Transcript Highlights:

• replacement revolving funds, but the recommendations for a slight decrease in the use of funds to accommodate
• Both recommendations support a slight decrease in the Use of funds to accommodate some of those points
• upgrade supports 85 public safety agencies to include state, federal, local, and tribal entities and accommodates

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adjust the state adequacy target in order to accommodate
• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adjust the state adequacy target in order to accommodate
• up happening is that multiplier, that state adequacy target, is then prorated down in order to accommodate

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• budget requests that the bulk of your request is the $70 million for capital, additional building to accommodate
• And they've always been very accommodating to reach out and cooperate with us on any questions we have
• They have to understand child abuse accommodation syndrome.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• manage in the state's budget, especially when increases of $200 million to $400 million are hard to accommodate
• manage in the state's budget, and that increases of $200 million to $400 million are very hard to accommodate
• The speaker said increases of $200 million to $400 million are very hard to accommodate.

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• construction is a prohibited expense other than sort of incidental, like a minor renovation to accommodate
• construction is a prohibited expense other than sort of incidental, like a minor renovation to accommodate
• construction is a prohibited expense other than sort of incidental, like a minor renovation to accommodate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care approved the prior meeting minutes as amended after correcting the first paragraph. The chair then outlined the committee’s plan to produce a preliminary report by October 1, with additional meetings to follow, since some questions remain about the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) and its effects on Medicaid financing and managed care. The main discussion focused on New Hampshire nursing home funding and how ProShare and MQUIP work. Members reviewed Medicaid rates, supplemental payments, intergovernmental transfers, and the role of federal matching funds. The chair and Mr. Litman concluded that OB3’s phase-down of payments above the Medicare rate likely would not directly eliminate ProShare or MQUIP in New Hampshire, but uncertainty remains about intergovernmental transfers and about how these payments would function if the state moved nursing facilities into managed care. Mr. Litman said managed care would likely require waivers for supplemental payments, and Texas was cited as an example of a state operating under such waivers. The committee also discussed dual eligibles, DNIP, PACE, and the possibility of carving out HCBS from nursing facility services. DHS said its managed care contract would allow the state to use MCOs for DNIP, with the goal of better coordination between Medicaid and Medicare, while PACE would likely require more study and might be more feasible in populated counties. Members also reviewed OB3’s new presumptive eligibility provisions and a state waiver request modeled on Washington’s approach, plus a separate grant for transitioning people from facilities back to the community. The rural health transformation fund was discussed as a possible source for workforce, telehealth, mobile integrated health, and other support investments, but not for direct construction or major building renovation. County representatives emphasized that any county role in PACE or DNIP would require significant vetting, infrastructure, capital investment, and a realistic timeline. The meeting ended with the chair saying the draft report would outline issues and possible alternatives, but not recommendations yet, and the committee adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been kind of crafting this bill to accommodate some of the needs that, just the cost of doing
• How are you accommodating? Not, this is, have you been running into that same conversation?
• How are you accommodating some of those maybe good consumer interests that are also of interest to the

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to privacy, consumer protection, and online harms. SB 259 by Senator Wahab would prohibit surveillance pricing based on device data such as geolocation or battery level; supporters argued it would curb discriminatory and predatory pricing, while opponents raised concerns about geolocation definitions, legitimate location-based pricing, and impacts on discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee and passed 8-1, with members noting amendments and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. SB 22 by Senator Laird would raise the amount of gift cards that can be redeemed for cash, with the author saying the goal is to update the long-standing $10 threshold for inflation and preserve consumer value. Consumer advocates supported the bill, while retailers, restaurants, grocers, and chambers of commerce opposed or opposed unless amended, citing fraud concerns, safety issues, and the need for clarification on donated or returned gift cards. The committee voted the bill out on a 6-1 vote and kept it on call. SB 576 by Senator Umberg would apply broadcast-style loudness rules to streaming advertisements. The author said the bill is intended to prevent ads from being much louder than programming, especially for children, while the opposition argued that streaming ad insertion is technically different and that existing industry standards and FCC oversight already address the issue. The bill passed 8-0. SB 683 by Senator Cortese would clarify that people can seek injunctive relief, including a TRO, for unauthorized use of name, image, or likeness; supporters said it strengthens privacy protections, while opponents warned about prior restraint and First Amendment concerns. The bill was moved out on a due pass motion and kept on call. The final bill discussed, SB 771 by Senator Stern, would clarify that existing civil rights and hate-related laws apply to social media platforms and their algorithms, with higher penalties for intentional or reckless violations. Supporters, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Islamic Networks Group, described online hate as fueling real-world violence and urged stronger accountability; opponents argued the bill could conflict with Section 230, chill lawful speech, and create vague standards. Members raised questions about constitutionality, definitions, and whether the bill would be workable, but several expressed support for the author’s goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• result of this shortfall is that events, conventions, and other conferences are affected by limited accommodation
• the private sector; however, it became clear that the originally planned site was too small to accommodate
• The growing demand for accommodations and meeting space has prompted the city to pursue a larger, more

Bills: HB 1039, HB2289, HB2370, HB2404, HB3066, HB3076, HB3117, HB3118, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3182, HB3196, HB3241, HB3377, HB3500, HB3567, HB3715, HB3954, HB4098, HB4109, HB4222, HB4226, HB4412, HB4659, HB4682, HB4683, HB4755, HB4926, HB5165, HB5562, HB5596

