Transcript Highlights:

• removes the statutory forms for providing an answer to a writ of garnishment for a continuing lien on earnings
• removes the statutory forms for providing an answer to a writ of garnishment for a continuing lien on earnings

Bills: HB2548, HB2453, HB2640, HB2095, HB2386, HB2239

Keywords: health care market standards, hospital consolidation, merger review, health care transaction notice, attorney general review, antitrust, provider organizations, hospital systems, contracting affiliation, material change, nonprofit conversion, for-profit conversion, health care acquisition, asset sale, Washington RCW, health care competition, price transparency, market oversight, premerger notification, antitrust revolving fund

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard staff briefings on several bills, including House Bill 2548 on hospital and provider material change transactions, House Bill 2453 on psychiatric pharmacists’ role in certain involuntary treatment petitions, House Bill 2640 on unauthorized UCC filings, House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways, House Bill 2386 on garnishment forms, and House Bill 2239 on family burial grounds on private land. The committee also discussed proposed substitutes and amendments, especially on HB 2095, where members debated liability standards, attorney fees, emergency vehicle exemptions, and reporting requirements. For HB 2548, members discussed transparency and disclosure in health care transactions, including notice requirements, filing fees, and Attorney General publication of pending and completed transactions. The committee adopted some amendments and rejected others. On HB 2095, it adopted amendments exempting emergency vehicles and clarifying collision report data, but rejected amendments that would have removed attorney fees, restricted liability further, or replaced the rebuttable presumption with a different civil cause of action. On HB 2239, the proposed substitute added setbacks from wells and springs, local remediation procedures, burial reporting to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, relocation procedures for remains, and disclosure requirements when property is sold. Members also noted that HB 2640 would give the Department of Licensing a process to refuse or terminate unauthorized filings submitted to harass or defraud debtors. At executive session, the committee voted all five bills out with due pass recommendations: Substitute House Bill 2548 passed 7-6, House Bill 2453 passed 8-5, House Bill 2640 passed 8-5, Substitute House Bill 2095 passed 8-5, House Bill 2386 passed 12-1, and Substitute House Bill 2239 passed unanimously 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Closing the loophole will benefit our clients and will keep the hard-earned home equity... ...will benefit
• our clients and will keep the hard-earned home equity and generational wealth of Washington families
• One type of garnishment is a writ of continuing lien on earnings that allows the creditor to garnish
• those corporate shares is limited, restricted, to limit the amount of equity that the members can earn
• Since 2000, pharmacists have earned a doctor of pharmacy degree.

Bills: HB2453, HB2590, HB2445, HB2386, HB2585

Keywords: psychiatric pharmacists, mental health, pharmacy regulations, healthcare, pharmacological treatments, limited equity cooperatives, common interest ownership, housing, exemption, community ownership, probate, estate administration, inheritance, heir finder, heir locator, beneficiary interest, transfer of inheritance rights, probate for profit, personal representative, executor

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2445, requested by the Attorney General, would curb “probate-for-profit” abuses by extending the waiting period before a court may appoint a non-family estate administrator, limiting non-intervention powers and repeat appointments for “suitable persons,” tightening venue rules, and restricting self-dealing in estate assets. The sponsor and Attorney General’s Office described cases in which strangers allegedly used probate loopholes to control estates, sell property, and profit from heirs’ losses; the Northwest Justice Project and others supported the bill. Members raised questions about the bill’s timelines and whether the added safeguards might complicate probate for laypeople, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments. House Bill 2386 would replace a statutory garnishment answer form for continuing liens on earnings with a form developed by the Washington Pattern Forms Committee or a substantially similar form. The sponsor and a district court judge said the current form often leads to calculation errors, especially for fluctuating wages, and that a new form would improve accuracy and fairness for debtors, creditors, employers, and courts. A collectors’ association supported updating the form but asked for more implementation time and flexibility for employers using their own systems. The judge said a delayed rollout would not be a problem. House Bill 2585 would create a Washington State False Claims Act modeled on the federal act, allowing the Attorney General and private whistleblowers to sue for fraudulent claims against the state, with treble damages, civil penalties, retaliation protections, and qui tam provisions. Supporters said it would recover stolen public funds, deter fraud, and help address wage theft and other abuses; they emphasized that the bill requires specific intent and materiality. The Attorney General’s Office said it was generally supportive but would provide technical and substantive feedback, while a wireless industry representative urged an exemption for tax matters and a construction industry witness warned the bill could turn ordinary change-order disputes into fraud claims. The committee also heard House Bill 2590, which would exempt limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, while preserving their property tax treatment. Housing and cooperative development witnesses said the bill would remove mismatched regulatory burdens, preserve permanently affordable homeownership, and better fit the cooperative model; members asked about resale appreciation, reserves, and how the cooperative structure works. Finally, House Bill 2453 would add board-certified psychiatric pharmacists to the list of professionals who may sign certain involuntary treatment petitions and provide concurring opinions for involuntary medication under less restrictive alternative orders. Supporters said it would improve workforce capacity and continuity of care in behavioral health settings, while opponents argued it could weaken civil-liberty protections and extend commitment authority to professionals without diagnostic authority. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the transcript.

