Transcript Highlights:

• For more on our methodology, you can see Chapter 2 and Appendix B of our report.
• For more on our strategies, you can see Chapter 4 of our report, and now I'll pass it back to Aaron to

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on expanding the use of pretrial services in Washington. Auditors said most of the 14 local courts they reviewed wanted to expand or implement pretrial services but faced barriers such as funding, limited community resources, and public safety concerns. The audit found variation in how courts use pretrial services, potential disparities in who receives them, and major data limitations because most courts do not track pretrial outcomes in an accessible, standardized way. Auditors recommended that local courts engage stakeholders early, improve data collection and evaluation, and that the Administrative Office of the Courts provide more standardized guidance and support. They also noted the legislature had funded an AOC pilot program to help courts expand pretrial services. Court representatives from Spokane Municipal Court, Grays Harbor County District Court, and Yakima County described their own programs and supported the audit’s general conclusions. Spokane officials said their pretrial unit, funded locally and built around risk and needs assessments, had reduced bail use, detention time, failures to appear, and recidivism, but emphasized the need for stable funding and better public understanding of pretrial alternatives. Grays Harbor staff similarly said pretrial supervision and least-restrictive alternatives save jail costs and reduce reoffending, but that collecting data across all cases is labor-intensive and difficult without dedicated staff. Yakima and Spokane also highlighted the value of integrated case-management systems and centralized data tracking. Committee members asked about how reduced detention time occurs, how courts can communicate cost savings and public safety outcomes, and why many courts struggle to track pretrial data. Auditors explained that early risk and financial screening helps judges make quicker release decisions and that better data and stakeholder communication are key to building support. No formal action or vote was taken; the committee held the required hearing and then adjourned after public testimony was invited and written testimony information was provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The district was established in 1965 by a circuit court decree under the provisions of Chapter 298, Florida
• This local bill simply codifies the district's charter under Chapter 298 and ensures that the district

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard and voted on several local and statewide bills. HB 69, by Rep. Andrade, preempted local zoning and land-use authority to the state for presidential libraries; after an amendment clarifying the scope of preemption, it passed 13-2. HB 63, by Reps. Gerwig and Cassel, created a public-records exemption for city and county administrators and their deputies, citing threats and harassment against local administrators; it included a 10-year sunset and passed 15-0. HB 4045, by Rep. Alvarez, updated the City of Tampa firefighters’ and police officers’ pension plan, including extending the DROP period by three years; it passed 14-0 with a committee substitute. HB 4023, by Rep. Hunschofsky, tightened conflict-of-interest rules for officers and employees of the North Springs Improvement District after prior audit concerns; it passed 16-0. HB 4017, by Rep. Oliver, codified the Bermont Drainage District’s charter and corrected a statutory cross-reference via amendment; it passed 16-0 with committee substitute. HB 4009, by Rep. Kendall, renamed the St. Johns County regional airport to the St. Augustine Airport and passed 16-0. The committee also considered PCB IAS 25-01, by Vice Chair Griffiths, which would standardize county constitutional officers’ budget procedures and create an appeal process for clerks of court and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs; after testimony from the clerks and supervisors’ associations, it passed 16-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:21.440><c> well</c><00:32:22.160><c> and</c><00:32:22.760><c> um</c><00:32:22.920><c> kind</c><00
• and um kind of curious about<00:32:24.160><c> how</c><00:32:24.960><c> um</c><00:32:25.120><c> Commerce
• <00:32:29.480><c> and</c><00:32:30.000><c> and</c><00:32:30.880><c> you</c><00:32:31.000><c> know,</c
• policies<00:32:32.160><c> are</c><00:32:32.760><c> in</c><00:32:33.040><c> order</c><00:32:33.240><c
• &gt;&gt; Great.<00:32:35.440><c> Welcome.</c><00:32:35.960><c> Thank</c><00:32:36.160><c> you.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to walk through nonpartisan side-by-side comparisons of House File 4188, focusing on differences between House and Senate language across consumer protection, insurance, financial services, health, and technical provisions. Staff highlighted numerous Senate-only items, including rules for financial providers communicating through trusted contacts, virtual currency requirements for banks and credit unions, a prohibition on virtual currency kiosks beginning in 2026, mortgage servicing and student loan servicing changes, the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act, insurance and travel-related provisions, scrap metal licensing changes, protections related to minors accessing chatbots and AI companions, and several technical or conforming repealers. Staff also noted that some provisions were identical or substantially similar between the chambers, including mortgage originator standards, student loan borrower protections, securities-related changes, unclaimed property provisions, and technical updates in the bill’s miscellaneous articles. The Senate-only health-related articles were also summarized, including repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, technical changes to the reinsurance program, and a series of health insurance provisions on enrollment-growth notices, limits on officer and director salary increases under certain capital conditions, guaranteed issue rights for certain Medicare supplement enrollees, data-sharing between Commerce and Health, restrictions on using artificial intelligence alone to deny claims, reimbursement for clinical trainees, home care nursing coverage, and PBM transparency. The Senate’s telecommunications article was described as largely technical and conforming, with repeals of obsolete statutes. Staff also noted that some standalone bills had already passed and would be removed from the comparison report. Public testimony followed. Thomas Elness of AARP Minnesota supported inclusion of the cryptocurrency kiosk bill, expressed support for guaranteed issue protections for a narrow group of consumers affected by discontinued plans, and urged adoption of changes to the consumer protection restitution account, including raising the cap to $10 million per fiscal year. Representative Lee testified that the restitution account proposal should be treated as policy rather than finance because it has a zero fiscal note, and said the House would accept the Senate’s $10 million cap. Robin Rowan, representing the Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, urged adoption of Senate travel insurance language, requested a House-style change to lead-generation recordkeeping language, and supported a Senate provision allowing employers and insurers to coordinate notice to employees when group policies are cancelled. The Department of Commerce then responded to questions, explaining that the prescription drug affordability council would be sunset because the board already has other avenues for public input, that the reinsurance changes were technical and did not alter the prior agreement, and that the abandoned cryptocurrency provisions rely on statutory definitions of inactivity and known examples such as keys stored in safes or deposit boxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay,<00:32:00.000><c> item</c><00:32:00.280><c> next.
• Rozell.<00:32:04.720><c> And</c><00:32:04.880><c> members,</c><00:32:05.280><c> we're</c><00:32:05.400
• I<00:32:20.480><c> hope</c><00:32:20.640><c> you're</c><00:32:20.720><c> getting</c><00:32:20.840><c>
• :53.200><c> and</c><01:32:53.360><c> are</c><01:32:53.640><c> are</c><01:32:53.840><c> in</c><01:32:54.040
• :55.760><c> And</c><01:32:55.960><c> we</c><01:32:56.080><c> have</c><01:32:56.240><c> seen</c><01:32

Bills: HF4094 , HF3390 , HF3813 , HF3583 , HF3751 , HF4324 , HF4789 , HF3596 , HF4033 , HF4424 , HF4053

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: Crosby, local sales tax, bonding authority, community projects, voter approval, Owatonna, use tax, special law, community center, municipal finance, capital project, sales and use tax, local option tax, city tax, public facility, general election, bond referendum, debt limit, levy limit, Minnesota local government

Transcript Highlights:

• c> always</c><00:32:02.399><c> been</c><00:32:02.559><c> a</c><00:32:02.799><c> lot</c><00:32:02.880>
• I<00:32:09.600><c> don't</c><00:32:09.679><c> think</c><00:32:09.840><c> this</c><00:32:10.159><c> bill
• </c><00:32:10.480><c> or</c><00:32:11.039><c> this</c><00:32:11.279><c> body</c><00:32:11.600><c> has
• <c> you,</c><00:32:14.640><c> you</c><00:32:14.880><c> didn't</c><00:32:15.039><c> bring</c><00:32:15.200
• Is<00:32:16.399><c> your</c><00:32:16.640><c> is</c><00:32:16.799><c> there</c><00:32:17.039><c> concerns

