Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the members of this committee and those who have assisted in the efforts and their courage
• They want to be medical assistance. They want to go into behavioral health services.
• They want to be medical assistants. They want to go into behavioral health services.
• They want to volunteer at their kids' schools.
• And we have a real-world example of this where this happened in the Talleson school board school district

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee opened with a lengthy chair’s statement about Department of Child Safety oversight, saying prior hearings had revealed systemic failures in communication, child placement oversight, response times, transparency, and accountability. The chair said the committee would continue pursuing reforms through legislation and ongoing reporting requirements. Members then discussed allegations involving child trafficking in congregate care settings and the need for separate legal representation for children who are victims of crimes, with one member saying the state and AG’s office were aware of trafficking issues and that outside representation was necessary. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors if a candidate dies, withdraws, or becomes incapacitated before the Electoral College meets, received support from the sponsor and outside groups and passed 4-3. SB 1186, requiring disclosure of certain things of value by companies seeking government contracts or grants, also passed. SB 1808, concerning display of certain flags in HOA and planned community settings, passed after the sponsor said it was intended to protect the ability to fly the Israeli flag. SB 1050, providing a lifetime state parks pass for certain veterans, passed after adoption of an amendment expanding eligibility to some disabled veterans; Arizona State Parks testified neutral but warned of revenue impacts, while members debated the fiscal note and support for veterans. The committee also passed SB 1140, which creates a misdemeanor expungement process for certain people, including trafficking survivors, after testimony from anti-trafficking advocates and service providers who said it would help survivors rebuild their lives while excluding serious offenses. SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic form when possible, passed over opposition from some local government groups. SB 1246, raising the delinquency threshold before a condominium lien foreclosure can occur, passed unanimously. SB 1664, lowering signature requirements for constable candidates in large counties, passed unanimously. Finally, SB 1338, making certain noncitizens ineligible for state or local public benefits, passed 4-3. The meeting ended with members offering farewells and thanks to one another and staff, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been representing both traditional district schools and public charter schools for more than 20
• years now and engage in ...schools and public charter schools for more than 20 years now and engage in
• programs.
• grant programs.
• charter school construction projects, and to... ...School Building Authority to support charter school

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Tom Franta, founding executive director of the Mountaineer Charter School Alliance. He described the new nonprofit’s goals of supporting West Virginia charter schools through advocacy, legal and compliance assistance, shared operational services, professional development, communications, and network-building. Franta emphasized that charter schools face major facility and financing challenges, and he urged use of existing public buildings, low-interest revolving loans, credit enhancement tools through the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, and federal matching funds to help level the playing field for charter schools, including both brick-and-mortar and virtual schools. Members asked about what he meant by “level the playing field,” and Franta said charter schools receive 99% of basic state aid but lack access to the full range of public education funding and dedicated facilities support, forcing them to divert dollars toward buildings rather than classrooms. He said the goal is to ensure parents choosing a public charter option can expect appropriate funding. After the presentation, the chair announced Senate Bill 171 was removed from the day’s agenda. The committee then considered Senate Bill 166, which creates an exception to West Virginia Invest grant eligibility so individuals who already have a post-secondary degree may still receive support if pursuing an associate degree or certificate in emergency medical services. The committee reported the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and under the original double committee reference, first be referred to the Finance Committee. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 428, with a committee substitute that splits the bus operator title into three pay grades based on years of service and raises the cafeteria manager title from pay grade D to E. Senators asked whether duties would change; counsel and the sponsor said the bill is intended as a retention incentive, with no change in responsibilities, and that the fiscal note would remain the same. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, again first referring it to the Finance Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she is an eighth generation, Arizona, who graduated from Maryvale High School in District 24. and
• Mary-Basha Catholic School, and her sister, Cosette, will you please stand up?
• Mary-Basha Catholic School.
• Chevron is a third-generation Arizona contractor and is the owner of Chevron Construction and Chevron
• Please join me in welcoming him. and is the owner of Chevron Construction and Chevron Wine and Cheese

