Video & Transcript : 'Washington State Energy Code' :
Page 389 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Most states, the majority of states, had definitions, either stated or unstated, that marriage was a
- And as it relates to the state, Life.
- and then another state, who were having to file their federal taxes and then their state taxes separate
- I want this state to have options.
- State Board of Land Commissioners, 1999.
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and 18 and agreed to hold RS 33446 at the sponsor’s request. It then reconsidered RS 33144, a memorial urging the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges. The sponsor argued the issue belongs to the states under federalism and cited Idaho’s constitutional definition of marriage and traditional moral and religious views. Members questioned the need for the memorial given Idaho’s existing constitutional amendment and whether updated public-opinion data should be provided. The committee adopted a substitute amendment removing language referring to the “Anglo-American legal tradition,” and the revised RS 33144 was introduced; the chair later noted noes on the motion for the record.
The committee next introduced RS 33-421, a large-load utility bill aimed at codifying rules for new high-demand customers, such as data centers, so growth pays for growth and existing ratepayers are protected from infrastructure costs. The sponsor said the bill would help prevent rate increases and stranded assets, and members asked about impacts on nuclear development, treatment of existing large-load customers, and whether utilities had been consulted. The motion to introduce RS 33-421 passed.
The main item of the meeting was H.J.R. 10, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning Idaho endowment lands. The sponsor said the amendment would prioritize revenue-generating uses, preserve traditional uses like timber, mining, and grazing, and protect public access without making the public a beneficiary. Supporters, including recreation and outfitter representatives, said it would provide stability and better recognize recreation and other uses. Opponents from logging, mining, ranching, and the Idaho Department of Lands warned it could create legal ambiguity, invite litigation, conflict with the Admissions Act and fiduciary duties, and shift management away from the current trust framework. After extensive testimony and debate, a motion to hold H.J.R. 10 in committee failed 6-8, and the motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation then failed on a 7-7 tie, so no action was taken to advance the resolution.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the energy we have energy within the energy we have energy within Municipal<00:52:50.520><c> solids
- Energy.
- Annie Levenson-Faulk: This is why the majority of states provide energy assistance in the summer, including
- This is why the majority of states provide energy assistance in the summer, including other northern
- So I can't tell you for the entire state, but for the folks who apply for energy assistance, we track
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- This is your state government.
- They play a beautiful, beautiful game of basketball tonight when the state, when the state, what is it
- This is your state government.
- I would assume, like other funds that go through a state agency, that when that state agency appears
- It's a state agency.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, opened with an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements recognizing West Side Day, School Board Appreciation Day, Sierra Club Climate Solutions Day, Gallup-McKinley County Day, and New Mexico Athlete Trainer Day. Members also agreed to allow cameras on the floor and a relaxed dress code for guests. Numerous student and community groups were introduced, including West Side Day students, ABC Prep basketball students, Bernalillo High School AP students, MANA del Norte Hermanitas, honorary lieutenant governors, Taos Municipal Schools leaders, Classical Conversations homeschool students, Bloomfield school board members, and others.
A major portion of the session was devoted to honoring Bueno Foods with a Senate certificate recognizing February 5, 2026, as Bueno Foods Day in the Senate and celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary. Senators praised the Baca family’s multigenerational business, its role in New Mexico’s chile industry, its jobs and community support, and its national reach. Several members spoke in support, sharing personal stories about Bueno products and the company’s help during COVID and over decades of family and community life.
The Senate also adopted a condolence certificate for Kayla Reagan Van Landingham, a 19-year-old bicyclist killed in Albuquerque, with remarks emphasizing her life, advocacy, and the need for stronger pedestrian and bicycle safety. Her mother and family were recognized, and members observed a moment of silence. Senators spoke about the importance of traffic safety reforms and the local ordinance changes already pursued in her memory.
On legislation, the chamber received House and governor messages and adopted several committee reports. The main floor debate was on Senate Bill 38, concerning the spay and neuter program funding stream. Senator Block offered a floor substitute to restore a sunset clause for review and transparency; supporters argued the program should be periodically evaluated and that the funding functions like a tax rather than a fee. Opponents argued the program is important and should continue without a sunset. The floor substitute failed by roll call, 15 in favor and 22 against, and the Senate returned to the underlying bill for further debate.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 5th, 2026 at 11:33 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is your state government.
