Video & Transcript : 'stem education' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 30th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- , is created to ensure that every Washingtonian has access to non-commercial media that informs, educates
- The objectives of these roles include content development, education, technical expertise, and training
- The PEG fees, public education and government fees, were then diverted directly to the jurisdictional
- The PEG fees, public education and government fees, were then diverted directly to the jurisdictional
- I've spent my whole career working in PEG, public educational and government channels, and I'm a big
Bills:
HB2579
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- ESSB 5814 did cause problems for hundreds of arts education organizations throughout the state, causing
- And this is a foundation of music education in our state, basically.
- For the record, I'm Logan Noel Endress, a product of public education, here today as other on Senate
- Like my fellow education advocates, I will save my talking points for another time and ensure that we
- Education, anti-vaping campaigns. That is the key.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on several tax and retirement bills, beginning with Senate Bill 6073, which would move eligible Department of Natural Resources wildland and aviation firefighters from PERS into LEOFF 2 prospectively. Committee staff described the higher retirement age and benefit differences between the systems and noted a small implementation cost and a modest actuarial rate increase. DNR, the Washington Public Employees Association, and a committee member all raised support or questions, with DNR acknowledging additional review with the LEOFF board was still needed.
The hearing then turned to Senate Bill 6113, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, including clarifications tied to last session’s ESSB 5814 service-tax changes, a six-month transition period for reclassified businesses, and a section affecting advertising-related exclusions. DOR said the bill was revenue neutral and intended to codify guidance and improve certainty, while school districts, arts groups, broadcasters, newspapers, and business groups testified both in support of the technical fixes and in opposition to provisions they said would continue or worsen unintended consequences from last year’s tax law. Senators also questioned how some definitions would apply, especially to school and higher-education-related services.
Senate Bill 6116 would restore the vapor-products tax structure by moving nicotine-containing vapor products back under the per-milliliter vapor tax instead of the 95% other tobacco products tax, and would restore distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account and Foundational Public Health Services account. Public health agencies, cancer research representatives, and some retailers supported the bill as a fix to funding disruptions, while tobacco-control groups opposed lowering the tax and argued it would weaken public health policy. The committee also heard that the current law creates a double-tax issue on pre-existing inventory because products held when the definition changed became subject to a new tax classification.
Finally, Senate Bill 6129 proposed a broader nicotine-tax overhaul, including a 90% tax on nicotine products, a 10% tax on flavored nicotine products, higher cigarette taxes, and new revenue distributions and tribal compact provisions. Supporters, including public health organizations, pediatricians, and civil rights advocates, said higher taxes would reduce youth use and restore funding for cancer research and public health; opponents, including retailers, tobacco and vapor businesses, broadcasters, and some harm-reduction advocates, argued the bill was regressive, would fuel illicit markets, and would harm small businesses and adult consumers using lower-risk products. The committee then began a briefing on Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform bill that would expand senior and disability property tax relief, adjust state property tax rates, and change property tax billing statements, but the hearing on that bill was not completed in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This is only possible when everyone has access to the education, resources, and support to make informed
- This is only possible when everyone has access to the education, resources, and support to make informed
- AB 551 can be the blueprint that shows how to update, educate, and empower clinicians already in practice
- California has a history of commissioning studies to improve nursing and medical education specifically
- However, there have been no such studies focused on midwifery education in California.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion.
The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills.
The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Title X funds are leveraged for non-reimbursable health services, community outreach and education, youth
- worked to develop an online platform to better align our employment recruitment efforts with the educational
- and local educational agencies (LEAs) in each county, including making investments for well-being and
- It requires close collaboration between County Offices of Education, LEAs, colleges and universities,
- education partners, to listen to their concerns and collaboratively design this policy.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We have thousands of jobs that need to be filled by an educated and trained workforce, yet not enough
- AGC has created a nonprofit arm called the Construction Education Foundation, which provides resources
- The motion is due pass to Higher Education Committee. Ortega? Aye. Flora? Aye. Chen? Aye.
- Educational programs that benefit individual employees, not just training, but educational opportunities
- Educational programs that benefit individual employees, not just training, but educational opportunities
Summary:
The committee heard a series of labor-related bills, with most measures focused on worker training, privacy, wages, and safety. AB 296 would require schools or districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once a year, with flexibility on how they are run and whether programs outside the county can participate. Supporters said it would help connect students to skilled trades and address workforce shortages; school administrators opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate that could be impractical for elementary schools. The bill was later moved on call, with the committee noting it could not vote until quorum was established.
