Transcript Highlights:

• They're consolidating their Department of Education, their College of Education out of existence.
• They're consolidating their Department of Education, their College of Education out of existence, merging
• Senate Bill 1358 is referred to the Education Committee.
• Senate Bill 1358 is referred to the Education Committee.
• This is a pro-education bill. I worked with the State Department of Education on this.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also think that our partnerships with adult education, so The individualized education and training
• And that's probably thanks to the investments in early childhood education.
• We don't know much about the educational profile of those individuals, though.
• Education levels are, and the blue is what's required to be in a STEM field. Mr.
• harder for our educators.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> position for the Department of Education position for the Department of Education providing<01:10
• And they detest education better.
• ,</c><02:57:40.000><c> health</c><02:57:40.319><c> care,</c> in education, health care, in education,
• If that's department of education.
• Please vote I.” education for our student. Thank you. education for our student. Thank you.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His parents are named Michael and Susan.
• 27.679><c> to</c><00:26:27.919><c> carry</c> And so this, you know, I think sometimes about those parents
• , you're not supposed to outlive parents, you're not supposed to outlive your<00:26:46.880><c> your</
• They've organized thousands of hours of patrols at our schools and our bus stops, and parents get each
• get each other's bus stops and parents get each other's kids<00:42:02.240><c> to</c><00:42:02.480><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is both a public health and education concern. This is a public health and education concern.
• Within that same initiative, we're looking at school-based clinics and school-based education.
• Within that same initiative, we're looking at school-based clinics, school-based education.
• And you're teaching the parents.
• And you're teaching the parents and you're teaching grandparents or whomever to come and be a part of

Summary: The committee heard extensive public testimony from youth advocates and public health speakers urging action on vaping. Witnesses said flavored products and social media are driving youth use in Arkansas, described nicotine addiction and health harms, and asked lawmakers to prohibit vaping in public indoor spaces, align vape rules with smoke-free laws, and expand prevention efforts. Committee members thanked the speakers and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation. The main presentation was an overview of Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded through CMS. State officials said Arkansas received about $209 million for the first year and may receive roughly $1 billion over five years if performance is strong. They emphasized that the program is intended for targeted, locally driven transformation rather than general operating support, debt relief, or new construction, and outlined four initiatives: Heart, PACT, Rise, and Thrive, focused on prevention, access and coordination, workforce development, and technology. Officials said applications would open in the spring, with a reimbursement-based process and a goal of launching all four initiatives by June. Members asked detailed questions about eligibility, rural definitions, school gardens, faith-based and nonprofit partnerships, mobile clinics, EMS, behavioral health, residency slots, and whether urban providers serving rural patients could apply. Officials said the program would favor regional collaboration, could support targeted renovations and expansion of existing programs, and would allow residency growth and some equipment or infrastructure purchases, but not food purchases or permanent new construction. They also said a committee of state health and finance officials would review applications, with heavy technical assistance and an expectation of quick turnaround. The committee also reviewed two DHS/Health Department rules. One implemented Medicaid and CHIP coverage and care coordination for eligible incarcerated youth before and after release, including targeted case management and screening services, with no public comments received. The other updated audiology licensing rules to reflect recent acts expanding scope of practice and changing the renewal deadline. Both rules were reviewed without objection, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is both a public health and education concern.
• Within that same initiative, we're looking at school-based clinics, school-based education.
• Within that same initiative, we're looking at school-based clinics, school-based education.
• And you're teaching the parents.
• And you're teaching the parents and you're teaching grandparents or whomever to come and be a part of

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive public testimony from youth advocates and others urging stronger action on vaping in Arkansas. Speakers described high rates of youth vaping, the appeal of flavored products and social media marketing, health risks from nicotine and aerosol exposure, and school disruptions. They recommended prohibiting vaping in public indoor spaces, aligning vape rules with smoke-free laws, and expanding prevention and cessation efforts. Committee members praised the students for testifying and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation. The main presentation was an overview of Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. DFA officials said Arkansas received about $209 million for the first year and could receive roughly $1 billion over five years if performance remains strong. They emphasized that the program must be transparent, locally driven, and focused on transformation rather than operating support, debt relief, or new construction. They outlined four initiatives—Heart, PACT, Rise, and Thrive—covering prevention and community health, provider collaboration and access, workforce development, and technology/telehealth. Officials said applications would open in early May, with all four initiatives expected to launch by June, and that funds would be awarded through a reimbursement-based process with a quick turnaround. Committee members asked detailed questions about eligibility, allowable uses, timelines, and how the program would affect existing providers. Officials said rural eligibility could include providers in urban areas if they serve rural patients, and that existing programs could expand if they did not supplant current funding. They also said the program could support targeted renovations, mobile units, new residency slots, EMS equipment, and clinically integrated networks, but not working capital, permanent new buildings, or food purchases. Members raised concerns about protecting current rural providers, supporting school gardens and farmers markets, and ensuring nonprofits and faith-based groups could participate. Officials said the state would continue technical assistance and that the application review team would include DFA and health leadership. Later in the meeting, DHS presented a Medicaid and CHIP rule implementing federal requirements for incarcerated youth, including 30-day pre-release and post-release coverage, targeted case management, and screening services. The Department of Health also presented a rule updating audiology licensing to reflect recent acts and changing the renewal deadline from June 30 to October 31. Both rules were reviewed without objection, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• courts were implemented to serve other populations such as juveniles in the delinquency system and parents
• We are so grateful, we being those in the judiciary, for the education.
• But for the funding and the education and resources that you are providing us, we could not do the work
• These recommendations included enhanced education for court system stakeholders These recommendations
• included enhanced education for court system stakeholders on tools to address improper litigation, as

