Transcript Highlights:

• And I will say we're also hampered by technology.
• I'm not saying that to complain about our technology, but just, you know, that's just kind of the world
• I'm not saying that to complain about our technology, but just, you know, that's just kind of the world
• And I can't think of a logical reason not to do that other than our technology might not allow it to.
• I can't think of a logical reason not to do that, other than our technology might not allow it right

Committee: Joint Statute Law Committee

Summary: The Statute Law Committee met on December 10, 2025, approved the June 10, 2025 minutes, and received a publications update noting that the 2025 RCW volumes and session laws are available, with sales continuing a gradual decline but generally tracking prior years. The committee also heard that the office remains fully staffed and financially stable, with projected year-end funds remaining and a healthy publications fund balance. A major discussion centered on a proposal from retired Judge Ann Levinson to make the code more reader-friendly when chapters are repealed and recodified, especially after the civil protection orders reform in E2 SHB 1320, which consolidated multiple protection order laws into new chapter 7.105 RCW. Levinson argued that current disposition-table language such as “repealed by” can be confusing to the public and may appear to signal legislative disapproval, and suggested adding a simple pointer to the new chapter. Code revisers explained their current practice, the limits of their editorial discretion, and the technical and policy concerns involved, while expressing support for some form of “see also” guidance and noting that hyperlinking session-law citations in disposition tables may also help readers find the new law. The committee also discussed office operations, including a planned move from the modular offices back into the rebuilt Pritchard building, expected in late 2026, with improved space, storage, and enclosed offices. Staff proposed changing regular Monday-through-Thursday office hours from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. to 8 a.m.–7 p.m., with exceptions for active work, client requests, and floor action; the proposal was supported by a chart showing that many evenings have no work after 7 p.m., though late nights would still occur during busy periods. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of retiring staff, including editor Barb Sage after 37 years of service, and a farewell to Vice Chair Sam Thompson, whose successor had just been selected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emily Poole staffed the Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee.
• Many of those communities already face barriers to their health care.
• What would best support communities is to have this be a study.
• Sheila Burshauer, CEO of Moses Lake Community Health Center.
• We've worked closely with developers and our community to reach.

Bills: SB5420 , SB5877 , SB5868 , SB5109 , SB5832 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5988 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• the structured finance group for Wells Fargo's municipal group, where I've worked on hospital and community
• where we uh I've worked on<00:15:40.280><c> hospital</c><00:15:41.080><c> and</c><00:15:41.360><c> community
• </c><00:15:41.680><c> health</c><00:15:41.920><c> center</c> on hospital and community health center
• on hospital and community health center and<00:15:42.800><c> Native</c><00:15:43.040><c> American</c>
• And that's a technology problem, that's a problem that some providers don't want to necessarily share

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 24 March, 2026; 11:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are our science and technology policy fellows. Dr. Ryan Tarver, thanks Ryan.
• minors in chemistry and philosophy, and received a microbiology immunology Ph.D. with a science, technology
• Living within our means, personal responsibility, strong families and communities, education that prepares
• Living within our means, personal responsibility, strong families and communities, education that prepares
• The governor applauds university presidents and community college presidents for their innovation and

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee opened the session with roll call, confirmed a quorum, and introduced new members, staff, and pages. Co-chairs and staff then reviewed JFAC’s role as the legislature’s main budget committee, the committee’s daily schedule, and the resources available through legislative staff, the impact team, and the newly released 2026 Legislative Budget Book and related budget tools. The committee received a detailed briefing from the Division of Financial Management on the JFAC calendar and then from Governor’s Budget Director Lori Wolf on the governor’s FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget recommendations. Wolf said the budget is balanced but tight, relying on a mix of ongoing reductions and one-time actions rather than reserve fund transfers. Major budget actions included a 3% ongoing reduction across most state agencies, reversions of certain one-time balances to the general fund, no recommended pay increase for state employees or teachers, and higher employee health insurance costs. The budget also proposed reductions or policy changes in Medicaid, virtual school funding, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, and some transportation and water-related funds, while preserving funding for public safety, education, water, and transportation priorities. Members questioned the assumptions behind the budget, especially the projected ending balances, the use of one-time transfers, the impact of rising health insurance costs on employees, the effect of Medicaid cuts on services and cost shifts, and the rationale for reductions to online education and IDLA. Several members also asked about the proposed federal tax conformity changes, including the timing of implementation and the treatment of Idaho’s existing R&E tax credit. Wolf said the conformity estimate was based on Tax Commission analysis and that the administration was not recommending use of the budget stabilization fund. No votes or formal actions were taken; the committee concluded by noting that the Economic Outlook Committee would meet later in the week and that JFAC would continue budget hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are state law requirements that those results must be communicated with parents within two
• I know early on, back over 10 years ago, there were challenges with technology for districts.
• You know, over 10 years ago, there were challenges with technology for districts.
• And I'm wondering, maybe instead of taking the chairman's time, if there's a way you could communicate
• And I'm wondering, maybe instead of taking the chairman's time, if there's a way you could communicate

