Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I'm Seth Worley, I'm the Government Affairs Director for UA Plumbers and Steamfitters
• For the record, I'm Seth Worley, I'm the Government Affairs Director for UA, Plumbers and Steamfielders
• Losey for the record, and I'm here on behalf of the Port of Benton and the Director of Government Affairs
• sister, a wife, an involved community member, a lover of the outdoors, and a member of the Chinook Indian

Bills: SB5816 , SB5971

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, green fertilizer, low-carbon, sustainability, incentive program

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw a slight increase in the number of teachers of color and American Indian teachers.
• But there's a significant gap because our students of color and American Indian students continue to
• </c> of teachers of color and American Indian of teachers of color and American Indian teachers.<00:13
• our students of color and American Indian students.
• </c> of color and American Indian students. of color and American Indian students.

Bills: HF3635 , HF3638

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Primarily the Indian Water Rights settlements, $35 million, was not recommended by the LFC.
• And continued investment in Indian water rights settlements, as we've made tremendous progress at the
• Chair, members of the committee, this is the Indian Water Rights settlements that we'll go over.
• The need for recurring funding: we've been very generous with Indian Water Rights settlement funding,
• Federal funding as part of the effort to move the Indian water rights settlements.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• blood to SNAP, from nothing about us without us, to the sacred government-to-government work with Indian
• Nothing in this act is intended to supersede any provisions of the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act
• Nothing in this act is intended to supersede any provisions of the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act
• And the Indian Child Welfare Act has its own system of support and sets for child welfare.
• Oh, B5 is the amendment that adds just the statement around ICWA, the Indian Child Welfare Act, that

Bills: SB6062 , SB6080 , SB6184 , SB6224 , SB6255 , SB6286 , SB6308 , SB6319 , SB5977 , SB5979 , SB6249 , SGA9299

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, contracts, jails, federal custody, municipal agreements, incarceration, law enforcement, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, behavioral health, children, support services, poverty reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• blood to SNAP, from nothing about us without us to the sacred government-to-government work with Indian
• Nothing in this act is intended to supersede any provisions of the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act
• The Indian Child Welfare Act has its own system of support and sets for child welfare.
• Nothing in this act is intended to supersede any provisions of the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act
• Oh, B5 is the amendment that adds just the statement around ICWA, the Indian Child Welfare Act, that

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee first held a public hearing on the gubernatorial appointment of Angela Ramirez to serve as Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. Ramirez described her background in public service and said her priorities would include improving technology, addressing workforce shortages, strengthening relationships with labor, tribes, and community organizations, and protecting DSHS programs and clients during uncertain budget and federal conditions. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck also spoke in support of her confirmation, and members raised questions about needed improvements at DSHS. The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. On SB 6062, dealing with juvenile rehabilitation, midpoint reviews, bed capacity, and transfers between DCYF and DOC facilities, all six proposed Christian amendments failed and the committee advanced the Wilson substitute to Ways and Means. On SB 6308, concerning shelter care conditions for children under five in dependency cases, the committee rejected four Christian amendments and adopted a Wilson amendment clarifying that the bill does not supersede the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act; the bill then advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6319, addressing community-based referrals for high-risk families with children under four and parental opioid use, the committee rejected three Christian amendments and adopted a technical Wilson amendment; the substitute then advanced to Ways and Means. The committee also considered SB 6286, which would authorize Department of Health inspections of private detention facilities and create a repair account funded by fines for inspection violations. All Christian amendments and one Warnick amendment failed, and the proposed substitute was advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6080, regarding contracts and conditions for jails holding people in federal custody, all Christian amendments failed and the substitute was advanced to Rules. Finally, on SB 6184, an agency-request bill making technical and program updates, the committee adopted the bill with one amendment and sent it forward subject to signatures. The committee recessed partway through the agenda, returned to vote on the first six bills, and announced that remaining bills and the gubernatorial appointment would be taken up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• trauma-informed community-based and health-based interventions with the goal of diverting American Indian
• The authorizing statute required BSC to prioritize programs that address the needs of Indian children
• According to BSC, these working groups included subject matter experts on American Indian populations
• grants through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Coyote Band of Pomo Indians
• Southern California, but there are in Northern California to provide that identity of who we are as Indian

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety heard several items focused on youth safety and law enforcement resources. The committee first took up tribal youth diversion programs, with the Legislative Analyst’s Office describing the Tribal Youth Diversion Grant Program and its two cohorts of grantees funded through the Board of State and Community Corrections. Tribal representatives from the Yurok Tribe and San Pasqual Band of Indians testified that diversion, tribal courts, school partnerships, mentoring, and culturally grounded services helped reduce truancy and justice-system involvement, but that short-term funding interruptions and limited capacity prevented them from serving all youth in need. Committee members discussed the importance of early intervention, tribal-state court collaboration, and possible misidentification of Native youth in the justice system. The committee then heard the California Highway Patrol’s overview of surge operations supporting local crime suppression, including organized retail theft. CHP reported that its surge teams have been used in response to mutual aid requests and cited arrests, stolen vehicle recoveries, and firearm seizures in Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino. Members asked about demand for these operations and whether CHP could meet requests without affecting other duties; CHP said requests have increased and are accepted when resources allow. The committee also heard CHP’s request for a $5 million General Fund augmentation and 12 positions for its Computer Crimes Investigation Unit to make child sexual abuse material and human trafficking investigations a higher priority. CHP cited rising cybertip volumes, a case involving AI-generated CSAM, and the need for more investigators and forensic capacity. A larger portion of the hearing focused on the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and a separate $5 million ongoing General Fund proposal for Cal OES to continue the program. Task force commanders from Sacramento, San Diego, Silicon Valley, and Fresno described rapidly growing cybertip volumes, heavy caseloads, forensic backlogs, and the need for training and equipment for affiliate agencies statewide. They emphasized that the ICAC model relies on local partnerships, deconfliction, and subject-matter expertise to identify victims, execute warrants, and rescue children, and they gave examples of cases that led to arrests and child rescues. Members generally supported the work but raised questions about overlap between CHP and ICAC efforts, the need for broader statewide collaboration, and whether more resources should be directed to task forces and victim services. A public commenter also urged expansion of homeless youth exploitation services and the California Youth Crisis Line.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Alaskan natives and California Indians, Alaskan natives and California Indians<00:15:57.759><c> would
• </c><00:15:59.519><c> Um</c><00:15:59.920><c> parents</c> Indians would be excluded.
• Um parents Indians would be excluded.
• Indian or Alaskan<00:17:28.720><c> natives.
• </c> American Indians and Alaska natives. American Indians and Alaska natives.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1336 as amended by the State Affairs Committee.
• Hearing none, House Bill 888 will be returned to the State Affairs Committee.
• Hearing none, House Bill 888 will be returned to the State Affairs Committee.
• It was used by settlers, miners, ranchers, and also Indians.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 125 will be returned to the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1475 will designate the interchange of I-35 and Indian Hills Road to be known as the Toby
• “Senate Bill 1475 will designate the interchange of I-35 and Indian Hills Road to be known as the Toby
• This is for the interchange, I-35 and Indian Hills Road, so that is on ODOT property.
• This is the interchange, I-35 and Indian Hills Road.” “Further questions on the bill.”

Bills: SB1966 , SB175 , SB1475 , SB1950 , SB2049 , SB2052

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Summary: The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee met during deadline week and heard several Senate bills. Senate Bill 1966, naming a bridge after Clyde and Grace Cook, was briefly explained by Senator Bullard and advanced unanimously. Senate Bill 1475, designating the I-35 and Indian Hills Road interchange as the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange, also advanced after members confirmed the family’s support and clarified it was separate from a prior turnpike naming resolution. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 175, which creates an uninsured commercial vehicle recovery reimbursement fund to pay wreckers for cleaning up abandoned uninsured commercial vehicles. Members questioned the use of existing fee revenue, possible overlap with prior weigh station funding, and the $10,000 per-vehicle cap. Despite concerns, the bill advanced on an 8-3 vote. Senate Bill 1950, as amended, would prohibit using ADS-B aircraft tracking data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators; the author said the goal was to preserve state registration revenue while preventing private third parties from using the data for fee collection. The bill advanced unanimously. Senate Bill 2049, as amended, would require the Transportation Commission rather than staff or the Attorney General to approve the decision to call a contractor’s bond on ODOT projects. Supporters said it adds oversight and protects staff, while opponents argued it is unnecessary and could delay action; it advanced 10-1. Senate Bill 2052 would update DPS commercial motor vehicle enforcement provisions, increase fines, and route appeals through the administrative process and then district court; members discussed fine levels, appeals, and related weigh station funding. It advanced 9-2, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• that uses nuclear, is we've allowed them to store it at Prairie Island, where the Prairie Island Indian
• at Prairie Island where the Prairie it at Prairie Island where the Prairie Island<00:04:30.280><c> Indian
• c> Community</c><00:04:31.160><c> is</c><00:04:31.320><c> now</c><00:04:31.560><c> the</c> Island Indian
• Community is now the Island Indian Community is now the closest<00:04:32.720><c> community</c><00:04

Transcript Highlights:

• THE SENATORS TO ENGAGE AS WELL BUT FIRST I WANT TO SAY FOR SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN PINELLAS COUNTY AND INDIAN
• ALWAYS SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO GO FIRST AND ALWAYS SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO GO LAST I CAN TELL YOU INDIAN
• 35 DUMP TRUCKS ON GULF BOULEVARD THAT WERE BROUGHT FROM LOUISIANA BY THE LEADERSHIP OF MY MAYOR IN INDIAN
• CONNECTION WITH WITH THE COLLEGE, SOMEBODY, THEY KNEW A BUSINESS OWNER AND DEPLOYED THESE DUMP TRUCKS TO INDIAN

Transcript Highlights:

• of us today, members, is kind of the result of some work and collaboration with the Prairie Island Indian
• Blake Johnson from the Prairie Island Indian Community, if you want to come to the testifier table and
• I'm the government relations representative for the Prairie Island Indian Community.
• Indian Community they have a long Indian Community they have a long history<00:20:39.799><c> with</c>
• Community continues to Island Indian Community continues to have<00:33:59.000><c> a</c><00:33:59.159

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ICE had picked up three homeless American Indians, Native Americans.
• </c><02:35:28.560><c> They</c> American Indians, Native Americans.
• They American Indians, Native Americans.
• Leader on House Business Affairs rep.
• :32:19.439><c> Labor</c><04:32:20.080><c> on</c> House Business Affairs and Labor on House Business Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee will come to order.
• owned by the tribal governments of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes of the Wind River Indian
• northern Arapjo tribes of the Wind and northern Arapjo tribes of the Wind River<00:05:20.639><c> Indian
• Reservation</c><00:05:21.680><c> to</c><00:05:22.080><c> that</c><00:05:22.400><c> statute</c> River Indian
• Reservation to that statute River Indian Reservation to that statute in<00:05:23.440><c> this</c><00

Bills: HB0026 , HB0042 , HB0067 , HB0069

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 474, a bill to be entitled an act relating to military affairs.
• Senate Bill 474 revises provisions of the Florida law relating to the Department of Military Affairs.
• Senate Bill 474 revises provisions of Florida law relating to the Department of Military Affairs.
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 474, a bill to be entitled an act relating to military affairs.
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 50, a bill to be entitled an act relating to Veterans Affairs.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged. The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 474, a bill to be entitled an act relating to military affairs.
• Senate Bill 474 revises provisions of the Florida law relating to the Department of Military Affairs.
• It clarifies which positions within the Department of Military Affairs are eligible for senior management
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 474, a bill to be entitled an act relating to military affairs.
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 50, a bill to be entitled and act relating to Veterans Affairs.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several introductions and announcements before moving to a long special-order calendar. Early bills passed included a trust law measure allowing a nonjudicial process for trustee settlement and discharge, a military affairs bill expanding leave protections and retirement eligibility for certain Guard and Coast Guard-related public employees, a penny-rounding bill for cash transactions, a podiatric medicine bill restricting certain cellular/tissue-based products and adding notice and consent requirements, a veterans’ courts bill expanding access to those courts statewide, an RV assessment clarification bill, a military-installation jurisdiction bill giving juveniles on bases access to state juvenile justice resources, an alcohol-tax deduction bill restoring DBPR’s authority to allow deductions for unsellable alcohol, a bail bonds bill revising training, fees, remission timing, and electronic procedures, an eyewear insurance bill updating definitions for modern products, a nursing education fund bill expanding support to health science programs, a recovery residences bill streamlining regulation and background-check rules, a felony battery bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, a child welfare bill extending visitor definitions, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices repository, and a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and, via the House version, adding a name-change disclosure provision. Most of these bills were substituted with House companions where applicable and passed on near-unanimous votes, with one recorded dissent on the bail bonds bill. Several measures drew brief debate or explanation. Senator Wright’s military affairs bill was amended to restore two Florida National Guard special project officer positions to retirement eligibility, and Senator Gates’ veterans’ courts bill was described as a way to better address PTSD, brain injury, and substance-abuse-related offenses through problem-solving courts. Senator Trunow’s bail bonds bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor saying the current statute would remain in place and that further discussion could occur later. Senator Massullo’s podiatric medicine bill was framed as a bipartisan patient-protection measure, and Senator Leak’s felony battery bill was presented as closing a loophole that allowed repeat violent offenders to avoid enhancement. The chamber also took up a candidate qualification bill that would create an enforceable party-affiliation requirement and, in the House version, restrict recent petition-based name changes for candidates. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell ceremony for Senator Lori Berman, with family, staff, former colleagues, and guests in attendance. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, Everglades restoration, and other constituent services. Berman’s own remarks reflected on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, and her belief in dignity, respect, and practical problem-solving. The Senate then adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 58, Wyoming Indian Child Welfare Act sunset repeal.
• Senate File 58, Indian Welfare, funding.
• Senate File 58, Indian Welfare, Indian<00:25:51.760><c> Wyoming</c><00:25:52.320><c> Indian</c><00:25
• :52.720><c> Child</c><00:25:53.120><c> Welfare</c><00:25:53.600><c> Act</c> Indian Wyoming Indian Child
• Welfare Act Indian Wyoming Indian Child Welfare Act Sunset<00:25:54.480><c> Repeal,</c><00:25:55.279

Transcript Highlights:

• Chief Wantagh was actually the Grand Sachem of the Montaukett Indians and in 1657 signed the land compact
• Chief Wantau was actually the Grand Statement of the Montaukid Indians and in 1657 signed the land compact
• The district has already agreed to remove the mascot, the Indian head mascot, but is asked to be able

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met on May 5, 2026, and considered a series of bills, several of them brought up through motions for committee consideration. Chair Shelley Mayer said she would allow brief remarks but stated her opposition to those motioned bills, emphasizing her general practice of giving minority members’ bills consideration. The committee first took up S-16 (Jacob’s Law, on bullying and related school safety issues), which was moved out of committee on a majority vote, with Senators Jackson and Bynoe recorded without recommendation. The committee then debated S-717, a local bill by Senator Rose to exempt the Wantagh Union Free School District from the state’s indigenous mascots/logos restrictions. Senator Rose argued Wantagh’s mascot and name are tied to local history and not intended to denigrate anyone. The bill was moved, but the committee vote was not favorable enough to advance it, and it was referred onward to the Investigations Committee. S-4496, Senator White’s bill to protect women’s sports from what supporters described as unfair competition by biological males, drew strong support from the sponsor and strong opposition from Chair Mayer, who said she opposed it as mean-spirited and unnecessary; the bill did not advance. The committee also considered several school bus and transportation bills. S-4748, by Senator Borrello, would repeal the electric school bus mandate and replace it with a feasibility study; he cited safety, cost, and operational problems with early adopters. S-8847, by Senator White, similarly sought to remove electric bus mandates and leave decisions to local districts, and S-9667, by Senator Ryan, would delay the zero-emission school bus mandate by five years. The committee advanced some of these measures to other committees or the floor, while others did not move. In addition, the committee approved S-7788 on special education reserve funds, S-8288A on reasonable rates for public school room use, S-8368 on records retention for Education Department proceedings, S-8370 on temporary resident placement of children with disabilities, S-8370 on release of student records to juvenile detention facilities, and S-1049 on updating the Dignity for All Students Act’s cyberbullying definition to include AI-related harassment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just renaming the I-35 Indian Hills Road interchange to Toby Keith Memorial Interchange.
• This is just renaming the I-35 Indian Hills Road interchange to Toby Keith Memorial Interchange.
• I mean, I'd drive them Indian Nation twice a week, but still... ...and will they ever get put back in

