Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Jared Mason Gear representing the Washington Education Association.
• We represent active and retired educators in both the SEB and PEP systems.
• I'm a community outreach manager for MOUD clinics across the state.
• They provide patient education and patient and family support.
• They provide patient education and patient and family support for our medically complex patients.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a hearing on several bills. SB 5904 would prohibit non-human entities from using nursing titles; the sponsor and nursing groups said it is meant to increase transparency around AI and ensure patients know when they are interacting with a real nurse. SB 5915 would change Health Technology Assessment Program review criteria and timelines, with supporters arguing it would better account for Medicare coverage and national guidelines, especially for rare and life-threatening conditions. SB 6025 would update the definition of fetal death to allow gestational age to be determined by the best clinically accurate method rather than last menstrual period, and medical professionals and the sponsor said this would reduce emotional, financial, and legal burdens on grieving families. SB 5933 would require near real-time sharing of overdose data into ODMAP; public health, local government, and recovery advocates said it would improve overdose response, while one witness asked that poison center data be included and clarified separately. SB 5990 would allow APRNs and physician assistants to serve as local health officers in counties under 100,000 population; rural county officials supported the added flexibility, while public health groups and naturopathic physicians raised concerns about qualifications and asked that naturopathic doctors be included as well. SB 5981 would restrict drug manufacturers from limiting 340B drug access through contract pharmacies or requiring data as a condition of discounts; safety-net hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies, and patients said it protects access and reinvestment in care, while manufacturers, employer groups, and industry representatives argued it increases costs, lacks transparency, and may not ensure savings reach patients. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript; each bill was heard and testimony was closed. Sign-in counts were reported for several bills, including strong pro support for SB 5904, SB 5915, SB 5933, and SB 5981, and mixed or substantial opposition on SB 6025 and SB 5990.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very important element in that they get their full 365 days to transition and educate themselves
• Right away, I'm going to turn that over to our Chairman of Veterans Employment Education.
• Notably, Section 302, the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, or CVSO Act, marks a historic
• For veterans health care, it's supporting veteran care by passing the Veteran Caregiver Re-Education,
• And they face challenges due to income, education, and other systemic barriers that create inequities

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention

Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department's outreach included publishing notice of intent in the March 2025 edition of the Idaho
• And so we do have programs for that, and we've been taking a lot of outreach, and because of the appropriations
• we've seen, we've seen an outreach both by TV, social media, radio, and we actually change those and
• And we talk about our safety courses and our educational courses on boating and off-highway vehicles,

Summary: The committee began by recognizing page Marley Johnson, who said she plans to finish school, attend flight school, and possibly pursue an aviation degree. Members asked about her experience in the Senate, and she said it changed her perspective by showing that state politics can be collaborative and focused on doing what is best for Idaho. The committee presented her with a letter of recommendation for flight school and an American 250 flag flown over the Capitol. The committee then considered several gubernatorial appointments and Idaho Department of Lands rules. It voted to send David Bobbitt’s reappointment to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and heard testimony from James Keating for reappointment to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Board; no vote was taken on his appointment at that time. The committee also heard a presentation from the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission on a study claiming the Corps of Engineers’ lake-level management costs the North Idaho economy about $40 million annually, with testimony focused on extending the full recreational season. Members asked about effects on recreation, fish habitat, and the geographic reach of the economic impact. Three pending rules from the Department of Lands were reviewed and approved. One rule on mine land reclamation was described as a zero-based regulation update that mainly reduced word count and reorganized application requirements, with no major substantive changes. A fee rule for navigable waterways and encroachments under the Lake Protection Act was also approved; it reduced word count, added definitions, and clarified encroachment-related provisions, with no fee increases. A third rule on easements on state-owned lands was approved as well; it deleted nominal application and assignment fees, adjusted compensation language, expanded emergency work definitions, and extended temporary permits from 10 to 20 years. Committee votes on all three rules were unanimous. Finally, Idaho Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton gave an agency update on parks operations, deferred maintenance, new campgrounds and docks, trail management, reservation pricing, and budget impacts. She said outdoor recreation remains a major economic driver, that the department has used appropriated funds to add capacity and improve facilities statewide, and that some service reductions may occur because of budget cuts. In response to a question, she said snowmobile registration revenue is down because of limited snow, which could affect county-run snowmobile programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:29.760><c> income</c> economic factors like education income economic factors like education
• And so each time we have an idea, oh, if we only had this special outreach to this particular group or
• And so each time we have an idea, oh, if we only had this special outreach to this particular group or
• And so each time we have an idea, oh, if we only had this special outreach to this particular group or
• </c><01:08:43.040><c> and</c> Partners we also communicate educate and Partners we also communicate educate