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:42.520><c> District</c><00:25:43.760><c> programs</c> of evaluating School District programs
• of evaluating School District programs uh<00:25:44.960><c> this</c><00:25:45.120><c> program</c><00:
• experience um with um the programs at experience um with um the programs at the<00:26:10.200><c> school
• </c> program and shall require public schools program and shall require public schools to<05:25:58.040
• > um</c> of of the program Tools for Schools um of of the program Tools for Schools um is<05:38:44.638

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and noted weather-related absences and a large number of new bills. The chair said a subcommittee would be formed to review three cell phone bills, and a full committee work session on bullying would be scheduled for the week after next. The committee then began a hearing on House Bill 121, which would create local special education advisory councils in school districts. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the sponsor, said the councils would be parent-driven, with parents of children with disabilities advising districts on education, safety, program development, evaluation, planning, policies, and communication with administrators. He said the bill would require at least quarterly meetings with district administration, an annual parent workshop, and a year-end report to the school board. He also cited federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on parent advisory councils and said the goal was to improve collaboration between parents and schools. Members raised questions about the use of “shall,” how councils would be formed in districts without PTAs/PTOs, whether the councils could function in very small districts, privacy concerns about parents disclosing their children’s disabilities, whether the councils should include guardians or educational professionals, and whether the councils would have any direct tie to the state advisory council. The sponsor said the requirement was intended to make the councils mandatory, that local districts could organize them organically if needed, that participation would be voluntary, that parents would not be required to disclose private information, and that the councils would remain advisory rather than determinative. He also said costs should be minimal. Testimony then began from Nicole Sheath, a pediatric occupational therapist and parent of four children with disabilities, who described her experience balancing advocacy, school collaboration, and the demands of her children’s therapies and education.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> veterary school. veterary school.
• mistakes in construction can occur.
• mistakes in construction can occur.
• </c> um, director and Leah, admin, assistant. um, director and Leah, admin, assistant.
• So I I'm not schooled maintenance.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also created a short-term construction loan program, which we'll talk about a little bit more in depth
• It also created a short-term construction loan program, which we'll talk about a little bit more in depth
• </c><01:01:53.880><c> that</c><01:01:54.080><c> loan</c><01:01:54.280><c> program</c> really truly construct
• that loan program really truly construct that loan program got<01:01:56.040><c> uh,</c><01:01:56.280
• school or not?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs can operate in two ways.
• We have spent more than four years talking about this program.
• Going back to AB 2316, we had concerns with the way the bill is constructed.
• going to do, you know, public programs. I mean, what, how does that work?
• We're hearing from our school districts, $5 million increase in one year for a school district as budgets

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and into junior high school, and junior high school to high school, they lose their exemption.
• The program provides coverage to over 1,200 public agencies and schools.
• And these mental health assistants, y'all should look it up.
• with how few people have completed the Care Court program.
• Assistant, please call the roll.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, this is a construct we're trying to assemble without a foundation in place.
• First of all, this is a construct we're trying to assemble without a foundation in place.
• That a lot of that, I have a little law school to understand.
• Chiefs and marshals have several eligibility criteria for appointment, including having a high school
• gender-based violence A nonprofit offering that provides free legal assistance and representation to

Bills: SB5865 , SB5880 , SB5912 , SB5855 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• We pass legislation that creates a grant program.
• and grant programs throughout this state?
• We are funding certain programs and grant programs throughout this state.
• You know, we're a lot like middle school, and how we act is a lot like middle school.
• And he stopped and turned to me, and this was a high academics school, a wonderful school.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know initially when the power shutoff program was initially, it was very broad.
• National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, also known as the NEVI program, and ARCHES, California's
• We ensure assistance reaches the older Californians who are most vulnerable.
• We ensure assistance reaches the older Californians who are most vulnerable.
• few programs available for people with moderate incomes.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools use software. Retailers use software. Construction firms use software.
• Public schools.
• schools.
• Members, I am Catholic and I went to a Catholic school, and the foundation of that Catholic school is
• Yet, it... schools, not in private schools. Yet, it got broadened.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment removes references and requirements related to an expired program.
• Related to an expired program. Happy to answer questions. Any questions? Thank you, Danielle.
• O.R.A.I., which is mentioned before, is the Governor's Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance
• thousands of construction workers across the state of Washington.
• Chair Valdez and members of the committee, my name is Shauna Fox, and I'm the Assistant Secretary for

