Transcript Highlights:

• Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in removal from the hearing room.
• /c><00:01:22.960><c> result</c><00:01:23.360><c> in</c><00:01:23.600><c> the</c><00:01:23.759><c> removal
• </c> guidelines may result in the removal guidelines may result in the removal from<00:01:24.400><c>
• </c><00:07:59.120><c> date</c><00:07:59.360><c> of</c><00:07:59.599><c> that</c> at the expiration date
• of that at the expiration date of that guardianship<00:08:00.560><c> agreement</c><00:08:01.520><c>

Bills: HF3676 , HF2959 , HF3233

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to expire in September of this year.
• The patrol's current five-year contract is due to expire, and the governor has recommended this NDI.
• date, your oxygen has expiration dates, and so we're kind of caught in the middle because we have expiration
• All of these funds have been removed.
• Current auditor Fitzpatrick removed those.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:59:11.039><c> autonomy</c> clinical expertise and removes autonomy clinical expertise and removes
• </c><01:30:37.280><c> the</c> these issues first it removes the these issues first it removes the outdated
• In one case, we received approval one day before it expired.
• In one case, we received approval one day before it expired.
• In one case, we received approval one day before it expired.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those are removal of funding no longer needed, and also right-sizing different grants within
• They're tied mostly to carry forwards and removal of one-time money no longer needed for FY27.
• Also includes attrition and $3 million for the removal of four positions as a result of efficiencies
• Will they expire soon? Will you need to start new ones with the same firms or other firms?
• So those have expired, new ones are coming in? Yes. Okay. That's great.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee began a series of House Appropriations budget hearings focused on the fiscal year 2026-2027 executive budget, the preamble, and the executive department. Staff presented revenue and spending trends showing projected declines in revenues alongside increasing expenditures, with members emphasizing the need for a standstill budget and additional efficiencies. The House Fiscal Division also reviewed the FY25 surplus and FY26 excess, the constitutional uses of surplus funds, and the overall FY27 budget structure, including the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending. The commissioner of administration described the administration’s use of one-time money, efficiency reviews, and budget reductions, while members asked about revenue forecasts, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication, corporate tax changes, and the impact of federal policy changes on state costs, especially SNAP and Medicaid administration. The committee then moved through several executive department agencies. The Division of Administration presentation covered its budget, vacancies, debt service, and reductions tied to statewide adjustments and efficiency measures. GOSEP’s functions were described as transferred into the Department of Military Affairs under Act 262 of 2025, and military officials outlined the new combined structure, emergency response duties, overseas deployments, youth programs, and concerns about future federal funding. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority reviewed its largely dedicated funding and explained that large apparent balances reflect long-term project planning and multi-year capital work. The Office of the State Inspector General presented a budget increase for consulting services tied to the governor’s DOGE-style efficiency initiative, and the inspector general said the effort had identified nearly $1 billion in savings across the executive branch, largely through eligibility reviews in Medicaid and SNAP and implementation of prior audit recommendations. Members raised questions throughout about how budget figures were calculated, why some totals appeared to rise while state general fund support fell, and how federal changes would affect state agencies. There were also questions about the transition of GOSEP into Military Affairs, the status of school safety centers, and whether the new structure would change local emergency responsibilities. No formal votes or amendments were taken during the portion provided; the meeting consisted of presentations, explanations, and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was created because state was removed.
• Whenever we bring the... ...that is in schools today that was created because faith was removed.
• That was created because faith was removed.
• That was created because faith was removed.
• As a result, she argued, release time programs do not improve attendance and instead remove students

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• This streamlines the stipend process and removes the unnecessary offset requirement, as it is reportedly
• The special use permit expired. The state of Florida today is still operating structures on U.S.
• The special use permit expired. The state of Florida today is still operating structures on U.S.
• Nobody's upset that we're removing a statute of limitations for victims of child abuse and a public..
• upset that we're removing a statute of limitations for victims of child abuse in a public school.

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:31.440><c> July</c> July 2nd, 2025 for terms expiring July July 2nd, 2025 for terms expiring
• </c><00:31:45.640><c> July</c> plumber appointed for term expiring July plumber appointed for term expiring
• It was simply removing House amendments.
• It was simply removing house made.
• for</c> removing 1.6 appropriation for removing 1.6 appropriation for transgender<06:15:45.480><c> health

Transcript Highlights:

• The exemption expires July 1, 2031.
• Allowing a state agency, by subjective determination, to remove somebody from the ballot or remove an
• I see my time is about to expire, so I'll end there.
• Allowing a state agency by subjective determination to remove somebody from the ballot or remove an elect
• I see my time is about to expire, so I'll end there.

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

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

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

Transcript Highlights:

• is that the tax cuts which were passed in 2017, particularly on personal rates, are going to be expiring
• The Speaker pro tempore: The gentleman's time has expired. Mr. Larson: On your benefits.
• THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED. MR. LARSON: ON YOUR BENEFITS.
• See, it's not lost on me that I'm just one generation removed from segregation.
• I stand here before you just three generational lines removed from slavery.

Bills: HR818 , HR832 , HR825 , HR828 , HR804 , HR754 , HR788

Keywords: impeachment, judge, criminal conduct, judicial behavior, Supreme Court, assassination attempt, sentencing, ideology, National Chemistry Week, education, STEM careers, science promotion, public engagement, government transparency, communication, House of Representatives, appropriations, furlough, Federal agencies, military service

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds were originally put in place; that expires after 30 months.
• The funds were originally put in place; that expires after 30 months.
• That expires after 30 months.
• is moving the $47 million that is left over into the long-range funds so that the funds will not expire
• They're going to find someone who will, and they'll remove and replace us with people who actually live

Bills: HB3257 , HB3176 , HB3544 , HB3619 , HB3546 , HB1782 , HB2293 , HB4358 , HB3081 , HB3983 , HB3790 , HJR1023 , HB4139 , HB3297 , HB3041 , HB3673 , HB4105 , HB3338 , HB3048 , SR33 , SCR21 , SCR20 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4034 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4044 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4071 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4072 , HB2992 , HB4338 , HB4170

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and several gallery introductions recognizing guests and honorees, including the Medford Cardinals football team for their academic and athletic success, Guthrie Day, the Oscar J. Upham post office designation, the OKC Spark professional softball team, the Elks organization, and the YMCA’s 175th anniversary. Senators also welcomed a new intern and acknowledged Senator Carl McDowell’s return to the chamber. Most of the early floor time was devoted to ceremonial citations and concurrent resolutions, all of which were adopted without recorded opposition. The chamber then moved through a series of Joint Committee Reports and third-reading votes on appropriations and related measures. HB 4031 reauthorized $41 million for previously approved ODAA projects and passed 36-8, declared an emergency. HB 4032 redirected industry fees to the Department of Mines and passed 34-11, emergency. HB 4034 appropriated $142,137 for salary increases for certified shorthand reporters and passed 45-0, emergency. HB 4036 transferred $5 million from the Film and Oklahoma revolving fund to a new sitcom-related revolving fund and passed 30-15. HB 4037 raised the Ethics Commission Fund retention cap from $150,000 to $250,000 and passed 45-0, emergency. Several transportation, health, and public safety measures also advanced. HB 4038 moved $5 million for the eight-year road plan and additional project funding, passing 28-17 and then as an emergency measure after vote changes. HB 4040 set up cash-flow funds for the State Department of Health’s $223 million federal award and passed 45-0, emergency. HB 4041 appropriated $2.25 million to the Attorney General, including $2 million for a trafficking victim pilot program and $250,000 for a public safety technology fund, and passed as an emergency. HB 4042 appropriated $500,000 for the Commerce census revolving fund and passed 35-9. HB 4043 transferred $1 million to Emergency Management for Oklahoma Task Force 1 and passed 44-0, emergency. The most extended debate centered on HB 4045 and HB 4046, which expanded and funded the Military Readiness, Innovation, Education, and Aviation program. Supporters said the measures would help military bases, schools, infrastructure, simulation training, and defense-related economic development; critics questioned the broad language, lack of detail, and whether the projects fit a broader strategy. HB 4045 passed 37-7 and HB 4046 passed 39-7, both as emergency measures. HB 4047 funded Commerce projects including housing for aged-out foster youth, the State Fair, a university upgrade, and a COG-related economic development request; it passed 30-16 and then 40-6 as an emergency. HB 4048 appropriated $13 million for transportation infrastructure, drew criticism for bypassing the eight-year plan, and passed 36-10 before being declared an emergency. Finally, HB 4030, the Education Budget Limits Bill, was explained in detail, including $43.75 million for the Strong Readers formula, $5 million for literacy coaches, and $5 million for a charter school revolving loan fund; after questions about bonds, charter schools, and the revolving fund, it passed 39-5 and was declared an emergency measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe we passed this out of the House last year when their exemption expired.
• </c><00:31:38.880><c> Uh</c> year when their exemption expired.
• Uh year when their exemption expired.
• It is to remove the state portion of the tax on eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• the state portion of uh the tax remove the state portion of uh the tax on<00:32:36.000><c> eyeglasses

Bills: HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390 , HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the Medicaid market's continuing to fluctuate following the expiration of the public health emergency
• Uh, the Medicaid market's continuing to fluctuate following the expiration of the public health emergency
• of the public following the expiration of the public health<00:03:47.360><c> emergency</c><00:03:48.239
• Signups include our new consumers and passive enrollees, but it does not remove our cancellations.
• </c><00:12:40.639><c> our</c> but it does not remove our but it does not remove our cancellations. cancellations

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• appointments of Cynthia Fairfax, appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, term to expire
• Hyatt Erstead, appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, term to expire April 10th, 2020
• And Janice Folkerson, appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, term to expire April 10
• Hyatt Erstead, appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, term to expire April 10th, 2020
• And Janice Folkerson, appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, term to expire April 10

Transcript Highlights:

• GM 528, James Landgraf for the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators for term to expire
• Next, we have GM 552, Pina Lemosu, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, for a term to expire
• </c> Coordinating Council for term to expire Coordinating Council for term to expire June<00:10:49.960
• Next up, GM 717, Annabelle Stone for term to expire June 30, 2030, Language Access Advisory Council.
• Next up, GM 717, Annabelle Stone for term to expire June 30, 2030, Language Access Advisory Council.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met on April 15 to consider several gubernatorial nominations, with the chair reminding the public that written testimony had been reviewed and testimony time would be limited. The first nominee, James Landgraf (GM 528) for the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators, was supported by the Department of Health and testified that his water-system experience would help ensure certification standards protect safe drinking water, including on Maui and the other islands. Committee members asked about his background and Maui water issues, and the chair later recommended advise and consent. The committee also heard GM 552 for Pina Lemosu to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, but Lemosu was absent due to illness. Daintry Bartoldus of the council testified in strong support, citing Lemosu’s lived experience, critical thinking, and advocacy on disability and employment issues. The committee deferred decision-making on this nomination until the next day. For GM 717, Annabelle Stone for the Language Access Advisory Council, testimony from Waipahu Safe Haven Immigrant Migrant Resource Center and Aloha Care emphasized her interpreter background, bilingual skills, and commitment to equitable access for limited-English-proficient residents. Stone said her public health and community experience would help the council, and the chair recommended advise and consent. The final nomination, GM 782, was John McComas for the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Supporters including Jack Lewin and Aloha Care highlighted McComas’s long career in health care, including leadership at Aloha Care and work on expanding community health resources. McComas said he wanted to continue contributing to health care access statewide after retirement. The committee took no objections on the nominations it voted on and adopted the chair’s recommendations to advise and consent for GM 528, GM 717, and GM 782, while GM 552 was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• Relatives or fictive kin are the preferred placement for children who must be removed from their birth
• Relatives or fictive kin are the preferred placement for children who must be removed from their birth
• This deals with our rules, and as you might recall, the temporary rules will expire on sine die, and

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Because that's, if they expire, that means we're raising all the taxes in 10 years unless we go back
• exemption, it might give us an opportunity to give a more broad-based tax cut to everybody because we're removing
• exemption, it might give us an opportunity to give a more broad-based tax cut to everybody because we're removing

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• And the statute of limitations for the failure to report had expired by the time the state attorney learned
• just to get to the bottom line, I guess, get the idea: the actual extraction process, and then the removal
• and just to get to the bottom line I guess get the idea the actual extraction process and then the removal

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee considered four bills and reported all of them favorably. HB 373, by Rep. Duggins, tolls the statute of limitations for the offense of knowingly and willfully failing to report suspected child abuse until law enforcement or another outside agency learns of the violation. Members raised concerns about fairness if the underlying abuse is time-barred while the reporter still faces prosecution, and the sponsor said he would discuss possible changes with his state attorney, but the bill was not amended and passed 13-0. HB 359, by Rep. Anderson, extends the deadline for forensic examination of seized computers and electronic devices from 45 days to 365 days. Supporters from the Florida Prosecutors Association and state attorneys said modern devices are difficult and time-consuming to unlock and analyze, creating repeated requests to extend search deadlines and slowing investigations in cases involving child exploitation, homicide, and other crimes. The bill passed 13-0. HB 703, by Rep. Gentry, preserves a public records exemption for information generated by a state attorney’s conviction integrity unit during reinvestigation of a claim of innocence, with supporters saying disclosure could reveal sensitive information such as alternate suspects, witnesses, or evidence and compromise the review. It passed 12-0. HB 4001, by Rep. Tant, caps inmate health care compensation in Jefferson County at 110% of the Medicare reimbursement rate to encourage preexisting provider contracts and prevent overbilling; it also passed 13-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Apparently, after Sam was removed, Carol Sothequist called the family, telling them that a POA signed
• Anybody that's advocating for you, they remove them so the ward is isolated. Then they medicate.
• As soon as Brian Toit is officially removed as Sam's counsel and Chris Levoy is appointed, we will be
• Toit just actually filed a petition to remove my wife as conservator because we're trying to terminate
• And instead of, you know, correcting it, Toit filed to have her removed because he won't pay her or pay

Committee: Senate Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2032 was removed from the third reconsent calendar.
• Thank you, Whip Willoughby. is expired or duplicative.
• number of registered voters in an election precinct to 2,500 at the time of precinct designation, remove
• Madam Whip: Members, House Bill 2459 removes the restriction that charges for utilities be limited to
• This bill was removed from the third-read consent calendar and is available for questions.

Summary: The meeting covered a very large number of bills across multiple committees, with most items presented on consent calendars and several sponsors explaining their measures. Education bills focused on moving statewide testing later in the school year, allowing paper testing by local choice, increasing transparency around district administrator pay, expanding religious excusal policies, creating a school fitness recognition program, and sending a resolution to voters to require sex-based designation of school sports teams and private spaces. Federalism and Government items included bans on foreign contributions to ballot-measure committees, a proposed ballot measure to eliminate voting centers and return to precinct-based voting, memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and the IMF, penalties for late agency financial reporting, restrictions on state contracts with China, and a bill limiting use of ADS-B aviation data for fee collection. Commerce bills addressed digital goods disclosure, child influencer trust accounts, liability for river outfitters, marketplace contractor termination rights, utility submetering charges, unemployment eligibility checks, and association-based health plans. Health and human services measures included lactation consultant certification and Medicaid breastfeeding support, a ban on gender transition procedures for minors, a requirement that chief medical officers hold active licenses, technical ambulance definitions, a SNAP waiver request to restrict non-eligible food purchases, hospital collection of patient immigration status, and enrollment verification for AHCCCS-related hospital presumptive eligibility. Judiciary bills included consent-verification requirements for online sexual material, a civil cause of action for DEI policy violations, hate-crime-style enhancements that also cover political affiliation, name-change disclosure rules for sex offenders, penalties for possession of falsified commercial driver’s licenses by unlawfully present persons, penalties for mailing abortion-inducing drugs, speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension, longer transition services for inmates, stronger penalties for sexual extortion of minors, and legislative oversight of state shooting range closures. Natural resources and water bills dealt with brackish groundwater recovery and desalination studies, water augmentation authority financing, HOA drought-year watering restrictions, water-rate parity for customers outside city limits, and groundwater transportation from the McMullen Valley basin. Other topics included a ban on PFAS firefighting foam, restrictions on vaccine and mask mandates by governments and businesses, protections against employment or service discrimination based on medical interventions, elimination of long-vacant state positions, consumer protections against device disabling after owner modifications, and restrictions on Chinese-made critical infrastructure. The committee also heard a Space Commission update bill and a continuation of the Arizona Beef Council. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for amendments or legal concerns, including the testing-window bill, student directory information bill, river outfitter liability bill, ambulance bill, and others. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but many bills were advanced on third-read or consent calendars, while a few were set aside for amendments or further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please conclude your remarks when you see the timer turn red, as your time has expired.
• Please conclude your remarks when you see the timer turn red, as your time has expired, and we want to
• Removing plastic entirely, paired with the 20-cent paper fee, makes it harder for our members to ensure
• By the numbers, last year, Puget Soundkeeper volunteers removed nearly 2,400 pounds of trash from our
• With the ban or removal of Styrofoam from takeout containers, the plastic bag is an important backup

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with SB 5965 on retail bags. Staff explained that the bill would prohibit single-use plastic and reusable film plastic carryout bags, raise the paper bag pass-through charge from 8 cents to 20 cents, exempt certain assistance-program customers from bag charges, and add manufacturer/distributor penalties. The sponsor and supporters, including environmental groups, Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma, county solid waste representatives, and health advocates, argued the current law has led to thicker plastic bags and more plastic pollution, microplastics, and recycling contamination. Opponents from hospitality, grocery, retail, paper, and plastic bag industries said the bill would raise costs, create checkout confusion, burden food delivery and takeout operations, and amount to a de facto ban on paper bags as well; several urged waiting for more data on the current 12-cent fee. The hearing ended with a reported 1,240 non-testifiers on SB 5965, with 541 pro, 695 con, and 4 other. The committee then heard SB 6030 on plastic bags. Staff said the bill would allow film plastic and paper carryout bags if they meet recycled-content standards, keep the paper bag fee at 8 cents, reduce the plastic bag fee from 12 cents to 8 cents, and remove the minimum thickness standards for reusable film plastic bags while retaining recycled-content requirements and the SNAP exemption. No public testimony was taken on the bill, and the chair noted 208 non-testifiers, with 192 pro, 11 con, and 5 other. Finally, the committee heard SB 5975 on lead in cookware. Staff described it as a third-round update to the state’s cookware lead law, narrowing covered cookware, delaying the 10 ppm lead standard to 2030, and allowing compliance through FDA or European testing methods. Supporters, including some industry representatives, said the current law is unclear and difficult to enforce, that a workable test is still being developed, and that the bill would provide certainty and avoid unintended coverage of safe products. Opponents from Ecology, Health, environmental groups, and consumer advocates argued the bill would weaken Washington’s existing protections, create broad exemptions, and allow high-lead cookware to remain on the market; they also criticized shifting from total-content testing to leach testing. The hearing closed with 609 non-testifiers on SB 5975, with 54 pro and 552 con.