Video & Transcript : 'commission procedures' :
Page 140 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Feb 18th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Health Care & Wellness
Transcript Highlights:
- Carriers and health plans must post any adjustments to policies and procedures that impact their prior
- So we've already, you know, done the procedure, we've used the resources, and we just want to get paid
- I'm the Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager for the Washington State Women's Commission, and
- We have an example where a patient required a medically necessary procedure, but because of her other
- And after an uneventful recovery from the procedure, the hospital received a retrospective denial of
Keywords:
SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines, patient advocacy, public comment, medical necessity, rare disease, life-threatening disease
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The election procedure manual is different than law.
- we've been operating under the procedure we've been operating under the procedure manual<01:25:27.000
- </c> this is where the ballot law commission this is where the ballot law commission gets<02:51:43.359
- </c><02:55:12.680><c> and</c> different practices procedures and different practices procedures and policies
- </c> election procedure election procedure manual<02:56:33.239><c> and</c><02:56:33.399><c> so</c><02
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to be clearer procedures to be clearer procedures that's<00:07:55.599><c> in</c><00:07:55.840><c
- </c> System Oversight Commission. System Oversight Commission.
- </c> Revitalization Commission. Revitalization Commission.
- I'm on the commission for the city.
- </c> without all of the procedural without all of the procedural requirements<00:42:17.359><c> that</
Bills:
SB2064, SB2312, SB2811, SB2662, SB2744, SB2809, SB2862, SB2343, SB2336, SB2075, SB2308, SB2601, SB2397, SB2219, SB2849, SB2449, SB2781
Keywords:
state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government contracts, transparency, record retention, public oversight, Hawaii Revised Statutes, building permits, task force, state-owned lands, construction, regulatory process, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise
Summary:
The committee heard several government operations measures, beginning with SB 2064 on state construction projects, which would create an office of the state architect within DAGS to oversee design review and approvals for state construction. DAGS said it stood on its written testimony, DECAB supported the bill, DOT supported it, and HGA opposed it. No audience testimony or member questions were taken, and the chair moved on.
The committee then took up SB 2312 on government contracts, which would make records held by private contractors performing government functions subject to UIPA. The State Procurement Office, Attorney General, OIP, ERS, DHS, and HGA offered comments or opposition, while the League of Women Voters, Public First Law Center, All Hawaii News, Grassroots, and several individuals supported the bill. Public First Law Center argued the bill closes a loophole and does not expand or reduce existing exemptions, while OIP and others raised concerns about privacy, confidential information, and the need for clearer procedures. Members discussed possible clarifying amendments, including changing “government function” to “agency,” and the bill was left for further consideration.
Other measures discussed included SB 2662 on government accountability, which would require justification and caps for external consultants; ERS and DOT opposed it, while the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii and Airlines Committee of Hawaii argued consultants are often more efficient and necessary for major projects. The committee also heard SB 2744 on due process, for which no testimony was received; SB 2809 on budget-related reports, with comments from B&F and the Tax Foundation; SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, opposed by the Governor’s Office and the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission and supported by one individual; a bill on continuous legislative sessions, with comments from B&F, LRB, and Hope for Hawaii; SB 2336 on tree management standards, supported by an individual and the Outdoor Circle; and SB 2075 on public procurement local preferences, which drew broad support with comments from SPO and the Attorney General and discussion of simplifying the preference structure. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly moved measures along after testimony and questions.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Jun 5th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
Transcript Highlights:
- On page 93 of the report, it talks about the deficit net position, workers' comp commission.
- I'll probably say it's also a conversation to involve the Workers' Compensation Commission for them to
- I'll probably say it's also a conversation to involve the Workers' Compensation Commission for them to
- Again, the Big Workers' Compensation Commission.
- “Is it again the big Workers’ Compensation Commission question?
Summary:
The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff.
The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster.
Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House & Governmental May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Importantly, this bill does not limit access. strong procedures.
- It's just changing the procedures if you don't have that ID. All right.
- What this commission does is establish the trade commission to boost bilateral trade, mutual infrastructure
- It establishes the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission.
