Video & Transcript : 'High Socks for Hope' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- As we have House sponsors today, we also have four bills up for public hearing and ten bills listed for
- Thank you very much for your time. Thank you for your testimony.
- I urge your support for the bill. Thank you for your time. Thank you so much.
- the cost for customers.
- It's paid for new high schools, new hospitals, fire stations, new recreation facilities.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology
Keywords:
weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we thank you for your support for this bill. Thank you.
- bill for all.
- Patients come to midwives for continuity, for cultural concordance, for a relationship that spans pregnancies
- Placing women in the hands of providers without adequate training and experience for these high-risk
- Given the high competition in the rental market, it is not uncommon for renters to commit to a unit without
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then took up a series of bills on business, professions, health, cannabis, and consumer protection. AB 72, creating an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County, drew questions about whether the state should target one region over others, but supporters argued it would help bring EV manufacturing and related jobs to the Inland Empire. The bill passed on a 8-1 vote to Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. AB 685, which would create the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to support technical assistance and capital infusion programs, drew broad support from small business networks and chambers, but some groups raised concerns that the June amendments could affect eligibility and that the funding should be clearly supplemental rather than replacing existing support. The author said discussions were ongoing, and the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations.
The committee also approved AB 173, a resolution, on a 7-0 vote, and AB 1760, a Dental Practice Act cleanup bill sponsored by the Dental Board, on a 10-0 vote. AB 1637, which would limit changes to physician-authored medical records and make unauthorized alterations a misdemeanor, was supported by physicians and labor groups who said it would protect patient safety and professional accountability; it passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. AB 1785, allowing online sales of pseudoephedrine products with existing age and quantity safeguards, passed 10-0. AB 1973, expanding the ability of advanced practice clinicians to perform procedural abortions within their training, drew strong support from reproductive health providers and strong opposition from anti-abortion witnesses who raised safety concerns; after questions about training and oversight, it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations.
The committee then considered AB 2025, requiring disclosure when rental listings use digitally altered or AI-staged images. Supporters said it would prevent renters from being misled, while the California Apartment Association said it was working with the author on implementation; the bill passed 8-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection. AB 2697, allowing drive-through cannabis sales with local approval and security requirements, was supported by cannabis businesses and operators as a way to improve access and compete with the illicit market, while narcotics officers opposed it over ID verification and public safety concerns; it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. Finally, AB 2249, responding to a state audit on cannabis packaging attractive to children by defining prohibited imagery and creating a public rubric and pre-review process, received support from the cannabis operators association and the state auditor’s office, while small independent farmers raised concerns that some categorical bans could sweep too broadly. The transcript cuts off during that bill’s opposition testimony, and no final action on AB 2249 is shown in the excerpt.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs May 6th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- for reimbursements.
- That would be my hope.
- “That’s what I’m hoping for, is to not only improve the— not only to, not only to, you know, for lack
- We only have a procedure for removing someone for conviction of a court.
- That's only for criminal cases. This is for removal by suit from office.
Committee:
House House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
human rights, individual liberties, Magna Carta, constitutionalism, free speech, Uniform Construction Code, building code, construction code, inspector licensing, building inspectors, plans examiners, public inspector, private inspector, private inspector company, building official, code enforcement, Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission, state fire marshal, International Building Code, International Residential Code
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- There is a need for flexibility while maintaining high-quality standards to provide health care facilities
- I actually was a supervisor and high-risk nutritionist for WIC, which is Women, Infants, and Children
- high-cost conditions for Medicaid systems.
- So I hope for total involvement. Other questions?
- If this passes, you're taking away these youths' hope for a better, brighter future. I vote no.
Bills:
HB2049 , HB2050 , HB2051 , HB2072 , HB2082 , HB2085 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2179 , HB2183 , HB2195
Committee:
House Health & Human Services
Keywords:
radiation therapy, particle accelerator, critical access hospitals, patient care, rural healthcare, radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and for all it brings.
- Idaho Code to provide for non-public school high school diploma equivalency relating to occupational
- I stand for questions. For the motion, for a debate on the motion.
