Video & Transcript : 'remote voting' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have four to testify, all remote.
- Urging a yes vote. We agree.
- for a no vote.
- I am going to ask for an aye vote. I think it's a good bill. I am going to ask for an aye vote.
- I am unfortunately asking for a no vote.
Summary:
The Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee first held a public hearing on SB 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act to broaden the definition of motor fuel to include gaseous fuels and electricity and remove the separate alternative fuel definition. Staff and the Department of Agriculture said the change would let WSDA inspect and test hydrogen and other newer fuels; Commerce and Douglas County PUD supported the bill as needed for hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and the hearing closed with the chair noting broad support.
The committee then heard SB 6223, which would authorize community-scale weatherization projects under the low-income weatherization program. Supporters from community action, Spark Northwest, Commerce, and Washington Conservation Action said the bill would let the state weatherize multiple homes at once, improve health and safety, reduce energy burdens, and help meet climate and grid goals more quickly. Staff said the bill has a fiscal note for rulemaking and administration. The hearing ended with strong support and no opposition testimony.
In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes and passed SB 5982, SB 6050, SB 5965, SB 6010, SB 5984, SB 6076, and SB 5652 to the Rules Committee or Ways and Means, depending on the bill. Amendments were adopted on SB 5965 to adjust carryout bag provisions, while amendments on SB 6010 were not adopted. SB 5982 would update CETA-related utility definitions and reporting, SB 6050 addresses distributed energy resources and utility rules, SB 5965 revises carryout bag requirements, SB 6010 concerns EFSEC tribal consultation, SB 5984 regulates AI companion chatbots, SB 6076 streamlines procurement for certain clean energy projects, and SB 5652 concerns environmental and health mitigation in large port districts. The committee also noted it would not take action that day on SB 5975 and SB 5466.
WI
Wisconsin 2026 1st Special Session
Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency Apr 15th, 2026
Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency
Transcript Highlights:
- days in person, where I know that other states perform this process remotely.
- There's no reason necessarily to spend this... ...perform this process remotely; many of them do.
- In my experience in state government, anything remotely close to approaching this sort of conference
- Committee co-chair Mark Bourne cited the oversight efforts as a reason for the postponed vote.
- An audible vote is taken, and then everybody from the public has to walk out of the room.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee Mar 19th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- and remote learning reduced demand for transportation. 2021, as there were travel restrictions and remote
- work and remote learning reduced demand for transportation.
- Is this a voice vote? It's a voice vote. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay?
- And that passed, voice vote passed, right? Okay. So we were... Voice vote passed, right?
- Because I feel like that's a fair amount, you know, given the... voice vote passed, right?
Summary:
The Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee met to review fixed-route transit systems and related funding needs. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the committee heard presentations from Cities Area Transit in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Bisman Transit in Bismarck-Mandan, and MATBUS/Fargo, along with comments from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy. The transit agencies described their routes, paratransit services, ridership trends, fare structures, fleet replacement needs, and rising operating costs, emphasizing that transit supports access to work, school, medical care, and other essential services. Testimony also noted that ridership fell during the pandemic and has been recovering, while vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply.
Grand Forks transit reported 17 routes, a recent fare increase, and operating costs that exceed fare revenue, with paratransit service extending beyond the federal minimum service area. Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions, local mill levies, sales tax support, and federal grant structure, and said it is seeking more stable funding and flexibility beyond paratransit-only support. Minot’s transit superintendent explained the state’s existing transit aid formula, the use of refurbished buses, and the challenges of driver recruitment and electric bus infrastructure. Fargo asked for additional state support for fixed-route urban transit. Committee members discussed whether ride-share services could replace transit, the cost per trip, local match requirements, and whether a separate state funding source should be recommended for the four urban fixed-route systems. The subcommittee ultimately approved a motion to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of its activities for inclusion in the full Government Finance Committee report, and members indicated they would seek more detailed funding figures from the transit agencies before making any specific recommendation.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee Mar 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and remote learning reduced demand for transportation. 2021 as there were travel restrictions and remote
- work and remote learning reduced demand for transportation.
- Is this a voice vote, or is... Is this a voice vote? It's all in favor? Say aye. Aye. Opposed nay?
- And that passed, voice vote passed, right? Okay.
- And that passed, voice vote passed, right? Okay. So we were voice vote passed, right?
Summary:
The Government Finance Transportation Study committee heard detailed presentations from transit officials in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan (Bisman Transit), and Fargo about fixed-route and paratransit service. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s routes, fare structure, ridership recovery after COVID, fleet replacement needs, and rising costs, noting fares cover only a portion of expenses and that the system relies on local, state, federal, and university funding. Bisman Transit outlined its history, service hours, route structure, recent expansion of hours, fare levels, ridership growth, funding sources including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue, and major challenges such as aging buses, driver recruitment, and the need for more stable operating support. Fargo’s representative briefly reinforced the importance of public transit and asked the committee to consider additional funding for urban fixed-route systems.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Interim Committee Working Group Sep 8th, 2025
Legislative Interim Committee Working Group
Transcript Highlights:
- Advising members to voting members. I think this will be handy.
- Before you start voting on it, we can talk about it.
- Voting, and then it's a massive number of designees.
- I think this encourages those voting members to be present.
- And I vote to move on. Yeah, did you guys talk about?
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And the current designations are online, site-based, and remote courses.
- Hi, so when we went remote, public education went remote, one of the big things that we saw was a lack
- We offer online courses and remote courses.
- Okay, we have one more remote. We'll go to a remote presentation. We have a principal, Jody Kiefer.
- I wish we had a grad recovery program here. little bit about remote.
Summary:
The committee met to hear an overview of Washington’s alternative learning experience (ALE) programs and then an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI’s Anissa Sherritt explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional seat-time model, with online, site-based, and remote course types. She emphasized that ALE is still basic education, subject to the same public school requirements, and that OSPI provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Representatives from several programs described different models: Washington Virtual Academy (a large online ALE operated through Omak School District and partnered with for-profit Stride), Columbia Virtual Academy in Valley School District (a district-run, nonprofit online/remote program), Pearl in Quilcene (a K-8 remote parent partnership program), and River Home Link in Battleground (a site-based hybrid program). They discussed student supports, special education, enrichment, family choice, transportation, and how they measure outcomes. Members asked for follow-up information on funding, demographics, racial and ethnic data, multilingual learners, and post-graduation outcomes, and OSPI agreed to provide additional data where available.
The committee then heard from OSPI and several districts about AI guidance and implementation. OSPI’s Holly Ryan Calloway described the agency’s human-centered AI framework, three guidance documents for schools, statewide professional learning, an AI innovation summit, and new AI literacy and informatics course frameworks and CIP codes. Quincy School District described a multi-year effort to integrate AI by centering student needs, creating district policy and classroom guidance, and training teachers to use AI responsibly while building an AI readiness plan from elementary through high school. Peninsula School District described its AI action research team, teacher professional learning, and classroom uses of generative AI to support science instruction, communication, and prompt engineering, while stressing that AI should enhance rather than replace learning. Members raised questions about privacy, energy and water use, prompt engineering, workforce and university connections, and the need for clear standards and ongoing educator training. No votes were taken.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- By your vote of nine ayes and one absent, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2819
- By your vote of nine ayes and one absent, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2819
- And I know you say that the people have voted on it, but an 18-year-old driver has probably never voted
- Voters never voted on personal property tax. Never voted on personal property tax.
- The voters never voted on that.
Committee:
House Ways and Means
Summary:
The committee first took up House Joint Resolution 169, which would cap spending growth and was described by supporters as a taxpayer protection measure. Representative Taylor opposed it, arguing the legislature was already considering too many tax-related measures at once and lacked a broader strategy. The sponsor said the resolution was about limiting spending, not taxes, and offered a committee substitute that added fees and surcharges into the baseline and addressed tax credits. After discussion, the substitute was adopted and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HJR 169 do pass, with Taylor and Strickler voting no.
The committee then heard House Bill 2819, which would allow rounding of cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being produced. The sponsor explained a committee substitute added safe-harbor language to protect merchants from lawsuits over rounding errors. Members asked about the rounding rules and confirmed the bill remained permissive rather than mandatory. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2819 do pass unanimously.
House Bill 2746, sponsored by Representative Williams, would create a property tax map feature on the Department of Revenue website showing current levies and assessed values to improve transparency. Supporters said it would help homeowners compare assessments and understand property tax differences, while opponents and agency witnesses raised concerns about the large startup cost, estimated at about $7 million, the need to gather data from many counties, and the fact that some counties already provide similar information. The Department of Revenue and State Tax Commission witnesses said the data would be difficult to compile statewide and that local participation and data standards vary widely. The bill was heard, but no vote was taken in the transcript.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2329, which would gradually reduce the assessment ratio for personal property from about 33 1/3% to 18% over three years. The sponsor argued the tax is burdensome, especially for working families and businesses, and said it would encourage a broader shift away from personal property taxation. Supporters echoed that it is a highly visible and unpopular tax. Opponents, including a county assessor, warned the bill would sharply reduce local tax bases, especially in rural counties, and likely force levy increases on real property or cuts to schools and other districts. The hearing ended without a committee vote on HB 2329.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 1
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> The clerk will now take all the names who are voting remotely. Burkel. Momanyi-Hiltsley.
- So, please vote green on the concurrence, and please vote green on the bill.
- So, please vote green on the work done.
- 43.200><c> vote</c><00:16:43.360><c> green</c><00:16:43.520><c> on</c> concurrence, and please vote green
- Let the record show Burkel votes aye. Burkel votes aye. Mohamud Ilhan Omar votes aye.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes the human services policy bill, HF2115 5/5/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> ask members to vote green. ask members to vote green.
- Vote green. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, please vote green.
- Members, please vote you, Mr. Speaker. Members, please vote green. green. green.
- The chief clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Aim. Go ahead. Aim. I aim...
- Remotely. Aim. Go ahead. Aim. I aim remotely. The clerk will close the roll.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- held in a hybrid format and will work as follows: testimony will be taken both in person and from remote
- I'd like to recognize our Vice Chair on the committee, Senator Paul Mark, who's joining remotely.
- I ask that you vote to give this bill a favorable report.
- We now are joined remotely by Senator Lovely. Do you have the floor? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr.
- remotely up to five miles away.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Transportation
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses.
The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications.
Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we will move to remote testimony.
- The chair said they would move to remote testimony. Chief Hardin was first and already off mute.
- So I urge everyone to please vote yes on HB 2104. And thank you very much for the opportunity.
- We have two testifiers, one in person and one remote.
- in-person testimony desk would be Anna Schaefer with the Department of Natural Resources, and our remote
Committee:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Feb 19th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Early Learning & K-12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have one panel, remote. I'm going to call Alex Gettiana and Jordan Crawley. Alex first.
- This bill came out of the House with a 95-1, nearly unanimous, bipartisan vote.
- And I'm asking you to vote yes on this bill. I want to start by recognizing educators.
- And we are going to remote testimony. We have Jen Chong-Juel and Patrick Mollick.
- And next will be remote Samantha Fogg and Amy Kanava.
Committee:
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Jason McFadden, please be promoted for remote testimony.
- That was a three-to-two vote to allow commercial air service.
- I'm going to try some who are assigned in remote, make sure folks aren't here in person.
- Carson, you're remote, but we can't hear you.
- Carson, you're remote, but we can't hear you?
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Jason McFadden, please be promoted for remote testimony.
- That was a three-to-two vote to allow commercial air service.
- I'm going to try some who are assigned in remote, make sure folks aren't here in person.
- Carson, you're remote, but we can't hear you.
- Carson, you're remote, but we can't hear you.
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing on House Bill 2410, which would establish a commercial truck safety and education council, increase the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32, and direct the new revenue to a dedicated account for truck safety and training programs. Committee staff outlined the bill’s CDL and training requirements, council structure, confidentiality provisions, and fiscal impacts. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to improve truck safety through industry-led education and noted that a substitute was expected because details still needed work. Testimony from the Washington Trucking Associations, insurers, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission was generally supportive of the safety goals, though the commission said operational details and agency roles still needed clarification. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then heard House Bill 2347, which would repeal the recently enacted luxury aircraft tax on non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000. Staff explained that the tax is scheduled to take effect April 1 and that repeal would reduce revenue to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel account. Representative Dent, the sponsor, argued the tax is harming business aviation, emergency services, wildfire response, agricultural operations, and rural access, and said aircraft and related jobs were already leaving the state. Most public testimony came from aviation businesses, airport operators, industry associations, and related employers, all urging repeal and warning of aircraft departures, lost hangar tenants, reduced fuel sales, and job losses. One witness from the Port of Seattle supported addressing the tax’s impact but urged working toward a narrower fix rather than full repeal so sustainable aviation fuel funding would remain stable.
After closing the hearing on HB 2347, the committee received a work session on tolling technology. Transportation Commission staff presented the results of a pilot using a smartphone app to support toll collection, explaining that the current tolling system remains accurate but that new technologies could reduce costs and improve flexibility over time. The pilot found high accuracy when the app was paired to a vehicle by Bluetooth, lower accuracy without pairing, strong customer satisfaction, and some privacy concerns. The commission recommended keeping the current system in place for now, conducting a more fully operational smartphone-based pilot in the near term, and eventually developing a broader technology marketplace for future tolling systems. Members asked about the role of tags versus apps, video tolling accuracy, and the timeline for replacing existing tolling methods. The meeting ended with adjournment for caucus.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Jan 19th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Higher Education & Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- This rate-my-professor review has seven down votes, demonstrating that other students disagree and see
- Oh, no, I'm sorry, those are remote.
- So if you could come forward, and then we'll do the remote panel first.
- The next panel of testifiers are remote: Hugo Huang, Ishan Sharma, and Jaden Hong. Thank you. Okay.
- For these reasons, you should vote in support of Senate Bill 6082 to provide for young adults and the
Keywords:
heritage orchard, agriculture, program, state funding, local agriculture, workforce education, accountability, oversight, administrative changes, investment, SB 5963, passport to careers, Washington College Grant, financial aid, higher education, student aid, need-based aid, college affordability, postsecondary education, workforce development
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The members participating remotely, to indicate your vote of yay or nay, you may physically raise your
- The members participating remotely, to indicate your vote of yay or nay, you may physically raise your
- Has every member voted? Would any member like to change their vote?
- Please vote no. Madam Speaker, in the Bad bill, please vote no.
- Has every member voted? Representative Ty, how do you vote?
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also moved several bills through routine orders, including placing House Bill 273 on health carrier surpluses and House Bill 2681 on cannabis license fees on the second reading calendar, and welcoming guests and honored families to the gallery.
The main floor action centered on three bills. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program, was amended with a technical clarification and passed 84-5. Supporters said the industry should fund a statewide tourism marketing effort to attract visitors year-round and compete with other states. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, on renewable energy, was amended to address local tax treatment of wind, solar, and battery storage projects and passed 74-15; proponents said it would replace a shifting property-tax burden with a more stable excise tax so host communities receive lasting benefits.
House Bill 2521, concerning firearms background checks, drew the most debate. Amendments to raise the fee cap and to set the fee at zero were both rejected, with opponents arguing the bill would burden constitutional rights and supporters saying the fee should cover the State Patrol’s costs. The bill then passed 53-36. House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, passed unanimously 89-0 after brief support from both parties. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It should be 24 16 by happening to the unauthorized vote for the delegate and alternate delegate of the
- AB 2424 by Hayes related to the acceptable form of photo identification for the purposes of voting were
- construction retentions for the committee on trade workforce and economic development HB 2485 by a vote
- Vote required to approve the issuance of general obligation bonds by a political subdivision, referred
- 2-2 by Howard proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing certain persons of age under 18 to vote
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 24th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a long daily file and concurrence agenda. Early procedural actions included withdrawing AB 1555 and AB 2221 from engrossing and enrolling, suspending rules to move SB 813 to second reading, re-referring several bills to committees, and approving committee meeting notices. The chamber also adopted a rules waiver for chaptering-out amendments and handled several other procedural motions before turning to floor votes.
On the Senate third reading file, members approved a wide range of bills covering housing, health care, education, transportation, energy, public safety, taxation, and local government. Measures discussed included EV charger liability in HOAs (SB 1267), local public benefits authority (SB 1099), special needs trusts under Proposition 19 (SB 974), infant formula tax treatment (SB 1151), mutual water company rate transparency (SB 1417), Alzheimer’s treatment coverage (SB 950), protections for mental health professionals in correctional settings (SB 993), development fee transparency (SB 1014), climate literacy in schools (SB 1048), illegal dumping enforcement (SB 1218), homeowner repair timelines for unpermitted work (SB 1272), EV charging station permitting (SB 1283), nonprobate asset distribution (SB 1288), DCA sunset cleanup (SB 1311), wildfire and disaster-related measures (SB 742, SB 904), nitrous oxide sales restrictions (SB 936), PrEP access (SB 1023), early math assessments (SB 1067), firearm restrictions for certain serial-number offenses (SB 1220), and several licensing, education, and health-related bills. Most measures passed with strong margins; a few drew notable opposition, including SB 993, which failed, while SB 222, SB 1037, SB 1220, SB 1255, and SB 1279 passed with narrower votes.
The Assembly then took up concurrence on numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. Among the bills concurred in were AB 2075, AB 431, AB 1153, AB 1328, AB 1486, AB 1573, AB 1591, AB 1617, AB 1738, AB 1749, AB 1789, AB 1802, AB 1818, AB 1820, AB 1829, AB 1877, AB 2010, AB 2011, AB 2160, AB 2178, AB 2262, AB 2310, AB 2349, AB 2422, AB 2481, AB 2504, AB 2580, AB 2640, AB 1705, and AB 1793. These concurrence items covered forestry, aviation, illegal dumping, Medi-Cal, climate resiliency, housing, health professions, hazardous waste reporting, domestic violence protections, mental health parity, lactation support, community college programs, air quality response, student aid, beverage containers, teacher credentialing, state mandates, privacy, cash payments, and more. The transcript ended while the Assembly was beginning consideration of SB 1412 on remote parent-teacher conference participation.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It's really hard to access these really remote places, and oftentimes our remote sensing data or our
- A project that's specifically looking at new remote sensing mechanisms to evaluate snow depth is being
- have written testimony, so it was in favor, and so, committee, as soon as he takes his seat, we'll vote
- Representative Pickett, seeing no further questions for you, I guess we're ready to vote on this.
- Well, wait a minute for Representative Boyle to get back to her seat, and we will vote.
Committee:
House Resources and Conservation
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Dec 4th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Early Learning & K-12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Thanks for coming remotely. A couple questions.
- Thanks for coming remotely. A couple questions.
- Hi, so when we went remote, public education went remote, one of the big things that we saw was a lack
- We offer online courses and remote courses.
- Okay, we have one more remote. We'll go to a remote presentation. We have a principal, Jody Kiefer.
Committee:
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
Summary:
The committee first received an overview of Washington’s Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs from OSPI. Staff explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional school setting, and that it can take the form of online, site-based, or remote courses. OSPI said ALE is still basic education, with the same student rights and district responsibilities as other public school programs, and that the agency provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Members asked for more detailed statewide data on demographics, outcomes, and post-graduation tracking, which OSPI said it would follow up on.
Representatives from several ALE programs then described their models and student populations. Washington Virtual Academies, Columbia Virtual Academy, Pearl, and River Home Link each said they serve students through different combinations of online, remote, or site-based learning, with families choosing these programs for reasons such as medical needs, athletics, travel, homeschooling preferences, religious or political concerns, bullying, or the need for more individualized instruction. The presenters emphasized that they provide certificated teachers, special education and multilingual services, assessments, clubs, field trips, and other supports, while also noting funding and capacity limits. Senators asked about for-profit versus district-run structures, transportation, meals, early learning, CTE access, vaccination requirements, and how students socialize and transition to high school. Several presenters said they would provide follow-up information on demographics, language access, and funding details.
The committee then shifted to an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI described its AI guidance, which centers on human input, AI output, and human evaluation, and said it has issued practical documents for classroom use and ethics, revised standards to emphasize critical thinking, digital literacy, media literacy, and data literacy, and supported statewide professional development. OSPI also highlighted an AI innovation summit, educator training courses, and new AI-related course codes and equivalency frameworks. District presenters from Quincy and Peninsula described local AI integration efforts, including board policies, classroom guidance, teacher professional learning, custom support tools, and career-connected programs such as drone certification. They stressed that AI should be introduced in a human-centered way and asked for state support for innovation, equity, workforce partnerships, and clear governance standards.