Transcript Highlights:

• and another set of counties operates a different way?
• Is not the way to go.
• We're going to do that by restructuring the way that we tax and restructuring the way that businesses
• Hardly anybody comes back this way.
• There's a better way.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and another set of counties operates a different way?
• We're going to do that by restructuring the way that we tax and restructuring the way that businesses
• Hardly anybody comes back this way.
• Judge Herman, your Ways and Means committee staff.
• There's a better way.

Bills: SB6294 , SB6211 , SB5650 , SB6033 , SB6297 , SB6343 , SB6067 , SB6082 , SB6323 , SB6324 , SB5862 , SB5923 , SB6151

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• See, my colleague across the way. See, my colleague across the way.
• This bill has come a long way. We've seen it evolve into what it way.
• Let's find a way to make sure that this Let's find a way to make sure that this Let's find a way to make
• And that way we do not have to worry And that way we do not have to worry And that way we do not have
• We went a long way today with those two bills, the long way today with those two bills, the long way

Bills: SB 66 , SB 317 , SB 393 , SB 397 , SB 456 , SB 614 , SB 628 , SB 629 , SB 636 , SB 715 , SB 731 , SB 801 , SB 872 , SB 905 , SB 986 , SB 1012 , SB 1013 , SB 1015 , SB 1032 , SB 1113 , SB 1181 , SB 1212 , SB 1241 , SB 1250 , SB 1278 , SB 1285 , SB 1376 , SB 1444 , SB 1449 , SB 1524 , SB 1525 , SB 1528 , SB 1556 , SB 1588 , SB 1660 , SB 1704 , SB 1708 , SB 1802 , SB 1833 , SB 1844 , SB 1854 , SB 1863 , SB 1957 , SB 1959 , SB 1965 , SB 1999 , SB 2035 , SB 2056 , SB 2082 , SB 2119 , SB 2138 , SB 2165 , SB 2199 , SB 2201 , SB 2203 , SB 2245 , SB 2284 , SB 2419 , SB 2422 , SB 2452 , SB 2487 , SB 2523 , SB 2529 , SB 2533 , SB 2541 , SB 2586 , SB 2595 , SB 2605 , SB 2615 , SB 2675 , SB 2690 , SB 2717 , SB 2753 , SB 2778 , SB 2835 , SB 2841 , SB 2891 , SB 2929 , SB 2933 , SB 3016 , SB 3039 , SB 3044 , HB 912 , HB 2525 , SJR 3 , SB 5 , SB 29 , SB 326 , SB 494 , SB 530 , SB 769 , SB 783 , SB 963 , SB 1238 , SB 1271 , SB 1786 , SB 1967 , SB 2312 , SB 72 , SB 616 , SB 1143 , SB 1172 , SB 1267 , SB 1273 , SB 1506 , SB 1759 , SB 2361 , SB 1 , SB 260 , SB 1637 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SJR 59 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SCR 48 , SCR 19 , SB 2023 , SB 1524 , SB 2422 , SB 2119 , SB 2753 , SB 1863 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1376 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1163 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 261 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 1999 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 510 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 517 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 2681 , SB 2199 , SB 2458 , SB 801 , SB 2533 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 1013 , SB 2797 , SB 2076 , SB 2876 , SB 2284 , SB 2929 , SB 2595 , SB 715 , SB 1640 , SB 1241 , SB 2538 , SB 1449 , SB 2529 , SB 986 , SB 1181 , SB 1359 , SB 2245 , SB 410 , SB 1234 , SB 456 , SB 1012 , SB 2926 , SB 2138 , SB 2615 , SB 2972 , SB 2841 , SB 3016 , SB 1856 , SB 2035 , SB 1528 , SB 1373 , SB 672 , SB 2891 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 2539 , SB 2532 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 2203 , SB 1285 , SB 1959 , SB 1454 , SB 2520 , SB 2541 , SB 1708 , SB 1237 , SB 1844 , SB 1586 , SB 3039 , SB 2819 , SB 66 , SB 629 , SB 1015 , SB 2342 , SB 2903 , SB 2933 , SB 1965 , SB 2477 , SB 3029 , SB 2605 , SB 2419 , SB 1957 , SB 375 , SB 250 , SB 777 , SB 628 , SB 2523 , SB 2367 , SB 2703 , SB 2608 , SB 2778 , SB 3044 , SB 2965 , SB 2521 , SB 865 , SB 1032 , SB 2165 , SB 2501 , SB 2675 , SB 2452 , SB 2835 , SB 872 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1588 , SB 1602 , SB 1704 , SB 1723 , SB 1833 , SB 1858 , SB 1946 , SB 2009 , SB 2177 , SB 2460 , SB 2785 , SB 2373 , SB 1660 , SB 614 , SB 867 , SB 1608 , SB 1525 , SB 905 , SB 640 , SB 2487 , SB 1698 , SB 383 , SB 705 , SB 748 , SB 1113 , SB 1117 , SB 1802 , SB 2340 , SB 2586 , SB 2680 , SB 2690 , SB 2994 , SB 2747 , SB 1950 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1483 , SB 1444 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1703 , SB 2133 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2622 , SB 2955 , SB 3059 , SB 2782 , SB 2781 , SB 2637 , SB 2633 , SB 2337 , SB 2334 , SB 1861 , SB 2043 , SB 1367 , SB 946 , SB 945 , SB 2857 , SB 128 , SB 571 , SB 1263 , SB 3058 , SB 612 , SB 2221 , SB 2587 , SB 2044 , SB 2363 , SB 2713 , HB 1109 , HB 1392 , HB 22 , HB 2525 , HB 3093 , HB 517 , HB 912 , HB 1130 , HB 142 , HB 1689 , HB 2018 , SB 2311 , SB 1986 , SB 2565 , SB 2943 , SB 1888 , SB 2417 , SB 3048 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3036 , SB 3057 , SB 3056 , SB 3043 , SB 3037 , SB 3050 , SB 3063 , SB 3047 , SB 3035 , HJR 98 , HJR 99 , HB 136 , HB 2884 , HB 1393 , HB 2730 , HB 1399 , HB 1244 , HB 467 , HB 331 , HB 2559 , SB 66 , SB 456 , SB 628 , SB 1012 , SB 1015 , SB 1032 , SB 1241 , SB 1376 , SB 1708 , SB 1959 , SB 1965 , SB 2035 , SB 2199 , SB 2245 , SB 2284 , SB 2419 , SB 2523 , SB 2529 , SB 2541 , SB 2595 , SB 2605 , SB 2778 , SB 2933 , SB 3039 , SB 3044 , SB 1524 , SB 1863 , SB 2119 , SB 2422 , SB 2753 , SB 1844 , SB 2533 , SR 417 , SR 500 , SR 501 , SR 502 , HCR 128 , HB 23 , HB 45 , HB 104 , HB 519 , HB 748 , HB 791 , HB 1056 , HB 1481 , HB 3181 , HB 3211 , HB 4044 , HB 4290 , HB 23 , HB 45 , HB 104 , HB 519 , HB 748 , HB 791 , HB 1056 , HB 1481 , HB 3181 , HB 3211 , HB 4044 , HB 4290