- That works with energy companies and governments. That works with energy companies and governments.
- Across the state, I went to his services, and I was amazed at the people from across the state that came
- I would assume, like other funds that go through a state agency, you know, that when that state agency
- It's a state agency.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- But that's decided on a state-by-state basis.
- So it's a brave new world right now, and I think states, possibly like Oregon and Washington, are looking
- So it's a brave new world right now, and I think states, possibly like Oregon and Washington, are looking
- Lastly, Idaho is a certified state, meaning we and not the FCC set and enforce our own rules and codes
- He said that in the Northwest, especially Washington State, copper theft is a major problem, and perhaps
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 26 and 27 by voice vote. It then considered RS 33605, a replacement request from Rep. Jaron Crane correcting a word change from “or” to “and” in language dealing with material that is “sexually explicit” and “taken as a whole.” Members asked about how the phrase should be interpreted and who would determine whether material is sexually explicit, and the sponsor said those issues would be addressed more fully at a later hearing. The RS was introduced by motion and approved by voice vote.
The committee next heard H.J.M. 17, a memorial from Rep. Tony Vichnavsky asking the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit *Obergefell v. Hodges* and return marriage policy to the states. The sponsor and supportive testimony from Idaho Family Policy Center argued that marriage should be defined by states, citing federalism, Idaho constitutional provisions, and religious liberty. Opponents and skeptical members raised concerns about the legal effects on existing marriages, interstate recognition, contractual rights, and whether the Supreme Court would even reopen a settled case. After debate, the committee sent H.J.M. 17 to the floor with a due pass recommendation by a 10-4 roll call vote.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 674, which would streamline discontinuance of telephone service by allowing FCC-approved discontinuances without additional PUC approval. The sponsor said the bill was a cleanup measure to reduce duplicative regulation, while the Idaho Public Utilities Commission testified that the bill could reduce Idaho’s independent review of service quality and customer impacts, especially in rural areas. Lumen Technologies supported the bill, saying it would improve regulatory certainty and encourage investment in fiber and other modern services. The committee then moved HB 674 to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote before adjourning.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome, uh, to the State House, right. Welcome, uh, to the uh State House and the Alabama Senate.
- </c> lose, we lost to the 5A state champs. lose, we lost to the 5A state champs.
- </c> oldest known legal codes. oldest known legal codes.
- </c><01:43:20.000><c> which</c><01:43:20.239><c> we</c> state and the state police which we state and
- </c> We can pull resources from the state. We can pull resources from the state.
Summary:
The meeting included a Senate recognition ceremony honoring the Winona High School boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association 5A state championship. A resolution was read commending the team for its 101-40 victory over Silicag, noting the team’s record-setting performance, Brendan Davis’s MVP honor, the contributions of other players, and Coach Cedric Lane’s leadership. Senators and the lieutenant governor praised the players’ sportsmanship, the school community, and the team’s historic season, and copies of the resolution were presented to the team, coaches, and administrators. Several guests and school representatives also spoke briefly, including the coach and principal, who thanked the Senate and noted the team’s success and the principal’s retirement after 35 years.
After the recognition, the Senate returned to session and adopted the Committee on Rules report setting the special order calendar. The calendar included Senate Bill 99 on the Ten Commandments, Senate Bill 298 on Class 3 municipalities, House Bill 381 on camp safety, Senate Bill 370 on tax increment districts, Senate Bill 363 on the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, House Bill 466 on firefighters, House Bill 95 on elections, House Bill 259 on stablecoin, and Senate Bill 342 on education.
The chamber then took up SB 99, sponsored by Senators Kelly and Sessions. Senator Kelly described the bill as requiring local school boards to display the Ten Commandments, together with founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Alabama Constitution preamble, in certain history classrooms and common areas for grades five through 12, using donated displays and funds when available. He said the bill was intended as a historical and educational measure, not religious instruction, and emphasized the inclusion of a disclaimer stating Alabama is not establishing a religion. After extended debate and a petition to close debate from the Rules Committee, the Senate voted on the bill by long roll and passed SB 99, with the recorded vote announced as 30 yeas and 4 nays.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Idaho is a big state for this.
