Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:42.480><c> the</c> And then on line 2.2, balancing the And then on line 2.2, balancing the
• I think it came back more balanced in a lot of respects.
• </c><03:30:34.720><c> Um,</c> more balanced in a lot of respects.
• Um, more balanced in a lot of respects.
• good job of of balancing the priorities well<03:44:33.920><c> here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the pools zero or do they always carry a balance forward because when you have a pool of people
• forward because when you carry a balance forward because when you have<00:20:31.760><c> a</c><00:20:
• with the question so we that in balance with the question so we can<01:16:40.400><c> compare</c><01:
• </c><01:17:18.159><c> I</c><01:17:18.400><c> mean,</c> balance with our population.
• I mean, balance with our population.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:10:40.320><c> We</c><01:10:40.560><c> take</c> balances us out a little bit.
• We take balances us out a little bit.
• The last one is the budget balancers. The House did $180 million.
• </c><02:37:45.520><c> Uh</c> number 79 budget balancers transfers.
• Uh number 79 budget balancers transfers.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• equation and therefore I a balanced equation and therefore I don't<00:35:41.200><c> believe</c><00:35
• This question of, uh, of the cap and the percentages is just a matter of, um, balancing out how much
• out how much is coming from balancing out how much is coming from state<00:38:23.200><c> poolled</c>
• So there's a balance there to be found.
• </c> none of these is a balanced equation. none of these is a balanced equation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as part of which is not insignificant, that would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance
• without... ...that would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance without unduly burdening

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met to consider five RS requests. The first, RS 337233 from Speaker Moyle, would create a mechanism to enforce compliance with state law by public entities, taxing districts, and other state-created bodies when laws or budget intent language are ignored because no penalty exists. Several members raised concerns that the referral process to the Attorney General was too limited and could be used in a partisan or unfair way, but the committee voted to introduce the RS with Representatives Berch and Church recorded as no votes. The committee then introduced RS 33716, also from Speaker Moyle, which would require future data centers to have non-consumptive water rights in light of drought concerns and water use by data centers. Members expressed support and the motion passed without opposition. Next, RS 33728, from Representative Bruce, was introduced as another data center-related bill addressing sales tax exemptions, water usage, and electricity usage; it also passed unanimously. Two memorial-type requests from Representative Furness were also introduced. RS 33714 would support permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, described as the only tungsten mine in the United States, and RS 33726 would move the State Historical Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Both motions passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• as part of which is not insignificant, that would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance
• That would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance without unduly burdening the intent

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee considered five RS introductions. The first, RS 337233 from Speaker Moyle, would create a mechanism for the Attorney General to enforce compliance with state law by public entities, taxing districts, and other bodies when laws or budget intent language are ignored. Representatives Church and Birch objected that the referral authority was too limited and potentially partisan, arguing it should be broader and more balanced; Moyle said he wanted to keep the process limited to avoid abuse. The committee voted to introduce the RS, with Birch and Church recorded as nays. The committee then introduced RS 33716, also from Moyle, which addresses future data centers and seeks to require non-consumptive water rights because of drought concerns and the water demands of data centers. Birch voiced support and the motion passed without recorded opposition. Next, RS 33728 from Representative Chris Bruce was introduced; Bruce said it was the third data center bill of the year and updates issues involving sales tax exemptions, water use, and electricity use. The motion to introduce it passed. Two memorial-related items from Representative Furness were also introduced. RS 33714 would urge federal action to move forward with permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, described as the only tungsten mine in the United States; Birch raised a drafting concern about referencing the federal Department of War rather than the Department of Defense, but no amendment was offered and the motion passed. RS 33726 would move the State Historical Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the newly combined Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination to improve efficiency; that motion also passed. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those of you who are unaware, there's about a $1.5 billion balance.
• There's about a $1.5 billion balance that came out of the Virginia 529 plan that's just sitting there

Keywords: House Committee Room 1200, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are going to have a balanced budget amendment informational hearing this week on the 22nd at 8
• He's going to be there to answer some questions and give some remarks on the balanced budget amendment

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 70 members present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal from the prior legislative day. The chamber also received committee reports and referred printed bills to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee. House Concurrent Resolution 21, which designates 2026 as the Year of Volunteerism and the America 250 in Idaho Service Challenge and includes related commemorative actions, was referred for printing. During first reading, the House introduced several Health and Welfare Committee bills: House Bill 494 on background checks and related confidentiality, fees, and liability provisions; House Bill 495 on dentistry and denturist licensure and board powers; House Bill 496 on podiatry licensure and regulation; and House Bill 497 on controlled substances scheduling, registration, discipline, records, and prescription database provisions. House Bill 498 from State Affairs would authorize legislative leaders to employ counsel, in addition to the Attorney General, to pursue actions against the federal government on behalf of the state. All of these bills were referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing. Announcements welcomed teachers and IEA members, visitors in the gallery, pharmacy students from Idaho State, and family members of several legislators. Members also noted an upcoming sound money talk, a balanced budget amendment informational hearing featuring Governor Ron DeSantis, and a House majority caucus after adjournment. Committee meeting notices were announced for the following days, and the House adjourned by motion until 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• grateful to Senator Parker and his team for filing the bill this session and for maintaining a careful balance
• We believe that Oklahoma's approach balances a more flexible pricing arrangement for referral agencies

Bills: SB 227, SB 269, SB 407, SB 463, SB 527, SB 547, SB 1283, SB 1380, SB 1383, SB 1511, SB 1640, SB 1784, SB 2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, constitutional mandate this body and the legislature has is to pass a balanced budget year-over-year
• and so of course yes we have the money to do this and balance the budget.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The February forecast shows a small $377 million positive balance in the 2028-2029 biennium, but that's
• Will the 2027 legislature raise taxes to replace those dollars and balance the budget?
• </c><00:18:35.560><c> the</c> replace those dollars and balance the replace those dollars and balance
• the balance of their business<00:58:14.800><c> is</c><00:58:15.120><c> between</c><00:58:16.240><c>
• </c><01:26:50.800><c> of</c> So, I think that there is a balance of So, I think that there is a balance

Bills: HF4906, HF3971, HF4777, HF2109, HF2988

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Transcript Highlights:

• We're all subject to the balancing rule.
• Currently, that fund has a $2 million unobligated cash balance.
• But to try to keep the same levels of spending, it's a balancing act.
• It's a balancing act and it does require tough choices.
• And together, that will eliminate or take us down to a zero balance.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the previous day’s journal by a 126-0 vote, and suspended business for the Speaker to sign several bills and substitutes. Members then spent much of the day introducing guests, including county assessors, students, civic groups, and visitors from local schools and universities. The chamber then took up House Bill 2002, the elementary and secondary education budget. Members adopted several amendments, including technical fixes to allow board-operated schools to use personal service funds for career ladder payments, clarifications to child care subsidy language, and changes to Parents as Teachers rules so that enrollment remains voluntary and virtual visits are not reimbursable. An amendment to shift $1 million from one child care facilities line to Child Care Works passed, as did an amendment to fund a new Success-Ready Student Assessment with $2 million to help replace the MAP test. A proposal to pay child care subsidies for foster children based on enrollment rather than attendance failed 53-93, and an amendment to divert $10 million in Title I funds into a competitive grant program also failed. A later amendment to send budget reports to the ranking minority member passed, while an attempt to remove child care subsidy language from the bill failed. The House then moved to higher education and workforce development appropriations. Members approved an amendment broadening a pre-apprenticeship program statewide and supported funding for Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries through a transfer from dual credit scholarship funds. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 2003’s higher education funding model, where the chair defended an FTE-based approach as more transparent than the long-standing status quo, while opponents warned it would sharply cut funding for institutions such as Harris-Stowe, Lincoln, Truman State, and some community colleges, and would ignore factors like graduation rates, research, and workforce needs. A compromise amendment to soften the transition was withdrawn, and a separate amendment to restore the governor’s recommendation was also debated at length, with members arguing over the fairness and consequences of the proposed model.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, these kinds of retirement balances.
• And it's all a balancing test.
• And it's all a balancing test.
• What we're trying to do balancing test.
• </c> balance of power that employers have. balance of power that employers have.

Bills: HF3889, HF2567, HF3878

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , balanced, and work better<01:19:02.880><c> for</c><01:19:03.199><c> everyone.
• Thank you for being very balanced about this.
• The base tax rate is set also on a formula that's based on the balance of the trust fund on March 31st
• The base tax rate is set also on a formula that's based on the balance of the trust fund on March 31st
• The base tax rate is set also on a formula that's based on the balance of the trust fund on March 31st

Bills: HF3545, HF4004

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That threshold was set in place to balance the fact that we are trying to by statute.
• It's a matter of um making sure that there is a balance between money going to trail maintenance and
• So, it's a balancing act of how do fund.
• </c> making sure that there is a balance making sure that there is a balance between<00:53:28.000><c>
• And finding that balance.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> them</c><00:10:32.160><c> were</c> It is essential that we add language ensuring geographical balance
• Minnesota Housing has prioritized geographical balance into other housing programs.
• </c><00:14:04.320><c> will</c> ensuring the geographic balance will ensuring the geographic balance will
• balanced housing supply challenge,<01:15:26.960><c> but</c><01:15:27.199><c> it</c><01:15:27.440><c>
• This legislation strikes the right balance. It preserves community engagement.

Bills: HF3902, HF3895

Keywords: housing tax credit, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, qualified projects, taxpayer contributions, greater Minnesota, zoning, housing, local government, multifamily development, affordable housing, land use, urban development, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially as there is interest on restitution, the balance many times grows faster than somebody can
• , the balance many times grows<00:46:47.680><c> faster</c><00:46:48.400><c> than</c><00:46:48.640><c>
• </c><01:37:10.560><c> amid</c> yearly to maintain a balance amid yearly to maintain a balance amid decelerating
• Speaker Pro Tem, I move to lay over the balance of the calendar till Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.
• &gt;&gt; Seeing no objection, the balance of the &gt;&gt; Seeing no objection, the balance of the calendar

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard several announcements about upcoming committee meetings, events at the Capitol, and recognitions, including Music Therapy Day, Black History Month activities, adoptable puppies, and a Colorado Agricultural Forum. Members also celebrated Representative Story’s birthday and recognized the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) for its long-running support of arts, culture, science access, and economic impact in Colorado. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, designating February 20, 2026, as Colorado FFA Day, by a vote of 64-1 with one excused. The chamber then moved to special orders for several bills. The first major bill considered was House Bill 1017, which would prohibit insurers from receiving criminal restitution unless they are direct victims. Sponsors argued the bill prioritizes human victims, prevents restitution from becoming an unpayable burden on low-income defendants, and clarifies the law in response to court concerns and stakeholder feedback. Opponents argued it would shift costs to taxpayers and policyholders and could increase civil litigation and insurance premiums. An amendment, L005, was adopted to clarify the bill’s scope, and the bill then passed as amended. The House also took up House Bill 114, concerning minimum lot size and local land-use rules. An amendment, L002, was offered to prohibit certain local lot frontage, setback, open-space, or coverage requirements that would effectively prevent construction of a single-family home on a 2,000-square-foot residential lot. Supporters framed the measure as protecting housing access, while opponents argued it would override local land-use decision-making and public hearing processes. The transcript ends during debate on a substitute motion related to the amendment, before final action on House Bill 114 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:28.720><c> out</c><00:11:28.959><c> all</c><00:11:29.200><c> these</c> how do we balance out
• all these how do we balance out all these different<00:11:29.760><c> uses</c><00:11:30.640><c> and</
• </c> be a nice balance to end with. be a nice balance to end with.
• </c><01:03:58.720><c> multiple</c><01:03:59.280><c> water</c> conservation, balancing multiple water
• conservation, balancing multiple water sources<01:04:00.079><c> to</c><01:04:00.319><c> meet</c><01:04

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that's a perfect example of a balanced that's a perfect example of a balanced provision<01:02:16.160
• They will continue to accrue interest on the entire principal balance.
• They will continue to accrue interest on the entire principal balance.
• </c><01:43:47.760><c> Um</c><01:43:48.880><c> as</c> on the entire principal balance.
• Um as on the entire principal balance.

Bills: SF1750, HF704, HF3479

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Green and I have worked closely with our Assembly counterparts to strike a balance between this
• the Senator and all of your co-authors for working so closely with our office to strike the right balance
• Let's be clear, there are no checks and balances or any oversight of these activities.
• It's great to strike the right balance and see law enforcement and the community coming together.
• we recognize the unique challenges public defenders face by balancing their constitutional obligations

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