Transcript Highlights:

• We support many elements of the bill.
• I appear today in support of House File 7 for two reasons.
• So there's your support.
• So there's your support.
• So there's your support. Thank you.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I certainly support the latter. I do not support attacking the education freedom accounts.
• I certainly support the latter. I do not support attacking the education freedom accounts.
• Much of the supporting funds?
• It is supporting this strong up.
• I support this bill.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't a hard vote to support this motion.
• Minnesotans support the... 62% of independents.
• I rise today in support of political theater.
• I also rise in support of the motion.
• Seventy-one percent support. And why?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• have been just privately, and you wouldn't necessarily see them doing this, but providing a lot of support
• So I've got colleagues that are helping kids get to school, people get to work, providing support for
• <c> for</c><00:03:44.159><c> their</c><00:03:44.400><c> neighbors</c><00:03:44.799><c> and</c> of support
• </c><00:03:58.879><c> Um</c> support for food and for rent. Um support for food and for rent.
• I can control my own behavior.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're asking people to contact your legislators and tell them to support protections that would help
• </c> But you did like you supported But you did like you supported Grassley's<00:14:57.200><c> amendment
• We have a number of people attending today; that doesn't mean they're supportive of this.
• </c><00:20:57.440><c> They</c> they're they're supportive of this.
• They they're they're supportive of this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also investing $3.7 million and 21 new positions to support certification of community behavioral
• Please this proposal support in support.
• In support. support. support. Representative<04:55:39.280><c> Leloy.
• In support. In support. Strong own. In support. In support.
• Thank you. supported, the families supported, the supported, the families supported, the people<06:26

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know why there is that much support in Japan and so little support here, but that isn't something
• </c><02:01:53.119><c> of</c> the opportunity to speak in support of the opportunity to speak in support
• </c> General's office is in support of this. Nine other county attorneys are in support of this.
• </c> that they were in support of 101. that they were in support of 101.
• </c><04:12:51.040><c> for</c> it within the context of support for it within the context of support for

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , I've overseen the consideration of many, many bills intended to strengthen our cannabis laws to support
• This supports a more uniform application of the progressive discipline framework.
• We support efforts to increase clarity where appropriate to strengthen oversight tools and ensure that
• enforcement resources are aligned with the highest-risk markets and behaviors.
• And I think it is incredibly important that we support the legal cannabis market and that we are safer

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on whether products are attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague, enforcement is inconsistent, and licensees are left to interpret standards without prior review. In a review of 80 packaging cases, the audit team disagreed with the department’s conclusions in 13 instances, and the report highlighted examples involving cartoon imagery, colorful fonts, candy-like references, flavor names, and cannabis beverages that resembled ordinary drinks. The auditor recommended clearer statutory definitions, possible consideration of plain packaging or pre-approval models like Oregon’s, better internal guidance, and stronger tracking and escalation for repeat violators. Committee members and Assembly Member Irwin emphasized the rise in poison control calls involving children under five since legalization and argued that legal-market packaging can contribute to accidental ingestion, especially when products resemble candy or drinks. Several members pressed the department on why items such as root beer, strawberry lemonade, and cherry pie strain names should be allowed if they may appeal to children. The Department of Cannabis Control responded that it has already centralized label review, added staff and technology tools, improved compliance-history tracking, and is using progressive discipline tools such as notices to comply, citations, embargoes, abatements, and license actions. The department also argued that the illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp markets are major drivers of youth exposure and that enforcement resources must be balanced across those markets. Public health witness Dr. Lynn Silver urged stronger restrictions, including plain packaging, bans on added flavors and child-appealing imagery, lower THC limits for edibles and beverages, and a dedicated pre-market review process. Industry representatives from the California Cannabis Industry Association and the California Cannabis Operators Association agreed that youth protections are essential, but argued that clearer, objective standards are needed so compliant businesses can know the rules and enforcement can be consistent. They said most licensed products are already compliant, that the most blatant youth-targeted packaging is concentrated in the illicit market, and that the Legislature should refine definitions and guidance rather than rely on subjective case-by-case judgments. No formal vote or bill action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state's Essential Health Benefit coverage and required defrayal, and that was for pANS, as a behavioral
• and that was for um pans pandas<00:03:27.680><c> as</c><00:03:27.799><c> a</c><00:03:28.080><c> behavioral
• </c><00:03:28.680><c> health</c><00:03:28.959><c> benefit</c> pandas as a behavioral health benefit pandas
• as a behavioral health benefit for<00:03:29.799><c> children</c><00:03:30.120><c> that</c><00:03:30.239