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K through 12 Education received a Department of Education presentation from Deputy Commissioner Juan Copa on Florida’s K-12 assessment system, including FAST progress monitoring, end-of-course exams, science, writing, alternate assessments, English language acquisition testing, and VPK progress monitoring. Copa reported year-over-year gains in ELA and mathematics, noted that end-of-course and science results also improved, and explained how assessment data are used for school grades, third-grade promotion, graduation requirements, and other accountability measures. He also reviewed the independent study required by SB 1048, which recommended keeping PM3 as the primary accountability measure, proceeding cautiously on further test-length reductions and remote testing expansion, and using PM1/PM2 only as supplemental evidence in limited cases. Committee members focused on whether the new system is improving student outcomes enough, what supports teachers and schools need to use the data effectively, and how Florida compares nationally. Chancellor Dr. Burns said the department is emphasizing implementation of the new standards, high-quality instructional materials, coaching, professional learning, collaboration, and school improvement support, and also pointed to resiliency education standards and mental health supports. Copa said Florida’s latest NAEP results remain mixed but still generally outperform the nation in some grades, while members pressed for more information on best practices, other states’ approaches, and how districts are using the data. Several members requested follow-up information, including the independent review report, breakdowns of PM1/PM2/PM3 results by grade and subgroup, details on VPK outcomes by provider type and full-day versus half-day programs, and data on use of the CLT versus SAT/ACT for graduation concordant scores. The committee also discussed third-grade retention outcomes, computer-based testing, district assessment calendars, and whether some districts still administer additional local testing. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• How are they communicating that with customers?
• But in my community, there are still lines for food distribution.
• We make and the communications we roll out.
• We don't communicate it or store it.
• We do try to partner with and piggyback off other community groups who are doing events.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is what HB 631 has done to our community.
• But when I see something wrong in a community, I have to address it.
• SB 631 has inadvertently, unintentionally, negatively impacted our community greatly.
• I just can't express enough how severe this has affected tourism and our community.
• Those communities. That's where people want to go.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain pre-existing genetic or medical conditions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to prevent children from being wrongly removed from their families when symptoms of conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, or vitamin deficiencies are mistaken for abuse. Several parents and advocates testified in support, describing long dependency cases and removals they said were caused by misdiagnosis. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language requiring certain medical personnel to provide differential-diagnosis analysis, and the bill then passed favorably with unanimous support. The committee then heard SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, sponsored by Senator Collins, who described the long effort by U.S. victims of the FARC to enforce a federal judgment and recover assets. The bill would clarify procedures for terrorism-related judgments, modernize intangible asset law, and help prevent terrorists from hiding assets or blocking wire transfers. After one supportive appearance form and no debate, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 96, a local claims bill for Jacob Rogers, and SB 382, an affordable housing rent bill that was amended to define base rent and apply to certain shorter-term rental agreements entered after July 1, 2026; SB 382 drew support from housing advocates and some opposition, but passed unanimously. Several claims bills were also approved: SB 4 for Patricia Armini, SB 6 for Jose Correa, SB 28 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., SB 30 for the estate of M.N., and SB 24 for Mandy Penny Lemon, each involving injuries or damages caused by local government or hospital district negligence and each reported favorably after brief testimony and roll calls. The committee also passed SB 658 on waiver or release of liens after discussion about form language and enforceability. SB 72, which would allow campaign funds to pay certain child care expenses incurred while a candidate is actively campaigning, prompted questions about definitions and safeguards; the sponsor said the bill would require the expense to exist only because of campaign activity, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, which would create a statewide process for releasing certain small, low-value parcels from conservation easements if mitigation credits are secured elsewhere. The bill drew support from the sponsor and a property representative, but environmental advocates and President Passidomo raised concerns about flood control, wildlife corridors, and whether the bill was too property-specific; the sponsor said he would continue working on the language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1622, which would repeal the 2018 customary use law and restore local authority over public beach access. Supporters argued the current law has privatized beaches, hurt tourism, and led to harassment and conflict, while opponents defended private property rights and warned against taking away owners’ ability to exclude others. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1622, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a simple but critical measure for our community and all your communities.
• This is a simple but critical measure for our community and all your communities.
• AB 664 Alvarez, community college degrees, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 664 Alvarez, community college degrees, do pass out on an A roll call. Thank you.
• AB 664 Alvarez, community college degrees, due pass out on an A roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the ongoing reliable funding so that we can make our community safe.
• and the ongoing reliable funding so that we can make our community safe.
• and the ongoing reliable funding so that we can make our community safe.
• and the ongoing reliable funding so that we can make our community safe.
• </c> other questions tourism member community other questions tourism member community members<00:10:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Tourism on February 12, 2025, focused on HB 77/HB 1077, a measure related to increasing the transient accommodations tax and directing revenue toward climate mitigation/resiliency and economic development/tourism resiliency. Most testifiers supported the bill, including the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, State Energy Office, Governor’s office, DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Nature Conservancy, the Hawaii Climate Advisory Team, Care for Aina Now Coalition, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Ocean Legislative Task Force. Supporters emphasized the need for reliable funding for disaster preparedness, environmental restoration, infrastructure resilience, and tourism-related resilience projects; some cited polling and a reported funding gap for natural resource protection and restoration. Opposition or concerns came from the Kohala Coast Resort Association, which argued the state should fully collect existing taxes from short-term vacation rentals and other accommodations before considering any tax increase. The Attorney General and Department of Taxation offered technical comments, noting the bill’s special fund language referred to fees that the chapter did not actually authorize and recommending either deleting that language or authorizing fee collection through rulemaking. The Hawaii Tourism Authority supported the measure but asked that the funding mechanism have a clear nexus to tourism resiliency. After a brief recess, the chair recommended amendments to redirect the proposed 1.75% TAT increase away from the two special funds and into the general fund, while earmarking 7.3% of total revenue for climate mitigation/resiliency and 7.3% for economic development and tourism resiliency, with technical and defect-effective-date amendments. Both committees then voted to pass the measure with amendments; the recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not something that our community wants. Our community does not want VLTs.
• So how do you reconcile that our community doesn't want that, but then we're going to ask other communities
• And I don't want that for other communities in Missouri.
• We're out in the community. He's doing a good job there.
• in their community.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to get this stuff out into the community to get this stuff out into the community you<04:47:04.520
• I think the law enforcement community is behind the effort of saving lives.
• </c> people in the law enforcement Community people in the law enforcement Community are<04:51:09.400
• I speak for myself as a member of this community and not necessarily my employer's.
• I speak for myself as a member of this community and not necessarily my employer's.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nurses know and understand the communities they serve and have strategic influence over the health of
• our communities.
• Are there questions from members of the community?
• We have the technology.
• We actually used Zoom as well as a communication tool and cameras as a communication tool as much as

