Transcript Highlights:

• The result is high-wage jobs, new companies, and sustained innovation in communities both large and small
• Sustained research funding is essential for preserving these jobs and building a strong, long-term STEM
• Sustained research funding is essential for preserving these jobs and building a strong, long-term STEM
• Casey Gervin: This spring, as I prepared to enter the academic job market, I was informed that the Mosaic
• world-preserving advances, and we are so excited to keep working with you to find ways to save these jobs

Bills: SB6321 , SGA9245 , SGA9247 , SGA9250 , SGA9252 , SGA9253 , SGA9254 , SGA9259 , SGA9260 , SGA9261 , SGA9262

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: scientific research, innovation, economic growth, Washington Institute, public funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, I would like to state for the record for Representative Lucas, I'm not coming after his job.
• Instead, I would like to state for the record for Representative Lucas, I'm not coming after his job.
• But if we're so confident that that's the fact, if we're so confident that we've done the job we need
• It's the job that we get asked to do all the time on all kinds of bills.
• I think our job should be: isn't what's best for Enid Public School District.

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:01.199><c> and</c><00:16:01.440><c> Economic</c> Committee on Jobs and Economic Committee
• on Jobs and Economic Development.<00:16:02.560><c> It</c><00:16:02.720><c> is</c><00:16:02.880><c> my
• ><00:16:15.120><c> the</c><00:16:15.199><c> Committee</c><00:16:15.519><c> on</c><00:16:15.839><c> Jobs
• </c><00:16:16.079><c> and</c> re-referred to the Committee on Jobs and re-referred to the Committee on
• Jobs and Economic<00:16:16.880><c> Development.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're working, often multiple jobs. They cannot afford to lose wages or risk job security.
• They're working, often multiple jobs. They cannot afford to lose wages or risk job security.
• They're working, often multiple jobs. They cannot afford to lose wages or risk job security.
• I want her to hold a job one day.
• I want her to hold a job one day.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Because we've done such a good job Because we've done such a good job managing<00:03:11.280><c>
• We need to do a better job, particularly as it relates to timber.
• We need to do a better job, particularly as it relates to timber.
• We need to do a better job, particularly as it relates to timber.
• </c><00:26:35.440><c> with</c> particularly and do a better job with particularly and do a better job

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's his job, isn't it? That would be his job. His job is not... ...Osage and Creek, right?
• That's his job, isn't it? That would be his job.
• His job is not to go down to LaFlore County and get money for them, right?
• No, because that's not his, that is not his job.

Summary: The Public Safety committee met and first considered HB 2993, as amended by a PCS, which would create 11 Council of Government-based positions to help rural law enforcement pursue grants and equipment funding. Members questioned the estimated $1.1 million annual cost, whether the program would mainly benefit rural areas rather than metro counties, and how the money would be administered through Oklahoma Homeland Security. The bill author explained that each COG would receive one funded position and that the money would stay within each COG. The committee voted 7-2 to report the bill favorably. The committee then heard HB 3850, which would require inmates to obtain a high school equivalency diploma as a condition of parole and would place the diploma in the inmate’s release file to improve employability and reduce recidivism. Questions focused on whether the requirement applied to all inmates, how it would affect release eligibility, and whether existing DOC programs already provide similar training. The author said the bill would build on current law and could help reduce waiting lists for equivalency programs. The committee voted 8-1 to pass the bill. Next, HB 3595, with a PCS, would create a revolving fund in the Department of Public Safety to award counties grants for traffic-control public safety equipment, especially for events where vehicles could be used to harm crowds. Members discussed the bill’s dependence on future appropriations and its status as a vehicle for the idea while budget issues are resolved. The committee voted 7-2 to report it out. The committee also unanimously passed HB 3763, requiring two hours of domestic violence training as part of continuing education for law enforcement, and HB 3760, a tax credit for donations to qualified law enforcement foundations, with the author noting a planned amendment to include COGs and certain other nonprofits. The chair announced one more meeting the following week and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Ian, you've just done such a great job as a new staff person, so we're really, really glad to have
• The goal of this bill should be avoiding job losses and retaining industry and keeping the industries
• how much more global warming would happen because we export these important industries and lose the jobs
• in places that we've had decades of job loss.
• in places that we've had decades of job loss.

