Transcript Highlights:

• During the testing and early deployment of our system, Cal OES and its local partners identified issues
• So in the last couple of weeks we saw with NGA 911, there was a termination of the contract.
• Second, 21% of these very early issues were attributed to the region.
• Since the early 2000s, Synergem has focused exclusively on the next-generation 911 marketplace.
• As one of the early providers in this space, we've been involved in several industry firsts.

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee held an oversight hearing on California’s Next Generation 911 rollout, focusing on Cal OES’s decision to move away from the original regional vendor model toward a statewide provider model. Cal OES said the regional architecture created complexity at the boundaries between regions, leading to misrouted calls, transfer problems, and degraded audio, and that a statewide model would better align with national standards and provide a more reliable, secure system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to pause further implementation until it has more information on the problems, tradeoffs, costs, and oversight needs, and recommended stronger reporting and possibly independent technical review before proceeding. Committee members pressed Cal OES on accountability, cost, testing, vendor selection, and whether the current system is safe. Cal OES said the project has cost about $456 million so far, most of it recurring service fees, and that 23 PSAPs had transitioned voice traffic while more than 440 total PSAPs remain in the state. Officials said the current system is operating, that a pause would not put the public at risk, and that the statewide conversion could be completed by summer 2030. Members and the LAO raised concerns about whether Cal OES has enough technical oversight and whether contract language alone is sufficient to prevent repeat problems. The vendor panel largely defended the regional model and argued that the existing system is already built, tested, and ready to expand. NGA 911, Synergem, Lumen, and Atos said the regional architecture provides redundancy and resilience, that early problems were often tied to legacy-system integration, carrier issues, or training rather than the regional design itself, and that a statewide redesign would add cost and delay. Atos said it serves as the statewide backbone and backup and has already carried live traffic, while vendors emphasized that they support continued modernization but believe California should build on the current regional investment rather than replace it.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've already terminated those contracts early on. Do you have a feel for that?
• For example, both parties must have the right to terminate at any time with notice.
• And it goes back that they have the right to terminate and the right to renegotiate.
• What happens, and I use payroll for an example a while ago, what happens if a payroll company terminates

Committee: All ALC-MEDICAL MARIJUANA OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The ALC Medical Marijuana Oversight Subcommittee met to consider rules governing medical marijuana management contracts for cultivation facilities and dispensaries. ABC regulatory staff said the rules are intended to ensure Arkansas license holders retain actual control over operations and are not effectively run by out-of-state management companies. They explained that the rules require commission review of management contracts and use a “commercially reasonable” standard to identify terms that could give undue control to outside entities. Staff also distinguished these management rules from separate future licensing rules that would address any additional dispensary or cultivation licenses, including unresolved issues tied to a Hot Springs license dispute. Representatives of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association opposed the rules, saying the industry has matured, no out-of-state management companies remain in Arkansas, and the added review process is unnecessary and burdensome. Their counsel argued the “commercially reasonable” standard is too vague, could lead to arbitrary enforcement, and may exceed the commission’s authority under Amendment 98. They also warned that requiring commission approval before contracts take effect could create delays and operational problems for day-to-day business functions. Committee members questioned both sides about the scope of the rules, whether they apply to in-state as well as out-of-state entities, how they would affect payroll and other service contracts, and whether the commission has authority to review private contracts. Staff said the rules are meant to prevent hidden control arrangements and do not cover ordinary service contracts like lawn care, while industry witnesses said the current filing system already provides oversight. After discussion, the committee reviewed the rule and adjourned without taking a recorded vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, early childhood education used their self-sufficiency funds to add additional health and safety
• credit and higher wager limitations, similar to other tribes, increased gaming stations, player terminals
• In addition, they have Terminals and language for a second facility.
• Act, kind of trying to force the tribal communities into assimilation, and then in the 1950s the termination

