Transcript Highlights:

• Zach Freeman is a project coordinator and Aaron Kavan is a research analyst.
• were able to 13 drivers were deceased, which, once again, was a data lag, which we were able to research
• We're going to call back up Mark McKechnie, who's joined by Stacey Hoff, the research director at the
• I'm Stacey Hoff, the research director at the Traffic Safety Commission, and I'm here.
• “They report after report that Jamie’s research showed the slow degradation of the bridge.

Bills: SJM8016 , SB6230 , SB5234 , SB6081 , SB6265 , SB6170 , SB6131 , SB6155 , SB6176 , SB6238 , SB6253 , SB6311 , SB6032 , SB6262

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: bridge repair, infrastructure, emergency funding, transportation, public safety, cash transactions, pennies, currency, economic efficiency, financial regulation, snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation

Transcript Highlights:

• Zach Freeman is a project coordinator and Aaron Kavan is a research analyst.
• were able to Thirteen drivers were deceased, which, once again, was a data lag that we were able to research
• We’re going to call back up Mark McKechnie, who’s joined by Stacey Hoff, the research director at the
• I'm Stacey Hoff, and I'm the research director at the Traffic Safety Commission, and I'm here.
• They report after report that Jamie's research showed the slow degradation of the bridge.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session focused on ignition interlock device compliance and broader traffic safety data. Traffic Safety Commission staff described a Yakima County pilot that provides enhanced probation supervision and support for DUI offenders, reporting that compliance with ignition interlock installation rose from roughly 16%–20% before the pilot to 41% among medium- and high-risk offenders, with barriers including cost, confusion about requirements, transportation access, and communication gaps. JLARC staff presented a statewide preliminary audit finding an overall 41% installation rate, with higher installation rates among higher-income drivers and limited use of financial assistance; JLARC recommended clearer goals for the assistance program and a formal coordination agreement between the Department of Licensing and State Patrol. State Patrol also reported on a Snohomish County outreach pilot that used troopers and door hangers to contact noncompliant drivers, found many were unaware of financial aid, and identified some drivers as physically unable to drive, without vehicles, or on warrant status. The committee then received a broader traffic safety update showing that serious injuries and fatalities rose sharply in recent years before declining somewhat in 2024; impaired-driving fatalities fell 15% from 2023 to 2024, while pedestrian fatalities remained near record highs. The Traffic Safety Commission also highlighted telematics-based research showing that targeted enforcement and visible patrols can reduce speeding, and that anonymized telematics data is being used to analyze speeding and distracted driving patterns statewide and at the corridor level. Members asked about privacy, enforcement methods, and how the data are used, and staff emphasized that the data are aggregate and opt-in through insurance or similar programs. After waiving five-day notice, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Joint Memorial 8016, which asks Congress and federal agencies to treat the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement as an emergency and to expedite federal review and remove historic-register barriers. Supporters from Wilkeson, Carbonado, recreation groups, and nearby communities testified that the bridge closure has harmed tourism, emergency response, recreation access, and daily travel. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6230, which would require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five cents in light of the federal penny phaseout; staff said the Department of Licensing fiscal note showed a $186,000 technology cost, and retail and food industry representatives supported the bill but requested amendments for permissive language, safe harbors, consumer protections, and local preemption. In executive session, staff briefed members on several bills and substitutes, including snowmobile registration fee increases, gender designation record confidentiality, salvaged title transfer streamlining, fish-barrier/utility relocation changes, emergency highway work thresholds, a Traffic Safety Commission public-health-authority proposal, special parking privilege renewal changes, parked vehicle registration enforcement, and oil tanker tug-escort requirements. No final votes or bill actions were recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to waive notice and the completion of the public hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just wondering if this would have any impact on research, like legitimate research.
• My mind immediately goes to agriculture, and sometimes research on cloud seeding is done by universities
• After much study, discussion, and research, House Bill 397 proposes to take the necessary steps to protect
• After much study, discussion, and research, House Bill 397 proposes to take the necessary steps to protect

