Transcript Highlights:

• And to your point there, Emily, I believe also it depends on the area.
• And for the saying, how does a photo radar camera determine prudent and reasonable depending on the situation
• their ordinances, but they're all within the ballpark, like 40 bucks difference, okay, maybe 50 depending
• But everyone's kind of at the same... ...difference, okay, maybe 50 depending.

Summary: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure. The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2. SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to your point there, Emily, I believe also it depends on the area.
• And for the saying, how does a photo radar camera determine prudent and reasonable depending on the situation
• their ordinances, but they're all within the ballpark, like 40 bucks difference, okay, maybe 50 depending
• , but everyone's kind of at the same... ...difference, okay, maybe 50 depending, but everyone's kind

Bills: SB1010, SB1024, SB1205, SB1232, SB1366, SB1552, SB1624, SCM1002, SCM1006, SCR1004

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• We are highly dependent on the federal.
• If you look at the total of $5.6 billion total, we're highly dependent on the federal for this.
• And We're highly dependent on the federal for this, and we're also seeing that we're seeing changes of
• continues to increase our federal funds that we're seeing come in to help us with all this, or get us dependent

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:

• We are highly dependent on the federal.
• If you look at the total of $5.6 billion total, we're highly dependent on the federal for this.
• We're highly dependent on the federal for this, and we're also seeing that we're seeing changes of percentages
• continues to increase our federal funds that we're seeing come in to help us with all this, or get us dependent

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the March 11 journal and received routine communications, including notice of a temporary substitute senator and several committee reports. The chamber also received a gubernatorial message transmitting signed Senate bills and House messages on enrolled bills and new legislation. Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, including measures on finance, judiciary, resources, education, local government, agriculture, and transportation, with some bills held for amendment or one legislative day. On the floor, the Senate considered several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 1351, concerning state office vacancies and limits on reappointed gubernatorial appointees, passed 34-0. Senate Bill 1364, revising the expiration of temporary administrative rules, passed 35-0. Senate Bill 1370, amending the abortion trafficking statute by removing the word “recruiting” after constitutional concerns raised by the Attorney General’s office, passed 28-6. Senate Bill 1337, allowing limited flexibility for small irrigation district boards, passed 34-0, and Senate Bill 1339, replacing continuous improvement plans with multi-year strategic performance plans for schools and reducing reporting requirements, also passed on a 34-0 vote. The Senate also passed House Bill 576 on the Consumer Asset Recovery Fund, House Bill 731 on participation in the federal tax credit scholarship program, House Bill 591 cleaning up obsolete indigent eligibility law, House Bill 663 shifting agricultural license plate design authority, House Bill 543 updating retirement system Roth contribution language, House Bill 563 revising CPA licensure pathways, and House Bill 652 designating hunting as Idaho’s state sport. Senate Bill 1303, revising provisions related to renewable/sustainable energy resources and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, passed 27-8. House Bill 822 was introduced, and Senate Bill 1227 received House amendments that the Senate concurred in. The major defeat of the day was Senate Bill 1375, the fiscal year 2027 Health and Human Services maintenance appropriation bill. After extensive debate over Medicaid rate reductions, provider impacts, federal funding losses, and the use of reserves versus cuts, the bill failed 10-25 and was retained by the Secretary. The Senate then returned to committee reports, received additional House and Senate messages, and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• budgets, again, hardly maintaining anything but ongoing deep cuts that will affect services that we depend
• lines in eastern Idaho, in fact, over, I think it was $357,000, to make sure that we didn't have to depend
• remember these are deep cuts, ongoing, that will have impacts on the services that we rely on and depend
• House Bill 558 protects federal survivor and dependent benefits for children in the custody of the Department

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and approval of the prior day’s journal, then moved through committee reports, House messages, and bill introductions. Several measures were referred to committees or held on the calendar, including new Senate bills and a number of House bills and resolutions. The chamber also received enrolled bills and transmitted others between the House, Senate, and governor’s office. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 1363, the natural resources maintenance appropriation. The bill funded maintenance budgets for the Department of Environmental Quality, Fish and Game, Lands, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, and the Endowment Fund Investment Board, with reductions tied to statewide adjustments and removal of one-time funding. Supporters described it as a responsible “tightening of the belt,” while opponents argued the cuts would harm firefighting, water management, park staffing, permitting, and other services. After debate, the Senate passed SB 1363 on a roll call vote of 28-7. The Senate then considered and passed House Bill 558, protecting federal survivor and dependent benefits for children in state custody; House Bill 500, clarifying e-bike and bicycle traffic protections; House Bill 577, eliminating mandatory 10-year license plate replacement; House Bill 636, allowing school districts to use facilities funds for lease purchases; House Bill 539, limiting temporary administrative rules; House Bill 511, raising the cap on the fire suppression surcharge for structures on forest land; House Bill 639, updating midwifery medication authority; and House Bill 628, expanding parent-taught driver education options. House Bill 620, giving county commissioners special-expertise status in federal land management planning, also passed. House Bill 610, which would have extended the homestead tax exemption to homeowners absent for religious missionary service, failed on a 16-17 vote. The Senate then returned to miscellaneous business, made announcements, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on the population.
• Depends on what you're talking about. So, YAG capsulotomy, low percentages. 1% below?
• That's facility dependent.
• them and not require that they had that higher credential, in which case that would be facility dependent

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just depends on the humans in that position. Police officer, yep. So, no to that.
• It just depends<00:09:35.760><c> on</c><00:09:35.840><c> the</c><00:09:35.920><c> humans</c><00:09:36.320
• ><c> on</c><00:09:36.440><c> the</c><00:09:36.600><c> in</c><00:09:36.680><c> that</c> depends on the
• humans on the in that depends on the humans on the in that position.<00:09:37.280><c> Police</c><00:

Bills: SB888, SB2479, SB2489, SB2519, SB2521, SB2527, SB2575, SB2591, SB2611, SB2665, SB2667, SB2695, SB2697, SB2713, SB2730, SB2751, SB2765, SB2795, SB2797, SB2806, SB2812, SB2818, SB2835, SB2849, SB2851, SB2896, SB2922, SB2970, SB2972, SB2973

Keywords: SB888, Hawaii, consumer protection, smart home security, smart household security device, home security camera, video doorbell, Ring, Nest, connected devices, internet of things, IoT, privacy, data privacy, law enforcement access, police requests, search warrant, judicial warrant, subpoena, emergency disclosure

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a long list of Senate bills, mostly advancing them with either no amendments or committee amendments. Early measures included SB 888, which bars smart household security device operators from sharing user data with law enforcement without consent or a warrant, and SB 2479, which allows certain defendants to seek reduced sentences based on family violence, dating violence, or child abuse history; both were adopted, with SB 2479 amended for technical and procedural changes. The committee also adopted SB 2489 on invasive species provisions in Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases, SB 2519 on Law Enforcement Standards Board deadlines, SB 2521 and SB 2527 on CDL-related exemptions and training/policies for emergency personnel, and SB 2575 on firearm-related mandatory minimum penalties, which was amended to clarify scope and set a far-future effective date. Several transportation and public safety bills were also approved. SB 2591 created a Waikiki refuse-collection pilot program; SB 2611 expanded criminal trespass rules for school premises to weekends and holidays, though one member raised concerns about use of school property as a park; SB 2665 required driver-license renewal applicants with recent citations to complete a road-safety course, later narrowed to moving violations only; SB 2667 restricted towing vehicles from far-left lanes; SB 2695 clarified crosswalk duties; SB 2697 prohibited driving on shoulders except in limited cases; and SB 2812 required driver testing on dangers posed by larger vehicles, with court-ordered timing for re-examination. Most of these measures passed unanimously or with one or more members recording no votes or reservations, but they were still adopted. The committee also advanced SB 2713 on restricting certain pesticide use near elderly care facilities, SB 2730 on warrantless arrest and detention factors for petty misdemeanors and violations, SB 2765 on condominium foreclosure rental income, SB 2795 on flag display rights in housing associations with health and safety carve-outs, SB 2797 on gift card fraud, SB 2806 on real estate listing restrictions, SB 2818 on boating and ocean recreation penalties, SB 2835 on liquor licensing and education funding, SB 2849 on public meeting notice requirements, SB 2851 on a deafness designation for vehicle registration, SB 2896 lowering the commercial driving age to 18, SB 2922 on cooperative association definitions, SB 2970 on state contracting conflicts involving relatives, SB 2972 on temporary Oahu spearing restrictions for certain fish, and SB 2973 on banning jug-line fishing. A few bills drew objections over breadth or penalties, especially the boating and fishing measures, but the committee still adopted the recommendations. SB 2751 on workers’ compensation prescription drug rules was deferred indefinitely, and the meeting ended with the chair noting upcoming joint and committee meetings for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many cases depend upon the ability of a witness to recognize the individual or the capability of video
• And those are certain situations depending on that department and their policy.
• And those are certain situations, depending on that department and their policy.
• A standard law enforcement welfare check typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, then heard House Bill 685, which would add a sentencing enhancement when certain felonies and specified violent misdemeanors are committed while the offender is wearing a mask or disguise. The sponsor and supporting law enforcement witnesses said the bill would help identify offenders, deter intimidation, and give prosecutors and judges another tool, while still leaving discretion in charging and sentencing. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impacts and about language that could affect legitimate law enforcement masking practices, but the bill was advanced to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, with one member recorded as opposed. The committee then took up House Bill 668 on custody interference, a product of a child custody and domestic relations task force. The bill would create clearer law enforcement procedures, require welfare checks and written reports when possible, add affirmative defenses for legitimate delays, and establish a graduated penalty structure for repeated interference. Numerous parents, advocates, and others testified in support, describing long-running custody disputes, lack of enforcement, and large legal costs; some members also raised concerns that the bill’s drafting could unintentionally reduce penalties in the most serious cases. After discussion, the committee adopted a substitute motion to send the bill to general orders for further work. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 696, which would expand the definition of prohibited sexual contact in correctional facilities to address alleged sexual abuse of incarcerated women by staff. The sponsor and several testifiers, including survivors and advocacy group representatives, said the bill would close loopholes, improve accountability, and better protect vulnerable inmates. Members noted the seriousness of the allegations and the need for clearer standards, and the bill was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• , people that have very good access to internet, or people that don't have access to internet and depend
• shooter or... ...list to be an active school shooter, or like they would flag specific students depending
• And they come for three-and-a-half-hour blocks, morning or afternoon, depending on where that lands at
• Depending on schedule.

Summary: The meeting focused primarily on planning for an upcoming AI symposium and related commission work. Members reviewed nomination and registration timelines, attendance categories, site logistics, and microcredential requirements for participants. They discussed the symposium’s structure, including slots for K-12, higher education, career tech, libraries, tribal groups, and innovation grant recipients, and noted that the event would likely be held in early June with a follow-up planning meeting on April 2. The group also discussed launching a newsletter via Substack and publishing a monthly podcast to share updates and build public awareness. A major portion of the discussion centered on School AI and a proposed $45 million AI initiative. Members described School AI pilot activity at OCCC and broader plans to work with K-12, career tech, higher education, and libraries, while emphasizing privacy, data governance, and the need for local training and agency-level negotiation. The $45 million proposal, referenced as House Bill 1782, would create a revolving fund, an advisory council, and broad allowable uses including tools, professional development, curriculum, research, student programs, infrastructure, and public outreach. Representative Williams said the bill was moving through the House appropriations process and that the goal was to keep the funding intact. The group also raised concerns about other AI-related proposals and initiatives, including three bills by Representative Cody Maynard and the Oklahoma AI Roundtable, which some members viewed skeptically because of its paid membership model. A podcast episode on ethics and legal issues in AI was previewed, including a controversial example about using AI to survey students for safety risks; members agreed the example was hypothetical but potentially sensitive. The meeting ended with broader discussion of workforce needs, especially nursing and corrections education, including efforts to expand LPN/RN pathways, address certification costs, and connect training to rural health and reentry programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• affirm the sanctity of life at its earliest and most fragile stages, and that this commitment is not dependent
• affirm the sanctity of life at its earliest and most fragile stages, and that this commitment is not dependent
• Madam Chair and members, HB 2240 establishes a tuition waiver scholarship for children or dependents
• categories of voters who are in your polling place, whether it's an e-poll book or the paper books, depending

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars. Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills. The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• affirm the sanctity of life at its earliest and most fragile stages, and that this commitment is not dependent
• on political outcomes, but reflects a broader... ...stages, and that this commitment is not dependent
• Madam Chair and members, HB 2240 establishes a tuition waiver scholarship for children or dependents
• categories of voters who are in your polling place, whether it's an e-poll book or the paper books, depending

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others. Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work. The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm noticing that I notice it says it depends on the defendant's ties to the community in terms of being
• Depends on the defendant's ties to the community in terms of being able to bypass initial reception processing
• who gets to bypass the initial reception processing and who might not, particularly if you say it depends
• It depends on how in-depth of a background, triple I, state charges.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Summary: The Public Safety Committee took up a series of bills dealing with cold cases, sexual assault investigations, parole, criminal code cleanup, jail backlog relief, private prison oversight, and human trafficking. SB 1636, by Sen. Hicks, would let an immediate family member or similar person request an OSBI investigation in a cold case; it passed 8-0. SB 1584, by Sen. Burns, shortened the deadline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing and required kits received after the effective date to be processed within 30 days; it passed 8-0. SB 1730, by Sen. Thompson, required law enforcement to forward sexual assault reports to OSBI to help identify repeat offenders, with testimony that the reports would remain confidential and could still be expunged where applicable; it passed 8-0. The committee also approved SB 1255, by Sen. Yack, which shifts the authority to request medical parole from the DOC director to the DOC medical director while leaving parole board and gubernatorial discretion intact; it passed 8-1. SB 1627, by Pro Tem Paxton, was a request bill to consolidate redundant and obsolete criminal statutes into a cleaner code, and it passed 9-0 after questions about underlined language in the committee substitute. SB 137, by Vice Chair Hamilton, would remove DUI causing great bodily injury from eligibility for DOC’s electronic monitoring program after a case highlighted what sponsors described as a loophole; it passed 9-0. SB 2062, by Sen. Pugh, sought to reduce county jail and LARC backlog by allowing certain low-level, nonviolent offenders to bypass county jail waiting periods and report directly to their assigned facility after screening; members raised concerns about flight risk, logistics, transportation, and county impacts. Pugh agreed to continue working on the measure and requested a struck title, and the bill passed 7-1. SB 1470, by Sen. Brooks, as amended, would allow elected officials and religious leaders to conduct informal inspections of private prisons operated for out-of-state interests, with a three-day notice requirement and definitions added to narrow the scope; it passed 8-0. Finally, SB 1284, by Vice Chair Hamilton, aimed at combating human trafficking in exotic entertainment venues by creating licensing and inspection requirements and penalties for unlicensed operation or knowingly hiring unlicensed performers. The bill drew extensive debate over whether it was too punitive or could sweep in lawful businesses, but supporters said it would help identify trafficking victims and improve oversight; it passed 7-1. The committee adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• following session prior to the following session, and then we'll give them enabling legislation so that depending
• 25:07.039><c> legislation</c><00:25:07.760><c> so</c><00:25:08.000><c> that</c><00:25:08.559><c> depending
• </c> enabling legislation so that depending enabling legislation so that depending on<00:25:09.279><c

Bills: SB99, SB585, SB2060, SB2069, SB2110, SB2115, SB2152, SB2211, SB2259, SB2315, SB2342, SB2382, SB2442, SB2446, SB2485, SB2544, SB2577, SB2580, SB2861, SB2919, SB3326

Keywords: SB99, Hawaii, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, retirant, retiree rehiring, reemployment after retirement, retirement benefits, benefit suspension, school resource officer, SRO, public school safety, Department of Law Enforcement, DLE, labor shortage, difficult-to-fill position, teacher shortage, charter school, mentor teacher, vacancy rate

Summary: The Committee on Ways and Means met for decision-making only and adopted recommendations on a long list of Senate bills, with no oral testimony taken. Early actions included SB 99 to pass unamended, SB 585 to pass with a date correction to 2015, SB 2060 to pass with amendments involving public project lists, legislative approval for fund transfers, and removal of certain appropriations, and SB 2069 to pass with amendments extending a sunset date and requiring transit-oriented development zoning. The committee also advanced several other measures, including SB 2110, SB 215, SB 2259, SB 2382, SB 2442, and SB 2485 unamended, while SB 2152, SB 2315, SB 2446, SB 2919, SB 2577, SB 2580, and SB 2861 were moved with various amendments, mostly date changes, appropriation blanks, or technical clarifications. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 2211, where Department of Human Services officials explained how the department was covering costs by using restricted funds and shifting Med-QUEST funding, and noted a need for $14 million plus support for $16.5 million in ACA enhanced tax credit subsidies. The chair indicated the bill would move forward with amendments, including blanking the appropriation pending more information on lapses, and the recommendation was adopted. SB 2544 was also amended to remove a specific appropriation and replace it with a blank cap on funds from DUR, and SB 2342 was amended to require projects to be in transit-oriented development zones and to reflect prior committee concurrence. The most extended debate was on SB 3326, which would address utility restructuring. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it could raise rates, worsen reliability issues, and disrupt an existing utility without a clear plan, especially given island-specific conditions. Supporters argued the bill would separate generation from transmission and distribution, create competition, protect union jobs, and respond to aging infrastructure and financial weakness in the utility sector. After recesses and discussion of the Public Utilities Commission’s role, the chair changed the recommendation from pass unamended to pass with amendments requiring the PUC to conduct a study, provide an interim report before the next session, and a final report the following session. That amended recommendation was adopted, and the meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note is available with no estimated state fiscal costs and additional local costs depending
• While these are early successes, we have learned that 100% affordable project dependence on public funding
• can mean these projects wait in a long funding queue. project dependence on public funding can mean
• It depends on what existing structures are even available for acquisition and the state of each particular

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on several measures and two gubernatorial appointments. At the start, the committee waived the five-day notice rule for Substitute House Bill 2354, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590. The committee also heard public testimony on House Bill 1859, which would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold needed to qualify for a density bonus. Supporters, including the sponsor, faith leaders, and local officials, said the current 100% affordability requirement has made projects difficult to finance and that the bill would better unlock underused church land for housing. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, which would further standardize where and how permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and shelters can be sited, while limiting local barriers and allowing some negotiated conditions near schools or when local governments provide significant support. The sponsor and supporters from King County, housing providers, the Attorney General’s office, disability advocates, medical professionals, and others argued the bill would reduce discriminatory or inconsistent local siting rules and expand needed housing. Some local government representatives supported the bill but asked for additional amendments to preserve local flexibility, require on-site contacts, and clarify how operating conditions and funding agreements would work. The committee also heard House Bill 2590, which would revise rules for limited equity cooperatives so they can better function as a long-term affordable homeownership model and remain exempt from certain Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act requirements. Supporters said the bill would help preserve manufactured housing communities and other cooperative housing while maintaining affordability and oversight. House Bill 2354, a trailer bill to WACOIA, would make technical changes affecting common interest communities, including EV charging and heat pump cost responsibility, reserve studies, and audit thresholds; the Washington State Community Association’s Institute testified in support. In executive session, the committee confirmed gubernatorial appointments Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone and voted do-pass recommendations for EHB 1687, SHB 2269, and HB 2304, all subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The answer depends on the category. Bitcoin drives its value from its design.
• account with a cryptocurrency exchange, that account may be a single wallet or multiple wallets depending
• asset, and the proceeds of sale come into the account, and they be a single wall or multiple wallets depending
• There's a cost associated with validating the individuals that are claiming property, and depending on

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an informational hearing on digital asset innovation, with opening remarks framing cryptocurrencies, blockchain, stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance as a growing part of the financial system. Dennis Porter of Satoshi Action Fund presented on the market size, institutional adoption, use cases such as remittances and small-business payments, and policy developments at the federal and state levels. He also discussed risks including volatility, cybersecurity, and illicit use, while arguing that clear regulation can support innovation and consumer protection. State Controller Malia Cohen then updated the committee on implementation of SB 822, California’s unclaimed digital asset law. She explained that the law applies to custodial accounts, not self-custodied wallets, and requires holders to conduct outreach before dormant digital assets are transferred to the state in native form. Committee discussion focused on how abandonment is determined, what counts as account activity, the expected timeline for notices and custodian procurement, and the administrative costs and staffing needed to run the program. Controller staff said the state is still building procedures, working with Oregon, and expects a significant increase in claims once the program is operational. Porter returned with a proposal for a California digital asset reserve fund built on unclaimed digital assets under SB 822. He argued the fund could be cost-neutral, use only high-quality digital assets, and include guardrails such as an advisory board, audits, and public reporting. Committee members expressed interest in diversification and consumer protection, but also raised concerns about volatility, documentation, and market downturns. The hearing ended after public comment from industry and advocacy representatives, including support from the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, the Crypto Council for Innovation, and Coinbase, all urging clear, technology-neutral policy to keep innovation and jobs in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining, in the life abundant and enough
• more of it when needed; in being happy myself...” “...and playing square with those whose happiness depends
• So I said earlier that 50% of our crop is exported... ...50% to 60%, depending on the year.
• for Progress and Food for Peace program, that provides U.S. wheat, oftentimes soft white wheat, depending

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee began by approving the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then briefly recognized Idaho FFA state officers and Hadley Brown, a Homedale student who had won the national FFA creed speaking contest. The officers described FFA’s classroom, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience model, their statewide leadership events, community service hours, and the value of agricultural education. Brown then recited the FFA Creed and discussed the competition process from chapter to national level, drawing praise from committee members. The committee then heard House Bill 503, which would place the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Representative Dustin Manwaring said the bill was intended to improve administrative efficiency, reduce duplication, and save about $107,000 while preserving the commission’s non-regulatory, locally led mission. Testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts said they had initially had concerns but were now neutral or supportive because Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 would reaffirm the commission’s independence and voluntary conservation role. Director Matt Weaver said the process had been credible and that the merger could work if statutory duties and resources were preserved. The committee voted to send HB 503 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, introduced by Representative Steve Miller, who spoke about his long background in agriculture and conservation districts and argued that local control and independence were essential. Members emphasized that the resolution should accompany HB 503 to protect the commission’s mission. The committee voted to send SCR 115 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, committee members received a report from the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts on district services, conservation programs, and budget needs, including CREP, WACPA, and local project funding. The Idaho Wheat Commission also presented its annual update on grower-funded research, market development, education, export activity, and challenges facing wheat producers, including low prices, high input costs, misinformation about wheat, and farmer mental health. The meeting adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining, in the life abundant and enough
• and more of it when needed, in being happy myself, and playing square with those whose happiness depends
• So I said earlier that 50% of our crop is exported, 50% to 60% depending on the year.
• for Progress and Food for Peace program, that provides U.S. wheat, oftentimes soft white wheat, depending

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee began by approving the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then heard a presentation from Idaho FFA state officers and Hadley Brown, the state creed speaking champion and national finalist. The FFA students described their agricultural experiences, leadership training, community service, and the three-circle model of classroom instruction, FFA activities, and supervised agricultural experience. They invited legislators to the state convention in Twin Falls and asked them to keep agricultural education and CTE in mind when considering future bills. Hadley Brown then recited the FFA Creed and discussed the competition process that led to her national title. The committee then took up House Bill 503, which would place the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Sponsor Representative Manwaring said the bill was intended to improve efficiency, reduce administrative duplication, and save about $107,000 while preserving the commission’s non-regulatory, locally led mission. Testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau and the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts reflected initial concerns about mission creep, but both groups said those concerns were addressed by Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, which affirms the commission’s independence and voluntary conservation role. Director Matthew Weaver said the merger process had been credible and stakeholder-driven, and that the agencies could work successfully together if the statutory duties and resources were preserved. The committee voted to send House Bill 503 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. It then heard and passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, which supports the merger framework and the preservation of the commission’s mission. Representative Miller, who sponsored the resolution, gave a lengthy background on conservation districts and argued that local, voluntary control is essential to their effectiveness. Members also noted that the resolution and bill should be considered together. Both measures received do-pass recommendations without opposition. After the votes, Director Weaver, Deputy Administrator George Hitz, and Tori O’Neill provided a detailed report on the Soil and Water Conservation Commission’s work, including district support, conservation programs, CREP, WACPA, and budget requests for a new miscellaneous revenue fund and matching-fund shortfalls. The final presentation came from the Idaho Wheat Commission, whose executive director described the commission’s grower-funded structure, research and market development work, export markets, education programs like Bread in a Bag, and challenges such as low prices, high input costs, misinformation about wheat, and farmer mental health. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And depending on how we reset that unit value, districts might actually receive more money than they
• amendment will reduce the impact on Gallup from about $49 million to about $23 million to $26 million, depending
• Yes, so an environmental product declaration can cost a producer and manufacturer $1,000 to $5,000 depending
• Chair and Representative, so I see that as perhaps energy intensive and maybe not so carbon-free depending

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not dependent upon the loan or any other funding source other than the local match dollars.
• It's not dependent upon the loan or any other funding source other than the local match dollars.
• And depending on what's left, there are some generators or some other things that can be done.
• And depending on what's left, there are some generators or some other things that can be done.

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Chairmen reminded members that no funding had yet been appropriated for future Water Sector awards, so any discussion of upcoming projects remained speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then moved through a series of deadline extension requests for phase two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch Water Corporation, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Each extension was approved after brief discussion, including testimony explaining local match timing, consolidation agreements, and project delays. The committee next considered several phase one ARPA-funded requests. St. Tammany Parish Project 845 received approval for a scope change to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. Tallulah’s mayor gave an extended update on the city’s water rehabilitation project, explaining that the original project had been bid twice, that the state had already completed some emergency work, and that the city wanted to isolate the purchase of four permanent media filters and related electrical work from the original rehab plan. Members questioned whether the request was a scope change or a partial implementation of the original project, but ultimately approved it. The committee also approved additional funding for the City of Kaplan’s sewer project and for Ponchatoula’s sewer project, with Ponchatoula explaining that the increase covered emergency levee repair, miscellaneous equipment and safety items, and a force main reroute around unmarked fiber and other obstacles. St. Martin Parish Water Project 1001 was approved for additional funding after engineers explained that the final well site and related work cost more than originally estimated, though the project remained within the original consolidation plan. West Allen Water Works also received approval for additional funding after its new groundwater well encountered unexpected geologic problems; the contractor and engineers agreed to reduce their fees to preserve the project’s match structure, and members asked that the in-kind match be clearly documented for JLCB. By contrast, Tensaw Water Distribution Association’s large request for additional funding to complete a consolidation with Newelton drew significant concern over cost growth and timing. After discussion of the project’s scope, the need to serve Newelton, and the possibility of future reapplication or further value engineering, the committee voted to defer the Tensaw item to the next meeting for more review. At the end of the meeting, staff reported that 42.11% of ARPA funds remained and reviewed a list of high-risk projects, noting that the committee was trying to ensure ARPA dollars are drawn first and reconciled properly before deadlines. Members discussed the need to ground-truth self-reported project status and potentially adjust procedures to better track construction progress and final draws. The meeting concluded with no subfund or termination items and adjourned after a motion by Senator Bass.

Transcript Highlights:

• In those moments, access to 911 depended entirely on whether or not someone had been clearly informed
• In those moments, access to 911 depended<00:25:35.679><c> entirely</c><00:25:36.080><c> on</c><00:25:
• 36.240><c> whether</c><00:25:36.480><c> or</c><00:25:36.640><c> not</c> depended entirely on whether
• or not depended entirely on whether or not someone<00:25:37.279><c> had</c><00:25:37.520><c> been</c>

Keywords: 926, house, all