[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6335780,"mediaKeyId","2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33","parentId",2288648,"title","Committee reports technical corrections bill out with amendment","audioSeconds",443,"startMs",29940,"endMs",472960,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33&start=29&end=472","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33/thumbnail_29940.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335780/Washington/Committee-reports-technical-corrections-bill-out-with-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335780-3d8c2622c3889e361323babe747653f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252166&Signature=htv0L99q-9~kC61smkaOur8DcXBE5aKtLVKT04G3wCPyiY-dQ3MSz6EJkyi5CWLqjZZ7N11cTFIpZSXaDiXeYS53FVVqcmPA5XaIsyEkXRQcjT8VPg2E0k4XDftkQRW4eMJr61KtVXrr0nRIcZMdBuB8houSXnn6UEAOkcG-N-Mp7taybnCwoxw~owyjGqMnhuVZ83LJ0KmjVAasUVl~LeINVKgNRB1SelDgImewIpiGfQUnbCH8Zm9jKfbUo3lThGnNzkZ0vzvLGR0Pd0mFi4HzCpTjQn~HlCLlqPHaIP9ic2lvfbXVduJI7gxPEDShT1MQ2ztw3wA-sCUXQVm3Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Civil Rights & Judiciary","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Feb. 12 voted to report substitute House Bill 1281 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after adopting an amendment that corrects cross-references in the bill.

Staff told the committee that the bill is a routine statute-law cleanup. \"House Bill 1281 is the bill from the statute law committee that makes technical corrections to the Revised Code of Washington,\" D. B. Adams, staff to the committee, said in the hearing.

Committee members said they generally viewed the measure as technical but noted a few points of concern. \"We generally agree that this is a good cleanup bill,\" Ranking Member Representative Walsh said, adding that some members would register \"very gentle nays\" while they continued to check certain updated terms for professions referenced in the bill.

The committee adopted Amendment ADAM 151, moved by Representative Goodman, which staff said fixes three cross-reference errors identified after the bill was drafted. \"This is the annual technical corrections bill, and this amendment is a technical correction to the technical corrections bill,\" Representative Goodman said during discussion.

After adopting the amendment, Vice Chair Farvar moved that the adopted amendment be incorporated into substitute House Bill 1281 and that the substitute bill be reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The committee then took a roll call. Substitute House Bill 1281 was reported out with 11 ayes and 2 nays. The roll call recorded ayes from Representatives Taylor, Farvar, Abel, Burnett, Entenmann, Goodman, Jacobson, Peterson, Salahuddin, Tai and Wallen; Representatives Walsh and Graham voted nay, both recorded \"nay without recommendation.\" Staff announced \"11 ayes, 2 nays, and 0 excused or absent votes.\"

No substantive policy change or new program was adopted; staff and members characterized the bill as correcting manifest errors in statute text such as subsection cross-references and spelling. Committee discussion focused on confirming that changes are technical and do not alter substantive rights or duties.

The committee record shows the amendment adoption and the committee report as the formal outcomes of the item. No further committee action was recorded during the Feb. 12 meeting; the bill will proceed according to the Legislature's calendar.

Ending: The committee concluded its action on House Bill 1281 after the roll-call vote; staff will transmit the substitute bill with the committee's due-pass recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Civil Rights & Judiciary - 2/12/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee voted to report substitute House Bill 1281 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after adopting a technical amendment that corrects cross-references and similar manifest errors.","taxTitle","Civil Rights & Judiciary, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20256,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335766,"Bill would grant limited immunity to community public‑safety programs; advocates and legal groups disagree on scope",1583,2253420,3836480,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33&start=2253&end=3836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33/thumbnail_2253420.jpg","/articles/6335766/Washington/Bill-would-grant-limited-immunity-to-community-publicsafety-programs-advocates-and-legal-groups-disagree-on-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335766-5f5a31d44e5bdc0cb83ab6047b89ab18/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252166&Signature=FdAmOFjqsI5HrNRH0qKS8Id2iHkaCIAXgVyCMzJ3gDg~-AGy7Qv2WlGoBH45-knSqqTZT3Q5hbhiHMrEDCdVUvvnZcst-xPvz3XvqQq~pcAq0HLEZygUBczNWblFsVKKONCA56w9g-O2KOebN8D9~EkYSlSZ9GREmRfAAf-g3dJrac4580pard-aF6Anp1NSuXCbqJPiS31oyM8xcWqHD1AGrnOYklAQgMimFdxyXBFpKo7TmTfPJ1R48On-pb8bBOoGaYGdStpSZFMqg55qU-gKn3uEDfNLeHYStWr4awcEAT6BCifpUSFDxFDIaPC8PcG4kIjhDIcANrzidKYQJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Edwin Obras (D‑33rd) presented House Bill 1897 on Feb. 12, which would provide limited immunity from civil liability to community based public safety programs and associated staff or volunteers when core services are provided in good faith to people experiencing behavioral‑health crises, complex behavioral‑health needs or with histories of legal‑system involvement.

\"This bill gives liability protections to community based public safety organizations that work with those who are experiencing behavioral health crisis, have complex behavioral health needs, and or have histories of legal system involvement,\" Representative Edwin Obras said in his sponsor remarks.

Staff summarized the bill's parameters: immunity would attach only where (1) services are provided to a person in behavioral health crisis, complex behavioral‑health needs, or with a history of legal system involvement; and (2) the act or omission is done in good faith. The bill limits immunity to claims of simple negligence and does not extend to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. The bill also defines core aspects of a community based public safety program to include activities such as outreach, case management, providing shelter and housing, traveling among worksites, transporting clients and aftercare functions. Unlike some prior crisis‑response immunity laws, HB 1897 would include volunteers in its coverage.

Supporters — including community organizations that provide street outreach, crisis response and encampment assistance — urged the committee to adopt protections that would preserve programs' financial viability. Lisa Dugard and Faye Lopez Getke of Purpose, Dignity, Action (PDA) described difficulty obtaining or retaining insurance and said a single claim can cause programs to lose coverage. \"If left unaddressed, lack of liability protection will threaten the viability of this very popular and widely supported field of work,\" Lisa Dugard said.

Opponents or skeptics raised concerns about the bill's broad definitions and unintended consequences. Alex Dietz, an attorney for the Washington State Association for Justice, said the bill's definition of \"community public safety program\" is broad enough, as currently drafted, to sweep in entities such as private security contractors, group care facilities and other providers that should remain accountable under ordinary negligence standards. \"Granting immunity might potentially result in some reduction in insurance premium costs, but it does that at the cost to the population the bill is purportedly seeking to help,\" Alex Dietz said.

Committee members and stakeholders signaled ongoing negotiations to narrow definitions and address liability boundaries. No committee vote was recorded on Feb. 12; the item was considered in public testimony with multiple panels representing providers, advocates, and defense/insurance interests.

Ending: The bill remains in committee for further drafting; supporters and the sponsor asked the committee to refine definitions and guardrails to preserve well‑run programs while limiting unintended immunity for parties outside the bill’s intended scope.","House Bill 1897 would create a limited civil‑liability immunity for community based public‑safety programs, their staff and volunteers when core services are provided in good faith to people in behavioral‑health crises; the proposal drew support from providers and concern from lawyers and insurers over breadth.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335770,"Bill would reserve worker board seats at large co‑ops; employees, unions and co‑op leaders spar in hearing",1739,533310,2273260,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33&start=533&end=2273","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33/thumbnail_533310.jpg","/articles/6335770/Washington/Bill-would-reserve-worker-board-seats-at-large-coops-employees-unions-and-coop-leaders-spar-in-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335770-6fbf85a8d3374f4cdbf55d316ba3057a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252166&Signature=OlYDiJJJN27f1SUwN4K1QmUEMR8EYnmU2mJK6CQJrnn1e04oP74EFqpWPSwmFLPnOoTM8~5DNRC3qDE1BWc~qwL-k4JOPM5do~4QJ35-mWRPW7UNy30OGVvdcgjoxmbjGVgtas6ZLrUtnymASR9pRsKFZkB2O5YPFpnZBYKDze90DJGClhfxtNOpT1ECPFYSvYNXy~fXD7RlkK1iWv1zi21sBZo49CfRAXW2JVhXDC7doUm60mtGnSl2T5xyfX8fwTOrhpTj58hKTey6yn85NgWJhFpTzb3xFOJ0hkGY1M12CB-ZVjEOTzlS4xUyOVQOWS6juGSnCZPdZgelp~5OSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Cindy Ryu (D‑30th) introduced House Bill 1635 on Feb. 12, proposing that large cooperative associations and consumer cooperatives with 2,500 or more employees worldwide reserve two board seats for non‑supervisory employees selected by their fellow non‑supervisory employees.

\"If they purport to be membership driven, then why are they basically cutting out employees who do not have that multinational CEO type of experience?\" Representative Cindy Ryu said during the hearing, arguing that employees provide ground‑level knowledge that would benefit large cooperatives.

Staff described the bill's mechanics: cooperative associations formed under the Cooperative Associations Act and consumer cooperatives under the Nonprofit Miscellaneous and Mutual Corporations Act that have 2,500 or more employees worldwide must specify in their articles of incorporation or bylaws that two board positions be reserved for persons who are not supervisory or managerial employees at the time they serve as directors. Those employee directors would be selected by a majority vote among the corporation's non‑supervisory and non‑managerial employees, and would be restricted from voting on matters relating to wages, benefits, or other terms or conditions of employment affecting non‑supervisory employees.

Workers from REI and others testified in support. \"I was also shocked to learn that REI banned workers from the board,\" Shimona Moreno, executive director of 350 Seattle and an REI member and board candidate, said, adding that workers should be able to serve to hold cooperatives to founding values. Employees who testified described union negotiations with REI and said board access would provide a formal channel for worker perspectives. Anders Soderquist, an REI employee, said he supports the bill after observing REI’s board and corporate conduct.

Labor and some cooperative leaders also testified in favor. Dustin Lambo of UFCW 3000 said the bill \"is about reinforcing the cooperative principles of democracy and community engagement,\" and pointed to other cooperatives that include worker representation.

Opponents and neutral witnesses raised legal, practical and constitutional concerns. Michael Hutchings, speaking in his individual capacity and identifying experience advising cooperatives and serving on the PCC Natural Markets board, said a legislative mandate for designated employee board seats risks conflicts of interest, legal exposure for employee‑directors, and could set a precedent that would invite other designated seats for interest groups. \"Mandating through legislation employee board seats is fundamentally flawed and will create significant problems,\" Hutchings said.

Committee members asked several technical and policy questions about thresholds and comparability to other employee‑ownership models such as employee stock ownership plans. Representative Abel asked why the bill uses the 2,500‑employee threshold; proponents noted that the threshold targets very large cooperatives and that some co‑ops (for example, PCC) already include worker representation voluntarily.

No committee vote was recorded on Feb. 12; the item was held as a public hearing with multiple panels of supporters and opponents.

Ending: The bill remains in committee for further consideration and drafting; sponsors and stakeholders indicated willingness to discuss threshold and drafting details.","House Bill 1635 would require cooperative associations and large consumer cooperatives with at least 2,500 employees worldwide to reserve two board seats for non‑supervisory employees, selected by a majority vote of non‑supervisory staff.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335761,"Bill would let state reimburse counties for jail‑health malpractice awards above $50,000; providers urge action",1468,3757335,5225765,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33&start=3757&end=5225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33/thumbnail_3757335.jpg","/articles/6335761/Washington/Bill-would-let-state-reimburse-counties-for-jailhealth-malpractice-awards-above-50000-providers-urge-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335761-e15be61f7bc79bb30bef5d62b5849f7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252166&Signature=CqS4gJPhsBHwaqb6pL-b-i6qCAa6vqwrHf3wqS8IlGaZdG6UbTqbRuYs9PHVTp9Owf7pjFZHY7O474R1eVSZgkocJKO7JXa9OPa35r7agdjcZ7cEBN5OiTiLvvJNboy42e3Q9UIlB~JDTDE583ZSNYXeI5B95IQKCEFF3W-~yA4h32zaXydWfmGW3FHWLu5asjlj0M4lX1xBED9pSgthmgBLPMOOgeAA5ESMuez-Grcxl-i8PzOrQJUb6OetmWH74~gk9wDQRp8wJnoCJzvpz3rtI5zga9K0QXVXcU3HVbmmjxQEWCflIoOTE1fh534v405DR5FnH~v4BjNCf9cmwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Simmons introduced House Bill 1743 on Feb. 12 to address a market failure that, sponsors and providers said, prevents community health centers from providing care inside county jails because private malpractice insurers have largely retreated from the market.

