Transcript Highlights:

• They will be remote testifiers. Good evening. My name is Justinian Davis. Can you hear me? Yes.
• And while they're coming, let's go with our remote testifiers.
• I can... another act to circumvent the role of the vote and the will of the people, but I won't.
• You've had many years to restore the $30 tabs that we all voted for and took away, but you haven't.
• You've had many years to restore the $30 tabs that we all voted for and took away, but you haven't.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on impaired driving, beginning with data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and a discussion of a proposed reduction in the legal per se blood alcohol concentration limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Mark McKekney presented crash and fatality data showing that about half of traffic fatalities involve an impaired driver, that alcohol remains the most common substance involved, and that impairment is strongly associated with speeding and higher crash risk. He also summarized a Washington/AAA survey finding support for lowering the limit rose from 54% to 71% after respondents received information about safety impacts, and he said the most persuasive arguments were that the change would save lives and reduce impaired driving. Committee members asked about how much alcohol can produce a 0.05 BAC, enforcement practices, blood testing in fatal crashes, and whether other states or countries use lower limits. The committee then heard emotional testimony from Joshua Jackman, who described severe injuries and long-term consequences from being struck by a drunk driver in 2007, and said the proposed law could help prevent similar tragedies by encouraging people to plan ahead. A panel followed with testimony from AAA Washington, the Washington State Patrol, and the Department of Transportation. AAA supported a 0.05 standard and cited research and international experience showing fewer fatalities and serious injuries without major effects on arrests or the hospitality industry. The State Patrol said the bill is intended to prevent crashes rather than increase arrests and would not change stop standards or DUI investigative practices. WSDOT described the safety, work-zone, congestion, equipment-damage, and liability costs caused by impaired driving, including recent crashes involving snowplows and road crews. No vote was taken on the impaired-driving discussion. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5234, which would raise snowmobile registration fees from $50 to $75 and vintage snowmobile fees from $12 to $18, with additional revenue going to the snowmobile account for grooming, plowing, sanitation, and other State Parks snowmobile programs. State Parks said the program has seen declining registrations and reduced services, while supporters from the snowmobile community said the increase is needed to stabilize the program and keep trails open. Some testimony supported the need for more revenue but opposed the fee increase as the wrong solution, arguing the program needs broader reform and that many snowmobiles remain unregistered. The hearing record noted 3 people signed in pro and 105 con. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6110, which would clarify the definition of e-bikes, exclude vehicles capable of exceeding 20 mph solely on motor power or easily modified to do so, and direct the Department of Licensing to convene a work group to develop recommendations for regulating electric motorcycles. Committee discussion focused on the distinction between legal e-bikes and faster e-motos, with questions about wattage, speed, youth use, and whether the bill should define e-motorcycles more directly. Students, local officials, city representatives, trail advocates, and bicycle groups testified in support, describing safety concerns, injuries, and confusion in enforcement, while also emphasizing that true e-bikes improve mobility and access. Several local government and advocacy witnesses asked for a clearer statutory definition of e-motorcycles and a civil enforcement path for juveniles. No final action was taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chief Clerk will call the names of the people participating remotely today. Angan.
• Hill votes aye. Kehler. Kehler, aye. Norris votes aye. Norris, aye. Swazinski. Swazinski, aye.
• Swazinski votes aye. The clerk will close the roll.
• Hill votes yes. Hill votes aye. Kehler. Kehler votes aye. Norris. Norris votes aye. Swazinski.
• Swazinski votes aye. The clerk will close the roll. The bill is passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vote annually. vote annually.
• to vote.
• </c> &gt;&gt; The clerk votes yes. &gt;&gt; The clerk votes yes.
• The clerk vote motion, you will vote no.
• &gt;&gt; The clerk votes, yes. Representative &gt;&gt; The clerk votes, yes.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported. The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have Bill Clark, Kevin Vandeway, and staff, if you could bring up Ian Cope on remote.
• Our final testifier on this bill will be Ian Cope, who is testifying remotely.
• Jeff Pack is online remotely.
• It would also push the burden of repayment onto future generations that had no opportunity to vote on
• the plan. ...of repayment onto future generations that had no opportunity to vote on the plan.

