Transcript Highlights:

• District legislative aides to come and go to the legislative session for 30 or 60 days.
• district legislative aid position.
• legislative aides.
• by the legislators?
• Legislators, all right.

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I'm Claudia Kaufman, State Senator, the 47th Legislative District, and happy to be here
• I represent the 19th Legislative District.
• This applies to eligibility for service credits that were added to a police pension or a PERS 1 pension

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 6289, which would direct the Department of Commerce to develop a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan by June 30, 2027, with updates every five years. Senator Kaufman said the bill is intended to create a more intentional, coordinated, data-driven statewide strategy to support businesses of all sizes and sectors. Supporters from the Washington Economic Development Association and the Department of Commerce said the plan is needed to align regional and local efforts, improve competitiveness, and address challenges such as capital access, infrastructure gaps, tariffs, and AI-related disruption. Both Commerce and WEDA supported moving the update cycle from two years to five years, and Commerce said the change would save money and help reduce the fiscal impact. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6149, which would expand the definition of a rural county for public facilities funding and related programs to include counties with population density of 100 or more people per square mile if they have no city larger than 45,000 people. Senator Wilson said the bill is meant to preserve rural eligibility for counties like Cowlitz as cities grow, so they do not lose access to grants and loans that support economic development. Members raised questions about how the new definition would affect counties and whether it would better capture rural areas within larger counties, but no testimony opposed the bill. In executive session, the committee considered three bills. For Senate Bill 5420, concerning access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, the committee adopted a striking amendment that broadened some eligibility language, including changing a reference from physical to medical discharge and updating employment preference provisions, then advanced the bill by a 12-0 vote with one excused. For Senate Bill 5649, creating a Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program, members began debate on amendments that would add WSDOT scoring criteria favoring Washington-made or Washington-grown goods and limit grants and loans to projects not already eligible for Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board funding. The committee also reviewed several amendments to the AI companion chatbot bill, including narrowing educational and gaming exclusions, adding protections around age inference and manipulative engagement techniques, and limiting data collection; one amendment was withdrawn before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> him, uh, because he is a good legislator him, uh, because he is a good legislator and<01:22:09.280
• Floor amendments will be shown on the screen on I Legislate in today's folders on your box account.
• </c> transferred from the old age pension transferred from the old age pension state<05:17:33.520><c>
• ><c> line</c><05:18:18.160><c> item</c> Pension State Medical Program line item Pension State Medical
• </c><05:36:49.840><c> state</c> services three old age pension state services three old age pension state

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is Joanna Bears I'm the legislative is Joanna Bears I'm the legislative director<00:18:10.039><c
• </c> my uh legislative my uh legislative [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] paycheck<01:04:37.160><c> and
• Taxes than seniors who have pensions, no children to pay for, arguably their homes are paid off.
• The Legislative Assistant will take the roll.
• David</c> The Legislative Assistant took the roll.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• going to go a little bit out of order and start with Finance Administration Cabinet, Kentucky Public Pension
• We are going to start with Finance Administration Cabinet, Kentucky Public Pension Authority, 1451.
• :05.880><c> sorry</c><00:02:06.280><c> Kentucky</c><00:02:06.680><c> public</c><00:02:06.920><c> pensions
• </c> Kentucky Public Pension Authority, 105 KAR 1:451, with staff suggested amendment.
• Nathan Goodrich, staff attorney supervisor, Kentucky Public Pensions Authority. Thank you so much.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation simply incorporates some of the specific elements from that conversation.
• We partner with DCYF, with strong legislative support, to defend the components of high-quality care
• Under current law, this process must happen within 60 days after adjournment of the legislative session
• Legislation was passed in 2018. I believe it took effect in 2021. Thank you very much.
• Legislation was passed in 2018. I believe it took effect on 2021. Thank you. Very much.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• As several members enter their final year in this committee, this legislation offers a chance to leave
• The transition from a three-member board to two separate five-member boards with expanded legislative
• The transition from a three-member board to two separate five-member boards with expanded legislative
• And whether that's governor appointed or legislative appointed, that's yet to be determined; it's still
• We don't have it yet because there may be pension costs related to LEOFF or PERS if L&I determines that

Bills: SB6290 , SB6282 , SB5379 , SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5882 , SB6303 , SB6180 , SB6195 , SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: liquor regulation, cannabis board, reorganization, state agency, governance, apprenticeship, behavioral health, construction trades, workforce training, wellness, interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> shall be 14 from the old age pension shall be 14 from the old age pension fund<01:13:43.520><c>
• </c> I7 shall be from the old age pension I7 shall be from the old age pension fund<01:16:15.280><c>
• </c> to this legislation. to this legislation.
• Part 12, Legislative Department, Legislative Council, Property Tax Study pursuant to section 39-1-104
• </c> House Bill 26 to 1,410 legislative House Bill 26 to 1,410 legislative department<03:41:37.840><c

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> are</c> these pieces of legislation are these pieces of legislation are important<00:04:29.760><
• </c><00:10:39.360><c> formula</c> do not factor into the pension formula do not factor into the pension
• 00:15:44.080><c> the</c><00:15:44.160><c> things</c> legislation he passes and the things legislation
• I worked for and important legislation.
• </c> Nunn, great bill, great legislation. Nunn, great bill, great legislation.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.
• She was my committee legislative assistant.
• I don't write up legislation.
• Legislators are not the only dreams realized.
• This bill reflects our responsibility as legislators to invest in...

Transcript Highlights:

• Pensions Authority.
• House Bill 220 is a very simple piece of legislation.
• 10.320><c> the</c> This legislation simply directs the This legislation simply directs the Kentucky<00
• </c> legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• House Bill of city legislative bodies.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we have today as our guest, Adam Eitman, legislative director.
• I'm the legislative director for the Attorney General's office.
• “And this legislation would do three things.
• Good morning, Victoria Hunt, representing the Fifth Legislative District.
• He did not receive a pension. He did not get his medical problems solved.

Summary: The committee first received an update from the Attorney General’s office on a new workers’ rights unit and two request bills. The office said the unit will focus on wage theft and civil rights enforcement, using existing resources for a small staff. It also described a bill to expand civil investigative demand authority for labor, wage theft, prevailing wage, and discrimination investigations, and an Immigrant Worker Protection Act that would require employer notice when federal immigration authorities request employee records, limit access to nonpublic work areas without a warrant, and restrict disclosure of employee data without proper legal process. Senators asked about costs, funding sources, and the scope of the proposed authority, and the office said it would follow up with more detail. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Washington’s workers’ compensation system from Labor and Industries, including how claims are filed, how the medical provider network works, and how treatment authorizations and utilization review are handled. L&I said the network was created to improve care quality and return workers to work, and explained that most routine care is automatically authorized while certain procedures require prior approval or review. A question from Senator Conway focused on the role of the medical director and the appeals process; L&I said decisions can be protested and reconsidered, with exceptions reviewed through a complex treatment unit and medical staff. An experience panel followed with testimony from labor representatives, physicians, and an injured-worker attorney, who argued that the medical provider network and treatment guidelines can delay or deny needed care, especially in complex cases such as PTSD, brain injuries, and serious orthopedic injuries. They described long appeals, utilization review barriers, provider shortages, and the impact on injured workers and families, while L&I’s presentation emphasized the system’s structure and review safeguards. The committee then heard a report from the Underground Economy Task Force in the construction industry. L&I summarized the task force’s findings on worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums, and outlined consensus and majority recommendations, including better interagency communication, stronger penalties for repeat offenders, more authority to address successorship, possible contractor notice requirements, and further study of cash payments. The Attorney General’s office, labor, and business representatives generally supported the report’s goals but differed on some recommendations, especially those affecting independent contractors, contractor liability, and administrative burdens. The chair and Senator Conway thanked participants and said the report would inform future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• right and and we've already pension right and and we've already increased<01:05:04.960><c> uh</c><01
• </c><01:06:45.279><c> would</c> understanding that their pensions would understanding that their pensions
• It was to make the retirement system safer for the eventual pension.
• , once you retire, your pension never changes, right?
• </c> meantime once you retire your pension meantime once you retire your pension never<01:10:54.960><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met to continue work on House Bill 2, with the chair saying the goal was to finish the bill as given by the governor, though additional amendments were expected. Members first discussed the bail section and agreed to hold it for later because a separate House bail bill was expected on Thursday and could have significant county cost impacts. They also generally accepted the proposed reorganization of positions between Fish and Game, DNCR, and the Department of Environmental Services, but noted the need to review effective dates and funding details, including a possible double appropriation of $275,000 for a scientist position already funded in HB 1. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on environmental review and native plant-related sections moving functions from DNCR to DES. Members discussed changing the rulemaking timeline from 180 days to 90 days, and clarifying that “begin” means the public hearing stage. They also reviewed how fee revenue would shift between agencies in HB 1 so the budget impact would be net zero. The committee indicated it would prepare amendments reflecting these changes and revisit them at a later vote. The longest discussion concerned the boathouse provisions. Members debated whether the new definitions and construction standards were appropriate in a budget bill, with one member arguing they should be in a separate bill, while others said the provisions were urgent because of a lawsuit and the lack of clear guardrails. Concerns included the February 20, 2025 effective date, which some thought might be retroactive, the detailed limits on what may be stored in a boathouse, and a fee increase that some felt could discourage homeowners from seeking permits. The committee also questioned whether the fee structure should be tiered for smaller projects and whether permit-by-notification projects should be exempted. No final votes were taken on these sections during the discussion; instead, members agreed to seek legal and policy answers and to return with amendments and public hearing input before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our first Labor and Commerce Committee of the 2026 legislative session.
• John Bronson, Senator for the 20th Legislative District.
• This is the same funding method that we do in our pension plans.
• Our pensions are based on what the experience has been in the past.
• This was never our intent when passing the underlying legislation.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee opened its 2026 session with member introductions and a work session on the Employment Security Department’s structure and programs. ESD officials described their roles and reviewed paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, unemployment insurance, workforce services, and agricultural worker outreach. Senators raised concerns about call volume, program solvency, fraud detection, employer access to information, and whether workers can receive leave benefits while working other jobs. ESD said WA Cares is in a limited pilot, PFML has seen rapid growth, UI trust fund solvency is projected to be near the statutory trigger level, and they would follow up with more detailed information on eligibility, fraud referrals, and employer scenarios. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5292, which would replace the current PFML rate-setting formula with a forward-looking actuarial model and require a four-month reserve beginning in 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor, JLARC staff, labor advocates, and employer groups, said the change would improve stability and follow JLARC recommendations; opponents warned it could lead to higher payroll taxes and argued the program is already too costly. The chair said she intended to keep the bill narrow as it moved forward. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6014, a technical bill on pregnancy-related accommodations that would preserve the ability of pregnant workers to request certain accommodations without a doctor’s note and create a public records exemption for sensitive complaint and investigation records; the sponsor and supporters said it corrects a drafting error and protects privacy. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5972, which would remove the population threshold limiting interest arbitration for correctional officers in jails, and Senate Bill 5869, which would make permanent and expand from residential to all building construction sites a requirement that L&I notify employers or owners within 10 working days when a hazard is identified. Correctional officers’ representatives and labor groups supported SB 5972 as a fairness and safety measure, while the sponsor said it would create consistency across jurisdictions. Construction industry groups supported SB 5869, and L&I said it had no concerns but wanted the bill kept narrow; the chair noted the bill’s purpose was to speed hazard communication. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5874, which would allow ESD to waive penalties for minor errors in quarterly unemployment reports, especially missing SOC/job-title information. The sponsor said small businesses were being hit with unnecessary fines, and ESD said it had identified a sharp rise in penalties and was working with the sponsor on possible fixes. The committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• So uh with that being said, legislation.
• There's an existing legislative priority within the city.
• I'm the legislative Joanna Bears.
• </c> relates to the um public pension relates to the um public pension subtraction<00:54:40.000><c> or
• </c> this important legislation for us. this important legislation for us.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you familiar with this legislation? Yes.
• And I do support the legislation, or I am going to support the legislation.
• And I do support the legislation or I am going to support the legislation.
• By many legislators to resist regulating big tech.
• The legislation modernizes Chapter 57 of Title 15.

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered prayers and moments of silence for community members who had recently died, and recognized several guests and family members in the chamber. After routine communications and passage of consent calendar 29, the chamber took up a series of measures on the main and colored agendas, with several bills and resolutions passing by voice vote or roll call. Among the measures approved were House Concurrent Resolution 157, which as amended requested a State Lottery report on options to support traditional lottery retailers; Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program; Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecommunications carriers; Senate Bill 339 clarifying health directive forms in mental health facilities; Senate Bill 235 on manufactured home community rent increases; Senate Bill 325, as amended, updating fire prevention and volunteer fire/EMS background check rules; Senate Bill 309 on inmate work and discharge of incarceration-related balances; Senate Bill 324 on deadly weapons and constable agency representatives; Senate Bill 293 on youth camp child care licensing; Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery; and Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to marry regardless of race or gender while preserving religious freedom. House Bill 188, changing Delaware primary elections to allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after debate. Two measures drew extended discussion and amendments. Senate Bill 233, requiring snow and ice to be removed from vehicles, was tabled once, then later amended and passed after debate over whether the law was workable for truck drivers and other vehicle operators; a proposed truck-related exemption amendment failed. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, privacy, and educator oversight, alongside concerns from members about data, bias, and long-term effects. Several items were tabled or reconsidered during the session, and the House adjourned after completing the day’s business.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Emily Alvarado from the 34th Legislative District.
• For the record, Emily Alvarado from the 34th Legislative District.
• And other states are contemplating legislation similar to this.
• Vandana Slatter, State Senator, 48th Legislative District.
• It will either be dealt with legislatively or paid for in human life.

Summary: The Housing Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5496, which would limit certain business and investment entities from buying additional single-family homes after reaching 100 holdings, with exemptions for banks, nonprofits making affordability-related improvements, and some development/foreclosure situations. Senator Alvarado said the bill is intended to curb speculation and help Washington families compete for homes, while opponents argued it would interfere with the market, reduce rental supply, and could affect REITs and retirement investments. Supporters, including Habitat for Humanity, said institutional buying has made homeownership harder and that the bill would create needed guardrails; opponents from the building and rental housing industries said the data did not justify the restriction and asked for clearer exemptions or data on impacts. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6200, which would prohibit landlords under the residential and manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant laws from banning tenants from installing portable cooling devices, subject to safety, code, egress, insurance, and damage-related exceptions. Senator Slatter and supporters framed the bill as a public health response to deadly heat events, especially the 2021 heat dome, and said it would help renters, seniors, and people with disabilities stay safe during extreme heat. Landlord and property management representatives were generally neutral or cautiously supportive, but asked for changes on notice, lease language, insurance, and window-unit safety; one testifier raised concerns about evaporative coolers and potential moisture damage. In executive session, the committee acted on several bills. It adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 5156 on elevator standards in smaller apartment buildings and reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation. It rejected amendments to Senate Bill 5938 on the foreclosure prevention fee, adopted an amendment removing a study requirement, and then reported the bill out as amended with a due pass recommendation. It also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 6054 on fire-hardened building materials and reported that bill out as amended with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee reported out Senate Bill 6237B on flood disclosure with a due pass recommendation. After those votes, the committee reopened public hearing on SB 6200 and SB 5496 to hear additional testimony, then adjourned for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was my committee legislative assistant.
• I don't make our write up legislation.
• ,</c><01:26:24.880><c> nine</c> Minnesota and of your legislators, nine Minnesota and of your legislators
• </c> receive retirement pension points. receive retirement pension points.
• </c> pension point for those service days. pension point for those service days.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The only thing that I have right now is the fact that I was not eligible for my pension, so I get my
• pension and my insurance from the government.
• </c><00:13:53.279><c> and</c> for my pension so I get my pension and for my pension so I get my pension
• auditor who has that as a legislative auditor who has that as a term<00:26:11.120><c> and</c><00:26:
• It would require state and federal legislators and the U.S.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Pensions will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
• Conyham, is now back with us here in pensions. Welcome aboard. House Bill 3208 deals with the St.

Committee: House Pensions

Keywords: 959, house, all