Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, legislation was enacted requiring L&I to make a good-faith effort to notify an employer or owner
• We respectfully request that you not move this bill forward.
• And number two, that the decision of the arbitrator is not binding on the legislative authority of the
• county or their decision to appropriate the funds necessary to implement the decision.
• Or their decision to appropriate the funds necessary to implement the decision.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held its first meeting of the session and heard four bills. HB 2107 would make permanent and slightly narrow a temporary L&I requirement that, after an on-site safety inspection at a building construction site, the agency make a good-faith effort to notify the owner or employer within 10 working days if an immediately identified hazard could injure a worker. Construction industry groups and L&I supported the bill and said the pilot had worked well, with L&I reporting it had been able to notify owners almost 96% of the time during about 1,400 inspections. HB 2137 would remove the population threshold for binding interest arbitration for correctional employees in city and county jails. Teamsters representatives said the change would give corrections officers in smaller jurisdictions the same bargaining rights as other uniformed personnel and help address safety, staffing, and wage inequities. County representatives opposed the bill, saying it would increase bargaining and compensation costs for many counties, and asked for amendments requiring arbitrators to consider county finances and making awards nonbinding on county legislative authorities. HB 2264 would clarify unemployment insurance eligibility for workers who opt into an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan, even if they can rescind their decision, so long as the termination results from the employer’s plan. Supporters said current court rulings create confusing and unfair denials of benefits for workers who leave in good faith during layoffs; NFIB raised questions about severance, retirement, and UI solvency. HB 2243 would allow physical therapists and occupational therapists to serve as attending providers in the workers’ compensation system. Physical therapy and occupational therapy advocates said this would speed care and return workers to work sooner, while retailers, food industry representatives, NFIB, the Washington State Medical Association, and L&I raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, added costs, and the possibility that all PTs and OTs would have to join the provider network. No votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are making some amendments to comply with requests and concerns of the Secretary of State's office
• He said only a few states so far have legislation specifically prohibiting the misuse of NDAs in civil
• Only a few states so far have legislation specifically prohibiting the misuse of NDAs in civil child
• </c><00:24:27.919><c> your</c> and I would respectfully request your and I would respectfully request
• </c> counsel will encourage them to request counsel will encourage them to request day<00:30:12.640><

Bills: HB63 , HB19 , HB80 , HB41 , HB20 , HB60 , HB100 , HB71 , HB91 , HB93 , HB63 , HB19 , HB80 , HB41 , HB20 , HB60 , HB100 , HB71 , HB91 , HB93

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: paternity, child custody, joint custody, parental rights, family law, domestic violence, shared parenting, Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, human trafficking, victim restitution, civil action, criminal prosecution, labor servitude, sexual servitude, class A felony, class B felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Bryant, who signed the request, and I told her one concern of mine is the location.
• So these are the type of things that we as the legislative committee got to consider.
• We have a motion to deny the request by Representative Fontenot.
• So, uh, We have a motion to deny the request by Representative. No.
• Why don't you tell us about your CMAR and why you think it's appropriate in this case?

Summary: The joint Senate and House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works committees met on March 3, 2026, and first considered several requests for approval to use the construction manager at risk (CMAR) method for local projects. The first item, Caddo Parish’s proposed $9.6 million pickleball park, drew extended questioning about whether the project was truly complex, whether CMAR would save money versus public bid, the project’s location and accessibility, and whether it fit the statute’s timing and risk criteria. The House initially voted to deny the request, while the Senate had moved to approve; after discussion about the statute and CMAR policy, the House motion was reconsidered and the Caddo project was ultimately approved. The committee then approved CMAR requests for an Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office indoor shooting range, a Calcasieu drainage district pump station rehabilitation/replacement project, St. Tammany Parish Hospital District No. 2’s Slidell Memorial emergency department expansion, St. Charles Parish Hospital’s entry registration/PACU renovation, and the Port of Vinton dock project in Calcasieu Parish. Testimony on the approved projects emphasized complexity, operational continuity, and schedule concerns. The Ascension Parish shooting range was described as involving bullet protection, ventilation and lead-control systems, and multiple training configurations; the drainage district project was presented as critical infrastructure serving much of Lake Charles and requiring staged construction to maintain flood protection; the hospital projects were justified by work inside operating facilities and the need to avoid disrupting patient care; and the Port of Vinton project was tied to an LED-related deadline and the need to keep port operations running during construction. Members generally supported these projects, with motions to approve made on both sides and no objections recorded. The meeting also featured a broader policy discussion about CMAR use. Several members, especially Representative Fontenot, questioned whether the committee had been too permissive in approving CMARs for projects that did not appear especially complex, and raised concerns about public bidding, taxpayer savings, and impacts on minority contractors. Senator Price said future legislation may tighten CMAR requirements, while Senator McMath and Senator Carter noted that the statute’s listed factors are not exhaustive and cautioned against abruptly changing practice for pending projects. The committee recessed after completing the CMAR agenda and planned to hear a DOTD presentation afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.
• </c><00:11:44.680><c> funds</c> criminal penalties appropriates funds criminal penalties appropriates
• You know, this legislation is just basically allowing ADC's tenants to participate in tourism.
• We are going to blank all the appropriations and notate the numbers on the appropriations, and there
• We are going to blank all the appropriations and notate the numbers on the appropriations.

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note was requested. Thank you so much, Tim.
• Thank you, Chair Dhingra, for introducing our agency request legislation approved by the Board for Judicial
• The Washington State Legislature requests that the SJM be transmitted to the U.S.
• As you heard, it is a joint memorial requesting an independent, credible, U.S.
• and responsible for us as legislators to respond.

Bills: SB5837 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974 , SB5720 , SB5833 , SB5936 , SB5993 , SB6070 , SB6002 , SJM8014 , SB6086

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: guardianship, conservatorship, protective arrangement, protective arrangements, supported decision-making, supported decision making, court visitor, adult guardianship, limited guardianship, full guardianship, adult conservatorship, less restrictive alternative, capacity, legal capacity, respondent rights, due process, vulnerable adults, disability rights, elder abuse, estate management

Transcript Highlights:

• And we hope to change that with this legislation.
• This legislation is a workforce bill. This legislation is for the workers.
• This legislation is for patients.
• That happens in this legislative process all the time.
• We have no appropriation to do that. What can I say?

Transcript Highlights:

• I would request that the letter be included in the official committee record. And so...
• We added distances from each structure that you guys had requested, so we updated all of that.
• It reads, 'This report does not mark the end of legislative inquiry.
• Legislators.
• While no legislation can erase the pain of what occurred, the Texas...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation that is on the table, as well as the proposed legislation, we did have a few comments
• appropriate appropriate regulations<01:45:02.480><c> and</c><01:45:02.679><c> that</c><01:45:02.880>
• </c> the company could come and request the company could come and request anything<01:58:41.599><c>
• to</c> appropriate for us legislatively to appropriate for us legislatively to express<02:15:01.520>
• </c> self-insurance or requested self-insurance or requested self-insurance<02:30:32.160><c> so</c><02

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Isaiah Herrera, Legislative District 5. Representatives Aguirre and Marquez. Dr.
• Isaiah Herrera, Legislative District 5. Representatives Aguirre and Marquez.
• State of Arizona Legislative Proclamation honoring the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Dated this 21st day of April, 2026, Representative Jeff Weninger, Legislative District 13.
• So I'm in support of the bill, and I would request my Republican members, please vote yes.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, didn't this legislative session, we put it at 3.5%, or was that last?
• I just want to mention that prior to the 2019 legislation, the voter approval tax.
• It doesn't cover any... ...increases in our public safety expansion requests.
• So my request is an amendment on process this year they...
• But help us to be efficient, that's my request.

Bills: HB17 , HB23 , SB 10

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not legislation before us.
• Okay, well, we can, and we'll be requesting it through legislative prerogative because I find it absolutely
• So we'll be requesting that.
• Okay, well we can and we'll be requesting it through legislative prerogative because I find it absolutely
• So we'll be requesting that.

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so may we have wisdom as we consider this legislation that we pass that will affect all over Oklahoma
• Members, House Bill 3043 is a request bill from the ODBA.
• Chairman, members, House Bill 3043 is a request bill from the ODBA.
• This is another request bill from the ODVA.
• That change would allow the tag to have broad authority when using that money appropriately.

Bills: HB3043 , HB3044 , HB3078 , HB3940 , HB4117 , HB3428 , HB4275 , HB3257 , HB3901 , HB4298

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee opened with prayer and then heard a series of bills, most of them request bills from state agencies or related to veterans and military matters. House Bill 3043 would let the Oklahoma Dental Board Association hire temporary or PRN workers during peak periods; it passed 11-1. House Bill 3044 would continue an existing tax-return checkoff for donations and passed 12-0. House Bill 3078 would create an online donation option for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs during license and tax transactions and passed 12-0. House Bill 3940 made a number of cleanup and policy changes to a prior Oklahoma National Guard measure, including retention, benefits, discipline, museum operations, and state active duty pay issues; it passed 11-0. House Bill 4117 would define family resource centers in statute and emphasize faith-based partnerships, workforce development, and braided funding; it passed 12-0. The committee also advanced House Bill 3428, which would require certain businesses to post information about veterans’ benefits in a conspicuous place to help more eligible veterans enroll in benefits; members discussed raising the employee threshold from 50 to 100, but no amendment was adopted during the meeting, and the bill passed 10-2. House Bill 4275 would allow counties and cities to employ case managers and peer support specialists while maintaining certification, to support sheriffs and first responders, and it passed 12-0. House Bill 3257 would treat 100% disabilities caused by VA medical malpractice as service-connected for state benefit purposes, aligning state law with federal treatment, and it passed 12-0. Two public health bills also advanced. House Bill 3901 would authorize psychological autopsies in suicide and overdose cases to better understand causes and improve prevention; members discussed whether the process should include notifying prescribing physicians when patients die from opioid overdoses, and the bill passed 12-0. House Bill 4298 would allow DHS child care rule changes to be distributed by mail and electronically, reflecting current practice, and it passed 12-0. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:17.199><c> for</c> respond to state or federal requests for respond to state or federal requests
• And, uh, Madam Chair and legislative members, that concludes my presentation. the process is to request
• </c> And uh Madame Chair and legislative And uh Madame Chair and legislative members<00:25:16.559><c>
• They should request Guard support.
• </c> Any other requests or comments? Any other requests or comments?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Considering the same legislation that you are considering today.
• I think 72 hours would be appropriate, ahead of the hearing.
• appropriate manner.
• So, is there an appropriation for this bill already? Or has there been a request made?
• The risk to the state is significant without legislative action.

Bills: HB4011 , HB2680 , HB4325 , HB4327 , HB4944 , HB1761 , HB4688 , HB3453 , HB40 , HB1707 , HB4749 , HB2322 , HB3647 , HB4139 , HB4081 , HB2203 , HB2100 , HB4170 , HB3104 , HB4623 , HB40

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• Now let's cover the ground rules for appropriate conduct.
• In some states there have been requests to discontinue specific services.
• The application requested two things. First.
• So I would not be able to comment on legislative matters.
• That's why we're legislators. That's why we're here.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the appropriate time, we'll take a motion and take a vote. Thank you very much.
• At the appropriate time, we'll take a motion and a vote.
• And at the appropriate time, we'll take it up for a vote. Thank you so much. Thank you.
• I represent CALA, California Action for Legislative Accountability.
• So we urge you to vote yes on this important piece of legislation. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity. Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no. The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards. The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think the necessity is for state enabling legislation.
• So I think the necessity is for state enabling legislation.
• The legislation directs WSDOT to develop policies, procedures, and, where appropriate, administrative
• WSDOT's current focus is on fulfilling legislative direction.
• Its current focus is on fulfilling legislative direction.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research Committee, Joint Committee, but also as this Appropriations Committee... ...Legislative Research
• And just exactly like our own House Appropriations caught, Mr.
• I don't know that it is prescribed specifically in the legislation.
• employees to oppose or urge legislation, and what was the intention of striking that language?
• They shouldn't support or oppose legislation.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our total budget is a combination of legislatively appropriated general fund, enterprise, internal service
• More than half of that is legislatively appropriated fiscal agent funds, such as in-lieu of rent and
• </c><00:18:23.159><c> 301,000</c> operating budget or requesting 301,000 operating budget or requesting
• </c><01:42:48.560><c> audit</c> started also the legislative audit started also the legislative audit
• </c> they're just not directly appropriated they're just not directly appropriated the<01:55:46.679><

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are actually utilizing on our plan and gives us better control and appropriate utilization of these
• insight and expertise on the formulary design, the appeals that run through for pharmacy-related requests
• Well, so I'll go ahead and make the request.
• These drugs, if you don't have the appropriate guardrails and kind of controls on utilization around
• These drugs, if you don't have the appropriate guardrails and kind of controls on utilization around

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. The committee approved formulary changes for March and April that favored lower-cost generics, removed some new-to-market drugs from coverage pending more evidence, and made maintenance changes to migraine and diabetes medications. Members also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would route those therapies through prior authorization rather than automatic coverage; officials said the process should not delay urgent cases and that no current members would be affected. The committee then reviewed a UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant contract amendment, but after extended discussion about the written scope and dollar amounts, the motion was approved with the understanding that any use of optional services would return to the committee for further review. The committee also reviewed the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administration contract and the CompSack employee assistance program contract, which officials said would reduce per-member costs and add services. The subcommittee approved proposed 2027 rates for state employees and public employees, with a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. Officials also reported that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in its final negotiation stage and would return in August, with medical and pharmacy coverage split as previously recommended. In response to questions, the director said the division was considering broader preventive-care offerings, including weight-loss drug coverage, but would proceed cautiously and with strong utilization controls and holistic support if such a program were adopted. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules making prior temporary rules permanent, a contingency-fee subrogation contract, and renewals for claims management, actuarial services, and investment management. Members raised concerns about Sedgwick’s claim-adjustment timeliness and communication with school districts after severe weather events; officials said performance guarantees and communication expectations had been strengthened, but the renewal was kept at three years for continuity. Finally, the committee approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, a 10% overall rate reduction, and bucketed rate changes by entity type. Officials said the captive program was working as intended, with improved actuarial support and claims experience, and the meeting adjourned after the approvals.