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, SB 393, Sparks, Middleton, local government, political subdivision, public securities

Transcript Highlights:

• it relates </font> <font color="aaaaaa">to utility work in the right </font> <font color="aaaaaa">of way
• FDOT if </font> <font color="aaaaaa">certain conditions are met to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">of way
• Thank </font> <font color="aaaaaa">actually pay for the right of </font> <font color="aaaaaa">way.
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">way. We're left out. Thank </font> <font color="aaaaaa">you, chairman.
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">interstate. ways with our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">state highways.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two hands to guide the wanderer to the way.
• These to guide the wanderer to the way.
• I shouldn't have phrased it that way.
• This bill makes That's the way it works.
• That's the way it no changes to that. That's the way it should<01:21:35.679><c> work.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s just the way it works.
• </c> let's not game the system this way. let's not game the system this way.
• That’s just the way it works. I’m a landlord, by the way. Other questions? I don’t see any.
• way the way things contrast um the propo way the way things would<04:01:20.319><c> work</c><04:01:20.560
• I mean, without some kind of way.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, the shades the lake bottom, but this is in a private harbor.
• And, you know, the shades the lake bottom, but this is in a private harbor.
• There was obviously a way to get to yes here, and I appreciate the way that you engaged the parties across
• It does not pave the way for non-compliance.
• It does not pave the way for a repeal.

