Transcript Highlights:

• It's also for early care and early childhood; it's allowing it in there as well.
• This program reimburses school districts and early care settings for their purchases from Minnesota farmers
• I'm happy to share my support for the Farm to School and early care program as a farmer who sells to
• for Minnesota's Farm to School and Early Childhood Program.
• early care programming.

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs like this one are a direct response to that crisis, and they prevent tragic outcomes by expanding
• mentorship and leadership programming, recreational and educational spaces, and a safe environment for
• funding for the Community and Technical College building tune-up program and the HVAC control and schedule
• And we ask and encourage you to accept the House budget for the community forest program and the additional
• , and this is money that you did not. ...prevention and $1,168 in your budget, and this is money that

Bills: SB6003 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB1983

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning, construction costs, inflation adjustment, capital facilities, project review, allotments, lease approval

Transcript Highlights:

• and preventing overcrowding of the area and preventing overcrowding of large<02:16:02.000><c> families
• 02:23:20.920><c> can</c> restriction program um and if I can restriction program um and if I can briefly
• we fully support this program and its intent.
• </c><03:10:14.520><c> and</c> debed to implement this program and debed to implement this program and
• 560</c><05:09:56.920><c> is</c><05:09:57.040><c> a</c> and Justice programs HP 560 is a and Justice programs

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And representative, you identified this need early on and have advocated for this and of course we appreciate
• And representative, you identified this need early on and have advocated for this and of course we appreciate
• And representative, you identified this need early on and have advocated for this and of course we appreciate
• for for this early on and have advocated for for this and<00:25:42.640><c> and</c><00:25:43.039><c>
• and backfilling programs and backfill and backfilling programs and administrate<00:30:52.159><c> these

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said they are hearing more and more about it, and that no one is trying to prevent someone—just trying
• From athlete and family NIL contract education programs to athletic tax education programs, financial
• and partnership with a school system to increase awareness of and access to certain training programs
• And so we thought, you know, if we could get a pilot program off the ground, and I don't know why, but
• I wanted to ask if, as a committee, we could maybe go and see the program once it's established, and

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first took up HB 987, which would move the Louisiana Geological Survey under the LSU Energy Institute to streamline energy-related programs. The author and members described it as an efficiency measure, and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection. Members then heard HB 513 on name, image, and likeness rules for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes. The bill was presented as a product of a task force and was supported by the Attorney General’s office, coaches, and a student athlete, who emphasized the need for guardrails, education, and protections against exploitation by agents or third parties. Questions focused on high school enforcement, parental consent, and what students may legally do; the committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered HCR 26, which asks BESE to incorporate the science of human growth and development, including prenatal development, into science or health standards and to provide instructional materials. Supporters said it would improve science education and show fetal development more clearly, while opponents raised concerns about medical accuracy, political influence, and lack of safeguards. An amendment requiring parental consent for instruction was offered but failed on a roll call vote, and the resolution was then reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 608 favorably as amended to protect confidentiality of documents tied to intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing, while preserving public disclosure of overall institutional spending. It also advanced HB 380, creating a pilot program to expand CDL workforce training through a community college and school partnership, and HB 392, which would require suicide hotline information on school websites, student ID cards, and, through amendment, visible signs in schools. The committee then reported HB 476 as amended, requiring Safe Haven law flyers in school restrooms, and began discussion of HB 682 to authorize veterans as school resource officers, with amendments addressing qualifications and training.

Transcript Highlights:

• childhood education and assistance program, otherwise known as ECEAP.
• In the early childhood education and assistance program, otherwise known as ECEAP, in terms of fiscal
• Chair, this is not a debate about the program and the underlying program.
• , and wanting this fee to pay for that program, and for that reason I ask for your support.
• for that program, and for that reason I ask for your support.

