Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's more than enough time to maybe revisit a bill that's a little more balanced in this approach
• . ...a bill that's a little more balanced in its approach.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 892, sponsored by Representative Kyle Harris, which would change the number of nominees submitted to fill a vacant county commissioner seat based on county population. Under the bill, counties of 50,000 or fewer would submit one nominee, counties between 50,000 and 100,000 would submit two, and counties over 100,000 would continue to submit three. Harris said the bill was intended to help small counties that struggle to find enough willing candidates and to keep the process more local. A county commissioner from Payette County testified in opposition, arguing that even in a county of 27,000 there had been healthy interest in commissioner vacancies and that reducing the list to one nominee would effectively turn the central committee’s role into an appointment rather than a nomination. She also said the governor had conducted interviews and made informed selections in her county. Supporters on the committee said some counties have difficulty finding enough candidates and that local party central committees are closest to the communities involved. Opponents argued the 50,000 threshold was too high, would affect most counties, and went too far by eliminating meaningful choice. After discussion, the committee voted on the motion to send HB 892 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The motion passed 8-6, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• was fraudulently diverted to another bank account after the district contacted the vendor about a balance
• was fraudulently diverted to another bank account after the district contacted the vendor about a balanced

Summary: The Legislative Audit Education Institution Subcommittee met to adopt the previous minutes and review 57 education audit reports, 52 of which had no findings and were filed as reviewed. The committee heard several findings involving school district spending and internal control issues, including Camden-Fairview’s use of operating funds for an employee awards banquet and unauthorized credit card charges, Forest City’s use of operating funds for an end-of-year celebration and entertainment event, Nettleton’s fraudulent vendor payment scheme involving $1.9 million in attempted transfers, Cedar Ridge’s misallocation of Title I funds and payroll/bank reconciliation errors, and Green County Technical’s diverted vendor check that was recovered. Three of the reports had been referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general. Members asked questions about whether district officials were present, how the questionable expenditures were broken down, and whether school boards had prior knowledge or approval. The committee deferred the Camden-Fairview, Forest City, and Nettleton reports to the June meeting and requested district representatives attend to answer questions. Cedar Ridge and Green County Technical were not deferred; Cedar Ridge was filed, and Green County Technical was reviewed without further action. Staff also discussed recurring fraud and banking-control issues seen in school audits, including altered checks, email-based banking changes, and the use of positive pay and in-person verification for deposit changes. Members encouraged better communication with school districts and noted that clean audits should be recognized. The committee then filed the remaining no-finding reports and adjourned with no new business.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think we've hit a balance here. But yes, we have talked to everyone you can think of.
• But I think we've hit a balance here. But yes, we have talked to everyone you can think of.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee approved the minutes from February 25 and February 27, then considered several RS introductions. RS 33619, a replacement related to stablecoins and the FAST Act, was introduced after staff corrected a mistaken statement of purpose. RS 33593, dealing with alleged secret social transitioning of children and giving the attorney general or private parties a civil remedy, was introduced after questions about whether it would affect nickname use; Representatives Rubel, Berch, and Church were recorded as nays. RS 33581, concerning county fair boards and allowing counties over 200,000 population to make them advisory only, was introduced. RS 33590, a rules resolution for the Department of Commerce and Division of Veterans Services, was introduced and recommended to the Second Reading Calendar. The committee also heard RS 3355-5, a major custody-law proposal from Representative Heather Scott. She said it would create a presumption of substantially equal parenting time, require evidentiary hearings before restrictions, limit temporary and ex parte orders, guarantee parental access to records, tighten standards for supervised visitation, and make court-ordered professionals advisory only. Members raised concerns about the role of judges, the use of hearsay, and a provision excluding safety plans from evidence; the motion to introduce passed. Later, Representative Ehlers presented RS 33598, which would remove a 50-cent fee from standard license plates tied to the Idaho Heritage Trust Fund and create an America 250 specialty plate; it was introduced. He also presented RS 33607, a DOGE task force-related proposal shifting regulatory duties from the Honey Commission to the State Department of Agriculture; it too was introduced. The committee adjourned after noting more RSs may be coming in a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because basically You're balancing that, right?
• So it balances both sorts of incoming products You're correct.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires quarterly reporting that includes information like year-end balances, cash flows, accounting
• Would you ask, with the current process, as a Legislature, to understand what, for example, the cash balance