Bills: SB6148

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: regional transit authority, RTA, transit bonds, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, bond maturity, debt limit, 25-year cap, regional mobility grant program, public transit financing, transportation funding, Washington RCW, bond issuance, municipal finance, infrastructure finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> maybe usurp what the voters voted maybe usurp what the voters voted against<00:53:44.440><c> I</
• My question is about the voters who voted in the November 2024 bond referendum, and they voted against
• My question is about the voters who voted in the November 2024 bond referendum, and they voted against
• Question is about the voters who voted in the November 2024 bond referendum, and they voted against question
• I think there are two different ways people vote on those referendums.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Remote breath test is a device that is sent with the individual.
• Remote breath test is a device that is sent with the individual.
• So you're basically saying with that, the remote testing one, as soon as they blow into it, a picture
• So if the equipment was paid for by the state 100%, or if the share of the remote test and the SCRAM
• Once they're on that for a little while, then we can get them on a SCRAM bracelet, a remote breath...

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the chief clerk, please call the names of the members voting remote?
• The chief clerk will now call the members voting remotely. Burkel. Go. Burkel present.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so first we All testifiers are remote, so first we just<00:04:12.360><c> get</c><00:04:12.480><c> to
• Swantek, who is also remote. [00:10:34] Mr.
• Swantek, who is also remote: Good afternoon, Chair Putnam and members of the committee.
• So, Senate File 3603—oops, we have to vote on it actually. similar programs.
• So, Senate File 3603—oops, we have to vote on it actually.

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas her teaching portfolio examines climatology, physical geography, and remote sensing.
• climatology, physical examines climatology, physical geography,<00:07:43.520><c> and</c><00:07:43.640><c> remote
• </c><00:07:44.960><c> And</c> geography, and remote sensing. And geography, and remote sensing.
• our committee's review of the minimal fiscal impact this bill's working group would have, and our vote

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to welcome you all and thank you for joining us either in person or remotely.
• I was proud to take that vote, and I stand by that vote.
• I was proud to take that vote, and I stand by that vote.
• Next up is Michael Murphy, also with us remotely. Mr. Murphy? Okay.
• Jessica Corwin, with us remotely. Jessica Corwin? Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Walen votes aye. Representative Hackney votes aye.
• Representative Abbarno votes nay without recommendation. Representative Berry votes aye.
• Representative Kloba votes aye. Representative Morgan votes aye. Representative Reeves votes aye.
• Representative Ryu votes aye. Representative Santos votes aye. Representative Santos votes aye.
• Representative Steele votes nay, do not pass. Staff could announce the vote, please.

Bills: HB2361 , HB2542 , HB2629 , HB2394 , HB2274 , HB1078 , HB2294

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: small loans, consumer protection, financial regulation, lending limits, credit access, animal testing, alternatives, ethical research, animal welfare, scientific methods, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, I vote... I four eyes three knows and zero not voting.
• I'll vote aye.
• So with that, I vote aye.
• I vote. Take your time. That's it. I'm done now. Our votes for me.
• I like that, but I vote aye, aye, aye, and my last vote is Chairman. I...

Bills: HB2093 , HB2370 , HB2376 , HB2380 , HB2381 , HB2383 , HB2423 , HB2481 , HB2621 , HB2895 , HB4005 , HB4043 , HB4109

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: mental health, school curriculum, education policy, instruction requirements, statute repeal, charter schools, education, weapons detection, public safety, school administration, school districts, real estate transactions, school property, bond issuance, land use approval, capital improvements, school governance, board meetings, education funding, parental notification

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would urge a yes vote. Thank you, Representative.
• Seeing none, we'd like to do a voice vote—oh, sorry about that—a voice vote on the roll.
• If staff will... ...vote. Oh, sorry about that—a voice vote on the roll.
• Would everyone make sure that your vote is recorded as you wish?
• Seeing no changes, staff, would you announce the vote?

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6313, which would create a Capital Centennial Stewardship Account for remodeling, repairs, interpretive and educational facilities, and other improvements to the state Capitol campus ahead of the building’s 100th anniversary in 2028. Staff explained that statewide elected officials and legislators could solicit gifts, grants, and donations for the account, with spending subject to appropriation. Prime sponsor Senator Marco Elias described the bill as a way to enhance the Capitol experience, potentially restore access to the top of the building, and raise private support for upgrades without relying solely on public funds. Members asked questions about the Capitol’s history, tourism potential, and the fundraising authority, and no public testimony was offered. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 6076, which would expand procurement and self-performance authority for public utility districts and other consumer-owned utilities for certain electric generation, storage, transmission, and distribution projects, largely through 2045. Staff said the bill would raise thresholds for self-performed work and allow more flexibility in bidding and contracting, with no fiscal impact to state agencies but an indeterminate local government impact from training and procedure updates. Testifiers from IBEW Local 77 and Grant PUD supported the bill, saying utilities face a backlog of infrastructure work, higher material costs, and long procurement timelines, and that the bill would speed maintenance and construction. Committee members asked about renewable energy uses, examples of qualifying projects, and whether land acquisition was included; testimony clarified that the bill focuses on equipment and project components, not land. In executive session, the committee took up Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5901, relating to school construction assistance program facilities reports for on-base schools. Members said the bill would help military-connected school districts address gaps between state and federal funding and support quality facilities for military children. The committee approved the bill on a 16-0 vote, with three excused, and reported it out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also noted that additional bills, including the Capital Centennial Account bill and the utility procurement bill heard that day, could be considered in a later executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please just vote to oppose this bill, to not vote for it.
• Okay, seeing none, Vice Chair, for the vote... ...voting on Vice Chair, for the vote: voting on HCR 129
• I'm going to vote no on this, and I wish I could vote no 10 times.
• Seeing none, I shall proceed to the vote. Okay, voting on HCR 137, HD1, and HR 131, HD1.
• Seeing none, I shall proceed to the vote. Okay, voting on HCR 137, HD1, and HR 131, HD1.

