Transcript Highlights:

• transfer between the hazardous waste emergency fund and the Emergency fund and the solid waste regulatory
• costs and support the agency's online permitting system, and add $400,000 from the Solid Waste Regulatory
• need to be taking a look at some of these things where there are places where we can make some efficiencies

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered the Department of Environmental Quality budget. Janet Jessup outlined enhancements for Triumph Mine monitoring and maintenance, a transfer for the Cordilleran Basin Superfund cleanup, and a fund shift to move two positions from federal support to the IPDES Program Fund. Members also discussed language to consolidate air permitting and drinking water permitting fee funds, and a separate cash transfer related to the new solid waste regulatory fund created by House Bill 555. The budget motion and the related language both passed, and the committee issued do-pass recommendations. The committee then took up the Department of Lands budget, focusing on Forest and Range Fire Protection funding. Members debated a one-time General Fund restoration for fire preparedness in FY 2026 and a similar request for FY 2027, with concerns raised about prior reversions and whether dedicated funds could be used instead. Director Dustin Miller explained that the other funds cited were restricted to forest practices enforcement and equipment replacement, and that the preparedness money supports standby crews, including seasonal firefighters in eastern Idaho and other regions. The FY 2026 request passed, the initial FY 2027 request failed, reconsideration was later allowed under parliamentary ruling, and the FY 2027 request then passed. The committee also adopted language limiting General Fund firefighter bonus appropriations to firefighters, after some discussion about whether the wording was too narrow. Next, the committee considered Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. The agency’s request included career ladder adjustments, a van for student transport, staffing for a new 18-bed residential building in Gooding, replacement items, and an endowment fund adjustment. A substitute motion to add the cottage staff funding failed, but the original motion passed, providing funding for the career ladder, replacement items, and the endowment adjustment, with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the State Department of Education budget was reviewed. The agency requested additional spending authority for school bus camera grants, an extended USDA farm-to-school grant, and ongoing technology grants for the child nutrition program. A substitute motion to increase the farm-to-school authority to cover the anticipated extension failed, but the original motion passed, approving the school bus camera fund increase, the farm-to-school grant authority, and the child nutrition technology funding, with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then announced the next day’s agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are no regulatory scope changes to this program whatsoever, just reorganization and clarification
• That's one of the uses of the regulatory staff for both USDA and ISDA, and we go out and do those tests
• We did have a couple of very small, but I would call them efficiencies that are going to be afforded

Summary: The committee first approved the January 22, 2026 minutes and then introduced three RSs. Senator Shippey presented RS 33086 on protection of working animals, which would bar local governments and agencies from enacting rules that effectively ban working animals or working animal enterprises; members asked whether rodeo animals and service animals were covered, and the RS was sent to print. Senator Blaylock presented two code-cleanup RSs from the DOGE committee effort, one removing obsolete programs and another deleting references to the Idaho One plan; both were sent to print after brief discussion. The committee then considered several Idaho State Department of Agriculture rule dockets. Lloyd Knight presented a repeal of the Idaho Hop Growers Commission rule because it duplicated statute, and the committee approved it. He also presented temporary and pending rules on grizzly bear and wolf depredation compensation, explaining the rules implement HB 592 and HB 82, establish definitions and a compensation matrix, and set priorities for confirmed, probable, and possible claims, along with conflict-prevention funding; a virtual witness from Living with Wolves supported the rules, and the committee approved both dockets. Dr. Scott Livesley then presented zero-based rewrites of the brucellosis, tuberculosis, and public exchange of livestock rules, emphasizing that the changes were mostly reorganization and clarification with no major regulatory changes. During the animal disease rule presentations, Dr. Livesley gave background on Idaho’s brucellosis and TB surveillance programs, including the designated surveillance area near Yellowstone, mandatory testing and vaccination requirements, and the role of federal and state agencies. Senators asked about federal involvement, vaccination, and emergency entry provisions, and Dr. Livesley explained the limits of wildlife vaccination and the need for ongoing surveillance. For the livestock exchange rule, he described the three public exchange venues and a change allowing end-of-day electronic sale reports instead of individual paper releases. Jeff Abrams of the Idaho Conservation League later testified in support of the depredation framework but urged more funding for conflict minimization and future compensation needs. The committee completed its rule approvals and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation proposes to establish a process for cost recovery funds to be more efficiently provided
• This is structured in the code in a way that this would be subject to all of the regulatory and enforcement
• I'm the director of regulatory science at Swedish Match North America, an affiliate of Philip Morris

