Transcript Highlights:

• The reason is it's hard to defend the idea that children 14 and 15 can sign these contracts when they
• A minor needs parental consent or the consent of an adult who's responsible before they sign the contract
• This approaches it through a contract lens and doesn't have the First Amendment concerns.
• You know, in contracts we learned that no contract made with a minor is enforceable.
• So even if minors are entering contracts, nothing is enforceable from either party.

Bills: SB186, SB187

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, other testing companies have not bid on the contract.
• Did you look at the contract requirements and bid qualifications for the testing program as to whether
• We did look at the contract.
• We also kind of looked broadly at the idea of what that contract is able to do for the state.
• So we focused on that reform, and the potential to move away from the Prometric contract.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states. The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, Magnolia was contracted, as mentioned.
• I believe that's who was contracted originally with the corrective action plan.
• And then I think Bonton backed out, and then Magnolia took over as a contract.
• There is a contract. We talk about $10 million, up to $10 million, right?
• I don't know anything about the contracts.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the troubled water system in Tallulah and whether to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the water utility. Senator Jackson described the system’s long-running failures, the need to expand repairs beyond the treatment plant to the distribution network, and the growing project cost, which he said had risen to roughly $26 million. Legislative Auditor’s Office staff explained that the system had received failing grades from LDH for several years, had entered joint receivership in 2024, and was placed under a public health emergency in 2025; they said the city’s adoption of limited fiscal administration in April 2026 made it eligible for additional state funding. Governor’s staff said the state, GOSEP, Magnolia, and the city had worked together to restore service and that the limited fiscal administrator would help unlock an emergency subfund and other financing sources. The mayor of Tallulah supported the appointment, saying the state’s work had improved water quality and that the limited role would focus only on the water system rather than the whole city. She said the city was preparing an RFQ to move the project toward bidding. Two residents spoke in opposition. One argued that the city had recently elected a new council and should wait for new local leadership before proceeding. Another questioned the need for the appointment, criticized past management and contract arrangements, and objected to using emergency funds to pay prior project costs. State officials responded that the F grade and public health concerns justified the action, that the administrator would control water-system finances, and that the distribution system needed repairs to address leaks and water quality issues. After discussion, a committee member moved to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the Tallulah water system. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. The committee then moved to public comment and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, Magnolia was contracted, as mentioned.
• I believe that's who was contracted originally with the corrective action plan.
• And then I think Bonton backed out, and then Magnolia took over as a contract.
• There is a contract. We talk about $10 million, up to $10 million, right?
• I don't know anything about the contracts.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on the City of Tallulah’s water system and a request to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the water utility. Senator Jackson and state officials described a long-running water crisis, including repeated failing grades from LDH, a public health emergency declaration, joint receivership efforts, and the need to expand the project beyond plant repairs to include the distribution system. They said the total cost is now estimated at about $26 million, with funding expected from USDA loans and grants, water sector funds, possible Delta Regional Authority assistance, and an emergency subfund that becomes available through limited fiscal administration. Chris Province of the Legislative Auditor’s Office explained that the system had received F grades from 2022 through 2025, that the city entered joint receivership in 2024, and that the governor declared a public health emergency in February 2025. He said the city adopted a resolution in April 2026 to enter limited fiscal administration, which was the basis for the committee’s action. Governor’s office staff and the mayor supported the request, saying the state partnership had improved water quality and that the limited administrator would help secure additional funding and move the project toward completion over roughly 24 months. Two residents spoke in opposition. One argued that Tallulah had recently elected a new council and that the committee should wait for new local leadership. Another said the state had mismanaged the project, questioned the use of funds and contracts, and argued that the city should receive the full amount of promised state funding without deductions. Committee members said the legal standard was met by the system’s failing grade and the emergency conditions, and they emphasized that the limited fiscal administrator would control only the water system finances. A motion to appoint a limited fiscal administrator for the Tallulah water system was made, seconded, and passed, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And begin presenting AB 1156, it's a solar use easement suspension of Williamson Act contracts terms.
• It allows farmers who are losing water to pause a Williamson Act contract.
• Thank you. the landowners to suspend rather than rescind their Ways for Nat contracts.
• These fees are not penalties, they are contract cancellation penal payments that recognize and help recoup
• The speculative withdrawals may increase and landowners may be incentivized to leave contracts early

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3790 by Adams of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to contracts.
• This bill allows people to get out of a contract after 5 days, up to 5 days.
• It allows the homeowner to get out of a contract up to 5 business days. Yield for questions.
• House Bill 3790 by Adams of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to contracts.
• Or are they going to be contracting out these inspections? Just questions related to food trucks.

Bills: HB2979, HB3790, HB3142, HB3463, HB4143, HJR1086, SB392, HB3087, HB3037, HB3581, HB4058, HB2959, HB4227, HB2997, HB4125, HB1453, HB3521, HB3691, HB2015, HB2940, HB1016, HB3267, HB3695, HB3697, HB3045, HB3662, HB3453, HB3053, HB3301, HB3495, HB3584, HB3586, HB3587, HB3845, HB4198, HB4425, HB2970, HB3338, HB3443, HB3783, HB3800, HB3818, HB1242, HB1752, HB2961, HB2967, HB2973, HB2988, HB3031, HB3240, HB3047, HB3052, HB3066, HB3086, HB3175, HB3177, HB3178, HB3429, HB3548, HB3638, HB3404, HB3704, HB1590, HB3759, HB3831, HB3904, HB4092, HB1979, HB1983, HB1250, HB2952, HB3671, HB3920, HB4118, HB3944, HB3969, HB3973, HB3975, HB3976, HB3978, HB3983, HB3984, HB3942, HB4203, HB2588, HB3024, HB3383, HB3279, HB3919, HB3883, HB4193, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB4484, HB1245, HB3172, HB3306, HB4294, HB3880, HB2929, HB3128, HB2956, HB3015, HB3114, HB3567, HB3749, HB4229, HB4237, HB4253, HJR1046, HJR1084, HB3411

Keywords: HB2979, Talyn Bain Act, school zone, school safety, speed limit, 45 mph, state highway, Department of Transportation, ODOT, flashing beacons, traffic enforcement, speeding violation, public school, private school, K-12, drop-off, pick-up, highway safety, municipal maintenance, county commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• with<00:01:52.880> small consistency in contracting with small consistency in contracting
• <00:03:03.360> up<00:03:03.599> to maintenance contracts up to maintenance contracts
• <00:04:01.439> and designate construction contracts and designate construction contracts and
• of contracts. of contracts. additionally<00:04:20.880> allow<00:04:21.280> a<00:04
• terms that can be in state contracts terms that can be in state contracts that<01:42:36.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State-funded treatment court contracts have been eliminated.
• <00:07:40.680> This contracts have been eliminated. This contracts have been eliminated.
• So, we have 14 contracts across the state, which with each of the comp cares.
• So, if somebody did not have Medicaid, then they could bill our state contracts.
• The contracts are actually in process.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, and court facility projects. AOC leaders said they do not anticipate problems balancing the outgoing biennium or fiscal year 2026, and explained that the budget changes were driven by the need to reduce costs while preserving required constitutional, court-rule, and statutory services. They also said the new filing fee increases authorized by HB 504 took effect that day and are expected to generate up to $5 million, while the reorganization is projected to save about $3 million in general fund dollars. The bulk of the presentation focused on a major reorganization of the Office of Statewide Programs, which includes specialty courts, family and juvenile services, and pretrial services. AOC said the plan eliminates 170 positions and creates 109 new ones, mainly by reducing middle-management layers, expanding regional service delivery, and cross-training staff. Officials said 110 employees had already been offered or accepted placements, 24 had chosen voluntary separation, and the final number of employees leaving remains fluid until the process concludes around August 1. They emphasized that specialty court programs were not eliminated, but state-funded treatment court contracts and behavioral health liaison positions were removed, with treatment costs shifted to Medicaid or participants where appropriate. Members asked about the process, staffing impacts, specialty court participation, juvenile services, and how AOC will monitor the changes. AOC said the reorganization was developed by leadership, HR, and legal staff under direction of the Chief Justice and approved by the Supreme Court, and that it is intended to improve efficiency and frontline support rather than reduce services. They said specialty court participant levels are being watched closely, that CDW services will continue to use outside providers for programming, and that the agency will keep judges and stakeholders informed as the new structure goes into effect. No votes were taken, and the committee did not approve minutes because a quorum was not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does this uh violate the contracts Does this uh violate the contracts clause<00:10:19.040> of<
• <00:10:44.200> usually That's about private contract, usually That's about private contract
• And part of the contract for it is an NDA.
• And part of the contract for it is an NDA.
• The last time I read the the contract The last time I read the the contract clause,<00:14:05.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this contract was submitted.
• And then that contract will come back to the senior center.
• We do our own contracts, bid out contracts, make agreements, and I sign off on contracts and stuff.
• So that contract, the newspapers say it was terminated.
• Do we sue for breach of contract? We signed a contract 57 million. In water last December.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would still have a contract with regional centers.
• It still goes through DGS and our contract approval.
• centers have to ratify the contracts as well.
• We would still have a contract with regional centers.
• It still goes through DGS and our contract approval.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• eligible uh in terms of the contract eligible uh in terms of the contract with<00:02:48.440>
• We don't want somebody just to be simply denied services because they don't have a contract.
• We don't want somebody just to be simply denied services because they don't have a contract.
• I'm hoping the new contract for the background studies will address some of those challenges.
• I'm hoping the new contract for the background studies will address some of those challenges.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I had contracts that were pending, and I continued to submit contracts from companies that were willing
• At 5:45 that night, I got a call from HR, and HR said, oh, and by the way, any contracts that are not
• should supersede Employment contract should supersede Employment contract law<00:25:45.520> if
• And when people make private contracts, they still have to follow the law.
• And when people make private contracts, they still have to follow the law.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the current contract is referred to as Contract 4.0.
• <01:15:52.639> is<01:15:52.920> 4.3 contract is the total contract is 4.3 contract
• > give<01:16:30.120> you contract contract company they give you contract contract company
• I just saying when you guys do the contract, who does the contract, the library or, um, we're using a
• These are maintenance service contracts; these are maintenance contracts.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from an owner and then immediately turn around and sell that contract to another party who would then
• be the purchaser. ...someone without the intent to ever buy a piece of property will get a contract
• from an owner and then immediately turn around and sell that contract to another party who would then
• Members, this bill is designed to say that an insurer's payment under the terms of a contract shall not
• House Bill 315 by Representative Melarine is an act to amend Title 23 relative to non-compete contracts

