Video & Transcript : 'federally insured securities' :

Page 82 of 500
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> have 80 commercial health insurance have 80 commercial health insurance companies<00:17:00.720><
  • :28:35.600><c> contract</c> are purchasing off of a federal contract are purchasing off of a federal
  • </c> financial benefit for the insurance financial benefit for the insurance companies<00:38:00.560><
  • </c> Administration so the insurance Administration so the insurance companies<00:38:15.760><c> cut</
  • </c> for the providers and for the insurance for the providers and for the insurance companies<00:38:
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is a failure of federal agencies and the NRC to provide meaningful oversight.
  • Race tracks are regulated, insured, and operate organized events.
  • That's the real impact of what the federal government is doing right now.
  • I told the story. of federal power to support this Protect Act.
  • coordination in secure custodial settings such as jails and courts.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Joint Committee on Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Insurance coverage remains highly inconsistent.
  • And federal guidance is just not enough.
  • If insurance is going to cover what is referred to as gender-affirming care, it is only fair that insurance
  • necessary but covered by insurance.
  • The major barrier has been insurance.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of health insurance and public health bills, with most speakers focused on expanding coverage for specific treatments and services. Bills discussed included H. 1187/S. 792 on rehabilitation counselors, H. 1173/S. 692 on patient navigation, S. 2600 on scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, S. 2599 on medically necessary treatment for port wine birthmarks, H. 1164 on licensed educational psychologists for child and adolescent mental health services, S. 754/H. 1254 on autism diagnosis and treatment by nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, S. 714/H. 1137 on infectious disease response and coverage, and S. 791 on making nature a prescriptive therapeutic intervention. Speakers generally argued these bills would improve access, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and address gaps in current insurance reimbursement rules. Testimony in support emphasized personal stories and clinical evidence. Cancer patients and providers described the benefits of patient navigation and scalp cooling for dignity and quality of life during treatment. Boston Children’s Hospital staff and families said port wine birthmark treatment is medically necessary, can prevent complications, and should not be denied as cosmetic. Rehabilitation counselors and school psychologists argued their services are effective, cost-saving, and underused because they cannot bill insurance. Autism advocates said current insurance statutes are outdated because nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists already provide evaluations and should be recognized for reimbursement to avoid delays in early intervention. Public health and GLAD Law testimony supported stronger infectious disease coverage to remove barriers to testing, treatment, and PrEP access. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 1172, a bill requiring insurance coverage for detransition-related care. Supporters said it would ensure coverage for medically necessary care for people who regret or reverse gender transition, while opponents argued it would legitimize anti-trans narratives or, conversely, that detransition care is needed because transition procedures can cause harm. The committee also heard strong support for S. 791 from advocates who described nature access as a health intervention that could help with trauma, anxiety, substance use recovery, and environmental justice, with claims that insurance coverage and reduced park fees would improve access. No votes were taken during the transcript, and the chair repeatedly thanked speakers and moved through the long list of public testimony.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (03/24/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • the federal level.
  • </c> to fiscal to accept any federal funds. to fiscal to accept any federal funds.
  • </c> referencing federal law. referencing federal law.
  • non-federal. So, we're taking a haircut non-federal.