Bills: SCR8406 , SB5825 , SB5842 , SB5863 , SB5840 , SB5827 , SB5968

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: civic health, community engagement, committee reestablishment, public participation, governance, Washington State Leadership Board, WSLB, gift acceptance, grants, endowments, private funding, public funding, fundraising, state board, youth leadership, civic engagement, leadership development, Washington World Fellows, sports mentoring, Boundless Washington

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 672 is a simple, straightforward bill that extends a much-needed tax exemption to assist in the making
• not developed or rehabilitated, or if the development or rehabilitation is not in the course of construction
• Joseph Community Land Trust, my organization, used the exemption to support the construction of three
• The original intent of the welfare property tax exemption was to assist The original intent of the Welfare
• Property Tax Exemption was to assist nonprofit organizations that purchased open space lands, held the

Summary: The Committee on Revenue and Taxation met with a quorum and heard five bills, most of them tax exemptions or credits aimed at housing, veterans, and seniors. SB 1096, as amended, would provide a $1,500 tax credit for certain grandparents and other caregivers for tax years 2026 through 2030, with income-based phaseouts, a seven-year carryforward, and exclusions for dependents receiving foster care payments. Members praised the author’s amendments and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 672, extending a property tax welfare exemption for community land trust projects that create or rehabilitate low-income housing, and AB 1668, extending for five years the welfare property tax exemption for nonprofit land trusts that protect open space and recreational lands. Supporters for both bills emphasized permanent affordability, stewardship of natural lands, and relatively small public costs compared with the housing and conservation benefits. AB 672 and AB 1668 each passed unanimously to Appropriations, though AB 1668 drew one respectful opposition from the California Teachers Association. AB 2022 would expand the property tax exemption for disabled veteran homeowners, increasing the exemption for low-income veterans to 100% and to 50% of assessed value for others, while preserving current benefits through a loophole-closing amendment. The author and veteran advocates argued the bill would help keep disabled veterans and their families in their homes and make California more competitive with other states. The bill passed 5-0 to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 2641 was placed on the consent calendar and adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 672 is a simple, straightforward bill that extends a much-needed tax exemption to assist in the making
• not developed or rehabilitated, or if the development or rehabilitation is not in the course of construction
• Joseph Community Land Trust, my organization, used the exemption to support the construction of three
• The original intent of the welfare property tax exemption was to assist...
• The original intent of the Welfare Property Tax Exemption was to assist nonprofit organizations that

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• High school students each year.
• I learned them as a high school student as part of a workforce investment program at Oakland Public School
• These types of programs are programs we should look at statewide.
• The LA Music Center has an educational program that pairs professional artists with schools.
• So can I ask just in general if you know of any program or some kind of collaboration with schools that

Committee: House Joint Committee on the Arts

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• RS 33-267 seeks to alter some building construction codes and allow the exemption in four-plex dwellings
• It's multifamily construction. This is one potential tool.
• They are constructed in factories, which significantly reduce the building and purchasing cost.
• And so we have a team dedicated to get assistance here at St.
• They did a loan program with their vehicle, so a title loan, essentially.

