Transcript Highlights:

• business, trade and economic development, Senate Bill 5880 concerning toxicology testing by certain laboratories

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 2026 session with roll call, presentation of colors by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, a signed national anthem by River Ridge High School ASL students, and an invocation. The President welcomed new Senator Victoria Hunt and noted the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the challenges of democracy and the need for grace and respect. The Senate then received certification of the November 2025 election results and administered the oath of office to newly elected Senators Emily Alvarado, Victoria Hunt, Deborah Krishnadasan, Tina Orwall, and Vandana Slatter. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8660 to notify the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready for business, confirmed the committee appointed to deliver that message, and adopted Senate Resolution 8663 making minor rule changes. The President also confirmed the 2026 Senate standing committee memberships. During first reading and referral, several bills and measures were introduced and sent to committees, including bills on toxicology testing, supplemental leave benefits for public employees, crime victims and witnesses, and fire code administration, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 establishing cutoff dates. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 was debated, with support arguing it set the session’s schedule for efficient work and opposition criticizing the traditional budget-and-policy sequence and calling for budget-first reform. The resolution passed. The Senate then received House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407, adopted both, and heard messages from the Governor’s office, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Senate, including provisional certifications of initiatives and transmitted bills. The session concluded with notice of an upcoming joint session and committee meeting, and the Senate adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity and highlights what we can achieve when the state works in collaboration with our national laboratories

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill relates to the exemption of tuition and laboratory fees at public institutions of

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

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• Secondly, directs Coordinating Board and TEA to identify current educational laboratory resources and

Bills: HB178

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• The IICRC is a globally recognized ANSI-accredited standards-developing and certifying body for the cleaning
• as well as the public, the IICRC has developed, and it's been around for 20-plus years, an ANSI-accredited
• With six four-year accredited OBGYN residency programs in the state, we graduate approximately 34 new
• ... ...accredited OBGYN residency programs in the state, we graduate approximately 34 new OBGYNs each

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• signed a bill of mine that said, look, because of what the federal administration is doing to accreditation
• , we're going to take the extraordinary step of saying if you lose your accreditation under certain circumstances
• signed a bill of mine that, that said, look, because of what the federal administration is doing to accreditation
• , you know, we're going to take the extraordinary step of saying, if you lose your accreditation under

Summary: The committee heard AB 1159, which would expand and modernize student data privacy protections, extend similar protections to higher education students, and create limited enforcement mechanisms. The author and supporters argued that ed tech now collects far more sensitive information than students and families realize, including health, location, and identity-related data, and said the bill is needed to address AI, subpoenas, data theft, and misuse. Some higher education and bookstore interests raised concerns about definitions and preserving ordinary student communications, but committee members generally supported the bill and emphasized protecting sensitive information; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1171, which would protect and stabilize the Part-Time Community College Faculty Health Insurance Program by keeping funds dedicated to that purpose and requiring districts to begin negotiations by 2030. The author and supporters said part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents from the Community College League and administrators argued the measure was premature because participation is growing and the Legislature should retain budget flexibility. Several senators discussed the tension between budget discretion and honoring the state’s commitment to faculty health care; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1581 followed, proposing changes to improve identification and reporting of Native American students in CalPADS through tribal affiliation data. Supporters said current systems severely undercount Native students and that better data would improve resources and accountability, while members raised implementation questions about multi-tribal identities and consultation with tribes. The bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee then heard AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school sports coaches. The author and a psychiatrist witness said coaches are trusted adults who already receive training on physical safety and should also be trained to recognize mental health warning signs and connect students to help. Support came from school, health, and sports organizations, with no opposition, and the bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, AB 1766 was heard, expanding human trafficking prevention education from grades 7-12 to K-12 and adding content on online exploitation, grooming, and digital abuse. The author, a survivor witness, and a foundation representative described the need for earlier, age-appropriate prevention education and stronger staff awareness; supporters included educators, school districts, and industry groups, with no opposition. Senators praised the testimony and the bill’s focus on prevention, and a motion was made to move it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• signed a bill of mine that said, look, because of what the federal administration is doing to accreditation
• , we're going to take the extraordinary step of saying that if you lose your accreditation under certain
• signed a bill of mine that, that said, look, because of what the federal administration is doing to accreditation
• , you know, we're going to take the extraordinary step of saying, if you lose your accreditation under

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• does require that schools cannot use ESA funds to meet, supplant, or satisfy the standards of accreditation
• ESA funds to meet, supplant, or satisfy the standards of accreditation or the minimum teacher salary
• supplant the state standards cannot be used to meet, satisfy, or supplant the state standards for accreditation
• supplant the state standards. cannot be used to meet, satisfy, or supplant the state standards for accreditation

Summary: The committee first approved the March 9 and 10 minutes, then heard a presentation from the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program featuring three third-grade teachers from Poyen, Drew Central, and Cabot, along with Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva. The teachers described the fellowship as a year-long collaboration among 23 merit-pay recipients from across the state, focused on sharing classroom strategies, data use, and professional support. Members asked about teacher experience, how the fellowship information is shared locally, the role of merit pay, and how teachers are addressing third-grade reading and retention concerns under the ATLAS assessment system. The teachers emphasized early intervention, relationships with students, small-group instruction, progress monitoring, and communication with families; they also described community supports such as churches, food backpacks, and local donations. Several members raised broader questions about poverty, trauma, social services, DHS involvement, and whether similar professional learning should be expanded to more teachers. Secretary Oliva said the fellowship is a small subset of a larger merit-pay program, that participation was voluntary, and that the state is working to improve literacy supports, clarity, and alignment across grades. He also said ATLAS results are now available to schools and families much faster than in the past, often within 24 to 72 hours, and that the state is using the data to identify at-risk students earlier and support intervention before retention decisions are made. The committee then moved to the adequacy/resource allocation presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research. Staff explained that the report is part of the statutory adequacy review and focuses on state funding sources beyond foundation aid, including categorical and supplemental funds. They noted that districts and charters spent more than $7 billion in the 2025 school year, with roughly 49% from foundation funding and 51% from other sources over the last three years. The presentation outlined the four categorical funds—Alternative Learning Environment, English Learners, Enhanced Student Achievement, and Professional Development—describing their restricted uses, student-based funding formulas, and the ability of districts to transfer some money among categoricals while keeping it within allowable purposes. Staff said categorical funds account for about 4% of total spending, or less than $300 million, and reviewed superintendent feedback on whether those funds met district needs, with responses varying by category and district.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they talk to them about the four-point strategy of creating a Main Street and becoming accredited
• And they talk to them about the four-point strategy of creating a Main Street and becoming accredited
• the strategic plan and how they're going to address those critical needs for them to become an accredited
• Main Street. ...those critical needs for them to become an accredited Main Street.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to have at least 10 of our hours to be nationally accredited hours through our national organization
• least 10 of our hours to be to have at least 10 of our hours to be nationally<00:07:58.960><c> accredited
• /c><00:07:59.680><c> hours</c><00:08:00.080><c> through</c><00:08:00.319><c> our</c> nationally accredited
• hours through our nationally accredited hours through our national<00:08:00.960><c> organization.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• schools and our school districts on those budget submissions, and they're also really critical for accreditation
• reviewing budgets, but I will point out, as I mentioned in my remarks, through the new school accreditation
• We also, again through the school accreditation process, are taking a much deeper look at how their expenditures
• districts and charter schools statewide, the level of technical assistance, the work associated with accreditation

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the accrediting body for many of the states in the Midwest, everywhere from actually now they,
• to our state higher ed department, we have to meet certain guidelines for them to give us our accreditation
• people, you know, this college is offering and providing support, has things in order to meet our accreditation
• And we're due for our 10-year accreditation, so we have 3 different things going on at the same time

Transcript Highlights:

• offer ADN to BSN pathways that reduce time to degree, coordinate clinical placements, and support accreditation
• equipped with the academic resources, adequate clinical placements, distance learning modalities, accreditation
• Community college programs must go through the arduous accreditation process, substantial curriculum
• Community college programs must go through the arduous accreditation process, substantial curriculum

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This agency is also internationally accredited through ISAC.
• ISAC stands for the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, which means when somebody comes
• So it, it's an, it's an accreditation that we go through every 5 years.
• We have to get re-accredited over 5 years.

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide the accreditation for any organization that wants to provide peer-to-peer recovery and also
• We provide the accreditation for any organization that wants to provide peer-to-peer recovery and also

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The school still needs to be accredited by an accrediting body, and they still need to be in compliance

