Transcript Highlights:

• joining us here the permanent the Standing Subcommittee on Transportation, hearing for the 89th legislative
• As the chair of the Transportation Committee for the 88th legislative session, I chaired a hearing on
• So there's legislation... tells you what it is.
• And additionally, if there's any Legislation? You mean state legislation? Yes, sir.
• There is another potential legislative tool for us.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Charlie Smith, Legislative Budget Board.
• I'm Charlie Smith, Legislative Budget Board.
• I think that the way It's set up in in in the term sheet and the legislation and so therefore We are
• It's one thing to pass a complex piece of legislation, as you all know.
• And we're going to be writing that legislation to turn that driver's license office over.

Bills: SB 1, SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As is our custom, we'll take legislators out of turn. And that is generally it.
• As is our custom, we'll take legislators out of turn to testify.
• I know we can't change the law, but can we have some special legislation that will take care of this
• Comerford and former Representative Blais for introducing this special legislation.
• Sabadosa and Senator Mark for introducing this legislation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on late-filed bills and formal petitions, with testimony focused mainly on Senate Bill 3026 and House Bill 5294. The committee heard from legislators and local officials about S. 3026, which would give equal voting access in a six-town regional school district process. Testifiers from the Sixth Town Regional Planning Board and local select boards said the current voting setup is unfair because one town can vote during normal polling hours while others have a narrower voting window, and they argued the bill would ensure equal voter opportunity for a major regional school decision amid declining enrollment and financial pressure on the districts. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 5294, a Worthington home rule petition seeking a one-year solar moratorium. Worthington officials, residents, and advocates said the town is facing multiple large-scale solar and battery storage proposals and lacks the staff, legal resources, emergency response capacity, and technical expertise to evaluate them. Witnesses raised concerns about fire risk, groundwater and drinking water impacts, forest and wildlife impacts, decommissioning, and the effect on rural character and farmland, while emphasizing that the moratorium was framed as a planning tool rather than opposition to clean energy. Several speakers said the state’s solar siting and approval process is too complex and top-down for small rural towns, and that volunteer boards are being asked to manage industrial-scale projects without adequate support. One witness from a statewide group said Worthington’s situation reflects broader problems across western Massachusetts and urged the committee to address solar siting more broadly in a future session. The hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions, with no votes or final actions taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go through the legislative stuff. “...us adding that word. I see what you're saying. Okay.
• Go through the legislative step, yeah. All right. Any other comments?
• changes, like new material or legislative intent sections.
• These are actually fairly uncommon, where an entire chapter is removed, at least in recent legislative
• legislation passed last year that repealed a lot of sections related to seizure and forfeiture.

Summary: The Statute Law Committee meeting began with introductions of new staff, approval of the December 10 minutes, and election of Kyle Shiketty as vice chair by acclamation. The committee also approved a step increase for Code Reviser Kathy Buckley, with members praising her work and noting she had reached the top step. Max Weeks reported on publications: session laws had been published online and physical copies were nearing completion, while RCWs were expected online by the end of the next month with print copies following about a month later. The committee discussed print runs, free distribution to libraries and courts, and rising shipping costs, with a plan to charge actual shipping rates rather than the prior flat fee. Kathy Buckley also reviewed the office’s financial condition, reporting healthy balances in the publications account and general fund and expecting a year-end return of about $600,000. Alice reported on the annual multiple-amendment review process, explaining how the office merges nonconflicting amendments and flags possible items for a future technical corrections bill. The committee adopted the multiple amendments table and discussed plans to prepare a technical corrections bill for the fall and likely the 2027 session. The committee then heard a presentation from Kevin and Judge Anne Levinson on improving RCW disposition tables by adding hyperlinks to repealed session laws and chapter-level cross-reference notes to help readers trace recodified or replaced laws, especially in areas like protection orders and unclaimed property. In other business, the committee discussed clarifying statutory references that sometimes use “Statute Law Committee” when “Office of the Code Reviser” is intended, and agreed to review the statutes for possible cleanup legislation. Members also received an update on the office’s upcoming move to a new building in September, with an open house planned for September 24. The meeting adjourned without setting the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• As is our custom, we'll take legislators out of turn. And that is generally it.
• As is our custom, we'll take legislators out of turn to testify.
• I know we can't change the law, but can we have some special legislation that will take care of this
• Sabadosa and Senator Mark for introducing this legislation.
• First, I want to sincerely thank Rep Sabadosa and Senator Mark for introducing this legislation.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on late-filed bills and formal petitions, with testimony focused primarily on two local measures: Senate Bill 3026 concerning voting procedures for a proposed six-town regional school district, and House Bill 5294, a Worthington home rule petition seeking a one-year moratorium on large-scale solar development. Committee members reminded speakers of testimony limits and remote participation rules, then took testimony from local officials, residents, and advocates. On S. 3026, supporters from the Six Town Regionalization Planning Board and local boards said the bill would create a fairer, equal voting process across all six towns for a major regional school district decision. They argued the measure would expand voter access, address concerns about unequal polling opportunities, and help communities respond to declining enrollment and financial pressures affecting school sustainability. Testifiers thanked the bill’s sponsors and urged the committee to advance it. On H. 5294, Worthington officials and residents strongly supported the moratorium, saying it was not anti-solar but a needed planning pause for a small rural town facing industrial-scale solar and battery proposals. Witnesses cited limited municipal staff, volunteer fire and health services, water-supply and groundwater concerns, wildfire risk, decommissioning and oversight costs, land-use and ecological impacts, and the strain on rural communities from state energy mandates. Several speakers said the town needed time to develop zoning and safety regulations before projects moved forward, and they asked the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed testimony after the final speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to get stakeholders together, including our legislators who are leading it, see if we can
• Myself as a rural legislator, I know it is extremely hard... ...the current mechanism.
• Chairman, and thank you, Representative and presenters for this legislation. Mr.
• It's more of an internal legislative decision than it would be.
• The Appropriations Act does too, but that's a rather large piece of legislation.

