Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 924, a bill to be entitled an act relating to coverage for fertility preservation services
• Of their diagnoses, they had to choose between fertility preservation or potentially losing the ability
• The financial burden of fertility preservation is very often cost prohibitive.
• This legislation ensures the state health insurance plan covers standard fertility preservation services
• State insurance program coverage for standard fertility preservation services.

Bills: SCR4, SCR18, SCR43, SB227, SB269, SB330, SB434, SB437, SB438, SB463, SB528, SB584, SB604, SB663, SB668, SB682, SB747, SB841, SB912, SB968, SB1013, SB1020, SB1044, SB1137, SB1138, SB1143, SB1164, SB1169, SB1200, SB1236, SB1244, SB1299, SB1325, SB1335, SB1369, SB1410, SB1418, SB1422, SB1455, SB1468, SB1495, SB1534, SB1579, SB1580, SB1612, SB1624, SB1667, SB1734, SB1745, SB1746, SB1760, SB1784, SB1860, SB1862, SB1864, SB1896, SB1898, SB1920, SB1940, SB1952, SB1998, SB1999, SB2004, SB2032, SB2052, SB2068, SB2073, SB2121, SB2127, SB2141, SB2145, SB2161, SB2167, SB2196, SB2207, SB2216, SB2246, SB2323, SB2332, SB2395, SB2429, SB2431, SB2439, SB2443, SB2581, SB2601, SB2629, SB2702, SB2705, SB2717, SB2798, SB2873, SB2881, SB2964, SB3034, SCR4, SCR38, SB39, SB227, SB240, SB330, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB506, SB512, SB527, SB584, SB618, SB619, SB636, SB648, SB663, SB715, SB732, SB758, SB801, SB843, SB847, SB870, SB957, SB1013, SB1020, SB1065, SB1152, SB1164, SB1181, SB1183, SB1257, SB1283, SB1299, SB1325, SB1349, SB1395, SB1433, SB1455, SB1490, SB1558, SB1574, SB1624, SB1626, SB1640, SB1717, SB1718, SB1727, SB1734, SB1756, SB1757, SB1789, SB1832, SB1845, SB1868, SB1920, SB1924, SB1964, SB2004, SB2018, SB2031, SB2037, SB2052, SB2073, SB2075, SB2080, SB2111, SB2117, SB2154, SB2161, SB2196, SB2206, SB2253, SB2268, SB2322, SB2323, SB2349, SB2533, SB2540, SB2570, SB2623, SB2626, SB2658, SB2660, SB2692, SB2705, SB2717, SB2722, SB2742, SB2743, SB2753, SB2788, SB2877, SB2900, SB2920, SB3031, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SB1, HJR4, HB135, HB 1109, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR38, SCR4, SCR18, SCR43, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SB2023, SB1257, SB240, SB1727, SB870, SB618, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1349, SB1433, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1860, SB2037, SB1924, SB2253, SB2018, SB2206, SB1299, SB841, SB668, SB584, SB1085, SB2431, SB1490, SB1868, SB2314, SB434, SB2046, SB1667, SB2127, SB1975, SB1760, SB1734, SB1335, SB2246, SB2439, SB1624, SB1244, SB1468, SB2717, SB1612, SB1262, SB604, SB2395, SB1832, SB1745, SB1746, SB2207, SB1784, SB1524, SB528, SB437, SB269, SB1137, SB968, SB636, SB747, SB1325, SB1455, SB2056, SB1940, SB2052, SB1579, SB2068, SB3034, SB1920, SB1558, SB1236, SB1044, SB884, SB463, SB227, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB1717, SB2141, SB2323, SB2200, SB2332, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB1138, SB2458, SB1864, SB2201, SB1862, SB1055, SB2660, SB1898, SB2662, SB2161, SB2964, SB2881, SB1065, SB801, SB2743, SB2533, SB2073, SB3014, SB3013, SB2702, SB2629, SB2443, SB2349, SB2167, SB2145, SB2121, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB438, SB1721, SB2268, SB1495, SB2705, SB2366, SB1422, SB1369, SB1013, SB682, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB1896, SB1164, SB1020, SB663, SB2371, SB1152, SB2196, SB2383, SB2581, SB2798, SB330, SB646, SB843, SB1998, SB1418, SB2788, SB1169, SB2873, SB1754, SB1534, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1143, SB1756, SB912, SB2119, SB2032, SB527, SB1580, SB1952, SB2601, SB2322, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB407, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB3031, SB2877, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1183, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB2117, SB715, SB2330, SB1964, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB39, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2658, SB1574, SB2900, SB2753, SB2398, SB401, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB2031, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB843, SB1152, SB1164, SB1299, SB1349, SB1868, SB2037, SB2349, SB2788, SB39, SB1183, SB1717, SB1832, SB2743, SR429, SR432, SCR38, SB39, SB240, SB618, SB870, SB1183, SB1257, SB1717, SB1727, SB1832, SB2743, SB2, SB3058, SB3059, HB6, HB14, HB43, HB 100, HB136, HB149, HB204, HB206, HB307, HB467, HB685, HB 1130, HB1393, HB1644, HB2027, HB2118, HB2176, HB2468, HB2488, HB2525, HB2596, HB2890, HB2894, HB3077, HB3114, HB3204, SCR4, SCR18, SCR43, SB269, SB330, SB434, SB437, SB438, SB463, SB528, SB604, SB663, SB668, SB682, SB747, SB841, SB912, SB968, SB1020, SB1044, SB1138, SB1143, SB1236, SB1244, SB1325, SB1335, SB1369, SB1418, SB1422, SB1455, SB1468, SB1495, SB1534, SB1579, SB1580, SB1612, SB1624, SB1667, SB1734, SB1745, SB1746, SB1760, SB1784, SB1860, SB1862, SB1864, SB1896, SB1898, SB1920, SB1940, SB1952, SB1998, SB2032, SB2052, SB2068, SB2073, SB2121, SB2127, SB2141, SB2145, SB2161, SB2167, SB2196, SB2207, SB2216, SB2246, SB2323, SB2332, SB2395, SB2431, SB2439, SB2443, SB2581, SB2601, SB2629, SB2702, SB2705, SB2798, SB2873, SB2881, SB2964, SB3034, SB227, SB584, SB1013, SB1137, SB1169, SB1200, SB1299, SB1410, SB1999, SB2004, SB2429, SB2717, SB3058, SB3059, HB6, HB14, HB43, HB 100, HB136, HB149, HB204, HB206, HB307, HB467, HB685, HB 1130, HB1393, HB1644, HB2027, HB2118, HB2176, HB2468, HB2488, HB2525, HB2596, HB2890, HB2894, HB3077, HB3114, HB3204