- For privilege. Mr.
- Every morning she goes for a walk at 10, I think it's at 10 o'clock, and she goes for a walk for 10 minutes
Summary:
The House opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then received a notice appointing Kirk Larson as a substitute representative for District 33. The chamber also handled several Senate messages and committee reports, including printing or engrossing a number of bills, and advanced multiple measures through the calendar. Among the bills introduced were appropriations bills for the judicial and legislative branches (HB 847 and HB 848), an education bill revising career ladder and endorsement provisions (HB 849), and Senate bills on occupational licensure, veterans’ benefits consumer protections, specie/tender contracts, state investment in gold and silver, and household egg production.
The House passed Senate Bill 1332, a fiscal year-end cash transfer bill that reallocated about $100 million back to the general fund by pulling unspent money from several programs, including transportation strategic initiatives, the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, the Permanent Building Fund, water pollution control grants, and the In-Demand Careers Fund. Members also passed House Bill 545, which would allow military chaplains to qualify for counseling licensure and bill insurance; the bill drew substantial debate over whether chaplain training is equivalent to the education and supervised experience required for independent mental health practice, but supporters argued the military experience is valuable and the bill would help address counselor shortages. The House also passed HB 702 on securities ownership and Idaho law, HB 638 to restore Idaho’s presidential primary in March, HB 765 and HB 766 on fire district boundary changes and impact-fee collection, HB 767 on using impact fees for replacement of certain fire vehicles, HB 797 on fire district sub-district representation, and HB 672 to keep logos and slogans out of the executive budget document.
Later, the House passed HB 785, which adds school disciplinary procedures for vulgar or inappropriate online posts about educators, HB 760 on property tax exemption for workforce and affordable housing, and HB 789, ratifying the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Water Rights Settlement of 2026. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 27 honoring Idaho civilians who served and died on Wake Island during World War II, and House Resolution 25 approving reviewed administrative rules. A motion to suspend rules allowed immediate consideration of HB 833, a bill requiring daily recess in elementary schools and unstructured activity for middle school students; debate focused on whether the bill would improperly limit classroom discipline, and the transcript ends during closing remarks on that measure.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I would hope for your support on this bill. Further debate on the motion.
- And all of us, I know, are for bolstering it: the infrastructure, for collecting it, for recharge, for
- And all of us, I know, are for bolstering it: the infrastructure, for collecting it, for recharge, for
- And I hope you'll support this resolution. Thank you. For the motion, for debate, please.
- And I hope you'll support this resolution. Thank you. For the motion, for debate, please.
Summary:
The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge, and approval of the journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and a series of committee reports. Committee actions included printing, referral, or placement on calendars for numerous measures, including budget bills, education, tax, health, and code-cleanup legislation. The House also introduced a large slate of new bills and resolutions, many of them referred to committees for printing or further consideration.
On the floor, the House passed several bills and resolutions, often after brief explanations and little or no debate. Measures approved included House Bills 773, 775, 787, 790, 758, 798, 799, 831, and 863; House Resolution 26; Senate Bills 1261, 1232 as amended, 1226, 1239, 1240, 1291, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, and 1363; and Senate Concurrent Resolutions 116, 117, and 118. Topics ranged from code cleanup and deregulation to bankruptcy exemptions, podiatry board consolidation, daycare licensing, elections and polling locations, Medicaid budget reductions, guardianship and conservatorship reform, DNA collection for certain misdemeanors, sex offender residency rules near daycares, AI policy in K-12 education, and a maintenance budget for natural resources.
A notable portion of the debate centered on Senate Concurrent Resolutions 117 and 118 concerning water projects and cloud seeding. Supporters argued these projects are essential to Idaho agriculture, aquifer recharge, and water supply, while opponents raised concerns about insufficient independent data, environmental and health effects, transparency, and public consent. Despite those objections, both resolutions passed. The House also heard announcements recognizing visitors, upcoming committee meetings, and the Idaho Vandals’ athletic success, and it recessed with plans to return later in the day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 3/25/26
Transcript Highlights:
- She told me she knew they weren't good for her, high in sodium and full of ingredients that she can't
- Um, I hope that my GOP colleagues will continue to stand with the values they've had for a long time
- Um, I hope that my GOP colleagues will continue to stand with the values they've had for a long time
- Um, I hope that my GOP colleagues will continue to stand with the values they've had for a long time
- Um, I hope that my GOP colleagues will continue to stand with the values they've had for a long time
Summary:
The meeting focused on proposed Minnesota legislation to ban surveillance pricing and restrict AI-powered electronic shelf labels in grocery stores. Speakers from UFCW 1189 and UFCW Local 663, along with Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, argued that these technologies could enable real-time price increases based on consumer data, undermine budgeting and privacy, and worsen affordability for families. They also said the technology could reduce hours or eliminate jobs for grocery workers who currently handle pricing and store knowledge, with UFCW Local 663 estimating about 500 affected jobs among its members alone.
Testimony emphasized examples such as baby formula, diapers, bananas, and milk to illustrate how fluctuating prices could hurt families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people in food deserts. Speakers also argued that grocery workers provide essential customer service and that automation should be introduced responsibly, not at the expense of workers or consumers. Murphy and Sencer-Mura framed the bill as a response to corporate greed and big tech surveillance, saying Minnesota should act proactively before the practices become widespread.
During questions, lawmakers and advocates discussed whether the issue was proactive or reactive, whether disclosure requirements like those used in New York would be sufficient, and how surveillance pricing differs from loyalty programs or coupons. Speakers said disclosure alone would not prevent tracking or price manipulation and that the goal was to stop the practice altogether. The transcript ended with the advocates saying they would continue meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; no vote or final committee action was recorded in the excerpt, though one question referenced a related bill stalling in committee earlier that morning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- held to a high bar.
- Thanks for listening, and I hope you will support this bill. Well, thank you for your enthusiasm.
- For high schools with about 1,000 students, we're seeing a few hundred collected over the course of half
- For high schools with about 1,000 students, we're seeing a few hundred collected over the course of half
- It's very scary, and my youngest just graduated high school, and I was hoping to have it fixed by the
Summary:
The committee heard AB 839, which would allow up to three sustainable aviation fuel projects to qualify for expedited CEQA judicial review. The author and airline and airport supporters argued SAF is a key emissions-reduction strategy for aviation and that California needs to signal investment certainty after prior project litigation. Environmental Justice and Earthjustice opposed, saying the bill weakens the public’s ability to challenge polluting projects and that SAF facilities can harm already overburdened communities. The committee later took a roll call on the bill and it was held on call after a 3-0 vote, with the motion being due pass to Judiciary.
Members then took up AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes in California. The author and a broad coalition of waste, public health, local government, and environmental groups said the devices create fire hazards, add lithium batteries to the waste stream, and burden local recycling and hazardous waste systems. Opponents, including retailers and business groups, argued the bill would mainly affect a small legal market while the illicit market would continue to supply most disposable vapes, and warned of unintended consequences. After discussion about illicit sales, EPR ideas, and reuse alternatives, the committee voted 2-2 on the motion to pass as amended to Revenue and Taxation, so the bill was kept on call.
The committee also heard AB 907, which would compensate the six local air district representatives who serve on the California Air Resources Board the same as other board members. The author and supporters said the change would improve equity and help ensure local representation on CARB, and no opposition was presented. The chair expressed support, noting similar legislation had passed the committee previously, and the bill was held for a later vote once quorum issues were resolved.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 14th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We must stand firmly for free and fair elections, for equal access to the ballot, and for the principle
- And for those reasons, to be racially blind, I ask for your no vote.
- This is heavy for me.
- I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Do you wish for the first roll to be open for co-authors? Yes.
- of California, for Californians and for tourists.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Performance Audit Oversight Committee (10/03/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Thanks for coming in.
- Yes, thank you for the question. I will Yes, thank you for the question.
- for several for several been running for several for several years<00:50:32.240><c> at</c><00:50:32.400
- </c> pause there for questions. pause there for questions.
- Thank you all for coming.
Summary:
The committee opened by approving the September 5, 2025 minutes, with one member asking that future minutes use honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. The agenda was then adjusted so Police Standards and Training could present first. Director John Skipa reported on the 2019 performance audit, saying 12 of 16 findings were fully resolved and the remaining items were substantially or partially resolved. He highlighted work on a job task analysis to update curriculum and develop a more realistic physical aptitude test, including possible replacement of the long-used Cooper test and a shift away from mandatory baton training toward electronic weapons training. He said stakeholder work groups would meet in October and November, with a goal of completing the work by the first quarter of 2026.
On the strategic planning and performance measurement finding, Skipa said the agency had relied on the 2019 audit and the LEAC report as guides while also implementing a digital records system. He acknowledged that a formal forward-looking strategic plan with the council had not yet been completed, but said he and the council chair wanted to do so, possibly through a retreat-style planning session. Members asked how many LEAC recommendations had been fully implemented; Skipa said he did not know the exact number but believed nearly all of the 22 items assigned to his agency were complete. On the administrative rules finding, he said a part-time former director had been brought back to help revise outdated rules, the council subcommittee had finished its work, and proposed changes would be sent to the full council, then to stakeholders and the public, with a public hearing expected and implementation targeted for 2026.
For the Corrections Advisory Committee finding, Skipa said the committee had been reconvened in 2020 and 2021 but had limited usefulness because the statutorily named members were mostly high-level administrators rather than line supervisors or newer corrections staff. He said some positions later went unfilled because of budget and staffing issues, and the committee had not been called back, but he was open to either informal adjustments or possible legislative changes to make the committee more useful. Committee members suggested that the statute may need to be amended to allow more appropriate designees or supervisors to participate. After Police Standards and Training concluded, the committee moved on to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, where the executive director said he would focus on the partially resolved items in the dental examiner audit and the National Path audit, noting that many changes were tied to recent statutory revisions.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Representative Gutierrez, if that is a problem for high school, then maybe I would be open to
- The current timing of Arizona's high-stakes testing window creates significant problems for students,
- I have high concerns with this not being the possibility of this not being effective for our kids that
- for so long and magic. for bringing this bill forward and for her patience in being here for so long
- Most of them that I have voted yes for or for public safety and some for for public infrastructure.
Committee:
House House Education Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school release-time policy for religious instruction from permissive to mandatory for school districts and charter governing bodies. The sponsor and supporters said the bill protects parental choice, religious liberty, and constitutional release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, pull students from instructional time, and expose schools to constitutional and social harms. After public testimony and debate over liability, indoctrination, and academic impact, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a due pass recommendation.
The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations. The bill would allow parents of enrolled students or representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting a school to receive directory information unless a parent or eligible student opts out. Supporters from PTO/PTA groups said the change is needed so parent organizations can continue communicating with families and building school community, while members raised concerns about whether the language should be narrowed to avoid political or other misuse of student data. The sponsor said he was open to an amendment, and the committee approved HB 2193 on a 10-1 vote, with one member present.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which would require public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and create a searchable online database of compensation details, including salary, benefits, and car allowances. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure, and the committee discussed an amendment to add more specific filing deadlines and the online database requirement. Opponents from school administrators and rural districts argued that superintendent salaries are already public, that the bill should also apply to charter and private schools receiving public funds, and that it could add burdens or distort comparisons across different public-sector labor markets. Supporters said the bill would make total compensation easier to access and reduce public records requests. The sponsor closed by saying the bill would centralize compensation information and simplify disclosure for districts.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Info Briefing - Thu Jan 29, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> for</c> community supervision tool for community supervision tool for operational<00:29:59.039><
- Safety for themselves, safety for their families.
- </c><01:46:59.840><c> So</c><01:47:00.400><c> for</c><01:47:00.800><c> for</c><01:47:00.960><c> for</
- So for for for them to have that of us.
- So for for for them to have that sustaining<01:47:04.320><c> power</c><01:47:04.719><c> and</c><01:47
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing: Human Services Committee and Health and Human Services Committee - Part 2 - 05/04/26
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, nursing facilities are considered high-risk when they first enroll.
- For example, nursing facilities are considered high-risk when they first enroll.
- For example, nursing facilities are considered high-risk when they first enroll.
- For example, nursing facilities are considered high-risk when they first enroll.
- For example, high-risisk providers.
Summary:
The committees resumed discussion of amendments to a bill dealing with licensing moratoria, change-of-ownership rules, and related provider oversight issues. Amendment A8 would prevent a licensing moratorium for certain intermediate care service settings from blocking a new license when the change is due to a change of ownership, including temporary licenses and transitional licenses. Department of Human Services staff said they were still reviewing the language but explained the department’s concern was maintaining program integrity and ensuring owners go through full change-of-ownership review so the agency can see who owns a provider and check compliance history. Senators supporting the amendment argued it would keep legitimate businesses from being harmed by a moratorium and could help preserve providers when ownership changes or family members take over after a death. A8 was adopted on a roll call, with both committees voting in support.
Amendment A9, also on the moratorium topic, would exempt a change of ownership from the moratorium so long as it does not increase license capacity or service scope. The department said it needed more analysis to avoid unintended consequences, but the amendment was added to the working bill. Amendment A10 proposed a more detailed, data-driven framework for the moratorium and included a provision about refunds after implementation; department staff said the language would add cost and would require technical assistance, while senators emphasized the need to address licensure backlogs and avoid making provider delays worse. A10 was approved by the committees, though not unanimously.
Amendment A11 would have set standards for how the commissioner designates provider types or program areas as moderate or high risk, with added transparency criteria. The department said the commissioner already has that authority and raised concerns about federal requirements and the state’s corrective action plan, and Senator Hoffman withdrew the amendment. Amendment A12, offered by Senator Fateh, would preserve remote supports by removing bill language that repealed the service and would add safeguards for remote overnight supervision, including staffing ratios to ensure emergency response times can be met. Several senators supported keeping remote services as an important, cost-effective option amid workforce shortages, while the department said it had program integrity concerns and supported the governor’s proposal to remove the service. The committee nevertheless advanced A12, with members noting the need to balance safety and integrity with access to services.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So we do hope that you defer HB 2306, and mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
- </c> out years for uh for 3 years. out years for uh for 3 years.
- it's</c> potentially for for many years, it's potentially for for many years, it's hard<00:53:50.840>
- <c> HB</c><01:49:38.720><c> 2306,</c> up for decision making for HB 2306, up for decision making for
- So, we're hopeful that this trajectory continues. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.
Bills:
HB2459 , HB1616 , HB1799 , HB1604 , HB1732 , HB1736 , HB1931 , HB772 , HB2153 , HB2122 , HB2009 , HB2012 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB2397 , HB2398 , HB1596 , HB2233 , HB1976 , HB1563 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1851 , HB1941 , HB2037 , HB1635 , HB2201 , HB1943 , HB1163 , HB2452 , HB2429 , HB2148 , HB2306 , HB2007 , HB2049 , HB2616
Committee:
House Finance
Keywords:
food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification, performance indicators, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, housing development, commercial projects, county authority, public works, construction standards, exemption, zoning, housing
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Is for fiscal year 24.
- Those expansions are funded by one-time appropriations, and so, of course, we're hoping for recurring
- I think money for AOC. I think money for the courts to deal with those.
- Thank you for that.
- Do you want to wait for You'll have up to 10 minutes for advocacy.
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 7th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, body, for the sake of our youth in North Dakota, I'm please asking for So, body, for the sake of
- And because we have a small school, we have prom every year for all kids in high school.
