Transcript Highlights:

• Most notably, the assessment of whether a bachelor's degree should be incorporated into the Respiratory
• I look forward to answering any questions about the committee's work, including our assessment of the
• I look forward to answering any questions about the committee's work, including our assessment of the
• Hello, my name is William Trong, and I'm a law student at the University of San Diego.
• I'm a law student at the University of San Diego.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are four categories of lands that are classified and assessed based on current use.
• authorized for six years, ten years, or permanently, at a rate not to exceed 50 cents per 1,000 assessed
• And we would be able to assess the impact that that would have and take further legislative action if
• But as a PTA leader and a school district employee, these cuts are hurting our students.
• Are we opposed to our students pursuing an education?

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2140 would exempt land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax when removed from open space classification in certain circumstances. Staff explained the current use property tax system and said the bill would likely have minimal but indeterminate revenue effects, with about $30,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Representative Lowe said the bill was intended to fix a niche problem where a farmer loses a small frontage strip to a county and is then charged back taxes despite no change in land use. FutureWise testified in support of the bill’s intent but asked for small language changes to ensure transferred land remains compatible with agricultural or open space use. The public hearing on HB 2140 was then closed. HB 2326 would allow a fire protection district that is partially overlapped by another district’s EMS levy to impose its own levy on the portion not already covered, subject to voter approval in the affected area. Staff said the bill would have no state general fund impact and about $28,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Fire district and fire chief representatives testified in support, describing situations in Clark County and Kittitas County where most residents cannot vote on an EMS levy because a small overlapping area already has one. Opponents, including Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill would add to property tax burdens. The hearing on HB 2326 then closed. HB 2334 would require rounding of cash transactions to the nearest five cents as pennies are phased out of circulation, while leaving non-cash payments unchanged. Staff said the bill would apply to the final total after taxes and fees, with an indeterminate but minimal state revenue impact and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The prime sponsor said the bill was needed because the federal government ended penny production without giving states guidance. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the concept but requested amendments for clarity, consumer protection, SNAP compliance, and flexibility while pennies remain in circulation; one witness opposed the bill as another tax burden. The hearing on HB 2334 was then closed. The committee then heard HB 2100, a proposed statewide payroll expense tax on large operating companies to fund a new Well Washington Fund for higher education, health care, cash assistance, energy, and housing. Staff said the proposed substitute would apply to employers with at least 250 employees and $7 million in annual payroll, exclude certain public and health care entities, and generate substantial revenue, with the fiscal note estimating about $7.6 billion to the general fund and $4.2 billion to the new fund in the 2027–29 biennium under the revised threshold. Supporters, including poverty, housing, labor, education, disability, and faith advocates, said the bill would help offset federal cuts and protect vulnerable residents. Business, retail, hospitality, construction, and technology groups opposed it, warning of job losses, higher costs, reduced competitiveness, and broader impacts on consumers and employers. The prime sponsor said the bill was a response to federal divestment and that the state needed a progressive revenue source now; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two medically fragile special needs charter school students. students and I oppose AB 84.
• Is it a benefit to students?
• . students and this profession.
• on their caseloads not including pending students who need initial assessments, the total amount of
• the students.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to focus on two areas, first cumulative exposure and then assessment of alternatives.
• So, for example, take alternatives assessment.
• Alternatives assessment can be hard.
• My school, with around 2,416 students enrolled, drinks this water daily.
• Students knew what paraquat was and how dangerous it was.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate hearing examined whether California’s pesticide program is meeting its public-protection goals, with opening remarks from committee chairs emphasizing the state’s large pesticide use, the need to transition toward sustainable pest management, and ongoing oversight including a state audit of DPR and county agricultural commissioner enforcement. The hearing also referenced recent concerns in Ladera Ranch about childhood cancer cases and the need for transparent investigation and community access to information. Panel one focused on human health and the regulatory framework. Dr. Anna Maria Mora described long-running CHAMACOS research showing widespread pesticide exposure in farmworker families, links to neurodevelopmental, respiratory, liver, and cardiometabolic harms, and greater impacts on children facing social adversity. She urged biomonitoring, better linkage of exposure data to health outcomes, regulation of chemical classes and mixtures, stronger buffers around homes and schools, and more community-based research. Professor Tim Malloy explained California’s two-tier system of DPR registration and county permitting, said the state’s program is strong but falls short on cumulative exposure analysis and alternatives assessment, and argued that DPR and counties need better tools, training, and funding to implement legally required protections. Committee members asked about biomonitoring, class-based regulation, and how to make pesticide data more usable for the public. Panel two brought testimony from environmental justice and farmworker advocates, who argued that California remains behind other jurisdictions by allowing highly hazardous pesticides, including 1,3-dichloropropene and paraquat, and by relying on a funding structure tied to pesticide sales. Witnesses said DPR often moves too slowly on reevaluations, rarely assesses combined exposures, and does not adequately account for health, environmental, and social costs or conflicts of interest involving pest control advisors. They also described inconsistent county-level implementation, weak outreach, and confusion over whether DPR or county agricultural commissioners are responsible for enforcement, and urged faster phaseouts, tiered fees, stronger local protections, and clearer accountability. Panel three represented regulated entities and agricultural stakeholders, who supported the goals of safer pest management but stressed that California’s registration process must be more predictable, transparent, and timely. They said AB 2113’s staffing and timeline reforms were important, but backlog and delays still hinder access to newer, lower-risk products and can hurt both consumer and agricultural uses. Agricultural witnesses also emphasized the need to invest more in pest prevention, invasive species detection, extension support, farmer training, and practical incentives for sustainable pest management. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members pressing witnesses on timelines, implementation, funding, and the division of responsibility between DPR and county agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a union of educators, our students' future and success is at the heart of everything we do.
• To maintain high-quality instruction and support for students, we must retain our professionals in the
• In Ruidoso, we learned that 80/20 leads to incredible teacher retention and student achievement.
• I, I, I 100% agree with your assessment of this is a barrier to our retention, because I have spoken
• as well as support in higher education for those same students once they actually enter higher ed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The LAO report recently said that roughly 7% of UC students and 11% of CSU students face housing instability
• One in four students face instability in housing.
• Student Homes Coalition and the University of California Student Association, who we will hear from
• Brett Burnt, UCLA Student Homes, in support. Thank you. Good morning.
• As you stated, this is about students. It's a very student-centered bill.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2032, statewide assessment testing window revisions; Education.
• President, your Committee on Education, having under consideration SB 1004, relating to ESA students
• A reinstatement process for the students who have already completed their disciplinary action.
• HB 2033, statewide assessment written form requirements. Education.
• HB 2255, Teachers Academy, community college students. Education.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received House messages and first-read bills. The chamber moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a range of measures on solar energy, public safety, insurance, health care, agriculture, gaming, education, child welfare, and real property. Several bills were retained on calendar, while many others were advanced with committee amendments and floor amendments. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors drew the most debate. A floor amendment by Sen. Sundareshan sought to require utilities to protect ratepayers from costs associated with large energy users such as data centers; supporters argued it would help keep electricity affordable, while opponents called it a hostile amendment. After a division vote, the amendment failed 12-15, and SB 1419 was reported do pass as amended. SB 1498 (DPS appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also advanced. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, but a later attempt to add the failed Sundareshan amendment to the report on SB 1419 was defeated 13-14. On Calendar 1, the Senate advanced SB 1165, SB 1206, SB 1212, SB 1215, SB 1290, SB 1291, and SB 1347, mostly with committee amendments. SB 1178 on naturopathic physicians and prescription drug pricing saw a contested Sears floor amendment aimed at stopping price gouging on essential generic drugs; supporters said it would lower drug costs, while the sponsor objected that it was not germane. The amendment failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1186 on document retention and donations also drew a Sundareshan amendment on transparency and implementation; it failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1286 on veterinary visits and electronic prescriptions advanced after a proposed Kavanagh floor amendment was defeated on division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and moved on to additional calendars. On Calendar 4, the chamber passed SB 1004 on ESA students and interscholastic activities, SB 1116 on AHCCCS access/behavioral health, SB 1162 on health care institution licensing complaints, SB 1179 on developmental disability/health monitoring, SB 1475 on school district governing boards and eligibility, SB 1821 on DCS training and child placement, and SCR 1012. A request to hold SB 1475 for a reinstatement process was rejected. The Senate also took up an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1077, SB 1479, and SB 1566; SB 1077 advanced with a Payne floor amendment, SB 1479 advanced with a Carroll amendment classifying certain forged real-property recordings as a class five felony, and SB 1566 began consideration with a Petersen amendment to remove part of a prior amendment. Throughout, the chamber repeatedly adopted committee reports and advanced the bills for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:37.799><c> do</c> and the kindergarten fall assessment do and the kindergarten fall assessment
• </c> access and opportunity for any students access and opportunity for any students within<01:05:30.599
• </c> additional resources to support students additional resources to support students in<01:33:13.840
• </c> increase the amount of funding a student increase the amount of funding a student identified<01:
• </c> three four more years of students three four more years of students potentially<01:48:12.920><c>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• These assessments can be made on a yearly basis for however long, whatever the case may be.
• I mean, my assumption or my assessment of the homeowner's exemption is because you live here, not just
• , this is a donation that you can't necessarily direct, but nonetheless yields great benefits to students
• But what we do know now, and I think this is important for all of us to understand, is that all students
• So this has the potential to benefit all students in the state of Idaho.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Courses offered to students through ALE programs may be provided to students who reside outside of the
• School districts with ALE programs must satisfy annual student assessment and reporting requirements
• And service to our students.
• both student well-being and long-term economic success. ...the farmers come in and educate the students
• Investing in student nutrition is an investment in student well-being, educational outcomes, and our

