Transcript Highlights:

• a for-profit business if you made less than $28,000 a year, or if you made $47,000 if you were a service
• be for scholarships or whether it be for feeding the hungry or providing eyeglasses or what other services
• In person we have Anthony Mixer, and remotely we have Lydia Zepeda and Chatch Duarte White.
• Choch Thwart de White, and I’m the Director of Legal Services at Legal Counsel for Youth and Children
• I am testifying remotely from Spokane. Thank you. I am testifying remotely from Spokane.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 1364 would raise from $5,000 to $15,000 the gross revenue thresholds for charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo, raffles, and amusement games without a gambling license, and would also raise related local tax thresholds; supporters said it is an inflation adjustment that helps volunteer nonprofits, while no opposition was heard before the hearing closed. HB 2632 would replace most uses of “alien” in state law with “non-citizen,” with exceptions for federal-law requirements and non-human uses; the sponsor described it as a dignity and accuracy measure rooted in refugee experience, while supporters and opponents debated whether it is respectful and clearer or instead unnecessary and potentially confusing. HB 2447 would designate the blunt-nosed six-gill shark as Washington’s official state shark; testimony from the sponsor, children, marine advocates, and scientists emphasized education, conservation, Puget Sound ecology, and local pride, and the hearing closed without opposition testimony. HB 2637 would exempt certain personal information from Public Records Act disclosure, including age, address, birthplace, precise location data, government identifiers, and consumer utility data; supporters framed it as privacy and safety protection, while opponents argued it would reduce transparency and could interfere with federal immigration enforcement. In executive session, the committee took action on three bills. HB 2235, concerning Public Records Act exemptions for concealed pistol licenses and permit-to-purchase firearm applications, was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. HB 2401, establishing the Boys and Men’s Commission, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote, with some members supporting the concept but expressing concern about funding. HB 2574, which addresses removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots and related vote-count procedures, was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote after members discussed the need to clarify election procedures in rare cases. The committee deferred action on HB 2520.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we also talk to moms, and they would like to have remote positions or part-time positions much more
• So we also talk to moms, and they would like to have remote positions or part-time positions much more
• directly to direct services.
• aware of that in case you've got any calls about... grant does not translate directly to direct services
• and then the state allocations where the state has put in money for special education for early services

Committee: All EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if they have a translation service or if they use a written word.
• That question I did not ask about the service that they use. Representative Frelich.
• And, Emily, remote participation, does that go in rules, or is that another procedure?
• members for the joint committees may participate remotely.
• And so if we can participate remotely, that will work. Yep. Okay. Just I'm clear.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2309 concerns requirements of postgraduate degrees for state civil service jobs.
• We have another witness who is testifying remotely.
• Additionally, the Big Ten provides sports monitoring wagering services across the conference.
• Our focus ...sports monitoring wagering services across the conference.
• Kevin is here in person and Johnny, I believe, is remote.