AB 1221 and AB 1331 both addressed workplace surveillance. AB 1221 would restrict invasive monitoring tools, require notice to workers, limit the use and sharing of worker data, and require human review before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor groups supported the bill as a response to AI-driven monitoring, while business groups raised concerns about broad definitions, security cameras, investigations, and data-access provisions. AB 1331 focused more narrowly on privacy in off-duty and private spaces, limiting surveillance in places like restrooms, break areas, vehicles, and homes; hospitals and business groups opposed it as too broad and potentially disruptive to safety, cybersecurity, and facility monitoring. Both bills were advanced by committee vote.
The committee also heard AB 1181, which would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals such as PFAS by 2027, and AB 1198, which would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when the work is performed rather than when the project was first advertised. Firefighter representatives strongly supported AB 1181, while the chemical industry asked to continue working on scope and timelines. AB 1198 drew support from labor and contractor groups but opposition from local governments and housing groups concerned about mid-project cost increases; it was passed to Appropriations after a roll-call vote. Other measures approved included AB 1235 on skilled-and-trained workers for CSU construction, AB 1251 on ghost job postings, AB 552 on locating the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office outside Sacramento, AB 1110 on updating Cal/OSHA workplace posters, AB 1136 on expanding high road training partnerships, and AB 1234 on wage claim enforcement. AB 692, which would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, drew strong support from nurses and labor advocates and opposition from business and health care groups; it was also passed on a roll-call vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So we do have that happen in education.
- So, on page 6 of the document, under major funding items, I'll begin with public education.
- for an education and savings account and $400 million for the school safety allotment.
- For higher education, there's contingent funding of $850 million for a Texas State Technical College
- If you include all of Texas Education Agency funds...
Committee:
House Ways & Means
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- But it's an internationally recognized testing model that's quite stringent and requires education and
- continuing education.
- continuing education.
- <00:04:16.079><c> and</c><00:04:16.280><c> continuing</c> education and continuing education and continuing
- education<00:04:18.639><c> also</c><00:04:18.919><c> is</c><00:04:19.040><c> there</c><00:04:19.199>
Keywords:
Reuploaded to restore full meeting
00:00 – Meeting Start
00:37 – Attendance Roll Call
02:20 -Discussion on SB 69
18:10- Roll Call Vote, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Agriculture Committee met to reconsider a committee substitute for a bill dealing with equine dental care and the regulation of non-veterinarian dental practitioners. The chair reopened the bill after prior testimony, and members focused on how the bill would set standards for training, testing, insurance, continuing education, and a registry for practitioners. Discussion also centered on whether the measure would affect veterinary practice or create a precedent for other animal care areas; supporters said it was meant to preserve access and affordability for horse owners, especially in rural areas where veterinarians are scarce or unavailable for routine work.
A major topic was the bill’s grandfathering or “legacy candidate” provision. Senators asked how existing practitioners would qualify, whether they would need to apply, and what documentation would be required. Committee witnesses, including a Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association representative and the Board of Veterinary Examiners executive director, said the board could set licensing terms by regulation, including an application process, background/history checks, and letters of recommendation from licensed veterinarians. They also said the process would include an application window to allow current practitioners time to comply.
Several members explained their votes in favor, while noting lingering concerns they wanted addressed on the floor. Supporters emphasized that the bill was the product of years of work, surveys, stakeholder meetings, and multiple drafts, and that it was intended to legitimize existing practitioners while protecting animal welfare. The committee substitute was approved, the bill passed the committee unanimously, and the meeting adjourned.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of y'all know Donna was Arkansas Education Association president one year, but she kept me from
- Senate Bill 77 by Senator Tucker, an act for the Department of Education, Educational Television Division
- Senator Tucker, an act for the Department of Education, Educational Television Division appropriation
- The Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood appropriation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- which doesn't really put a lot of priority that we have on helping support, especially with these education
- would be running concurrent with it I don't want I didn't want access the funds that are set up for education
- does is it drives down pricing and it dilutes where money is going this is a direct competitor to education
- appropriation for these purposes instead of creating a competitor that will supplant money from education
- So instead of competing with existing games and the revenue for education, I I think people will find
Committee:
House Rules
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Common Education REVISION 2: Link added - HB4359 Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- mandate, but it does provide local school leaders the discretion to best meet the needs of their educators
- mandate, but it does provide local school leaders the discretion to best meet the needs of their educators
- that's not the intent of this bill, to exclude things that have explicit literary, artistic, or educational
- not that many students, but we don't want to get their kids behind either within their program of education
- not that many students, but we don't want to get their kids behind either within their program of education
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. HB 4359 would require statewide assessments to be administered between May 1 and the end of May starting in the 2026-27 school year; members discussed whether schools that end earlier might need flexibility, and the bill passed 11-9. HB 4115 would raise the allowable professional development cap for educators from 150 to 200 hours over five years without mandating additional training; the sponsor said it would give local districts more discretion, and it passed 10-0. HB 3467 would amend maternity leave for school teachers to include adoption of newborn children under four years old, and it passed 10-0.
