doing an incredible job.
• Their staff are doing an incredible job.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> designed to re reveal risks guide staff designed to re reveal risks guide staff toward<00:10:02.240
• </c><00:23:49.360><c> to</c> by House and Senate research staffs to by House and Senate research staffs
• </c><00:23:54.960><c> more</c> would make uh us and our staffs more would make uh us and our staffs more
• more productive and I us and our staffs more productive and I think<00:24:09.679><c> that</c><00:24:
• </c><00:25:03.360><c> and</c> agency having their own IT staff and agency having their own IT staff and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a staff report led by nonpartisan staff with excellent expertise. Mr.
• , the staff is doing the best job that they can.
• There'll be staff who are receiving and reviewing those daily reports.
• I don't know that the staff would necessarily have a perspective.
• But the excuse we always hear from OCD is that there's not enough staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• rapidly outpacing our staff The Proposal adds<00:10:34.200><c> staff</c><00:10:34.600><c> to</c><00:10
• :34.839><c> program</c><00:10:35.279><c> Integrity</c> adds staff to program Integrity adds staff to
• It wasn't adding more staff.
• It wasn't adding more staff.
• It wasn't adding more staff.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ATRIP has given the resources to allow our staff pay in Kentucky to keep pace with inflation.
• ATRIP has given the resources to allow our staff pay in Kentucky to keep pace with inflation.
• ATRIP has given the resources to allow our staff pay in Kentucky to keep pace with inflation.
• ATRIP has given the resources to allow our staff pay in Kentucky to keep pace with inflation.
• ATRIP has given the resources to allow our staff pay in Kentucky to keep pace with inflation.

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:16 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 25:49 Discussion of Hospital Rate Improvement Plan 58:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee began by reviewing a large slate of administrative regulations and explaining that it does not approve regulations but can find them deficient and send them back for further work. Members then asked questions on several items, including EMS reciprocity, dental hygienist licensure, and interpreter licensure. The EMS board explained that reciprocity would extend to applicants from any state, not just contiguous states, because the underlying statute had been amended. On the dental regulation, staff said the changes mainly clarified licensure requirements, reinstatement fees, and that dental hygienists administering local anesthetic must do so under direct dentist supervision. The most extended discussion involved the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The board chair said the main concern was that the EIPA is an educational specialty assessment, not a nationally recognized certification, yet the regulation would allow it to support full licensure. Members discussed whether that could let educational interpreters work outside their intended scope and whether a separate educational license or statutory change would be more appropriate. The board said it did not think the regulation could be fixed further at this point and suggested a statute could create a narrower educational interpreter license. After discussion, the committee voted to defer both related interpreter regulations, 201 KAR 39:030 and the companion regulation, for further work. The committee then took up two community mental health regulations, 907 KAR 1:044 and 907 KAR 5:005, which had been found deficient in Administrative Regulations. Department for Medicaid Services staff said the rules would expand and rename the mental health associate role as a behavioral health associate, making the role available in many more facilities, but would also require additional coursework or progress toward licensure. Some members and providers raised access-to-care concerns, especially for rural areas and unlicensed staff already working in the field. Staff said the proposal had been revised through work with CMHCs and licensing boards, but the committee ultimately voted to defer both regulations as well. After finishing the regulation review, the committee heard a presentation from the Kentucky Hospital Association on the ATRIP hospital rate improvement program. Hospital representatives said ATRIP is a Medicaid state-directed payment program funded through a provider tax and federal matching dollars, allowing hospitals to receive payments tied to quality measures. They reported improvements including lower Medicaid readmissions, high sepsis screening rates, reduced infections and opioid prescribing, expanded postpartum depression and suicide screening, and training for more than 1,000 people. They said the program has helped hospitals invest in staffing and quality improvement and warned that without it, many hospitals would face severe financial strain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Overall, the bill is estimated by staff to reduce revenues in fiscal year 2026-2027 by $34.1 million
• For tax savings, senators, the staff estimates that the bill reduces a general revenue by $77 million
• Madam Chair, may I ask questions, staff? Yeah, sure. Let me get out of the way. No, no, Mr.
• I just want to thank staff for working so hard on this tax package. This is a labor of love.
• I just want to thank staff for working so hard on this tax package. This is a labor of love.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SPB 7046, was the Senate tax package. It included changes to Live Local property tax opt-outs, charter school distributions from voter-approved property tax levies, RV park special assessments, fiscally constrained county funding, a permanent sales tax exemption for small propane tanks, a hunting/fishing/camping sales tax holiday, and provisions barring governmental net zero policies. An amendment made the charter-school distribution change prospective starting July 1, 2026. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the charter-school language would divert money from traditional public schools and on the fiscal-constrained county formula. The bill was reported favorably as a committee bill after a roll call vote, with Senators Bernard and Jones voting no. The committee also considered SPB 7048, which updates Florida’s conformity to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and partially decouples from federal tax changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill addresses bonus depreciation, research and experimental expenses, business meal deductions, and the business interest deduction, with the Revenue Estimating Conference expected to review the fiscal impact later in the week. The Florida Chamber testified that the bill should better align with federal tax relief and reduce administrative burdens, while senators emphasized the need to balance business tax relief with state revenue constraints. SPB 7048 was also reported favorably as a committee bill by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first thing that we do is we define classified staff in statute.
• These are the essential people in our schools that need to be separated from other tax funding staff.
• The second thing that it does is it defines per-pupil staff in statute for the first time, providing
• So this bill adds flexibility to our rural schools, codifies per-pupil staff and certified staff for
• to be removed from instructional staff.

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, prayer, and the Pledge, then approved the journal and received messages from the Senate. Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 was signed by the Speaker, House Bills 533, 502, and 555 were returned from the Senate for enrolling, and Senate Bills 1254 and 1258 were introduced and referred to committee. Standing committee reports moved a number of bills and memorials to second reading or other committees, including several education, local government, agriculture, environment/technology, transportation, and state affairs measures; Senate Bill 1265 was re-referred, and House Bill 575 was placed on general orders. In third reading, House Bill 641, dealing with sick leave and employer discipline, drew debate over whether it improperly incorporated federal law into state law and whether it could create litigation risk for employers. The bill failed on a 24-46 vote. House Bill 728, which defines school staffing categories and adjusts K-12 funding-related terminology and flexibility, received bipartisan support and passed 70-0. House Bill 751, revising the STARS transportation revenue program limits, also passed 70-0. House Bill 591, a cleanup bill repealing the last remaining section of the county medical indigent program, passed unanimously, as did House Resolution 24 on temporary and pending Idaho State Tax Commission rules and Senate Bill 1221, which makes changes affecting irrigation districts and PERSI-related treatment. The House also heard first reading of a large package of new bills, including measures on workforce development and computer science/STEM education, charter school admissions, foreign adversary investments, harboring aliens, taxing districts, development impact fees, contractor registration, motor vehicle insurance and appraisals, industrial hemp, corporate credit union cleanup, Fish and Game penalties, motor vehicle exemptions, newborn safety review, controlled substances, dual enrollment, and student enrollment counts. Several bills were advanced to printing or committee referral, and the chamber then moved to announcements and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• we assisted 2,980 landowners in their conservation efforts and delivered 13,489 hours of commission staff
• Staff expended an additional 2,791 hours providing technical assistance to landowners participating in
• This level of customer satisfaction is, I suggest, directly related to the quality of our staff and their
• commitment to listening and responding to district supervisors and staff.
• They're going to be supported by, give or take, 70 mostly part-time staff members who, if you look at

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Jim Morishima, staff to the committee.
• Any further questions for staff right now? All right. Seeing none...
• So just a quick question for staff. So a condominium where they... Chair.
• So just a quick question for staff.
• And this may be a question for staff.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2299, which would create a state senior independent living ombuds program. Staff explained that the bill would direct the Department of Commerce to contract with a nonprofit to provide ombuds services for residents of senior independent living facilities, including complaint handling, data collection, referrals, training, and protections against retaliation and disclosure. The bill also sets qualifications and conflict-of-interest rules for ombuds staff and requires facilities to post notice of the services. The chair noted that, although executive session was on the agenda, the bills would not be voted out that day because amendments were still being worked on. Representative Christine Reeves, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure was intended to address gaps in protections for seniors in independent living settings, which are often treated under multifamily housing law rather than senior housing or long-term care statutes. She described constituent concerns about poor communication, delayed maintenance, safety issues, and a lack of a clear place for residents to seek help. Committee members asked about the bill’s scope, including whether it would apply to 55-plus communities, condominiums, and rented versus owned units, and staff clarified that the bill defines covered facilities as age-restricted apartment buildings, condominiums, or residential neighborhoods where residents rent the unit or land, plus certain portions of CCRCs and assisted living buildings not actively used for assisted living. Testimony was mixed. The Washington Health Care Association and LeadingAge Washington said they support the goal but raised concerns about the bill’s structure, funding, overlap with existing landlord-tenant and long-term care ombuds systems, and the need for a broader stakeholder process and a resident bill of rights first. The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombuds Program supported the concept and said it could potentially absorb the work, but emphasized that current funding is already below recommended staffing levels and that additional resources would likely be needed. Residents and advocates testified in support, saying the bill would provide a neutral outside authority and help address real problems in senior communities. No vote was taken, and the hearing was closed without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we've been creeping it up, and we've got a staff of five now—five people.
• So, those kinds of things, going forward, if we get the staff up and get going, will...
• The staff up and get going, will certainly all be the better for it. Yeah, Mr.
• Staff is independent and nonpartisan.
• We do not have any administrative staff.

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:02:37.680><c> Miss</c> Research House fiscal staff, Miss Research House fiscal staff, Miss Shelene
• </c> additional staff to perform this work. additional staff to perform this work.
• </c><00:18:09.919><c> and</c> appreciation to the dedicated staff and appreciation to the dedicated staff
• </c> consultant staff consultant staff and<00:52:58.640><c> that's</c><00:52:58.880><c> it</c><00:52:
• Um, our research staff, I'll just stick with my research again, too.

Bills: HF3732

Keywords: workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, economic development, grants, job creation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The LCCMR is likewise assisted by its own nonpartisan staff, including Mr. Compana and me.
• by nonpartisan staff the LCC Mar<00:08:42.599><c> is</c><00:08:42.760><c> likewise</c><00:08:43.159>
• </c> resources trust board has and the staff resources trust board has and the staff has<00:49:03.240
• If not, staff will take the roll. Camera is on for those remote to vote. Senator Marty votes no.
• Staff will take the roll. Staff will take the roll. Senator Marty: I. Senator Frentz: Yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Question for staff, do we have a—oh, there you are. Thank you.
• Staff, is that right? Have they always done that?
• Amanda Cecil, staff to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
• I'm going to ask you that, staff, because I think that would be option one.
• Staff, I'm looking for my agenda here. Is there anything I'm missing?

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All technical and conservation work has been carried out by the commission staff who have reported to
• All technical and conservation work has been carried out by the Commission staff who have reported to
• With this merger, those staff now have a broader organizational chart to look for opportunities to grow
• Retain the seasoned and experienced Soil and Water Conservation Commission staff that have bought into
• Retain the season and experienced solar water conservation commission staff that have bought into the

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.