Transcript Highlights:

• in Napa in a little tin shed that we keep remodeling and expanding.
• Okay, so it's the only one here in the United States. It's the largest in North America, yes? Wow.
• All in favor say aye. Any opposed? All right.
• All in favor say aye. Any opposed? All right.
• All in favor say aye. Any opposed? All right.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Marian Kapun in support, and we have Demmon in support.
• c><00:02:29.519><c> and</c><00:02:29.920><c> we</c> in support we stand in support and we in support
• /c><00:20:35.960><c> for</c> served what is fair for one is fair for served what is fair for one is fair
• Hawaii Appleseed is in support. Hawaii YIMBY is in support. Hawaii Collaborative is in support.
• </c> in support Maui Chamber of Commerce in in support Maui Chamber of Commerce in Support<01:16:18.840

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives. Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, all in favor discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say<00:00:54.800><c> I.
• All in favor please say I. I. to that? All in favor please say I. I.
• </c><01:01:43.000><c> Um</c> in that section three. Um in that section three.
• </c> a fair resolution. a fair resolution.
• </c> really dig in. really dig in.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?
• has actually passed in other states around the country.
• Those in favor say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. It is so ordered.
• You all move so fast, I didn’t even get down there in time.
• Those in favor vote aye. Opposed vote no. The ayes have it. So ordered.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recorded attendance at 23 present, 0 absent, and 7 excused. The journal for April 21, 2026, was approved without objection. The chamber then adopted a legislative proclamation recognizing April 19–25, 2026, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Arizona, honoring victims, survivors, and service providers. Senator Bolick spoke in support of the proclamation, tying it to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and highlighting work with victim advocates and survivors, including Amberley’s Place, Janice’s Women’s Center, and Kaylee Kozak. She referenced prior legislation such as SB 1211, which allows lifetime no-contact injunctions for certain domestic violence victims, and described broader efforts to strengthen protections and avoid retraumatizing survivors. She then moved to reconsider the Senate’s prior failure to pass HB 2950 on third reading, and the motion was adopted. The Senate also received a large package of new budget-related bills, SB 1831 through SB 1846, covering general appropriations, state budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, healthcare, higher education, human services, K–12 education, local government, state properties, revenue, tax and taxation, and transportation. These bills were referred to the Committee on Appropriations, Transportation, and Technology, and the Senate suspended the five-day committee agenda rule so the committee could hear them on April 28, 2026. Committee announcements noted that the Senate and House Appropriations committees would meet the next day at 10 a.m. in House Hearing Room 1, and the Senate adjourned until April 28, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to just stay in executive session. Yeah, I think, well, no.
• We appreciate you getting involved in this. Have you hosted any groups in the chamber before?
• Anyone here in favor? No. Anyone here against? No information. Thank you. Anyone here in favor? No.
• in state government.
• Representative Hovis, it will be filling in for Representative Reed.

Committee: House Consent and Procedure

Summary: The Committee on Consent and House Procedure met, established a quorum, and first went into executive session to act on several bills. It voted House Bill 3279, House Bill 2508, House Bill 2586, and House Bill 1963 do pass consent, each by unanimous 7-0 votes. The committee then moved into public hearing on several House Resolutions authorizing use of the House Chamber for special events. Representative Kim Smith presented House Resolution 4125 for the Glory of Missouri Awards for students in House District 68, and Representative Yolanda Fountain Henderson presented House Resolution 4153 for the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Emerging Leaders Youth Conference. Representative Hovis presented House Resolution 4130 for the Silver-Haired Legislature Program. Committee members asked brief procedural questions about attendance and sponsorship, and there was no opposition testimony on any of the resolutions. House Resolution 4331 was announced as withdrawn by the sponsors. After returning to executive session, the committee voted House Resolution 4125, House Resolution 4130, and House Resolution 4153 do pass, each by unanimous 6-0 votes. It also voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2517 do pass, not consent, after members noted legal concerns about the wording and decided to send it to the regular calendar rather than consent. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has no business being in education.
• All in favor of the amendment say aye. All opposed say nay. The amendment is adopted.
• He has no business being in education.
• All in favor of the amendment say aye. All opposed say nay. The amendment is adopted.
• the GATE program located in rural areas of opportunity.