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to have the support...
• more and expressing more support.
• I strongly support this bill. Ever 17. We also have a conviction. I strongly support this bill.
• I support the bill. Thank you. Hi, my name is Carol, Flores Wilson, and I'm here in support.
• That was something that was unanimously supported, bipartisan support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard several bills focused on Medi-Cal access, HIV prevention, death certificate amendments, caregiver certification, advance care planning, and sugar-sweetened beverage labeling. SB 1422 by Senator Durazo would restore Medi-Cal access for income-eligible undocumented adults beginning January 1, 2027. The author and many supporters argued the enrollment freeze shifts costs to counties and hospitals, worsens health outcomes, and undermines California’s prior coverage gains. County, labor, health, immigrant-rights, and provider groups testified in support; there was no opposition. Committee members generally expressed support but also raised concerns about funding and the need for new revenue sources. The bill was discussed while the committee lacked quorum, so no vote was taken at that time. The committee also heard SB 1023 on PrEP access, SB 1071 on death certificate amendments after homicide findings, SB 1057 on criminal-history review for CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 on POLST and advance care planning updates. SB 1023 would require insurers that cover injectable PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it through the pharmacy benefit; supporters said this would reduce administrative barriers and improve access, while health plans and insurers opposed it as an unnecessary mandate that could blur benefit design lines. SB 1071 would allow next of kin to amend a death certificate’s manner of death to homicide after a final court determination; families and law enforcement supported it as a matter of truth and closure, while coroners opposed it as blurring medical and legal findings and potentially distorting public health data. SB 1057 would replace automatic denial with individualized review for certain convictions in CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 would modernize POLST/DNR rules, including electronic signatures, out-of-state recognition, and clarifying who may sign; both drew support, though clinical nurse specialists opposed SB 1088 because they were not included as authorized signers. Several of these bills were heard without quorum, so no votes were taken during the discussion. After quorum was established, the committee heard SB 869 by Senator Weber-Pierce, which would require large chain restaurants to display a clear added-sugar icon next to beverages exceeding 50% of the daily recommended limit. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and an emergency physician, said consumers need simple, visible information at the point of purchase to better understand health risks tied to sugary drinks. The bill was framed as a public health transparency measure aimed at diabetes, obesity, and other chronic disease prevention. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 869, before any final committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sharon Report, on behalf of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, in support.
• So I strongly support this. Thank you. Hello, Cheryl Winter from San Francisco, in support.
• Justin Yada, California Housing Partnership, support. Housing Partnership support. Good morning.
• Sharon Report with Corporation for Supportive Housing and Support. Good morning again.
• I support. Good morning. My name is Divya. Thank you. My name is Theodore Padden. I support.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Software support and updates.
• But also, you could go somewhere else to get support that was not a proprietary support system.
• Are there any witnesses in support?
• I'm supportive also. Thank you, sir. Okay, thank you. I'm supportive also. Thank you, sir.
• I'm also going to support... Thank you, Senator. I'm also going to support the bill.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whalen is there to support you.
• It prioritizes students with IEPs or needing social-emotional, behavioral supports, or students whose
• to provide that support.
• to provide that support.
• In support of bill number three. In support of bill number three. Dad, in support of Bill Number 3.

Committee: Assembly Education

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all in support, and finally testimony from Katherine Graveson in support. Mr.
• </c> testimony written testimony and support testimony written testimony and support from<00:17:38.960
• </c><00:17:43.480><c> from</c> CIO written testimony and support from CIO written testimony and support
• </c><00:18:11.000><c> and</c> Barber these are all in support and Barber these are all in support and
• </c><00:20:23.080><c> from</c> Shure next testimony and support from Shure next testimony and support

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several measures, beginning with HB 194, which would designate May 22 as Maritime Day. Testimony from labor, health, and community groups was in support, and the committee later recommended passage of the bill as is, with several members voting yes and some reserving or being excused. HB 458 would designate April 27 as Brother Joseph Dutton Day; the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Joseph Dutton Guild, and a descendant all supported it, and the committee recommended passage with technical amendments. HB 957 would designate the first Friday in May as Lā‘au Day; support came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many individuals, and the committee recommended passage as is. HB 345 would establish the ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to promote awareness and protection of anchialine ecosystems; DLNR, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAu, and other supporters testified, and the committee recommended passage with technical amendments. The committee also heard HB 901, which would allow public charter schools to appeal directly to the Board of Education on certain operational, governance, or funding matters. The Attorney General and the Public Charter School Commission offered technical comments and suggested amendments, while the commission described its current monitoring and renewal process and said it works closely with schools over the life of a charter contract. Members raised concerns about whether the bill would shift too much work to the Board of Education, and one member voted no when the committee later moved the bill with the Attorney General’s amendments. HB 1066 would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning supported it, explaining the changes were needed to align with the federal Head Start Act, and the committee moved it forward without opposition. HB 1069 would add voting members from the Department of Education and Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority Board. DOE and the School Facilities Authority supported the change as a way to strengthen collaboration, though questions from members focused on the current communication process between the agencies. HB 1343 would require the Board of Education to adopt a policy banning student phone and related device use during school hours; the committee noted written testimony in support and then moved to decision-making. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HB 194, HB 458 with technical amendments, HB 957, HB 345 with technical amendments, HB 901 with amendments, HB 1066, HB 1069, and HB 1343.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would support this tax, and I'm testifying in strong support of SB 6346.
• It will fall on the very program that supporters of this bill are trying to support. Thank you.
• We strongly support this bill.
• So we urge you to support 6346. Thank you. Thank you. ...end on. So we urge you to support 6346.
• I strongly support SB 6346.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we support a lot of things like child care and public policy as well as support...
• Support a lot of things like child care and public policy, as well as support service advocacy.
• You've heard about some support services.
• those RSI opportunities and supports?
• So some of our things are supported more by Perkins, which of course really supports that, you know,

