Video & Transcript : 'culvert replacement' :
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ID
Transcript Highlights:
- District received a Public Schools on Military Installations grant to fund 80% of the project cost to replace
- Our installation's child development center suffers from aging infrastructure and will be replaced by
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee began with an annual briefing from Mountain Home Air Force Base leadership on the 366th Fighter Wing’s mission, modernization, and community partnerships. The colonel discussed the base’s role in national defense, F-15E recapitalization, airspace and range improvements, the Snake River water pipeline and treatment plant project, and quality-of-life issues such as schools, child care, housing, and medical partnerships. He also highlighted the base’s economic impact and cooperation with local and state partners. After brief questions, the committee entered executive session under Senate Rule 20E for an intelligence briefing from Captain Juanita Garcia.
The committee then approved the minutes from February 27, March 2, and March 4, 2026, and advanced several gubernatorial appointments. Robert Donaldson and Irving Lippman appeared for reappointment to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, and Shelly Enderud was sent to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation to the State Building Authority. Donaldson and Lippman described their backgrounds and interest in continuing to serve, and members asked about endowment distributions and investment challenges.
Members heard and passed House Bill 686, which creates a narrow exception allowing cities under 10,000 population to hire relatives of local elected officials under strict conditions, including public posting, documentation, council approval, and oversight by an unrelated supervisor. Testimony from the Association of Idaho Cities supported the bill as a response to staffing shortages in small communities. The committee also passed House Bill 727, a sextortion bill that makes threats to distribute explicit images a crime and increases penalties when minors are involved; sponsors and the Attorney General’s office emphasized the rise of AI-generated exploitation and Idaho cyber-tip data. Finally, the committee introduced RS 33647, a resolution seeking federal action to reduce pelican impacts on Idaho fisheries, and RS 33616, a resolution honoring fallen state police K9 Kimber. All measures considered were approved or introduced without opposition.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- However, when they sell the home, I think they should only have it for the replacement home one time.
- I think they should only have it for the replacement home one time.
Summary:
The Special Committee on Veterans heard House Bill 2535 from Representative Don Mayhew, which would provide property tax relief for disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and certain surviving spouses, with the bill’s main distinction being a funding mechanism based on tobacco-related taxes, including a cigarette tax increase and taxes on vape and other tobacco products. Mayhew said the bill is intended to fund the benefit at the state level rather than shifting the burden to counties, and he emphasized that it is a state property tax benefit, not tied to federal veterans benefits. Members discussed whether surviving spouses should keep the benefit if they remarry, whether the language should be narrowed or reduced, and whether dependent children or Gold Star families should be included more broadly.
Testimony in support came from veterans and veterans’ advocates who said the bill would help disabled veterans and surviving spouses remain in their homes and would spread the cost statewide instead of leaving counties to absorb it. Some supporters also urged keeping Purple Heart recipients in the bill and expanding protections for surviving spouses and dependent children. One veteran witness said the funding mechanism made the bill more workable for local governments, while another said the benefit should not be reduced if a surviving spouse remarries.
Opposition focused mainly on the tax structure. The Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that cigarettes are already heavily taxed, that Missouri’s border-state competitiveness could be harmed, that federal changes to hemp-derived products could undercut projected revenue, and that voters have rejected prior tobacco tax increases. A small-business witness also objected to the vape and hemp tax burden. The Department of Revenue provided fiscal information, estimating that the bill could raise significant state revenue but also noting that some projected revenue depends on current hemp law and that cigarette-tax increases could reduce cigarette sales and shift purchases to other products. No vote was taken, and the hearing was concluded after testimony.
MO
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Mar 4th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative, would you agree that this bill replaces private market agreements with government-mandated
- Didn't you say you believe that this bill replaces private market agreements?
Bills:
HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464
Keywords:
HB4246, water rights, rural water, wastewater, drinking water, environmental quality, DEQ, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, technical assistance, water infrastructure, small systems, utility operators, emergency water response, nonprofit contractors, vendor qualification, competitive bidding, best value procurement, central purchasing act, rural utilities
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So the practice of inflating the price of emergency care has really replaced... Okay.
- And so really what we've seen is this business model is replacing one surprise bill with another surprise
Summary:
The Senate Commerce Committee first approved the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard several code-cleanup bills from Senator Todd Lakey. Senate Bill 1274 would remove obsolete references in state law related to the transfer of county public defender employees, comp time, and an employee problem-solving procedure; Senate Bill 1275 would delete outdated provisions concerning veterans’ assets and the North Idaho Veterans Home; and Senate Bill 1273 would repeal several obsolete PERSI-related provisions tied to old retirement and contribution arrangements. Each of those bills drew no testimony or opposition and was sent to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation.
The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1319, the Emergency Care Affordability Act, sponsored by Senator Burt. The bill would create a new chapter in Title 41 governing billing and reimbursement for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms, requiring them to accept the local in-network allowed amount for emergency services from state-regulated health plans, disclose that they do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, and allow self-funded plans to opt in. Supporters, including Blue Cross of Idaho and the Association of Health Plans, argued that freestanding ERs are exploiting the federal No Surprises Act and its independent dispute resolution process by sending nearly all claims to arbitration at inflated rates, which they said raises premiums for Idaho consumers and state employee health plans. They said the bill is intended to address a loophole and does not affect hospital ERs or other emergency billing disputes.
Committee members raised questions about EMTALA, federal preemption, whether the bill targets one business model, and whether patients are actually being balance-billed. Supporters said EMTALA still requires treatment, but the bill is aimed at billing practices and transparency, not access to emergency care. Some senators expressed concern about singling out one provider type and possible legal issues, while others said the bill was justified because insurers are required to cover emergency care and the current federal dispute process is driving up costs. After discussion, the committee approved Senate Bill 1319 on a 6-3 roll call vote and sent it to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The first one is $800,000 using facility repair and renovation reserves for the Corley Hall roof replacement
- This is for the Melbourne Administration Building roof replacement.
Summary:
The subcommittee first considered a used tire program contract for Arkansas District 4, an $88,000 one-year contract with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could leave the district unable to pay. Questions also focused on solicitation language that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. On motion, the committee held the contract until next month and encouraged the tire board to appear.
Members then reviewed and, without objection, moved forward a series of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included multiple university and college projects such as renovations, roof replacements, a new UCA multipurpose arena, and a revised financing package for UA Fayetteville’s Maple Hill residence hall. The committee also reviewed DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition outreach, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, maternal health, and rural hospital quality improvement.
The committee next handled contract items, including a UAMS ratification for FMLA Source after an amendment was not submitted for review and payments continued past expiration; UAMS said it had retrained staff and would review for other missed contracts. Members also reviewed numerous construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts across state agencies and universities. Questions were raised about an out-of-state aeronautics study, a U of A Fayetteville parking guidance system, and a Veterans Affairs nursing contract. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after informational reports on contract amendments and minor contracts.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- of the beneficiary and public ...to strike the beneficial use of the beneficiary and public, and replace
- I moved that we to strike the beneficial use of the beneficiary and public, and replace it with ongoing
Summary:
The committee first considered a proposal to raise licensing and fee caps for the Denturity Board, which sponsors said was needed because testing costs about $1,000 while the current cap is $300 and the board is about $6,000 in the red. Members asked who controls fee increases and were told the legislature sets the cap; the motion to introduce the RS passed, though one member noted support for introduction but uncertainty about the bill’s future.
The committee then took up RS 33380, which would prohibit out-of-state contributions and expenditures in Idaho elections. The sponsor argued out-of-state money has become a major influence in campaigns and should be barred to protect Idaho voters. Members raised concerns about constitutionality, possible conflicts with Idaho residency law, loopholes for corporations forming in Idaho, and whether the bill would be ineffective against independent expenditures; despite those concerns, the motion to introduce passed narrowly.
Next, the committee considered RS 33385, which would lower the threshold for district-wide city council elections from cities over 100,000 population to those over 25,000. The sponsor said this would improve local accountability and reduce campaign costs in 10 cities. The motion to introduce passed without opposition. The committee then heard H.J.R. 8 and a revised RS 33415 concerning Idaho state and endowment lands, shifting the priority toward ongoing revenue generation while preserving public access and explicitly protecting timber, mining, grazing, and recreation. Testimony from outfitters and recreation operators supported the measure as beneficial to rural economies and public access. H.J.R. 8 was held in committee, and RS 33415 was introduced with an amendment and sent to the Second Reading Calendar with a due pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee considered RS 33-377, a “shot clock” for initial plan reviews that would require cities, counties, or the state to complete initial review within 30 days for public works projects. The sponsor said the measure would speed permitting, and the motion to introduce passed. One member disclosed a Rule 80 conflict related to a public works license.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 13th, 2026 at 08:35 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- In section one, we are striking the seventh anniversary of the property tax exemption and replacing it
- But in section two, it was referencing a 10-year period that's being replaced with 14 years.
Keywords:
general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- be returned to committee at the request of the chairman, and the sponsor would like to bring a replacement
- be returned to committee at the request of the chairman, and the sponsor would like to bring a replacement
Summary:
The House convened with 67 members present, approved the journal, and received committee reports referring a large slate of newly printed bills and resolutions to various committees. It also introduced several new bills, including measures on cemetery maintenance districts, ICE memoranda of agreement, immigration-related reporting, milk testing, specialty license plates, vehicle registration deadlines for new residents, non-domiciled CDL provisions, child custody interference, cloud seeding, urban renewal, and sales tax rebates. The House also advanced several bills to third reading and suspended rules to take up House Bill 613 immediately.
House Bill 613, dealing with polling places and liability protections for election workers, volunteers, and certain private or nonprofit polling locations, passed the House 68-0 and was sent to the Senate. House Bill 587, which grants continuous spending authority for the rangeland improvement account without adding new money, drew substantial debate over legislative oversight versus flexibility for grants and project timing; it passed 44-25. House Bill 573, allowing experienced NRA instructors to teach enhanced concealed carry courses, also passed 68-0 after discussion about training standards and cost reduction.
The House likewise passed House Bill 624, which adds oversight, transparency, residency, curriculum, conflict-of-interest, and funding controls for the Idaho Home Learning Academy, by a 68-0 vote. During the meeting, House Bill 530 was moved back to general orders and House Bill 525 and House Bill 547 were returned to committee at the request of sponsors/chairs. The House also adopted several procedural motions, heard personal privileges and announcements, and adjourned until 10 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 10th, 2026 at 08:00 am
State Government & Tribal Relations
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But could you talk about replacing Appendix B, where we're talking about off-track wagering on horse
- And so we have replaced that. We're happy—it's election day today, happy elections day.
Summary:
The committee held a special hearing on a tentative amended, restated gaming compact between the State of Washington and the Squaxin Island Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission Director Tina Griffin said the state and tribe had reached tentative agreement after collaborative negotiations, and explained the approval process: public comment and a commission vote with ex officio legislative members, followed by governor review, tribal submission to the Secretary of the Interior, and Federal Register publication before the compact becomes effective. Squaxin Island representative Ray Peters said the tribe supports the amendments, describing them as clarifications that improve casino regulation and align the compact with other state compacts while supporting jobs and funding for housing, health care, and other services.
Commission staff member Johnny Bray walked through the compact changes, including restating several appendices, removing the CX2 addendum, and adding new appendices on limitations and electronic table games. He said the limitations appendix raises certain wagering and facility ceilings, including higher table-game and tribal lottery system limits, authorization for credit for qualified patrons, and screening requirements for high-limit areas. He also described the new electronic table games appendix, which allows wager limits up to $500 and a nine-to-one ratio of electronic games to gaming stations, along with additional responsible-gaming commitments. Members asked about the location of the tribe and whether higher limits could increase problem gambling; staff said the limits are ceilings, other tribes already have similar authorizations, and the tribe must screen patrons and implement protections.
The committee then held a work session with Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and staff on the office’s fiscal note process. Tim Gallivan explained the office’s three-day turnaround, workload-based FTE estimates, use of assumptions and ranges, and how fiscal notes include both salary/benefit costs and broader operating costs such as enterprise support and administration allocations. He also described how litigation costs are estimated in coordination with the Attorney General, including when costs are known, estimated from comparable cases, or marked indeterminate. Members questioned whether fiscal notes can reflect policy disagreements and how assumptions differ across agencies, and discussed examples involving the Washington Voting Rights Act and ranked choice voting. Hobbs and staff said fiscal notes are based on bill language, not intent, and that early sponsor contact can help refine estimates. No votes were taken in the work session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, and I’d like to add, too, that this isn’t replacing any taxes.
- Well, and I'd like to add, too, that this isn't replacing any taxes.
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders held a press availability focused on the late-session legislative agenda, with repeated criticism of Democratic proposals they said would raise costs and expand state control. Their main targets were a proposed state income tax on high earners, which they described as an unconstitutional income tax likely to expand over time, and an anti-initiative bill they said would make it harder for voters to use direct democracy. They also objected to bills they said would restrict local authority over camping bans and housing permits, and to a series of tax and fee increases affecting bottles, tires, groceries, food, health care, energy, labor, and licensing costs.
The Republicans said the income tax proposal drew more than 60,000 opposition sign-ins and argued that the level of opposition showed Washingtonians broadly reject it. They said any legal challenge would likely come from outside the Legislature, not from caucuses, and cited former Attorney General Rob McKenna’s testimony as support for their view that the measure violates the state constitution. They also discussed capital flight and said prior tax increases, including the estate tax and capital gains tax, were already prompting businesses and wealthy residents to leave the state.
The caucus highlighted several Republican-backed affordability bills they said remain alive, including a diaper tax exemption, a prepared-food tax exemption, repeal of last year’s services tax, and sales tax exemptions for certain continuing education and licensing fees. They also said they had helped block or weaken several Democratic bills, including proposals involving grocery stores, wildfire utility costs, college encampments, plastic bag fees, and a juvenile justice bill they said would have allowed earlier release of violent offenders. On child welfare, members criticized a bill addressing the Keeping Families Together Act as insufficient and said they would keep pushing to change the “imminent harm” standard, while also supporting a separate bill to add fentanyl exposure to the child endangerment statute. No formal votes were taken in the press event itself.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/05/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the reality is natural alternatives already exist, including oleoresin and other enhancers that can replace
- REALITY IS, NATURAL ALTERNATIVES ALREADY EXIST INCLUDING OLEO RECENTENS AND OTHER ENHANCERS THAT CAN REPLACE
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, who offered remarks about gratitude, diversity, and support for Kosovo’s independence. The Journal was approved, and the chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Resolution 1516 commemorating the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence and Resolution 1317 honoring the Stillwater Girls Varsity Soccer Team and Head Coach Christine Ihnatolya for winning the NYSPHSAA Class C state championship. Both resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors were authorized to seek additional co-sponsors.
The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures on environmental conservation, education, public health, civil service, penal law, public service, labor, and a retroactive real property tax exemption for the Silver Lake Foundation. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew recorded no votes from a small group of senators. Senator Fahy explained her vote on a bill renaming an OASAS scholarship in honor of Father Peter Young, emphasizing his work on addiction, incarceration, and homelessness.
Two items drew extended debate. On Calendar 141, Senator Walczyk appealed the chair’s ruling that an amendment to a public service bill was nongermane; the Senate voted 21 to overrule the chair, so the ruling stood, and the bill then passed 52-6. On Calendar 213, Senators Kavanagh and Borrello debated a food-safety bill concerning disclosure of certain food ingredients and chemicals; supporters said it would improve transparency and protect children’s health, while opponents argued federal action was already underway and a national standard would be preferable. After the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar, it passed 56-2. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days as legislative days.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, the department is requesting $621,100 ongoing from dedicated and federal funds for replacement
- governor next the department is requesting 621,100 ongoing from dedicated and federal funds for replacement
Summary:
The Senate Agricultural Committee met to receive a JFAC budget update focused on the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Budget analyst Morgan Poloni reviewed the department’s structure, staffing, dedicated-fund reliance, and several 2027 enhancement requests, including a CEC adjustment for fruit and vegetable inspectors, replacement items, IT hardware, reappropriation authority for a federal Resilient Food Systems Grant, a 2026 deficiency warrant for exotic species response, and a supplemental for quagga mussel treatment costs. She also described 2026 and 2027 holdbacks that were largely absorbed through dedicated funds and reductions to noxious weed pass-through money. Senator Lent raised concerns that budget cuts should follow policy priorities rather than broad reductions, and committee members discussed the exotic species and invasive species funding needs.
Keith Bybee then gave a broader JFAC update on state revenue, structural balance, and the budget outlook for 2026 and 2027. He said Idaho is facing uncertainty in revenues, with recent forecasts below earlier expectations, and explained that the legislature is considering whether to use one-time money, restructure spending, or both to restore structural balance over the business cycle. He noted that many budget pressures come from statutory or population-driven obligations in education, Medicaid, corrections, and health and welfare, while higher education is more discretionary. Senator Groh added that the state is not structurally balanced and emphasized the need for policy bills to align with budget decisions; he also said recent tax payment timing helped revenues in December and that January numbers looked promising but were still preliminary.
The committee then turned to administrative rules and approved a large group of Agriculture Department dockets by motion and voice vote. One docket, 0206-01-2501 on seed production and distribution rules, was held back after questions about incorporation by reference and publication dates. Mr. Knight explained that the referenced seed standards change frequently for export and testing purposes, and he said the department would work with DFM and legislators to find a better approach. Senator Lakey moved to hold that docket subject to call of the chair, and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned after the remaining rule dockets were approved.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, the department is requesting 621,100 ongoing from dedicated and federal funds for replacement items
- Next, the department is requesting 621,100 ongoing from dedicated and federal funds for replacement items
Summary:
The Senate Agricultural Committee met to receive a JFAC budget update focused on the Idaho Department of Agriculture and broader state budget conditions. Morgan Poloni reviewed the department’s structure, funding mix, and 2027 enhancement requests, including a CEC adjustment for fruit and vegetable inspectors, replacement items, IT hardware, reappropriation authority for a resilient food systems grant, and 2026 supplemental/deficiency requests for exotic species response and quagga mussel treatment. She also described holdbacks and budget shifts that relied more heavily on dedicated funds and reduced pass-through noxious weed money. Committee members asked about exotic species treatment and whether policy should better drive ongoing budget decisions; Senator Lent emphasized concern that broad cuts can affect the wrong programs while leaving underlying policy unchanged.
Keith Bybee then gave a high-level JFAC presentation on state revenue and structural balance. He said the legislature is at an inflection point, with revenues below earlier forecasts and ongoing spending growth outpacing revenues over the business cycle. He explained that JFAC work groups are reviewing agency budget-cut plans to preserve policy priorities while finding efficiencies, rather than eliminating whole programs. He also noted uncertainty in the economy, the impact of House Bill 559 conformity, and that January revenue numbers were preliminary but appeared to be tracking closer to the legislature’s projection than the governor’s.
Senator Groh added comments stressing that Idaho is not structurally balanced because one-time money is being used for ongoing expenses, and that policy bills must accompany budget decisions, especially for the governor’s proposed cuts. He pointed to the need for caution in using stabilization funds and the importance of maintaining reserves for future downturns. The committee then turned to rules, approving a large group of agriculture-related dockets in one motion. One docket on seed production and distribution rules was held back at Senator Lakey’s request because of concerns about incorporation by reference and publication dates; Mr. Knight said he would work with DFM and senators to resolve the issue before bringing it back.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- The Supreme Court justices really should be replaced. I'm really upset with this.'
- The Supreme Court justices really should be replaced. I'm really upset with this.'
Keywords:
Attorney General, civil investigative demand, CID, subpoena-like demand, investigative authority, consumer protection, civil enforcement, pre-suit investigation, document production, interrogatories, deposition, oral testimony, confidentiality, trade secrets, judicial review, enforcement action, Washington RCW, law enforcement powers, government transparency, due process
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The Supreme Court justices really should be replaced. I'm really upset with this.'
- The Supreme Court justices really should be replaced. I'm really upset with this.'
Summary:
The Law and Justice Committee met on February 3rd to take executive action on several bills and gubernatorial appointments. The committee first considered Senate Bill 5925, which would expand Attorney General investigative authority through civil investigative demands. Members debated amendments to limit the bill’s reach, including protections for small businesses, exclusions for law enforcement use-of-force matters, and changes to appeal deadlines. Amendment Charlie was adopted, Amendment Delta failed, Amendment Alpha failed, and Amendment Echo was withdrawn. The bill then received a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.
The committee next worked through Senate Bill 6086 on judicial officer safety and threat assessments. A proposed substitute retained threat-assessment provisions while removing some personal-information and consultant-related sections. Amendment Foxtrot 1, which would have removed security consultant authority, was not adopted, and the proposed substitute was approved and sent to the Rules Committee. Senate Bill 6074, concerning reinstituting parole, was narrowed in a proposed substitute to create a parole reinstitution work group with legislative appointment authority and a 2027 reporting deadline; an amendment adding victim advocate members was adopted, and the bill advanced to the Rules Committee.
The committee also considered Senate Bill 6296 on involuntary treatment. The proposed substitute made multiple changes to enforcement, prosecutor representation, peace officer duties, intimate partner definitions, and firearms-related provisions. Amendments to remove firearm-related changes and to clarify officer liability and home-entry authority were debated; Kilo-2 and Kilo-3 were not adopted, and the proposed substitute ultimately passed and was sent to the Ways and Means Committee. The committee then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments, including Kristen Ferrer, Lisa Mannion, Kate Ben Ward, and Rochelle Cleland, and concluded by thanking staff and adjourning at the house-of-origin policy cutoff.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This does not replace speech therapy or special education, but it complements the existing services when
- EPPs is to prepare educators who use AI thoughtfully, ethically, and in ways that strengthen, not replace
Summary:
The committee first approved the January 21, 2026 minutes and then heard two print requests from Senator Carrie Semmelroth tied to code cleanup work that originated from House Bill 14 last session. RS 32-89 would remove obsolete references to regional library systems that no longer exist, and RS 32-91 would clean up Title 33 by removing redundancies and non-applicable provisions. Both RSs were moved to print and approved without opposition.
The committee then held a special presentation on spelling to communicate (S2C) from Kara Sanders, followed by testimony from Jennifer Ruiz on behalf of her daughter Ray Ruiz. Sanders described S2C as a communication method for non-speaking people who can point to letters to spell their thoughts, emphasizing presuming competence, the role of a communication regulation partner, and the need for training and safeguards. Ray Ruiz testified that S2C opened communication and educational opportunities for her, including sharing her interests, languages, and goals in psychology and advocacy; committee members asked about when she began spelling, learning languages, and her education plans. Jennifer Ruiz said S2C allowed her to truly get to know her daughter after years of uncertainty.
The final presentation was from Dr. Brooke Blevins on behalf of the Idaho Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. She outlined educator preparation efforts across Idaho’s colleges and universities, including work on student behavior, educator ethics, career and technical education, rural teacher preparation, early literacy, and generative AI. In response to committee questions, she said schools need more support personnel and tiered interventions to address behavior, stressed that education is a right, and said clear expectations, stable environments, and teacher retention are important. Members raised concerns that student behavior is becoming a crisis and urged the group to help develop new solutions; the presentation ended with the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In closing, she said the sponsor's effort to improve the bill by replacing immunity with a presumption
- It will require all Florida state agencies to stop using that term West Bank and replace it with Judea
Summary:
The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 1650. The committee then heard and favorably reported SB 308, which implements the Florida Museum of Black History task force recommendations by designating St. Johns County as the museum site and creating a board to work with a supporting nonprofit. It also favorably reported SB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services aquaculture and shellfish production records.
Members then considered SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability. The bill creates a presumption against liability for private businesses that follow updated cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements, and a similar protection for local governments that comply with state standards. An amendment was adopted to prevent local governments from imposing separate cybersecurity standards on vendors and to clarify vendor definitions and effective dates. The Florida Justice Association opposed the bill, raising concerns about local government immunity, the practical effect of the presumption for private entities, and retroactivity, while business and industry groups supported it. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended.
The committee also favorably reported SB 572, which updates ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; SB 1442, which revises the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; SB 1106, which replaces references to the West Bank with Judea and Samaria in state agency and educational materials; SB 474, which revises military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, with three amendments adopted; and SB 350, which revises public records protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers who are victims, including a 72-hour confidentiality period for officers in certain cases. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibility from DMS to state agencies while preserving reporting to DMS. The meeting ended after members recorded additional votes and the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 26th, 2026
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- In closing, we appreciate the sponsor’s effort to improve the bill by replacing immunity with a presumption
- It will require all Florida state agencies to stop using the term West Bank and replace it with Judea
Keywords:
open government, sunset review, aquaculture, public records, exemption, Florida Museum of Black History, cultural heritage, education, Board of Directors, local governance, cybersecurity, data breach, data privacy, information security, local government, county, municipality, vendor contracts, third-party service provider, liability shield
Summary:
The committee heard and voted on several measures. SB 308 on the Florida Museum of Black History was explained as implementing a prior task force recommendation by designating St. Johns County as the museum site, creating a board, and coordinating with a supporting nonprofit; it passed favorably. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability was amended to bar local governments from imposing cybersecurity requirements on vendors beyond generally accepted best practices, and after testimony both for and against, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 572 updated ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; after a technical amendment and support from the Ethics Commission, it passed unanimously. SB 1442 revised the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; it also passed favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1106, as amended by a strike-all, to require state agencies and certain educational materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” despite opposition arguing it would impose political language and conflict with federal and international terminology. SB 7020 reenacted a public records exemption for certain aquaculture and shellfish production records and passed with support from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. SB 474 expanded military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, including members of the Coast Guard and Florida State Guard, and added three amendments before being reported favorably. SB 350, dealing with public records protections for crime victims and certain law enforcement victims, was heavily amended to add time-limited confidentiality for an officer’s name in some cases and then passed favorably after discussion about balancing transparency and safety.
Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibilities from DMS to individual agencies, while still requiring data reporting to DMS for legislative oversight. SB 1650 by Senator Gates was temporarily postponed. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.