Summary: The Transportation Economic Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard four measures. First, the committee considered PCS for HB 1177, which originally addressed ad valorem tax exemptions for defense and aerospace operations and contract procedures for Space Florida. An amendment removed the tax exemption portion for later consideration in the tax package, and the bill then passed favorably after brief discussion about Florida’s competitiveness in the space industry. The committee next took up a conforming budget bill on documentary stamp taxes, which redirects a portion of doc stamp revenue from general revenue to the State Transportation Trust Fund. The sponsor said the change restores a $60 million transportation funding stream with a corresponding general revenue reduction, while maintaining a net zero fiscal impact overall. Members asked about why the funding was being restored and how the money would be used, and the bill passed favorably. Members then heard PCB 26-02, which re-creates the Emergency Preparedness Response Fund and adds restrictions and oversight. The proposal limits the fund to state appropriations for natural emergencies, requires legislative consultation for extended emergencies, keeps revenue in the fund, sends federal reimbursements to general revenue, adds quarterly reporting and inventory/accounting requirements, and sunsets the fund in 2030 unless reenacted. Testimony and debate focused on accountability, disaster response readiness, and concerns about prior uses of the fund; the PCB passed favorably. Finally, the committee considered HB 953, which strengthens oversight of commercial driving schools by authorizing county tax collectors to enforce related statutes and inspections. The sponsor said the bill responds to fraud and misrepresentation in the industry and would help protect driver licensing integrity, especially in South Florida. After supportive testimony from the Miami-Dade Tax Collector’s Office and a lobbyist, the bill passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the balance was for the pipeline. I think that's the way it worked. Thank you.
• And then the balance was for the pipeline. I think that's the way it worked. Thank you.

Summary: The House Research and Conservation Committee met with a quorum and first approved four RSs for introduction and printing: RS 33353, RS 33344, RS 32090, and RS 33348. The committee then took up RS 33185 C1, sponsored by Representative Gannon, which would direct the Idaho Water Resources Board to seek a user or rental fee from foreign countries training at Mountain Home Air Force Base for use of the Snake River-to-base water pipeline funded by state general funds and ARPA money. Representative Gannon argued the bill was a simple request that wealthy foreign governments, such as Singapore and Qatar, help reimburse Idaho taxpayers for a project that now appears to support permanent foreign training facilities at the base. Opponents, including Representatives VanderWoude, Deiger, Pickett, and Nelson, said the pipeline and water-right arrangement were made in good faith to preserve the base’s viability and address water-quality and growth issues, and warned that reopening the agreement could undermine Idaho’s reliability in negotiated deals. Supporters of the bill also questioned whether foreign users should contribute to related costs. A substitute motion by Representative Church to introduce RS 33185 C1 failed on a voice vote. The committee then adopted the main motion to hold and return RS 33185 C1 to the sponsor, effectively not introducing the bill. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• back for your hearing, good representative, things I would like to know philosophically: how do we balance
• How do we balance vouchers, which go out the door with no strings attached, with telling local districts

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee considered several RS introductions. RS 33225, described as the identical bill to last year’s accountability and spending bill, was introduced after brief discussion about vouchers versus tax credits and accountability for state funds. RS 33298, a narrow clarification to Idaho Code 33-209, would require the Professional Standards Commission to report complaints involving suspected criminal behavior to law enforcement; it was introduced without opposition. RS 3309 C2, aimed at preventing property tax increases by allowing certain school maintenance dollars at the bottom of the funding “waterfall” to be used for lease-purchase arrangements, was also introduced, with a request for more information on impacts to small districts. The committee then spent the most time on RS 32889, which would require the State Board of Education and school districts to aggregate and report data related to children of foreign aliens/undocumented immigrants, using existing data and without collecting personal identifiers. Members raised concerns about how legally present visa holders would be classified, whether the statement of purpose should be softened, whether charter schools should be included explicitly, and whether the proposal would create an unfunded mandate or target a vulnerable population. An amended substitute motion was adopted to strike the second sentence of the statement of purpose and add charter schools to the reporting language. Finally, RS 32826, a proposed constitutional amendment on parental rights and education, was introduced. The sponsor said it would clarify that parents have the right to educate their children without government regulation outside public schools, including through homeschooling and private schooling. Members expressed support and suggested adding historical context about Idaho’s homeschooling history when the bill returns for hearing. After the introductions, a point of order was raised about the prior RS 32889 vote, but the chair ruled the matter closed and the meeting moved on.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it also, I think, strengthens the collaboration between the branches to restore the balance and reinforce
• But it also, I think it strengthens the collaboration between the branches to restore the balance and