Summary: The Environment and Energy committee met for executive session on four bills. Staff briefed House Bill 2416, which would replace Climate Commitment Act no-cost allowances for the Spokane waste-to-energy facility with a separate regulatory scheme requiring emissions reductions, reporting to Ecology and Commerce, and enforcement provisions; members discussed whether emissions accounting included biogenic emissions and confirmed the reduction measures would need to occur on-site. House Bill 2537 would direct Ecology to recommend a future allowance schedule for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities and require biennial reporting and periodic plans, while House Bill 2575 would reduce several Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy reporting requirements for utilities and Commerce. House Bill 2322, as amended in a proposed substitute, would delay alternative jet fuel tax incentives until July 1, 2031, remove capacity thresholds, tie eligibility to life-cycle rather than direct emissions, and drop a Clean Fuels Program carbon-intensity change. During executive action, the committee debated the policy impacts of the waste-to-energy bill, with supporters saying the Spokane facility is unique and needs a separate framework, and opponents arguing it would create costly disincentives and raise ratepayer costs. The EITE bill drew support from members who said it would help identify facility-specific decarbonization options, while opponents warned about competitiveness, job losses, and industry leaving the state. The reporting-reduction bill was described as a streamlining measure that would save utilities money and remove duplicative or outdated reports. The alternative jet fuel substitute was presented as a clarification and simplification of the incentive structure, and members praised the changes. All four measures were reported out of committee with due pass recommendations. House Bill 2416 and House Bill 2537 each passed on 12-9 votes, House Bill 2575 passed unanimously by voice vote, and the proposed substitute for House Bill 2322 also passed unanimously by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only do they get jobs, but they keep them for years.
• Can they develop skills and get a job, harnessing their wonderful, unique skills?
• We follow the criteria that's established in order to look toward job placement.
• There is a job development plan. We teach the soft skills. We're not teaching hard skills.
• We've reached out and are trying to make sure we have job coaches that are well trained.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunities that maybe they did before on campus, and these are my neighbors who maybe don't have a job
• So Western, in my opinion, has done a tremendous job providing a great education to students, helping
• And now we are at a place where we have fewer student jobs on campus.
• There are fewer hours available in those jobs.
• We had to fight to save that job because of budget issues.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2070, which would create state funding parity for Western Washington University by tying appropriations to a per-student funding ratio. The prime sponsor and Western officials said Western has long been the lowest-funded public four-year institution on a per-student basis, leading to budget cuts, reduced student services, and delayed graduation. Students, faculty, and university leaders testified in support, while some members questioned whether the bill should instead address a broader higher-education funding formula for all institutions. Central Washington University also supported the bill but suggested a broader approach. No vote was taken on HB 2070. The committee then heard House Bill 2671, which would expand eligibility for state financial aid to certain nonprofit out-of-state branch campuses operating in Washington if they meet specified accreditation, duration, and authorization requirements. Rep. Timmons said the bill is intended to help students in an accelerated nursing program at Northeastern University in Seattle access aid and support workforce needs. Northeastern’s dean testified in support, saying the bill would align financial aid law with prior changes to degree-granting statutes and would not increase state spending. The hearing on HB 2671 was then closed. House Bill 2617, dealing with the higher-education “fund split,” drew extensive testimony. The bill would gradually shift more of employee compensation increases and central services costs to state funding, and would require a study of essential student services. The sponsor and many university, faculty, staff, and student witnesses argued that the current funding practice shifts costs to tuition, contributes to layoffs, program cuts, larger classes, and reduced student support, and creates instability across public higher education. Community and technical college representatives also said underfunding COLAs harms operations and students. The committee then moved to executive session on Senate Bill 6258, which would authorize the Washington Medical Commission to create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntary license relinquishment; the committee approved it 14-0 with a due-pass recommendation, with three members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some argue resource development brings needed jobs. Does an economic opportunity matter?
• National estimates project up to 50,000 new jobs from expanded timber and mineral access.
• Of your projected 50,000 jobs, how many are seasonal versus long term?
• That was an excellent job, and I appreciate what you do.
• Wonderful job, and thank you so much. Young people, really, really impressive.