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, being an educator is, is really a management position.
• Of, of, uh, educator preparation.
• the physical education component.
• include a component of hunter education.
• As an educator, I believe in educating kids like Teach them phone manners.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board of Education would continue...
• In education, I'm pleased to see that there are higher education protections.
• leave, and the creation of CalNAS, as well as the investments in educator workforce and bilingual educators
• educators.
• educators, as well as the $2.4 billion in special education funding.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review heard the 2026-27 budget package, including AB 111 and AB 112 plus 16 trailer bills and two policy bills. Chair Laird described the budget as balanced over two fiscal years, with about $351.7 billion in total spending, $251.5 billion General Fund, and record reserves, while emphasizing investments in child care, homelessness, housing, Medi-Cal, education, courts, and other core programs. The Department of Finance presented each bill, outlining major items such as Medi-Cal adjustments tied to federal H.R. 1, child care and early learning funding, education and higher education investments, human services, developmental services, health, skilled nursing, resources, energy, transportation, housing, labor, state government, courts, taxation, and two policy bills on education governance and ballot measure placement. The LAO said it had no additional comments but was available for questions. The committee later achieved quorum and moved to member questions and comments, with no votes taken in the portion provided. Members largely focused on the budget’s fiscal structure and policy implications. Several senators praised staff and noted the compressed timeline, while Vice Chair Niello criticized the process as overly complex and burdensome. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas supported the budget but raised concerns about Medi-Cal changes for people with unsatisfactory immigration status, asking about access to care, the number affected, and county eligibility support; Finance said about two million people would transition to fee-for-service and that $39 million was included for care coordination, along with additional county eligibility funding. Senator Durazo said the agreement delayed, but did not resolve, cuts to immigrant health coverage, dental, and clinic payments, and argued that the budget did not create a true restoration mechanism. Senator Richardson highlighted hospital funding, public hospital definitions, DMV data protections, and court construction and maintenance needs, while Senator Grove questioned the sustainability of spending, the Medi-Cal savings assumptions, distressed hospital funding, Planned Parenthood transparency, developmental services changes, high-speed rail costs, and the property tax postponement program. Other members emphasized different priorities. Senator Blake Spear praised climate and parks investments, support for HAP homelessness funding with accountability, transit stabilization, and Care Court referral funding, while expressing concern about the lack of wildlife coexistence funding and long-term transit operating support. Senator Weber Pearson raised a technical concern in the health trailer bill regarding menopause language, arguing that the bill should refer to perimenopausal symptoms and should not narrow provider participation through contracting language. Throughout the hearing, Finance repeatedly explained that many of the budget’s savings came from reduced caseloads or delayed implementation of prior proposals, while some new spending was added to mitigate impacts and support administration of the changes. No final committee action or vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Morrill Act forever changed higher education.
• That’s a proven fact in higher education.
• Our educators are really good at informal education.
• Carla's seen it all within higher education.
• Carla's seen it all within higher education.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board of Education would continue...
• system. ...our public education system.
• In education, I'm pleased to see that there are higher education protections.
• workforce and bilingual educators.
• educators, as well as the $2.4 billion in special education funding.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the LFC analyst for the higher education department, higher education institutions, and the special
• Higher education institutions.
• well in New Mexico in higher education and early childhood education.
• , and adult basic education.
• education in New Mexico.

Bills: SB37 , SB29

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• It was one we originally started with, and through negotiation with the Department of Education added
• Because there is a reality in education. And it's a two-tiered reality.
• Our bill does not touch higher education or educational efforts, Senator. All right.
• And so if that is the case, we are putting far too much trust in our education system.
• It risks turning inclusion into misconduct, service into liability, and outreach into litigation.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a panel discussion around entry to apprenticeships and how there continues to be barriers around education
• Well, I guess a few days after the outreach to Josh.
• I think in terms of, this is just like logistical, in terms of outreach, who, other than the folks that

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call, introductions, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. Members then discussed a draft letter and planning for an apprenticeship-focused presentation or panel, noting outreach to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and interest in coordinating with the Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Chair Garlick and others said the draft looked good, and members agreed to keep trades and provider groups informed as the work moves forward. A major topic was how to make apprenticeships more accessible to people with disabilities and to the agencies that serve them. Members discussed recent Apprenticeship Week conversations, including employer concerns that the state’s process may not be as simple as advertised and that the $250 fee could be a barrier for small and mid-sized businesses. They also talked about the need to avoid stereotypes about which jobs people with disabilities can do and to focus on awareness, internships as a pathway to apprenticeships, and possible workforce gaps in fields such as direct support, home health, and child care. The group agreed that the proposed event should likely focus first on child care and home health, with possible inclusion of behavioral health as a related workforce area. Members also discussed inviting state officials, liaisons, and employer representatives, while keeping the panel manageable and relevant to the commission’s work. No final date was set, but members leaned toward proposing several options, likely in late May or June, and favored a Zoom format over hybrid for ease of scheduling and logistics.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, to be taken credibly in our efforts, we needed an unbiased entity to conduct the outreach, collect
• And so I think it was important that we relied on an unbiased party to do all of the stakeholder outreach
• So there could be an opportunity to educate Idahoans on what this commission does, the good work that

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee approved the minutes from its February 17 and February 19, 2026 meetings and then heard a presentation from the Department of Water Resources and the Langdon Group on a proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Department of Water Resources. The presenters described an eight-to-ten month evaluation process that included stakeholder interviews, a broad survey, and a workshop, and said the goal was to preserve the commission’s non-regulatory identity while gaining administrative efficiencies and technical support. They recommended placing the merged commission within IDWR, retaining commission oversight of programs and funding, preserving branding and legislative reporting, and formalizing a conservation partnership framework to protect the voluntary nature of the commission’s work. Committee members asked about the cost of the study, which was reported at about $90,000 total, split between the two agencies, and about expected savings. Director Weaver said the current legislation and fiscal note anticipate about $110,000 in immediate personnel savings from eliminating the administrator position, with additional modest savings possible over time in operations, equipment, IT, and office space. He also explained that the bureau chief would be hired with commission participation in the selection process, similar to the existing relationship with the Idaho Water Resource Board. Weaver said the merger has received broad support from stakeholders, including the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, while the Idaho Farm Bureau had initially opposed it but later became neutral. He said the next steps are to complete the pending legislation, work through the executive agency legislative services process, and return with additional statutory changes and a combined budget in 2027. The meeting ended with a brief water supply update noting statewide snowpack at about 74% of normal and concerns about a warm forecast and possible drought conditions later in the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• and support for farm safety grants and outreach.
• </c><00:02:51.040><c> and</c> money into mental health outreach and money into mental health outreach
• Um as we know as I was just outreach.
• </c><00:14:16.560><c> leadership</c> Minnesota egg education leadership Minnesota egg education leadership
• </c><00:59:25.440><c> spouses</c> about education assistance for spouses about education assistance for

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have people whose job is to go out and do education and outreach.
• </c><00:54:18.079><c> and</c><00:54:18.280><c> Outreach</c><00:54:18.799><c> to</c> to do education and
• Outreach to to do education and Outreach to employers<00:54:19.640><c> across</c><00:54:19.960><c> the
• </c> that we enforce as well as educating that we enforce as well as educating employees<00:54:39.119
• </c> the cracks of the public education the cracks of the public education system<01:40:37.639><c> my

