Transcript Highlights:

• There are also various federal laws governing work on asbestos projects and certification standards for
• The Department of Labor and Industries adopts rules for asbestos certification.
• So Senate Bill 6188 removes the provision limiting L&I's rulemaking authority for asbestos certification
• There are also various federal laws governing work on asbestos projects and certification standards for
• The Department of Labor and Industry adopts rules for asbestos certification.

Bills: SB6136, SB6188, SB5944

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency, actuarial rates, contingency reserves, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, risk classifications, employer premiums, insurance regulation, rate setting, premium increase limits, workers' compensation advisory committee, retrospective rating, state insurance fund, accident and medical aid funds, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training

Transcript Highlights:

• certification requirements.
• This amendment restores the current law that limits L&I's rulemaking authority regarding asbestos certification
• certification requirements.
• There is an amendment in the state's applicable federal asbestos laws when it comes to certification.
• This amendment restores the current law that limits L&I's rulemaking authority regarding asbestos certification

Bills: SB6134, SB6136, SB6188

Keywords: unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund, workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• L&I has rulemaking authority to implement the asbestos certification and training requirements, and its
• certification.
• asbestos mitigation are experienced and properly trained.
• One is this is limited to certification requirements.
• If the EPA, for example, were tomorrow to say no requirements for certification to remove asbestos, the

Bills: SB6045, SB6188, SB6053, SB5852

Keywords: agriculture, collective bargaining, labor relations, public employment, agricultural employees, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training, asbestos certification, asbestos worker, asbestos supervisor, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, rulemaking authority, occupational safety, workplace safety, hazardous materials, abatement, encapsulation, removal

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several labor-related bills, beginning with SB 6045 on agricultural workers’ collective bargaining rights. Staff explained that the bill would place agricultural employees under PERC, allow certification by cross-check or election, require bargaining before changes to wages or working conditions, and create interest arbitration and enforcement remedies; the fiscal note was described as significant. Supporters, including farmworkers, labor advocates, and community members, said the bill would correct a long-standing exclusion of farmworkers from labor protections and improve wages, safety, and dignity. Opponents, including growers, farm organizations, and business groups, argued that the bill’s card-check process, strike risk, arbitration, and broad scope could disrupt harvests, increase costs, and threaten farm viability. The sponsor said the bill was a starting point and emphasized the need to address exploitation in agriculture; no vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 6188, an agency-request bill from the Department of Labor and Industries that would expand L&I’s rulemaking authority over asbestos certification and training. The sponsor and L&I said the change would let the agency adopt stronger worker-safety standards, including parts of the EPA model plan, and cited asbestos as a cancer-causing hazard. The Building Industry Association opposed the bill, warning that it could create conflicting state and federal requirements and increase costs without a demonstrated problem. The hearing on SB 6188 was closed after testimony. Next, the committee took up SB 6053, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Staff said the bill would extend minimum wage, overtime, written agreement, notice, anti-discrimination, and enforcement protections to domestic workers, with L&I responsible for administration and civil penalties available for violations. Supporters, including domestic workers, caregivers, and advocates, described wage theft, long hours, lack of written agreements, and vulnerability to abuse, and said the bill would bring dignity and basic protections to a largely immigrant workforce. L&I said it would need time and resources to implement the new rights and noted technical amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 5852 on immigrant workers and I-9 audits. Staff and the Attorney General’s office said the bill would require employers to notify workers after receiving notice of a federal inspection, provide copies of results and deficiency notices, restrict voluntary access to records without a warrant or subpoena, and create enforcement and anti-retaliation provisions. Supporters framed the bill as due process and transparency for immigrant workers, while business, hospitality, county, and industry representatives raised concerns about federal conflict, short compliance timelines, translation burdens, and steep penalties. The hearing included extensive testimony but no final committee action was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2605 relates to asbestos-containing building materials.
• and are required to maintain asbestos management plans under current law.
• Asbestos-containing building materials means any building material that contains 0.1% asbestos by weight
• 0.25% asbestos by weight or area.
• And the... ...and asbestos management plan requirements for certain manufacturing facilities.