The committee also considered HB 2978, with a proposed committee substitute, dealing with school library materials and community standards. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at removing obscene material from school libraries, not at banning books generally, and members questioned how it would affect librarians, AP coursework, and whether it could sweep in works with literary or educational value. The sponsor said the bill would not affect bookstores or online retailers, only access through taxpayer-funded school libraries, and the bill passed 10-0.
Later, the committee heard HB 3026, which would require districts to adopt a kindergarten starting-age policy with an exception for certain military families returning from overseas so children are not held back unnecessarily; it passed 10-0. HB 32, also with a committee substitute, would require families to complete or opt out of a child nutrition program form annually as part of enrollment to improve data collection and funding, while exempting schools already covered by federal CEP rules; the sponsor said the measure could help recover lost funding, and it passed 8-2. The chair also noted HB 4277 would be laid over, and the meeting ended with a short presentation to follow.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Isson Newsom on her receipt of the 2025 Living Legend Award from the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators
- honor where she's been recognized as the Living Le, given the Living Legend Award as a black school educators
- organization serves as a forum for financial support, innovation, professional development, and education
- Higher Education, Chair Wilson, by Cher Howard, seniority appointments, Lambert Perez, Vincent of El
- Public education chair, Buckley, vice chair, Bernal, seniority appointments.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Living Legend Award from the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators. the resolution thank you mr. speaker
- organization serves as a forum for financial support, innovation, professional development, and education
- Higher education, Chair Wilson, Vice Chair Howard, seniority appointments.
- Public education. Buckley, Vice Chair Bernal, Seniority Appointments.
- Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Also being an educator, and I think we have some other educators in here, and I would think that they
- Members, we all know that education is power.
- We need to educate them before the fact.
- Members, we all know that education is power.
- We need to educate them before the fact.
Summary:
The House took up the special order calendar for a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes, CS/HJR 1F, which would create a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property, and restrict how counties and municipalities may use ad valorem tax revenue. The sponsor, Rep. Overdorf, said the measure would give homeowners tax relief and argued local governments could adjust spending or use other revenue sources. Opponents repeatedly questioned the ballot language, the lack of a fiscal estimate or backfill, and the potential impact on local services, public safety, and debt obligations. The House adopted the special order report and then debated the resolution and a series of amendments.
Several amendments were offered to carve out or protect specific services from the tax changes. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to protect Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was supported by members who said those entities fund early learning, mental health, aftercare, and other services for children and working families, but it failed 25-74. Rep. Cross offered an amendment to include water management districts in allowable ad valorem uses, warning of impacts on flood control, water quality, Everglades restoration, and water supply; that amendment also failed. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment requiring the Legislature to backfill public safety funding if local revenues fall, arguing police and fire services, staffing, and response times would be at risk; it failed 25-71.
The chamber then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other local senior programs, and opponents saying the proposal was outside the bill’s scope. Finally, Rep. Gant offered an amendment to protect veteran services, saying local governments fund housing, mental health, transition, and family support programs for veterans; debate emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and avoiding cuts to those services. The transcript cuts off during debate on that amendment, before a final vote is shown.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So promise me you will educate your constituents.
- Promise me you will educate your constituents on the pluses and the minuses of this proposal. educate
- For the amendment on education, I've been very involved in education policy for many, many years.
- to educate our children, then we have no future.
- One of them, I was concerned about education, protecting our schools, because if we can't afford to educate
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This proposal is a benefit restriction bill, not a nutrition education bill.
- Education creates lasting change.
- What works is education and incentive programs.
- Education creates a lasting change.
- What works is education and incentive programs?
Summary:
The committee heard a series of child and family services bills, with testimony from authors, county officials, advocates, and members of the public. AB 2083 would authorize a regional child care special district for Marina Valley and Paris; there was no public opposition, but a vice chair raised concerns about lack of outreach to Riverside County and possible added fees for residents. The bill was held pending quorum and later noted as enjoying a due pass recommendation, though no final roll was taken in the excerpt.
