HB2684 — The bill was scheduled for consideration the next morning along with the memorial.
Brandy Donaghy — Representative Brandy Donaghy is identified as the sponsor of the proposed substitute.
Brandy Donaghy — Argued against the amendment, saying the proposed substitute already increases reporting requirements and accountability.
Brandy Donaghy — Supported the proposed substitute and said accountability measures were already built into it.
Brandy Donaghy — Explained that the substitute was developed with stakeholder feedback and includes oversight and accountability.
Brandy Donaghy — Continued explaining the substitute's development and accountability provisions.
Brandy Donaghy — Restated support for the substitute and its accountability provisions.
Brandy Donaghy — Votes aye.
Martha Whaling — Committee staff briefs the committee on the proposed substitute and amendments to House Bill 2523.
Martha Whaling — Committee staff provided the briefing on House Bill 2684 and explained the certification process.
Martha Whaling — Committee staff briefing on House Joint Memorial 4012 was attributed to Martha.
Michael Keaton — Named as the sponsor of the first amendment pair.
Michael Keaton — Named as the sponsor of the final amendment pair.
Michael Keaton — Representative Keaton moves Amendment 285.
Michael Keaton — Representative Keaton explains that the amendment shortens the update interval from 10 years to 5 years due to fiscal constraints.
Michael Keaton — The transcript says 'Representative Panner,' likely a mis-transcription of the member moving Amendment 286; the exact member is uncertain.
Michael Keaton — Representative Keaton explains that Amendment 286 would require an independent third-party audit every three years and references a whistleblower allegation under AGO review.
Michael Keaton — Representative Keaton continues arguing that the amendment is needed because self-policing is insufficient and because eligible community members may have been excluded from grants.
Michael Keaton — Referenced as the member moving the amendment in the surrounding discussion.
Michael Keaton — Moved Amendment 287.
Michael Keaton — Explained that Amendment 287 would direct the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study effectiveness and spending efficiency.
Michael Keaton — The chair addresses Representative Thomas and then moves to a roll call; the transcript's 'Waters' and 'Thomas' references are procedural.
Michael Keaton — Votes nay, do not pass.
Stephanie Barnard — Stephanie Barnard is identified as the sponsor of related amendment pairs, then speaks to move Amendment 283, explaining it is meant to prevent double-dipping on grants. She then moves Amendment 284 and argues it is intended to prevent conflicts of interest, specifically ensuring that those running a program or their family members do not also benefit from it.
Stephanie Barnard — Votes nay, do not pass.
Stephanie Barnard — Votes nay, do not pass.
Stephanie Barnard — Raised discussion on House Bill 2606 and identified it as a JLARC recommendation from an audit.
Stephanie Barnard — The witness greets Ranking Member Barnard.
Stephanie Barnard — Representative Barnard asks whether disability such as muscular dystrophy could qualify as disadvantage.
Matt Boehnke — The transcript says 'Vice Chair Shavers,' but the committee member list does not include that name; the motion appears to be made by the vice chair, though the exact member is uncertain.
HB2523 — A motion is made to report the proposed substitute House Bill 2523 out of committee with a due pass recommendation.
Brianna Thomas — Representative Brianna Thomas is called on multiple times during the amendment debate. She first accepts one amendment while noting concerns about the cost of reports and the fiscal note, then argues against another amendment because it would inappropriately group different programs together and impose a blanket limitation, and later opposes Amendment 284 as overly broad and difficult to implement.
Brianna Thomas — Votes aye.
Tarra Simmons — Tarra Simmons spoke in opposition to the amendment, saying she supports the program’s goals and values accountability, but believes the amendment is unnecessary because the substitute already addresses the study and oversight concerns. She emphasized wanting state agencies and partner programs to be accountable for public funds and suggested accountability and effectiveness could be a useful interim committee project, while urging rejection of the amendment.
Mike Volz — Opposed the bill, saying the substitute is only a modest step and lacks sufficient transparency, reporting, and audit guidance.
Mike Volz — Continued his no-vote argument, emphasizing financial transparency, internal controls, and clearer audit/reporting guidance.
Mike Volz — Cited prior Commerce audit findings and mishandling of COVID funds as reasons to tighten the bill.
Mike Volz — Concluded by urging a no vote due to lack of accountability and internal controls.
Mike Volz — Votes nay, do not pass.
Mike Volz — Asked a procedural question about hearing a bill after the amendment cutoff and the opportunity to offer amendments.
Kevin Waters — Representative Kevin Waters is invited to comment and then later records a vote of nay, indicating he does not support the motion.
Cindy Ryu — Votes aye.
Cindy Ryu — The witness greets Chair Ryu.
Shelley Kloba — Votes aye.
Shelley Kloba — Shelley Kloba is first acknowledged by the witness, then the chair indicates that Representative Kloba has a question, and Kloba follows up by asking the witness to clarify the allegations raised by the previous testifier.
Julio Cortes — Votes aye.
Paul Harris — Votes aye.
Joshua Penner — Votes nay, do not pass.
Clyde Shavers — Votes aye.
Clyde Shavers — Clyde Shavers is identified as Vice Chair in the absence of the prime sponsor, and the chair continues by referring to him as Vice Chair Shavers while proceeding with witness calling.