Transcript Highlights:

• Data is the foundation of modern AI systems, and without the ability to use relevant safeguarded data
• Many AI systems require contextual signals such as grade bands, course levels, and learning progression
• to evaluate real-world progression, and in practice, these systems require more than static data sets
• That’s a student information system in the schools. We could name dozens and dozens of companies.
• It's a kill chain command that can stop the transaction within 48 to 72 hours.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bettencourt, anyone wishing to testify and or submit written testimony, register. at the kiosk system
• We have somewhat of a lag with our system this morning.
• We have our system back now so I spoke too soon and we show no way but I don't want to leave anyone behind
• To enforce these policies, Senate Bill 2233 establishes a system of investigation and accountability.
• This legislation creates a dangerous and unconstitutional two-team system that is system of rights on

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• a system.
• You're looking at the kind of systems that we have is driven by a lot of the funding systems and the
• of the funding systems and the funding of the funding systems and the funding systems<01:02:01.640><c
• the system mapping.
• We agree that this is a systems-wide problem, which requires a systems-wide solution and thinking.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So based on the sort of legal systems of those countries, the enforcement and the penalties can vary
• But old data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
• It's simply about prevention, prevention of incidents on our roadways.
• The current system removed all of that.
• The current system removed all of that.

Bills: SB5234, SB6110, SB6176

Keywords: snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation, vehicle license fee, RCW 46.17, fee schedule, renewal fee, initial fee, Washington state, electric-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, transportation regulation, safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• at GKN even before the incident?
• SB 883 is a common-sense bill in response to the GKN Aerospace manufacturing incident.
• SB 883 is a common-sense bill in response to the GKN Aerospace manufacturing incident.
• CMTA, CICC, and the other organizations certainly recognize the incident and the impact it had on the
• urge caution without certainty about where the issue may lie and what the result of the incident was

Summary: The Assembly Emergency Management Committee met late in the evening and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 837, SB 894, SB 973, and SB 1079, sending those bills to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 904, which would codify coordinated state response and permitting review efforts for wildfire recovery, and SB 1263, which would limit post-disaster debris removal work to properly licensed contractors with required hazardous-materials training. Both bills drew support from the authors and industry/public-safety witnesses, with SB 1263 also drawing an opposed-unless-amended position from contractors who said they were working toward agreement on final language. Both measures passed to Appropriations on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee next heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, which would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for interstate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific safety standards. The author and supporters from building trades and pipe trades argued the bill would provide clear safety rules before hydrogen infrastructure expands, while one industry witness said the correct agency had been identified but that some concerns remained. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations, with Assemblymember DeMaio voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 883, which would impose additional oversight on facilities storing methyl methacrylate and other reactive chemicals after a recent Orange County evacuation tied to a potential explosion risk. Supporters, including community, environmental, and public-health groups, said the bill would improve transparency, emergency planning, and safety protections near homes and schools. Chemical and manufacturing groups opposed the bill in its current form, citing undefined terms, concerns about mandated cooling systems, and possible conflicts with existing regulatory frameworks, but said they were willing to continue working on the measure. The bill passed to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on a 4-2 vote, with Assemblymembers Hadwick and DeMaio voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the cheaper of the incident management teams.
• And that's the cheaper of the incident management teams.
• And that's the cheaper of the incident management teams.
• And that's the cheaper of the incident management teams.
• And that's the cheaper of the incident management teams.

Summary: The committee began with a brief introduction of a new Senate page, Antoine Taylor, who spoke about his interest in the legislative process, his plans to serve a mission in Paris, and his future goal of studying business at BYU-Idaho. Members then took up several routine items, including confirmation of gubernatorial appointee James Keating to the Parks and Recreation Board and approval of multiple sets of committee minutes, all of which passed without opposition. The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Environmental Quality on the groundwater quality rule under zero-based regulation. Jerry Henry explained that the rule updates and streamlines groundwater standards, including adopting current drinking water standards by reference and adding or revising standards for arsenic, uranium, lead, and PFAS. Because of ongoing federal litigation over PFAS standards, the committee approved the rule docket with exceptions, rejecting the sections that incorporated the unresolved federal standards. The committee also heard from gubernatorial appointee Michael Leiden, whose confirmation was held for a later meeting after members asked about his extensive oil and gas background in Alaska. House Bill 587, which would provide continuous spending authority for revenues in the Idaho Rangeland Improvement Act account, was then debated. The sponsor said the bill was needed so funds from grants and federal partners could be spent without delay, citing lost funding in the past. Several senators expressed concern about giving up legislative appropriation control, but the bill passed the committee on a 6-2 vote. The meeting concluded with the Idaho Department of Lands annual update from Director Dustin Miller, who reviewed timber, fire, and stewardship operations, described record revenue and aggressive fire suppression efforts, and warned that proposed budget holdbacks could reduce staffing, slow treatment projects, and increase fire risk and costs. He also discussed House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on the structure surcharge for improved private forest parcels to support wildfire preparedness and suppression.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> challenges to the school system. challenges to the school system.
• or the citizen in the school system?
• or the citizen in the school system or the citizen in the school<02:06:35.599><c> system?
• Yes, I think that this school system?
• ,</c><02:21:50.000><c> there's</c> children in school system, there's children in school system, there's

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 34, which would require parental consent for each new service provided to a student through the Medicaid to Schools program and require reports to legislative policy committees. Senator Ruth Ward said the bill was intended to increase transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities. She also noted a proposed amendment she received shortly before the hearing that would change the bill’s focus from a “new service” to a “new care plan.” Representatives from the New Hampshire Primary Care Association and Amoscake Health testified that they opposed the bill as written but would support it with the amendment. They explained that tying consent to individual diagnosis codes or services could be burdensome, could delay care, and could create compliance problems if a diagnosis changes during a visit. They said the amendment would better align consent with the overall care plan and avoid interrupting treatment mid-appointment. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with IEPs, individualized health plans, homebound services, telehealth, billing, and whether the amendment would still require parental involvement after a care plan changes. The deputy Medicaid director from the Department of Health and Human Services testified that the amendment was more operationally feasible because Medicaid billing involves many ICD-10 codes that can change or overlap, and consent should be tied to the care plan rather than to each code. He said the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to Schools program and annual consent for billing, but the bill would make explicit consent for care-plan changes. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee appeared to continue discussion with DHHS after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 23 that are on the Next Gen system are being carried on the Next Gen system.
• In November of 2024, Cal OES asked NGA to provide a detailed record of system incidents that occurred
• The incidents were distributed across the broader ecosystem that makes up a modern 911 system.
• The incidents were distributed across the broader ecosystem that makes up a modern 911 system.
• systems for regional systems?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the CDC's Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System, in 2023, 21% of California high school
• in one year alone, while anti-transgender bias hate incidents rose by 12.3%.
• and hate crimes, including incidents at schools with our students.
• However, our career education system is not meeting the needs of students and workforce demands.
• Additionally, our system is failing to address the state's declining workforce and trade industries.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and so odmap is a National map system and so odmap is a National Database<00:38:03.880><c> it's</c><
• I would say that while location data is shared, the system masks the exact location to again mitigate
• So if there's one incident, there may be a circle or some other type of shape identifying an area.
• So if there's one incident, there may be a circle or some other type of shape identifying an area.
• </c><00:42:59.839><c> point</c> longitude uh based on an incident point longitude uh based on an incident

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:

• it into a bigger perspective, we get about 500 to 750 whistleblower complaints that go in our CMS system
• there's checks and balances, and there's always some type of government accountability and auditing system
• And generally, those types of things can be held in a federal court system. Okay.
• The Ten Commandments, for instance, could be considered an international religious law.
• And it has to be systemic.

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first voted House Bill 2563 do pass by a 12-1 vote. It then took up House Bill 3491, which would allow the state auditor to investigate specific subrecipients or subgroups directly when there is a whistleblower complaint, rather than having to audit an entire department or program. Testimony from the bill sponsor and the auditor’s office described the measure as a way to improve efficiency and respond to credible complaints about misuse of state or federal funds; members discussed safeguards, overlap with another federal-funds coordinator bill, and whether the authority would extend to private or semi-private entities. The committee adopted an amendment to clarify language, then voted the House Committee substitute for HB 3491 do pass by an 8-3 vote. The committee also considered Senate Bill 1087, on which it adopted a technical substitute correcting conflicting language about when a driver’s license suspension takes effect. After adopting the substitute, the committee voted the House Committee substitute for SB 1087 do pass by a 9-2 vote. Later, the committee heard House Bills 2139 and 2175, identical bills aimed at preventing foreign or religious law, specifically Sharia law, from being applied in Missouri courts. Supporters argued the bills were needed to protect constitutional law, while opponents, including a Baptist minister and several members, said the measures were unnecessary, discriminatory, and could create unintended consequences for marriages, adoptions, and other foreign legal documents. No vote was taken on those bills in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3210, which would let property owners in municipalities over 100,000 population seek compensation up to their property tax liability when a city allegedly fails to enforce laws against public camping, loitering, theft, intoxication, and related conditions on their property. The sponsor said the bill was meant to hold local governments accountable and help property owners dealing with ongoing encampments and sanitation problems. Members raised concerns about vague standards, possible unfunded mandates, and the burden on cities, while supporters said it could address serious local problems and encourage action. The hearing closed without a vote on HB 3210.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was explicitly stated in the California catastrophic incident-based...
• This was explicitly stated in the California catastrophic incident-based, This was explicitly stated
• in the California Catastrophic Incident-Based Plan concept of operations, or CONOP, which was jointly
• chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive, or CBRNE, incident plans.
• explosive, or CBRNE, incident plans.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes the educational system.
• </c><01:08:28.719><c> without</c> about the reproductive system without about the reproductive system
• </c> care system care system there's<01:42:23.920><c> a</c><01:42:24.080><c> lot</c><01:42:24.199><c>
• </c><04:24:13.560><c> already</c> their system already their system already Works<04:24:15.760><c> yes
• </c> correctly U you described the incident correctly U you described the incident that<05:18:16.440>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 662, which would require public schools to include discussion of abortion procedures and show specified videos in health education classes. The prime sponsor argued the bill would ensure students receive medically accurate, age-appropriate, and nonpolitical information about abortion, saying the topic is important for informed decision-making and should be taught consistently statewide. He said the videos were intended for grades 9-12, that parents could opt out, and that the requirement was meant to supplement, not sway, students’ views. He also acknowledged the bill could be seen as limiting local control over curriculum and said the intent was to prevent the topic from being missed due to scheduling disruptions. Committee members questioned the sponsor about local control, the need for a video mandate, the source of his statistics, whether the bill could be biased or inflammatory, and whether the requirement should apply every year in high school. The sponsor said the videos were only a starting point, could be replaced by others, and were meant to be informational. He also said the bill was not intended to influence students’ decisions about abortion. Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives of New Hampshire Right to Life and others who said students should be told the “truth” about abortion and its consequences. They emphasized graphic or emotionally difficult aspects of abortion and argued that young people need this information to make informed choices. Opponents and skeptical witnesses raised concerns about prescribing curriculum, eroding local control, and the appropriateness of the material for younger high school students. The New Hampshire School Administrators Association said the bill was overly prescriptive, that health education standards are already set by the State Board of Education, and that the topics in the bill are not part of the current standards. That witness recommended the committee consider retaining the bill for further work or making it less prescriptive. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vendors apply to have their systems vendors apply to have their systems tested<00:25:54.039><c>
• </c><00:26:10.840><c> must</c> voting equipment systems must voting equipment systems must demonstrate
• systems and in Minnesota election systems and software<00:26:31.760><c> democracy</c><00:26:32.320><
• </c><00:41:06.240><c> that</c> focused on the uh the systems that focused on the uh the systems that
• </c> protecting and securing those systems protecting and securing those systems and<00:41:22.480><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's an effort to get at those critical incidents.
• What we saw in the last quarter of DCYF data is that their number of critical incidents has fallen by
• And so that's an effort to get at those critical incidents.
• So we have really good systems in the state set up.
• Always happy to look at bills that improve those systems for Washingtonians.

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders opened the week by saying the Trump administration and federal actions are a major focus of the session, alongside a push to advance Washington-specific priorities. They said floor action had begun with bipartisan bills and that more floor votes were expected later in the week. Among the measures highlighted were the law enforcement masking bill, a bill regulating flock cameras, a bill on preserving access to preventive health services, and a bill on land banking for housing. They also flagged upcoming hearings on regulating large energy-use facilities and other committee work. Leaders discussed several policy and budget issues. On revenue, they said broad-based tax increases were unlikely, but they were still considering targeted options such as closing tax exemptions, a tobacco tax increase, and a proposed millionaire’s income tax, with technical work still underway on the latter’s mechanics and offsets. They also said a payroll tax proposal was unlikely to advance in its current form. On affordability, they pointed to housing, health care, child care, and federal tariffs as major cost drivers, and cited bills on medical debt, preventive care, and public hospital support as part of their response. Other topics included child welfare, where leaders said they shared concerns about protecting children and were working on follow-up legislation tied to the Keeping Families Together Act and DCYF’s identified critical incidents. They also said they were open to reviewing bills on accountability for public funds and NGO spending, and noted that WSU’s request for funding to cover student worker collective bargaining agreements would be considered in the budget process. On the masking bill, leaders emphasized that Washington law enforcement is not the target and said the bill includes a private right of action because federal agencies may not comply; they described it as a response to federal overreach and said it was likely to move in committee soon. They also mentioned possible floor action on a firearms-in-sensitive-places bill, and said victim-protection bills and a 0.05 BAC bill were among other notable measures under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been through this system twice now.
• the system fights back harder when that happens.
• I think in the definition of protective order versus a one-time incident versus a continuing incident
• So that's why you have these incidences that are many, many years ago being used as a single incident
• and the new family system that I am in.

Bills: HCR16, HB782, HB2159, HB2288, HB3281, HB3819, HB4656, HB4696, HB5494, HCR16

Keywords: fatherhood, family support, fatherlessness, community engagement, youth development, social policy, male role models, child development, policy reform, role models, mental health, parenting, single-parent homes, welfare reform, economic opportunity, mentorship, community initiatives, children, welfare programs, education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> including my experience in that system including my experience in that system and<00:29:54.320><
• And the only way to do that is to create a system where we're, and look, this is not perfect.
• Um, the same way that would be provided for anyone else who's looking at a rating system.
• We wanted to provide clarity system.
• Kellen would be leading the interviews because she's a merit system employee. Okay.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is item 5, SB 985, Strickland, 911 emergency system.
• SB 1246 sets standards to provide immediate coordinated response to AV incidents.
• There have been several incidents involving AV operators across the state.
• That all happens real time, just like it would if you have an OnStar system in a Chevy.
• So we think that that bill will still address the AVs that have that system.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with SB 739 (Arreguín) on the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program for transportation network companies. The author and supporters from Lyft, Uber, and TechNet said the bill would update EV miles traveled and greenhouse gas targets to reflect current market conditions, add flexibility for CARB and the CPUC, and protect drivers from losing platform access while also creating a path for future electrification. Opponents including the American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, and NRDC argued the bill would weaken a program meant to accelerate EV adoption and should retain stronger targets. Members discussed affordability, charging infrastructure, and the need to balance climate goals with feasibility. The committee approved SB 739 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, later recording a 9-0 vote when the roll was completed. The committee then heard SB 1190 (Grove), the “Safe Passage for Youth Act,” which would regulate private youth transport services used for out-of-state residential placements. The author and sponsor testimony described abusive practices such as nighttime pickups, blindfolds, restraints, and emotional trauma, and said the bill would require CPUC permitting, TrustLine background checks, training, parental consent, and bans on certain practices. Support came from youth and disability advocates, with no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended recommendation and later passed 9-0. SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) would extend the sunset for California High Cost Fund A and B universal service programs that help provide affordable telephone service in rural and high-cost areas. Supporters from rural telecom companies and industry groups said the funds are essential for maintaining service, 911 access, and emergency communications in remote communities. There was no opposition, and the committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation; it later passed 9-0. The consent item, SB 985 (Strickland) on the 911 emergency system, was also approved. Finally, the committee heard SB 1246 (Cortese) on autonomous vehicles and emergency response. The author and supporters from SEIU California and the California Professional Firefighters said the bill would require AV companies to provide incident response, notify local jurisdictions during system failures, ensure U.S.-based remote drivers, and prevent public safety workers from having to manage AV breakdowns. Industry opponents argued the bill intrudes on federal vehicle standards, gives local governments enforcement authority they should not have, and could create overly broad notification and response requirements. Members raised questions about local control, response times, and whether the bill was premature given existing DMV regulations. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1246 on a due pass as amended recommendation, later recording a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed and returned to complete roll calls before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• multiple engineer technician levels, maintenance area supervisors, and key intelligent transportation system
• multiple engineer technician levels, maintenance area supervisors, and key intelligent transportation system
• Cody was in the Magnolia Command Unit, and then Vinaueva, Melanie, and Cottle were in KM7, a medic unit
• More than 330,000 children are currently in the U.S. foster care system.

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House listing numerous bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions passed by the House or returned to the Senate, and it also noted a Senate amendment being stricken from House Bill 190. Committee reports were read on a wide range of nominations and bills, including favorable reports on several executive nominations and legislation involving nurse preceptors, voting, agricultural/forestry grants, child care, Title IX coordination, vehicle security devices, dry needling, human remains disposition, child care assistance, autism-related oversight, nursing advancement, correctional oversight, massage and bodywork, probate letters, computer security breaches, automobile insurance, medical debt protection, and technical corrections. The Senate also assigned House Bill 300, House Bill 64, and House Bill 385 to the Finance Committee. The chamber confirmed several gubernatorial nominations by roll call vote, each receiving the required majority: Heidi J. A. Gilmore to the Marijuana Appeals Commission; Lee Wynne and Ruth J. Tucker to the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board; Jennifer R. Hallman and Lindsay E. Alexich to the Professional Standards Board; Jason M. Munion and F. Todd Kulata to the Environmental Appeals Board. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 383, which changes overtime eligibility for certain DelDOT employees and clarifies covered positions, and Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which revises the Delaware Technical Innovation Program to give the Division of Small Business more flexibility in using federal grant funds. Consent Agenda M passed unanimously, including Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 on menopause and perimenopause coverage, House Bill 411 on alcohol/tobacco/marijuana enforcement, House Bill 271 on marijuana establishment spacing, House Bill 258 on alcohol licenses, House Bill 303 on juvenile probation/parole officers and DCYF employees, and House Bill 377 on Ocean View municipal election deadlines. Consent Calendar 63 also passed unanimously, including resolutions recognizing Day of Service, National Adoption Month, National Coaches Day, Free Speech Week, Women’s Equality Day, and Spirit of America 250, along with resolutions encouraging a veteran cemetery in Kent County, seeking plans for repurposing underused public buildings, and honoring Delaware Boys State. The Senate spent significant time on floor remarks about the Boys State delegates and on a tribute to emergency responders who helped save a seven-year-old child trapped by a seatbelt; the responders were recognized individually and thanked for their work. Additional remarks explained the purpose of the menopause coverage bill, the adoption month resolution, the free speech resolution, and the America 250 resolution. The session ended with no further business and the Senate recessed until June 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• where we differ, and so oftentimes I get brand new troopers saying, well, we really should go to the system
• So oftentimes I get brand new troopers saying, well, we really should go to the system that the state
• I'll tell you, the system that we have right now, which is if you want to be a firearms instructor, a
• I recognize this when I was a commander, just like he is, and I had the same shortfalls.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from March 17, 18, 19, and 20, then took up House Bill 944, sponsored by Rep. Palmer, which would redirect $5 million from the liquor distribution formula to the Idaho State Police choice fund to help address trooper pay and recruitment problems. ISP Director Bill Gardner testified that the agency has severe staffing shortages, unfilled positions, and difficulty recruiting and retaining troopers, especially at the 5-, 10-, and 15-year marks, because its pay has fallen behind other law enforcement agencies. He explained that the bill would help but would not fully solve the problem; he said the original ongoing funding request was $12 million, and a fully sustainable long-term solution would be about $18 million. He also described a new merit-based pay structure and said he would suspend ISP’s lateral transfer program for three years if a solution is reached, to reduce concerns from sheriffs and city police about losing officers. Committee members raised concerns that the bill would shift financial pain to counties and cities, especially rural counties that already struggle to fund local law enforcement and related services. Some members argued the Legislature should use the rainy day fund or restore prior gas-tax support instead of reallocating existing revenue, while others said the bill was a necessary step to address a real law enforcement crisis even if it was not enough. Rep. Palmer said he did not want to use the rainy day fund for ongoing salaries and asked the committee to consider a smaller, more workable solution. After debate, Rep. Cheatham moved to send House Bill 944 to General Orders as a substitute motion, and the committee approved that motion on a 12-3 roll call vote, sending the bill to General Orders rather than advancing it directly to the floor. The committee then briefly recognized its page and secretary before adjourning.