Bills: HF4253 , HF4257 , HF3236 , HF4264 , HF4149 , HF4019

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes the lack of... and all of our communities in a negative way.
• That's one way. That's one example of what these advocacy organizations do.
• that allows tribes to access them in a real way.
• in a way that allows tribes to access them in a real way.
• Linda Way with Western Center on Law and Poverty.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my question is, is all the way I appreciate that. I do.
• And they did it just by changing the way people eat.
• Is it still working the way it was intended?
• It was intended to be that way.
• It's the field is moving that way.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointees and routine committee actions. Members approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, three not-required-to-appear appointments: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access for 14 million Californians, navigating federal changes, and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations, work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the effectiveness of CalAIM and community supports. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups largely supported the nomination, citing his experience and collaborative approach. The committee voted 5-0 to send his appointment to the full Senate. The committee also considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, science-based health assessments, improving risk communication, and supporting tools such as CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 guidance. Senators raised concerns about reliance on models versus real-world data, PFAS, environmental justice, wildfire and battery-fire impacts, and whether CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 are working as intended. Public testimony from environmental and health organizations supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role. The committee approved Thayer’s appointment 3-1, with one senator not voting, and forwarded it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the way courts do that is by deciding according to the law.
• There are ways to get a faster decision.
• You're an expert on sensible ways to reform the judicial system.
• Panuccio, the way that our founders designed our constitution. system. Mr.
• It's probably the most expeditious way.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is: Is all the way I appreciate that? I do.
• And they did it just by changing the way people eat.
• Is it still working the way it was intended?
• It was intended to be that way.
• The field is moving that way.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee established quorum and first approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointees and procedural items on unanimous 5-0 votes, including Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgements. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access and equity, continuing CalAIM and behavioral health transformation, and drawing on personal experience with family members needing care. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, eligibility redeterminations, fraud oversight, provider reimbursement, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the impact of federal changes; Sadwith said the department is working on expedited payments, monitoring distressed hospitals, county technical assistance, and strategies to reduce disenrollments and improve program integrity. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee advanced his nomination to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee next considered Chris Thayer, PhD, for Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and supporting tools such as Prop 65, CalEnviroScreen, and risk communication. Senators pressed him on the use of models versus real-world data, fenceline monitoring, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and whether OEHHA’s work adequately reflects lived experience and local conditions. Thayer responded that the office often must rely on the best available evidence, including animal, human, and alternative methods, while continuing to improve communication and community engagement; he also discussed EnviroScreen updates, Prop 65 warning reforms, and research gaps. Public testimony in support highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role and the importance of biomonitoring and PFAS work. The committee approved Thayer’s nomination to the full Senate on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Grove voting no and Senator Jones not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can't let that be a passive way of cutting biomedical research.
• I went way over, I'm sorry Madam Chair, I appreciate your indulgence.
• We are going to lose time. talent in a way that we've never seen before.
• And that's the only way that's going to happen.
• to look at diseases, new ways to think about patient-driven medicines.

Committee: Senate Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's one of those ways of doing that.
• And when you look at the data and the way, and it's not your fault the way the law is written, that the
• I question why are we doing this this way?
• way to get to that same outcome.
• That’s the way my mother did it. That’s the way it’s always been done.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to make sure that they do it in a way that does not impact that work.
• Within the county structure specifically, counties benefit in two ways.
• of preventing... ...some way of preventing this policy from being implemented.
• The way they get to Option B is by removing the biotoxin, the biotoxin fee component.
• And so in no way are the fees linked to our burden on the Department of Health?

Bills: SB5919 , SB5816 , SJM8015 , HB2737

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, federal response, wildfire protection, community safety, infrastructure, natural resources, commercial shellfish, shellfish fees, Department of Health, biotoxin testing, export certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to make sure that they do it in a way that does not impact that work.
• Within the county structure specifically, counties benefit in two ways.
• That's not really the point here in many ways.
• The way they get to Option B is by removing the biotoxin fee component.
• or should we reframe the way we're approaching this problem?

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard several Senate bills and a joint memorial, with the chair moving items around to accommodate prime sponsors and public testimony. SB 5838 would add two tribal representatives to the Board of Natural Resources, one from each side of the Cascades, and broaden the nomination pool to include tribes with treaty-ceded lands in Washington. The sponsor and tribal and agency witnesses said the bill would add tribal knowledge and stewardship expertise without changing government-to-government consultation. County and industry witnesses raised concerns about fiduciary duties to trust beneficiaries, the lack of stakeholder consultation, and the effect of expanding the board from one to two tribal seats. Public testimony was mixed, and the committee recorded strong support and opposition on the bill. SB 5816 would add juice grapes to the state Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act, allowing juice grape producers to use the same marketing and negotiation framework already available to pears, sweet corn, and potatoes. The sponsor said the bill would help juice grape growers facing unfair pricing pressure from processors. The committee took limited public testimony and recorded support and opposition before closing the hearing. SJM 8015 urged Congress to ensure federal wildfire response entities remain capable of protecting communities, infrastructure, watersheds, and firefighter health and safety during federal consolidation of wildfire programs. Testimony from environmental groups, forest industry, and union representatives broadly supported the memorial and emphasized rising wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the need for strong interagency response capacity. The committee also heard HB 2737, which would cap certain shellfish regulatory fees, exempt the shellfish program from full fee recovery, and apply the caps retroactively. The sponsor and shellfish growers said the Department of Health’s fee increases would be unsustainable for small family farms and processors, while DOH explained it was following a full cost-recovery model unless the Legislature provides general fund support. Witnesses described large projected fee increases and potential business closures, and DOH said it had reopened rulemaking to consider smaller operators. Because the bill was heard after cutoff, the chair noted it could not advance, but the committee still took testimony and discussed possible amendments and follow-up information before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to do this in a little unorthodox way today. We have a business meeting.
• We all know that they challenge us in many ways.
• Chairman, and the way they're in there is through propaganda in a major way.
• . way to accomplish that.
• have... destroy their way of life and their families.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy

Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bo Black is on the way, but he's not here right now. So I see Rep.
• We were looking to find out ways we couldn't cut anybody.
• And as chairman of Ways and Means, he introduced us on Appropriations to Ways and Means, something we
• And as Chairman of Ways and Means, he introduced us on Appropriations to Ways and Means, something we
• Look, the Ways... ...about. I will say this.

Bills: HR159 , HR160 , HR161 , HR162 , HR163 , HR164 , HCR60 , HCR61 , HCR62 , HCR63 , HCR64 , HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , SB124 , SB399 , SB441 , SB447 , SB460 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB175 , HB330 , HB364 , HB414 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB628 , HB786 , HB909 , HB1008 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1041 , HB1052 , HB1062 , HB1070 , HB1079 , HB1112 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1151 , HB1154 , HB1176 , HB1182 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1231 , HB1241 , SB244 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB193 , HB310 , HB635 , HB690 , HB961 , HB1003 , HB1146 , HB864 , HB977 , HB181 , HB31 , HB664 , HB615 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB284 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113 , HB1234 , HB1236

Keywords: occupational therapy, healthcare, medical professionals, recognition, professional day, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, Louisiana State Law Institute, real estate law, Black Maternal Health Week, maternal health, racial disparities, healthcare access, culturally competent care, Louisiana, community health, motorcycle safety, awareness month, motorcyclists education