Bills: SF0101

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What<00:32:03.200><c> so</c><00:32:03.440><c> suggestions,</c><00:32:04.360><c> and</c><00:32:04.440>
• :32:05.320><c> get</c><00:32:05.440><c> together</c><00:32:05.800><c> all</c><00:32:05.960><c> of</c>
• c><00:32:06.320><c> we've</c><00:32:06.480><c> done</c><00:32:06.760><c> that.
• So, what what more<00:32:08.960><c> can</c><00:32:09.320><c> we</c><00:32:09.520><c> do</c><00:32:10.320
• ><c> in</c><00:32:10.480><c> order</c><00:32:10.679><c> to</c><00:32:10.920><c> draw</c><00:32:11.280

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.880><c> Hi</c><00:32:01.200><c> SAM</c><00:32:01.600><c> to</c><00:32:02.399><c> um</c><00:32:02.960
• </c> We're<00:32:11.360><c> now,</c><00:32:11.679><c> so</c><00:32:11.840><c> like</c><00:32:12.000><
• </c><00:32:16.960><c> it</c><00:32:17.200><c> is</c><00:32:17.360><c> somewhat</c><00:32:17.679><c> nationally
• </c><00:32:26.960><c> I'm</c><00:32:27.200><c> pretty</c><00:32:27.440><c> sure</c><00:32:27.519><c>
• ><00:32:28.720><c> in</c><00:32:29.039><c> the</c><00:32:29.200><c> United</c><00:32:29.519><c> States

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > the</c><00:32:15.480><c> standing</c><00:32:15.840><c> committee</c><00:32:16.200><c> for</c><00:32
• :17.519><c> um</c><00:32:17.679><c> but</c><00:32:17.799><c> it</c><00:32:17.960><c> could</c><00:32:
• c><00:32:20.240><c> matter</c><00:32:20.679><c> similar</c><00:32:21.080><c> to</c><00:32:21.320><c>
• have<00:32:50.320><c> a</c><00:32:50.480><c> joint</c><00:32:50.799><c> legislative</c><00:32:51.399
• /c><00:32:57.240><c> like</c><00:32:58.080><c> it</c><00:32:58.559><c> it</c><00:32:58.679><c> looks<

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> It's<01:32:00.600><c> really</c><01:32:00.840><c> no</c><01:32:00.960><c> different</c><01:32:01.320
• </c><01:32:47.600><c> So,</c><01:32:47.720><c> I</c><01:32:47.800><c> think</c><01:32:48.280><c> somebody
• :32:51.880><c> $20</c><01:32:52.600><c> are</c><01:32:52.720><c> spent.
• All the<03:32:56.720><c> West</c><03:32:57.000><c> Slope</c><03:32:57.280><c> is</c><03:32:57.440><c>
• Uh and<04:32:31.080><c> for</c><04:32:31.200><c> that</c><04:32:31.480><c> we'd</c><04:32:31.680><c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:00.559><c> This</c><00:32:00.799><c> is</c><00:32:00.880><c> a</c><00:32:01.120><c> roll</
• If you're<00:32:02.640><c> in</c><00:32:02.799><c> favor,</c><00:32:03.120><c> you'll</c><00:32:03.360
• ><00:32:04.240><c> you're</c><00:32:04.399><c> poster,</c><00:32:04.799><c> press</c><00:32:04.960><c
• </c><00:32:05.600><c> Voting</c><00:32:05.919><c> stations</c><00:32:06.240><c> are</c><00:32:06.480>
• So, while<03:32:09.600><c> we</c><03:32:09.840><c> agree</c><03:32:10.080><c> with</c><03:32:10.239><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if</c><00:32:46.440><c> it</c><00:32:46.600><c> doesn't</c><00:32:46.960><c> really</c><00:32:47.240
• come<00:32:51.600><c> in</c><00:32:52.399><c> why</c><00:32:52.519><c> do</c><00:32:52.679><c> we</c
• ><00:32:52.960><c> have</c><00:32:53.240><c> this</c><00:32:54.240><c> so</c><00:32:54.440><c> it's</
• it's<00:32:54.919><c> a</c><00:32:55.080><c> good</c><00:32:55.279><c> question</c><00:32:55.600><c>
• I</c><00:32:55.760><c> I</c><00:32:55.840><c> can</c><00:32:56.000><c> speak</c><00:32:56.240><c> to

