Transcript Highlights:

• We're asking for $3 million for this one.
• When you're asking for $2 million for here, $1.5 million for here, or whatever.
• Chair, I hope I'm sitting here next year telling you that this is the model that you should adopt for
• They paid for them; we didn't pay for them.
• for an...

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this proposal also strengthens background study requirements for high-risk providers by adding the
• authority to conduct background studies for four high-risk provider types: arms, peer recovery act,
• </c><00:41:23.760><c> high-cost</c><00:41:24.280><c> service</c> requirements for high-cost service requirements
• for high-cost service packages. packages. packages.
• </c> need it for our for our for our folks. need it for our for our for our folks.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> willingness for uh for to play fair. willingness for uh for to play fair.
• for health care, for federal dollars for health care, for Medicaid,<00:43:10.480><c> for</c><00:43:10.800
• ><c> schools,</c><00:43:11.760><c> for</c><00:43:12.079><c> housing</c> Medicaid, for schools, for housing
• > of</c><01:04:19.440><c> the</c> Hawaii, for example, for most of the Hawaii, for example, for most
• </c><01:09:42.000><c> bad</c><01:09:42.239><c> for</c> thought that was a um, bad for bad for thought

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing with Professor Colin Moore on democratic norms and their erosion in the United States, with a focus on what that could mean for Hawaii. Chair Carl Rhodes introduced the topic and the professor, noting the briefing was livestreamed and could be rescheduled if technical problems arose. Moore defined democratic norms as unwritten guardrails that make written constitutional rules work in practice, emphasizing two core norms from political science: mutual toleration, meaning acceptance of political opponents as legitimate, and institutional forbearance, meaning restraint in using legal powers to the maximum for partisan gain. Moore used historical examples to show how norms develop and erode, including George Washington’s resignation, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the contested 1800 election, Franklin Roosevelt’s court-packing plan, and Watergate. He argued that democracies usually erode gradually rather than through sudden coups, often through leaders who reject opponents’ legitimacy, tolerate political violence, restrict civil liberties, or attack the press. He said the United States is vulnerable because of its strong presidency, an 18th-century constitutional design that did not anticipate modern political parties or a neutral civil service, and because polarization has encouraged “constitutional hardball” and retaliation. He cited comparative examples such as Hungary, Turkey, and other countries that slid toward authoritarianism over time, and said the U.S. has been rated a flawed democracy by outside indexes. Moore said the erosion predates Donald Trump, though he believes Trump has accelerated it, and pointed to recent actions and rhetoric as moving beyond ceremony into government practice. He also warned that Congress has not consistently checked executive power and that public willingness to excuse anti-democratic behavior from preferred candidates is troubling. The briefing ended with Moore turning to federalism and Hawaii, arguing that the state depends heavily on federal funding for health care, schools, housing, and infrastructure, and that delays or disruptions from an unstable federal government could create serious local harm even if no law is formally broken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we just thank you for this day. We just thank you for our time together.
• </c> uh funding mechanism for that. uh funding mechanism for that.
• for food?
• Why not actually do that for Goodwill. Why not actually do that for food?
• </c> I'm open for discussion. I'm open for discussion.

Bills: HB187 , HB341 , HB4 , HB175 , HB326 , HB187 , HB341 , HB4 , HB175 , HB326

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety, municipal court, district court, circuit court, cosmetology, makeup application

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for the loan. for the loan.
• I'll stand on my submitted statement and say that I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity, and I hope
• the consumers and the public interest in recent years. for for John that he has this opportune for for
• And the hope is that there's always opportunity for change.
• </c> you know, for consumption. you know, for consumption.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• For that, Mr. Speaker, I'll ask for tax. For that, Mr.
• </c> for for that purpose. for for that purpose.
• This bill would also require the high school to provide reasonable accommodations for those activities
• /c><01:34:45.040><c> for</c><01:34:45.160><c> their</c> for them, for a pathway for their for them, for
• </c><01:37:11.120><c> the</c><01:37:11.200><c> for</c> for something outside of uh for the for for something

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County</c> what's good for their for their County what's good for their for their County but<00:10:13.680
• They foreclosed on the ability of high-efficiency heating systems to be eligible for that credit, so
• They foreclosed on the ability of high-efficiency heating systems to be eligible for that credit, so
• efficiency Heaton systems to be high efficiency Heaton systems to be eligible<00:54:02.760><c> for</
• I think I'll stop talking there and say that I hope you consider this bill as a useful vehicle for advancing