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on April 1 at 2:04 p.m. and first heard HCR 129/HR 125/HD1, which asks state and county transportation and education agencies to work together on pedestrian safety and traffic congestion around Haiku Elementary School. The Department of Education said it stood on its written testimony, and no other testimony was offered on that measure. The committee then took up HCR 173/HR 169/HD1, urging the Department of Health to begin education outreach and vaccination drive efforts at schools with vaccination rates under 30 percent, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Education and Department of Health both supported the resolution and stood on their written testimony. Support also came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Nurses Association, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Health Committee, and Free Citizens of Malua. A number of testifiers opposed the measure, arguing that vaccination efforts do not belong in schools, that the proposal would pressure families and undermine parental rights and religious freedom, and that it could create liability and misuse public funds. Several opponents also raised concerns about informed consent, government overreach, and vaccine safety. One supporter, Kye Swan, said vaccines are the way to fight infectious disease and asked the committee to pass the resolution so children could be vaccinated before the school year starts. No vote or final committee action on the resolutions was announced in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge a yes vote. Senator Elias, thank you, Chair Schumake.
• Urging a yes vote. Unfortunately, asking for a no vote. All in favor say aye. Opposed nay. Nay.
• Wise, kind of helping us out to bring this together, urging a yes vote.
• I urge a yes vote. All in favor say aye. Aye. The amendment is adopted.
• I believe some are on remote. Well, and Alston Scharf. I believe some are on remote.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2515, which addresses emerging large energy use facilities, especially data centers. Staff explained that the bill requires utilities to adopt tariffs or policies for data centers, adds reporting and sustainability requirements, sets renewable energy targets, and creates a sales tax exemption for certain eligible data center equipment in eastern Washington. The House sponsor said the bill is intended to protect ratepayers, grid reliability, water resources, and Washington’s climate goals as data center growth accelerates. Tribal representatives and several environmental and labor witnesses urged restoring provisions removed from the House version, especially authority to curtail data center load during energy emergencies and to refuse service if reliability or affordability would be harmed; they also asked for stronger water reporting and protections for salmon. Utility, business, and data center industry witnesses supported the bill’s general framework but raised concerns about implementation, costs, and some of the added requirements, while some opposed the tax exemption and the loss of earlier protections. No final action on 2515 was taken during the hearing portion shown. The committee then heard and acted on several bills in executive session. It passed Substitute House Bill 1302, which allows municipal utilities to waive connection charges for industrial symbiosis projects. It also passed House Bill 2338 on community-scaled weatherization projects after rejecting an amendment, and House Bill 2367 on eliminating preferential treatment for a coal-fired plant after rejecting an amendment. Substitute House Bill 2496 on tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council was amended and then passed, while amendments to change public meeting and tribal summary provisions were rejected. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2426 on PCHB efficiency and appeals, House Bill 2606 on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, Engrossed House Bill 2575 on reducing reporting obligations, and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215 on Climate Commitment Act compliance for fuels were also advanced, with some amendments adopted and others rejected. The committee then reopened public hearing on House Bill 2416, which would treat a Spokane waste-to-energy facility differently under the Climate Commitment Act by allocating no-cost allowances in the second compliance period and requiring a decarbonization and waste-reduction plan. Spokane city officials, labor, environmental groups, and Ecology generally supported the bill as a balanced approach that protects ratepayers while allowing the facility to decarbonize, though Avista raised a concern about language implying a utility compliance obligation. After that, the committee resumed testimony on House Bill 1170, which requires large AI providers to offer provenance tools and disclosures for AI-generated or altered images, video, and audio. Supporters said the bill would help workers and consumers identify synthetic media and prevent impersonation and misinformation, while industry and civil liberties witnesses argued the bill is technically difficult, uses new definitions, and may be unworkable or premature compared with California’s evolving approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olsen votes no on the amendment for House File 1. Olsen votes no. West. West votes no.
• This is an easy vote no. It's a moral vote no.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. House File 1: Olsen votes yes.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. 2. Olsen votes no.
• Of the member participating remotely? Olsen. House File 3: Olsen votes no. Olsen votes no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Berry votes aye. Fawsey, aye. Representative Fawsey votes aye. Scott votes aye.
• Representative Scott votes aye. Schmidt votes aye. Representative Schmidt votes aye.
• Representative Obras votes aye. Representative Ortiz-Self votes aye.
• Representative Berry votes aye. Fawcy, aye. Representative Fossi votes aye. Scott votes aye.
• Ortiz-Self votes aye. Representative Ortiz-Self votes aye.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several labor-related bills. SB 6197 would change plumbing license suspension rules from three infractions in three years to five infractions in five years, remove the advisory board recommendation requirement, and require L&I enforcement updates; the sponsor said the bill was narrowed after stakeholder talks, though one transition-timing issue remained unresolved. SB 6134 would require the Employment Security Department to notify striking workers applying for unemployment benefits that they may later owe overpayments if they receive retroactive wages; the sponsor and a testifier said the bill would prevent workers from being paid twice. SB 5292 would replace the PFML program’s statutory look-back premium formula with a forward-looking actuarial method while keeping the 1.2% cap and adding a four-month reserve requirement; labor, business, and policy witnesses offered support or concerns about the reserve. SB 6106 would exempt tribes and tribally owned businesses from the state WARN-style notice law and protect affected workers’ names and addresses from public disclosure; ESD and business groups supported it, while agricultural witnesses asked for a future fix for seasonal agriculture. The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. It adopted amendments to ESSB 5847, which expands access to medical care in workers’ compensation, including allowing certain outside-network providers and authorizing additional claims managers; the bill was reported out 7-2 as amended. SSB 6014, a cleanup bill correcting a date typo and protecting sensitive L&I records from public disclosure, passed unanimously. SSB 6039, allowing L&I to use electronic communications while offering a non-electronic option first, also passed unanimously. ESSB 6058, giving L&I discretion to prioritize wage complaints, was amended to align with the House companion and then passed unanimously. SB 6136, requiring publication of actuarially indicated workers’ compensation rates and disclosure when rates are set below them, passed unanimously. On SB 6188, which would expand L&I’s asbestos-certification rulemaking authority, the committee rejected an amendment that would have restored current-law limits and instead passed the bill without amendment. Members supporting the bill said it would let Washington strengthen asbestos protections if federal standards weaken, while opponents argued it could create conflicting requirements and unnecessary regulatory expansion. The bill was reported out 6-3. The committee adjourned after announcing the votes and noting it would reconvene the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Rude votes aye. Representative Keaton votes aye. Representative Bergquist votes aye.
• Representative Callan votes aye. Representative Chase votes aye. Representative Couture votes aye.
• Representative Pollet votes aye. Representative Reeves votes aye. Representative Reeves votes aye.
• Representative Rule votes aye. Representative Scott votes aye. Representative Steele votes aye.
• Clyde Shavers votes aye. Skyler Rude votes no, do not pass. Michael Keaton votes no, do not pass.

Bills: HB1662 , HB1683 , HB2534 , HB2557 , HB2594

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, military families, child stability, transitional schooling, support services, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, unhoused

Transcript Highlights:

• Body here, everybody voting, please close cue.
• Please declare the vote. 14 aye, 1 nay.
• Seeing none, please open the queue for a vote. Please declare the vote.
• Seeing none, please open the queue for a vote. Declare the vote.
• Seeing none, please open the queue for a vote. Please declare the vote. 17 ayes, 0 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I urge your I vote today.
• Please vote no. Next. Safety purpose. Please vote no.
• Chair, I ask for an I vote. So with that, Mr. Chair, I ask for an I vote.
• Not voting. Harbidian? Not voting. Lackey? Aye. Lackey? Aye. When? When, not voting. Ramos? No.
• Oh, can we do a vote change on that one now? Okay. Yes, vote change.

Committee: House Public Safety