SB5754 — Senate Bill 5754 was repeatedly introduced and advocated for as a public banking measure, with multiple speakers urging the committee to pass it and move it forward. Supporters described it as important legislation and asked for immediate action, while Brunson then raised opposition, arguing that the bill would put public funds at risk by placing them into an untested financial structure, creating unnecessary safety and liquidity concerns, and offering no clear benefits that outweigh those risks. The county treasurers ultimately opposed the bill.
Superintendent Rake-Dall — Invited to come forward to begin public testimony; likely a transcription error for a statewide elected official.
Commissioner Cooterer — Invited to come forward to begin public testimony; likely a transcription error for a statewide elected official.
Chris Rakedale — Introduces himself as State Superintendent and begins testimony in support of public banking, citing North Dakota as a model.
Commissioner Kuder — Invited to come forward with Superintendent Rake-Dall; likely a transcription error for a statewide elected official.
Patty Kuderer — Identifies herself as Washington State Insurance Commissioner and testifies in support of Senate Bill 5754.
Brian Sullivan — Brian Sullivan is introduced as the county treasurer and then begins his testimony, identifying himself as the Snohomish County Treasurer and stating his support for Senate Bill 5754.
County Executive Sidhu — Mentioned as the next online witness to testify.
Satpal Sidhu — Whatcom County Executive testifying in favor of Senate Bill 5754 and describing benefits of a public bank.
Thomas McLeod — Mayor of Tukwila and retired tax accountant testifying in support of Senate Bill 5754.
Armin Papian — City of Tukwila council member and council president testifying in support of a state bank.
John Traynor — The chair calls John Traynor forward, and he is then introduced as representing the Washington State Labor Council, speaking on behalf of over 600 affiliated local unions in support of public banking.
Toyoko Sukuda — Toyoko Sukuda is introduced as the next remote testifier and then testifies as a resident of Washington’s 24th District in strong support of Senate Bill 5754, saying the proposed Washington State Public Bank would strengthen public finances and provide a practical tool during economic uncertainty.
HB2072 — House Bill 2072 was described as a measure to help counties with limited resources by allowing county treasurers to contract together for financial services, and it was noted that the bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate.
SB5754 — The witness repeatedly urges the committee to support SB 5754, describing it as the bill to create the Washington State Public Bank and a public banking measure, and asks for a yes vote to move the bill forward to the Senate floor.
SB5754 — SB 5754 is discussed in supportive testimony, with speakers backing the bill and urging the committee to advance it.
John Traynor / John Trainor — Testifies for the Washington State Labor Council in favor of public banking and SB 5754.
Marco Rossi — Called to come forward to testify.
Wayne Lau — Wayne Lau is introduced as the next Zoom witness and then begins his testimony, identifying himself as a longtime Seattle resident with over 45 years of experience in commercial banking and lending, including 20 years at a state-chartered community bank, with work focused on community banking, CDFIs, disadvantaged areas, and affordable housing.
Glenn Gregory — Glenn Gregory is introduced as the next Zoom/online witness, with the chair briefly correcting his name from Greg to Glenn Gregory. He then begins his testimony, identifying himself as president of Obscity Investment Advisors in Redmond, Washington, and noting his background serving on the Washington Securities Advisory Committee.
Mark Rosary — Identifies himself as executive director of Washington for Public Banking and says the organization has researched the constitutionality and legality of a public bank.
Paula Fillmore Sardinas — Introduces herself and her roles with FMS Global Strategies, a community-based coalition, and the Green Capital Fund.
Paula Sardinas — Testified in support of public banking, arguing that the bill is about power, access, and stewardship of public dollars.
Brad Tower — Brad Tower testified on behalf of the Community Bankers of Washington in opposition to the public banking measure, briefly stating that the proponents' claims about how leverage and lending would work in a public banking system are not accurate.
Micah Sherman — Testified in favor of the bill and said a public bank could replace some revolving loan fund programs.
Catherine Lewandowski — Testified as a concerned citizen in support of Senate Bill 5754.
Julie Salvi — Testified in support of public banking on behalf of the Washington Education Association.
Benjamin Steele — Benjamin Steele was introduced by the chair as the next online witness and then began his testimony in support of SB 5754, identifying himself as a board member of Washingtonians for Public Banking and arguing for a more human-centered public financial system.
Jackie Brunson — Jackie Brunson was introduced by the chair as an upcoming online witness, then testified as the Skagit County Treasurer and legislative chair for the Washington State Association of County Treasurers, speaking on behalf of the association in opposition to Senate Bill 5754.
Andre Stackhouse — Andre Stackhouse was introduced by the chair as an upcoming online witness and then testified in support of the bill, urging the committee to advance it to the floor.
Beverly Allen — Beverly Allen testified in support of the bill and identified herself as a small business owner, lawyer, and parent in Tacoma.
Yasmin Trudeau — Allen thanked Senator Trudeau for leadership on the bill.
Jeff Cunningham — Jeff Cunningham is named as one of the presenters to come forward.
Aline — Aline is named as one of the presenters to come forward.
Ms. Soinette — Named as one of the presenters to come forward; spelling uncertain.
Ms. Sineat — Named as one of the presenters; spelling uncertain.
Pete Mann-Morsal — Named as one of the presenters; spelling uncertain.
Eric Whitaker — Eric Whitaker is identified as one of the presenters and as a colleague presenting alongside Aline Mazzona.
Aline Mazzona — Introduces herself and the JLARC staff presentation.
Jeff Conningham — Named as a colleague presenting with Aline Mazzona; spelling uncertain.
Pete von Morsell — Named as a colleague presenting with Aline Mazzona; spelling uncertain.
TOTE Maritime Alaska — Identified as the likely beneficiary of the preference.
Noel Frame — Asked whether reduced earnings reflect a shift in tourism market share toward larger companies.
Steve Conway — Commented that the industry may be consolidating and larger travel agents may be increasing.
Steve Conway — Is identified as asking a follow-up question about whether the bank is also investing and managing dollars to maximize return.
Steve Conway — Followed up by asking whether the bank invests and manages dollars to maximize return.
Steve Conway — Asked whether the public bank invests and manages dollars to maximize return, and compared it to the state investment board.
Steve Conway — Asked whether North Dakota has a state investment board or similar structure.
Steve Conway — Asked whether the Bank of North Dakota manages the state's pension funds.
Steve Conway — Senator Conway is briefly called on in a quick pre-testimony exchange, with the chair asking him to speak briefly before public testimony begins.