AB 1579, which expands the Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program to allow additional CDSS-approved residential models, drew strong support from San Francisco County, Seneca Family of Agencies, and several counties and advocacy groups, who argued the current crisis residential model is financially and operationally unworkable and leaves youth in hospitals or emergency departments. The Youth Law Center and allied organizations opposed the bill, saying it departs from the original small, community-based crisis model and could lead to more institutional care. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations.
AB 1628 would extend California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days. The author and fire service supporters said the change would better reflect postpartum recovery and help prevent unsafe abandonment; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. AB 1634, dealing with the “Kids” specialty license plate program, sought to raise plate fees and revise distribution formulas to generate more revenue for child safety and child care programs. Supporters said the update would modernize outdated 1992 pricing and expand county access, while a committee member objected that the bill would reallocate funds away from state agencies and private nonprofits; the bill was moved on a 5-0 vote with some members not voting.
AB 1643 would streamline child support enrollment by having courts transmit support orders directly to child support agencies unless a custodial parent opts out. Supporters said automatic enrollment would reduce poverty and remove paperwork barriers, while opponents warned it could undermine parent choice and create problems for families with sensitive circumstances. The committee passed the bill 6-0. AB 1708 would require regions receiving HHAP homelessness funds to more meaningfully engage smaller cities; many city officials supported it as a way to include jurisdictions that are doing local homelessness work, while Los Angeles’ mayor’s office opposed it. The bill passed 5-0. AB 2395 would standardize access to the child support debt reduction program; supporters described it as a way to help low-income obligors escape uncollectible government-owed debt, while receiving parents and child support agencies warned it could reduce money owed to families and needs more work. The bill passed 4-0. The committee then began AB 1914, which would require local governments to plan for child care in general plans; supporters framed child care as essential infrastructure, while at least one member raised concerns about state mandates on local jurisdictions, and the excerpt ends before any vote.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 27th, 2026
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The great role that piano teachers are playing in this state in educating our young people to the beauty
- In accordance with fiscal matters, amending RCW 28B.15.2, last line, Workforce Training and Education
- And that, you know, again, budgets grow and... ...K-12 education.
- They can't afford to move to Spokane or move to the Tri-Cities to get their nursing education.
- The Secretary will read: On page 495, line 19, decrease the workforce education investment.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law
Summary:
The Senate convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then moved to a resolution honoring piano teachers. Senate Resolution 8698 was adopted after remarks from Senator Conway and others describing the role of piano teachers in music education, family life, and community service. Members of the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery.
The chamber then took up the operating budget and considered a long series of amendments. Several amendments focused on housing costs and local planning, utility and energy policy, ballot measure costs, state spending growth, tort liability, and paid family and medical leave. Some amendments were adopted, including a study of utility cost impacts from climate laws, a grid-related funding amendment, a tort liability oversight/reporting amendment, and a workgroup on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Others were rejected, including proposals to create a housing task force, cap state spending growth, fund ballot initiative costs, restore local planning grants, and change paid family and medical leave usage rules.
Debate on the budget amendments was often partisan and detailed, with supporters arguing for fiscal restraint, cost transparency, and relief for taxpayers and local governments, while opponents emphasized existing work, program solvency, and the need to preserve services. The Senate also heard amendments on zero-based budgeting, federal education tax credit opt-in language, reproductive health funding, food assistance work requirements, and support for the Pediatric Interim Care Center; some were defeated and some were adopted. Roll-call votes were taken on certain amendments, and the transcript ends during consideration of Amendment 0787, which would restore funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Nature, climate education and research facilities grants.
- We're doing education for the public now so that they know that this will happen, because losing your
- So I wanted to talk a lot about communications, education, and outreach.
- And I thought, like, that kind of simple outreach and education means the world, right?
- And so that's the type of work our outreach, education, and communication team does.
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy opened its first hearing with remarks from the chair and members emphasizing climate change, resiliency, clean energy, natural resources, and the need to make careful budget choices in a constrained fiscal environment. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview of the natural resources and environmental protection budget, warning that although current revenues are strong, the state faces significant out-year deficits and should apply a high bar to new ongoing spending, use special funds and fees carefully, and focus on critical health and safety needs. The LAO said the Governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan was generally reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, but urged legislative oversight and reporting, especially where bond funds interact with General Fund proposals.
