Transcript Highlights:

• And the Cherry Hill leaders that we have here today from the Cherry Hill Eagles, we have Eric Hicks and
• from from the Cherry Hill Eagles, we um from from the Cherry Hill Eagles, we have<00:05:10.880><c> Eric
• </c><00:05:11.160><c> Hicks</c><00:05:11.720><c> Eric</c><00:05:11.960><c> Hicks</c><00:05:12.240><c>
• and</c><00:05:12.360><c> Raheem</c> have Eric Hicks Eric Hicks and Raheem have Eric Hicks Eric Hicks

Transcript Highlights:

• After that will be remote, Jennifer Child and Eric Lundberg. Great, thank you, Madam Vice Chair.
• And Eric Lundberg, you're next. Go ahead. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• My name is Eric Lumberg, the father of eight and pastor of Living Word Lutheran Church.
• Eric Lundberg. Welcome back. Go right ahead. All right. Thank you again, Madam Chair.
• Eric Lundberg here, fifth-generation Washington citizen, and I am in opposition to this bill.

Bills: SB6258 , SB6182 , SB5947 , SJR8206 , SB5823 , SB6292

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database, National Practitioner Data Bank, license renewal, license reinstatement, medical board, professional discipline, credential surrender, healthcare regulation, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is known as the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act.
• The bill is known as the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act.
• Eric died at the age of 40 years old of occupational heart disease.
• Eric Schaus died at home. Ryan Pleasance died on duty.
• Eric and Ryan were not only firefighters and exceptional paramedics.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you,<00:15:32.480><c> Chair</c><00:15:32.800><c> Eric.
• </c><00:15:33.920><c> If</c><00:15:34.160><c> there</c><00:15:34.240><c> are</c> you, Chair Eric.
• If there are you, Chair Eric. Uh, yes.
• /c> you want to connect, but thank you, you want to connect, but thank you, Chair<00:15:59.759><c> Eric
• We really want to make sure Chair Eric.

Transcript Highlights:

• Michelle Schultz said Eric cannot receive care in Westfield.
• Eric said he went to college and is now working.
• Eric joked that Michelle was playing down his opportunity.
• Eric, come on.
• Eric, let's go ahead and talk. You talked.

Summary: The hearing focused on the future of the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children and the work of the special legislative commission studying whether and how the facility should continue. Senators and representatives said the Legislature has continued funding Pappas, that the hospital cannot be closed before the commission reports, and that they are seeking to extend the commission’s deadline. Multiple commissioners and witnesses described Pappas as a unique setting combining inpatient medical care, residential programming, special education, therapy, and campus-based activities for children with complex medical needs. Union leaders, staff, parents, and local officials argued that Pappas is being quietly depopulated through blocked admissions and continued discharges despite the formal pause on closure. They said the hospital’s integrated model cannot be replicated elsewhere, that families and staff are being left in limbo, and that the state should invest in repairs, modernization, and possibly temporary modular space to reopen admissions. Several witnesses emphasized the impact on children who have benefited from Pappas and on workers who fear losing a specialized workforce built over decades. Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein said the state is committed to keeping Pappas open and stable while the commission works, but that admissions must meet hospital-level-of-care standards and the current infrastructure limits who can safely be served. He said the administration has been expanding outreach, hiring staff, and exploring ways to broaden services, including outpatient and therapy programs over time. Commissioners pressed him on why admissions remain so limited and whether the facility is being effectively depopulated, while Goldstein maintained that the restrictions reflect legal and safety requirements rather than an effort to close the hospital.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Eric, thank you, Chair Fate. Chair Eric, thank<00:32:46.720><c> you,</c><00:32:46.960><c> Mr.
• </c> speak to uh the points that Chair Eric speak to uh the points that Chair Eric raised<00:43:47.440
• Chair Eric, thank you. Mr.
• Chair Eric. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• </c> Thank you, Commissioner Chair Eric. Thank you, Commissioner Chair Eric.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric, would you like to do the honors? Thank you, Chair Paulette.
• I am joined by my colleagues, Pete von Morsel, Jeff Cunningham, and Eric Whitaker.
• Eric, please take it away.
• Eric, well, I'm going to go first, and then I'll call in Rep. Barnard.
• So, Eric, the 53 jobs— So, Eric, the 53 jobs, full-time jobs created is what is self-reported by the

