Transcript Highlights:

• “Washington State Legislature.
• So there have been a number of state or multi-state lawsuits that have been filed challenging various
• To help reduce cybersecurity risk at the state and local level, we process applications for the state
• You’ve got nine eligible states. It’s $625 million. You’ve got nine eligible states.
• We’ve been partnering very heavily with state agencies, State Patrol, Corrections, Fish and Wildlife,

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy and agriculture. An OFM economist said tariffs are raising prices, reducing output and jobs, and lowering state revenue, with the most affected sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about newer trade deals, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus some deflationary effects in fuel, and whether the net employment effect was negative; the witness said retaliation by other countries largely eliminates any tariff benefits and that updated analysis would be needed as tariff rates change. Washington Department of Agriculture staff then described how import tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while export retaliation has hurt key markets, especially China and, in some sectors, Canada. They said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent, with major exports including wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine, and noted that some growers support tariffs on competing imports because they see them as leveling the playing field. Commerce officials followed with an overview of small business export assistance, financing, business recruitment, and industry-sector support, emphasizing the importance of federal STEP funding, foreign consulting networks, and state efforts to attract investment and help businesses adapt to tariff pressures. The committee then heard a series of emergency management updates. The Military Department described 2025 disaster response, including the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, wildfire activity, and concerns that FEMA is shifting more responsibility and cost to states and locals, with possible reductions or restructuring of preparedness, mitigation, and disaster grants. Members discussed the need for a funded state disaster assistance framework, mitigation priorities such as unreinforced masonry and tsunami shelters, and language-access support. A cybersecurity briefing followed, outlining the state’s advisory committee, grant program, and plans for a volunteer cyber incident response team, with concerns about the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the need to preserve state matching funds. Finally, emergency management staff reviewed disaster resilience and tsunami preparedness, saying federal support is becoming less reliable while state programs face budget pressure. They highlighted mitigation grants, outreach, and planning work, including tsunami vertical evacuation structures and coastal evacuation mapping, and said Washington’s tsunami program depends heavily on NOAA and FEMA funding. The session concluded with a detailed update on World Cup and counter-drone planning, including federal security grants, fan zones, base camps, and the need for authority to mitigate unmanned aerial systems; members asked how local jurisdictions would participate and what mitigation tools might be used. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There have been a number of state or multi-state lawsuits challenging various provisions of this, and
• To communicate cybersecurity threats, the Washington State Fusion Center The Washington State Fusion
• To help reduce cybersecurity risk at the state and local level, we process applications for the state
• You've got nine eligible states. You've got nine eligible states.
• We have been partnering very heavily with state agencies, State Patrol, Corrections, Fish and Wildlife

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• As background, the State Broadband Office is the central broadband planning office for the state, and
• industry in the state.
• industry in the state.
• So I think, like the governor indicated, it is state of the state.
• So I think, like the governor indicated, it is state of the state.

Bills: HB2357 , HB2365 , HB2446

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: civil air patrol, military, Washington, emergency services, public safety, digital opportunities, accessibility, technology, economic growth, education, quantum technology, economic development, workforce development, innovation, technology industry

Transcript Highlights:

• It's at the state level.
• And so the state has, and the legislature has, full It's at the state level, and so the state has, and
• charges it with oversight of the Arizona State Land Department and the State Land Commissioner.
• And state land... ...state land was going to sell it to solar.
• land. and state land of it was state land and state land was going to sell it to solar to solar and

Bills: HB2150 , HB2262 , HB2267 , HB2268 , HB2351 , HB2425 , HB2426 , HB2427 , HB2755 , HB2781 , HB2913 , HB2943 , HB2956 , HB2975 , HB2985 , HB4009

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing will focus on both the California State University (CSU) and the state library budgets.
• at state schools in other states.
• I'm Rebecca Wendt, the Deputy State Librarian at the California State Library.
• . great state.
• And then, speaking of the state law library. The Witkin State Law Library.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what's often missing is many states, including Washington State, do not ask race when people are
• In Washington State specifically, In Washington State specifically, that number was about 10%.
• We follow up with state agencies.
• go out of state.
• At the state level, it's only the state-certified OMWBE firms that count in the numbers.