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides oversight and structure for an agency working in these high-stakes cases.
• for definitions, to provide for home state licensure, to provide for the compact privilege, to practice
• have to wait for openings for surgery beds, et cetera.
• Current law allows for that for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Oh, that ends it for the questions for the green cards. Mr.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from several prior 2025 meetings, then took up HB 574 by Rep. Spell, which updates the names of two organizations on the Mental Health Advocacy Service Board of Trustees. Rep. Spell explained it as a technical cleanup bill to correct the names of the Louisiana Mental Health Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society so the board’s membership records match current organization names. With no objections, HB 574 was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 486, also by Rep. Spell, to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) and allow Louisiana psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines. Rep. Spell and PsyPact representatives said the compact would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural areas, while maintaining standards and disciplinary oversight. The committee adopted amendments on fees and the effective date, and HB 486 was reported favorably with amendments. HB 198 by Rep. Eccles proposed a Medicaid reimbursement methodology for ambulatory surgical centers, using a Medicare-based rate to improve access for Medicaid patients needing specialty procedures. Amendments were adopted to add ophthalmology-related services and to cap reimbursement at the lesser of the outpatient hospital rate or 100% of the Medicaid rate, along with a technical amendment to address the fiscal note. Supporters from GI and ASC groups said the bill would improve access and lower long-term costs, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee spent the most time on HB 182 by Rep. Travis Johnson, which would require hospitals to ensure access to sexual assault forensic exams and related training. Johnson, law enforcement witnesses, and the Attorney General’s office emphasized the need for timely evidence collection, especially in rural areas, and said the current system leaves victims traveling long distances or losing evidence. Hospital and coroner witnesses supported the goal but opposed the bill as written, arguing it could impose duties on hospitals without enough trained personnel, funding, or a workable statewide training and coordination system; they urged a statewide coordinator, mobile SANE units, and clearer implementation. The bill was not finally disposed of in the portion of the meeting provided, and members discussed continuing to work on amendments and timing before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions for the witness? Thank you, ma'am, for being here.
• I was for it. You're for the bill? For the bill. OK. I just wanted to make sure.
• In the Senate office, we would... ...submit a certificate of appreciation for high school graduates,
• for HB. 1489.
• It's a good question, and I'm hoping that your bill author will have a great answer for you, because

Bills: HB304 , HB401 , HB556 , HB1475 , HB1489 , HB2259 , HB2424 , HB2773 , HB2811 , HB3323 , HB304

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't say this to discourage hope that we'll be able to figure out an answer for the cause of these
• But there's no requirement for schools to adopt those same standards. So it was the hope.
• But I believe those that sponsored the legislation hoped that by putting the Center for Safe Schools
• Thank you for being here today. Thank you for your service.
• For disaster recovery, for debris removal, for emergency protective measures, any additional revenue

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• This change aligns with the existing minute requirements for middle college and early college high schools
• And I congratulate you for fighting for it and asking for the funds to continue it.
• Liz, Department of Finance: Educator residencies provide high-quality, clinically rich preparation for
• the state to provide an additional $10,000 for teachers who commit to teach at a high-need school.
• the state to provide an additional $10,000 for teachers who commit to teach at a high-need school.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:36:13.440><c> you</c> have a pink card for 334 for you did you have a pink card for 334 for you
• The other well is next to our school, and it's been testing a little too high for PFAS.
• The other well is next to our school, and it's been testing a little too high for PFAS. 2,200 households
• </c> it's been testing um a little too high it's been testing um a little too high for for for pasas<
• "Thank you for the question. So, uh, it's not a high school question; it's an elementary school.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 332, a bill to add protection and remediation of surface waters as a new authorized purpose for New Hampshire village districts. Prime sponsor Rep. Rosemary Rung said the bill is intended to give local voters in lake communities a voluntary tool to address cyanobacteria blooms and other water-quality problems through village districts, including the ability to raise revenue, adopt ordinances, and pursue treatments or watershed management measures. She emphasized that the proposal is meant to complement, not replace, state law and that any district action would still need to comply with existing permitting and environmental requirements. Supporters, including Andrea Laro of New Hampshire Lakes and Elizabeth Harper of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, said the bill would help municipalities collaborate on lake protection when state resources are limited. They argued that local districts could bring subject-matter expertise, access grants and technical assistance, and respond more quickly to problems such as septic impacts, runoff, culvert repairs, and in-lake treatments. They also suggested clarifying the bill’s wording around “protection and remediation” to better define the scope of authorized activities. Opponents, including Steve Wolf and Chris Norwood of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, argued that village districts can already be overly broad and sometimes expand beyond their original purposes. Wolf said existing town and state agencies already handle shoreline protection and warned that village districts can impose ongoing taxes and create governance problems. Norwood urged a study bill instead, citing concerns about the scope of village districts and examples where some districts have taken on planning and zoning powers beyond their original mission. No vote or final action on HB 332 was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm waiting for your Mr. Chairman.
• Hope you'll take a look at that. That explains a lot of reasons for this bill.
• And I stand for questions, but I've up... Reasons for this bill.
• Stop for a moment.
• We've had this in other states for many years, for decades, 34 states.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for RS 33086. That is with us today. This is for R.S. 33086.
• But for now, I'm just asking the committee to introduce this, and I would stand for any questions.
• for.
• test for tuberculosis.
• I think it's easier for them, it's easier for us.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the January 22, 2026 minutes and then introduced three RSs. Senator Shippey presented RS 33086 on protection of working animals, which would bar local governments and agencies from enacting rules that effectively ban working animals or working animal enterprises; members asked whether rodeo animals and service animals were covered, and the RS was sent to print. Senator Blaylock presented two code-cleanup RSs from the DOGE committee effort, one removing obsolete programs and another deleting references to the Idaho One plan; both were sent to print after brief discussion. The committee then considered several Idaho State Department of Agriculture rule dockets. Lloyd Knight presented a repeal of the Idaho Hop Growers Commission rule because it duplicated statute, and the committee approved it. He also presented temporary and pending rules on grizzly bear and wolf depredation compensation, explaining the rules implement HB 592 and HB 82, establish definitions and a compensation matrix, and set priorities for confirmed, probable, and possible claims, along with conflict-prevention funding; a virtual witness from Living with Wolves supported the rules, and the committee approved both dockets. Dr. Scott Livesley then presented zero-based rewrites of the brucellosis, tuberculosis, and public exchange of livestock rules, emphasizing that the changes were mostly reorganization and clarification with no major regulatory changes. During the animal disease rule presentations, Dr. Livesley gave background on Idaho’s brucellosis and TB surveillance programs, including the designated surveillance area near Yellowstone, mandatory testing and vaccination requirements, and the role of federal and state agencies. Senators asked about federal involvement, vaccination, and emergency entry provisions, and Dr. Livesley explained the limits of wildlife vaccination and the need for ongoing surveillance. For the livestock exchange rule, he described the three public exchange venues and a change allowing end-of-day electronic sale reports instead of individual paper releases. Jeff Abrams of the Idaho Conservation League later testified in support of the depredation framework but urged more funding for conflict minimization and future compensation needs. The committee completed its rule approvals and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that really doesn't help for planning for juries four months before an election might be, and so
• There's a reason for that.
• Last piece of this: we're hoping and believing that this could be the last year that we're asking for
• All right, thank you for doing that. Do we have any speaker for or against the bill?
• I want to thank all members for hanging out here with me for the entire season, plus.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1655, which would have allowed qualified jurors to substitute temporary election work for jury service if summoned 90 to 120 days before an election. The Arizona Association of Counties opposed the bill, saying the timing would create major planning problems for county jury commissioners and courts, and that a better approach would be to excuse jury service only when election work overlaps the summons period. Members raised concerns about jury shortages, training, and whether the bill mixed two very different civic duties. The motion for a due pass recommendation failed on a 4-5 vote. The committee then heard SB 1751 and SCR 1049, identical measures to expand Arizona’s execution methods to include firing squad and lethal gas, with the choice left to the person sentenced to death. Senator Payne argued the change was needed because Arizona has had repeated problems with hangings, gas chambers, and lethal injection, and said the firing squad option would be more reliable. Opponents, including a death penalty attorney and a corrections chaplain/former officer, argued the bill would increase suffering, litigation, costs, and trauma for corrections staff, and that the state should instead improve existing lethal injection procedures or reconsider the death penalty itself. After debate, both measures received due pass recommendations, with several members explaining split or reluctant votes. The committee next considered a strike-everything amendment to SB 1317 that would appropriate opioid settlement remediation funds for county coordinated reentry planning services and a statewide database. Supporters from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association and county sheriffs said the county jail reentry programs have reduced recidivism, helped people find housing and work, and should be expanded to more counties, with the database needed to track outcomes. Members asked about data, funding levels, and whether the opioid settlement money would be sufficient, but generally supported the concept. The strike-everything amendment was adopted, and SB 1317 as amended received a due pass recommendation on a 9-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 1656, which would change court procedures for appointing professional personnel in family court cases. A court representative’s written concerns were read into the record, arguing the bill duplicated existing practice, would add unnecessary depositions and recording requirements, could raise costs, and included provisions that were already available under current law. With no bill sponsor or outside speakers present to address those concerns, members expressed uncertainty and the bill failed to receive a due pass recommendation on a 3-6 vote. The meeting ended with closing remarks thanking members and staff for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• as the backbone entity for the Idaho Coalition for Community Schools.
• ...well prepared for this.
• for the future.
• for the future.
• Chair, for a motion.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For all of these reasons, I sincerely hope you will listen to the voice of someone who is in the classroom
• For all of these reasons, I sincerely hope you will listen to the voice of someone who is in the 160
• So if it's unreliable, why didn't we use it for high-stakes testing where districts are penalized?
• For far too long, the STAAR test has felt like a high-stakes, pass-or-fail test, and it labels kids as
• That's better for students, and it's better for instruction.

