Transcript Highlights:

• have... ...State Senator for the 47th Legislative District.
• Senator Phil Fortunato, 31st Legislative District.
• There is no appropriation. A fiscal note was not requested. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
• A fiscal note is requested, but is not yet available.
• Again, Safelite supports this legislation.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee met for its first session under the committee’s new name and heard a work session on Washington’s economic development policy from the Department of Commerce. Commerce described its Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, including small business finance, export assistance, business attraction, and sector development work, and emphasized the need for a statewide economic development strategic plan with regular review, stakeholder input, and attention to rural and regional needs. Members asked about foreign trade offices, federal funding uncertainty, tax competitiveness, workforce programs, and the role of the Keep Washington Working program. Commerce said the state’s trade and investment efforts are valuable but face funding challenges, and that Washington must compete on more than taxes, including its business ecosystem and workforce. The committee then heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5919, which would encourage fire districts and insurers to develop voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation best practices related to agricultural activities. The sponsor described the bill as a way to reward farmers for practices such as defensible space, fire breaks, equipment storage, and avoiding high-risk work during red flag conditions. A fire chief testified in support, citing recent standing grain fires and the need for practical incentives in rural areas. The bill was described as having no appropriation and no requested fiscal note. Members also heard testimony on Washington in the Making 2040 from the Association of Washington Business and a business owner. Supporters said the 16-year economic vision plan was built from broad public engagement and focuses on workforce, business climate, infrastructure, housing, and community. They argued Washington needs more housing, a more competitive regulatory and tax environment, and reliable energy to support growth. Senators questioned how the plan would achieve its housing goals and what specific regulatory changes were needed; AWB said it would provide a regulatory study soon. The committee also received a wildfire mitigation work group update from the Office of Insurance Commissioner, which recommended stronger community mitigation, better data sharing, consumer transparency, and a possible grant program for home hardening, though it did not reach full consensus on a single property mitigation standard. Finally, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5871, which would prohibit assignment of benefits in property and casualty insurance and set new rules for motor vehicle glass repair claims, including ADAS-related disclosures and limits on steering and inducements. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Insurance Commissioner, Safelite, NAMIC, and the Northwest Insurance Council, said the bill would reduce auto glass fraud, improve transparency, and help stabilize premiums. Independent glass shop owners and the Independent Glass Association opposed the bill as written, arguing it would favor large vertically integrated companies, restrict small businesses, and fail to address insurer steering and conflicts of interest. Several witnesses requested technical amendments, and the committee took no final vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> legislative budget assistance office. legislative budget assistance office.
• </c><01:24:56.680><c> by</c> special ed sometimes it's legislation by special ed sometimes it's legislation
• </c> these kids with a free appropriate these kids with a free appropriate public<01:53:01.040><c> education
• </c> funded and expended appropriately. funded and expended appropriately.
• </c> appropriate another 4.4 million dollars. appropriate another 4.4 million dollars.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission on the costing of special education met to review several documents and updates, including draft materials on residential placements, an LBA dispute resolution report, prior minutes, rate-setting rules, and a letter involving Senator Hassan. The minutes from March 16 were approved by motion, second, and one abstention. Members also received an update that the LBA special education performance audit is still pending; the report is expected to be very large, NHED and the Board of Education must review and comment before release, and it likely will not be available until late summer or early fall. The separate EFA audit was also noted as still unreleased, and members said they may return later to issues involving EFA costing and differentiated aid. A major focus was HB 1099, which would create a committee to study the cost and liability of providing educational services to students placed in residential facilities. The chair explained that the House version had passed unanimously and the bill was headed to a committee of conference. Members discussed a proposed amendment to add the phrase “including but not limited to” so the study would cover not only court-ordered or treatment-related placements but also other residential placements, including those tied to school district decisions. Some members said this was a substantial expansion, while others said it would simply give the committee broader latitude. Jason Stock of the Winnisquam Regional School Board described how the issue arose during budget work at Winnisquam, where the district was trying to determine who should pay for educational services for students living at Spaulding Youth Center in Northfield. He said the district had 10 students attending Winnisquam, including three foster students and seven students connected to Spaulding, and that Spaulding-specific invoicing for 2024-2025 totaled $141,417.05 for eight students. Members also discussed rising private placement tuition costs and the difficulty of determining residency and fiscal responsibility for students placed in residential settings. Department counsel explained that under RSA 193:27 and 193:28, children placed in a home for children may attend the local district school, and that special education cost responsibility depends on whether the student is identified as disabled and on the nature of the placement. Spaulding representatives had not yet presented by the end of the excerpt, and the committee was still working through the residency and funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• cities requesting TML information about trainings.
• cities requesting TML information about trainings.
• There’s no legislation that has limited the amount of requests that has been dealt with, typically with
• “The appeal process, if the requester could take their time to review stuff, but if the requester appealed
• Yes, the appeal process, if the requester could take their time to review stuff, but if the requester