Summary: The joint House and Senate committee meeting heard public testimony on tentative tribal-state gaming compact amendments for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. Staff from the Washington State Gambling Commission explained the compacting process, the role of ex officio legislative members, and that the amendments would next go to the Gambling Commission for a January 8, 2026 vote before possible governor review. The Port Gamble S'Klallam presentation emphasized how gaming revenue supports tribal government services, health care, housing, education, language revitalization, natural resources work, and community investment projects in Kitsap County. For Port Gamble S'Klallam, the proposed changes include expanded credit and wager limits, more gaming stations and player terminals, language for a second facility, and adoption of an electronic table games appendix similar to other tribes. Members asked about pre-screening for high-limit tables, including how the tribe would define problem gambling and self-exclusion; tribal counsel said internal minimum control standards were still being developed and more detail would follow. A question about green crab removal in Port Gamble Bay was deferred for follow-up because the natural resources director was not present. The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe described its history, sovereignty, gaming operations, and how gaming revenue supports member programs such as nutrition assistance, education aid, homeownership down payment help, and charitable giving in Skagit County. Its amendment would allow electronic table games after the tribe removed traditional table games due to staffing and cost pressures, with the goal of remaining competitive. Committee members also asked about air quality and smoking-related provisions in the compact; the tribe said it maintains separate smoking and non-smoking areas and supports smoking cessation efforts. Chairs from both chambers closed by thanking the tribes for their contributions to members, local communities, and natural resource protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows an elected official to retire without terminating their elected official position, with a few
• They also have to have either terminated or reduced their hours at any other... ...have either terminated
• It also requires the member and that employer to notify the ASRS that they are retiring without terminating
• Then we should make a decision early on whether we're going to conform or not conform.
• So it just starts that dialogue so that we can hopefully come to an agreement early on in order to have

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the March 16, 2026 minutes and then heard testimony on several bills, with the chair noting that votes would be taken in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would increase the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion; Lucid Motors supported it as a rural economic development tool, while Senator Epstein questioned the fiscal note and whether the higher credit would actually attract new investment. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas funded by voluntary lodging assessments to support marketing and tourism promotion; the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix backed it as a competitive tool for rural and urban destinations, and committee members focused on whether participation was truly voluntary and how the assessments would be administered. HB 2780 made technical conforming changes to Arizona’s property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sale process, building on a prior law that created a mechanism for delinquent property owners to recover equity; the sponsor and a longtime constituent said the changes would fix timing and credit-bid language so qualified entity sales could work in practice. HB 2502 would let certain elected officials in ASRS retire at normal retirement age without resigning their office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate; ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor argued the bill would treat elected officials more like other ASRS members. The committee then adopted do-pass recommendations for HB 2502, HB 2780, HB 2950, and HB 2939, with each passing on split votes. The committee also adopted a striker to HB 2140, allowing the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and the Sound Money Defense League argued it would diversify reserves and hedge against market disruption, while opponents said gold is volatile, costly to store, and not something taxpayers need the state to buy. HB 2140 then passed as amended on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2398, as amended, which requires commercial liability insurance for watercraft rentals and peer-to-peer boat sharing programs, with supporters saying it addresses uninsured rental boats and law enforcement concerns; the bill passed as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee also heard HB 2999, a major housing-finance bill creating state affordability infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure through bonds and assessments; proponents said it would lower housing costs by spreading infrastructure costs over time, while contractors and some senators raised concerns about payment risk, impact-fee treatment, and whether savings would reach homebuyers. After adopting a striker and hearing extensive questions, HB 2999 passed as amended on a 6-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We asked them for new data early this year, and they said they gave us the updated costs.
• Facility-based early intervention providers need their own dedicated rate model.
• with Medi-Cal termination.
• with Medi-Cal termination.
• So the January proposal to align IHSS terminations with the Medi-Cal terminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. of land that's I think been trying to be transferred to the DOE from the early 2000s. >> So
• They don't have to terminate the whole contract; they could have terminated parts of it, and it was up
• not they don't have option to terminate not they don't have to<01:43:01.199><c> terminate</c><01:43:
• 04.960><c> and</c><01:43:05.199><c> it</c> could have terminated parts of it and it could have terminated
• . termination. termination.