Bills: HB2205 , HB2309 , HB2206 , HB2123 , HB2120 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling regulation, state control, licensing, consumer protection, state employment, classified service, civil service, job qualifications, degree requirements, postgraduate degree, master's degree, doctorate, higher education, Office of Financial Management, OFM, classification plan, salary survey, market rate pay, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not talking about abortion services. Those are already not federally funded.
• We are talking about every other service that one in four women here in California rely on, which is
• If the system, if people access it remotely, you have to take remote testimony.
• People have to put cameras on if they're doing it remotely.
• Now with drones and stream gauges, they can gather the information they need remotely.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on August 20, 2025, and considered a large number of bills, with most of the discussion centered on election redistricting and several health, labor, environmental, and government-operations measures. The first major item was ACA 8, a constitutional amendment tied to a proposed November special election and temporary mid-decade congressional redistricting in response to partisan redistricting efforts in other states. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a 2020 redistricting commissioner, labor groups, and allies of the measure, argued it was necessary to defend democracy, protect representation, and respond to federal actions affecting California. Opponents, including Assemblymember Tom Lackey reading a statement for Assemblymember Gallagher and Assemblymember Dixon, argued the measure would undermine the independent redistricting commission, amount to a partisan power grab, and cost taxpayers roughly $230 million. Committee members also focused heavily on fiscal questions, including litigation costs and county election funding, and Department of Finance staff said counties would be made whole and funding would be advanced. The committee ultimately voted the measure out on a B roll call. The committee then heard SB 280, the implementing bill for the special election and related redistricting process. Supporters repeated the argument that California needed to respond to Texas and other states, while opponents again emphasized the cost, the strain on county budgets, and the state’s broader fiscal pressures. Department of Finance witnesses said the election funding would be provided in advance and that the state would work with counties and the Secretary of State. The bill was moved out on a roll call after extended debate. The committee also advanced several other bills, including SB 283 on battery storage safety standards, SB 470 extending remote participation and open-meeting flexibility for state boards and commissions, SB 697 modernizing stream adjudication procedures, SB 513 requiring more accessible employee training records, SB 30 restricting transfer of older diesel locomotives, SB 841 and SB 81 creating protections for vulnerable facilities and health care spaces from immigration enforcement, SB 358 revising traffic impact fee standards, and SB 630 streamlining state parks land acquisitions. Other measures discussed included SB 62 expanding health coverage benefits, SB 68 requiring restaurant allergen disclosures, and the committee heard both support and opposition on SB 68 from the California Restaurant Association and consumer advocates. Supporters of the health and immigrant-protection bills emphasized patient safety, reproductive health, immigrant rights, and access to care, while opponents on the restaurant bill warned of added mandates and litigation risk for small businesses. Across the hearing, committee members frequently returned to fiscal impacts, county implementation burdens, and whether the bills would save money, cost money, or shift costs to local governments. Several bills were reported out of committee, often on A or B roll calls, with some members not voting on particular measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• services costs.
• service fund.
• , our service fee timeline.
• desktop remotely.
• It's actual costs of services.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership and approved the December 11 minutes. The committee first received an update from the Office of Management and Budget on the state general fund and major special funds. OMB reported revenues were tracking very close to forecast, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. Staff also reviewed balances in the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, along with oil tax collections and the current revenue picture. Legislative Council staff then summarized the special session budget changes and noted the updated beginning balance increased the projected ending balance for the next biennium. The Tax Department presented taxable sales and purchases data by county and industry, showing overall sales tax activity remained strong, with retail trade the largest sector and several counties posting notable gains. Commissioner Kraschis then reviewed federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and estimated their impact on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the figures were compared to the 2025 baseline and would be incorporated into future forecasts. Members asked about the overtime and tip exclusions, the senior standard deduction, and the primary residence property tax credit application count, which was running ahead of last year at more than 154,000 applications. The committee also heard from the Department of Transportation on fee schedules, with members focusing on driver’s license fees and the fact that current fees cover only about half of program costs, meaning the highway fund subsidizes the remainder. DOT also reported on specialty plate activity, including nearly 3,900 blackout plates issued, and noted increased state fleet usage. The Information Technology Department explained its internal service fund rate-setting process and discussed possible billing simplification, including annual billing and improved invoice detail. OMB also provided data on leased office space in the Bismarck-Mandan area and state workforce counts, and Legislative Council updated the committee on legislative branch space planning. Finally, subcommittee reports noted continued work on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including Burleigh-Morton’s new DOCR housing wing and ongoing overcrowding in state correctional facilities. No formal votes beyond the minutes approval were taken, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• CONTRACTUAL SERVICE FINDINGS AND SATISFACTORY RECEIPT OF GOODS AND SERVICES.
• DEMONSTRATE IS IN THE PUBLIC'S BEST INTEREST TO PERFORM PROJECTS USING THEIR OWN SERVICES.
• THEY USED STUDENT ACTIVITY AND SERVICE FEES THAT WERE NOT ALWAYS IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW.
• THEY WERE HIRED FOR STRATEGY SERVICES. >> Sen.
• AGREEMENTS OR SOME OF THE STAFF THAT WERE WORKING REMOTELY. >> Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it is not always easy to attain permanent excusal from jury service.
• , allowing those over 80 to permanently opt out of jury service.
• Others in support: Thank you for your service.
• My name is Dorothy Alther, and I am with California Indian Legal Services.
• Heather Hossler with California Indian Legal Services, in strong support. All right.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• service fund.
• So, similar to what Robin just talked about with fleet services, all of our operational services are
• for the whole cost of that service.
• So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
• desktop remotely.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In the bill, a motor vehicle with an engine that has been activated by a remote starter system is not
• In the bill, a motor vehicle with an engine that has been activated by a remote starter system is not
• A person who has left a motor vehicle standing after starting the engine by remote starter system who
• the vehicle to be started by remote or radio control.
• The bill would take effect... ...to be started by remote or radio control.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move to our remote panel, starting with Don, followed up by Susan Canerone. Thank you, Don.
• We'll now have a remote panel with Ronald Reed, Timothy Coleman, and Pam Lewison.
• They're remote. Jeremy Brock and Edward Boyer did sign in as remote, but are not in. So go ahead.
• Forest Service, land trusts, cities, and all types of community groups.
• Forest Service, land trust, cities, and all types of community groups.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• service.
• 911 service.
• Examples of services Medicaid permits to be delivered remotely include outpatient mental health services
• In general, it's not a cost-based reimbursement, and since the standard of care in a remote service versus
• In addition to primary care medical services, we also provide dental services, behavioral health services