Bills: HB8

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Summary: The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements. Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases. Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that, for example, for Innovation High School, one of the areas that we looked at for special
• Thank you for the report and for sharing. At this point in time, we have, let's see, if we...
• We hope this report...
• Thank you for being here in person. I suppose... Thank you for being here in person.
• Thanks for testifying today. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks for testifying today.

Summary: The committee meeting began with a brief explanation of the renamed Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee subcommittee, now called the Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits, and a presentation from the State Auditor’s Office on its current biennium performance audit work plan. The auditor described how topics are selected from a large pool of potential audits and highlighted several ongoing or planned audits, including the Liquor and Cannabis Board, oversight of authorized entities serving students with disabilities, the Quality Home Care Initiative, Medicaid managed care versus fee-for-service costs, the Housing Commission tenant ownership follow-up, DSHS vendor payment patterns, implementation of the Since Time Memorial curriculum, and the Washington State ferry system. Members asked about coordination with JLARC to avoid duplication, and the auditor said the offices exchange work plans, monthly updates, and quarterly coordination meetings. The committee then heard the State Auditor’s performance audit on how charter schools identify and support at-risk students. Auditors reviewed four charter schools—Catalyst Public Schools, Innovation High School, Pinnacles Prep, and Rainier Prep—and focused on English language learners, homeless students, and special education students. The audit found the schools met nearly all legal requirements reviewed, with only one area where two schools partially met a language-access requirement. The schools also used several promising practices, including small-group instruction, culturally responsive environments, and multi-tiered systems of support, though the auditors recommended better documentation of procedures to improve consistency. Families interviewed generally reported positive experiences, while noting resource constraints. Committee members asked about how the four schools were selected, whether the audit compared charter populations to home districts, and how MTSS requirements applied to the schools reviewed. The State Auditor’s Office said the sample was chosen for geographic diversity, student population characteristics, and representation from both authorizers, and that K-2 MTSS requirements were not evaluated because they applied to only one school. Representatives from the Charter School Commission and charter school advocates responded positively, emphasizing technical assistance, collaboration, and sharing best practices across schools. Two public testifiers also supported the report and said it highlighted effective practices that could be expanded across charter and traditional public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess for me, expert, are you hired for United or Molina?
• I've worked for health plans for almost 25 years, and so I have...
• And for that, I stand for questions. I'm sorry for the biology lesson. So we will go to Zoom.
• high-end radiology.
• That's why health plans standardize high-tech radiology services for $100, $200, or $150 copay.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• for you.
• your response so I I and thank you for your response so I I would<00:41:00.520><c> hope</c><00:41:00.800
• c><01:03:04.440><c> a</c> you come in for a x-ray uh for a you come in for a x-ray uh for a standard<
• example</c> example is for State staff for example example is for State staff for example uh<01:04:44.920
• c> level</c> eligibility for children just high level eligibility for children just high level I'll<01

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all