- A family in Washington state had to travel to Pennsylvania just to give blood from the parents to their
- So blood goes out of state. It goes regionally. It goes nationally. We supply to other states.
- into other states.
- Other states like Washington allow midwives the same authority proposed in HB 550, but they also have
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 528, which would codify the ability for patients to use self-donated or directed donor blood under federal testing and collection guidelines. Representative Chris Bruce said the bill was intended to ensure Idaho patients have that option in state law after some hospitals or facilities had denied requests. Supporters testified that the bill protects patient autonomy, religious freedom, and medical choice, and described personal experiences where directed donation was difficult or impossible to arrange in Idaho. Opponents, including representatives from Vitalant and the Red Cross, said directed and autologous donations are already available when medically indicated, that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist, and that it could add cost, complexity, and strain to an already severe blood shortage without improving safety. After debate over terms such as “detrimental” and “gross negligence,” a substitute motion to send the bill to amending order failed 7-9, and the original motion to send HB 528 to the House floor with a do pass recommendation passed 7-6.
The committee then approved a rules docket for the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s Business Enterprise Program, which updates and streamlines rules governing vending and food service facilities operated by blind entrepreneurs. The committee next took up House Bill 550, a midwifery bill updating Idaho’s existing statute to allow licensed midwives to administer additional medications within their training and scope of practice. The sponsor and several midwives, nurses, and other supporters said the changes would modernize outdated law, improve care in rural areas, reduce unnecessary hospital transfers, and better address postpartum hemorrhage and other maternal or neonatal needs. One testifier described a tragic homebirth outcome and urged stronger safety limits, while the Idaho Medical Association said it had worked with the sponsor on compromise language.
At the sponsor’s request, HB 550 was held in committee and the related revised RS was moved forward. The committee then approved RS-33-250, which incorporated agreed-upon changes defining a formulary and protocol and clarifying maternal and neonatal care language, sending it to the second reading calendar with a do pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 9th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We're not changing laws, let's say for the Secretary of State or for the elections code or anything like
- It was much more rare for us to see, for example, a driver's license from Washington state.
- As a trooper, if I were going about my roadside duties and I pulled over somebody from Washington State
- or that presented a Washington state driver's license, not being completely familiar with what that
- PC penal code 6.03C.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Amber Worthington, if you'll come forward, state your name and... Ms.
- I've hunted many of the surrounding states, including Alaska and Canada.
- And of all those states, only Idaho, California, Oregon, and Washington allow live-feed game cameras
- entire western third of the United States.
- Idaho Code 36-20 states in part, notwithstanding the classification assigned to wolves, all methods of
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/14/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:01:02.000><c> I</c> the state, the first engrossment. I the state, the first engrossment.
- </c> industry you work in and what zip code industry you work in and what zip code you<00:10:37.279><
- </c><00:10:49.680><c> you're</c> shouldn't matter what zip code you're shouldn't matter what zip code
- </c> completely cut off any state completely cut off any state funding<00:25:33.600><c> for</c><00:25
- ><c> edge</c> clean energy to cutting edge clean energy to cutting edge technologies,<00:28:00.399><c
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- BRGs support UNS Energy business objectives.
- Now, therefore, we, Arizona State Senator Theresa Hatathlie and the members of the Arizona State Senate
- State of Arizona, Department of State, Office of the Secretary of State.
- I, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, certify that this Arizona flag was flown over the Arizona State
- And on behalf of the State of Arizona, we send our condolences and, as stated before, we continue to
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 19, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- , there were so many different things around the state, and so we wanted to have a unified code.
- This is hard-coded. We need actual engineers to change code. Hard-coded.
- in state hands and returns to the state of Florida?
- , state security, state alert data.
- , state security, state alert data.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, then returned to its ongoing budget workshop with the Department of Management Services. DFS’s Division of Risk Management described its role as the state self-insurance fund, covering about 200,000 employees and 27,000 vehicles, paying roughly $150 million in claims last year, and managing a pilot ETS treatment program for veterans and first responders that had 49 patients and 804 treatments as of the latest report. The Division of State Fire Marshal outlined its fire prevention, training, emergency response, and grant programs, including hurricane deployments, the Florida State Fire College, and several capital and grant requests for roof, courtyard, memorial, and equipment needs. The Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation explained how it handles insolvent insurers under Chapter 631, currently administering 14 estates with $1.2 billion in assets and $3.7 billion in liabilities, and said no new receiverships had been opened since February 2023. Members asked about grant backlogs, fire truck procurement delays, memorial repairs, and whether affiliate transfers were occurring in insurer liquidations.
Secretary Griffin then updated the committee on DBPR’s implementation of House Bill 1021 on community associations. He said the department had used the new authority to expand education, complaint handling, and ombudsman services, including 10 free standardized courses, a new condo website, and a four-hour board certification course that had already drawn more than 12,000 attendees. He reported that outreach to condominium communities had increased by more than 60%, that complaint filings were up 39% while jurisdictional dismissals dropped to 11%, and that about 81% to 82% of the 65 new positions had been filled. Members pressed him on whether the department had enough authority and funding, how condominium counts are determined, how self-reported structural integrity reserve study data is verified, and whether more public-facing complaint tracking and better reporting from local governments or developers would improve the system.
The committee then resumed questioning Secretary Allende of DMS about outstanding budget and operations issues. Members focused on the delayed People First contract extension required by statute, with the secretary saying the delay involved technical and contractual complexity in moving a legacy hard-coded system to the cloud. They also revisited the state data team and data catalog project, asking why a statutory 2022 deadline had not been met, how the four-person team and broader data staff were organized, how many applicants were considered for key positions, and what each role was doing. The secretary said the catalog work was being simplified into six metadata fields and supported by a broader community of practice, but no firm completion date was given during the exchange.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Jul 14th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- But I'd also like to discuss energy, that is, our goal of becoming energy-independent at Highlands.
- At the same time, reducing our direct costs for energy, understanding that it is doubtful energy costs
- political subdivision in the state.
- It's a circular thing in the state. I work for the state. It's everything.
- purchase state land.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This is just for a very most states.
- Uh, there may be additional costs related to traveling out of state to visit other states with regard
- </c> right I mean there's no other state right I mean there's no other state office<00:09:59.440><c>
- . 40 states are it's a very good idea. 40 states are already<00:12:15.200><c> participating</c><00:12
- Um which could be for the state compact. Um which could be for the state to<00:13:24.399><c> decide.
Bills:
HB1853 , HB1591 , HB1961 , HB1854 , HB1965 , HB1962 , HB1959 , HB2505 , HB2576 , HB1801 , HB1804 , HB1864 , HB2319 , HB2314 , HB2115
Committee:
House Health
Keywords:
HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions.
The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system.
Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-11 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , cannot use their state university or state college-issued identification as the ID that, Or state college-issued
- Senator Grohl: ...state university IDs and state college IDs, so be it.
- tuition, paying in-state tuition versus out-of-state tuition.
- tuition, paying in-state tuition versus out-of-state tuition.
- So again, back to New York, California, and there's several other states like Oregon, Washington, Connecticut
Summary:
The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, public servants, and a resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others advanced after brief debate and, in several cases, substitution of House companions for Senate bills.
The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. The Senate also passed CS/HB 1113 on public records, expanding confidentiality protections for victims and temporarily protecting the name of a law enforcement officer who becomes a victim in the line of duty; it passed 33-4. CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was amended to place the program under the Florida Digital Service and to adjust grant timing, then passed 37-0. CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court passed 38-0 after amendments affecting revenue retention, legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee sharing. CS/CS/HB 679 on trademark registration modernization and CS/CS/HB 589 on septic permit timing also passed unanimously.
The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 991 / SB 1334, an elections bill that would use Real ID data to verify citizenship, change voter ID rules, alter candidate qualifying requirements, and revise election administration procedures. Senators offered and debated numerous amendments on documentation fees, senior exemptions, human review versus automated systems, student and retirement-center IDs, and effective dates; most were defeated, though one amendment adding stock-trading disclosure language for candidates was adopted. The bill’s sponsor cited election-crimes reports and specific prosecutions involving non-citizens as justification for the measure, while opponents argued it could disenfranchise eligible voters, especially students and seniors. The transcript ends during continued questioning and debate on that elections bill, before final disposition is shown.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Mar 1st, 2025
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Insurance for the state is how we protected the state and the public from being responsible for plugging
- In the state, I'm joined by Dr.