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee heard an update from Idaho Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on agency performance measures and current issues. He reported strong access numbers, website traffic, and personnel retention, but noted a slightly elevated violation rate and ongoing work on a website overhaul. Fredericks also described the new nonresident deer and elk tag draw, which he said was successful and drew more than 40,000 applications, and he reviewed wolf management, including reduced harvest due to a federal injunction on trapping in grizzly bear areas. He also outlined a planned elk depredation response in the Big Willow drainage, involving removal of about 100 resident elk through a mix of translocation and lethal control, with meat donated to food banks. Committee members asked about translocation sites, survival, public communication, access agreements, depredation funding, and endowment land access. The committee then heard an American Falls FFA Ag Issues presentation on the 2001 federal roadless rule and its 2025 rescission. Students presented arguments for and against the change in a mock court format, focusing on forest health, wildfire risk, tribal consultation, timber and mineral access, recreation, and ecosystem protection. Committee members praised the students’ preparation and presentation. In legislative business, the committee held RS 33185 at the sponsor’s request, introduced RS 33168 related to Clean Water Act standards and the Sackett wetlands case, and introduced RS 33194 to recognize county expertise in federal consultation. The committee also advanced House Bill 587, which would provide spending authority for the Idaho Department of Agriculture to carry out grazing improvement work tied to prior legislation, after testimony from the sponsor and a Western Landowners Alliance representative in support. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 26 supporting wildlife crossings where locally supported, with testimony from the Idaho Wildlife Federation and Idaho Sportsmen, Access and Opportunity in favor. The motion to send HCR 26 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed despite several dissenting votes, and the meeting adjourned after the bill was assigned for floor carry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, he performed a variety of jobs at BISKA, including that of examiner, subsequently chief examiner
• pleased to recall that I did an and I'm pleased to recall that I did an excellent<00:29:47.440><c> job
• c> as</c><00:29:48.480><c> state</c><00:29:48.799><c> auditor</c><00:29:49.200><c> by</c> excellent job
• </c><00:30:45.679><c> at</c> uh he performed a variety of jobs at uh he performed a variety of jobs at
• with uh uh an left to go to a job with uh uh an insurance<00:31:02.240><c> company</c><00:31:02.880>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our key focuses for reentry, effective reentry, goes back to having jobs.
• Job skills, those sorts of things. How to use a tablet.
• They get jobs very quickly.
• From our perspective, we've done a good job.
• I think Director Collier and his staff do a great job of... operating their facilities.

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chief Justice, you did a great job, and so it's our honor to welcome you this morning.
• We, our job with your assistance, our job together, I think, is to. deliver equal justice for every Texan
• Our job is to serve everyone. Every Texan in an equal and fair way under the law.
• to what is always going to be a lower paying job relative to the private sector.
• And there are a lot of people out there who would consider these jobs who can't.

