Transcript Highlights:

• They have to be willing to sign up for Medicare, and we definitely provide that education.
• So maybe it's helping educate them on what can be provided under early intervention, which is really
• So maybe it's, you know, helping educate them on what can be provided under early intervention, which
• We provide comprehensive behavioral health, education, and child welfare services across 19 counties
• I'm the outreach manager for the Mental Health Association of San Francisco.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> universities educate universities educate 270,000 270,000 270,000 students<00:03:41.120><c> per<
• </c><00:04:00.760><c> institutions</c> the other higher education institutions the other higher education
• </c><00:04:29.160><c> Journey</c> on their educational Journey on their educational Journey from<00:04
• </c> started out as a teacher education started out as a teacher education institution<00:32:33.600><
• , including higher education.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal year from the accident and medical aid accounts for credentialing of the providers, training outreach
• Physical therapists are doctoral-trained providers with extensive education and examination, differential
• However, as Suzanne said, PTs are educated and trained in differential diagnosis, which means they know
• And we do a lot of outreach. We do a lot of education.
• And we do a lot of outreach. We do a lot of education.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact. Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and outreach.
• and outreach.
• and outreach, and how long each of those will take, I honestly can't specifically speak to.
• So two questions I have is first I want to talk about the educational piece.
• this is what we do comes to outreach this is what we do when<00:53:15.680><c> it</c><00:53:15.880><c

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on a bill reorganizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity and invasive species framework, including moving or renaming responsibilities within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and clarifying the role of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC). Testimony from the Hawaiian Invasive Species Council, DLNR, Oʻahu and Big Island invasive species committees, the Sierra Club, farmers, and community members generally agreed that invasive species management is critical, but many opposed consolidating HISC or broader biosecurity functions into a single department. Supporters of the existing interagency model emphasized HISC’s statewide coordination role, its links to DLNR and other agencies, and its ability to fill gaps with federal funding and cross-agency collaboration. Several testifiers raised concerns that the bill could weaken existing authority or create unintended legal and operational problems. The Sierra Club and others warned about possible interstate commerce issues, loss of authority to regulate movement of infested material within an island, and the need to preserve HISC as an independent or elevated coordinating body rather than placing it inside one agency. Community testimony described real-world impacts from little fire ants, coqui frogs, and landscaping-related introductions, and argued that the current system has produced service gaps and duplication when funding or responsibilities shift. One testifier also urged removing hemp movement reporting provisions, saying they do not aid biosecurity and should be treated like other crops. DLNR and Department of Agriculture representatives said they support the overall goal of stronger biosecurity but stressed that invasive species work is broader than agriculture alone. They noted that DOA, DLNR, and other partners each have different missions and capabilities, and that staff safety, terrain, and training matter when responding in remote areas. The department said it was recruiting for new positions, with some of the 44 funded positions still being finalized, and that implementation would require phased rulemaking, standards, training, and outreach. Members asked about the bill’s practical impact, staffing needs, and whether inspectors are prohibited from hiking; the department said no blanket prohibition exists, but staff use judgment based on safety and terrain. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about providing the specialized navigation and outreach necessary to overcome the stigma and...
• ...navigation and outreach necessary to overcome the stigma and rural isolation that often prevent our
• isolation that often... ...outreach necessary to overcome the stigma and rural isolation that often
• And they do a tremendous amount of outreach. I get their social media posts.
• They're constantly doing benefits outreaches.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and heard two bills from Representative Martinez. House Bill 56 would appropriate $1 million to the Department of Veterans Services to expand behavioral health and suicide prevention efforts for veterans. Supporters, including the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Veterans Services, the Disability Coalition, New Mexico Professional Firefighters, the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, and NAMI New Mexico, said the funding would help veterans navigate a difficult system, improve outreach in rural areas, and address New Mexico’s high veteran suicide rate and related alcohol and drug deaths. Committee members asked about whether the program was new or an expansion of an existing effort, how services would be delivered, and whether outreach would reach homeless and rural veterans. The secretary explained that the bill would augment an existing Suicide Prevention Act program, use contracts with outside providers rather than direct services, and require two term employees for contract management and outreach. The committee voted 7-1 to give HB 56 a due pass and send it to the next committee. The committee then heard House Bill 55, which would create an income tax deduction for retirement income earned by first responders, similar to an existing benefit for military retirees. Supporters argued it would help recruit and retain firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders, and could encourage retirees to move to New Mexico and contribute economically. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal impact, the lack of a sunset, the narrow definition of first responder, and Taxation and Revenue Department concerns that the bill could reduce general fund revenue by about $6.1 million in the first year and might not attract retirees on its own. The sponsor said he had not yet met with Tax and Rev but would do so, and noted he was open to a sunset if it helped the bill move forward. Despite concerns, the committee voted 7-1 to pass HB 55 to the next committee, with members explaining their votes and emphasizing that the bill would receive further vetting in Tax and Revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• they are offered by, sponsored by, or played in connection with a public or private post-secondary educational
• the performance or non-performance of an individual athlete who is enrolled in a post-secondary educational
• Topics include education and outreach tools for tribal voters, including providing students with information
• Topics include education and outreach tools for tribal voters, including providing students with information
• In fact, last time I was here I told you that we were hiring a tribal outreach specialist.

Bills: SB6084 , SB6137 , SCR8406 , SB5892 , SB5863

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, lines 39 and 40 are related to the driver's education requirement for those under 21.
• Um, had some outreach from the Minnesota Hospital Association.
• from</c><00:59:11.840><c> Minnesota</c> Um had some outreach from Minnesota Um had some outreach from
• </c><01:22:02.480><c> to</c> seem to include like doing outreach to seem to include like doing outreach
• Chairman, I just had a quick question about I have in my packet 2433, the education...

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of my direct responsibilities is educating especially new people to the industry.
• Um, making sure that they're responsibilities is educating especially responsibilities is educating especially
• </c> getting out there and trying to educate getting out there and trying to educate everybody,<00:22
• What kind of outreach is going on to get more members, to get nine more members?
• What kind of outreach is going on team.

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard multiple gubernatorial confirmation nominations, beginning with GM509 for Jay Stone to the Environmental Advisory Council. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and other supporters praised Stone’s more than 30 years of engineering experience and said he would help balance environmental protection with economic development. Stone said he wanted to contribute to environmental health and sustainability, and identified sea level rise and PFAS in drinking water as key concerns. The committee then moved to GM531 and GM532, nominations of Judson Leair and Nicholas Ta to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported both nominees. Leair emphasized his farming background and said pesticide policy should be more comprehensive, selective, and threshold-based rather than relying on broad-spectrum use; Ta said he would focus on integrated pest management, label compliance, education, and using the least amount of pesticide necessary, including non-chemical alternatives such as exclusion and behavior changes. The committee next considered GM533, Janet Ashman’s nomination to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported her, citing her experience, responsiveness, and prior service. Ashman said she wanted to help make pesticide regulations more understandable and stressed targeted pest control, scouting, and more precise products. Members asked about the complexity of pesticide regulations and the shift away from broad-based pesticide use; Ashman explained that regulations are complicated for both farmers and homeowners and that newer, more targeted products are needed as pests develop resistance. The committee then heard GM57 for Don Hegger Nordl to the Environmental Advisory Council. Supporters said she has environmental planning experience and knowledge of Chapter 343 and related rules. Nordl said she could bring state, county, and federal experience to the council and identified the need for more volunteers and broader professional representation as the council’s biggest challenge. Finally, the committee took up GM697, Dean Matsukawa’s nomination as deputy director of the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and several other testifiers strongly supported him, highlighting his 30 years with the department, his family farming background, and his understanding of farmers’ needs, especially access to capital and biosecurity challenges. Testifiers said he is calm, logical, experienced, and already familiar with the department’s work. Matsukawa was described as a reluctant nominee who was sought out for the role. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on the nominations during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your Health Idaho also continued to invest in education.
• Your Health Idaho also continued to invest in education.
• Your Health Idaho also continued to invest in educating Idahoans about their health insurance options
• The outreach team grew by 25 percent.
• Campaigns educated Idahoans about their health and dental insurance options, which was more critical

Summary: Senate Commerce first took up three gubernatorial appointments and sent all three to the Senate floor with recommendations for confirmation: Salvador Cruz as director of the Department of Finance, Nora Carpenter to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and Gregory Donica to the same board. Each motion passed without opposition. The committee then received an annual update from Pat Kelly, executive director of Your Health Idaho. He reported record enrollment activity, including more than 139,000 selections in open enrollment 2025 and over 144,000 in open enrollment 2026, with most enrollees receiving tax credits and many working with agents or brokers. Kelly said the exchange remains financially self-sustaining, has low operating costs, and achieved strong customer satisfaction scores. Members asked about rising premiums, the shift toward bronze plans, and enrollment timing; Kelly and later Insurance Director Dean Cameron said Idaho premiums remain among the lowest nationally, helped by the 1332 reinsurance waiver, though affordability concerns are increasing. The committee also reviewed and approved one Department of Commerce pending rule docket and several Department of Insurance rule dockets under zero-based regulation. The Commerce rulemaking was described as a non-substantive cleanup that removed obsolete language, aligned definitions, and adjusted some grant limits, including the Idaho GEM grant program. Insurance rule changes similarly focused on simplifying, clarifying, and removing duplicative statutory language across self-funded plans, long-term care insurance, small employer and individual health insurance, coordination of benefits, short-term health insurance, and managing general agents. The most notable policy-related change was the short-term health insurance docket, which was approved with an effective date upon adjournment to avoid a gap after a temporary rule expires; all dockets were approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• every i and cross every t when it comes to physical and mental health, emotional well-being, and education
• I do outreach in Worcester, Massachusetts, with all the parents. These kids need us.
• I do outreach in Worcester, Massachusetts, with all the parents.
• I do outreach in Worcester, Massachusetts, with all the parents. These kids need us.
• I do outreach in Worcester, Massachusetts, with all the parents.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a package of Department of Children and Families bills focused on care and protection proceedings, sibling placement, parenting time, foster parent eligibility, adoption timelines, and a proposed Harmony Montgomery Commission. Rep. Marjorie Decker framed her bills as a set intended to reduce trauma for children removed from home by promoting sibling placement, visitation, cultural continuity, and limits on barriers to foster/adoptive placement. Witnesses from CASA, the Massachusetts Child Welfare Coalition, CPCS, and others generally supported the sibling-placement and parenting-time bills and the Harmony Commission, while several urged that the commission include a birth parent with lived experience and that its scope remain focused on child safety and family rights. A former juvenile court judge also supported the Harmony Commission, citing failures in the Harmony Montgomery case and broader concerns about DCF power and child representation. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing focused on Senate 114, the “Family Protection and Transparency Act,” which would require DCF to provide families with written and verbal notice of their rights during investigations, including the right to remain silent, consult counsel, and refuse entry absent legal authority except in emergencies. Supporters included parents, former foster youth, attorneys, advocates, and a peer mentor, many of whom described personal experiences of confusion, coercion, retaliation, and family separation when DCF became involved. They argued the bill would improve due process, language access, transparency, and accountability without limiting DCF’s emergency powers. Several witnesses also described intergenerational DCF involvement and said families often need resources and legal guidance rather than punitive intervention. Testimony on House 268 emphasized the importance of keeping siblings together in foster care whenever possible. Advocates cited research showing better mental health, educational, and reunification outcomes when siblings remain together, and several young people testified about being separated from brothers and sisters and the lasting impact of that separation. CPCS supported the bill and said regular sibling visitation should be required when joint placement is not possible. House 269, 270, 271, 288, and 293 were also on the notice, but the transcript reflects little or no testimony on some of those measures. The hearing concluded after the committee heard from all scheduled witnesses and invited written testimony for additional details.

Transcript Highlights:

• To your amendment, this is in regards to the Supplemental Nutrition Outreach Program.
• You know the impact towards SNAP outreach is a necessity, and not just within my district, but I've spoken
• This is an opportunity where our communities could have the support for workforce to do the outreach.
• There is base funding for the SNAP outreach program, even though there is no increase in this bill.
• when I was in my first term and Chair West was in his second term, we were on the Early Childhood Education

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

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

Transcript Highlights:

• programs, which included several different types of programs, including: Entertainment, recreation, educational
• partners to reduce gun violence, including the Next Step program at Hennepin Healthcare and Touch Outreach
• Our youth outreach program serves about two to three hundred kids every year.
• We are very aggressive at youth outreach programs.
• from public safety to national security to transportation, finance, law enforcement, health care, education

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sportsmanship in any education-based sportsmanship in any education-based activity. activity. activity
• We have to fund Holocaust education act.
• </c> behind the Quad City Veterans Outreach behind the Quad City Veterans Outreach Center.<00:27:12.800
• </c> While that economic and and educational While that economic and and educational impact<04:20:17.280
• </c> improve public access and education improve public access and education during<04:21:23.720><c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, there's nothing mandated as far as education or continuing education or education in any way
• A continuing education.
• So I believe that the education aspect is there.
• So I believe that the education aspect is there.
• I think that will require some outreach on my part.

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• What that meant is if you require a daily methadone dose, that means you have to go to group education
• If you require a daily methadone dose, that means you have to go to group education every single day
• And that is something that I'd like to educate myself on and perhaps bring to the task force too.
• The Missouri Graduate Medical Education Program, which started a few years ago, promotes residencies,
• People are starting, and that reflects public health education, prevention, and early engagement.

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> An education post. Secondary will now come to order.
• Doctor Kevin O'Farrell chancellor of career adult education for the Department of Education.
• Education are employed rate.
• I've education that would happen. The direct hands-on education.
• education.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So on line 264, you'll see there's $67.6 million, there's $12.6 million for arts education, and then
• The Department of Education has one appropriation for $6 million for the regional public libraries.
• There's $25,000 for outreach on grant opportunities from the Humanities Center.
• This is a different focus and approach than the programming and outreach work of Wilderness Inquiry.
• over 100,000 school kids—one of the biggest environmental education programs in the state.