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that this is a piece of legislation that will address that issue.
• We are signed in as other on this legislation today. As Mr. Vick and as Mr.
• I ask that you would please support this legislation. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Cooper.
• And would they all agree that this is an appropriate use of that account?
• The response was that such a change would be possible through legislation.

Bills: SB6178 , SB5831

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't know how to recommend to my agents to appropriately cover that exposure.
• Christian Rhodes with Uber, present to provide information if requested.
• I was going to offer a friendly amendment at the appropriate time.
• I said 12 states have passed this legislation.
• I know how hard you guys work on all this legislation.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> request that the clerk read HR 276. request that the clerk read HR 276.
• ><c> legislation.
• </c> today is our 25th legislative day. today is our 25th legislative day.
• My reading of the legislation is that it appropriately shifts authority upward away from faculty senates
• </c> But we do appropriate money. But we do appropriate money.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and request a roll call. and request a roll call.
• </c> Roll call requested, roll call granted. Roll call requested, roll call granted.
• </c> the president and request a roll call. the president and request a roll call.
• </c> request a roll call. request a roll call.
• </c> and I request a roll call. and I request a roll call.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're no longer even the legislators that worked hard to get here. And the path.
• And my greatest fear and message to the rest of the legislators is if we do not properly fund you and
• And I'm disappointed that the Department of Justice didn't properly request monies for your work.
• And it's looking at about $4.5 million to $5 million to appropriately start and carry the office.
• Madam Chair, Senator, could the bill be that, along with the appropriation she needs for funding?

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee held confirmation hearings for Don Walters as New Mexico’s first State Child Advocate and for two New Mexico Highlands University regents, Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera. For Walters, the sponsor and selection committee chair described her extensive child welfare background, including work as a guardian ad litem, CYFD attorney, and director of CYFD’s Office of Advocacy. Multiple supporters testified, including former colleagues, a foster parent, and CYFD Acting Secretary Valerie Sandoval, all praising her integrity, child advocacy experience, and commitment to collaboration and transparency. Committee members focused heavily on the new Office of the Child Advocate’s startup needs, especially staffing, access to CYFD records, and funding. Walters said she expected the office to need roughly $4.5 million to $5 million to launch and envisioned about 26 to 27 staff, with regional presence across the state. Members urged the legislature to fund the office through House Bill 2 and discussed possible legislation to ensure timely access to records. The committee then voted unanimously to advance Walters to the full Senate. For New Mexico Highlands University, Senator Campos introduced Elaine Luna for reappointment, highlighting her background in social work, hospital administration, and community service. Luna said she would focus on student support, basic needs, and mental health, and the university president testified in support. The committee asked about campus safety and student issues, including how the board would respond if students were affected by ICE actions. The committee voted to advance Luna unanimously. The final confirmation was Grace Margaret Herrera, presented as a student regent candidate for Highlands. Supporters described her as a former foster youth, small business owner, and current student success center employee who mentors students and brings lived experience to the role. Members praised her resilience and connection to students, and the committee unanimously advanced her to the full Senate as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, Legislative Council, your legis- Legislative Council has labeled this bill as a Mandate Yes
• That was the intent of the original legislation SB 1266 from Senator Huff.
• Happy to support your bill as amended to move on to the Appropriations Committee.
• and with that at the appropriate time I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• appropriations.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's it and I'm happy legislation.
• So individuals, when they request a copy of a transcript, and remember they may be requesting multiple
• She was neutral and um she legislation.
• So, um, I'm going to move in expedient to legislate.
• They're they're not legislation.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's the bare minimum of requests of saying this is what we need.
• </c><00:24:37.679><c> of</c> And it's the bare minimum of requests of And it's the bare minimum of requests
• But I do think this is a major issue, and I think we as legislators down here need to make sure when
• But I do think this is a major issue, and I think we as legislators down here need to make sure when
• Major issue, and I think we as legislators down here need to make sure when we're passing legislation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a big piece of legislation.
• It should be taxed appropriately.
• It should be taxed appropriately.
• This is the supplemental appropriations bill, which will provide additional appropriations for particular
• So again, this is just supplemental appropriations.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote, and then moved through a series of introductions recognizing guests and student groups at the Capitol, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university groups, nursing students, and several legislative interns. The chamber also handled a point of order about an unauthorized prop in the room, which was removed. The first major bill taken up was House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction calculations. Supporters argued it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits and provide fairness to taxpayers, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. After debate, the House passed HB 1766 by a vote of 94-50. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming measure that would criminalize illegal gaming machines, create a regulated framework for video lottery terminals, give local governments an opt-out, and expand enforcement authority for the Attorney General and prosecutors. Members debated whether the bill was a needed enforcement tool or an inappropriate expansion of gambling, with concerns raised about addiction, local control, revenue distribution, and whether the bill should have gone to Fiscal Review. A motion to refer the bill to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill itself passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provided just over $3 billion in additional authority, including tax refund authority, disaster relief, St. Louis tornado recovery funding, and major MoDOT funding, along with other smaller items. Members from both parties supported the bill, while also noting concerns about reliance on supplementals and the need to budget more accurately in the future. The House adopted an amendment reducing some general revenue authority, then adopted the bill and perfected and printed it. The meeting ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> given a couple um raises and legislators given a couple um raises and legislators as<00:13:54.240
• </c> trying to think through our legislation trying to think through our legislation um<01:06:10.880>
• </c> budget. the general assembly appropriate budget. the general assembly appropriate 973<01:13:33.360
• </c> contributions uh that will be requested contributions uh that will be requested of<01:26:35.360>
• the seek formula request that will make the seek formula request that actually<01:32:24.480><c> comes

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was from Bo Craycraft of the Judicial Form Retirement System, who gave an update on investment performance, asset allocation, cash flow, and projected employer costs. He reported strong fiscal year 2025 investment results, with both the legislative and judicial retirement plans outperforming their actuarial assumed rates of return and benchmarks, driven largely by U.S. equity performance. He also noted the plans remained near their target asset allocation and continued to experience negative cash flow, though he said that was manageable in context of strong asset growth. Craycraft then discussed a recent experience study and actuarial assumption changes, especially a revised salary growth assumption and a higher cash balance interest credit rate. He said these changes increased projected employer costs, with contributions rising from about $700,000 to a projected $2 million in later years, though he expected the eventual 2025 valuation and investment gains to reduce that estimate. Members asked about mortality assumptions, the impact of the experience study on liabilities, and the sharp increase in the judicial plan’s projected employer cost. Craycraft explained that the increase was driven mainly by the updated assumptions and that no other major plan changes were involved. At the chair’s request, Craycraft also addressed the recent rise in Medicare Advantage premiums for the plan’s health coverage, saying the 2025 increase was largely tied to Part D changes and the Inflation Reduction Act and had been about 45%, but that future growth was expected to be under 5%. After his presentation, the committee moved to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority update, where the next speaker began by saying the funds had exceeded actuarial assumed returns for the fiscal year.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as legislative Kelly Half.
• <00:36:19.960><c> $250,000</c> appropriated $250,000 appropriated $250,000 last<00:36:22.400><c> year
• </c> responsibility for us as legislators. responsibility for us as legislators.
• </c><00:52:18.760><c> Non-compliance</c> bother requesting it. Non-compliance bother requesting it.
• </c> system issued a memo to the legislative system issued a memo to the legislative leadership<00:54

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House File 3939, a bill to support a Helping Paws service-dog litter named in honor of Gilbert and the Hortman family. Testimony from Helping Paws and service-dog graduate Angie Foley described the organization’s work, the significance of the “Guided by Gilbert” litter, and how the funding would help train dogs that provide independence and support to people with disabilities, veterans, and others. Members from both parties spoke warmly about Speaker Hortman’s connection to the organization and Gilbert, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then considered House File 3769, the Department of Corrections’ technical omnibus bill, with an A1 amendment adopted to clarify tuberculosis testing language. The bill updates TB screening procedures in correctional facilities, including how refusals are handled, and adds Quantiferon Gold Plus testing as an option alongside existing methods. Members discussed whether the bill would create costs for counties and jails, with some noting added testing and segregation costs and others arguing the changes would improve accuracy and reduce time in restrictive housing. The bill, as amended, was recommended to the general register. House File 3978 was next, a technical cleanup bill for a provider wellness program created last year. The bill expands eligibility and confidentiality protections from physicians to all health care providers, while supporters said the program is meant to address burnout and mental health strain in the workforce and does not require new money. Some members questioned whether the change was redundant or would broaden the program without additional funding, but the Minnesota Medical Association testified that the program is separate from insurance and was intended to serve all providers. The bill was recommended to the general register. Finally, the committee began House File 3476, which Rep. Liebling described as a cleanup bill related to Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care system and public program oversight. She argued that the state spends billions through managed care organizations and that the system has never been proven better than direct payment, setting up a broader discussion of the bill’s purpose and the state’s oversight of public health care spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation mirrors Florida's legislation that's named Brooks Law.
• In addition, this legislation allows for penalties against the platforms.
• So how is that happening, and then we need to do this legislation?
• So how is that happening, and then we need to do this legislation?
• I left mine, I think, open to appropriation.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 503, an act making appropriations for the operations, maintenance, and support of the legislative
• </c> why we need this legislation? why we need this legislation?
• </c> legislative citation 74? legislative citation 74?
• </c> clerk please to uh call legislative clerk please to uh call legislative citation<01:54:53.560><c
• </c> all legislators are invited. Thank you. all legislators are invited. Thank you.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:45.360><c> time</c> appropriate time, their appropriate time appropriate time, their appropriate
• </c> legislation contains important updates legislation contains important updates to<00:12:53.279><c
• </c><00:25:58.640><c> out</c><00:25:58.799><c> to</c> mutual aid requests go out to mutual aid requests
• Uh, it is an appropriation.
• </c> decisions will be appropriate. decisions will be appropriate.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT WILL COME TO ORDER
• THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY REQUEST IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
• THE LAST TIME THERE HAD BEEN A REQUEST FOR PERMIT WAS PROBABLY 10 YEARS AGO.
• I AM HERE TO OFFER MY SUPPORT FOR THIS LEGISLATION.
• AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE SENATE COMMITTEE WILL APPROVE THIS LEGISLATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for reimbursement but submit a request for reimbursement but the<00:14:33.720><c> funding</c><00:14:
• appropriated and obligated but<00:16:00.240><c> as</c><00:16:00.959><c> we</c><00:16:01.160><c> all<
• I hope that you're requesting them, Director, to do that.
• I hope that you're requesting them, Director, to do that.
• Would you please request me being on it?

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all