Bills: HB2496, HB2575, HB2605

Keywords: tribal consultation, energy facilities, site evaluation, environmental impact, policy regulation, environmental regulation, reporting obligations, energy laws, compliance, business impact, HB 2605, Washington asbestos law, naturally occurring fibrous silicate, asbestos-containing building materials, fibrous silicate materials, asbestos labeling, construction materials, renovation, repair and maintenance, EPA method

Summary: The committee heard three bills. House Bill 2496 would expand tribal consultation in EFSEC siting reviews by requiring the full council, rather than only the chair, to conduct government-to-government consultations with federally recognized tribes, allow tribes to review and correct the consultation summary before it goes to the governor, and exempt those consultation meetings from the Open Public Meetings Act so long as no deliberation or commitments occur. The prime sponsor, Yakama Nation representatives, Washington Conservation Action, and IBEW Local 77 testified in support, emphasizing tribal sovereignty, protection of sacred and cultural resources, and the need for early consultation. The Association of Washington Business opposed the bill, raising ex parte and due process concerns for project applicants, while EFSEC said it supported the intent but had some wording concerns. House Bill 2575 would reduce or eliminate several reporting requirements for utilities and the Department of Commerce, including shifting some annual reports to biennial or less frequent reporting, removing reporting on heat-related utility disconnections, and eliminating certain Commerce reports on utility resource adequacy and combined heat and power facilities. Representative Hall said the bill is intended to streamline duplicative or low-value reporting and save time and money. Commerce testified that the changes would simplify reporting while leaving key protections and other CETA-related reporting in place. Todd Myers supported reducing burdens but cautioned against losing information needed for resource adequacy, and a committee member asked about potential savings and whether any savings could be redirected to help customers with electric bills. House Bill 2605 would raise the threshold for asbestos-containing building materials and create exemptions for commercial aggregates, asphalt, and concrete containing low levels of naturally occurring fibrous silicate material, removing those materials from certain labeling, use, and inspection requirements. Representative Lee said the bill would help lower construction and transportation costs by allowing local aggregate use while maintaining protections against deliberately added asbestos. The Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association supported the bill, saying it corrects an unintended overreach in prior law and that dust risks are limited and addressed by workplace safety rules. Committee members asked about road-building costs and worker exposure during crushing, and the sponsor and testifier said existing safety standards should address those concerns. No votes were taken; the chair closed each hearing and announced caucuses afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also corrects a general reference clarifying that written certification may not be required
• Senate Bill 6180 removes the provision that limits L&I's rulemaking authority for asbestos certification
• We know asbestos is an extremely hazardous material, and so this would...
• Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material, and so this would increase worker safety, and I'm asking
• We have, it's costly enough to deal with asbestos, and rightly so, but I think you're going to have some

Bills: SB5847, SB6067, SB6136, SB6014, SB5972, SB5869, SB5874, SB6058, SB6039, SB5944, SB6188

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, injured workers, medical provider network, occupational health, occupational medicine, medical care access, L&I, Department of Labor and Industries, self-insured employers, state fund claims, utilization review, provider credentialing, provider network, treatment guidelines, evidence-based medicine, claims management, claims managers, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 6136, which would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates for each risk class and disclose when rate increases are capped below those indicated levels. The sponsor and business groups said the bill would improve transparency about how reserves and investment earnings are used to hold down rates, while L&I said the information is already developed internally and the bill would mainly require publication. The bill drew broad pro testimony from hospitality, retail, business, and construction groups; no one testified in opposition. The committee then moved into executive session on several bills, adopting substitutes and passing multiple measures, including SB 5292, 6014, 5972, 5869, 5874, 6058, 6039, 5944, and 6180, with most sent to Rules and SB 5292 sent to Ways and Means. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical care by allowing treatment outside the medical provider network in certain circumstances, limiting employer steering, requiring faster utilization review, and allowing providers to deviate from L&I treatment guidelines when medically appropriate. Supporters, including labor representatives, injured-worker attorneys, and construction workers, argued the bill would reduce delays, restore individualized medical decision-making, and better reflect the Murray decision. L&I said it supports reducing delays but warned the bill would make major, untested changes to the medical provider network and treatment-guideline system. Business and self-insured employer groups opposed the bill, saying the current guidelines preserve balance, and raising concerns about vague language, penalties, and the 15-mile provider rule. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve access and medical independence, and public testimony was then closed. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6067, which would change workers’ compensation time-loss benefits so the employer-paid health insurance portion is covered at 100% rather than the current 60% to 75% level. The sponsor and labor witnesses said injured workers should not lose health coverage because of a workplace injury and argued the bill would help families maintain care and encourage kept-on-salary or light-duty options. Opponents from self-insured employers, NFIB, and retail groups said the bill does not guarantee the added benefit will actually be used for health insurance, could be diverted to attorney fees, and would significantly increase costs and rate pressure. L&I said the bill would require IT changes and estimated substantial ongoing benefit costs, while the sponsor and supporters said the policy would better protect injured workers’ health and financial stability. The chair closed public testimony after the final panel and ended the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• concrete materials that contain 0.25% or less of naturally occurring fibrous silicate material or asbestos
• concrete materials that contain 0.25% or less of naturally occurring fibrous silicate material or asbestos
• require the chair rather than the entire council to coordinate meetings with those tribes for site certification
• aggregates, like asphalt and concrete materials, from restrictions on the manufacture or distribution of asbestos-containing

