Transcript Highlights:

• 3,156 mental health provider visits with providers in 68 of our counties, and 396 critical-illness claims
• 14:24.680><c> critical</c><00:14:25.480><c> illnesses</c><00:14:26.480><c> uh</c><00:14:26.600><c> claims
• </c><00:14:27.160><c> paid</c> 396 critical illnesses uh claims paid 396 critical illnesses uh claims

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past three years, the Association of Veterans has submitted 50,000 claims to the Department
• of Veterans Affairs and has had 47 claims denied.
• QUEST BY THE CIVIL JUSTICE CLAIM SUBCOMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVE REDONDO, HOUSE BILL 157, EAGLE, ENTITLED
• This isn't nostalgia; it's about empowering them to claim their heritage, unleash their potential, and

Keywords: sales tax reduction, budget cuts, boating safety, water treatment, municipal utilities, school safety, medical malpractice, firearm purchase age, cursive writing instruction, first responder support, veto overrides, veterans funding, infrastructure projects

Summary: The Florida House convened for regular business, with Speaker Perez announcing historic budget plans including the largest state tax cut in Florida history - a permanent 0.75% sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, saving Floridians nearly $5 billion annually. The House will propose a budget lower than both the Governor's proposal and last year's budget. Several bills passed including Lucy's Law (boating safety), water access facilities funding, municipal utility rate corrections, hazardous walking conditions for schools, and medical malpractice 'Free Kill Law' repeal. The controversial firearm purchase age bill (HB 759) passed 78-34, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18, despite emotional opposition citing the Parkland shooting. Other bills addressed cursive writing instruction, peer support for first responders, and government sunset reviews. Multiple veto override motions were approved unanimously, reinstating funding for veterans programs and infrastructure projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can go through them on the FIR with you because they claim that this is horrible tax policy and I'd
• compared to what we may have to do by 2035 and 2050 if we do indeed hit this 50% goal that we're claiming
• A taxpayer may not claim both personal and corporate income tax for the same property.
• Any tax credit that exceeds the taxpayer's liability in the year the credit is claimed may be carried

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• they do funding has changed, and so we just need to make some critiques to the law so that we can adjust
• they do funding has changed, and so we just need to make some critiques to the law so that we can adjust

Committee: Joint Housing

Keywords: Housing - Room 409, 24 February, 2026; 11:45 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their first ever State team claimed their first ever State title<00:44:25.200><c> at</c><00:44:25.359
• </c><04:17:17.080><c> that</c> across the aisle are making claims that across the aisle are making claims
• We are so proud to claim that Sojourner Truth made her home in Michigan for the last 27 years of her
• Her unwavering commitment helped pave the way for Michigan women to claim their rightful place in the
• </c> pay the way for Michigan women to claim pay the way for Michigan women to claim their<05:28:41.680

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the things that I want you to know is even as we face devastating cuts to the Medicaid program, adjusting
• And it has not been adjusted since 2008, as we heard Senator Jalen say.
• And it has not been adjusted since 2008, as we heard Senator Jalen say. since 2008, as we heard Senator
• to increase the personal needs allowance up to what is just the inflation amount of $113 and then adjust
• I could argue that this increase doesn't go far enough, but after nearly two decades without adjustment

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused largely on senior long-term care issues, family caregiving, post-acute care access, and direct care workforce pay. Testimony strongly supported bills to raise the personal needs allowance for nursing home and rest home residents (including H. 1411, S. 482, and related bills), with speakers from Mass Senior Action, Dignity Alliance, nursing home residents, providers, and former state officials arguing that the current $72.80 monthly allowance has been unchanged since 2008 and is inadequate for basic items like clothing, toiletries, haircuts, and transportation. Witnesses also backed bills to increase MassHealth asset and income limits for seniors and to stop counting life insurance as cash, describing the current rules as outdated and harmful to low-income elders. The committee also heard testimony on bills allowing family members, including spouses and guardians, to be paid caregivers (H. 1394/S. 886), with supporters saying this would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce reliance on costly institutional care. Another set of bills (H. 1412/S. 903) drew support from a physician who said clearer MassHealth communication and improved post-acute care determination processes would help reduce delays and backlogs for patients awaiting skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or other post-acute placement. Several speakers emphasized that better home- and community-based care can prevent hospital readmissions and support independence. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 877, which would establish an enhanced care worker minimum wage of $25 per hour, indexed to inflation, for certain home care and human services workers. Union representatives and direct care workers from SEIU Local 509, 1199 SEIU, and the AFL-CIO described severe staffing shortages, burnout, low wages, and high turnover across home care, mental health, disability services, and crisis response. They argued that higher pay is necessary to recruit and retain workers and to stabilize services for vulnerable residents. Committee members asked about costs, comparisons with other states, and whether non-wage incentives could help, but witnesses repeatedly said wages were the central issue. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with the committee noting it would continue accepting written testimony and then adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• that incident reporting system to better enhance and drive data that we can then use as leaders to adjust
• recently related to seclusion and restraint, we did implement a seclusion-restraint consult team and adjusted
• everyone's alarm signs get raised, and everyone is saying, how can I help and what can we do to get this adjusted
• We do have a little bit of a maldistribution problem from a staffing standpoint that we are adjusting
• So we do have a little bit of a maldistribution problem from a staffing standpoint that we are adjusting

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committees held an informational meeting focused first on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). OHA Director Sajal Hathi introduced the hospital’s incoming permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, and praised interim superintendent Jim Deagle for stabilizing operations, restoring CMS compliance, and helping drive a culture change centered on safety, accountability, and transparency. Deagle and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amit Bavon described OSH’s role as the state’s highest-level forensic psychiatric hospital, the patient populations it serves, its partnerships with courts, counties, jails, hospitals, and advocates, and recent leadership changes across the hospital. They also reported improved accreditation and regulatory status, including Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and said the hospital is now using daily safety huddles, incident review meetings, stronger escalation procedures, and revised seclusion/restraint practices to reduce risk and improve oversight. Members pressed hospital leaders on past seclusion practices, asking how prolonged seclusions could have occurred under federal standards. Leaders said they could not explain past decisions but emphasized that current leadership has changed processes, training, reporting, and oversight so that seclusion and restraint are reviewed in real time and cannot be normalized. Questions also covered staffing, falls, and future planning. OSH said it is generally staffed to budget, though it still has RN and mental health technician vacancies and is working on recruitment, training, and better staffing distribution. Hathi said the hospital is building a public dashboard with key performance and safety metrics, including workforce data, and described the long-term goal as a consistently safe, disciplined, high-functioning institution that responds quickly to mistakes and remains accountable to the public. The committee then shifted to an informational overview of civil commitment. Oregon Judicial Department representative Chanah Newell explained the civil commitment process, including who can initiate it, the role of community mental health providers and courts, the five-day timeline to hearing, and the standards for danger to self, danger to others, and inability to meet basic needs. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised statutory language and new provisions allowing a second diversion period, but cautioned that the data are too early to show clear trends. Testimony from NAMI Oregon’s Chris Bonif and psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Lopez argued that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospital commitments because the broader community system lacks enough treatment, housing, and less restrictive alternatives. They urged the legislature to focus on upstream services, supported housing, and possible outpatient commitment tools so people can receive treatment before reaching crisis. The meeting ended with acknowledgment that additional reports and follow-up discussions are expected, including on residential treatment capacity and related behavioral health system reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• incident reporting system to also better enhance and drive data that we can then use as leaders to adjust
• that incident reporting system to better enhance and drive data that we can then use as leaders to adjust
• recently related to seclusion and restraint, we did implement a seclusion-restraint consult team and adjusted
• everyone's alarm signs get raised, and everyone is saying, how can I help and what can we do to get this adjusted
• So we do have a little bit of a maldistribution problem from a staffing standpoint that we are adjusting

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committee met for informational presentations on the Oregon State Hospital and civil commitment, followed by a planned tour of the hospital. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital leaders reported that Sean Murphy will become the next permanent superintendent on July 13, with Sarah Castle to follow as permanent chief nursing officer on July 20. They described recent leadership turnover, a major organizational restructure, and efforts to build a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the hospital regained Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and they highlighted daily safety huddles, incident review processes, stronger escalation procedures, and improved management of seclusion and restraint. Committee members pressed hospital leaders on past prolonged seclusion practices, falls, staffing, and the need for better public reporting; OHA said it is building a public dashboard of key safety and workforce metrics. The committee then heard a civil commitment overview from the Oregon Judicial Department. The presenter explained that civil commitment is a separate legal process from criminal cases, usually beginning with a hospital hold, investigation, court review, appointed counsel, and a hearing within five days. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised standards for danger to self, danger to others, and basic-needs commitments, plus a second 14-day diversion option. She cautioned that the new law has only been in effect since January and that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the data, though there has been a recent uptick in commitments and a decrease in diversions. Testimony from NAMI Oregon and a forensic psychiatrist emphasized that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospitals because community services, housing, and outpatient supports are insufficient. They argued that the state needs more less-restrictive alternatives, including better use of assisted outpatient treatment or outpatient civil commitment, and more supported housing so people do not cycle between homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. A family member described a relative remaining psychotic in jail for more than 120 days before ending up back at the state hospital, urging faster intervention and better collaboration among courts, counties, hospitals, and state agencies. Committee members and witnesses also discussed workforce shortages, the expansion of secure residential treatment beds, and the need for broader system reforms beyond the hospital itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's determined upon county population, and it's adjusted every two years, and the match can be anywhere
• So, it's determined upon county population, and it's adjusted every two years, and the match can be anywhere
• determined upon county population,<00:20:01.760><c> and</c><00:20:01.880><c> it's</c><00:20:02.000><c> adjust
• </c><00:20:02.320><c> it's</c> population, and it's adjust it's population, and it's adjust it's reviewed