- up with growing energy demand.
- They may not make money for the state, but they're not costing the state anything either.
- of energy.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- across the state to see significantly lower energy bills.
- It would require a more equal enforcement of the state code, limiting onerous rules that can make siting
- Martin Vignoli, on behalf of the California State Pipe Trades Council and the Western States Council
- We're going to have to report to the state on the...
- We're going to have to report to the state on the...
Committee:
Senate Local Government
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee May 12th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Other states and countries have established state-sponsored mechanisms to address natural catastrophe
- Other states and countries have established state-sponsored mechanisms to address natural catastrophe
- The state program would allow the utilities to pay known premiums, and the state would address that volatility
- So the state steps in and creates a mechanism.
- and State Street in Boston.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Jun 6th, 2025
Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Energy, these are direct energy related revenues only.
- It's actually not a player at all in our state general fund revenues.
- because of our, um, uh, activity as a mining state.
- You all and us at the LFC are no stranger to navigating financial state, a state in financial hardship
- to state lands, goes to, is collected by the state land office and goes to the land grant permanent
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Education Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, Safety-Care is a de-escalation program that's really growing in popularity in Washington State
- And then here within Washington State, the behavior support and schools conference in Tumwater, last
- Washington State PTA thanks you. Thank you.
- And for all you do for Washington students and families. Washington State PTA thanks you.
- And for all you do for Washington students and families, Washington State County, thanks you.
Summary:
The House Education Committee held a work session on reducing restraint and eliminating isolation in schools, then moved into a public hearing on House Bill 1795 and its proposed substitute. Chair Sharon Santos reviewed committee procedures and emphasized the short session timeline, then framed the discussion as part of a longer-running effort to address student restraint and isolation. Representative Callan, the bill sponsor, said the committee’s pilot and demonstration sites would help identify both benefits and implementation challenges for legislation.
OSPI Acting Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs Misha Cherniski presented an update on the state’s demonstration project, saying it is in its third year and has $2 million per year in the current budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. He described intensive, targeted, and universal supports, including grants to pilot and demonstration districts, a technical assistance manual, and statewide professional learning. He reported that 68% of project sites saw reductions in restraint and isolation compared with the prior year, and said OSPI’s immediate policy recommendations are to extend prohibitions on dangerous restraints such as prone, supine, wall, mechanical, chemical, and noxious spray restraints, and to clarify the definition of “imminent likelihood of serious harm.” Committee members asked for more detailed disaggregated data by race, ethnicity, grade level, incident type, and sample size, and raised questions about authorized entities, student movement, and whether data captures incidents in nonpublic settings.
Representatives from Auburn, Bainbridge Island, and Concrete school districts described how the grant-funded work has affected their districts. Auburn reported major reductions in isolation after removing its last isolation room, expanding behavior supports, and training staff through multiple professional development options; the district said the biggest challenge has been shifting staff mindset and navigating delayed access to vendors and grant systems. Bainbridge Island said it has used grant funds for universal staff training, administrator training, social-emotional MTSS work, and partnerships with multiple providers; it reported zero isolations and sharply reduced restraints, while noting the need to monitor nonpublic agencies closely. Concrete, a much smaller district, said the grant allowed it to hire a part-time BCBA, adopt Safety-Care training, and use OSPI’s manual and tracking tools, but staffing shortages and limited substitute coverage make it hard to attend demonstration sites or training in person.
During the public hearing, the substitute bill was summarized as prohibiting certain restraints, banning isolation as a planned intervention, narrowing the definition of serious harm, and extending requirements to other providers of public educational services, while preserving lawful duties of school resource officers. Proponents included disability advocates, the Washington Education Association, and public school employees, who said the bill would reduce trauma and align practice with student safety and dignity. A parent testified about a child harmed by a room that was later used for involuntary confinement. A representative from a specialized learning center testified in opposition, arguing that a complete elimination of isolation for younger students could increase danger in some settings, that medical-provider requirements could be difficult to meet, and that specialized providers need broader exemptions. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.