Bills: HB30, HB263, HB357, HB359, SB60, SB102, HB30

Keywords: elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• our mission here with this committee and put together a great budget for our environment and a regulatory
• It collects treats stores and moves water and a much more efficient way for less cost.
• And I'd like to know we continue to break down barriers and the regulatory barriers for people accessing

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, this structure exists at a regulatory level.
• Right now, this structure exists as a regulatory level.
• Public health research has emphasized that the regulatory gap leaves young people particularly vulnerable
• Regulatory controls are insufficient to ensure safety before sale.
• If agencies are experiencing an increase in requests, the appropriate responses to improve efficiency

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, it would be our regulatory agency, such as the New Mexico Environment Department.
• We are the regulatory agency.
• From the regulatory side, we are working through that review process right now, and we're hoping that
• How do we make this more efficient to get this thing done so we can solve this problem?
• Currently, I would say it's more about building off of our regulatory approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that'll make it more efficient for all of us. Yeah, we appreciate it, too.
• And Jeffrey Newcomb, who is Vice President of Regulatory and Finance.
• </c> President of Regulatory and Finance. President of Regulatory and Finance.
• Witness: Not as long as it remains effective and efficient in cost and cost-effective for customers.
• </c> not in the regulatory filings. not in the regulatory filings.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28 Introduction of Guests 00:02:08 American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31 SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55 SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Three ethanol... efficiency while boosting production in the state.
• But that's part of the government efficiency perspective. And if I may, it's just openness.
• There's going to be other issues that basically reduce the efficiency.
• Are we being efficient with the taxpayer dollars?
• I would... ...cost-share economic efficiency analysis of the drain itself.

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• done a phenomenal job of embracing the difficulty of capturing storm costs, doing effectively, efficiently
• You're making your time more efficient.
• was designed originally as kind of a widows-and-orphans fund, I mean, the investor-owned utility regulatory

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met to receive an overview from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of his office. He described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate and service cases, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters, storm cost recovery, fuel clauses, storm protection plans, and specialized dockets. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service-hearing testimony to challenge unsupported utility costs and seek “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable” outcomes for customers. Trierweiler highlighted several current issues, including affordability, data centers, and the growing use of AI in reviewing large utility filings. He said the office has begun using affordability experts and data center witnesses, and that data center-related utility proposals raise concerns about energy demand, water use, and community impacts. He also expressed caution about AI and machine learning because of confidential utility information, while acknowledging that utilities, regulators, and his office are increasingly using such tools. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how profit is evaluated in rate cases, the role of settlement agreements, and whether the office is considering water consumption impacts from data centers. Trierweiler said customer feedback largely comes in through hearings, correspondence, and direct calls rather than office-led canvassing, and that his office seeks to limit imprudent costs while allowing utilities a fair return. He also explained that the office may file motions for reconsideration and appeals after PSC orders, and that it sometimes submits alternative settlement proposals even when approval is unlikely, to present a different option for the commission’s consideration. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• unable to process mail ballots within that 24-hour period, and we will work with the counties on the regulatory
• for voters and the public and streamline election processes to make local election offices more efficient
• able to process ballots. ...and streamline election processes to make local election offices more efficient

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, as we know, with efficiency in the Senate, we put in the time certain, it's not always the
• Now they're coming back to a regulatory model, so I think there are people headed in the other direction

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from March 13, 17, 18, 19, and 25. The committee then took up House Bill 864, a kratom-related measure, amid discussion of competing approaches: a total ban versus a regulatory bill moving through the Senate. Members and testimony reflected sharply divided views, with some arguing kratom is dangerous, addictive, and should be scheduled as a controlled substance, while others said the issue is not yet fully studied and that regulation may be preferable to an immediate ban. The bill sponsor and several members emphasized concerns about deaths, youth access, and the need for stronger oversight, while others cautioned against criminalizing use too quickly and wanted to see the Senate proposal first. A substitute motion to send HB 864 to the floor without recommendation failed on a roll call vote, 5-11. The committee then voted on a motion to hold HB 864 in committee subject to call of the chair, which passed 14-2. The chair explained the bill would remain available for later action depending on developments in the Senate and the arrival of related bills. The meeting ended with a brief recognition of the committee page, who spoke about plans to attend nursing school.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was surprised to learn that the Agency for Health Care Administration does not have the regulatory
• Thank you for making this a very efficient committee meeting.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered four measures. The first was the PCS for HB 815, which would direct AHCA to study referral patterns by Medicaid managed care organizations and plans, including whether patients are being steered to providers with ownership or profit-sharing ties and how those services compare in cost. Members discussed transparency and potential cost impacts, and the PCS was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 1543, which narrows and clarifies an existing licensure attestation related to foreign countries of concern and controlling interests in health care entities. An amendment was adopted without objection to make clear the attestation applies to direct controlling interests. The bill was supported as a clarification for complex corporate structures, and it was reported favorably as amended by a 17-0 vote. Next, HB 899 addressed prescription drug coverage disclosures, aiming to prevent mid-year changes that could disrupt treatment or increase out-of-pocket costs for patients with chronic conditions. Supporters from Epic Pharmacies and the Florida Society of Rheumatology appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. Finally, the PCS for HB 493 on memory care facilities sought to add minimum standards and oversight for facilities advertising memory care services. The Florida Senior Living Association opposed the bill as overbroad and urged more refinement, while AHCA supported the added guardrails. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect vulnerable residents and improve transparency, and the PCS was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• McElfresh said Minnesota sets the stage for what a hemp beverage regulatory framework should look like
• </c> national hemp beverage regulatory national hemp beverage regulatory landscape<00:07:23.160><c> that
• </c> navigate a changing regulatory navigate a changing regulatory environment<00:09:45.800><c> and</
• to facilitate Minnesota businesses and Minnesota product to be sold in other markets that have regulatory
• .to facilitate Minnesota businesses and Minnesota product to be sold in other markets that have regulatory

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Centralizing law enforcement fraud resources within the BCA creates efficiencies.
• </c><00:18:45.200><c> I</c><00:18:45.440><c> should</c> government regulatory entities.
• I should government regulatory entities.
• And then we also examine<01:20:35.520><c> regulatory</c><01:20:36.159><c> factors</c><01:20:36.560><c
• > that</c><01:20:36.719><c> might</c> Examine regulatory factors that might increase insurance costs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 43:06.280><c> that</c><00:43:06.720><c> even</c><00:43:07.000><c> if</c><00:43:07.160><c> we</c> regulatory
• tools to do that even if we regulatory tools to do that even if we wanted<00:43:07.680><c> to.
• Um, and not be afraid to find efficiencies and rebuild for the future, because the future is coming and
• Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Senator Abeler: Um, and not be afraid to find efficiencies and rebuild for
• ,</c><01:19:38.040><c> modern</c> consolidated, more efficient, modern consolidated, more efficient,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> to carry out their jobs in an efficient, to carry out their jobs in an efficient, productive<01
• Um and uh and so that's efficiently.
• the efficiency of the entire<02:05:00.000><c> system.
• </c><02:05:35.040><c> So</c><02:05:35.280><c> I</c> efficiency of the entire system.
• So I efficiency of the entire system.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• governing energy regulatory requirements governing data<00:41:42.560><c> centers.
• Let's do this efficiently and effectively.
• Let's do this efficiently<00:46:06.000><c> and</c><00:46:06.240><c> effectively.
• But I think efficiently and effectively.
• </c><01:13:03.440><c> and</c> their homes more energy efficient and their homes more energy efficient

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of realignment, or the lack of efficiencies.
• Yes, I'm telling you it's all over, and there is incentive because of the regulatory circumstance on
• As a society, we need to actually, I mean, there is a lot of intent for regulatory circumstances with
• But as the member from Palmdale mentioned, there is an incentive within the regulatory framework.
• And rather than trying to push, That, you know, there is an incentive within the regulatory framework

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dudley Hoskins, representing USDA as the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, is testifying
• But I'm Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the U.S.
• Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• in working toward perhaps the elimination of this pest across the hemisphere could be done more efficiently
• It's going to take efforts from all of us—industry, private practitioners, regulatory veterinarians,

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• How are we going to Detain juveniles in a more efficient way than we're doing right now.
• On the next page, the regulatory fees.
• One, two, three, I want to say it's the fourth page called regulatory fees.
• I'm hoping something like maybe these regulatory fees can help pay for something like that.
• Is that the regulatory fees? Revenue share, sorry, the revenue share, OK.