Transcript Highlights:

• The union can communicate efficiently with them and work with them on collective bargaining agreements
• It requires hiring entities to pay minimum wage and overtime, provide written agreements and minimum
• The bill allows LCB to require parties to submit lease agreements and any other agreements between the
• these provisions between industry members and retailers for the sole purpose of allowing these new agreements
• Well, at the same agreements and any other agreements between the facility owner, licensees, and businesses

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1347, which would streamline cannabis testing lab accreditation by requiring the Liquor and Cannabis Board to accept Department of Agriculture accreditation as the basis for initial certification under certain conditions and to reduce duplication between agencies. The prime sponsor and several industry witnesses said the bill is intended to clarify authority, improve efficiency, and preserve consumer safety, while LCB said it had no policy objection but wanted implementation concerns addressed. Several witnesses supported the concept but said an amendment was needed to clearly assign accreditation authority to WSDA and avoid overlapping requirements. The committee also heard and later took action on several bills. House Bill 2229 would update the Professional Engineers Registration Act by changing board membership rules, increasing pro tem members, and revising registration and exam provisions; the sponsor and board director said it modernizes qualifications without changing licensure standards. House Bill 2091 would require more complete employee contact information to be shared with exclusive bargaining representatives under the Personnel System Reform Act; union witnesses supported it and a policy witness opposed it as a privacy intrusion. Second Substitute House Bill 1128 would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board to make recommendations on child care worker standards; supporters said it addresses workforce shortages and retention, while providers and associations argued it duplicates existing work and could lead to unfunded mandates. In executive action, the committee voted do pass on Substitute House Bills 2492, 2107, 2151, 2355, and Gross Substitute House Bill 2471, and sent them to Rules. It also voted do pass on Second Substitute House Bill 2105 and referred it to Ways and Means. Other bills heard included House Bill 1701 on shared liquor license premises, where a small business owner supported more flexible shared-space arrangements and LCB suggested amendments to prevent undue influence; House Bill 2264 on unemployment benefits for employer-initiated layoffs, which was supported as a clarification to protect workers who opt into reduction-in-force programs; Substitute House Bill 2472 on fire sprinkler work enforcement, supported by labor and industry witnesses; and Second Substitute House Bill 2345, which would adjust paid family and medical leave premium allocations to address IRS tax guidance, with broad support from labor, business, and the agency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools may pursue mediation or due process when necessary, and partial agreements can be implemented
• So, oh, that's failed to reach an agreement. So, yeah, it is in there.
• I mean, when I read it, it says if they failed to reach an agreement.
• I mean, when I read it, it says if they failed to reach an agreement.
• But removing... ...go back to work on an agreement of a potential placement adjustment.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also adds a requirement for any business entity registered in Washington to execute an agreement
• to finance the payment of an insurance premium to send a copy of that agreement and the insurance policy
• No additional cost, no prepayment penalty, no fees, nothing additional other than the loan term agreement
• enforcement, the Department of Licensing, and telecommunication companies trying to find a good agreement
• use restriction on real property, preventing a risk... ...noticed by a party who enters a private agreement

