Transcript Highlights:

• Can you see my screen now? I cannot see your screen. We can see you. I cannot see your screen.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Water Supply During Drought opened its 2025 meeting by electing new leadership. After brief discussion of the committee’s membership and the usual practice of alternating leadership between chambers and parties, members unanimously elected Senator Ron Mazzal as chair and Representative Christine Reeves as vice chair. The outgoing chair, Representative Ybarra, continued presiding for the remainder of the meeting at Senator Mazzal’s request. The committee then heard a presentation from Sage Park of the Rosa Irrigation District on the severe 2025 water year. Park said Rosa is facing very low reservoir levels, declining water supply forecasts, and an earlier-than-planned end to the irrigation season. She described the district’s conservation and drought response measures, including canal shutdowns, pump-backs, leased water, on-farm fallowing and water pooling, emergency well permits, and long-term investments in piping, sealant, drip irrigation, and storage. Park also urged continued emergency drought funding, more efficient state lease funding processes, and support for water releases that benefit fish during drought conditions. Urban Eberhard then presented on the Kittitas Reclamation District and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. He described widespread on-farm conservation, reduced acre allocations, early shutoffs expected in late summer, and ongoing infrastructure work such as piping, lining, telemetry, and the Springwood reservoir project. He emphasized that these projects are intended to improve water delivery, support fish flows, and provide future storage, including possible hydroelectric generation as part of feasibility work. In response to a question, he said the districts are monitoring aquifer impacts from canal lining and are working on managed aquifer recharge to direct conserved water to beneficial groundwater areas. No additional votes or formal actions were taken after the leadership elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• cancer could be dropped from coverage if they're diagnosed with cancer, if they have a suspicious screen
• cancer could be dropped from coverage if they're diagnosed with cancer, if they have a suspicious screen
• federal Affordable Care Act protections that cover things like pre-existing conditions and annual screenings

Summary: The committee heard and acted on six bills. SB 480, by Senator DeSigley, would allow a narrowly tailored nonprofit agricultural organization to offer health coverage to its members, especially farmers and ranchers, outside the Florida Insurance Code; supporters said it would improve affordable access in rural areas, while the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network warned the plans would not have to cover preexisting conditions or comply with ACA protections. An amendment aligning the bill with the statute for nonprofit religious organizations was adopted, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1226, also by Senator DeSigley, would create a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs; it drew no opposition and was reported favorably. SB 988, by Senator Truenow, would revise securities exemption and filing requirements under Florida’s Invest Local exemption law; a strike-all amendment clarifying terms, fingerprinting, and related compliance provisions was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably with the committee substitute. SB 944, by Senator Davis, would correct an omission in the law governing insurance overpayment claims so the 12-month limit applies to psychologists and HMO claims, with an effective date tied to January 1, 2026; the Florida Psychological Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably with committee substitute after an amendment. SB 756, by Senator Burton, would remove the age-8 diagnosis cutoff and age cap for mandated insurance coverage for autism services, update the autism definition to the current DSM, and also repeal age caps for Down syndrome diagnosis; disability advocates and provider groups supported the bill, and it passed as amended. SB 1078, introduced on behalf of Senator McLean, would streamline permitting and inspection procedures for certain fire alarm and sprinkler projects, set deadlines for local agencies, limit extra documentation demands, and restrict enforcement of local ordinances not properly submitted; fire industry representatives supported the compromise amendment, some senators questioned local flexibility and permitting delays, and the bill was reported favorably after the amendment was adopted. The committee also approved a motion allowing staff to make technical and conforming changes and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, looking at all the red on the screen for the previous amendment, and with the questions that

Bills: HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR184, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, HR165, HR166, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, SCR34, SB34, SB43, SB52, SB56, SB165, SB173, SB189, SB190, SB260, SB322, SB345, SB374, SB387, SB401, SB448, SB449, SB455, SB487, SB496, SB502, SB505, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB9, HB192, HB225, HB306, HB310, HB366, HB635, HB911, HB1230, HB1236, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1003, HB1082, HB1113, HB1234

Keywords: neighborhood, crime prevention, security districts, law enforcement, community safety, funding, Counseling Day, mental health, Louisiana Counseling Association, community support, mental wellness, Louisiana State University, athletics, NAIA, sports achievements, recognition, success, competition, education, higher education

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and several personal privileges recognizing guests and special observances, including Junior League Day, Renewable Energy Day, Wholesalers Day, and Sin Law Day. Members also introduced and adopted a number of commemorative resolutions, including condolences, recognitions of schools and community figures, and resolutions related to LSU, ALS Awareness Month, and local festivals. Several Senate and House measures were referred or laid over, and the chamber announced upcoming scheduling changes for House and Senate bills. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 385, which would require certain TOPS scholarship recipients to repay one semester of aid if they fail to meet academic requirements, subject to listed exemptions and an option to avoid repayment by entering certain high-demand career and technical programs. Opponents questioned the bill’s impact on students, its possible constitutional issues, administrative costs, lack of a fiscal note and implementation details, and whether it would worsen brain drain or convert a merit scholarship into a loan. The motion to recommit the bill to Appropriations failed 34-16, but after continued questioning and criticism, the author later moved to return the bill to the calendar, and that was agreed to. The House then passed House Bill 55, which restricts public disclosure of juror information, after adopting an amendment clarifying that juror interviews are still allowed if jurors choose to participate. The chamber also passed House Bill 394 extending the conditional parole programming period from nine months to 24 months, House Bill 396 making autopsy photographs admissible in criminal proceedings, House Bill 406 directing the Department of Education to study whether it should supervise interscholastic high school athletics, House Bill 622 aligning state criminal history record handling with federal requirements, and House Bill 676 creating the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or body brokering, with amendments clarifying lawful marketing arrangements. House Bill 1030, concerning reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation for certain mental health-related services, was taken up with amendments and then temporarily returned to the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, looking at all the red on the screen for the previous amendment, and with the questions that

Bills: HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR184, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, HR165, HR166, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, SCR34, SB34, SB43, SB52, SB56, SB165, SB173, SB189, SB190, SB260, SB322, SB345, SB374, SB387, SB401, SB448, SB449, SB455, SB487, SB496, SB502, SB505, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB9, HB192, HB225, HB306, HB310, HB366, HB635, HB911, HB1230, HB1236, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1003, HB1082, HB1113, HB1234

Keywords: neighborhood, crime prevention, security districts, law enforcement, community safety, funding, Counseling Day, mental health, Louisiana Counseling Association, community support, mental wellness, Louisiana State University, athletics, NAIA, sports achievements, recognition, success, competition, education, higher education

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and several personal privileges recognizing visiting groups and guests, including Junior League members, a Louisiana Renewable Energy Day proclamation, Wholesalers Day, the Louisiana Home Builders Association, and other visitors. Members also adopted or laid over a number of resolutions honoring local events, organizations, and individuals, including condolences resolutions and commemorations such as ALS Awareness Month and Junior League Day. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 385 by Rep. Bamberg, which would require certain TOPS scholarship recipients to repay one semester of aid if they lose eligibility, subject to several exemptions and a possible move into career and technical education. Members raised concerns about whether the bill would turn a merit scholarship into a loan, its effect on student decision-making and brain drain, constitutional notice issues, administrative costs, collection methods, and whether the Board of Regents had been consulted. After debate, a motion to recommit the bill to Appropriations failed by a 34-16 vote, and the bill was later returned to the calendar. The House then passed House Bill 55, prohibiting disclosure of juror information with exceptions for juror interviews, by a 94-2 vote; House Bill 394, extending the conditional parole period from nine to 24 months; House Bill 396, making autopsy photographs admissible in criminal proceedings; and House Bill 406, directing the Department of Education to study whether it should oversee interscholastic high school athletics, by a 97-1 vote. The chamber also passed House Bill 622 aligning criminal history record handling with federal requirements and House Bill 676 creating the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or body brokering. Several other bills were introduced, referred, or returned to the calendar, including measures on criminal history confidentiality, parole, autopsy evidence, athletics oversight, and non-emergency medical transportation for mental health care.