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• again, and before you is Senate Bill 6105 relating to raising the exemption from garnishment of earnings
• earnings.
• earnings.
• On the 60 times minimum wage or 80% of debtor's disposable earnings, you know, why the differentiation
• So losing such a huge part of her disposable income was just not going to be workable at all.

Bills: SB5962, SB6105, SB6203, SB6296

Keywords: spring blade knives, knife legislation, weapon regulation, public safety, law enforcement, medical debt, garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings exemption, exempt wages, debt collection, consumer debt, student loan debt, private student loans, disposable earnings, minimum wage, writ of garnishment, exemption claim, judgment debtor, creditor

Summary: The committee first suspended the five-day notice requirement and then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5962, which would remove spring blade knives from the list of dangerous weapons while keeping restrictions on carrying them in schools, child care facilities, and other sensitive places. Staff explained the current law and the bill’s effect. Supporters, including Knife Rights and the prime sponsor, said the law is outdated, inconsistent, and harmful to workers and manufacturers; one testifier also argued the bill should go further and remove added carry restrictions. Testimony was overwhelmingly in favor, and the hearing closed with the chair noting the bill had 50 pro and 2 con sign-ins. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6105, which raises the wage garnishment exemption for judgments arising from medical debt from 30 to 60 times the state minimum wage, while keeping the 80% disposable earnings exemption and adding clearer notice requirements. The sponsor and supporters from patient, consumer, AARP, and anti-poverty groups argued that medical debt is often unexpected and that the higher exemption would help families avoid financial collapse and keep working. Opponents from collectors and receivables groups said the bill was not developed through a stakeholder process, could create compliance and privacy problems, might increase litigation and fees, and could worsen provider financial strain. The hearing ended with 33 pro and 107 con sign-ins. Next, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 6203, which would clarify that out-of-state convictions can include foreign-country convictions for offender scoring if obtained with sufficient due process and fairness safeguards. The sponsor said the bill closes a gap identified by a recent Washington Supreme Court decision. Prosecutors supported the concept and suggested simplifying the language, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, public defenders, and defense advocates opposed it, arguing the due process standard is undefined, foreign legal systems are hard to evaluate, and the bill could create unequal and costly litigation. The hearing closed with 2,997 pro and 67 con sign-ins. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 6296, a broad involuntary treatment bill that expands who may petition for detention under the ITA, changes procedures for less restrictive alternative treatment and assisted outpatient treatment, adds firearm surrender compliance steps, and requires more law enforcement involvement in some detentions. The sponsor said the bill addresses gaps in transport, firearm surrender, AOT access, and Joel’s Law. Supporters from providers and counties backed parts of the bill, especially information sharing and removing the AOT declarant requirement, but many stakeholders including DCRs, disability rights advocates, behavioral health organizations, hospitals, and public defense raised concerns about due process, capacity, rural transport, law enforcement liability, vague standards, and unintended consequences. The hearing was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's disposable.
• Um it is considered disposable.
• It's disposable. And the rechargeable. It's disposable.
• And so, in terms of the disposable.
• Disposable e-cigarettes are cheap, 2121.

