Video & Transcript : 'legislative' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Today we're covering 29 legislative proposals, including constitutional amendments.
- Legislative proposals, including constitutional amendments.
- But this legislation asks... $8.60 a page. But this legislation asks only for a raise of $1.50.
- If I look familiar to legislative policy council for the Committee for Public Council Services.
- We believe that this legislation goes hand in glove with education.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns.
Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier.
The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Commission on Civic Education May 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Megan Bella, the coordinator for the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
- It's legislator-proof. It's easy to find and operate. That's right.
- Megan Bella, I'm with the Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
- But I have enjoyed my time on the Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
- And thanks to Representative Bam for his sponsorship of the legislation.
Summary:
The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education met with a quorum, approved the minutes from its prior meeting, and unanimously approved the 2026–27 membership slate for the Legislative Youth Advisory Council after hearing that more than 300 students applied. The commission also approved LIAC’s budget and mileage reimbursement guidelines, which were updated to reflect the IRS rate increase. Members thanked the Legislature for continuing to fund LIAC after earlier years of sponsor-based support.
The meeting featured several civic education presentations tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Brandon Burris of the Lieutenant Governor’s office described state parks, museums, library backpack programs, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, and Homework Louisiana as civic and educational resources. Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute discussed national trends in civics education, teacher discomfort with controversial topics, and the institute’s teacher training, student camps, debate programs, and civics app. Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Katie Stark and Nancy Torren presented America 250-related materials, including a PBS Kids feature on a Louisiana child and a PBS Learning Media series on Bernardo de Gálvez and Spanish Louisiana, along with teacher training events.
LIAC members John Parker and Brandon Routon reported on their work over the year, including school safety efforts, digital service-hour tracking, AP self-study access, minor work permits, AI-generated harassment of minors, and school advisory councils. The Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education reported on Law Day and Constitution Day programming reaching thousands of students, its summer institute, student and teacher awards, and a proclamation marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Barry Irwin also reported that legislation to clean up the commission’s membership and quorum provisions had passed the House and been heard in Senate Education. The commission adjourned after thanking staff for managing the meeting during severe weather.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- For their Capitol Day visiting with legislators. Really fun.
- With that, I'll tell you what the legislation does.
- With that, I'll tell you what the legislation does.
- I know that we can't legislate our way out of this crisis, but I also know that we as legislators can
- I know that we can't legislate our way out of this crisis, but I also know that we as legislators can
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and visiting groups, including the Challenger Learning Center, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, Zeta Phi Beta, Pine Forest High School students, and others. Senators also noted President Albritton’s recovery and upcoming caucus and appointment announcements. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar.
The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which increases penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers and other personnel, including making manslaughter of an officer punishable by mandatory life imprisonment without release and clarifying resistance to officers. Senator Leek described the bill as a compromise intended to honor Officer Jason Rainer, while Senators Rouson and Bracy Davis offered and then withdrew amendments. Senators Pizzo, Berman, Smith, Polsky, and others questioned the bill’s impact on self-defense, officer conduct, jury instructions, prosecutorial discretion, and the removal of language regarding unlawful force by officers. Supporters argued the bill corrects confusion and strengthens protections for officers; opponents said it removes civilian protections and imposes disproportionate mandatory sentencing. The bill passed 31-4.
The Senate then passed SB 168 on public nuisances, expanding nuisance law to include gambling establishments and increasing penalties; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives; SB 292 and SB 298 creating public records protections for appellate clerks and dating-violence victims; SB 296 establishing the HAVEN alert platform study and expanding address confidentiality protections for domestic violence victims; SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure; SB 386 creating protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserving or extending public records and meeting exemptions, including SB 7000, SB 7202, SB 706, SB 708, SB 7012, SB 7014, and SB 7016. Most passed with little or no opposition, though some of the public-records measures drew a few nays. At the end, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify passed bills to the House and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-29 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, I'll tell you what the legislation does.
- With that, I'll tell you what the legislation does.
- I know that we can't legislate our way out of this crisis, but I also know that we as legislators can
- I know that we can't legislate our way out of this crisis, but I also know that we as legislators can
- In specific, the legislation proposes three key reforms.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and visiting groups, including Challenger Learning Center representatives, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, local officials, students, and members of the Florida School Board Association. Senators also noted President Albritton’s recovery and offered remarks honoring the 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster.