Bills: SB2613 , SB2147

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee heard SB 2613, a cleanup bill relating to public school land transfers under Act 307 (2022), which revises tax map key references and the conveyance process for properties transferred to the Department of Education. The Hawaii State Public Library System supported the measure, saying it would complete the long-unfinished separation of the library system from DOE property control and make future building projects more efficient and cost-effective. DOE also supported the bill and requested an amendment to remove TMK 43-62 parcel 10, the Wilcox Elementary School parcel, so that it could instead be transferred to the county for use with the adjacent park and tennis courts. Members focused heavily on why land transfers and construction approvals have been slow, especially the need for right-of-entry documents and an MOA for a library construction project. Library and DOE witnesses said the delays stemmed from site-control issues and confusion over property status, and that the bill would clarify which parcels are transferred by operation of law and remove the need for additional transactional documents in many cases. Several members questioned whether the bill actually changes authority or simply clarifies existing practice, and DOE said it wanted legislative clarity so the transfers are unmistakably effective on a date certain. The committee also discussed a separate section of the bill dealing with public use of school facilities after hours, including parking fees on property under DOE jurisdiction. DOE explained that any parking charges would apply only to property it controls, not county roads, and that fees are set through existing facility-use procedures. Members raised concerns about the pace of land transfers generally and urged DOE to move more expeditiously on pending parcels. The hearing then moved on to SB 2147, which would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the library system testified in support as the committee began that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:31:50.239><c> days</c><01:31:50.480><c> of</c><01:31:50.800><c> the</c> vaccines in the early
• </c><03:41:52.880><c> diagnosis</c> uh through his terminal diagnosis uh through his terminal diagnosis
• </c> of patients with terminal of patients with terminal diagnosis<03:42:05.840><c> to</c><03:42:06.199
• I mean, we're only talking about legitimate medical trials in this for terminal illnesses, yes?
• She has a terminal illness, and there are no other treatments.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• criminal funds for interfering with the motor vehicle metering device or motor fuel unattended payment terminal
• HB 357 by Lopez XR relating to defendants of the eligibility for reduction and termination of a community
• HB 412 by Lopez XR relating to the health benefit plan coverage for early childhood intervention services
• HB 417 by BC relating to early voting by mail or qualified voter into the repeal of certain criminal

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless they have a need to end the contract early, we offer them tools to terminate for convenience or
• We offer them tools to terminate for convenience or calls where a vendor has failed to perform.
• for convenience or terminate for cause.
• to be talking about a financial remedy that allows us to get another vendor on because if we just terminate
• If you have a situation where you've actually saved money or you terminated a contract or a project because

Summary: The subcommittee heard a panel on Florida’s IT procurement process from the Florida Digital Service, the Department of Management Services, and the Department of Financial Services. Witnesses walked through the procurement lifecycle, including planning, market research, solicitation, evaluation, award, implementation, and closeout, and emphasized the role of budget timing, contract managers, and subject matter experts. DMS described the state’s enterprise contracting system, noting more than 1,100 active vendor agreements, over 800 involving IT services, and the statutory requirement to request 25 quotes for certain IT purchases. DFS demonstrated the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACS), explaining how agencies upload contract and payment data and how the public can search contracts and related documents online. Members focused on accountability, transparency, and whether the state is getting the best products and vendors. Questions addressed how contracts are vetted, how technical evaluations are performed, how financial consequences are used for missed deliverables, how public records and confidential information are handled, and how the state screens vendors for foreign-concern or bad-actor issues. Witnesses said agencies rely on technical experts for evaluations, that contract terms should include measurable deliverables and meaningful financial consequences, and that agencies—not procurement staff—generally manage performance, though Florida Digital Service oversees large IT projects of $10 million or more. The committee then shifted to broader policy discussion, including Senate Bill 7026 and proposals to reorganize state IT governance. Several members argued for stronger centralization under a state CIO or similar enterprise authority, while others cautioned against abrupt restructuring and stressed the need for a transition plan. Members also raised concerns about workforce retention, consulting services, recurring project overruns, and the need for better planning and periodic monitoring. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:24.799><c> And</c> pretty much the termination of it.
• And pretty much the termination of it.
• Yeah. if you uh if you registered your car early based on the ability to register early I think it adds
• based on the 16 the ability to car early based on the 16 the ability to register register register early
• So I early I think it adds up to 28.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• LEOFF Plan 1 is terminated and the new restated LEOFF system is created.
• The bill terminates and recreates the plan on June 30th of 2029.
• So more often a plan is terminated and restated and is underfunded, and a payment mechanism is set up
• So more often a plan is terminated and restated and is underfunded, and a payment mechanism is being
• The select committee did a very thorough study of the termination of this bill last interim, but the

