House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
Event Log
Jim Walsh — Jim Walsh is called on by the chair and asks how the Attorney General’s office ensures consistent guidance among assistant attorneys general and agencies. He then thanks the witness for the overview of the Keep Washington Working Act and continues with follow-up questions, including concerns about possible federal civil and criminal actions against state officials.
Jim Walsh — The chair recognizes Rep. Walsh's hand for questions.
Jim Walsh — The Chair notices Rep. Walsh has muted himself and invites a follow-up question. Rep. Walsh then asks whether the sanctuary-state policy and the Keep Washington Working Act distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants.
Jim Walsh — Representative Walsh asks Mr. Montez whether the Supremacy Clause would prevail over Keep Washington Working if the state law conflicts with federal law, referencing the Tenth Amendment’s anti-commandeering principle and pressing whether conflicting language in the law should be reconsidered if federal supremacy applies.
Jim Walsh — The witness is thanked for the example, and the question is directed to Representative Walsh by name.
Shalia — The speaker concludes her presentation on Keep Washington Working and remains available for questions.
Darya Farivar — Representative Darya Farivar asks whether Keep Washington Working has been challenged in Washington or elsewhere, and follows up by asking whether similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges.
Celia — Thanked for providing the overview of Keep Washington Working.
Chris Stearns — The chair welcomes Vice Chair Chris Stearns and notes that he is having audio issues: first saying he appears to be on mute, then clarifying that he is not muted but the meeting still cannot hear him.
Chris Stearns — The chair notes that Representative Stearns is able to come back on.
Julia — The chair thanks Julia for her time before moving to the Office of the Governor.
Sharlett Mena — Debbie Driver addresses Chair Mena.
Sharlett Mena — The speaker addresses the Chair as Madam Chair.
Sharlett Mena — The Chair is addressed as Madam Chair when the follow-up question begins.
Sharlett Mena — Addressed directly as Representative Mena while discussing data-sharing oversight.
Sharlett Mena — Addressed directly while discussing case-by-case review of data sharing.
Sharlett Mena — Sharlett Mena is addressed as Chair Mena during a brief exchange at the start of testimony.
Sharlett Mena — Addressed as Chair Mena.
Sharlett Mena — Addressed as Chair Mena.
Sharlett Mena — Not named directly, but the legislature is referenced as having stepped up to protect immigrant communities.
Sharlett Mena — The speaker thanks Chair Mena and the committee for the panel presentation.
Sharlett Mena — The chair opens the floor to questions.
Sharlett Mena — The speaker addresses the Chair as 'Chair, Mena,' indicating Chair Sharlett Mena is presiding.
Kevin Waters — Debbie Driver addresses Ranking Member Waters.
Debbie Driver — Governor Ferguson's legislative director introduces herself and opens the Office of the Governor's remarks.
Nathan Bays — Debbie Driver introduces Nathan Bays and asks for his title, and Bays identifies himself as Deputy Policy Director in the governor’s office handling federal policy. He then takes over to continue the testimony and offers to share specific examples.
Nathan Bays — Nathan Bays addresses a question about potential conflict between state policy and federal enforcement orders. He clarifies the issue and explains that the guiding approach is to follow the law, meaning both federal law and state law.
Ms. Driver — The speaker says they have questions for Ms. Driver.
Mr. Bays — The speaker indicates they have questions for Mr. Bays and then follows up by referring to his earlier points about constitutional issues and district court rulings, continuing the same line of discussion.
Malou — Named as one of the three people on the final panel.
Malou — Referenced as a colleague who previously spoke about trust and access to police and fire services.
Malou — Malou says the Keep Washington Working Act already includes strong protections, but there may still be room for improvement through additional state laws rather than necessarily amending the act itself. The discussion continues around possible gaps, including issues like data sharing and contractor-related protections, with Malou cited as helping articulate where the law could be strengthened. The exchange ends with a request for Malou’s response on these concerns, especially regarding anecdotal experience and data sharing.
Schomo — Named as one of the three people on the final panel.
David — Named as one of the three people on the final panel.
David — The committee directs a question to David about whether the ACLU advocates for non-citizens voting in American elections, and then follows up shortly afterward by asking David if he has any additional thoughts.
David Montess — Identified himself as a staff attorney with the ACLU of Washington and began testimony on the legal basis for Keep Washington Working.
Malou Chavez — Malou Chavez introduced herself as the Executive Director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and then described the organization’s work, including systems change efforts through advocacy, impact litigation, and related community education and support.
Malou Chavez — Referenced as a colleague who previously noted that lack of trust reduces willingness to call police or fire departments.
Shoma Lahiri Gupta — Shoma Lahiri Gupta introduces herself as the immigration advocacy manager for One America.
Shoma Lahiri Gupta — Shoma Lahiri Gupta discusses how Keep Washington Working should be strengthened and implemented more effectively, noting that a private right of action could potentially improve enforcement. The exchange frames this as a broader need to improve implementation and consider amendments that would better strengthen the law.
Rob Chase — Representative Chase is recognized by the chair and then begins a series of questions to the panel, including asking whether the ACLU advocates for non-citizens voting in American elections and indicating he has additional questions, including one he previously asked the governor's office.
Mr. Montez — Representative Walsh directs a question to Mr. Montez, who responds by arguing that the Supremacy Clause requires state law to yield to federal law only where necessary, and that Keep Washington Working is written to remain consistent with federal law. He explains that federal law cannot compel state agencies to enforce federal law, cites anti-commandeering principles and related cases, and concludes that it would be unlawful for the federal government to force state agencies to use their resources to enforce federal law or collect data for reporting that would lead to such enforcement.
Shoma — Cited as having articulated areas where the law could be improved.
Shwamo — Likely a transcription error for Shoma; the question seeks her response as well.
Beth Doglio — Representative Beth Doglio is called on for any further questions, then offers a brief closing comment thanking the panel for its work protecting immigrant families, and the exchange concludes with thanks to her at the end of the discussion.