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in support of AB 699.
• Today I in support of AB 84.
• I stand in support of AB 84.
• And let's support AB 1454.
• when we support this bill, we support it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please invite your supporters.
• We respectfully request your support. Thank you.
• , I respectfully urge your support for SB 1286.
• I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you both.
• I'm pleased to be here today in support of SB 1123.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused largely on regulatory oversight, food insecurity, state symbols, immigration-related funding, and ethnic media outreach. SB 885 and SB 986 would require major regulations with estimated economic impacts over $50 million to come back to the Legislature for review; supporters said this would restore accountability and help address affordability, while opponents warned it would delay health, safety, and worker protections. SB 1025 would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across state departments, expand outreach, run a hunger hotline, and analyze service gaps; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight language. SB 1214 would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly, and SB 1178 would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp, with testimony emphasizing conservation, ecology, and agricultural benefits. SB 1286 would recognize the California sea lion as the state pinniped, with supporters citing its role as a sentinel species and conservation success story. SB 1171 would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded grants or loans; supporters framed it as a response to ICE conduct, while opponents raised concerns about unintended impacts on contractors providing essential services and possible federal retaliation. SB 1358 would create the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act to improve state advertising and outreach to ethnic and community media through a database and contracting requirements, with supporters arguing it would improve effectiveness and reach underserved communities. Several bills were advanced on committee votes, many with roll calls held open for absent members. SB 885, SB 986, SB 1025, SB 1214, SB 1178, SB 1286, and SB 1171 all received motions to do pass, with some members noting support but also urging amendments or guardrails, especially on timing, reporting, and oversight. The committee also took up a consent calendar of multiple items after quorum was established.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is something that we need to continue to support and maintain.
• At the flagship university for the CSU system is supported.
• You've been a huge supporter of education at every level.
• You've been a huge supporter of education at every level.
• You've been a huge supporter of education at every level.

Summary: The select committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment heard testimony on how California can support inclusive economic development through coordinated workforce, education, nonprofit, and industry partnerships. Chair Arambula opened by emphasizing that rural, low-income, and historically underinvested communities often face the greatest barriers to accessing state resources, and that the hearing would focus on successful collaboration models, the role of training and higher education, and future opportunities tied to economic mobility and social determinants of health. Witnesses from the California Workforce Association, Fresno State, and NextGen Policy described local and regional workforce systems in the Central Valley and beyond. They highlighted examples such as apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, employer-led partnerships, on-the-job training, support for women entering construction, programs for justice-involved and opportunity youth, and the need to braid federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding. Several speakers stressed that local workforce boards, community colleges, adult education, labor organizations, and community-based groups are best positioned to identify regional labor needs and that California should fund systems, not just individual grants, especially as federal workforce funding has declined and new work requirements tied to HR 1 and AI-related labor shifts create added pressure. A second panel focused on the Community Economic Mobility Initiative as a statewide model. Sierra Health Foundation and its partners said CME has helped community organizations build capacity, pursue more than $400 million in grants and contracts, and attract about $178 million back into California communities. Speakers from Siskiyou Economic Development Council, Fresno EDC, Edge Collaborative, and Líderes Campesinas gave examples of place-based projects in rural and urban regions, including business innovation centers, community-owned development, bioeconomy and restoration projects, subsidized employment, and farmworker-led cooperatives. They argued that long-term, locally driven investment produces stronger regional economies and better health outcomes, and urged the Legislature to provide durable funding and policy support rather than short-term extensions. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please invite your supporters.
• We respectfully request your support. Thank you.
• We respectfully request your support. Thank you.
• , I respectfully urge your support for SB 1286.
• I'm pleased to be here today in support of SB 1123.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Keywords: 987, senate, all