Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow pharmacists to start or continue buprenorphine for our most vulnerable patients who need
• I see adult patients at the University of Minnesota.
• It's easier to assess the short-term cost savings in adults because they have more costly events.
• Chair, I would like a roll call on this bill. to an adult or to a senior where we to an adult or to a
• Thank you for the are most vulnerable.

Bills: HF4493 , HF3133 , HF4595 , HF4143 , HF4142 , HF3756 , HF4289 , HF1724 , HF2291 , HF4568 , HF4547

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:58:32.319><c> Um</c><00:58:32.559><c> so,</c> family support, adult protection.
• Um so, family support, adult protection.
• </c><01:00:00.640><c> and</c> specifically the Bureau of Adult and specifically the Bureau of Adult and
• investigations, our most vulnerable children that are coming to our attention for investigation.
• investigations, our most uh, vulnerable investigations, our most vulnerable<01:26:19.280><c> children

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, 15 to 17-year-olds are also, you know, in a lot of ways precariously positioned and vulnerable
• , you know, 15 to 17-year-olds are also, you know, in a lot of ways precariously positioned and vulnerable
• </c><00:02:04.159><c> I</c><00:02:04.320><c> was</c> vulnerable um to grooming as well.
• I was vulnerable um to grooming as well.
• ,</c> neglect of a child or older adult, neglect of a child or older adult, criminal<00:25:09.679><c>

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• adults.
• adults.
• I live on the streets with my three adult children right now, two of whom have major disabilities, and
• So they cannot get employed, and they want to be working adults in our society.
• The revenue from this tax is not even guaranteed to go to help the vulnerable with health care or the

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2140 would exempt land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax when removed from open space classification in certain circumstances. Staff explained the current use property tax system and said the bill would likely have minimal but indeterminate revenue effects, with about $30,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Representative Lowe said the bill was intended to fix a niche problem where a farmer loses a small frontage strip to a county and is then charged back taxes despite no change in land use. FutureWise testified in support of the bill’s intent but asked for small language changes to ensure transferred land remains compatible with agricultural or open space use. The public hearing on HB 2140 was then closed. HB 2326 would allow a fire protection district that is partially overlapped by another district’s EMS levy to impose its own levy on the portion not already covered, subject to voter approval in the affected area. Staff said the bill would have no state general fund impact and about $28,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Fire district and fire chief representatives testified in support, describing situations in Clark County and Kittitas County where most residents cannot vote on an EMS levy because a small overlapping area already has one. Opponents, including Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill would add to property tax burdens. The hearing on HB 2326 then closed. HB 2334 would require rounding of cash transactions to the nearest five cents as pennies are phased out of circulation, while leaving non-cash payments unchanged. Staff said the bill would apply to the final total after taxes and fees, with an indeterminate but minimal state revenue impact and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The prime sponsor said the bill was needed because the federal government ended penny production without giving states guidance. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the concept but requested amendments for clarity, consumer protection, SNAP compliance, and flexibility while pennies remain in circulation; one witness opposed the bill as another tax burden. The hearing on HB 2334 was then closed. The committee then heard HB 2100, a proposed statewide payroll expense tax on large operating companies to fund a new Well Washington Fund for higher education, health care, cash assistance, energy, and housing. Staff said the proposed substitute would apply to employers with at least 250 employees and $7 million in annual payroll, exclude certain public and health care entities, and generate substantial revenue, with the fiscal note estimating about $7.6 billion to the general fund and $4.2 billion to the new fund in the 2027–29 biennium under the revised threshold. Supporters, including poverty, housing, labor, education, disability, and faith advocates, said the bill would help offset federal cuts and protect vulnerable residents. Business, retail, hospitality, construction, and technology groups opposed it, warning of job losses, higher costs, reduced competitiveness, and broader impacts on consumers and employers. The prime sponsor said the bill was a response to federal divestment and that the state needed a progressive revenue source now; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 379 authorizes felony punishment for solicitation of any minor by an adult more than three years older
• This Bill increases penalties for adults who knowingly solicit minors, especially when there's intimidation
• by removing the 2026 sunsets in two areas: one that allows pharmacies to sell sterile syringes to adults
• Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Due in large part...
• Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat due in large part to the fact that many park