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The audit was conducted by the independent firm Showberg-Eveshank Consulting under contract with our
• Our office has contracted with Showberg Eveshank Consulting to follow up with the board later this spring
• The board terminated the contract and recovered 75% of its fees through a settlement agreement.
• This audit was conducted by the independent firm Showberg-Eves-Shank Consulting, under contract with
• We have contracted with Walker and Armstrong...

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fleming Network and Security Services was awarded the contract and successfully completed the project
• Fleming Network and Security Services was awarded the contract and successfully completed the project
• In the request, I asked for approval of the contracted amount of $123,640,000.
• In the request, I asked for approval of the contracted amount of $123,640.
• Finally, timing is critical for approval and execution of the contract to occur soon in order to allow

Summary: The Executive Subcommittee met to consider a waiver request from the Stuttgart School District. Superintendent Jeff McKinney explained that the high school’s camera system is outdated, difficult to maintain, and leaves some areas of campus unmonitored. He said the district had previously used Fleming Network and Security Services for security work at new athletic facilities and wanted to continue with that vendor for a camera system replacement project, citing reliability, integration, and the need to complete installation during summer and within FY26 funding. McKinney requested approval of the contract amount and asked to increase the authorization to $150,000 to cover possible unforeseen additions. Members asked no substantive questions, and the committee approved the motion without opposition. After the vote, Senator Hester raised a broader concern about whether other school districts are facing similar security-camera issues and suggested the department may need to take a comprehensive look at the matter. No further business was discussed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this contract is year-by-year. Yes, that's right.
• <01:28:03.199> and through uh DAGs ASO and contracting and through uh DAGs ASO and contracting
• Yes, that's this contract is yearbyear.
• We work to prepare a contract for each teaching partner.
• And like Karen said, sometimes the contract work itself, like we are actually literally writing contracts

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing on May 22 with the Hawaii Arts Alliance, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Chair Capella said the purpose was to better understand the organizations’ work and strengthen relationships ahead of the interim and next session. The Hawaii Arts Alliance, led by Executive Director Gay Humphrey, described its mission to enrich Hawaii’s cultural fabric through arts education, advocacy, and community engagement, and highlighted its history tied to Alfred Price, including the creation of Hawaii’s 1% for art law and the alliance’s 45 years of service. The alliance outlined its current work, including administering SFCA-funded statewide programs such as Artist in the Schools and the new folk and traditional arts program, with 34 teaching partners serving more than 100 public and charter schools and Kumu Hawaii as the single grantee for traditional weaving instruction. It also discussed Arts First Partners, the incubation of Arts at Mark’s Garage, expanded advocacy efforts supported by Creative West grants, and new multi-year philanthropic support from the Hawaii Community Foundation and Atherton Family Foundation. The alliance said it is launching statewide listening sessions and an arts advocacy training program, and noted that most SFCA funds pass through the alliance to program partners, with the organization retaining 10 to 14 percent for administration. SFCA Executive Director Karen Ewald then described the agency’s role as the state arts agency, its strategic planning process, and its main programs, including Art in Public Places, the Capital Modern museum, Artist in the Schools, apprentice mentoring grants, community arts grants, the Hawaii State Poet Laureate program, a statewide cultural extension program, and the Hawaii Open Arts Program. She said SFCA has 21 staff with one vacancy, is awaiting a federal NEA partnership agreement, and is considering new revenue streams such as a cultural trust. She also noted that the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission was recently attached to SFCA, which has improved coordination and allows SFCA to provide funding for conservation and upkeep of the King Kamehameha statues statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, with questions deferred until after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we option to contract for services.
• a pivotal piece of um state contracting a pivotal piece of um state contracting when<00:34:24.960
• the GCD because we are under a contract the GCD because we are under a contract with<00:37:16.400
• :30.320> approved<00:37:30.720> by recent contract was just approved by recent contract
• Federal funds have existing contract.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:57.159> for submit their Grant contracts for submit their Grant contracts for approval
• active grant contracts.
• active grant contracts.
• determinations in in each Grant contract determinations in in each Grant contract They<01:10:56.040
• enforcing policy and Grant contract enforcing policy and Grant contract agreements<01:19:37.239>

Keywords: 1183, house