Summary: The committee first announced that House Bill 180 would be rolled because of administration concerns, with plans to meet with stakeholders and sponsors later in the week. The committee then took up House Bill 8, which would create and transfer $300 million to a Major Capital Projects Fund for higher education, with stated priorities of $150 million for the UNM School of Medicine, $50 million for a multipurpose building at NMSU, and $100 million for student life and housing projects statewide. The sponsor and staff explained eligibility rules, match requirements, waiver procedures, and how institutions would apply through the Higher Education Department, with the legislature retaining final appropriation authority. Public testimony was strongly supportive. Representatives from the New Mexico Council of University Presidents, NMSU, and the independent community colleges said the bill would address major capital and housing needs, especially for student housing and facilities that are not well served by current funding streams. Committee members asked detailed questions about match waivers, who would set waiver standards, whether housing and family housing projects would qualify, and how the fund would interact with the budget and the State Investment Council. Staff clarified that the fund is a transfer from the general fund rather than an endowment, and that the $150 million for the UNM School of Medicine in the budget depends on passage of HB 8. Members also discussed the bill’s graduation-rate standards for athletics projects, noting current rates at UNM and NMSU are below the 65% threshold and would need to improve over time. After questions concluded, the committee adopted an amendment that removed the general-fund transfer language and struck a section on page 5, then voted “do pass” on House Bill 8 as amended. Representative Pettigrew was noted in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Joe Timmons, State Representative in the 42nd Legislative District.
• We operate in Squim, Washington, in the 24th Legislative District.
• Stevie, for sponsoring this legislation. Thank you. 2467. Thank you, Rep. Timmons and Rep.
• Steby, for sponsoring this legislation.
• For the record, I'm Representative Janice Zahn of the 41st Legislative District.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills. HB 2467, sponsored by Rep. Timmons, would clarify how fifth-wheel RVs are measured for length purposes by measuring from the king pin to the rear-most point, allowing fifth wheels up to 46 feet under that method without increasing the current roadway length limits. The staff report said the bill has no fiscal impact for most agencies and a small indeterminate impact for Labor and Industries; the proposed substitute makes technical clarifications. The sponsor and several RV dealers, the Association of Washington Business, and the RV Industry Association testified in support, saying the bill would improve clarity, preserve safety, and help Washington dealers compete with neighboring states. No one testified in opposition during the hearing. The committee briefly suspended HB 2467 to hear HB 2495, sponsored by Rep. Thomas, which would give the City of Seattle authority to immediately remove vehicles blocking streetcar tracks or otherwise jeopardizing streetcar operations without waiting for police to first cite the vehicle. Staff said the bill applies only to Seattle, includes an emergency clause, and has no fiscal impact because impound fees are expected to offset costs. Rep. Thomas and Seattle Streetcar Program Manager Alison Redenz supported the bill, describing frequent track blockages and delays to service, especially after hours, and saying the change would speed restoration of transit operations. The committee then heard public testimony on HB 2552, which would authorize WSDOT and Sound Transit to use multiple award task order contracting (MATOC) for transportation construction projects. Staff explained that MATOC would let agencies prequalify contractors and then compete task orders among them, with required award and protest processes. Rep. Zahn said the bill would give agencies another tool to streamline delivery while preserving competition and including WMBE firms. Sound Transit supported the bill as a faster, more flexible procurement method that could broaden opportunities for smaller firms, while the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association opposed it, arguing the approach is not well tested in Washington, could reduce competition, and should be reviewed by the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board. After testimony, the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2552 and adjourned after caucusing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have on our agenda a presentation from our Legislative Services Office on the budget for the
• For the record, my name is Alex Williamson, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services.
• So to begin, if you are referencing any of the documents published by LSO, the Legislative Budget Book
• I'm a budget policy analyst with Legislative Services Office.
• I know there are a couple of additional legislative proposals for legislative oversight for these funds

