Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot be punished for being a veteran if the crime involves some type of veteran activity unless
• House Bill 2764 creates a state seal of computer science proficiency that schools can place on a student's
• It recognizes students who have real, verified computer science skills, the kind that Arizona employers

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, guest introductions, and several ceremonial proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Joseph Torkelson for his service in pediatric oncology and military medicine. Members also introduced guests connected to Arizona Bleeding Disorders, charter schools, and a suicide-prevention effort tied to HB 2665 (“Cade’s Law”). The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions. On the first calendar, the House gave do pass recommendations, mostly as amended, to HB 2117, 2744, 2751, 2917, 2939, 2957, 2970, and HCR 2038. The amendments addressed topics such as natural resource conservation district boundaries, manufacturing and jobs, Real ID/non-Real ID data privacy, and Colorado River conservation and tribal/community representation. The House then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and sent the measures for engrossing; a later motion to amend the report to include the defeated Villegas amendment on HB 2667 failed by roll call vote, 22-32 with 6 not voting. In the next calendars, the House advanced HB 2015, 2129, 2327, 2439, 2533, 2667, 2793, 2873, HCR 2044, and others, with several floor or committee amendments adopted. Debate focused on homelessness coordination in HB 2533, homebuyer assistance and corporate ownership concerns in HB 2667, annexation and local control in HB 2793, and a proposed constitutional referral in HCR 2044 aimed at closing loopholes for discrimination in public programs. The House also considered HB 2044 and HB 2076 in the Judiciary calendar, with debate over the scope of a homicide-disposal statute in HB 2044 and school safety/teacher firearms issues in HB 2076; both bills advanced as amended. The final calendar covered natural resources, energy, and water bills. The House advanced HB 2014, 2055, 2145, 2185, 2267, 2340, 2428, 2696, 2798, 2955, 2975, and 2986, with amendments on drought definitions, emissions permitting, mineral district mapping, and environmental enforcement authority. HB 2267 drew the sharpest debate, with opponents arguing it would hinder solar and wind development and supporters arguing for diversification toward coal, gas, and nuclear; after a division vote, the bill still received a do pass recommendation. The session concluded with the Committee of the Whole rising and reporting, and the House adopting the report and assigning the measures accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• The issues, it was not profitable, and it was crime.
• And I just think that, you know, the crime problems, yes. You know, part of it.
• The issues, it was not profitable, and it was crime.
• Reporting about crime issues around parts of our state.
• And they are fed up with all the crime.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the audience from our major crimes division, which handles some of the serious juvenile crimes, we
• It also encompassed any crime, any charge that involved a firearm, not necessarily shooting.
• We're talking about nonviolent crimes. We're talking about misdemeanor-level things.
• Is that a crime? Yes. And nobody noticed. Hey, you just go home. That kind of thing.
• not an intent to have committed the crime yourself.

Transcript Highlights:

• or a felony person's crime.
• Person's crimes.
• or a felony involved a felony drug crime or a felony person's<00:58:46.799><c> crime.
• upon</c> crime.
• A misdemeanor crime upon crime.

Bills: HB0130, HB0147

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no crime.
• This is a new crime. Mandate standards.
• point in two decades, and specific to property crime, San Francisco's reduction in property crime from
• or prevent the crime.
• Stalking is a crime about control.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will also hopefully deter anyone who commits these crimes in the future.
• We are prosecuting and creating a method to be able to prosecute these crimes.
• One, it provides a very clear road map for prosecution to go after this crime.
• Okay, this is going to put front and center in the penal code that this is a crime, and not just a crime
• ...as a co-conspirator or party to the crime.

Bills: SB15, SB 15

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be detained on the basis of the crime for which they're charged.
• Charged with a crime and released pre-trial, and then picks up a new crime, it really sets out all the
• Some people will say, well, that's not a crime of violence.
• They are more likely to commit a crime in the future.
• does, that leads prosecutors to charge crimes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was a computer engineering professor, and I got my job based on my degree, but I don't know that
• When we were just coming out, when we had the rudimentary computers, uh, desktop, and Microsoft had some
• Engineering professor and I a u Computer Engineering professor and I got<01:14:19.360><c> my</c><01:
• uh desktop and Microsoft had computers uh desktop and Microsoft had some<01:14:52.600><c> credentials
• hospital as a nurse, may have been an auto technician, maybe a graphic designer working at their computer

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• a criminal offense under state crime a criminal offense under state law.<00:16:11.320><c> Reasonable
• This is having to do with habitual violent crime.
• Hearing none, the measure is adopted. habitual violent crime. habitual violent crime.
• The proposed amendments are to define violent use—sorry, that's violent crime.
• The proposed amendments are to define violent crime. Sorry, that's correct. Yes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations. A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes. The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was a serious crime.
• crime May constitute a crime does not mean any crime committed.
• I’m a former crime victim advocate.
• crime.
• crime.

Summary: The committee began with a Department of Corrections update focused on agency culture, staff safety, reentry, and health services. Secretary Tim Lang highlighted DOC’s “Washington Way” approach, expanded visitation reforms, safety summits, community-corrections sanction changes, education and transportation improvements, partial confinement expansion, and efforts to increase volunteer and peer-led programming. Assistant Secretaries Danielle Armbruster and David Flynn described progress on Pell Grant implementation, reentry transportation, partial confinement, behavioral health standards, HIPAA compliance, the 1115 Medicaid waiver, telehealth expansion, and budget requests for opioid use disorder treatment, close-custody capacity, and staffing relief. Members asked about veterans’ units, telehealth for substance use treatment, women’s placement on the east side, correctional industries, and firefighting training. The new Office of Correction Ombuds director, Jeremiah Bourgeois, then outlined the office’s mission and limited resources, saying he would focus on the most serious complaints and continue building accountability with DOC. He described recent OCO reports, including findings of excessive force at the women’s prison, and said DOC had agreed to implement all recommendations. He also noted a new process for referring possible criminal misconduct to DOC leadership and law enforcement. Committee members praised the DOC-OCO partnership and Bourgeois’s appointment. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5895, which would add a new basis for extraordinary medical placement when DOC cannot meet an incarcerated person’s basic medical care needs. Senator Saldana said the bill is intended to provide a compassionate, workable path for people with serious or end-of-life medical needs while maintaining public safety. Testifiers in support included family members, Disability Rights Washington, and the League of Women Voters, who said the current EMP process is too restrictive and rarely results in release. DOC testified that it supports the EMP framework but has concerns about the bill’s definition of “basic medical care.” A former DOC physician suggested extending the qualifying time period and adding “approximately” to the language. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5873, which would expand escorted leaves of absence to include reentry-focused outings and broaden the family definition for funeral or bedside visits. Senator Wilson said the bill is meant to support a “slow release” and better prepare people for community reentry. DOC supported the concept, and witnesses from public defense, DOC reentry, and Amend said escorted reentry outings are consistent with evidence-based and international correctional practices. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5945, which would limit persistent offender sentencing to convictions occurring after age 18 and require resentencing for affected people. Supporters argued the bill aligns with youth brain-development research and would address racial disparities; opponents, including prosecutors, victim advocates, and sheriffs’ representatives, said it would reopen painful cases, undermine finality, and impose costs. The hearing on that bill was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Victims of Crime Act, VOCA, was founded in 1984 under the Reagan administration.
• There was a real desire to do more for crime victims and to support them.
• Did the crime occur in Idaho, regardless of where you live elsewhere?
• That is a crime tool. That is a tool of criminal justice to catch somebody who did harm to you.
• The Victims of Crime Act monies go into the crime victims' compensation.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 29, 2026, and then the minutes from January 28, 2026, by voice vote. It then printed RS 33115C1, a proposal from Senator Shippey to establish a 10-hour baseline foster parent training expectation in statute, with the stated goal of reducing barriers to foster licensing while setting uniform expectations and allowing more advanced training for higher-need placements. The committee also printed RS 33213, sponsored by Senator Wintrow, to clarify that crime victims compensation and related sexual assault forensic exam funding are not public benefits subject to immigration-status verification requirements. Wintrow said the measure was intended to prevent confusion created by prior public-benefit language and to avoid added red tape for victims. The committee then printed RS 33314, from Senator Galloway, to recognize voluntary newborn hearing screenings in Idaho law amid federal uncertainty; Galloway said parents can still opt out and can request screening through an audiologist. Senate Bill 1266, also by Senator Galloway, was heard and sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The bill would expand expedited foster placement eligibility from relatives to “kin,” including extended family members and others with a significant family-like relationship, while keeping licensing and safety standards in place. Testimony from a foster/kinship parent supported the measure and described the benefits of placing children with familiar caregivers. Senate Bill 1267, sponsored by Senator Wintrow, was heard but not advanced. The bill would direct the Department of Health and Welfare to study and prepare for changes to Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities so participants could continue coverage and work past age 65 without facing sharply higher premiums or losing community-based supports. Several disabled workers testified in support, describing the program’s importance to independent living, while some senators questioned the bill’s references to institutionalization and the role of government; no motion was made, and the bill was held in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by implication, it does not apply to those who were perpetrators of sex crimes.
• Substitute Senate Bill 6049 expands this exemption to survivors of hate crimes.
• Substitute Senate Bill 6049 expands this exemption to survivors of hate crimes.
• Exemption to survivors of hate crimes.
• I can understand the hate crimes part of it.

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313, SB6084, SB6137

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a state-level crime.
• New Mexico's experiencing significant violent crime challenges.
• It also, Madam Chair, adds this crime to the list of enumerated crimes, which can be charged by law enforcement
• It is an organized crime bill. It's a bill to address an issue. It is an organized crime bill.
• A crime that may have been easily prosecuted in 1992 is drastically different than a crime that occurs

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• Many firearms that preventing gun crime.
• </c><00:04:44.800><c> scenes</c> have been recovered from crime scenes have been recovered from crime
• Would we want that and commits a crime.
• for any crimes committed with that<00:09:29.600><c> car?
• I cuz I still be charged with a crime.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several firearms-related bills. HB 125 would require firearm sellers or transferors to provide buyers notice about secure storage laws, expand secure-storage requirements, and clarify criminally negligent storage. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Education supported the bill. The Office of the Public Defender raised constitutional concerns under District of Columbia v. Heller and suggested narrowing the bill so a firearm need not be made inoperable when the lawful owner is home. Supporters, including Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, veterans, and other advocates, said secure storage would reduce accidental shootings, youth access, theft, suicides, and school shootings. Opponents argued the bill was redundant, could criminalize victims of theft, and imposed strict liability. The committee noted 24 individuals in support and 103 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 137, which would impose a mandatory prison term for violent felons who violate firearm or ammunition possession prohibitions. DLE, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hawaii County Prosecutor supported the measure, arguing it targets repeat offenders and strengthens public safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed mandatory sentencing, saying judges already have discretion to impose lengthy sentences and that mandatory terms can be inappropriate in some cases. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in a felony. DLE and the Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while the Public Defender and several opponents said parts of the bill were redundant or could create definitional problems; the committee recorded five supporters and 70 opponents. HB 995 would amend deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting by the Attorney General and county police chiefs. The Attorney General’s office and HPD supported the bill, with the Attorney General asking for more time for police departments to submit complete data and for the April 1 deadline to be removed. The committee also heard HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended consolidating the new office’s duties with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission to avoid duplication and possibly repealing the existing commission statute. DLE supported HB 664, while the Tax Foundation objected to the special fund. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem with crime is important.
• If you've got a crime that's...
• Got a crime that's... you know, a lot of the cities aren't even reporting.
• Crime at... There's nothing against any of the municipalities.
• And crime is up over a certain percentage.

Bills: SB82, SB78, SB4, SB6, SB62, SB66, SB77, SB63, SB79, SB53, SB55, HB14

Keywords: inhalants, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health, school safety, resource officers, law enforcement, public schools, private schools, liability insurance, contracting, library governance, board appointment, library diversity

Transcript Highlights:

• DOES IT STOP THE CRIME IN THE FIRST PLACE?
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >> SB 1072 WOULD HELP SOLVE CRIME AND KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFER.
• THEIR WE SUPPORT VICTIMS OF CRIMES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE VICTIM AND WITNESS UNIT.
• JUAN PABLO CHAVEZ CRIME SURVIVORS FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
• HORRIFIC CRIMES HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR THIS LEGISLATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People who have committed no crime and pose no threat to public safety.
• If your loved one is a victim of a crime and an immigrant witnesses that crime, they will be afraid to
• And that crime will most likely go unsolved. That's not justice.
• And what was their crime? They were foreign-born and they were here.
• If a defendant is answering for a violent crime...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority. Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Crimes.
• These kinds of issues lead to less people reporting crimes.
• He fought all kinds of crime.
• To find a much more serious crime.
• Now they're there, and you found a much more serious crime.

Bills: HB1320, HB2012, HB2293, HB2655, HB3174, HB4108, HB4661, HB4799, HB5534, HB5580

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• Then Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act in 1984 that created the fund.
• And then Idaho's Crime Victims' Compensation Fund was created.
• Idaho's Crime Victims' Compensation Fund was created in 1986.
• No one is anonymous who asks for a claim for crime victims' compensation.
• And if you flip the page over, you'll see the kind of crimes we're talking about.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal. Committee reports and House messages were received, including referrals of several bills and memorials, confirmation of a gubernatorial appointment to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and transmission of enrolled House bills for the President’s signature. The chamber also heard introductions of visitors in the gallery, including Senator Groh’s father, a World War II veteran, and other guests later in the day. On third reading, the Senate passed several bills. Senate Bill 1276, dealing with the public employee retirement system and retired employees returning to work, passed 33-0 after supporters said it helps address teacher shortages and has no negative impact on PERSI. Senate Bill 1291, a Title 33 education code cleanup bill, passed 34-0. Senate Bill 1292, revising foster parent training requirements, also passed 34-0 after supporters said it would improve preparation and retention of foster parents while allowing exemptions for relatives and out-of-state training. Senate Bill 1293, correcting unintended effects of prior public benefits legislation on crime victims’ compensation and forensic exams, passed 34-0. The most debated measure was Senate Bill 1288, creating the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to reimburse districts for especially costly special education cases above $30,000 per student. Supporters argued it would provide targeted relief, reduce local levy pressure, and help districts meet federally required services using one-time funds identified by the superintendent. Opponents raised concerns about creating a new ongoing expectation, the lack of structural special education reform, and the use of one-time money during a tight budget year. After extended debate and several questions, the bill passed 22-12 and was transmitted to the House. The Senate then moved to miscellaneous business, heard additional introductions and announcements, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The dangerous crime, if you're going to—you know, the dangerous crime, if you... ...jail who might otherwise
• The dangerous crime, if you take a look at that section that this is applying to, the dangerous crimes
• doesn't just include the sex crimes that we're talking about today.
• That is a threat and intimidation, particularly with enhanced penalties for hate crimes.
• Smart release is not being soft on crime. It is... Smart release is not being soft on crime.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and took up several bills before returning to the budget and public testimony. CS/SB 600 on bail bonds was explained as revising bail bond agent training, limiting solicitation, clarifying partial release procedures, and directing clerks to automatically discharge certain bonds when detention is ordered; an amendment adjusted cash bond return rules, charitable bail fund treatment, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures. The bill and amendments were adopted, and CS/SB 600 was reported favorably after supportive appearances from clerks and industry stakeholders. The committee then approved CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses for felony reclassification and adds felony battery resulting in bodily injury to prison release offender status, after a technical amendment and supportive testimony from law enforcement. CS/SB 928, known as Missy’s Law, requiring immediate remand to custody upon conviction of dangerous crimes, drew both support and opposition; defense lawyers warned of unintended effects on co-defendants and docket management, while the victim’s family supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1332 on career offender registration, requiring more frequent in-person registration and stricter reporting, also passed favorably. The committee next approved a substitute amendment and then CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, which strengthens domestic violence penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures, including military protective orders and body camera use. CS/SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office was reported favorably after extensive public debate over definitions, free speech concerns, and representation on the task force; the sponsor said the bill does not criminalize criticism of Israel but addresses threats and intimidation. CS/CS/SB 532 on clerks of the court was also approved, authorizing clerks to retain more revenue and, through amendment, clarifying foreclosure sale procedures and clerk administration of judicial sales. Finally, the committee heard the criminal and civil justice budget overview, described as a $7.9 billion proposal focused on corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and courts. Public testimony centered heavily on prison conditions, staffing, heat, infrastructure, and inmate care, with speakers urging higher pay, better transparency, and more investment in facilities and air conditioning. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill would be temporarily postponed and read into the record the many registered supporters and opponents. The committee then adjourned.