Transcript Highlights:

• We think to cover that need about 4% growth per year in tax collections.
• What kind of revenue growth would we need to cover that significant of a structural deficit?
• down the property tax burden from a veto that was upheld by a liberal court that says government entities
• services to a prohibited entity.
• A prohibited entity is generally described as an entity that provides abortion services.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we were a business entity at the end of the day.
• And because, you know, we were a business entity at the end of the day.
• But it was And because, you know, we were, we were a business entity at the end of the day.
• We contract with a third-party entity that does a very We contract with a third-party entity that does
• I think where we do see some movement is we do cover low-income pregnant women.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the January 26 and January 27, 2026 minutes, then took up the gubernatorial appointment of Juliet Sharon as director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Sharon described her background in public health and Medicaid administration in Arizona, Texas, and Idaho, and outlined her priorities if confirmed: program integrity, efficient operations, clearer outcome measures, child welfare, disability services, and resolving long-running class action lawsuits. Senators asked about measurable goals, balancing compassion with fiscal responsibility, audit findings, and collaboration with the disability community. Sharon said she expects to more than double program integrity recoveries, that audit findings are being addressed through corrective action plans rather than firings, and that disability collaboration should be embedded in daily operations. Committee members also discussed Idaho’s influence on federal policy and Medicaid administration. No vote on the appointment was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard a lengthy Medicaid budget presentation focused on the Department’s supplemental request for state fiscal year 2026 and line-item requests for 2027. Sharon and Deputy Director/State Medicaid Director Sasha O’Connell explained that the supplemental request was driven by caseload growth, especially in traditional Medicaid, adult disability services, and youth/adult behavioral health, along with federally required rate and system changes. They also reviewed the impact of the governor-directed 4% provider rate reduction and the ending of some adult behavioral health services, saying the department had already been tracking budget sustainability before the executive order. O’Connell said the rate cuts drew the most public comment the agency has ever received, especially from home- and community-based providers, and that access monitoring is being developed to track whether services remain available. For 2027, the department requested funding for MMIS procurement, estate recovery, additional procurement staff, Medicaid admin reductions, and population forecast adjustments. Sharon said the MMIS modernization is on pause because of litigation over a major contract award, but other modules are moving forward. She also said estate recovery is underperforming and could bring in more general funds with contractor support. The committee discussed pharmacy costs and a possible Medicaid copay under House Bill 345, with Sharon saying implementation is underway and O’Connell noting savings estimates are still being developed. Senators also asked about expansion Medicaid growth and whether it affects other eligibility groups; Sharon said expansion growth is leveling off and that recovery rules apply to any Medicaid member receiving long-term care services. The meeting ended without any budget votes in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we'll start with Justice Administration entities, followed by the Department of— Budget request
• Today, we'll start with Justice Administration entities, followed by the Department of Juvenile Justice
• judgeships; our third is VOCA; and our fourth is additional funding for due process, which I'm going to cover
• So you have judge, state attorney, public defender, and those entities need to be in balance in order
• We're appointed, not elected, and I, covering the First Region, handle six circuits, so not just the

Summary: The committee met for an interim appropriations presentation hearing focused on justice administration agencies. Members heard budget requests from the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, the Justice Administrative Commission, Regional Conflict Counsel, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, and the Guardian ad Litem Office, followed by a presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice and a brief public comment from a nonprofit advocate. The chair noted that presentations from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Commission on Offender Review would be moved to a later meeting. The state attorney requested funding to true up underfunded circuits under the existing formula, staff 14 new criminal judgeships, replace declining VOCA victim-services funding with general revenue, and cover a projected due process shortfall. The public defender asked for a higher starting salary for assistant public defenders, funding to restore balance in circuits where public defenders lag behind state attorneys, and staffing for new criminal judgeships. Regional conflict counsel and capital collateral regional counsel also sought salary adjustments, additional attorneys and case costs, and competitive area differential funding to address recruitment and retention issues. The Justice Administrative Commission requested funding for Florida PALM readiness and implementation and for IT hardware and software replacement; it also relayed a clerks’ request for reimbursement related to injunctions for protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predator cases. The Guardian ad Litem Office said it now has a guardian ad litem for every child in Florida and requested salary increases for senior and managing attorneys to reduce turnover. The Department of Juvenile Justice presented a much larger budget request to expand residential and detention capacity, increase per diem rates, renovate and replace aging facilities, fund the Broward detention center rebuild, improve cybersecurity and the juvenile information system, and cover rising lease costs. Members asked questions about staffing, compensation, detention and residential treatment needs, mental health and substance-use services, and the Broward project timeline. A nonprofit advocate then asked for better data collection on protection orders and related court actions to support funding for domestic violence and recovery services. The committee adjourned without taking any formal votes on the budget requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s covering things that we don’t know yet as to whether they’re going to be needed or not.
• I know there's other entities that would perhaps be interested in these.
• The concept here is that if the building is unbundled from the services, the different entities that
• of the other entities.
• To come up with a proposal as some of the other entities, so this amendment would essentially say that

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members. The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration. A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, those entities that do that, it's… Type of fees are transactional.
• And, you know, those entities that do that, it's going to be based upon that same thing.
• Next, that the depositors are fully covered and sufficient reserves to cover them.
• What this does is allow willing parties, and I want to stress that, whether it's the entity, whether
• like ours that have huge investments that are global from large corporations that have different entities

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have significant use on the river by tribal entities, 11%.
• There's substantial use within the CAP of tribal entities as well.
• Some of the entities like the Navajo Nation are in multiple states, right? Not 100.
• Some of the entities like the Navajo Nation are in multiple states, right?
• This covers more of the entire state so that it’s equal for everyone.

Summary: The committee began by announcing that House Bill 2094 would be held and not heard that day, then received a lengthy update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described Arizona’s legal position, the basin’s water allocations, current shortages, conservation efforts, and the state’s view that the Upper Basin should share more of the reductions and move more water from reservoirs above Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Members asked about tourism, recreation, tribal water rights, public outreach, and the role of the state’s delegation and the federal government. Buschatzky said Arizona has already made major conservation cuts and that further reductions are likely, whether by agreement or federal action, and emphasized ongoing negotiations and public meetings. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transfer rules to allow eligible entities, including private water companies, to withdraw and transport groundwater under specified conditions, with ADWR oversight and reporting requirements. Supporters argued the bill would provide a lawful, regulated way to move water for urban growth and housing needs, while opponents from La Paz County and rural advocacy groups said it would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of local residents. After debate over guardrails, stakeholder outreach, and the impact on rural communities, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2098, which revises bonding authority and public hearing notification requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allows such authorities to enter into local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County officials and related stakeholders testified in support, saying the changes would help the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority finance future water and infrastructure projects, including possible augmentation efforts tied to Bartlett Dam, and would clean up statutory language to match the authority’s needs. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2098, before any committee vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1379 accountability entity.
• Chris will cover me for >> That's right. Chris will cover me for it. it. it.
• But the sales tax raised in the one entity that said, "Yes," has to go to the authority.
• </c> to local government entities to local government entities and<03:17:34.120><c> to</c><03:17:34.200
• </c> cover the cost of the PIP program. cover the cost of the PIP program.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's simpler up north where the water entities operate very largely like a utility and run that.
• And you think of a city covering everybody, you never... ...in our aquifer.
• And you think of a city covering everybody, and that's not the way it happens.
• Who's been covering the costs historically, or have you just not deployed? Chief Daniels.
• When we get reimbursed, does that just cover actual expenses?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first waited for a quorum, then heard presentations from North Idaho irrigation districts about water supply, aquifer conditions, aging infrastructure, and growth pressures. Hayden Lake Irrigation District described its shift from a small reservoir to a larger storage project, ongoing main replacements, and concerns about future demand and lake withdrawals. Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District discussed the Palouse Basin aquifer decline, its unusual mix of domestic and irrigation delivery, ESA and tribal settlement issues, and a proposed water exchange to move toward groundwater replacement and keep more water in stream. East Green Acres Irrigation District focused on aging mains, grant-funded infrastructure replacement, workforce training, and the challenges of urbanization and utility conflicts in the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer area. Members also raised concerns about broadband/fiber contractors damaging water infrastructure and about possible impacts from lower Snake River dam removal. The committee then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 119, which Representative Van der Woude said highlighted regional water needs and growth-related recharge concerns in the Treasure Valley. The resolution was moved and approved for the floor with a do-pass recommendation. After that, the committee considered three Idaho Department of Water Resources rules. The Shoshone-Bannock Water Bank rule was explained as a collaborative update to align with the Fort Hall settlement and simplify the rule; it was approved. The stream channel alteration rule prompted several questions about definitions such as base flood elevation, continuously flowing water, and fish habitat, and concerns that the revisions were less clear or more restrictive; the committee voted to hold that docket at the call of the chair. The final rule, for Water District 34 in the Big Lost River Basin, updated definitions, removed obsolete language, clarified rotation credit and storage distinctions, and adjusted timing for watermaster notifications. It was approved after brief discussion. The committee then heard House Bill 746, which would expand deficiency warrants for Idaho Department of Lands resources to cover reimbursable non-fire emergency work such as floods, pumps, incident command support, and prescribed fire/fuels projects. Testimony from the fire chiefs and Department of Lands emphasized improved flexibility and no intended new permanent spending, but members questioned the breadth of the language, reimbursement timing, and whether the bill should be more narrowly defined. The sponsor and testifiers agreed to work on amendments, and the committee moved toward sending the bill to amending order rather than advancing it as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• The elements that the rules must cover relating to security, privacy, and audit capabilities.
• The features of the bill, the first part about the tribal working with tribal entities to do outreach
• First, relating to Department of Licensing records, as background: ...my remarks to cover each in turn
• I believe that if it is covered in current law, they are able to request that information.
• You should not allow lying on records, and you certainly should not allow the lying to be covered up.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 6137 would expand Washington sports wagering by allowing wagers placed over the internet to be accepted at any tribal gaming facility, not just the same tribe’s facility, and would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington institutions while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington athletes’ performance. Washington State University opposed the bill over concerns about harassment, point shaving, and broader gambling harms, while the University of Washington supported the individual prop-bet ban but urged caution. An Emerald Queen Casinos representative supported the bill, saying it would move existing illegal wagering into a regulated system with safeguards. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, which would require regular consultation with tribes on voting access and authorize a secure electronic ballot return portal for military, overseas, Native American, and disability voters. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill’s tribal outreach and said it was more comfortable with the revised portal language, but several election-security witnesses opposed the portal sections, arguing internet ballot return is too risky and lacks adequate standards. King County Elections supported the portal as a more secure option than current email and fax methods, and said it would improve access while preserving paper trails and security checks. Substitute Senate Bill 6034 would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency. The office and a tribal health liaison testified in support, saying codification would stabilize government-to-government relations with tribes and ensure continuity beyond executive preference. Substitute Senate Bill 6081 would restrict public disclosure of sex designation information in certain licensing and vital records; supporters said it would protect transgender people from doxing, harassment, and violence, while opponents argued it would make official records less accurate. Staff also briefed Senate Bill 5863 on Lakeland Village records, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 reestablishing the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, and Senate Bill 5892 on voter data protections. The committee adopted amendments to SB 5863 and SB 5892, rejected some other amendments, and reported SB 5863, SCR 8406, and SB 5892 out of committee with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are covering a number of measures that we will be hopefully deciding on this afternoon, since
• So the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public entities to provide effective communication, and
• 05:20.720><c> public</c> Disabilities Act uh requires public Disabilities Act uh requires public entities
• <00:05:21.520><c> to</c><00:05:21.759><c> provide</c><00:05:22.080><c> effective</c> entities to provide
• effective entities to provide effective communication<00:05:23.280><c> and</c><00:05:23.520><c> it</

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several public safety and emergency-related measures. SB 3192, on emergency healthcare license waivers, drew support from nursing and healthcare advocates who said automatic emergency licensure during a governor-declared emergency would help avoid delays in bringing qualified clinicians to disaster areas, citing the Lahaina wildfire response. The committee reported 13 supportive testimonies, none in opposition, and one comment. It later recommended passage of SB 3192 with technical non-substantive amendments and a defective effective date, and the recommendation was adopted by vote. SB 2121, requiring ASL interpretation and visible picture-in-picture display during official emergency announcements, received supportive testimony from the Disability and Communications Access Board and the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters. DAP demonstrated why captions alone are not sufficient and why an interpreter on screen improves effective communication. Broadcasters supported the bill’s intent but raised practical concerns about implementation and staffing, suggesting amendments. SB 3239, which would appropriate funds to HMA for bilingual resources and services for residents with limited English proficiency, was supported by legal aid and immigrant-rights advocates who emphasized the need for language access during disasters and noted the large LEP population in Hawaii. After discussion, the chair proposed folding the sign-language and multilingual access concepts into SB 21109, a broader emergency preparedness communications bill, and the committee deferred SB 2121 and SB 3239. The committee also heard SB 2645 on fire prevention and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire marshal supported the bill’s provisions to modernize the office, create cross-certified assistant fire marshals, shift inspections to a risk-based schedule, establish the state fire code as the baseline, and create a special fund, but DLNR opposed the section changing the marshal selection process from a council-based appointment to gubernatorial appointment. The chair ultimately recommended passage of the proposed SD2 with blank appropriation amounts and committee-report concerns, and the recommendation was adopted. The committee then passed SB 21109 with amendments, incorporating the deferred sign-language and language-access ideas into the broader emergency communications framework. It also later took up measures from the prior day’s agenda, passing SB 2882, SB 3191, and SB 2339 with amendments, including changes to the state buildings, water safety/drowning prevention, and building code council measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, there are amendments for the highway priority program, road repairs, box covers, and district
• There are amendments for the highway priority program, road repairs, box covers, and district maintenance
• Section 26 of the Constitution requires a minimum of $90 million annually to be distributed to local entities
• The annual allocation to the local entities can be found on pages 40 through 43 of this bill.
• Auditor Ancillary Enterprise Fund, which is an agency working capital fund authorized for use in covering

Bills: HB1, HB2, HB3, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB383, HB983, HB1126, HCR3