Bills: HB2296, HB2301, HB2212, HB2515, HB2436, HB2496, HB2605

Keywords: distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, recycling, microplastics, pollution, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, oil tanker

Summary: The committee met to executive a series of bills related to transportation, environmental regulation, energy, and utility policy. Staff briefed House Bill 2436 on escort tug horsepower requirements for oil tankers, House Bill 2605 on exemptions for low-asbestos commercial aggregates, asphalt, and concrete, House Bill 2301 on expanding the paint stewardship program to additional paint products, House Bill 2496 on tribal government-to-government consultation during energy facility siting reviews, House Bill 2296 on meter-mounted devices and portable solar generation devices, House Bill 2212 on microfiber filtration requirements for washing machines, and House Bill 2515 on rules and fees for emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers and cryptocurrency facilities. Several proposed substitutes were also explained, including changes to paint collection convenience standards, tribal consultation procedures, meter-device utility authority, delayed microfiber enforcement, and revisions to data-center reporting, fees, and utility tariff provisions. The committee took public discussion on the measures before voting. Supporters of the tug, paint stewardship, tribal consultation, and aggregate bills emphasized safety, recycling, affordability, and improved government-to-government relations. The meter-mounted device bill drew debate over utility cost recovery and local government authority; amendments to require customer-paid costs and restore local prohibitions were offered but both failed. The microfiber bill was not acted on at this meeting. The large energy use facility bill prompted substantial debate over fees, grid reliability, water use, labor protections, and the impact on data center development; members split between concerns about taxation and infrastructure impacts versus the need for safeguards and transparency. Final actions were taken on the remaining bills. Proposed Substitute House Bill 2296 passed out of committee on a 14-7 vote. Substitute House Bill 2301 passed 19-1. Substitute House Bill 2515 passed 11-10. House Bill 2436 passed unanimously, 21-0. Substitute House Bill 2496 passed 15-6. House Bill 2605 also passed unanimously, 21-0. The committee adjourned after reporting those bills out with due pass recommendations.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is only specific to training and certification around how asbestos is handled in our state.
• We want to make sure that workers are safe from asbestos here in Washington, and so I urge your support

