Transcript Highlights:

• So I would respectfully ask for your vote on this to upgrade These two specific specialized skill areas
• Remind me, are these lump sums or are they based on something? They're multiplied by something.
• It's purely based on years of service.
• The checks are given out on their anniversary date, so it's based purely on years of service.
• Did you do any analysis of how this fits with other similar types of contracting based on outcomes?

Bills: SB134 , SB1356 , SB1407 , SB1611 , SB1639 , SB169 , SB1722 , SB182 , SB1870 , SB2039 , SB432 , SB609 , SB715 , SB716

Committee: Senate Retirement and Government Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• to do that process in district court because we had quite a bit of evidence of harassment that was based
• and goals of this legislation to help Washington access opportunities and help Washington have a skilled
• I'm an advocacy coordinator at Spectrum based in Spokane.
• I'm an advocacy coordinator at Spectrum based in Spokane.
• least 10 states, only one from Idaho, and five of those defendants were defended by an attorney who's based

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several measures. ESHB 1980 would allow private employer shuttle services to use certain BAT lanes in King County under a two-year pilot, with local authority and transit-agency approval, performance standards, fee-for-use requirements, labor input, annual reporting, and a 10-year sunset. Supporters from Bellevue, transit employers, and business groups said it would improve commute options, reduce congestion, and support the upcoming RapidRide K Line; staff noted the bill differs from prior versions by adding the pilot, labor representation, vehicle markings, and reporting. The committee then heard SB 6252, which would extend the transit support grant program’s zero-fare requirement to degree- and certificate-seeking community and technical college students. Supporters said it would improve access to education and transit, especially for older and rural students, while transit groups raised concerns about fare revenue losses and implementation costs; staff estimated no state cost but significant local revenue impacts. The committee also heard SB 6081, a privacy bill that would restrict public disclosure of sex designation change records in Department of Licensing and Department of Health records, limit sharing with other jurisdictions, and keep updated credentials from showing that a change occurred. The sponsor and many supporters framed it as a safety measure for transgender Washingtonians, while opponents argued it would undermine accurate records; staff said the Department of Licensing would face about $1 million in implementation costs over four years, with other agencies expecting minimal impacts. Finally, SB 6265 would allow electronic, non-notarized signatures and printed copies for documents transferring a totaled salvage vehicle to an insurer; the sponsor and salvage-industry witnesses said it would modernize the process and reduce hardship, and staff reported no fiscal impact. No votes or executive actions were taken; the committee closed each public hearing and adjourned after a reminder about amendment deadlines for upcoming executive session bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Going out possibly for the next eight years or so based on the available capacity and the current outlook
• This bill, when it came out of the House last year, had bonding based upon general revenue funds.
• So they're not going to get any less money based on the new vehicle registration fee increases that are
• We subsidize local roads and local government so much in this state; they have a tax base that they can
• to think hard on how you're going to do this because you can get creative and you Got to have the skill

Bills: SB2

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• reliable and secure funding for state highway projects going out possibly for the next eight years or so, based
• This bill, when it came out of the House last year, had bonding based upon general revenue funds.
• So they're not gonna get any less money based on the new vehicle registration fee increases that are
• They have a tax base that they can increase at any point. In time, they can raise their GRT.
• think hard on how you're going to do this because you can get creative and you've got to have the skill

Bills: SB2

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So charitable institutions would be like your state hospital life skills, but otherwise it also applies
• saying is, for under the limited items, right now the structure is we look at those, we submit requests based
• Donna, would that be, is that your understanding, or is my understanding 100% wrong, you know, off base
• She said the limit is not necessarily dollar-based; it is project-based.

Summary: The Appropriations Division met in a work session on the draft Rural Health Transformation appropriations bill, 25.1392.01000, with no public testimony taken. Legislative Council and the Department of Health and Human Services walked through the bill, which would appropriate about $397.8 million in federal grant funds over two federal fiscal years, provide transfer authority, allow certain federal funds to be used for salaries and wages without counting against existing transfer limits, and authorize OMB to adjust other agencies’ spending authority if they receive grant awards through HHS. The bill also includes several temporary statutory exemptions to help implement the program, plus recipient acknowledgement/reporting requirements, periodic reports to Legislative Management, and an immediate effective date upon filing. Committee discussion focused heavily on how the federal rural health transformation money can be used and administered. Department officials explained that CMS will review projects for allowability and sustainability, that the state has flexibility to move funds among categories, and that the grant is limited to 10% administrative costs. Members asked about whether the funding could support renovations, equipment, ambulances, bulk purchasing, food distribution, and other rural health ideas, and were told many details will depend on CMS approval and the eventual applications. Questions also addressed cash flow, timing of obligations and reimbursements, FTE funding, and whether grant recipients should be told the program will not continue beyond the federal period; officials said the language is meant to prevent expectations of automatic continuation, not to bar future legislative action. The committee also discussed the bill’s use of a two-year appropriation amount, with staff explaining that the state must appropriate enough authority to cover the federal grant cycle and that unused authority would lapse if the full amount is not received or spent. Members raised concerns about whether the bill’s language could limit creativity or future program design, but department officials and several members emphasized the need for flexibility because CMS may reject overly specific directives. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the bill draft to the full committee; the motion carried on a roll call vote, and the chair said the full Joint Appropriations Committee would take up the bill at the special session next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these condominium owners travel great distances from their home bases to join us in the White
• Um, based on the language, I would say no.
• Um based on the >> I am familiar with them.
• . game. game.
• </c> because they still have the base because they still have the base property<04:42:00.638><c> tax<

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• c> immediate</c><00:53:45.359><c> action,</c> This committee to take immediate action, fund school-based
• </c><01:24:18.639><c> on</c><01:24:18.960><c> real</c><01:24:19.360><c> or</c> denial of education based
• on real or denial of education based on real or perceived<01:24:20.400><c> status</c><01:24:20.800><
• <01:24:44.880><c> on</c><01:24:45.040><c> the</c><01:24:45.280><c> requirements</c> school grounds based
• , to learn history develop math skills, to learn history and<01:46:21.920><c> create</c><01:46:22.320

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the experiences teach practical business and leadership skills that prepare students for future
• teach practical business<00:52:41.360><c> and</c><00:52:41.560><c> leadership</c><00:52:42.000><c> skills
• </c><00:52:42.320><c> that</c> business and leadership skills that business and leadership skills that
• Um, this helps with interviewing skills, opportunities to plan and participate in community service.
• Um, this helps with interviewing skills, opportunities to plan and participate in community service.

Summary: The Joint Agriculture Committee met in October with a quorum present and approved the September minutes. The main presentation focused on condemnation of agricultural land and eminent domain, featuring testimony from Stephanie Barnett of a family-run livestock and farming business in Todd County, with support from Kentucky Farm Bureau. Barnett described a state road project that would take about 29 feet of frontage and affect entrances, fencing, a sign, drainage, a water well, and parking, saying the process involved poor communication, correspondence sent to the wrong address, and limited opportunity to negotiate changes such as a turning lane or relocated entrances. She said the business was not opposed to progress, but wanted the property restored and fairly compensated for the full impact on the operation, not just the land value. Committee members broadly agreed that eminent domain is sometimes necessary but should be handled with more transparency, communication, and fairness. Several members said the issue affects both rural and urban property owners and raised concerns about fair market value, compensation for agricultural infrastructure improvements, long-term impacts on farm operations, and the cost and delay of litigation. One member asked about the firm involved and suggested hearing from the people responsible for the correspondence problems; Barnett said she would share names after negotiations conclude. Another member noted that the maps had already been drawn before the landowner was brought in and said local meetings and clearer public input could reduce conflict. Chairman Dossett said he was interested in pursuing legislation for the upcoming session focused on property owner protection, fair treatment, and fair compensation, not just for agricultural land but for all Kentucky property owners. Members discussed possible ideas such as requiring better notice, more public transparency, and accounting for related costs like wells, fencing, drainage, and access changes. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the approval of minutes and the discussion of potential future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, if leadership wants to appoint advisory members, I always suggest that we have people who have skill
• appoint that advisory board, but say for example there are people who are in it that come with different skill

Bills: SB 21 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that based on the &gt;&gt; Okay.
• </c> our investigation, it it it it um based our investigation, it it it it um based on<02:15:33.920>
• I that bill based on what I've heard.
• Watching Olivia play game at her school.
• After her te-ball game, we went to her.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We're now looking at the base increase rates because, again, the one thing that we're not trying to do
• It's a baseball game, it's a football game.
• In August of 2025, this month, a survey showed that she assumed, based on her gender expression, that
• acknowledges... ...is that there are some extremely violent and heinous crimes that require a force-based
• Peer-review committees for incident-based dispute resolution.

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a financial education game company, so it has nothing to do with the environment.
• The implementation would be based upon the respective regulatory agencies, whether it's the PUC or the
• You said they didn't, based on the bill that was passed.
• It appears, based on the invited testimony, that it is EMP focused. Am I wrong about that?
• War games, tabletop exercises, or simulations.