- What I'm used to in doing soil classification and high watermark for septic system design in Minnesota
- Given North Dakota is an agricultural, energy, and military powerhouse, it is a high-value target for
- So for all those reasons, we voted do not pass, and hope that you do the same.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then moved through a series of conference committee appointments and reconsideration motions. Senator Axtman successfully moved to reconsider House Bill 1160, which had previously failed, and the chamber later passed it. HB 1160 creates a statewide bell-to-bell policy restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time; supporters argued it would reduce distractions, improve mental health and academic outcomes, and help teachers, while opponents raised local control concerns. The bill passed 42-4.
The Senate also passed several other measures, including HB 1247 on protecting student victims of sexual offenses, HB 1489 consolidating civil protection orders into one chapter, HB 1032 making municipal courts courts of record and updating related procedures, HB 1487 authorizing a Minot facility for the Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a line of credit and emergency clause, HB 1469 requiring annual online statements of interest for public officials, HB 1199 creating the Missing and Indigenous People Task Force and related MMIP initiatives, HB 1169 regulating paid veterans benefits claim assistance with consumer protections, HB 1209 directing a foreign adversary threat assessment, and HB 3018 as amended to study water, wetlands, and taxation of inundated lands. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 1169 drew substantial debate over veterans’ service options and HB 1209 passed on a narrower 40-7 vote.
The chamber rejected or declined several other measures. HB 1455, which would have required the Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications, failed 7-40 after concerns about an unfunded mandate and duplicative duties. HB 1259, which would have put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time, was defeated 15-32 after debate over time zones, construction, recreation, and whether the issue should be left to future legislatures. HB 1555, dealing with statements of ownership for foreign organizations of concern, also failed 3-44. The Senate then moved to announcements and committee scheduling for later meetings and conference committees.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any questions for Mr. Jensen? Seeing none. Thank you for your testimony today.
- Any other questions for the sponsor? Seeing none. Thank you for your testimony today.
- Any other questions for the sponsor?
- for Idaho.
- And it shows that... for spring barley production are not recommended for Idaho.
Committee:
House Agricultural Affairs
Summary:
The House Ag Affairs Committee approved the minutes from its March 16, 2026 meeting and then took up House Bill 879, which Representative John Scheris described as a pared-down version of an earlier industrial hemp bill. He said the measure would bring retail hemp product establishments under the Idaho Department of Agriculture’s oversight to address loopholes involving the sale of THC products such as Delta-8 and Delta-9, while avoiding overregulation of hemp seed, powder, and other legitimate products. Braden Jensen of the Idaho Farm Bureau supported the bill, saying it reflected stakeholder work and would help ensure retail products comply with state law. Representative McCann moved to send HB 879 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation and to place it on second reading, and the committee agreed.
The committee then received an update from Laura Wilder of the Idaho Barley Commission. She reviewed the commission’s funding, goals, and programs, and reported that Idaho remained the nation’s leading barley producer, growing 39% of the U.S. crop in 2025 on about 490,000 harvested acres. She highlighted research, market development, and education efforts, including work that has improved yields over time, reduced unnecessary input costs, and supported domestic and foreign market development. Wilder also noted current market softness, including expected declines in malt barley acres and flat prices, but said long-term demand remains promising because of brewing, feed, and food applications.
Maya Landa of the Idaho Grain Producers Association followed with a broader overview of the grain economy. She said growers are facing low commodity prices, rising input costs, weather and water risks, trade uncertainty, and policy changes, while noting that wheat and barley remain major Idaho crops and that exports are critical to profitability. She discussed the importance of federal programs, the Farm Bill, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, water infrastructure, workforce issues, and commodity commissions. Committee members asked about dam breaching concerns affecting the Columbia-Snake river system and about the stalled Farm Workforce Modernization Act; Landa emphasized the need for continued engagement on those issues. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences May 7th, 2025
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you again for your time and attention for this brief refresher. I'm happy to end...
- Next, House Bill 1060 added a new requirement for businesses claiming a B&O tax exemption for publishing
- I'll be filling in for Eric this morning. A little audible here for you.
- Does anyone have questions for Liz?
- So that concludes our business for the day. Is there anyone registered for public comment?
Summary:
The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 7, 2025, with quorum present. The commission approved the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes and then received its annual open government refresher from the Attorney General’s office, which reviewed key requirements under the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including record retention, response deadlines, exemptions, and meeting notice rules.
Staff then provided a 2025 legislative session update, noting that the legislature passed 23 tax-preference-related bills, with several signed by the governor and others pending. Highlights included bills that extended or repealed certain preferences, added reporting requirements for newspaper and digital content exemptions, authorized JLARC to adjust its work plan when data is unavailable, and created a new exemption for zero-emission buses. The commission approved updates to the 2026 tax preference review schedule, which includes eight preferences in seven reviews, and approved unchanged testimony questions for 2025.
The commission also received the 2025 expedited preference review report covering 52 tax preferences, presented as an interactive table drawing on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies. Staff then outlined the process for developing the next 10-year review schedule for 2027-2036, including surveying the legislature, incorporating new and repealed preferences, and considering a possible rolling 10-year schedule. No public comment was registered. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of Ron Buing’s long service on the commission and an announcement that the next meeting would be held August 6, 2025.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Feb 3rd, 2026 at 08:00 am
Early Learning & K-12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm also senior at Lake Washington High School, and I am testified in support of Thank you for letting
- Thank you very much for your time. Thank you very much for coming down to testify.
- Don't have that one for you.
- We're going to try to get additional information, but for now I'm asking for a no vote.
- We're going to try to get additional information, but for now I'm asking for a no vote.
Committee:
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
Keywords:
military families, military children, school enrollment, residency requirements, public schools, school districts, educational stability, student mobility, interstate compact, military relocation, active duty, military orders, special education, IEP, Section 504, records transfer, conditional enrollment, Washington schools, RCW 28A.225.215, military installation
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, I thank you sincerely for hearing the bill. ...really for hearing the bill.
- I hope.
- The first part of your question I'd probably have to turn to staff for, for a...
- I've worked for Providence for three years and now for Compassus for nearly one year.
- I'd like to see that change to high-capacity magazine, and then for firearm components, since frames
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2255, House Bill 2548, and House Bill 2320. HB 2255 would regulate third-party litigation funding by requiring disclosure of funders and agreements, prohibiting funder control over litigation, capping funder recovery at 25%, and creating enforcement remedies. Supporters, including the sponsor, insurance groups, and liability reform advocates, described it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure that could improve court efficiency and reduce costs. Opponents, including the Washington State Association for Justice and the commercial litigation funding industry, argued it would burden plaintiffs, reveal protected work product, chill access to justice, and create satellite litigation. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and asked testifiers to submit written comments.
HB 2548 would expand state oversight of health care market transactions by broadening the types of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and ownership/control changes that trigger notice to the Attorney General, pausing transactions until information requests are substantially complied with, expanding interagency data sharing, and revoking nonprofit status in certain transactions. Supporters, including patient advocates, nurses, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General’s office, physicians, and individual health care workers, said private equity and consolidation are driving higher costs, reduced access, and lower quality. Opponents from the Washington State Hospital Association and MultiCare said the bill is unclear, may contain drafting errors, does not adequately target private equity structures, and could create problems around nonprofit status and charitable assets. The hearing ended with the committee moving on to the next bill.
HB 2320 would update Washington’s ghost gun laws to address 3D-printed firearms, CNC manufacturing, digital firearm manufacturing code, and the sale of machines marketed for firearm production, and would make certain violations per se Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor and supporters, including school officials, gun violence prevention advocates, a trauma survivor, a 3D-printing industry representative, and others, said the bill closes a public safety loophole and responds to the growing availability of untraceable weapons. Opponents, including the NRA, makerspace representatives, and some industry witnesses, argued the bill is overbroad, may sweep in lawful 3D-printing and CNC activity, raises First, Second, and Fifth Amendment concerns, and could create uncertainty through rebuttable presumptions and the CPA provisions. The transcript ends during the HB 2320 hearing, with additional testimony panels still to come and no final committee action recorded.