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first considered the gubernatorial reappointment of Clayton Steele to the Board of Environmental Quality. Steele described his background in environmental work at DEQ and Clearwater Paper, said he brings both regulatory and industry experience to the board, and noted the board’s recent work on contested case issues and rulemaking. Senators asked about the biggest challenges, what he finds rewarding, the Perpetua matter, and whether he had any conflicts of interest; he said he had not encountered any conflicts. The chair said the committee would vote on the reappointment at the next meeting. The committee then received a Legislative Services Office presentation on the Department of Health and Welfare budget, with emphasis on non-Medicaid programs. Analysts reviewed the department’s staffing, historical spending, and the state budget process, then walked through division-by-division requests. Items highlighted included no-change maintenance budgets for Youth Safety and Permanency, Licensing and Certification, and Substance Abuse Services; a $16 million federal request for the Idaho Child Care Program capacity and related integrity staffing; a $600,000 ongoing request for court-ordered evaluation and treatment; $180,000 for kinship navigation; $4.2 million for the Idaho Home Visiting Program; and an increased dedicated-fund request for immunization assessments. Senators also asked about the home visiting program and its funding structure, with one senator expressing concern about the department counting pass-through dollars toward its holdback. Additional budget items included Division of Welfare requests tied to HR1, such as shifting SNAP administrative costs to the General Fund, funding Medicaid expansion work requirement verification, and a one-time eligibility system change for six-month redeterminations. Mental health and psychiatric hospitalization budgets were described as decreasing on the General Fund while relying more on dedicated endowment funds. The presentation also covered Idaho’s Rural Health Transformation Program award, including a FY 2026 supplemental for limited-service staff and a FY 2027 request for $294 million one-time to implement rural health initiatives. Senators asked what the funds could be used for, with examples given such as access improvements, technology, infrastructure, and rural EMS, and the chair noted tribes are included in the program. No votes were taken on the budget items during the meeting, and the committee adjourned with plans to meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Nemes is actually carrying Senator Adams a piece of legislation, I understand, but we'll turn
• I'd like to thank Stefan for his work and all his work on the nuclear legislation that's come through
• I'd like to thank Stefan for his work and all his work on the nuclear legislation that's come through
• I'd like to thank Stefan for his work and all his work on the nuclear legislation that's come through
• I'd like to thank Stefan for his work and all his work on the nuclear legislation that's come through

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:56 SJR 28 Discussion 01:44 SJR 28 Roll Call Vote 03:32 SB 179 Discussion 04:08 SB 179 Roll Call Vote 07:33, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the minutes. After no special guests were recognized, members took up a joint resolution carried by Senator Nemes for Senator Adams concerning reformulated gasoline requirements in Jefferson County and parts of Oldham and Bullitt counties. The resolution would direct the Energy and Environmental Cabinet to revise the state air quality implementation plan to remove the reformulated gas mandate. Senator Nemes argued the requirement is outdated and has little practical effect given modern vehicles and fuel standards, and members voted to pass the resolution unanimously. The committee then heard Senate Bill 179 from Senator Danny Carroll, which would create a nuclear energy development grant program within the Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Carroll explained that the bill would set aside $10 million from the previously appropriated $40 million investment for grants supporting nuclear energy development in Kentucky, with grants capped at $2 million and administered entirely by NEITA rather than through Economic Development. He and several members emphasized the need for Kentucky to invest in nuclear energy to keep pace with states like Tennessee, which was cited as having invested heavily and attracting business activity around small modular reactors. Members expressed strong support for the bill, with Senator West and others praising the initiative and calling it important for Kentucky’s energy future. The committee voted the bill out favorably with an expression that it shall pass. Before adjournment, the chair encouraged members to review the other energy bills that had been heard recently and stressed the importance of moving quickly on energy policy measures. A motion was then requested to close the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That informs future legislation.
• Speaker, I don't want to pass legislation legislation legislation that<00:47:23.120><c> will</c><00:47
• All righty. landmark legislation landmark legislation to<02:20:56.680><c> modernize</c><02:20:57.480>
• </c> inexpedient to legislate from this J. inexpedient to legislate from this J.
• legislate.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:11:32.000><c> affairs</c> regulatory and legislative affairs regulatory and legislative affairs committee
• That's excellent legislative history.
• <04:20:24.159><c> andor</c><04:20:24.640><c> legislation</c><04:20:25.600><c> andor</c> legisl andor
• legislation andor legisl andor legislation andor incentivizing<04:20:27.600><c> businesses</c><04:20:
• . legislation. legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation has been long overdue. Thank you. Better.
• And this legislation is going to move our entire Commonwealth in that direction.
• This legislation has long been vetted now. This legislation has long been vetted now.
• I'm excited to see these policies incorporated in the legislation here today.
• I hope that my colleagues join me in supporting this piece of legislation. Mr.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation responds directly.
• For years, we have been told energy legislation wouldn't hurt the consumer.
• The primary flaw of this legislation is that it doubles down.”
• Take a look at the timelines provided in this legislation.
• That is the asymmetry at the center of this legislation, and that is what my amendment corrects.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the spirit of this process, in which rules were moved into legislation, I think that this is a good
• I think that there is a way to put into legislation and into practice additional screenings before you
• As we looked at the agenda, I said, I need to go after Senator Blaylock's legislation, and when we go
• specifically and I'm sure I did not meet with any of them on this legislation specifically.
• And I think this gives up some public as well as some legislative oversight of the department.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee began by honoring pages Finn Meekum and Cooper Smith for their service, with both students briefly describing their positive experiences at the Capitol. Finn said the work was eye-opening and professional, and Cooper said it helped him learn about the political landscape and professional communication. The committee then approved the minutes from prior meetings. Senate Bill 1316, dealing with newborn screenings and related exemption language, was presented by Senator Blaylock as a clarification bill that would align newborn screening exemptions with Idaho’s vaccination exemption framework without discouraging screenings or changing medical standards. Pediatrician Mark Uranga testified in support, saying parents should be able to decline interventions for any reason and that the bill codifies current practice. The committee voted to send SB 1316 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1294, sponsored by Senator Galloway, would codify newborn hearing screening in Idaho law and standardize the practice, with supporters emphasizing early identification, language development, and long-term cost savings. Testifiers included education and early intervention professionals and parents of children with hearing loss, who described the importance of early screening and follow-up. Some members questioned whether the bill was necessary if screenings are already offered and parents may opt out, but the committee voted 4-3 to send SB 1294 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1314, which would repeal the Board of Health and Welfare and regional behavioral health board statutes, transferring authority and rulemaking directly to the department while preserving services. Senator Blaylock argued the boards are outdated and duplicative, while opponents warned the changes could affect federal settlement obligations, grant funding, oversight, and public input in behavioral health. After testimony and debate, the committee voted to send SB 1314 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation promotes this legislation.
• Austin Davidson from the Legislative Finance Committee.
• This is LFC-endorsed legislation. And I've been small. Mr.
• And that is the amendment. the legislative finance committee. This is LFC endorsed legislation.
• not do lobbying, but we gather legislators together.

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 3 and first took up House Bill 153, the Low Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act, with a committee substitute that added an Environmental Product Declaration program and shifted administration to the Environment Department. Sponsor Representative Dixon said the bill would create rebates for buyers of lower-carbon construction materials, support local manufacturers, and reduce industrial emissions. Support came from the New Mexico Home Builders Association, Sierra Club, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Some members questioned whether the bill would actually lower housing costs or instead create future price pressure once subsidies expire, and raised concerns about rulemaking and whether some materials would be incentivized even without state help. The committee voted 7-4 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original bill. The committee then heard House Bill 154, which would broaden and decouple New Mexico’s advanced energy tax credit definitions from federal law and add fusion energy and related components as eligible advanced energy products. Representative Dixon said the change would give the state more flexibility to include emerging technologies while keeping the existing credit structure and cap intact. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, a Santa Fe fusion company, a Los Lunas economic development official, and an online fusion company all testified in support, arguing the bill would provide certainty, attract investment, and help build a local supply chain. One member suggested future consideration of nuclear fission, while another questioned whether some renewable technologies were still appropriate, but the committee ultimately voted 9-2 to do pass HB 154. House Bill 184, a technical fix to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, was then presented by Representative Small. The amendment adopted by the committee delayed the three-year moving average for distributions by one year and extended the time to use funds from two years to three years, with the sponsor saying this would better reflect the fund’s growth and give projects more time to complete. Witnesses from Western Resource Advocates, conservation districts, and Conservation Voters New Mexico supported the measure, saying it would strengthen successful outdoor, watershed, and conservation programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 20, which would create a study group to examine barriers to renewable energy transmission and project development. The sponsor said the goal was to bring agencies, stakeholders, and possibly courts together to identify ways to speed up renewable infrastructure while preserving environmental review and public input. Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, Defenders of Wildlife, and the League of Women Voters supported the memorial, but several members said it should be broadened to include all energy infrastructure or more clearly address transmission, permitting, tribal, federal, and military coordination. In response to those concerns, the sponsor asked to roll the memorial for further discussion and possible revisions rather than advancing it that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The council also helped spearhead legislation in recent years, including SB 23005, which is forestry
• The council also helped spearhead legislation in recent years, including SB 23005, which is forestry
• The council also helped spearhead legislation in recent years, including SB 23005, which is forestry
• Uh, I wanted to let you know that tonight is the legislative reception at the Buckhorn Exchange.
• Uh, I wanted to let you know that tonight is the legislative reception at the Buckhorn Exchange.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Harris, Idaho State Senate, Legislative District 35. I'm here to present RS 33025.
• First of all, it clarifies what is a subdivision for purposes of this legislation.
• But this is a good piece of legislation. The work group worked on it, developed it.
• And they haven't been at the table looking at this piece of legislation.
• And they haven't been at the table looking at this piece of legislation.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard RS 33025, a concurrent resolution supporting consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, tied to House Bill 503 and an executive order to improve efficiency. Senator Harris said the resolution explains the rationale and process for the proposed realignment while preserving the voluntary, locally led, non-regulatory role of conservation districts. Senator Guthrie asked about projected savings, and the committee voted unanimously to send the resolution to print. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1222, a trailer bill to clarify the domestic well/subdivision law enacted the prior year. Senator Anthony and Idaho Water Users Association representative Paul Arrington said the bill defines subdivision for this purpose as five lots or more, clarifies that the law applies only to subdivisions started on or after July 1, 2025, and preserves existing developments from being forced to change their water systems midstream. Testimony from Bruce Smith urged more review and said the Department of Water Resources had already produced a lengthy implementation memo. After questions about domestic use, agricultural partitions, and irrigation impacts, the committee voted to send SB 1222 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board: Kenneth Long and Carl Ray. Both described extensive experience in outfitting, guiding, outdoor recreation, and public service, and members asked about board responsibilities, geographic representation, and challenges such as access, growth, and tag allocation. The committee said it would vote on the appointments at a later meeting. Finally, John Price presented Docket No. 24-3501-2-250, an administrative rule package for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. He said the changes were part of zero-based regulation and followed multiple public meetings and input from agencies and industry. The revisions removed duplicative definitions, clarified predator-area and tag-designation rules, adjusted rounding for tag allocation, and refined river boundary descriptions. The committee asked several questions about tag allocation and federal-state coordination, then adopted the docket. The meeting ended with a presentation by the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team on the federal roadless rule rescission, with students presenting arguments for and against the policy and committee members praising their work and leadership.

Transcript Highlights:

• ...and the passage of this legislation. Okay. Are there questions on the amendment, members?
• That legislation didn't pass. So it's ironic, this is 20 years later, the exact opposite.
• And the purpose of that legislation is different than the Vaccine Act.
• There's no need for legislation here.
• But several provisions in the legislation before this committee go beyond consumer protection.

Bills: S0408, S0986, S0678, S0800, S1050, S0484, S1118

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Transcript Highlights:

• you to grant these men and women of the Florida Senate the wisdom, knowledge, and moral clarity to legislate
• And what I appreciate today is not only did you keep us from committing legislative math...
• We will want, as you said, without doing anything, it would be legislative malpractice.
• We will want, as you said, without doing anything, it would be legislative malpractice.
• This is a necessary piece of legislation.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 executive appointments. After explanation by Ethics and Elections Chair Don Gates, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties losing population, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care measures. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health provisions in light of a new federal rural health grant and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, while also asking about eligibility and access to grant funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision for later conforming legislation and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators from both parties supported the bill while raising concerns about accountability, student oversight, and school quality. The bill passed 38-0. Afterward, the Senate waived rules so SB 250 and CS/SB 318 could be immediately certified to the House. The session ended with announcements, including Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and a reminder about the chamber group photograph, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Duluth Central High School while serving as a state legislator.
• Mary wasn't just a longtime legislator; she was a guiding light in this chamber.
• But those conversations led me through much of the legislation and how I've legislated here.
• She has a number of legislative accomplishments.
• I feel very blessed to have been part of Mary Murphy's legislative family.