  • </c> himself on the security concern. himself on the security concern.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 733, a third-party litigation financing reporting bill. Representative Cole explained that the bill shifts reporting from the Secretary of State to the courts, which he said removes the fiscal note and helps insurers obtain information for underwriting and premium-setting. The committee accepted the explanation and voted ought to pass; the roll call was 8-0 in favor, with one member taking a pause. The committee then heard House Bill 219, dealing with the renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund. Representative Bose argued the bill would reduce electricity costs by lowering the REC purchase obligation from 220,000 to 170,000, which he said would reduce payments into the renewable energy fund by roughly $1 million to $2 million and save consumers only pennies a month. After questions about timing and whether to wait for a DOE report, the committee voted to retain the bill for further discussion rather than advance it; the motion to retain passed 5-4. House Bill 365 was then discussed as an election-related bill intended to help verify citizenship for voter registration and create a voucher process for people who cannot afford a birth certificate. The sponsor said the Secretary of State may be able to use federal and state databases to verify citizenship, and if not, indigent applicants could receive a voucher reimbursed by the state, with a $25,000 appropriation included. Members raised concerns about the Secretary of State’s access to databases and the bill’s timing and cost, and the committee decided to hold the bill until Secretary Scanlan could come testify. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 552, which updates retiree health coverage rules so dependent children can remain on the plan until age 26, consistent with the Affordable Care Act. DAS officials said retirees pay the full cost for dependents, about $1,000 per month, while the state covers only the retiree and spouse. The committee voted ought to pass unanimously, 9-0. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 572, a housing bill aimed at missing-middle housing, describing a voluntary program to identify developable public land, support construction, and streamline review, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 29th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • In California, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance are a critical safety
  • In California, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance are a critical safety
  • This law is carefully crafted to comply with federal law.
  • federal program.
  • Second, it protects access to federal Lifeline funding for people with Social Security numbers, which
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services. Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards. The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • regulator, either the Federal Reserve or the FDIC.
  • Many cards also come with other benefits, including purchase protection insurance, travel insurance,
  • What about the federal level? My organization doesn't do work at the federal level.
  • The federal level will do what the federal level wants to do.
  • an interim final rule preempting the IFPA for federal credit unions.
Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what was described as its last public hearing. Chair Paul Feeney opened by noting the commission’s mandate under Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 and explained that members would continue working on a final report after the hearing. The meeting featured testimony from banks, payment industry groups, restaurant advocates, convenience store representatives, and others, with repeated discussion of interchange fees, surcharging, fraud, and federal preemption issues. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, and the Electronic Payments Coalition, argued that state-level interchange restrictions would disrupt a global payment system, create compliance problems, and likely apply only to a small share of transactions because of federal preemption. They emphasized consumer and merchant benefits of cards, the role of banks in absorbing fraud losses, and recent federal and state developments, including Illinois litigation, OCC and NCUA actions, and a settlement that they said would give merchants more flexibility. Several witnesses also suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation for tax collection and modernizing Massachusetts’ surcharge ban. Restaurant and convenience-store advocates took the opposite view, saying swipe fees are a major burden on thin-margin businesses and that merchants should not pay interchange on sales tax or gratuities that are not their revenue. Mass Restaurants United and individual restaurant owners described severe financial strain, rising costs, and the need for transparency and relief. NACS supported swipe fee reform and argued that current fees are excessive and inflationary. A few members questioned witnesses about whether industry should share more of the burden and about the feasibility of changing the current system. No votes or formal policy actions were taken. The chair said the commission would meet again to discuss a draft framework and final report, and members of the public were invited to submit additional written testimony before the commission concludes its work.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services May 14th, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hospitals do this, systems do this, insurance companies do it.
  • Part of this insurance might help with that.
  • So the federal government saw fit to allow people under 65...
  • RX Pass is not insurance, and it's not a substitute for insurance, but these results demonstrate that
  • They already have to get registered at the federal level.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • insurers have launched investigations to determine whether insurers are abandoning critical patient
  • This isn't just health insurance; we also see an underwriting of insurance for life.
  • And this is a medical insurance bill now. It's not an...
  • This is a medical insurance bill that deals with CHIP and Medicaid.
  • That's, you know, the private health insurance, employer-sponsored... insurance, you know, it's billions
Bills: SB 6 , SB6 , SB504 , SB765 , SB815 , SB929
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-11 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am looking for it, but are federal officers or federal agents included in the definition of officer
  • But since federal law...
  • And that's based off of the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
  • Under the bill, these security services will be strictly voluntary.
  • Is that only for state prisons, or is it for state and federal prisons?
Keywords: 998, house, all
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of a quorum, then adopted the special order calendar for the day. The first major item was CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Rayner Act, which revises laws on resisting officers and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses eligible for a life sentence reclassification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to honor Officer Jason Rayner and clarify that questions of fault belong in court; opponents argued it removed judicial discretion, could sweep in unintended cases, and was a broad response to a case-specific prosecutorial failure. After debate, the bill passed 108-8. The House then passed CS/SB 688 on naturopathic medicine, which creates a regulatory structure and licensure framework for naturopathic physicians, defines scope and limits of practice, and establishes a board under the Department of Health with medical doctor oversight. Supporters described it as a consumer protection and medical freedom measure; opponents called it an expansion of scope and criticized the low penalty for impersonating a naturopathic physician. The bill passed 85-22. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, creating a Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, a Florida Speech and Debate Week, and a statewide debate initiative, by a vote of 112-0. Additional measures approved included CS/CS/SB 1220 on transportation, which covers a wide range of issues including FDOT authority, airports and seaports, drone delivery, autonomous vehicles, toll revenues, and related regulatory changes; it passed 87-23. SB 962 on affordable housing, which clarifies that Live Local Act zoning preemption does not unintentionally capture working farms and farm operations, passed 109-2. CS/CS/SB 1580 on illegal gaming was introduced and explained as a crackdown on illegal slot machines and unregulated gaming arcades, with questions focused on VFWs, sweepstakes, fantasy sports, and the Seminole gaming compact, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill. The session also included several recognitions and lengthy farewell remarks from departing members, including Leader Driscoll and Majority Leader Sirois.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Feb 19th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health & Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now, current law requires health insurers, both federal and state law, to cover preventive services
  • Federal law already allows teleadvice and teletriage.
  • Federal law already allows teleadvice and teletriage without the VCPR.
  • conflicts with federal law.
  • be at risk of violating federal prescribing rules.
Bills: HB2340 , HB2155 , HB2531
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • against insurance companies.
  • insurance fraud.
  • insureds themselves.
  • oversight or federal, not oversight, federal integration around how they share data.
  • It does recognize that insurance consumers can be the victims of insurance fraud.”
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The program's open-ended federal reimbursement encourages states to rely heavily on federal funding.
  • It's federal law.
  • They have federal agent powers.
  • , or federal fiscal year 26.
  • We will not know that official federal calculation for our payment error rate for federal fiscal year
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've seen activist judges block federal employee reforms, stall border security measures, and obstruct
  • </c> housing and insurance subcommittee. Mr. housing and insurance subcommittee. Mr.
  • </c> China or for national security purposes. China or for national security purposes.
  • </c> are rampant in the federal government. are rampant in the federal government.
  • This bill bill secures the us.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Jul 1st, 2025

Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, on the federal side, that includes federal advance payments, the premium tax credit, or APTC.
  • So, it's about maintaining that application that is secure, it keeps people's very private data secure
  • insurance laws.
  • the federal government.
  • So those federal sources are available to the state.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Many cards also come with other benefits, including purchase protection insurance, travel insurance,
  • What about the federal level? My organization doesn't do work at the federal level.
  • The federal level will do what the federal level wants to do.
  • What about the federal level? My organization doesn't do work at the federal level.
  • The federal level will do what the federal level wants to do.
Keywords: 1212, all
Summary: The Special Legislative Commission studying the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what leaders described as its last public hearing, though they said the commission would continue meeting to develop a report and recommendations. Chair Paul Feeney and other members noted the issue is complex and that they had sought testimony from a wide range of stakeholders before moving into a more deliberative phase. The commission adjourned after hearing from several in-person and virtual witnesses. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, the Electronic Payments Coalition, and others, argued that payment cards provide major benefits to consumers and merchants, including convenience, fraud protection, fast settlement, and broad access to electronic commerce. They warned that state-level changes to interchange rules could create a patchwork of conflicting requirements, disrupt global payment systems, and especially affect state-chartered community banks and small businesses. Several also said recent federal actions and litigation, including OCC and NCUA preemption rules and the Illinois interchange-fee litigation, have limited the practical reach of state laws. Restaurant, retail, and convenience-store witnesses pushed for relief from swipe fees, saying independent businesses operate on thin margins and pay fees on amounts that are not really their revenue, such as sales tax and gratuities. They urged transparency, the ability to surcharge, vendor compensation for tax collection, and limits on interchange or related fees. Some witnesses said merchants bear significant fraud and chargeback costs and that banks and card networks have not offered enough direct relief. Commissioners asked questions about surcharging, fee regulation, fraud, and whether industry should share more of the burden. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjourning the hearing.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • They will not meet federal standards, which, by the way, the federal standard, you're going to hear about
  • insurance in California actually have flood insurance.
  • Still, that's federal. Yeah, so it's really bad. Our uptake on flood insurance is really rotten.
  • for flood insurance that aren't necessarily the National Flood Insurance Program as well.
  • Up to the federal government.
Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine combating the opioid epidemic. Feb 26th, 2025 at 02:30 pm

Aging (Special) Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • It would make federal agencies collaborate on this problem.
  • It would make federal agencies collaborate on this problem again.
  • When we enrolled in Medicare, our grandson lost his health insurance.
  • And as you know, SAMHSA is yet another federal agency that is based in Maryland.
  • Like, I've never been in the insurance business, but you would think, right?
Summary: The meeting convened to address the dire opioid crisis affecting communities nationwide, with a particular focus on the alarming rise of opioid use disorder among older adults. Key testimonies highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, treatment, and strict law enforcement actions against drug traffickers. Sheriff Dennis Lima from Seminole County outlined successful strategies implemented in Florida, including increased access to naloxone and legislative changes to hold drug dealers accountable for overdoses. Various members expressed a united front on tackling this multifaceted issue, advocating for the expansion of Medicaid and better access to treatment as essential steps to curbing the epidemic.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Session (05/14/2026)

New Hampshire House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> accountability for big insurance. accountability for big insurance.
  • </c> inadequate insurance participation. inadequate insurance participation.
  • </c> health insurance. health insurance.
  • </c> but health insurance but health insurance is<05:59:46.558><c> costly.
  • </c> which law to violate, state or federal. which law to violate, state or federal.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Local Government Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Paul Ramey for the Personal Insurance Federation of California in support. Okay, thank you. Okay.
  • , and this is also essential to make sure that properties remain insured or can secure insurance.
  • insurance companies can... ...insurance.
  • where the insurance industry feels comfortable insuring the areas.
  • And those issues are separate things and should be addressed to the federal government, Homeland Security
Keywords: 987, senate, all
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So we're going to make sure that going forward, the system is even more secure. And it is not.
  • Going forward, the system is even more secure.
  • And it also doesn't actually impact the federal policy as well. All right. It's okay.
  • And it also doesn't actually impact the federal policy as well. All right. It's okay.
  • The federal government removed that.
Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with most of the discussion centered on budget proposals, a proposed income tax on high earners, and several policy bills they oppose. They criticized the operating budget for relying on a new income tax, using one-time fund sweeps and pension-related financing, and drawing down the rainy day fund, while saying the capital budget was more bipartisan and the transportation budget had some positive emphasis on road preservation but still included concerns such as Public Works Trust Fund sweeps and ferry funding. A major topic was allegations that sign-ins on the income tax bill included duplicates or fraudulent entries. Republicans said they took the issue seriously, supported verification improvements, and argued that even after removing duplicates the bill still drew over 100,000 unique emails opposing it. They rejected claims that their side had manipulated the process and said the Legislature should fix the sign-in system, possibly with more IT safeguards, while also arguing the bill should lose its emergency clause so voters could weigh in through a referendum. Republicans also criticized bills they described as anti-police or anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to face coverings and sheriff qualifications, and they opposed a bill requiring arbitration before claims against the state or local governments can go to jury trial, saying broader tort reform is needed instead. They said the state’s liability problems stem from harm done in areas like juvenile rehabilitation and child welfare. On the budget side, they objected to cuts to Medicaid, child care, transitional kindergarten, rural school funding, and other programs, while also warning against using pension funds to balance the budget and against a proposed 75-year Sound Transit bond, which they called financially irresponsible. No votes were taken in this media availability.