Transcript Highlights:

• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. The quorum being present, the committee is ready for business.
• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Aye. Representative Tanner. Aye. Miller. Furness. Petske. Manwaring.
• Ward Engel King. Winthrop. Representative Tanner. Aye. Miller. Furness. Petsky. Manwaring.
• Ward Engle King. Galloway. Aye. Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Aye. Representative Tanner. Furness.
• Cindy Carlson, Galloway, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Representative Tanner, aye.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of Idaho Department of Corrections budget supplementals and FY 2027 enhancement requests. Members approved supplemental or ongoing funding for Hepatitis C treatment authority, county and out-of-state placement costs, medical services, management services replacement items and IT hardware, state prisons replacement items, and community corrections replacement items, with several motions passing by due pass recommendation after roll calls. In community corrections, the committee approved a reduced amount that excluded some vehicle replacements. The committee also approved a technical correction to the college and university budget to restore four FTP that had been omitted from yesterday’s motion. The committee then considered several Department of Health and Welfare items. It approved a budget-neutral fund source change for substance abuse treatment and prevention, moving $650,000 from the Liquor Control Fund to the Cooperative Welfare Dedicated Fund. In the Division of Welfare, members discussed SNAP administrative cost changes tied to H.R. 1, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes; the motion to fund all three items failed in the House committee, so no language advanced. The committee also approved psychiatric hospitalization supplemental funding to shift Idaho Behavioral Health Plan revenue from federal funds to dedicated funds. For FY 2027 mental health services, the committee approved a compromise package that reduced funding for a juvenile corrections clinical transfer and restored some mental health services staffing and Idaho Behavioral Health Plan costs, while adding Allenbaugh House funding through opioid settlement dollars. It also adopted language allowing certain transfers under state law and requiring separate reporting for children’s and adult mental health spending under the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. For psychiatric hospitalization, the committee approved ongoing fund shifts for employee benefits, the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan, replacement items, and endowment fund adjustments. The meeting ended with notice of upcoming budget-setting work and a reminder for members to get any new motions to staff by early afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward-Engelking. Wintrow. Woodward. Zuiderveld. Shippy? Taves.
• Ward-Engelking? Woodward? Woodward?
• Senator Ward-Engelking. ...and taxation.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Well, I may be a yes vote on this.
• Ward Engelking? Van Orden? Aye. Ward Engelking? Aye. Wintrow? Woodward? For 60 seconds?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard prayer and the pledge, approved the journal, and received committee reports and messages from the Governor and House. Several bills and resolutions were moved through the calendar, including committee referrals, enrollments, and transmittals of already-passed measures. The chamber also received new first-reading bills, including appropriations measures and policy bills on elections, education, and endowment land leases. On the floor, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 117 recognizing Idaho’s ties with Italy and the opening of an Idaho office in Italy. The resolution was supported with remarks about historical Italian immigration to Idaho and wartime cooperation involving Italian POW labor in Idaho agriculture. The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 30, which directs the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel to study and provide guidance on implementing comprehensive Medicaid-managed care; that measure passed by roll call, 20-10 with one absent. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 114, adding a new joint rule to limit the number of bill drafts and RSs a legislator may bring in a year, with exceptions for budget bills, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and leadership-approved exceptions; it passed 35-0. The chamber also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 115 urging federal action on pelican impacts to Idaho fisheries, and Senate Resolution 120 honoring State Police K-9 Kimber for her service. Later, House Bill 723 on child care licensing and protections for children in residential care facilities passed 32-3 after debate focused on abuse prevention, unannounced inspections, and a bill of rights notice for children. In the afternoon session, the Senate passed several appropriation bills, including Senate Bills 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, and 1386, covering the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Idaho State Lottery, Fish and Game, Veterans Services, Public Utilities Commission, Industrial Commission, and Pardons and Parole. Most were described as enhancement or maintenance budgets funded largely through dedicated or federal funds, with debate emphasizing small hardware purchases, program restorations, and agency operating needs. Senate Bill 1382 for Fish and Game passed 23-12, and House Bill 848, the legislative branch appropriation bill, was brought up for consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senator Sullivan, would you Senator Ward Senator Sullivan, would you Senator Ward would 68 We still
• Thank you, Chair Ward.
• Thank you, Chair Ward. Senator Brent. Thank you, Chair Ward.
• <c> SAU</c><01:08:07.319><c> consolidation</c> this says propose an SAU consolidation this says propose
• </c> a lot of problems with the proposal. a lot of problems with the proposal.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson. Petrie-Norris. Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• , aye, Ward, aye, Wicks, Wilson, aye.
• Ward: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. Mr.
• Patterson no Pelleron Petri Norris I Petri Norris aye Ward ward I wicks I wicks I wicks I Wilson Wilson