Bills: HB1573, HB1645, HB1875, HB1898, HB2121

Keywords: electronic smoking devices, e-liquids, certification, FDA, state law, penalties, compliance, directory, public health, nonprofit, child welfare, liability, insurance, legal protections, Hawaii, health care, reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, privacy, civil liability

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1573, which would create state enforcement authority over unauthorized e-cigarette products and related tobacco enforcement. Supporters including SHPDA, the Department of Health, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others said the bill would help protect youth from unauthorized vaping products, give the state tools to enforce an FDA-authorized product list, and add penalties and inspection authority. A committee member asked whether enforcement staff were available and what penalties would apply; the response was that existing tobacco investigators would take on the work, and the bill includes civil penalties, seizure authority, and possible license revocation referrals. The measure drew both support and opposition testimony, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1645, relating to liability for child welfare service providers. The Insurance Division said it was aware of the insurance-cost problem, had raised the issue with the NAIC, and was exploring a captive insurance option, while suggesting the legislature consider additional appropriations to DHS to cover higher contract costs. Supporters, including Parents and Children Together and Hawaii Insurance Council, argued the bill would help child welfare providers obtain insurance and continue critical services. Opponents, including the Hawaii Association for Justice, warned that removing joint and several liability could leave victims undercompensated and might not actually lower premiums. The insurance commissioner said other states have done tort reform in this area, but the committee was told it is not clear the bill would reduce insurance costs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1875, which would protect access to gender-affirming care in Hawaii and shield patients and providers from out-of-state legal actions. Support came from the Hawaii State Youth Commission, LGBTQ+ and public health groups, medical professionals, ACLU Hawaii, Planned Parenthood, and others, who said gender-affirming care is evidence-based, medically necessary, and important for patient privacy, provider stability, and continuity of care. Several witnesses asked for amendments to the bill’s definition language. Opposition testimony came from individuals and groups including Hawaii Christian Coalition, Leeward Republican Women’s Club, and others, who argued the bill could expose children to irreversible decisions and that more research is needed. The chair noted roughly 176 supporters and about 40 opponents testified. No final action or vote was reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• abstract struggles; they are real daily obstacles that stand between students and their ability to earn

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• They are real daily obstacles that stand between students and their ability to earn a degree.
• students and their that stand between students and their ability<01:03:00.640><c> to</c><01:03:00.799><c> earn
• 02.000><c> In</c><01:03:02.160><c> the</c><01:03:02.319><c> fall,</c><01:03:02.480><c> I</c> ability to earn
• In the fall, I ability to earn a degree.

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• and City and County of Honolulu to adopt ordinances banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable
• /c><00:04:08.200><c> of</c> sale, rental, and distribution of sale, rental, and distribution of disposable
• </c> disposable bodyboards. disposable bodyboards.

Bills: SCR142, SCR39, SCR40, SCR83, SCR168, SCR96, SCR166, SCR172

Keywords: dust monitoring, public health, environmental quality, Waimanalo Gulch, air quality, particulate matter, community engagement, health risks, pollution mitigation, mattress stewardship, environmental protection, recycling, producer responsibility, solid waste management, environment, pollution, tourism, disposable bodyboards, polystyrene, marine ecosystems

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection held its final hearing of the session on April 17, 2026, and took up a series of Senate concurrent resolutions focused on environmental protection, waste reduction, and energy policy. Measures discussed included SCR 142 on dust monitoring near Waimanalo Gulch, SCR 39 on a mattress stewardship program, SCR 40 on banning disposable bodyboards, SCR 83 on a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 168 on a demolition waste reduction working group, SCR 96 on reporting on the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, SCR 166 on PUC considerations for a generational energy commitment, and SCR 172 on a comprehensive analysis to reduce costs and financial risk while meeting state goals. Testimony was generally supportive of the environmental and waste-management measures. The Department of Health supported SCR 39 and provided comments on SCR 142; Climate Protectors Hawaii supported SCR 39, SCR 83, SCR 168, and SCR 172; the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Hawaii Reef and Ocean's Coalition submitted comments or support on SCR 168; and the Public Utilities Commission provided comments on SCR 96 and SCR 166. On SCR 166, Greenpeace Hawaii testified in opposition to LNG, arguing it would worsen pollution and climate impacts, while Earthjustice supported the intent but suggested amendments. Earthjustice also supported SCR 172 and offered friendly amendments to improve the study language. In decision-making, the chair recommended deferral of SCR 142 because an existing regulatory framework already addresses the issue. The committee then voted to pass SCR 39, SCR 40, SCR 83, SCR 96, and SCR 166 unamended. SCR 168 was passed with amendments to reflect OPSD's requested changes and to make the working group temporary, with a two-year term and annual reports due before session. SCR 172 was passed with amendments accepted from Earthjustice. Rep. Quinlan was noted as excused for the votes, and the committee adjourned after adopting the final recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, he is a junior at Nanakuli High School, where he has earned placement on both honor roll and

Bills: SB3225, HCR53, HCR57, HCR101, HB1878, HB1481, SCR40, SCR59, SCR114, SCR197, SCR198, SR30, SR107, SR185, SR186

Keywords: statutory revision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, clarification, obsolete provisions, legal accuracy, University of Hawaii, Board of Regents, associate degree, degree audit, reverse transfer, credit audit, student completion, credential attainment, community college transfer, four-year campus, higher education, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, student retention, graduation pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• profiting off of veterans who are often vulnerable and desperate to get the benefits that they have earned
• This is compensation that these veterans have earned and taxpayers have appropriated for those veterans
• This is compensation that these veterans have earned and taxpayers have appropriated for those veterans
• This is compensation that these veterans have earned and taxpayers have appropriated for those veterans
• This is compensation that these veterans have earned and taxpayers have appropriated for those veterans

Bills: HF1855, HF102, HF1082, HF1354, HF2184, HF1792, HF2296, HF2429, HF2543, HF2566

Keywords: veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• And the way in which we're going to be doing that is by using some of the interest-earned funds to pay

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:

• </c> standard way to recycle disposable standard way to recycle disposable e-erts<00:09:00.000><c> of
• </c> individual components of a disposable individual components of a disposable ecigarette<00:11:25.040
• ><c> dominated</c> disposable ecigarettes have dominated disposable ecigarettes have dominated the<00
• </c> users and found that users of disposable users and found that users of disposable ecigarettes<00
• And we were not disposable ecigarettes.

Bills: HB1924, HB2121, HB1928, HB1979, HB1650, HB1543, HB1981, HB1982

Keywords: mattress recycling, waste management, producer responsibility, environmental health, steafardship program, electronic cigarettes, disposable devices, environmental protection, plastic pollution, lithium batteries, pollution control, public health, deposit beverage container, bottle bill, container deposit law, container redemption, recycling refund, extended producer responsibility, EPR, deposit return system

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii and City County of Honolulu to adopt ordinances banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable
• Um, so, there is a disposal that's already connected to the marketplace.
• ,</c><00:52:34.960><c> there</c><00:52:35.200><c> is</c><00:52:35.480><c> a</c><00:52:35.520><c> disposal
• Um so, there is a disposal that's from.
• Um so, there is a disposal that's already already already um<00:52:38.680><c> connected</c><00:52:39.280

Bills: SCR8, SCR40, SCR83, SCR179, SCR90, SCR94, SCR159, SCR165, SCR177

Keywords: building permits, seniors, health care, disability, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, environment, pollution, tourism, disposable bodyboards, polystyrene, marine ecosystems, lithium-ion batteries, environmental safety, recycling, public safety, waste management, Honolulu, Maui County

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to water, coastal management, and permitting. Early measures included SCR 8 on faster county action for certain home-modification permits for older adults and people with disabilities, SCR 40 on banning disposable body boards, SCR 83 on creating a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 179 on enforcing Maui fire-code provisions for brush clearance and emergency access, and SCR 90 on kupuna-friendly permit requirements. No testifiers were present for those measures, and the chair moved through them without taking votes in the portion provided. The most extensive discussion was on SCR 94, endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and SCR 159, urging shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki’s beaches and shoreline. University of Hawaii testimony said the surfing-reserve designation would bring recognition, could help attract grants, and would require a stewardship committee and management plan, but would not itself block beach nourishment or shoreline restoration. Members asked about possible effects on dredging, beach nourishment, and shoreline structures; the witness said impacts on surfing were not expected to be immediate or significant. For SCR 159, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the resolution but requested clarifying amendments to broaden references to law, stakeholder collaboration, and coastal science expertise. The Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association also supported the measure, emphasizing coordinated maintenance, public access, and the economic importance of Waikiki beaches, while noting that existing legal agreements and court decisions should be reflected in the resolution. The discussion also covered whether the state and private owners share repair and maintenance obligations for Waikiki seawalls; testimony said existing agreements remain relevant but must yield to current law. The committee also heard SCR 165 designating March as Water Month, with support from the Board of Water Supply and others, and SCR 177 requesting DAGS to convene a cooperative working group on state projects needing county permits. Mary Alice Evans said the latter would help expedite permitting, especially for housing and other state projects, and would complement efforts to standardize county permitting processes. No final votes or dispositions were announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to 2020, disposable e-cigarettes were rather rare.
• Thank you. parts of uh the disposable parts of uh the disposable contribute<01:53:16.760><c> to</c><01
• Disposable e-cigarettes also pose serious safety risks.
• :06.160><c> health,</c> Disposable e-cigarettes harm our health, Disposable e-cigarettes harm our health
• </c><02:11:20.280><c> Chair's</c> employment earnings. Chair's employment earnings.

Bills: HB2323, HB2324, HB1509, HB2164, HB2165, HB2367, HB2619, HB1765, HB2187, HB1864, HB1452, HB2314, HB1898, HB2558, HB2319, HB1643, HB2121

Keywords: workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment. The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date. Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• degree by their mid to late 20s compared to 49% of young adults who haven't experienced Thanks. ...earn
• Washingtonians to hit the 70% degree attainment goal by 2030, and students with post-secondary degrees earn
• Life is treated as disposable and the unborn as obstacles, not sacred image bearers.
• Repent of enshrining sin, of valuing convenience over God's law, and of treating life as disposable.
• Senate Bill 5834, concerning payment of expenses from the earnings of retirement system trust funds.

Bills: SB6194, SB5963, SB5909, SB5826, SB5988, SB5872, SB5879, SB5834, SB5835, SB5905, SB5832, SB6177, SB5970, SB5994, SB6047, SB5647

Keywords: SB 6194, Washington Medicaid, medical assistance, fee-for-service, managed care, rural hospital, Indian reservation, tribal hospital, federally recognized Indian reservation, Indian Health, hospital reimbursement, Medicaid payments, inpatient services, outpatient services, psychiatric unit, health care access, rural health, tribal health, safety-net hospital, RCW 74.09

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held public hearings on several bills before moving into executive session. Substitute Senate Bill 6037 would change how city-created fire protection districts affect city property tax levies, replacing the current dollar-for-dollar reduction in a city’s actual levy with a reduction in the city’s statutory maximum rate; testimony was largely supportive from the Association of Washington Cities, fire officials, and the City of Everett, while the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts opposed it over prorationing concerns. Senate Bill 6194 would extend cost-based Medicaid reimbursement to a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Toppenish Hospital; hospital and community representatives supported the bill as a health equity measure, citing financial losses and service cuts, while no opposition was heard. Senate Bill 5963 would automatically make Passport to Careers students income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and route Passport funds into the state financial aid account; student advocates supported it as a way to improve access for former foster and homeless youth. Senate Bill 5909 would require public baccalaureate institutions to review and report low-enrollment undergraduate programs and consider discontinuing programs with fewer than 10 graduates on average over five years; Eastern Washington University supported the bill as accountability and efficiency reform, while faculty and student representatives from other universities opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and potentially politicized. Senate Bill 5826 would require public college student health centers to provide access to medication abortion or referrals and related web information; testimony was sharply divided between supporters framing it as essential student health access and opponents raising moral, safety, and budget objections. In executive session, the committee received staff briefings on a number of bills and then took action on most of them. It advanced Senate Bills 5872, 5879, 5834 (with a substitute amendment adopted), 5835, 5905 (with a substitute adopted), 5832, 6177, 5496, 5970, 5994, 6047 (with a Trudeau amendment adopted and rolled into a substitute), and 5647 (with a substitute adopted) to the Rules Committee with due pass recommendations, generally subject to signatures. The committee also heard briefings on other measures, including fee authority for opioid treatment accreditation, pension trust fund expense authority, LEAP website changes, restrictions on single-family home ownership by certain entities, a permanent senior center property tax exemption, timber tax distribution changes, capital project administration guidelines, and a real estate excise tax exemption for affordable housing. The meeting ended after caucus and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• into a new fund where the legislature gains annual appropriation authority over up to 80% of the earnings
• So do you have any estimates on how much the annual earnings capacity is lost to T-SET's existing programs
• currently funded from T-SET are expected to be reduced, delayed, or eliminated as a result of decreased earnings
• currently funded from T-SAT are expected to be reduced, delayed, or eliminated as a result of decreased earnings
• So what happens to the $150 million in already awarded T-SET legacy grants if the earning capacity of

Bills: HB3327, HB3711, HB4104, HJR1077, HB3329

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 3711, which was described as a work in progress aimed at increasing transparency for taxpayers about instructional expenditures in school bond communications. Members questioned whether the bill changed what districts may bond for, and the author said it did not alter the bond process, only added communications. After title was struck, the bill passed committee 13-5. House Bill 4104, dealing with repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, was presented with an amendment adding conduct involving three or more separate victims as a basis for felony treatment. The amendment was adopted after questions about its legal basis and a recent court decision. The bill as amended then passed committee unanimously, 18-0. The committee also took up House Joint Resolution 1077, which would send to voters a proposal to move $1 billion from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust corpus into a new Oklahoma’s Futures Trust Fund. The proponent said the T-SET board would remain in place, the corpus would stay protected, and annual earnings from the new fund would be split between reinvestment and legislative appropriations for health and education. Opponents argued the measure would shift money from an independent endowment to a politically controlled process and could weaken existing T-SET programs. After debate, the resolution passed committee 14-4. Finally, House Bill 3327 proposed expanding the State Board of Education from seven to nine members, with appointments divided among the governor, speaker, and president pro tem, and allowing removal only for cause. Members raised questions about geographic representation and vacancy appointments, but the bill passed as amended 15-2. House Bill 3329, a trailer bill related to sunset legislation, added a July 1, 2027 sunset for the Board of Psychological Examiners after concerns about its handling of a complaint and a recent court ruling; it passed as amended 14-2, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, Senate Bill 1551 requires budget stabilization fund monies that are earned from investment
• The JLBC baseline estimated the FY 2027 investment earnings were $43 million.
• I was under the impression, maybe it's wrong, but we do take the earnings, interest earnings from the
• I would never consider that, but interest can be very significant, or earnings from that, so it's just
• the corpus of the rainy dipund I would never consider that but interest can be very significant or earnings

Bills: SB1072, SB1111, SB1114, SB1116, SB1122, SB1179, SB1250, SB1308, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1487, SB1547, SB1549, SB1551, SB1552

Keywords: reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare

Bills: HB245, HB138, HB151, HB152, HB245, HB138, HB151, HB152

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision, perinatal care, prenatal care, maternal health

Bills: HB2028, HB1859, HB1851, HB1660, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB2122, HB2012, HB1770, HB2121, HB1979, HB1650, HB1982, HB218

Keywords: Labor Day, construction workers, tax credit, economic development, state law, employer support, workforce development, employment, career counseling, local economy, high-demand jobs, taxation, apprenticeship, income tax credit, qualified apprenticeship program, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors