Transcript Highlights:

• After college, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Korea, where he was assigned to read the

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed guests from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, including President Jeffrey Armstrong, students, and staff. Senator Laird highlighted the university’s 125th anniversary and student achievements, including a Rose Parade Sweepstakes Trophy and a national design-build competition win. The chamber also recognized guests from Senator Cortese’s office later in the session. On the floor, the Senate took up and adopted SCR 111 by Senator Niello, commemorating the 125th anniversary of the certified public accountant profession in California and recognizing the California Board of Accountancy and the California Society of CPAs. The resolution passed by unanimous vote after roll call. The Senate also adopted SCR 109 by Senator Grove, proclaiming January 2026 as National Mentoring Month and honoring Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central California for its long record of youth mentoring and community impact. In unfinished business, the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to SB 25 by Senator Umberg, described as streamlining California’s merger process and aligning it with the federal process; the motion passed 33-0. The Senate then approved a motion from Senator Laird to give certain Budget and Fiscal Review Committee bills second reading upon report and third reading status, with the motion carrying 29-10. The chamber also approved several adjourn-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Congressman Doug LaMalfa, with multiple senators speaking to his rural advocacy, bipartisan relationships, and personal kindness, and for Barry Del Bono, Alan Stewart Hammond, and Jeb Bing. The session ended with the Senate in recess until the next scheduled floor meeting.

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• After college, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Korea, where he was assigned to read the

Keywords: 987, senate, all

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• This bill simply provides for an opportunity or framework for those regions to cross assigned bills.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you be sure to send both amendment ideas to the two of us, and we'll assign it to someone if one

Bills: HB2397, HB2417, HB2157, HB2186, HB2225, HB2351

Keywords: fire services, reimbursement, state agencies, local jurisdictions, mobilization plan, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection

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• that bill, is that the bond revenue would replace the state road fund piece In the STIP projects assigned

Keywords: 996, all

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• He's going to take a little bit of time and assign out some rules.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Local Government and Taxation Committee met on January 22, 2026, with a quorum present and administrative rule assignments announced for the committee’s upcoming rules work. The main topic of the meeting was housing affordability and supply. Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center testified that housing costs are being driven largely by supply constraints, and she highlighted examples from other places that have loosened zoning or code restrictions to allow more multifamily housing, accessory dwelling units, smaller lots, and single-stair apartment buildings. She argued that strong state-level ADU laws, cooperation between state and local governments, and building code reform can increase supply without large neighborhood-level disruption. Committee members asked about Idaho-specific concerns, including whether local governments can change building codes, the effect of ADUs on infrastructure and neighborhood character, parking and traffic impacts, and whether higher density can raise or lower local property tax burdens. Hamilton said Idaho localities generally cannot expand the residential code on their own, that ADUs usually have gradual impacts and can be managed with lot-level utility requirements, and that parking reform should be paired with street-parking management. She also said infill development can improve local fiscal outcomes when new housing shares existing services. Senator Roby added that the interim housing committee had focused on infrastructure, zoning and permitting, anti-growth sentiment, and financing as major barriers. Chris Cargill of Mountain States Policy Center then presented polling showing broad public concern about housing affordability in Idaho. He said most Idahoans view affordable housing as a serious problem, strongly support allowing smaller homes and ADUs, and favor automatic permit approval if local governments miss deadlines. His colleague Maddie Clark followed with a presentation arguing the issue is one of attainability as well as affordability, citing supply shortages, rising costs, and the lingering effects of the 2008 construction downturn. She recommended streamlining permitting, opening more land for development, avoiding policies that favor one housing type over another, and improving the broader business climate so incomes can better support housing costs. No votes were taken, no bills were heard, and the meeting ended after the presentations and questions with no public testimony from the audience.