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Aging and Independence

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Committee on Aging and Independence heard testimony on a package of long-term care and elder care bills focused on building on the state’s 2024 long-term care reform law (Chapter 197). Richard Moore of Dignity Alliance urged favorable action on the bills as a “long-term care 2.0” effort, arguing they would strengthen the workforce, protect residents’ rights, improve clinical quality, and increase transparency and sustainability in nursing homes and other facilities. He also raised concerns about staffing funds not reaching direct care workers and suggested further oversight of how appropriated money is spent. Patricia Crispy of the American Nurses Association testified in support of House Bill 766, which would require at least one registered nurse with full voting rights on the board of directors or trustees of every acute care hospital and nursing home. She and the bill’s sponsor, Representative Vanado, said nurses’ clinical expertise and 24/7 presence make them valuable contributors to governance and patient safety. Committee members asked whether the bill would cover assisted living and how many facilities already have nurse board members; the witness said she would provide more data and clarify the assisted living question. Senator Lovely testified on two bills: Senate 479, which would expand transparency and accountability in long-term care by tightening fire safety, smoking, hearing-loss, and ownership disclosure requirements, adding advocacy groups to an advisory committee, and increasing penalties; and Senate 480/House 795, which would require single-occupancy rooms in nursing homes unless residents consent to share, to improve privacy and reduce infection spread. Deborah De Benedictus also testified in support of House 759, describing her father’s experience in assisted living and arguing for the use of cameras in elder care facilities to monitor care and deter neglect. The committee discussed privacy concerns, notification rules, and the need for honest staffing and care practices, and then adjourned without taking any recorded votes or formal actions in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide coalition of 1,600 and 150 members across 180 health care, public health, academic, and community
• workplace culture, and help ensure health professionals can continue to deliver high-quality care to communities
• This bill essentially guts the ability of our communities to respond to true emergencies at a time when
• because this gender-affirming care is for everybody, and we are just prohibiting it for the trans community
• We have put our faith in the development of new technologies for putting people to death and debated