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Summary: The House received several messages from the Senate announcing passage of engrossed or substitute versions of House Bill 2294, House Bill 2472, Senate Bill 606, Senate Bill 6335, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6266, and engrossed substitute House Bill 3. The chamber then moved through second and third reading on a series of measures, often suspending the rules to advance bills to final passage. A major floor debate centered on Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, which would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and expand its membership. Amendment 2131, offered to keep the committee at its current size rather than expanding it, was rejected after debate over fiscal restraint, committee scope, and whether the body functioned like a “proxy legislature.” The resolution then passed 83-10. The House also passed engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6200 on portable cooling devices for renters and mobile home occupants, Senate Bill 6084 on clarifying the prohibition on voting in more than one election, second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5105 on sexually explicit depictions involving minors, and Senate Bill 6046 authorizing the Civil Air Patrol to be used by the governor in emergencies; each drew debate over policy scope, enforcement, and state-federal authority, but all ultimately passed. The House next passed substitute Senate Bill 6054, limiting HOA and common-interest community restrictions that conflict with wildfire-hardening measures; substitute Senate Bill 6091, requiring greater transparency in real estate broker practices; Senate Bill 6291, giving more time to train and certify on-site wastewater inspectors; substitute Senate Bill 6081, creating a Public Records Act exemption for sex designation information to protect transgender people from doxxing and harassment; Senate Bill 5963, automatically enrolling certain vulnerable students in the Washington College Grant; and substitute Senate Bill 6226, addressing audiology scope-of-practice and telemedicine concerns. Most of these bills passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew dissent over added regulation, privacy, or scope-of-practice issues. The final portion of the transcript focused on Senate Bill 6106, which the Speaker ruled had an out-of-scope amendment related to agricultural seasonal workers; the bill itself passed 75-18 after debate over layoff notices and tribal sovereignty. Substitute Senate Bill 6014, dealing with pregnancy accommodations and related public records issues, saw a failed amendment to replace gender-neutral language with “pregnant woman” and then passed 68-25. The House also debated Senate Bill 5820, with multiple amendments concerning freight rail, greenhouse gas calculations, county planning, property rights, and rail safety; the excerpt ends amid that amendment debate before final action on the bill is shown.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• She also received an executive education certificate from Harvard Business School in 2015 and an MBA

Bills: SB5223, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB6183, SB6071, SB5995, SB5966, SB5841, SB5840, SB6061, SB6058, SB5931, SB5944, SB5520, SB6011, SB6087, SB6076, SB5916, SB6016, SB5936, SB6137, SB5185, SB5956, SB6025, SB6009, SB5833, SB6161, SB6188, SB5890, SB5917, SB5820, SB5973, SJM8015, SB5816, SB6136, SB6091, SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare, financial burden, mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, including the roll call, approval of the previous day’s journal, referral of committee reports and gubernatorial appointments, and the removal of Senate Joint Memorial 8003 from the consent calendar to the regular calendar. The chamber also received and referred Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604 to the Committee on Human Services, and later took up several gubernatorial confirmations. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8682 recognizing the YMCA’s 150th anniversary in Washington. Senators spoke in support, describing the YMCA’s role in child care, swim lessons, youth programs, civic engagement, camps, and community health, and guests from YMCA organizations were recognized on the floor. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey P. Fairchild to the Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees, Randall V. Scott to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees, and Anna M. Franklin to the Community Colleges of Spokane Board of Trustees, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for the family of Representative Tom Dent after his wife suffered a stroke. After caucuses, the Senate returned to floor action on two major bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5185, creating a pilot pathway to physician licensure for international medical graduates, was advanced to final passage and approved 39-1. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5993, lowering the interest rate on medical debt, drew extensive debate about affordability, charity care, and the impact on rural hospitals; amendments were considered, including one to make the bill prospective rather than retroactive, which was adopted, while a rural-hospital differential-rate amendment failed. The bill ultimately passed 29-19. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Franklin also received an executive education certificate from Harvard Business School in 2015 and an

Bills: SB5223, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB6183, SB6071, SB5995, SB5966, SB5841, SB5840, SB6061, SB6058, SB5931, SB5944, SB5520, SB6011, SB6087, SB6076, SB5916, SB6016, SB5936, SB6137, SB5185, SB5956, SB6025, SB6009, SB5833, SB6161, SB6188, SB5890, SB5917, SB5820, SB5973, SJM8015, SB5816, SB6136, SB6091, SB6024, SB5223, SB6178, SB5892, SB5177, SB6039, SB5941, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB5912, SB6183, SB6071, SB5995, SB5966, SB5841, SB5840, SB6061, SB6058, SB5931, SB5944, SB5520, SB6011, SB6087, SB6076, SB5916, SB6016, SB5936, SB6137, SB5185, SB5956, SB6025, SB6009, SB5833, SB6161, SB6188, SB5890, SB5917, SB5820, SB5973, SJM8015, SB5816, SB6136, SB6091, SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare, financial burden, mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, including the roll call, approval of the previous day’s journal, committee and gubernatorial appointment referrals, and the removal of Senate Joint Memorial 8003 from the consent calendar for placement on the regular calendar. The chamber also received a report from the Complex Discharge Task Force and introduced Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services. A major floor item was Senate Resolution 8682 recognizing the YMCA’s 150th anniversary in Washington. Senators spoke at length about the organization’s role in child care, swim lessons, youth development, civic engagement, chronic disease prevention, and community building, including personal stories about family connections to the Y. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and YMCA leaders and participants from across the state were recognized in the chamber. The Senate then confirmed three gubernatorial appointments by roll call votes: Jeffrey P. Fairchild to the Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees, Randall V. Scott to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees, and Anna M. Franklin to the Community Colleges of Spokane Board of Trustees. All three confirmations passed 48-0. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for the family of Representative Tom Dent after his wife suffered a stroke. On final passage, the Senate approved Substitute Senate Bill 5185, creating a pilot pathway to physician licensure for international medical graduates, after supporters emphasized expanding access to care and opponents acknowledged the negotiated safety framework; the bill passed 39-1. The Senate also passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5993, which lowers the interest rate on medical debt, after rejecting an amendment that would have created different rates for rural and larger hospitals and adopting a technical amendment; the bill passed 29-19. The Senate adjourned until Monday, February 9.

Bills: SB5223, SB6178, SB5892, SB5177, SB6039, SB5941, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB5912, SB6183, SB6071, SB5995, SB5966, SB5841, SB5840, SB6061, SB6058, SB5931, SB5944, SB5520, SB6011, SB6087, SB6076, SB5916, SB6016, SB5936, SB6137, SB5185, SB5956, SB6025, SB6009, SB5833, SB6161, SB6188, SB5890, SB5917, SB5820, SB5973, SJM8015, SB5816, SB6136, SB6091, SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received a House message announcing passage of engrossed substitute House Bill 1604. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 8679 recognizing Taiwan, with remarks emphasizing Washington’s trade relationship, shared democratic values, and Taiwan’s support during COVID. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments: Mark Silva to the Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees, Shilpa Tavari to the Higher Education Facilities Authority, and Christine Johnson to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. The Senate then took up several bills on final passage. Substitute Senate Bill 5720, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, passed after supporters said it strengthened consumer notice protections and reflected extensive stakeholder work. Substitute Senate Bill 5824 passed, allowing fifth-wheel travel trailers up to 46 feet and aligning length rules for legal sales and highway use. Substitute Senate Bill 5886 passed to protect personality rights by addressing name, likeness, and voice in the context of deepfakes and AI. Senate Bill 6013 passed to update ski area and winter sports terminology, and Substitute Senate Bill 6039 passed to let the Department of Labor and Industries use electronic or non-electronic notices at the recipient’s choice. Substitute Senate Bill 6036 passed to exempt certain former foster care providers from adult family home licensure, with supporters saying it would preserve stability for youth aging out of foster care. Senate Bill 6178 passed to prohibit post-loss assignment of property insurance benefits, with the sponsor saying it would keep homeowners in control of claims after disasters. Senate Bill 5892 passed to protect voter registration database information by routing requests through the Secretary of State, despite opposition over the bill’s felony penalty and strict process. Substitute Senate Bill 5941 passed to allow limited exemptions from renewable energy system requirements for certain school districts in cold, remote areas. Senate Bill 5177 passed to expand the topics considered in educator professional development on supporting historically marginalized and underrepresented students. Finally, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5912 passed after an amendment assigning staff support for the Indigent Defense Task Force to the Office of Public Defense; supporters said the task force is needed to address public defender shortages and caseload standards. The Senate then announced a later start time for the next day and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires school districts to maintain staff certificates of completion for training on preventing

Bills: SB6278

Keywords: teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12, high-need schools, Title I, special education, English language learner, rural schools

Transcript Highlights:

• scholarships to low- and middle-income recent resident students pursuing professional-technical certificates
• Professional Educator Standards Board, or PESB, adopts rules and creates policies for the preparation and certification
• that the entity providing anaphylaxis training to school nurses and other school personnel issue a certificate
• The school must maintain this certificate on file.