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax authority, border counties, tax legislation, municipalities, hotel tax revenue, convention centers, economic development, local government authority, HB 2370, HOT tax, venue projects, convention center, municipal finance, local government code, Section 334.0082, tourism tax, debt financing, bond repayment

Transcript Highlights:

• competitions, and use of facilities including bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, and overnight accommodations
• We can accommodate; I believe we can accommodate all people, and we can treat everyone with fairness

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we've worked hard with the industry folks to try to accommodate their issues as well as the agency
• uh with the industry folks to<00:05:09.440> try<00:05:09.600> to<00:05:09.840> accommodate
• <00:05:10.639> their<00:05:10.960> issues<00:05:11.600> as to try to accommodate
• their issues as to try to accommodate their issues as well<00:05:12.000> as<00:05:12.240>
• or address those situations accommodate or address those situations when<00:15:35.120> they<00

Bills: HF3935, HF2216, HF4354, HF4210, HF4212

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services

Transcript Highlights:

• This new hospital will accommodate the medical essential functions but not include space for staff offices
• This new hospital will<00:12:57.200> accommodate<00:12:57.839> the<00:12:58.240> medical
• <00:12:59.040> essential will accommodate the medical essential will accommodate the medical
• This $5 million request includes facilities to accommodate daily fire briefings, emergency dispatch,
• to accommodate daily fire briefings,<01:06:54.720> emergency<01:06:55.280> dispatch,<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires transportation brokers to screen for necessary accommodations and additional stops,
• to screen for necessary accommodations to screen for necessary accommodations and<00:41:06.480><
• Um, or if you have accessibility needs, those need to be accommodated.
• /c><00:46:10.000> need<00:46:10.079> to<00:46:10.240> be<00:46:10.319> accommodated
• needs, those need to be accommodated. needs, those need to be accommodated.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted. The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39. After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require any accommodation, please speak to our sergeant in arms staff. They’re fabulous.
• If you require<00:02:05.759> any<00:02:06.000> accommodation,<00:02:06.640> please
• c><00:02:06.960> speak require any accommodation, please speak require any accommodation, please
• So while there are changes needed to accommodate the breadth of PAS and the breadth of products under
• are changes needed um uh to accommodate are changes needed um uh to accommodate the<01:11:50.480

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This has prompted programs to make temporary adjustments to accommodate for this influx in attempts to
• programs to make temporary adjustments programs to make temporary adjustments to<01:14:52.800> accommodate
• 53.199> for<01:14:53.440> this<01:14:53.679> influx<01:14:54.400> in to accommodate
• for this influx in to accommodate for this influx in attempts<01:14:55.040> to<01:14:55.199><
• <01:15:35.840> the emergency funding to accommodate the emergency funding to accommodate the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh that we're accommodating uh that we're accommodating rather<01:35:36.800> than<01:35:36.960
• It's a part of the choice, but we do on the side of classes already provide for an accommodation within
• It's a part of the choice, but we do on the side of classes already provide for an accommodation within
• It's a part of the choice, but we do on the side of classes already provide for an accommodation within
• It's a part of the choice, but we do on the side of classes already provide for an accommodation within

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• identified are the ones that are being successful in their determination, and that's actually not accommodated
• identified are the ones that are being successful in their determination, and that's actually not accommodated
• identified are the ones that are being successful in their determination, and that's actually not accommodated
• the challenge with the bills and the policies and everything else is trying to find boxes that accommodates
• And we very much understand the spirit of the bill and we're trying to accommodate, you know, that while

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was<00:37:53.680> not<00:37:53.800> able<00:37:53.960> to<00:37:54.119> accommodate
• <00:37:54.560> with<00:37:54.760> just was not able to accommodate with just was not
• able to accommodate with just the<00:37:55.280> way<00:37:55.440> the<00:37:55.560>
• comfortable while they're<01:04:08.559> working<01:04:09.000> to<01:04:09.319> accommodate
• to accommodate an ACC comedy<01:04:11.359> in<01:04:11.480> an<01:04:11.680> economy

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond negotiations, programming for HR payroll systems to accommodate different tax rates for different
• That is an additional expense placed on taxpayers simply to accommodate a lack of uniformity.
• for HR payroll systems to accommodate for HR payroll systems to accommodate different<00:42:40.240
• <00:42:55.800> a<00:42:55.960> lack<00:42:56.160> of simply to accommodate a
• lack of simply to accommodate a lack of uniformity<00:42:57.400> a<00:42:57.559> standard<

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To have kept up, we would have needed to allow more housing units to accommodate both.
• It's not partisan; it's just math. ...to accommodate both. It's not partisan; it's just math.
• both it's not partisan to accommodate both it's not partisan it's<00:25:06.960> just<00:25:07.679
• There's appropriate land in other locations of the city to accommodate residential needs, but only where
• There's appropriate land in other locations of the city to accommodate residential needs, but only where

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are two wonderful neurodivergent children who needed accommodation to reach their full potential
• In public schools, students with disabilities have committees that consider what accommodations are needed
• These laws are essential to ensure that students with disabilities receive the services, accommodations
• Without the services, accommodations, and protections they are entitled to under federal law.
• We have implemented creative teaching strategies and personalized learning opportunities to accommodate

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the agenda accommodation as well.
• I appreciate the agenda accommodation as well.
• <01:14:19.199> as accommodation as accommodation as well<01:14:21.000> um<01:14:21.639>
• DNR accommodations direct promotion of many outdoor pursuits points to a missed opportunity, as foraging
• improving access DNR accommodations improving access DNR accommodations direct<01:54:51.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all