Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation comes at the advice and request of our Attorney General's office.
• Moments that signal the path we choose for the state as we pass legislation and that define us as legislators
• And they end up being bookends to my legislative career.
• So this legislation amends Idaho Code 59-308 to replace just this one part.
• So this legislation amends Idaho Code 59-308 to replace just this one part.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the March 11 journal and received routine communications, including a substitute appointment for Legislative District 16 and gubernatorial messages signing several Senate bills. Committee reports moved a number of measures forward, including bills on state vacancies, administrative rules, abortion trafficking, irrigation districts, education planning, energy resources, consumer asset recovery, retirement contributions, CPA licensure, and the designation of hunting as Idaho’s state sport. Several floor debates focused on major policy bills. Senate Bill 1351, dealing with gubernatorial appointees and vacancies, passed 34-0. Senate Bill 1364, revising temporary administrative rule expiration dates, passed 35-0. Senate Bill 1370, which removed the word “recruiting” from Idaho’s abortion trafficking law after a Ninth Circuit ruling, passed 28-6. Senate Bill 1303, revising renewable energy resources funding and permitting-related language, passed 27-8. Senate Bill 1337, allowing limited flexibility for small irrigation districts to seat directors who live outside the district under certain conditions, passed 34-0, and Senate Bill 1339, replacing continuous improvement plans with multi-year strategic performance plans for schools and reducing some reporting requirements, also passed 34-0. The Senate rejected Senate Bill 1375, the Health and Human Services maintenance appropriation bill, after extensive debate over Medicaid rate reductions, provider impacts, and the size of the budget; it failed 10-25 and was retained by the Secretary. Later, the chamber concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 1227, which added language ensuring generative AI does not replace teachers and expanded legislative participation in the framework review. Other bills passed included House Bill 576 on Idaho Consumer Asset Recovery Fund residency requirements, House Bill 731 on participation in the federal tax credit scholarship program, House Bill 591 removing obsolete indigent eligibility language, House Bill 663 shifting agricultural license plate design authority, House Bill 543 updating retirement contribution language to align with IRS rules, House Bill 563 revising CPA licensure pathways, and House Bill 652 designating hunting as the state sport. The Senate then reordered the third-reading calendar and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation results in no revenue impact to the state property tax levy.
• I represent the 49th Legislative District, Vancouver.
• Thank you, Representative Paul, for bringing this legislation forward.
• I represent the 10th Legislative District.
• We support this legislation.

Summary: House Finance heard testimony on several tax and local government bills. HB 2278 would remove the July 1, 2027 expiration on the additional $3-per-room-night tourism promotion area lodging charge; supporters from destination marketing organizations said the revenue has produced strong returns for tourism and events, while questions were raised about how the local ordinances would continue. HB 2583 would lower the population threshold for cities to impose a higher lodging tax and expand authority for public facilities districts; the sponsor and Vancouver supporters said it would help fund a proposed performing arts center and other tourism investments, while hospitality, short-term rental, and some local advocates raised concerns about stakeholder input, equity, and whether the bill was too broad. HB 2224 would change how a city forming a single-city fire protection district handles levy reductions and would exempt part of one levy from the local tax limit; city and firefighter groups supported it as a needed tool for fire and EMS funding, while hospital districts and tax opponents warned about prorationing, governance, and higher taxes. HB 2325 would create a statewide tourism self-supported assessment program funded by participating tourism businesses; supporters from tourism, hospitality, wine, and brewing groups said it would provide a competitive, industry-driven statewide marketing program, while members questioned impacts on specific communities and the need for broader local benefits. HB 2431 would expand from 15 to 50 days the amount of fundraising activity allowed in nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places, and the Grange supported it as a practical way to keep community halls open. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session and advanced three bills. HB 2584, a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm equipment sold to eligible farmers, passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2610, which modifies the property tax exemption for nonprofit homeownership development, also passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2615, which codifies the voluntary disclosure tax program and authorizes temporary tax amnesty, likewise passed 14-0 with one excused. The chair also announced a deadline for amendments on items to be acted on the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• is similar to Substitute House Bill 1104, which this committee heard and passed during the 2025 legislative
• So my name is Representative Janice Zahn, 41st Legislative District of Mercer Island, Bellevue. 41st
• The five supporting judges said, 'We're not here to determine legislative intent.'
• I don't know how to define those two terms in terms of what they mean for the actual legislation.
• If you read the legislative history, ...that is very obvious.

Bills: HB2229, HB2274, HB2294, HB1269, HB1078

Keywords: professional engineers, registration act, licensing, engineering practice, state regulations, email regulation, commercial communications, consumer protection, data privacy, electronic mail, consumer access, real property, food security, medicine access, restriction, pawnbroker, fees, interest rates, financial regulation, pet insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I rise in support of HR 16 on behalf of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus.
• I rise on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of HR 16.
• On behalf of the California Legislative Latino Caucus.
• This is not how we should be legislating.
• This bill sets this precedence of allowing legislators to override water board decisions through legislation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the Florida Legislative Black Caucus has had a number of conversations about...
• The Florida Legislative Black Caucus has had a number of conversations about, I guess, the difficulty
• But here in this legislation, the Department of Education, the district...
• Who defines the best interests of the public as far as it's identified in your legislation?
• This legislation provides that whether a neighborhood school has declined...

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered a series of education-related bills, many of them after adopting amendments. SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School was amended to remove virtual preschool provisions and then passed favorably, with the sponsor describing it as a clarifying bill about FLVS operations, revenue sources, reporting, and student access. SB 1374, on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, was also approved; it requires faster district action and reporting when instructional personnel are arrested for certain offenses and clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt. SB 1402, on student enrollment and dropout retrieval programs, was amended and passed to broaden eligibility for dropout retrieval services and allow certain virtual providers to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade. SB 364, moving the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Education to Florida Memorial University, was amended and reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 772 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow districts to obtain and store glucagon for emergency use by trained school staff or nurses, with liability protections included. SB 1102 on school readiness programs for children with disabilities passed after testimony that it would expand identification of disabilities, require more training for providers, and direct special-needs funding toward better-supported classrooms. SB 1382, also on school readiness, was approved and would change the definition of economically disadvantaged families, adjust priority tiers, and update the waitlist and forecasting process for child care assistance. The most debated measure was SB 140, which was substantially rewritten by delete-all amendment to create “job engine charter schools,” allow municipalities to seek charter schools aimed at attracting industry, authorize parent votes for conversion of existing public schools, and set requirements for district five-year property plans and surplus property use, including affordable housing and charter school purposes. Supporters argued it could aid economic development and repurpose underused property, while opponents raised concerns about privatization, reduced stakeholder input, unclear voting procedures, and loss of district control over property. Despite extensive debate and multiple public speakers against it, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 430, a merged AED and cardiac emergency response bill requiring public schools to have a cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and an operational AED in a publicized location, with reimbursement provisions and liability protections; it passed after supporters emphasized life-saving benefits and manageable training costs. The committee adjourned after recording additional members’ votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, so yesterday evening, I went and requested the legislative history.
• So yesterday evening I went and requested the legislative history from 2002.
• Second, this legislation interferes with parental rights.
• There's nothing in this legislation that restricts free speech.
• to be better than no legislation.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Education Committee took up two RS requests related to Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA). RS 33118, offered by Rep. Price, proposed repealing IDLA’s current statutory structure amid concerns about its growing budget, oversight, board composition, and what she described as double funding and expanded use beyond its original rural-school purpose. Several members objected that IDLA serves both rural and urban students and provides quality online courses; after debate, the motion to introduce the RS failed on a tie vote. Rep. Pickett then presented RS 33604 as a middle-ground alternative that would preserve IDLA for rural schools, allow some pay-to-play access for others, remove virtual charter schools from participation, add auditing and transparency, and address double-dipping concerns. Members praised the effort but raised concerns about funding cuts and the impact on rural districts; the motion to introduce this RS also failed on a tie vote. The committee then heard House Bill 794, which would require student walkouts or absences for political protest to be treated as unexcused absences and reported to state officials. Supporters, including the sponsor Rep. Tanner, argued the bill would protect instructional time, clarify attendance rules, and prevent students from leaving class to protest during the school day. Testifiers in support said schools should not be used to promote activism and that parents and districts need clear guidance. Opponents, including students, parents, and education groups, argued the bill would chill First Amendment activity, interfere with parental rights, create enforcement problems, and conflict with existing law and the Tinker v. Des Moines framework. They also noted that absences already count against attendance regardless of whether they are excused. During committee discussion, members debated whether the bill would apply to charter schools, whether it conflicted with constitutional protections for student speech, and whether it was necessary at all. Some members supported the bill as a way to keep students in class and avoid using children as political tools, while others said it singled out political speech and lacked a sufficient state interest. Rep. Hostetler moved to send HB 794 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, but after a roll call vote the motion failed on a tie vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The percentages of disability, is that outlined elsewhere in legislation?
• The legislation clarifies that the credit must carry over to the surviving spouse in the event The legislation
• My other piece of legislation does. But they are essentially the governing body.
• My other piece of legislation does. But they are essentially the governing body.
• I do want to say, I forgot to mention that this is a legislative masterpiece.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I encourage the committee to approve this legislation.
• I encourage the committee to approve this legislation.
• I'm really pleased with the changes that we have made this year to this legislation.
• I'm really pleased with the changes that we have made this year to this legislation.
• efforts to find the very people that we're passing this legislation for.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here today as the legislative chairman for the Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations, a
• I urge a due pass on House Bill 2869 in any legislation that achieves this vital goal.
• My name is Mike Schrader, and I'm a national legislative committee member and a legislative co-chairman
• I'm the legislative director for the Missouri Department of Revenue.
• I'm Zach Wyatt, Legislative Director from Missouri Department of Revenue.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'll tell you what the legislation does.
• I know that we can't legislate our way out of this crisis.
• But I also know that we, as legislators, can send a message.
• This is a piece of legislation that I'm proud to carry.
• The Emerald Standard Legislative Summit will be that evening at 6 p.m.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm honored to co-sponsor this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• I'm honored to co-sponsor this legislation.
• For me, this legislation is also personal. I grew up working in agriculture in Yakima.
• This is agency request legislation from the Student Achievement Council.
• This is agency-request legislation from the Student Achievement Council.