\"House Bill 1743 creates a process under which the state will provide reimbursement through the sundry claims process for certain judgments or settlements based on damages for injury or death in the provision of health care services in local correctional facilities,\" staff explained during the hearing.

Under the bill as described to the committee, reimbursement is available for judgments or settlements against community‑based health providers under contract with a local correctional agency when the award is for medical malpractice and when the reimbursable portion exceeds $50,000. Reimbursement would not cover damages arising from other torts or constitutional claims; qualifying providers must be approved by the Department of Health (for example, federally qualified health centers or clinics meeting similar standards).

Health‑center leaders and county jail officials told the committee they frequently cannot find private malpractice coverage for in‑jail care. \"My center was not able to compete for an RFP to serve as the in‑jail provider in Kitsap County because we could not obtain private insurance on the private market,\" Brynn Felix, chief corporate affairs and legal officer at Peninsula Community Health Services, said in testimony supporting the bill.

David Ford, senior policy advisor for property and casualty at the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, told the committee the private market has effectively exited or limited coverage for jail healthcare: interviewees reported reinsurance exclusions, entanglement with Eighth Amendment civil‑rights litigation, and solvency concerns among insurers. Department of Enterprise Services staff described the existing sundry claims process and indicated the Office of Risk Management is prepared to work with the Department of Health to vet provider qualifications if the bill moves forward.

Supporters said the bill is not designed to provide blanket immunity or to decrease care quality: it would reimburse counties for the portion of medical‑malpractice awards above $50,000, subject to review and approval through the sundry claims process.

Ending: The bill advanced to public testimony on Feb. 12 with broad stakeholder support from community providers and county officials; the committee did not take a final vote that day.","House Bill 1743 would permit the state to reimburse, through the sundry claims process, amounts of medical‑malpractice judgments or settlements against community‑based providers delivering care in local jails that exceed $50,000.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335756,"Task force on court unification proposed to study court structure, funding and access",0,5283220,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33&start=5283&end=5283","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33/thumbnail_5283220.jpg","/articles/6335756/Washington/Task-force-on-court-unification-proposed-to-study-court-structure-funding-and-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335756-a1435a73409bcd581fc9b825c1e4a4d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252166&Signature=LHQtZojW7zJPtfA5gIGh8hC398Mw0N-os3lJSbGkic-h2ShoJOd4xN0fzqEZPiI626Hka09s2LtoDNTDYWIj1O0bOuAOXWKEm4znudK6NWR2L0ynWJkj1wtciQ3lN0fYTyDUUGOAcr50u029HgZkg2mr4HVtcStX~V1LikJL5mSaqI5ViQXJPW5WPS5DN-Zlpn6qhCUdPW5h6boqfEUvSrVrKlhw9jKxvTzf87E0NFQcRUf5vPDzbK2JrDy733M9R-LHMqAVhIigtbMsvhZ3kQyPu~df2vI2elwO0Z1XkeLTj8jFcrk~MFTZbTt3Cw9~bcezqXDR2xOcFrWBEymfFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jamila Taylor (D‑30th) introduced House Bill 1909 on Feb. 12, which would create a 34‑member Court Unification Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of Washington’s court structure, rules, funding and technology and to submit recommendations by June 30, 2027.

\"It's long overdue that we had this conversation around common challenges, technology, even recently in terms of our JIS system going down,\" Representative Jamila Taylor said, explaining the bill's intent to collect stakeholder input and develop specific solutions to harmonize court policies and improve access to justice.

Staff summarized that Washington does not currently have a unified court system; state funding and rulemaking authority are split among court levels and local jurisdictions. The proposed task force would include legislative, executive and judicial representatives, local government and tribal representatives, civil legal aid, prosecutors, public defenders, and people with relevant lived experience. The task force may form subcommittees on IT, court capacity and funding, and small/rural courts and could hire staff or contract for professional assistance consistent with appropriations.

Support came from the Administrative Office of the Courts (board for judicial administration) and access‑to‑justice advocates. Britney Gregory of the AOC said the board appreciates the bill and is prepared to engage. Esperanza Burbo, chair of Access to Justice groups, said a task force could help reduce inconsistent local rules that create barriers for unrepresented litigants.

Committee members asked questions about membership balance and prior efforts to study court unification; Representative Taylor said multiple stakeholders have raised the issue and identified inconsistent rules and customer‑service problems as persistent barriers to access.

Ending: The bill was heard with supportive testimony from court administrators and access‑to‑justice advocates; it requires further work, member appointments and funding to proceed toward the report deadline in 2027.","Representative Jamila Taylor proposed a 34‑member Court Unification Task Force (House Bill 1909) to analyze Washington’s non‑unified court system and recommend structural options, funding models, and operational improvements. The bill would create subcommittees, allow staff or contracted experts within appropriations, and require a final repo",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335775,"Committee advances bill updating process-service rules for business entities",420,122330,542600,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33&start=122&end=542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288648-b3511077e53c6ba3e7dc5096e1f06d33/thumbnail_122330.jpg","/articles/6335775/Washington/Committee-advances-bill-updating-process-service-rules-for-business-entities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335775-d0a0c31c355ed76991ffaee8e94502be/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252166&Signature=m0aVe3h1gQuD7tF8kbFQ7fX5mfIwcXU7XNYtvCrkXptsNBpkANYLeX3pbCxhSzObvZxvt2C6-1gNfKdpKOJ56uvvNqvMNbxkKIgiIoBppPib1B4UEh6jMwnTmJotzHr8NsxhoxMmkunDIJ4jB4DBkAO8uMwzX0siJlgFdbYAaMB5~imLlmZTipqfh6a1J-XH5AE6cW6ElTxGT4J0qsQHV~cH2twGcVdZoeBJYUOtMwBfukv5SCcGz5KOqXcfi-6xw50yxCJxqZSY5SoPB5FfMspQo~uCcg-51EURJZeTCxXg1Bw79uD04T7-SPIOq7TyPrd09BX6w0tOjyuV-XoLDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Feb. 12 voted to report House Bill 1361 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after a brief staff briefing and limited member discussion.

\"House Bill 1361 relates to updating process service requirements for business entities and motorists,\" John Brzezinski, staff to the committee, told members during the hearing.

Vice Chair Parvour moved that the bill be reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. Representative Abel and other members supported the measure during brief discussion, with Representative Abel saying his private-practice experience suggested the bill would simplify a currently \"difficult and convoluted\" process for practitioners and the public.

The committee conducted an oral vote. Staff announced 13 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 excused or absent votes; House Bill 1361 was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Ending: The bill will advance according to the Legislature's process. No amendments were offered or adopted during the Feb. 12 proceeding.","The Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee voted to report House Bill 1361 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. Staff described the bill as clarifying service-of-process requirements; the measure passed on an oral vote, 13–0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reports technical corrections bill out with amendment

Bill would grant limited immunity to community public‑safety programs; advocates and legal groups disagree on scope

Bill would reserve worker board seats at large co‑ops; employees, unions and co‑op leaders spar in hearing

Bill would let state reimburse counties for jail‑health malpractice awards above $50,000; providers urge action

Task force on court unification proposed to study court structure, funding and access

Committee advances bill updating process-service rules for business entities