Transcript Highlights:

• So I guess what I'm trying to say to my colleagues here is that the tracking mechanism is going to be
• Chairman and Daniel, my last question really is when we talk about the Yazzie Martinez, do we have a mechanism
• Sounds like the consensus is to continue on. Okay, thanks, Mr. Chairman.
• So we've got a number of meaningful questions here, but we want to understand our funding mechanisms.
• Part of what you all heard a lot during the session is that we don't actually have a mechanism within

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no mechanism for that. Thank you. Great. Any other questions? Okay, Senator Conway.
• Substitute House Bill 2151 requires the Department of Labor and Industries to consider certain national consensus
• If there are safety concerns, the board already has clear mechanisms to act.
• They just never hear from us, because we have no mechanism through which we can ensure that we have reached
• that, this bill creates the additional board, but it provides no direct funding to raise wages, no mechanism

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:

• building, but it strikes me that in cases like that it's going to be infrequent that the enforcement mechanism
• I think the consensus on the security challenges should be viewed within the current risk landscape.
• They just do through a less secure mechanism of email and fax.
• My partner was only spared because the bullet struck the locking mechanism in the door.
• Disagree that this is a good mechanism for doing that.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 6137 would expand Washington sports wagering by allowing wagers placed over the internet to be accepted at any tribal gaming facility, not just the same tribe’s facility, and would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington institutions while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington athletes’ performance. Washington State University opposed the bill over concerns about harassment, point shaving, and broader gambling harms, while the University of Washington supported the individual prop-bet ban but urged caution. An Emerald Queen Casinos representative supported the bill, saying it would move existing illegal wagering into a regulated system with safeguards. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, which would require regular consultation with tribes on voting access and authorize a secure electronic ballot return portal for military, overseas, Native American, and disability voters. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill’s tribal outreach and said it was more comfortable with the revised portal language, but several election-security witnesses opposed the portal sections, arguing internet ballot return is too risky and lacks adequate standards. King County Elections supported the portal as a more secure option than current email and fax methods, and said it would improve access while preserving paper trails and security checks. Substitute Senate Bill 6034 would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency. The office and a tribal health liaison testified in support, saying codification would stabilize government-to-government relations with tribes and ensure continuity beyond executive preference. Substitute Senate Bill 6081 would restrict public disclosure of sex designation information in certain licensing and vital records; supporters said it would protect transgender people from doxing, harassment, and violence, while opponents argued it would make official records less accurate. Staff also briefed Senate Bill 5863 on Lakeland Village records, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 reestablishing the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, and Senate Bill 5892 on voter data protections. The committee adopted amendments to SB 5863 and SB 5892, rejected some other amendments, and reported SB 5863, SCR 8406, and SB 5892 out of committee with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any mechanism or is there any way that the online program people do any kind of a follow-up
• noted that this does not necessarily align with the foundation formula, even though that is the mechanism
• It was further explained that the foundation formula mechanism may be higher than the 25% threshold needed
• Is there any mechanism for something like that, or is that off base? I'm not real sure. Off base?
• It creates a consensus-building and collaborative method. It has an infrastructure in place.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 3239, which would make the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program permanent and move it into the MoCAP framework. Representative Hurlbert and supporters said the program has helped about 1,200 adults earn diplomas, mostly women with children, and that it improves employment and health coverage outcomes. Members raised concerns about funding, the use of the foundation formula, and how the program differs from existing adult education options. Supporters said it is tuition-free, pay-for-performance, and intended for adults with a short path to graduation; no vote was taken on the bill. The committee then took up House Bills 2335 and 2230/2978 in executive session. HB 2335, dealing with teacher training, was amended and then given a do pass recommendation by a 19-0 vote. HB 2230 and 2978, as amended, were also approved do pass by an 18-1 vote after extensive discussion of the Student Screen Time Standards Act, including limits on screen time, a new advisory council, and a related cursive-writing amendment. Members generally supported the direction of the substitute, while some raised questions about local control, implementation, and the role of experts. Later, Representatives Irwin and Steinhoff presented House Bills 2913 and 3228, which would provide legal protection for teachers who intervene in violent situations to protect students or themselves. Supporters said the bills would reduce fear of liability and encourage reasonable intervention, while committee members and witnesses discussed possible limits, training, whether the protection should extend to other school staff, and how the proposal interacts with existing discipline and restraint rules. Public testimony was largely supportive, with school and teacher groups asking for clearer definitions and coordination with federal law; no vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2304, which would require parental consent before major changes to a child’s special education placement or services. The sponsor and advocates said it strengthens parent involvement and collaboration, while members questioned delays, due process, safety exceptions, and the effect on school operations. Testimony from advocates and parents supported the bill, and the hearing concluded without action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be done through a variety of mechanisms, but they must complete that before they take the NCLEX
• It can be done through a variety of mechanisms, but they must complete that before they take the NCLEX
• DEP already has a mechanism in place to recognize surplus lands today.
• There was some conversation about that, but we couldn't reach consensus among the stakeholders, which
• We're working on consensus here, so I'm thankful for your support today.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> This act improves legal protections against not consensual distribution of intimate images.
• of sex, trafficking, extortion and coercion, whose images make up a significant portion of the consensual
• And you correct me if I'm and correct to establish an experimental mechanism.
• Senator Davis, could you just take a moment to explain what that experience experimental mechanism is
• this is the first step in introducing an energy source to to our state. >> But the experiment a mechanism