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to give us an update on the expansion of the medical center, which will include pharmaceuticals research
• And we need the two research universities to continue to work these programs as best they can.
• close that location so We've been that, that uh, 66 in Riverside, the Harddety Center for Clinical Research
• Appropriation that's for academic research and it goes to support that operation in addition to the private
• receive, and then they do Clinical work as well with some of the imaging equipment that we use for research

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You articulated what it means to be able to have evidence-based, research-based efforts in your child
• resources and you have to figure out what is your best bang for your buck, we are informed by the research
• We have identified at CDSS and in the research there's a significant identification of what you're referring
• In California, legislative proposals are expected to be grounded in empirical data and research before
• believe, In California, legislative proposals are expected to be grounded in empirical data and research

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our research started in August 2024, and we have found that the greater portion of the people are in
• The Commission also collects fatal and serious injury crash data, engages in research studies, and oversees
• The Commission also collects fatal and serious injury crash data engages in research studies and oversees
• And just to be clear, it's a public health authority for the purpose of research and prevention in a
• because the purpose of that definition is that it is one of the exceptions to HIPAA that allows researchers

Bills: HB2109 , HB2139 , HB2192

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: vehicle loads, public highways, transportation, road safety, infrastructure, HB2139, snowmobile registration, snowmobile fee, vehicle license fee, registration fee, Department of Licensing, RCW, vehicle registration, winter recreation, off-road vehicle, moped, motorcycle, trailer, recreational vehicle, vintage snowmobile

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that health and fitness increase school attendance, overall health, and academic success
• I was just doing some research on this, and on average these young kids from 2 to 8 spend about 2.5 hours
• Ninety percent of a child's brain development occurs before age five, and research shows that children
• to address the why a little bit. 90% of a children's brain development occur before age five, and research
• Because I also have another child who is now in 10th grade, I had to do a deep dive into research transition

Bills: SB5952 , SB5961 , SB5969 , SB5841 , SB5943

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: physical education, school districts, student requirements, education policy, high school, early literacy, childhood literacy, book distribution, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, preschool, pre-K, reading readiness, school readiness, birth to age five, young children, nonprofit contract, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DCYF

Transcript Highlights:

• She's our research analyst.
• He's our research analyst. Jacob, say hello. Hello, thank you, Chair Cleveland.
• So when guidance around health reflects rigorous research and expert consensus, patients and providers
• So when guidance around health reflects rigorous research and expert consensus, patients and providers
• Helen Chu, Professor of Medicine at UW Medicine and Associate Dean for Research at UW School of Public

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee opened its 2026 session with a work session focused on the committee’s priorities of access, quality, and affordability. Health Care Authority staff Michelle Needham and Ross Florey reviewed the Health Care Cost Transparency Board’s work, noting Washington’s uninsured rate has fallen from 15% in 2010 to 5%, but health care spending growth remains above the benchmark. They said 2023 spending grew 6.2% versus a 3.2% target, with prescription drugs, hospital outpatient care, professional services, and non-claims spending driving growth. They highlighted ongoing work on market transparency, hospital spending, primary care, and federal policy changes that could reduce coverage and increase uncompensated care. Dr. Drew Oliva of the Washington Health Alliance added quality and safety data, saying many measures remain below top national performance, primary care attachment is weak, hospital pricing varies widely, and behavioral health data are limited. He urged stronger primary care investment, more transparency, and better patient safety oversight. Committee members then introduced themselves and staff before moving to public hearings. The committee first heard Senate Bill 5877, a technical fix expanding the physician health program surcharge to certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and related educational resources. The bill sponsor and witnesses from the Washington Medical Commission, the Washington Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, and the Washington Physicians Health Program all supported the measure, describing it as a consistency and access fix for a newly licensed profession. The bill drew 12 pro, 2 con, and 0 other sign-ins. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5967, which would preserve access to preventive services by allowing the Department of Health to issue immunization recommendations based on multiple expert sources and by freezing state insurance coverage protections for preventive services and vaccines as of mid-2025, with OIC rulemaking authority to keep coverage at least as favorable. The sponsor, Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer, Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham, and Governor’s office staff said the bill is intended to protect existing coverage, not create new vaccine mandates, and to keep recommendations grounded in science amid federal uncertainty. Supporters included Dr. Helen Chu, Dr. Beth Harvey, Dr. Maria Huang, Dr. J. Miller, and Dr. Matt LaGalbo, who emphasized vaccine safety, rising vaccine-preventable diseases, and the importance of no-cost preventive care. Opponents, including Bob Runnels and Natalie Chavez, argued the bill politicizes vaccines, reduces transparency, and expands state authority without adequate fiscal detail. The hearing continued with additional testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been research done, and there was a letter submitted by the National Center on Adoption Permanency
• Currently, the research shows that 90 to 95% of birth mothers want contact with their children.
• All of the research says that open adoption is what is best for the adopted person, for the birth parents
• Currently, the research shows that 90 to 95% of birth mothers want contact with their children.
• All of the research says that open adoption is what is best for the adopted person, for the birth parents

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 490 by Senator Umberg, which would set deadlines for DHCS to investigate complaints about unlicensed sober living or recovery homes and require follow-up site visits; if the department cannot act within those timelines, counties and cities could request to assist with enforcement. Supporters, including a Garden Grove councilmember and the League of California Cities, said the bill would improve public safety and close enforcement gaps. County behavioral health representatives opposed the measure, arguing counties lack jurisdiction over private unlicensed residences, could face liability, and would absorb an unfunded workload increase. After extensive questioning about jurisdiction, local pressure, and whether the bill creates a mandate, the committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 490 to Appropriations and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adult adoptees and descendants to obtain original birth certificates, create a contact preference form for birth parents, and stop omitting certain birth information from the amended certificate. The author and many adoptees and birth parents testified that access to original records is important for identity, dignity, and medical history, and that the bill would reduce the need for invasive searches through DNA and informal records. Several members raised concerns about privacy, the possibility of unwanted contact, and the mental health impacts on birth parents who expected confidentiality, while others emphasized the health benefits and the fact that most modern adoptions are open. The discussion focused heavily on proposed amendments to the contact form and whether the bill should require opt-in or opt-out contact preferences, but the transcript does not show a final vote on SB 381.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Jackie Rogers, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
• Jackie Rogers, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, has a brief
• [Speaker: Jackie Rogers, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
• Recent research is that correctional officers' life expectancy is 59 years old, which is shocking.
• efforts to strengthen oversight of jails and prisons in Utah, and I would be happy to provide any research

Committee: Joint Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an Associate General Counsel with the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
• I'm an Associate General Counsel with the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, and I am
• There's so many great things that are happening in terms of research to commercialize that really is
• universities, like our flagship universities, some are federal, but some are state, particularly to research
• and development, this is very concerning. ...state, particularly to research and development, this is

Committee: Joint Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After a lot of research and college visits, I applied to several out-of-state colleges. of state programs
• We research programs in Texas and across the country. toward 12 universities in multiple state and spent
• that this support stems from recognition that this partnership will bring expanded resources, new research
• As opposed to my peers at Angleton High School I was fortunate enough to attend a research one school
• like voting purely because they do not know, because no one has directed them through a thorough research

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Glover, I'm a senior research scientist with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
• TTI includes approximately 400 researchers whose expertise spans all areas of transportation research
• I mentioned a research group at the University of Texas back then to find out about transportation attitudes
• We have an environmental epidemiologist on staff currently doing extensive research on human health.

Bills: HJR58 , HJR63 , HB263 , HB542 , HB905 , HB 1288 , HB1402 , HB2003 , HB2262 , HB2323 , HB2429 , HB2876 , HB3019 , HB263

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• just frame a So, rewinding back a little bit to 2012, when BCSH was formed, we have done a lot of research
• agency are the Department of Housing and Community Development which will focus on policy, planning, research
• Law enforcement are significantly underreported through various research surveys.
• historically been reported, but that are still significantly. lower than what we now understand from research
• away the Commission's timeline is a bit longer the Commission is supported by by our staff in doing research

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recent research out of Texas Tech, which looked at early adopters of this program, has found statistically
• Research shows that high-quality early intervention improves language, social-emotional, and academic
• So, upon researching those positions, I realized that the roles they wanted us to move into were not
• As the commissioner mentioned yesterday in the House Appropriations, researchers are clear that performance-based
• Research shows that students taught by unqualified teachers experience learning loss, and this is linked

Bills: SB26 , SB 26

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, SB 26, Texas Property Code, colonia, colonias, Spanish translation, bilingual contract, real estate contract, executory contract, residential property, border county, international border, economically distressed area, consumer protection, language access, translator certified in Spanish

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he researched several departments that have moved to an on 48/off 96 schedule and wanted to explore
• I researched around several departments that have moved to an on 48/off 96 schedule, and that was something
• 40.159><c> U</c> an on 24 off 48 schedule as they have U an on 24 off 48 schedule as they have U researched
• <00:03:41.439><c> around</c><00:03:42.439><c> several</c><00:03:42.799><c> departments</c> researched
• around several departments researched around several departments have<00:03:43.439><c> moved</c><00:

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore the end of the meeting Meeting Start 00:01 Roll Call 00:05 HB 131 discussion 01:55 HB 131 vote 05:08 HB 256 discussion 07:09 HB 256 vote 08:58 HB 290 discussion 10:59 HB 290 vote 13:25 HB 368 discussion 15:11 HB 368 vote 31:30 Adjournment 36:27, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 131, sponsored by Representative Meredith, was amended with a committee substitute and would allow former second class city fire departments more scheduling flexibility, including hybrid shift patterns, while preserving existing collective bargaining agreements. There was no opposition or questions, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably by voice/roll call vote. House Bill 256, sponsored by Chairman Flannery, would impose a 40-year statutory limit on root-of-title interests to clear dormant title issues and improve marketable title, while excluding coal and mineral interests. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would update county law library funding/use rules to allow more modern expenditures such as online legal services; Representative Willner supported it as a useful modernization, and the bill also passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 368, sponsored by Representative Decker, would expand local governments’ ability to use online public notice alternatives instead of relying solely on newspaper publication in smaller counties. Supporters from local government groups argued the change would save money, improve efficiency, and still keep the public informed, while the Kentucky Press Association cautioned that website standards should be addressed and noted concerns about losing newspaper notice revenue. After discussion, the committee passed the bill favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional yes votes for HB 131, HB 256, and HB 290, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , whenever you're doing the ten-year plan, how much of that plan are the safety measures and the research
• that is kind of done to make sure that they're operating and the research that is kind of done to make
• Tallahassee is going to have a different mix than, say, Orlando. and the research that is kind of done
• collect data on how Florida is growing, how our economy is growing, how it's changing, and doing the research
• Through the collaboration with the University of Florida's Public Utility Research Center, we were able

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our nonpartisan staff, our bill drafting agency, our lawyers, our researchers.
• list of very specific bills that you are either endorsing or opposing based on the analysis and research
• We also have a research director who has two full-time researchers working underneath her.
• We also have finance personnel who we sort of co-share their time with two other research institutes

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• In my research and talking with constituents, and mainly educators in my district, what I am learning
• great opportunity for the division not only to be part of the department and leverage a lot of the research
• And with DCF's own research— It needs to be a more efficient system.
• And with DCF's own research of the 570-some-odd items, their own research has said that roughly, give

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've had meetings and tours, discussions, research.
• We've had meetings and tours, discussions, research.
• This has been heavily researched and documented. Well, I appreciate that very much.
• So I just want to throw that out there, that there's research on both sides.
• And there's a ton of research out there that will look at the different types of sentencing.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Keywords: 908, all