Transcript Highlights:

• Members should vote by stating their name and whether they vote aye, nay, do not pass, or without recommendation
• If members vote... Do not pass or nay without recommendation.
• If members vote, Representative Ormsby votes nay, does not specify do not pass or without recommendation
• I urge you to vote yes.
• Does any member wish to change their vote? And thank you, Representative Valdez.

Bills: HB1710, HB2124, HB2125, HB2179

Keywords: Washington Voting Rights Act, voting rights, election law, preclearance, Attorney General review, local government, county redistricting, districting, ward boundaries, at-large elections, language minority, language access, voter dilution, racial discrimination, protected class, consent decree, settlement, covered jurisdiction, covered policy, RCW Title 29A

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in possible executive session and first announced that HB 1710 would be removed from consideration. Members were briefed on an amendment related to HB 2179, which would have made the bill prospective for employees hired after June 30, 2026, but that amendment was later withdrawn. The chair also reviewed committee voting procedures and amendment deadlines, then the committee recessed briefly for caucus before returning to executive session. The committee then took up HB 2124, a retirement-related bill described as giving seniors more flexibility to use lump-sum payments and easing administrative burden for the Department of Retirement Systems. After supportive comments from Representatives Couture and Fitzgibbon, the bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 30 aye and one excused. HB 2125 followed, another Department of Retirement Systems bill aimed at protecting long-term retiree benefits by using interest-earned funds to pay some retirement expenses; it also passed out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 30 aye and one excused. Finally, the committee considered HB 2179, concerning port district employees’ participation in PERS, a federal railroad plan, or a union-sponsored retirement plan. After the amendment was withdrawn, members discussed the bill as a clarification and pension-security measure for port workers and port districts. The committee voted 30 aye and one excused to report HB 2179 out with a due pass recommendation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1750 creates standards for vote abridgment claims under the Washington Voting Rights Act.
• House Bill 1750 creates standards for vote abridgment claims under the Washington Voting Rights Act.
• The Washington Voting Rights Act especially protects against two types of voting discrimination, which
• Voting Rights Act and its goals are.
• Voting Rights Act and its goals are.

Bills: HB2073, HB2403, HB2587, HB2607, HB1170, HB1570, HB1710, HB1750, HB1834, HB2441

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, failure to register, criminal justice, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, nonprofit, grant funding, pilot program, financial support, community development, child care, childcare, subsidy rates, rate regions, market rate survey

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2073, which would require nonprofit health carriers with surplus above 600% of risk-based capital to pay 3% of the excess to support the Cascade Care Savings premium assistance account. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $80 million in FY 2027, while OIC costs would cover rulemaking and hearings. Supporters argued the bill would redirect excess consumer premium dollars to help people afford coverage, while opponents from nonprofit health plans and business groups said the reserves are needed for claims, market stability, and to weather downturns, and warned the bill could raise costs or destabilize coverage. The bill then moved to public hearing only, with no action taken. The committee also heard Second Substitute House Bill 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying and financial information in WASFA applications. Staff explained the bill would exempt WASFA records from public disclosure, restrict sharing except for limited purposes, and shorten retention to one year after the award year, but could create significant purge and systems costs for WSAC and colleges. The sponsor and student advocates said the measure is needed to protect student privacy and encourage aid applications, especially for vulnerable and undocumented students. No opposition was heard, and the bill remained in hearing. House Bill 2403, which reduces the penalty for failure to register as a sex offender, adds community custody and DOC support, and requires a review of registration policies, drew testimony in strong support. Staff said the bill would produce DOC savings and modest one-time costs for court and law-enforcement updates. Testifiers said the measure had broad consensus among criminal justice stakeholders and would better address the practical reasons people fail to register. The committee also heard House Bill 2587, creating a Commerce pilot to provide advance grant funds to eligible nonprofits, and House Bill 2607, which would periodically rebase child care subsidy rate regions; both drew support from nonprofit and child care providers, with staff describing indeterminate or moderate fiscal impacts. In executive session, the committee considered several amendments and then advanced multiple bills. For Second Substitute House Bill 1170 on generative AI disclosures, all proposed amendments were rejected, and the bill passed the committee 18-9. Substitute House Bill 1570, limited by amendment to Western Washington University student employees, also passed. Proposed Third Substitute House Bill 1710, which creates a state preclearance process under the Voting Rights Act for certain jurisdictions with prior voting-rights violations, had one fiscal amendment adopted and then passed. The committee also received amendment briefings on House Bills 1750, 1833, and 1834, but the transcript ends before final action on those measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Washington State before, to vote.
• tool for voting and established residents in Washington State.
• tool for voting and established residents in Washington State.
• tool for voting and established residents in Washington State.
• Vote yes, do-do-do-do-do-do-do, vote yes, do-do-do-do-vote yes for the Washington State Shark Bill.