Summary: The committee heard a work session on voting access on tribal lands, beginning with a presentation from Dr. Chelsea Jones of the Brennan Center. She described barriers affecting Native voters and voters on tribal lands, including long travel distances to polling places and drop boxes, nontraditional addresses, unreliable postal service, language access, and limited broadband. Citing research, she said turnout on tribal lands trails turnout off tribal lands by about 10 percentage points nationally and about 10% in Washington, with larger gaps in some convenience voting measures. Members asked about the meaning of “lost votes,” the role of tribal leadership and community trust, and whether outreach by election officials and candidates could help; Dr. Jones emphasized that the study measured missed voting opportunities, not missing ballots, and that partnerships with trusted community leaders are important. The University of Washington Elections Database then presented data on voter registration, turnout, signature challenges, curing, and ballot rejection for voters whose addresses fall within tribal reservation boundaries. The presenters said registration on reservations increased from about 107,000 in 2010 to 137,000 in 2024, turnout on reservations remained about 8 to 9 percentage points lower than outside reservations in recent general elections, and signature-challenge and rejection rates were generally low but somewhat higher in off-year elections. They reported that about 60% to two-thirds of signature-challenged ballots are cured, with cure rates similar inside and outside reservations, and that late return is the most common reason for primary ballot rejection while signature mismatch is the leading cause in general elections. A question was raised about USPS postmarking issues and how those might affect future data; the presenters said they plan to track return method and cure timing more closely. The committee also received an overview of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. Staff reviewed the office’s history, the Centennial Accord, the Millennium Agreement, and related state-tribal frameworks, and GOIA Director Tim Rainan described the office’s role as a bridge between the state and tribal governments, including consultation, policy coordination, training, and convening work groups. He said GOIA now has six positions, is part of the governor’s executive cabinet, and is working on a statewide tribal relations training module and consultation handbook. In response to a question, he said tribal voting is not a major topic at the Centennial Accord but is discussed more extensively through ATNI. The committee then shifted to contracting equity, hearing from WSDOT, DES, OMWBE, and the Office of Equity. WSDOT described its race-neutral small business and veteran goals, mentorship and support programs, and its response to the federal suspension of the DBE program; DES discussed statewide contracting spend, the EDGE pilot for small construction firms, and efforts to improve procurement access; OMWBE reported growth in certified firms and about $371 million in state spend with certified firms in the most recent year, while noting ongoing impacts from federal DBE changes; and the Office of Equity outlined its broader work on agency consultation, dashboards, and systems change. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1997, the Legislature established a State Technology Council (STC) and the State Technology Office
• In Florida, we have a state CIO like many other states have throughout the nation.
• and visitors of this great state.
• I lead the team that operates the state CSOC, and I know we're out of jargon, so the state I lead the
• I say state enterprise, like the IT agencies for the state. Rep. DiLombardo for a follow-up.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• states.
• On the state.
• It doesn't necessarily affect state revenues or state tax systems.
• States are looking at the.
• How do other states operate?

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...state tax dollars.
• across the state of Washington.
• to get the state in compliance.
• There are six state taxes on aircraft fuel. There are six state taxes on aircraft fuel.
• And they're state-of-the-art facilities; it's a... ...to build in this state.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of tuition and in terms of state funds.
• that is affiliated with an institution operating in another state must meet to participate in state
• that is affiliated with an institution operating in another state must meet to participate in state
• Unlike all other state agencies where the state fully funds collective bargaining agreements, the state
• there are new state dollars.

Bills: HB2070 , HB2671 , HB2617 , SB6258

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: funding, education, higher education, Western Washington University, state funding parity, financial aid, state funding, student support, educational reform, university procedures, academic policy, student success, Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database

Transcript Highlights:

• of State.
• a registered voter of this state, you know, a resident of our state. ...voter of this state is, you
• outside the state.
• In-state, out-of-state, conservative, liberal, whatever.
• In-state, out-of-state, conservative, liberal, whatever.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The committee first took up executive-session votes on prior bills, adopting a House committee substitute for House Bill 2605 and then passing it 9-1, and passing House Bill 2301 by a 10-0 vote. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2124, which would standardize initiative petition forms, require circulator residency or Missouri presence, prohibit per-signature pay, limit who may challenge ballot titles to Missouri registered voters, and adjust timing for constitutional verification. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve clarity, reduce fraud, and keep control of the petition process in Missouri hands, while opponents argued it would add burdens, restrict speech and access to the courts, and likely face constitutional challenges. No vote was taken on HB 2124 in the transcript. The committee then heard House Bill 3383, which would require nonprofits involved in signature-gathering or political management to use E-Verify to confirm workers are U.S. citizens, with the sponsor saying it responded to Attorney General investigations into alleged use of non-citizens by signature-gathering organizations. Supporters framed it as a simple election-integrity measure, while opponents called it unnecessary, overreaching, and unsupported by evidence, arguing nonprofits should not be burdened based on unproven allegations. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to the federation success, the team won the State Class A title at the New York State Public High
• Jolie, just a freshman and a state champion, captured the 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic
• Jolie, just a freshman and a state champion, captured the 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic
• The 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic Association tennis singles state championship at
• singles state champion.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills. The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13. The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• State tax dollars.
• across the state of Washington.
• to get the state in compliance.
• There are six state taxes on aircraft fuel. There are six state taxes on aircraft fuel.
• And they're state-of-the-art facilities; it's a... ...to build in this state.

