Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. >> [clears throat] >> Kotter. >> Vote no
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Kotter votes aye.
• Members, vote yes should vote on that.
• </c> The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Mamani Hiltzley. No.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. >> [clears throat] >> Momanyi-Hiltsley.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work remotely as a manager of technology projects.
• I work remotely as a manager of technology projects.
• Now I can use video remote interpreting and video remote services to help me work from a distance.
• Yes, VRI is video remote interpreting. VRS is video relay services.
• We had the fortune of meeting four times in person and one time remotely.

Committee: Joint Human Services Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• think I'm going to do is we're going to do the folks that are in person first, and then I'll ask our remote
• Yep, both remote. Yep, if we could start with John.
• Yep, both remote. Yep, if we could start with John.
• Lance, Morehouse, also remote, and Tanya May. It's like, I think I see Tanya in the audience.
• Lance Morehouse also remote, and Tanya May. It's like, I think I see Tanya in the audience. Yes.

Bills: SB5681 , SB6024 , SB6036 , SB6063

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: employment services, community inclusion, age limitations, disability services, home and community living, community residential services, oversight, monitoring, service providers, streamlining, foster care, licensure, adoption, child welfare, support services, terminology alignment, social services, Washington state code, department reorganization, legislative amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• resources about work to detect animal traffickers, and AI tools are being used to find poachers in remote
• have Joe Atomack and Amy Harris who are in person, and then could we have Gabe Jacobs on deck on remote
• Could we have Gabe Jacobs on remote, and on deck would be Megan Madigan and Jenny Butler?
• I ask that you let the people and businesses vote with their dollar when selecting AI systems.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two bills. On SB 5609, concerning cultural resource reviews under SEPA, staff explained that the proposed substitute would require cultural resource review for certain categorical exemptions, including infill housing and some GMA-related projects, unless a local government has an approved data-sharing agreement, ordinance, or cultural resources management plan with tribal consultation. Senator Kauffman said the bill is intended to protect tribal cultural sites without stopping development. Supporters, including tribal representatives and some local officials, said early review and consultation can prevent irreversible damage and provide clarity; opponents from business, builders, and county planning groups argued it would add costs, delay housing and permitting, and shift too much authority to state-level review without clear timelines or standards. The committee took public testimony only and then closed the hearing on SB 5609. The committee then heard SB 6284 on high-risk artificial intelligence. Staff described requirements for deployers of high-risk AI systems to maintain risk management policies, conduct impact assessments, notify consumers when AI is used in consequential decisions, and report algorithmic discrimination to the Attorney General, along with disclosures for government agencies and an extension of the AI task force with a workplace subgroup. Senator Elias said the bill is intended to focus regulation on high-risk uses while preserving innovation. Testimony was mixed: consumer and student advocates supported the bill’s transparency and accountability measures, while industry, banking, insurance, hospital, and technology groups raised concerns about definitions, implementation, overlap with existing regulation, and possible effects on innovation or regulated sectors. The committee heard public testimony and then adjourned after closing the hearing on SB 6284.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pallett, is joining us remotely, so I'm sure he'll keep me in line if I make any mistakes.
• You did vote earlier this year to cancel the 2026 release of that report.
• roll call vote on this.
• Rather than doing an oral vote, please simply raise your hand.
• In that case, I'm going to proceed with an oral vote on a document.

Summary: At the April 8, 2026 JLARC meeting, members approved the January 7 minutes and recognized Marilyn Richter for more than 12 years of service to JLARC and the Citizens Commission. Staff then gave a legislative recap and work plan update, noting that JLARC staff presented to five committees during session, six bills or budget provisos implementing prior recommendations were enacted, and seven new study assignments were received. Members approved the updated 2025–2027 biennial work plan, including the new studies and the required 2027 lodging tax review. The committee also heard a presentation on a new post-meeting member survey tied to JLARC performance measures. Members then considered the final report on ignition interlock device compliance and monitoring. Staff reported that many drivers required to install ignition interlock devices do not do so, with installation rates rising with income, and identified problems in the Department of Licensing’s financial assistance program and coordination with the State Patrol. Both agencies said they concurred with JLARC’s recommendations to clarify responsibilities, formalize coordination, and develop a plan to increase installation rates. The committee approved the final report. Next, JLARC reviewed the final report on drug takeback fee setting and expenditures. Staff concluded that the Department of Health’s fee design limits full cost recovery and that the agency should publicly report oversight costs and activities; the legislature should revise the fee structure to better align with best practices. Members discussed whether the program should remain at DOH or be housed elsewhere, and adopted committee comments emphasizing transparency and future sunset review work before approving the final report. Finally, staff presented the scope and objectives for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard study, focusing on state-owned Tier 1 buildings and K-12 facilities in the first compliance cohort, with questions centered on compliance costs, energy savings, funding sources, fines, and possible workforce or budget impacts. The meeting ended with administrative announcements about upcoming meetings and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pallett, is joining us remotely, so I'm sure he'll keep me in line if I make any mistakes.
• And just for members' information, we will be voting after this. Thank you, Mr.
• You did vote earlier this year to cancel the 2026 release of that report.
• The final report will be voted on at the end.
• roll call vote on this.

Summary: JLARC met on April 8, 2026, with Senator Keith Wagner chairing in person and Rep. Pallett joining remotely. The committee approved the January 7 minutes and honored Marilyn Richter, who is retiring in June after more than 12 years of service to JLARC and the Citizens Commission. Staff then gave a legislative recap and work plan update, noting that the legislature adopted six bills or provisos implementing recommendations from recent JLARC reports, and that JLARC received seven new study assignments, including reviews of state oversight mechanisms for fraud, waste, and abuse and State Patrol toxicology lab delays. The committee approved the updated 2025-27 work plan, including the new assignments and the required 2027 lodging tax review. The committee also heard about a new anonymous post-meeting member survey tied to JLARC performance measures, then considered the final report on ignition interlock device compliance and monitoring. Staff reported that 59% of drivers with ignition interlock requirements had not installed a device as of June 2025, with installation rates rising by income, and found problems in the Department of Licensing’s financial assistance program and in coordination between DOL and the State Patrol. The report recommended clearer goals and responsibilities for DOL, a formal interagency agreement, and a coordinated plan to raise installation rates; both agencies concurred. Members discussed whether noncompliance reflected continued driving or people stopping driving, and agency representatives said some drivers do stop driving while others take the risk. The committee approved the final report. JLARC then reviewed the drug take-back fee setting and expenditures report. Staff said the Department of Health’s oversight costs had outpaced fee revenue because the statutory fee cap is tied to program operator spending, and recommended public reporting of oversight costs and a legislative change to allow full cost recovery. Members debated transparency, the risk of overpricing the program, and whether Ecology might be a better home for the program; the committee adopted a comment urging transparency and a future review of best practices before fee-structure changes, then approved the final report with that comment. Finally, staff presented the scope and objectives for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard study, focused on large state-owned and K-12 buildings due to comply by June 2026. Members asked about fines, funding, workforce constraints, and how costs and energy savings would be measured; staff said the study would examine compliance costs, savings, funding sources, and variation by building characteristics. The meeting adjourned after administrative announcements about upcoming JLARC meetings and the survey reminder.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes I, I vote I.
• Chair votes I, I vote I. So again, this doesn't...
• Chair votes I, I vote I. the conversation continue.
• Anyone voting no with Chair, vote say.
• Anyone voting no Now, Chair, vote say.

Bills: HB1618

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committees held a joint hearing on HB 1618 HD1, which would create and fund a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to help homeowners upgrade, convert, or connect cesspools. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state agencies and advocacy groups, with witnesses emphasizing that cost is the main barrier to cesspool conversion and that recent Kona flooding underscored the public health and pollution risks of cesspools. One testifier suggested the fund should actively pursue outside funding sources, and another urged an effective date that would allow counties to contribute sooner. A member raised concerns about whether loans would be affordable and whether other financing tools, such as tax credits, should also be considered; another member opposed the bill as not adequately addressing district-level sewer and septic issues. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, and the motion was adopted. The joint Judiciary and Ways and Means committees then considered HB 2592 on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The chair outlined amendments to clarify that the authority would assume property and liability associated with transferred assets, preserve existing liability rules, transfer conditional use permits if not already transferred, allow lease extensions before transfer, and set reversion triggers if the authority fails to adopt a management plan by June 30, 2028, or administrative rules by December 31, 2029. Members asked about preserving the public trust and whether the amendments would keep the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ role intact; the chair confirmed the fee and board role would remain unchanged. The committees voted to pass the bill with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also took up HB 2033, making further amendments to clarify the definition of state, delay certain effective dates, allow rental and U-Drive lessors to avoid liability by identifying renters, delete one section, and add administrative hearing language and bus-camera clarifications. HB 1888 was amended to expand protections for educational workers to include sports officials, define sports official, make intentional bodily harm a felony with enhanced penalties for repeat offenses, and authorize the attorney general to assist with restraining orders. Both measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted. Later, several bills were moved with little or no discussion: HB 1515, HB 1713, HB 1718, HB 2022, and HB 2385 were recommended for passage unamended; HB 2375 was deferred; and HB 1741 was amended to reflect Honolulu’s concerns, narrow study requirements, add exemptions and a delayed implementation date, and was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees adopted the recommendations on these measures, with some members noting reservations or prior opposition on certain bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there will be remote testify as well.
• If there are members that testify from remote, we do ask a member to state their name and the city and
• We have a remote testifier from the International Sleep Products Association.
• </c><00:13:27.280><c> um</c> a remote testifier um a remote testifier um from<00:13:28.640><c> the</c
• encourage a yes vote, and thank you,<01:08:51.120><c> Senator</c><01:08:51.440><c> Weber.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll initiate my conversation with the E-Board by stating I will be an aye vote for two primary reasons
• So I urge and I vote. I just wanted to let you know that. Thank you, Representative.
• So I encourage it and I vote. Thank you, Representative. Representative Evans. Thank you, Co-Chair.
• I would urge our colleagues to vote no today and give us a little more time as a constitutional branch
• And thank you, Madam Speaker, for this time, and I would urge a no vote. Thank you, Senator.

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• commission that I know of in the United States as far as keeping our doors open, we had pulled back to remote
• , and I don't think that remote is the right answer when you're talking about talking to your clients
• But then you're appealing what the Public Service Commission Board voted on through a right of reconsideration

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met to receive an overview from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of his office. He described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate and service cases, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters, storm cost recovery, fuel clauses, storm protection plans, and specialized dockets. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service-hearing testimony to challenge unsupported utility costs and seek “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable” outcomes for customers. Trierweiler highlighted several current issues, including affordability, data centers, and the growing use of AI in reviewing large utility filings. He said the office has begun using affordability experts and data center witnesses, and that data center-related utility proposals raise concerns about energy demand, water use, and community impacts. He also expressed caution about AI and machine learning because of confidential utility information, while acknowledging that utilities, regulators, and his office are increasingly using such tools. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how profit is evaluated in rate cases, the role of settlement agreements, and whether the office is considering water consumption impacts from data centers. Trierweiler said customer feedback largely comes in through hearings, correspondence, and direct calls rather than office-led canvassing, and that his office seeks to limit imprudent costs while allowing utilities a fair return. He also explained that the office may file motions for reconsideration and appeals after PSC orders, and that it sometimes submits alternative settlement proposals even when approval is unlikely, to present a different option for the commission’s consideration. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone who has one planted acre gets one vote per planted acre.
• So there are roughly 48,000 planted acres in Napa County—48,000 votes to up or down on CSA4.
• predominantly programs that helps build farmworker housing, but we're hearing if you're in a more remote
• predominantly programs that helps build farm worker housing, but we're hearing if you're in a more remote
• So no, this isn't remotely covering the housing need.