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard and passed several bills. HB 293 would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor, create a liaison and advisory council, and was supported by faith-based and nonprofit groups; some members questioned possible duplication with existing services and the source of any future funding, but the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 547 would create an exception to the 30-day notice requirement before hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers sell medical debt when the debt buyer agrees not to use interest, fees, or extraordinary collection actions and must return charity-care-eligible debt; it passed unanimously after brief support testimony. CS/HB 1553 would require reporting of uterine fibroid data to the Department of Health to create a de-identified public database and reauthorize funding for implementation; it also passed 24-0, with members noting the earlier database mandate had not been carried out. The committee then took up CS/HB 1195, “Gage’s Law,” which would require hospitals and hospital-based emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine drug screens for suspected overdose or poisoning cases. The bill was presented as a response to overdose deaths and the need to better detect fentanyl, and emotional testimony from a parent described a son’s death after a hospital did not test for fentanyl. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing stigma, the need for better treatment and data, and the potential to save lives; the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47 on child care and early learning providers would streamline inspections, speed background screening, offer free online training/testing, update definitions, protect certain family child care homes from insurance issues, and create a license-exempt category for employer-provided child care; after questions about parent notice, database listing, background checks, and insurance, an amendment was adopted and the bill passed 24-0 as amended. Finally, CS/HB 647 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to sign death certificates in hospice settings, addressing delays that can leave families waiting to complete burial arrangements. Support testimony came from advocacy and hospice groups, and members cited the bill’s importance for families and religious burial timelines. The bill passed 23-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't deal with accreditation.
• are given a budget and then they hire staff, and that staff works and does the standards and the accreditation
• They don't deal with accreditation.
• are given a budget and then they hire staff, and that staff works and does the standards and the accreditation
• And then they hire staff, and that staff works and does the standards and the accreditation.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee heard from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on several interim topics centered on student-centered learning. She highlighted work-based learning and dual/concurrent enrollment, saying the state is updating accountability measures and should examine whether these programs are helping students progress, avoid duplicative costs, and reduce the need for remedial college coursework. She also discussed broader life-skills education, including financial literacy and soft skills, and said districts vary widely in what they offer. On gifted and talented programs, she noted that districts are statutorily required to provide them but the state does not have a clear picture of how consistently they are implemented, and she suggested the committee may want to study that area further. Members asked follow-up questions about whether dual enrollment should be evaluated only by time-to-degree, and Degenfelder said the analysis should also consider additional credentials and remedial coursework. Senator Schuler and others raised the idea of making financial literacy or other life-skills content more common, though Degenfelder said she did not favor a statewide mandate and instead preferred incentives and district-level implementation. The committee also discussed artificial intelligence in schools as an information-sharing topic, with Degenfelder saying the department is beginning a landscape analysis with districts and teachers. She then reviewed NAEP results, noting Wyoming performs strongly in fourth grade but drops sharply by eighth grade, and said the state wants to understand where students are falling off. Members also raised concerns about international comparisons and the need to improve literacy and math outcomes. The committee then moved to member-submitted topics. Representative Strock proposed reviewing the governance structure of state education, arguing that the current split among the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other boards creates inefficiency and confusion, especially for licensure and programs like CTE. Senator Scott noted that turnover in the superintendent’s office could be a practical issue in any restructuring, and Strock responded that administrative staff could handle day-to-day operations. Representative Williams then introduced a discussion of common core standards and literacy, arguing that standards may be too broad and not specific enough, especially in early grades, and that Wyoming should emphasize phonics, basic reading, math, and civics more directly. Representative Guggenmos agreed that narrowing early-grade focus to math and literacy could improve outcomes. Finally, Representative Williams raised virtual education, saying it is growing quickly and the committee should study funding, accountability, and student support more closely; the chair opened that topic for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll say this, Christie, you just went to an accreditation meeting with some of the leadership from
• I think, not to confuse those, most of our IFSAC, Pro Board accreditation or certifications are typically
• And it’s just kind of that third-party accreditation. municipal and departments for the most municipal
• And that puts us in a situation that actually, you know, kind of threatens us for our accreditation because
• </c> threatens us for our accreditation threatens us for our accreditation because<01:01:42.640><c> we

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 22 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• now in RSA 188, it specifically speaks to the policy shall also comply with the standards for accreditation
• the to the policy shall also comply with the standards<00:03:57.519><c> for</c><00:03:58.120><c> accreditation
• </c><00:03:59.120><c> and</c><00:03:59.519><c> program</c> standards for accreditation and program standards
• for accreditation and program development<00:04:00.560><c> established</c><00:04:01.040><c> by</c><00
• We their accreditation and standards.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest barrier to that, because we're not accredited, we're licensed, is having funding opportunity
• can't even apply for traditional student loans because we are a private vocational school and not accredited
• Traditional student loans are not available because we are a private vocational school and not accredited

Keywords: 914, all

Summary: The committee/task force met with several disability service providers to discuss integrated employment, transition services, and barriers to community jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described creating their own businesses when community employers were not hiring their clients, and said rigid service rules, employer readiness, bullying, and reimbursement structures often force the person to fit the service rather than the service fitting the person. They said they have not seen clients lose benefits, but they do closely manage reporting to Social Security and related supports. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial work, city beautification, state-use contracts, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said many employers are hesitant because of productivity and cost concerns, and that businesses are often more open to contracting with her agency than hiring individuals directly. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model with sheltered work, volunteer sites, paid contracts, and a Transition Academy. She said the academy is a two-year program focused first on independent living and then on employment, with internships and an 85% placement rate, but funding is a major barrier because the program is not accredited and students cannot access traditional aid. She also cited dual diagnoses, inconsistent job coaches, and employer uncertainty as major obstacles. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described DRTC’s long-running enclave contracts, a new Community Skills and Connections program, and a plan to phase out 14(c) subminimum wage use by the end of the year. They said the new program is designed to keep people engaged in community-based skill-building and networking while families still need day supports, and that DRTC has developed more than 100 community partnerships. Senator Kirt, Rep. Hefner, and participants discussed broader system issues, including the need for better school-to-work transition, more social integration, transportation, safety, and employer education. DRS staff said the agency is already required to provide pre-employment transition services in schools starting at age 14 and offers employer accommodations support and job-carving assistance, though they acknowledged federal reporting expectations and service rules can be restrictive. Several participants raised concerns about line-of-sight restrictions, congregate living rules, benefit cliffs, and the difficulty of moving from DDS to DRS services. The group also discussed the need for better data and possible working groups focused on in-school transition, program support and blending services, and community integration. No formal votes were taken.