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. Department of Education testimony said the bill’s definition would conflict with the federal definition and be unusually restrictive, potentially affecting curriculum, educator training, and many existing state requirements. The department said it could force a broad overhaul of school programs and create a need for at least one new state position, with local districts likely facing significant unbudgeted costs. Members raised concerns about impacts on federal pass-through funding, curriculum materials, and whether the bill was workable at all. Several members said the proposal would be too costly and difficult to implement, especially during a tight budget cycle. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. Members who supported retention said they wanted to set the bill aside because of the scale of the concerns, while also stating they did not support the bill as written. The committee then opened HB 133, dealing with DMV follow-up on residency and licensing issues tied to voting and other interactions. Department of Safety/DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology update plus a full-time position to handle manual correspondence and review of possible matches, and that postage was not included in the fiscal note. They said the bill’s 60-day residency trigger is vague, that the DMV would be acting outside its normal role by investigating status after the fact, and that the measure could create privacy and operational problems. Members questioned whether the bill would effectively force people to buy a driver’s license to vote, whether non-driver and voter ID options would avoid that concern, and whether the Secretary of State rather than DMV would be the more appropriate agency to handle any follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• It<00:32:41.519><c> it</c><00:32:41.679><c> is</c><00:32:42.000><c> it</c><00:32:42.240><c> is</c><00
• :32:42.559><c> bringing</c><00:32:42.960><c> together</c><00:32:44.159><c> uh</c><00:32:44.720><c> the
• which 41 members such<00:32:48.000><c> a</c><00:32:48.159><c> wide</c><00:32:49.360><c> uh</c><00:32
• :49.679><c> a</c><00:32:49.840><c> wide</c><00:32:50.080><c> array</c><00:32:50.399><c> of</c><00:32:
• ><00:32:55.600><c> simple</c><00:32:55.840><c> answer</c><00:32:56.240><c> and</c><00:32:56.399><c> it's

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:01.680><c> it's</c><00:32:01.840><c> my</c><00:32:01.920><c> understanding</c><00:32:02.280><c
• And<00:32:04.200><c> uh,</c><00:32:04.320><c> but</c><00:32:04.480><c> yeah,</c><00:32:04.720><c> I'm
• </c><00:32:04.960><c> happy</c><00:32:05.240><c> to</c><00:32:05.360><c> do</c><00:32:05.520><c> that
• ><c> once</c><00:32:06.440><c> again,</c><00:32:06.680><c> it's</c><00:32:06.800><c> been</c><00:32:06.960
• </c><00:32:12.160><c> this</c><00:32:12.320><c> room.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:55.279><c> All</c><00:32:55.440><c> those</c><00:32:55.679><c> in</c><00:32:55.919><c> favor
• ><01:32:29.360><c> as</c><01:32:29.600><c> I</c><01:32:29.840><c> think</c><01:32:30.239><c> everyone
• > of</c><01:32:31.840><c> this</c><01:32:32.719><c> is</c><01:32:34.080><c> why</c><01:32:34.400><c>
• </c><01:32:37.520><c> offender</c><01:32:37.920><c> to</c><01:32:38.080><c> be</c><01:32:38.239><c> so
• so close to<01:32:39.120><c> the</c><01:32:39.440><c> very</c><01:32:40.880><c> thing</c><01:32:41.120

