Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Council, as the JPR Committee
• talk about a governor's office position, one of the same board members that was adamant that the governor
• But in the interim, he continues to do his job as an advisor to the Governor. I understand that.
• the job were to go away and the appropriation for the money, there's nothing that prohibits the Governor
• And just to make sure, if I may, just that members are clear, the Governor is making no request of you

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Transcript Highlights:

• And you've been in the House Chamber for several of these speeches, both with Governor Walz, even former
• Governor Dayton.
• So, it's always a bit of legacy casting that a governor will have when they are giving the state of the
• , lame duck governor, after a rise to potentially being the vice president and now effectively being
• And finally, uh, what do you hope to hear from the governor Tuesday night?

Transcript Highlights:

• Message from Her Excellency the Governor. Message from Her Excellency, the Governor. The echo bill.
• A message from Her Excellency, the Governor: A message from Her Excellency the Governor recommending
• A message from our Excellity, the Governor.
• A message from Her Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to Massachusetts winning

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a Senate petition concerning certain property in Lowell, which was concurred in after suspension of Joint Rule 12 and referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported several bills for House consideration, including measures designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Awareness Day, addressing security bonds, police appointment age requirements in Worcester and Boston, a Somerville net-zero emissions standard for new buildings and major renovations, a waiver of the maximum age requirement for a police officer applicant, maintenance of pre-employment physical exam records in Peabody, smart meters, and an additional alcohol license for Bridgewater. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the listed bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber also welcomed former Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien as a guest of Speaker Mariano. Several bills were then taken up for final action, including a bill naming the Wheeler Park Tennis Courts as the Kim O'Connell Tennis Courts, for which the emergency preamble was adopted, and a bill enacting the membership of the select board in the town of Munson, which was passed to be enacted. A gubernatorial message recommending legislation on Massachusetts winning global investment, talent, and innovation was filed and referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The House adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned. No recorded roll-call votes or substantive opposition were noted in the transcript beyond voice votes and the emergency-preamble count.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number three, messages from the Governor. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the Governor?
• </c> number three messages from the governor number three messages from the governor Mr.<00:13:27.279
• Clerk, are there any messages from<00:13:28.639><c> the</c><00:13:28.800><c> governor?
• /c><00:13:29.360><c> Madam</c><00:13:29.680><c> Speaker,</c><00:13:30.000><c> there</c> from the governor
• Madam Speaker, there from the governor? Madam Speaker, there are<00:13:30.320><c> none.

Transcript Highlights:

• 17.600><c> a</c> Representative Power about a Representative Power about a constituent<00:29:19.360><
• Eric Power. Good afternoon, Chairman Ganon, members of the committee. My name is Eric Power.
• Uh Eric Power from will. Very quick.
• Uh, for the record, my name is Eric Power.
• Power and bill. Thank you. Thank you Mr.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• My ask is that you unblind these results, grant families the power of a diagnosis, and allow your youngest
• The last thing is nicotine addiction is incredibly powerful. That's beyond doubt.
• I was a former member of Governor Baker's Legislative Commission on E-cigarette Products and a member

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on children’s health, tobacco control, newborn screening, pediatric cancer, palliative care, and professional licensure. Early testimony highlighted Senate bills to expand newborn screening for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, lysosomal storage disorders, and congenital CMV, with families and clinicians describing severe diagnostic delays, missed treatment windows, and the benefits of early detection. Speakers also supported a bill to improve pediatric cancer research through a dedicated trust fund, and a bill to extend pediatric palliative care services to age 22, with parents and providers emphasizing continuity of care for seriously ill young people. Several witnesses gave personal accounts in support of the newborn screening measures. Families described children who endured years of misdiagnosis before receiving diagnoses such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and CMV, often after irreversible damage had already occurred. Medical and advocacy witnesses said Massachusetts already collects some of the relevant screening data and argued that results should be reported to families, while others urged the committee to add conditions to the state panel because effective treatments already exist. The committee also heard support for a bill to establish a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program and training for providers. On tobacco and youth health, testimony supported bills to ban internet tobacco sales, strengthen youth protections, and reduce lung cancer deaths through point-of-sale information and quit-line access. A student testified about easily purchasing flavored nicotine products online without meaningful age verification, and public health advocates backed measures to keep tobacco out of children’s environments. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to ensure parents have access to their children’s medical records through age 16, with exceptions for sensitive services already protected by law. The committee additionally took testimony on an optometry licensure bill, where ophthalmologists opposed language they said could broaden scope of practice and allow optometrists to use the title “optometric physician,” while optometry educators and students supported the bill as a modernization measure with no scope expansion. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly reminded speakers of time limits and noted that written testimony could be submitted for additional comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Powers. Powers. Representative Frelich. Here. Anderson. Here. Beltz. Here. Anderson. Here. Beltz.
• One of the things that stuck with me from Governor Bergen was that he said agencies shall not be a silo

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• about a subdivision, therefore a subdivision of government that derives its relative authority and power
• Thank you for the question. a subdivision of government that derives its relative authority and power
• House Bill 4434 is the bill that requires the governor to give notice if he or she is going to be out

Bills: HB3329 , HR1039 , HR1040 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB3706 , HB3711 , HB4139 , HB1268 , HB3660 , HJR1023 , HB3298 , HB3056 , HJR1084 , HB3934 , HB3919 , HB4118 , HB4119 , HB3791 , HB4260 , HB4178 , HB4215 , HB4324 , HB3270 , HB4352 , HB4305 , HB2955 , HB3315 , HB3066 , HB1245 , HB4125 , HB3075 , HB3129 , HB3239 , HB4153 , HB3265 , HB4491 , SB680 , HB4263 , HB4268 , HB1675 , HB3885 , HB2984 , HB3697 , HB2959 , HB3671 , HB3852 , HB2933 , HB3057 , HB3802 , HB4294 , HB4285 , HB3708 , HB3979 , HB3977 , HB3986 , HB3985 , HB3588 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HJR1070 , HB3590 , HB3595 , HB3391 , HB3183 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB1002 , HB4434 , HJR1086 , HB4060 , HB3881 , HB3500 , HB4408 , HB3648 , HB3127 , HB3606

Summary: The House convened after lunch, established a quorum, and then took up a long series of measures. Early debate centered on H.J.R. 1084, which would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to reaffirm that courts must follow the Oklahoma and U.S. Constitutions and not recognize or enforce religious codes that conflict with them. The author said it was meant as a safeguard against unconstitutional courtroom practices; several members questioned its practical effect and constitutional basis. The resolution passed the House 70-19. The chamber then passed a number of bills on workforce, public safety, tax, and administrative issues, including HB 3934 on dental hygienist workforce gaps, HB 3919 allowing county commissioners to adjust fair board membership to reach quorum, HB 4118 creating a family caregiver tax credit, HB 4119 requiring a bond in certain real-property title disputes, HB 426 on workers’ compensation for first responders suffering heart attack or stroke after strenuous shifts, HB 4178 on sales tax exemptions for municipal-beneficiary public trusts, HB 4215 to aid small post-production companies, HB 4324 allowing district attorneys to adjust sentences after initial sentencing with an amendment clarifying jury verdicts are unaffected, HB 3270 cleanup language for farmed cervidae/chronic wasting disease law, HB 4352 adopting the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, HB 4305 clarifying ad valorem assessment of low-income housing tax credit properties, HB 2955 modernizing captive insurance law, HB 3315 creating a 90-hour degree program, HB 3066 reestablishing and funding a behavioral health workforce program, HB 1245 changing retirement coverage for certain DHS law enforcement officers, HB 4125 restoring firearm rights for certain nonviolent felons after five years with expungement or pardon, HB 3075 creating a penny-rounding rule for public-sector cash transactions, HB 3129 creating a process for university security fees, HB 3239 modernizing the Veterinary Practice Act, HB 4153 reinstating prior driver-licensing rules tied to an eighth-grade reading test with a hardship exception, HB 3265 defining mental health specialists for police pension disability cases, HB 4491 allowing school districts to opt in to extracurricular participation by charter, virtual charter, and homeschool students, SB 680 creating a tobacco tax incentive for lower-risk products, HB 4263 aligning retirement options for CareerTech employees, and HB 4268 creating the Teacher Effectiveness and Excellence Act with a compensation pilot and National Board stipend. Most measures passed with little or no debate, though several drew extended questioning, especially the school extracurricular bill, the driver’s-license literacy bill, and the tobacco tax measure. Emergency clauses were adopted on several bills, including HB 3934, HB 3270, HB 3315, HB 3066, HB 3075, HB 3129, HB 4153, and HB 4268.