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Warding Hooking? Wintrow? Woodward? Cedar? Aye. Ciderveld? Aye.
• What this proposed legislation does is What this proposed legislation does is allow a brewery to expand
• Here's what I propose.
• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Woodward. Cito. Ziderfeld. Anthon. Anthen. Hart.
• Bill proposes.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward? Here. Thank you. We do have a quorum.
• Ward, aye. That has 11 votes. We'll hold the roll open for members to be able to add on.
• Ward. Aye. That has 11 votes, and we'll hold the roll open for members to be able to add on.
• Ward? Aye. All right, we have tended to it, and it’s out, and we’ll leave that open.
• Ward. Aye. Okay. We have 10 aye votes and we'll leave that roll open.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rep Perez, Rep Ward-Johnson, Rep Davis, Rep Schaffner. All right, a quorum is present.
• Ward-Johnson. Aye. Rep. Davis. Aye. And Rep. Schaffner. Aye.
• Rep Perez, rep Ward-Johnson, rep Davis, and rep Schaffner.
• HB 2081 proposes a strategic investment to address this gap.
• Yes, Representative Ward-Johnson, please.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• O'Connellitz, Ricks, Ruckty, Semaroth, Shippee, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward Engel King, Wintrow, Woller
• Ward Engel King? Aye. Winchrow? Woller? Woodward? Cedo? No. Sidervelt? Samaroff? Thank you.
• Ward-Engelking? Wintrow? Boyle? Woodward? Aye. Zuiderveld? No?
• There are 11 new substance proposals added, proposed substances to add to Schedule 1 and 2, and two opioids
• Ward Engel King? Woller? Woodward? Cedo? Aye. Ziderveld? Ricks.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Early in the day, members received committee reports and messages from the Governor and House, including the transmission of several bills and resolutions. The chamber also advanced a number of measures to later orders of business, and several bills were held on the calendar or referred to committees for further action or possible amendment. The Senate then considered and passed a series of bills on third reading. Among them were Senate Bill 1227 on generative AI in education, which passed after debate over teacher control, local control, and parent transparency; House Bill 603 on camping at the Capitol Mall, which passed after debate over free speech, public safety, and sanitation; House Bill 688 updating airbag and counterfeit airbag laws; House Bill 645 creating a voluntary portable benefits framework for independent contractors; House Bill 738 allowing LLCs to use a commercial registered agent’s address; House Bill 521 correcting background-check statutory placement; House Bill 615 clarifying disturbing-the-peace protections for houses of worship; House Bill 695 correcting a fee reference from possession to restitution; House Bill 568 repealing obsolete Department of Lands provisions; House Bill 774 repealing outdated fish and game penalty language; House Bill 762 revising charter school admissions preferences for foster and military children; House Bill 661 extending solid-waste competition rules to counties; House Bill 733 adopting a partnership audit procedure aligned with federal law; House Bill 749 revising city annexation rules to address hardship and property-rights concerns; House Bill 662 expanding milk testing provisions and Department of Agriculture dispute resolution; House Bill 664 eliminating differential speed limits for heavy trucks; and House Bill 716 revising transportation-funding distributions and increasing bridge inspection funding. Most of these measures passed by substantial margins, often using the same roll-call vote by unanimous consent, and titles were approved without correction. One bill, House Bill 684, was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. The Senate also received committee reports on additional bills and gubernatorial appointments, then moved into the Committee of the Whole, where it began reviewing several measures and adopted amendments to Senate Bill 1297 and Senate Bills 1352, 1353, and 1354, with motions to report those bills back as amended without recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward: Aye. Tangipa: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0.
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Tangipa: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number five.
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number eight, SB 1014?
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number ten, SB 1092.
• Ward? Aye. Ward? Aye. Ta? Aye. Ta? Aye. Ta? Wix? Aye. Wix? I, Wilson? Aye. Wilson? I. 920.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill proposes that ratepayers are on the hook for $1 billion.
• </c> mean you know the day that the proposal mean you know the day that the proposal came<01:55:26.920
• Representative Quinlan, hi, noting the absence of Representative Ward.
• </c><02:05:54.199><c> uh</c> the absence of Representative Ward uh the absence of Representative Ward
• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye, Representative Ward is absent.