Summary: The House Judiciary and Rules Committee met to approve prior minutes and hear two introduction requests plus four bills. The committee introduced RS 33067, which would give prosecutors up to 180 days to find a more stable placement for defendants with neurocognitive disabilities or mental illness, and RS 33197, which would clarify that maliciously and willfully disturbing a religious worship service is disturbing the peace while removing language that raised First Amendment concerns. Members asked about the scope of the language and possible overlap with other statutes, but both RS measures were introduced. The committee then heard House Bill 520, which updates notice requirements for contested case hearings under the Administrative Procedures Act so agencies clearly inform parties of their hearing rights. The Office of Administrative Hearings said the bill standardizes notices across agencies and is not retroactive. HB 520 received a due pass recommendation to the floor. House Bill 579 was a narrow change to the justifiable homicide statute, replacing a list of specific family or household relationships with the broader term “another person” to avoid omissions; it also received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 580 repeals several outdated criminal code provisions related to anti-camcorder piracy and motion picture fair bidding, with the sponsor saying the conduct is already covered by federal law and the statutes are no longer used. House Bill 581 would create a process for the Legislature to formally notify the Idaho Supreme Court by resolution when it believes a court rule may conflict with statute or substantive rights, while preserving judicial rulemaking authority. Both bills were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations, and the meeting adjourned after unanimous or near-unanimous votes on the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the event, in particular, if the commission was to have a different idea about the mix of power balance
• to be created by a public electricity utility, I think... ...different idea about the mix of power balance

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that this bill strikes a balance with all involved in these situations and it doesn't deny
• So we think this bill will strike a balance. We hope you'll give it a full hearing.

Summary: The Judiciary and Rules Committee met to consider six introduction requests and emphasized that future RS packets should be submitted early, with meetings planned on odd-numbered calendar days until the committee’s work is complete. The committee quickly moved through the introductions without extended public-hearing style questioning, and all measures were introduced unanimously. RS 32828 would standardize hearing notices related to the Office of Administrative Hearings across agencies. RS 33011 would correct a prior fingerprinting rule for vulnerable populations by moving the authorization for certain non-criminal justice private entities to submit fingerprints into a new statutory section after federal guidance indicated the earlier placement was incorrect. RS 33026 would revise a prior proposal on drones near correctional facilities by limiting the security zone to the direct perimeter of Idaho Department of Correction facilities, up to 400 feet, and specifying a misdemeanor penalty. RS 32843 would expand Capitol Mall and state-building security authority, allowing the Department of Administration and Idaho State Police to bar disruptive or noncompliant individuals from the Capitol and Supreme Court buildings for up to a year and to regulate tents, camping, and related structures on state property. RS 33038 would address child custody interference by creating graduated penalties, shortening the time for return of a child from 24 hours to four hours, clarifying law enforcement duties, and allowing lost parenting time to be made up; sponsors said it was based on an interim task force that heard extensive testimony from citizens, judges, lawyers, law enforcement, and others. RS 32845 would be a cleanup bill extending discovery and disclosure protections for people and entities involved in carrying out executions by lethal injection or firing squad, ahead of the state’s planned shift to firing squad as the primary method of execution on July 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas throughout her life, Amaya exemplified the Dene principles of Hojean, balance and harmony
• , okay... ...the Dene principles of Hojean, balance and harmony, kinship and relational respect, and

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then completed roll call, approved the prior journal, and welcomed several guest groups to the gallery, including CSG West and NCSL visitors, Tucson Electric Power/UniSource Native BRG members, Pascua Yaqui constituents, Marcos de Niza High School students, and guests from Payson. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Senator Hatathlie read a proclamation honoring the life and service of Amaya Curley, a Navajo woman and Navy veteran, and the chamber recessed for presentation of an Arizona state flag flown in her memory, with her family present. The President Pro Tem announced extended deadlines for opening Senate folders and for Senate bill intro set preparation, and the Senate received House messages regarding adjournment. The chamber voted to accede to the House request to adjourn after Thursday, January 15, 2026, until Tuesday, January 20, 2026. No substantive bill debate occurred; instead, the body moved a large number of measures to second reading, including election, education, health care, firearms, immigration-related reporting, cryptocurrency, transportation, and various memorial and appropriation bills. Committee and caucus announcements were made for Thursday, January 15, including Rules Committee and both party caucuses. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn until Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas throughout her life, Amaya exemplified the Dene principles of Hojean, balance and harmony
• Okay. ...the Dene principles of Hojean, balance and harmony, kinship and relational respect, and al-ho-a-jit-a

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through increased contributions from the city and fourth, creating a balanced board composition to include
• That's always the balance: to make sure we protect the taxpayers and the citizens, but also those who

Bills: SB771, SB2345, HB135, HB135

Keywords: diesel fuel tax, tax credit, auxiliary power units, power take-off equipment, refund, energy efficiency, firefighter retirement, municipal contributions, pension system, retirement benefits, funding ratios, sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal

Transcript Highlights:

• They just explained that the million-dollar limit prevents them from using the balance of that fund.
• ...them from using the balance of that fund for its intended purpose.

Bills: HB407, SB306, SB320, SB321

Keywords: local redevelopment, tax payments, transient occupancy, state revenue, authority powers, transparency, discretionary accounts, government accountability, public access, online publication, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, drycleaning, environmental remediation, pollution, hazardous waste, trust fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Last fall, their current, meaning it was not balance hit an all-time high and we voiced concern about
• Our business survived the fall but started 2025 with a large post-holiday rush balance on this distributor's

Bills: SB8, SB650, SB667, SB779, SB1349, SB1355, SB1378, SB1585, SB1721, SB2312, SB 8

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, China, Chinese-affiliated entities, Chinese military companies, People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, divestment, state pension funds, public retirement systems, Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Texas Comptroller, foreign investment, national security

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, number 10, and the rest discuss writers. 10 is a new rider related to unextended balance authority
• Item 11 is to revise the capital budget right to provide an expanded balance authority between biennia

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:13.760><c> is</c><00:49:14.000><c> being</c> way in which reserve balance is being way in
• which reserve balance is being reported<00:49:14.480><c> to</c><00:49:14.640><c> the</c><00:49:14.800
• He said the unexpended fund balance at the end of the year can be used.
• The fund balance at the end of the year.
• </c><02:03:31.040><c> was</c> the meetings I think the balance was the meetings I think the balance was

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This current generation values work-life balance.
• This current generation values work-life balance.
• This current generation values work-life balance.
• </c><01:36:03.600><c> they</c> generation values work life balance they generation values work life balance
• It's very difficult and very time-consuming, and that senior is left hanging in the balance.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 437, which would change New Hampshire law on undischarged mortgages by creating a shorter period after which certain old mortgages would be treated as unenforceable. Prime sponsor Representative Bill Boyd said the bill was developed with input from bankers, lawyers, realtors, the Attorney General’s office, and the Banking Department, and he noted a drafting correction needed on line 18. He explained that the proposal would replace current law with a new framework modeled partly on Massachusetts, including a five-year expiration after a stated maturity date and a 35-year period for mortgages without an expiration date. Supporters said the bill would help clear obsolete title defects, reduce costly quiet-title litigation, and make real estate transactions easier for consumers, attorneys, and conveyancers. Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips, Susan Cole of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and Michelle Coffin all testified in support, describing the bill as a consumer protection measure. They said undischarged or improperly discharged mortgages often surface during title searches, causing delays, legal expenses, and failed or delayed closings. Coffin and Hakken-Phillips emphasized that many of these cases involve old, effectively obsolete mortgages and that the current process often requires expensive court action even when no one contests the title. Cole described a recent transaction in which a title defect caused a buyer to walk away and later restart the financing process, creating costs for both buyer and seller. A committee member asked about notice to mortgage holders; the response was that the lender bears responsibility for recording and extending the mortgage, and that due process rights would remain if a lender later contested the discharge. Ryan Hill of the New Hampshire Bankers Association said the banking industry had reviewed the bill and was generally comfortable with it, while requesting a delayed effective date so members would have time to adjust their recording practices. He said the bill’s January 1, 2028 effective date reflected that request. After closing the hearing on HB 437, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 721, the Gold and Silver Legal Tender Act. Representative Juliet Harvey-Bolia introduced it as a bipartisan economic justice bill intended to recognize gold and silver as legal tender, protect against inflation, and address concerns about trust, taxes, and government taking. She argued that gold is a stable store of value and discussed tax treatment in neighboring states, federal history, and digital gold platforms. The hearing on HB 721 was still in progress when the transcript ended, with the chair limiting questions because of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's a balance that has to be struck.
• This bill is a small step in the direction of writing that balance. I take your points.
• </c><02:30:20.120><c> um</c><02:30:21.040><c> I</c> direction of writing that balance um I direction
• of writing that balance um I take<02:30:21.399><c> your</c><02:30:21.640><c> points</c><02:30:22.200>
• that we're balancing that patient privacy<02:40:56.600><c> that's</c><02:40:57.160><c> the</c><02:40

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a measure that strikes a balance to prevent excessive permitting, while allowing local governments
• As the executive director of Brown Issues, I know the extreme difficulty in balancing a budget, especially
• Executive Director of Brown issues, I know the extreme difficulty in balancing a budget, especially when

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving a large consent calendar of bills on two unanimous-support motions. The committee then heard a series of individual bills, with authors and sponsors generally describing low or absorbable state costs and asking for aye votes. Topics included AI/digital safety education for students (AB 1792), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), retirement information for community college faculty (AB 2417), cannabis regulation changes including tribal commerce, drive-through sales, and beverage labeling (AB 2506, AB 2697, AB 2532), emergency equipment training for law enforcement volunteers (AB 1913), cannery law modernization (AB 2706), child care planning in local governments (AB 1914), EV charger permitting fees (AB 1820), election-record notice requirements (AB 1664), nursing home discharge notices (AB 2135), a San Diego energization-delay pilot (AB 2518), mental health training for school coaches (AB 1665), and education governance and oversight changes (AB 2117). Several bills were described as committee or sponsor measures with technical or clarifying changes, including AB 2780, AB 2615, AB 2121, and AB 2771. Testimony was largely supportive, often from sponsor groups, industry representatives, labor, or advocacy organizations. Notable support included TechNet for AB 1792, the California State Sheriffs’ Association for AB 1913, California Dairies and food manufacturers for AB 2706, the Low Income Investment Fund for AB 1914, EV and environmental groups for AB 1820, the Attorney General’s Office for AB 1664, long-term care ombudsman advocates for AB 2135, and the California State Association of Psychiatrists for the cannabis and mental-health-related bills. Some bills drew limited opposition or “opposed unless amended” positions, including AB 2350, AB 1820, and AB 2506, while AB 2697 and AB 2532 were presented as efforts to support the legal cannabis market and consumer safety. The committee also heard a presentation-only item, AB 2541, creating a lowrider specialty license plate, which drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and co-author requests from members. Most bills were reported out with due pass recommendations, many on roll call and several with specific members not voting or voting no. AB 1664 was reported out as due pass as amended and placed on call before later being moved out on a B roll call. AB 2350 and AB 1914 were also later reported out from call on B roll calls, with AB 1914 noted as passing despite some Republican no votes. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual action, and the meeting concluded after a brief public comment period in which members of the public voiced positions on unrelated bills, including support for AB 2497, AB 1729, AB 2189, AB 1575, AB 2170, and opposition to AB 1603, AB 2447, AB 2411, AB 2492, and AB 1952.