Transcript Highlights:

• We urge your support of this important piece of legislation. Thank you for your time.
• This legislation will have immediate positive health effects for all New Mexicans.
• I just urge you to pass this legislation.
• This piece of legislation. Thanks. Thank you. OK, now, Mr. Bullington. Thank you, Mr.
• But for the very same reasons that I went in depth on, I still can't support this legislation.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee members, uh, Mitch Fuller, the legislative director for the Department of Texas VFW, we're
• Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this vital legislation, and I yield for any questions.
• How does HB 930 protect guardsmen from being sent to wars without clear legislative approval?
• Um As a veteran, Dan McKnight calls HB 930 ultimate support our troops legislation.
• And instruct legislators not to pass the bill.

Bills: HB39 , HB227

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: public school finance, property values, homestead exemptions, funding allocation, education policy, HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature increased the size in which we could one could be sold to 5.0. 1, 6, counts over that legislation
• Did not get lieutenant to this legislation to create confusion. A great point. Senator Gruters.
• So this legislation with its amendment is now posture to specifically create an H gate which prohibits
• And we're very grateful to you, Chair Bradley for introducing this important legislation.
• So I respectfully I urge you to vote yes on this legislation. Thank you so much.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cases routinely some of which you will hear from today and who were instrumental in drafting this legislation
• other members of this committee and the Senate for their hard work on this package of Texas tough legislation
• Legislation will help protect Texans from emergency from emerging financial threats and it's Here the
• We caution against basing any legislation on data that has been proven false. Thank you.
• But if we're going to be making legislation, it needs to be based on...

Bills: SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1379 , SB1451 , SB1497 , SB1498 , SB1499

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: mail theft, postal theft, package theft, identity theft, negotiable instrument, check theft, mail receptacle key, mailbox lock, postal key, delivery service, courier, USPS, United States Postal Service, fraud, property crime, elderly victims, disabled victims, identity information, rebuttable presumption, felony enhancement

Transcript Highlights:

• I would certainly defer to the legislators, but I think it's a question we should ask because I do, and
• I see some accomplished legislators sitting here that I'm going to use my chance to let them maybe talk
• We've met the legislative leaders. They're there. Look, we're early in the session.
• </c> able to get around State Legislative able to get around State Legislative Republican<00:20:00.880
• </c><00:20:18.400><c> leaders</c><00:20:18.640><c> are</c> we've met the legislative leaders are we've

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It has an impact upon us legislators because we like to hear from more than the figureheads sitting up
• There is good, and I would probably, in private, say to the legislators, you know, and you already had
• It has an impact upon us legislators because we like to hear from more than the figureheads sitting up
• It has an impact upon us legislators because we like to hear from more than the figureheads sitting up
• aren't even participating or legislators aren't even participating or looking<00:24:10.480><c> at</c

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 289, authored by Representative Quam, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before moving the bill forward. Quam explained that the bill is intended to create a mechanism for frontline state employees, faculty, and management to identify waste, inefficiency, and possible savings in agency budgets, with a portion of any savings going back to the state budget and the remainder placed in a special fund for mission-related spending decided by a joint committee. He said the idea grew out of earlier faculty union discussions and that the bill had previously passed with bipartisan support, though it was underused when first enacted. Members generally praised the goal of empowering employees and improving efficiency, but several raised concerns about the bill’s practical operation and low historical use. Representative Jones asked why uptake had been limited and whether current conditions would improve participation; Quam responded that larger budgets and more employee engagement could make the program more useful now. Representative Freiberg and Representative Bonner both supported the concept but questioned whether employees would understand budget constraints and whether the structure might discourage managers from saving money intentionally. Quam argued that employee input would improve decisions, morale, and credibility, and could help justify needed investments. Representative Koznick asked how the bill interacted with the Odyssey Fund, and staff clarified that the two are separate accounts and do not directly affect each other. Representative Koznick also objected to comments he viewed as attacking the administration, and the chair reminded members not to impute motives. Representative Kosnik/Quam indicated openness to future improvements, but Representative Bonner said she was not ready to support the bill in its current form because of concerns about the approval process through MMB and the Legislative Audit Commission. Despite those reservations, the committee ultimately voted to send House File 289, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you remember last year in our live healthy legislation, we put a real emphasis on nursing education
• So potentially, if there was a legislative initiative that would be focused on getting money directly
• So I would say that any legislative funding structures that would support directly that Lpn RN program
• You know, shortly after their shortly after the completion of the program, could there be legislation
• So could there be some kind of legislation to to to maybe be reexamined that?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When this legislation originally came out, we took a neutral position on it.
• When this legislation originally came out, we took a neutral position on it.
• I'm baffled with this current legislation.
• AB 2604 builds upon legislation that I authored in 2023 that authorized county elections officials to
• AB 2573 addresses a number of deficiencies in the original legislation.