Summary: The committee held an outcomes review hearing on AB 457 and related farmworker and rural housing policy, with members and witnesses discussing whether recent streamlining laws are actually increasing production. Chair Haney, Assembly Members Soria and Pellerin, and others described the purpose of AB 457 and its predecessor bills AB 1783 and AB 3035: to make farmworker housing easier to build through ministerial approval and other reforms. Witnesses emphasized that farmworkers face severe overcrowding, high rents, long commutes, and limited access to housing in both rural and coastal agricultural regions. The first panel focused on practical barriers and local models. Napa County described its county-owned farmworker centers, which provide nightly lodging, meals, and services, funded by lodger fees, a grower assessment, and state support. Testimony stressed that these centers function as navigation hubs rather than permanent housing, and that stable, inflation-adjusted operating funding, language access, transportation, and local set-asides are critical. United Farm Workers urged that local farmworkers be prioritized over H-2A workers and warned against displacing long-term resident workers. Several witnesses said the biggest barriers remain infrastructure, land costs, local opposition, and insufficient subsidy rather than approval streamlining alone. The second and third panels addressed AB 457’s implementation and broader state funding issues. Santa Clara County said the bill could help on a county-owned Gilroy site, but financing remains the main obstacle. Self-Help Enterprises said AB 457’s expanded geography and project-size rules may help future sites, but rural projects still struggle with water, sewer, and environmental review costs, and with the state’s Super NOFA process, which tends to favor deeper-income projects that do not match farmworker household incomes. HCD reported that CERNA and other programs have increased farmworker housing production in recent years, but witnesses argued that rural regions still receive too little funding, that infrastructure dollars are too fragmented, and that more rural-specific set-asides, local funding incentives, and predictable allocations are needed. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a voting sheet, I think, officially gaveling in to start the meeting, but we do have a majority
• , or a quorum, and a majority of voting sheets, so we're going to run through the agenda.
• relation to requiring governmental entities to implement multi-factor authentication for local and remote
• Do we have sufficient votes to move? All right.

Committee: Senate Internet And Technology

Summary: The Internet Technology Committee met on February 25 at 12:10 with Senator Gonzalez chairing and Senator Stec as ranking member. The committee considered a series of bills focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biometric surveillance, and related technology issues, including measures to create a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, require notices for generative AI systems, direct a state agency telework report, require multi-factor authentication for governmental entities, establish a Secure Our Data Act, study facial recognition technology, restrict biometric surveillance by law enforcement, and increase transparency for synthetic content and AI training data. Most bills were moved and reported out of committee, with several sent to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Codes Committee, or reported without recommendation or with opposition noted. SB 933, SB 934A, SB 936A, SB 3699, SB 6954A, SB 6955A, SB 7263, and SB 9051 were reported to the floor; SB 1139, SB 1961A, and SB 9051 were sent to Finance; and SB 5609 was sent to Codes. Votes varied by bill, with some receiving no opposition and others drawing one or more nays or without-recommendation votes. Senator Gonzalez also briefly highlighted SB 9051, which would prohibit AI chatbots from using features considered unsafe for minors, describing it as a response to concerns about harm from companion bots and chatbot interactions with children. The chair noted work with the Attorney General’s office and Common Sense Media and said the bill was intended to promote regulation and accountability for companies deploying such systems. The meeting concluded with thanks to the ranking member and staff, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have all senators voted? Does any senator wish to change their vote?
• Have all senators voted? Does any senator wish to change their vote?
• Have all senators voted? Does any senator wish to change their vote?
• a 40-7-0 vote.
• to vote green.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, couple testifiers who are remote.
• Unfortunately, that vote was unfavorable.
• Unfortunately, that vote was unfavorable.
• </c><00:53:49.839><c> We</c> dine, pay taxes, and vote there. We dine, pay taxes, and vote there.
• Um I us and all done by remote control.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Not voting. Hadwick? Not voting. Haney? Irwin. Jackson? Krell? Aye. Macedo? Huen. Pellerin? Aye.
• Madam Secretary, please call a vote.
• Madam Secretary, please call the vote. Committee, Madam Secretary, please call the vote.
• Alanis, not voting. Bains? Bauer-Kahan? Caloza? Aye. Chen, not voting. Elhawary? Aye. Hadwick?
• On AB 957, Ortega: vote change. Alanis, not voting. Alanis, not voting.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to be powering or heating remote areas. They have been used in military bases.
• We cannot build these large reactors in a remote community. We need to transform our thinking.
• GE or NOVA is interested in studying what it would take to remotely operate these reactors because they
• They cannot have a control room of their own if they're remotely deployed.
• So I think they're going to use it in mining operations just because it's so remote.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure will vote the way they believe their district wants them to vote.
• Okay, but it was a partisan vote. Republicans voted for the maps. Redistricting usually is.
• So you believed that you voted in 2020.
• That's why you voted for those maps.
• We voted on that map as a body, correct?

Bills: SR5 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SR5

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm fine suggesting my members vote yes on this amendment since it is something of a clarification
• Members, I'd say vote yes.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Gander votes aye. Hicks votes aye.
• </c> members voting members voting remotely Gander<00:20:10.000><c> Gander</c><00:20:10.520><c> votes
• </c> Gander Gander votes I Gander votes I Gander Gander votes I Gander votes I Hicks<00:20:16.600><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we'll have Carl Schrader and Bill Clark in person, and then on deck remote we'll have Jeff Pack,
• Lucas, please come on up, and then after that we will hear from Sue Madsen remotely, Tim Woodard remotely
• , and Wes McCart remotely.
• On deck remotely, we'll have David Neiman, Josh Friedman, and Blake Lyon.
• All right, remotely we will have David Neiman first. Thank you, Senator. Hi, everybody.

Bills: SB5633 , SB6279 , SB6291 , SB6274 , SB6309 , SB5903 , SB6016 , SB5820 , SB6132 , SB6189

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: land subdivision, zoning, property development, local government authority, real estate, infrastructure, wildfire, wildland urban interface, WUI, building code, fire-resistant construction, defensible space, hazard map, risk map, state building code council, department of natural resources, fire marshal, regional fire defense board, roofing standards, exterior walls

Transcript Highlights:

• We are always looking for employees, especially in rural and remote locations.
• The bill also required that any of the meetings were done remotely.
• And remotely, we have Alan Davis, the Director of Safety and Compliance at American Seafoods, Jay Jennings
• Submersible, remote-operated vehicles. There it is. OK.
• Immersible, remote-operated vehicles. There it is. Okay.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee heard status reports on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s implementation of 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, a Core Plus Maritime update, and a longitudinal study from Education Northwest on CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described work with health agencies and employers to develop allied health bridge programs such as home care aide to nursing assistant, update curriculum and equivalency frameworks, align CIP codes, and support schools with guidance and grants. The agency also reported strong results from nursing simulation investments, including a 97% first-time pass rate for nursing assistant certification among skill center recipients, and said the task force created by later legislation has expanded membership, is meeting remotely, and is due to report recommendations by November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession commissions, rural district access, employer partnerships, and data updates; OSPI said outreach is ongoing and that local program variation reflects regional labor markets. Core Plus Maritime presenters said the program is expanding from traditional maritime and manufacturing pathways into middle school and marine transportation, using low-cost ROV curriculum, ferry and Sea Scout experiences, and teacher training in marine safety. Employer representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group said the maritime sector needs a strong workforce pipeline, supports family-wage jobs, and is investing in student opportunities, including career fairs, materials for school shops, and a planned student welding competition. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said Core Plus Maritime gives students a clear pathway into maritime careers and has helped connect students to jobs and further training. The committee briefly discussed water safety instruction, and presenters said students are also encouraged to earn boater education cards. Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented findings from a statewide longitudinal study of roughly 750,000 students from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found that CTE participation is very high and has grown over time, with nearly all students earning at least some CTE credit and about 45% earning two or more credits in a single pathway. Access to pathways is uneven: suburban, higher-income, and larger schools offer more pathways than rural, lower-income, and smaller schools. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within a single pathway, were more likely to graduate on time and, in several clusters such as manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and architecture/construction, had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and higher earnings years later. Riggs said the data suggest CTE is especially beneficial for male students and that the state should examine barriers to deeper participation and consider whether the graduation requirement should better encourage pathway depth while preserving flexibility and exploration.