Summary: The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee met on January 27 and first took executive action on three bills. House Bill 2311, which makes administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, was reported out with a do pass recommendation after the Leavitt amendment was withdrawn; supporters emphasized transparency, accountability, and student success metrics, while one member opposed moving it forward and urged more interim work. House Bill 2324, which extends tuition waiver access for children of eligible veterans when a disability determination occurs after age 18, passed unanimously. House Bill 288, the Dietitian Licensure Compact, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2028 and then passed unanimously as a substitute bill; members cited workforce shortages and the value of broader licensure portability. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2422 would shift private security guard licensing fees from individual guards to their employers, eliminate transfer fees, and penalize companies that require reimbursement; the sponsor and workers testified that the current system burdens low-wage guards and contributes to high turnover, while some members asked about whether fees could instead be lowered or eliminated. House Bill 2438 would create the SEEDS scholarship for early childhood education students using up to $10 million from the GET account if it remains sufficiently funded; the sponsor described it as a targeted test of surplus GET funds to address early learning workforce shortages, and testimony from educators, providers, and advocacy groups strongly supported it, while WASAC said the bill may need technical changes to avoid conflicts with existing 529 rules. The committee also heard House Bill 2525, which would create a WSU heritage orchard program and registry for old or rare apple varieties; the sponsor and industry witnesses said it would preserve agricultural history, support research, and aid future breeding and education. Finally, House Bill 2586 would align Passport to Careers with federal financial aid formulas and automatically deem Passport-eligible youth financially needy for the Washington College Grant; the sponsor and WASAC said it would help foster youth and homeless students access aid earlier and more predictably, and multiple students and advocates testified in strong support. No final action was taken on the bills heard in public testimony during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our focus this morning is on areas where the legislation could be improved.
• I'm Leah Missick, the legislative director at Climate Solutions, here in support of this bill.
• First, this is very sensible, grounded legislation.
• First, this is very sensible, grounded legislation.
• Very sensible, grounded legislation.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 5941, which would exempt certain school districts from a Washington State Energy Code requirement for onsite renewable energy systems on large new commercial buildings or additions. The committee adopted Senator Short’s amendment narrowing the eligible school district definition from 1,000 or fewer students to 500 or fewer students, then approved the bill as amended and sent it to the Rules Committee with a do pass recommendation. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6171, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, primarily data centers. Staff explained that the bill would require utilities serving such facilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts and full cost recovery, allow curtailment during emergencies, add reporting and sustainability requirements, create a fee to fund energy assistance, weatherization, and higher education programs, and impose new clean energy and labor-related requirements. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect affordability, reliability, transparency, and the public interest as data center demand grows. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including community action groups, environmental organizations, some utilities, Ecology, and student representatives, argued the bill would prevent cost shifting, improve transparency, support low-income energy assistance, and help manage grid and climate impacts. Opponents, including data center representatives, public utility district and business groups, and some local government and port officials, said the bill was too prescriptive, could raise costs, threaten competitiveness, duplicate existing utility practices, and interfere with existing CCA/CETA provisions and local flexibility. No vote was taken on SB 6171 during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Madam Chair, how do we as legislators know anything? How do we know anything?
• Because we are so siloed in our approaches to legislation, if you will.
• It just sounds like we've legislated perfectly, and that I don't know.
• We had legislated. And that's kind of what I was thinking this bill was looking at.
• as a legislator.

