Transcript Highlights:

• With those TECM bonds, the proceeds from those bonds go into the TECM capital projects fund, and the
• You can find more details about the TECM bonding and the Garvee bonding in the appendix of your slides
• of bonding, and we implemented those projects very rapidly.
• But bonding is a question that we take very seriously.
• But bonding is a question that we take very seriously.

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees heard the Idaho Transportation Department budget presentation from Legislative Services Office analyst Brooke Dupree, who reviewed the department’s four divisions, staffing levels, major funds, and recent appropriation trends. She highlighted the department’s large reliance on reappropriation, the continuous appropriation of the Strategic Initiatives Program Fund, and several enhancement requests, including $15.5 million for deferred maintenance, funding for State Highway 16 operations and maintenance, $4.9 million for roadside tree removal, $4.7 million for new equipment, a $275 million general fund transfer for safety/capacity and road/bridge maintenance, and smaller requests for aeronautics improvements and replacement items. She also noted the governor’s recommendation differed from the request, especially by not recommending the $275 million transfer and by proposing cash transfers back from the Strategic Initiatives Fund. Members questioned the analyst and then Director Scott Stokes about the impact of the proposed reductions, the continuous appropriation language, and whether general funds were being eliminated in the transportation budget. Stokes explained that the governor’s recommendation would pull back $45 million in FY 2026 and eliminate the FY 2027 transfer, and that the continuous appropriation language was a request to keep the fund continuously appropriated. He also said ITD would adjust project schedules if funding changed and would provide a list of affected safety and capacity projects to the committee. During questions to the director, members asked about workforce retention, the State Street property/disaster cleanup project, ITD’s delayed full transition to Luma, the TechM/TECM bonding program, and the mix of in-house versus contracted work. Stokes said retention had improved after pay adjustments, the State Street project had spent only a few million so far with hazmat removal bid under $1 million instead of the earlier $8 million estimate, and the project’s total cost was now estimated at roughly $60 million to $70 million with about $41 million appropriated. He said ITD remains on its existing finance system for now because of federal reimbursement needs, that prior TECM projects were fully bonded and contracted and the next bonding decision would come in July, and that ITD contracts out larger projects while using its own crews for smaller maintenance tasks like tree removal. The meeting ended with general comments about the importance of transportation investment and notice that the committee would meet the next day on rescissions, cash transfers, and statewide decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We issue bonds in the bond market.
• </c><00:07:32.240><c> we</c> um we issue Bonds in the bond market we um we issue Bonds in the bond market
• I mean, we're working in the bond market to issue bonds, so we're getting private investors who are buying
• </c><01:02:26.200><c> so</c> in the bond market to issue bonds so in the bond market to issue bonds so
• </c><01:35:48.600><c> almost</c> and that private activity Bond almost and that private activity Bond

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Waste Management and Remediation Division Administrator for the Department of Environmental Quality
• Quality meeting, and no comments were received for either one of those. ...Board of Environmental Quality
• I'm the Waste Management and Remediation Division Administrator for the Department of Environmental Quality
• I'm the Air Quality Division Administrator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and I'm
• I'm the Air Quality Division Administrator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and I'm