Bills: SB5989 , SB5898 , SB6240 , SB6244 , SB6231 , SB6228 , SB6220

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, aeronautics, taxation, aircraft fuel, state funding, aviation fuel, hazardous substance tax, air quality, noise mitigation, environmental impact, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, data center

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Representative Jan K.
• </c><00:45:01.640><c> government</c> state income that the state government state income that the state
• in the state.
• </c><01:10:18.800><c> and</c> larger State share of State spending and larger State share of State spending
• </c> CNBC State business tax or state CNBC State business tax or state business<01:31:51.520><c> friendliness

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• But tribes are included in state waivers, like the state of Washington has that option.
• through a state amendment.
• , and there will be variations from state to state.
• Many states seek IMD waivers with the stated goals of reducing emergency department visits, but many
• States sometimes explicitly state...

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Summary: The meeting focused on Turtle Mountain’s public health and behavioral health priorities, especially access to rural health transformation funding and a long-running data use agreement with the state. Tribal public health leaders described how, during COVID, a temporary data-sharing arrangement allowed them to do their own contact tracing and case management, and they argued that a similar agreement is now needed to respond more quickly to very high syphilis rates and other infectious disease concerns. Committee members generally expressed support and said they would follow up with state officials, while tribal representatives emphasized that they already have the staff and infrastructure to use timely data effectively. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center and the broader issue of the IMD exclusion and residential treatment capacity. Tribal leaders described the center’s opening, its five levels of care, its 16-bed limit, and its efforts to become financially sustainable through billing, grants, and partnerships. They shared success stories and argued for an IMD waiver or similar flexibility so the center could expand to 32 beds and better meet local need. Committee members discussed the policy barriers to expanding residential treatment, including federal approval timelines, state funding choices, and the need to preserve a continuum of care that includes outpatient and community-based services. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Hector Hernandez-Dogato of the National Health Law Program on the history and mechanics of the IMD exclusion and Section 1115 waivers. He explained that the exclusion limits Medicaid payment for services in facilities with more than 16 beds, but noted existing exceptions and alternatives such as state plan options, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He also reviewed mixed results from states that have used IMD waivers, warning that they do not automatically improve overdose deaths, emergency room use, or access to community care, and may risk reinforcing institutionalization if not paired with strong upstream services. The committee discussed a draft bill to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE for HHS to pursue an IMD waiver, with members suggesting the bill may need to explicitly include serious mental illness as well as substance use disorder and asking for department input at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm also the author of a book called Counting Like a State, which focuses on what state and local
• Now, one question I think that arises for state policymakers and the public is: why should state and
• Nevertheless, in some state cities and counties, really sophisticated state data centers and planning
• As I noted before, state investments in census outreach ranged widely across states.
• and states,...

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The hearing focused on census data privacy, administrative data sharing, and the role of state and local governments in improving census accuracy, especially for the 2030 census. Dr. Philip Rocco testified first, arguing that the census is increasingly intergovernmental and that state and local investments in address list work, outreach, and complete count commissions can materially improve self-response and reduce undercounts. He emphasized that hard-to-count communities are most affected when states delay planning, politicize census work, or lack capacity, and he pointed to examples such as LUCA participation, outreach funding, and group quarters review as important tools. He also warned that recent federal actions and a broader climate of distrust could threaten 2030 operations, and urged Massachusetts to begin readiness planning now. Members then questioned Dr. Rocco about the use of administrative data such as DMV, TANF, SNAP, and WIC records, and about group quarters enumeration. He explained that those data-sharing efforts were voluntary agreements with the Census Bureau, unlike group quarters data, which are often provided by facility administrators and sometimes state agencies. He said the Trump-era effort to use DMV and other records was tied to Executive Order 13880 and was widely resisted because states had confidentiality and legal concerns, and because the stated purpose appeared to shift toward citizenship-related uses. On group quarters, he described e-response, paper response, in-person enumeration, and administrator-provided directory information, noting that privacy issues arise mainly from FERPA limits on university data and from missing demographic details in administrative records. A second panel, Beth Giroz and Amy O'Hara, then explained how administrative data are used by the Census Bureau and why data quality and privacy concerns matter. They described administrative data as records collected for operational purposes, useful for frame-building, nonresponse follow-up, enumeration, and post-enumeration evaluation, but often incomplete or mismatched on key census variables such as race, ethnicity, household relationships, and residence timing. They highlighted that some sources, like IRS, Medicare, USPS, SSA, and Bureau of Prisons records, are especially valuable, while others such as SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, foster care, and driver’s license data vary in completeness and sharing. They stressed that privacy means collecting only what is needed, and that the Bureau typically uses limited header or roster data rather than full records. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee recessed briefly before continuing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every entity of the state must be governed by the laws of the state.
• Every entity of the state must be governed by the laws of the state.
• Every entity of the state must be governed by the laws of the state.
• Every entity of the state must be governed by the laws of the state.
• And House File 3477 whether the state we as the state of whether the state we as the state of Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• to practice within the member state, but only a home state may take adverse action against a regulated
• social workers' multi-state license.
• to practice within the member state, but only a home state may take adverse action against a regulated
• As stated already by Diana, we are representing about 2,800 dietitians across the state of Washington
• This includes states such as Montana, Utah, and Nebraska, with additional states expected to introduce

Bills: HB2088

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if we go on to the lake, we have to have a state ID, our state license to fish.
• Who monitors it at the state? As I've seen, nobody monitors it at the state.
• From the state. Thank you.
• You can't take them into state court because the state doesn't have authority.
• There's 34 pending across 27 states. States are doing this every single day.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• But what's often missing is many states, including Washington State, do not ask race when people are
• In Washington State specifically, In Washington State specifically, that number was about 10%.
• We have quite high voter turnout rates in Washington State compared to other states.
• of state.
• Not for state, but the count in the official state numbers. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Summary: The committee met for a pre-session kickoff focused first on voting access on tribal lands. Dr. Chelsea Jones of the Brennan Center presented research showing turnout on tribal lands trails turnout off tribal lands in every federal election studied from 2012 to 2022, with about a 10-point gap in Washington and about 11 points nationally. She identified barriers such as long travel distances to polling places and drop boxes, nontraditional addressing, unreliable postal service, lack of language assistance, and limited broadband and voter information. Members asked about the meaning of the turnout gap, the role of tribal leadership and community outreach, and whether the figures reflected lost ballots or missed voting opportunities; Dr. Jones emphasized the issue is access, not ballot disappearance, and said trusted local voices and tribal-government partnerships are important complements to policy fixes. The University of Washington Elections Database then presented vote-by-mail data for tribal reservation areas from 2020 to 2024. The presentation showed voter registration on reservations rose steadily from about 107,000 in 2010 to 137,000 in 2024. Turnout on reservations remained lower than outside reservations by roughly 8 to 9 percentage points in general elections, with similar but slightly smaller gaps in primaries. The UW team also reported that about 1.5% of ballots cast on reservations were signature-challenged in general elections, that cure rates were generally similar inside and outside reservations and ranged around 60% to two-thirds, and that late return was the most common reason for rejection in primaries while signature mismatch was the leading reason in general elections. Senators raised concerns about mail delivery and postmarking, and the researchers said they would continue studying return methods and cure rates. The committee next heard an overview of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs from staff and Executive Director Tim Rennon. They described the office’s history, its role as a liaison between the state and tribes, and its work on consultation, training, convening work groups, and supporting the Centennial Accord and related tribal-state agreements. Rennon said the office now has six positions, is working on statewide tribal relations training, and does not speak for tribes but helps ensure consultation occurs early and often. Members asked about whether tribal voting is discussed in Centennial Accord settings and were told it is more commonly addressed through ATNI and its voting committee. The final major topic was state contracting and supplier diversity. WSDOT’s Earl Key described the impact of Initiative 200 and the recent federal suspension of the DBE program, and said WSDOT has expanded race-neutral tools such as mentorships, small business goals, veterans goals, trucking consortia, small-works set-asides, and emerging/rising small business goals. DES’s Adrian Thompson and OMWBE’s Sharon Harvey Hughes and Laca Fernandez outlined statewide contracting policy, outreach, certification, and spend data, noting efforts to centralize support, expand the EDGE program, and improve procurement systems. OMWBE reported agencies increased spend with certified firms to over 6% in the latest period, with total certified-firm spend at 4.15% or about $371 million, while higher education lagged behind. Members pressed for clearer performance data, asked about certification barriers and the effect of federal changes, and were told the agencies coordinate through a governor’s sub-cabinet, regular meetings, and ongoing outreach. The Office of Equity then began its update, describing its role in agency consultation, dashboards, and accountability monitoring, including a homelessness dashboard and a trooper-cadet application dashboard, before the transcript ended.