Transcript Highlights:

• trusting relationships with adults and peers can form, which really makes schools places that are powerful
• And your first question, we were talking about the law that Governor Newsom signed in, that mental health
• super vulnerable because she built up the safe space for us to really share, which made it super powerful

Summary: The hearing focused on youth mental health and treatment access in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that youth distress, self-harm-related emergency visits, and difficulty obtaining care remain elevated, while workforce shortages and reliance on one-time funding continue to limit access. Assemblymember Lori Davies echoed concerns about unstable funding and said lawmakers need to hear directly from providers and families as they prepare for the budget and legislation. The chair framed the hearing as a chance to hear from county, school, provider, and student perspectives, especially in San Diego County, where needs are high and investments have not always matched demand. County and school officials described the current system and recent state initiatives, including the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, school-linked fee schedules, payment reform, and the Behavioral Health Services Act transition. San Diego County Behavioral Health said it serves Medi-Cal youth with specialty mental health needs through a broad continuum of care, including outpatient clinics, school-based services, crisis response, residential treatment, and new crisis and residential facilities. San Diego County Office of Education and San Marcos Unified School District described efforts to expand school-based services and reimbursement through CYBHI, but said implementation is slowed by complex billing rules, insurance-data collection concerns from families, administrative burden, and uncertainty about sustaining staff positions funded by grants or soft money. School counselor testimony highlighted reduced stigma through campus outreach and clubs, but also noted that counselor-to-student ratios remain well above national standards and that budget cuts threaten supports. Provider testimony stressed that the system remains fragmented and that youth often move between emergency rooms, inpatient care, outpatient therapy, schools, and county programs without smooth handoffs. A child psychiatrist described crisis cases in which the main choices are brief hospitalization or discharge with limited follow-up, and argued for stronger warm handoffs, more outpatient and intensive outpatient options, better school-clinic coordination, and broader use of mobile crisis and 988. Rady Children’s Hospital and Aurora Behavioral Health described large increases in behavioral health demand, expansion of integrated care, and major barriers tied to low reimbursement rates, delayed payments, and administrative complexity. Across the panel, witnesses called for more stable funding, clearer reimbursement rules, better parent education on warning signs, and stronger collaboration among schools, counties, hospitals, and community providers to reduce stigma and improve timely care for youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• created by a city council, another can be created by a county board, another can be created by a joint powers
• receive an annual distribution of $15 million, and we were created by this Legislature and then Governor
• Nunez's testimony was unbelievably powerful, and I know that it was not easy to make.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Summary: The committee began with a status report from the State Auditor on staffing and audit capacity, noting 14 audit supervisors, 14 audits in progress, several audits scheduled for release, and a planned high-risk review of state financial reporting. The committee then approved a consent calendar covering six audit requests, including topics such as kindergarten oral health assessments, prison infrastructure management, Los Angeles fires prevention and response, community college financial aid and enrollment, wildfire management at Chino Hills State Park, and the Chiquita Canyon landfill. The first major item was Assembly Member Gonzalez’s request for an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. Supporters described long-running fiscal mismanagement, a projected $60 million deficit, layoffs, concerns about contracting practices, foundation donations, and weak governance. District representatives said they were already working with Riverside County Office of Education and FICMAT, had adopted a fiscal stabilization plan, and were making cuts to restore solvency. The State Auditor said the proposed audit would examine the district’s financial condition over 10 years, ELOP spending, partnership agreements, foundation funds, and contracting practices. After extensive discussion and public comment, the motion to approve the audit failed because it did not receive the required votes. The committee next approved Senator Wahab’s request for an audit of East Bay transit agency administrative oversight. The senator argued that the Bay Area’s fragmented transit system creates duplication and wastes resources, while agency representatives and transit advocates said the agencies already face extensive oversight and are actively coordinating through existing regional efforts. The State Auditor outlined objectives focused on agency autonomy, coordination, ridership, finances, and the potential effects of consolidation. After debate and public comment, the audit was approved. Finally, Senator Archuleta introduced a request to audit excessive unrestricted reserves at selected California Community College districts and Calbright College, arguing that reserve balances have grown substantially and may be diverting funds from student services and instruction. He said the audit would examine why districts are holding large reserves and whether those funds are being used effectively for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:23.600><c> on</c> executive officers from the governor on executive officers from the governor
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.

Committee: House State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:16:50.160><c> largecale</c> university power, largecale university power, largecale manufacturing
• There's enough power on site so that when one is turned off, the other nine can supply all the power
• We get hit by a big CME and there is no power after 72 hours.
• We get hit by a big CME and there is no power after 72 hours.
• </c> ports and doing the shortest ship power ports and doing the shortest ship power that<00:49:23.200

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• an abuse of power at many condo<00:23:38.240><c> associations.
• </c> power especially with cumulative voting. power especially with cumulative voting.
• </c> feeding into the grid during a power feeding into the grid during a power outage,<01:30:45.760><
• </c><01:32:15.840><c> outages,</c> into the grid uh during power outages, into the grid uh during power
• Um power than these these small panels.

Bills: HB1697 , HB1678 , HB1679 , HB2282 , HB1940 , HB1671 , HB1481 , HB2015 , HB2207 , HB2486

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the governor's education unit focuses on our two main agencies: the Board of Governors, which represents
• We were so proud that the governor announced yesterday a 92.2% graduation rate.
• regarding the FEFP funding, which has been historic each year, thanks to your support as well as Governor
• Governor DeSantis is once again acknowledging our hardworking educators by investing an additional $201
• Kelly today, she showed where the governor, through efficiency and their team, is being able to save

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. March 31, 2026. Dear Mr.
• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. From the Senate, March 31, 2026, Mr.
• Referred to the Judiciary Rules and Administration Committee for delivery of the Governor. Mr.
• Now, this is an increase, so this is an add-back that the governor did cut out.
• That the governor appoints, and then the Senate will approve that.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Senate sponsor of the governor, the Senate sponsor of the resolution<00:19:26.559><c> and</c><00
• A question I hear all the time in my community is what does the lieutenant governor actually do?
• 21:50.240><c> does</c><00:21:50.400><c> the</c><00:21:50.559><c> lieutenant</c><00:21:50.960><c> governor
• </c> what does the lieutenant governor what does the lieutenant governor actually<00:21:51.600><c> do
• But have you ever secretly wanted to tell the honorable lieutenant governor to go jump in a lake?

Transcript Highlights:

• But as the governor works through it, doesn't Ways and Means also refine their numbers?
• But as the governor works through it, doesn't Ways and Means also refine their numbers?
• But as the governor works through it, doesn't Ways and Means also refine their numbers?
• at them, and that's where the number comes from, the 185. governor and I spoke about Revenue governor
• </c> other places that's how the governor other places that's how the governor covered<00:47:58.400><

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and CFO Jim Durus. McIntyre said the Lottery has more than tripled its return to the Education Trust Fund since 2011, from $62 million to $207 million in FY 24, while keeping expenses relatively flat over time. He explained that the Lottery operates like a business, is heavily audited, and that the governor’s budget raises the FY 26-27 revenue estimate to $185 million, up about $12 million annually from prior estimates. He attributed FY 24’s unusually strong results to record Powerball sales driven by a spike in billion-dollar jackpots tied to higher interest rates, and said scratch tickets still make up most gross sales, though Powerball is the highest-margin product. Members questioned the Lottery about the difference between gross revenue and profit, the steep rise in operating expenses, and the reasons for requested budget increases. McIntyre said the main drivers were payroll, benefits, advertising, added regulatory responsibilities from expanded gaming, and a new Salesforce customer-tracking system. He also described requested capital needs, including an outdated security system, building access and ADA improvements, and upgrades to the front office for employee safety. He said the security system is still running on an old Windows 7-based setup and that the requested upgrade would modernize cameras and add redundancy. The discussion also covered staffing and gaming expansion. McIntyre said the Lottery has 84 employees including three commissioners, with 13 funded vacancies, and that it plans to fill positions as two new gaming rooms come online in Rochester and Derry. He said the Lottery’s revenue estimates were revised upward because sports betting in Massachusetts had less impact than expected and historic horse racing machines have been more profitable than forecast. He also explained the governor’s proposal to shift historic horse racing toward slot-style machines, saying the physical machines would look largely the same but the content and math would change, and that the state’s revenue share would increase under the proposal. No votes were taken; the committee mainly asked questions and received explanations about the Lottery’s budget and revenue assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was caused by thieves who broke into secured, locked power vaults on the Tehuia Peninsula and they
• Was it just a power outage?
• Cutting copper grounds in power vaults or on poles creates serious electrical hazards.
• It's not just the power system.
• Regardless of how someone takes office, the authority and powers of that office are the same.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:00.240><c> goes</c> an executive order so the governor goes an executive order so the governor
• The governor goes around the legislature.
• </c><01:02:33.400><c> who</c> because of a spontaneous governor who because of a spontaneous governor
• Together, we made the recommendation to the governor.
• </c> Commerce fraud Bureau when Governor Commerce fraud Bureau when Governor penni<01:26:17.800><c> signed

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So our parent company, we're basically bringing clean power to the city of Reykjavik with zero emissions
• We can capture CO2 from the flue gases from the stacks of a refinery, a factory, or a power plant.
• plant greenhouse gas emissions performance standards. ...management in the power plant greenhouse gas
• That standard was set in 2008 as part of our greenhouse gas emissions performance standards for power
• There are also some small power projects, hydrogen, and direct air capture projects.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.