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• In balancing a concern for birth parents and adoptees, the legislature has already stated that adult
• At the same time, SB 381 takes into account concern for birth parents by providing for disclosure of
• Adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents, as do adoption professionals.
• I am a proud adoptive parent, and I strongly support SB 381. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning.
• So I think that even if they're not alive, they would still know what their birth parents wanted.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My parents are baby boomers. They were like, "We don't know how to deal with this.
• My parents are baby boomers. They were like, "We don't know how to deal with this.
• Um, if there's parents at the bus stop, we've had parents that have also called and given information
• Um, if there's parents they can uh get.
• </c> at the bus stop, we've had parents that at the bus stop, we've had parents that have<01:33:20.719

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funding for the technology education funding for the technology education grants.<01:34:53.920><
• Parents with PCAs can't do that. that. Parents with PCAs can't do that.
• </c><02:37:17.120><c> and</c> their um good work helping parents and their um good work helping parents
• Um they've outreach and education.
• </c> the Somaly Parents Autism Network, Mr. the Somaly Parents Autism Network, Mr.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:12.760><c> Workforce</c> Workforce housing and educated Workforce Workforce housing and educated
• time yes I did but as a single parent uh time yes I did but as a single parent uh I<01:26:46.560><c>
• </c> conquered because I am a single parent conquered because I am a single parent uh<01:28:28.480><c
• </c><01:28:41.280><c> uh</c> in your situation as a single parent uh in your situation as a single parent
• </c> envied it has given me an education envied it has given me an education through<03:55:20.080><c>

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with doing what we can to keep farm workers safe through education, legal action, and protest,
• Okay, so I'm a parent.
• We want to contribute to their education and also protect their future from climate change.
• Parents like Jessica still have to choose between climate values and tax benefits.
• Parents like Jessica still have to choose between climate values and tax benefits.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I agree adult education is important.
• , their K-12 education complete so that they can move forward.
• So I agree adult education is important.
• , their K-12 education complete so that they can move forward.
• So I really value education.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 40th day by a roll call vote of 122-1. The chamber then spent a long period on points of personal privilege and introductions, including tributes to Scott Bell and the late Ernie Dempsey, recognition of numerous student, civic, and advocacy groups visiting for Child Advocacy Day, and several special guests and pages for the day. The main floor business centered on House Bill 3239, which would make the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program permanent and move it into the MoCAP framework with a $4 million annual cap and continued pay-for-performance funding. Supporters said it helps adults complete high school, especially women and parents who need flexible online access, while opponents argued the state should not divert foundation formula money from K-12 students and questioned the program’s cost and structure. An amendment to add college admissions and financial aid task force language failed 55-82, then the previous question was ordered 88-42, and the bill was perfected and printed. The House also took up House Bill 1768/2016, which would prevent county assessors from reclassifying single-family short-term rental homes from residential to commercial for tax purposes. Supporters framed it as a property rights and tax relief measure for homeowners and small investors, while some members raised concerns about LLCs, commercial use, and local control; the bill was perfected and printed. House Bill 2944, dealing with the senior property tax freeze, was also amended and perfected and printed; it would simplify the application process, make the freeze easier to maintain, clarify that it applies across taxing districts, and add notice requirements for changes in eligibility. An attempted Jackson amendment was ruled out of order as previously amended material.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Department.
• This comes to you from the Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education.
• This comes to you from the Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education.
• By way of background, individualized education transition plans are...
• An individualized education plan is a written plan that describes the special education and related services

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The post-secary education requirements.
• </c> does not fall under the SNAP education does not fall under the SNAP education program program program
• Secondary Education, given their second Secondary Education, given their second reading,<02:48:41.439
• </c> Education. That objection ordered. Mr. Education. That objection ordered. Mr.
• ,</c><02:48:52.720><c> and</c> Lewis, an act relating to education, and Lewis, an act relating to education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitch Steiger, with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, also in support.
• Mitch Steiger, with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, also in support.
• So that's a huge educational piece as well for public employers who don't necessarily have to comply
• unpaid, job-protected bereavement leave following the death of a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent
• register support on behalf of the following organizations: Californians United for Early Care and Education

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker protections, AI in the workplace, bereavement leave, and construction labor standards. SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would increase public works contractor registration fees, raise prevailing wage and related penalties, and direct half of collected penalties back into the Public Works Enforcement Fund. Supporters said the bill would help combat wage theft and misclassification and strengthen enforcement; opponents argued the higher fees and penalties would burden contractors without fixing enforcement backlogs. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to Appropriations. The committee also approved SB 951 by Senator Reyes, which would require 60-day notice when 25 or more workers are displaced by technology and require reporting on AI-related job impacts. Supporters framed it as a response to rapid AI-driven layoffs and a way to gather real-time data; opponents raised concerns about small employers, proprietary information, and litigation. SB 947 by Senator McNerney, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review of automated discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and restrict predictive behavior analysis. Supporters said it would prevent biased or mistaken automated decisions; opponents objected to the inclusion of independent contractors, private rights of action, and other provisions. Both bills were advanced to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also passed SB 1149 by Senator Durazo, which would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person,” including chosen family relationships. Supporters, including AARP and a witness who described losing a long-term partner, said the bill reflects modern family structures; there was no opposition. In addition, SB 1185 by Senator Cortese, applying skilled and trained workforce standards to pharmaceutical facility construction, was approved despite opposition from business and construction groups who said there was no demonstrated safety problem and that the mandate could raise costs and reduce competition. Several other bills on the consent calendar were also approved, and all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, also in Good afternoon.
• Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, also in support.
• So that's a huge educational piece as well for public employers who don't necessarily have to comply
• unpaid, job-protected bereavement leave following the death of a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent
• register support on behalf of the following organizations, like Californians United for early care and education

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• component; whether the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to mandatory driver education
• which is the most dangerous section, and just recently, on Christmas Day, a young family, two young parents
• Cities always will focus on education first, but currently the primary options cities have to enforce
• these vehicles that easily go 40 miles per hour or more without pedaling, and that were purchased by parents
• We are hopeful that the work group will be able to recommend rules and provide a plan for education of

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• component; whether the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to mandatory driver education
• component; whether the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to mandatory driver education
• Just recently, on Christmas Day, a young family, two young parents, and their infant baby were killed
• Cities will always focus on education first, but currently the primary options cities have to enforce
• We are hopeful that the work group will be able to recommend rules and provide a plan for education of

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation bills. ESSB 6262 would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 to 9,000 pounds for vehicles subject to gross weight license fees; the sponsor and city representatives said it would close a loophole, make fees more equitable, and help fund road maintenance, while the fiscal note was described as indeterminate. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, aligning Washington with other states and supporting RV dealers; the bill drew support from the RV industry. SB 6110 would exclude certain faster electric vehicles from the e-bike definition and create a Department of Licensing work group to recommend a framework for electric motorcycles; testimony generally supported the effort but urged clearer e-motorcycle definitions and earlier work-group action, with some concern about youth safety and local enforcement. SB 5833 would allow a person to leave a vehicle running for up to 30 minutes to heat or cool a pet inside, with locking and brake requirements; the sponsor and a sheriffs’ association witness discussed balancing pet safety with auto-theft concerns, and the committee heard no fiscal impact. The committee also heard ESSB 6066, which would establish crash prevention zones in areas with unusually high serious-injury or fatal-crash rates, initially for a specific stretch of U.S. 395 and later more broadly beginning in 2029. The bill would allow local governments and WSDOT to designate zones, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, use speed cameras in the zones, and dedicate related revenues to safety improvements; supporters from Pasco and county risk pools backed the approach, while the sponsor asked for broader geographic coverage. ESSB 6311 would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction near hospitals, parks, and school routes, with temporary routes, safety plans, inspections, and enforcement tools such as stop-work orders and penalties; the sponsor said it was modeled on local practices and aimed at protecting pedestrians during construction, and contractors and transportation advocates supported it with a requested amendment clarifying design responsibility in design-bid-build projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed each public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will there be education around this?
• Representative Hart Lowman: My concern was, will we do any form of education around what this means to
• Yes, currently someone can be identified as a criminal gang member under one criteria by a parent or
• The spouse is family just like a parent or guardian.
• What they want to do is educate them on the fact they may have an illegal operation happening.