Summary: The committee heard AB 2255, which would require more detailed disclosure for certain large campaign expenditures made when a candidate is not on the next ballot. The author and the FPPC said the bill would improve transparency around campaign spending; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard AB 686, extending California’s ban on election-related deepfake media from 2027 to 2031, and AB 1130, which would strengthen disclosure and liability rules for paid social media campaign posts; both measures were approved. Members also considered AB 2281, which would have the Office of Election Cybersecurity assess whether additional resources are needed to replace lost federal support and consult with academic researchers, and AB 2604, which would create a statewide electronic signature-curing system for vote-by-mail ballots. AB 2281 was presented as a response to reduced federal cybersecurity support and was approved; AB 2604 was supported as a way to help voters, especially younger voters, cure signature issues more quickly, but faced opposition from the Secretary of State’s office over regulation and standards concerns, and it was also approved. The committee heard AB 2753, which would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding state or local office, and AB 2691, which would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include the most serious sexual assault and sex trafficking offenses. AB 2753 drew support from the author and Fresno officials but opposition over its breadth and registry concerns, and it ultimately failed on a 2-1 vote. AB 2691 drew strong support from survivors and education advocates but also opposition from groups objecting to amendments that excluded certain crimes involving minors; despite that dispute, the bill passed 4-1. The committee also approved AB 2573, clarifying the confidential voter registration program for elected officials and candidates, AJR 31 urging Congress to restore Voting Rights Act provisions, and SB 830 making election-administration cleanup changes for the Bay Area regional transit measure. The consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thank the Chair from Watertown for filing this bill that led to the legislation before us today, and
• This legislation is a long-term investment in our students, our workforce, and the economic strength
• Thank you to the leader from Wellesley for filing one of the bills that led to the legislation before
• Speaker, for your support and work on this very important piece of legislation.
• When we drafted this legislation, we were looking for precision.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural orders early in the session, including extending the reporting deadline for the Housing Committee on H.4655 and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a petition seeking to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. It then advanced three Ways and Means bills on education-related topics: personal financial literacy education (H.4670), expanded access to the state seal of biliteracy (H.4671), and teacher preparation and student literacy (H.4672), each moving through amendment adoption and third reading or engrossment procedures. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.4670, which would require personal financial literacy instruction in middle and high school and establish a financial literacy trust fund for curriculum and teacher training. Members spoke in support, emphasizing budgeting, credit, student loans, and long-term financial planning, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a 154-0 roll call. H.4671, which broadens access to the seal of biliteracy for students in public and private schools, also drew support and passed to be engrossed 155-0. The most extensive debate centered on H.4672, a literacy bill requiring evidence-based reading instruction, DESE-approved curricula or approved local alternatives, screening and progress monitoring, professional development, and related implementation measures. Members described concerns about declining reading scores and argued for a shift away from three-cueing toward phonics-based, science-of-reading approaches. Several amendments were considered: a proposal to change intervention language from “significantly” to “at risk of falling behind” failed, while amendments adding funding language, stakeholder collaboration, and other implementation details were adopted. One amendment clarifying that pictures may be used as a supplement in literacy curricula was also adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed 155-0. The House also observed moments of silence for former Judge Leslie Harris, former Representative Mark Carron, and former Representative Dennis Rosa, and adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• Has it continued to be a top thing and how do you Today I had four Democrat legislators, some uh existing
• , some uh existing now and legislators, some uh existing now and some<00:03:33.080><c> previous,</c><

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Legislators and reporters discussed the final contours of a Minnesota bonding and tax package centered on a $1.2 billion capital investment bill. Supporters said the bill would fund state and local infrastructure projects, maintain state assets, and include anti-fraud measures such as electronic verification for service providers and a 100% excess tax on fraud proceeds to prevent offenders from profiting. They also said the package would backfill road-and-bridge funding so the fee reduction would not reduce transportation dollars. A major point of emphasis was a temporary reduction in tab fees, described as a $254 million savings for taxpayers in 2027. Republicans said the reduction was a top priority and that it was secured through negotiations, though they acknowledged it is only a one-year reprieve unless changed in a future session. They estimated the average savings at about $145 on a $50,000 vehicle, with larger savings for households with multiple vehicles. They also noted that the first proposal had included both a depreciation change and a rate change, but only the rate cut remained in the final compromise. In response to questions, lawmakers said the tab fee cut was driven by constituent complaints and that they would try to extend it next year. They also discussed related transportation issues, including accelerating collection of an auto parts sales tax and concerns about greenhouse gas-related costs for roads and bridges. On other topics, one lawmaker said gun control proposals in the House were not part of these negotiations and urged continued movement on the broader package. No formal vote was taken in the exchange, but participants expressed confidence that the bonding portion of the deal was largely settled, while some details of the full package still needed to be finalized.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we have concerns about the initial underlying legislation with this, we think this resolution is
• We have testified in the past on scenic rivers legislation.
• Like, will we use legislative...
• Like, will we use legislator?
• It's just as President's legislative support for his U.S. Senate migratory flyway with ducks.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we have concerns about the initial underlying legislation with this, we think this resolution is
• We have testified in the past on Scenic Rivers legislation... ...or adjacent to these water bodies.
• Like, will we use legislative space?
• Like, will we use legislator?
• It's just as President's legislative support for his U.S. Senate migratory flyway with ducks.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This puts parameters on it, so it makes it more—I think it's annually under this piece of legislation—so
• He said in his letter also that it is possible that legislative or policy changes could be considered
• And I really appreciate the nice balance in the legislation providing a welfare check.
• I mean, I want to be able to be behind this piece of legislation because I do care.
• This legislation itself needs work so that we can get something like this passed.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill adds new legislative intent sections to Chapter 26.09, RCW.
• The bill adds new legislative intent sections to Chapter 26.09, RCW, which governs proceedings for dissolution
• Several legislative findings are made, recognizing constitutional rights and providing that parents are
• Thank you very much, speaking in enthusiastic support of this mind-numbing legislation.
• Thank you very much, speaking in enthusiastic support of this mind-numbing legislation.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2735, the “Troxel 2” bill relating to establishing a constitutional floor in family law cases. Staff explained that the bill would add legislative findings and intent to Chapter 26.09 RCW, emphasizing parental fitness, equal standing for similarly situated parents, and a duty to cooperate. The prime sponsor and public testifiers largely supported the bill, arguing that family courts too often restrict fit parents’ access to children without sufficient due process and that the bill would restore constitutional protections and reduce conflict. Some testimony also framed the proposal as a way to improve child safety, stability, and outcomes. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on multiple bills. It advanced bills on garnishment forms (ESSB 5865), child hearsay/testimony rules (SSB 5169, amended), immigration-enforcement policies for health care and related facilities (ESSB 5906, amended), compensation claims for wrongly convicted persons (SSB 5520), reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force (ESSB 5912), preserving streamlined administrative and land-use review procedures (SSB 6009), authorizing court security threat assessments (ESSB 6086), adding superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties (SB 5868), requesting reinstatement of the limited license legal technician program (SJM 8006), expanding personality rights to digital likenesses (SSB 5886), and liability protections for certain children’s item donations, including car seats (ESSB 6087). Several bills were amended before passage out of committee. Votes were recorded on each measure, with most passing on strong bipartisan margins. Notable split votes occurred on SSB 5169 and ESSB 5906, reflecting concerns about balancing child protection, due process, and immigration-related enforcement issues. The committee concluded by thanking staff and adjourned after reporting all listed executive-session bills out of committee with do pass recommendations, some as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a need for this piece of legislation.
• So I would urge your support for this legislation. Thank you. Thank you very much.
• I think we've heard all that we need to hear about why this is an important piece of legislation for
• And I just, this legislation is important, you know, at least to say, you know, they are not following
• This piece of legislation would allow the city to use the reasonably anticipated future needs statute

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee approved the February 13 minutes and rearranged the agenda to hear HJM 13, HB 737, HJM 14, and HB 676. HJM 13, a memorial urging implementation of the Sackett Supreme Court ruling on federal wetlands regulation, drew extensive testimony from Mike and Chantelle Sackett, who described their 20-year fight with EPA and the Army Corps over a home site they said was wrongly treated as wetlands. Supporters, including attorneys and water-user representatives, said the ruling is not being followed consistently and that clearer enforcement is needed. The committee voted to send HJM 13 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HB 737 would merge the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Representative Boyle said the offices have similar permitting-related missions and could work more efficiently together. An Idaho Conservation League witness opposed the bill, arguing the offices have distinct roles and that merging them could create conflicts of interest and weaken species conservation funding. Several committee members spoke in support, saying the merger could improve coordination and help landowners and industry navigate federal permitting. The committee passed HB 737 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HJM 14, sponsored by Representative Fuhriman, urges federal cooperation on research, planning, and feasibility for expanding reservoir storage in East Idaho. It drew little opposition and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HB 676, sponsored by Representative Petzke, would allow certain municipal geothermal heating systems to use the reasonably anticipated future needs process if the system is non-consumptive and reinjects water. Supporters from the City of Boise, water-user groups, geothermal experts, and conservation advocates said the bill would streamline expansion of geothermal heating and support renewable energy development. One water attorney urged tabling the bill for further discussion among aquifer users, but the committee ultimately voted to send HB 676 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a need for this piece of legislation.
• So I would urge your support for this legislation. Thank you. Thank you very much.
• I think we've heard all that we need to hear about why this is an important piece of legislation for
• And I just, this legislation is important, you know, at least to say, you know, they are not following
• This piece of legislation would allow the city to use the reasonably anticipated future needs statute

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• collaboration, but when it comes to the transparency of this, is there going to be any way for legislators
• I am just looking at this, and one of our responsibilities as a state legislator is to try to make sure
• And that's really where my heart and mind is with regard to this particular legislation.
• Thank you, Representative West, for this piece of legislation, and I recognize your intent.
• We are creating a board, but as it stands right now, the legislation that's in front of you, it's for

Bills: HB3131 , HB3380 , HB3502 , HB3552 , HB3849 , HB3886 , HB3907 , HB4201 , HB4302 , HB3448 , HB3409 , HB4095 , HB3637

Committee: House Children, Youth and Family Services

Keywords: homelessness, shelter standards, safety, accountability, state funding, local governance, regulation, Oklahoma Homeless Shelter Safety and Accountability Act, foster care, child welfare, Department of Human Services, educational opportunities, employment support, technology in child welfare, faith-based organizations, self-sufficiency, financial literacy, HB3502, Oklahoma, children's code

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 3552, which would let child care providers bridge the gap between subsidy reimbursement rates and tuition rates. An amendment was adopted unanimously to make the bill subject to approval by the Administration for Children and Families, with the author explaining it was intended to protect federal DHS funding. The bill then passed on a 4-1 vote. Members then heard several child welfare and human services measures. House Bill 3380, on foster care reform and DHS transparency, passed 5-0 after questions about how public input and scoring would be documented. House Bill 3502, the parental rights and child welfare bill, passed 4-1 after debate over whether the bill addressed a real problem and whether resources would be better spent recruiting foster parents. House Bill 3849, updating and broadening a mentoring program for children and youth, passed 5-0, and House Bill 3886, requiring Health Department personnel to remain on site after an immediate jeopardy finding at a nursing home until a removal plan is accepted, also passed 5-0. The committee also approved House Bill 3907, which would prohibit certain facilities serving vulnerable juveniles and adults from being staffed through temporary staffing agencies, on a 5-0 vote. House Bill 4201, changing master teacher requirements in licensed child care from license capacity to actual enrollment, passed unanimously after discussion of how staffing ratios would work in practice. House Bill 4302, as amended, passed unanimously after removing subpoena language and instead allowing the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to disclose a complainant’s identity to law enforcement when needed to protect safety. House Bill 3448, requiring umbrella insurance coverage for certain child care caregivers, and House Bill 3409, streamlining recertification for five-star child care providers, both passed unanimously. House Bill 4095, reauthorizing and clarifying the 211 collaborative as the state lead entity for hotline services, also passed 6-0. The most extensive debate came on House Bill 3131, which would establish statewide baseline standards for transparency, public safety, and health safety in homeless shelters and create an advisory board. Members raised concerns about local control, rural county burdens, agency workload, and whether the bill duplicated existing requirements, while the author said he was open to further changes, including strike title and possible population-based exceptions. Despite objections, the bill advanced to the Oversight Committee on a 4-3 vote. Before adjournment, the chair said the committee would begin a deeper review of OCCY multidisciplinary teams and CAC child advocacy groups in upcoming meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strongly support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Apodaca. Next.
• The legislation incorporated some feedback from Senate Finance, and Senate Finance.
• The general capital outlay that legislators receive and the infrastructure fund.
• De Raza, in the legislation, we have a rulemaking process by DFA.
• I'm just trying to figure out what we can do as legislators to change that.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TCC supports this legislation before you for a number of reasons.
• These barriers are ones that we believe can be addressed, and we're happy to support this legislation
• Well, for the record, Andrew Barkis, State Representative in the Second Legislative District.
• But I thought to myself, you know, I'm a legislator. And what do legislators do? We write laws.
• I also live in the Second Legislative District, and so it's personal for me. And I...

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then moved to executive session on three other bills. HB 2550 would require certain community and technical college students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs to be allowed to ride transit for free as a condition of transit support grant eligibility. Staff said the current program already requires zero-fare access for riders 18 and under, and the bill would expand that requirement to CTC students. Testimony from the sponsor, students, and transit advocates supported the goal of reducing barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association raised implementation concerns, including how eligibility would be verified and the potential loss of fare revenue and added administrative costs. The fiscal note discussion estimated local impacts of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year for affected transit agencies. HB 2645 concerned the emergency replacement of the closed Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The bill and proposed substitute would declare an emergency and give WSDOT expanded authority to expedite bridge replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. The sponsor and many local residents, business owners, recreation advocates, and emergency responders testified that the bridge closure has cut off communities, limited access to Mount Rainier and public lands, and significantly increased emergency response times. WSDOT testified that it is already moving forward with planning and design for a replacement bridge, but said much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review. No vote was taken on HB 2550 or HB 2645 in the transcript. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2109, which allows certain towed vehicles with debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before transport, and passed it out of committee 27-0. The committee also adopted an amendment to HB 2134, which updates regional transportation planning requirements related to greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions, and passed the bill out 16-12. Finally, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops involving neurodiverse individuals, then passed the bill out of committee 28-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, recently we passed legislation as current law now that if you're a tenant and you want
• and what we can do to maybe minimize the damage that we think the legislation would do.
• And I am, for the record, Senator Lisa Wellman from the 41st Legislative District.
• I'm the Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager for the Women's Commission.
• I represent the 19th Legislative District. Thank you for hearing this bill.

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 23, 2026, first taking executive action on several bills. The committee held SB 6035 and SB 5842 for another week, then worked through SB 5973 on initiative and referendum signature gathering rules. Members debated 12 amendments to a proposed substitute and the underlying bill, but none were adopted. The substitute would prohibit pay-per-signature and require 1,000 pre-filing signatures for initiatives; opponents argued it would burden the initiative process, while supporters said it would curb fraud and improve accountability. The committee then advanced SB 5892, SB 6081, SB 5877, SB 5968, and SB 6034, each on a due pass recommendation, with SB 6081 referred to the Transportation Committee and the others sent to Rules or Ways and Means as noted in the motions. During public hearing, the committee heard SB 5888, which would remove Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women's Commission. Senator Wellman said the change would align the commission with similar bodies and correct an inconsistency, and commission staff testified in support, saying the appointment process is already thorough and that the governor would retain appointment authority. The committee also heard SB 6123, expanding a public-records exemption for voluntarily supplied demographic information to local government employees; a Pierce County HR director supported the bill, saying it would help build trust while preserving aggregate reporting. The hearing on SB 5853, sponsored by Senator Wilson, drew strong support and no opposition; it would create a statewide emergency notification system for public officials to alert them to targeted threats, with the Secretary of State and Military Department involved in administration. Secretary of State staff said they supported the concept but wanted to work with the sponsor on implementation details, and the sponsor said he was willing to amend the bill to address those concerns.