Bills: HF2563

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: HF2563, legacy finance bill, Legacy Amendment, outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, Minnesota legacy funds, habitat conservation, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest conservation, riparian buffers, water quality, groundwater protection, drinking water, septic systems, watershed planning

Transcript Highlights:

• Henry Ollamock with RX Outreach, to go on record in support of Representative Hausman's bill.
• Dull, Representative Hukin, the reason why it's only nonprofit is because during the tornado, RX Outreach
• I've been a PA educator for about eight years. And I serve on our Missouri Academy of PAs.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing met with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 1797, a public accounting bill. The committee adopted a substitute that was described as clarification language to mirror the Senate version, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by unanimous roll call. The committee also considered House Bill 2974, adopted Amendment 0.01H adding clarifying scope-of-practice language, rolled the amendment into a committee substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass unanimously. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 1623, which would add massage therapists and chiropractors to the list of health care professionals subject to emergency disciplinary action through the Administrative Hearing Commission. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients and give licensing boards faster authority to act against bad actors in vulnerable settings. Supporters included a trial lawyer who described sexual assault cases involving massage parlors and a lobbyist for the Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association, who said quicker action would improve public safety and professional integrity. No opposition was presented. Next, the committee heard House Bill 309, which would provide clarity for nonprofit pharmacies serving low-income and underserved patients in emergency situations, inspired by access problems after the St. Louis tornadoes. The sponsor and an RX Outreach representative said the bill would help pharmacies transfer or dispense needed medications during emergencies without reducing oversight, and they discussed limits on quantities and controlled substances. Members asked why the bill was limited to nonprofit pharmacies and whether it applied outside Missouri; the witnesses said they were open to amendments and clarified the bill was aimed at Missouri emergencies. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3129, the Physician Assistant Compact. The sponsor said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, by allowing reciprocal practice across participating states without changing Missouri scope-of-practice law. A PA testified in support, saying it would help retain and recruit PAs and improve flexibility near state borders. The Missouri State Medical Association opposed the bill, arguing it could affect scope of practice, give compact commission rules too much authority, and weaken Missouri’s regulatory control; the Division of Professional Registration supported it, saying it fits rural health transformation goals and that compact participants would still have to follow Missouri scope laws. A nonprofit workforce group also testified in support. No votes were taken on the hearing bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Corey Westbury continued: I also work in community education and integration support around trauma and
• I'm a registered nurse specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapy and education, living here on Maui
• living here on Maui in strong education living here on Maui in strong support<00:12:28.720><c> of</c
• Augustine works with crisis outreach response engagement. I know. Come on. Okay.
• </c> Augustine works with crisis outreach Augustine works with crisis outreach response<00:36:40.560>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions. The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• they are offered by, sponsored by, or played in connection with a public or private post-secondary educational
• the performance or non-performance of an individual athlete who is enrolled in a post-secondary educational
• Topics include education and outreach tools for tribal voters, including providing students with information
• The features of the bill, the first part about the tribal working with tribal entities to do outreach
• In fact, last time I was here, I told you that we were hiring a tribal outreach specialist.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 6137 would expand Washington sports wagering by allowing wagers placed over the internet to be accepted at any tribal gaming facility, not just the same tribe’s facility, and would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington institutions while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington athletes’ performance. Washington State University opposed the bill over concerns about harassment, point shaving, and broader gambling harms, while the University of Washington supported the individual prop-bet ban but urged caution. An Emerald Queen Casinos representative supported the bill, saying it would move existing illegal wagering into a regulated system with safeguards. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, which would require regular consultation with tribes on voting access and authorize a secure electronic ballot return portal for military, overseas, Native American, and disability voters. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill’s tribal outreach and said it was more comfortable with the revised portal language, but several election-security witnesses opposed the portal sections, arguing internet ballot return is too risky and lacks adequate standards. King County Elections supported the portal as a more secure option than current email and fax methods, and said it would improve access while preserving paper trails and security checks. Substitute Senate Bill 6034 would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency. The office and a tribal health liaison testified in support, saying codification would stabilize government-to-government relations with tribes and ensure continuity beyond executive preference. Substitute Senate Bill 6081 would restrict public disclosure of sex designation information in certain licensing and vital records; supporters said it would protect transgender people from doxing, harassment, and violence, while opponents argued it would make official records less accurate. Staff also briefed Senate Bill 5863 on Lakeland Village records, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 reestablishing the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, and Senate Bill 5892 on voter data protections. The committee adopted amendments to SB 5863 and SB 5892, rejected some other amendments, and reported SB 5863, SCR 8406, and SB 5892 out of committee with due pass recommendations.