Summary: The committee took up executive action on the capital budget, Proposed Substitute Senate Bill 6003, and several policy bills. Staff described amendments to the capital budget that shifted funding among behavioral health, local/community projects, irrigation projects, and juvenile rehabilitation capacity, plus a technical fix to the water pollution control revolving program. The committee adopted Senator Dozier’s budget-neutral amendment and a technical amendment, then advanced the amended capital budget to the Rules Committee. It also moved House Bills 2441, 2124, 2471, 2133, 2610, and 2338 forward with due-pass recommendations, and advanced Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 on Climate Commitment Act accounts to the Transportation Committee after adopting two amendments and withdrawing three others. A major public hearing focused on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which would terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1 in 2029, transfer surplus assets, and direct portions to the Climate Commitment Account and the pension funding stabilization account. Staff said the plan is currently about 160% funded and explained the bill’s IRS-review process, statute of limitations, and estimated implementation costs. Testimony was sharply divided: some retirees, firefighters, counties, and cities opposed the bill as an improper use of pension assets and urged benefit enhancements or protection of local medical obligations, while others supported using the surplus for broader public purposes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2179 on PERS coverage for certain port workers, with ports and the Washington Public Ports Association supporting clarification for railroad employees covered by the federal railroad retirement system. House Bill 1069, allowing Department of Corrections employees to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits, drew support from Teamsters and corrections workers, while House Bill 2091, expanding employee-information sharing with bargaining representatives, drew union support and privacy objections from Washington Policy Center. Finally, Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 on targeted urban area tax preferences drew support from labor, local governments, and project proponents, and opposition from contractor groups and environmental advocates over project labor agreement requirements and nuclear-related concerns; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 on community preservation and development authorities and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974 on land bank authorities for affordable housing were also heard, with both receiving supportive testimony from community and housing advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• But essentially, in a snapshot, the prior administration allowed four terminated employees to remain
• But essentially, in a snapshot, the prior administration allowed four terminated employees to remain
• The state sends adequacy funds early to the district.
• 28.400><c> is</c><00:36:28.640><c> when</c> typically, April, early May is when typically, April, early
• </c> that you give them access to funds early that you give them access to funds early so<01:20:51.840

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• AWARENESS OF THE URGENT NEED FOR POLICIES THAT IMPROVE CANCER PREVENTION, EARLY DETECTION, TREATMENT
• It will ensure that those who are most at risk catch cancer early and stop it before it spreads.
• ARE MOST AT RISK OF CATCHING CANCER EARLY AND STOPPING IT BEFORE IT SPREADS.
• LET'S PASS H.R. 842, THE MULTICANCER EARLY DETECTION ACT, AND PAVE THE WAY FOR A WORLD WITHOUT CANCER
• So much of what we do back in the early 1990s, 1970s, 1960s, as corporate now passes through.

Bills: HB1670 , HR493 , HR492 , HR491 , HB5140 , HB4922 , HR713 , HR721 , HB2721 , HR707

Keywords: fertility, health benefits, family planning, assisted reproductive technology, employees, fertility treatment, ART, in vitro fertilization, IVF, infertility, family building, reproductive health, oocyte preservation, sperm preservation, embryo preservation, artificial insemination, gamete donation, embryo genetic testing, federal employee health benefits, FEHB