- What this commission does is establish the Trade Commission to boost bilateral trade, mutual infrastructure
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 319, which would tighten and standardize voter identification rules at polling places. Senator Presley and Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the bill replaces the current “generally recognized” photo ID standard with a specific list of acceptable IDs, removes the affidavit-only option, and allows voters without a photo ID to cast a conditional paper ballot at the registrar of voters office or during early voting if they later provide approved documentation within two days after the election. Supporters argued the bill improves consistency, election integrity, and poll-worker guidance while still preserving access through alternative documents and free state IDs; opponents warned it could create confusion and burden seniors, students, homeless voters, and others without easy access to the required documents. After debate, the committee reported SB 319 favorably by a 7-2 vote.
The committee then approved Senate Bill 202, which adds one day of compensated meeting time for parish boards of election supervisors in certain elections, and Senate Bill 25, which revises the compensation schedule for registrars of voters and related staff. SB 25 was amended to remove outdated step references and make conforming technical changes, and supporters said the pay structure has not been updated since 2007 despite increased duties and workload. The committee also adopted and reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, creating a legislative study committee on water quality in the Chafalalaya Basin, and House Concurrent Resolution 85, creating a task force on illegal dumping, both with technical amendments.
In addition, the committee advanced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which asks the legislative auditor to review how fiscal notes are prepared during session, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 33, which creates a work-based learning coordination task force to improve alignment among education, workforce, and employer partners. SCR 33 was amended to change the appointing authority for two members. The committee also approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and House Resolution 196, which creates a study committee on the impact of fallen trees on residential property and insurance issues. Several of these measures were supported by agency representatives or outside groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments where needed before reporting the bills and resolutions favorably.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Legislative Administration (03/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We had a meeting last year on committees and commissions.
- We don't need commissions. We have all 425 of us.
- We had a meeting last year on committees and commissions.
- We don't need commissions. We have all 425 of us.
- That would be the procedure question. So how we have the procedure person here?
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 118 in executive session and adopted Amendment 0882H, which would remove the House and Senate members from the Child Care Commission while leaving the commission in place. Members said the amendment was a continuation of earlier committee discussion and supported it as a needed change. The committee then voted 12-0 to recommend ought to pass as amended, and HB 118 was placed on consent.
The committee next considered House Bill 142, dealing with Gold Star Mother’s Day. The sponsor explained that the bill was unnecessary because existing statute already directs the governor to issue a proclamation for Gold Star Mother’s Day and to urge appropriate observance, including flag-related ceremonies. Several members discussed how to ensure the proclamation and flag observance would happen and whether the committee report should note the existing statute. Other members said they would oppose killing the bill because the recognition was important. The committee voted 9-3 to table/ITL the bill, and HB 142 was declared inexpedient to legislate.
The final major item was a public hearing on a non-germane amendment to House Bill 456, with a related draft amendment also discussed. The sponsor said the amendment would raise the annual membership allowance from $20 to $75, rename fees as dues, prohibit dues from being used to pay lobbyists, require NHMA dues to be brought before voters as a separate warrant article for transparency, and require separate accounting so lobbying funds are not co-mingled with other funds. Supporters said the goal was to keep taxpayer-derived money from funding lobbying while preserving non-lobbying services such as legal advice and training. Opponents argued the proposal was an overreach and would micromanage local towns. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In recent weeks, many have questioned camp rules and procedures.
- So that procedure that the Health and Human Services Commission uses for typical rulemaking is we post
- Those are regulated by the Health and Human Services Commission, so HHSC. So daycare, those...
- It applies to medication, it applies to devices, it applies to procedures.
- An order could be ordering a prescription, ordering a procedure, or treatment.
Keywords:
youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid, public health, child protection, camp operator, camp counselor, Health and Safety Code
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, I'm not seeing the 30 days in this part, but is that kind of common procedure?
- Now, I'm not seeing the 30 days in this part, but is that kind of common procedure for the Attorney General
- shall meet at least quarterly, and the commission may hold an executive session under Section 44-04-
- And the commission may hold an executive session under Section 44-04-19.2.
