Transcript Highlights:

• We have had a lot of website social media traffic moving on to Move 250.
• folks lined up to do interviews on that day and securing a location where we will have some good foot traffic

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council approved the April 20, 2026 minutes and received a financial update showing $68,267.67 unobligated in the commemorative fund, $440,710 spent to date, and $205,852.93 in celebration grants already dispersed, with about $35,000 still to be sent out. The committee also approved a motion to reallocate $10,000 from project coordinator travel expenses to cover the final cost overrun for the Declaration of Independence production. Treasurer Ellsworth gave an extensive update on America 250 activities across Idaho, highlighting ambassador outreach, school and community events, the service challenge, the Liberty Bell quarter-drive fundraising effort, the Liberty Quilt, and the rollout of “Revolutionary Spud” community to-go packs, coloring books, and storybooks. Members praised the strong participation by schools and youth, and discussed how local officials and legislators can help promote events and fundraising. The committee also heard that the signature collection for the declaration display is complete. Secretary McGrane reported that planning for Fourth of July events is accelerating, including the Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance, parade logistics, Capitol decorations, the Foundation and Freedom Tour, and volunteer needs. Director Gallimore updated the committee on state agency efforts such as a new America 250 license plate, oral history collection, the Move 250 campaign, the Initial Point celebration, and upcoming arts and heritage programming. Federal and national updates covered the Congressional Caucus, the Our American Story oral history project, America’s Block Party, the Great American State Fair, and a student art contest. The Idaho Lottery previewed an America 250 scratch ticket going on sale next Monday, and Senate staff reported progress on the Capitol for the Day event. The committee set its next meeting for May 26 in the afternoon and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are for things that aren't generally state mandated: parks, roads, although I would say on the traffic
• Parks, roads, although I would say on the traffic and transportation side, that's only partly true because

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing heard two substantive housing bills and two consent items. SB 1116 by Senator Caballero would update the Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 684) by clarifying development standards for small infill housing, reinforcing ministerial approval and timelines, improving state oversight and reporting, updating subdivision rules, and addressing private restrictions such as HOA or deed provisions that can block housing. The author and supporters, including California YIMBY and a small developer, said the bill responds to implementation problems and would help produce more starter homes; there was no opposition testimony. Members generally supported the measure but noted concerns about local implementation and the broader impact-fee/infrastructure context. SB 1117 by Senator Cervantes would clarify ADU fee law so local governments assess impact fees only on the portion of an ADU above 750 square feet, rather than on the full unit, while keeping the existing 750-square-foot exemption intact. Supporters argued the current fee structure discourages larger ADUs and creates a sharp production drop above 750 square feet; a homeowner witness said fees on an 800-square-foot ADU would have exceeded construction costs. Local government and fire-related organizations opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing impact fees fund essential infrastructure and services and should remain tied to nexus studies. Several senators said the bill was narrowly tailored but emphasized the need to address broader infrastructure financing. The committee also took up consent items SB 1267 by Senator Allen and SB 1426, the committee omnibus bill. After the committee obtained a quorum and later reconvened, it approved the consent calendar 10-0, SB 1117 10-0, and SB 1116 8-0. All measures were ordered out to the Senate Local Government Committee, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are for things that aren't generally state-mandated: parks, roads, although I would say on the traffic
• Parks, roads, although I would say on the traffic and transportation side, that's only partly true because

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• anticipate, include neighboring states like Illinois, Kansas, and Arkansas, and then we also get a lot of traffic
• anticipate, include neighboring states like Illinois, Kansas, and Arkansas, and then we also get a lot of traffic

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met in executive session and approved three House bills: HB 2307, designating Missouri Military Academy as the official military academy of Missouri, passed 10-0; HB 3264, designating Kansas City as the barbecue capital of Missouri, passed 10-0; HB 1960, naming the smooth chanterelle the official state mushroom, passed 9-1; and HB 3074, establishing William Lacey Clay Senior Day in Missouri, passed 10-0. After the executive session, the committee opened a public hearing on HCR 36, which would designate June 3 as Josephine Baker Day in Missouri. The sponsor and a witness described Baker’s St. Louis roots, international entertainment career, service in the French Resistance, civil rights work, and her significance to Missouri heritage and tourism. Committee members voiced strong support and asked questions about her legacy, including her adopted children and her role as a model for Black women and civil rights advocacy. The committee then heard a presentation from Stephen Fouts, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, on the state’s tourism marketing efforts and economic impact. He said tourism generated more than $21 billion in economic impact, over $18 billion in direct spending, and supported more than 307,000 jobs, with more than 43 million visitors in the last fiscal year. He outlined the division’s marketing strategy, including the Mo character campaign, cooperative marketing grants for local DMOs, the Meet in Missouri Fund, film incentives, and major event promotion tied to the World Cup, Route 66 Centennial, and America 250. He also reported strong returns on marketing investment and discussed sports tourism, youth sports, and the importance of the cooperative marketing program to local communities. A major topic of discussion was the possibility of significant budget cuts to tourism. The chair and several members argued that tourism is a major economic driver and said they would oppose deep reductions, with multiple members offering to sign a committee letter or otherwise advocate against cuts. Members asked how reductions would affect marketing, sports tourism, and the cooperative marketing program; Fouts said large cuts would likely reduce co-op funding proportionally and could harm local partners. No final action was taken on HCR 36 during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• we currently have over our eight border states because that drives cross-border sales and customer traffic
• we currently have over our eight border states because that drives cross-border sales and customer traffic

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The Special Committee on Veterans heard House Bill 2535 from Representative Don Mayhew, which would provide property tax relief for disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and certain surviving spouses, with the bill’s main distinction being a funding mechanism based on tobacco-related taxes, including a cigarette tax increase and taxes on vape and other tobacco products. Mayhew said the bill is intended to fund the benefit at the state level rather than shifting the burden to counties, and he emphasized that it is a state property tax benefit, not tied to federal veterans benefits. Members discussed whether surviving spouses should keep the benefit if they remarry, whether the language should be narrowed or reduced, and whether dependent children or Gold Star families should be included more broadly. Testimony in support came from veterans and veterans’ advocates who said the bill would help disabled veterans and surviving spouses remain in their homes and would spread the cost statewide instead of leaving counties to absorb it. Some supporters also urged keeping Purple Heart recipients in the bill and expanding protections for surviving spouses and dependent children. One veteran witness said the funding mechanism made the bill more workable for local governments, while another said the benefit should not be reduced if a surviving spouse remarries. Opposition focused mainly on the tax structure. The Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that cigarettes are already heavily taxed, that Missouri’s border-state competitiveness could be harmed, that federal changes to hemp-derived products could undercut projected revenue, and that voters have rejected prior tobacco tax increases. A small-business witness also objected to the vape and hemp tax burden. The Department of Revenue provided fiscal information, estimating that the bill could raise significant state revenue but also noting that some projected revenue depends on current hemp law and that cigarette-tax increases could reduce cigarette sales and shift purchases to other products. No vote was taken, and the hearing was concluded after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• they may be arrested for something else or cited for something else, some other code, disrupting the traffic
• or something. ...something else or cited for something else, some other code, disrupting the traffic

Summary: The House convened with 66 members present, approved the journal, and received a Senate message transmitting enrolled House Bill 504 to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for delivery to the Governor. Committee reports followed, including several bills recommended do pass and referred to the appropriate committees or calendars, along with House Bill 562 being placed on general orders without objection. During third reading, the House first took up House Joint Memorial 14, which urges federal agencies to advance water-storage research and planning in Idaho, including small and medium reservoir feasibility, basin studies, and a long-term goal of 750,000 acre-feet of new storage by 2100; it passed by voice vote and was sent to the Senate. The House then passed House Bills 676, 737, 615, 683, 684, 645, 703, 560, and 637, with recorded votes on several measures. The bills addressed geothermal utility water-right planning, consolidation of state agency functions, disturbing the peace at religious services, sex-offender residency clarification, reimbursement for counties retrieving escaped prisoners, portable benefits for independent contractors, consolidation of DOPL disciplinary provisions, allowing prospective jurors to serve as poll workers, and recognizing foreign gold and silver coin as legal tender in Idaho. House Bill 637 passed on a narrower 55-13 vote; the others passed with larger margins. Members also agreed to hold the remaining third-reading bills one legislative day. In announcements, committees scheduled upcoming meetings, the Energy Caucus and construction industry reception were noted, and members were reminded to submit amendments before the next general orders calendar. The House then adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• by someone on that council, so that when you've got a sewer problem or you've got a concern about traffic
• by someone on that council, so that when you've got to sue a problem or you've got a concern about traffic