Bills: HB2514, HB2352, HB2475, HB2206, HJR4210, HB2447, HB2661, HB2572

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary: The State Government and Tribal Relations Committee met on policy cutoff day and took executive action on eight measures. Members first heard brief descriptions of House Bill 2514, creating a work group for the Global War on Terror Memorial; House Bill 2352, aligning the state conflict-of-interest threshold with the 1% municipal threshold; House Bill 2475, concerning agency implementation of Office of Equity guidelines; House Bill 2206, updating uniformed and overseas voting rules; House Joint Resolution 4210, removing directional limits on regular legislative sessions; House Bill 2447, naming the bluntnose sixgill shark the state shark; House Bill 2661, modernizing the Public Records Act through a JLARC review/work group; and House Bill 2572, expanding voting services for tribal members, overseas and service voters, and voters with disabilities. The committee adopted Amendment Omley 314 to HB 2475, changing the bill so agencies would report how they would implement equity guidelines, rather than being required to follow them directly. HB 2475 then passed 4-3, with some members supporting the flexibility and others objecting that the bill was too narrow and did not adequately address tribal language access. On HB 2206, several amendments were withdrawn; Omley 297 and Omley 288 were adopted, while Omley 294 and Omley 295 were rejected. The adopted changes clarified the definition of overseas voter and made a technical cleanup, and the substitute bill passed 4-3. Members supporting the bill emphasized ballot access and consistency with federal law, while opponents raised concerns about voter nexus to Washington and possible security or abuse issues. HB 2514, HB 2352, HB 2447, HB 2661, HB 2572, and HJR 4210 all advanced out of committee as well. HB 2514 passed unanimously, HB 2352 passed 6-1, HB 2447 passed unanimously after lighthearted discussion, HB 2661 passed unanimously after adoption of the Walsh striking amendment shifting the task force work to JLARC, HB 2572 passed 4-3 with concerns focused on the electronic ballot portal, and HJR 4210 passed 5-2, with supporters saying it would give the legislature more time to make policy and opponents warning it could open the door to a year-round legislature. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and announced the committee would reconvene the following Tuesday for a tentative agreement and work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting Rights Act.
• dilution claims under the Washington Voting Rights Act.
• rights under the Washington Voting Rights Act.
• The amendment specifies that it is not a violation of the prohibition on abridgment of voting rights
• The bill establishes the rights of a victim of an offense under the Washington Code of Military Justice

Bills: HB1759, HB2417, HB2632, HB2249, HB2574, HB2309, HB2235, SGA9066, SGA9246, SGA9268, SGA9267

Keywords: designation, commemoration, December 12, local observance, cultural significance, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service

Transcript Highlights:

• Working Act.
• Census Bureau for Washington State population estimates.
• Census Bureau for Washington State Population Estimates.
• All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• I am the director of your Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB6215, SB6160, SB6123, SB6049, SB6164, SB6313, SB5784, SB5046, SB5489

