HB2427 — Chair states there will be no action today.
HB2589 — Chair states there will be no action today.
HB2438 — House Bill 2438 is introduced and then explained as establishing the Supporting Our Early Education Degree Seekers Scholarship. The discussion continues with the proposed substitute H-3363.2, which includes changes to scholarship administration and eligibility.
HB2438 — The committee resumes work on House Bill 2438, moves the proposed substitute for committee action, clarifies that members will vote on the substitute as the operative version of the bill, and then reports the substitute out of committee with a do-pass recommendation.
Saranda Ross, counsel to the committee — Provides the committee explanation of House Bill 2438 and its scholarship structure.
HB2525 — House Bill 2525 is introduced and explained as creating a heritage orchard program at Washington State University. The discussion then moves to the proposed substitute (H-3244.2) and related amendments, including changes that eliminate certain requirements and add null-and-void clauses.
HB2525 — House Bill 2525 is introduced to the committee, a motion is made to move the proposed substitute, and the substitute bill is then considered for a do-pass recommendation. The bill is described as the Heritage Orchard Registry Program, support is urged, the committee takes a voice vote, and the proposed substitute House Bill 2525 is reported out of committee with a do-pass recommendation.
Melanie Morgan — Likely intended by the transcription as Representative Mendoza; the provided member list does not include Mendoza, so this is questionable.
HB2586 — House Bill 2586 is introduced and then explained as a measure that qualifies students for the Passport to Careers program, expands Washington College Grant eligibility, and aligns financial-need formulas.
HB2586 — House Bill 2586 is introduced, a motion is made to report it out of committee with a do-pass recommendation, the committee votes on the motion, and the bill is ultimately reported out of committee with a do-pass recommendation.
HB2458 — House Bill 2458 is introduced and described as expanding Washington College Grant eligibility to certain non-degree credential programs.
HB2458 — The committee takes up House Bill 2458, notes an amendment, and then moves to report the bill out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The discussion continues with a motion to report the substitute bill, including adopted amendments, out with a do-pass recommendation. Members then offer brief debate: supporters say the bill would help students in certificate, trade, welding, and CNA programs by expanding financial aid eligibility, while a critic argues it expands eligibility without sufficient funding. The overall exchange remains centered on whether to advance the bill and its substitute with the adopted amendments.
Debra Entenman — Identified as the sponsor of amendment Ross 110.
Debra Entenman — Recorded as voting aye.
Debra Entenman — Likely refers to Rep. Entenman; she is asked whether she would like to move her bill.
Debra Entenman — Likely Rep. Entenman; asks to move the bill and references amendment Ross 110.
Debra Entenman — Moves adoption of Amendment Ross 110 and supports the amendment.
Debra Entenman — Is thanked for remarks after moving the amendment.
Debra Entenman — Supports the bill and says it will help more students complete higher education.
Debra Entenman — Votes aye.
Debra Entenman — Voted aye, then later appears again in the roll call with a nay, do not pass vote; the transcript likely contains a duplication/error.
HB2474 — House Bill 2474 is discussed as a measure involving the Student Achievement Council Tuition Recovery Trust Fund and protections tied to school or program closures. The committee then moves into amendment discussion, including whether the amendment would roll back student consumer protections beyond closure-related issues. A response clarifies that the amendment applies more broadly to institutional student consumer protections, such as quality of education, unfair business practices, and financial stability, and is not limited to program closures.
HB2474 — The committee took up House Bill 2474 and noted that a substitute was available. The proposed substitute was moved with a due pass recommendation, amendments were discussed, and the committee ultimately adopted the amendment and moved to report the proposed substitute House Bill 2474 out of committee with a due pass recommendation.
Ms. Wren — Provides staff explanation of House Bill 2474.
Alex Ybarra — Alex Ybarra is identified as the sponsor of a series of related amendments, including REN 073, REN 074, and REN 082.
Alex Ybarra — Expressed support for the bill, saying it would help foster youth and other vulnerable students get to college.
Alex Ybarra — Continued support for the bill and recommended a yes vote.
Alex Ybarra — States opposition due to financial concerns, despite calling the bill a good bill.
Alex Ybarra — Continues explaining opposition based on fiscal concerns.
Alex Ybarra — Stated that he would withdraw REN 73 and REN 74.
Alex Ybarra — Was thanked as ranking member after withdrawing amendments.
Alex Ybarra — Voted nay, without recommendation.
HB2450 — House Bill 2450 is discussed as a bill with no amendments that changes EMT recertification rules. It requires emergency medical technicians to recertify every three years, with an exception for technicians certified in Washington for 10 years, who would recertify every six years.
Ms. Redd — The chair thanks Ms. Redd, likely the staff member presenting the bill summary.
HB2540 — The chair asks for questions on what appears to be a misheard bill number, likely referring to House Bill 2450.
HB2540 — Motion made to report the bill out of committee with a do-pass recommendation.
Mari Leavitt — Recorded as voting aye.
Mari Leavitt — Rep. Leavitt’s vote was recorded during the roll call, with the final record indicating a nay vote without recommendation.
Mari Leavitt — Mari Leavitt votes aye and speaks in support of the bill, urging a yes vote and explaining that it reduces redundant training for first responders. A subsequent speaker echoes agreement with her position.
Suzanne Schmidt — Recorded as voting aye.
Suzanne Schmidt — Is called on after the remarks; the transcript then shifts to her response in the next section.
Suzanne Schmidt — Supports the bill, citing benefits for trade students and stackable certificates.
Suzanne Schmidt — Says she supports the bill and the trades, citing workforce development experience.
Suzanne Schmidt — Votes aye.
Suzanne Schmidt — Supported the amendment and urged a yes vote.
Suzanne Schmidt — Said her side would vote no because the bill does not provide enough flexibility for financial institutions.
Suzanne Schmidt — Restated opposition to the bill.
Suzanne Schmidt — Voted nay, without recommendation.
Suzanne Schmidt — Voted nay, without recommendation.
Suzanne Schmidt — Supports the bill and notes that the sponsor and co-sponsor are both certified EMTs.