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 23 and 24. It then heard H.J.R. 9, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Hawkins to remove the compulsory-attendance language from Article 9, Section 9 and add language stating that the right of parents to educate their children without government regulation outside the public schools shall not be infringed. Hawkins argued the change would align the Constitution with existing parental-rights law and protect families from future legislative changes. Supportive testimony came from the Idaho Family Policy Center and the Idaho Republican Party resolutions chair, both framing the measure as a protection of parental authority and educational choice. Some members questioned whether the added language was necessary or could create litigation, but the committee voted to send H.J.R. 9 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered H.B. 720, which lowers the population threshold for requiring city council districts from cities over 100,000 to cities over 25,000. Representative Alfieri said the bill would improve local representation and make it easier for residents to run for office by reducing campaign costs. Opponents, including the Association of Idaho Cities, warned that the lower threshold would create very small districts, especially in college towns, make it harder to recruit candidates, and add costs and complications for cities. Several members raised concerns about whether the change was optional or mandatory and about uneven representation within districts, but the committee ultimately voted to send H.B. 720 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard H.B. 736 from Representative Haas, which lowers the threshold for ballot-name rotation from 100,000 registered voters to 25,000. Haas said the change would reduce the primacy effect and improve fairness and transparency in elections, especially in countywide and legislative races. The bill was described as preserving the Secretary of State’s discretion over how rotation is administered. The motion to send H.B. 736 to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• closely represented by someone on that council, so that when there is a problem or a concern about traffic
• by someone on that council, so that when you've got to sue a problem or you've got a concern about traffic

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they may be arrested for something else or cited for something else, some other code disrupting the traffic
• Something else or cited for something else, some other code disrupting the traffic or something like

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you guys know he's been an air traffic controller with the FAA.
• I used to work the rocket launch packages, military missions, stats, traffic management.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met to consider several bills, beginning with HB 335 by Representative Kendall, which sought to recognize space as a fifth mode of transportation, give voting rights to ex officio Space Florida board members, and reduce what the sponsor described as unnecessary state oversight of spaceport operations. The bill was presented as a response to feedback from NASA, Space Force, and other federal partners about clarifying the state’s role at federally owned facilities like Kennedy Space Center. Members raised questions about terminology, authority over federal property, and the role of Space Florida; the sponsor said an amendment would remove the voting-rights provision and instead require spaceports to provide an annual list of shovel-ready projects. The amendment was adopted, and HB 335 passed favorably. The committee then unanimously passed HB 885, which designates a road in Baker County near the courthouse in honor of former Representative and Judge John Cruz, and HB 403, which names a portion of the road leading into NAS Pensacola as Warriors Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Pensacola attack and the broader naval community there. Both bills drew brief supportive remarks and no opposition. The committee also considered HB 25, a bridge designation for Coach Wilks, a longtime local basketball coach, and adopted a Senate amendment adding the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway designation on U.S. 41 in Sarasota County. HB 25, as amended, passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all measures on the agenda were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• you actually have the ability to say on the campaign, are you going to prioritize trying to drive traffic
• to a website, or are you going to try to drive more traffic in terms of awareness to spread that message

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• of a vehicle in a felony, negligent death, use of a vehicle in drug trafficking, multiple serious traffic
• plastered on medians, utility poles, public right-of-ways, many advertisement scams, while others create traffic

Bills: HB647 , HB791 , HB1242 , HB1729 , HB2003 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2775 , HB3751 , HB4804 , HB3611

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: driver's license, vision correction, medical verification, Texas Department of Public Safety, renewal fees, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates, license plate, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Transportation Code, general revenue fund, With Loyal Hearts, Catholic school, private school, religious school, school spirit plate, commemorative plate