Committee: House Business

Summary: The House Business Committee introduced several RS measures and advanced one bill. RS 33-267, from Rep. Cheatham, would exempt four-plex dwellings from mandatory sprinkler requirements to reduce housing costs and would add heat-detection devices in new construction to address garage fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Members discussed whether heat detection was already being added in the rules package, and some expressed concern about changing prior sprinkler policy, but the RS was introduced. RS 33-022, a travel insurance regulatory framework based on a national model act, was also introduced after testimony that it would standardize consumer protections, disclosures, licensing, and a free-look period. RS 33-208, on third-party litigation financing, was introduced with support for disclosure requirements and a prohibition on foreign adversary participation. RS 33-065, aimed at reducing barriers to manufactured housing by easing zoning treatment and covenant restrictions, was introduced despite questions about consultation with cities and counties. RS 33-274, creating a voluntary portable benefits plan for independent contractors, was introduced after questions about how it would interact with existing benefit plans and whether contributions would be limited to hiring parties. The committee then heard House Bill 530 on oral chemotherapy parity. Rep. Bruce and Rep. Green described the bill as a response to cancer patients facing much higher out-of-pocket costs for oral anti-cancer drugs than for IV treatments, and several witnesses, including Susan G. Komen, a cancer patient, a St. Luke’s pharmacist, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, testified in support. They said the bill would not create new coverage mandates but would require equal cost-sharing treatment for oral and IV anti-cancer medications, helping patients avoid delayed or abandoned treatment. Members debated whether the bill should include a $250 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs; the sponsors said the substitute RS removed that cap while preserving parity, and some members preferred the cap for predictability. A motion to table the bill failed, and HB 530 was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The substitute RS 33-222 was then introduced. Finally, RS 33-262, from Rep. Skog, was introduced to cap interest and fees on loans from non-regulated lenders, targeting payday and title lending practices described by supporters as predatory and trapping borrowers in cycles of debt. Members raised concerns about whether the cap could reduce access to short-term credit, while supporters cited examples of 200% to 300% or even higher effective rates. The committee also noted existing Idaho usury law questions during discussion. The RS was introduced, and the meeting adjourned after announcements about upcoming floor and committee schedules.

Transcript Highlights:

• all of our health and safety net programs.
• further reductions to the Medi-Cal program.
• That's always been a state-funded program.
• We do have schools, colleges, and universities. We do have schools, colleges, and universities.
• programs.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so since theseUS program.
• And we found that DHS continued the program and paid about $6.6 million to employees after the program
• However, upon continue the program.
• </c><00:57:42.400><c> or</c><00:57:42.720><c> program</c> versus uh construction or program versus uh
• construction or program delivery,<00:57:44.000><c> but</c><00:57:44.240><c> we</c><00:57:44.400><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It should be double fines like it is in construction zones.
• within 300 feet of hospitals, parks, and school zones.
• That infrastructure might not exist at that particular construction zone.
• I'm somebody with a construction background in transportation.
• I'm somebody with a construction background in transportation.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6066 would authorize counties, cities, towns, and WSDOT to designate crash prevention zones on roads with repeated serious or fatal collisions, require public hearings and engineering/traffic studies, increase enforcement, add a $73 penalty for certain infractions in signed zones, and dedicate those funds to zone-related safety work. The prime sponsor and Pasco officials cited repeated crashes on U.S. 395 and U.S. 12; supporters said the bill would help address dangerous corridors, while one member of the public argued it was unnecessary and duplicative. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6253, which would make labor-recommended seats on public transportation benefit area boards voting members while limiting participation in executive sessions on labor and personnel matters. Labor representatives and transit workers supported the change as giving frontline employees a meaningful voice, while Washington Policy Center opposed it, warning of conflicts of interest and reduced accountability. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6311, which would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during certain construction projects near hospitals, parks, and school zones, authorize inspections and stop-work orders, and direct WSDOT to adopt rules for reroutes and detours. Cities and counties said they support the safety goal but want more flexibility and less risk of added cost or liability; disability and transit advocates strongly supported the bill. Senate Bill 6262 would raise the transportation benefit district vehicle-fee exemption from 6,000 pounds to 9,000 pounds for certain trucks, allowing local districts to charge heavier vehicles a flat fee; Spokane, Spokane Valley, Port Orchard, and AWC supported it as a fairness and pavement-preservation measure, while several members of the public opposed it as another tax increase. Finally, Senate Bill 6335 would narrow and revise the statutory responsibilities of the State Transportation Commission, removing some planning and outreach duties while retaining toll, ferry fare, and other functions. Local governments, ports, and commission members opposed the bill, arguing the commission provides independent statewide planning, public input, and coordination; the sponsor said the goal was to eliminate duplication and focus the commission’s role. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.