Bills: SB6052, SB6051, SB5907, SB5860, SB5574

Keywords: digital transcript, transcript sharing, student records, education data exchange, K-12, higher education, community colleges, universities, school districts, charter schools, state-tribal education compact schools, educational service districts, data interoperability, secure platform, student consent, FERPA, privacy, education technology, records management, transcript standard

Transcript Highlights:

• at Social Compassion in Legislation.
• Nicholas Sackett, Social Compassion in Legislation.
• Affairs at the Social Compassion in Legislation.
• Nicholas Sackett, Social Compassion in Legislation.
• I want to thank you for bringing forward this important legislation.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee held its first regular bill hearing of 2025 and considered a wide range of measures on health care access, professional regulation, animal welfare, and consumer protection. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted its rules and then approved a consent calendar of several bills, including measures by Chen, Caloza, Carrillo, Arreguín, Berman, and Flora. The committee also took up AB 1082, which would allow California nursing students enrolled in out-of-state programs to complete clinical training in California; supporters said it would help address the nursing shortage and keep students closer to home, while opponents warned it could worsen already limited clinical placement capacity and reduce oversight. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations after a quorum was established. The committee then heard and advanced several health-related bills. AB 50, by Assembly Member Bonta, would ease Medi-Cal access to over-the-counter hormonal contraception by removing the need for a prescription for coverage purposes; pharmacists, reproductive health advocates, and medical groups supported the bill, and it passed unanimously to the Committee on Health. AB 489, also by Bonta, would prohibit AI systems from misrepresenting themselves as licensed health professionals; supporters from medical, psychiatric, behavioral health, and other professional groups said the bill would protect patients from misleading chatbot advice, and it passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 481, by Assembly Member Rubio, would expand the tasks that federally qualified lab personnel can perform under CLIA supervision to help address lab staffing shortages; labor groups raised concerns about training, certification, and supervision, but the bill passed to Appropriations with an amended do pass recommendation. The committee also considered animal welfare and access-to-care measures. AB 631, by Assembly Member Lee, would require animal shelters to post intake and outcome data online; supporters said the reporting would improve policy and resource allocation, while members discussed how the requirement would work for shelters without websites, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 867, also by Lee, would prohibit cat declawing except when medically necessary for the animal; animal welfare groups strongly supported the bill, while the veterinary association opposed it as an improper legislative regulation of veterinary surgery, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1307 would create a pilot program allowing a limited number of qualified dentists trained in Mexico to practice in underserved California areas; supporters framed it as a cost-neutral way to address major dental access gaps, the California Dental Association remained opposed unless amended, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Several members later added their votes on the various items after the hearing, and the committee kept the hearing open briefly to allow additional add-ons.

Transcript Highlights:

• We, as legislators, love to carry bills; we love to say we know best.
• This is a heavily stakeholded piece of legislation.
• Legislation for community solar just last year, and their starting point was Minnesota's legislation.
• To be clear, community solar can't exist without enabling legislation.
• It's the legislators' job to say we are going to decide who must pay.

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset

Transcript Highlights:

• So as I mentioned, this fall on special session, the TCB passed the legislation that requires the TCB
• So we had met with the agencies and orgs involved. 2025 legislation.
• , and an overview of what the legislation is asking us to do.
• Digging into the legislation, this is kind of a brief synopsis, but the TCB shall submit a report by
• in a lot of these legislative things, including but not limited to sort of stuff.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the May minutes and then moved into administrative updates on several 2025 legislative workstreams. Staff reported progress on two marketing efforts tied to the youth mental health crisis: one focused on increasing awareness and use of urgent crisis centers, and another broader crisis-continuum campaign led by United Way. Both projects are refining materials based on working-group feedback and aim to have materials ready before the start of the school year. Updates were also given on the UCC private insurance review and the crisis continuum review, both of which are gathering data and reconvening working groups over the summer. The main discussion centered on a Civic Solutions Group update on Medicaid school billing. The contractor explained that the project is examining why Connecticut schools are not billing for behavioral health and related services, with the goal of maximizing federal reimbursement. Members clarified that the study is about schools billing for services, not private providers billing in schools. Questions focused on whether Medicaid has caps or authorization issues when students receive services both in school and in the community, and whether recent federal or state changes affect billing. The contractor said the work is still in data collection and analysis, and that some issues, such as reauthorization procedures, were outside his scope. Participants also raised concerns about perceived barriers, fee-for-service limitations, and the need to distinguish school-based billing from provider billing. A second major presentation came from Disability Rights Connecticut on a separate legislative study concerning behavioral health issues affecting students receiving special education. The subgroup is examining the feasibility and impact of requiring evidence-based interventions, especially for challenging behaviors that can lead to restraint and seclusion, and is also looking at monitoring and random audits of restraint and seclusion practices. The team described its project plan, including literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and data requests from the State Department of Education and other stakeholders. Members emphasized that the work is aimed primarily at private providers under the statute, but may have broader relevance. Questions from the group focused on whether the study would include public schools, how evidence-based practices apply to students with intellectual disabilities and autism, and whether caregivers or parents would be interviewed; the presenters said caregiver input is not currently part of the charge. The meeting ended with reminders about the July 15 meeting, which will include a Solnit briefing, and a note that August TCB meetings will not be held, though a workshop on the Connecticut Children’s Behavioral Health Provider Survey is being planned for late July or early August.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, this legislation needs to be changed to encompass all general dentistry.
• We will follow legislative mandates. Yes, sir.
• And so when we have a legislative mandate, we have a way to go and ask for that funding.
• This next rule is again something that was passed in the 2025 legislative session.
• “Item L is the adverse decisions rule, also a piece of legislation passed in 2025.

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas Medicaid and Department of Health rules, many implementing 2025 acts. Early items covered presumptive eligibility and Medicaid policy updates, including adding a definition of fictive kin for foster children and changing the disability onset age for ABLE accounts from 26 to 46. Another rule clarified that continuous glucose monitors may be billed by both pharmacies and durable medical equipment providers, with committee members questioning prior authorization timing, system lag, and a fiscal impact estimate of about $3 million over two years; the rule was reviewed, but members requested additional cost breakdowns. Other Medicaid-related rules addressed an RSV vaccine administration fee increase, an ET3 telemedicine exemption for ambulance treat-triage-transport services, a dental rate increase under Act 1025, expanded physical therapy access, and the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies package covering doulas, lactation consultants, remote monitoring, and expanded prenatal testing. Most were reviewed without objection after brief discussion or no questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think this is extremely, extremely important safety legislation.
• I think we need true common-sense gun safety legislation.
• And I think this is extremely, extremely important safety legislation.
• So my Democrat colleagues can call for gun-sense legislation. This is it.
• It's gun-sense legislation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the legislation doesn't really tackle that... ...in the courtroom demonstrated harm.
• There was legislation that was passed by the Legislature concerning biometric data.
• I think that actually strengthens this legislation.
• I think that strengthens this legislation.
• I think that strengthens this legislation.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the lion's share of the legislation.
• There is a lot of So that's the lion's share of the legislation.
• The rest of this legislation largely provides those exceptions under state code.
• That's why I support this legislation. All right. Thank you, Senator Cole.
• That's why I support this legislation. All right. Thank you, Senator Cole.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee began by welcoming a new page, Isabella Frasheiser of Weiser High School, who described her FFA, agriculture, and political interests and her family’s farming background. The committee then approved the February 10, 2026 minutes without objection. The main bill heard was Senate Bill 1283, sponsored by Senator Todd Lakey, which would create a framework for small-scale direct-to-consumer agricultural and homemade food sales, including farm stands, cooperatives, and certain meat sales. Lakey said the bill is intended to reduce regulatory burdens while keeping basic labeling, recordkeeping, and food-safety disclosures in place. Supporters from Farm Bureau, Fair Idaho, and producers testified that the bill would help local farmers, improve market access, and support local food systems. Opponents and cautionary testimony from Food Northwest and health district counsel raised concerns about food safety, labeling, lack of competency testing, enforcement, and possible limits on liability. After discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1283 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also received a presentation from the Idaho Beef Council. Representatives outlined the council’s structure, checkoff funding, marketing and education efforts, beef demand campaigns, BQA training, Spanish-language outreach, and the Idaho Beef Counts program that has provided millions of servings of beef to food-insecure Idahoans. No action was taken on that presentation, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.