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony and took action on a series of transportation-related bills. Early in the meeting, Senator Hagenbuch presented HB 647, which would let drivers who have had corrective eye surgery update their licenses by submitting physician verification without an in-person DMV visit; he argued it would reduce DMV lines, though a fiscal note estimated setup costs. The committee also heard HB 2029, a cleanup bill clarifying that travel trailers are not subject to safety inspections after prior legislation removed inspections for trailers and all vehicles, and HB 4804, which would remove Texas’s CDL appeals hearing process to align with federal law and avoid jeopardizing highway funds, while also authorizing DPS action related to the terrorist offender registry. All three bills were left pending after testimony, along with HB 2003, which would require annual public reporting by entities with projects in the Texas Rail Plan, especially in light of the Dallas-Houston high-speed rail project and landowner concerns; supporters said it would improve transparency, while opponents warned it would force disclosure of proprietary financial information from a private project. The committee also heard HB 2775, adding Ector County and Odessa to the I-27 Advisory Committee, and HB 791, authorizing a specialty plate for Central Catholic High School in San Antonio; both were left pending after brief discussion and no opposition testimony. The committee then heard several local or commemorative measures. HB 1242 would designate part of U.S. Highway 281 in Brooks County as the Ernesto Solis-Cantu Memorial Highway, and HB 2061 would name a bridge on State Highway 242 in Montgomery County for Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez. Hernandez’s mother testified emotionally in support, describing his military service and the family’s wish to have the bridge mark his return home; members responded supportively. The committee also heard HB 1729, which would impose term limits on Freeport commissioners, and HB 3751, transferring a DPS commercial vehicle enforcement office building in Woodville from TxDOT to DPS. HB 3611, the “bandit sign” bill, was presented as a targeted enforcement measure against illegal commercial signs in medians and right-of-ways, with added safeguards to avoid affecting political signs and to require written notice before fines. All of these bills were left pending after testimony. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up pending business and voted out multiple bills favorably. HB 3751, HB 261/HB 2061, HB 647, HB 791, HB 1242, HB 1729, HB 2003, HB 2029, HB 2775, HB 3611, HB 4804, and HB 2522 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, generally on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Most were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar, though HB 2029 was ultimately not placed there after an objection. The committee then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• constructed by the developer to, uh, Uh, for the, you know, for that community and that community traffic
• , not general public traffic, right, so it's private.

Bills: HB24

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• 140 and PDV with Amazon, FedEx, and some other big businesses down there moving up to take a lot of traffic
• infrastructure, road infrastructure, expanding the border crossing in order to allow for that truck traffic

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• customers, especially those working in the night shifts or in areas where there's not a lot of public traffic
• customers, especially those working in the night shifts or in areas where there's not a lot of public traffic

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll do a little air traffic control. I'm going to move Rep. Griffiths up next.
• After the suspect made a U-turn into the opposite direction of highway traffic, Trooper Fink followed

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met and considered nine bills, with members hearing brief presentations, limited debate, and mostly unanimous support. Early measures included CS/HB 421, which expands peer support access for first responders to include support personnel, and HB 205, which creates a new offense for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster (“Troopers’ Law”). Both bills drew support from law enforcement and animal welfare-related witnesses, and both were reported favorably; HB 205 was adopted with a technical amendment. The committee also approved CS/HB 157 on service of process, which clarifies that a prior statutory change applies to all causes of action, creates a safe harbor for compliance, tightens substituted service requirements, and allows individual registered agents to be served anywhere in the state. HB 693, which adds an aggravating factor for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for school, religious, or public government activities, drew both support and opposition; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters argued juries should have more tools in capital cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate. Members then approved CS/HB 113, increasing penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, after discussion about marked versus unmarked vehicles and an amendment that restored current penalties for two related offenses. Rep. Bracey Davis voted no, citing concerns about unmarked cars and public safety perceptions. The committee also passed HB 91 on misdemeanor probation, PCS/CS/HB 383 allowing certain officers and service members to purchase firearms without the three-day waiting period, and CS/HB 195 to let correctional education count toward professional licensure requirements for incarcerated people. Finally, CS/HB 479 was approved to allow judges to order restitution in hit-and-run property-damage cases. All bills were reported favorably, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services HB 146 by Garen relating to the required approval of this state preservation board for certain traffic
• and Means, HB 1624, by pursuit relating to the authority and local authority to install a temporary traffic

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MOST OF THE GENERATORS GO ON TRAFFIC SIGNALS.
• OBVIOUSLY IN A MORE DENSE AREA YOU WILL HAVE MORE IN THE WAY OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL GENERATORS MOVING.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if someone's in a motor vehicle accident or someone has a fall, or someone has a weather-related event
• that and then produce reports that can say, look, we've had this many people die from automobile accidents
• So if someone's in a motor vehicle<00:36:11.839><c> accident</c><00:36:12.240><c> or</c><00:36:12.560
• c> someone</c><00:36:12.800><c> has</c><00:36:12.960><c> a</c><00:36:13.200><c> fall</c> vehicle accident
• </c><00:36:24.400><c> in</c> people die from automobile accidents in people die from automobile accidents

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we are losing far more workers today via death by suicide than we are in construction-related accidents
• suicide than we are in construction suicide than we are in construction related<01:08:15.680><c> accidents
• </c><01:08:17.040><c> You</c><01:08:17.279><c> heard</c><01:08:17.520><c> the</c> related accidents.
• You heard the related accidents.
• </c> site related accident. Think about that. site related accident. Think about that.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house