Summary: The committee met to review several Idaho Department of Environmental Quality rule dockets. It first considered docket 58-0102-2501 on water quality standards, which DEQ described as an administrative cleanup to align state rules with EPA disapprovals of prior temperature and arsenic-related provisions. Members asked why EPA rejected parts of the earlier rule, and DEQ explained that EPA wanted stricter temperature criteria rather than the variability language Idaho had proposed. The committee voted to approve the docket. The committee then heard docket 58-0106-2501 on wastewater rules. DEQ said the rulemaking was part of zero-based regulation and aimed to streamline, clarify, and reduce burden, including updates to gray water, material modification, wastewater system definitions, and sludge disposal/use plans. Aquaculture commenters raised concerns that municipal wastewater standards might be applied to fish production facilities, and DEQ responded by adding clarifying language and references specific to aquaculture. A separate testimony issue arose from a participant who could not be heard on the webinar, and the committee voted to hold the docket at the call of the chair for reconsideration at a later meeting. The committee next approved docket 58-0105-2501, DEQ’s annual hazardous waste incorporation by reference, which updates federal hazardous waste regulations through July 1, 2025 and adds Part 271 for state program authorization. DEQ said no comments were received and that the change helps maintain state primacy and avoid conflicting state and federal requirements. It also approved docket 58-0106-2501 on solid waste management rules, another zero-based regulation cleanup that removed duplicative language, updated definitions and applicability sections, and deleted a violations section already covered in statute; members discussed how strikeouts indicate moved versus deleted language and how definitions should be cross-referenced to Idaho Code. Finally, the committee approved docket 58-0101-2501 on air quality rules, an annual incorporation by reference of federal air regulations through July 1, 2025. DEQ highlighted EPA actions affecting Idaho, including updates to SIP-related provisions, sulfur dioxide standards, modeling guidance, NSPS/NESHAP changes, and a Congressional Review Act disapproval affecting certain hazardous air pollutant sources. Members asked where to access the federal regulations, and DEQ said they are available online through the CFR and linked references in the rule materials. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• dispose of RVs valued at $4,000 or less when the vehicle was inoperable and was a public safety or environmental
• She said that while environmental improvements from electric vehicles are appreciated, the impacts on
• Assembly Member Ransom said that while electric vehicles bring environmental improvements, the state
• the environmental, you know, improvements we get with the electric vehicles, we also have to keep in
• And so we can't just look at, you know, that environmental clean air.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• were a thousand people in the state of Texas on bond for murder.
• Aggravated robbery had 3,857, these are the ones that got bond.
• And even some who have been out on bond have committed a violent offense listed in SJR 87.
• Even again, bond has been provided.
• million bonds.

Bills: SB3073 , SJR87

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: Texas criminal procedure, magistrate, probable cause, written findings, arrest review, criminal justice, Article 15.17, pretrial release, judicial recordkeeping, court transparency, law enforcement, defendant rights, criminal proceedings, no probable cause, magistrate findings, bail reform, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, public safety, 1185

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:56.120><c> to</c> for housing infrastructure bonds to for housing infrastructure bonds to
• the sale of GO bonds are.
• </c> few key differences between goo bonds few key differences between goo bonds and<00:18:33.240><c>
• </c> on the hibs second appropriation Bond on the hibs second appropriation Bond proceeds<00:18:58.320
• are for example sales of go bonds are for example appropriation<00:19:05.000><c> bonds</c><00:19:05.280

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• adequate I look forward as a joke with my friend representative crossed or annual debate on the Environmental
• And when I say us, it's not regulated, but the bank's insulate themselves from risk by having an environmental
• But to the extent it does transacting, you're going to go into a phase one environmental assessment,
• buying this property, it's going to go through a risk assessment of all sorts, but especially on environmental
• But gas stations are Barbie wears and coming up on the purchaser to do an environmental assessment, understand

Transcript Highlights:

• He is environmental review program.
• It's also for environmental protection for our aquatic ecosystems.
• It's also for environmental environment.
• </c> public health and environmental public health and environmental protection<01:13:18.560><c> is</
• It's for environmental protections.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items. The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting. The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aaron Clems, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.
• </c> of the Minnesota environmental of the Minnesota environmental partnership<00:38:10.560><c> we're
• </c> of more than 70 Environmental of more than 70 Environmental Conservation<00:38:14.280><c> groups

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They were going to need to go back out to bond.
• This is the bond reconciliation update.
• Board of finance level of our bonds and working our way down.
• bond sale and verify the current certification.
• We'll also be updating our bond sale strategy.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• It's from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Safe Water Drinking Revolving Fund.
• It's from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Safe Water Drinking Revolving Fund.
• It's from the Environmental Protection Agency.” “Thank you for that clarity.
• As the need grows, and LDH makes application to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can grow the
• “Basically, this bill is urging the Department of Environmental Quality and Homeland Security to deal

Summary: The committee met on May 13 and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 89, which asks the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to study, with the Louisiana State Museum and the World War II Museum, the feasibility of a Louisiana Maneuvers museum and trail. Representative Owens described the historical significance of the Louisiana Maneuvers and said the proposal would help preserve and teach that history. The committee moved HCR 89 favorably to the floor without objection. The committee then heard House Resolution 179, which would create a study of neighborhood crime prevention and security districts and their effectiveness in reducing crime. Representative Marcel said the resolution was prompted by questions about crime data and district performance, while several members raised concerns about the number of study groups and the breadth of a statewide review. Other members supported the idea as a way to gather data on what works, including cameras and other security measures. The resolution was moved favorably to the floor. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 228, a constitutional amendment to allow public funds to be used to replace lead and copper drinking water service lines on private property, and Senate Bill 268, the companion implementing bill that sets out the notice and replacement process. Paul Rainwater explained that the program would use EPA and state revolving-fund money, with work focused on the line from the meter to the shutoff valve, and that the city would inventory affected homes, give notice, and then proceed with replacement. Members asked about homeowner rights, emergency entry, contractor accountability, and whether the program could expand beyond New Orleans; Rainwater said he would return with more detail on the objection/emergency process. Both SB 228, as amended, and SB 268 were reported favorably. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 283, which creates the Boulevard at Harding Area Special District in Baton Rouge to encourage development near Southern University, and two resolutions: House Resolution 225, urging agencies and local governments in Ouachita Parish to study solid waste, debris removal, and disaster resilience services, and House Resolution 223, urging Shreveport and partners to advance the Southern Soul City Initiative. All were moved favorably to the floor, and the meeting ended with members and the chair thanking staff and noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:19:45.039><c> 1588</c><00:19:45.760><c> and</c><00:19:46.000><c> other</c><00:19:46.160><c> environmental
• </c> on SB 1588 and other environmental on SB 1588 and other environmental organizations,<00:19:47.280
• </c><00:21:03.919><c> concerns</c><00:21:04.480><c> associated</c> huge environmental concerns associated
• huge environmental concerns associated with<00:21:05.600><c> nuclear</c><00:21:06.159><c> energy,</c
• </c> adding to that the environmental adding to that the environmental concerns,<00:21:36.000><c> I</

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on April 16, 2025, and heard three resolutions. STR 57 SD1 urged Congress to create a national reinsurance program to address insurance impacts from catastrophic natural disasters; there was no public testimony, and the committee later recommended passage without amendment. STR 198 SD1 encouraged Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce insurance costs for residents; again, there was no public testimony, and the committee recommended passage without amendment. The committee spent most of its hearing on STR 136 SD1/HD1, which would create a Hawaii State Energy Office nuclear energy working group to study advanced nuclear power technologies. The Public Utilities Commission and State Energy Office provided written testimony and answered questions. Testimony from 350 Hawaii, Energy Justice Network, and an individual witness opposed the measure, arguing nuclear power and small modular reactors are too expensive, unproven, slow to deploy, create unresolved safety and waste issues, and do not align with Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Opponents also criticized the measure’s amendment process, saying it replaced the original contents without adequate public notice. During decision-making, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass STR 57 SD1 unamended and STR 198 SD1 unamended. For STR 136 SD1/HD1, the committee adopted a recommendation to pass the measure with amendments, including changing it to a one-year working group with an interim report in 2026 and a final report before the 2027 Legislature. The motion passed with one recorded no vote and some excused members, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't be pledging, you can't have a 20-year bond because the bond is contingent on having a financing
• And if we did a 10-year bond versus a 20-year bond or a 30-year bond, which one would have the higher
• And if we did a 10-year bond versus a 20-year bond or a 30-year bond, which one would have the higher
• Because we are issuing bonds. Yeah.
• They want to bond for $500 million.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee of Appropriations met on January 21, 2026, and first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor and Arizona Department of Water Resources both supported the bill, describing it as a backup measure to protect Arizona’s Colorado River entitlements if post-2026 negotiations among the basin states fail. Members discussed how the bill relates to the governor’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund proposal, and staff clarified the two funds serve different purposes. The committee approved HB 2116 on a 17-1 roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which would provide $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expand the work beyond state trust lands to private lands. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to extend the coordination timeline, broaden the agencies involved, and revise language about mapped sites and appropriable surface water. The sponsor said the bill is intended to identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge rather than letting most rainfall evaporate. ADWR testified neutrally, supporting the mapping effort but raising a concern about language that could be read as requiring the department to determine whether water is appropriable, which it said is a legal question for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148, as amended, was then heard and approved 11-7. The bill would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies and set requirements for those appropriations. The chair’s amendment excluded federal research grants to universities, university employees, and the Arizona Board of Regents. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, saying the legislature should know how federal funds are being spent. No outside testimony was offered, and the committee approved the measure after debate about legislative oversight of federal funds. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, tax conformity, sports betting, lottery and tourism revenue assumptions, SNAP administrative costs and error-rate penalties, developmental disability and Access caseload growth, and K-12 enrollment and ESA spending. Members repeatedly questioned the executive budget’s use of one-time funding for ongoing costs, especially for SNAP administration and DES staffing, and expressed concern about rising supplemental needs and the lack of long-term budget capacity. No votes were taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once approved, the title bond is valid for three years.
• title and then also make sure that there's a bond in place just in case.
• A person in possession of a vehicle may apply for a bonded title.
• Once approved, the title bond is valid for 3 years.
• Raise any concern with issuing a bonded title and then and then also make sure that there's a bond in

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation heard several bills, mostly local memorial highway designations and transportation-related regulatory measures. Senator Hinojosa presented SB 1351 to designate part of US 281 in Hidalgo County as the Jose Rodriguez Lua Memorial Highway in honor of a Border Patrol processing coordinator killed by a drunk driver; a family member testified emotionally in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 2245 on bonded titles for vehicles when a lienholder has gone out of business, SB 1568 on animal-friendly specialty license plates with a second “spay, neuter, adopt” plate, SB 2589 on handling closed county roads in Webb County, SB 1104 on allowing large retailers to use one fingerprinted employee of record across multiple Texas locations, SB 1423 naming the Bill Stout Parkway in Longview, and SB 1931 naming part of US 83 the Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony or were presented as local measures with no opposition. The committee also took up broader policy bills. SB 215 would create a digital identification program for Texas driver’s licenses and certain other licenses, but the sponsor said he was mainly laying the bill out for discussion and study; testimony was limited and the bill was left pending. SB 2707 would clarify that government entities such as TxDOT and the military remain exempt from fees on oversized/overweight permit authority, though a county commissioner raised questions about road-use impacts and fee revenue. SB 2807 drew the most discussion: it would prevent a motor carrier’s use of safety technology, training, and related practices from being used as evidence that an independent contractor is actually an employee. Supporters said the bill would encourage adoption of safety tools like cameras and braking systems without increasing misclassification risk, while opponents from the trial lawyers’ side warned the wording could conflict with existing labor-code definitions and create litigation. The sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying floor amendments. After public testimony, the committee voted on the pending bills. All measures were reported favorably on 6-0 votes, with committee substitutes adopted where applicable. SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1568, SB 1931, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2707, SB 2807, and SB 2841 were all sent to the full Senate, and several were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after completing the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they may have to bond that firet truck. they may have to bond that firet truck.
• So, we're just that bond rate is.
• and we're talking about if we're bonding and we're talking about 20-year<00:35:41.599><c> bond</c><00
• How bond rates can change over years.
• </c> concern of bonds before. concern of bonds before.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Army is executing cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
• Army Environmental Command executes environmental programs that enable Army readiness, environmental
• Environmental Protection Agency Region 10.
• The Navy's environmental assessment found that there would be no significant environmental impacts associated
• We will be doing a full environmental analysis for this effort as well.

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we started a further discussion on the Department of Environmental Service.
• </c><00:19:18.600><c> Service</c> um Department of Environmental Service um Department of Environmental
• For the record, I'm Jessica Wilcox with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
• Finally, after speaking with the Department of Safety and Department of Environmental Services, there
• Finally, after speaking with the Department of Safety and Department of Environmental Services, there

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have the only bail bond fund for immigrant-specific detentions.
• We have the great bond rating. Well, every single county contributes to that bond rating.
• The bond at issue for Otero County is a revenue bond.
• There is no risk that taxpayers will have to repay that bond.
• As I mentioned earlier, when the county published bond documents upon the issuance of these revenue bonds

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So these funds are protected by a surety bond.
• This bill provides 100% protection to the buyer through the surety bond.
• In this case, the developers will pay the bonding company a fee or premium to issue the bond, much like
• And further to that, by signing the bond, the developers are taking the obligation to repay the bonding
• It is highlighted in bold and underlined text in the contract, and obviously, the bonds are 100% bonded

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last, but certainly not least, is the $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds.
• </c><00:13:58.639><c> Housing</c> housing infrastructure bonds.
• Housing housing infrastructure bonds.
• :14:00.399><c> state's</c> infrastructure bonds are the state's infrastructure bonds are the state's
• And then just on housing infrastructure bonds, I want to say that this is such a critical tool.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house