Transcript Highlights:

• We reviewed six months of health care request data and found that 47% of requests expressing homicidal
• and establish a system of oversight and accountability to ensure requests are prioritized appropriately
• legislators who provided input.
• The legislature will have an opportunity to appropriate funds to DHS during the 2026 legislative session
• We do have a piece of legislation that will be running to talk about that and legislative approval and

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee.
• We also had a request to have Assembly Member stop.
• Here, in this legislation, this is a wonderful proposal.
• And that is the way we craft legislation here. It's not pretty.
• amended and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The committee hearing covered a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with the chair repeatedly noting the committee was operating without a quorum for much of the meeting. Several measures were heard with no opposition, including AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1788 on allowing best-value contracting for general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, AB 2058 on reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 on clarifying historic resource protections in a housing law, AB 2568 on increasing the compensation cap for water district board members, AB 2224 on updating county recorder fees and requiring electronic recording, AB 2469 on water-supply review and cost responsibility for data centers, and AB 2397 on requiring local governments to justify denials of certain housing-finance decisions. Most of these bills were presented as targeted fixes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, or modernize outdated statutes, and the authors generally requested aye votes and noted committee amendments where applicable. The most extended debate centered on AB 1751, which would streamline approval of qualifying townhome projects while setting a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered private projects. Supporters argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union residential workers, and preserve existing prevailing wage law while adding enforcement tools and developer liability. Opponents, including several building trades and labor organizations, argued it would undercut prevailing wage standards, create a race to the bottom, and potentially affect wage-setting more broadly. Committee members asked detailed questions about land-use barriers, the relationship to prevailing wage, and whether the bill would affect unionized work; the author and supporters responded that it applies narrowly to private for-sale townhome projects and does not alter prevailing wage requirements. AB 2469 also drew a substantive split. Supporters said data centers should be required to provide water-supply assessments before approval, pay for infrastructure they trigger, and account for impacts on overdrafted groundwater basins and local ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Data Center Coalition, counties, and tech groups argued existing law already covers water planning, that the bill imposes unique and burdensome requirements on one industry, and that some reporting provisions could raise security concerns. The author responded that the bill is about front-end planning and local accountability, not daily reporting, and emphasized the hyperlocal strain data centers can place on small water systems. No final votes were taken during the hearing because the committee lacked a quorum, though members repeatedly indicated support or intent to vote aye once a quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just will close by saying I respectfully request an I vote.
• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee.
• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Schultz, aye.
• I'm here to request your opposition or abstention from SB 562.
• Does the legislation have that authority? in a highly competitive profession.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the senator from the 18th Legislative District.
• Brian Hatfield, Legislative Director for Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.
• I've been trolling for this bill since I heard about the agency request.
• I heard about the agency request. First of all, it just makes a lot of sense.
• Which communities are out there and what their needs really are, so we can appropriate the money appropriately

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB5784

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations. Do pass as amended to Appropriations. Happen? Aye.
• But sometimes it is just so appropriate. So I appreciate the effort.
• The motion was do pass as amended to Appropriations.
• Why legislators don't care about the... ...and try to explain why Sacramento won't help them, why legislators
• Madam Chair, I request a reconsideration. Madam Chair, I request reconsideration on AB 1038.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for the members, a reminder that all requests to draft bills or capital outlay, re-off requests
• must be received by Legislative Council. ...or capital outlay re-off requests must be received by Legislative
• Thank you. ...is a former legislative council.
• Madam President, we go to our business: introduction of legislation.
• We have five appropriations bills, and breakfast will be served.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I request the title be struck.
• Senator Bergstrom requests unanimous consent to strike title.
• Senator Grelma requesting unanimous consent to strike title.
• I'd like to request unanimous consent to strike title on 366.
• Chairman, I request unanimous consent to strike the title.

Bills: SB514, SB346, SB1593, SB1782, SB1366, SB1497, SB366, SB1895, SB2048, SB2005, SB2006, SB710, SB1480

Keywords: SB514, school choice, charter school, virtual charter school, OSSAA, extracurricular activities, interscholastic activities, athletics, homeschool, other means of education, alternative education, student eligibility, student transfer, district policy, public school district, adjacent district, blended learning, virtual learning, school sports, academic eligibility

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met for deadline week and first recognized guests and updates, including a report from Senator Devers on the Elgin school bus crash and recognition of 2025 Teacher of the Year Melissa Yvonne and visiting students from UCO and Darnaby Elementary. The committee then took up a series of education bills, with several authors explaining that some measures were work in progress and striking title on those bills to continue negotiations. Among the measures advanced were SB 514, clarifying alternative education programming through charter and virtual charter schools; SB 346, expanding school-to-school notification requirements about allegations or investigations involving teachers; SB 1593, updating outdated statutory references for the OSU-Tulsa board; SB 1366, using the Teacher Empowerment Fund to reward top teachers; SB 1497, correcting graduation standards to comply with IDEA and clarify alternate diplomas; SB 366, creating a process for charter schools to be notified about district facilities and lease or purchase opportunities; SB 1895, requiring districts to report whether they participate in the Community Eligibility Provision and why not; SB 2048, allowing the statewide charter school board to pay travel-related expenses for conferences and training; SB 710, allowing multiple grants under the Teach Forward teacher-prep program; and SB 1480, creating a pilot youth apprenticeship program. Most of these bills passed on bipartisan votes, often after questions about implementation, fiscal impact, or scope. Two of the more debated measures were SB 1782, which would end new tenure plans for higher education employees and move new hires to five-year contracts, and SB 2005, which would restructure the OSSAA board. SB 1782 passed 6-4 after extended debate over constitutional authority, academic freedom, recruitment, and litigation risk, with supporters arguing it would increase flexibility and accountability and opponents warning about legal and retention concerns. SB 2005 failed 4-6 after members split over whether the legislature should intervene in OSSAA governance; supporters said the association was not responsive enough to member schools and families, while opponents argued the issue should be left to the organization and that the bill risked government overreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• It deletes, 'Money appropriated pursuant to this item shall be applied...'
• We received an appropriation for 29.39, but it did not go into statute.
• three times what the locals are appropriated.
• Aaron Hebert, Assumption Clerk, will provide information if requested.
• an original request is made.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 13, 2026, and reported several bills favorable. HB 27 was approved after testimony that it would delete a constitutional sentence requiring debt payments to be applied to the oldest outstanding amortization, giving retirement boards more flexibility to pay off the most advantageous debt. HB 143 was supported by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and local law enforcement representatives to raise the statutory per diem for housing state inmates in local facilities from $26.39 to match the current $29.39 rate already being paid in practice. HB 205 drew extensive testimony from clerks of court and election officials who said election commissioners have not had a pay increase in 19 years and are struggling to staff precincts, especially under the new closed party primary system; the bill would let local governing bodies enhance commissioner pay as a stopgap, and it was reported favorable despite concerns that it does not fully solve the staffing problem. The committee also approved HB 308, which would require state stadium and arena facilities to accept cash for smaller transactions or provide a kiosk to convert cash to a prepaid card without extra fee. HB 417 was reported favorable to increase the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million and tie it to inflation; DEQ staff explained the fund helps pay for Superfund matches and cleanup of abandoned or bankrupt hazardous waste sites, and the increase would not affect the state general fund. HB 12, supported by the Louisiana Assessor Association, would provide 5% annual salary equalization increases for assessors through 2029, with local opt-in and no state general fund impact; members discussed the recurring pay parity issue with clerks of court and the possibility of a study resolution to address future adjustments more systematically, and the bill was reported favorable. Representative Kerner announced HB 311 would be deferred after concerns it could amount to a tax increase. HB 1129, supported by the Louisiana Auctioneers Association, was amended to clarify that the state’s movable-property auctions include internet auctions and to give Louisiana auctioneers preference to bid on those contracts; it was then reported favorable. HB 562, which would update transcript fees for the 19th Judicial District Court, prompted concerns about higher costs for litigants and due process implications, and the committee agreed to defer it to the next meeting for further discussion. The meeting ended with adjournment after brief recognition of visiting cattle industry representatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• . requested. requested.
• . appropriations. appropriations.
• </c> contains appropriations related to land. contains appropriations related to land.
• </c> end of the appropriation sections bill. end of the appropriation sections bill.
• . appropriations. appropriations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the purpose of this legislation is that it was requested by stakeholders and Idahoans, including responsible
• In addition to creating the fund, the enhancement requests a $12,900 TNB appropriation to address an
• two weeks ago at their request.
• two weeks ago at their request.
• two weeks ago at their request.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee opened by welcoming a BYU-Idaho agribusiness class visiting the committee, then took up a rule docket, 020601-2501. Senator Lakey moved to approve the docket except for section 112, new subsections 01 through 05, which were rejected because the incorporated-by-reference documents lacked a specific date, creating a conflict with the Administrative Procedures Act. The motion carried. The committee then printed two RSs. RS 33272, presented by Senator Nichols, would create standards for kratom products, preserving access to natural leaf kratom while prohibiting adulterated or artificially enhanced products, requiring limited third-party testing, setting an age restriction, and clarifying supply-chain responsibilities. RS 33226, presented by Senator Lakey, is the Idaho Direct to Consumer Act, aimed at reducing regulation on small-scale homemade food and non-alcoholic beverage sales, including direct farm and ranch sales, while keeping basic labeling, recordkeeping, and food-safety education requirements. Both RSs were moved to print without opposition. The Idaho Department of Water Resources, speaking through the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, gave an agency update on district support, conservation programs, and budget requests. Staff described funding distributed to the 50 conservation districts, CREP and water-quality work, and the Water Quality Program for Agriculture (WQPA), which has seen strong demand and funded many projects statewide. In response to a question, Director Weaver said WQPA is not included in the governor’s budget. The Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts then emphasized the value of locally led, voluntary conservation, citing education, infrastructure, and wildfire-related projects, and said districts return $2.82 in local benefit for every state dollar invested. No further actions were taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Appropriations Committee will come to order for the purpose of a work session and public hearing
• his Appropriations Committee operating guidelines for the 2026 session.
• Requesting amendments: only committee members may sponsor amendments.
• Good afternoon, members of the Appropriations Committee.
• Please fully fund the requested $21.38 million for crime victim services.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the appropriate level after we raise that.
• If this is a legislative directive, we want information given to Legislative Management, it should come
• from Legislative Council and not from OMB.
• I'm John Bjornson from the Legislative Council.
• Of legislation.