Keywords: Pflugerville, Trail Capital, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, community connectivity, patriotism, town designation, community engagement, Trophy Club, Texas Town of Patriotism, Port Aransas, Mustang Island, Fishing Capital of Texas, Texas fishing, coastal tourism, charter fishing, deep-sea fishing, bay fishing, pier fishing, angling

Transcript Highlights:

• Conservation and preservation of Florida's land and water resources is essential to maintaining the quality
• such as bays, estuaries, within one mile of the coastline, within one mile of parks or wildlife preserves
• Was it ever part of the original folio that may have been later bifurcated but then dedicated as a preserve
• Everglades Initiative became one of the most ambitious conservation efforts in American history, preserving
• The most ambitious conservation efforts in American history, preserving the land, water, and wildlife

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests, students, advocates, and a resolution honoring the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senators also observed moments of silence for victims of recent campus violence and for former FSU President John Thrasher. The chamber then moved to special order bills, with several members explaining measures and, in some cases, substituting House companions before final passage. Among the bills passed were measures updating child care and early learning provider regulation; strengthening penalties and cost recovery for false reporting and swatting; extending protections against extraordinary medical debt collection; expanding hazardous walking condition criteria for schoolchildren; creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students; and requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose which accommodations they will provide. The Senate also passed a bill adjusting interest rules for trust accounts funding legal aid, after extended debate over the impact on legal aid funding and banking practices, and a transportation package that was heavily amended to address issues such as school bus camera hearings, beach vehicle use for equipment removal, flooded-street wake restrictions, expectant mother parking permits, micromobility regulation, and traffic signal modernization. The chamber also approved public-records exemptions for Agency for Health Care Administration investigators, Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, and appellate court clerks; a municipal water and sewer rate bill affecting Miami-Dade residents near a plant; motor vehicle offenses involving impersonating law enforcement and obscured license plates; trespass penalties at law-enforcement-controlled locations and large ticketed venues; refund requirements for patient overpayments; stem cell therapy authorization with source and consent limits; and insulin administration authority for direct support professionals and relatives in group homes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, and motor vehicle manufacturer/franchise dealer legislation. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though the trust fund interest bill drew notable opposition and passed 28-10, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill passed 37-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...have exposed the significant gaps in Texas' emergency and disaster statutes, especially in preserving
• broad authority... ...does not become a de facto full-time legislature while still preserving broad
• historical support over the last two sessions fortifies the constitutional principles needed to preserve
• 1426 grants the Texas Historical Commission jurisdiction over and responsibility for maintaining, preserving
• this historic site under the Texas Historical Commission's stewardship will ensure its long-term preservation

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good citizens can the fundamental freedoms of America be preserved, and that is signed by the Senate
• Good citizens can the fundamental freedoms of America be preserved, and that is signed by the Senate
• amendment does is remove the increase from the $6,000 and return it to where it is today, and that preserves
• ><01:50:31.239><c> today</c><01:50:32.000><c> and</c><01:50:32.159><c> that</c><01:50:32.360><c> preserves
• </c> to where it is today and that preserves to where it is today and that preserves the<01:50:32.960

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our freedoms and way of made to preserve our freedoms and way of life<00:29:18.159><c> Mr</c><00:29:
• So when you look at that, I find myself saying: if you want to preserve the separation of powers, it
• So when you look at that, I find myself saying: if you want to preserve the separation of powers, it
• “So when you look at that, I find myself saying: if you want to preserve the separation of powers, it
• “So when you look at that, I find myself saying: if you want to preserve the separation of powers, it

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the life and legacy of Alan Paul, a gifted journalist, author, and storyteller whose work helped preserve
• Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Alan preserved the history that shaped North
• for how U.S. military collaborates with tribal governments to respect Tribal sovereignty and to preserve

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we reduce tragic accidents among the public while also preserving our freedoms?
• pragmatic approach to address some critical aspects of this public health issue while simultaneously preserving
• Any proposed incentive structure must preserve consumer choice and not penalize those who opt for traditional

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its fourth hearing on emerging firearm technology, focused on personalized firearms and related privacy issues. Co-chairs noted the commission’s charge to study personalized firearm incentives, risks from digital manufacturing codes and AI, and the costs of requiring personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, and said the report deadline is being extended to July 31. They also announced the next public hearing for April 17 at 11:00 a.m., limited to Massachusetts residents. The first witness, Kai Kloepfer of Biofire, described the company’s personalized 9mm smart gun and argued it is designed to prevent unauthorized use through biometric authentication, local encrypted data storage, no wireless connectivity, and automatic disarming when released. He said Biofire opposes any mandate requiring personalized firearms, calling such mandates a de facto gun ban that would stifle innovation, limit consumer choice, and burden a still-developing market. He said the company has a patent portfolio, has received thousands of pre-orders, is shipping in all 50 states, and is approved for sale in Massachusetts; he also said the gun costs about $1,500, is currently sold online, and is intended mainly for home defense. Members questioned him about sales, manufacturing, battery life, repairability, transfer of ownership, possible expansion to other firearms, and whether microstamping could be incorporated. A Massachusetts firearms roster official, Michaela Dunn, explained the state’s testing and approval process for handguns and confirmed that the Biofire firearm is now on the Massachusetts roster and commercially available for retail sale in the state. Kate Crockford of the ACLU of Massachusetts testified only on facial recognition, warning that commercially available systems show significant demographic bias and that Massachusetts lacks comprehensive biometric privacy protections. She urged passage of pending data privacy and biometric privacy bills, including the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and related measures, before any broader use of biometric verification in firearm laws. Commissioners discussed privacy concerns, and Biofire said its system is zero-knowledge and would likely comply with stronger biometric privacy laws. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported beyond the scheduling announcement and the extension effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms by aligning liability with fault while preserving
• ...strong consumer protections while allowing Californians to continue to earn extra income and preserving
• We urge your no vote unless amended to preserve meaningful consumer protections.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• drawing off of capital from a group to a member protects against potential conflicts of interest, preserves
• drawing off of capital from a group to a member protects against potential conflicts of interest, preserves
• drawing off of capital from a group to a member protects against potential conflicts of interest, preserves

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eggs can be preserved for months through traditional methods such as water glassing, allowing families
• Eggs can be preserved for months through traditional methods such as water glassing, allowing families
• It is a balanced policy that preserves local regulation while protecting household food production.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and pledge, approved the journal, and received several communications, including substitute legislator designations and gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Lottery Commission and State Building Authority. Members also made brief announcements and introductions before moving into committee reports and the day’s floor calendar. The chamber advanced a number of bills and resolutions through reading and referral, including measures on the Idaho Child Care Program, Health and Human Services appropriations, elections, development impact fees, hazardous waste, and several House concurrent resolutions and joint memorials. On final consideration, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1285 on occupational licensure for nonpublic school diplomas, Senate Bill 1286 on consumer protections for veterans benefits, Senate Bill 1323 on enforcement of contracts involving gold and silver specie, Senate Bill 1338 on allowing a portion of idle state funds to be invested in gold and silver bullion, and Senate Bill 1342 establishing a limited right for households to keep hens for egg production. The Senate also passed House Bill 531 updating epinephrine delivery system language for schools, House Bill 518 expanding authority for the Attorney General in human trafficking cases, House Bill 512 reinstating an open-book jurisprudence exam for land surveyors, House Bill 551 correcting urban renewal-related property tax treatment for fire and ambulance districts, House Bill 594 codifying a Supreme Court ruling on distribution of late property tax fees and interest, and House Bill 587 clarifying continuous funding for rangeland improvement programs. Debate on several measures included concerns about local control, continuous spending, and oversight, but each bill ultimately received majority support. The Senate reordered the third-reading calendar and then adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are told this bill is an emergency law intended for the immediate preservation of the public convenience
• solar development to align with what we all state is our intended goal in pursuing clean energy and preserving
• This is not preserving our environment; it's doing the exact opposite.

Summary: The House opened with routine formalities and then adopted a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward after suspending the rules. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to proceed, including proposals related to a poverty-reduction grant program, an unemployment insurance study commission, and a local police-exam age waiver. The House then took up a major energy bill, House No. 4744/5151, reported by Ways and Means and scheduled by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, and advanced it through second reading and to third reading after adopting the committee amendment. The main floor debate centered on the energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill. Supporters argued it would lower rates through reforms to Mass Save, changes to procurement and interconnection, returning a share of alternative compliance payments to ratepayers, and other consumer protections, while preserving long-term clean energy goals. Opponents said the bill’s relief was too delayed and that it added costs and bureaucracy without immediate help for households facing high bills. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to suspend public benefit charges for a year, change utility rate-filing disclosure rules, and alter propane delivery protections; one amendment on solar siting in forested areas was also defeated. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the energy bill by a roll call vote of 127-27, and earlier adopted the Ways and Means substitute version of the bill. The chamber also passed several other bills to be engrossed or enacted, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection designations, handicapped parking fines, public way safety, excavation restoration, and a Newton police age requirement. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring deceased veterans, public servants, and community figures, including Navy Petty Officer Joden Booker, coach Thomas Skip Karam, former Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former legislator William Q. Biff McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The museum, all hand-curated by Carolyn Hoskins, preserves treasured artifacts honoring civil rights
• Throughout her distinguished career, she has dedicated herself to uplifting community voices, preserving
• Throughout her distinguished career, she has dedicated herself to uplifting community voices, preserving