Secretary Wade Crowfoot then described the Natural Resources Agency’s recent accomplishments and priorities, including wildfire resilience, water reliability, coastal protection, outdoor access, biodiversity, tribal partnerships, and streamlining project delivery. He highlighted major investments in climate and resilience, the role of Proposition 4 in continuing those efforts, and the need to modernize water infrastructure, including Delta conveyance and other regional conveyance projects. Members asked about Delta conveyance, invasive species, permitting delays, and the impact of federal staffing cuts; Crowfoot said the administration is pushing projects forward, supports a beneficiary-pays approach for conveyance, and is filling gaps left by federal reductions where necessary.
The committee then heard from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Armando Quintero reviewed the state park system, outdoor access programs, tribal agreements, wildfire and forest resilience work, and deferred maintenance funded by the climate bond. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing General Fund transfer for the California State Parks Library Pass program, saying it did not meet the high bar for new spending, while several members strongly supported the program as a low-cost, high-value access tool. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and no-show vacancies; staff said new rules and enforcement will take effect July 1 and that vacancies are being opened up sooner. The department also presented low-cost accommodation projects, which the LAO supported.
Finally, the Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced its new director, Megan Hurdle, who outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 proposals for salmon tagging, hatchery improvements, and public access lands. She emphasized the department’s role in biodiversity conservation, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict outreach, and said the agency is working to close a service gap identified in its budgeting analysis. No votes were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Nature, climate education, and research facilities grants is another example of a very broad category
- We're doing education for the public now so that they know that this will happen, because losing your
- So I wanted to talk a lot about communications, education, and outreach.
- And I thought, like, that kind of simple outreach and education means the world, right?
- And so that's the type of work our outreach, education, and communication team does.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Feb 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- who like to give their money in other ways through charitable contributions to our food banks, to education
- move that Substitute Senate Bill 5901, as substituted by the Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education
- move that Substitute Senate Bill 5901, as substituted by the Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education
- then finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5969 directs the statewide online system for individualized education
- Substitute Senate Bill 5961, as substituted by the Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education, receive
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on February 9, 2026, first hearing a staff briefing on Senate Bill 6346, which would impose a tax on individuals earning over $1 million. Staff described the bill’s revenue and spending impacts and reviewed a proposed substitute and 11 amendments addressing items such as public defense funding, charitable deductions, out-of-state tax credits, small business credits, diapers, constitutional issues, and a contingent constitutional amendment. The committee later took up the bill and rejected all of the offered amendments, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. Members supporting the bill argued it would help address tax fairness and fund public services, while opponents raised concerns about constitutionality, economic harm, and the effect on businesses and charitable giving.
The committee also acted on a series of policy bills. It advanced a substitute bill on grocery store closures in food deserts after adopting a narrower substitute, despite concerns from some members about burdening grocers. It approved a substitute bill expanding voting access for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, adopting a second substitute that removed a cybersecurity review requirement. The committee also advanced bills on tort claim arbitration against governments, victim and witness protections in sexual assault and domestic violence cases, JLARC review of student aid fraud, agricultural collective bargaining, labor relations if federal preemption ends, a cost-of-living adjustment for Plan 1 retirees, workers’ compensation and medical care access, line-of-duty death reimbursements, law enforcement background checks and eligibility, veterans’ discharge definitions, and extraordinary medical placement. Several of these bills had amendments adopted, including changes to tort claim oversight, victim-requested standby counsel, agricultural labor definitions, workers’ compensation penalties, law enforcement volunteer support, and extraordinary medical placement criteria.
In the second group of bills, staff briefed measures affecting property taxes, housing, cannabis, disaster-related tax relief, technical tax code changes, aircraft fuel tax revenues, the estate tax, and a pesticide tax exemption. The committee heard that a substitute for the fire protection district bill would alter how city or town levy capacity is reduced and include consultation requirements and board-creation provisions. It also heard that the property tax relief expansion for seniors and disabled retirees needed a substitute to make the consolidated school levy revenue-neutral. Other bills would expand tax exemptions for low-income housing and nonprofit homeownership, authorize local cannabis excise taxes, extend disaster repair tax relief, expand housing-related local sales tax uses, make technical tax code changes, redirect aircraft fuel tax revenues to aeronautics, reduce the estate tax rate, and extend a pesticide tax exemption. The transcript ends during the committee’s consideration of Senate Bill 6346, with the committee debating and rejecting amendments before moving the bill forward.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- However, I think the better the education.
- MagriLife continues to develop educational materials. We have several more in our pipeline.
- And it basically comes down to two components. components, products, and education.
- And so that's why the educational part is so critical.
- So we've had education at our conferences. We're sharing.