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mr.<02:32:53.520><c> Schoff,</c><02:32:53.920><c> will</c><02:32:54.080><c> you</c><02:32:54.160><c>
• </c><03:32:00.880><c> and</c><03:32:01.120><c> I</c><03:32:01.359><c> did</c><03:32:01.520><c> not</c
• not have to<03:32:02.160><c> ask</c><03:32:02.399><c> for</c><03:32:02.640><c> my</c><03:32:02.960><c
• But that<03:32:05.600><c> said,</c><03:32:05.920><c> I</c><03:32:06.239><c> really</c><03:32:06.560><
• 03:32:08.000><c> to</c><03:32:08.319><c> have</c><03:32:08.560><c> that</c><03:32:08.720><c> that</c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.320><c> just</c><00:32:00.560><c> have</c><00:32:01.320><c> um</c><00:32:01.720><c> state-driven<
• <c> is</c><00:32:11.120><c> we</c><00:32:11.240><c> have</c><00:32:11.360><c> to</c><00:32:11.440><c>
• separate<00:32:12.360><c> from</c><00:32:12.480><c> the</c><00:32:12.560><c> Medicaid</c><00:32:13.000
• <00:32:14.000><c> So,</c><00:32:14.120><c> like</c><00:32:14.320><c> we</c><00:32:14.480><c> can't</c
• </c><00:32:19.040><c> We</c><00:32:19.160><c> can't</c><00:32:19.440><c> say</c><00:32:19.560><c> to<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:32:24.560><c> copier</c><02:32:25.279><c> I</c><02:32:25.520><c> I</c><02:32:25.640><c> just<
• :30.640><c> why</c><02:32:30.800><c> it</c><02:32:30.920><c> needs</c><02:32:31.479><c> to</c><02:32:
• :32:34.560><c> we've</c><02:32:34.800><c> wor</c><02:32:35.160><c> we've</c><02:32:35.439><c> lived</
• it</c><02:32:36.319><c> all</c><02:32:36.560><c> this</c><02:32:36.800><c> time</c><02:32:37.640><c>
• <02:32:58.279><c> infirm</c><02:32:59.120><c> or</c><02:32:59.640><c> you</c><02:32:59.760><c> know</

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :19.560><c> But,</c><00:32:19.720><c> I</c><00:32:19.760><c> will</c><00:32:19.920><c> just</c><00:32
• But, I will just point you to exactly<00:32:22.080><c> the</c><00:32:22.600><c> the</c><00:32:22.720>
• <c> very</c><00:32:23.080><c> line</c><00:32:23.680><c> that</c><00:32:23.840><c> you</c> exactly the
• ><c> uh</c><00:32:25.000><c> at</c><00:32:25.200><c> the</c><00:32:25.320><c> beginning</c><00:32:25.760
• <c> is</c><00:32:34.160><c> a</c><00:32:34.280><c> lawful</c><00:32:34.800><c> process.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:32:01.039><c> Um,</c><00:32:01.440><c> so</c><00:32:01.600><c> they're</c><00:32:01.840><c> asking
• </c><02:32:04.399><c> um</c><02:32:05.520><c> as</c><02:32:05.840><c> far</c><02:32:05.920><c> as</c>
• But we had<02:32:09.520><c> built</c><02:32:09.840><c> up</c><02:32:10.560><c> a</c><02:32:10.880><c>
• :47.520><c> down</c><02:32:48.240><c> to</c><02:32:48.640><c> about</c><02:32:49.680><c> uh</c><02:32
• <02:32:52.560><c> million</c><02:32:52.880><c> mark</c><02:32:53.760><c> which</c><02:32:54.080><c> is

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:03.919><c> is</c><00:32:04.159><c> but</c><00:32:04.480><c> be</c><00:32:04.720><c> accessible
• 00:32:09.039><c> out</c><00:32:09.200><c> a</c><00:32:09.440><c> call</c><00:32:09.679><c> to</c><00:
• 32:09.919><c> say</c><00:32:10.640><c> what</c><00:32:10.799><c> is</c><00:32:11.039><c> this</c> just
• c> income</c><00:32:12.080><c> or</c><00:32:12.480><c> is</c><00:32:12.720><c> this</c><00:32:12.880>
• </c><00:32:14.640><c> Um</c><00:32:15.039><c> does</c><00:32:15.279><c> this</c><00:32:15.519><c> person

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud, 1183, house