Transcript Highlights:

• </c> really reduces the value of that study. really reduces the value of that study.
• Their service is especially valued by people who can't drive or fly and when a personal vehicle is not
• </c> personal vehicle is not available. personal vehicle is not available.
• , connected automated vehicle.
• , connected automated vehicle.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we're talking about autonomous vehicles and getting used to them, with vehicles that run around
• legal special purpose vehicle if street legal special purpose vehicle if the<00:21:21.400><c> highways
• :21:30.480><c> vehicle</c><00:21:31.279><c> can't</c><00:21:31.480><c> be</c> special purpose vehicle
• </c> street legal special purpose vehicles street legal special purpose vehicles with<00:21:56.120><c
• </c><00:43:27.119><c> valtion</c> it will accept a use car value valtion it will accept a use car value

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 19 minutes, and opened with a moment of silent prayer for a colleague who had experienced a medical episode. Members also recognized several guests, including students, school board members, and community visitors. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 66, which proposes a task force on Advanced Air Mobility. The sponsor described the measure as a way for Kentucky to study emerging eVTOL and related aviation technology, compare policies with other states, and position the commonwealth to compete for economic development in aviation, aerospace, and logistics. Members expressed support for the forward-looking concept, and the resolution was reported favorably after a roll call vote, with a correction noted that there was no committee substitute attached. The committee next considered Senate Bill 38, dealing with school bus stop-arm safety cameras. The sponsor and a co-sponsor said the bill is permissive, not mandatory, and would help school districts pay for camera purchase, installation, and operation if they choose to use them. They emphasized the goal of reducing illegal passing of stopped school buses, cited survey data showing thousands of violations statewide, and said the bill includes a process for contesting citations and keeps revenue largely within school districts and the court system. A co-sponsor described a personal near-miss involving a child crossing in front of a bus. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 63 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. The sponsor and a witness from Back Roads of Appalachia said the bill is intended to support recreation and economic development in Eastern Kentucky by allowing certain UTVs and similar vehicles to be made street legal under defined safety and registration requirements. They stressed that farm and agricultural vehicles are excluded, that the bill is optional, and that vehicles would need inspection, registration, and safety equipment such as roll bars, seat belts, and windshields. Members asked about whether the bill would affect farm use, whether it was aimed at recreation, and how local governments could restrict use; the sponsor said localities could prohibit these vehicles on certain roads and that the measure was not meant to allow long-distance travel on major roads. The discussion also included a reminder to wear helmets. The transcript ends during the committee’s consideration of SB 63, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2323, warranties leased vehicles; leased definition. HB 2330, line siting factors.
• HB 2367, neighborhood electric vehicles VLT exemption.
• So, you know, I think cities have the right to reflect their populations and their values, and the values
• Yes, this bill just defines an ultralight vehicle. It's a flying car, and it's very cool.
• As our gross domestic product expands, we do actually have more value of stuff.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I have had... vehicle trail development that may vehicle trail development that may traverse<01:25
• </c> by DNR alone for off-highway vehicles by DNR alone for off-highway vehicles since<01:30:32.040><
• Vehicle Association of Minnesota.
• An ATV is often the vehicle of choice, as a vehicle would struggle or cause damage to the road.
• is often the vehicle of choice, as<02:02:06.160><c> a</c><02:02:06.240><c> vehicle</c><02:02:06.720>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> recreational vehicles. recreational vehicles.
• I am the current president of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota.
• </c><00:17:49.039><c> Our</c> Vehicle Association of Minnesota.
• Our Vehicle Association of Minnesota.
• </c><00:26:26.400><c> and</c> trails aligned with local values and trails aligned with local values and

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:30.240><c> not</c> transactions and for vehicles not transactions and for vehicles not registered
• </c> based on toll and vehicle based on toll and vehicle classifications.<00:06:40.160><c> And</c><00
• Um the bill also includes an vehicles.
• ><c> pass</c> Maine passenger vehicle easy pass Maine passenger vehicle easy pass account<00:34:39.760
• </c> explanation of why fair market value explanation of why fair market value isn't<02:08:51.280><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the value that they're getting in return for that?
• They receive back for time of use, like electric vehicle free nights and weekends.
• So again, there are value-added products beyond just basic service.
• So again, there are value-added products beyond just basic service.
• The value of electric vehicle charging... ...and free nights and weekends, all sorts of other things

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could be gas-powered cars or any kind of vehicle class that falls out of political favor.
• Authorizes cities to ban certain classes of vehicles from using the toll roads.
• I don't see why certain classes of vehicles should be banned from.
• Why would the department, why would Tech say we're not going to allow an electric vehicle?
• CDAs can return value to the state by minimizing public costs, mostly with just oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had emergency vehicles, emergency vehicles, not on an emergency call, not with their lights and
• their vehicles are being outfitted with laptops that face the driver.
• It's a vehicle to to do to do more.
• We know there's a lot of things that happened in a vehicle that are distracting.
• I meant to so and the language of the bill defines value the value for the sake of prosecution.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW.
• But it is also a celebration of the common values that we share, the values really that our country was
• or some kind of value-add mechanism that is increasing the value of the investment, through our courts
• OR SOME KIND OF VALUE-ADD MECHANISM THAT IS INCREASING THE VALUE OF THE INVEST MENT, TRUE OUR COURTS
• &gt;&gt; YOU MENTIONED 20 TIMES THE VALUE.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• to seize the vehicle for forfeiture.
• So they lose the vehicle and they pay the cost of the vehicle. Mr.
• We have a vehicle now.
• or subtracting value to...
• And whether or not those characteristics are either adding value or subtracting value to the life.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2763, which would require a joint resolution of the legislature before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission could close a state-run shooting range. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Prescott-area doctor, Arizona Citizens Defense League representatives, and Game and Fish staff, argued that closures can push shooters into unsafe public lands, create trash and safety problems, and that the legislature should have a voice in any closure decision. Game and Fish said its goal is to preserve Ben Avery and emphasized public safety. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 8-1 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2417, allowing courts to order speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension or revocation for certain traffic offenses. Supporters said it could help people keep working and reduce recidivism, while opponents and some members raised concerns about scope and implementation. An amendment removed eligibility for people convicted of reckless driving or racing and clarified manufacturers are not required to build compatible vehicles. The bill, as amended, passed 7-2. House Bill 2345 followed, creating a felony for unlawfully present persons who possess a falsified commercial driver’s license and authorizing vehicle forfeiture and penalties for employers who knowingly hire such drivers. The sponsor framed it as a narrow public-safety measure, but the Arizona Trucking Association opposed it, arguing it was preempted by federal law, unworkable, and could jeopardize federal funding. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a 5-3-1 do pass recommendation. The committee also advanced House Bill 2666, increasing penalties for sexual extortion involving victims ages 15 to 17; testimony from prosecutors and anti-trafficking advocates supported the bill, while defense attorneys and some members urged caution about juvenile defendants and mandatory consecutive sentences. It passed 8-0 with members noting possible future amendments. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2175, which adds hate-crime-style sentencing enhancements for bias-motivated offenses and expands protected categories to include political expression and political affiliation. The ADL and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office supported the measure as a needed tool, while the ACLU and defense attorneys warned the political-expression language was too broad and could chill speech or invite selective prosecution. The bill passed 6-2 after adoption of an amendment. House Bill 2186, which lets a passenger satisfy identity requirements during a traffic stop by verbally providing information instead of showing physical ID, also received a do pass recommendation on a 7-0-1 vote after the sponsor said it was meant to fix an unconstitutional vagueness problem. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 2364, concerning penalties for distribution or receipt of abortion-inducing drugs by courier or delivery service, but the exchange was cut off before testimony or action on that bill was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, Sound Transit currently imposes a 1.1% motor vehicle excise tax on the value of some
• vehicle types at registration.
• For background, Sound Transit currently imposes a 1.1% motor vehicle excise tax on the value of some
• vehicle types at registration.
• under 4,000 pounds in the vehicle weight fee schedule.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills on February 2nd. House Bill 2305 would exempt travel vans from the motor vehicle excise tax by distinguishing them from motor homes; staff said the Department of Revenue saw no fiscal impact, while the Department of Licensing estimated a $129,000 one-time system update cost and an indeterminate revenue impact. Representative Keaton sponsored the bill, and the lone testifier, Dennis Rhodes, argued that travel vans should not be taxed like motor homes and said the current tax unfairly applies to accessories and interior build-outs. House Bill 2601 would create a new motorcycle weight-fee category with a $15 fee instead of the current $35 fee. Staff estimated about 190,000 annual transactions and roughly $3.8 million per year in lost revenue to multimodal transportation accounts, plus about $20,000 in Department of Licensing programming costs. Representative Richards described the bill as a fairness issue for riders, and the only testifier, Larry Walker of ABATE of Washington, supported the measure as more equitable because motorcycles do not weigh anywhere near 4,000 pounds and the implementation date would give the state time to adjust. House Bill 2604 would remove notarization requirements for certain vehicle title-transfer documents used when an insurer totals a vehicle, allowing electronic or printed signatures for those limited transactions. Staff reported no fiscal impact from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner or the Department of Licensing. Representative Richards said the bill would reduce burdens on people in rural areas and others without easy access to notaries or transit, and testimony from Copart representatives and Robert Foley supported the bill as a consumer-friendly way to speed title processing and payment after total-loss claims. After closing public testimony on the last bill, the committee adjourned and moved to caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• What value is there in allowing extreme deterioration?
• And in that time, the vehicle owner is deprived of access to their vehicle, and they are faced with the
• It just allows a vehicle owner to retrieve their vehicle on the same day of their... ...process.
• It just allows a vehicle owner to retrieve their vehicle on the same day of their dispute, and it does
• Thank you. ...vehicle owner to retrieve their vehicle on the same day of their dispute, and it does so

Summary: The committee heard several bills. SB 911, by Senator Becker, would require notification and verification of defensible-space compliance when homes in high wildfire severity zones are transferred, using the preliminary change of ownership report; supporters said it would improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while county assessors opposed the use of the PCOR and urged a different recorded document. Members generally supported the bill but raised concerns about the 12-month compliance window and the need to keep working with assessors; the bill was held pending a quorum and later placed on call. SB 1016, by Senator Blakespear, would create a pathway for a higher-level mental health evaluation when a Care Court petition is dismissed because the person is too ill to participate or otherwise needs more intensive care. Supporters, including psychiatrists, family members, and local officials, said Care Court is leaving many severely ill people untreated and that the bill would connect them to existing LPS processes. Opponents, including Disability Rights California, county behavioral health directors, counties, and other advocacy groups, argued it would expand involuntary detention, bypass existing pre-petition screening safeguards, and undermine Care Court’s voluntary nature. The bill passed the committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 1112, by Senator Archuleta, would create a faster court process for victims of illegal or excessive “bandit towing” to recover their vehicles by posting a bond and obtaining a release certificate. Support came from Enterprise Mobility and the author, who said the bill targets bad actors and helps equalize leverage for vehicle owners; the California Auto Body Association sought an amendment to exclude auto repair shops. The committee passed the bill as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. SB 1119, by Senator Padilla, would impose child-safety requirements on AI chatbots, including risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, limits on time and data use, reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The bill was driven by testimony from the mother of a teenager who died by suicide after prolonged chatbot interactions; industry and business groups opposed or sought amendments, citing overlap with recent law, vague standards, and prescriptive design mandates. Members expressed strong support for the bill’s goals while urging tighter definitions, and the bill was moved on a roll call vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:18:36.080><c> on</c> point out that this is a value on point out that this is a value on the<
• </c> your tab fees based on, not the value your tab fees based on, not the value that<01:18:56.960><c
• </c> value that it's actually worth. value that it's actually worth.
• significantly</c> Because that value is significantly Because that value is significantly lower lower
• This is something that Minnesotans absolutely value: our public goods and Minnesotans absolutely value

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To provide brief background, last year, School district transportation vehicle funds.
• If you, Money from its transportation vehicle fund to another school fund.
• Those are, Transportation vehicle fund to another fund of the district.
• And we heard Senator Wellman's transportation vehicle fund bill last week.
• At the transportation vehicle fund, some districts have a very, very healthy transportation vehicle fund