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> no representative Ward no representative Ward no<00:36:48.760><c> representative</c><00:36:49.359
• My name is Jerry Ward, and I represent Rockingham 27, which is Ward 4 in Portsmouth.
• </c> you deputy secretary representative Ward you deputy secretary representative Ward you<01:00:20.119
• </c> town with two Villages and a City ward town with two Villages and a City ward so<01:25:37.679><c
• </c><04:10:49.720><c> nine</c><04:10:50.000><c> we're</c> ward that at least in ward nine we're ward

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Ward.
• Thank you, Senator Ward.
• So thank you Senator Ward. we all this? So thank you Senator Ward.
• Senator Ward, the proposal is to take lines 16 through 27 out of the bill that was presented to us, the
• Senator Ward, the<01:42:11.520><c> proposal</c><01:42:12.159><c> is</c><01:42:12.480><c> to</c><01:42

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward present. Lackey. Elhawari. Gonzalez present. McKinner. Ortega here. Quirk Silva here.
• We're not talking about the proposed changes in this bill. But these do save lives.
• Ward: Aye. Bord: Aye. Lackey: Aye. Al-Hawari: Aye. Gonzalez: Aye. McKinner: Aye. Ortega: Aye.
• Ward: Aye. Lackey: Aye. El-Hawari: Aye. Gonzalez: Aye. McKinner: Aye. Ortega: Aye.
• Ward, aye. Lackey. Aye. Lackie. Aye. El Huari. Aye. Gonzalez. Aye. Gonzalez. I. McKinner. I.

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met as a subcommittee and heard three youth-sports safety bills. AB 310 would require youth sports organizations to have written emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies, maintain and test AEDs, and ensure coaches have training in AED use and CPR. The author and supporters, including the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation and the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology, argued the bill would save lives and build on last year’s AED requirement. Youth soccer organizations opposed the bill’s broader AED mandate on cost grounds, saying compliance could total millions statewide and could force higher dues, while asking for grants, liability protections, and public-field AED installation. The committee discussed costs and funding options, then passed AB 310 on a 9-0 vote. The committee then considered AB 437, which would add sports-related injuries, including head injuries, to the health and safety information the CIF must report to the Legislature and Governor. Support came from the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and there was no opposition. Members said the measure would improve reporting on athlete safety and accepted technical amendments. AB 437 was approved 9-0 as amended. Finally, AB 708 would allow parents to choose soft-shelled helmet add-ons for youth football to reduce concussion risk. The author described the bill as a parental-choice and safety measure, noting studies showing reduced concussion risk. Members praised the bill as a common-sense alternative to banning the sport and emphasized that it would let families choose additional protection. There was no opposition, and the committee passed AB 708 9-0. The committee also adopted a consent calendar item with amendments before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any questions about the proposed rules for the Jurisprudence Committee?
• This bill clarifies that a guardian ad litem may be appointed for a proposed ward in addition to a ward
• Texas law requires proposed guardians to complete training before appointment.
• the training requirement be limited to any person who is to serve as a guardian of the person of a ward
• whom the court finds to be limited to any person who is to serve as a guardian of the person of a ward