Bills: SJR 18, SCR 5, SCR 13, SCR 25, SB 3, SB 6, SB 10, SB 11, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 17, SB 18, SB 35, SB 388, SB 412, SB 441, SB 495, SB 666, SB 687, SB 706, SB 740, SB 815, SB 842, SB 917, SB 925, SB 995, SB 1006, SB 1281, SB 1300, SB 1379, SB 1451, SB 1902, SJR 36, SJR 18, SJR 12, SCR 13, SCR 25, SCR 5, SCR 22, SB 565, SB 372, SB 495, SB 842, SB 765, SB 62, SB 19, SB 18, SB 666, SB 707, SB 888, SB 687, SB 706, SB 847, SB 290, SB 11, SB 10, SB 13, SB 412, SB 441, SB 1248, SB 740, SB 14, SB 1006, SB 504, SB 917, SB 925, SB 388, SB 1902, SB 1121, SB 995, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 35, SB 6, SB 815, SB 3, SB 1281, SB 1379, SB 1300, SB 1497, SB 1499, SB 1498, SB 1451, SB 1061, SB 15, SB 65, SB 241, SB 304, SB 402, SB 499, SB 621, SB 974, SB 1023, SB 1024, SB 1025, SB 1106, SB 686, SB 112, SB 371, SB 204, SB 400, SB 609, SB 1447, SB 670, SB 502, SB 427, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1555, SB 1362, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 987, SB 1539, SB 893, SB 447, SB 875, SB 406, SB 509, SB 985, SB 965, SB 17, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 12, SB 24, SB 57, SB 1194, SB 1253, SB 1215, SB 1532, SB 1268, SCR 12, SCR 24, SB 1302, SB 856, SB 650, SB 583, SB 673, SB 840, SJR 18, SB 11, SB 441, SB 10, SB 18, SB 412, SB 495, SR 238, SR 264, SR 266, SR 267, SR 268, SR 270, SR 271, SR 272, SR 278, SB 1169, SB 1169

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming

Bills: SJR18, SCR5, SCR13, SCR25, SB3, SB6, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17, SB18, SB35, SB388, SB412, SB441, SB495, SB666, SB687, SB706, SB740, SB815, SB842, SB917, SB925, SB995, SB1006, SB1281, SB1300, SB1379, SB1451, SB1902, SJR36, SJR18, SJR12, SCR13, SCR25, SCR5, SCR22, SB565, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB765, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB290, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB412, SB441, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB917, SB925, SB388, SB1902, SB1121, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB35, SB6, SB815, SB3, SB1281, SB1379, SB1300, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB1451, SB1061, SB15, SB65, SB241, SB304, SB402, SB499, SB621, SB974, SB1023, SB1024, SB1025, SB1106, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB400, SB609, SB1447, SB670, SB502, SB427, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1555, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB893, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB509, SB985, SB965, SB17, SB1119, SB1505, SB12, SB24, SB57, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1268, SCR12, SCR24, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB840

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to just unshare my screen so I can see you. ...support them.
• I'm going to just unshare my screen so I can see your faces, but I'm happy to the extent that I can answer
• Can you see my screen? Yeah, yes.
• Would it be okay if I shared my screen again? Oh, please go ahead, yes.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• gentlemen, and this should enable them to be able to do that if it makes it through the process and the screening
• it makes it through the process and if it makes it through the process and the<00:25:16.000> screening
• <00:25:16.480> process<00:25:16.880> for<00:25:17.200> the the screening process
• for the the screening process for the apprenticeship<00:25:18.080> program.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 9 February, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, dispensed with reading the journal, and welcomed several guests, including Dr. Richard Calderon and medical student Sam Buckley, along with hospital and judicial visitors in the gallery. The chamber then moved to floor action on several bills, mostly from the Workforce Committee. House Bill 622 was brought back on reconsideration, amended to align code sections with changes made by House Bill 3, and passed 119-0. House Bill 329, a reverse-auction option for local school boards and local governments, passed 113-1. House Bills 1401 and 1588, both workforce-related measures extending repeal or exemption dates and adjusting reporting requirements, passed 121-0 and 118-0, respectively. House Bill 562 created the Mississippi Career and Technical Education tuition guarantee program for CTE students and passed 116-0. House Bill 1696 transferred apprenticeship program oversight to a state advisory structure; members questioned how it would work, whether it would affect existing programs, and how it related to specific trades, but the bill passed 113-4 after an amendment to conform to federal requirements. House Bill 338 established a construction training assistant fund supported by a reduced designated contractor contribution rate; members asked about the funding source, whether it was state money, and how it would interact with existing training efforts such as Build Mississippi and Habitat for Humanity. After adopting a committee amendment reducing the contribution percentage, the bill passed 128-0. The House also concurred in a Senate amendment on another bill, making it effective immediately so a state health department hygienist could begin work right away; that motion passed 128-0. The session ended with memorial announcements for several individuals, a request for a rules meeting after adjournment, and adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I mean by that is that clinicians in medical settings can screen patients for food insecurity
• Can go to their doctor, receive a very quick screening.
• Oftentimes it's a two or three question screening and a determination made about that person potentially
• You can subscribe from your computer screen and enjoy helping people who need this too.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DCF screens a lot of things out for us. We work very closely with the child protection team, CPT.
• DCF screens a lot of things out for us. We were very close.
• DCF, DCF screens a lot of things out for us.
• And so there might be some time between that safety screening, minimal facts, and when the child comes

Summary: The Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs held a panel discussion on Florida’s child protection teams (CPTs), child advocacy centers (CACs), and the related roles of DCF, DOH, and law enforcement. Testimony from DCF, the Department of Health, a local CAC director, the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, a Pinellas County CPT nurse practitioner, and a Jacksonville sheriff’s sergeant described how the system is intended to work: hotline reports are screened by DCF, mandatory referrals are sent to CPT, forensic interviews and medical exams are coordinated through CPT/CACs, and multidisciplinary teams share findings with law enforcement and prosecutors. Speakers emphasized the value of co-location, telemedicine, multidisciplinary staffings, and trauma-informed practices to reduce repeated interviews and improve child safety and case outcomes. Committee members focused heavily on communication breakdowns, staffing shortages, and delays in response times. Senators raised Jordan’s Law and asked what had been done to improve coordination among DCF, CPT, and law enforcement. Several members questioned whether the promised 24-hour response standard is being met in practice, citing reports of delayed referrals, delayed forensic interviews, and bottlenecks that can affect medical evaluations and criminal investigations. Law enforcement testimony from Jacksonville described cases where CPT interviews were scheduled one to two weeks out and reports were not received for weeks, while DCF acknowledged average CPI caseloads of about 12 investigations and turnover commonly occurring within 12 to 18 months. The panel also discussed access gaps and funding concerns. The Florida Network of CACs said Florida has 26 member centers, with some counties lacking CAC coverage and some centers having closed due to funding challenges. Speakers said CACs are voluntary but critical for integrated services, and that workforce shortages in medical and mental health providers limit expansion. DCF and DOH representatives said they would provide follow-up information on the number of CPT medical staff and other requested data. No bills were voted on; the meeting ended with committee members requesting additional information and recommendations for statutory and budgetary changes, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the center, as that was the first thing you noticed when entering the daycare: there was a wall of screens
• Then they're having to figure out how to use what we call green screen technology.
• people who are trained to care for others, and they are spending their time in front of computer screens
• people are in this business to help others, yet they're spending their time in front of computer screens

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• They add treatment service coordination requirements and modify the county board screening duties.
• modify the requirements and um they modify the County<00:11:35.279> Board<00:11:35.519> screening
• County Board screening County Board screening duties<00:11:38.200> section<00:11:38.519><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• suggestion that we take a closer look at individuals that may have dyslexia so we conducted the screening
• As a student with a disability and what happens first is that there's a screening tool the screening
• So the screening tool will also take into consideration and we will as a district that many of our students

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will be providing free dental services to any keiki, along with fun games, education, and dental screenings
• with fun games education<00:16:36.000> and<00:16:36.160> dental<00:16:36.880> screenings
• <00:16:37.880> with<00:16:38.040> us education and dental screenings with us education
• and dental screenings with us here<00:16:38.360> today<00:16:38.680> are<00:16:38.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The screens come on. We can see everything that's going on there.
• They could click on a camera on their screen and look at what that camera was displaying.
• goes in, and then the police officer or the fire department can get on with their cameras on their screen
• This is a phase implementation approach where we can activate device-to-device, screen takeover as another
• This is a phase implementation approach where they can we can activate device device screen takeover

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard a presentation from Senator Kevin Payne on Arizona’s school safety interoperability communication systems, which he said were inspired by the Parkland and Uvalde shootings and designed to bypass overwhelmed 911 systems through panic-button alerts, live camera access, and direct communication with law enforcement. Committee members broadly praised the concept as a school safety tool, while also noting it should complement, not replace, school resource officers. Senator Payne said the audit had not fully captured the systems’ value and emphasized what he saw in Yavapai County as a successful example. Auditor General Lindsay Perry then summarized the second special audit in the JLAC school safety series, explaining that it reviewed whether fund expenditures were authorized, whether purchased systems met statutory requirements, and whether procurement followed applicable standards. She noted that 12 of 14 law enforcement agencies had provided follow-up information, while Pinal and La Paz counties had not, and that the committee had requested additional details on participating and non-participating schools. Members pressed Perry about Pinal County’s refusal to respond and about delays in payment to Mutualink, and several members defended the committee’s oversight role. The committee then heard from the vendors. Mutualink’s CEO said the system is intended to connect schools, dispatch, law enforcement, fire, and EMS through live video, floor plans, and group communications, and argued that implementation problems often stem from training, infrastructure, and coordination rather than the technology itself. Motorola Solutions described its work in Maricopa, Yuma, and Tucson, including panic alarms, radio and dispatch integration, and school participation challenges; it said Tucson canceled its contract after schools declined to join. Navigate 360 described its Cochise County project as a success story, saying 60 of 69 schools were implemented, with ongoing training and support, but acknowledged it did not yet meet all statutory criteria and that two charter schools had opted out. Members repeatedly raised concerns about procurement, inconsistent implementation, rural infrastructure, training, and whether the systems met all statutory requirements, and vendors said they would follow up on those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> It's on our screen here on. Aye. Opposed, same sign.
• It's the work. >> It's on our screen here on. >> All right. Well, welcome to the committee.
• And almost all of it is within these two items that you'll see on the screen.
• And so you'll see the impact here on the screen.
• The graph might be a little hard to read on the screen, but the key takeaways are really that you're

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• think it is critically important to create opportunities for young people to have alternatives to screen
• Um, being raised in a world of technology and screen time and social media is just such a different perspective
• 00:29:07.120> of<00:29:07.360> technology<00:29:08.240> and<00:29:08.640> screen
• <00:29:08.960> time<00:29:09.279> and world of technology and screen time and world
• of technology and screen time and social<00:29:09.840> media<00:29:10.799> that<00:29:

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:10 - Discussion of 26RS HB 669 08:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 669 09:25 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 36 13:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 36 14:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 686 29:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 686 30:10 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 669, which would protect federal benefits belonging to children in out-of-home care. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to prevent the state from using a child’s Social Security survivor, disability, or death benefits to offset care costs, instead requiring those funds to be preserved in an account for the child and made available at certain milestones or when the child leaves care. Members asked about who would oversee the funds, how annual eligibility reviews would work, and when the child could access the money; the sponsor said the cabinet would set the review process by rule and that the funds would remain available for the child. The committee approved HB 669 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 36, as amended by committee substitute, which creates a child welfare and family court reform task force. The substitute changed the reporting structure to send the task force’s report to the interim joint committee on families and children and the judiciary committee, rather than a now-defunct Health and Human Services committee. Supporters said the task force should review child abuse and neglect, foster care, and family court processes, and gather input from experts and people with lived experience. Members discussed whether the work should be divided into separate family court and child welfare task forces, but the resolution moved forward and passed 15-0 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 686, which would establish a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission and a dedicated trust and agency account to support community-based youth programming up to age 25. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill responds to rising youth mental health concerns, self-harm, and suicide, and would coordinate statewide efforts, support evidence-based out-of-school programming, and provide technical assistance to local partners. Testimony emphasized the importance of connectedness, trusted adults, community-based responses, and using settlement funds from social media-related harms to youth to support the trust. Members asked about how the bill compares with other states and how the “dose-response” language relates to adverse and positive childhood experiences. HB 686 also passed 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee announced its next meeting for Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• gavel still going back and forth between Republicans and Democrats, is it going to be sort of a split screen
• gavel still going back and forth between Republicans and Democrats, is it going to be sort of a split screen
• gavel still going back and forth between Republicans and Democrats, is it going to be sort of a split screen
• sort<00:16:06.880> of<00:16:06.959> a<00:16:07.199> split<00:16:07.519> screen
• <00:16:07.920> of >> Will it be sort of a split screen of priorities for one side and then

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders outlined their agenda for the tied legislative session, saying their priorities are to stop fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, safer, and more competitive, and reduce mandates while raising education standards. They highlighted several planned bills, including an independent inspector general (HF 1), a “Fraud Isn’t Free” measure to impose consequences on agencies and commissioners that allow fraud, and statutory guidelines for high-fraud-risk programs. They also said they want to lower health care costs through a permanent reinsurance program and cost defrayal for new mandates, study property tax increases, conform state tax law to federal changes on tips, overtime, and scholarship tax credits, and avoid any tax increases. On public safety, Republicans said they will pursue tougher penalties for repeat offenders and repeat gun crimes, judicial accountability, and a school safety package that would support public and nonpublic schools, school safety personnel, and facility improvements. In education, they emphasized school choice tax credits, reading proficiency, and curriculum focused on basic academic fundamentals. They also said they want to protect and expand mining, reform permitting, end the nuclear moratorium, and make the state more attractive to businesses. On housing, one member said they are working on a more targeted affordable housing package rather than a broad sweeping bill. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on immigration and cooperation with federal authorities. Republicans said they want a statewide framework for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referencing House File 16 and saying they are open to changes and bipartisan work. They argued that local and state cooperation would improve safety and prevent situations where criminal suspects are released into the community. They also said Democrats have blocked similar efforts in committee and on the House floor. In response to questions, leaders said there is no current appetite for sports betting, bonding will be discussed but there are no promises, and they do not support the 2024 omnibus bill model. They said they are not interested in vaccine mandates, but will consider Medicaid funding impacts and other health-related proposals if bills are introduced. They also said election integrity measures such as voter ID, provisional ballots, and voter-roll cleanup will remain priorities. Throughout, leaders said they expect a bipartisan process in the tied House and expressed hope that both parties can work together on some issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to share my screen here. I do have a few slides. I would like to walk To speak today.
• I'm going to share my screen here. I do have a few slides.
• I'm going to share my screen because I do have just about six slides that I want to share to visualize
• They were able to screen, review, or assist people with 5,000 cases all across the state, in 37 counties
• They were able to screen or review or assist people with 5,000 cases all across the state, 37 counties

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adam, I see that you are on the screen, and so we welcome your presentation. Thank you so much, Mr.
• Hopefully you see my screen now? Yes. Great.
• So I'm going to be looking at my screen only and not so much at you. But please, Mr.
• And Jeff, I don't know if you're on the screen, but we'll pull you up. Yes, I'm here. Welcome.
• I don't know if you're on the screen, but we'll pull you up. Yes, I'm here. Welcome. Thank you.

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.