- does it prohibit operation of an automatic stay on the enforcement of an administrative order or commission
Summary:
The subcommittee on Senate Bill 2224 met to reconcile several amendment versions into a single draft, combining changes from multiple members and Legislative Council. The discussion focused mainly on clarifying the Attorney General’s hearing and enforcement process, including whether to keep or remove specific time limits, how the stay of an Attorney General order should operate, and whether the bill needed to expressly reference the appeal period under existing law. Members also noted other incorporated changes, including a quarterly meeting requirement for the commission, executive session authority, and a district court reference on page 7.
A key issue was whether the bill should specify that an Attorney General order is stayed during the time to appeal and through the appeal process. After discussion of the Administrative Agencies Practices Act, the subcommittee agreed that the bill should reference the appeal period under Section 28-32-42, rather than restating the number of days in the bill itself. The proposed language was refined to say the order must be stayed pending expiration of the time to appeal under 28-32-42 and pending the judgment or order on appeal.
The members moved and seconded the amendment with the clarified stay language, indicating agreement to advance the revised version. They discussed process for final review and agreed to reconvene as needed, with a committee meeting planned for Monday after floor session, pending notice and scheduling. No roll call vote was taken in the transcript, but the subcommittee appeared to approve the amendment by voice vote and prepare it for further committee action.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, May 22, 2026 - AM
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- post-election audit procedures.
- Election Assistance Commission. Election Assistance Commission.
- Commission. Commission.
- Given that the Fremont County Commission is the only county commission which is drawn into districts
- </c><03:54:38.880><c> does</c> issues and the county commission does issues and the county commission
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> in</c><00:07:47.039><c> 1978</c> Commission in 1978 Commission in 1978 after<00:07:49.440><c> the
- We may be likely to have this entire policy and all of its procedures tested.
- We may be likely to have this entire policy and all of its procedures tested.
- We may be likely to have this entire policy and all of its procedures tested.
- We may be likely to have this entire policy and all of its procedures tested.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Because at the end of the day, this is not about paperwork or procedure. It's about children.
- Because at the end of the day, this is not about paperwork or procedure. It's about children.
- Procedurally on this particular matter, that cannot be true.
- You’re bound to have a procedure.
- I just like to close on the procedure. I didn't know if someone, Mr. Chairman, had come down.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So in those cases, and with the prior three-member commission, there were no lawyers on the commission
- as an agency and use our commission procedures that most lawyers would recognize and follow.
- The Commission was created to protect existing and future water rights for its member entities, The commission
- What people would pick the nominating commission?
- The commission meetings would be transparent.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Also 36-103B, which authorizes the Fish and Game Commission to administer and carry out the policy of
- The commission is not authorized to change such policy, but only to administer it, in addition to the
- Administrative Procedures Act, Idaho Code 67-5227, regarding variance between pending rule and proposed
- The commission is not authorized to change such policy, but only to administer it, in addition to the
- Administrative Procedures Act, Idaho Code 67-5227, regarding variance between pending rule and proposed
Summary:
The Resources and Conservation Committee met early and had a quorum. Representative Petsky presented House Bill 939, which would codify restrictions on certain hunting technologies during big game season, including night vision, thermal devices, transmitting trail cameras, and drones, while adding carve-outs for predator hunting (wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife), agriculture-related monitoring and damage control, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring traps. He noted some enforcement challenges, especially distinguishing retrieval from hunting, but said the bill was a good step toward balancing hunting opportunity with Fish and Game concerns.
Representative Mickelsen moved HB 939 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the motion was amended by unanimous consent to send it to the second reading calendar. Dexton Lake of the Idaho Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the organization appreciated the collaboration and fully supported the bill. The committee then approved the motion and advanced the bill.
The committee next considered Fish and Game rule docket 13-0108-2401. Representative Boyle moved to adopt the docket except for sections 410(04)(G) and (H), citing potential conflicts with the Idaho Constitution’s hunting, fishing, and trapping rights, state law on wolf take methods, Fish and Game Commission authority, and administrative procedure requirements. The committee adopted the motion and accepted the docket with those two sections rejected. The meeting then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 30th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- The date for the Texas Ethics Commission will move from 2013 to 2027.
- The bill as introduced would require the Sunset Commission to conduct audits.
- If that were the case, that would be helpful to the Sunset Commission.
- Additionally, the bill would allow this commission to create procedures for revoking or suspending the
- A commission a commission ensures coordinated oversight across public safety, transportation, and technology
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And Bill Bunkley, Florida Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, waves in support.
- Now that you're asking for body cameras, where is this uniform procedure coming from?
- And is it all the counties using this procedure?
- But where is this procedure coming from? Thank you, Madam Chair.
- The procedure is coming from the local governments.
Summary:
The committee took up several public-records exemption bills and policy measures, beginning with SB 7024 and SB 7026, both presented by Senator Mayfield. SB 7024 would extend and consolidate cybersecurity information exemptions held by agencies, and SB 7026 would do the same for trade secrets held by agencies. Both bills were reported favorably after brief explanation and no opposition testimony. Senator Trumbull then presented SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; it also was reported favorably. Senator Leak’s SB 308, creating a Florida Museum of Black History board and implementing the task force’s recommendations with St. Johns County as the site, drew extensive testimony in support, with speakers emphasizing the need for accurate, unsanitized Black history and public accountability in the museum’s governance. The bill was reported favorably after debate, including a request to highlight the Highwaymen and other positive contributions.
The committee also heard CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours. Supporters said it would help election offices, teach civic participation, and give students supervised experience; one witness asked for guardrails on duties, training, and confidentiality. The bill was reported favorably. SB 14 and SB 24, claims bills for Jose Correa and Lourdes and Edward Latour involving Miami-Dade County, were both explained as settled negligence claims and were reported favorably. SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez against the City of St. Petersburg arising from severe injuries during arrest and transport, was also reported favorably.
Senator Burton’s CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection generated the most debate. The bill would regulate litigation financing, bar funders from directing cases or taking more than plaintiffs recover, and require disclosure of agreements involving foreign persons or sovereign wealth funds. Supporters argued it adds transparency and protects litigants from foreign influence; opponents said it could chill access to courts and unfairly expose plaintiffs’ strategies. After a late-filed amendment clarifying foreign class action treatment, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements; testimony split between concerns about church autonomy and support for clarifying legal gray areas. Finally, CS for SB 504 on code inspector body cameras was introduced as a statewide framework for local governments that choose to use them, with discussion focused on training, notice to property owners, and public-records implications; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Tue Mar 11, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:15:41.360><c> for</c> establish policies and procedures for establish policies and procedures
- </c><01:18:43.199><c> in</c> put out inclination such Commission in put out inclination such Commission
- </c> also if the commission also if the commission and<01:23:25.159><c> theity</c><01:23:25.719><c> will
- Daniel Park for the Public Utilities Commission.
- </c><02:23:27.080><c> we'll</c> the Public Utilities Commission we'll the Public Utilities Commission
Summary:
The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later.
The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/04/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There is an appeal process to the Ballot Law Commission, where you have a board that makes decisions
- </c><00:53:50.400><c> uh</c> process to the ballot law commission uh process to the ballot law commission
- We would need additional guidance and procedures to do that.
- I've been a 7 a.m. volunteer straight through the hand procedure.
- I've watched the testing machine procedures. I've seen them fail, but mostly they work.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Feb 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Poole 192 by Representative Couture requires Commerce to establish procedures for concerns by broadband
- House Bill 2401, if you recall, creates the Boys and Men's Commission.
- It clarifies the duty of the Boys and Men's Commission to identify and address the specific needs of
- At the time of our audit, the agency still lacked a procedure for addressing subgrantee eligibility.'
- At the time of our audit, the agency still lacked a procedure for addressing subgrantee eligibility.
Summary:
The committee first received staff briefings on amendments for a series of bills, including measures on child care workforce standards, homelessness programs, community preservation authorities, domestic violence survivor relief, public defense funding, student behavioral health supports, water system ownership changes, nonprofit health carrier surplus assessments, 340B drug pricing reporting, Secretary of State filing fees, step housing, campaign security reimbursements, digital equity programs, a Boys and Men’s Commission, a waste-to-energy facility’s Climate Commitment Act obligations, 6PPD tire substitutes, and an early education scholarship. Staff described the policy changes and, where available, the expected fiscal effects of each proposed substitute or line amendment. The committee then went into caucus before returning for executive session.
In executive session, the committee voted out House Bill 1073, then adopted a Couture line amendment to House Bill 1128 exempting private K-12 schools with licensed child care programs from the child care employer definition before reporting the bill out as Second Substitute House Bill 1128. House Bill 1316, 1408, 1591, 1592, 1634, 1906, 1960, 2073, 2145, 2248, 2266, 2301, 2333, and 2365 were also reported from committee, with several amendments adopted along the way. Notable actions included adopting an emergency clause for House Bill 1408, rejecting proposed amendments to House Bill 1591 that would have narrowed relief for survivors and removed retroactivity, adopting a narrower amendment to House Bill 1592’s public defense funding formula, and adopting a substitute to House Bill 2145 that limited 340B reporting to hospitals.
The committee also debated and rejected several amendments to the step housing bill, House Bill 2266, including proposals for larger school/daycare buffers, more local oversight, and broader local government authority; the bill still advanced on a 16-13 vote. House Bill 2073, which requires nonprofit health carriers to contribute surplus funds to Cascade Care Savings, advanced over concerns about using one-time money for an ongoing program. House Bill 2248 advanced after an amendment redirected annual license fee deposits to the state treasury rather than the Secretary of State’s revolving fund. House Bill 2333 was narrowed to allow use of campaign funds for personal security reimbursements, and House Bill 2365 advanced with some amendments adopted and others rejected as the committee began discussing additional digital equity oversight provisions.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Jun 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The legislature would set the uniform procedure for this provision.
- The legislature would set the uniform procedure for this provision.
- And this goes back to the procedure, the uniform procedure that the Legislature would put together for
- The Reform Commission should deal with this in its entirety so that it is uniform.
- Why didn't we spend the last year with a bipartisan commission of experts to figure this out?
Summary:
The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes.
Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account.
Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- on Aging, Idaho's Commission on Aging.
- , pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act and submitted to the Office of the Administrative Rules
- Coordinator to the Legislature... ...pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act and submitted to
- the Senate, Senate Bill 1386 by Finance Committee: an act relating to the appropriation to the Commission
- of Pardons and Parole, appropriating additional money to the Commission of Pardons and Parole for fiscal
Summary:
The Senate convened with 31 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal. The body then moved through routine orders, including referral of memorials and resolutions and reports from standing committees. Among the items reported were several bills printed or enrolled, House bills referred to Senate committees, and messages from the House transmitting additional bills and memorials for referral.
A major floor item was Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, which called for modernizing Idaho’s public school funding formula. Supporters argued the current formula is outdated, overly focused on inputs and adults rather than students, and should be redesigned to give local school leaders more flexibility and better outcomes. The resolution was adopted and transmitted to the House. The Senate also adopted SCR 123 recognizing 2026 as the Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists, SR 118 supporting development of a state plan for kinship caregivers, SCR 124 supporting wildlife crossings to reduce collisions and protect wildlife migration, and SR 119 approving certain administrative rules from the Department of Agriculture and Idaho Hops Growers Commission, with one seed-related rule exception.
The Senate adopted SJM 114 urging Congress to address problems in college athletics created by name, image, and likeness rules and transfer/agent issues. It then passed SB 1350, which authorizes optional cash rounding to the nearest five cents when pennies are unavailable; the bill passed 24-9 after debate over whether the change could lead toward broader cashless practices. The chamber also passed SB 1373, the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill for economic development and related agencies, after extended debate over across-the-board budget cuts, especially the impact on the state public defender system and constitutional indigent defense obligations. The Senate concluded with announcements and adjourned until the next day.