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Committee staff and the prime sponsor said the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs that may be online, hybrid, or site-based. Several members raised concerns that the terminology could unintentionally affect fully in-person programs; the sponsor and a retired principal testified that the bill is meant as a name change and would not materially alter current programs. The bill drew 52 pro, 4 con, and 0 other sign-ins. House Bill 2369 would create a Washington Local Food for Schools program in OSPI to help schools procure and distribute Washington-grown foods through existing USDA food distribution systems. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce logistical barriers for farmers and districts, support local agriculture, and improve the quality and appeal of school meals. Testimony came from school nutrition advocates, farmers, a school superintendent, students, and OSPI, with broad support and discussion of how the program would work through catalogs, ordering windows, and existing warehouses. The bill drew 455 pro, 64 con, and 1 other sign-in. House Bill 2432 would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated value, with priority for students with greater need. The sponsor said the goal is to help students transition to work, college, and other postsecondary opportunities. Committee members asked about whether the bill should address assistive devices and whether devices could be reserved for future graduating classes; staff noted existing law already covers transfer of assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance staff supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of devices and benefit students. The bill drew 57 pro, 5 con, and 0 other sign-ins. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced amendment deadlines for several bills scheduled for executive session later in the week and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and student focused admission. and student focused admission.
• house and less impacting students. house and less impacting students.
• , from the earliest assessment we do in second grade, find we have a significant proportion of students
• who from the learning and students who from the earliest<00:48:58.960><c> assessment</c><00:48:59.440
• outcomes</c><00:56:03.760><c> are</c> student success and student outcomes are student success and student

Summary: The committee met to review the annual report on collaboration between the University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing the community college system’s 80th anniversary. Both chancellors praised the proclamation and described the report as a statutory follow-up to the public higher education task force. They said the two systems have built a close working relationship and that the collaboration is intended to continue, though progress may be limited by resources and staffing changes. Much of the discussion focused on transfer pathways and new academic models. The chancellors said House Bill 1530 helped drive the creation of more than 100, and possibly about 130, “universal pathways” between the systems, with a reported 30% increase in community college associate-degree graduates transferring to the university system in the last academic year. They also discussed direct-admit outreach for community college graduates, early college and CTE-to-workforce pathways, and the development of three-year bachelor’s programs at Plymouth State and in some health-care fields. Members asked about nursing, allied dental health, and radiologic technology, and the chancellors said they are exploring whether some programs can be streamlined, while noting that nursing’s requirements may limit how short a pathway can be. Members also raised concerns about whether transfer pathways could affect university enrollment, but the university chancellor said declining enrollment is more likely due to a smaller pool of college-age students and broader competition, not the transfer programs. Another topic was the ERP/technology platform recommendation from the task force: the university system is moving to Workday, while the community college system is working to align business practices and move from an on-premises system to a cloud-based solution. Officials said a shared enterprise system could create efficiencies in the future, but it is not expected in the short term; student-facing tools like Canvas are already shared. The committee also discussed House Bill 112, which would require passing a civics test for graduation, and the chancellors said they support civic education but see implementation challenges. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Becca: Madam Chair, members, SB 1246, HOA expense liens and special assessment liens...
• SB 1246, HOA expense liens and special assessment liens, passed out unanimously and is on third-read
• Madam Chair, members, SB 1009, high school students and AED training, passed with six ayes, four nays
• Madam Chair, members, SB 1074, classroom management students and temporary removal, passed with seven
• entity that got no contributions or expenditures, probably no way to pay it even if they were to assess

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills, with members instructed to move quickly, note short titles, and pull only selected measures from consent. Many bills were reported as passing committee on party-line votes or with split votes, while others were unanimous. Several members repeatedly requested bills be pulled from consent, especially on contentious topics such as artificial intelligence content verification, gender transition procedures provider liability, vaccine reimbursement rates, light rail expansion feasibility, public employee merit hiring, health board evaluations, rural health funding, patient steering, DCS policies, school safety, virtual currency payments, undocumented immigrants’ financial services, central bank digital currency, and various criminal justice and education measures. A number of bills drew brief substantive comments or objections. One member criticized SB 1015 on Trans Visibility Day. Another raised concerns about fingerprinting requirements for behavioral health facilities, arguing similar safeguards should apply to universal voucher programs. Judiciary-related bills also prompted strong reactions, including measures on narcotics sentencing for minors, probation and immigration notification, crimes against children monitoring, and a death penalty bill involving firing squad, which drew an explicit objection for the record. Several bills were flagged because of split votes, Democratic no votes, or concerns about funding, constitutional issues, or policy consistency. The caucus also discussed a blue-sheet amendment to HB 2874 on campaign committee termination statements and penalties. Members asked about the retroactive date, the size of outstanding fines, the Secretary of State’s position, and who offered the Senate amendment. Supporters described it as a cleanup bill that would help committees close out old accounts, while others questioned the retroactive scope and financial impact. The chair ultimately announced that Mr. Winninger was refusing the Senate amendment, so final passage would not occur that day and the measure would instead go to conference committee or remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• and procured their own risk assessment.
• , they procured their own risk assessment.
• So we are not relying on that original Milliman assessment.
• They have to undergo a risk assessment, an individual risk assessment, and pay an additional charge associated
• with that risk assessment.

Bills: SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The student is the student. And I know... One casualty of all this, I guess, is the student.
• The student.
• Medium being 3,000 to 6,000 students, small being 3,000 students or less.
• One, students are hungry. Two, students don't leave.
• One, students are hungry. Two students don't leave.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a letter from DFA Assessment Coordination. This is for $90,000 of spending authority.
• I'm the director for Assessment Coordination Division.
• My question is, how many students are we currently funding through these accounts?
• Would we find out immediately when a student returns it?
• Well, certainly, again, we verify every student that comes through.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of appropriation, reserve transfer, and grant requests. Early items included temporary appropriations for the Department of Education’s Educational Freedom Account program ($32 million), the State Crime Lab ($476,000), and DFA Assessment Coordination ($90,000), along with a $1 ARPA return from the Department of Health. The committee approved these items after brief questions, including a discussion about contract cost increases at Assessment Coordination and a clarification that the $1 ARPA item was simply an unused-funds return. The most extensive discussion centered on the Department of Education’s EFA funding. Members questioned the growth in participation, the use of one-time funds and restricted reserves, and safeguards against fraud or improper purchases. Agency officials said about 44,000 students were being funded, that purchases are reviewed and flagged for unusual activity, and that homeschool students are not required to buy a curriculum so long as purchases are eligible and approved. The committee approved the EFA appropriation and related reserve transfer, and officials said the governor’s proposed budget would include the program in the RSA going forward. The committee also approved a DHS reallocation request and reviewed a building authority loan for a data center power supply replacement. In the federal grant section, members discussed a Department of Agriculture request for Central Arkansas Water to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed. Debate focused on the environmental benefits versus local property-tax and development concerns in Perry County, with testimony from the agency, Central Arkansas Water, and Potlatch about watershed protection, public access, and potential development impacts. After extended discussion, the committee adopted a motion to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and asked the department to remove the Perry County portion from the request, limiting the grant-funded purchase to Pulaski County property. The committee then reviewed remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay-plan appropriation, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• SINCE 23/24 1500 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED ABOUT 389 STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND 1163 STUDENTS
• THE ROLE IS VITAL IN SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND FACULTY ENSURING STUDENTS HAVE SUCCEED AND THAT WE CAN FOCUS
• CAREERS WITHOUT STUDENT DEBT.
• WE GRADUATED 152 STUDENTS WITH 100 PERCENT EMPLOYMENT RATE WITH THE STUDENTS HAD NOT PAID A DIME THANKS
• TO BE ABLE TO MATCH WHAT WE HAVE IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN ROLLING THE STUDENTS AND PRODUCING THE STUDENTS

Transcript Highlights:

• learning and education for the students and by the students.
• of UW as a student senator for the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming, or ASUW for short
• It's coming off of my assessment, your assessment, and all the people you represent.
• ><c> and</c><01:12:07.520><c> all</c><01:12:07.600><c> the</c> assessment, your assessment, and all the
• assessment, your assessment, and all the people<01:12:08.000><c> you</c><01:12:08.320><c> represent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 1993, the MAPSTARS program has provided students with skills.
• I could tell right away it was one of your students.
• dedicated to alternative education students.
• I'm a 2024 graduate and a student advocate.
• Some students lived an hour away by bus, which meant school started at eight something, requiring students

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> military or sometimes they're students military or sometimes they're students when<02:41:06.120>
• Like 15 students to a teacher. And for high school, maybe 20 to 30 students per teacher.
• Like 15 students to a teacher. And for high school, maybe 20 to 30 students per teacher.
• Like 15 students to a teacher. And for high school, maybe 20 to 30 students per teacher.
• The little ones need more teachers per student. Like 15 students to a teacher.

Transcript Highlights:

• environment, including the parental rights relates to that transition and administration of the certain student
• certain duties of a public institution of higher education in relation to the Federal Public Service Student
• Steam assessment units and drainage areas are for the Committee on Environmental Regulations HB 3334
• HB 3433 by GERD's relating to fees assessed by the Lones, Pines, Groundwater Conservation District for
• HB 3440 by Olcott relating to the repeal of the authority to exclude certain students without certain