Transcript Highlights:

• complicated agreement which would be uh complicated agreement which would be uh peace<00:18:04.080><c> meal
• <c> depending</c><00:18:05.360><c> on</c><00:18:05.520><c> what</c><00:18:05.679><c> the</c> peace meal
• but depending on what the peace meal but depending on what the employer<00:18:06.240><c> is.
• Do you feel that the change in the timing, the delivery of the payments, and the improvement of cash
• service for those Excel sheets delivery service for those Excel sheets coming<05:00:15.920><c> into<

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Meyers had a bill around universal meals, and I'm going to go there. $112 million.
• Universal meals is one of the governor's main priorities, so we can't touch that.
• universal meals, and I'm going<00:43:51.280><c> to</c><00:43:51.440><c> go</c><00:43:51.599><c> there
• Universal<00:44:25.520><c> meals</c><00:44:25.839><c> is</c><00:44:26.079><c> one</c><00:44:26.160><c
• Universal meals is one of the governor's main<00:44:27.359><c> priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• But thanks to the partnership with community members, they are now receiving hot meals for dinners.
• c><00:51:45.319><c> to</c><00:51:45.520><c> receive</c><00:51:45.880><c> cold</c><00:51:46.160><c> meals
• </c><00:51:46.880><c> for</c> were able to receive cold meals for were able to receive cold meals for
• </c><00:51:51.839><c> for</c><00:51:52.040><c> dinners</c><00:51:52.920><c> the</c> receiving hot meals
• for dinners the receiving hot meals for dinners the other<00:51:53.319><c> example</c><00:51:53.640>

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• spent in construction gets reinvested into the community through spending by employees on groceries, meals
• Bill 280, line 13, we should do a committee amendment such that that sentence will read: a food delivery
• platform shall not take and arrange for the delivery of an order from a food service establishment.
• </c> sentence will read a food delivery sentence will read a food delivery platform<02:20:12.800><c>
• of an order from a food the delivery of an order from a food service service service establishment<02

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Implementation of a quality review of meal services was an issue.
• There were problems with the meal services, and so we're trying to improve in that area and put together
• a QA/CQI process around meals.
• So, in that, the bright spots that we're seeing is the holiday meal celebration really went well with
• So in that, the bright spots that we're seeing is the holiday meal celebration really went well with

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session on juvenile rehabilitation trends and then a hearing on Senate Bill 6062. The work session featured a national overview from NCSL, DCYF updates on Green Hill, Harbor Heights, and community transition services, and local/community perspectives from Pierce County, Team Child, and Northwest Credible Messengers. The national presentation described broad juvenile justice trends, including limits on extreme sentencing, expanded diversion and due process protections, reduced fines and fees, record clearing, and changes in juvenile court jurisdiction. Committee members asked about juvenile crime trends and overcrowding, and the presenter noted that crime has generally decreased overall since 2020, though some offenses have risen in some places and overcrowding remains an issue in certain states. DCYF reported on its behavior management system, Harbor Heights opening as relief for overcrowding, Green Hill population pressures, and expansion of community transition services. Officials said the behavior management system is intended to improve safety, consistency, and restorative accountability, while Harbor Heights has added programming and family engagement but still faces space, IT, and medical-infrastructure challenges. Green Hill leaders said reduced population has improved stability, programming, and use-of-force outcomes, but overcrowding remains a concern. DCYF also highlighted an ombuds process, family listserv updates, staffing changes, and a proposed budget request for additional JR capacity and staffing. Pierce County described its long-running detention reform work, reduced average daily detention population, and plans for a new juvenile justice center, while Team Child and Northwest Credible Messengers emphasized community-based supports, culturally responsive services, healing-centered engagement, and reentry planning. Senate Bill 6062 was then briefed as a measure revising juvenile sentencing and JR placement rules. The bill would require courts to grant suspended disposition alternatives in eligible cases unless the court finds community supervision would not adequately protect the community, expand eligibility for certain sentencing alternatives, require midpoint review hearings, and set rules for transfers from JR to DOC when facilities exceed 105% of rated bed capacity. The committee also voted to waive the five-day notice rule for hearings on Senate Bills 6319 and 5979, and that motion passed. During public testimony on SB 6062, youth from Green Hill supported the bill and asked for clearer standards around DOC transfers, while DCYF supported efforts to reduce JR population but said the bill needs stronger emergency transfer language to address overcrowding at Green Hill. Committee members and the bill sponsor emphasized rehabilitation, individualized sentencing, and the need to balance community safety with better placement and services for youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• insecurity can show up as people eating lower quality foods, less variety, cutting portions, or skipping meals
• these dietary changes, there's also an important element of anxiety, worrying about where one's next meal
• So if you have questions about that, and then we have a bill coming on medically tailored meals, particularly
• does everyone in the state of Washington get access to high-quality and affordable... ...groceries, meals
• every Washingtonian in the state of Washington get access to high quality and affordable, groceries, meals

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel covered household food security and data. Marie Spiker of UW explained how food insecurity is measured, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable data, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that Washington’s WAFOOD surveys are a useful but non-representative complement. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, including efforts to build shared data and dashboard monitoring, coordinate across agencies and partners, and strengthen the hunger safety net and local food supply chain. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond, who gave a history of SNAP/food stamps as both an anti-hunger program and an agricultural support tied to the farm bill. She described how the program evolved from Depression-era commodity distribution to a permanent federal-state program, how it became countercyclical during recessions, and how state policy changes and outreach increased participation. She also noted SNAP’s economic multiplier effects and said Washington’s enrollment is in the middle of the pack nationally, while future federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. A later panel focused on food security challenges and opportunities across the food system. The Washington Food Policy Forum, through Danny Madrone and Chris Elder, outlined its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional infrastructure, farmland protection, and support for small and mid-sized farms. A joint industry panel from the Farm Bureau, Retail Association, and Food Industry Association emphasized agriculture’s economic scale, rising costs, loss of farms, retail theft, and the importance of local grocery stores and SNAP/WIC partnerships. State agency representatives from DSHS and DOH described current program impacts and risks: DSHS said federal H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits and tighten eligibility, while DOH highlighted WIC, farmers market nutrition, fruit-and-vegetable incentives, and a new Medicaid waiver project, but warned that unstable funding and the end of SNAP-Ed threaten program continuity. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It then went to the meal providers and then went down to the elderly person who received the meal.
• </c> organization it then went to the meal organization it then went to the meal providers<01:17:33.239
• ><01:17:35.960><c> who</c><01:17:36.280><c> received</c><01:17:36.480><c> the</c><01:17:36.560><c> meal
• </c><01:17:37.199><c> so</c> elderly person who received the meal so elderly person who received the
• </c> agencies on aging and then the meal agencies on aging and then the meal providers<01:17:44.880><

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I would characterize them any time this happens, even if I try to go buy somebody a meal, right
• They're grateful, but they're also very... ...a meal, right?

Bills: HB3257 , HB3428 , HB3043 , HB3044 , HB3078 , HB3940 , HB3432

Committee: House Veteran and Military Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several veterans-related bills. House Bill 3257 would treat 100% disabilities caused by medical malpractice at a VA facility as service-connected for purposes of Oklahoma state benefits, aligning state treatment with federal benefits; members asked about the bill’s scope and its relation to military service and citizenship, and it passed 6-0. House Bill 3432 would allow veterans to attend public school sporting events without paying gate admission; one member spoke against the idea of preferential treatment for veterans, but the bill passed 5-1. House Bill 3428 would require the Department of Labor, working with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, to create a workplace poster for employers with more than 50 employees listing veteran benefits and contact information for assistance programs. The author emphasized it was not a recruitment effort and said the poster would mainly provide hotline numbers and claims assistance information; it passed 7-0. House Bill 3043 would let ODVA hire PRN, seasonal, or as-needed employees during peak periods instead of relying on full-time staff, and members discussed possible reporting additions; it passed 7-0. The committee also considered House Bill 3044, which continues the existing tax return donation option for the ODVA equipment capital improvement program, and it passed 7-0. House Bill 3078, as amended, changed the donation mechanism to a direct link to the ODVA website rather than a checkbox on state transaction forms, and the amendment was adopted before the bill passed 8-0. Finally, House Bill 3940, a broad cleanup/omnibus measure revising National Guard and State Guard provisions, retention and education assistance rules, museum-related authority, and other technical matters, was presented as a follow-up to prior legislation, amended by PCS, and passed 7-0 with one member absent/abstaining; the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we provide many services to include addiction treatment as part of that service delivery.
• And we provide many services to include addiction treatment as part of that service delivery.
• The first policy is to make sure that no child is shamed for their parents' school meal debt.
• eligibility for free school meals.
• Um which identifies their family's meal.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> one</c><00:15:29.279><c> Starbucks</c> McDonald's Happy Meal, one Starbucks McDonald's Happy Meal
• This not toward you personally, but $5 a week, you can't even buy a meal for $5.
• This not toward you personally, but $5 a week, you can't even buy a meal for $5.
• The senior meals. And we had seniors go weeks if not months without food.
• This not toward you personally, but $5 a week, you can't even buy a meal for $5.

Committee: Joint Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas, his contributions have strengthened the Lebanon Fire Department and enhanced the delivery
• I'm sure we can all imagine the impact on property tax values and also rooms and meals tax revenues if
• came from the other chamber unanimously out of committee and with a voice vote. and also rooms and meals
• tax revenues if and also rooms and meals tax revenues if that<01:22:33.640><c> were</c><01:22:34.200

Transcript Highlights:

• He has poor motor skills; that means he cannot tie his shoes or cut his food at meals.
• DFL trifecta, they passed vehicle registration tab increase, vehicle sales tax increase, a retail delivery
• c> a</c><01:09:49.000><c> gas</c><01:09:49.600><c> tax</c><01:09:49.960><c> inflator,</c> retail delivery
• fee, a gas tax inflator, retail delivery fee, a gas tax inflator, a<01:09:51.000><c> metro</c><01:09
• because you increased the vehicle tab fee, increased the vehicle sales tax, increased the retail delivery

Bills: HF4621 , HF4123 , HF4616 , HF1183

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• implementation grantees, early education teacher development grantees, and universal pre-K mixed delivery
• I also prepared home-cooked meals in the kitchen every day.
• our ancient, decrepit case management and fiscal systems that support all the disability services delivery
• This has created significant uncertainty at the local level regarding potential impact on delivery of
• service... ...uncertainty at the local level regarding potential impact on delivery of services to vulnerable

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• possibility of a question that per diem that you get during session is supposed to cover lodging and meals
• as to why my per diem is being taxed, because I'm not likely to be using it on a hotel room and the meals

Summary: The committee met briefly, called the roll, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the June 3, 2024 minutes without objection. Staff then reviewed the purpose of the House supplemental allowance resolution, explaining that members receive up to $1,500 per month for reimbursable office and district expenses such as rent, utilities, printing, postage, travel within the district, and related office costs. Members also discussed the existing carryover rules, including a $3,000 general carryover and an additional $6,000 for printed materials, with unspent amounts reverting to the House budget. Several members asked for clarification about what expenses are currently covered and how reimbursements work, including district office rent, phone and internet bills, per diem, out-of-state travel, conference registration, cell phones, and portable hotspots. The clerk and executive counsel explained that some items are paid from the supplemental account, while others, such as certain conference registration fees or appointed travel per diem, are paid directly by the House operating account. Members also raised concerns about whether using supplemental funds for lodging during session would require a resolution amendment and whether it could create tax or ethics issues, including possible double-dipping with per diem. A motion was made to consider allowing excess supplemental funds to be used for lodging costs for members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol, but after discussion the motion was withdrawn so the committee could study the issue further and consult a CPA. Members also discussed whether the monthly supplemental amount should be increased in light of inflation and rising office rents, noting that any change would have to be made by the executive committee for the next term. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• possibility of a question that per diem that you get during session is supposed to cover lodging and meals
• as to why my per diem is being taxed, because I'm not likely to be using it on a hotel room and the meals

Summary: The committee met briefly, established a quorum, and adopted the June 3, 2024 minutes without objection. The clerk and executive counsel then gave an overview of the committee’s role in setting and administering the House supplemental expense allowance, explaining that members currently receive up to $1,500 per month for reimbursable office and district expenses such as rent, utilities, printing, postage, travel in district, and certain communications costs. They also explained the existing carryover rules: unused funds may roll forward up to $3,000 generally and an additional $6,000 for printed materials, with any excess remaining in the House budget. Members asked for clarification on how the supplemental interacts with district office rent, mailers, per diem, out-of-state travel, cell phones, internet, and conference expenses, and staff explained which items are currently reimbursable and which are paid directly by the House. Several members raised the idea of expanding allowable uses of the supplemental to help cover lodging costs during session for members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol, and one member also asked whether the monthly allowance should be increased because of inflation and rising office costs. Staff said lodging would require an amendment to the resolution and that any increase in the allowance would have to be taken up by the next legislative body, not this committee mid-term. Members also discussed possible tax implications and the need to consult a CPA before changing the rules, with concerns raised about avoiding double-dipping or ethical issues if lodging were reimbursed in addition to per diem. One member withdrew the lodging motion and asked that the committee study the issue further. The committee took no substantive action beyond adopting the minutes and adjourned after a motion to adjourn was made and approved without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• students, with 65% of students foregoing purchasing textbooks due to cost, and 11% of students skipping meals
• students, with 65% of students foregoing purchasing textbooks due to cost, and 11% of students skipping meals
• students who failed a course failed because of the cost of materials, and 11% of students skipped meals

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills and home rule petitions, with testimony taken both in person and virtually. The chairs reviewed hearing logistics and testimony limits, then heard a series of bill presentations covering public health, alcohol licensing, professional licensure, consumer issues, and automotive warranty reimbursement. Committee members asked questions throughout, particularly on interstate licensure compacts and the structure of proposed regulatory changes. Representative John Barrett testified in support of H 4907, which would regulate the sale of nitrous oxide to curb recreational misuse and protect young people, and members echoed concerns about its health risks. Southbridge officials Peg Dean and David Adams supported H 488, seeking an extension of district liquor licenses to match delayed downtown revitalization and business development. Leslie Ross and Keith Buckout testified on S 2636, a cosmetology licensure compact, with Buckout explaining that compacts improve mobility for workers and military families; Melissa Willett of the Defense State Liaison Office also supported the compact for the same reason. Representative Mindy Domb testified for H 559, proposing a commission to study the effects of electronic textbooks and automatic textbook billing on students and affordability. George Cronin of MassPack supported H 4597, which would limit new alcohol retail licenses within 500 feet of another alcohol seller after 2026 to address oversaturation; he said the bill would not disturb existing licenses. Luke Van Horn testified for H 559 and also raised concerns about H 4719, describing the burden of costly course materials and access codes on students. Mike Capuccio and Ryan Williams supported H 4719, which would create HVAC construction supervisor licensing, arguing it would improve consumer protection, accountability, and clean-energy outcomes; no opposition was heard on that bill in the excerpt. On H 4019, the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association supported a change to warranty reimbursement rules, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Subaru New England opposed it, warning it would raise costs and allow overpayment using aftermarket time guides. The committee concluded by reading the agenda items and then voted unanimously to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody wanted the meal to feed chickens, hogs, turkeys, but nobody wanted the oil, rather.
• Everybody wanted the meal to feed chickens, hogs, turkeys, but nobody wanted the meal, or the oil, rather

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• actually seen a lot of that work funded by the legislature through WSDA's farm to school program, summer meal
• Farm to School Program, Summer Meal Program, things like that.
• We've got some medically tailored meals stuff over in Health Care and Wellness.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened its 2026 session with committee housekeeping, member introductions, and a reminder that schedules are set a week in advance and amendments must be submitted by the prior day’s deadlines. Chair Reeves emphasized solution-oriented, collaborative, and respectful participation, then outlined that the committee would focus on three interim reports relevant to its work this session: municipal water efficiency, ecosystem services, and food policy. The first presentation, from the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and WSU, reviewed Washington’s municipal water efficiency statute and regulation. Presenters said interviewees largely agreed on the need for better data collection, more technical assistance for smaller systems, and more state funding for both agency staffing and water system infrastructure. Most opposed shifting oversight of the conservation program from the Department of Health to Ecology, and the report recommended keeping oversight at DOH while improving collaboration across agencies and tribes. The presenters also urged broader statewide water planning, more consistent reporting using the AWWA water audit method instead of leakage percentage, re-evaluating the 500-connection threshold, and addressing outdoor water use, rebates, reuse, and public education. Members asked about creating a new office for water oversight, but the presenters said that idea was generally viewed as too costly and impractical under current budget conditions. DNR then presented its 2025 ecosystem services work group report. The department described ecosystem services markets it studied, including regulatory and voluntary forest carbon, avoided wildfire emissions, and water leasing, with lower potential identified for blue carbon, biodiversity, and water quality markets. DNR said about 15,000 acres of state forest land may have carbon-market potential, but emphasized that the analysis was broad and not project-specific, so the report recommends pilots, continued market monitoring, use of third-party developers, and clarification of authority through House Bill 2170. Committee members asked about economic feasibility, timber tradeoffs, and how success would be defined, and DNR said those questions would be better addressed in future, more detailed project-level work. The final presentation covered the Food Policy Forum’s 2025 report to the legislature. Speakers described broad consensus recommendations on food security, local foods in schools, farm-to-food-bank programs, a state farm bill, commercial access, and food system infrastructure. They highlighted pressures on agriculture from development, flooding, drought, water shortages, and the need to preserve farmland and support farmers, food banks, and local procurement systems. The committee chair thanked the presenters and noted that several related bills and policy proposals would be heard later in session. No votes were taken; the meeting concluded after the presentations and brief member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• advocacy and your advocacy, making sure we continue to lead the nation in our investment in school meals
• Look, more hours of enrichment, more literacy coaches, more reading specialists, healthy meals for all
• Healthy meals for all, an entire grade for everyone.

Summary: The joint convention convened to receive Governor Gavin Newsom’s final State of the State address, with legislative leaders introducing the Governor and welcoming constitutional officers, judges, and other guests. The proceedings opened with a moment of silence honoring Renee Nicole Good and other immigrants affected by detention and due process concerns. After introductory remarks from the Speaker, Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón, and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Governor Newsom delivered a wide-ranging address reflecting on his administration and California’s response to recent crises. The Governor highlighted California’s economic performance, tax structure, minimum wage increases, education funding, child care and school meal investments, housing reforms, apprenticeships, infrastructure projects, clean energy progress, and efforts on homelessness, mental health, and public safety. He also discussed state action on artificial intelligence regulation, climate resilience, insurance reform, and wildfire recovery, while sharply criticizing the federal government and President Trump on immigration, health care, food aid, disaster response, and other issues. He announced that his upcoming budget would include major education spending, a five-year extension of the CalCompete tax credit, additional community school funding, a rebuilding fund for fire survivors, and other policy proposals. At the close of the address, the Legislature formally ordered the Governor’s State of the State speech printed in the journal as a special appendix. The joint convention then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• advocacy and your advocacy, making sure we continue to lead the nation in our investment in school meals
• Look, more hours of enrichment, more literacy coaches, more reading specialists, healthy meals for all
• Healthy meals for all, an entire grade for everyone.