Transcript Highlights:

• The members of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group worked very hard on this forecast, as always.
• We, as a consensus revenue group, projected in December of 2024 for FY 26.
• Projected in the December 2024 Consensus Revenue Report to you.
• Updated consensus revenue forecast.
• Take a big, just a quick moment to thank the Consensus Revenue Team.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislature took great strides to prohibit the dissemination of non-consensual sexual deep fakes
• in 2023, but we base that law off the prohibition on non-consensual dissemination of sexual imagery
• <c> sexual</c><00:04:00.159><c> deep</c><00:04:00.400><c> fakes</c><00:04:00.720><c> in</c> non-consensual
• sexual deep fakes in non-consensual sexual deep fakes in 2023,<00:04:02.000><c> but</c><00:04:02.159
• </c> prohibition on non-consensual prohibition on non-consensual dissemination<00:04:06.799><c> of</c

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, we want broad consensus between the stakeholders responsible for carrying out this
• At the same time, we want broad consensus between the stakeholders responsible for carrying out this
• At the same time, we want broad consensus between the stakeholders responsible for carrying out this
• At the same time, we want<00:13:38.720><c> broad</c><00:13:39.040><c> consensus</c><00:13:39.600><c>
• between</c><00:13:39.839><c> the</c> want broad consensus between the want broad consensus between the

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, fed into the report to determine where there could be consensus and areas for more discussion,
• the International Urban Interface Code, or the WUI code, and as Lauren mentioned, we did not get consensus
• the international urban interface code or the wooie code and as Lauren mentioned we did not get consensus
• from the code or the Wooi code and as Lauren mentioned we did not get consensus from the work group
• This was another strong consensus item coming out of the work group: work group members strongly agreed

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills and then moved into a work session on insurance-related topics. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice of an impending lapse or cancellation, including notice to a designated third party, and to provide proof of delivery; it would also require applicants to be told they may designate such a third party. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill as a consumer protection measure for older or vulnerable policyholders, while the life insurance industry supported the concept but requested a delayed implementation date and a small technical amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 2399, which would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance. Staff and the prime sponsor described the practice as allowing contractors to step into the policyholder’s shoes and potentially take control of claims, litigation, and settlement, often to the consumer’s detriment. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all supported the bill, emphasizing consumer vulnerability after disasters and the risk of fraud or inflated claims. Members asked about steering by adjusters, alternative ways for homeowners to authorize others to help with claims, and the $50,000 per-violation penalty, which would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact a Washington Travel Insurance Act based on the NAIC model, creating a more detailed statutory framework for travel insurance licensing, travel retailers, travel administrators, disclosures, and prohibited sales practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choice and standardize rules, while the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the compromise language but raised a remaining concern about claims being adjusted by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office testified that the bill should not be read to supersede Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the sponsor said amendments were being worked on to address that concern. In the work session, OIC and Department of Natural Resources staff presented the wildfire mitigation and resiliency work group report. They said the group reached consensus on several areas, including the importance of community-level mitigation, better data sharing, improved transparency around wildfire-related nonrenewals and cancellations, and a voluntary grant program to help homeowners retrofit to IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. Members asked about leadership for the recommendations, overlap with existing programs, privacy concerns in data sharing, and how the proposals would fit with broader statewide wildfire planning. The committee also received a briefing on flood insurance markets and claims after the December atmospheric flooding event, with staff noting that private flood policies generally offer broader coverage than the federal NFIP, and that Washington had seen about 700 federal claims and roughly $18 million paid out so far.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, but I do appreciate the work that Senator Musselman has gone into to getting as close to a consensus
• You know, the idea on interim bills, they should be consensus. That is fairly difficult to do.
• But to do a bill like this and get to consensus, the reality is there's no way everybody's going to be
• know, a sense of integrity as it pertains to bills that I present in the interim to actually be consensus
• And we put a lot of work in to make it that, so as consensus as such a bill can be.

Committee: Joint Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Where consensus was not reached in the report, we identified the discussion and diverging opinions in
• So though we were not able to reach full consensus at this time, there's been a lot of good work that's
• recommendation was around enhancing community wildfire mitigation, and this was an area of strong consensus
• And this was an area of strong consensus within the work group.
• And this was an area of strong consensus within the work group.

Bills: SB5871 , SB5919

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: motor vehicle, glass repair, insurance claims, consumer protection, regulations, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• acknowledges people’s views, takes those views into account, and works on compromise and works on consensus
• Works on consensus. So, um, Grant, you’ve done an amazing job.
• And I just really, really appreciate how you so skillfully guided us to come to consensus on our recommendations
• For how we categorize things and come to consensus.
• just want to add, as a legislator... for or came up with for how we categorize things and come to consensus

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 6, 2026, with quorum present and unanimously approved the October 21, 2025 minutes. The Attorney General’s Office then provided its annual open government refresher, covering key points of the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including broad disclosure requirements, records retention, response timelines for public records requests, and rules for meetings, special meetings, emergency meetings, and executive sessions. JLARC staff gave a 2026 legislative session update on tax preference bills. They highlighted 20 bills affecting tax preferences, including repeal of the coal-related sales and use tax exemption, changes to data center exemptions, new property tax exemptions for renewable energy facilities and land bank authorities, and a broad tax package in engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6346 that created multiple credits, deductions, and exemptions. Staff also presented the 2026 expedited tax preference review report covering 64 preferences, noting it is based on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies and is now available in an interactive searchable format. The commission approved the 2026 public testimony questions without changes and then adopted the 2027–2036 tax preference review schedule, along with a new rolling 10-year schedule that will be updated each May. During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about how preferences are prioritized for full review versus expedited review, especially for older or high-revenue preferences without performance statements, and staff explained that legislative mandates, expiration dates, and workload constraints drive the schedule. The meeting also included a public and staff recognition of Commissioner Grant Forsyth’s 13 years of service and leadership, with remarks praising his collaborative approach and long tenure; the next meeting was set for August 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• through this carefully with all the stakeholders last session, and the bill before you reflects that consensus
• 00:04:37.919><c> you</c><00:04:38.160><c> reflects</c><00:04:38.560><c> that</c><00:04:38.800><c> consensus
• </c><00:04:39.199><c> and</c> before you reflects that consensus and before you reflects that consensus

Summary: The committee heard House File 4295, described by the author as the “Chicken Shift Bill,” which would address an unintended consequence of state feedlot regulations affecting backyard chicken coops. The bill would allow counties to adopt ordinances exempting small chicken coops, up to 24 chickens, from feedlot designation, while leaving counties free to set a lower limit or decline to act. The author and Wright County Administrator Greg Kryser testified in support, saying the measure would give local governments flexibility and resolve confusion for county feedlot officers. Kryser also explained the issue using animal-unit calculations to show how chickens in a coop could be treated differently from chickens at pasture. Representative Coulter raised a question about how a county ordinance would interact with a city ordinance on backyard chickens, and the chair said he did not know the answer but would look into it. Representative Grieman expressed support and noted the bill’s relevance to backyard chicken owners. The chair said the bill would be referred to the Environment Committee and suggested the jurisdictional question be clarified before further hearing. The author closed by reiterating the purpose of the bill and the phrase “the chickens come home to roost.” The committee then voted unanimously in favor of re-referring House File 4295 to the Environment Committee, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• hard work on the part of the members of this council to hash out differences and come to a true consensus
• hash out differences and come to<00:01:39.119><c> a</c><00:01:39.439><c> true</c><00:01:39.680><c> consensus
• </c><00:01:40.400><c> and</c><00:01:40.640><c> agreement</c> to a true consensus and agreement to a true
• consensus and agreement between<00:01:41.600><c> all</c><00:01:41.840><c> of</c><00:01:42.000><c> them

Bills: SF1832

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You're just saying the consensus estimates of how much revenue that policy is going to bring in now is
• You're just saying the consensus estimates of how much revenue that policy is going to bring in now is
• You're just saying the consensus estimates of how much revenue that policy is going to bring in now is
• You're just saying the consensus estimates of how much revenue that policy is going to bring in now is
• changes necessary to hb1 and mechanical changes necessary to hb1 and hb2<01:45:14.800><c> to</c><01:

Summary: The committee first heard Representative Sweeney present and defend the budget amendment legalizing video lottery terminals (VLTs) and setting a 30% tax rate, with 65% of the tax going to the state and 35% to charities. He argued the lower rate was needed to encourage operators of historic horse racing (HHR) machines to convert to VLTs, saying the higher 45% rate would discourage adoption. He walked through revenue projections for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, estimating significant increases in state and charity revenue as machines transition over time, and said the amendment was designed to expand charitable gaming revenue overall. Several members questioned the assumptions behind his projections and the basis for his analysis, including why his independent research differed from the governor’s and Lottery Commission’s estimates. Sweeney said his figures were based on research into other states and conversations over many years, and he maintained that a 45% tax would likely result in no VLT adoption. Members also debated whether the transition costs for operators would be quickly recouped and whether the state’s share should be larger. One member emphasized that the committee was effectively choosing between a lower operator share and a higher state share, while Sweeney argued the 30% structure would produce revenue for everyone. The committee then moved to other revenue items on the tracking sheet. It voted 7-0 to accept the Lottery Commission’s revised base revenue estimates. Members also discussed an amendment to repeal the local option requirement for Kino games, which would expand Kino availability and was estimated to generate additional lottery profit in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. That amendment drew opposition from members who said local control was an important part of the original Kino policy and that removing it would override municipal decisions. The committee also noted that the VLT/HHR revenue item had already been adopted and was being revisited only to confirm the associated revenue estimates.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:20.800><c> for</c><00:09:21.079><c> responding</c> Title 9 and a mechanism for responding
• Title 9 and a mechanism for responding parties<00:09:22.000><c> to</c><00:09:22.200><c> confront</c><
• Institutions report in this 2024 report more violent acts, such as non-consensual biting, punching, and
• strangulation during non-consensual sexual incidents. year uh but institutions Advocates and year uh
• strangulation during non-consensual sexual incidents.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• education, advertising, if you will, understanding what the value of the screening is, community consensus
• have a pretty good idea of what goes on in other states, and I don't think any other state has a mechanism
• education, advertising, if you will, understanding what the value of the screening is, community consensus
• education, advertising, if you will, understanding what the value of the screening is, community consensus
• education, advertising, if you will, understanding what the value of the screening is, community consensus

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not allow us to have a real consensus on recommendations in terms of infrastructure, things of
• It does not allow us to have a real consensus on recommendations in terms of infrastructure, things of
• So we definitely need a mechanism to track those types of accidents or crashes or falls or injuries,
• These mechanisms can include requiring a point-of-sale disclosure of applicable safety equipment, speed

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on the governor’s Ride Safe Act, S. 3077, and related micromobility bills. Chairs and administration officials described the bill as a statewide, speed-based framework for e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and similar devices, intended to replace outdated device categories with clearer rules for age limits, helmets, equipment, operating locations, registration, insurance for higher-speed devices, and restrictions on tampering. They also emphasized improved crash-data collection, a working group for future updates, and battery safety standards such as UL certification to reduce fire risk. Committee members asked about enforcement, shared-use paths, commuter rail accommodations, battery storage, and how the bill would apply to other vehicles like quads; the administration said some issues would need further study or follow-up. Testimony from advocates, municipal officials, and commission members was mixed but generally supportive of clearer statewide rules. Transportation and safety advocates backed the speed-based tier system but urged additional measures, including a default speed limit on shared-use paths, automated enforcement, and more funding for Complete Streets and Shared Streets programs. Bike shop and police representatives said current laws are confusing for riders and law enforcement and that better definitions and data reporting are needed. Several speakers stressed that enforcement and education will be critical, and that local patchwork rules are difficult to apply consistently. Medical testimony strongly supported tighter protections for young riders. Pediatric emergency and trauma doctors described a sharp rise in serious injuries and deaths involving e-bikes and scooters, including severe pediatric cases, and urged amendments adding a minimum age for faster devices and a universal helmet requirement. They argued that the force and weight of these devices make crashes more dangerous than conventional bicycles and pointed to past Massachusetts safety laws as evidence that age and equipment restrictions can reduce injuries. Some public testimony opposed the bill as written, especially from moped commuters who argued that gas-powered mopeds are being treated differently from comparable electric devices and should be included in the framework. They called for clearer rules on bike-lane access, insurance, parking, and statewide standards for mopeds as vulnerable road users. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and questions only.

Transcript Highlights:

• That one, you know, we start building our budget pretty early, and LESC staff is not part of the consensus
• to look at, and then the remaining pages are the Performance measures, the analysts have come to consensus
• donations so that those students can see absolutely the work that they are engaging in in the automobile Mechanics
• We administer those funds and allocate those funds through a grant or other mechanisms.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance