Transcript Highlights:

• These are the four leading states in the country and also in our region.
• Another effort that is taking off in the region is the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator and
• And we secured founding investments from Amazon, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, Washington State
• So we're looking in our southwest region for that.
• And we were able to secure that funding.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on electric vehicles, renewable fuels, hydrogen, and related transportation investments, followed by public hearings on several bills. Agency presenters from WSDOT, Commerce, and Ecology described the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council’s work, Washington’s slowing EV adoption growth, charging infrastructure gaps, and programs such as NEVI, ZEVIP, and a new medium- and heavy-duty incentive program. Members asked about fast-charging standards and whether higher-capacity chargers could be supported. Commerce also outlined renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel efforts, including the Office of Renewable Fuels, hydrogen and SAF modeling, technical assistance, and the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator’s partnerships and funding. WSDOT then discussed hydrogen investments in transit, aviation, backup power, and corridor planning, while Ecology explained the alternative jet fuel programmatic environmental impact statement, its scope, timeline, and how it will support future project review. In the public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2114, the committee heard testimony supporting a no-fee replacement process for defective license plates within two years of issuance, with optional fee waivers later; the sponsor and county auditors said peeling or unreadable plates are a real customer-service problem, especially in eastern Washington. The hearing on House Bill 2111 concerned allowing the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project toll facility bond retirement account to keep its interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund; the prime sponsor said it is a straightforward fix requested by the state treasurer. Substitute House Bill 1823 would update Transportation Improvement Board statutes by replacing “non-motorized” with “active transportation” and removing obsolete references; TIB said it is a cleanup bill that aligns statutes with current grant practices and complete streets policy. The committee also heard House Bill 2495, which would let the City of Seattle direct immediate impoundment of unattended vehicles blocking streetcar operations, similar to existing authority for Sound Transit. Seattle’s streetcar manager said blocked tracks cause frequent delays and that the bill would reduce waits for police authorization and restore service faster. Public testimony and sign-in counts were noted for each bill, but no votes were taken in the transcript, and the meeting concluded after the final public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have to maintain security.
• So can't go into control room, security.
• Just because the region is so dynamic.
• So, but the the region is so dynamic.
• Um and exciting startups in the region.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of jobs, a lot of impact for the region with UPS and cargo operations.
• A lot of jobs, a lot of impact for the region with UPS and cargo operations.
• </c><00:37:03.040><c> and</c> what's also going on regionally and what's also going on regionally and
• </c><00:42:55.680><c> that</c> gap um in that mid America region that gap um in that mid America region
• </c> customs, you go back through security customs, you go back through security and<00:45:46.800><c>

Summary: The committee heard an update from Kentucky’s three major commercial airports: Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (SDF and Bowman Field), and CVG. Lexington’s Eric Franco described post-COVID growth that has already exceeded pre-pandemic activity, along with a master plan focused on the whole airport, expanded surface parking, relocation of the air traffic control tower, and a major terminal project estimated at $500 million to $700 million. He emphasized the airport’s role in serving both passenger and corporate aviation across central Kentucky and thanked the legislature for prior funding, including $5 million for parking. Louisville’s Dan Mann reported record passenger growth, expanded nonstop service, and especially strong cargo activity driven by UPS, noting SDF is now among the busiest cargo airports in North America and Bowman Field remains the state’s busiest general aviation airport. He highlighted major infrastructure needs, including airfield and terminal work, parking expansion, and a planned federal inspection service facility to support international flights around events like the Kentucky Derby.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move to suspend the rules to allow AJR 28, urging Congress to pass the Department of Homeland Security
• She transformed the center into a vital COVID-19 response hub, advanced food security partnerships, and
• Casey Young is the Executive Director of Stanislaus Regional 911, where she has led transformational
• June Natar serves as vice chairwoman of the Tejon Indian Tribe, where she has secured transformative
• Please welcome Maria Solorio. ...well-being through regional leadership and public service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional projects in the general government functional area of the budget include funding for security
• The City of Linden applied to the Public Works Assistance Account this year to secure a grant or a loan
• The City of Linden applied to the Public Works Assistant account this year to secure a grant or a loan
• So those agencies have raised money from individual donors, local corporations, statewide regional, .
• ..local corporations, statewide, regional, and sometimes federal foundations and grants.