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that being said, let's have it, Madam Vice Chair, bring up Eric first, and he can go into more
• Eric, you've got two minutes. Two minutes before the crickets?
• For the record, Eric Emmer, with Doorn Policy Group, representing Arizona Incident Response.
• Chair asked if there were any questions for Eric. There was no question. Mr.
• Eric Emmer said that what the bill does is, at its core, anti-price gouging.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2957, which would prohibit cities, towns, counties, and districts from requiring a digital or mobile driver license for government identification purposes and would require physical licenses to be accepted. The sponsor argued the bill preserves choice, privacy, and state control over identification, and several supporters said it protects informed consent and limits biometric data use. Some members raised concerns about travel requirements and proof of legal status, but the sponsor said the bill would not eliminate Real ID or change federal travel rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard HB 2941, which would make certain unsafe motorcycle lane-splitting or lane-sharing behavior subject to reckless driving penalties. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address dangerous conduct and close a gap in enforcement, while a motorcycle rights advocate explained the difference between lane filtering, which is legal under Arizona law in limited circumstances, and lane splitting, which is not. Testimony emphasized public safety and education for riders. The committee approved the bill with a do pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. Next, the committee considered HB 2305, as amended, dealing with private property towing. The bill would make towing rates a matter of statewide concern, tie charges to DPS tow service agreements, require documentation and notice requirements, and standardize rules for private towing carriers. Supporters said the measure would reduce confusion and predatory towing by creating uniform statewide standards, while opponents from the trucking industry argued the DPS rate structure was designed for emergency towing and that more stakeholder work was needed. After adopting an amendment clarifying the bill applies only to motor vehicles towed from private property, the committee passed the bill 7-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 2257, a strike-everything amendment changing how watercraft fee revenue is distributed between the watercraft licensing fund, the State Lake Improvement Fund, and boating safety/law enforcement purposes, while also requiring an annual expenditure report. Supporters said the change would help Mohave County and other local agencies that are covering more water patrol duties as Game and Fish resources are stretched, but Game and Fish warned the shift would create a significant fiscal impact and said the department is already operating with tight budgets. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that being said, my name is Eric. I'm going to be your chair.
• </c> division and Deputy Commissioner Eric division and Deputy Commissioner Eric mainin<00:11:56.920>
• Eric, are you going to introduce yourself for the record?
• </c><00:46:20.119><c> I</c> Department of military Affairs Eric I Department of military Affairs Eric
• </c><00:46:24.400><c> athman</c> record Lieutenant Colonel Eric athman record Lieutenant Colonel Eric

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric C.
• C executive director of back 29 Eric C executive director of back roads<00:20:00.360><c> of</c> Thank
• At this time, I turn it over to my colleague, Eric Hovert.
• At this time, I turn it over to my colleague, Eric Hovert. Thank you, Senator Storm.
• </c> colleague Eric colleague Eric hovert<00:22:10.559><c> thank</c><00:22:10.720><c> you</c><00:22:10.799

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:43.440><c> Eric</c> day. Next, the chair recognizes Mr. Eric day.
• Eric Power.
• </c><01:05:22.559><c> Eric</c> Next, the chair recognizes Mr. Eric Next, the chair recognizes Mr.
• Eric Power.
• Eric Power is recognized.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, for remote testimony, we'll have Eric Kamrath with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Carl
• My name is Eric Kamrath. I'm a hydrogen advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
• My name is Eric Kamrath. I'm a hydrogen advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
• Yeah, and this is Eric.
• Yeah, and this is Eric.

Bills: SB5919 , SB5816

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access

Transcript Highlights:

• What do you mean exactly, Eric? Well, that the public or the reporters could know what's going on.
• What do you mean exactly, Eric? Well, that the public or the reporters could know what's going on.
• <00:03:52.640><c> you</c><00:03:53.120><c> mean</c><00:03:53.440><c> exactly,</c><00:03:54.239><c> Eric
• </c><00:03:55.280><c> Well,</c> What do you mean exactly, Eric?
• Well, What do you mean exactly, Eric?

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today is Eric Ell, he's the construction operations manager with our Real Estate and Construction
• They're our owner project representative on the project, and going to start with having Eric walk through
• I am Eric Ell.
• Masonry work is starting on the east side of the building here in April. committee I am Eric ell I'm
• the committee I am Eric ell I'm the construction<00:01:04.600><c> operations</c><00:01:05.080><c> manager

Transcript Highlights:

• Shelby, Michael, Bob, Ashley, Mike, Sharon Goldbush, Eric, and Indiana, thank you very much.
• Before we say goodbye, I just want to apologize to Eric.
• Thank you to Eric. Hopefully, he may be a little smarter than that. But we appreciate you so much.

Bills: HF2442

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• While we're waiting for Leona to go, if we could get Eric Halleck, Ryan Donahue, and Tyler Munch.
• Eric or Dr. Eric Murray, Daryl Jennings, and Dave Herrera.
• I'm Eric Murray.
• go back to remote, I'm going to call up the next three in person: Charlie Brown, Liam Missick, and Eric
• I'm Eric Fitch, Executive Director at the Washington Public Ports Association, signed in other on 2295

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on Proposed Substitute House Bill 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff said the proposal totals nearly $911 million, including about $400 million in bonds and $511 million from other state and federal sources, with much of the increase over the governor’s proposal coming from Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding. Major spending areas include housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and CCA-funded clean energy, decarbonization, and habitat restoration projects. The chair said the committee would not take amendments at the hearing and planned to vote out the budget on Thursday, with a technical fix striker expected. Testimony was largely supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Housing advocates urged support for the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and projects such as Alliance Place, Cloverdale Cottages, Cherry Street Village, Somos, and the Thrive Center. Education and public facility witnesses backed investments in school seismic safety, small district modernization, Healthy Kids Healthy Schools, community college and university maintenance, and projects at Cascadia College, WSU, CWU, and UW. Health and human services testimony supported behavioral health, Tubman Center, HealthPoint, pregnant parenting treatment, and the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub. Natural resources, climate, and infrastructure witnesses praised funding for Flood Plains by Design, community forests, trust land transfer, salmon recovery, the Skokomish land purchase, and the Lower Columbia River dredging project. Several local governments and organizations requested additional support or Senate-level funding for specific projects, while Climate Solutions cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. The committee heard no votes during the hearing, and the chair closed by saying the budget would be executed on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• seeing none, um just to follow up on that, we had four other testimonies in support: Donna Netzel, Eric
• Donna Netzel,<00:09:33.120><c> Eric</c><00:09:33.920><c> Twigs,</c><00:09:34.640><c> Heidi</c><00:09:
• 35.040><c> Aka,</c><00:09:35.600><c> and</c> Netzel, Eric Twigs, Heidi Aka, and Netzel, Eric Twigs, Heidi

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Department of Hawaiian Home Lands measures. SB 2635 would appropriate funds for DHHL land development, land purchases, and mortgage or rental subsidies to address the wait list; DHHL and five supporters testified in favor, and the committee later recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, with the measure adopted as amended. SB 2924 would authorize funding for a capital improvement project for the Kaneili Community Hall, access road, and parking lot; DHHL stood on testimony in support, Randall Ao and another online testifier spoke in favor, and the committee later amended the bill to shift the funding structure from general obligation bonds to general funds before passing it. SB 3127 would raise the state liability cap for DHHL-related borrowing and guaranteed loans from $100 million to $500 million; DHHL testified, no other testimony was offered, and the committee passed it with amendments, including a date defect. The committee also heard SB 3248, which establishes labor requirements for Aleha Products. No testifier from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Board was present, and there was no additional testimony or questions during the hearing. During decision-making, the chair noted there was both support and some opposition but recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The meeting concluded after all three decision-making votes were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today in support of AB 310 is Greg Herner, representing the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation
• On behalf of the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, which is based in San Diego County, the organization
• The Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation has placed over 200 AEDs and they've conducted over 80,000 trainings
• On behalf of the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation again, there are different AEDs.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the first is Eric Meshy.
• I believe the first is Eric Meshy.
• Uh my name is Eric Meshy. I'm the CEO of SAVE, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
• Uh my name is Eric Chair, good morning.
• Uh my name is Eric Meshy.<00:04:38.560><c> I'm</c><00:04:38.720><c> the</c><00:04:38.800><c> CEO</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• The only registered opposition is Eric Frochild on Zoom. Do you have Eric Throkel?
• My name is Captain Eric Threll Kelden.
• The only registered opposition is Eric Frochild on Zoom. Do you have Eric Throkel?
• My name is Captain Eric Threll Kelden.
• I served with Officer Eric Threlkeld. He's from the Eddy County Sheriff's Office.

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: Senate Judiciary began by announcing that Senate Bill 136 would be rolled over because the sponsor was unavailable. The chair then addressed criticism from the floor over how a prior bill had been handled, defending the committee’s practice of using committee substitutes and amendments without waiting for a new version from council, and emphasizing his authority to set hard stops and limit debate when he believes discussion is repetitive or dilatory. Several members responded, with some supporting the chair’s approach and others arguing that contentious bills deserve more time and fuller committee vetting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 30, which would repeal New Mexico’s requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar. The sponsors argued the reporting law is outdated, unnecessary for public health, and potentially dangerous because provider information can be disclosed under broader vital statistics statutes; supporters from the ACLU, League of Women Voters, Bold Futures, and NOW echoed privacy and safety concerns. Opponents argued the reporting requirement provides transparency and public health data. After debate, the committee approved SB 30 on a roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 43, a bipartisan measure to modernize the Adult Parole Board statute after a prior veto. The bill would update parole factors for life-sentenced inmates, authorize per diem and closed hearings, and prevent parole hearings from being scheduled on victims’ birth or death dates. It received support from corrections officials and victims’ advocates, and the committee passed it without objection. The final major item was Senate Bill 50, which would remove several statutory in-service training mandates for law enforcement and give the Standards and Training Council more flexibility to set curriculum. Supporters said the current requirements are outdated and too rigid; opponents warned the bill could weaken recurring training in domestic violence, sexual assault, crisis intervention, and other high-risk areas. A motion to table failed, and the committee ultimately passed SB 50 on a roll call vote, despite divided member views.