Transcript Highlights:

• And that's not the job of the executive branch.
• But their job is to not legislate through regulation.
• And that's not the job of the do so.
• And that's not the job of the executive<00:33:04.960><c> branch.
• But their job is to and make the case.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , family wage jobs, including 130 union electricians, accounting for more than 27,500 hours.
• We feel it's a strategic investment that produces jobs, capital, and long-term investment.
• That's at least 80 jobs annually for 18 years.
• Along with that, there's been a lot of fear—fear that my job might get me or my family hurt.
• The bill lists specific job classifications that are included in the bill.

Bills: HB2521 , HB2249 , HB1796

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think you need to look at the job of a superintendent, both rural and urban.
• , they still get a robust... ...amount of candidates that want to do these jobs because they're well
• paid, and they're important jobs and the next step in their educational careers.
• important jobs and the next step in their educational careers.
• And these are those kinds of jobs that keep our kids up in that quarter of the country.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a loss of thousands of construction jobs, hundreds of operational jobs, and hundreds of millions
• This is lifelong impact to jobs and community.
• They've done an amazing job at negotiating as well on my behalf. So thank you.
• They've done an amazing job at negotiating as well on my behalf. So thank you.
• Good job. I'm here. Good job.

Summary: The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent. AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations. AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um job of that than the league has done.
• But our job is not to ask everything.
• We are simply doing the job the people have sent us here to do.
• We are simply doing the job the people have sent us here to do.
• We are simply doing the job the people have sent us here to do.

Bills: HF4133 , HF3419

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Whip, staff did a great job. Unless this questions, it is substantially the same bill.
• want to point out on this is that it is not that we're trying to remove an officer from doing their job
• We're actually trying to help them get back into their job and, more importantly, be more humane in the
• Madam Whip, staff did a great job.
• It's also enabling them to be able to do a better job and to have the laws clarified.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Whip, staff did a great job. Unless this questions, it is substantially the same bill.
• want to point out on this is that it is not that we're trying to remove an officer from doing their job
• We're actually trying to help them get back into their job and, more importantly, be more humane in the
• Madam Whip, staff did a great job.
• It's also enabling them to be able to do a better job and to have the laws clarified.

Summary: The meeting covered seven Senate-amended House bills on the caucus agenda. HB 248 was described as changing prior language about private process servers and, in the Senate strike-everything version, prohibiting more restrictive utilization controls for FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications than those applied to opioid or narcotic drugs, with a repeal date of September 1, 2028. HB 2265 would continue limiting certain court fees charged to criminal defendants, though the Senate removed the provision barring courts from creating new fees without express legislative authorization. HB 2404 would require authorized transporters for certain mental health transports; the sponsor explained the Senate changes delay implementation until 2030 and preserve officer involvement when safety concerns exist. HB 2611 would strengthen DCS group foster home safety rules, including drug screening consequences for employees and additional security standards, with the sponsor emphasizing child safety and accountability. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas and lodging assessments, with the Senate shifting assessment approval to the governing body and removing some new-business assessment requirements. HB 2986 made multiple ADEQ-related changes, including replacing the recycling fund with the solid waste fee fund and expanding its uses. HB 2995 revised child custody and domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in custody decisions, with Senate amendments adjusting findings, evidence standards, burdens of proof, and adding an emergency clause. Most bills were met with sponsor concurrence and no recorded opposition. HB 2404 drew questions about whether peace officers would still be involved in transports; the sponsor clarified officers would still handle the initial pickup and could be recalled if the person remained high risk or aggressive. HB 2611 was supported as a child-protection measure based partly on recommendations from youth in group homes. HB 2950 was described as a private, opt-in tourism financing tool that would cost taxpayers nothing. HB 2986 was noted as having passed the Senate unanimously. HB 2995 generated the most discussion. Supporters said it addresses coercive control and financial abuse in domestic violence cases and was developed through a lengthy stakeholder process, including court input, to better protect children and families. One member objected that the bill’s wording could sweep in ordinary marital conduct, such as managing finances, making demeaning remarks, or threatening to call police or file for divorce, and urged an amendment to narrow the language. Supporters responded that the bill is aimed at coercive control in custody disputes, that the emergency clause reflects immediate need, and that fixes could be revisited later. The caucus ended with a reminder about a second caucus after floor for the budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the interim, he continues to do his job as an advisor to the Governor. I understand that.
• But the performance in his current job is what's pertinent to the discussion.
• And all the discussion that was given was a job that he doesn't currently hold.
• If this amendment were to pass and the job were to go away and the appropriation for the money, there's
• And even if this were to pass, he could still have a job on the Governor's staff if she chose, and it's

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You did a great job. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Uh, is there any questions for the sponsor?
• , should be XDP66Z-1. >> That's it. >> Thank you, uh, Representative Sherry for showing up. >> Good job
• &gt;&gt; Good<00:12:31.920><c> job.</c> &gt;&gt; Good job. &gt;&gt; Good job.

Bills: HB351 , HB351

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: ad valorem tax, road funding, local government, referendum, Choctaw County, data privacy, consumer rights, personal data, data protection, Alabama Personal Data Protection Act, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, you know, after COVID, everybody wanted to re-evaluate their lives and try new jobs.
• One of our lawyers, Law Mass, has taken on that position, and he's done an incredible job.
• He has a background at the Bar and knows... job.
• Plus, at the end of the day, that means we're doing our job and that everything's working the way it's
• blinders on, and I just want to say thank you for all that you do because sometimes that's a tough job

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mexico's film industry has experienced significant growth, contributing to the state's economy and job
• There are jobs being created at all levels, um, catering, um, cosmetology, all different areas, and I
• And so that's what we're trying to protect those individuals in our community who have jobs within the
• these actors would want to bring in their own people from other states and I was worried about taking jobs
• A job from someone in New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• The job training is so critical, and the point of being able.
• looked at South American residents who speak Spanish and so forth, and STEM sciences—multiple high-tech jobs
• , STEM-type jobs here is a good idea.
• What are we going to do for people who receive this scholarship to start to connect them to jobs here
• A set of actions that line them up with jobs, internships, maybe extra income for living expenses?

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the headphones were on the job. Yeah, they did. Radios too. Well, there's one vote gone.
• They are public service, safety service, in our opinion, and they really do a good job.
• our members was recently diagnosed, caught it early enough to get treatment and to get back on the job
• My wife had left me with three boys, three sons, and I could no longer travel or work at that job.
• I joined the MBTA as a job where I could use my previous private sector skills and have a regular round

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its fifth hearing of the 194th General Court on disability, line-of-duty, and health presumption bills. Committee members noted the hearing was livestreamed and accepted written testimony through June 16, 2025. The first panel, including the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, strongly supported H.2845, which would require restoration of sick, vacation, or personal time used while an injured officer or firefighter awaits a Chapter 41, Section 11F determination if the injury is later found work-related. Testimony said the current process often forces injured personnel to litigate to recover accrued time, and members described the bill as a fairness measure with no fiscal cost. Committee members asked about prior consideration and municipal positions, and one member shared a personal experience with a similar loss of accrued time. A second major panel from the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and sponsoring legislators supported several firefighter-related bills: H.2918/S.1792 on mandatory insurance coverage for firefighter cancer screenings; H.2962/S.1818 on Commonwealth fire department parity for military-base and Massport firefighters, including injury coverage and presumptions; and H.2860/S.1851 on maintaining physical examination records. Testimony emphasized the high cancer risk in the fire service, the importance of early detection, and the need to extend municipal-level protections to state and Massport firefighters. Committee members expressed strong support, discussed PFAS-related gear replacement and funding, and noted that similar bills have been before the committee for multiple sessions. The committee also heard H.4147, a retirement-related bill for a MassDOT employee seeking to transfer approximately five years of MBTA retirement contributions into the state system as a service buyback. The bill was described as having been filed in 2017 and reported favorably last session, but it stalled in Senate Ways and Means. Finally, Howard Levine testified remotely in support of a correctional officer disability pension bill, describing severe injuries from a 1990 inmate assault, multiple surgeries, early retirement, and a request to increase his pension to reflect a current lieutenant’s salary. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a personal health account that goes with you from job to job, and it rolls from year to year.
• This would incentivize job growth, job retention, and staying within the merged market as opposed to
• going into diabetic ketoacidosis because a pharmacist could step in, then this bill will have done its job
• I was taking a job with a large company just to help pay for the medical costs.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access. Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts. One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was serving as chair when I was approached about this job.
• I was serving as chair when I was approached about this job.
• What's the job it was created to do?
• I've only been on the job for four months, so I'm trying to reserve having too many strong opinions out
• He's been in the job for four months.

Bills: HB1170

Committee: Senate Retirement and Government Resources

Keywords: fiduciary responsibility, proxy voting, public finance, Oklahoma statutes, pension plans, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, financial risk, Attorney General

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Government Affairs met to consider two executive nominations and House Bill 1170. Mark Wood was introduced as nominee to lead OMES; he described his background in public accounting and tax administration, said his focus would be on stabilizing the agency, improving efficiency, and balancing accountability with service. Senators asked about OMES’s core mission and whether some duties should be returned to agencies; Wood said he would keep an open mind and work with legislators on possible changes. The committee advanced his nomination on a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard Dwayne Helmberger’s nomination to the State Fire Marshal Commission. Helmberger, currently Stillwater fire chief and formerly assistant chief in Midwest City, emphasized code administration, education, and coordination with other agencies. Senators questioned him about backlogs in fire marshal inspections for marijuana grow operations and certificates of occupancy; he said the backlog was driven by the volume of applications and could be addressed through better planning, coordination, and logistics. His nomination also advanced unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1170, which would direct pension fiduciaries to focus on pecuniary interests and avoid non-financial ESG considerations. Senator Daniels explained that the bill was intended to clarify state policy and align definitions with related measures, and she requested a title strike while continuing to work on the language. Members raised concerns about due process, immunity provisions, and whether the bill would conflict with recent court rulings or still allow consideration of ESG factors when financially relevant. After debate, the committee passed the bill 6-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to invest in workforce development, climate-focused job programs, safety training, and future
• We continue to invest more in workforce development, climate-focused job programs, safety training, and
• many things we have added in here for New York State veterans, for their legal defense programs, for job
• I understand additional costs we add to our employers are killing jobs.
• I UNDERSTAND ADDITIONAL COSTS WE ADD TO OUR EMPLOYERS ARE KILLING JOBS.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services and Labor budget hearing opened with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members and naming secretaries for the record. The agencies covered included Human Services, Labor, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and Family Services, Veterans Services, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, the Welfare Inspector General, and the Public Employment Relations Board. Members then gave brief statements on their priorities for the upcoming budget negotiations. A major theme was affordability, with repeated discussion of child care, SNAP, housing, and worker supports. Senators and Assembly members highlighted the Senate and Assembly one-house proposals for a $500 million child care worker retention grant program, additional child care slots and subsidies, cost-of-living adjustments for human services workers, and expanded support for supportive housing, youth employment, HEAP, and energy affordability. Several members also emphasized food insecurity and SNAP-related issues, including funding to address payment errors, prevent penalties, expand SNAP education, and respond to expected federal changes. Labor-related issues included workers’ compensation fraud, wage theft enforcement, workplace violence, temporary disability insurance reform, and the creation of dedicated enforcement funding for the Department of Labor. Some members supported using workers’ compensation assessments or insurance-company-related funding to pay for anti-fraud efforts, while others preferred grants to district attorneys or broader DOL enforcement. There was also discussion of occupational health clinics, labor standards in any SEQRA changes, and expanding access to doctors in the workers’ compensation system. Veterans, child care, and public assistance fraud prevention were also discussed, including funding for veterans legal defense and mental health services, microchip/secure EBT cards to reduce skimming, and restoring or protecting various programs. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs stating that the Senate, Assembly, and Executive would continue negotiations toward a final budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, the UC has contracted out service worker jobs and replaced them with cheaper labor.
• For decades, our employer, UC, has contracted out our jobs and replaced us with lower-paid people who
• agreements include an arbitration process as a way to settle disputes related to contracting out our jobs
• The problem is that UC is ignoring this agreed-on... contracting out our jobs.
• At the end of the day, this is about dignity on the job and security in retirement.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The result is high-wage jobs, new companies, and sustained innovation in communities both large and small
• Federal research dollars, again, support over 13,000 jobs across the university and thousands more indirectly
• Sustained research funding is essential for preserving these jobs and building a strong, long-term STEM
• This spring, as I prepared to enter the academic job market, I was informed that the Mosaic program had
• world-preserving advances, and we are so excited to keep working with you to find ways to save these jobs

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee held its final meeting of the 2026 session, opening a public hearing on Senate Bill 6321, which would authorize up to $6 billion in state general obligation bonds over six years and create the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement within the Department of Commerce. Staff explained that the institute would oversee grants for scientific research and facilities, with the proposal requiring voter approval for the debt and institute creation. Senator Slatter, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to stabilize research funding in Washington in response to federal cuts and uncertainty, and noted it was modeled in part on similar efforts in California and Texas. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Representatives from Washington State University and the University of Washington described the state’s research enterprise as an economic engine and emphasized the importance of stable funding for jobs, innovation, and competitiveness. University of Washington witnesses said federal funding disruptions had reduced new NIH awards, cut student support, and threatened research programs in medicine, mental health, clean energy, forest resilience, and climate adaptation. Several early-career researchers and union members testified about personal impacts from grant terminations, furloughs, and delayed career transitions, arguing that the bill would help protect scientific work, workforce development, and public health outcomes in Washington. After closing the hearing on SB 6321, the committee moved into executive session. It voted do pass on Substitute House Bill 2525 and sent it to the Rules Committee. The committee also approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation, and then adjourned after thanking staff and members for their work during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• drafted back in 1989, long before a lot of advanced industries has come This will help us do a better job
• That right, turning those ideas into industry, turning it into economic impact and jobs here we want
• There, we want to bring jobs.
• We have a not-for-profit here that does a really good job of that.
• And so, we are trying to kind of mimic those other universities and states that have done a very good job

Bills: SB1670 , SB1716 , SB1521

Committee: Senate Technology and Telecommunications

Keywords: higher education, state regents, university research, technology transfer, intellectual property, patent ownership, royalty income, commercialization, startup companies, research partnerships, public universities, faculty inventions, student inventions, innovation policy, economic development, medical technology, biotechnology, energy technology, telecommunications, aerospace and defense

Transcript Highlights:

• They provided jobs in agriculture for thousands and thousands of high school kids back when I was in
• Those days are kind of gone now, but they're still providing jobs up in Skagit County.
• My very first job away from home was a milking job.
• We milked goats, so I got a job... one of the local judges; she was a veterinarian, needed a milker over
• That is a tough job.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, including approving the previous day’s journal, receiving House messages transmitting House Bill 73 and Second Substitute House Bill 1784, and referring Senate Bill 6353 to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections. It then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8687, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and acknowledging the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, drew extensive remarks in support from several senators. Speakers emphasized the injustice of the internment, the contributions of Japanese American veterans and civil rights activists, the importance of remembrance, and the need to prevent similar abuses in the future. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The Senate also considered Senate Resolution 8688, recognizing Washington’s dairy farms and the role of dairy producers in the state’s economy and communities. Senators shared personal ties to dairy farming and praised the hard work of family farms, dairy workers, and industry representatives. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and visiting members of the Washington State Dairy Council, Dairy Women’s Organization, and Dairy Ambassadors were recognized in the gallery. At the close of business, the Senate agreed to adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.