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington State PTA and the families we represent, we do hope that you will pass ESSB 5984 while preserving
• It is a safeguard to preserve our freedom and to protect what the next generation will come to understand
• But disclosure alone does not preserve our freedom.

Bills: SB6046

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities, permanently affordable housing, and expenditures for environmental analysis and historic preservation
• , improve coordination with districts and agencies, and accelerate housing delivery while still preserving
• We believe that it preserves the tool that's proving to be effective in terms of funding the necessary

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• families gathered, children went to language schools, newspapers were printed, and traditions were preserved
• urban renewal projects in the 1950s and '60s that displaced many residents, the community fought to preserve
• revitalizing downtown Long Beach and the waterfront, strengthening the city's economic engine while preserving

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures. The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination. The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor. The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• creates a formal partnership with Washington State University to identify and register and help preserve
• The program would maintain a statewide registry, support preservation efforts for rare and lost apple
• So this program also looks forward, not just backward, preserving rare apple varieties.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee first waived the five-day notice rule and held a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2525, which would establish a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. Staff explained the bill was narrowed from the original version and would require WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards and a list of rare and lost apple varieties, with a null and void clause and fiscal note available. Representative Gloria Mendoza testified in support, describing Washington’s apple history and the effort to identify and preserve old apple trees still found on farms and trails around the state. Members asked questions about how the program would locate trees and preserve historic varieties, but no vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard several gubernatorial appointments to higher education boards. Representative Deborah Inteman was nominated to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Bryce W. McKibben to the Pierce College Board of Trustees, former Senator David Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and former Senator Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Each appointee described their background in higher education, public service, and community college or university advocacy, and members asked about attendance, board service, and how they would help bridge legislative and institutional priorities. The committee also held a work session on Central Washington University’s geothermal and decarbonization efforts, with staff explaining the university’s open-loop geothermal system, planned geo-eco plants, and climate action goals tied to state clean building and decarbonization mandates. CWU officials said the project is intended to reduce emissions, support campus heating and cooling, and serve as a living laboratory for students. In executive session, the committee moved to report a panel of gubernatorial appointments, including the higher education appointments heard that day, with a recommendation that they be confirmed. The motion passed by voice vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• families gathered, children went to language schools, newspapers were printed, and traditions were preserved
• urban renewal projects in the 1950s and '60s that displaced many residents, the community fought to preserve
• revitalizing downtown Long Beach and the waterfront, strengthening the city's economic engine while preserving