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections Committee met on February 3, 2026, first in executive session on 13 bills and then for a public hearing on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541. The executive session covered election rules, holiday designations, public disclosure exemptions, agency reporting changes, a Civil Air Patrol division, a law enforcement aviation grant program, JLARC review of audit and risk practices, demographic data collection, and a capital stewardship account. Several members noted concerns or support on specific bills, including objections to the cost of the aviation grant program and comments that the holiday bill should be more inclusive. Amendments were adopted on several measures, including changes to the law enforcement aviation bill, the JLARC audit review bill, the agency reports bill, the public disclosure bill, and the demographic data bill; one proposed amendment to the holiday bill was withdrawn. The committee then voted all 13 executive-session bills out with due-pass recommendations, sending most to the Rules Committee and the fiscal bills to Ways and Means. The chair announced each bill passed subject to signatures. Senate Bill 5950, expanding recognized non-legal holidays, passed despite a member stating he would be without recommendation because of a missing Buddhist observance. Senate Bill 5763, the aviation support grant program, and Senate Bills 6215 and 5784 were advanced with substitutes. Senate Bill 6160, on agency reports, was praised as a government-efficiency measure, and Senate Bill 5489, designating the Wilkinson sandstone as the state sandstone, also passed. In the public hearing, the committee heard testimony on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541, which revises the membership of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee by increasing at-large seats, reducing the number of VSO-designated seats, and allowing appointments to reflect broader military experience and personal attributes. The prime sponsor and a co-sponsor described the bill as a compromise reached after prior concerns, including representation for formerly justice-involved veterans, tribal veterans, and National Guard members. The director of the Department of Veterans Affairs testified in support, saying the changes would provide more flexibility in appointments and better reflect veteran communities. The hearing record noted 57 pro and one con sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, if I vote in Washington, I'm voting for a certain number of people, but if I vote somewhere
• So again, if you live here, you vote here. You don't get to vote anywhere else.
• Again, live here, vote here. Again, live here, vote here.
• It's Major General, right? Do we get that right?
• Working Act.

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB5784

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Summary: The committee heard six bills. SB 6084 would clarify Washington’s prohibition on voting more than once in the same election, in response to a recent Court of Appeals decision; the sponsor and Secretary of State’s office said it was needed to close an ambiguity, and the hearing closed with 54 signed in pro and 67 con. SB 6044 would recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as legislatively recognized days; the sponsor and several faith-community witnesses described it as an inclusion measure, with 26 signed in pro and 7 con. SB 5950 would add several non-legal holidays, including Sikh, Baha’i, Jewish, and Buddhist observances; testimony from Jewish, Sikh, multi-faith, Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Buddhist representatives emphasized visibility, belonging, and respect, and the record showed 266 signed in pro, 5 con, and 1 other. SB 6046 would establish a Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department; the sponsor, Military Department, Civil Air Patrol, and veterans’ representatives said it would streamline disaster, search-and-rescue, and other support missions at no added cost, with 154 pro and 4 con sign-ins. The committee then heard SB 5763, which would create a Law Enforcement Aviation Support Grant Program and expand support for sheriff-operated aviation units, including some wildfire-related provisions. Sheriffs, law enforcement groups, and local officials argued the helicopters are essential for search and rescue, disaster response, and wildfire support, while the Department of Natural Resources raised concerns about wildfire aviation standards, liability, and the need for written suggested changes; the hearing closed with 149 pro and 57 con sign-ins. Finally, SB 5784 would require agencies to collect and report more detailed demographic data using updated federal race and ethnicity standards, with exceptions and privacy safeguards. The sponsor said the bill is needed for accountability and to better identify subcommunities’ needs, and the Office of Equity supported the policy while noting fiscal and privacy concerns; the hearing closed with 4 pro and 58 con sign-ins. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all six bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Acting Chair Nance and committee.
• So I bring to you today the Inc. of Hope Act. The Inc. of Hope Act is a really simple concept.
• Right now, 38% of households in Washington State fall below that ALICE threshold, and 44% of children
• the Revised Code of Washington.
• Right.

Bills: HB2427, HB2458, HB2474, HB2540, HB2589

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several post-secondary and workforce-related bills. House Bill 2427 would require tattoo artists to complete annual human trafficking awareness training through the Department of Licensing. The prime sponsor and a trafficking survivor testified that tattoo artists may be in a position to notice branding or other signs of trafficking and connect victims to help. One opponent argued the bill would impose compelled speech and burdensome annual training requirements. The hearing closed without a vote. House Bill 2458 would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to approved non-degree credential programs. Supporters from community and technical colleges, workforce partners, and United Way said the bill would help students in short-term, job-aligned programs such as construction, CDL, IT, and other credentials that lead to family-wage jobs and better access to financial aid. House Bill 2474 would expand student consumer protections when a school or program closes, including required teach-outs or transfer options, refunds, and voiding certain student debt. The Student Achievement Council and student advocates supported the bill as a needed update, while independent private colleges raised concerns about financial penalties, program flexibility, and differences from existing accreditation standards. House Bill 2589 would regulate encampments on public higher education campuses by limiting them to registered student organizations or recognized bargaining units, requiring notice and institutional approval, and allowing removal of unauthorized encampments. The sponsor said it was a content-neutral campus safety measure that would not ban protest, while supporters cited recent campus encampments and safety concerns; opponents argued it could burden speech and should not apply to private nonprofit colleges. House Bill 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals from three to six years for EMTs certified in Washington for at least 10 years, while keeping ongoing training requirements unchanged. Firefighter and EMS supporters said it would reduce administrative burden and costs. No bills were voted on during the meeting, and the chair reminded members of amendment request deadlines for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. upstairs.<00:05:35.280><c> All</c> right.
• </c> &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you. &gt;&gt; All right. Thank you.
• </c> vote out here. vote out here.
• </c> election that ended up one vote election that ended up one vote determined<00:11:40.880><c> the<
• &gt;&gt; Right. &gt;&gt; Right. &gt;&gt; Right.