Bills: HB2159 , HB2251 , HB2521

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: preK, education funding, childcare, youth development, state budget, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and importantly is that uh this program and this<00:01:03.960><c> type</c><00:01:04.119><c> of</c><00
• And they are incredibly intuitive, and I'm so happy to see that you're expanding this program because
• I'm glad it's being a beneficial program to so many, and thank you, officer, for your service and for
• c><00:15:21.320><c> was</c> to it's early days yet and I was to it's early days yet and I was wondering
• ><00:23:26.440><c> what</c><00:23:26.679><c> success</c> program and and what what what success program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Childhood Education and Assistance Program, otherwise known as ECEAP.
• In the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, otherwise known as ECEAP, in terms of fiscal
• Chair, this is not a debate about the program and the underlying program.
• And as we have discussed, we would like those fees to be able to pay for the program.
• authorizes charging both direct and indirect program costs without... ...charges, both direct and indirect

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met in executive session on three bills. For House Bill 2159, which creates the pre-K Promise account for ECEAP, the committee adopted Amendment Clark 333 to clarify that account funds may support any children enrolled in ECEAP, not just the entitlement population. Members spoke in support of the bill as expanding early learning access, and the substitute bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 29-0 vote, with two members excused. For House Bill 2251, dealing with Climate Commitment Act account structure and revenue distribution, staff briefed the proposed substitute and two offered amendments from Representative Dye. Both Dye amendments were rejected: one would have expanded allowable uses to include items such as buoys, trails, small forest landowner grants, drought and water quality projects, outdoor recreation, and marina support; the other would have restored annual rather than biennial reporting on CCA spending. Supporters said the bill would simplify and clarify CCA budgeting and better align spending with declining revenues, while opponents argued it did not sufficiently prioritize climate resiliency and accountability. The substitute bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 18-12 vote, with one excused. For House Bill 2521, which would let the Washington State Patrol set firearm background check fees to cover program costs, the committee considered seven amendments. All seven were rejected: proposals to cap the fee increase at $20, exempt low-income residents, people near least restrictive alternative placements, veterans and active military, domestic violence victims, and residents of counties with fewer officers per capita, and to delay the effective date until Washington no longer has the fewest officers per capita nationwide. Supporters of the bill said the fee should be cost-based to avoid subsidizing the program with general funds and to prevent delays in background checks; opponents argued the bill created an open-ended fee increase and financial barrier to a constitutional right. The bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 18-12 vote, with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> or</c> prevention and assistance program or prevention and assistance program or FHPAP<00:13:03.600
• program um and essentially says if a program um and essentially says if a household<00:17:53.520><c>
• And so when we built this program.
• </c><00:31:59.600><c> it</c> section 8 program and make sure that it section 8 program and make sure
• <c> and</c><00:37:10.720><c> preserve</c> programs that create and preserve programs that create and

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It sits in Early Learning and K-12.
• And I'm curious whether you know whether they align with our current standards in Early Learning and
• It sits in Early Learning and K-12.
• And I'm curious whether you know whether they align with our current standards in Early Learning and
• That sits in licensing and sits with child care, and in the Senate, that sits in Early Learning and K

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a brief Monday meeting to hear two bills and a gubernatorial appointment. House Bill 2464, sponsored by Rep. Ortiz-Self, would require private detention facilities to report serious incidents such as abuse allegations, deaths, suicides, injuries requiring hospitalization, and service disruptions to the Department of Health and local law enforcement by the next business day, and would require annual law-enforcement reporting to DOH. Rep. Ortiz-Self said the bill is needed because private facilities have been inconsistent and delayed in sharing information, while state facilities already provide data more readily. Testimony from Columbia Legal Services, the League of Women Voters, La Resistencia, and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project strongly supported the bill, citing barriers to reporting crimes and concerns about abuse in private detention. The committee did not vote on the bill during the hearing, but the chair said it would be considered in executive session. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2253, a DCYF request bill making several licensing-related changes for foster care, crisis residential centers, and child care. The bill would require immediate termination of certain child-specific foster licenses if high-potency synthetic opioids or illicit substances are found, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, allow DCYF to close inactive foster homes, remove sex designation from foster licenses, adjust CRC staffing ratios to one staff for four youth during waking hours and one for six during sleeping hours, and strengthen child care subsidy fraud enforcement through electronic attendance verification and possible license revocation. DCYF and Community Youth Services testified in support, describing the changes as technical fixes that align statute with current practice and reduce burden on providers. Committee members raised concerns that some child care provisions may belong in a different committee and noted the need to ensure the bill does not duplicate or conflict with existing licensing and fraud rules. The committee then held a confirmation hearing for Corey McNally, reappointed to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. McNally described the board’s role in release decisions, supervision conditions, violation management, and release plans, and discussed his background in community mental health, the Special Commitment Center, DOC sex offense treatment, and ISRB leadership. Members asked about advances in sex offense assessment and treatment, the distinction between ISRB cases and sexually violent predator civil commitment, board consistency and recidivism work, and victim participation in hearings. McNally said the board uses structured decision-making and actuarial risk assessments, remains neutral on legislation, and provides victim liaisons to offer participation options. The chair closed the hearings, noted the committee would meet the next day on a large packet of bills and one appointment, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a grant program, and it is established within our budget.
• This is a unique program in that it helps those who are 25 and older, correct?
• So maybe early in life, they went through the A-plus program, took advantage of that, and now they want
• I know in my home programs, both at Ozark Tech and Missouri State University, they do a really Programs
• We heard this bill in your committee on crime and prevention. It was voted out 16-0.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and members. I want to recognize the Texas Prevention Network. They're over here.
• The Texas Prevention Network is an organization that's dedicated to keeping children and families safe
• The arrival of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway in the in the early 20th century brought new
• HB 895 by Lilani relating to the development and implementation of the Live Well Texas program and the
• or for the subcommittee on Disease Prevention, Women and Children's Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you for all of our elected colleagues for putting forth good legislation and understanding
• AB 1076, Addis, Cal-ABLE program: due pass as amended to strike financial incentive provision and make
• or injury prevention organizations; and three, make technical changes.
• AB 532, Ransom, Water Rate Assistance Program: do pass as amended to strike Sections 1 and 3; out with
• and embed it within CDFA's existing program infrastructure; out with Republicans not voting.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> world</c> programs, partnerships, and real world programs, partnerships, and real world learning<
• suppression programs of the Division of Prevention and Control and, in connection therewith, implementing
• meaningful and not undermined by early release.
• meaningful and not undermined by early release.
• </c> meaningful and not undermined by early meaningful and not undermined by early release. release.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Craft and other stakeholders on program design.
• Craft and other stakeholders on program design.
• Craft and other stakeholders on program design.
• Um and stakeholders on program design.
• </c><01:42:37.520><c> and</c> respected quality of this program and respected quality of this program

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's a program we've had now for several years and has grown.
• And so that's a program we've had now for several years and has grown.
• And I really—it's more of a comment than a question—and I say it to the principals, and you’ve got programs
• At that time, we added a women's soccer program and we added a men's wrestling program.
• and and excuse me public investment and private philanthropy as you know this program provides the one

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunter's disability, though significant, has not prevented him from living his best life and achieving
• Hunter's disability, though significant, has not prevented him from living his best life and achieving
• It does nothing to help the senior citizens who are homebound and hungry because our community programs
• Please prioritize the funding of our health care system and food assistance programs.
• Voters prefer to maintain the current income tax rates in order to invest in programs and services.

Committee: All REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:48.360><c> bill</c><00:16:48.639><c> makes</c> Early Learning board and this bill makes Early
• of early childhood ensure representation of early childhood education<00:17:12.039><c> and</c><00:17
• </c><00:21:28.640><c> into</c> program and the clinical consultant into program and the clinical consultant
• grows more and and as as the program grows more and more<00:35:59.760><c> farmers</c><00:36:00.119><
• Recess. program um and in what was shared um program um and in what was shared um earlier<01:17:01.159

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with testimony largely in support. SB 1388 and SB 1393, both concerning the School Facilities Authority and Department of Education representation and land conveyances, received support from DOE and the School Facilities Authority, with no questions or action taken. SB 423, which would add Head Start representation to the Early Learning Board, was supported by the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning, which explained the bill would realign the board with federal Head Start Act requirements after the board was restructured in Act 170; EEL also requested an effective-date amendment. SB 422, allowing DOE to award diplomas to students whose education was disrupted by war, drew support from DOE, the Chamber of Commerce, the Military Council, and the Special Education Advisory Council, but also significant opposition from the Hawaii Patriot Republicans and many individuals; members asked questions about the bill, and DOE explained the measure’s purpose, but no vote was taken. The committee also took testimony on SB 532, which would expand who may administer certain medications in schools. DOE, the Department of Health, and the University of Hawaii supported the bill. Members asked detailed questions about oral, nasal, and topical medications and the process for prescription review and administration; DOE explained that parents request the medication, a school form is completed, a nurse reviews it, and either a trained school health assistant or a contracted nurse administers the medication. DOE said the measure could improve attendance and learning, especially for students with ADHD, asthma, and other chronic conditions. The committee then heard SB 659 on locally sourced food products and school meals, where DOE’s procurement office opposed the higher small-purchase threshold and DOE exemption from procurement rules, while Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others supported the bill as a way to advance farm-to-school goals and the 30% local food target by 2030. Testimony and questioning focused on the proposed threshold increase, transparency, and whether an online bidding system would be preferable. Finally, the committee heard SB 1300 on subsidies for ALICE families’ school meals. DOE supported the bill but requested amendments: defining eligibility at 250% of the federal poverty level, delaying implementation until the 2026-2027 school year, and covering reduced-price lunch students in full for 2025-2026. HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and others supported the measure, emphasizing food insecurity, the burden of meal paperwork, and the educational importance of free meals. Hawaii Appleseed suggested replacing ALICE with a federal poverty level standard and removing a rulemaking requirement that could delay implementation. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And year to have this program stopped.
• and programs meant to help people in need.
• and programs meant to help people in need.
• and programs meant to help people in need.
• and programs meant to help people in need.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing that we're doing is what we call early start programs, and I could really talk about
• And at Fullerton, we had a donor who graciously gave us enough money to have an early start program and
• communities, culturally responsive student success programs, early alerts, and basic needs to support
• And we are seeing that those programs are having an impact, that the students who are in Early Summer
• and 2026-27 compact funding and the support language to ensure new funding goes to students and programs

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education held its first 2026 hearing on higher education, focusing on UC and CSU system updates, student housing, enrollment, and core operations. In opening remarks, the chair noted recent state fiscal stress, the prior rejection of proposed UC/CSU cuts, and the Governor’s proposed 5% ongoing compact increases. UC President James B. Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia described the systems’ public value, research and workforce roles, and the impact of federal actions on grants, financial aid, and campus operations. Both also emphasized Title IX and civil rights efforts; CSU said it had implemented nearly all state auditor recommendations and was on track to finish the remaining one, while UC highlighted its systemwide civil rights and Title IX offices. Both leaders said federal investigations, grant cancellations, and litigation demands were consuming staff time and money, with UC reporting more than 200 grants lost or affected and CSU citing more than $161 million in lost grants and more than 1,600 grants affected overall. The committee then heard on student housing. Finance and LAO staff said the Governor’s budget made no major new housing proposal but continued support for the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. CSU reported 12 supported projects that will add about 5,047 beds, most below market rate, with four already open and seven more expected this year; it also said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing emergency housing support. UC said the program has supported seven UC projects and two joint community college projects, adding more than 7,000 beds total, but nearly 10,000 UC students were on housing waitlists at the start of fall 2025. UC asked for additional state support, including possible bond funding and a statutory change to allow UC participation in public-private partnership housing projects. Members discussed rapid rehousing, student homelessness, faculty and staff housing, and community college housing partnerships, with both systems describing existing emergency beds and support services. On enrollment, LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan, and holding UC flat in 2027-28. For CSU, LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 target downward to reflect current projections, funding growth separately, and holding 2027-28 flat. CSU said it had rebounded from COVID declines, now exceeds its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE spots from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. CSU also described direct admissions, transfer success pathways, and new degree programs aimed at workforce needs. UC said it had surpassed its compact enrollment goals, planned to add 2,721 California undergraduates in 2026-27, and was seeking $5.5 million for health professional programs. Members raised concerns about underprepared freshmen, K-12 alignment, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, deferred maintenance, ROTC access, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pipelines. The final item on core operations addressed the Governor’s proposal to defer 3% base funding again, moving the one-time deferral to 2027-28 and allowing short-term zero-interest loans to cover it.