Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:10.639><c> to</c> Association can ever be supportive to Association can ever be supportive
• Thank you for that. that support lifelong learning. that support lifelong learning.
• </c> Our community is showing strong support. Our community is showing strong support.
• </c> support of Senate File 3684. support of Senate File 3684.
• </c> for your support for Senate File 3684. for your support for Senate File 3684.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:10:18.400><c> the</c> ambitious goals to support the ambitious goals to support the deployment
• </c><01:13:33.520><c> of</c> opportunity to testify in support of opportunity to testify in support of
• <01:41:14.800><c> for</c> support for support for SF3083.<01:41:18.080><c> Does</c><01:41:18.320><c>
• That is why I support this bill.
• and the committee senator support and the committee support<01:53:29.760><c> uh</c><01:53:29.840><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is the amendment, and I hope that you will support it. Thank you. Questions, comments?
• </c><01:58:08.159><c> of</c> many bulk emails coming in support of many bulk emails coming in support
• </c><04:22:15.479><c> or</c> determine whether or not they support or determine whether or not they support
• </c> somebody who basically wants to support somebody who basically wants to support local<04:35:55.199
• Online there are seven in support and three opposed, and the blue sheet is zero.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee opened by noting member absences and then reviewed the governor’s HB 2 trailer bill language creating a solid waste site evaluation committee. The chair explained that Finance would want the committee’s input on the proposal and also announced a temporary change to the committee’s schedule, with additional Wednesday meetings planned around school vacation. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. On HB 150, Representative Ktoa offered a simple amendment changing food-processing language from “washed and rinsed” to “cleaned and sanitized” in the processing area. Members agreed the change better matched food safety practice, and the committee indicated support for advancing the bill. On HB 307, dealing with homestead food production areas, members discussed proposed amendment language that would add clearer sanitary requirements, including handwashing access, sanitary storage, sanitizable food-contact surfaces, and pest exclusion. The committee also discussed whether to replace “potentially hazardous food” with “time temperature control safe food,” but several members favored keeping the existing term because it is already well defined in food safety law. The bill was held for further amendment work rather than being executed immediately. The committee spent substantial time on solid waste legislation. For HB 479, members recalled a prior plan for a letter to the solid waste working group and agreed to proceed with the bill in executive session, with an offer of drafting help from Representative Bixby. For HB 77, which would require DES to establish site-specific setback distances for proposed new landfills, Representative Penza said his amendment was not ready yet but was close, and the bill was left for further discussion. The most detailed discussion was on HB 2115, which would require landfill permit applicants to submit a report on the project’s harms and benefits. Representative Germana explained an amendment that would replace section one, expand the list of benefits to include economic potential and infrastructure improvements, and set up a third-party review process in which the applicant submits a list of reviewers, DES screens the list, and the commissioner selects a reviewer if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked about who could serve as contractors, whether they had to be local, and how DES would judge qualifications; the response was that environmental engineering and similar firms could be used, local or outside the community, and that the process would remain somewhat flexible. Representative H. Haskins asked whether the legislature or subcommittee would be formally notified of preliminary review problems, and the chair said no additional notification process would be built in beyond existing practice. The committee planned to continue work on the bills in upcoming executive sessions, including after school break.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a good improvement to the bill, and we appreciate your support.
• I'd appreciate your support for the amendment. Please take your conversations off the floor.
• I'd appreciate your support for the amendment. Is there any further discussion?
• So I would urge your support of this bill, and thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• supported her cause.

