Transcript Highlights:

• We invite you to attend one of the performances in one of our 33 communities, urban, rural, and travel
• In one of our 33 communities, urban, rural, and travel communities around the state.
• She's been a teacher there for five years and has impacted all of her students' lives and as a mother
• We reformed the Rural Universal Service Fund, Mr. President.
• of over $300 million and over $8,000, I'm sure. and employment impacts of over $300 million and over

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it was originally created for rural schools to help rural schools who had students who could
• So maybe a rural community can't afford to have a dentist practice in a rural community because it is
• so rural, or even a physician.
• So maybe a rural community can't afford to have a dentist practice in a rural community because it is
• so rural, or even a physician.

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, approved the March 31 journal, and moved through committee reports, gubernatorial messages, and House messages before taking up several bills on final reading. Among the measures considered were House Bill 930 on campaign finance, House Bill 949 on consolidating the STEM Action Center with the Workforce Development Council, House Bill 950 providing a one-time appropriation for a consultant to support Medicaid review work, House Bill 952 revising the Secretary of State’s budget, Senate Bill 1444 for public school support, House Bill 940 revising Idaho Digital Learning Academy policy, Senate Bill 1438 funding the IDLA budget, House Bill 516 on parental rights and education, and House Bill 897 on the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption. The chamber also received and referred additional bills, including House Bill 968 and several appropriations and committee reports. House Bill 930 passed after debate centered on campaign finance transparency, separate campaign accounts, limits on investments, and requiring self-loans over $1,000 to be deposited into campaign accounts. Supporters said it would improve accountability; opponents questioned enforcement and warned against weaponizing campaign reporting. House Bill 949 passed with discussion of consolidating STEM and workforce functions, shifting funds and staff, and reducing administrative costs. House Bill 950 passed as a one-time $200,000 appropriation for a consultant to assist the legislature’s Medicaid review panel. House Bill 952 passed with a small reduction to the Secretary of State’s ongoing general fund budget. Senate Bill 1444 passed despite objections that the school budget underfunds district health insurance and shifts costs to local districts; supporters emphasized federal fund authority and other budget adjustments. House Bill 940 passed after extensive debate on narrowing IDLA’s mission, ending state support for certain uses, limiting elementary and online participation, and reducing enrollments and costs. Senate Bill 1438, the companion IDLA appropriation bill, also passed after debate over the size of the cut, the use of the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and whether the budget should include a cap on enrollments; supporters said it matched the policy changes in House Bill 940, while opponents argued it was too restrictive and could harm students’ access to courses. House Bill 516, dealing with parental rights and education and teacher-union-related payroll and activity restrictions, passed after a lengthy and sharply divided debate over whether it protected taxpayer dollars or unfairly targeted educators and unions. House Bill 897, as amended, was then taken up for final consideration on the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption, with the sponsor explaining that the bill narrows the exemption to internal server equipment and limits it to 20 years in response to changing data-center trends and water-use concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• > particularly rural areas.
• I was a rural particularly rural areas.
• . um rural training education grants. um rural training tracks<00:43:13.920><c> and</c><00:43:14.160>
• </c> everywhere, both rural and urban areas. everywhere, both rural and urban areas.
• Low MA rates also impact access.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cancer patients in rural Arizona often have Cancer patients in rural Arizona often have to travel hours
• So this bill will help rural Arizonans receive cancer treatments closer to home for those rural patients
• You can't find a doctor that will go rural and live rural, and so you end up either having a welding
• Deserve in a rural community. So I ask you to pass this bill for rural Arizona. It's common sense.
• Third, the financial impact of uncompensated care.

Summary: The committee began with two radiology-related bills focused on rural access and workforce shortages. HB 2049 would allow particle accelerators for cancer treatment in critical access hospitals and counties under 400,000 population under general supervision, with rural providers testifying that the change would let patients receive care closer to home while maintaining safety protocols. The bill passed on an 11-0 vote. HB 2050 updated outdated radiologic technologist statutes, revised school accreditation and clinical-hour standards, and allowed radiologist assistants to work under supervision rather than direct supervision; an amendment also added registered nurses to the list of professionals not needing an additional license to use diagnostic X-ray machines. Testimony centered on staffing shortages, national standards, and whether the change would preserve oversight. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-2, with some members citing the need for more vetting and concern about oversight of dangerous equipment. The committee then heard HB 2082, which creates a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission to award grants for phase-one pediatric cancer and rare disease trials using existing license-plate funds and other sources. Parents and patients gave emotional testimony about pediatric brain cancer diagnoses, the lack of effective treatments, and the need for Arizona to support local research; the bill passed unanimously 12-0. HB 2015 required Access to cover breastfeeding and lactation services, and an amendment made the coverage subject to CMS approval. Supporters described breastfeeding as preventive care with benefits for infants and mothers, while Access said it was neutral but appreciated the amendment’s fiscal safeguard. The bill passed 12-0 as amended. Next, HB 2177 directed Access to seek CMS waivers to restore Medicaid payments for certain services provided to American Indian and Alaska Native members by IHS and tribal facilities, including dental, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive services. The sponsor and a Sage Memorial Hospital witness said the bill would help tribal facilities draw down federal funds and keep services local; it passed 12-0 as amended. HB 2178 required state agency chief medical officers to hold an active medical or osteopathic license and passed without opposition. HB 2179 clarified statutory definitions separating air ambulance from ground ambulance regulation, with industry testimony saying it was a cleanup measure that would avoid unintended consequences; it also passed 12-0. Finally, HB 2183 created an 11-member emergency medicine study committee to examine EMS system sustainability, rural and urban capacity, workforce burnout, and uncompensated care. Firefighters, health care advocates, and an emergency nurse practitioner supported the study as a way to gather data and make recommendations; it passed 12-0. The committee then returned to HB 2072, which establishes an optional state certification for lactation care providers under ADHS, along with rulemaking, fees, discipline, and an advisory committee; the sponsor said the credential was needed so Access could reimburse the service, and the bill was introduced for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And when it comes to the need for bonding, it isn't urban versus rural or even red versus blue.
• It's important all across the state, whether it be in the rural area, regional centers, metro areas.
• focused on is it the rightful use of bonding dollars and we all should be focused on how does this impact
• </c><00:02:36.400><c> or</c> bonding, it isn't urban versus rural or bonding, it isn't urban versus rural
• </c> focused on how does this impact motans. focused on how does this impact motans.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thousands of families, especially in my rural area, depend on it.
• And the downstream economic impact is substantial.
• And what it does is just allows the LSU Ag Center to look at the impacts in rural Louisiana, places where
• Any state impact? I don't think there was an actual fact.
• Obviously, we don't want to impact the budget and impact the AgCenter in a negative way, which is why

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development met on May 12, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard extensive testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 77, which urges federal action to address labor shortages affecting Louisiana’s crawfish industry and other seasonal employers. Representative Butler, Commissioner Strain, industry representatives, landscapers, nursery operators, and Farm Bureau supporters argued that H-2A/H-2B visa limits and processing delays are hurting crawfish processors, landscapers, nurseries, and related businesses, causing lost production, higher costs, and broader economic harm. Members emphasized that the workers discussed are legal guest workers, not illegal immigration, and several senators voiced support. HCR 77 was reported favorably, with a motion to co-author also noted. The committee then considered House Bill 81 on property rights and accountability for violations. Representative Boyer presented the bill, but Senator Long asked that it be voluntarily deferred so he could work on possible amendments and improve the measure before it advances. The author agreed, and the bill was deferred. The committee also heard and acted on several bills related to agricultural policy and food systems. House Bill 512, concerning cell-cultured meat, was presented as a measure to protect livestock producers and allow continued research while prohibiting the product; after questions about research and labeling, it was reported favorably. House Bill 717, a labeling companion measure for cell-cultured meat, was also reported favorably. House Bill 1194, which would direct the LSU AgCenter to study food deserts and develop a plan, drew concern from the AgCenter over capacity and funding; members agreed to report it without action so it could be recommitted to finance and worked on further. Finally, House Bill 663, revising the membership of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, was presented on behalf of the absent author and reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that is going to impact our students.
• I think that is going to impact our students.
• So maybe a rural community can't afford a dentist to practice in a rural community because it is so rural
• So maybe a rural community can't afford a dentist to practice in a rural community because it is so rural
• And I would rather spend it on rural health care than that. So the senator votes aye.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present and approved the previous day’s journal. After committee reports and messages from the Governor and House, the chamber moved through several bills, including House Bill 968 being introduced and referred to Finance, and multiple bills being advanced to second or third reading. The Senate also took up House Bill 930 on campaign finance, which would require separate campaign accounts, restrict certain investments, and require self-loans over $1,000 to be deposited into campaign accounts. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opponents raised enforcement and practical concerns. The bill passed 19-14. The Senate then considered budget and policy measures tied to education and state agencies. House Bill 949, consolidating the STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council and shifting related appropriations, passed 33-0. House Bill 950, a one-time $200,000 appropriation for a consultant to support the legislature’s Medicaid review work, passed 24-10. House Bill 952, the Secretary of State appropriation bill with a reduced ongoing general fund amount, passed 33-1. Senate Bill 1444, the public schools educational support program appropriation, passed 25-9 after debate over federal funds, endowment funding, and school health insurance costs. A major focus of the meeting was Idaho Digital Learning Academy. House Bill 940, a policy bill revising IDLA’s mission, limiting certain uses, and reducing funding for elementary, driver’s ed, private school, and fully virtual students, passed 31-3 after extensive debate about rural access, double-dipping, and the impact on enrollments. Senate Bill 1438, the companion appropriation bill, then passed 28-6, with supporters saying it aligned the budget with the policy changes and opponents arguing the cap and restrictions could limit access and local control. The Senate also passed House Bill 516, as amended, on a 20-14 vote after a lengthy debate over prohibiting public funds from supporting teachers’ union activities; supporters said it protected taxpayer dollars, while opponents said it was punitive and harmful to educators. The chamber then began consideration of House Bill 897, revising the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption, with debate just starting as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our 2024 economic impact was nearly $20 billion to the Central Texas region.
• Some concerns that have been raised about that include how this impacts rural Americans, and particularly
• rural Texans who may live in rural areas.
• In fact, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw that rural unemployment was impacted less significantly
• standards for my rural community, without taking into consideration how rural communities operate.

Bills: HB 112, HB199, HB621, HB1349, HB2214, HB3466, HB3698, HB3699, HCR9, HB112, HB199, HCR9

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, colleagues, educators and staff and community members in my Senate district and other rural
• We must restore rural aid funding, which was cut by 25% in fiscal year 26.
• We must restore rural aid funding, which was cut by 25% in fiscal year 26.
• And that in my rural district is also a tremendous issue.
• The long-term impact of these gaps is especially concerning.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first handled a House petition from John H. Rawlers and others seeking eminent domain authority for a parcel in Norwood; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the matter was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The chamber then resumed debate on the literacy bill, with Senator Tarr offering a series of amendments focused on school district funding, teacher competency, reporting, waivers, and curriculum implementation. Most of Tarr’s amendments were rejected, but one requiring written, appealable denials of district waivers was adopted by roll call, and another amendment on reporting from the Early Literacy Fund, including provisions for English language learners and special education educators, was also adopted. A separate amendment extending the timeline for DESE to publish high-quality curricula was adopted, while several other amendments were withdrawn or defeated. The Senate also considered and adopted an amendment from Senator Comerford addressing rural and regional equity in education funding. That amendment expanded eligible uses of the Early Literacy Fund to include screening assessments, required DESE to prioritize geographic and funding equity, mandated a public hearing in Western Massachusetts before final grant criteria were finalized, and directed technical assistance to rural districts. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, emphasizing chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, minimum-aid pressures, and the need for a broader review of the Chapter 70 formula and a Foundation Budget Review Commission. The amendment passed unanimously. Later, the Senate took up an amendment from Senator Moore on children’s vision care, which would have created a registry for vision screening and expanded eye exam requirements, but it was withdrawn after supportive debate. The chamber then adopted the Ways and Means redraft, ordered the bill to third reading, and passed An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. Final passage was also achieved for a separate House land-taking bill allowing the town of Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, which passed by the required two-thirds vote and was enacted. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday and adjourned in memory of Donna Goldstein.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this, this could have a big impact not just on the state but but internationally.
• And generally speaking, most of those companies serve in rural areas of Texas.
• Generating $714 billion in economic value and impacting 2.5 million jobs.
• Texas Rural Water Association is a trade association.
• Rapid growth is also straining rural water supplies.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this could have a big impact, not just on the state, but internationally.
• All while trying to mitigate the economic impact to our customers.
• And the second point is to ensure that our water policies protect rural Texas.
• Texas Rural Water Association is a trade association.
• Rapid growth is also straining rural water supplies.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, inadequate help for rural hospitals, which are struggling.
• Well, we have a crisis with regard to rural hospitals.
• In rural California, these budget cuts sit differently.
• Rural communities deserve the same access to health care as anyone else.
• It was raised about rural hospitals.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through privileges of the floor to recognize several guests, including the St. Mary’s High School football team from Stockton for winning the 2025 state championship, Black-owned businesses honored by the California Legislative Black Caucus and California Black Chamber of Commerce, and students and guests visiting the Capitol. The Rules Committee reported Senate Resolution 77 to third reading, and the Senate approved the journals and proceeded to the daily file. The chamber then confirmed Tyler Sadwith as Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services by a 33-0 vote. The main floor action was on Senate Resolution 77, which condemned racist and dehumanizing imagery shared by President Donald Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Numerous senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, framing the post as racist, dangerous, and part of a broader pattern of dehumanization; one Republican senator objected to the resolution’s language and process but said racism should be condemned. SR 77 was adopted on a 28-0 vote. The Senate then took up SB 106, a budget bill to create a one-time $90 million grant program to support family planning providers after federal cuts under H.R. 1 reduced reimbursements to Planned Parenthood and similar clinics. Supporters said the measure would preserve access to reproductive and preventive health care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while opponents criticized the bill for secrecy, no-bid contracting, and prioritizing abortion-related services over other budget needs such as rural hospitals and developmental disability services. After debate, the Assembly amendments were concurred in by a 26-9 vote. At the end of the session, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory, with Senator Choi offering a remembrance for Mitzi Ortiz, the city manager of Aliso Viejo, who died on December 22, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Kennedy with Rural County Representatives of California. We don't have an official position.
• And then also obviously with some of the rural counties and their concerns.
• But obviously access to these services is extremely critical for rural communities.
• There's a very real impact to Californians from this industry. California is counties.
• There's a very real impact to Californians from this industry.

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fiscal impacts. So we ask for an I vote. fiscal impacts. So we ask for an I vote.
• ,</c><00:49:11.119><c> successes</c> understand what the impacts, successes understand what the impacts
• Uh, this doesn't impact be real clear. Uh, this doesn't impact me<01:08:50.880><c> personally.
• So, so my doesn't have any impact.
• </c> necessarily especially in some rural necessarily especially in some rural areas<01:29:30.239><c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So huge fiscal impact to me.
• So obviously, my business was impacted.
• It will impact thousands of miles of pipeline.
• The impact of the 10,000-gallon threshold of leaking oil...
• So there is cost impact.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the economic engine of tourism is in the rural areas.
• A lot of these rural...
• It will be a game changer for our rural areas. It will be a game changer for our rural areas.
• This just says that for future planning because the impact things that we think of.
• This just says that for future planning, because the impact you see.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In rural Kentucky, which is 41% of our population, you've heard me say before, only 17% of our primary
• In rural Kentucky, which is 41% of our population, you've heard me say before, only 17% of our primary
• In rural Kentucky, which is 41% of our population, you've heard me say before, only 17% of our primary
• </c> ask him to uh, obtain a fiscal impact ask him to uh, obtain a fiscal impact study<00:13:43.560><
• Thank you for that answer, and I really appreciate this as far as urban and rural.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:17 - Discussion of 26RS SB 137 07:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 137 09:42 - Discussion of 26RS SB 147 10:48 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 147 11:56 - Discussion of 26RS SB 56 13:48 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 56 14:43 - Discussion of 26RS SB 116 20:17 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 116 21:23 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lack of capacity can impact a small rural county jail just as easily as a large metropolitan county jail
• Your rural counties, um, are simply.
• Investing in rural Texas and is investing in the future of our state.
• That's certainly impacting, you know, much of the state of Texas as well.
• Looking at things like highway impact or traffic impact or water or schools or public safety are really

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our rural areas have a shortage.
• We're monitoring this issue to thoroughly understand the impact.
• In rural critical access hospitals where the nurse anesthesiologists may be the sole Rural critical access
• We heard a lot of you speak about the rural areas within California.
• We heard a lot of you speak about the rural areas within California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Neither will our rural communities across the state who support this legacy industry.
• Senator Simon's legislation is kicking off a rural renaissance across Florida.
• Combined with higher interest rates, there's been a big impact on homes.
• Spending time with his parents, Cindy and Dennis, has had a tremendous impact on me.
• Spending time with his parents, Cindy and Dennis, has had a tremendous impact on me.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, presentation of the colors, and the national anthem. The chamber welcomed cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, former Senate presidents and colleagues, and other guests. Senators also observed moments of silence honoring former Senator Geraldine Thompson and former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the Senate dedicated its 2024-2026 handbook to Thompson in recognition of her work in education and civics. The main action of the day was adoption of SCR 1294, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session in the House chamber at 11 a.m. that day to receive a message from Governor Ron DeSantis. The resolution was adopted without objection, rules were waived, and it was immediately certified to the House. The Secretary was also directed to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was convened and ready to proceed with the 2025 regular session. In a lengthy opening-day address, the President outlined the session’s priorities, emphasizing rural Florida, citrus and agriculture, government efficiency, IT and cybersecurity reform, administrative rule review, affordability, insurance and property tax relief, autism services, veterans’ support, mental health and child welfare legislation, Everglades restoration, public school administrative efficiency, and food insecurity. No substantive debate or roll-call votes were taken beyond the unanimous adoption of the concurrent resolution. The Senate then adjourned until March 12, 2025, or upon the call of the President.