Summary: The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund. OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification. The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will always make a request for 100%.
• We need to be able to get those out through like a legislator 101 or legislative view or something like
• There is no line item in our budget that we've requested to replace that. upon appropriation.
• Jake is our chief of staff and also acting as a legislative affairs director until we can get a legislative
• Staff and also acting as a legislative affairs director until we can get a legislative affairs director

Summary: The Economic Development Budget Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster costs, recovery operations, sheltering, and major capital projects. He reviewed the 2024 hurricane season impacts from Debby, Helene, and Milton, explaining how FEMA public assistance and state reimbursement work, how cost shares can shift from 75/25 to 90/10 after a federal threshold is reached, and how Florida uses prior storm data and inflation to estimate recovery costs. He also described the state’s faster reimbursement timelines, crediting legislative investments in technology and digital field documentation, and said the division is working to reduce disaster closeout timelines from decades to about seven years. Members asked about debris removal, FEMA de-obligations, local preparedness, and whether regional shelters or co-located emergency operations centers could be used more efficiently. Guthrie said debris assistance is complicated and should generally remain tied to local contracts and planning, though the state will help fiscally constrained communities when needed. He explained de-obligations as FEMA clawing back previously approved funds after later review, and said Florida’s FROC program is helping local governments reduce those risks through standardized documentation, procurement review, and training. He also urged more mandatory emergency-management training for local and state officials and cautioned against weakening the FEMA 50% rule for rebuilding damaged structures. Guthrie provided updates on the new central Florida warehouse in Auburndale and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. He said the warehouse will improve logistics, include cold and ultra-cold storage, and be run by a private vendor with virtual inventory tracking, while the new EOC is designed for Category 5 conditions and expanded partner capacity. He acknowledged budget pressures that reduced the size of the EOC project and said an additional IT request was needed because those costs were not originally included. The meeting ended with praise for FDEM’s work and no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the appropriate time, I would move the bill. Thank you very much.
• SB 1193 will also require the board to document and post on their website appropriate appropriated discretionary
• SB 1193 will also require the board to document and post on their website appropriate appropriated discretionary
• I respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you very much. Yes, go ahead.
• No witnesses at the appropriate time. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear a long agenda of local government, housing, labor, and transparency bills. The committee first adopted the consent calendar for SB 1187 and SB 1388, then heard SB 983, which would authorize the Port of San Diego to use job order contracting for repairs and repetitive maintenance work. Supporters said the bill would speed emergency and small repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. The bill was ultimately moved forward on a 2-2 vote after discussion of amendments and labor negotiations, and later the committee’s final roll call showed it passing out on a 5-2 vote. The committee also heard SB 1256, aimed at limiting duplicative litigation over a San Diego County housing project, and SB 992, which would make permanent and expand a small special-district audit flexibility by raising the revenue threshold from $150,000 to $250,000. SB 1256 drew support from the author and project counsel, who argued the project had already been litigated and was delaying needed housing, while opponents said the bill would interfere with wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 had support from county auditors and special districts, with no opposition, and was approved 5-0. SB 1115, addressing governance failures at the Tulare County Public Cemetery District by allowing county supervisors to remove an individual trustee for cause, also passed unanimously after testimony describing serious dysfunction and opposition from the California Special Districts Association. The committee then took up SB 1193, which would impose transparency and approval requirements on Alameda County discretionary funding to nonprofits and other entities. The author and supporters described the bill as a response to grand jury findings and alleged conflicts of interest, while Alameda County argued its current process is already transparent and that the bill would add burdens and could harm services. After amendments and discussion, the bill passed 5-0. SB 1383, a density bonus law bill clarifying that local labor standards cannot be waived through density bonus concessions, was supported by labor groups and moved forward despite no opposition, with the final roll call showing it passing out 5-1. SB 1361, intended to prevent local governments from undermining transit projects because of SB 79 density concerns, also passed after support from L.A. Metro and labor and no formal opposition, with the final vote recorded as 5-2. The committee later resumed to hear SB 1272, the CASH Act, which would limit certain sanctions on homeowners for prior unpermitted work by previous owners; the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full testimony and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriation to the Military Division, appropriating additional monies to the Military Division for
• appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare, appropriating additional monies to the Department
• appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare, appropriating additional monies to the Department
• appropriation to the Idaho State Police, appropriating additional monies to the Idaho State Police for
• So this legislation is a bridge.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then processed a large number of messages and committee reports, including enrollment/transmittal actions for several bills and resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 128, which approved temporary and pending administrative rules and rejected others, was adopted and transmitted to the House. The Senate also received and introduced several House bills, including appropriations measures and other legislation, and moved through multiple orders of business with several recesses and at-ease periods while awaiting paperwork and additional House action. The main floor action centered on a series of appropriation bills and one policy bill. House Bill 973, a supplemental appropriation for the Military Division to replace climate control systems at Gowen Field, passed 29-2. House Bill 975, which would have limited transfers from the Budget Stabilization Fund and left the higher balance in place, passed 19-13 after debate over whether the money should instead be used to address budget shortfalls and service cuts. House Bill 976, changing how local highway distribution funds are allocated, passed 32-0. House Bill 972, a trailer appropriation for the Department of Health and Welfare tied to SNAP eligibility system changes, passed 25-8. House Bill 974, an appropriation for the Idaho State Police to implement a new pay plan and related funding structure, passed 33-0. House Bill 978, a Health and Welfare appropriation restoring the Immune Assessment Fund and related public health funding, passed 24-11 after discussion of vaccine access and cost savings. The Senate also considered House Bill 896, a civil enforcement bill that would allow certain officials to seek Attorney General review of alleged violations of statutory prohibitions and, after court process and a finding of willful violation, could render a public official ineligible to hold office for up to five years. Supporters framed it as a due-process-based accountability measure, while opponents argued it was overly broad, centralized power in the Attorney General, and could be weaponized against local officials. The bill failed 8-27. Later, House Bill 959, dealing with initiative procedures and budget caps for fire protection and ambulance districts, passed 33-0. The Senate then completed final transmittals, received gubernatorial messages, and adjourned sine die at the close of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• Helen Kirste with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• of this legislation.
• but that isn't what AB 57 requested.
• So the request for funding, though, is ongoing. going.
• We are supporting other legislation to enable this integration.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:19.040><c> is</c> proposals and vote on legislation is proposals and vote on legislation is
• </c> reminder that uh the appropriations reminder that uh the appropriations committee<00:09:44.240><
• Current rules say the request deadline.
• </c> request for bills to be drafted. request for bills to be drafted.
• deadline request.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rachel Ehlers with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Rachel Ehlers with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• not appropriate in terms of doing that.
• No additional fee funds or resources are being requested under this request.
• We request continued prioritization of the AB 617 funding through ongoing continuous appropriation.

Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is civil enforcement legislation.
• That's what this legislation is about.
• You have, first, those that can request the review being limited to the Request the review being limited
• They follow the appropriate channels.
• blessing to this legislation at this time.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered RS-33841, a draft related to Idaho’s library/obscenity law and pending litigation. Senator Lakey said it would update definitions such as “adolescent youth” and “harmful to minors,” clarify what is and is not obscene, and strengthen the bill’s defensibility in court. Senator Wintrow asked about Mason’s Manual and whether the active case created a problem, but Lakey said the draft was simply a refinement of existing law. The committee voted to send the RS to print. The committee then heard House Bill 896, a civil enforcement measure aimed at public officials who knowingly violate state law. Lakey said it would create a process for certain leaders to request Attorney General review, require notice and an opportunity to cure, allow the AG to seek court enforcement, authorize attorney’s fees for the prevailing party, and permit a court to bar a willful violator from office for up to five years. Senators Wintrow and Ruchti raised concerns about state overreach, partisan or selective enforcement, and the possibility of weaponizing the bill against local officials; the Association of Idaho Cities and the Idaho Association of Counties also warned about local control, political conflict, and unclear enforcement and funding provisions. Despite those objections, the committee voted to send HB 896 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 1442, which would require reporting on refugee resettlement contracts, prohibit entities involved in resettlement from assisting illegal aliens in certain ways, and require law enforcement to verify and record immigration status for arrested individuals. Supporters, including Senator Anthon, said the bill was about transparency and accountability and that the reporting would be limited to people arrested in Idaho. Sheriffs and county representatives argued the bill was poorly worded, could create duplicate or inconsistent reporting, impose administrative burdens, and potentially expose local agencies and officers to liability; they also objected to the funding-withholding provision and said existing law already covers much of the arrest-related immigration reporting. Several senators questioned the refugee section and the inclusion of language covering investigated or detained individuals, while Anthon said he was willing to remove some wording later. The committee ultimately voted to send SB 1442 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Senators Shippey, Ruchti, and Wintrow recorded as voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to end up in Appropriations.
• So my question is, if it's appropriated, $10 million is appropriated in 26 to 27, why would we need that
• However, I'm going to say no to this request.
• an appropriations bill.
• If you have an appropriation you want, run an appropriations bill with that entire department's budget

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2641, which would ban firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect firefighters and the public from cancer-linked “forever chemicals” that can contaminate groundwater, and cited other states and prior Arizona action banning the foam for training. Testimony from a University of Arizona public health researcher and a firefighters’ association representative supported the bill, saying alternatives exist and that current stockpiles and continued use still expose firefighters and water supplies. Members asked about environmental impacts, alternatives, procurement, and stockpiles. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The committee then considered HB 2602, which appropriates $24 million from the general fund for a 10% pay increase for Department of Public Safety employees in fiscal year 2027. The sponsor and supporters argued the raise is needed for recruitment and retention, noting vacancies, turnover, and the cost of training new troopers. Several members raised budget concerns but said they supported the goal of better pay for law enforcement and state employees more broadly. Others discussed whether pay should be addressed across all agencies or through a broader statewide compensation approach. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 10-2-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2225, which would provide $10 million for capital costs for the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy in Yavapai County, with the money exempt from lapsing until 2029. Supporters said the academy is too small for current demand, serves multiple northern Arizona agencies and some statewide partners, and would reduce travel and lodging costs for training. Testimony emphasized regional oversight, cultural awareness training, and the academy’s role in officer education and retention. Some members questioned whether the state should fund a county-based academy and raised concerns about the bill’s structure and broader budget priorities; one member also objected to law enforcement practices in their community. The bill was moved forward with a do-pass recommendation, though the roll-call vote was not fully shown in the transcript excerpt.