Transcript Highlights:

• Calling to order the Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs.
• on Ways and Means and Public committee on Ways and Means and Public Safety<00:27:11.120><c> and</c><00
• in 27. >> Cuz is the high security on Halava?
• high security on Halava? Is it closed? high security site. site. site.
• </c> investigations, office of homeland investigations, office of homeland security,<00:55:44.160><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I think the committee for indulging me on this bill.
• Senator Laird, the motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• And thank you very much for the efforts on the committee analysis, as well as the committee amendments
• Very much for the efforts on the committee analysis, as well as the committee amendments, which the senator
• SB 1398, Senator Rubio, the motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because a quorum was initially absent, and it heard several bills focused on nonprofit support, alcohol regulation, immigration-related funding restrictions, outdoor advertising, and green building standards. SB 1240 by Senator McNerney would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and reimbursement processes; supporters, including the Child Care Resource Center and the Little Hoover Commission, said nonprofits provide essential services but face delayed payments and burdensome bureaucracy. Committee members raised accountability concerns, but the author emphasized the bill does not dispense grants and would cost about $1.7 million in the first year. The bill was later approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 917 by Senator Laird, which would remove the estate-grown grape requirement for wineries selling at farmers markets, allowing more family wineries to participate; winery and grape grower representatives said the change would help direct-to-consumer sales and local growers. SB 1171 by Senator Caballero would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants; supporters from immigrant-rights groups described ICE detention and raids as harmful and inhumane, while some members spoke in favor of using state funds to avoid indirectly supporting ICE-related activity. Both bills advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes and were sent to Appropriations or Local Government as noted in the roll calls. Senator Rubio presented SB 1195, which would expand tied-house exemptions for certain entertainment, convention, and sports venues in specified counties, and SB 1228, which would allow a small number of existing outdoor advertising displays to continue operating despite a statutory sunset. Supporters said SB 1195 would create economic opportunity and clarify current law, while SB 1228 was described as a narrow fix to preserve legally permitted signs and local revenue; both bills passed the committee and were sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1398, which would recognize Green Globes as an alternative green building certification for state projects alongside LEED; supporters argued it would add flexibility and competition, while the U.S. Green Building Council opposed bypassing the Department of General Services’ equivalency review. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent calendar and adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We acknowledge that the California State Capitol sits on the ancestral homelands of the Miwok and the
• Housing and Community Development Committee to notice AB 739, Jackson, for their hearing on Wednesday
• on Wednesday, January 14, pending re-referral from the Housing and Community Development Committee.
• Human Services Committee to notice AB 277, Alanis, for their hearing on Tuesday, January 13, pending
• Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee to notice AB 946, Bryan, for their hearing on Tuesday, January 13

Transcript Highlights:

• We acknowledge that the California State Capitol sits on the ancestral homelands of the Miwok and the
• Housing and Community Development Committee to notice AB 739, Jackson, for their hearing on Wednesday
• on Wednesday, January 14, pending re-referral from the Housing and Community Development Committee.
• Human Services Committee to notice AB 277, Alanis, for their hearing on Tuesday, January 13, pending
• Human Services Committee to notice AB 673, Jackson, for their hearing on Tuesday, January 13, pending

Summary: The Assembly met, initially lacking a quorum, and the Clerk called the roll until a quorum was established. The chamber then proceeded through routine opening business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of Native lands, approval of procedural motions, and several unanimous-consent actions to re-refer bills and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The Assembly also recessed regular session to convene a joint convention for the Governor’s State of the State address. In the joint convention, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State speech, focusing on California’s economic performance, education investments, housing reforms, public safety, homelessness, climate policy, insurance issues, and the state’s response to federal actions. He highlighted budget plans, including a proposed $248.3 billion general fund, increased reserves, major education funding, child care and after-school investments, housing and affordability measures, mental health and homelessness funding, infrastructure projects, clean energy goals, and wildfire recovery efforts. He also praised legislative collaboration on AI regulation, tax credits, and other policy areas while criticizing federal policies and calling for continued state action. After the address, the Governor’s speech was ordered printed in the journal, the joint convention adjourned sine die, and the Assembly returned to regular session. The Speaker announced the desk would remain open for introduction of the budget bill, noted the next floor session would be Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m., and the House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Tuesday, January 20th, and this is the committee of the joint House and Senate committees on
• I did offer the four leaders of the committee on the minority side and the ranking side to open comments
• I'd be happy to work with the Department of Homeland Security and their current grant scoring approach
• So it's through the Homeland Security Office; that's where the grants will be and go through that.
• The reason I ask that is because you are on the border security side.