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2542 would require drug developers to use validated non-animal testing methods when available, unless federal regulators request animal testing. The sponsor said the bill builds on prior Washington action on cosmetics testing and is intended to move toward more humane and modern science. Supporters, including students, animal welfare advocates, and biotech-related witnesses, argued that animal tests often fail to predict human outcomes and that alternatives are more accurate. A biotech industry representative said animal testing is still necessary for some research and warned the bill could deter local innovation, but said the industry was open to amendments. The sponsor said she was open to discussing changes to the enforcement mechanism. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 2629 would address theft and vandalism of critical communications infrastructure, including copper and fiber lines. The bill would ban cash payments for nonferrous metal transactions, require electronic or stored-value payment methods, impose civil penalties for stolen copper used in telecommunications cable, and create a new Class C felony for destruction of critical communications infrastructure. The sponsor and industry witnesses described repeated outages affecting 911, hospitals, schools, and first responders, and said Washington has a high rate of these incidents. Recycling industry representatives supported the bill after negotiations, but a prosecutor and some others said the bill should focus more on law enforcement tools such as searchable transaction databases and holding periods rather than new penalties. No final action was taken in the hearing. House Bill 2394 would expand the Insurance Commissioner’s insurance fraud program and create a Class B felony for insurance fraud, including fraudulent billing, misrepresentation of repair costs, and misuse of coding systems. The bill also broadens who can be considered a victim for restitution and gives the commissioner additional investigative tools, while the substitute removed a reporting duty for certified public accountants. The sponsor and the Insurance Commissioner’s office said the measure responds to more sophisticated, technology-driven fraud schemes that harm both insurers and consumers. Insurance industry and fraud bureau witnesses supported the bill as a consumer protection measure. No vote was taken. House Bill 2361 would raise the maximum principal amount for small loans from $700 to $1,200, with annual inflation adjustments, while keeping the existing 30% of monthly income cap and other safeguards. The sponsor said the change would better reflect emergency costs and help borrowers avoid illegal lenders. DFI raised implementation questions about inflation adjustments and publication requirements, and opponents from AARP, SEIU 775, poverty advocates, and consumer attorneys argued the bill would increase debt traps and fees for low-income borrowers and older adults. MoneyTree supported the bill, saying the current cap is outdated and that the product remains a flat-fee, regulated credit option with existing consumer protections. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 2294, which would prohibit negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies; staff described a proposed amendment adding notice and changing enforcement, and the committee then moved the bill out with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• As way of background, an assignment of benefits is an agreement signed by a policyholder to allow a third
• So, turning to House Bill 2399, soliciting, coercing, requiring, or contracting for an assignment agreement
• The bill would make such assignment agreements void and unenforceable.
• And these agreements are often... Thank you. And AOB transfers key policy rights to a contractor.
• These agreements are often presented as a convenience to policyholders.

Bills: HB2428 , HB2399 , HB2087

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• We had immediate agreement on five of those.
• Again, each and every one of these amendments that I'm pointing out, we have full agreement from the
• Enter into a voluntary joint agreement with another state that is also in the Compact. You have Dr.
• This is a One of the last things that we worked on and came to a negotiated agreement on.
• Again, that was a negotiated agreement.

Bills: SB1 , SB3

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• The department and self-insurers may enter into agreements with health care organizations and providers
• If the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative fail to come to an agreement within six months
• the exclusive bargaining representative or within six months of an expired collective bargaining agreement
• employee, to arbitrate labor disputes arising from matters contained in a collective bargaining agreement
• of certification of the exclusive fail to come to an agreement within six months of certification of

Bills: HB2405 , HB2406 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2492

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: mental health, PTSD, treatment program, research, pilot program, veteran support, trauma, healthcare funding, labor, communication, Department of Labor and Industries, workplace standards, modernization, collective bargaining, labor relations, employee rights, union representation, non-covered employees, wage enforcement, labor standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, they would need that transfer agreement with a level one or level two trauma hospital, and submit
• they would have to remove their inpatient beds from their bed inventory, again have that transfer agreement
• They had to enter an agreement with the agency, and they also had to agree to submit quarterly reports
• We just received the 2025–2026 applications that came in, and we're working to finalize the agreements
• And so that was a lot of the time spent last year for our agency, too, was finding those agreements in