The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which revises criminal penalties involving law enforcement officers and other personnel. Sponsor Senator Leek said the bill responds to the Officer Jason Rainer case by clarifying resistance to officers, shifting fault determinations to the courts, changing “lawful performance” to “official duties,” and imposing mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Senators Rouson and Bracy Davis offered amendments that were withdrawn. Senators Pizzo, Berman, Smith, Polsky, and others questioned the bill’s effect on self-defense, off-duty conduct, prosecutorial discretion, and the removal of language limiting unlawful force by officers. Supporters argued the bill corrects confusion and honors Officer Rainer; opponents said it removes civilian protections and imposes disproportionate mandatory sentencing. The bill passed 31-4.
The Senate then passed SB 168 on public nuisances, expanding nuisance law to include gambling establishments and increasing penalties; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, narrowing statutory ambiguity while preserving consumer protections; SB 292 creating a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families; SB 296 and SB 298 addressing domestic violence and dating violence, including a feasibility study for a secure alert system and expanded address confidentiality protections; SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure pathways; SB 386 creating protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserving or extending public records and meeting exemptions (SB 7000, 7002, 7006, 7008, 7012, 7014, and 7016). Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition, though some sunset-review measures drew a few dissenting votes.
At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to waive rules and immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, and the motion was adopted. The Senate also heard announcements about upcoming executive appointments, State of Black Florida Week events, and a motion to adjourn until the next meeting on February 4.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: State Public Safety Leaders Discuss Capitol Security - 07/29/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, our preference is to work with legislative partners.
- at home or other alert legislators at home or other places?
- </c><00:14:59.920><c> It's</c> place is not just for legislators.
- It's place is not just for legislators.
- </c> >> External messaging to legislators. >> External messaging to legislators. Sorry.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation is unprecedented.
- How does this legislation help us?
- How does this particular legislation assist us in addressing the issues associated?
- That's outside the scope of this legislation.
- If their district was originally designated under this legislation as such, yes.
Keywords:
teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, January 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> floor members may have five legislative floor members may have five legislative days<00:24:48.559
- </c> planning to vote for this legislation planning to vote for this legislation today<00:41:36.720><
- </c> this legislation will protect American this legislation will protect American communities<00:56:
- </c> they're actually going this legislation they're actually going this legislation if<00:57:28.839>
- </c><01:11:06.560><c> I</c> in the field oppose this legislation I in the field oppose this legislation
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority -OMMA- Apr 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- And I strongly urge legislators and their staff to attend as well.
- It must go to the capital to your legislators.
- Talk to your legislators. Figure out who your legislators are. We do not have a voice.
- I've spoken to the legislators, not all of them, of course, but many of them.
- Here's just a high-level broad overview of the active legislation.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Apr 1st, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- As the House handler of this legislation and having already passed this legislation in the form of life
- Representative, as the House handler of this legislation, and having passed mirror legislation already
- I do have some MoDOT legislation. Oh, well, then absolutely, definitely, then.
- We'd also support this legislation.
- But I think this legislation would reduce that in total. I think so, I'm okay.
Summary:
The Commerce Committee first met in executive session and considered a substitute for Senate Bill 973. Members adopted an amendment that revised the bill’s title and removed language tied to “certain written disclosures” and a two-year unused-facilities requirement from related school property language. After adopting the amendment and rolling it into the House Committee substitute, the committee voted the bill do pass by a 6-3 roll call vote.
The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 907 and related bills, dealing with abusive website access litigation. Senator Brad Hudson said the measure targets a single plaintiff’s pattern of threatening businesses with ADA-related website lawsuits and settlements, and explained changes made to refine definitions and extend coverage to political subdivisions. Witnesses from the Missouri Chamber, NFIB, Associated Industries of Missouri, the Columbia Chamber, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the Missouri Broadband Providers Association testified in support, describing the suits as costly and coercive for small businesses and nonprofits.
Members questioned the scope of the bill, including whether it should also cover churches and nonprofits, and whether the “good faith” standard in the Senate version was too vague or burdensome. A committee attorney explained that good faith would likely be a fact-based issue decided by a court under a preponderance standard. Several members expressed support for narrowing the bill to avoid broader tort reform, while others raised concerns about litigation costs and the lack of an early mechanism to stop abusive suits. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is DOR request legislation.
- This is DOR agency request legislation that has been sent over to you by the House.
- law basis that creates winners and losers when legislation is made retroactive.
- basis that creates winners and losers when legislation is made retroactive.
- We're in favor of this legislation because we believe that we believe.
Bills:
HB2487
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This issue is one of our top ten, and we're very happy to support this piece of legislation.
- We support this legislation.
- Was it an endorsed piece of legislation? Thank you, Madam Chair. So, yes, it was.
- The legislation basically ...came forward from the PERA board.
- Cleanup legislation is important because it helps the agency administer the law efficiently.
Summary:
The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee met and first heard House Bill 30, which would update New Mexico’s teacher residency program. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would raise and index residency stipends to a percentage of a level-one teacher salary, better align pay with teacher compensation over time, and loosen post-residency service rules so residents could teach anywhere in New Mexico rather than being tied to one district. Testimony from educators, school boards, unions, and teacher-preparation groups emphasized that year-long residencies improve classroom readiness, help recruit career changers and special education teachers, and increase retention, especially in rural areas. Members asked about the stipend calculation and funding impacts; the bill was described as using existing grow funding and possibly requiring tradeoffs in future years. The committee approved HB 30 on a do-pass vote.
The committee then considered House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill. PERA staff explained that the measure makes technical corrections, resolves ambiguities, and aligns the statute with current administrative practice without making major policy changes. Supporters from AFSCME and the Educational Retirement Board said the bill would help administer retirement benefits more clearly, reduce litigation risk, and improve reciprocity for members with both PERA and ERB service credit. Committee questions focused on liability for overpayments, disability-retiree earnings limits, and survivor benefits for volunteer firefighters; staff said the changes were intended to broaden and modernize the language and mirror other retirement plans. HB 43 also received a do-pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 255, which would consolidate separate public safety workforce funding streams into a single nonreverting public safety workforce capacity building fund. The sponsor and Department of Finance and Administration witnesses said the new fund would create a more durable, flexible way to support recruitment, retention, relocation assistance, training, equipment, and other workforce needs for police, corrections, firefighters, and related public safety personnel. Supporters from the State Police, counties, labor, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber said vacancies and short staffing are severe and that a stable grant program would help fill positions and improve public safety and economic stability. After brief questions about the fund structure and uses, the committee passed HB 255 on a do-pass vote.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/16/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:52:58.719><c> body</c> municipality and its legislative body municipality and its legislative
- . legislation. legislation.
- ><c> guardrails</c> legislation has appropriate guardrails legislation has appropriate guardrails in<
- </c> expedient to legislate on 1528. expedient to legislate on 1528.
- </c> Bill 1324 is inexpedient to legislate. Bill 1324 is inexpedient to legislate.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- who will talk about this legislation more.
- So I implore you to have this legislation be passed in order to ensure that.
- They will continue throughout all aspects of legislation.
- U.S. state legislators can help by passing freedom to read legislation here in Massachusetts.
- And the proposed legislation does not undermine parental rights.
Summary:
The hearing focused on several bills related to access to library materials, including measures addressing book bans and censorship in public and school libraries, as well as legislation on digital library collections and e-book licensing. Committee leaders said testimony would be limited to three minutes and encouraged written submissions. Early testimony from Chair Brian Murray highlighted H. 3595, which would address challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by limiting restrictive publisher-library contract terms, protecting patron confidentiality, and creating a special legislative commission to study the issue.
A large number of legislators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, and advocacy groups testified in support of the free expression bills, including H. 3594 and S. 2328, arguing that book challenges in Massachusetts disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC titles and that librarians and educators need protection from retaliation and harassment. Witnesses described local incidents of book removals, threats, and pressure campaigns, and several said the bills would create transparent challenge procedures, keep materials available during reviews, and ensure decisions are made by trained professionals rather than political actors. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s office also submitted support, and multiple speakers cited national trends and Massachusetts-specific censorship attempts.
Testimony on the digital access bills emphasized that e-books and audiobooks are essential for readers with disabilities, homebound patrons, students, and others who rely on accessible formats, but that current licensing terms are far more expensive and restrictive than print purchasing. Library representatives said libraries spend millions on digital content, face long wait times for popular titles, and often must repeatedly re-rent the same materials. Legal and library experts supported the proposed commission as a practical step toward fairer licensing and stronger bargaining power for libraries. The hearing ended after extensive testimony; no votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Madam Vice Chair, junior legislative aide, and very junior legislative aide, and fellow members
- Town meetings aside, that's separate legislation. That was it.
- Town meetings, as you all know, are the legislative body of a town.
- I'm the Legislative Director for MASSPIRG.
- Started and then destroyed, but legally, legislatively, was not destroyed.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- But is there legislation at the state level, or is it the comptroller who's legislating?
- Was this bill modeled after legislation in Texas or Florida?
- I know that there was legislation in Florida that is similar to this bill.
- And then the second piece is the current legislation, and...
- The other is a commission that has to be reestablished by legislation.
Keywords:
grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, special education, due process, local education agency, burden of proof, IEP, education law, data sharing, student information, privacy, education, LA FIRST, foreign adversaries, terrorism, contracting, school funding
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislative Audit Commission. Legislative Audit Commission.
- </c> some of them we get put in legislation. some of them we get put in legislation.
- </c> rather than forcing legislation. rather than forcing legislation.
- ><c> fundamental</c><00:25:11.000><c> duty,</c> legislators, we have a fundamental duty, legislators,
- <c> or</c> our office of legislative auditor or our office of legislative auditor or inspector<00:41:
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> members uh this includes legislators members uh this includes legislators from<00:03:36.519><c>
- </c><00:32:58.159><c> that</c> pass comprehensive legislation that pass comprehensive legislation that
- This isn't just about legislation or partisanship or policy. It's about humanity.
- This isn't just about legislation or partisanship or policy. It's about humanity.
- </c> your long line of uh passing legislation your long line of uh passing legislation to<00:44:02.960
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:05
Roll Call: 00:00:14
SB 26: 00:01:50
SB 64: 00:18:29
SB 73: 00:22:54, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Chair Storm, would protect parents and prospective parents with disabilities by barring disability alone from being the sole basis for denying an adoption petition or terminating parental rights. Testimony from Judge Marcus Vanover and Crystal Adams described the bill as a product of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and its work groups, cited Kentucky and national cases and federal ADA guidance, and said the bill would require consideration of supportive services, clearer documentation, retention of records, and conforming language changes. Senator Carroll asked how the bill would apply to a hypothetical adult child with special needs; witnesses said the bill is aimed at adoption and termination proceedings where the Cabinet is already involved, not proactive service requests. The committee approved SB 26 by a unanimous 7-0 vote and sent it to the floor with favorable expression.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 64, also sponsored by Chair Storm, which would expand the definition of key infrastructure assets to include telecommunications services such as telephone lines and broadband and make damaging, tampering with, or rendering those services inoperable a Class D felony. Representatives from Charter/Spectrum and AT&T testified that copper theft and vandalism have increasingly damaged fiber and other facilities, citing more than 20 incidents in Kentucky in 2024 affecting over 30,000 customers and diverting resources from broadband expansion. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then passed SB 64 by a 7-0 vote with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams, which would create a felony offense for sexual extortion, allow victims or their representatives to bring civil actions, include the offense in Kentucky’s sex-crime definitions, and require school-based notification and education efforts along with resource information for students. Senator Adams and witness Lady T. Thompson described sextortion as a fast-growing online crime targeting minors, often through social media, gaming, and messaging apps, and argued that stronger penalties and prevention efforts are needed. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SB 73.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
2026 Session preview with House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) Feb 6th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:27.200><c> How</c> on that so legislation gets passed?
- How on that so legislation gets passed?
- </c><00:04:21.600><c> this</c> appetite for gunrelated legislation this appetite for gunrelated legislation
- ,</c> looking at is anti-fraud legislation, looking at is anti-fraud legislation, right?
- What are your thoughts on that and any so-called anti-ICE legislation?
Summary:
House Speaker Lisa Demuth reflected on the 2025 session as a difficult but productive year in a closely divided House, saying the tie forced Republicans and Democrats to work together and empowered co-chairs and committee leaders to negotiate throughout the session. She said her partnership with former Speaker Melissa Hortman showed that both caucuses could still get work done even when neither side got everything it wanted, and she expects to continue that approach in 2026 if the House remains tied. She also said she has a workable relationship with DFL leader Zack Stevenson and wants to maintain respectful decorum while still allowing strong debate and committee input.
On policy, Demuth said gun violence and public safety remain major concerns after the Hortman assassination, the Annunciation school shooting, and other high-profile violence. She said Republicans are focused on keeping communities safe, increasing penalties for firearm-related crimes, and expanding mental health supports across the state, especially outside densely populated areas. She also said anti-fraud legislation will be a major priority, noting prior bipartisan steps such as whistleblower protections and added staff for the Legislative Auditor, and she expects bipartisan action on fraud again this session.
Demuth said immigration and ICE-related legislation will likely return, referencing last year’s House File 16 and saying cooperation with ICE would make Minnesota safer. She also pointed to budget concerns, saying the state moved from an $18 billion surplus to a tighter fiscal picture and that a $5 billion spending reduction last year was a step in the right direction. She said the February forecast will be important for setting responsible priorities and emphasized that the caucus’s goal is to keep working in a bipartisan way for Minnesotans.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- They will be found starting on page 149 of your legislative review book.
- They will be found starting on page 149 of your legislative review book.
- Last year there was legislation to get rid of the Class D license type.
- These rules will be found starting on page 124 of your legislative review book.
- It will be found starting on page 144 of your legislative review book.
Summary:
The House Business Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses rule dockets, mostly involving fee reductions or fee-table updates for licensing and permitting boards. Ryan Bernard presented each item and explained that the changes were intended to bring board cash balances into compliance with Idaho law and reduce costs to licensees or permit applicants, with no effect on the state general fund. The committee first handled the Public Works Contractors Board rules, which would reduce fees by about 16 to 20 percent and add “not to exceed” language to allow future reductions; members asked about the basis for the reductions and noted a Rule 80 declaration before approving both the temporary extension and the pending rule.
The committee then approved pending rules for the Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, which move fees from the website into rule, formalize a 60 percent fee reduction, and remove intern fees. Members asked about a pending land-surveyor jurisprudence test, the board’s cash balance, and the distinction between licensing fees and building permits. The Building Code Board’s temporary and pending rules were also considered; these would reduce building permit fees by 20 percent. Members questioned the large cash balance, staffing shortages for inspectors, and whether the fees should be reduced further or used differently, but the committee approved the temporary extension and pending rule.
Finally, the committee approved the Factory Built Structure Board’s temporary and pending rules, which reduce modular building permit and installation fees by 20 percent and lower specific installation fees for single-wide, double-wide, and multi-section units. Members asked about the board’s fund balance, interest earnings, and the effective date of the cash-balance law referenced by the division. After all rule motions carried, the committee approved the January 21 minutes and adjourned, with a floor session noted for the following day at 10 a.m.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- For the record, Senator Doug O'Connowitz, Legislative District 3.
- For the record, Senator Doug O'Connowitz, Legislative District 3.
- Taves, Senator, Legislative District 4. Before you today is House Bill 706.
- that, but I did just want to go over a few things about this legislation.
- This legislation does not fill the full need, but it's a good start.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 959, which would adjust property tax levy limits for fire districts and ambulance service districts. Senator O’Connowitz and Chief Timminsky said the bill is needed because fire and EMS districts rely heavily on property taxes and have struggled to keep up with growth and operating costs. Supporters including the Idaho Home Builders Association and the Association of Idaho Cities said the bill would help emergency response and, in turn, support housing and local development. The committee moved the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then took up House Bill 706, which would allow cities to permit certain single-stair apartment buildings if they meet added life-safety standards. Supporters, including Senator Rabe, an architect, and a private citizen, argued the bill could reduce construction costs, make mid-rise and infill housing more feasible, and expand affordable housing options. Fire officials and city representatives opposed the bill, warning that a single stairway reduces redundancy for evacuation and firefighter access and could create serious life-safety risks. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Anthon and Adams recorded as no votes.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 967, a compromise measure to increase compensation funding for Idaho State Police troopers by redirecting $4 million in liquor fund revenue, with part coming from the state share and part from the city/county share. Senator Lakey and Colonel Gardner described severe staffing shortages, low pay compared with other agencies, and the need to retain troopers; law enforcement groups supported the bill. Cities opposed it, arguing it would take money from local police, fire, and EMS budgets and should be funded entirely from the state side or through a broader solution. After debate, the committee passed the motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Robbie and Riggs recorded as no votes.