Bills: SB75 , SB715 , SB776 , SB1299 , SB1405 , SB1968 , SB2021 , SB2077 , SB2148 , SB2321 , SB2330 , SB2411

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Our tax base is significantly smaller than the larger communities that surround Floodwood.
• </c><00:48:07.640><c> on</c> and ultimately succeeded based on and ultimately succeeded based on federal
• on the adjusted net jurisdictions based on the adjusted net tax<01:10:11.360><c> capacity</c><01:10:
• There are local waterways that are frequented by kayakers and canoers, along with small and big game
• Hunters fishermen and ATV and big game Hunters fishermen and ATV out out out recreationalists<01:36:

Bills: HF220 , HF230 , HF240 , HF241 , HF295 , HF429 , HF490 , HF505 , HF574 , HF576 , HF581 , HF865 , HF918 , HF1085 , HF1449 , HF1452 , HF1454 , HF602

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Funds were also case-based learning.
• </c><00:20:20.240><c> on</c> subsequent funding period and based on subsequent funding period and based
• </c> center, building rural obstetric skills center, building rural obstetric skills through<00:24:25.520
• And we were cognizant that in some cases we'd have to measure based on process, as outcome-based data
• </c> leaves another 30 or so urban-based leaves another 30 or so urban-based community<01:09:44.400><

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have the ability to share our digital content based on our contracts.
• gap for reading for folks versus the audio, where you're engaging people in more of the lifelong skills
• more of the you're engaging people in more of the the<00:52:41.119><c> lifelong</c><00:52:41.680><c> skills
• </c><00:52:42.240><c> lifelong</c><00:52:43.040><c> um</c><00:52:43.280><c> need</c> the lifelong skills
• and lifelong um need the lifelong skills and lifelong um need because<00:52:44.160><c> you</c><00:52

Transcript Highlights:

• It is evidence-based and linked to each community through partnerships developed by the sheriffs.
• They did a shed-building program that was more hands-on than the computer-based one.
• It's concerning that we can't provide services like these over fear of financial constraints based on
• This is an evidence-based approach from a leading country in recidivism: the Norwegian model.
• I would say, too, just based on relative to kicking this out, I think, you know, whenever we make that

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on correctional labor perspectives, with testimony from union representatives and correctional officers from state and county facilities. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Witnesses emphasized that officers are central to any reform discussion and described the daily realities of staffing shortages, violence, mental health crises, substance use, and the need for better wellness support. Kevin Flanagan of the correctional officers’ union said officers face serious safety risks, citing weapons recovered, assaults, suicides, and the spread of synthetic drugs like K2 that are often introduced through paper soaked with chemicals. He urged stronger contraband controls, including paperless systems and technology to detect synthetic drugs, and criticized policies he said can be manipulated in gender-identity housing and search situations. He also argued that staffing shortages, forced overtime, and low morale are worsening retention, and that officers need more support after traumatic incidents, including fuller use of the OnSide Academy program. Other union representatives, including NCU and county officers, opposed consolidating sheriffs’ offices or merging them with the Department of Correction, warning it could weaken collective bargaining, reduce local accountability, and harm programming and reentry work. They argued that county facilities are distinct and should be funded and staffed based on local needs, not a one-size-fits-all model, and several speakers supported expanding vocational and reentry programming. Commissioners responded with support for officer wellness and asked for more information on EMS transports, medical interventions, and possible models from other jurisdictions, including Norway and Germany. At the end of the hearing, the commission discussed extending its reporting deadline beyond September 30, with members agreeing to seek an extension to November 30. The commission also agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit, and adjourned after adopting the motion to request the extension.

Transcript Highlights:

• As background, the Department of Ecology administers a cap-and-invest program, which is a market-based
• This allocation is based on both a historical and current measurement of their emissions, production
• to apply a carbon intensity for electricity used by an alternative jet fuel manufacturing facility based
• But they've already started to plan for capital and operating expenses based on the EITE trajectory.
• An exemption based purely on leakage was considered one of the justifications for free allocation and

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee heard three bills. SB 6246 would direct Ecology to develop recommendations for how no-cost allowances for emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) should work from 2035 to 2050, and would require EITEs to submit facility-specific emissions data and periodic decarbonization plans as a condition of receiving allowances. Supporters said the bill preserves the Climate Commitment Act’s goals while giving the Legislature and Ecology better information to prevent emissions and job leakage and to plan for industrial decarbonization. Opponents argued the bill adds costly reporting and planning burdens, could threaten competitiveness, and in some cases could lead to allowance withholding; Ecology said it generally supports the approach but wants some streamlining and noted implementation costs are not in the governor’s budget. SB 5932 would provide certainty for sustainable aviation fuel development by changing how Ecology applies electricity carbon intensity in the Clean Fuels Program and by setting an earlier trigger for aviation fuel tax incentives. The sponsor and 12, a Moses Lake SAF developer, said the bill would give investors and producers needed certainty for expansion and help Washington remain competitive. Ecology and Climate Solutions opposed parts of the bill, saying it would weaken incentives for new renewable electricity generation, limit Ecology’s technical discretion, and reduce the Clean Fuels Program’s effectiveness, though Ecology said it supports decarbonizing aviation and is willing to work on the issue through rulemaking. Some testimony also supported the tax certainty portion while objecting to the Clean Fuels Program changes, and one witness asked for clarification on local participation in the incentive. SB 6172 would end remaining state tax and regulatory exemptions for the coal-fired TransAlta plant after its scheduled closure date. The sponsor said Washington should remove special treatment now that the state has phased out coal, while supporters said the bill reinforces the state’s clean energy transition and protects public health and climate goals. A few witnesses raised concerns about possible costs to utilities and ratepayers if the plant were ever required to run in an emergency, and asked for language to protect against that. The hearing concluded with the committee closing public testimony on all three bills; no votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I could decide that whichever one beats the other one at a game of cribbage is the one that's going to
• I don't need to have it based on anything, right?
• They don't have to base it on some other principle.
• We can privately agree to base it on whatever we want to.
• It saves the state money.” “...should have it based on making them out.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, don't have a good place to be released to based on what the court would require.
• Um, don't have a good place to be released to based on what the court would require.
• on what the court be released to based on what the court would<00:18:33.760><c> require.
• ,</c> of actually subsuming the base offense, of actually subsuming the base offense, which<01:26:35.360
• ><c> on</c><01:59:58.800><c> the</c> opportunity, especially based on the opportunity, especially based

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• we also are related to Kikinawki, our Earth Mother, on which everything that Delaware has built is based
• sure to include mention of things like streaming... ...streaming, podcasts, animation, VR, and video games
• the improvements to the properties are actually captured, and that the assessments therefore can be based
• the improvements to those properties are actually captured and that the assessments therefore can be based

Bills: HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283 , HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 10 draft minutes, and then heard a long agenda of bills. HB 89 (home improvement fraud dispute resolution) was presented as a consumer protection measure developed with DOJ to address contractor fraud, especially against vulnerable homeowners; members voiced support and asked to be added as sponsors. HB 283 updated realty transfer tax exemptions to use gender-neutral “spouses” language and add a direct grandparent-to-grandchild transfer exemption; it drew supportive public comment. HS1 for HB 390 would let DelDOT choose electronic-only bidding for projects, remove newspaper bid-opening notices, and clarify bidding records, with no opposition raised. HB 328/H.A. 2 modernizes the Register of Regulations statute, keeps newspaper distribution requirements, and delays some effective dates to 2027; it was described as a technical update. HB 365 would create the Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, prompting supportive testimony from Indigenous community members and some discussion about representation and internal tribal اختلافs, but no formal opposition. HB 423 would automatically enroll new state employees in the 457B deferred compensation plan unless they opt out, with exclusions for collective bargaining units and implementation tied to payroll readiness; it was presented as a retirement-savings measure. SS1 for SB 342 would modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission to support a broader film/media incentive package, with support from the Delaware Arts Alliance and a request to help attract productions to Delaware. The committee also heard SB 331, a cleanup bill on garagekeeper liens for manufactured housing and related assets. The sponsor and an attorney explained it as clarifying who can recover funds and attorney’s fees in lien sales, but the Chief Magistrate and the manufactured housing association said the issue should be addressed more carefully and possibly in another section of code; they were open to further work. HB 436 would update the Smyrna charter, including school impact fees, election challenge procedures, vacancy rules, domicile standards, Board of Elections terms, and meeting schedules. HS1 for HB 376 made technical and organizational changes to the Millville charter, including a tiebreaker for municipal elections and a property tax cap, with the town solicitor saying there was little substantive change. HB 460 would require New Castle County municipalities to submit permit data monthly rather than on a much slower schedule, limited to closed permits with certificates of occupancy, to improve property assessment data; it was presented as part of broader reassessment/data-quality efforts. Public comment was heard on several items, especially HB 365 and SS1 for SB 342. Indigenous speakers supported the commission as a way to preserve heritage, improve representation, and create a formal seat at the table. The Delaware Arts Alliance supported the film commission modernization bill as part of a broader creative-economy plan. No recorded votes were taken on the individual bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a unanimous motion to adjourn.