Summary: The House convened on Ash Wednesday with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the journal approved, and a series of guest introductions recognizing Dr. William Thompson, Disability Day at the Capitol participants, Arizona Cattle Growers, a GCU student guest, striking ASU Aramark workers and union supporters, Nurse-Family Partnership nurses, Navajo Nation visitors, and others. Members also made remarks honoring Lent, Ramadan, Black History Month, and various community figures. Attendance was recorded at 54 present, 3 absent, and 3 excused, and the House received committee substitutions and Senate messages without objection. The chamber adopted House Resolution 2006, a death resolution honoring Yvonne Glee Lyme Federson and her work with Childhelp to combat child abuse. The resolution was adopted unanimously, followed by a moment of respectful silence. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and later an additional Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. Measures receiving do pass recommendations included HB 2089, HB 2177 as amended, HB 2258, HB 2322 as amended, HB 2786, and HB 2825 as amended, with amendments adopted on HB 2177, HB 2322, and HB 2825. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and ordered those bills engrossed or regrossed as appropriate. In the additional Committee of the Whole, members debated HB 2074, HB 2104, and HB 2105, all property- or health-related measures. HB 2074 drew sharp debate over an amendment removing a life-of-the-mother exception in a partial-birth abortion provision; supporters said the change clarified that safer medical alternatives exist, while opponents argued it would criminalize care even to save a mother’s life. HB 2104 and HB 2105 were amended to add taxable improvements as a trigger for assessor review and to make a standardized report optional, with supporters saying the changes improved county property tax administration and opponents warning they could hinder assessors and create litigation. All three bills received do pass as amended recommendations and were ordered engrossed. The House then took up third-reading votes and passed HB 2173, HB 2203, HB 2223, and HB 2501 by 57-0 votes with three not voting. HB 2307, an emergency measure concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and out-of-state treatment options, passed 37-20 with three not voting, but failed to achieve the required two-thirds vote for the emergency clause. Members explained votes in support as a temporary response to a lack of in-state treatment beds, and in opposition as a bill that was too broad or not yet implementable. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:45.880><c> extension</c> part of how we support extension part of how we support extension
• The next is program support.
• The next is program support.
• The next is program support.
• The next is program support.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I urge all of my colleagues to not only support this resolution, but to tell your Momma Mosley story
• AND THOSE WHO WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS LEGISLATION TODAY, SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO DO SO. THANK YOU, Mr.
• Proud to support it.
• We support them.
• My colleagues for supporting something really important.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care. The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies. The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> find numerous letters that also support find numerous letters that also support this<00:06:50.960
• With that, members, I appreciate your support today. Thank you.
• With that, members, I appreciate your support today. Thank you.
• Chairs and committee members, I appreciate your support.
• I urge your support. Thank you.

Bills: HF1379, HF1596, HF2260, HF1429

Keywords: nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our systems are failing to support our systems are failing to support children<00:02:51.519><c>
• </c><00:04:37.160><c> program</c> evaluation to demonstrate program evaluation to demonstrate program
• Concrete supports are limited.
• Um, and just ... supports um sometimes those are supports um sometimes those are Financial<00:10:26.440
• </c> Manner and if we have the supportive Manner and if we have the supportive resources<00:22:32.159

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work that goes into national board certification and the dedication to the profession that is demonstrated
• And we greatly appreciate your support in doing that.
• And we greatly<00:14:30.160><c> appreciate</c><00:14:30.720><c> your</c><00:14:31.040><c> support</c>
• <00:14:31.360><c> in</c><00:14:31.680><c> doing</c> greatly appreciate your support in doing greatly
• appreciate your support in doing that.<00:14:32.480><c> Um</c><00:14:32.800><c> our</c><00:14:33.040>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are staffed to support the Supreme Court in its oversight function and administrative function for
• So we really appreciate the legislative support over the years.
• have started as I started House Finance with my appreciation on behalf of the judiciary for that support
• I've seen in other sessions and have gathered some support, which I'm really, really grateful for.
• I know when the legislature committee didn’t support it, but nonetheless, from a lawyer’s perspective

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> testimony in support. testimony in support. Thank<00:32:14.800><c> you.</c> Thank you.
• . support. support.
• Just one more demonstration of the strong support of the observatories of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and
• So in strong support.
• So in strong support. community as well. So in strong support. Thank<00:58:38.040><c> you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several gubernatorial nominations for confirmation, beginning with GM 788 for Karen Knudsen to the Hawaii Sister State and International Partnerships Commission. DBEDT strongly supported her nomination, describing her decades of Asia-Pacific and East-West Center experience. Senators asked about the new commission structure, confirming that the old committee was abolished and replaced by a five-voting-member commission with two governor appointees before the Senate, other ex officio and legislative appointees, and one OHA vacancy still pending. Knudsen said the commission would help review new sister-state and international partnership proposals, while existing relationships would remain in place. Members also discussed the commission’s lack of a separate budget and its use of DBEDT international relations funding. The committee then moved to GM 789 for Wesley Fong to the same commission; DBEDT supported him based on his military, legal, and international trade background. A concern was raised that he also served on the State Ethics Commission, and Fong stated he had resigned from that post effective the 20th of the month to avoid a conflict. Senators questioned his reasons for leaving ethics, and he explained that his term was ending and he wanted to continue public service in a role aligned with his background in international agreements, education, and Indo-Pacific relations. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The committee next considered GM 769 for Patrick Branco to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The foundation and the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters both testified in strong support. Branco appeared by Zoom and said he was currently on temporary military orders on the East Coast, but had prior experience in public diplomacy as cultural attaché in Caracas and had worked on Fulbright and cultural exchange efforts. The committee then took up GM 770 for Makanani Salā to the same board. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported her nomination, and Noe Wong-Wilson testified in person, citing Salā’s work at Windward Community College and her role in organizing the Best Fest festival, saying she would bring Hawaiian cultural perspective to the foundation. Salā said her county experience included arts, culture, and sister-city work, and that she would emphasize public-private partnerships and helping other agencies use the foundation’s expertise. Members briefly discussed FESTPAC and its rotating international location. Finally, the committee heard GM 767 for Miles Miyatso to the Land Use Commission. The Land Use Commission and the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters both supported the nomination, and Avalon Development Company was listed but did not appear on Zoom. The discussion in the provided transcript ended during this item, with no vote or final action shown for the nominations covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• The beds less the support beds? The beds less the support beds.
• The beds less the support, meaning... The HSUs, the BAUs, the STU.
• And as Kyle said, the orange are the support beds that are not factored in.
• The orange are the support beds that are not factored into operational capacity.
• So using peer support. And that can be probably added to us.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission approved the July 11 minutes and then received a detailed follow-up presentation from the Department of Correction on facility footprint, mission-driven housing, programming, and technology. Commissioner Jenkins and Deputy Commissioner Peterson explained recent and planned facility changes, including the closures of Walpole, MCI Cedar Junction, and MCI Concord, the transition of the Plymouth Section 35/Mass Act program to Health and Human Services, the return of Bay State to DOC control for possible future use, and the Shattuck Hospital move to East Newton Pavilion. Members asked about operational capacity, the exclusion of support beds from occupancy figures, and the status of mothballed or unused facilities. Framingham drew particular attention because of its historically low women’s population and planned renovations; members raised concerns about the cost and the need to consider the broader women’s correctional system. A major portion of the meeting focused on mission-driven units and evidence-based programming. DOC described specialized units for health services, nursing care, clinical stabilization, mental health, residential treatment, protective custody, reentry, emerging adults, education, and substance use recovery, and noted that security threat group support beds are not used. Staff explained the distinction between general population beds and support beds, and between programming and treatment. They said core recidivism-reduction programs are based on risk-need responsivity and COMPAS assessments, with Spectrum Health Systems as the current vendor, and presented recidivism data showing lower reoffending among participants who completed programs such as violence reduction, criminal thinking, and the Correctional Recovery Academy. For women, they highlighted the pathways model at MCI Framingham, which combines trauma-informed, gender-responsive services, and reported strong outcomes for those engaged for at least 26 weeks. Members asked about how needs are identified and counted, how declinations are handled, and how the department distinguishes completion from ongoing maintenance. DOC said participation is voluntary, individuals are re-recommended over time, and completion is recorded in the system when criteria are met. They also discussed educational supports for learning disabilities and trauma, including IEP/504 coordination, tutoring, and a new school psychologist for testing. Questions were raised about family reunification programming, and DOC pointed to family-focused services, mediation, Read to Me Mommy, and the Brave unit for young fathers. Sheriff Cabral and Sheriff Cochie praised the presentation and emphasized the importance of family reunification and the realities of trauma in incarcerated people’s lives. The final section highlighted the expanded use of tablets across all facilities. DOC said tablets now support free phone calls, emails, video visits, surveys, educational content, medical updates, sick-call requests, and an earned-good-time app, while also helping with communication during facility closures and with ongoing programming. Staff said the tablets are used both for learning and recreation, and that more than half of the incarcerated population uses them monthly for educational purposes. Members discussed whether user feedback or “reviews” of programs could help increase participation, and DOC said tablet-based surveys make that possible. The meeting ended with general agreement that the department has expanded programming and technology substantially and is using them to support reentry, communication, and facility operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, we were able to provide SWIFT program support from the Water Fund, essentially...
• This support also helps in resolving any violations and increasing the system's resiliency.
• TCEQ provides limited support and oversight for the regulation of groundwater quantity.
• The biggest asks are for staff and money to support the agency's needs.
• We support area food banks.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a quest that humanity has had for about 70 years to demonstrate that one could achieve a controlled
• So this helps us get there, and I'm asking for your support. I stand for any questions.
• Madam Chair, and they're just, are they supportive or are they still trying to figure it out?
• There's no one not in support. Everybody knows this is a problem.
• There's no one not in support. Everybody knows this is a problem and everybody wants it fixed.

Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology met with a full audience and began with brief introductions, including an intern from Arizona State University. The committee heard two presentations before taking up its only bill. The University of Arizona’s Thomas Diaz de la Rubia spoke about fusion energy, describing it as a potential clean, safe, baseload power source and arguing Arizona should build the talent, supply chains, and research infrastructure to commercialize fusion. Members asked about timelines, regulation, competition with China, and the relationship to small modular reactors; he said fusion could be commercially relevant in roughly 12 to 15 years if public and private investment continues, and that the U.S. should avoid losing manufacturing and supply chains as it did in other technologies. He also discussed the university’s broader space and national security work. XRDNA CEO Charles Ableman then presented a spatial addressing and coordination system called EVA, describing it as a way to align data about where and when physical objects exist across systems, with a security layer called a sphere of influence. He said the company is testing with space and logistics partners, uses AI provenance tools, and sees its near-term use case in space operations and interoperability. The committee then considered HB 2809, which would require state agencies handling sensitive or protected data to implement post-quantum encryption meeting or exceeding CMMC 2.0 standards, using a U.S.-based vendor and U.S.-developed or maintained components. The bill would place the master encryption key with the Auditor General and set procedures involving the Auditor General and Attorney General. Sponsor Rep. Gillette explained that the bill was simplified from a prior version after concerns that agencies would have to connect offline systems to the internet; the amendment clarified that encryption can be installed without internet connectivity and without requiring other systems to be online. He argued the measure is needed to modernize weak legacy systems and protect data after prior breaches and failed IT projects. Members generally supported the concept but raised questions about implementation, costs, vendor neutrality, and the Auditor General’s role; the Secretary of State’s office was described as neutral and still evaluating implementation. The committee adopted the Pingarelli amendment and then passed HB 2809 as amended on a 9-0 vote, with several members explaining that they supported the bill but wanted continued stakeholder input and careful attention to execution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your continued support, for your service to Idahoans.
• So we're grateful for that support.
• So we're grateful for that support.
• The act also included an appropriation to support Idaho's constitutional convention.
• The act also included an appropriation to support Idaho's constitutional convention.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations first for the Idaho Workforce Development Council. Analyst Brooke Dupree reviewed the council’s statutory role, fund balances, and FY 2027 requests, including an ongoing transfer of $1.15 million within the In Demand Careers Fund to support more Launch grants, a proposed consolidation of the STEM Action Center into the council, and reappropriation authority for ARPA and other grant funds. Director Wendy Sechrist said Launch, workforce training grants, child care grants, and semiconductor-related grants have produced strong participation and wage gains, and she explained that the STEM education fund would be sunset under the merger. Members asked about the remaining STEM dedicated fund, the timing and impact of a proposed $10 million cash transfer from Launch, repayment of some Launch grants, and how much of the training funding goes to incumbent workers versus new hires. The committee then reviewed the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Dupree outlined the agency’s dedicated funds and FY 2027 requests for additional appropriation authority tied to Social Security reimbursements and adaptive aids store revenue, plus one-time vehicle replacement funding. Administrator Beth Cunningham said the agency uses those funds to support vocational rehabilitation, independent living services, and surgeries for eligible clients without other coverage. Members asked about discrepancies in fund figures, the growth in the adaptive aids fund balance, and the effect of holdbacks on services; Cunningham said the cuts would modestly reduce client services, travel, and some site restoration support. Finally, the Idaho State Historical Society presented its budget. Dupree described requests for $450,000 to complete the move of state records and collections into the new archives addition, $36,300 for IT hardware, and reappropriation authority for moving costs, along with prior enhancements for Old Pen staffing and archival work. Director Janet Gallimore emphasized stewardship of state records and artifacts, the importance of the move, and the agency’s role in Idaho’s America 250 efforts. Members praised the agency’s work and asked about historic preservation reviews and archaeological surveys; Gallimore said staff consult with federal agencies under the National Historic Preservation Act and agreed to provide travel records for surveys in Bonner County. The meeting ended with a presentation of historical artifacts and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today in support of Senate Bill 801.
• Thank you all for your time and your support. Any questions? Ms. Benavides, thank you.
• So, we ask for your support for SB1200. Thank you for Mr. Reddington. Or again, Senate Bill 1200.
• This bill will support women by ensuring medical professionals are properly informed about the law. .
• Please support SB 2626 to ensure that doctors and nurses involved in these situations have the skills

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63, SB 3

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• We support thousands of Hampshire.
• would have to demonstrate that some would have to demonstrate that some other<01:30:24.639><c> law</c
• :48.319><c> of</c> request supports a workforce of request supports a workforce of 1,151<03:12:50.399
• ><c> services</c> essential internal support services essential internal support services across<03:13
• Additional support is necessary.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Accountability to demonstrate learning instead of just passing tests.
• look at every single individual citizen of their country and say, you get to proceed when you can demonstrate
• , where a kid would have to start with week one at a foundational level of information and then demonstrate
• learning to get to wisdom by the end of the course and demonstrate that they can jump out of a plane

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and then heard several Senate RS print requests. Senator Blaylock presented RS 33277C1 to create the Idaho High Need Student Fund to help districts cover extraordinary special education costs above $30,000 per student, with reimbursement caps, documentation requirements, and annual reporting; the committee voted to print it. Senator Cole presented RS 33271, the PROM Act, to let homeschooled students in grades 8-12 buy a social access pass to participate in public school social events such as dances, fairs, and cultural activities without enrolling; it was also sent to print. Senator O'Conniewicz presented RS 33334 concerning foreign national students on athletic teams at higher education institutions, arguing it could help retain graduates in Idaho; the committee voted to print it. Senator Semmelroth presented RS 33335, a revised code-cleanup bill restoring specialty diploma provisions that had been inadvertently removed; it too was printed. The committee then heard a presentation from Sam Abrams, superintendent of Hayden Canyon Charter, on broader education reform ideas. He argued that Idaho should move away from seat-time-based schooling toward mastery-based learning, with more individualized pacing, better accountability for public dollars, and measures beyond test scores, including student happiness and demonstrated learning. He described his experience in Qatar and at other schools as evidence that individualized, mastery-based systems can improve outcomes. Members responded with comments about the flexibility of charter schools versus traditional public schools and shared examples of students who learn differently but are not well served by conventional grading and attendance systems. No formal action was taken on Abrams' presentation, and the committee adjourned after his remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> contributions toward these support contributions toward these support services,<00:03:12.160><c>
• </c> be able to support this at this point. be able to support this at this point.
• </c> both support this bill. both support this bill. Thank<01:02:17.520><c> you.
• </c><01:19:00.960><c> of</c> for your consideration and support of for your consideration and support
• </c> respectfully urge you all to support respectfully urge you all to support this<01:26:02.880><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> parenting actions, child support, parenting actions, child support, domestic<00:19:58.000><c> violence
• So, I will support the to work on them.
• So, I will support the ITL.<00:30:30.240><c> I</c><00:30:30.480><c> do</c><00:30:30.720><c> support</
• I do support Representative ITL.
• He said he has all those proof and the people can support.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 518 and House Bill 652FN, both related to the family court system and child/family matters. HB 518 drew extended discussion about DCYF/DCYF’s role and whether the bill should be retained, amended, or studied further. Representative Love argued the agency is deeply troubled, citing abuse cases, lack of training, and fear among constituents, and said he would vote against ITL while preferring interim study so the bill could still be used as a future amendment vehicle. Other members emphasized that the family division has ongoing reform work underway and that abolishing or moving cases to superior court would not solve the underlying problems. On HB 652FN, the subcommittee chair and Representative Pearson gave a detailed defense of the family division, explaining its history, statewide structure, caseload, and the rationale for specialized family courts. Pearson said the bill would reverse progress by shifting jurisdiction back to superior court, overload dockets, and deprive families of judges with specialized expertise. He pointed to reforms already underway, including simplified forms, more mediation, and review of possible judicial bias patterns. Several members and public comments supported keeping the bill as a tool for reform rather than killing it, while critics argued the family court system suffers from due process, oversight, and rule-of-law problems. The committee also heard broader testimony on family court concerns, including allegations of systemic bias, discovery limits, unsworn witnesses, and lack of oversight, as well as support for mediation as a less adversarial and more effective option. Some members said the judiciary needs more judges and mediators, but that budget constraints limit those improvements. The discussion ended with no final vote recorded in the excerpt; instead, members continued debating whether the bills should be ITL’d or retained for interim study and further reform work.