Transcript Highlights:

• This additional budget authority will support the department's continuing efforts to make the state's
• I'm strongly supportive of early childhood education.
• Furthering the workforce and supporting the workforce in child care. Any additional questions?
• Trust Fund to support the Disability Determinations Program.
• So this amendment is to support payments to hospitals for nursing costs from...

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met to consider 21 budget amendments, beginning with the Department of Education’s request for $14.751 million in federal grant authority for the Preschool Development Grant. Members asked whether any funds would support VPK or provider payments; the department said the money is for birth-to-kindergarten early learning work, including IT modernization, workforce credentialing, training, and streamlining director certification. The amendment was adopted without objection. The commission then approved amendments for the Department of Veterans Affairs to shift $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy and reduce staffing agency use, and for the Department of Health to realign about $9.1 million for disability determinations amid a backlog of roughly 140,000 cases. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple Medicaid-related amendments, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for KidCare, hospitals, physicians, cancer hospitals, nursing IME, and public hospital payments. Members questioned network adequacy, rural access, and the KidCare surplus and expansion; the KidCare realignment drew debate, with some members objecting because the 2023 eligibility expansion has not been implemented, but the amendment passed on a roll call vote. Other amendments adopted included FDLE’s $16.3 million for counter-UAS detection and mitigation equipment, DJJ’s $1.6 million for Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, and emergency management pass-throughs for FIFA World Cup security and counter-drone funding to the Miami host committee. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for disaster recovery under the CDBG-DR program, with questions about the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State also received $408,377 for arts and culture grant authority. Most amendments were adopted without objection, and the commission adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do support this proposed amendment.
• We stand in support of this bill, and we appreciate the committee's support. Thank you very much.
• kids, support the fair, support education, and support opportunities for the community coming together
• So please support this. Let's preserve our county fair boards.
• I'll support the motion. But I feel this is the debate that is a...

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I would appreciate your support of this. Appreciate the industry's support.
• We work collectively to support our dairy producers.
• Dairy Management Inc. supports entities such as the U.S.
• to college and just support their success in the future.
• To support their success in the future.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Malax Band and the Leech Lake Band are fully supportive of it.
• I certainly appreciate the good conversation and your support. Thank you.
• We're asking that you support this bill for tree farmers just like us.
• I support the Christmas tree farmers.
• I want to make sure we're not also supporting something we don't support. So thank you very much.

Bills: HF647 , HF2824 , HF1249 , HF623 , HF820

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Nick were going to need infrastructure to support that and job growth also support that increased
• But I'm happy to support that many the way I can.
• Thank you guys so much for your support. Thank you, sir. All right.
• This location will eventually support approximately 100 high tech careers.
• Almost 3,000 jobs are generated by these partners with NASA support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and they just need more support. and they just need more support. Thank<00:32:58.720><c> you.
• </c> widely supported statewide. widely supported statewide.
• I'm here in support of HB 1602.
• </c> this committee support it. Thank you. this committee support it. Thank you.
• So, I'll support the ITL work together. So, I'll support the ITL motion. motion. motion.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And um so I support uh I support he-im.
• </c> certainly support this bill. certainly support this bill.
• I'm obviously in support. support. support.
• Um, I totally support this bill. I totally support this bill.
• funding to support to support the<02:16:13.360><c> staff.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe we will only see an increase in the demand for liquor licenses to support the opening of our
• I have provided written testimony for the fat men's bill 2636 in support.
• I don't... ...them that they support this bill because of the economic mobility.
• MassPack stands in strong support of House Bill 4597.
• MassPack has submitted written testimony that elaborates our further support and other items.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills and home rule petitions, with both in-person and remote testimony. Committee chairs reviewed logistics for public testimony and then heard a series of bill presentations on topics including nitrous oxide sales, liquor license extensions and alcohol license density, cosmetology licensure compacts, electronic textbooks, HVAC supervisor licensing, and automotive warranty reimbursement rates. Several members asked questions about the public health, consumer protection, economic mobility, and regulatory impacts of the proposals. Representative John Barrett testified in support of H. 4907, which would regulate the sale of nitrous oxide, arguing it is a public health measure aimed at reducing recreational misuse by young people while preserving legitimate culinary, medical, dental, and industrial uses. Southbridge officials Peg Dean and David Adams supported a local liquor license extension bill, saying delayed revitalization and staffing disruptions from the pandemic-era “Great Resignation” had slowed development and postponed demand for the licenses. MassPack supported H. 4597 to limit new alcohol retail licenses near existing stores after 2026, citing oversaturation and public health concerns, while the committee also heard testimony on a cosmetology compact bill from industry and state-government representatives who said it would improve workforce mobility, especially for military spouses, though members questioned its fee structure and interaction with existing reciprocity rules. Representative Mindy Domb testified for H. 559, which would create a commission to study electronic textbooks and automatic textbook billing, arguing that digital course materials can limit consumer choice, raise costs, and reduce students’ ability to share or resell materials. Student testimony echoed those concerns. The committee also heard strong support for H. 4719, a bill to create HVAC construction supervisor licensing, from industry witnesses who said it would improve consumer protection, accountability, and clean-energy implementation; and opposition testimony on H. 4019, which would change how auto dealers are reimbursed for warranty work, with dealers supporting a fix to manufacturer reimbursement practices and manufacturers warning the bill would raise costs and allow overpayment. At the end of the hearing, the chairs read the agenda items and the committee adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do know that they are likely to go back out to the public and request support.
• I couldn't personally support the audit, though, that's proposed today. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
• So I'm going to support the audit.
• So I also intend to support the audit and thank Senator Cortese for bringing this forward.
• If you can just state your name and whether you're in support or not in support, and give a few seconds

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, seeing nobody else here in support. Is there anybody in opposition?
• I have my husband, Anton, who supports me in everything.
• But what we haven't done is provide the infrastructure to support all of those things.
• We support her 100%. Thank you.
• Natasha Minsker, Smart Justice California, very happy to support Sarah Larson.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I rise in strong support of SR-87.
• President, I thank you for your time in support of SR-87.
• Members, I rise in support of this resolution. Jim Plunkett is a living legend.
• My husband would be happy for me to ensure that I'm supporting a Raiders fan or a Raider.
• I, too, want to rise in full support of SR 93.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several resolutions and guest introductions, with much of the session focused on commemorations and recognitions. Senate Resolution 87, by Senator Archuleta, marked the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Archuleta and other senators spoke in support of remembrance, historical recognition, and concern for Armenians facing current threats and displacement. The resolution was adopted by a 37-0 vote, and the chamber also welcomed members of the Armenian community and other guests. The Senate also adopted SR 93 by Senator Cortese honoring Jim Plunkett’s football career and legacy as a California and Latino sports figure. Senators highlighted his Heisman Trophy, Super Bowl victories, and recent selection for the NFL Hispanic Football Hall of Fame. The resolution passed unanimously. Later, SCR 124 by Senator Wiener recognized transportation barriers faced by Californians with epilepsy and the importance of reliable transit for employment and independence; it was adopted by unanimous roll call. SCR 158 by Senator Allen declared April Arts, Culture and Creativity Month and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the California Arts Council, with remarks emphasizing the state’s arts economy and the Council’s history; it also passed unanimously. The Senate further adopted SCR 159 by Senator Alvarado-Gil designating April as California Rodeo Appreciation Month. Supporters described rodeo as part of California’s agricultural and Western heritage, noted its economic impact, and highlighted the roles of Black cowboys, women competitors, and rural communities. Each resolution was followed by introductions of related guests, including Armenian community members, Jim Plunkett and family, epilepsy advocates, arts leaders such as Luis Valdez and Cheech Marin, and rodeo representatives and titleholders. After the resolutions, the Senate handled the daily file and adopted the consent calendar 38-0. The body also approved the Senate journals for April 13-16, 2026, announced committee meetings, and acknowledged Senator Menjivar’s upcoming birthday. The Senate then recessed until its next scheduled floor session on Tuesday, April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to urge your support.
• So I'll be in support of it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So I'll be in support of it. Thank you. Thank you, Senator.
• So thus my support of the motion. It's a limited scope... So thus my support of the motion.
• I'm still close, but I'm going to support the motion at this point. Thank you.

Summary: Senate Commerce met with a quorum, approved the March 10, 2026 minutes, and recognized page Hayden Carter with remarks from committee members and a presentation of a Capitol flag and certificate. The committee then took up several bills, generally under tight time constraints, with brief sponsor presentations and testimony from supporters and opponents. House Bill 773, a code cleanup bill related to credit unions and corporate credit unions, was presented by Rep. Ayler, received no public testimony, and was sent to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 702, which would alter Uniform Commercial Code provisions on securities ownership and creditor priority, drew extensive debate: sponsors argued it would better protect stock owners in insolvency situations and cited examples such as Lehman Brothers and MF Global, while a Uniform Law Commissioner testified that the bill would make Idaho an outlier and could disrupt the securities system and access to margin accounts and clearing liquidity. After discussion, the committee adopted a substitute motion to hold HB 702 in committee. House Bill 648, an oral anti-cancer medication parity bill, received strong support from sponsors, cancer survivors, and advocacy groups, who said it would prevent patients from facing much higher out-of-pocket costs for oral chemotherapy than for IV treatment. Members noted personal experiences with cancer treatment, and the bill was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 787, which consolidates the Medical Board of Podiatry under the Board of Medicine, also passed with a do pass recommendation after brief discussion of expected efficiencies. House Bill 790, a voluntary certification bill for interior designers that would allow sign-and-seal authority for limited nonstructural work, drew the most divided testimony: supporters said it would remove barriers and reduce costs, while architects warned it could expand into the practice of architecture and raise public-safety concerns. Despite reservations from some members, the committee voted to send HB 790 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do support this proposed amendment.
• We stand in support of this bill, and we appreciate the committee's support. Thank you very much.
• kids and to support the fair and support education, support opportunities, and the community coming
• So please support this. Let's preserve our county fair boards.
• I'll support the motion.

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee heard House Bill 823, which would preserve county fair boards as governing boards in counties that reach a population threshold, while grandfathering Ada and Canyon counties under their current arrangements. Representative Dygert and several supporters, including fair board members, the Idaho Farm Bureau, and others tied to fairs and 4-H/FFA, argued that governing fair boards help protect agricultural heritage, youth programs, and local expertise, and that the bill would maintain the status quo for counties that currently use governing boards. The Idaho Association of Counties opposed the bill, saying counties should retain flexibility to choose advisory boards and that the 200,000-population cutoff was arbitrary and could create future inconsistency. After debate, the committee first failed a substitute motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, then voted to hold House Bill 823 in committee. The committee then took up House Bill 843, which would eliminate proration of the homeowners exemption and align the statute with prior legislative intent and court rulings. Representative Manwaring explained that the bill would ensure taxpayers receive the exemption for the full year if they qualify at any point during the year, removing proration language that had led to disputes. With no questions or opposition raised, the committee moved House Bill 843 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will you please support the Insect Education Memorial?
• Will you please support the Insect Education Memorial?
• I support this bill. I just want to say a few things.
• But as you say, hasn't supported I'm definitely supporting this bill, but here's what I want to make
• Nope, anyone in support? Raise your hand. All right, well, no supporters, no opposition.

Bills: HM26 , HB243 , HB109

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication

Transcript Highlights:

• Please, urging your support. Those early opportunities to succeed. Please, urging your support.
• And then, of course, supporting some marina compliance projects.
• So I ask for your support. Thank you, Representative Fitzgibbon. Additional discussion.
• And then, of course, supporting some Marina compliance projects.
• . ...to pay for that program, and for that reason I ask for your support.

Bills: HB2159 , HB2251 , HB2521

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: preK, education funding, childcare, youth development, state budget, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I rise in support of this bill.
• Supporting policies that strengthen the... This beautiful state.
• Just wanted to rise in support of the bill.
• So I will be supporting this bill today, and a lot of times I sound like I don't, but I would be supporting
• It is a bill that apparently has support across the chamber.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial executive appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities, described as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package. Sponsor Senator Simon outlined provisions creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties facing population loss, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping grant language tied to new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties generally supported the bill, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural areas and how funds would be accessed. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General findings by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance-based business plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including changes to the stabilization fund and documentation requirements. Senators from both parties debated transparency, accountability, and implementation concerns, with some also urging future attention to declining-enrollment school districts and the quality of scholarship providers. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County visitors in the gallery, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are also ably supported by the Senate Democratic Caucus by Hannah McCarty and the Senate Republican
• So we appreciate their support as well.
• Today, I am testifying in support of the request for an additional appropriation in the supplemental
• The request for an additional appropriation in the supplemental transportation budget to support COFA
• First, I want to sincerely thank you for your support of the Parkway project and last year's enacted

Bills: SB6005

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, transportation appropriations, capital budget, supplemental budget, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferries, Puget Sound ferries, tolling, express toll lanes, highway safety, traffic safety, impaired driving, ignition interlock, speed cameras, transit funding, public transit, multimodal transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• One, it would be helpful to support DOH and allow them to create more FTEs to be there for the water
• This approach, the AWWA water audit method, is widely recognized and increasingly supported across the
• There is also strong support for tiered rate structures, as they can reduce usage and generate revenue
• There is also strong support for tiered rate structures as they can reduce usage and generate revenue
• Traditional cultural uses, and then supporting photosynthesis, habitat, biodiversity.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened its 2026 session with committee housekeeping, member introductions, and a reminder that schedules are set a week in advance and amendments must be submitted by the prior day’s deadlines. Chair Reeves emphasized solution-oriented, collaborative, and respectful participation, then outlined that the committee would focus on three interim reports relevant to its work this session: municipal water efficiency, ecosystem services, and food policy. The first presentation, from the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and WSU, reviewed Washington’s municipal water efficiency statute and regulation. Presenters said interviewees largely agreed on the need for better data collection, more technical assistance for smaller systems, and more state funding for both agency staffing and water system infrastructure. Most opposed shifting oversight of the conservation program from the Department of Health to Ecology, and the report recommended keeping oversight at DOH while improving collaboration across agencies and tribes. The presenters also urged broader statewide water planning, more consistent reporting using the AWWA water audit method instead of leakage percentage, re-evaluating the 500-connection threshold, and addressing outdoor water use, rebates, reuse, and public education. Members asked about creating a new office for water oversight, but the presenters said that idea was generally viewed as too costly and impractical under current budget conditions. DNR then presented its 2025 ecosystem services work group report. The department described ecosystem services markets it studied, including regulatory and voluntary forest carbon, avoided wildfire emissions, and water leasing, with lower potential identified for blue carbon, biodiversity, and water quality markets. DNR said about 15,000 acres of state forest land may have carbon-market potential, but emphasized that the analysis was broad and not project-specific, so the report recommends pilots, continued market monitoring, use of third-party developers, and clarification of authority through House Bill 2170. Committee members asked about economic feasibility, timber tradeoffs, and how success would be defined, and DNR said those questions would be better addressed in future, more detailed project-level work. The final presentation covered the Food Policy Forum’s 2025 report to the legislature. Speakers described broad consensus recommendations on food security, local foods in schools, farm-to-food-bank programs, a state farm bill, commercial access, and food system infrastructure. They highlighted pressures on agriculture from development, flooding, drought, water shortages, and the need to preserve farmland and support farmers, food banks, and local procurement systems. The committee chair thanked the presenters and noted that several related bills and policy proposals would be heard later in session. No votes were taken; the meeting concluded after the presentations and brief member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• was posted on the 7th, and it was a product of bipartisan, bicameral negotiation, and I urge member support
• I also urge member support. There being no further discussion, all those in favor say aye.
• Uh that we are supporting<00:05:21.120><c> a</c><00:05:21.440><c> number</c><00:05:21.600><c> of</c><
• And I will wrap up with that and just thank folks for their support for the bill.
• And thank goodness for the bipartisan support that issue has had during this legislature.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And while the goal of supporting all underserved communities regardless of background is broadly supported
• That's why we strongly support the water system's PFAS liability protection. premium.
• Thanks to the committee's leadership and Chairman Capito's long-standing support.
• PWSS grants are used to support staff salaries including inspectors, support staff, and engineers.
• How critical is federal investment in water infrastructure for supporting water affordability?

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.