Bills: HB2295

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Operating from a shared regional framework.
• Each of these areas are very different regionally in terms of their workforce needs.
• We are also working, partnering with different regions.
• We are also working, partnering with different regions.
• We ask that you secure its future today. Thank you. We ask that you secure its future today.

Summary: The committee first heard updates from the California State University on its turnaround plans for seven campuses with enrollment declines. CSU said overall enrollment has grown for three straight years, but some campuses—especially in Northern California—continue to face structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. The system described campus-specific strategies such as outreach to stopped-out and adult learners, guaranteed admissions, partnerships with community colleges and high schools, expanded high-demand programs, and cost reductions including hiring freezes, program suspensions, and shared administrative services. The LAO said the plans were reasonable but urged regular reporting so the Legislature can track results. Committee members pressed CSU for ongoing implementation updates, stronger recruiting efforts, and safeguards around AI use; CSU said it would continue regular check-ins and share best practices across campuses. The second item focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and its request for a $10 million General Fund appropriation to repay a special fund loan used for litigation costs. DCA and BPPE said the bureau has long had a structural deficit and has already cut positions, streamlined operations, and shifted some costs to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, but still needs fee increases through the sunset review process. The LAO opposed the General Fund backfill, arguing the bureau can cover near-term costs with its loan, that litigation costs should generally be borne by regulated entities through fees, and that using General Fund money could set a precedent. Finance supported the one-time backfill as a way to avoid larger fee increases on institutions and to isolate the litigation expense from the bureau’s ongoing structural shortfall. Members asked how the bureau would avoid repeating the problem; BPPE said it has updated policies and practices, including disability accommodation procedures and non-discrimination training. The committee then reviewed Cal Grant funding and program updates from CSAC, UC, CSU, and the community colleges. CSAC said the Governor’s budget would increase Cal Grant funding to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by enrollment growth and higher tuition at UC and CSU, and highlighted efforts to improve payment processing and financial aid data. UC and CSU emphasized that Cal Grants are central to affordability and debt reduction, while also warning that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce access to loans and harm graduate and part-time students. Community colleges reported rising aid applications and awards, but said students still face major affordability barriers, especially mixed-status and undocumented students, and asked for more support for aid administration and completion grants. The chair repeatedly asked for data on eligible students who are not receiving Cal Grants and for a phased-in path to implement the Cal Grant Equity Framework; Finance said full implementation would cost hundreds of millions and the state is not currently in a position to fund it. Finally, the committee began discussion of the Middle Class Scholarship Program. CSAC said the program helps low- and middle-income students cover total cost of attendance, not just tuition, and warned that cutting funding by more than half would reduce award coverage from 35% to 17.5% of cost of attendance. CSU and UC said the program is important for reducing student debt and supporting affordability, and CSU noted recent administrative changes have reduced workload and award adjustments. The hearing continued into the next agenda item after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really crucial for us to be competitive in global markets, but also for U.S. food security.
• According to USDA data,... competitive and global markets, but also for U.S. food security and to make
• looking at the amount of elemental sulfur that's typically applied by growers in the Snake River region
• For example, in 2021, we had a severe drought, not only in Idaho, but across the barley-growing region
• It maintains tariff-free access to top markets and secures competitive advantages for wheat and barley

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the Far West region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has remained deeply committed
• Members, please join me in welcoming members of the Far West region of Delta Sigma Theta who are on the
• Well, in addition to the Far West region, we are led by a fearless leader, Regional Director Kimberly
• Just a few I want to point out: Whereas, during her tenure as Regional Director of the Far West region
• 2 and Joseph Tuggle as the Associate Director for Region 1 for the Division of Adult Institutions and

Transcript Highlights:

• Tammy Smith, I'm the sign coordinator for Region 5. Coordinator for Region 5. There we go.
• We're in Region 2. We deal with Region 9 a lot as well. That's the Livingston area.
• And I say that because of the fact that our region is Region 2.
• LDH region too.
• , a different parish, or a different region, so that they feel safe in those regions.

Summary: The first meeting of the Human Trafficking and Emergency Department Task Force focused on implementing Act 267, which created the body to develop a statewide human trafficking protocol to be incorporated into Louisiana’s sexual assault response plans. Chair Rep. Kelly Hennessy Dickerson and Office of Human Trafficking Prevention Director Mary Kate Andropont emphasized that the goal is a practical, transferable, survivor-centered protocol that can be adapted across regions and health systems. The task force also noted its timeline: use today’s presentations and member feedback to draft a protocol before the next meeting, then refine it into a final version. Presenters from hospitals, SANE programs, and advocacy organizations described current practices and gaps. Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport’s Operation Rahab and FMOLHS’s human trafficking policies highlighted staff education, badge buddies, anonymous admissions, hotline and law enforcement reporting, and coordination with community partners. SANE and forensic nursing presenters described red-dot privacy alerts, trauma-informed interviewing, and the need to train all hospital staff, not just ED clinicians, because trafficking victims may present repeatedly or in non-ED settings. LaFASA described statewide advocacy and legal support, while Unbound Now and BCFS/Common Thread explained Louisiana’s juvenile trafficking response under Act 662, including 24/7 crisis response, relational advocacy, and care coordination for minors. Members repeatedly raised the lack of safe housing, transportation, and placement options after identification, especially for adults, male survivors, and adults with special needs. Several presenters said that identifying victims is only the first step and that Louisiana still lacks enough resources for discharge and long-term stabilization. The task force also discussed the need for broader training across emergency departments, residency programs, nursing, housekeeping, maintenance, student health, mental health, and law enforcement, with members stressing that protocols should be clear, trauma-informed, and usable statewide. No votes were taken; the main action was to gather testimony, identify gaps, and begin drafting the statewide protocol.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, because I represent a rural county in the northern region.
• ...cost to live in New Mexico, in regional areas.
• Are you working to make sure that cyber security is addressed?
• Chair, Senator Trujillo, we are working on cyber security.
• We do have a Chief Security Officer on staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Two Towns East are in the regional Two Towns East are in the regional Planning<00:16:55.079><c>
• Regional Planning Commission National Regional Planning<00:16:56.399><c> Commission</c><00:16:56.759
• within the regional things happen within the regional Planning<00:17:06.799><c> Commission</c><00:17
• We would lease security upgrades, security cameras, security systems.
• security</c> cameras security cameras security systems<01:51:20.920><c> um</c><01:51:21.280><c> at</

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Auditor's Office cybersecurity update for fiscal year 2025, including opportunities to improve IT security
• at local governments, and opportunities to improve state information security.
• These are very important audits for improving the security of IT at state and local governments.
• The first one is comparing IT practices to the Center for Internet Security Critical Security Controls
• That information sharing among local governments within our region.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on two State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025: one covering state agencies and one covering local governments, along with related ransomware resiliency and critical infrastructure audits. SAO staff explained that the audits are independent under Initiative 900, are kept confidential at the entity level, and assess cybersecurity safeguards against the Center for Internet Security controls plus penetration testing. For state agencies, auditors found about one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and identified 227 vulnerabilities, including 3 critical and 21 high. For local governments, they found nearly one-quarter of safeguards fully implemented on all systems and nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including 9 critical and 47 high. They also reported six ransomware resiliency audits and 39 critical infrastructure audits, with over 260 vulnerabilities found in the critical infrastructure work and a notable vendor-wide security improvement resulting from one test. SAO staff said governments generally show increasing attention to cybersecurity, but many still need more staffing, guidance, and resources. They highlighted cybersecurity checkups, policy guides, and other support services, and said agencies and local governments are typically responsive in fixing serious issues. Washington Technology Solutions’ state CISO praised the audits, described the rising national ransomware threat, and said the audits help identify vulnerabilities and align agencies with recognized standards. He noted that federal and state cybersecurity grant funding has supported more than 200 projects statewide and that the state is working on monitoring, incident response, training, and updated policies. In member questions, Representative Scott asked about whether agencies can quickly repurpose funds to address critical vulnerabilities and how nimble the grant program is. SAO and WOTEC said some fixes can be handled through settings changes or compensating controls, while others may require grant funding or other resources; they also said the grant process is annual and not especially nimble, though Washington has been efficient in distributing funds. Scott also asked how Washington compares nationally, and witnesses said direct comparisons are difficult because other states do not use the same audit approach, though Washington’s I-900 cybersecurity audit program was described as unusually comprehensive and unique. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any formal action on the reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do their network security.
• That means we have security staff sitting on them at the hospital... ...days.
• And I cannot blame them because they need the job security. Right.
• It says I'm statutorily obligated to run a regional communication center.
• We transitioned to an email-only login system to improve security.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• contain information that is critical to state and national security.
• But the only person who will have any security background... ...the only person who will have any security
• That information could be critical to state and national security.
• Could the sergeants please secure the chamber?
• I don't know what the obsession is with Gainesville Regional Utility.

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0. The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1. Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOLISTICALLY WITH THE REGION OF AREAS WE ARE SEEING THE SUNCOAST AREA REGION FOR ALL
• FOLLOWED BY CENTRAL REGIONS. SECOND-HIGHEST AREA IN THE STATE IN TOTALITY.
• ONE IS THE SOUTHERN AND ONE IS IN THE CENTRAL REGION. WE BROUGHT ON A TIER 1 TYPE HOME.
• AFTER COMPLETING THE WORKFORCE EDUCATION TRAINING, THE NEXT STEP IS SECURING THE INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT
• ALL INTERNS SUCCESSFULLY SECURE PLACEMENT AND THE DESIRED FIELD AND AS OF SEPTEMBER, ALL INTERNS HAVE

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the regions for the eight regional fishery management councils.
• Regional council membership, Regional council membership, Mr.
• These are the regions for the eight regional fishery management councils.
• These are the regions for the eight regional fishery management councils.
• Regional council membership, Mr.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass. Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's. ...agricultural landscape and located on one of the world's most robust agricultural regions.
• And what’s driving that growth in regions like Europe is something...
• and region We've been thinking a lot about the ways that our region and regions across California can
• So we have here in California, I've been looking at a place in the Sacramento region to do that.
• We are one of four regional research centers located in California, Albany.

Transcript Highlights:

• The region plays a significant role in agriculture.
• HR number 80 by Van Dever, recognizing February 19th, 2025. as Northeast Texas Regional Alliance Day
• Members, I ask you to join me in welcoming the Northeast Texas Regional Alliance. to the Texas House,
• I refer to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs.
• Refer to the Committee on Homeland Security. Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1204 gets at this issue by adding a regional cost adjustment to the LCFF COLA to reflect regional
• AB 1204 gets at this issue by adding a regional cost adjustment to the LCFF COLA to reflect regional
• These are already colleges and universities for the tribal Native residents in their region.
• This bill will also make the information about secure storage laws easier to understand.
• This bill will also make the information about secure storage laws easier to understand.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• My region would be the Suwannee Valley area.
• And so I work with farmers in that region but also work with the extension agents in that region as well
• So the region is very important area for for watermelons.
• How do we get to 5.8 million pounds, a reduction in that region just in the Suwannee Valley region.
• excuse me, more of a regional effort.