Summary: The committee met to receive implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws from AHCA and the Department of Health. AHCA reported on rural emergency hospitals, explaining the new Class 4 hospital designation, rule changes completed June 1, 2025, and that no Florida hospitals have yet converted, though one North Walton/DeFuniak Springs-area hospital has expressed interest. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement for hospitals with emergency departments, saying 83 plans had been received since July 1 and 63 approved, with plans emphasizing patient education, referrals to primary care or urgent care, and coordination for Medicaid managed care enrollees through the Florida HIE/ENS system. Members asked about HIE capacity, data collection, and whether the plans would identify shortages or trigger accountability measures; AHCA said it had moved to a new HIE vendor and would continue gathering data. AHCA also updated the committee on the TEACH workforce program, reporting $6.8 million in FY 2024-25 spending across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed, and said a federal 1115 workforce waiver was unlikely to move forward under CMS. On KidCare, AHCA said House Bill 121’s expansion to 300% of the federal poverty level remains blocked by federal litigation and CMS action tied to premium nonpayment rules, and members and public witnesses urged prompt implementation and asked for enrollment/disenrollment data and the rural health transformation funding outlook. Public testimony largely supported the NCAP and TEACH programs and pressed for action on KidCare. Representatives from health centers said NCAP has strengthened hospital-health center relationships and improved care coordination, including reduced recidivism in some hospitals. A Bond Community Health Center physician said TEACH is helping offset the burden of training students and could help address workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Advocacy groups urged the committee to push for implementation of the KidCare expansion, citing children in the coverage gap and rising uninsured rates. The Department of Health then presented on several programs from the 2024-25 session. It reported on the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program, including 78 dentists and 15 dental hygienists funded under the dental track and nearly 1,300 medical professionals funded overall, with 123 dental applications and 71 funded dentists in the most recent cycle. DOH also updated the Screening and Services Grant Program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, the statewide telehealth maternity care program, and the swimming lesson voucher program, noting strong participation and outcomes such as reduced ER visits and improved postpartum follow-up in the maternity program. Finally, DOH said implementation of the HIV prevention drug/pharmacist dispensing law is underway, with three certification courses approved and five certifications issued. Members asked about barriers to wider use of HIV prevention drugs, more detailed maternal outcome data, and the dental workforce program report; DOH said more detailed reports would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are standing by and watching as the ceasefire agreement comes undone.
• The founders recognized that Senate approval was not necessarily Senate agreement with the President,
• So you and I are in complete agreement.
• If you're okay, I'll help broker that agreement.
• It's in both Israel's best security interest to reach such an agreement and the only way to maintain

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: Israel, Hamas, Panama Canal, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, diplomacy, Chinese influence

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.

Transcript Highlights:

• but we should Forge an agreement but we should Forge an agreement<03:11:58.960><c> both</c><03:11:59.279
• The United States currently has tax agreements with over...
• -Taiwan tax agreement. Taiwan is one of our largest trading partners.
• </c> not have have an income tax agreement not have have an income tax agreement and<03:41:47.399><c>
• </c><07:20:34.478><c> between</c> in securing a needed agreement between in securing a needed agreement

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, SB 2311... ...strengthens the current educational planning requirements to require a written agreement
• The agreement will include important logistical factors such as if the children will be... ...on-site
• So working with the school, having a written agreement. agreement about who the education decision maker

Bills: SB2041 , SB1777 , SB1681 , SB2311

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care

Transcript Highlights:

• The conference report on HB 429 reflects the agreement reached between the House and the Senate and aligns
• So we have reached agreement. It's a good bill, and I move adoption of the conference report.
• So we have reached agreement. It's a good bill, and I move adoption of the conference report.
• We have come to agreement, and I would love for this great labor bill that has worked a lot of love over
• We have come to agreement, and I would love for this great labor bill that has worked a lot of love over

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session Part 3, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, I believe they have possibly reached an agreement. I don't know that for 100% sure.
• But if the company may not need it for 18 months, they would have to work under some type of agreement
• number 27, line 27... ...line 27, shall not delay payment of such loan or enter into a new loan agreement
• When the city annexes property, the law says they are supposed to reach an agreement within about six
• So DeKalb approached us, Missouri American Water, and we came to an agreement whereby we would lease

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Utilities Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 2807, with a substitute ending in .03C. Representative Herbert explained that the substitute was intended to match the Senate version, add battery energy storage to the renewable standard, clarify that the nuclear provision applies to new, not existing, nuclear generation, and create nuclear energy credits to help track generation for the PSC. Members asked about how the credits would work, whether they could involve out-of-state generation, and how the bill would affect Missouri jobs and in-state generation. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2807 do pass by a roll call vote of 18 ayes and 1 no. The committee then heard House Bills 3351 and 3371, sponsored by Representatives Koslow and Taylor, which would expand a prior, narrower water-district detachment proposal statewide. The bill would create a “specific demand customer” category for large water users whose quantity or quality needs may exceed a district’s capabilities, require a water district to respond within 60 days, and allow the customer to seek service elsewhere and pursue detachment if the district cannot or will not serve them. It also would prevent districts from taking on new encumbering federal debt to block detachment and would require gifts offered specifically to pay off such debt to be accepted and applied to that purpose. Sponsors said the measure was meant to stop “debt hoarding” and remove barriers to economic development while still allowing courts to review reasonableness and protect both districts and customers. Members questioned the scope of the bill, including the use of “may exceed” in the definition, whether the restriction on new loans could create problems in emergency or repair situations, how reasonableness would be judged, and whether the proposal could affect existing ratepayers or apply to municipal systems. The sponsors said the intent was to address net-new customers and to leave ordinary financing available except for loans used to prevent detachment. In informational testimony, Missouri American Water described a separate but related problem involving USDA red tape delaying a partial sale of the city of DeKalb’s water system, saying the delay was preventing lower rates and needed capital investment for a small community. No votes were taken on HB 3351 or HB 3371 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• about how your caucus is currently receiving this moment, you know, your role and the power-sharing agreement
• you know your role and the power moment you know your role and the power sharing<00:03:42.959><c> agreement
• well I think it's um sharing agreement well I think it's um it's<00:03:45.879><c> it's</c><00:03:46.120
• about how your caucus is currently receiving this moment, you know, your role and the power-sharing agreement
• :13.880><c> caucus</c><00:09:14.279><c> felt</c><00:09:14.600><c> unheard</c> This power-sharing agreement

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• agreement for that property and that land as well.
• agreement for that property and that land as well.
• But we were able to work out, in great partnership, a really good lease agreement, long-term lease agreement
• But we were able to work out, in great partnership, a really good lease agreement, long-term lease agreement
• agreement for that property and that land as well.

Bills: HR1 , HF387

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:52.680><c> um</c> be zero representative agreement um be zero representative agreement um
• for the amendment I represent agreement for the amendment I I<00:24:59.720><c> definitely</c><00:25:
• </c> November as part of the agreement November as part of the agreement schools<00:55:06.240><c> were
• That's why I'm saying that you probably need some agreement with the county auditors and probably the
• That's why I'm saying that you probably need some agreement with the county auditors and probably the

Bills: HF72 , HF66 , HF69 , HF73

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• called the project implementation agreement, which governs the design, construction, operation, and
• :21:10.799><c> agreement</c><00:21:11.679><c> which</c> The project implementation agreement set forth
• This is a solution that was found off a master agreement.
• </c><01:49:07.440><c> So,</c> was found off a master agreement.
• So, was found off a master agreement.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:27 Legislative Research Commission 00:01:15 KentuckyWired Operations Company 00:17:30 Wireless Internet Service Providers Association 00:40:15 Administrative Office of the Courts 01:08:55 Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts 01:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library. The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider. Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of these measures, while there was a source we are aware of, still need North Dakota agreement on
• For the self-governance tribes, the agreements are between the tribe and the non-tribal providers.
• Self-governance tribes, the agreements are between the tribe and the non-tribal providers.
• We currently have agreements We currently have agreements with three of the tribes: Turtle Mountain,
• We will also be working with the tribes to increase the number of provider agreements they are able to

Committee: Joint Human Services Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh section 17 amends the fees agreement.
• That's the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.
• </c><00:26:39.760><c> All</c> authorization reciprocity agreement.
• All authorization reciprocity agreement.
• They'd be tuition reciprocity agreement.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:04:24.360><c> secretary</c> SB 219 requires the Secretary of State to enter into a membership agreement
• I cannot enter into an agreement for giving away motor vehicle data.
• </c> shall enter into a membership agreement shall enter into a membership agreement with<00:25:38.080
• for uh giving enter into an agreement for uh giving away<00:25:56.919><c> motor</c><00:25:57.240><c>
• </c> individual bipartisan agreements individual bipartisan agreements appreciating<00:33:51.880><c>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the federal government to cut them because the state is in absolute violation of those agreements
• 29:50.920><c> violation</c><01:29:51.720><c> of</c><01:29:51.880><c> those</c><01:29:52.120><c> agreements
• </c> absolute violation of those agreements absolute violation of those agreements that<01:29:52.840>
• So, we don't really understand why it is that you would carve out someone who's subject to a plea agreement
• ,</c><04:50:17.720><c> but</c> who's subject to a plea agreement, but who's subject to a plea agreement

Keywords: 981, all