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• We have H. 270, an act relating to confidentiality for peer support counseling among emergency service
• </c> counseling among emergency service counseling among emergency service providers.<00:09:23.920><c
• H270, H. 270, an act relating to confidentiality in peer support sessions for emergency service providers
• from 2020 to 2022, returning to remotely from 2020 to 2022, returning to Velco<00:13:18.320><c> in</
• </c><00:14:08.000><c> has</c> Yang's career and community service has Yang's career and community service

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you both for joining us remotely and for all of your work on our committee.
• , from the Department of Youth Services, as well as some data on community services from the Department
• available and the connection from the court to those services.
• To those services.
• We thank everyone for joining us here, as well as remotely. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide travel and insurance services, which are maybe lesser known, but insurance is important
• This is an example of the dedication and public service that you see from our teams.
• That means people are late to work, additional cost to transport goods and services, and more idling
• Justine, they will be remote testifiers. Good evening. My name is Justinian Davis. Can you hear me?
• And while they're coming, let's go with our remote testifiers.

Bills: SB5234 , SB6110 , SB6176

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation, vehicle license fee, RCW 46.17, fee schedule, renewal fee, initial fee, Washington state, electric-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, transportation regulation, safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• We have remote panelists from Switch Maritime.
• We take on the role of authoring and permitting the hydrogen fuel supply chain to service the vessel.
• And what all of this means together is that Washington State commuters get a new vessel, improved service
• A remote testifier, Dana Yabel, Dable, and while she is getting on, let's invite Mike Innes forward,
• Remote testifier, Jared Newenhouse, followed by in-person testifier Brad Schuster.

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law

Transcript Highlights:

• about that service. Uh I understand how about that service.
• of country in the military both service of country in the military and<00:49:55.520><c> service</c><
• In the case of a are voting remotely.
• Thus, they are not counted remotely.
• </c> understand we have to fund core services understand we have to fund core services for<02:09:20.880

Transcript Highlights:

• come before you today with humility and gratitude for the privilege of gathering in this place of service
• </c> The clerk will call those remotely. Fogelman.
• <00:05:21.960><c> will</c><00:05:22.120><c> call</c><00:05:22.360><c> those</c><00:05:23.080><c> remotely
• </c> The clerk will call those remotely. The clerk will call those remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're conducting this hearing in a hybrid format, with testifiers joining both in person and via remote
• Next, we're going to call up to testify a panel from Greater Boston Legal Services.
• We are attorneys at the Workers' Rights Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services, where we serve individuals
• And we are going to move to a remote testimony from Jessin Beck. Testimony from Mr.
• Do we have any remote... Oh, and Janelle Lamones?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski, the bill’s sponsors, said they filed it after seeing many constituent cases involving delays, unresolved claims, and difficulty navigating the unemployment system, especially for seasonal workers and others facing financial instability. They argued the commission should review claim data, gather stakeholder input, and identify gaps in the process so the system is more efficient, equitable, and transparent. Greater Boston Legal Services testified in support, describing numerous client cases in which claimants waited months for determinations or were stuck in limbo after the launch of a new online benefits system. Attorneys said DUA’s backlogs and timeliness metrics had worsened, citing large increases in non-monetary, separation, and hearings backlogs, and they urged the committee to consider systemic fixes, including better notice about paid family and medical leave and possibly more funding or staff for DUA. Committee members generally praised the bill and the sponsors’ collaboration, and one suggested the commission’s reporting deadline might need to be extended. No vote was taken during the hearing. After testimony and brief discussion, the chair closed the hearing and concluded the committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've spoken with a woman who had done her job remotely for five years.
• I'm president of CASE, an attorney with the Department of Health Care Services.
• Good morning, Alyssa Carroll with the California Department of Social Services.
• I'm an enforcement attorney for the California Department of Social Services.
• They are moments centered in culture, traditions, service, and community.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization