Transcript Highlights:

• Tina Griffin, I'm the director of the Washington State Gambling Commission.
• I'm the director of property claims for PEMCO Insurance Company.
• to the OIC within 30 days of executing the agreement.
• We next have scheduled our executive committee, and before we go into executive session, can we please
• We'll come back into executive session. Thank you for your patience.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on an amended and restated tribal-state gaming compact with the Squaxin Island Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact amendment process and said the restatement consolidates six prior amendments, updates several appendices, and adds new provisions including high-limit room options and electronic table games. Squaxin Island representatives said the changes clarify the existing compact, improve casino regulation and management, and support tribal economic development and community services. Committee members expressed support, and the compact will next go through additional commission and legislative review before possible governor approval. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5831, which enacts the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act. Staff and the bill sponsor said the measure creates safe harbors for common mortgage modifications, clarifies when modifications must be recorded, and preserves the priority of modified mortgages in foreclosure without preempting other mortgage or lending laws. A Uniform Law Commission representative testified that the bill would advance protections by reducing uncertainty and costly attorney opinion requirements. There was no opposition testimony, and the public hearing closed without a vote. Senate Bill 6178, requested by the Insurance Commissioner, would prohibit contractors and others from soliciting or requiring post-loss assignments of property insurance benefits from insureds, making such agreements void and enforceable by the commissioner with civil penalties. The sponsor, Insurance Commissioner, and several supporters said the bill would protect homeowners after disasters from losing control of their claims and help prevent contractor abuse; a consumer attorney, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau also supported it. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6031, which expands and modernizes the state’s insurance fraud laws, classifies insurance fraud as a Class B felony, broadens reporting and investigative authority, and extends the fraud program to related crimes affecting insurers and consumers. The Insurance Commissioner, anti-fraud groups, and industry representatives supported the bill, while the Washington Society of CPAs said concerns about CPA language would be addressed by amendment. After public hearings, the committee moved to executive session, adopted a proposed substitute for SB 5928, and voted do-pass recommendations for SB 5928 as amended and SB 5919, sending both to Rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then work again with the legislature, as well as our board and the executive, the chief executive
• Thank you for that, Director Richards.
• >> Um, I have a comment from Director... >> Um, I have a comment from Director Richards. >> Yes, Mr.
• I am here actually in two roles, the executive director for Wyoming Association of Municipalities, and
• Director, do you have any other programs Director, do you have any other programs that you have questions

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee took testimony from the executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, a committee
• The committee took testimony from the executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, a committee
• for the Education Commission of the States, the Executive Director of the Association of Educational
• </c><01:14:47.400><c> Director</c><01:14:47.840><c> of</c><01:14:47.920><c> the</c> the Executive Director
• of the the Executive Director of the Association<01:14:48.760><c> of</c><01:14:48.880><c> Educational

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Russell Brown, the executive director for the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, here
• My name is Derek Young, Executive Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, testifying
• My name is Ladessa Croucher, and I am the Executive Director of Resolution Washington, a statewide...
• Chair and members of the committee, my name is Caitlin Ryan, and I serve as the executive director of
• I'm Kathleen Barry Johnson, Executive Director of Historic South Downtown, officially known as Pioneer

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill states that the executive director of OVR shall submit an annual report of its activities
• Finally, the bill states that the executive director of OVR shall submit an annual report of its activities
• Finally, the bill states that the executive director of OVR shall submit an annual report of its activities
• ><c> by</c> the executive director upon approval by the executive director upon approval by the<00:14
• Finally, the bill states that the executive director of OVR shall submit an annual report of its activities

Summary: The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in my 13th year as executive director.
• I've been to the executive director.
• </c><00:31:42.480><c> director</c> why as your role as executive director why as your role as executive
• I'm the executive director.
• I did include their executive director.

Bills: HF2411 , HF2471 , HF1440 , HF1393 , HF1631 , HF1259 , HF280 , HF1281 , HF1459

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to introduce my guest first: David Archuleta, who is the executive director of the ERB Retirement
• I'm the executive director of the Educational Retirement Board.
• Walda Bulger Thames, the executive director of the STEM Network at New Mexico State.
• I'm the Executive Director for New Mexico MESA.
• Shelley Grunig, and I'm the founding executive director of R4 Creating and host of the STEM Southwest

Bills: HB40 , HB100 , HJR1 , SB64 , SB19 , SB44 , SB83

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the Pacific Conservation District.
• I'm the executive director. We are opposed to...
• Sorry, my name is Linda Lyschall, Executive Director for Snohomish Conservation District.
• My name is Linda Leischel, Executive Director for Snohomish Conservation District.
• I'm Russell Brown, the executive director for the Washington Association.

Bills: HB1316 , HB2401 , HB2557 , HB2720 , HB1073 , HB2685 , HB2640 , HB2403

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.
• I am the executive director of the Women's Resource Center in Natchitoches.
• And then also the Board of Medical Examiners' executive director already testified the first 45 minutes
• I'm the executive director for the American Board of Bioanalysis, and I want to thank the committee for
• I'm also the executive director for the AAB Board of Registry.

Bills: HB611 , HB897 , HB902 , HB931 , HB1030 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1118 , HB1138 , HB1143 , HB1160 , HB1185 , HB1216

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: pregnancy help centers, healthcare services, licensure, Department of Health, medical services, counseling, regulatory compliance, public health, healthcare data, privacy, pregnancy services, confidentiality, client rights, Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative, trauma-informed, child education, mental health, training program, adverse childhood events, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> shouldn't say new executive director. shouldn't say new executive director.
• :05:50.920><c> director</c><00:05:51.560><c> for</c> &gt;&gt; Uh Joni Upchurch, executive director for
• I've Upchurch, the executive director.
• </c><00:16:25.200><c> directors</c> I chair a group of executive directors I chair a group of executive
• just</c><01:14:54.640><c> to</c> executive director about that just to executive director about that

Committee: Joint Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Trevor Foley, Director, Missouri Department of Corrections, here with our Director of
• Thank you, Director Foley.
• The director was very clear.
• the executive budget book.
• Director, and Deputy Director, or one of your deputy directors there.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the honor of me, the Executive Director of Silver State Voices, and I am here on behalf of our
• I serve as the executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada.
• I'm the executive director of Make the Road Nevada.
• I am the executive director of the Nevada chapter of the National Organization for Women.
• And so I had a very positive communication from, I believe, their incoming executive director.

Bills: AB49 , AB169 , AB188 , AB284 , AB296 , AB306 , AB356 , AB366 , AB467 , AB499 , AB515 , AB540 , AB542 , AB595

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Christopher Otto, Executive Director of the Delaware Nurses Association and the Delaware Nurses Workforce
• Cheryl Hikes, Executive Director for Delaware Healthcare Facilities Association, representing long-term
• Christopher Otto, Executive Director of the Delaware Nurses Association and the Delaware Nurses Workforce
• Christopher Otto, Executive Director, Delaware Nurses Association, here to provide our support for HB
• Christopher Otto, Executive Director, Delaware Nurses Association, here to provide our support for HB