Keywords: state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we work... banking entity in Wyoming.
• or a private equity entity and get it out of Wyoming hands.
• Uh, it's all covered in there. Again, I can reformat the information.
• On that entity are carried out by the new owner.
• . >> And yet the governor is a co-chairman of this entity, isn't that right?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My Senate district, which covers Northern San Diego... ...for me and for my community.
• Fifty-six county agricultural commissioners operate in the state, covering 58 different counties.
• Other entities are important in the process.
• Regulated entities, if you guys can come on up. regulated entities, if you guys can come on up.
• So I'll try to just cover some things that I think haven't been said yet.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on whether California’s pesticide program is meeting its public health, environmental, and sustainable pest management goals. Opening remarks from the committee chairs emphasized the scale of pesticide use in California, the importance of AB 2113 and the sustainable pest management roadmap, and the need to review DPR’s oversight and enforcement relationship with county agricultural commissioners. Senator Blakespear also referenced community concerns in Ladera Ranch and said the California Department of Public Health was investigating possible environmental links to childhood cancer cases. Panel One featured scientists and legal experts who argued that pesticide exposure is widespread, begins before birth, and can have long-term neurodevelopmental, respiratory, and other health effects, especially for farmworker and low-income communities. They said California has strong pesticide-use reporting, but lacks systematic biomonitoring and better links between exposure data and health outcomes. They also argued DPR and county commissioners should more consistently evaluate cumulative exposures and safer alternatives, and that pest control advisors need stronger training and less conflict of interest. Assembly Member Schultz echoed concerns that California should look at pesticide classes and mixtures rather than only individual chemicals. Panel Two, representing frontline and environmental justice advocates, criticized DPR for allowing continued use of highly hazardous pesticides, for relying on pesticide sales revenue, and for failing to account for the full health, environmental, and social costs of pesticide use. Speakers said reevaluations and mitigations move too slowly, that DPR rarely addresses combined exposures, and that implementation of protections varies widely by county. They called for tiered mill fees, stronger timelines, more protective buffers, and clearer accountability between DPR and county agricultural commissioners. Panel Three, from regulated entities and agricultural groups, supported DPR’s scientific rigor but stressed the need for predictable registration timelines, more transparency, and better milestones as AB 2113’s deadlines approach. They also urged more investment in pest prevention, SPM support, and farmer access to safer tools. Panel Four, from county agricultural commissioners, described their role in local permitting, inspections, investigations, and enforcement, while saying county resources have not kept pace with expanding responsibilities and new mandates. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I got you covered there, too.
• And, of course, the general rate case covers all areas of operations.
• It covers everything the utility does, many of which have no specific mandates.
• And, of course, the general rate case covers all areas of operations.
• It covers everything the utility does. all areas of operations.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on clean energy, electrification, and grid planning. AB 1813 (Ward) would revise California’s community renewable energy program to better support community solar and storage, especially for renters and low-income customers, by tying credits to avoided costs and requiring at least 51% low-income participation. Supporters said the current CPUC program is unworkable and has stalled development; utilities raised concerns about cost shifts, CCA impacts, and the bill’s late substantive amendments. The bill was discussed but no vote was recorded in the excerpt. AB 2313 (Berman) would create a gas service line replacement alternative program allowing customers facing planned gas line replacement to instead choose electrification and receive an incentive. Supporters argued it would reduce long-term gas infrastructure costs and give customers more choice, while opponents warned it could divert money from safety-related gas replacement work, create affordability issues, and conflict with the recently approved SB 1221 pilot. Committee members pressed the author on safety, funding sources, and renter impacts; the author said the bill includes emergency replacement exemptions and is intended to lower costs for remaining ratepayers. AB 1975 (Schultz) would require the CPUC to develop a grid utilization metric and consider expanded grid management programs to better use existing distribution infrastructure and reduce the need for costly upgrades. Supporters said better utilization could save ratepayers billions and help integrate batteries and flexible load; utilities generally opposed rigid utilization targets but were open to further discussion. The committee passed AB 1975 on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 2612, on plug-in photovoltaic systems, passed 9-0 to Appropriations after supporters said it would expand access to low-cost solar and utilities requested clarification that they would participate in the standards process. AB 1849 (Pappin) would direct CARB to study the need for decarbonized gaseous fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors and for grid reliability. Supporters framed it as a technology-neutral assessment for sectors like industrial heat and backup power; opponents argued it was biased toward a preferred fuel pathway and duplicated existing state studies. After a lengthy exchange over the lack of a statutory definition for “decarbonized gaseous fuels,” the bill passed 10-0 to Appropriations. AB 2088 (Pappin) would authorize investor-owned utilities to own and operate thermal energy networks, with safeguards for safety, workforce, and ratepayers. Supporters described TENs as efficient, low-emission heating and cooling systems that can use geothermal energy or waste heat; the bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes. entities using that service. And so that's what this bill does in short.
• So again, we need to cover our costs. I'd ask for your support of House Bill 684.
• So again, we need to cover our costs. I'd ask for your support of House Bill 684.
• Thank you, Senator Foreman, appreciate you covering that one.
• Appreciate you covering that one. Next, Senators, we have House Bill 695.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved minutes from February 2 and February 18, 2026, then heard several bills. Senate Bill 1369, sponsored by Senator Hart, would reorganize and simplify Idaho’s venue statute for district court cases and allow plaintiffs to file in their home county when the defendant lives out of state. Hart and Idaho Trial Lawyers Association representative Barbara Jordan said the change would make the law easier to read and more convenient, and Senator Ruchti supported it as a long-needed clarification. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 615, presented by Senator Taves, would clarify that the disturbing-the-peace statute applies to houses of worship and religious gatherings, while also removing obsolete language and making minor grammar changes. Senator Wintrow asked why the bill was limited to religious venues, and Taves said it was narrowly focused on protecting religious liberty. The committee received no testimony and advanced the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 521, carried by Senator Kaiser and Idaho State Police Bureau Chief Lila McNeil, was described as a technical fix to align Idaho law with FBI requirements so state police can contract for fingerprint services for people working with vulnerable populations. McNeil said the FBI had placed Idaho in a grace period while the statute is corrected. The committee also heard House Bill 684 from Senator Lakey and Sheriff Matt Clifford, which would reimburse county sheriffs for costs of retrieving Idaho Department of Corrections probationers or parolees who abscond out of state; supporters said sheriffs are currently paying these costs from local budgets. Both bills were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations. Finally, House Bill 695, presented by Senator Kaiser and supported by Terry Durden of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, would correct a one-word error in eviction-related statute by changing “writ of possession” to “writ of restitution” so sheriffs can charge the proper fee for eviction service. Durden said the current wording causes underbilling for a more time-consuming process. The committee voted to send House Bill 695 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:46.919><c> the</c> and and that that communist entity the and and that that communist entity
• </c><00:32:40.600><c> I</c> one-hour piece isn't being covered I one-hour piece isn't being covered I
• Just to be clear, it doesn't cover child schools. It can't be amended to cover child school.
• Just to be clear, it doesn't cover child schools. It can't be amended to cover child school.
• Just to be clear, it doesn't cover child schools. It can't be amended to cover child school.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic. Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience. A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• entity entity uh<00:30:36.440><c> um</c><00:30:36.960><c> and</c><00:30:37.120><c> the</c><00:30:37.320
• Well, once again, that would be covered by the contract between the two.
• Well, once again, that would be covered by the contract between the two.
• Well, once again, that would be covered by the contract between the two.
• </c><01:03:23.279><c> my</c><01:03:23.440><c> own</c> going to make sure that I cover my own going to