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• Those are all of— that's everyone that was assigned up to speak. Is there any debate on the bill?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a series of local claims, growth management, public records, nuisance, and permitting bills. SB 16 (relief of I. Sanchez by the City of St. Petersburg), SB 14 (relief of Jose Carrera by Miami-Dade County), and SB 24 (relief of Lourdes and Edward Latour by Miami-Dade County) were presented as uncontested claims bills tied to settlements for serious injuries or negligence, and all were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was described as a negotiated “glitch” bill to clarify co-op authority over generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections, and it also passed favorably. SB 830 would exempt certain personal information of county administrators, city managers, and their families from public records; it was supported by local government groups and reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 1138 on qualified contractors, which would create a registry of licensed professionals to conduct certain pre-application reviews and help address local permitting backlogs. Local government groups raised concerns about delegation of authority and preserving quasi-judicial review, while private provider advocates supported the bill; Senator Sharief voted no, but the bill was still reported favorably. SB 168 would expand public nuisance law to include gambling houses, increase daily fines after one year, authorize attorney’s fees, and allow foreclosure on unpaid fees; it passed favorably. SB 686 on agricultural enclaves, after an amendment changing a date to June 30, 2026, would revise enclave procedures to allow a public hearing process for certain residential projects in urban service areas; conservation and planning groups raised concerns about impacts on local planning and public participation, while the bill was reported favorably. SB 548 on growth management and impact fees was presented as a cleanup bill for prior legislation, setting definitions for plan-based methodology and extraordinary circumstances, capping extraordinary fee increases, and streamlining refunds; counties and cities discussed concerns about implementation and refund procedures, but the amended bill passed favorably. SB 1234 on building permits and inspections would extend permit validity for single-family homes, exempt some low-value work from permitting, create a statewide residential permit form, and expand private provider use and timelines; local building officials warned about reduced oversight, while builders and private provider advocates supported the changes, and the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Jones asked to be recorded as voting affirmatively on several tabs and no on SB 1138, and the committee adjourned after all measures were reported favorably.

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• and probably most importantly, as the mother of two children who are currently active duty—my son assigned

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036, as amended, addressed the shortage of school counselors by clarifying certification requirements; SB 1136, as amended by a delete-all amendment, authorized non-invasive dental screenings in schools as part of preventive dental programs with parent notice and exemption procedures; and SB 920 proposed applied algebra courses tied to technical skills and career pathways while still requiring students to pass the Algebra I end-of-course exam. Each of these bills was supported in committee and passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 178, as amended, to allow coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes, such as food, transportation, and recovery services, with reporting requirements and a $15,000 annual cap per team; members discussed the need for guardrails to prevent recruiting abuse and noted possible expansion beyond FHSAA. SB 1216, on educator compensation, would give districts more flexibility to use compensation tools beyond the current rigid framework, and it was reported favorably with support from members citing retention and inflation concerns. The committee also adopted SPB 7022, which reenacts and extends a public records exemption for certain examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and expands coverage to district school boards and public schools. Later, SB 464 was reported favorably to require all school districts to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday. Members debated whether schools should be closed or could instead hold programs or professional development, but the bill advanced with support emphasizing consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538, as amended, established standardized participation rules for extracurricular activities across public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressed participation fees and multiple-school participation, and allowed districts to determine coaches’ compensation. The committee adjourned after recording an additional favorable vote on SB 1036 by Senator Osgood.

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• So when you're talking about assigning these responsibilities to personnel without adequate training,

Keywords: 959, house, all

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• following circumstances: when taking ownership of the vehicle, if the current license plate or plates assigned

Bills: HB1823, HB2092, HB2111, HB2114

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• following circumstances: when taking ownership of the vehicle; if the current license plate or plates assigned

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard briefings and public testimony on four bills. HB 1823, a Transportation Improvement Board cleanup bill, would remove obsolete references, update terms, and repeal outdated sections; a proposed substitute would restore remaining bond authority that the original bill would have inadvertently removed. The sponsor and TIB supported the technical corrections, describing the bill as good-government cleanup, and there were no questions or opposition. HB 2092 would create a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee to provide regular user feedback to WSDOT; the bill was presented with a fiscal note of about $82,000 this biennium and $156,000 ongoing for staffing. The prime sponsor and multiple advocates supported the concept, while committee members and witnesses raised possible amendments to broaden membership, include disability representation, and possibly add rail industry and statewide passenger rail interests. HB 2111 would allow the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account to retain its share of interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund. The sponsor, the Treasurer’s Office, and a business community witness said the change would keep dedicated toll-related revenue with the project and avoid accounting and tax concerns; the bill was described as a technical fix with fiscal impact expected to benefit the project account. HB 2114 would require the Department of Licensing to waive replacement plate fees for defective plates within two years of issuance and allow waivers between two and five years in some cases. The sponsor said the bill responds to widespread plate delamination, especially in eastern Washington, and county auditors and subagents testified in support as a customer-service measure, though they noted the fiscal note seemed high relative to the small number of replacements estimated and asked for clearer definitions and implementation guidance. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chair closed public hearings on HB 1823, HB 2092, and HB 2111 after testimony, and temporarily closed HB 2114 to allow a later opportunity for a witness who had audio issues to testify.

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• with minimum requirements, have to provide us their education that they went through, and then we assign

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held its first meeting of the session and heard four bills. HB 2107 would make permanent and slightly narrow a temporary L&I requirement that, after an on-site safety inspection at a building construction site, the agency make a good-faith effort to notify the owner or employer within 10 working days if an immediately identified hazard could injure a worker. Construction industry groups and L&I supported the bill and said the pilot had worked well, with L&I reporting it had been able to notify owners almost 96% of the time during about 1,400 inspections. HB 2137 would remove the population threshold for binding interest arbitration for correctional employees in city and county jails. Teamsters representatives said the change would give corrections officers in smaller jurisdictions the same bargaining rights as other uniformed personnel and help address safety, staffing, and wage inequities. County representatives opposed the bill, saying it would increase bargaining and compensation costs for many counties, and asked for amendments requiring arbitrators to consider county finances and making awards nonbinding on county legislative authorities. HB 2264 would clarify unemployment insurance eligibility for workers who opt into an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan, even if they can rescind their decision, so long as the termination results from the employer’s plan. Supporters said current court rulings create confusing and unfair denials of benefits for workers who leave in good faith during layoffs; NFIB raised questions about severance, retirement, and UI solvency. HB 2243 would allow physical therapists and occupational therapists to serve as attending providers in the workers’ compensation system. Physical therapy and occupational therapy advocates said this would speed care and return workers to work sooner, while retailers, food industry representatives, NFIB, the Washington State Medical Association, and L&I raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, added costs, and the possibility that all PTs and OTs would have to join the provider network. No votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned.

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• The following are House Standing Committee assignments for the second regular session of the 68th Legislature

Summary: The Idaho House convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature, with ceremonial opening proceedings including the color guard, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. The House received and filed several gubernatorial certificates appointing members to fill House vacancies, including Ann Henderson-Haws (District 16), Michael Veile (District 35), Donald Hall (District 25), and Aaron Bingham (District 32), and the Secretary of State’s certificate listing all House members for the session was also filed. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 20, which authorizes a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s message, after suspending the rules by a 69-aye vote. The House also approved standing committee assignments for the session and filed a letter appointing an acting chief clerk. Committees were appointed to notify the governor and the Senate that the House was organized, and later to escort the Senate to the House chamber for the joint session. No substantive legislation was debated beyond HCR 20, and the House moved through organizational business only. In the joint session, Governor Brad Little delivered the State of the State and budget address, outlining his “Enduring Idaho Plan.” He emphasized continued tax cuts, reduced regulation, a balanced budget, protection of K-12 funding, support for Idaho LAUNCH, rural health care investments, water infrastructure, and maintaining the state’s AAA credit rating. He also highlighted public safety efforts, alignment with President Trump’s agenda, and Idaho’s defense of its women’s sports law. After the address, the Legislature voted to print the governor’s message in the House and Senate journals, dissolved the joint session, and the House adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The following are House Standing Committee assignments for the second regular session of the 68th Legislature

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Idaho House convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature, confirmed a quorum, and conducted prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and ceremonial recognition of the Idaho state flag. The chamber also received certificates of appointment and election for several members, including Ann Henderson-Haws, Michael Veile, and Donald Hall, and the Secretary of State’s certification of House membership was filed. House Concurrent Resolution 20, which provided for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s message, was introduced, suspended from normal rules by a 69-0 vote with one absent and excused, and then passed by voice vote. The House also appointed committees to notify the governor and Senate, and later to escort the Senate and governor to the joint session. The joint session was then convened with a quorum of both chambers, along with the Supreme Court, appellate judges, elected officials, and the governor. Governor Brad Little delivered the State of the State and budget address, emphasizing Idaho’s values, support for the Trump administration, public safety, immigration enforcement, workforce training through Idaho Launch, energy development, rural health care, and continued investment in education while keeping schools whole despite tighter revenues. He also outlined his “Enduring Idaho Plan,” which called for spending restraint, red tape reduction, no new taxes, protection of the AAA credit rating, and budget adjustments including online school funding accountability. The governor’s message and budget address were ordered printed in the House and Senate journals, and the joint session was dissolved. After the joint session, the House adopted committee assignments for the session, appointed Mr. Vore as Acting Chief Clerk, and later heard announcements that several committees would not meet the next day while Appropriations would meet jointly with Senate Finance. No substantive floor votes beyond HCR 20 and the journal motion were taken, and the House adjourned until Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

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• IN THIS PARTICULARLY WE HAVE VERY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS SO WE GET NOTICE OF A NEW ENROLLEE AND WE ASSIGNED

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• And as part of how CMS is going to assign points, the first 50% of the workload funding tranche Bironas

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• I officially completed my SkillBridge assignment on 31 October, and I'm grateful to share that the company

Summary: The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no. The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported. Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

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• WE CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 380 STAFF STATEWIDE ASSIGNED TO MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGING

Transcript Highlights:

• And so in your question earlier to me, you asked me if conservation assigned to serve.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

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• I even got to see a water right that was actually assigned to somebody in Stanislaus County, signed by

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.