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long Daily File with several major policy bills and multiple commemorative resolutions. The most debated measure was AB 379 on human trafficking and child exploitation. The bill was presented as a stronger, more comprehensive version that increases penalties for adults soliciting minors, adds a loitering offense tied to purchasing commercial sex, raises fines for businesses that facilitate trafficking, creates a Survivor Support Fund, and establishes grants for victim services and vertical prosecution. Several members spoke in support, while Assemblymember Sharp-Collins raised concerns that the loitering provision could be vague and disproportionately enforced against Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ people. The bill passed after debate, with the clerk reporting 72 noes and the measure still passing. The Assembly also passed AB 1415, which expands the Office of Health Care Affordability’s authority to review more health systems, private equity and hedge fund acquisitions, and managed service organizations in order to better track cost drivers and medical debt. Other policy bills approved included AB 711 on coordinating court reporters for motion hearings, AB 1142 on horse event entry fees, AB 309 on preserving access to sterile syringes for HIV and hepatitis prevention, AB 358 on allowing victims to consent to searches of hidden surveillance devices like AirTags and spy cameras, AB 592 on outdoor dining for restaurants, AB 1341 on clarifying contractor licensing violations, AB 752 on easing child care center siting, AB 1166 on extending debt-settlement rules to commercial financing, AB 806 on mobile home resident cooling rights, AB 972 on explicit sex discrimination protections in higher education, AB 416 on emergency room 5150 authority, AB 632 on expedited collection of penalties for serious local code violations, AB 672 on PERB notification and intervention rights, AB 876 on CRNA scope of practice, and AB 760 on temporary mobile home housing after disasters. Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though AB 672 drew sharp opposition from Assemblymember DeMaio over concerns about PERB and state bureaucracy. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing May observances and public service groups. These included ACR 63 designating May as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month, ACR 69 for California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month, ACR 76 for California Small Business Month, ACR 77 for Drowning Awareness and Prevention Month, HR 36 for Lung Cancer Action Week, HR 39 for National Public Works Week, and HR 41 for National Hospital Week. Members used the resolutions to highlight local institutions, public health, and community services, and each was adopted after co-author rolls and voice votes. The session ended after the Assembly completed the day’s file and moved through a series of routine procedural motions and adjournment-related business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Older adults deserve to live in safe, welcoming environments free from crime and disruption.
• This opens the door for improved standards and stronger safeguards for older adults, and AARP is grateful
• As stated before, many older adults who are not born in the United States or not born in a hospital do
• With the advent of the REAL ID requirement coming into play, older adults who aren't able to get a birth
• As a result, every staff member, from accountants to janitors to ER nurses, is vulnerable to vaccine

Bills: SB227 , SB269 , SB407 , SB463 , SB527 , SB547 , SB1283 , SB1380 , SB1383 , SB1511 , SB1640 , SB1784 , SB2069

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We must also address how this poison gets into the hands of the most vulnerable people in America, our
• How much fentanyl does it take to kill an adult human being?
• Number one, how do you monitor an adult?
• Many of these pills can kill four adults. That is what is out there lurking for our children.
• Recognizing the extent of the damage inflicted on our nation and our vulnerable populations from this

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• , vulnerable adults.
• item which is Strengthening Services for Adult Protective Services.
• The majority of who we've served so far is adults.
• And like I said, the majority is adults, but it is open to children. So both children and adults.
• And I can get you the adults.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• know, we—I know a number of you have been involved in some really challenging cases with youth and adults
• I want to protect the most vulnerable people first. I want to triage what we do.
• disability services and youth and adult behavioral health services.
• Typically, right, so those in the traditional, the traditional adult populations, adults with intellectual
• So there are some adults that may transition there, or adults who have physical disabilities, but I think

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• He developed aggressive behaviors because that's what happens when adults paid to protect a child hurt
• It is difficult to find providers, especially for our most vulnerable, those like my son who are both
• We've got to fix this adult education cut to our community colleges.
• Why on earth are we cutting adult education in our community colleges?
• In general, I know people have questions about that, and also the adult education when it comes to job

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is to provide coverage for approximately 2,200 adults, and it identifies that those Rates are for
• I respectfully ask you to support House Bill 2034 so that kids like me and adults across Missouri do
• I respectfully ask you to support House Bill 2034 so that kids like me and adults across Missouri do
• So under the category of other vulnerable persons, could you give me a few examples?
• I'm, when it comes to the term, and other vulnerable persons, could you give me some examples?

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• That is to provide coverage for approximately 2,200 adults, and it identifies that those rates are for
• I respectfully ask you to support House Bill 2034 so that kids like me and adults across Missouri do
• And the safety of individuals who serve our communities and those who are uniquely vulnerable.
• So under the category of other vulnerable persons, could you give me a few examples?
• When it comes to the term and other vulnerable persons, could you give me some examples?

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and advanced several bills. HB 1881 was voted do pass without discussion. HB 3010 was amended with a committee substitute that removed a subsection allowing payers to remove “gold carding” based on procedure volume changes, then passed 10-0. HB 2355, the “Food is Medicine” bill, received a committee amendment to align terminology with other partnerships and then passed 11-0. HB 1855, dealing with alpha-gal reporting, was substantially revised: the substitute narrowed the bill to alpha-gal, removed Lyme disease, changed a department duty from mandatory to discretionary in one section, and delayed reporting implementation; it then passed 14-0 after members discussed the need for better disease tracking and the department’s workload. The committee then heard testimony on HB 2034, which would require insurance coverage for activity-based prostheses, orthotics, and high-performance or mobility-supportive wheelchairs. Sponsor Representative Carolyn Caton said the bill is intended to cover devices that help people live, exercise, and avoid secondary health problems, while preserving prior authorization and medical-necessity review. Supporters included clinicians, parents, amputees, and athletes who described being denied running blades, water-safe prostheses, or durable wheelchairs and said the devices are essential for health, independence, mental well-being, and participation in school, work, and sports. Several witnesses said the bill would reduce long-term costs and reliance on charity. Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and America’s Health Insurance Plans, argued the bill is an expansion of coverage with unclear definitions and potentially significant costs, especially for Medicaid and other state-regulated plans. They cited the fiscal note, warned about possible federal ACA rule changes that could shift costs to states, and questioned whether the bill’s language on Medicare supplemental coverage and “perceived disability” was workable or preempted. Committee members pressed both sides on cost savings, definitions of “normal” activity, and whether the bill could be narrowed or otherwise revised, and several said they were willing to keep working on the issue. The hearing on HB 2034 was left open and then recessed after testimony, with no vote taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate bill creates new offenses related to the legal entry and reentry of adult unauthorized...
• creates new offense criminal offenses related to the legal entry and reentry of adult unauthorized aliens
• Likewise, teachers mold... ...and provide hope to the most vulnerable.
• Likewise, teachers mold. and provide hope to the most vulnerable.
• Thank you. ...calls me to fight and advocate for the most vulnerable.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and adoption of the special order report for the day. The chamber then moved into a special-order agenda focused almost entirely on immigration-related measures, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. The memorial was adopted 85-27 after brief debate, with supporters arguing Florida should help maximize federal immigration enforcement and opponents saying Congress, not the state, should fix immigration policy. The House next took up Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses for illegal entry and reentry by adult unauthorized aliens and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members debated constitutional concerns, due process, racial profiling, fiscal impacts, and whether the bill intruded on federal immigration authority. Several amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to extend protections to Venezuelans with TPS, to remove the mandatory death penalty, to protect certain long-term immigrant workers and teachers, to expand exemptions for Haitians and humanitarian parole recipients, and to create a task force on best practices for immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive locations. A final amendment to strip the bill as unconstitutional was also rejected. The bill then passed 85-29. The final measure discussed was Senate Bill 2C, which creates a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establishes grants and incentive bonuses for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, repeals the fee waiver for undocumented students beginning July 1, 2025, and appropriates more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as a broad enforcement package, while questions from members focused on the impact on current students who receive in-state tuition and whether the bill would remove incentives for those already enrolled. The transcript ends during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• prevention and education as core public health strategies to protect some of Washington's most vulnerable
• by a pro se defendant of an adult has not been addressed in any case that I could find, and to do so
• pro se defendant with a court-appointed representative when questioning not only child witnesses but adult
• And on the other side of it, the adults, today adults who had this procedure done as kids don't know
• when you're face to face with your abuser, trauma is increased, and that goes both for children and adults

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on criminal justice and victim-related bills. SB 6087 would expand existing liability protections for donations of children’s items to include religious organizations and add strollers and car seats to the definition of children’s items; the sponsor said it would make it easier to donate usable baby equipment, and the Washington State Board of Health said it supported the goal but noted rulemaking and funding concerns under the original version. SB 5934 would change the standard for post-conviction DNA testing so courts must grant testing unless the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the results could not demonstrate a likelihood of innocence; the Innocence Project and a DNA exoneree supported it as a way to reduce years of litigation, while prosecutors and sheriffs/police chiefs opposed it as a burden shift that could increase frivolous motions and strain lab and attorney resources. SB 5520 would revise Washington’s wrongful-conviction compensation law by broadening definitions, extending filing deadlines, removing the waiver requirement, and making other process changes; the sponsor and Innocence Project said it would reduce barriers and better fulfill the state’s promise to exonerees, and a DNA exoneree described years of litigation just to access compensation. The committee also heard SB 6017, which would expand victim-centered and trauma-informed protections. The bill would allow a court to appoint a representative to ask questions of victims when a defendant represents themself, extend forensic exam consent to minors 13 and older in non-fatal strangulation cases, add female genital mutilation survivors to protections similar to the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, and reauthorize and broaden the Safe Advisory Group’s mandate. Survivors, advocates, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy strongly supported the bill, describing courtroom questioning by self-represented defendants as retraumatizing and urging broader access to services for FGM survivors; defense advocates raised constitutional concerns about limiting a pro se defendant’s right to personally question witnesses and said the bill could be vulnerable to challenge without narrower guardrails. The hearing drew extensive survivor testimony, and the chair noted 108 people signed in support and one opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 5890, which would create an alternative reckless-driving offense for driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The sponsor, a former firefighter, framed the bill as an accountability measure aimed at preventing severe crashes caused by extreme speeding. A committee member asked about officer discretion in emergencies, and the sponsor said the bill targets excessive speed while acknowledging that some situations may still be problematic. A preliminary fiscal note had been received.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide Emergency Welfare Services, SNAP, TANF, Child Support, Child Care, Adult Protective Services
• The Adult Protective Service program is a program that we have administered for a very long time.
• We investigate reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.
• This often includes the Adult Protective Services cases that DHR is working on.
• As you can see, we do serve the most vulnerable populations in the... ...the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adult shelters did not support my unique needs as a foster youth and caused additional trauma.
• I've also been at risk of homelessness again in my later adult years with my young daughter.
• I think you really understand what is going on, and these are very vulnerable residents. Going on.
• And these are very vulnerable residents.
• So we just urge that the Senate continue to focus on this vulnerable population. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with adults who they wish to speak with. with adults who they wish to speak with.
• </c><01:33:13.440><c> The</c> safe adults in their lives. The safe adults in their lives.
• </c> the the appropriate trusted adults the the appropriate trusted adults should<01:40:26.000><c> be
• or one trusted adult.
• or one trusted Hampshire one safe adult or one trusted adult.<02:16:01.440><c> Could</c><02:16:01.679

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I was so scared coming to the Capitol as a teen by myself. ...I'm going to be vulnerable to a room of
• grown adults more than twice my age.
• She felt vulnerable and unsafe.
• We will not harm the vulnerable in the name of politics. We will build on justice.
• And make no mistake, the lives of trans youth and adults are what's at stake here.

Bills: HB7 , SB 8 , HB7 , SB 8

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• holds on $7.7 million to prevent fraud and financial exploitation from occurring for seniors and vulnerable
• adults.
• </c><00:07:42.360><c> adults</c><00:07:42.840><c> so</c><00:07:42.960><c> I</c><00:07:43.080><c> just
• </c><00:07:43.199><c> wanted</c> and vulnerable adults so I just wanted and vulnerable adults so I just
• </c><00:34:21.760><c> to</c><00:34:21.919><c> corporate</c> left vulnerable to corporate left vulnerable

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• laws that allow for greater flourishing for our state be passed and greater protection for the vulnerable
• For the vulnerable, for the innocent.
• Latos, the Court of Appeals ruled that a vulnerable adult actually consisted of two very different categories
• To the home of a vulnerable adult, or, translated from legalese, the owner of the residence or a caregiver
• It was brought to me in the criminal court, under Title 13, Section 3623, of vulnerable adult abuse.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a memorial adoption of HCR 2064 honoring former legislator Barbara Leff, which was unanimously adopted and sent to the Senate. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Eladio Pereira, and numerous student and constituent guests in the gallery. After routine desk business and bill referrals, the House moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a long calendar of measures. Several bills were amended and advanced with do pass recommendations. HB 2170 was narrowed to restrict state purchases of certain electronic and information technology from China/Chinese-controlled entities and to address third-party resellers. HB 2375 dealt with middle housing in historic districts, with amendments limiting demolition of historic structures unless necessary for health and safety and preserving local discretion. HB 2380 focused on school district transparency and meeting location rules, requiring governing board materials online and keeping meetings within district boundaries, with debate over local control and comparisons to legislative caucus retreats. HB 2617, HB 2621, and HB 2671 also moved forward after amendments; HB 2621’s discussion centered on certificates of educational convenience and ensuring special education access for children in unorganized territory and DCS placements. The committee also advanced HB 2720 on anti-human trafficking and prostitution-related reforms, including sealed records for sex trafficking survivors and an anti-human trafficking grant fund; HB 2772, allowing a DNR designation on driver’s licenses, prompted extended questions about emergency care and liability; HB 2784, dealing with school district excess cash refunds, was amended to phase in implementation; HB 2902, affirming support for the Electoral College, drew the most ideological debate, with supporters citing constitutional structure and opponents arguing for a national popular vote; and HB 2950, concerning a tourism/hospitality district, saw a failed attempt to make participation voluntary. The House also considered HB 4025, a study bill on the feasibility of building an oil refinery in Arizona, which sparked extensive debate over fuel prices, refinery capacity, environmental impacts, and whether a study was necessary, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.