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your dedication to Florida farm families and the communities that surround them.
• Thank you for standing on the front lines with Florida's law enforcement community to keep Florida safe
• Collaboration and communication are the driving forces here.
• Research and new technologies have offered new hope for the future of citrus in Florida.
• forget that Florida's agricultural industry is the key to thriving families and businesses and communities

Summary: The Florida Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with prayer, presentation of colors by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by children in the chamber, and a performance of the national anthem by the FAMU Marching 100. Newly elected Senator Ralph Massullo was certified and sworn into office by Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz, and several current and former state officials and senators were recognized in the chamber. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1466 to convene in joint session with the House to receive the Governor’s message, waived the rules to immediately certify the resolution to the House, and notified the House and Governor that the Senate was ready to proceed with the 2026 regular session. In remarks, Senate leadership and the President discussed priorities including rural Florida, agriculture, citrus recovery, food insecurity, affordability, tax relief, balanced budgets, and the importance of deliberation and checks and balances. The President also highlighted recent and planned initiatives such as the Farmers Feeding Florida program, rural health care investment, and property tax relief, while emphasizing faith, service, and cooperation in the chamber. Senator Gates announced that 52 executive appointments would be taken up the following day. The session concluded with a benediction by Senator Massullo and adjournment until the next scheduled meeting, with the Senate set to meet later in joint session with the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the communities that hosted LFC, thank you.
• We traveled the state and were able to listen to communities in a way that I'm very proud of, and we're
• We've looked at the communities to see what the need was.
• The committee has traveled to communities large and small.
• So we have heard from our communities.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On October 17, 2023, the San Benito community endured a tremendous loss.
• Lieutenant Resendez, ensuring that his memory and heroic legacy are preserved for the San Benito community
• Married for 48 years, Cecil and Dorothy Bell were pillars of their church and community.
• Congress and the first African American woman to chair the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
• Marking profound loss for the families and community. OK, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Bills: HB227

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• . communities. communities.
• </c> community that he serves. community that he serves.
• The system authorized by H.R. 3482 would leverage technology to allow VA schedulers to see community
• The bill also requires that VA use this technology to view VA's direct care appointments as well as community
• </c> rental community. rental community.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:10.840><c> from</c> often receive minimal communication from often receive minimal communication
• Department of Labor it was communicated Department of Labor it was communicated it<00:24:38.399><c> was
• So if they can pay $12 an hour, $12.50 an hour, in my community, and my community is unable because of
• </c> um in my community and my my community um in my community and my my community is<01:02:00.440><c
• They're spending it in their home communities. That spurs more development.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Communications and Conveyance Committee is now called to order.
• Also joining us are Amelio Perez, the chief consultant of the Communications Committee; Elizabeth Delgado
• That's not how we get service into the community. I think that this will help with paperwork.
• And then just the last note is the community does want to see Connie.
• This concludes the work of the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance for today.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with two bills on the agenda after opening remarks on hearing rules and public conduct. AB 2279 by Assembly Member Gibson proposed changes to the California Advanced Services Fund for regional broadband consortia, including expanding their authority to support broadband deployment and adoption, increasing multi-year funding, and shifting grants from reimbursement-based to performance-based payments. Supporters, including representatives from Cal Poly Humboldt, Valley Vision, and several broadband and technology organizations, said the bill would help consortia better close the digital divide and reduce administrative burdens. There was no opposition, and members discussed the high audit and accounting costs under current rules. The committee passed AB 2279 with a due pass as amended recommendation and re-referred it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo, which would add existing dispatcher training requirements for pre-arrival medical instructions to the standards public safety agencies must meet to receive CETNA funding, without changing the funding amount or structure. Proponents, including emergency medical dispatch and ambulance representatives, argued the bill would help ensure consistent life-saving instructions for 911 callers. Opposition from CalNENA and a Riverside County Sheriff’s Office representative focused on the bill’s timing, since the underlying law from AB 645 does not take effect until 2027, and on concerns that withholding CETNA funds could harm PSAP operations. Members questioned where compliance gaps exist and whether education or other alternatives might work better. The committee ultimately passed AB 2041 with a due pass recommendation and re-referred it to the Committee on Emergency Management, with one member not voting at the time of the roll call. At the end of the hearing, the secretary completed roll calls on both measures after additional members arrived, confirming AB 2279 passed 9-0 and AB 2041 passed 8-0 with one not voting. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• General's Office and Water Development Board when needing to communicate regarding financial assistance
• Not all communities may see the same level of.
• I also work in the- I have a communications company that provides website services.
• Gonzalez. empathize with rural communities. But I also want to say, I think as a.
• modes of communication because, I don't know.

Bills: HB279 , HB310 , HB365 , HB391 , HB420 , HB422 , HB638 , HB279 , HB310

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing