Transcript Highlights:

• and outside Congress, equally important is the engagement from everyone working on these programs, state
• So, Senator Welch, especially thank you for your leadership, Vermont known as a great milk state.
• Currently, one in four children in the United States rely on SNAP to access food.
• A bunch of us represent states that have strong dairies. I do as well.
• Luckily, Michigan is a healthy school meals for all state, and the state picks up the additional 60%

Bills: SB222

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• took care of it, it's in the state plan.
• So we've been in four ERs all over the state, all over the country, actually.
• So any EMS operating in the state of Missouri can opt into this program." "Okay.
• And so I'm grateful that you stated that. I think it's a really important point.
• So, as the previous witness stated, this is an issue we take very seriously.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> keep working towards that for the state keep working towards that for the state of<00:04:26.400>
• </c> the abundance of needs across the state the abundance of needs across the state of<00:09:59.519>
• </c> things they want to do in state law. things they want to do in state law.
• </c> into your conversations about a state into your conversations about a state budget?
• </c> we're going to proceed here in the state we're going to proceed here in the state of<00:19:35.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The choices that would be best for our state and for our people.
• Reader: State Board of Psychologists Examiners, Lynette Livesay; State Board of Psychologists Examiners
• by the Arizona State Board of Geographic and Historical Names.
• It's the same Creator that Washington and...
• they led their... that Washington led his men with.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized several guests in the gallery, including a pastor, disability advocates visiting for Disability Day at the Capitol, and other constituents. The chamber also received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Psychologists Examiners and withdrew SB 1131 from the Education Committee. It then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider SB 1010 and SB 1439. SB 1010, relating to historic names and the renaming of Loop 202, was amended with a legislative intent clause clarifying that the underlying freeway segments would retain their existing names, including the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway. The bill drew significant debate on the floor, with opponents arguing it politicized highway naming and could erase existing honors, while supporters said the amendment protected current segment names and was meant to honor Charlie Kirk. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report and passed SB 1010 on third reading by a vote of 16 ayes, 9 nays, 12 excused, and 2 not voting. SB 1439, relating to special plates, was also amended and advanced through the Committee of the Whole. During floor debate, Senator Sundareshan asked the sponsor whether he or affiliated companies had received compensation from the beneficiary organization, and the sponsor answered no. The bill then passed on third reading by a vote of 16 ayes, 12 nays, and 2 not voting. The Senate also announced upcoming committee meetings, heard a brief personal privilege statement about Ramadan and Lent, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are split into Subpart one corrects a section internal reference to a Washington State Patrol transfer
• This results in a $63,000 reduction to the state highway safety account.
• This results in a $440,000 reduction to the state highway safety account.
• connecting Washington account.
• connecting Washington account.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in executive session to brief and act on three measures: proposed substitute Senate Bill 6005, the 2006 supplemental transportation budget; proposed substitute Senate Bill 6225, authorizing transportation bonds; and engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, relating to the Office of Independent Investigations. Staff first reviewed eight amendments to SB 6005, including technical corrections and several funding changes for ferry service, rail projects, transit electrification, and other transportation programs. The committee then adopted all eight amendments, rolled them into the bill, and advanced SB 6005 with a due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. For SB 6225, staff explained that the bill would authorize additional transportation bonds, including $1.1 billion in general bonds backed by gas tax and vehicle-related revenues, $400 million for potential cost increases on Move Ahead Washington projects, and a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authorization, while repealing some older bond authority. With no amendments offered, the committee advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The committee also considered engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, which would clarify the scope of authority of the Office of Independent Investigations and add public disclosure and privacy provisions. The committee moved the bill without recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Members concluded by thanking staff for their work on the budget and bond package before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...the choices that would be best for our state and for our people.
• Reader: State Board of Psychologists Examiners, Lynette Livesay; State Board of Psychologists Examiners
• by the Arizona State Board of Geographic and Historical Names.
• It's the same Creator that Washington and...
• Washington led his men with.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , outlining concerns with state-by-state AI regulation.
• talking about 10 states have instructed state agencies to inventory, ...talking about 10 states have
• But I would say we get our information from our states, from universities, for example, from MIT, and
• the state.
• the state.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , outlining concerns with state-by-state AI regulation.
• talking about 10 states have instructed state agencies to inventory... ...talking about 10 states have
• But I would say we get our information from our states, from universities, for example, from MIT, and
• You know, every state legislator that I've spoken to—Democrat, Republican, blue state, red state, purple
• the state.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:53:23.520><c> This</c> Perfectly stated. Perfectly stated. This Perfectly stated.
• House amendment number 59, uh, state aid, University of Wyoming.
• Uh state aid, University of Wyoming. 59. Uh state aid, University of Wyoming.
• </c> is on the shape state is on the shape state Wyoming<02:32:45.600><c> state</c><02:32:46.080><c>
• </c> through the state. through the state.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• monitoring of the residential program at the Washington School for the Deaf.
• not include the reporting requirement of the state. ...reviews at the Washington School for the Deaf
• the state.
• The State of Washington already allows part-time programs on school grounds without having to go through
• This amendment cleans up technical language around Eastern State.

Summary: The committee met to brief amendments and then took executive action on nine bills related to child care, DCYF oversight, and services for children and vulnerable populations. Before voting, members reviewed proposed substitutes and amendments for HB 1544, 2099, 2219, 2253, 2319, and 2350, with brief discussion on issues such as child welfare risk assessment tools, military family child care access, child care provider flexibility, licensing and monitoring requirements, and residential habilitation center terminology and notice requirements. The committee then reported HB 2099, HB 2185, HB 2219 as amended, HB 2253 as amended, HB 2317, HB 2318, HB 2319 as amended, and HB 2350 as amended out of committee with do pass recommendations. HB 2253 saw one amendment adopted to restore state monitoring and health/safety reviews at the Washington School for the Deaf, while other proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected. HB 2319 was amended to correct technical language regarding Eastern State Hospital and Interlake School. HB 2350’s substitute changed notice procedures for residential habilitation center noncompliance to emphasize posted notices, email, preferred language, and plain-language summaries. HB 1544 drew the most debate. Amendments to add domestic violence, define “safe,” require an audit of missing safety-plan data, and prohibit use of an unvalidated risk tool to screen out referrals were considered; only the domestic-violence amendment was adopted, while the others failed. Members discussed concerns about the current DCYF risk assessment tool, cultural bias, and the need to improve validation, but also cautioned against narrowing the study too much. The committee ultimately reported the second substitute HB 1544 out with a do pass recommendation by a 9-0-2 vote, with two members voting no without recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:26.760><c> Program</c> of the Vermont Sister State Program of the Vermont Sister State Program
• Like the presenter of the amendment stated, there are pockets of the state that these family providers
• that there are pockets of the stated that there are pockets of the state<00:20:41.680><c> that</c><00
• </c> I want to remind everyone in this state I want to remind everyone in this state that<00:25:24.280
• </c> yields to the Senator from Washington. yields to the Senator from Washington.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For many young people, particularly in rural areas or some other unsupportive environments in our state
• And I know that my takeaways are not universal.
• Your technology policy rarely stays here; when California leads, other states watch.
• But as I stated in the beginning, this is truly a double-edged sword.
• Noting that the reality is the same, you know, in the states. But Australia is massive.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair members framed the discussion around the tension between protecting young people from addictive design, harassment, hate speech, exploitation, and mental health harms while preserving access to affirming resources, community, and crisis support that many LGBTQ+ youth rely on online. Members emphasized that the hearing was meant to inform future policy rather than relitigate prior bills, and several members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus attended or participated. The first panel featured lived experience and advocacy testimony from Madi Roby of Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described social media as essential to exploring identity, finding trans language and safety information, and connecting to Trevor Project resources during a family crisis, while also acknowledging online hate and bullying. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad age-based exclusions, warning that account bans and age-gating could cut off access to community, privacy-protective pseudonymity, and crisis resources. Pick testified that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than peers to attempt suicide, that social media can be both a lifeline and a risk, and that Trevor Space and other moderated online spaces can improve mental health and reduce isolation; she also cautioned against policies that would push youth into less visible, less moderated spaces. Committee members questioned the witnesses about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to do more to protect youth. Several lawmakers distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and asked for more targeted prescriptions. Witnesses generally supported stronger privacy protections, limits on data collection and use, better reporting and moderation tools, digital literacy, and design changes that reduce harmful engagement patterns without eliminating access to community. The discussion also touched on the loss of LGBTQ-specific 988 services at the national level and the importance of maintaining alternative support pathways. The second panel presented research from Common Sense Media, UC Irvine, Hope Lab, and LGBTQ+ Health Australia. Researchers reported that LGBTQ+ youth often arrive online with higher depressive symptoms and limited in-person support, encounter homophobic and transphobic content at high rates, and may self-censor because of fear of harassment. At the same time, many said social media helps them feel less alone and find affirmation. Dr. Sean Young emphasized a harm-reduction approach, noting that online environments can be designed to support health and that policymakers should measure whether restrictions actually reduce harm or simply displace it. Dr. Amy Green echoed that social media is both harmful and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring that the policy goal should be to make youth safer rather than less visible online.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name for the record and<00:04:17.359><c> proceed.
• Some of the other markets that we're in include New York's MTA, Washington, D.C.'s WMATA.
• And in Washington, D.C., they've seen faster buses as well. Their program is called Clear Lanes.
• And in Washington DC, they've behavior.
• Um they've had tremendous Washington DC.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the different states.
• Cain: State statute? You can't do any of these things.
• Please state your name and who you represent.
• In 2024, my husband and I escaped out of the tyranny that is next door to us in Washington State.
• State because my physician was afraid of backlash.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• authority to issue civil and investigative demands to investigate possible violations of the United States
• Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, and specific state laws.
• Working Act requirements, state agency restrictions, I should say, and then extend the time to final
• It's just stating current law.
• So I will couch what I'm saying by adding that I'm not entirely familiar with the Washington statute

Summary: The Law and Justice Committee met on February 3rd to take executive action on several bills and gubernatorial appointments. The committee first considered Senate Bill 5925, which would expand Attorney General investigative authority through civil investigative demands. Members debated amendments to limit the bill’s reach, including protections for small businesses, exclusions for law enforcement use-of-force matters, and changes to appeal deadlines. Amendment Charlie was adopted, Amendment Delta failed, Amendment Alpha failed, and Amendment Echo was withdrawn. The bill then received a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The committee next worked through Senate Bill 6086 on judicial officer safety and threat assessments. A proposed substitute retained threat-assessment provisions while removing some personal-information and consultant-related sections. Amendment Foxtrot 1, which would have removed security consultant authority, was not adopted, and the proposed substitute was approved and sent to the Rules Committee. Senate Bill 6074, concerning reinstituting parole, was narrowed in a proposed substitute to create a parole reinstitution work group with legislative appointment authority and a 2027 reporting deadline; an amendment adding victim advocate members was adopted, and the bill advanced to the Rules Committee. The committee also considered Senate Bill 6296 on involuntary treatment. The proposed substitute made multiple changes to enforcement, prosecutor representation, peace officer duties, intimate partner definitions, and firearms-related provisions. Amendments to remove firearm-related changes and to clarify officer liability and home-entry authority were debated; Kilo-2 and Kilo-3 were not adopted, and the proposed substitute ultimately passed and was sent to the Ways and Means Committee. The committee then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments, including Kristen Ferrer, Lisa Mannion, Kate Ben Ward, and Rochelle Cleland, and concluded by thanking staff and adjourning at the house-of-origin policy cutoff.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Secretary of State. Secretary of State.
• </c> any other state. any other state.
• </c><02:14:22.560><c> He</c> grew up in Washington state. He grew up in Washington state.
• </c><02:25:56.640><c> passed</c> state other states have already passed state other states have already
• ,</c> many states across the United States, many states across the United States, and<02:47:49.480><c