Bills: SB1475 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1531 , SB80

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee considered several naming and transportation-related bills. Senate Bill 1475 renamed the I-35 Indian Hills Road interchange as the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange, and House Bill 1996 was the Senate’s Memorial Bridge naming bill; both passed without substantive opposition. Senate Bill 2049 required the Department of Transportation to notify the Transportation Commission before disapproving or making a surety claim against a contractor, with supporters describing it as an accountability and transparency measure; it passed after some questions about its purpose and sponsor. The committee also approved Senate Bill 1531, a cleanup measure related to the Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics’ role in unmanned aerial systems and advanced air mobility, in anticipation of possible FAA rulemaking. The most extensive discussion centered on Senate Bill 80, a turnpike bill that updates statutory language, removes some unused or unbuilt route locations from statute, and codifies more formal communication with landowners, communities, and legislators. Members raised concerns about removing routes, the five-year design deadline for reauthorization, and whether the bill could slow future turnpike projects; OTA Executive Director Joe E. Kelly testified that the changes were based on updated infrastructure studies, that the five-year requirement only needed design to begin, and that the notification process would include mailers and digital posting. Senate Bill 80 passed after debate, and the committee adjourned, noting it was the final meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is drawn from the Indian Child Welfare Act, the gold standard of child welfare practice.
• It is also the same definition that we currently use and have used in this state for ICWA, our Indian
• And because those directly affect cases that will involve Indian children, we need tribal consultation
• And because those directly affect cases that will involve Indian children, we need tribal consultation
• And because those directly affect cases that will involve Indian children, we need tribal consultation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2511, which would define “imminent physical harm” in the child welfare context as a substantial risk of serious harm arising from home conditions, caregiver conduct, neglect, substance abuse, unsafe environments, or other circumstances likely to cause significant injury. Representative Tom Dent, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to give caseworkers clearer tools to protect children while still recognizing the importance of keeping families together. Supporters, including some foster parents, kinship caregivers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience, argued that the current standard is too vague and has contributed to child fatalities and near-fatalities, especially in cases involving fentanyl exposure, chronic neglect, and abuse. They said clearer language would help courts and caseworkers intervene earlier and more consistently. Opponents, including legal aid, public defense, and child welfare policy groups, argued the bill is legally problematic, could conflict with existing statutes and ICWA-informed language, and would not address root causes such as service gaps, training, and inconsistent implementation. DCYF testified “other,” saying the bill could add clarity but that the language needed refinement; the sponsor said he was open to working on changes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2660, which would allow courts at shelter care hearings to order parents of children under age five to comply with safety-related conditions, evaluations, or services when the child is returned home, with referrals required within seven days and participation not treated as an admission of abuse or neglect. The sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is aimed at critical incidents and would give caseworkers and courts more ability to require safeguards for very young children when families are not voluntarily engaging in services. DCYF and the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds supported the bill, saying it could help prevent tragedies by allowing earlier court-ordered services and safety conditions. Some advocates and parents also supported it, describing cases where removal or court intervention helped protect children. Opponents, including public defense and some family-support organizations, raised constitutional and due process concerns, argued that services are not the same as immediate safety, and warned the bill could shift problems without fixing underlying service shortages. The sponsor and DCYF discussed the need for follow-up on language and implementation, but no committee action or vote was taken in the hearing.