Keywords: The live stream ended prematurely due to a network issue. A full recording will be uploaded as soon as possible, 958, all

Summary: The committee first discussed and approved a new airport-related project involving two 60-by-80 corporate hangars. Members asked about how the project would generate revenue, and staff explained that hangar rent and fuel sales would help repay the costs, with more than half of the funding coming from the FAA. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved two large capital pool projects: a $1,715,120 roof replacement and skylight project for the Libraries and Archives building in Frankfort, and a $2,105,400 exterior renovation project for several state buildings, including Health and Family Services, the Kentucky History Center, and the State Office Building. After that, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented one loan increase and five grant reallocations. The loan increase was for Springfield’s wastewater treatment plant project, rising by $262,300 to just over $2.88 million because bids came in higher than estimated. Members asked about the delay between approval and bidding, and staff explained the design, environmental review, and state approval process can take one to two years. The committee approved the six action items, and then received informational updates on additional water projects that required no action. The Cabinet for Economic Development next presented one forgivable loan and 11 KPDI/KPDI EDF grant projects. The loan was a $1 million forgivable loan for the Perry County Economic Development Board to acquire the Coalfields Industrial Building, with repayment forgivable if a project creates at least 75 jobs. The grant projects included site-readiness and industrial development work in Pendleton, Elizabethtown/Hardin, McCreary, Floyd, Marion, Fleming, Graves, Eddyville/Lyon, Caldwell, Mercer, and Johnson counties. Members asked how local match percentages are set and were told they are based on county population and updated every two years; staff also explained that beneficiaries usually provide the match and are reimbursed after submitting costs. The committee approved the action items. Finally, the Office of Financial Management presented two new debt issues and three SFCC debt issues. The new debt items were a Kentucky Housing Corporation bond authorization of up to $600 million for single-family mortgage revenue bonds, including a $100 million initial transaction, and a $5.5 million multifamily conduit bond for 98 apartments in Lexington. Informational items covered University of Kentucky refunding bonds and Turnpike Authority refunding bonds, both of which produced savings. The three SFCC debt issues for Campbell, Edmonson, and Perry counties were then approved by roll call vote. The meeting ended with brief discussion of the upcoming calendar and scheduling before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires adjustments to districts’ depreciation reimbursement payments for federal grants and rebates
• It changes the bus depreciation adjustments to 33% of the state price.
• It changes the bus depreciation adjustments to 33% of the state price quote rather than reducing the
• We've just made some adjustments to this space to help make it easier for our school districts.
• But I do appreciate the adjustment that was made by Rep. Dolio and the striker.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thus, we continue to review and adjust procedures to speed up processing and improve...
• Thus, we continue to review and adjust procedures to speed up processing and improve service outcomes
• So these new adjustments and the sort of parsing out entities that had been in the non-good standing
• So these new adjustments and the sort of parsing out entities that had been in the non-good standing
• So these new adjustments and the sort of parsing out entities that had been in the non-good standing

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you can see on here, we have fire equipment, fire staffing, fire equipment, and TPA adjustments
• and as you can see on here we have fire equipment fire staffing fire for fire equipment and TPA adjustments
• You will see also on the screen that the TPA adjustments for CEC and inflation are zero.
• The governor's recommendation was not to also include an adjustment for the Timber Protective Association
• They have a part of a transfer for the Triumph Mine remediation and a fund adjustment within one of their

Summary: The Joint Finance-Preparation Committee heard budget presentations for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Environmental Quality. Janet Jessup, Legislative Services analyst, reviewed each agency’s structure, funding sources, vacancies, and requested enhancements. For EFIB, she noted the board’s low operating costs and a small request for a laptop replacement. Chris Anton said the board kept costs very low and had no major budget increases beyond personnel costs. The Department of Lands discussion focused heavily on wildfire funding, staffing, and dedicated funds. Director Dustin Miller said 2025 was a record year for endowment income, but fire season was increasingly expensive and staffing pressures could affect the Eastern Idaho Forest Protective District and other fire programs. Members asked about the fire suppression deficiency fund, which Jessup explained is used only for active fires and can go negative, with any deficit later reconciled through supplemental action. Miller also described House Bill 511, which would raise the structure surcharge cap for fire preparedness funding, and House Bill 226-related fund shifts moving 1.25 FTP and $160,000 from the abandoned mine lands fund to the navigable waterways program. For DEQ, Jessup and Director Jess Byrne discussed the agency’s staffing shortages, backlog in permits, water quality monitoring, and funding structure. Byrne said targeted pay increases had reduced turnover and vacancies, but the agency still had fewer core staff than 25 years ago and faced permit backlogs and reduced monitoring, including for harmful algal blooms. He also explained that the Drinking Water Loan Fund is a revolving federal-state match loan program whose balance has grown because projects are reimbursed over time, not because demand is absent. Byrne said DEQ is considering fee increases, especially in air quality and drinking water, to reduce reliance on general funds. The committee took no formal votes or other actions and adjourned, announcing future budget hearings for the Department of Administration and the Permanent Building Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $30 million is a lot, and with our adjustments, I'm glad you brought that into perspective here.
• It can be adjusted based on the consumer price index over the next five years as our cost of inspections
• Why was that fee raised and then adjusted for inflation, but the others weren't?
• We'll expect some potential adjustments and will adjust our discussion accordingly.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it. House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions. Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2027, the department requests $600,000 ongoing from the General Fund for a population forecast adjustment
• The governor has adjusted that request to $15,496,000 as one-time and $504,000 in ongoing federal appropriation
• The governor adjusted the department's recommendation to increase the ongoing appropriation enhancement
• On the immunization assessment fund, has that been adjusted to the new recommendations of the CDC?
• Have we adjusted to that?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations from Legislative Services analyst Morgan Poloni and Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on the Division of Early Learning and Development, the Division of Public Health Services, and Family and Community Partnerships. Major topics included the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), the Idaho Home Visiting Program, the Idaho Immunization Assessment Fund, HIV and hepatitis prevention, ARPA-funded public health projects, kinship navigation services, and proposed agency reorganizations and transfer authority changes. Poloni explained that several divisions were recently reorganized, making year-to-year comparisons difficult, and outlined the governor’s and agency’s FY 2027 requests, including additional federal and dedicated funds for child care capacity, public health programs, and prevention services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so as institutional adjustments occur, as life-in-incarcerations, are prioritized for program placement
• And so as institutional adjustments occur, as life-infarcerations, Their permanent facilities.
• And so, as institutional adjustments occur, as life influences change, as they achieve program completions
• Moving on, part of an inmate's institutional adjustment is measured through gain time.
• Gain time is earned through appropriate institutional adjustment, work performance, and program participation

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard an informational presentation from the Florida Department of Corrections on how the prison and community supervision systems operate after sentencing. Assistant Deputy Secretary Hope Gartman described the reception process for new inmates, including intake, medical and mental health screening, classification, custody and housing levels, gain time, and the department’s academic, vocational, substance abuse, chaplaincy, visitation, and communication programs. She emphasized that reentry begins on day one and that program placement is driven by risk and needs assessments, with facilities matched to inmates’ medical, mental health, and security requirements. Members also asked about family contact, visitor applications, inmate welfare trust funds, tablet access, private prison placement, staffing shortages, overtime, contraband interdiction, and waiting lists for programs; several follow-up materials were requested for distribution to all members. Mr. Winkler then outlined community corrections, explaining the different supervision types under Florida law, including probation, drug offender probation, community control, sex offender supervision, conditional release, and addiction recovery supervision. He described the department’s monitoring tools, such as office and field visits, warrantless searches, alternative sanctioning for technical violations, telephone reporting for low-risk offenders, employment assistance, and mobile probation and reentry units. He said the department’s supervision success rate is about 62%, with more than 91% of successful completers not returning to custody within three years. Members questioned officer workloads, the use of radios and GPS check-ins, the rollout of uniforms and firearms, how violations are handled, and whether all circuits participate in alternative sanctioning; Winkler said the program is statewide and that the department is seeking funding for radios. During public comment, Florida Cares Charity urged the committee to consider evidence on deterrence, parole, and recidivism, arguing that community supervision is less costly than incarceration and can be effective. James Beardy of the Florida PBA emphasized the dangers faced by correctional and probation officers, including long shifts, field searches, and working alone, and argued for higher pay and better support comparable to other law enforcement. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the presenters and public speakers, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any legislative votes or formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 343 should pass, an act relating to the Department of Workers' Claims and declaring an emergency
• Workers' Claims and declaring an emergency.
• And it also allows job categories to be adjusted inside the salary schedule by the board without having

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, well, it's a surplus statement adjustment.
• 01:17:59.679><c> to</c> And certainly, you know, one of the things I keep on bringing up is the YDC claim
• 31.760><c> a</c><01:18:32.000><c> motion</c> I'm going to make a motion to move that into the YDC claims

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the OG, the iBudget waiver and CDC program, and to just ask for your support for maybe a modest adjustment
• the OG, the iBudget waiver and CDC program, and to just ask for your support for maybe a modest adjustment
• Florida Swimming Voucher Program in line with studied recommendations from the YMCA and the AAP by adjusting

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public testimony on concerns about changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver, including warnings that HIV patients could lose access to medications and that direct support providers need a rate increase. Senators discussed possible alternatives such as medically needy coverage and FQHC/340B access, and a witness urged the legislature to delay implementation of the HIV-related changes and restore funding. Another witness asked for support for a modest increase for iBudget direct care providers. The committee then considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 428, by Sen. Yarborough, expands the state swimming voucher program from ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 to align with drowning-prevention guidance; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 68, by Sen. Harrell, requires hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House version was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1718, by Sen. Grall, makes the Step Into Success foster youth pilot permanent, adjusts visitor/background screening rules for out-of-home placements, and modifies stipend provisions; it also passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 606, by Sen. Smith, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires hospitals and birthing centers to keep compliance records. CS/CS/SB 96, by Sen. Sharief, expands eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process, and the bill passed. CS/SB 340, by Sen. Harrell, requires nursing education to include a human trafficking course before licensure, and CS/SB 1480, by Sen. Burton, creates a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in areas of critical need if federal designations change; both were reported favorably. The committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• makes changes to several reports from a range of agencies, including the removal of some reports, adjustment
• Additionally, the amendment adjusts five annual reports to be required instead biannually.
• proposed substitute incorporates everything that the governor's office has identified that they need adjusted

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on February 3, 2026, for executive session on 13 bills and a public hearing on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541. One published bill, Senate Bill 6123, was not moved forward. The executive session covered election integrity, holiday recognition, agency reporting and disclosure, veterans and state government administration, and several memorial or symbolic designations. Staff briefed each bill and several proposed substitutes or amendments, including changes to Senate Bills 5763, 6215, 6160, 6049, and 5784. Members discussed policy and fiscal concerns on some measures, including the cost of the aviation support grant program in SB 5763 and the inclusiveness of holiday recognition in SB 5950. The committee adopted amendments or substitutes where offered and advanced all of the bills it took up, generally by due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee or, for fiscal measures, to the Ways and Means Committee. Senate Bill 5950’s amendment was withdrawn before final action, and Senator Hasegawa stated he would be without recommendation on that bill because a Buddhist observance was missing from the list. Other bills passed with little or no opposition, including SB 6084 on voting more than once, SB 6044 on Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, SB 6046 creating a Civil Air Patrol division, SB 6160 on agency reports, SB 6049 on public disclosure exemptions, SB 6164 on WOTEC information, SB 6313 creating a Capitol Centennial Stewardship Account, SB 5046 designating Kim Chie Day, and SB 5489 naming the Wilkinson sandstone the state sandstone. In the public hearing on ESHB 1541, staff explained that the bill would reorganize the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee by increasing at-large seats, reducing the number of VSO-designated seats, and allowing appointments to reflect military experience and personal attributes. The prime sponsor and Representative Simmons described the bill as a compromise developed after prior concerns, including representation for formerly justice-involved veterans, and said it would broaden advice to the governor. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs supported the bill, saying it would provide more flexibility in appointments and preserve a 17-member committee. The hearing closed with 57 pro and 1 con sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• SEEING NONE, A MOTION BY SENATOR DAVIS TO ALLOW STAFF TO MAKE TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS WITHOUT OBJECTION
• LEONA'S WOULD BE UPON THEM TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LANGUAGE SO SURVEYS COULD BE COMPLETED
• THE BILL ALSO ADJUSTS THE GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCILS WITH REGARD TO APPOINTEES ALLOWING

Keywords: 999, senate, all