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not the case. his beloved state. Thank you for your his beloved state.
• </c><00:14:45.440><c> I</c> a mountain in his home state. I a mountain in his home state.
• </c> Mount Washington with all of the state Mount Washington with all of the state party<00:44:12.000
• </c> state as a whole. state as a whole.
• </c> involved um as a state. involved um as a state. &gt;&gt; Thank<03:47:54.880><c> you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state does correctly, it's that, in my opinion.
• Everyone's trying to do the right thing and make the right decision for the people of the state of Washington
• of Washington.
• We are a high-wage state.
• It does cost a lot of money to live in... ...Washington State because we are a high-wage state.

Summary: The executive committee approved the October minutes and received brief updates from the Assistant Attorney General and the committee actuary. The actuary reminded members that OSA prepares actuarial fiscal notes during session and said staff would begin work soon on analysis for the upcoming session, including updates related to the COLA bill and other pension measures. Senator Conway asked that updated actuarial materials be shared with committee members as they are completed, and staff agreed to do so. Most of the meeting focused on committee discussion of pension policy issues, especially the ad hoc COLA for Plan 1 retirees and the broader study work on Left 1/Plan 1 topics, including merger and termination-restatement bills such as Senate Bill 5084. Members discussed the need for a COLA, the overfunding of some pension plans, the role of the legislature versus the committee, and the importance of keeping the State Investment Board separate from pension policy recommendations. Several members said the interim work had clarified many questions and would make future legislative decisions easier, while also noting that the committee’s study role had been completed. The committee also reviewed constituent correspondence, which included 15 items, with substantial public interest in the ad hoc COLA and related pension bills. Staff presented the draft interim work plan and proposed December agenda items, including possible education on excess compensation and an update on demographic experience studies. After discussion, members agreed not to hold a December meeting, with the understanding that any remaining informational items could be sent by email. The motion to skip the December meeting passed unanimously, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Washington.
• Unlike Washington... Unlike Washington, Idaho won't raise taxes to balance the state budget.
• the state budget.
• our state employees.
• My friends, the state of our state is strong. We do face challenges.

Summary: The Idaho House convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature, with ceremonial opening proceedings including the color guard, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. The House received and filed several gubernatorial certificates appointing members to fill House vacancies, including Ann Henderson-Haws (District 16), Michael Veile (District 35), Donald Hall (District 25), and Aaron Bingham (District 32), and the Secretary of State’s certificate listing all House members for the session was also filed. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 20, which authorizes a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s message, after suspending the rules by a 69-aye vote. The House also approved standing committee assignments for the session and filed a letter appointing an acting chief clerk. Committees were appointed to notify the governor and the Senate that the House was organized, and later to escort the Senate to the House chamber for the joint session. No substantive legislation was debated beyond HCR 20, and the House moved through organizational business only. In the joint session, Governor Brad Little delivered the State of the State and budget address, outlining his “Enduring Idaho Plan.” He emphasized continued tax cuts, reduced regulation, a balanced budget, protection of K-12 funding, support for Idaho LAUNCH, rural health care investments, water infrastructure, and maintaining the state’s AAA credit rating. He also highlighted public safety efforts, alignment with President Trump’s agenda, and Idaho’s defense of its women’s sports law. After the address, the Legislature voted to print the governor’s message in the House and Senate journals, dissolved the joint session, and the House adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Washington.
• Unlike Washington, Unlike Washington, Idaho won't raise taxes to balance the state budget.
• the state budget.
• our state employees.
• My friends, the state of our state is strong. We do face challenges.

Keywords: 989, all