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge the state Legislature to pass SB 6194 to help preserve health care access and correct the health
• Second substitute Senate Bill 5496, preserving home ownership options by limiting excessive home buying
• Senate Bill 5994, preserving timber tax distributions for school districts.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held public hearings on several bills before moving into executive session. Substitute Senate Bill 6037 would change how single-city fire protection districts are funded by ending the requirement that a city reduce its levy dollar-for-dollar and instead reducing the city’s statutory maximum rate; testimony was generally supportive from cities and firefighters, while public hospital districts opposed it over prorationing concerns and some witnesses sought amendments on governance and accountability. Senate Bill 6194 would allow cost-based Medicaid reimbursement for rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations, with strong support from Toppenish/Astria representatives and the Yakama Nation, who said the bill is needed to address severe funding inequities and preserve services. Senate Bill 5963 would make Passport to Careers students automatically income-eligible for the Washington College Grant; it drew support from student advocates and foster-youth advocates, with staff noting modest estimated costs. Senate Bill 5909 would require public universities to review and report low-enrollment undergraduate programs and potentially discontinue them after repeated low enrollment; Eastern Washington University supported it as an accountability measure, while faculty and student representatives opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and potentially politicized. Senate Bill 5826 would require public postsecondary student health centers to provide access to medication abortion or referrals and related web information; testimony was sharply divided between supporters who framed it as needed student health access and opponents who raised moral, safety, and budget objections. In executive session, staff briefed a series of bills, including measures on opioid treatment accreditation fees, a pre-K donation account, JLARC report elimination, retirement trust fund expense authority, pension lump-sum thresholds, port employee retirement exemptions, lemon law arbitration fees, LEAP website disclosures, limits on corporate ownership of single-family homes, a permanent senior center property tax exemption, timber tax distributions for school districts, capital project administration rules, and a real estate excise tax exemption for affordable housing. The committee then took action on the listed bills. The committee voted to give due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee for Senate Bills 5872, 5879, 5834, 5835, 5905, 5832, 6177, 5496, 5970, 5994, 6047, and 5647. Amendments were adopted on SB 5834, SB 5905, SB 6047, and SB 5647 before those bills were advanced as substitutes. SB 5988 was noted as taking action later, but no vote on it was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roadless protections preserve wildlife corridors for grizzly bears, elk, and wolves.
• The rule balanced preservation and sustainable use.”
• Powerful words, but can preservation alone sustain the people who live within these lands?

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33025, a concurrent resolution supporting consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with the Idaho Department of Water Resources as part of broader executive-branch efficiency efforts. Senator Harris said the resolution explains the rationale and process for the proposed realignment, and noted a letter of support from commission leadership. Senator Guthrie asked how the estimated savings would be achieved. The committee voted to send the resolution to print. The main policy item was Senate Bill 1222, a trailer bill to last year’s domestic well legislation. Senator Anthony said it clarifies the definition of subdivision for IDWR purposes, ties it to a five-lot threshold, and makes clear the new rules apply only to subdivisions initiated on or after July 1, 2025. Supporters, including Paul Arrington and other stakeholders, said the bill fixes unintended effects on existing or partially built subdivisions and preserves the original intent of the law, while still limiting future domestic-exempt well use. Bruce Smith testified in opposition to immediate action, urging the committee to table the bill and hear more from IDWR about implementation. After questions about domestic use, fire suppression, subdivision definitions, and irrigation impacts, the committee voted to send SB 1222 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board from Kenneth Long and Carl Ray. Both described their backgrounds in outfitting, guiding, outdoor recreation, and public service, and members asked about board responsibilities, geographic representation, and challenges facing the industry, including access and tag allocation. The committee then took up Docket No. 24-3501-2-250, a set of eight rule changes for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. John Price said the changes were part of zero-based regulation and were developed through public meetings and stakeholder input; they removed duplicative definitions, clarified overlap predator and tag designation rules, refined river boundary descriptions, and corrected a typo. The committee voted to adopt the docket. At the end of the meeting, the committee hosted an American Falls FFA Ag Issues team presentation on the federal roadless rule rescission. The students presented arguments on both sides of the issue, focusing on forest health, wildfire risk, tribal concerns, recreation, and economic development. Senators praised the students’ preparation and leadership, but no committee action was taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would ask you to vote no on Senate Bill 834, and next session allow new, better language that preserves
• ask for you to vote no on Senate Bill 834, and the next session allow new, better language that preserves
• in next session, allow new, better language that preserves the spirit of the prohibition and can be

Keywords: 999, senate, all