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, a number of our districts do outreach on a regular basis.
• Our headquarters do outreach with contractors and small contractors on a regular basis to just give them
• The district outreach goes into details of all the contracts to expect in the next quarter or so.
• Also, a number of our districts do outreach on a regular basis.
• The district outreach goes into details of all the contract to expect in the next quarter or so.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People are confused because of the word “school,” because that implies that they provide educational
• services, which they do not. ...because of the word “school,” because that implies that they provide educational
• This is how it should be, because kids do better when they receive education in their local communities
• has to do with whether you contemplated this type of challenge in the reporting and what type of outreach
• has to do with whether you contemplated this type of challenge in the reporting and what type of outreach

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee opened its 2026 session with member and staff introductions, then took up four bills. HB 2185 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more members with lived experience of homelessness or involvement in public systems, broaden youth representation up to age 25, and allow members who turn 25 to finish their terms. The prime sponsor and testifiers from homeless youth advocacy organizations supported the bill, saying it would improve representation and the quality of advice to the Office of Homeless Youth. The hearing on HB 2185 was then closed. The committee next heard HB 2319, which renames Washington’s residential habilitation centers by removing the word “school” from their titles and updating related statutory references. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect current services and reduce confusion, and advocates from The Arc of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and self-advocates supported the bill as a needed terminology update that would better describe the facilities and avoid misleading the public. No opposition was heard. HB 2230 would limit DSHS to one annual routine review in specified subject areas for community residential service providers and require more document-sharing across divisions to reduce duplicate oversight. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill is intended to cut redundant audits and site visits so staff can spend more time on client care, while still preserving investigations and required oversight. HB 2200 would direct JLARC to review safety and stability outcomes across developmental disability residential settings and require a public dashboard comparing data such as 911 calls, ER boarding, placement terminations, and staff retention. The sponsor and several witnesses supported greater transparency, while provider representatives raised concerns about raw data being misleading without per-client or percentage-based context and about possible fiscal impacts. The committee did not take final votes on the bills in the transcript and adjourned after public hearings and caucus time were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Jared Mason-Gear representing the Washington Education Association.
• We represent active and retired educators in both the SEB and PEB systems, testifying in strong support
• I'm a community outreach manager for MOUD clinics across the state.
• They provide patient education and patient and family support.
• They provide patient education and patient and family support for our medically complex patients.

Bills: SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025 , SB5933 , SB5990 , SB5981

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines

Transcript Highlights:

• know, when officer is called, and I know being a police officer is quite different from being an educator
• </c> outreach through social media. outreach through social media.
• She also asked whether the employment agreement includes educational benefits, such as an opportunity
• In response to the educational-benefits question, the witness said the sheriff's office only has one
• We have three basic mission areas: cadet programming, aerospace education, and emergency services.

Bills: HB339

Committee: Joint Local Government

Keywords: Civil Air Patrol, CAP, emergency leave, job protection, employment discrimination, leave of absence, volunteer service, emergency response, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, state employee leave, military leave, public employees, local government employers, reinstatement rights, seniority protection, unpaid leave, Meeting Start 00:00:03 Roll Call 00:00:14 Discussion of Local Law Enforcement Issues 00:03:08 Discussion of Civil Air Patrol Employment Protections 00:50:46 Adjournment 01:06:07, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have started pushing racism with performative outreach and outrage across the country.
• We offer culturally responsive education through our monastery academy.
• </c> We offer culturally responsive education We offer culturally responsive education through<02:33:
• education, consultation, and Through education, consultation, and collaboration, collaboration, collaboration
• The joint education Smart Act hearing will be in the old Supreme Court today.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They didn't want public education because it's a failure.
• They didn't want public education because it's a failure.
• There are zero educational accountability safeguards when it comes to the ESA.
• There are zero educational accountability safeguards when it comes to the ESA.
• It is so important for civic education to be...

Keywords: 1182, all