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will allow terminal net salvage to be properly accounted for in electric rates, not because
• Terminal net salvage allows utilities to responsibly plan for those end-of-life costs by spreading them
• Closing that plant was a PSC decision, and this terminal net salvage issue we're here today is a PSC
• net salvage and have included terminal net salvage and depreciation<00:24:21.039><c> studies</c><00:
• So including terminal net salvage does not increase the true cost of electricity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Early notice is better than later notice, of course. So we would like to thank Rep.
• prohibited if the employer does not retain absolute authority to choose which volunteers it ultimately terminates
• It removes the final action requirement and instead the employer need only terminate the person's employment
• voluntarily participating in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan so long as their termination
• If they receive, for instance, early retirement or severance, if those dollars are a substantial amount

Bills: HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:02.719><c> the</c><01:49:02.880><c> amount</c> terminate their contract with the amount terminate
• So, um I don't terminating the contract.
• Um, you mentioned the termination of that contract with that company.
• </c><01:55:04.080><c> I</c> legally terminated as of yesterday.
• I legally terminated as of yesterday.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mandatory suspension or termination mandatory suspension or termination after<00:49:46.400><c> exclusion
• So, of course, they're not going to want to show their evidence early.
• At the same show their evidence early.
• Landed the plane early. Um, we will get to be back here tomorrow morning at 8:15.
• Landed the plane early. Um we welcome. Landed the plane early.

Bills: HF3797 , HF3780 , HF4068 , HF3935

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Simone, who had been our campus dean here at Dakota College at Bottineau for three years, last summer, early
• But it wasn't like very early.
• But it wasn't like very early.
• And then the last section was notice to terminate in policy.
• students graduate early.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard a campus presentation from Dean Corey Gorder and President Steve Shirley. Gorder outlined DCB’s leadership changes, its affiliation with Minot State, and extensive shared services with Minot State, UND, and NDSU in areas such as business office functions, financial aid, payroll, HR, Title IX, printing, and institutional research. He said shared services help smaller campuses access expertise, and committee members asked about cost allocation and accreditation limits; Gorder said the arrangements are negotiated between institutions and that, to his understanding, academic accreditation is not affected by these service-sharing agreements. The committee also discussed DCB’s enrollment, dual credit reach, and program mix, including nursing, dental assisting and hygiene, paramedic training, drone certification, and farm management. Gorder said DCB wants to expand higher-demand, trade-oriented programs, strengthen Minot programming, and address facility needs, especially residence halls and space constraints in dental programs. Members asked detailed questions about dual credit, including how DCB develops relationships with high schools, whether it has exclusivity, who teaches the courses, and whether credits transfer. Gorder said relationships are built through outreach and existing school connections, that schools may choose other providers, and that DCB pays stipends to instructors under institution-specific formulas. NDUS staff Lisa Johnson said transfer problems are rare within North Dakota and usually arise only with highly selective out-of-state institutions. Gorder also noted that DCB’s dual credit and campus programming are heavily tied to rural schools and that the college is trying to streamline dual credit delivery as enrollment and staffing demands grow. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose representatives outlined student priorities from the last legislative session and the interim. Their main themes included campus safety, mental health resources, academic freedom, scholarships and affordability, teacher incentives, workforce readiness, housing, food accessibility, student research funding, internships, and campus collaboration. They said they supported or opposed various bills related to those issues during the 69th Legislative Assembly and emphasized that students want affordable, safe, and academically strong campuses. Committee members asked about housing affordability, food insecurity, research opportunities, and dual credit transfer and expansion. No votes were taken on policy matters during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:30:31.520><c> or</c> that person has the terminal or that person has the terminal or qualifying
• It's still kind of early days.
• </c><04:07:40.319><c> markers</c> safely and demonstrating early markers safely and demonstrating early
• </c><04:09:03.520><c> clinical</c> companies generate the early clinical companies generate the early
• </c> the whistleblower was terminated. the whistleblower was terminated. and<06:01:17.040><c> where</

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Early access to physical therapy reduces reliance on opioids, imaging, injections, and surgery, while
• Early access to physical therapy reduces reliance on opioids, imaging, injections, and surgery, while
• By allowing physical therapists to be attending providers, PT can be initiated early, resulting in getting
• A study just from last year shows that initiating PT early is associated with shorter workers' comp case
• A study just from last year shows that initiating PT early is associated with shorter workers' comp case

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact. Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.