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard two bills. First, it considered Senate Bill 312 relating to the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. The committee took up a strike-all amendment and then a secondary amendment offered by Senator Fine to clarify that the current University of West Florida Board of Trustees chair would have no role in the organization. Members described the changes as friendly, and both amendments were adopted. The bill, as amended, was then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1624 on higher education, which was presented as a broad higher-education package. The bill would set market-rate out-of-state fees for nonresident online students, revise financial aid and support program language, provide tuition and fee waivers for Florida State Guard members, change rules for adult and career education programs, redirect certain workforce-related funds, rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough State College, rename the Florida Educational Equity Act as the Florida Educational Equality Act, adjust appointments to certain boards and councils, update admissions and scholarship references to include the classical learning test, broaden the definition of opioid antagonist, repeal a grandparent-based out-of-state fee waiver, and strengthen FIU’s Office of Ocean Economy. There was no public testimony or debate, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting concluded after both measures were approved and no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that'll be pretty in in a month.
• So, in the in the 1999 state issues.
• the town and related to salaries both in the town and in<01:02:58.160><c> the</c> in the in the um<01
• </c> levels somehow in the in the school levels somehow in the in the school district<01:03:27.280><c
• In fact, it is going in the opposite direction in many of those ways.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> experienced violence in their home or in experienced violence in their home or in their<00:10:58.160
• </c><00:43:45.920><c> as</c> the amounts in in in that category as the amounts in in in that category
• Thank you. in the state deserves to be safe in in the state deserves to be safe in their<01:24:56.159
• in this hearing and in the brought up in this hearing and in the testimony<01:26:36.000><c> as</c><01
• </c> in in places they they can succeed. in in places they they can succeed.

Bills: HF3653 , HF2717 , HF3451 , HF3857

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, safe schools revenue, school safety, charter schools, funding, safe schools, school security, school levy, pupil units, safe schools aid, cooperative units, intermediate school district, school resource officer, peace officer liaison, sheriff liaison, drug abuse prevention, gang resistance education, violence prevention, suicide prevention, mental health services

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fairness to them, from what I understand, AOC's not told them they're going to pay or whatever until
• In fairness to them, from what I understand, AOC's not told them they're going to pay or whatever until
• </c><01:21:11.840><c> In</c><01:21:12.080><c> fairness</c><01:21:12.480><c> to</c> have missed some of
• In fairness to have missed some of that.
• In fairness to them,<01:21:13.760><c> from</c><01:21:14.080><c> what</c><01:21:14.239><c> I</c><01:21

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are holding our hearing in Room 2200 of the Old Street Building.
• As noted in the daily file, the suspense file hearing is a vote-only hearing with no testimony.
• In addition, for any bills that are being amended today, we will be hosting In addition, for any bills
• Blake's Fair. Senator Blake's Fair, SB 99, military protective orders.
• We were in good hands. Well, I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met in a vote-only suspense file hearing with no public testimony. The chair explained that measures would be taken up alphabetically, with some bills amended before voting and addendum analyses to follow on the committee website. A quorum was present, and the committee then moved through a long list of Senate bills covering topics such as battery recycling, property tax exemptions, rail safety, military protective orders, affordable housing and youth housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, elections, family research centers, electrical rates and political influence, AI standards, student health, air quality, abandoned electrical infrastructure, disaster preparedness, contracts bid preferences, presidential election qualifications, unlicensed contractor work, alcohol and drug programs, generative AI, kratom and nitrous oxide, unmanned aircraft, adoptees’ birth certificates, body-worn cameras, physician discipline, and deprivation of constitutional rights. Several bills were amended before passage, including measures on railroads, military protective orders, housing bonds, workers’ compensation, metal shredding facilities, youth housing, property taxation, kratom/nitrous oxide, adoptees’ birth certificates, and constitutional rights. The committee repeatedly substituted prior roll-call votes for similar measures, resulting in many bills passing on unanimous 7-0 votes or 5-2 votes with Republicans voting no. SB 691 on body-worn cameras passed on a 6-0 vote, and SB 742 on abandoned electrical facilities was approved after a brief roll-call correction. Overall, the committee advanced all measures heard that day and adjourned after the chair noted it was their last meeting presiding over Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire needs to invest in its schools, invest in fair funding, and invest in our economic future
• ,<02:01:21.679><c> invest</c><02:01:22.239><c> in</c><02:01:22.560><c> fair</c> schools, invest in fair
• schools, invest in fair funding,<02:01:25.360><c> and</c><02:01:25.679><c> invest</c><02:01:26.159><
• <c> in</c> um like in school in um like in school in school<02:51:18.880><c> um</c><02:51:19.439><c>
• And in two errors in 20 in 25% of them.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:57:01.400><c> in</c><01:57:01.560><c> that</c> Clause follow in in that Clause follow in in that
• , two sides, in fairness, could you express what your recollections are of these conversations?
• c> express</c><02:13:59.280><c> what</c> just In fairness could you express what just In fairness could
• Just in fairness, I wanted to put that since you offered that you were from there.
• > to</c><02:14:38.840><c> put</c> plan Just In fairness I wanted to put plan Just In fairness I wanted

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, in Thank you, and in support.
• So, teachers feel that this is a fairness issue as well. Yeah. And I... language in your contract?
• I identify with what you're saying about fairness, because we in the legislature, in the Senate COVID
• </c> in assault in the first degree. in assault in the first degree.
• </c><00:40:56.920><c> in</c> criminalized or even justifies in in criminalized or even justifies in in

Bills: HB1890 , HB1888 , HB1676

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: teacher pay, teacher salaries, salary step increase, annual increment, longevity step, public school teachers, public charter school teachers, collective bargaining, Hawaii Department of Education, teacher retention, teacher recruitment, cost of living, educator compensation, public employee bargaining, appropriation, salary schedule, school staffing, teacher shortage, HB1888, Hawaii

Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• in um in mortality um rates and changes in um in mortality um so<00:43:49.440><c> I</c><00:43:49.599
• c> circumstances in which um an innoc in circumstances in which um an innoc in which<01:26:13.119><c>
• a that's in a revocable trust that's in a that's in a revocable trust I<02:37:49.040><c> mean</c><02
• Catholic hospitals in an emergent situation, having worked in mostly Catholic hospitals by chance in
• In this bill, objecting is something you do in your head.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• utility rates are the same today in Pennsylvania as they were in 1996 in six out of the seven utility
• And I’m not talking to the current Attorney General, to be fair. I’m talking in the last 25 years.
• in Maine.
• In the last decade. Okay. So in of those actions? In the last decade. Okay.
• Yeah, it's a fair question, and I would say that it is reasonable, in the near term, to make decisions

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the report. in the report.
• </c> in the notso recent past. in the notso recent past.
• </c> behavior events in 2024. behavior events in 2024.
• ,</c><00:42:15.359><c> in</c> system in their in their counties, in system in their in their counties
• Chairman, so this will be, uh, in your discussions with, um, principals, did the fair team issue come

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee received an Office of Education Accountability presentation on student discipline data in Kentucky schools for the 2024 school year. OEA said the study used Safe Schools data, educator and student surveys, site visits to 12 schools, and principal surveys. The report found that about 1 in 10 schools have major behavior-related challenges and up to one-third have at least moderate challenges, with the most common concerns varying by level: high schools cited vapes, cell phone misuse, apathy, and tardiness; middle schools cited apathy, vapes, and cell phone misuse; and elementary schools reported more extreme classroom behaviors such as throwing objects, overturning furniture, and screaming. OEA also noted that 14% of students had at least one behavior event in 2024, but repeated events were rare, and event rates alone do not reliably measure the severity of behavior problems in a school or district. The presentation emphasized that many disciplinary consequences do not align consistently with statutes or local expectations. OEA said law violations made up 19% of more than 250,000 recorded behavior events, while most were board violations, and that some serious incidents resulted in minimal consequences. The report highlighted concerns about weapons, threats, and assaults: only 9.2% of weapon events led to expulsion or alternative placement, few threats resulted in those outcomes, and fewer than 10% of assaults led to expulsion or alternative placement, including some first-degree assaults. OEA also said the Safe Schools data do not identify victims, limiting analysis of assaults on staff or students, and recommended clearer statutory definitions and better data reporting. A major theme was the difficulty schools face in addressing chronic disruption and severe behavior while complying with federal protections for students with disabilities. OEA said principals reported the biggest challenges were federal limits on disciplinary removals and a lack of alternative placement options. The report described variation among districts in how they implement federal requirements, with some administrators discouraging alternative placements or avoiding discipline because of perceived legal risks. Site visits found that many schools lacked chronic-disruption policies, and teachers often reported frustration with minimal consequences and repeated classroom removals. OEA recommended that KDE collect more information from educators, identify promising practices for alternative instructional settings, and develop clearer guidance and training. In discussion, committee members said the findings showed reporting gaps and resource strains, and OEA staff clarified that some underreporting reflects local discretion, while law violations should still be reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a fair statement or not a fair statement?
• , in, in, in regular business, but administration costs, same thing.
• in Houston.
• um, in, in, in a, in, in the two-year period as standard right now, we do not have to, to show intent
• So, as was mentioned in the, in the two bills ago, uh, they're bad actors in every industry.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• In each, I think it says in the bill, if there's a violation, And each, I think it says in the bill,
• in an extended-stay or possibly in a motel?
• On the fair side, the comparability that existed in the prior rule and that exists, On the fair side,
• But to put it in context, Senators, what is being collected in these accounts But to put it in context
• ; Karen Mazola, FLPTA, waves in support; Nancy Lothar, waves in support; Crystal Etienne, waves in support

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we are now on the record in the matter of Tara Simmons, the respondent in this matter, in
• in this case.
• Is in reference to in that letter? Yes.
• in wanting to put money in our budget.
• He says in here, in the second paragraph, “I’ve tried to meet with them in person multiple times, and

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance. Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns. Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.

Transcript Highlights:

• In each, I think it says in the bill, if there's a violation...”
• in an extended stay or possibly in a motel?
• in an extended state or possibly in a motel?
• On the fair side, the comparability that existed in the prior rule and then it exists...
• On the fair side, the comparability that existed in the prior rule and that exists in every other state

Summary: The committee considered a long agenda of bills, with most measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations, amendments, and roll calls. Early bills included SB 658 on lien waivers/releases, SB 736 on Brownfields redevelopment, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, and SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage. Each was amended or discussed as needed and then approved by the committee. The committee also advanced SB 768 on foreign control interests in health care licensing, SB 772 on school diabetes management and access to glucagon, SB 1400 on removal of altered sexual depictions posted without consent, SB 1696 on prearranged transportation services, and SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct. Several bills drew notable public testimony and debate. SB 1132 prompted strong support from the sponsor and agriculture interests, but opposition from equipment dealers, technology groups, and wireless industry representatives who argued the market already provides repair options and that the bill could harm dealer networks and security. SB 1730, the Live Local/affordable housing bill, received extensive discussion about parking reductions, height and density preemption, attorney’s fees, local government authority, and impacts on Monroe County and other areas; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably despite concerns from some members and advocates about parking, due process, and local control. SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments also generated significant debate, with opponents warning it could displace long-term guests and vulnerable families, while the sponsor said it clarifies transient occupancy and removes ambiguity in the removal process; the bill passed after the committee rejected a related amendment. Other measures advanced with less controversy. SB 576 updated service-of-process rules, and SB 1164 authorized email delivery of landlord-tenant notices if the parties agree in writing, though tenant advocates urged clearer safeguards and the sponsor said he was not yet committed to the House version. SB 940 prohibited the resale of restaurant reservations without consent and was supported by restaurant interests. SB 1690, allowing infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, drew emotional support from several witnesses who said it would provide anonymous, life-saving alternatives for mothers in crisis; the committee continued discussion into the latter part of the meeting. Throughout, the committee adopted several amendments, heard both support and opposition from industry, advocacy, and local-government witnesses, and reported the discussed bills favorably by recorded vote.