Summary: The joint House-Senate appropriations committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation from Ben Henderson, director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting. Early discussion focused on the state economy and revenue outlook, with Henderson describing strong GDP growth and low unemployment but also fragility for working families. Members questioned the executive’s revenue assumptions, which were said to be about $100 million per year higher than the JLBC baseline, and the committee chair asked for a written comparison of the revenue differences. Henderson also said the governor’s budget is structurally balanced and includes both ongoing spending and proposed revenue changes. A major portion of the hearing centered on data centers, AI investment, and water policy. Henderson argued Arizona’s data center tax incentive should be eliminated because it had already succeeded in attracting investment, while lawmakers questioned whether repealing the incentive and imposing a new water-related fee would discourage future growth. The executive said the water proposal would create a Colorado River Protection Fund and give the Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority, with the aim of encouraging more modern air-cooled facilities. Members also raised concerns about whether the data center changes would require a supermajority vote and whether the fee was effectively a new tax. The committee then reviewed major “critical spending” items, including correctional officer pay, prison health care compliance, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl enforcement, cyber readiness, and border-related costs. Henderson said the budget includes $24.4 million ongoing for correctional officer pay and $118.3 million one-time for prison health care staffing, plus other public safety and homeland security items. He also defended the governor’s assumption of $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border expenses, saying the governor had met with federal officials and that the state would seek the full amount. Members expressed skepticism about relying on that reimbursement and asked what would be cut if it does not materialize. Education and health and human services were also discussed. The governor’s budget includes K-12 funding, Prop. 123-related school facility bonding, and a proposal to shift some school facilities funding to bond financing, which several members criticized as inappropriate for short-term maintenance needs. The committee also reviewed AHCCCS/Medicaid costs, Division of Developmental Disabilities funding, and the expected impacts of federal HR1 changes on eligibility, provider funding, and rural hospitals. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly limited debate and directed members to keep questions brief while the presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget.
• Questions on the bill? Questions on the bill?
• Chair, on item BB. I'm on page six now.
• So, good one for a question on the bill.
• Senator Goodwin, you're recognized for a question on the bill. Want to get clear in committee.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget was called to order.
• Representative Lepak, hold on one second. I believe there is a committee substitute.
• If there is a committee substitute on the Senate side, we’ll adopt this working draft.
• Hold on. Hold, please. I believe there is a committee substitute. We’ll adopt his working draft.
• Benning's on the committee. Chair's preparing to close. Cantrail, aye. Declare the vote.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriations and through the committee, this is one of those deals in my travels of the state this
• on this.
• In fact, we had one committee member who had asked if I could add in to the language that if someone.
• One was a nonprofit that in committee, some people had some questions. So, we changed it.
• Chair and the majority of the committee. Will there be questions on the amendment?

Bills: SJR47 , SB1491 , SB1579 , SB1806 , SB1552 , SB483 , SB63 , SB137 , SB346 , SB514 , SB1344 , SB1360 , SB1380 , SB1437 , SB1189 , SB1217 , SB1221 , SB1262 , SB1272 , SB1325 , SB1339 , SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so honored to be able to have one of my interns on the floor with me today.
• Will there be questions on the amendment? Will there be debate on the amendment?
• made one adjustment, and now it's on the floor.
• the OU mark on it.
• Will there be questions on the amendment? Questions on the amendment.

Bills: SJR47 , SB1491 , SB1579 , SB1806 , SB1552 , SB483 , SB63 , SB137 , SB346 , SB514 , SB1344 , SB1360 , SB1380 , SB1437 , SB1189 , SB1217 , SB1221 , SB1262 , SB1272 , SB1325 , SB1339 , SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Appropriations will now come to order. Alicia, please call the roll. Chair Hooper?
• Homeland Security Task Force Operations. This bill appropriates $250 million for the grant program.
• Smith, Officer Smith, who has presented evidence in this committee, that they're shy $27 million in one
• We have reached Tab 3, which is Senate Memorial 6C, Secretary of Homeland Security, by Senator Gruters
• Senate Memorial 6C is a memorial to the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to hear SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal immigration priorities and said it replaces a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expands local-federal cooperation, increases penalties for crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants, requires detention in certain cases, broadens information sharing, funds detention-bed expansion and law-enforcement training, and ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. The bill also includes provisions related to sanctuary policies, voter fraud, transport of unauthorized aliens, and driver’s license-related offenses. The sponsor said the bill appropriates roughly $300 million overall, including $250 million for grants and $48 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for interdiction and border-related enforcement work. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, costs, and implementation. Senators focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, asking how many students would be affected and whether the bill would harm students who have long lived in Florida. They also pressed on whether the bill should include stronger E-Verify provisions, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, whether local officials could be penalized for policy choices, and how immigration status would be verified in court and jail settings. The sponsor and Senator Fine said the tuition waiver would be removed for undocumented students, that the bill does not address E-Verify, and that the measure is intended to make immigration status a factor in detention and sentencing. Questions also addressed detention-bed capacity, reimbursement rates, and whether corrections staff would receive bonuses or salary increases; sponsors said bonuses are included for participating law enforcement, while broader salary issues would be handled in the regular budget process. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters and information-only witnesses, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and former officials, said the bill would help Florida coordinate with federal authorities, expand bed space, and close loopholes in existing immigration enforcement. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, labor groups, and immigrant advocates argued the bill is unconstitutional, likely to trigger litigation, and harmful to families, schools, and the economy. They warned that the pretrial detention provisions could lead to wrongful detentions and that the tuition changes would reduce access to higher education and cost the state tuition revenue. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee continued through public comment and extended the meeting to complete the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to the Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement.
• The motion is do pass and referred to the Committee on Higher Education.
• The motion is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Education. Rodriguez, aye.
• Motion is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Higher Education. When? Aye.
• The motion is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Higher Education. When? Aye.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public employment. AB 1601, by Assemblymember Rogers, would give Sonoma County flexibility to work with its retirement board and actuaries on a possible retiree cost-of-living adjustment; supporters said Sonoma is the only 1937 Act county system without an automatic COLA and that retirees have gone since 2008 without an increase, while no opposition testified. The bill passed on a do-pass vote and was placed on the floor. AB 1729, by Assemblymember Lee, would update state telework policy by requiring written telework plans, adding more structure before return-to-office decisions, and restoring public reporting on telework savings. Supporters, including SEIU Local 1000, the Association of California State Supervisors, and many state workers, argued telework improves productivity, reduces emissions and commute costs, and could save the state about $225 million annually; there was no opposition. The committee approved the bill 6-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations. AB 1630, by Assemblymember Colosa, would allow union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions, including remotely, to increase transparency and engagement. UC and CSU opposed the measure, saying observer rules should be negotiated at the table and warning the bill lacked clear limits on the number of observers and could create logistical and security problems. The bill passed 5-0 with one member not voting and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1750, also by Assemblymember Colosa, would require school employees who exhaust sick leave and are absent due to illness or injury to receive full salary for an additional five months. CTA supported the bill as a needed safety net for teachers and classified staff, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, staffing, and student stability concerns, saying it could encourage longer absences and strain already tight budgets. The committee passed the bill 5-0 and sent it to Higher Education. AB 1896, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public employment, with supporters framing it as a response to ICE and Border Patrol actions and opponents warning it was overbroad and could exclude otherwise qualified applicants from law enforcement jobs; the bill passed 5-1 and was referred to Public Safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:20.640><c> security</c><00:50:20.880><c> and</c> division and homeland security and division
• We are talking about a study committee, a very important one.
• We know committee on school bullying.
• </c> a a separate committee that can focus on a a separate committee that can focus on just<01:17:52.880
• of conference on this was the committee of conference on this was because<01:48:38.960><c> the</c><01

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• ONE SIX.
• THIS IS THE FOLDER I USE FOR THIS COMMITTEE SO I KNOW WHICH ONE IT IS.
• ONE GENTLEMAN THERE ON THE PICTURE.
• THEY ARE THE ONES ON THE CALL. ON THE PHONES PUSHING OUT THE CALLS IN OUR TALLAHASSEE QUARTERS.
• DOES ANY SENATOR WISH TO BE RECORDED ON BILLS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE. ANY OBJECTIONS? NONE.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:01:27.840><c> so</c> one member from higher ed committee, so one member from higher ed committee
• <00:03:15.000><c> participating</c> committee has at least one participating committee has at least one
• </c> committee. I urge a green vote on this. committee. I urge a green vote on this.
• </c><00:11:35.840><c> on</c> to pass and we refer to the committee on to pass and we refer to the committee
• </c> Homeland Security and ICE, Augsburg Homeland Security and ICE, Augsburg received<00:32:16.360><c

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Convening the Committee on Public Safety.
• I’m really excited about the homeland security grants that we got.
• We got a 370% increase in our homeland security grants for our urban area security initiative.
• c><01:56:12.960><c> security</c><01:56:13.280><c> grants</c> about uh the homeland security grants about
• security grants uh for our our homeland security grants uh for our urban<01:56:19.599><c> area</c><01

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's talk securities: one thing, $3.8 billion. ...the base.
• Let's talk securities: one thing, $3.8 billion for Luke Air Force Base contributes to the state of Arizona
• So we're just one step ahead of the adversaries on trying to get that. Can I continue, Mr. Chair?
• Chairman, members of the committee, you're going to, and this question touches on an expertise area that
• Treasury and Department of Homeland Security for those definitions.

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Summary: The Federalism Committee approved the minutes from February 9, 2026, and then heard only one bill on the agenda, SB 1683, an emergency measure. The bill would broaden Arizona’s restrictions on foreign adversary involvement in real property by extending the ban to leasing and other current or future interests, lowering the “substantial interest” threshold from 20% to 5%, prohibiting foreign adversaries from installing or accessing equipment or data on Arizona property, and making violations a Class 5 felony. It also targets attempts to evade the law through intermediaries, shell companies, partnerships, or trusts, and requires certain utilities, telecom providers, critical infrastructure owners, and government agencies to notify state authorities if they suspect prohibited arrangements. Retired Lt. Col. James Rusty Mitchell testified in support, saying the bill would strengthen protections around military training areas, especially near Luke Air Force Base, and help Arizona stay ahead of foreign adversary efforts to acquire land near sensitive installations. Committee members questioned the breadth of the bill, the reduction in the ownership threshold, and how terms such as “acting in support of a foreign terrorist organization” would be defined. Travis Schulte of the Department of Emergency Affairs said the bill relies on federal statutory definitions and referenced federal investigative resources. The vice chair moved SB 1683 for a do pass recommendation. After discussion, the committee voted 5-2 to advance the bill. Senators supporting the measure emphasized national security concerns, while the dissenting senator said the bill was too broad, could sweep in unrelated transactions, and raised concerns about vague definitions and potential impacts on protest activity and First Amendment rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's not on the committee, so I'm going to take him out of order. We'll go first to House Bill 681.
• I do have one individual signed in. Stephen Millward. Mr. Milward, welcome to our committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee, I ask that you vote no on this bill.
• Security and others, and so and I I I ...requirements with Homeland Security and others, and so, and
• Now we're on to House Bill 548. Senator Hart, welcome to the committee. We're on to House Bill 548.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And Tribal Relations Committee. Today we're doing a work session on Keep Washington Working.
• And then on the state level, it really focused on honing in on that minimal data collection.
• And then on the state level, it really focused on honing in on that minimal data collection.
• One follow-up.
• Recently, it was determined that one agency and an arm of the Department of Homeland Security—Homeland

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Summary: The Tribal Relations Committee held a work session on the Keep Washington Working Act, hearing first from the Office of the Attorney General and then the Office of the Governor, followed by testimony from the ACLU of Washington, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and One America. The Attorney General’s office described the 2019 bipartisan law as limiting state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing privacy, minimal data collection, model policies for agencies, and the distinction between immigration status information and other personal data. The office said the law has not been challenged in Washington, noted similar laws in other states, and explained that agency attorneys coordinate to provide consistent guidance and defend the law in court when needed. The governor’s office said Keep Washington Working is being implemented across state agencies through case-by-case review of data-sharing requests, coordination with the Attorney General and privacy offices, and a new executive order creating an immigration sub-cabinet and reinforcing data privacy and community engagement. Officials pointed to federal funding exceptions, including Medicaid and other programs where data must be shared to receive funds, and said the state has challenged federal grant conditions in court. In response to questions, the governor’s office said it believes the statute is consistent with federal law, applies broadly to all Washingtonians, and is being monitored for unnecessary data sharing, including at the Department of Licensing. Advocates and the ACLU argued that Keep Washington Working is grounded in the anti-commandeering doctrine and is intended to keep state resources focused on state purposes rather than federal civil immigration enforcement. They said the law helps maintain trust so residents will seek police, fire, health, and licensing services without fear, but warned that federal enforcement and data-sharing practices are still harming communities, including people with lawful status and families separated by detention. Several speakers said the law is strong but could be improved through stronger enforcement, more consistent implementation across agencies and contractors, and possibly a private right of action. No votes or formal actions were taken; the chair closed by inviting follow-up on implementation challenges and possible legislative improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Tribal Relations Committee. Today we're doing a work session on Keep Washington Working.
• And then on the state level, it really focused on honing in on that minimal data collection.
• One follow-up.
• Recently, it was determined that one agency and an arm of the Department of Homeland Security—Homeland
• I think I'm going to be taking the lead on chairmen and members of the committee.

Summary: The Tribal Relations Committee held a work session on the Keep Washington Working Act, hearing first from the Office of the Attorney General, then the Office of the Governor, and finally advocates from the ACLU of Washington, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and One America. The Attorney General’s office described the 2019 bipartisan law as limiting state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, emphasizing minimal data collection, privacy protections, definitions in the statute, model policies for agencies, and the role of court orders and federal funding exceptions. Committee members asked about consistency in legal guidance, possible federal challenges, and whether the law has been litigated in Washington or elsewhere; the office said it has not been challenged in Washington and cited similar laws in other states that have been upheld or dismissed in litigation. The governor’s office said the administration is implementing the law across agencies through case-by-case review of data-sharing requests, coordination with the Attorney General and privacy officials, and a new executive order creating an immigration sub-cabinet to improve agency coordination and community input. Officials said the state will continue to protect immigrant communities, avoid using state resources for civil immigration enforcement, and comply with federal funding requirements where necessary, citing Medicaid and other programs as examples. They also discussed recent court rulings in Washington that blocked federal grant conditions tied to immigration enforcement and said agencies are being trained to review data privacy and sharing practices. Advocates argued that Keep Washington Working is grounded in anti-commandeering principles and is meant to ensure state resources are used for state purposes, not federal immigration enforcement. They said the law helps immigrant communities trust police, schools, and public services, but warned that data sharing and aggressive federal enforcement are eroding that trust and harming families. The panelists described cases involving alleged unlawful local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, family separation, detention, and due process concerns, and suggested possible improvements such as stronger enforcement mechanisms, a private right of action, and broader limits on data sharing. No votes or formal actions were taken; the committee closed the hearing after members thanked the presenters and invited follow-up on implementation issues and potential legislative changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So moving on, I have Kab by Garan. committee everybody's entitled to their committee everybody's entitled
• Aloha, Katie Lambert, on behalf of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, will stand on our written testimony
• ><c> on</c><00:52:03.960><c> our</c><00:52:04.119><c> written</c> ha homelands will stand on our written
• I've been on the list for Hawaiian Homelands for the past 20 years.
• director, so I'll work on this again, um, Senator Richards committee.

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs opened its first meeting of the 33rd Legislature with housekeeping announcements, including live streaming, a two-minute testimony limit, and notice that the committee would reconvene later if technical problems forced an early adjournment. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that written testimony was already on file and that public testimony would be taken measure by measure. On SB 109, which concerns the relationship between Hawaiian and English versions of state laws, the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that broadly allowing the Hawaiian text to supersede English could create ambiguity, and recommended narrowing the bill to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were never later amended in English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language, while OHA and several individuals also supported it. Testimony in support emphasized the importance of honoring Hawaiian language and preventing it from being treated as secondary. The committee then heard SB 268 on burial councils and SB 269 on the OHA budget. SB 268 drew strong support from OHA-related witnesses and many members of the public, who said burial council quorum problems and delays have hindered protection of iwi kupuna; one Moka representative opposed the bill, arguing the island had not been adequately consulted and that the real issue was the state process rather than council size. SB 269 received support from OHA and public testifiers who said OHA should be strengthened and better funded to serve Native Hawaiian needs. The committee also heard SB 624 relating to Prince Jonah Kūhiō, with DHHL and OHA supporting the measure to display portraits of Prince Kūhiō in public buildings; testifiers said the bill would promote cultural pride, education, and recognition of his legacy. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.