Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, $120 million will go to PFAS remediation, including testing and cleanup of private wells
• you to the bonding committee for this opportunity to testify Boston Harbor now and the Stone Living Lab
• from PFAS contamination, that would establish indemnity for farmers and set up a fund for farmers to test
• According to lead testing data from the DEP, more than 80% of the 62,000 taps tested from 1,700 schools
• and child care centers across Massachusetts have tested positive for lead since 2016.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record. Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language. Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a bit like a pass-fail test, except you only pass if you get all 31 questions right.
• except uh you only pass if you fail test except uh you only pass if you get<00:23:45.840> all
• with the DNR um they have been testing with the DNR um they have been testing uh<00:41:55.160>
• Not everybody chooses to test their water, but everyone's going to get the opportunity to do it.
• Bowser also does a—I don't know if it's Clean Water Fund-funded—but I call it a stress test.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• through postconviction DNA testing through postconviction DNA testing involve<03:22:37.920> false
• ,<03:34:32.080> I the Harris County Forensic DNA Lab, I the Harris County Forensic DNA Lab
• > Pennsylvania<03:39:52.239> because testing actually in Pennsylvania because testing actually
• And so he need for DNA testing."
• advanced and being able to be tested advanced and being able to be tested much<03:40:35.600>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, all of our products we make are third-party tested by DEA accredited labs, ensuring purity, potency
• There are easier tests for it. You know, if you're impaired, you can do a breathalyzer. Yeah.

Bills: SB274

Keywords: cannabis, psychoactive cannabinoids, CBD, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, delta-10 THC, criminal penalties, youth protection, medical cannabis, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that results in ash being considered non-hazardous only tests what leaches out under specific lab conditions
• Um, at last, EPA's test. EPA's test. >> Okay, I'll get to the next paragraph here.
• Um, EPA's test. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Um, EPA's test does not represent real-life conditions.
• Um at last EPA's<01:25:58.560> test. EPA's test. EPA's test.
• Um EPA's test. here. Um EPA's test. >> Go<01:26:04.880> ahead. >> Go ahead.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation. The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown. For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Millions more funded the Wuhan lab that unleashed COVID on the world. $15 million was spent on condoms
• And so our police officers have to find it, get it tested, and once they get it tested, they got to go

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 6, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to help us with some of those operating pressures, along with an increase to rent in our world-class lab
• our increase to rent in our in our increase to rent in our in our world-class<00:27:29.000> lab
• Our pesticide testing of private wells program: an appropriation of $1 million.
• is doing or uh we things that the lab is doing or uh we have<00:54:17.079> to<00:54:17.760>
• So the lab bonding from 2020 was at a fixed rate, so why is there an increase?

Bills: HF1063

Keywords: grain buyers, grain dealer, grain elevator, agriculture, financial reporting, audit, CPA review, independent accountant, financial statement, balance sheet, cash flow, nonpublic data, licensee oversight, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, grain purchase volume, insolvency, nonpayment, warehouse chain, fiduciary duties, producer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have several in test.
• We do have several in test.
• <00:21:00.480> There We do we do have several in test.
• There We do we do have several in test.
• in test. in test. >> Thank<00:21:06.880> you.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met on November 4, 2025, approved the prior minutes without objection, and then heard a presentation from Amazon on its Kentucky aviation and logistics operations. Amazon described its statewide footprint, including its Boone County air hub at KCVG, its investment of more than $60 billion in Kentucky since 2010, about 20,000 jobs in the state, and its use of Amazon Air as a middle-mile network supported by third-party carriers. The company also highlighted small-business support, community relief efforts, and workforce development through Career Choice, including partnerships with Kentucky schools and aviation maintenance training. Members asked about Amazon’s most in-demand workforce needs, future operational challenges, and whether autonomous vehicles are used on the KCVG ramp. Amazon said it would follow up on workforce-demand details, identified customer-driven innovation and culture as ongoing challenges, and said autonomous vehicles are in testing but are not part of regular KCVG operations. Amazon also emphasized sustainability efforts, including alternative aviation fuel, and said it wants to work with the legislature to expand AAF production and supply in Kentucky. The task force then heard from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Matt Wingate on the state’s aviation economic development strategy. They said aviation and aerospace are central to Kentucky’s logistics and economic-development goals, with aerospace identified as the state’s top export and air cargo as a major strength. They discussed outreach to general aviation airports, support for local grant matching, airport funding projects, workforce and education partnerships, and efforts to market Kentucky at aviation trade shows such as Paris Air Show and MRO America. No formal votes or other actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It clears up. licensing procedures and makes testing more consistent.
• lays out penalties and unlicensed hemp farming and expands. rules on transportation, handling, and testing
• Standardized lab testing requirements including mandatory reporting of THC levels and other countermaneuvers
• This would also bring more testing and quality control. I've been in medical care.
• decades and we have a flawless blueprint on how we've been able to structure and create the type of testing

Bills: HB147, HB 1113, HB 1203, HB 1269, HB 1276, HB 1277, HB1437, HB147

Keywords: livestock, brands, marks, earmarks, tattoos, electronic registry, Texas Animal Health Commission, county clerk, Agriculture Code, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, animal identification, brand registry, livestock traceability, electronic filing, rerecording, law enforcement access

Transcript Highlights:

• 3176 looks to direct the Department of Commerce to work towards federal engagement as far as national labs
• And could you talk to us a little bit about how the states would bring in a national lab?
• If you want my honest opinion, when you look at what natural national labs do in other states, if you
• Like in my town, it's like the I think it's the first Monday of every month the city will test that siren

Bills: HB4104, HB3722, HB3787, HB3700, HB3701, HB3310, HB3404, HB2964, HB2398, HB3024, HB3499, HB3278, HB3279, HB3645, HB3649, HB2293, HB3260, HB3176, HB3177, HB3114, HB3172, HB3322, HB3323, HB4248, HB3720, HB2210, HB1322, HB1937, HB3301, HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Following our own company guidelines for drug testing.
• Ears, I have you here on behalf of Star Lab Space registered for the bill. Is that correct?
• As STAR Lab and other CLD participants are designing and building a commercial space station that will
• reporting, but the acknowledgement of where the DA's job is being held up because we've got backlogs and labs

Transcript Highlights:

• provide relevant training programs in forensic disciplines to meet the training needs of Texas forensic labs
• and publicly funded accredited crime labs awarded an apprentice position.
• These public crime labs may include local, municipal, or county labs, or labs operated by the Department
• awarding the positions, entering into contracts, and consulting with the Texas Association of Crime Lab
• instructional time by ensuring that short, formative progress-monitoring tools, not just high-stakes testing

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harris of Tilden Baptist Church, followed by remarks from Senator Zaffirini recognizing his service and retirement as an agricultural teacher. The chamber also received a message from the governor on appointments to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors. Senators then adopted SR 434 honoring Goodwill Industries of San Antonio’s 80th anniversary, with Senators Gutierrez, Menendez, and Zaffirini praising its workforce training and second-chance employment mission; SR 435 recognizing Dr. Christine Ramos Camacho as Doctor of the Day; and a group of additional resolutions adopted by voice vote. Senator Zaffirini also introduced the McMullen County Day delegation, and Senator Gutierrez introduced the Doctor of the Day. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1951 addressed penalties for late property rendition filings and removed a financial incentive for appraisal districts; SB 1261 related to financing water supply projects in the state water plan; SB 1620 created a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program; SB 530 updated higher-education accreditation rules; SB 2183 standardized fireworks sales periods statewide; SB 2368 strengthened the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and added foreign-affiliation safeguards for electricity market participants; SB 1398 limited children without placement (CWOP) practices and added community-based care transparency; and SB 1960 established digital replication rights for voice and visual likenesses. Each of these bills advanced through suspension of the regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few measures. The chamber also debated SB 825, which would require an annual study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration. Senators Middleton, Hinojosa, Gutierrez, and Eckhardt debated whether the study should include positive as well as negative impacts; an amendment to require that broader analysis failed, and the bill was left pending after passage to engrossment. Other measures passed included SB 2010, prohibiting political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs; SB 546, requiring reporting and continued implementation of school bus seat belts; SB 586, establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program; SB 1150, requiring inactive oil and gas wells to be plugged or returned to production under a compliance plan; SB 1184, lowering the minimum age of wine eligible for sale by wine collection sellers; SB 2185, clarifying bilingual education allotment funding; SB 1923, making child support follow the child in certain temporary placements; SB 2252, expanding early literacy and numeracy supports and screening tools; SB 1870, barring local decriminalization of drugs; and SB 2405, the major TDCJ sunset bill, which included facility planning, parole and rehabilitation reforms, and an amendment protecting parole board discretion. Most of these bills were adopted after floor amendments and passed with recorded votes, often along party-line or near-party-line divisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a comment about testing.
• I have successfully sent kratom products to DEA lab to be tested specifically for concentrations of 7
• They believe it's a qualitative testing.
• Supreme Court Miller test for pornography.
• Just testing. That was a test. That had been an actual bill. What's the direction?