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and received Senate messages, including several Senate bills and resolutions that were referred or laid over. The chamber also adopted a series of House resolutions honoring local organizations, commemorations, and community events, and referred one resolution on climate action to Natural Resources. Several Senate bills were read and referred to the appropriate committees, including measures on peer review confidentiality, higher education research security, pre-K program standards, police civil service, and a memorial highway designation. The main floor business was the budget. The House considered House Bill 1, the general appropriations bill, in Committee of the Whole and reviewed major funding levels and committee changes across state government. The bill included significant funding for early childhood education, higher education, TOPS, health care, corrections, public safety, transportation, and other agencies, along with adjustments tied to LASERS debt payoff, Medicaid, MFP, and various one-time or recurring items. Members heard brief questions on higher education funding and DOTD road needs, but no amendments were offered on the floor during the schedule-by-schedule review. HB 1 was reported from Committee of the Whole with amendments and then finally passed by a vote of 104 yeas. The House then took up House Bills 2 and 3, the capital outlay bill and the omnibus bond authorization act, both of which were explained as the financing measures for the capital program. HB 2 emphasized limited member project funding, reallocation of dormant projects, and bundling of projects to move them forward more efficiently; HB 3 authorized the bond sales needed to fund HB 2. Both bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The chamber also passed supplemental and fiscal bills including HB 312, HB 313, HB 383, HB 314, HCR 3, HB 983, and HB 1126, covering supplemental appropriations, treasury fund transfers, ancillary funds, hospital assessments, judiciary funding, and legislative expenses. The meeting ended with personal privileges, staff recognition, announcements, and adjournment to Monday at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been to all the sites, by the way, multiple times.
• I pass it off sometimes as a new way of life, but to me it's an old way of life, and I really – it's
• That's the best way to think about it.
• There are two ways that we sell bonds.
• So, there are two ways to sell the bonds.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• That's one way. Please introduce yourselves. There you go, that's one way.
• And the question was, is there a way to... till 2017.
• And the second question was: Is there a way to find that child?
• You can't look into them, by the way. So they can be placed in secure locations.
• We actually got all the way to COW last year here in the Senate.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met to hear several presentations and bills. First, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry presented on its K-9 program, describing staffing, specialized detection and trailing teams, and the need to replace retired dogs and modernize an aging, high-mileage vehicle fleet used to transport canines. The committee also heard a presentation from Biometrica on a privacy-focused facial recognition and sensor system designed to identify missing persons and known offenders using law-enforcement-only data; the presenters emphasized that the system does not store video or audio and is intended to balance public safety with privacy. The committee then considered HB 2134, which would prohibit Arizona governmental entities and critical infrastructure providers from contracting for critical infrastructure equipment or software from Chinese companies or the PRC. Supporters, including the sponsor and a national security witness, argued the bill would protect communications and other critical systems from foreign adversary access; concerns were raised about costs and implementation, but the bill was amended to be prospective and to rely on self-certification and risk-based audits. The committee passed HB 2134 with a due pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. HB 2404, which would shift most inter-facility transport of behavioral health patients from peace officers to authorized transporters, drew support from law enforcement and police association witnesses who said officers are not the right personnel for these transports; it passed unanimously, 7-0. HB 2402, dealing with ambulance certificate-of-necessity rules for small or underserved areas, was presented as a compromise measure after work with ambulance stakeholders and firefighters. The bill and a 15-page amendment would require the Department of Health Services to issue certificates in certain small-population areas, streamline applications, add reporting requirements, and address GPS coverage issues; it passed as amended, 7-0. HB 2673, which originally proposed mental health screening and treatment requirements for jail and prison inmates, was narrowed by amendment to create only a study committee on inmate mental health services; family members testified about tragic failures in the system, and the bill passed as amended, 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2253, protecting public employees from retaliation or obstruction when testifying in law enforcement disciplinary appeals, passed 5-0 with two not voting. HB 2270, expanding county protections over seals, logos, and sheriff’s posse naming rights, passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2941, which would treat certain unsafe motorcycle lane-splitting or passing behavior as reckless driving while preserving legal lane filtering, drew both support and concern about overbreadth; after testimony from the sponsor and members of the public, it passed 5-1 with one not voting, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Passing this bill is one small but meaningful way to say, we remember.
• I'm from Oak Harbor, Washington.
• Some of the oldest things are simple and need to stay the way they are.
• The issue in some ways is scale.
• It just doesn't go that way. Frank Chop actually was found... It just doesn't go that way.

Bills: HB2514 , HB2661 , HB2637 , HB2632 , HB2499 , HB2198 , HB2520

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs