Transcript Highlights:

• scientists, musicians, athletes, teachers, entrepreneurs, and, like me and many of our colleagues, lawmakers
• scientists, musicians, athletes, teachers, entrepreneurs, and like me and many of our colleagues, lawmakers
• , It goes without saying that. lawmakers.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge these lawmakers to vote against 1296. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
• I urge these lawmakers to vote against 1296. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
• I look to my lawmakers to ensure a better life for my children.
• There are things the lawmakers can do today to ensure I have the ability to live freely in Florida.
• I know lawmakers don't want to make it harder for me and my family to get by.

Bills: S0042 , S0688 , S0762 , S1168 , S1296 , S1298 , S1300 , S1318 , S1332 , S1376 , S1548 , S1570 , S1574 , S1632 , S1634 , S1750

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included. Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs. The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting. In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota lawmakers are beginning to recognize the risk. Um, [bill 2771?] and [bill 2972?]
• Minnesota lawmakers<00:15:05.519><c> are</c><00:15:05.760><c> beginning</c><00:15:06.000><c> to</c><00
• :15:06.160><c> recognize</c><00:15:06.720><c> the</c> lawmakers are beginning to recognize the lawmakers

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge the committee to vote no and to turn its attention to lawmaking that is actually intended to help
• 00:08:15.919><c> its</c><00:08:16.160><c> attention</c><00:08:16.479><c> to</c><00:08:16.639><c> lawmaking
• </c><00:08:17.120><c> that</c><00:08:17.360><c> is</c> turn its attention to lawmaking that is turn its
• attention to lawmaking that is actually<00:08:17.840><c> intended</c><00:08:18.240><c> to</c><00:08:

Bills: HB0117 , HB0126

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought to myself, then, what right do I have, even as a lawmaker, to come into the workplace and say
• Furthermore, I don't know that we, as lawmakers in Washington State, are settled on this kind of practice
• I thought to myself, then, what right do I have, even as a lawmaker, to come into the workplace and say
• Furthermore, I don't know that we, as lawmakers in Washington State, are settled on this kind of practice

Bills: HB2479 , HB2091 , HB2105 , HB2107 , HB2151 , HB2190 , HB2191 , HB2218 , HB2243 , HB2303 , HB2345

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: unpaid wages, wage theft, wage recovery, labor standards, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, worker protection, low-wage workers, back pay, interest on wages, civil penalties, retaliation, immigration status coercion, gig workers, transportation network companies, rideshare drivers, app-based drivers, employment law, wage complaint, payroll enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Our group is working with lawmakers.
• talked about this for a couple of years now, and maybe this is something we need to address with lawmakers
• If that's something we need to talk with the lawmakers about, then I guess we could, but that's...
• We need to get final clarity from lawmakers. I think that behooves everyone.

Transcript Highlights:

• But could you get 201 lawmakers to agree to that and not offer amendments and all of the other things
• </c><00:05:06.080><c> you</c><00:05:06.240><c> get</c><00:05:06.479><c> 201</c><00:05:07.199><c> lawmakers
• But could you get 201 lawmakers 7 a.m.
• But could you get 201 lawmakers to<00:05:07.919><c> agree</c><00:05:08.560><c> to</c><00:05:08.800><c

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of us in our profession, along with several lawmakers, have been looking for ways to recruit and
• :03:10.680><c> along</c><00:03:10.920><c> with</c><00:03:11.080><c> several</c><00:03:11.360><c> lawmakers
• </c> profession along with several lawmakers profession along with several lawmakers have<00:03:12.080

Transcript Highlights:

• I continue to be hung up on this theme of why we are so interested in inserting ourselves as lawmakers
• I continue to be hung up on this theme of why we are so interested in inserting ourselves as lawmakers
• I continue to be hung up on this theme of why we are so interested in inserting ourselves as lawmakers
• I continue to be hung up on this theme of why we are so interested in inserting ourselves as lawmakers
• I continue to be hung up on this theme of why we are so interested in inserting ourselves as lawmakers

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met on January 28, 2026, first hearing staff briefings and then taking executive action on House Bills 1571, 2144, 2191, and 2372. HB 1571 would make heart conditions a presumptive occupational disease for certain firefighters and law enforcement officers; members spoke in support of the bill as a response to the stresses and exposures of those jobs, and it was reported out 8-1 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2144 would require notice to employees when employers use electronic monitoring for performance evaluations. The committee considered several amendments to a proposed substitute, adopting an amendment clarifying private communications protections but rejecting amendments to broaden emergency exceptions and remove the private right of action. The bill, as amended, passed 6-3. HB 2191 concerns wages in the construction industry and employer/contractor liability for unpaid wages. The committee considered a proposed substitute and several amendments. Members rejected amendments to include public entities as owners and to extend the right to cure to subcontractors, but adopted amendments removing Attorney General enforcement authority and making additional clarifying changes. Supporters emphasized accountability for unpaid wages and protecting vulnerable workers; opponents raised concerns about the scope of liability. The amended bill was reported out 6-3. HB 2372 would require workers’ compensation time loss benefits to include the full employer health care premium contribution rather than a partial percentage. An amendment to add L&I invoice and notice requirements and bar attorney fees on the health-care-premium portion was rejected, and the bill was then reported out 6-3. The committee also held public hearings on HB 2563 and HB 2188. HB 2563 would allow the Office of Administrative Hearings to automatically serve unemployment-case notices electronically during a pilot period ending July 30, 2029. OAH testified that the change would reduce mailing costs and improve service, while the Unemployment Law Project warned it would harm claimants with limited digital access and create procedural barriers; no action was taken during the hearing. HB 2188 would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rate caps shift costs to other classes. Business groups supported the transparency measure, and L&I testified it could provide the information and that the bill would have no fiscal impact; the hearing was closed without action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think if I were in your shoes as lawmakers, I feel the following would be helpful to hear.
• To be honest, many Sierra Club members wanted lawmakers...
• I think if I were in your shoes as lawmakers, I feel the following would be helpful to hear.
• To be honest, many Sierra Club members wanted lawmakers... Very sensible, grounded legislation.
• To be honest, many Sierra Club members wanted lawmakers to go far further.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 5941, which would exempt certain school districts from a Washington State Energy Code requirement for onsite renewable energy systems on large new commercial buildings or additions. The committee adopted Senator Short’s amendment narrowing the eligible school district definition from 1,000 or fewer students to 500 or fewer students, then approved the bill as amended and sent it to the Rules Committee with a do pass recommendation. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6171, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, primarily data centers. Staff explained that the bill would require utilities serving such facilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts and full cost recovery, allow curtailment during emergencies, add reporting and sustainability requirements, create a fee to fund energy assistance, weatherization, and higher education programs, and impose new clean energy and labor-related requirements. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect affordability, reliability, transparency, and the public interest as data center demand grows. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including community action groups, environmental organizations, some utilities, Ecology, and student representatives, argued the bill would prevent cost shifting, improve transparency, support low-income energy assistance, and help manage grid and climate impacts. Opponents, including data center representatives, public utility district and business groups, and some local government and port officials, said the bill was too prescriptive, could raise costs, threaten competitiveness, duplicate existing utility practices, and interfere with existing CCA/CETA provisions and local flexibility. No vote was taken on SB 6171 during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado lawmakers have drafted and are currently considering House Bill 261430, the bill which would
• This bill is nothing less than an attempt to blunt a policy outcome that lawmakers may disagree with
• Lawmakers may disagree with rather than respecting the outcome voters may choose.
• If its supporters pull the proposal from the ballot, lawmakers said they will be...
• In response, lawmakers passed House Bill 1084 this...

Transcript Highlights:

• scientists, musicians, athletes, teachers, entrepreneurs, and, like me and many of our colleagues, lawmakers
• scientists, musicians, athletes, teachers, entrepreneurs, and like me and many of our colleagues, lawmakers
• , It goes without saying that. lawmakers.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for a hearing with one item on the agenda, ACA 18, a constitutional amendment to expand student representation on the University of California Board of Regents. The authors, Assemblymembers Celeste Rodriguez and Anamarie Farías, said the measure would double the number of student seats on the board and ensure both an undergraduate and a graduate student voice, arguing that students are the primary stakeholders and should have more meaningful input on decisions affecting tuition, housing, basic needs, and other campus issues. The authors accepted committee amendments that cleaned up language and the appointment process for student regents and their nonvoting designates. Supporters included UC student leaders, alumni, and advocacy groups. Testimony emphasized that the UC system has far more students than the current single voting student regent can represent, that student input has helped shape policies on housing, basic needs, campus policing, and tuition, and that the UC should align with the CSU and community college systems, which already have two student voting members. No opposition testimony was presented. Committee members voiced support, with several noting the importance of student voice and representation. The committee then voted to pass ACA 18 as amended and re-refer it to the Committee on Appropriations. The roll call ultimately finished at 9-0 in favor, and the measure was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that going to change your approach as a lawmaker here in St. Paul?
• Is that going to change your approach as a lawmaker here in St. Paul? I don't know that it will.
• Is that going to change your approach as a lawmaker here in St. Paul? I don't know that it will.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky agencies could still push their authority beyond what lawmakers intended, as has been the case
• reclaim its role in setting state policy and will remain the sole authority to create laws, so we as lawmakers
• Kentucky agencies could still push their authority beyond what lawmakers intended, as has been the case
• Kentucky agencies could still push their authority beyond what lawmakers intended, as has been the case
• Kentucky agencies could still push their authority beyond what lawmakers intended, as has been the case

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 90 / Senate Bill 17, a birth-related measure backed by the Kentucky Birth Coalition. Sponsors said the bill had been worked on for several years and described changes including a transfer agreement, insurance requirements, proximity to a hospital, informed consent, and accreditation/medical director standards that helped win neutral or non-opposition from the Hospital Association. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote with unanimous support. The committee then heard Senate Bill 65, presented by Senator Steve West and Representative Derrick Lewis. They said the bill would make regulations found deficient through the committee review process null and void by statute, and would bar agencies from reissuing the same or similar language for up to a year. Supporters argued this was needed to hold agencies accountable because deficiency findings alone had not led to action. After questions about specific Medicaid behavioral health regulations and concerns about legislative overreach, the bill passed the committee on a roll call vote, with some members passing or explaining reservations. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 84, with a House committee substitute. Sponsors said the substitute was intended to strengthen the bill and reflect the U.S. Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision by ending Chevron deference and requiring courts, not agencies, to interpret law. Opponents, including Audrey Ernsberger and Katherine Hargraves, argued the bill would intrude on the judiciary, violate separation of powers, and could harm public health, environmental, and workplace protections. Committee members also raised concerns about whether the bill told courts what standard to use; sponsors responded that agencies could still present persuasive arguments, but courts should not defer to them. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill then passed the committee on a roll call vote, with several members passing or expressing constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here at the Capitol, the House held 31 informational briefings, giving both lawmakers and the public
• </c><01:23:37.040><c> and</c><01:23:37.280><c> the</c> briefings, giving both lawmakers and the briefings
• , giving both lawmakers and the public<01:23:38.400><c> up-to-date</c><01:23:39.120><c> information</
• The majority caucus held six lawmaker learn sessions to get expert information on Medicaid and SNAP cuts
• </c> The majority caucus held six lawmaker The majority caucus held six lawmaker learn<01:26:47.440><

Transcript Highlights:

• What you're hearing outside of E-12 lawmakers outside the door.
• Then these lawmakers are there. They have their voice heard. We'll vote on this.
• Then these lawmakers are this was.
• Then these lawmakers are there.<00:28:46.880><c> They</c><00:28:47.039><c> have</c><00:28:47.120><c>
• </c><00:37:46.160><c> If</c> If the projections hold, lawmakers will have to find about $290 million,

Transcript Highlights:

• the commission, I was created and I served on the Universal Health Care Work Group, which state lawmakers
• We are all painfully aware of the dire budget climate facing lawmakers this session.
• They say this proposal is to bring judicial protection, so lawmakers have to follow through on providing
• They say this proposal is to bribe judicial protection, so lawmakers have to follow through on providing
• In Vermont, for example, lawmakers gave up on a single-payer plan after discovering that the fund would

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a public hearing on six bills, with the chair repeatedly emphasizing one-minute testimony limits because of the large number of sign-ins. The committee first heard SB 6292, which would create a joint legislative-executive committee on health care financing to study strategies for improving statewide access and coverage and report in 2027. Supporters, including the Health Care Authority, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, community health centers, carriers, and provider groups, said the bill could help the state respond to affordability and system sustainability challenges and coordinate policy work across branches of government. The committee then heard SB 6258, which would create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntarily relinquishing certain Washington Medical Commission licenses. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would provide a humane exit option for physicians and other licensees who are medically disabled or otherwise leaving practice, without forcing them into a disciplinary process. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, and the hearing closed with 17 people signed in pro and 2 con. The committee also heard SB 6182, establishing an abortion savings program funded by a new assessment on health carriers. Supporters argued it would recapture funds originally set aside for abortion care under the ACA and protect access amid federal changes, while opponents raised concerns about hidden taxes, lack of opt-out, and the impact on premiums and conscience rights. The hearing drew very large public interest, with 245 signed in pro and 1,775 con. The committee next took testimony on SB 5947, which would establish the Washington Health Care Board and prepare a state universal health care plan contingent on federal authorization and funding. Supporters from labor, health care, tribal, and universal coverage advocacy groups said the bill would position Washington to act quickly if federal waivers become available and argued that health care should be treated as a human right; opponents warned about costs, vagueness, and government overreach. The hearing then moved to SJR 8206, a proposed constitutional amendment declaring access to affordable health care a fundamental right. Supporters framed it as an aspirational commitment and a necessary step toward universal coverage, while opponents argued the language was vague, legally risky, and could create costly obligations. Finally, the committee heard SB 5823, which would require hospitals to employ or provide access to patient advocates to help patients navigate bills, records, and appointments. Hospital and patient coalition witnesses supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify staffing, exemptions, and scope; the hearing closed with 20 signed in pro, 792 con, and 3 other. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking lawmakers to get the job done before you go home.
• We<00:08:00.920><c> are</c><00:08:01.000><c> asking</c><00:08:01.320><c> lawmakers</c><00:08:01.840><
• to</c><00:08:01.920><c> get</c><00:08:02.080><c> the</c><00:08:02.160><c> job</c> We are asking lawmakers
• to get the job We are asking lawmakers to get the job done<00:08:02.640><c> before</c><00:08:03.000>

Summary: House and Senate capital investment leaders held a public discussion focused primarily on lead service line removal and the need for a new bonding bill. Rep. Fue Lee and Chair Jeff Franzen said Minnesota’s existing state and federal lead-line funds will be exhausted by the 2026 construction season, warning that without action there would be no lead removal program in 2027. They framed the issue as a bipartisan public health and infrastructure priority, emphasizing that no amount of lead is safe and that regular capital investment is needed to keep communities moving forward. Testimony from Raquel Vasquez of St. Paul Regional Water Services, Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and Joel Smith of LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota described the scale of the problem and the progress made so far. Vasquez said St. Paul’s pilot program is working, with costs coming down and about 6,000 of roughly 26,000 local lead service lines expected to be replaced by the end of the season, but warned that 18,000 to 20,000 would remain without more funding. Peterson said there are about 100,000 known lead service lines statewide and more than 200,000 still being assessed, with replacement costs averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per line. Smith stressed that funding gaps would stall momentum, leave at least 90,000 lead pipes in the ground, and cost the state thousands of union jobs. In response to questions, Sen. Sandy Pappas said she supports including $100 million in appropriation bonds for lead service lines in the Senate bonding proposal, while acknowledging the need is closer to $250 million. House leaders said they were discussing the size and contents of the bonding bill and were considering both general fund cash and appropriation bonds, with affordability for homeowners a key concern. The chairs also discussed broader bonding priorities, including other water, sewer, road, and facility projects, and noted that decisions would depend on whether leadership can reach agreement on a final bonding package before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you lawmakers well know, the new administration is using its best efforts to stop this funding
• And as you lawmakers well know, the new administration is using its best efforts to stop this funding
• And as you lawmakers well know, the new administration is using its best efforts to stop this funding
• And as you lawmakers well know, the new administration is using its best efforts to stop this funding
• And as you lawmakers well know, the new administration is using its best efforts to stop this funding

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• On Senate Bill 223, the KDA urges lawmakers to use caution.
• The bigger concerns that we urge this committee and all lawmakers to consider are issues of public safety
• On Senate Bill 223, the KDA urges lawmakers to use caution.
• On Senate Bill 223, the KDA urges lawmakers to use caution.
• Committee and all lawmakers to consider are issues of public safety, responsibility, transparency, and

Committee: Senate Licensing & Occupations