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several education bills. SB 6078 would provide pre-licensing supports for prospective child care providers through DCYF, fire protection consultations, and a licensing resource guide; the sponsor, DCYF, and a community nonprofit all supported it, emphasizing that it would reduce fragmented permitting barriers and help expand child care access, while a senator raised the possibility of overlap with existing early learning facilities support. SB 6089 would create a public-private partnership account to support coordination across the P-20W system and fund a public-facing data dashboard; the sponsor and many advocates supported it as a way to align early learning through workforce systems and improve transparency, while some testifiers urged stronger public oversight, caution about private influence, and explicit inclusion of early learning. SB 5859 would expand competency-based assessments as graduation pathway options; supporters said it would better reflect how students learn and provide flexibility, while the State Board of Education and school principals urged caution and suggested waiting for the board’s broader Future Ready graduation review. SB 5861 would require more school board directors to be elected from director districts in larger districts; supporters said it would improve community representation, while some districts and WSSDA warned about local control, added costs, and governance disruption. SB 6065 would allow districts in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds for temporary loans or transfers with OSPI approval; supporters said it could help districts recover financially without harming transportation needs. After the hearings, the committee moved into executive session and acted on two bills. It adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5956, which restricts certain automated decision systems, surveillance technologies, biometric data, and facial recognition uses in student discipline and school safety decisions, and then advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5901, which concerns state funding for on-base school construction, and advanced that bill with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means. Both measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:43.639><c> your</c> times you know you value your times you know you value your relationships
• </c> connected and automated vehicle connected and automated vehicle technology<00:50:06.440><c> as</
• Most vehicles being sold in Minnesota today currently have some automated vehicle technology, ranging
• </c> of the governor's automated vehicle of the governor's automated vehicle advisory<00:52:42.880><c
• </c> that looks like for automated vehicles that looks like for automated vehicles on<01:02:17.160><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've had conversations about our vehicle count.
• Have we dug into our vehicle count, and have we got it?
• Vehicles, and we know these are actual vehicles that are in agencies or in use by the state, and that
• We have a very good handle on the vehicles that are in OMEs.
• So when an agency changes vehicles or sells Vehicles do they not go through you before they're considered

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to, by both parties, equal or greater value to the garden leave provision.
• , making it faster fueling stations for electrified vehicles.
• I understand the partnership, and if it's valued, they can stay together.
• I understand the partnership, and if it's valued, they can stay together.
• With the emergence of autonomous vehicles, we find ourselves at a crossroads.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H. 5386, also referred to as the Mass Winds Act, focused on global investment, talent, innovation, housing, and business competitiveness. Governor Healey, Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkowicz described the bill as a response to federal uncertainty and global competition, building on the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They highlighted proposed investments in a Global Mass initiative, including a $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for sites to help international companies locate or expand in Massachusetts, along with support for AI, quantum, robotics, defense innovation, climate tech, downtown revitalization, and creative/cultural economy projects. They also emphasized measures to lower business costs, including reducing the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, and streamlining housing and development rules. Committee members questioned the administration about non-compete reform, AI and data-center infrastructure, housing affordability, and whether the bill would help retain workers and companies in Massachusetts. The governor and secretaries argued that the non-compete changes would restore the original compromise by requiring any alternative to garden leave to be negotiated at separation, and they said the bill’s housing and workforce provisions are intended to help young workers stay in the state. They also said Massachusetts is already investing in AI training, an AI hub, and energy-related planning, while acknowledging that data-center growth will require careful attention to water, electricity, and ratepayer impacts. Several witnesses testified on specific sections. Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, saying experiential learning helps students gain jobs and remain in Massachusetts. The Latino Empowerment Advisory Council supported the waiver of redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses, saying it would speed entry into the workforce without lowering clinical standards. Russell Beck opposed the non-compete changes, arguing they would undermine the 2018 compromise and could reduce other forms of employee compensation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, citing revenue loss and fraud concerns. Municipal and regional groups, including the MMA and the Metro Mayors Coalition, supported site plan review codification and downtown/arts investments, while urging continued municipal input. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor protections if federal law changes, and business and industry witnesses generally supported the bill’s competitiveness and global investment provisions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with written testimony invited after the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> riding, or diminished property values riding, or diminished property values associated<00:28:51.919
• electric vehicle and such.
• vehicles create more damage. Um, and vehicles create more damage.
• </c> mostly due to more efficient vehicles. mostly due to more efficient vehicles.
• Merit being their value to the overall transportation system, their safety value, etc.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vehicle theft was down 37%.
• I want to delve into vehicle theft.
• , and led to a dramatic increase in those vehicles being stolen.
• Vehicles led to a dramatic increase in those vehicles being stolen, and for a variety of reasons that
• People, including police agencies, treat valued places differently.

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.