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've done an amazing job. They've held me up.
• And I loved that job. I really did.
• Congratulations on a job well done.
• This is not an easy job.
• But that is part of our job: to stand up, to learn from each other.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They estimated that 5,800 jobs would be fewer jobs would be created long-term.
• </c><00:24:04.480><c> jobs</c><00:24:04.760><c> would</c><00:24:04.880><c> be</c> jobs would be fewer
• jobs would be jobs would be fewer jobs would be created<00:24:05.560><c> long-term.
• She is um a uh child works two jobs.
• If we were making more money, we might feel inclined to retire on the job.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I job for the next generation.
• So, good job, everyone. I get to watch it in real time.
• So, good job, everyone. I get to watch it in real time.
• So, good job, everyone. I get to watch it in real time.
• So, good job, everyone. I get to watch it in real time.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they and he just can't keep a job.
• I've kept this job and blah, blah, blah."
• I've kept this job and blah, blah, blah."
• They do a great job, and the people in my building do a great job.
• They do a great job, and the people in my building do a great job.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview of Kentucky’s specialty courts from Audrey Collins of the Department of Specialty Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts, along with testimony from Christian County District Judge Foster Cutoff. Collins described the mission and structure of drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, emphasizing therapeutic jurisprudence, individualized treatment, judicial oversight, and multidisciplinary teams. She said Kentucky currently has about 2,991 active participants across the three court types, with drug courts in all 120 counties, mental health courts in 17 counties, and veterans treatment courts in eight counties. She also highlighted reported outcomes such as 7,658 entrants and 4,384 successful completions from 2020 to 2024, a five-year average completion rate of 57%, and lower recidivism among graduates than the statewide average. Collins also reviewed funding and costs, saying the department’s fiscal year 2025 budget was $18.6 million, with most of it from general funds, plus restricted and federal funds. She noted spending on personnel, treatment services, and drug testing, and said specialty courts allow participants to remain employed and meet obligations such as child support and restitution. She said participants paid more than $5.4 million in child support, restitution, and other court-related obligations over five years, and that a statewide evaluation by Morehead State University is underway. In response to questions, she said a dip in 2024 collections may have been affected by a case management system overhaul, and that court costs can be waived in some indigent cases while restitution is still required. Judge Cutoff described veterans treatment court and mental health court in Christian County, saying the programs are especially important because of the nearby Fort Campbell military community and because they help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use, and related issues. He said the courts rely heavily on staff, treatment providers, and the VA, which helps connect participants to benefits and therapy. He also said mental health court participants receive housing, benefits, and medication support, and that the programs can keep people out of jail and help them stabilize. Committee members asked about the legal basis and history of the courts, and Collins explained that Kentucky’s specialty courts began as pilot programs in the mid-1990s, shifted from federal support to state funding around 2008-2009, and are now largely state funded. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about rural jobs.
• it is economic equity it is<00:20:24.480><c> about</c><00:20:24.799><c> rural</c><00:20:25.440><c> jobs
• </c><00:44:09.400><c> as</c> that should be um part of this job as that should be um part of this job
• </c> education and local economies and job education and local economies and job growth<01:06:54.240>
• </c> that that's really one of the main jobs that that's really one of the main jobs I<01:21:09.360><

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000. The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing. Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.

Transcript Highlights:

• from working in four jobs now involving social<00:09:38.399><c> services.
• </c> in our jobs, in our communities. in our jobs, in our communities.
• You did a great job. It's important that we hear from you.
• You did a great job. &gt;&gt; Thank you so much. You did a great job.
• </c><01:26:08.080><c> hunting</c> our lives and soon I'll be job hunting our lives and soon I'll be job

Bills: HF3174 , HF3800

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: background study, disqualification, set-aside, permanent disqualification, Office of Administrative Hearings, chief judge, human services licensing, substance use disorder treatment, SUD treatment, chemical dependency, recovery, rehabilitation, abstinence, foster care, child foster care, vulnerable adults, caregiver background check, license holder, direct contact, risk of harm

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> speech when they're not doing their job. speech when they're not doing their job.
• The expert is being told they are electioneering for just doing their job.
• </c> and uh and it wasn't until they got jobs and uh and it wasn't until they got jobs that<01:04:00.559
• Pinkerton Academy does a very good job of getting everybody in and out very quickly.
• Pinkerton Academy does a very good job of getting everybody in and out very quickly.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all