Bills: SB6278

Keywords: teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12, high-need schools, Title I, special education, English language learner, rural schools

Transcript Highlights:

• For hearings related to a certification action, the panel consists of a police chief or sheriff from
• These have created uncertainty and distrust about how a career-defining certification decision would
• This bill offers a cost-free, smart government solution to restore balance to the CJTC certification
• review process, help address our... ...restore balance to the CJTC certification review process, help
• Certification also occasionally reaches a settlement of charges with officers, and those settlements

Bills: HB2220, HB2362

Keywords: criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight, public safety, academy training, in-service training, continuing education, use of force, misconduct investigations, disciplinary hearings, administrative law judge, hearing panel, law enforcement standards, background investigations

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held public hearings on two bills. First, House Bill 2220 would change Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) decertification procedures for peace and corrections officers by raising the burden of proof for suspension or revocation from a preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence, expanding hearing panels from five to six members by adding another law enforcement representative, and requiring biennial reporting from agencies and the CJTC on officer training and decertification data. Sponsor Rep. Ari Levitt said the bill was intended to improve fairness, transparency, training compliance, and recruitment/retention, not roll back prior reforms. Supporters from the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs and the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs argued the changes would create a more balanced and credible process and better reflect the seriousness of career-ending discipline. Opponents, including CJTC staff, police accountability advocates, and a CJTC commissioner, said the current system already provides due process, that the bill would weaken civilian oversight and raise the standard without evidence of a problem, and that the reporting provisions were the most defensible part of the bill. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 2362, which would lower Washington’s per se blood alcohol concentration limit for impaired driving from 0.08 to 0.05, require a public information campaign, and direct an evaluation of the change’s impacts. Sponsor Rep. Brandy Donaghy said the bill was aimed at reducing crashes and deaths and helping educate the public about impairment. Public testimony was sharply divided. Families of impaired-driving victims and several prosecutors, the Washington State Patrol, and the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs supported the bill, arguing that lower BAC limits save lives, change behavior, and could reduce crashes and court congestion. Hospitality and defense representatives opposed it, saying the evidence did not show the change would reduce fatalities, that most serious crashes involve much higher BACs or multiple substances, and that the bill would burden responsible drinkers and businesses while not addressing the toxicology lab backlog. The hearing ended without a vote on either bill.

Bills: SB5223, SB5286, SB6002, SB6178, SB5892, SB5177, SB6039, SB5874, SB5863, SB5972, SB5941, SB5203, SB6014, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB5912, SB5825, SB5223, SB6178, SB5892, SB5177, SB6039, SB5941, SB5993, SB5831, SB5928, SB5912, SB6183, SB6071, SB5995, SB5966, SB5841, SB5840, SB6061, SB6058, SB5931, SB5944, SB5520, SB6011, SB6087, SB6076, SB5916, SB6016, SB5936, SB6137, SB5185, SB5956, SB6025, SB6009, SB5833, SB6161, SB6188, SB5890, SB5917, SB5820, SB5973, SJM8015, SB5816, SB6136, SB6091, SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, policing costs, state hospitals, local funding, budget allocation, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, LPR, surveillance, driver privacy, vehicle tracking, location data, law enforcement technology, data retention, audit trail