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee first adopted its rules, which were distributed in the same form as the prior session’s rules. Members then took up several bills, beginning with SB 711, an HOA/condominium association bill that would extend and conform property-owner protections to condominium associations; the bill’s author and a Community Associations Institute representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 942 would allow child support and certain prenatal/postnatal medical expenses to be calculated from the date of conception rather than birth; it drew supportive testimony from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, and was also left pending after testimony. SB 1448, an estates and probate cleanup bill, would require transfer of original wills by qualified delivery, add notice and electronic-order requirements for statutory probate courts, and make other clarifications; it received supportive testimony from the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute and was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1403, the Attorney General’s Title IV-D child support modernization bill, which updates notice, review, remote-hearing, and administrative-process provisions and clarifies several enforcement and evidence rules; the AG’s office testified that it would improve efficiency, and the bill remained pending. SB 1404 would allow courts to require an email address in final SAPCR orders when other contact information is nondisclosed and clarify service and judgment requirements; the Attorney General’s office described it as a good-government measure, and it was left pending. SB 1559 would require transfer of protective orders into divorce or custody cases to avoid conflicting orders; family-law practitioners and a family court judge testified that it would resolve longstanding conflicts identified by multiple courts of appeals, and the bill remained pending. Finally, the committee considered SB 746, a guardianship bill that would address conflicts of interest in guardianship proceedings, allow guardian ad litem appointment earlier in the process, and require timely court action on annual guardianship reports and accounts; a committee substitute would remove some provisions and extend a reporting deadline from 20 to 30 days. TREP supported the bill, and one practitioner suggested requiring courts to state reasons when rejecting annual accounts. SB 1536 would require dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain family guardians, with a committee substitute narrowing the scope and reducing the training time from three hours to one; the Alzheimer’s Association supported the measure and the substitute, and the bill was left pending. No bills were voted out of committee during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward-Engelking. I'm going to be a no on this motion.
• Seconded it by Senator Ward Engel King to send.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Ward Engelkin? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Ward Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Jerry Ward from Portsmith.
• </c> District 2 Milton and Rochester Ward District 2 Milton and Rochester Ward five<00:06:58.599><c>
• What would you propose for that gap?
• </c><01:40:52.679><c> two</c> Ward one's ballots and not ward two Ward one's ballots and not ward two
• </c> Lane yes representative Ward Lane yes representative Ward no<02:48:35.319><c> representative</c>

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, when our wards do have populations where 40% is obtainable.
• </c> the way or in this proposed bill. the way or in this proposed bill.
• Uh, Senator Boner, I have proposed amendments right here.
• So what we're proposing requirements.
• </c><01:34:17.920><c> over</c> as we look at these uh at proposals over as we look at these uh at proposals

Bills: HB0002 , HB0022

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: building permits, local government, residential construction, permit timelines, code compliance, municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward-Engelking. Wintrow. Woodward. Zito.
• Senator Ward Engel King.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Ward-Engelking? Cook? Taves? Van Orden? Aye. Ward-Engelking? Wintrow? Woodward? Aye. Zuiderveld?
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward here. Thank you. We do have a quorum.
• Ward, aye. We have 10 votes, and we'll hold the roll open for other members to add on.
• Ransom, Rogers, Sharp Collins, Sharp Collins, aye, Ward. Ward, aye. That has 11 votes.
• Ward? Aye. All right, we have tended to it and it's out, and we'll leave that open.
• Ward? Aye. Okay. We have 10 aye votes and we'll leave that roll open.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard six bills. AB 1837 (Gonzalez) would remove the sunset on transit agencies’ authority to use forward-facing cameras to enforce parking violations in bus lanes and at bus stops. The author and supporters from transit agencies, Streets for All, and the California Police Chiefs Association said the program improves bus reliability, safety, and access for riders, especially seniors and people with disabilities. Some members raised concerns about automated enforcement error rates and due process, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1944 (Lee), presented by Assemblymember Arreguín, would delay implementation of declining axle-weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the existing final cap in place. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit agencies, said heavier batteries are needed for longer-range zero-emission buses and the delay would help agencies comply with clean transit goals. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1599 (Arreguín) would require Caltrans to create a centralized statewide transit stop registry with standardized stop information. Move LA, AARP, Streets for All, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve trip planning, data consistency, and accessibility for riders; the bill also passed to Appropriations. AB 1608 (Wilson) would expand the California High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General’s authority, including hiring and contracting flexibility and a requirement to publish reports with limited confidentiality protections. The author, the Inspector General, and the First Amendment Coalition said the bill would improve oversight and transparency while protecting sensitive information; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1613 (Wilson) would create a mandatory off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course for access to off-highway lands starting in 2029. Supporters from the off-road community said the bill was developed through stakeholder safety summits and would reduce accidents and protect public lands; it passed to Water, Parks, and Wildlife. AB 1662 (Wilson) would require DMV points for certain offenses that are dismissed through diversion programs, which supporters framed as a needed accountability measure for dangerous driving and opponents from ACLU Cal Action criticized as undermining diversion and harming low-income drivers. The bill passed to Appropriations. Final roll calls showed each bill advancing, with AB 1662 receiving the strongest support and the other measures also moving forward despite some no votes on AB 1837, AB 1944, AB 1608, and AB 1613.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward-Engelking.
• Senator Ward Engel King.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Warding. Cook. Taves. Van Orden? Aye. Ward-Engelking. Wintrow. Woodward? Aye. Cedo? No. Siderveld?
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through routine orders including committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, messages from the governor, and messages from the House. Several bills were introduced and referred to committees, including appropriations measures for the Department of Health and Welfare, a firearms preemption bill, and House measures on taxation, Medicaid, dentistry, and the National Guard. The Senate also received and filed various enrolled bills and confirmations, and advanced multiple measures to later orders for consideration. The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading bills. Among the major policy items discussed were Senate Bill 1412, creating the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act; House Bill 789, approving the Coeur d’Alene Tribe water rights settlement; House Bill 570, expanding reckless driving provisions for school and construction zones; House Bill 654, expanding the definition of police dogs to include electronic storage detection dogs; House Bill 681, removing statutes of limitation for certain child sex offenses; House Bill 575, requiring the state controller to publish asset forfeiture information; House Bill 736, lowering the threshold for ballot name rotation; House Bill 793, redirecting beer tax revenue to replace lost Alcohol Beverage Control funding; House Bill 798 and 799, repealing outdated state treasurer and alcohol code provisions; House Bill 665, revising Appaloosa specialty plate funding; and House Bill 667, ending non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in Idaho. The Senate also debated housing and tax measures, including House Bill 707 on land division for financing accessory dwelling units, House Bill 722 on utility property tax reporting, House Bill 792 on occasional sales and yard sales, and House Bill 800 on manufactured home siting. Other bills addressed education, insurance, and health care. House Bill 815 corrected a transportation support funding issue for a charter school; House Bill 849 revised the career ladder for CTE instructors and pupil services staff; House Bill 562 increased notice periods for insurance cancellations and nonrenewals; House Bill 825 changed funding for the Idaho Heritage Trust and specialty plates; House Bill 788 created a preceptor-based prior authorization exemption for Medicaid providers; House Bill 785 established a school discipline framework for inappropriate online behavior; and House Bill 846 clarified student enrollment counts. Debate on these measures focused on consumer protection, workforce shortages, school safety, housing supply, and administrative cleanup. Most bills passed on voice or roll-call votes, with the Senate approving many measures by wide margins, though House Bill 849 passed narrowly and House Bill 788 passed with a closer vote. Several bills were returned to the House after Senate passage, and titles were approved without correction.