Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Senate Bill 5828.
• It is offered by Senator Warnick.
• We have Senate Bill 5828 before us.
• We have Senate Bill 5909 before us.
• We have Senate Bill 5954 before us.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Passport to Careers Program. Staff explained that Passport serves youth who experienced foster care at age 13 or later or unaccompanied homelessness, and that the program provides scholarships and campus support services for college, apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship pathways. WASAC said the program is a national model because it uses data-sharing agreements to identify eligible students automatically, is funded by the state, and partners with the College Success Foundation and campus networks to provide support. Officials reported that about 2,000 students will be served in 2025-26, with awards capped at $2,000, and cited an evaluation finding that 31% of participants graduate within eight years, compared with much lower rates for similarly situated students outside the program. Committee members asked about graduation rates for all students, the share of Passport students who are parents, how unaccompanied homelessness is identified, where campus support staff are housed, and how funding is used. WASAC said most students are single without children, unaccompanied homeless youth are identified through McKinney-Vento liaisons, and campus support structures vary by institution. Staff also described how the program has grown 131% since unaccompanied homeless youth became eligible in 2019, while appropriations have remained around $7 million annually, forcing reductions in the maximum scholarship award from $5,000 in 2023-24 to $2,800 and then $2,000 in 2025-26. Officials emphasized that students still face significant unmet need and that campus support funds are often used for basic needs, academic support, and emergency aid. The committee then moved through executive session on several bills and advanced each one with a do pass recommendation to Ways and Means. The bills included SB 5826 on medication abortion access at public postsecondary institutions, SB 5828 on Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards at private four-year institutions, SB 5909 on low-enrollment undergraduate programs, SB 5931 on WIA board co-chair terms and dashboard requirements, SB 5954 on tuition waivers for certain veteran dependents and survivors, SB 5963 on Passport to Careers funding and eligibility changes, SB 6082 on a state financial aid fraud performance audit, and SB 6090 establishing the Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. The committee adopted the proposed substitute for SB 5931 before passing it, and all measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate concurs with the House on the lines to bump as you specify.
• The Senate concurs with the House on the lines to bump as you specified for each of the Senate offers
• Thank you, Senator Broder, and your staff, and thank you for all your time and energy you've put into
• And I would like to thank you, Chair Magar, and your staff.
• Thank you, Senator Broder.

Summary: The Conference Committee on State Administration, Budget, and Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations met to resolve outstanding differences between the House and Senate on the budget, proviso, back of the bill, projects, and implementing bill, along with conforming bills HB 5203E, HB 5207E, and SB 2508E. Senator Broder presented the Senate’s offers, and the House responded by agreeing to many items while identifying specific lines in each section to be “bumped” to the next level for further resolution. The committee also agreed to bump the three conforming bills in their entirety. The House and Senate then went through the remaining disputed lines in the budget, proviso, back of the bill, project, and implementing bill offers, with the Senate ultimately concurring with the House’s list of lines to bump. Both sides indicated that the conference committee’s work was complete and thanked each other and staff for the negotiation process. A motion was made and adopted without objection to allow staff to make technical conforming adjustments related to the bump process. There was no public comment, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon and welcome to the House and Senate Education Committee.
• Thank you, Senator Sullivan. I appreciate that.
• Thank you, Senator Sullivan. I appreciate that.
• Senator Flowers, thank you.
• Would that, for that group of individual staff support staff, paraprofessionals, instructional assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang. Senator DeCoite. Here. Senator Dela Cruz. Here. Senator Dela Cruz. Senator Elefante.
• Senator Fevella. Here. Senator Fukunaga. Senator Gabbard. Senator Hashimoto. Senator Ihara.
• Senator Inouye. Present. Senator Kanuha. Present. Senator Keohokalole. Senator Kidani. Senator Kim.
• Senator Lamosao. Here. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey. Senator Moriwaki. Senator Rhoads.
• Any further announcements, Senator Gabbard? Mr. President, colleagues, staff, and guests.

Bills: HB1519 , HB1541 , HB1737 , HB1782 , HB1854 , HB1860 , HB2023 , HB2104 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB2455 , HB2468 , HB2551 , SB177 , SB411 , SB874 , SB2053 , SB2069 , SB2108 , SB2268 , SB2360 , SB2363 , SB2405 , SB2407 , SB2530 , SB2543 , SB2568 , SB2803 , SB2818 , SB2851 , SB2907 , SB2934 , SB2969 , SB2999 , SB3097 , SB3103 , SB3233 , SB3238 , SB3245 , SB3001 , SB3138 , HB1946 , HB389 , HB1510 , HB469 , HB1573 , HB1705 , HB1858 , HB1875 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB2001 , HB2093 , HB2096 , HB2097 , SB888 , SB2169 , SB2367 , SB2557 , SB2575 , SB2698 , SB3082 , HB344 , HB939 , HB1688 , HB1853 , HB2443 , HCR103 , HCR117 , HCR180 , HCR112 , HCR18 , HCR105 , HCR173 , HCR35 , HCR98 , HCR42 , HCR53 , HCR181 , HCR101 , HCR179

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Rules Committee will come to order. The Senate Rules Committee will come to order.
• Senator Lerner, Senator Grove. Thank you. Welcome.
• Senator Laird. When Senator Grove says she's being blunt, don't encourage her.
• Senator Laird. When Senator Grove says she's being blunt, don't encourage her.
• And brought up by Senator Grove.

Summary: The committee first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board and Christopher Ferguson, Brian Haynes, Anna Marie de Mars, and Ronald Fiore to the Student Aid or Student Athletic commissions, all by unanimous 5-0 votes. It also approved references of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard from Julia Montgomery, nominated for a third term as General Counsel of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, who described her work on farmworker rights, outreach, and enforcement of labor protections. Members questioned Montgomery closely about card-check unionization procedures, signature authenticity, outreach to Spanish-speaking and indigenous-language farmworkers, make-whole enforcement delays, and a long-running Tri-Fanucchi farm case. Montgomery said objections and unfair labor practice charges can be investigated, that signature verification is handled by board staff rather than her office, and that delays often stem from appeals, difficulty locating workers, employer obstruction, and court backlogs. Vice Chair Grove voted no, while Senators Laird and Reyes supported the nomination; the committee advanced Montgomery to the full Senate on a 3-2 vote. The committee then considered three State Board of Education appointments: Cynthia Glover Woods, Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez. In opening statements, all three emphasized long careers in public education and support for students, teachers, and families. Questions focused on math achievement, the 2023 math framework and access to Algebra I in middle school, transitional kindergarten, community schools, and the effectiveness of education spending. The nominees said the framework still allows ready eighth graders to take Algebra I, pointed to new instructional materials, professional learning, TK expansion, and community schools as key improvements, and said they had not been involved in the governor’s proposed education governance changes. Public witnesses and education groups testified in strong support. The committee advanced Glover Woods 3-1, Lewis 4-1, and Gonzalez 3-1 to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I’ll check with my staff, with our staff, on that.
• A Senate staff member recently said to me, 'Water, it's a complex beast.'
• Thank you, Senator Laird.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine actions, including approving three governor’s appointments not required to appear: Anthony Surich as Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency, Craig Snelling J.D. to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. The committee also approved referral of bills to committees, all by 4-0 votes. It then took up appointments requiring testimony, beginning with Jereen DiAdamo to the State Water Resources Control Board. DiAdamo focused her remarks on safe drinking water, groundwater sustainability, conservation, and Bay-Delta restoration. She said the number of Californians without safe drinking water has fallen from 1.6 million to 800,000 since 2019, credited the SAFER program, technical assistance, and mandatory consolidation authority, and described ongoing work on failing and at-risk systems, domestic well mitigation, SGMA implementation, and the Bay-Delta Plan. Senators pressed her on audit follow-up, measurable goals for reducing the remaining unsafe systems, funding uncertainty, and concerns from environmental and tribal groups that the board has favored water users over ecosystem protections. Supporters from water, agriculture, business, and local agencies praised her collaborative style and consensus-building, while opponents argued she had not done enough to protect the Delta and called for new leadership. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Sivagunda Gunda for reappointment to the California Energy Commission. He highlighted progress on grid reliability, zero-carbon generation, and planning for California’s energy transition, including transportation fuels, building electrification, and the eventual retirement of Diablo Canyon. Senators questioned him about the future of Kern Energy and small refineries, the state’s transportation fuels plan, fuel imports and costs, and whether California can retire Diablo Canyon by 2030 without harming reliability. Gunda said the state is planning as if Diablo Canyon retires in 2030, that current resource additions make reliability manageable, and that affordability and market coordination remain key issues. The committee then voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate, and the hearing recessed afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Senator Abeler, Senator Fateh, and Senator Utke—Jim and Omar.
• I appreciate you, Senator.
• I appreciate you, Senator.
• Awesome, and I appreciate the letter that went out, Senator Utke, Senator Gruenhagen, Senator Abeler.
• </c> scoring Senator mqu how about it Senator scoring Senator mqu how about it Senator Mayu<00:32:48.240

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Schuyler Kulas, Senate Democratic staff intern. Ada Martinez, Senate Democratic staff intern.
• Andrew Montenegro, Senate Democratic staff intern. Lucas Mooney, Senate Democratic staff intern.
• Katie Binsbacher, Senate Republican staff intern. Skylan Flores, Senate Research Staff intern.
• Sierra Jones, Senate Research Staff intern. Kendall Mullins, Senate Research Staff intern.
• Tatum Ross, Senate Research Staff intern. Michelle Young, Senate Research Staff intern.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, no public testimony, public comment and we see Senator Davis moves to allow staff to make technical
• Madam Chair, senators and staff.
• Madam Chair, senators and staff.
• Yes, Senator Davis, senator leak Senator Smith. Now, Senator Trumbull.
• Senator Burgess. Yes. >> Senator calatayud, yes, Senator Davis, Senator Lee Senator Smith.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Marcellais? So moved. Second by Kelby. Senator Marcellais, so moved. Second.
• Chairman and Senator, we can. Let me see here if we... And Senator, we can.
• Continue, Senator Bechdel. Thank you. Continue, Senator Bechdel. Thank you.
• Senator Paul, are you done? the last few years. Senator Paulson, are you done?
• Senator Nathie, I'm sorry, Representative Nathan, Senator Magram.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Arrington, Senator Avila, Senator Bernard, Senator Bracey Davis, Senator Grall, Senator Leek,
• Senator Martin, Senator Mayfield, Senator McClain, Senator Smith, Senator Truenow, Senator Wright, Vice
• Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bracey Davis? Yes. Senator Graal? Senator Leak?
• Senator Martin? Senator Mayfield? Yes. Senator McLean? Yes. Senator Trunow? Senator Wright? Yes.
• Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bracey Davis? Yes. Senator Graal? Senator Leak? Yes. Senator Martin?

Bills: S0048

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint hearing on the California Assembly and Senate Select Committees on the nonprofit sector is
• Senator, well, thank you. I'm sorry, Jeff, that I missed your presentation.
• And I appreciate Senator McNerney's leadership on the Office of Nonprofit Empowerment.
• I want to thank my staff and the Assembly members, Hart's staff, for helping run this.
• So it's all our office staff that are organizing these hearings. So I want to thank them.

Transcript Highlights:

• We first met him as a legislative aide to Senator Charlie Bean afternoon isn't to Senator Dean.
• He was elected in 2012 Senator Hayes to finish his term in the Senate in 2016 was then elected to the
• Senator Hayes.
• Thank you, Senator Grall.
• The Senator Hayes just said.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further message from the Senate, the clerk will read. One more. Further message from the Senate.
• Speaker, the Senate has adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404. Colleen Pahar, Deputy Secretary.
• Senate.
• Further message from the Senate. Message received. Further message from the Senate.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, engrossed Senate Bill 5194, and engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5195

Summary: The House considered several end-of-session measures. House Resolution 4662 was adopted to continue House operations during the interim, including standing committee work and the Chief Clerk’s Office. House Concurrent Resolution 4404 was also adopted to return bills that had not fully passed both chambers to the highest stage reached in their house of origin, and it was immediately transmitted to the Senate. Representative Fitzgibbon and Representative Corey spoke in support of both resolutions, and both passed by voice vote. The House then received messages from the Senate indicating action on Substitute Senate Bill 5195, Substitute Senate Bill 5161, House Concurrent Resolution 4404, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404. The Speaker signed several measures, including engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5161 and House Concurrent Resolution 4404, and later signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, engrossed Senate Bill 5194, and engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5195. The House also suspended the rules to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, which adjourns the legislature sine die, on the third reading calendar. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404 was then adopted after brief remarks from Representatives Fitzgibbon and Corey, who urged support for adjournment sine die. The resolution was immediately transmitted to the Senate. After a brief recognition of staff and approval of the journal by consent, Representative Fitzgibbon moved that the 2025 regular session of the 69th Legislature adjourn sine die, and the motion was adopted by voice vote, ending the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Menendez, for what purpose? Do you yield, Senator King? Senator King, do you yield?
• Senator Senate Bill 15. Thank you Mr.
• Senator Middleton has a bill we'll have Senator Hughes as well as Senator Flores and other bills coming
• Do you yield Senator Colquhart? I do. Do you recognize Senator Perry? Thank you. Senator Colquhart.
• Yes, I'll yell you recognize Senator Bettencourt, Senator.

Bills: SCR5 , SCR13 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB24 , SB35 , SB57 , SB65 , SB112 , SB284 , SB290 , SB388 , SB400 , SB402 , SB412 , SB495 , SB499 , SB502 , SB509 , SB621 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB854 , SB875 , SB893 , SB917 , SB974 , SB1025 , SB1061 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1268 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1451 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB495 , SB412 , SB10 , SB18 , SB565 , SB372 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB13 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SJR57 , SCR8 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB3 , SB6 , SB15 , SB35 , SB290 , SB706 , SB842 , SB917 , SB1281 , SB1451 , SB1902 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB19 , SB388 , SR261 , SR265 , SR276 , SR277 , SR281 , SR286 , SR293 , SCR5 , SCR13 , SB2425 , SB2880 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB388 , SB412 , SB495 , SB2425 , SB2880

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Arrington, Senator Avila, Senator Bernard, Senator Bracey Davis, Senator Grall, Senator Leek,
• Senator Martin, Senator Mayfield, Senator McClain, Senator Smith, Senator Truenow, Senator Wright, Vice
• Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bracey Davis? Yes. Senator Graal? Senator Leak?
• Senator Martin? Senator Mayfield? Yes. Senator McLean? Yes. Senator Trunow? Senator Wright? Yes.
• Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bracey Davis? Yes. Senator Graal? Senator Leak? Yes. Senator Martin?

Bills: S0048

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems. Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues. The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be meeting with the Senate again.
• in the Senate.
• </c> we're going to be meeting with Senator we're going to be meeting with Senator uh<00:07:07.039><c
• is probably follow with Senator join is probably follow with Senator gon's<00:07:12.840><c> Bill</c>
• </c><01:07:18.720><c> into</c> puts the entirety of the IG staff into puts the entirety of the IG staff

Transcript Highlights:

• Schuyler Kulas, Senate Democratic staff intern. Ada Martinez, Senate Democratic staff intern.
• Andrew Montenegro, Senate Democratic staff intern. Lucas Mooney, Senate Democratic staff intern.
• Katie Binsbacher, Senate Republican staff intern. Skylan Flores, Senate Research staff intern.
• Sierra Jones, Senate Research staff intern. Kendall Mullins, Senate Research staff intern.
• Tatum Ross, Senate Research staff intern. Michelle Young, Senate Research staff intern.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest recognitions, including a student honored for a national Mandarin speech contest, a Ms. Black Arizona candidate, and a Madison Elementary School reusable-tray pilot program. The body also recognized interns and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars and adopted committee reports recommending passage of a series of budget-related bills. The main legislative business centered on the 2026-27 budget package and related omnibus measures, including appropriations, budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, K-12 education, state property, revenue/taxation, and transportation bills. Most of these measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, with repeated debate focused on the tax omnibus and the overall budget’s policy choices. Supporters argued the package provided affordability, tax relief, conformity with federal tax changes, reduced government spending, and reforms to entitlement and other programs; opponents argued it favored corporations and wealthy taxpayers, cut health care, food assistance, housing, tourism, wildfire response, and education, and would forfeit federal matching funds. Several members specifically criticized the failure to close the data center tax exemption and to raise sports betting taxes, while supporters defended those provisions as pro-business and pro-growth. There was also discussion of fund sweeps, including university research funds, housing trust funds, and other agency balances, with opponents saying the sweeps targeted encumbered or already-committed money. After debate, the Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and advanced the bills, and later took up House bills introduced and placed on third reading, with members explaining their votes on HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act, largely along party lines. At the end of the session, the Senate processed messages from the House requesting the return of SB 1160 and SB 1786 for reconsideration, and the Senate requested the House return HB 2415 for reconsideration. The chamber also introduced and placed several House budget bills on third reading, including HB 4138 through HB 4153, continuing the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wendrow was recognized. Senator Wendrow said she had a motion.
• Senator Groh. Aye. Senator Cook. Aye. Senator Beirke. Senator Hart. Senator Carlson.
• Senator Ciderveld. Senator Kaiser. Senator Ward Engel King. Senator Winchrow.
• Senator Groh. Aye. Senator Cook. Aye. Senator Beirke. Senator Hart. Senator Carlson.
• Senator Ciderveld. Senator Kaiser. Senator Ward Engel King. Senator Winchrow.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met to consider several Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid items, Idaho State Police budgets, the Department of Juvenile Corrections, and the Department of Administration and Military Division. The committee first approved a FY 2026 Medicaid forecast supplemental, then approved a budget-neutral FY 2026 hospital assessment fund shift and creation of a separate hospital assessment budgeted program. For FY 2027 Medicaid, members heard extensive discussion of MMIS procurement, estate recovery, program integrity, purchasing staff, hospital assessment alignment, population forecast adjustments, and proposed reductions tied to provider rates and RESHAB. After debate among three competing motions, the committee rejected two alternatives and passed the original motion, which included the governor’s recommended Medicaid adjustments and the $22 million reduction concept, sending it with a do pass recommendation. The committee then approved Idaho State Police Brand Inspection replacement items for trucks and equipment, as well as Idaho State Police division requests for a commercial vehicle safety grant increase, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement patrol vehicles and equipment. POST Academy replacement items were also approved. For the Department of Juvenile Corrections, members approved clinician service transfer funding from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of six FTPs and related funding for direct care staff and substance use disorder mentoring services. In the Department of Administration budget, the committee debated Medicaid procurement staffing and related transfers. A substitute motion to fund three FTPs failed, and the committee ultimately approved a compromise motion funding two FTPs, utilities alignment, program transfers, inflationary utilities, IT hardware, and a prior rescission adjustment. The Military Division enhancement request for indirect cost recovery for emergency management and state education assistance funding was also approved. The committee adjourned after announcing its Monday agenda, which included DEQ, public school support and financing, services for the deaf and blind, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block. Here. Senator Charlie, Senator Gallegos, Senator Knob. Senator Lopez. Here.
• Senator Tobiassen, House Bill 65? You're the Senate sponsor, okay.
• Senator Block, Senator Charlie, Senator Gallegos, then her Nava, Senator Pinto, Senator Pope, Senator
• Scott, Senator Wilson, Senator Hicke, Senator Hickey, Senator Lopez, yes.
• Senator Charlie, thank you, Madam Chair. Hey, Senator.

Summary: The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee heard several measures focused on health and child welfare. House Bill 65 would codify and fund CYFD’s foster care plus short-term stabilization pilot for children in state custody with behavioral health needs, using clinical experts and specialized foster parent training to reduce office stays, hotel placements, and multiple placements. CYFD and child welfare advocates supported the bill, while senators raised concerns about cultural competency, ICWA/IFPA compliance, LGBTQ youth placement, and the need to spell out protections in statute. The bill passed 9-0 to the next committee. The committee then considered House Bill 13 and House Bill 14, joining the occupational therapy compact and the dentist/dental hygienist compact. Both bills drew support from health agencies, chambers of commerce, and professional groups as workforce tools to improve licensure portability and recruitment. Members, however, were uneasy about late-arriving amendments, venue provisions, commission authority, and how much control New Mexico would retain over compact rules and enforcement. After debate, HB 13 advanced 6-3 and HB 14 advanced 7-3, both to Judiciary. House Bill 256, which would require school emergency response plans to include cardiac emergencies during athletic activities, received support from the American Heart Association and nursing advocates, who cited survival benefits from rapid AED use and CPR. Questions centered on travel across state lines, private and religious schools, homeschool athletics, and enforcement, but the bill passed 10-0. House Bill 66, which updates the health care professional loan repayment program to increase physician awards and broaden recruitment incentives, was backed by provider groups and business organizations; dentists noted concerns about equity, but the bill passed 5-0.