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received a House message on engrossed substitute House Bill 1604. Members adopted Senate Resolution 8679 recognizing Taiwan, with remarks emphasizing Washington’s trade relationship, shared democratic values, and personal ties to Taiwan; the resolution passed by voice vote. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments: Mark Silva to the Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees, Shilpa Tavari to the Higher Education Facilities Authority, and Christine Johnson to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees, each after sponsor remarks and roll-call votes. The chamber then considered and passed several bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5720, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, was described as the product of extensive stakeholder work to improve consumer protections and clarity for collectors and consumers. Substitute Senate Bill 5824 passed with one nay and authorizes fifth-wheel travel trailers up to 46 feet on public highways. Substitute Senate Bill 5886 passed unanimously on personality rights, adding name, likeness, and voice protections in response to deepfake concerns. Senate Bill 6013 passed to update ski area and winter sports terminology to align with national standards, and Substitute Senate Bill 6036 passed to exempt certain former foster care providers from adult family home licensure in order to preserve stability for aging-out foster youth. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 6178, which prohibits post-loss assignment of insurance benefits, with supporters saying it keeps homeowners in control of claims after disasters and opponents warning about the bill’s strict felony penalty structure. Senator Hunt marked passage of her first bill and shared gifts from the Fifth District. Senate Bill 5892 passed 29-19 to protect voter registration database information by routing requests through the Secretary of State, despite opposition over the bill’s criminal penalties and process. Substitute Senate Bill 6039 passed to let Labor and Industries modernize notice delivery by allowing electronic or non-electronic notice choices. Later, Substitute Senate Bill 5941 passed with limited exemptions from renewable energy system requirements for certain school districts in cold, remote areas; Senate Bill 5177 passed to broaden considerations in educator professional development around historically marginalized and underrepresented students, despite concerns about added training topics without more time or funding. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5912 passed to reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force, with an amendment specifying staff support from the Office of Public Defense and remarks stressing the public defense workforce shortage. The Senate then announced a later start time for the next day and adjourned until Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• U.S. veterans who were military police officers and honorably discharged to obtain peace officer certification
• As long as they meet the DOD requirement for the medical certificate or law enforcement certificate they
• As long as they meet the DOD requirement for the medical certificate or law enforcement certificate they
• It just allows someone that already has a military police certificate or a federal certificate to come
• He has his certificate of Indian blood and he has his birth certificate.

Bills: SB1032, SB1055, SB1107

Keywords: corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy

Transcript Highlights:

• in industries that are particularly dangerous, workers in agriculture, people who are engaged in asbestos
• Once certification occurs, the employer has a duty to bargain prior to making any changes to wages, hours
• Once certification occurs, the employer has a duty to bargain prior to making any changes to wages, hours
• bill actually goes just beyond removing this exemption, and it lowers the threshold for union certification
• bill actually goes just beyond removing this exemption, and it lowers the threshold for union certification

Bills: SB5437, SB6152, SB6058, SB5944, SB6039, SB6117

Keywords: noncompete, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant, nonsolicitation, employment contract, worker mobility, labor law, wage suppression, trade secrets, confidentiality agreement, franchise, independent contractor, employee mobility, economic growth, entrepreneurship, job mobility, restraint of trade, customer solicitation, post-employment restrictions, FTC noncompete rule

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several labor and commerce bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation. Supporters said it would speed care, reduce delays and costs, and better reflect PT/OT expertise in musculoskeletal and functional recovery; opponents, including the Washington Retail Association, WSMA, NFIB, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation costs, and the need for a later effective date. The committee also heard SB 5337, which would void non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups argued non-competes restrict worker mobility and entrepreneurship, while business groups and some health care employers warned the bill was too broad, could affect current employees and executives, and should preserve stronger protections for business investments and customer relationships. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion to decide whether to investigate wage complaints and would adjust timelines and tolling rules for wage-related civil actions. The sponsor and L&I described it as a way to improve enforcement within existing resources, and the bill drew broad support in sign-in testimony. SB 5944 would clarify that compensation for language access providers includes payment for missed or canceled appointments and would align bargaining rules across agencies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency and fairness, with no opposition testimony recorded. SB 6039 would allow L&I to use electronic communications for certain notices while preserving a non-electronic option; L&I said it was a permissive modernization measure with no fiscal impact, while labor and justice advocates warned against defaulting vulnerable workers into email for notices affecting benefits and rights. The final major bill, SB 6117, would place certain workers and employers not covered by federal labor law under PERC jurisdiction if federal coverage no longer applies, including provisions for certification, bargaining, arbitration, and pre-hire agreements. Supporters said it would preserve collective bargaining rights if the NLRB becomes unavailable or ineffective, citing delays and enforcement failures under federal law. Opponents, especially agricultural employers, farm groups, and small business advocates, argued it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and would allow card-check certification and strikes that could disrupt harvests and other seasonal operations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a state framework only where federal jurisdiction has been ceded. The committee did not take final action in the hearing, but testimony was recorded on all bills.