Bills: HB359 , HB385 , HB165

Committee: Senate Health & Social Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Social Services Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior two meetings, and briefly acknowledged the tragedy at Christiana Care before moving to legislation. The committee heard House Bill 385, which creates a statewide nurse preceptor grant program to expand clinical training placements for nursing students; testimony from nursing organizations, health care associations, and educators emphasized workforce shortages, the need for preceptor stipends and training, and the bill’s potential to help students complete programs and remain in Delaware. Members asked about eligibility and reporting, and several senators asked to be added as co-sponsors. Public comment was uniformly supportive, and the bill was advanced out of committee. The committee then considered House Bill 424, which repeals Delaware’s Autism Surveillance and Registration Program and requires DHSS to expunge protected health information collected through the registry. The sponsor and DHSS said the registry is no longer used for research or policy development and that repeal would reduce outdated reporting burdens; Autism Delaware, the Delaware Health Care Association, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities support the change. A committee member raised the question of whether families would be notified before records are expunged, and DHSS said that process was not yet clear and would need further verification. Members discussed the issue, and the bill also moved forward. House Bill 419 was next, making children in foster care automatically eligible for the Purchase of Care child care subsidy and extending the same treatment to certain kinship and safety-plan placements through House Amendment 1. The Children’s Department and advocacy groups said the bill would provide immediate stability for children and caregivers, reduce delays from applications and income verification, and support working foster and kinship families. The committee also heard House Bill 359, which would allow cremation as an option for unclaimed and indigent remains when there is no family objection or next of kin cannot be found, addressing a shortage of burial plots and lowering costs; funeral industry testimony focused on preserving next-of-kin rights. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 475, creating a Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund financed by a $10 surcharge on nursing licenses and disciplinary fines to support workforce data collection and analysis through a nonprofit partner, and House Bill 165, authorizing physician associates, occupational therapists, and APRNs to perform dry needling under training and practice standards set by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. All of the bills received supportive testimony, several members added their names as co-sponsors, and the committee adjourned after moving through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of those CEOs and or uh executive of those CEOs and or uh executive directors<00:06:28.960><c> or
• </c><00:08:22.039><c> director</c><00:08:22.440><c> at</c> previously been an executive director at previously
• been an executive director at a<00:08:22.720><c> nonprofit</c><00:08:23.240><c> at</c><00:08:23.360>
• </c> appreciate that you work as an executive appreciate that you work as an executive director<00:09
• </c><01:01:40.880><c> director</c> component that each executive director component that each executive

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Director Moro. Director Moro. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.
• Um, we have time to go into executive session. >> Move to go into executive session. >> The motion has
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yeah. move to the executive session. &gt;&gt; Yeah. move to the executive session.
• </c> vote to close executive session. vote to close executive session.
• Close executive session. &gt;&gt; Oh, thank you. Close executive session.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just be frank: the executive budget every year... I'll just be frank.
• The executive budget every year. Last year, we had a bill to address the executive budget.
• Common Core was a memorandum of understanding at the executive level.
• The director says it is a complex question and defers to the security director.
• Tony Pitts, director of security for the Idaho Lottery, states his name for the record.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director for Texas and the South for TechNet. House Bill 149.
• I'm the executive director for Texas and the South for TechNet. We are also on the bill.
• As you'll hear from my executive director, she has been served at home with lawsuits.
• I serve as the executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and I, too, want to express
• I serve as the executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and I, too, want to express

Bills: HB12 , HB149 , HB 12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In February 1942, an executive order was signed depriving over 120,000 men, women, and children of the
• And Director Calvert is very much working to implement many of the strategies in terms of housing and
• With that, I ask that all of you join me in giving a warm welcome to Mayor Ellen Esatrian and Director
• I want to send a special shout out to region two director.
• Jerome Raspberry Jr., and a special welcome to CARS Legislative Chair Director, Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Director<00:51:25.760><c> Connley</c> &gt;&gt; Director Connley &gt;&gt; Director Connley &gt
• &gt;&gt; Director<00:54:25.119><c> Connley,</c> &gt;&gt; Director Connley, &gt;&gt; Director Connley,
• </c><00:57:49.119><c> Director</c> me with that, director? Director me with that, director?
• Director Director Connley, public?
• &gt;&gt; Director<01:18:02.320><c> Connley,</c> &gt;&gt; Director Connley, &gt;&gt; Director Connley,

Bills: HF3378

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Present, willing to provide information in support: Sheriff Kevin Cobb with the Executive Director of
• Sheriff Kevin Cobb with the executive department.
• Sheriff Kevin Cobb with the Executive Director of Louisiana Sheriff's Association.
• Zachary Daniels, Executive Director, Louisiana District Attorneys Association, Debbie Hinton, Police
• Present in support and willing to provide information if requested: Zach Daniels, Executive Director

Bills: HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB222 , HB430 , HB445 , HB490 , HB603 , HB619 , HB670 , HB672 , HB763 , HB773 , HB781 , HB810 , HB874 , HB981

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: DWI, driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, penalties, criminal justice, inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, firefighters, law enforcement, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, domestic violence, domestic abuse, battery of a dating partner, domestic abuse battery, strangulation