Bills: HB2028, HB2047, HB2136, HB2244, HB2364, HB2406, HB2415, HB2557, HB2573, HB2589, HB2720, HB2749, HB2825, HB2861, HB2862, HB2870, HB2970, HB4070, HB4117, HCR2004, HCR2051

Keywords: community restitution, homelessness, indigence, court assessments, monetary obligations, forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, evictions, judgment satisfaction, tenant rights

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal enforcement tools for nonpayment of fines, fees, restitution, and related obligations with a civil collection process. Supporters, including the sponsor, argued it would streamline restitution collection and reduce costly incarceration, while opponents from victims’ rights groups, judges, and prosecutors said it would weaken victims’ constitutional rights and remove effective enforcement leverage. The chair adopted an amendment requiring a summons and clarifying that victims’ constitutional remedies are preserved, and the committee passed the bill 5-2. The committee then considered HB 4070, which would bar corporations from incorporating if an officer, director, or trustee had been convicted of sex or human trafficking, and would extend civil liability to those who facilitate trafficking. Supporters framed it as a “corporate death penalty” aimed at preventing trafficking through corporate governance, while the ACLU warned the facilitation language was vague and could sweep too broadly. After adopting the chair’s amendment defining “facilitate,” the committee passed the bill 5-2. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of Neil McDowell to the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency after hearing his background in corrections and his plans to review cases thoroughly and efficiently. Next, HB 2720 was heard, which would raise penalties for paying or agreeing to pay for sexual conduct, add a $200 assessment for the anti-human trafficking fund, and allow certain sex-trafficking victims convicted of prostitution to seal vacated records. Supporters, including law enforcement, prosecutors, and survivor advocates, said it would deter demand and help victims; opponents argued it could still sweep in trafficking victims and lacked sufficient safeguards. The committee passed the bill 4-3. The committee also heard HB 2028, a strike-everything amendment allowing community restitution in lieu of a $20 assessment for indigent homeless defendants, and HB 2047, which would increase trespass penalties for remaining in or returning to property after an eviction writ; both were discussed but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt. Additional bills were introduced and heard later in the meeting, including HB 2136, which would create new offenses for “civil terrorism” and “subversion” and increase penalties for certain highway obstruction; the ACLU opposed it as viewpoint discrimination. HB 2406 would make images and recordings of abused children and deceased minors confidential and restrict dissemination and monetization; the sponsor said it was intended to prevent re-victimization and misuse of public records, while defense-side speakers asked for clearer access for defense teams. HB 2415 would tighten regulation of kratom products and specifically target concentrated 7-OH products; testimony sharply split between supporters who described public-health risks and opponents who said prohibition would harm consumers who use it for pain or recovery. The transcript ends before any final action on those later bills is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a state with three national labs and three research universities, and we had zero people employed
• my adult life, I've heard about how we need to do a better job of taking the technology out of the labs
• having these studios where, let's say you're really good at engineering and you came from one of the labs
• We also know about the cuts with Sandia Labs and the increase in Los Alamos.
• It was a leadership meeting, and they said that the Air Force was trying to devise a test to see who

Transcript Highlights:

• results and publish the results of any testing along with their own analysis.
• Of the 16 metals tested, 12 were present in every tampon, including lead.
• We are also concerned about the duplicative and costly testing.
• protocols, and strike the advanced testing cost, and mandatory public disclosure language.
• Variability in lab practices or capacity of testing laboratories.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Question one: How does DPS's quantitative testing of kratom work?
• This is qualitative testing.
• Can the crime lab measure the percentage of kratom within a product? No.
• equipment to do this test, which would slow down our ability to process our qualitative testing.
• Can the crime lab distinguish between synthetic and non-synthetic kratom?

Bills: SB1067, SB1234, SB1285, SB1295, SB1392, SB1413, SB1436, SB1470, SB1476, SB1489, SB1512, SB1535, SB1540, SB1556, SB1568, SB1569, SB1570, SB1573, SB1585, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1635, SB1644, SB1647, SB1648, SB1650, SB1653, SB1654, SB1655, SB1656, SB1657, SB1658, SB1661, SB1662, SB1664, SB1666, SB1667, SB1669, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1746, SB1748, SB1755, SB1786, SB1820, SB1822, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien, abatement lien, lien priority, assessment lien, easement, county treasurer, certificate of purchase, tax delinquency, delinquent property taxes, property owner equity, judgment foreclosure, title report, Arizona Revised Statutes

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then took up a long agenda of election, criminal justice, corrections, and county-government bills. Early election measures included SB 1436, requiring ballot language for certain school override and bond elections to estimate the secondary property tax impact; SB 1568, requiring election systems’ internal clocks to stay within 60 seconds of official time and making violations a misdemeanor; SB 1569, limiting special election board members from collecting or processing voter registration while assisting confined voters; and SB 1746, requiring voting centers to supplement rather than replace precinct polling places, requiring public offices and schools to provide polling space, and closing schools on primary and general election days for in-service training. SB 1436 and SB 1568 were eventually given do-pass recommendations, SB 1569 also passed committee, and SB 1746 passed despite concerns raised about school safety and access. Some bills were held earlier in the meeting and voted on later after testimony concluded. The committee also heard SB 1295, which would allow the Department of Corrections to release certain seriously ill inmates to contracted medical institutions if they qualify for ALTCS, with an amendment replacing disability language with illness-based criteria; the sponsor described it as a cost-saving measure that could shift care costs to federal programs. SB 1067, the so-called Gila County blight bill, would let counties place abatement costs for rubbish, debris, and dilapidated buildings on property tax bills and liens; county officials testified that it would help recover cleanup costs for blighted properties and heirs’ property, and it passed unanimously. SB 1413 would remove the $100,000 cap on restitution for serious injury or death caused by moving violations and passed after the sponsor said the cap had already been found unconstitutional. SB 1476 would make child neglect a class six felony when a custodian exposes a newborn to dangerous or narcotic drugs or causes fetal alcohol syndrome; supporters framed it as accountability and child protection, while opponents warned it could deter treatment and worsen family separation. The bill passed on a split vote. Later, the committee considered several criminal-justice and public-safety bills. SB 1512 would expand the definition of vulnerable adult and broaden “position of trust and confidence” for theft cases involving seniors and other vulnerable adults; testimony highlighted scams and exploitation of grieving or isolated elders, and the bill passed. SB 1585 would regulate sex-offender-specific evaluations, treatment, and polygraph services through the Sex Offender Management Board, add a surcharge fund and assessment on sexual-offense convictions, and appropriate funds to DPS; supporters said it would create uniform standards, while opponents questioned the need for additional fees, and it passed. SB 1662 would require probation conditions to be the least restrictive necessary and tailored to a defendant’s risk and needs; supporters from the Justice Action Network and criminal-defense advocates said it would improve rehabilitation and public safety, and it passed. The committee also began SB 1664, which would change constable petition-signature requirements in Maricopa and Pima counties, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two, directs EOPSS to establish standards and criteria for testing microstamped-enabled firearms.
• including for the feasibility and viability analysis and any necessary upgrades to state data systems and lab

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology held its final meeting to consider and vote on its report. The chairs reviewed the commission’s charge under the 2024 act to study intentional firearm microstamping and personalized firearms (“smart guns”), and noted that a dissenting policy brief from Senator Durant and Representative Berthiaume, as well as a report from Commissioner Lazot on microstamps, would be appended to the final report. On microstamping, the commission recommended that the General Court pursue legislation modeled on California and New York. The proposal would direct EOPSS to study feasibility and viability, set testing standards, require newly registered semi-automatic handguns to include microstamping once feasibility is established, create penalties for noncompliant manufacturers and for tampering, establish training/licensure for servicing microstamp-enabled firearms, and provide funding for implementation. The recommendation passed 9-3 with one abstention. On personalized firearms, the commission endorsed tax incentives to encourage purchase, including a five-year sales tax exemption for personalized firearms. Two versions were approved: one without a trade-in requirement, which passed 10-2 with one abstention, and one with a trade-in of a non-personalized firearm, which passed 7-5 with one abstention. The commission then unanimously enough approved the final report itself, voting 8-3 with two abstentions to submit it to the General Court and conclude its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The more we're testing it, the better those results are getting, and we're looking forward to that going
• Our classified staff members work in areas such as enrollment, financial aid, testing centers, tutoring
• labs, custodial services, food service, and maintenance.
• labs, custodial services, food service, and maintenance.
• The test of time, but it was getting pretty old, a little bit archaic-looking even.

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant. The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability. Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied. The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been trying to grow our simulation skills lab and the simulation team.
• Academic support, such as office hours for faculty, structured review sessions, writing and math labs
• So they have to take an admittance test called the TEAS. What is it? What does that stand for?
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, it is called the Test for Essential Academic Skills exam.
• So the nursing students have to score a certain number on that test or they can't get into the nursing

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you test for excessive levels of THC?
• President, Senator, there's not an immediate test that can be done on these products.
• It actually has to be accomplished in a lab.
• going around, buying a sample of the product, noting where they acquired it, taking it back to the lab
• President, Senator, actually, the manufacturer has to provide a sample, a test result in order to have