Bills: SB42, SB166, SB42, SB166

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, municipal elections, runoff elections, majority voting, electoral procedures, local governance, campaign finance, record retention, political action committees, Fair Campaign Practices Act, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• and authorizes enforcement of these rights under the Consumer Protection Act.
• So right now, asking for a no vote. Any further discussion? No.
• So right now, asking for a no vote. Any further discussion? No.
• Timmons votes aye. Zahn. Zahn votes aye. Zahn votes aye. Senator Zahn votes aye.
• All right, seeing none, I think we can do a voice vote here.

Bills: HB1542, HB2452, HB2664

Keywords: senior housing, independent living, 55 and older, older adults, elderly, retirement housing, retirement community, resident rights, tenant protections, consumer protection act, unfair or deceptive practices, housing discrimination, assisted living distinction, Department of Commerce, Washington RCW, housing provider, community living, security cameras, resident meetings, anonymous complaints

Summary: The Housing Committee met on January 29 and reviewed three bills. House Bill 1542 would establish minimum rights for senior independent housing residents and allow enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act. Staff described three proposed amendments: one to narrow the definition of senior independent housing, one to replace Consumer Protection Act enforcement with Attorney General enforcement and civil penalties, and one to remove a Commerce Department reporting requirement. The committee rejected the first two amendments, adopted the reporting-repeal amendment, and then passed a second substitute version of the bill out of committee on a 10-7 vote with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2664 would remove the certified mail requirement for unlawful detainer notices and other related notices, allowing first-class mail and other existing service methods instead. The bill sponsor said the prior certified-mail requirement had caused many notices to be returned undeliverable and created practical problems for housing providers and tenants. The committee passed the bill out of committee by voice vote with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2452 would change how rent increase notices are served. The committee adopted an amendment that removed the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act portion of the bill, leaving only changes under the Manufactured Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act. Members said this would restore the prior notice process for manufactured housing and align with stakeholder preferences. The committee then passed the substitute bill out of committee unanimously, with 17 ayes and a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• "That's right. Now, hold on, sir. Yeah." "Okay.
• All right. The committee cannot kill a contract.
• &gt;&gt; That's<00:14:02.320><c> right.
• </c> &gt;&gt; That's right. Now, hold on, sir. Yeah. &gt;&gt; That's right. Now, hold on, sir.
• All right. The committee cannot review. All right.

Bills: HB97, HB455, HB97, HB455

Keywords: absentee ballot, voting, elections, voter registration, electoral process, defective affidavit, voting rights, HB455, Clarke County, coroner, coroner's office, county commission, local act, local legislation, mileage reimbursement, county vehicle, office expenses, operating expenses, retroactive ratification, remedial and curative

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, now on to our first bill of the day: Senate Bill 6215.
• The people of Washington State have a right to expect that when we are spending public money, we are
• They may not actually be the right entity to host this.
• I'm here on behalf of the Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, the Washington State Association of
• Right. Okay. So... Campaign that is not active, yes. Right. Okay. So, okay.