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• red cards in opposition, white cards for information, and blue cards if you're with a government entity
• A lot of these entities are a 30 day and they're given 20 days.
• A lot of these different boards and entities, they do have some are 45, some are 30, some are 15.
• If you donate money to those entities, I'm sure LSU has a bevy of entities that you can donate money
• And I think we've already covered pretty much the party primary part of it. Correct.

Bills: HB398, HB906, HB1201, SB41, SB47, SB106, SB210, SB218, SB220, SB248, SB289, SB397

Keywords: travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so glad you're covering this important topic and this great bill bridges to health care.
• I really appreciate you covering this. Bridges to Health Care is so important.
• 09:05.839><c> really</c><00:09:06.040><c> appreciate</c><00:09:06.440><c> you</c><00:09:06.640><c> cover
• </c> share well I really appreciate you cover share well I really appreciate you cover covering<00:09
• this Bridges to healthcare is covering this Bridges to healthcare is so<00:09:10.079><c> important</

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Covered entities must either reduce their emissions or obtain compliance instruments equal to their covered
• EITEs receive an annual allocation of no-cost allowances to cover most of their compliance costs.
• , be third-party verified, and include technical aspects of emerging technology options to reduce covered
• Senator Short, right now direct emissions are the only emissions covered under the program.
• Right now, direct emissions are the only emissions covered under the program.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee heard three bills. SB 6246 would direct Ecology to develop recommendations for how no-cost allowances for emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) should work from 2035 to 2050, and would require EITEs to submit facility-specific emissions data and periodic decarbonization plans as a condition of receiving allowances. Supporters said the bill preserves the Climate Commitment Act’s goals while giving the Legislature and Ecology better information to prevent emissions and job leakage and to plan for industrial decarbonization. Opponents argued the bill adds costly reporting and planning burdens, could threaten competitiveness, and in some cases could lead to allowance withholding; Ecology said it generally supports the approach but wants some streamlining and noted implementation costs are not in the governor’s budget. SB 5932 would provide certainty for sustainable aviation fuel development by changing how Ecology applies electricity carbon intensity in the Clean Fuels Program and by setting an earlier trigger for aviation fuel tax incentives. The sponsor and 12, a Moses Lake SAF developer, said the bill would give investors and producers needed certainty for expansion and help Washington remain competitive. Ecology and Climate Solutions opposed parts of the bill, saying it would weaken incentives for new renewable electricity generation, limit Ecology’s technical discretion, and reduce the Clean Fuels Program’s effectiveness, though Ecology said it supports decarbonizing aviation and is willing to work on the issue through rulemaking. Some testimony also supported the tax certainty portion while objecting to the Clean Fuels Program changes, and one witness asked for clarification on local participation in the incentive. SB 6172 would end remaining state tax and regulatory exemptions for the coal-fired TransAlta plant after its scheduled closure date. The sponsor said Washington should remove special treatment now that the state has phased out coal, while supporters said the bill reinforces the state’s clean energy transition and protects public health and climate goals. A few witnesses raised concerns about possible costs to utilities and ratepayers if the plant were ever required to run in an emergency, and asked for language to protect against that. The hearing concluded with the committee closing public testimony on all three bills; no votes were taken in the transcript.