Bills: SB6215, SB6160, SB6313, SB6049, SB6164, SB5046, SB5842, SB6035, SB5853, SB5888

Keywords: fraud prevention, identity theft, consumer protection, security measures, legislation, government efficiency, state agencies, reporting, bureaucracy, transparency, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, student privacy, employee confidentiality, public disclosure, data protection

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee held public hearings on several bills and then took executive action on three measures. At the start, the committee suspended the five-day notice rule for Senate Bills 631 and 5046. Senate Bill 6215, a fraud-prevention bill, would require the state auditor to compile an inventory of audited state programs and later produce an annual statewide high-risk list; staff and the State Auditor’s Office raised concerns about scope, funding, record-retention limits, and the timeline, while the sponsor said the bill would improve transparency around anti-fraud controls. Senate Bill 6160 would eliminate or modify dozens of agency reporting requirements; the sponsor and OFM said it was an efficiency measure to remove outdated or duplicative reports, while some senators said they wanted to preserve reports they still find useful. Senate Bill 6313 would create a Capitol Centennial Stewardship Account for repairs and improvements to the Capitol campus ahead of its 2028 centennial, and Senate Bill 5046 would designate November 22 as Kimchi Day to recognize Korean culture; both drew supportive sponsor testimony and no substantive opposition during hearing. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6049, which expands public-records exemptions to protect survivors of hate crimes, individual responses to employee engagement surveys, and individual student responses to the Healthy Youth Survey. The sponsor, OFM, and several student witnesses argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage honest participation, while the hearing record showed substantial opposition sign-in. Senate Bill 6164 would exempt information submitted to Washington Technology Solutions for digital experience platform services, such as the WA.gov portal, from disclosure; WOTEC and a newspaper association supported the bill as a narrow privacy protection, while another coalition opposed it as overly broad and warned about centralized records and retention practices. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitute B for Senate Bill 6035 and sent it to the Rules Committee with a due-pass recommendation. The substitute would further delay and condition implementation of an electronic ballot portal, add cybersecurity and testing requirements, and require annual reporting. The committee also adopted proposed substitute C for Senate Bill 5853 and sent it to Ways and Means; the substitute shifts administration of the statewide emergency public official notification system from the Secretary of State to the Military Department. Finally, the committee passed Senate Bill 5888, which removes Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women’s Commission, and sent it to the Rules Committee. All three executive-action votes passed subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• of those rights under the Consumer Protection Act, and requires the Department of Commerce to submit
• Violations of these rights may be enforced under the State Consumer Protection Act, which allows for
• I'm an Indigenous rights lawyer and housing advocate here in Seattle, Washington, and I'm here to support
• I'm an Indigenous rights lawyer and housing advocate here in Seattle, Washington, and I'm here to support
• Act, giving older adults meaningful recourse if providers violate their rights.

Bills: HB1542, HB2527

Keywords: senior housing, independent living, 55 and older, older adults, elderly, retirement housing, retirement community, resident rights, tenant protections, consumer protection act, unfair or deceptive practices, housing discrimination, assisted living distinction, Department of Commerce, Washington RCW, housing provider, community living, security cameras, resident meetings, anonymous complaints

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with scheduling updates, noting that House Bill 2266 may move from Thursday to Monday for executive action and that House Bill 2489 is being pushed to next week to allow more amendment work. The committee then heard House Bill 1542, which would create a bill of rights for residents of senior independent housing, define that housing category, allow enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act, and require a Commerce report. Sponsor Rep. Christine Reeves said the bill responds to seniors in her district who lack protections, and she suggested amendments to extend the reporting deadline and possibly add a registry to better identify covered communities. Supporters from the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP backed the bill as a needed consumer-protection measure for vulnerable older adults, while a representative from a manufactured-home community urged that such communities be included. LeadingAge Washington said the bill is a reasonable start but asked for more stakeholder work and a clarification related to CCRC statutes. The committee also heard House Bill 2527, which addresses eventual tenant ownership programs under the federal low-income housing tax credit program. Staff explained that the bill would require developers to set up reserve or escrow accounts, inform tenants and partners of their rights and responsibilities, and allow the Housing Finance Commission to investigate violations and bar noncompliant developers from future tax-credit participation for a period of time, with harsher penalties for willful violations. Rep. Alex Ybarra Pellett said the bill responds to a state audit and to Native families who were promised eventual ownership but have not received deeds or keys after years of renting. Indigenous rights attorney Gabe Galanda supported the bill, saying more than 500 families, mostly Indigenous and many in tribal communities, were affected by broken promises and inadequate oversight. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission opposed the punitive parts of HB 2527, saying the program is complex, that 17 of the 18 eventual tenant ownership projects involve tribal housing authorities, and that the commission has already adopted stronger policies after the audit. Commission staff said the bill’s penalties and retroactive enforcement could undermine collaborative work with tribes and that the ownership arrangements vary by project and are not simply “keys after 15 years.” Members asked extensive questions about accountability, ownership structures, escrow obligations, and the role of investors versus tribal housing authorities. The chair indicated the issue may be revisited in a future work session. The committee then closed the hearing on HB 2527, reopened HB 1542 for additional testimony, and adjourned after hearing all public testimony without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• right to a secret vote.
• They're probably just going to hurt the bill, so let's just vote. All right.
• If it's not affecting countywide voting, you're just saying we need more voting locations, right?
• If we want to vote it out today, we can do that right now. It's an easy cleanup.
• I'm a voting rights advocate.

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• This came from a case in Southwest Washington where someone was able to vote both in... ...poll on double
• This came from a case in Southwest Washington where someone was able to vote both in a Washington state
• I strongly urge that you vote in favor of SJM 8014 and demonstrate that Washington State does not allow
• When the federal government fails to act, as it has so far, states have both the right and the responsibility
• A yes vote on SJM 8014 sends a clear message that Washington State will not accept impunity when its

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313, SB6084, SB6137

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• , people’s rights, and the right to govern and be independent.
• rights, voting data, residential addresses, and how we do certain things in the public, business licenses
• Representing Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, Washington State Association Broadcasters, and Washington
• Please vote yes. Representative Dolio, and we agree. Please vote yes. Please vote yes.
• vote.

Bills: HB2447, HB1364, HB2632, HB2637, HB2520, HB2235, HB2401, HB2574

Keywords: shark conservation, marine life, state symbol, ecological importance, biodiversity, bingo, raffles, charity, nonprofit, amusement games, revenue threshold, licensing, fundraising, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, public records, public disclosure

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1364, which would raise the gross-revenue threshold for charitable and nonprofit bingo, raffle, and amusement games from $5,000 to $15,000 before licensing and certain local taxes apply. Supporters, including the prime sponsor and a Woodland resident, said the change is an inflation adjustment that would help volunteer-run nonprofits raise money without expanding gambling. The hearing was then closed. The committee also heard House Bill 2632, which would replace most uses of the term “alien” in state law with “non-citizen,” while preserving the term where required by federal law or used for non-human entities. The prime sponsor and several advocates, including refugee, immigrant, and legal aid representatives, argued the change is more respectful and accurate; opponents said it would create confusion, administrative burden, and conflict with federal terminology. The bill was then heard alongside House Bill 2447, which would designate the blunt-nosed six-gill shark as Washington’s official state shark. The bill drew enthusiastic support from the sponsor, local officials, scientists, environmental groups, teachers, and students, who said it would promote ocean education, conservation awareness, and ecotourism. Testimony on both bills was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2637, which 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 a privacy and safety measure, while opponents argued it would reduce transparency and could interfere with federal immigration enforcement. After testimony, the committee moved to executive session and reported out House Bill 2235, House Bill 2401, and House Bill 2574 with due pass recommendations. HB 2235 passed 7-0, HB 2401 passed 5-2, and HB 2574 passed 6-1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:48.720><c> But</c> brought for or for a vote. But brought for or for a vote.
• Um, but right now usually the board is willing to work with us.
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<00:20:33.760><c> All</c><00:20:33.760><c> right.
• All right. Well, yeah, that came &gt;&gt; Okay. All right.
• Right now, a PA from their experience.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The right to a jury trial in Washington state is a constitutional paramount right that we must preserve
• The right to a jury trial in Washington state is a constitutional paramount right that we must preserve
• guaranteed by the Washington. ...clear, fair process, and they deserve their constitutional right to
• By way of background, Washington law provides that every individual and personality has a property right
• It really helps, I think, make Washington State a leader in protecting this right.

Bills: SB6239, SB6074, SB5886, SB6041, SB6190

Keywords: tort claims, state liability, Washington law, government accountability, legal process, parole, criminal justice reform, felony, recidivism, rehabilitation, public safety, personality rights, right of publicity, publicity rights, name image likeness, NIL, deepfake, AI-generated content, digital impersonation, forged digital likeness

Summary: The committee heard staff briefing and public testimony on Senate Bill 6239, which would require civil arbitration for tort claims against the state and its subdivisions before trial. Supporters, including county executives, county commissioners, school district and risk pool representatives, cities, sheriffs, and other local government groups, said rising liability and insurance costs are straining budgets and threatening core services. They argued arbitration could encourage earlier resolution, reduce litigation costs, preserve jury trial rights through trial de novo, and help address what they described as Washington’s unusually broad liability exposure. Some supporters also asked that any amendments not narrow the bill’s scope. Opponents, including trial lawyers, legal aid advocates, survivors of abuse, journalists, and victim-rights organizations, said the bill would create barriers to justice, delay accountability, and reduce transparency by moving claims into a private process. They emphasized that the bill would affect not only abuse claims but also employment, discrimination, and other civil claims against public entities, and warned it could retraumatize survivors and impose added costs on low-income claimants. Several witnesses said the state should instead improve oversight and address root causes of claims. The chair noted the bill would be amended before further action, and the committee closed public hearing after hearing testimony from 16 pro, 723 con, and 4 other sign-ins. The committee then took up Senate Bill 6074, which would reinstitute a parole process for certain felony offenders sentenced on or after July 1, 2027, allowing petitions to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board after 60% of total confinement is served, with exclusions for certain serious offenses. Supporters of the bill, including people with lived experience, reentry advocates, and some criminal justice organizations, said parole could recognize rehabilitation, improve public safety, and make better use of public resources. Others supported the concept but raised concerns about the bill’s prospective-only application, the 60% threshold, racial disparities, and how parole would interact with existing sentencing, work release, and reentry laws. Prosecutors said they were open to discussing parole but thought the bill was not yet ready and would require more work on eligibility standards, implementation, and resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be able to go vote. Whatever. We don't know that yet, right?
• Voting in a free and fair election is one of our most sacred rights as Americans.
• This isn't about buying a... they have a right to vote when they're not citizens.
• is under attack, that your voting rights are under attack, all of those types of things.
• I feel like my voting rights are under attack because I don't know if my vote counts, and with that I

Bills: SB1018, SB1037, SB1568, SB1687, SB1825, SCR1001

Keywords: foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway

Transcript Highlights:

• Any members wishing to vote or change their vote, declare the vote. 'Ayes' and 'nays'.
• Anybody who wishes to vote or change their vote, seeing none, will the clerk declare the vote.
• or change their vote.
• Robert Strom, any members wishing to vote or change their vote?
• Robert, any members wishing to vote or change their vote?

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4113, HB4486

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, marijuana tax, public service impact tax, county funding, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• Any members wishing to vote or change their vote? Declare the vote. 15 aye, zero nay.
• Anybody wish to vote or change their vote? Seeing none, will the clerk declare the vote?
• Any members wishing to vote or change your vote? Seeing none, declare the vote. 12-I-3, nay.
• Any members wishing to vote or change their vote?
• Any members wishing to vote or change their vote?

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4113, HB4486

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, marijuana tax, public service impact tax, county funding, voter approval

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then took up several bills, beginning with HB 3057, a government efficiency cleanup measure that removes more than 50 obsolete statutory report requirements. A member raised a concern that the bill might inadvertently remove language related to a child abuse response team, and the sponsor said that would be corrected before floor consideration. HB 3057 was then approved 14-0 and sent to the floor. Members then debated HB 313, which prohibits state funds from being used for gender reassignment surgeries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used for such procedures, while opponents argued it goes beyond funding restrictions and could affect adults, referrals, private conversations, and medical judgment. Supporters framed it as protecting children and public funds. After debate, the bill passed 16-3. The committee also approved HB 4113, clarifying that people with felony convictions regain voting rights after completing incarceration, parole, supervision, and probation, and HB 3310, the Agency Accountability and Budget Transparency Act, both by 15-0 votes. The committee next considered HB 3314, a county-option marijuana public safety impact fee allowing a 15% tax on retail marijuana sales. Questions focused on the 5% petition threshold and who should initiate the tax request, and the sponsor said he was open to changes. The bill passed 12-3. Members then debated HB 3985, which would create a private cause of action against certain large municipalities, mainly in the two largest metro areas, for failing to enforce laws related to issues such as camping, loitering, and panhandling. Opponents said it intrudes on municipal home rule and could raise constitutional issues; supporters said it would encourage cities to enforce their own laws. It also passed 12-3. Finally, the committee approved HB 4486, authorizing a Gold Star Family Memorial Monument funded by the Woody Williams Foundation, after discussion about how it fits with existing veterans memorials at the Capitol. The bill passed 14-0. The chair announced the committee would meet again on Tuesday and then adjourned.