Transcript Highlights:

• Water systems transformed arid landscapes into productive farmland.
• It's still said of my paternal grandfather, Leroy Vipperman, that he could make water run uphill.
• Repealing Chapter 9, Title 42, Idaho Code, relating to the distribution of water to consumers.
• Repealing Chapter 9, Title 42, Idaho Code, relating to the distribution of water to consumers.
• Repealing Section 42-1330, Idaho Code, relating to the definition of water users.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 journal, and received notice of a substitute appointment for Legislative District 32. Much of the day was devoted to Idaho Day ceremonies, including prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance of the national anthem, and remarks honoring Idaho history and former Representative Lyndon Bateman, who was remembered as the founder of Idaho Day and a longtime advocate for cursive, history, and civic education. Guest speakers included historian Justin Vipperman, who spoke about liberty, self-government, and Idaho’s frontier development, and former Attorney General David Leroy, who praised Bateman’s public service and legacy. Members also shared personal tributes before the chamber considered a memorial resolution in Bateman’s honor. The House suspended the rules by a two-thirds vote and adopted House Concurrent Resolution 31, recognizing and commending the lifetime achievements of Lyndon Bateman. The resolution passed 68-0 with two absent and excused, and was sent to the Senate. The chamber also received and referred several Senate messages and committee reports, including bills and resolutions on transportation, agriculture, commerce, state affairs, resources, and other topics. New measures were introduced on issues such as minors and library protections, tax exemptions, stable coins, parental rights and child custody, county fair boards, vehicle license plates, honey industry regulation, and Idaho Digital Learning Academy governance. Several bills and resolutions were placed on the second reading calendar, including measures on elections, environmental quality, hazardous waste, transportation, vehicle titles, industrial hemp, Medicaid managed care, Medicare, and appropriations. House Bill 750 was moved to general orders, and the remaining third-reading bills were held one legislative day. The House also announced committee schedule changes, upcoming events tied to Idaho Day and other advocacy groups, and a reminder about project submissions. The chamber adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were doing pipeline lines, electric utilities, and water lines.
• And that doesn't include the money y'all will probably do this session for water projects.
• We all need water.
• We're facing about an $80 million investment in new water wells that are tied to the need for more water
• Most of this is still covered by rate payers in water and wastewater. Most of this is...

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5 relating to the regulation of certain products derived from hemp, including consumable.
• I support regulation.
• Regulating consumable hemp is necessary.
• But I do think that we have the ability as a state to regulate it.
• The choice before us is not between banning and regulating.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Of health, the fact that so much of their health was predicated on the air they were breathing, the water
• Well, as you know, we still face issues in agriculture around water..." "...what is that about?
• Well, as you know, we still face issues in agriculture around water.
• Agave is a product that is a low-water plant that not only can be distilled, but the byproduct of that
• And three, a coalition-building effort around land and water preservation, led by Restore the Delta.

Summary: The select committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment heard testimony on how California can support inclusive economic development through coordinated workforce, education, nonprofit, and industry partnerships. Chair Arambula opened by emphasizing that rural, low-income, and historically underinvested communities often face the greatest barriers to accessing state resources, and that the hearing would focus on successful collaboration models, the role of training and higher education, and future opportunities tied to economic mobility and social determinants of health. Witnesses from the California Workforce Association, Fresno State, and NextGen Policy described local and regional workforce systems in the Central Valley and beyond. They highlighted examples such as apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, employer-led partnerships, on-the-job training, support for women entering construction, programs for justice-involved and opportunity youth, and the need to braid federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding. Several speakers stressed that local workforce boards, community colleges, adult education, labor organizations, and community-based groups are best positioned to identify regional labor needs and that California should fund systems, not just individual grants, especially as federal workforce funding has declined and new work requirements tied to HR 1 and AI-related labor shifts create added pressure. A second panel focused on the Community Economic Mobility Initiative as a statewide model. Sierra Health Foundation and its partners said CME has helped community organizations build capacity, pursue more than $400 million in grants and contracts, and attract about $178 million back into California communities. Speakers from Siskiyou Economic Development Council, Fresno EDC, Edge Collaborative, and Líderes Campesinas gave examples of place-based projects in rural and urban regions, including business innovation centers, community-owned development, bioeconomy and restoration projects, subsidized employment, and farmworker-led cooperatives. They argued that long-term, locally driven investment produces stronger regional economies and better health outcomes, and urged the Legislature to provide durable funding and policy support rather than short-term extensions. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then their water rights diminished. They were diverted elsewhere.
• them on our team, and I just, I'll tell you what I told everybody when I was bringing the strategic water
• I don't step on Superman's cape, and when I bring a water bill to the floor of the house, I don't mess
• But she looked at federal regulations, what OSHA requires, OK, for each piece of equipment that we had
• We weren't even being able to get the requirements for the spacing that federal regulations dictate that

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, well, it's like why do we have regulations? Why do we have regulations at that point?
• Yeah, well, it's like why do we have regulations? Why do we have regulations at that point?
• There's no regulation of cost.
• c> that</c><00:37:07.400><c> cost</c> Who regulates right now that cost Who regulates right now that
• </c> there is nothing regulating cost. there is nothing regulating cost.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that not only are economic drivers, but they provide real-world solutions to things like access to water
• that not only are economic drivers, but they provide real-world solutions to things like access to water
• projects pursuant to the Water Project Finance Act, allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to fund
• water projects from the Water Project Fund without receiving the approval of the Legislature until December
• Speaker, your Agriculture, Sequeas, and Water Resources Committee, to whom has been referred House Bill

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically it's like a planned regulation scheme that we're going to study how to regulate these markets
• We don't want to be regulated and have to report to the government.
• Hawaii Farm Bureau generally is opposed to oral regulation.
• We we are uh but again uh as regulation.
• Again, we don't or punitive regulations.

Bills: SB874, SB2097, SB2098, SB2126, SB2154, SB2153, SB2160, SB2123, SB2110

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• urging the Congress of the United States of America to amend the Constitution to allow states to regulate
• mutual constituents you had offered at one time to connect us so that we could chat, especially about water
• . ...so that we could chat, especially about water, and you know, as we know, water continues to be such

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's time to get rid of this unnecessary and antiquated regulation and bring Florida in line with well
• And she kept, she was constantly asking for water. So the mom thinks water's great. It's healthy."
• "She just is thirsty and she wants water. That's better than sweet drinks.
• this is, so for her, it was when she went to the doctor and it was like, oh, she keeps asking for water

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two bills. HB 649 would remove the current written physician protocol requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists, allowing CRNAs to practice autonomously. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would modernize Florida law, address anesthesia workforce shortages, keep graduates in the state, and improve access especially in rural areas; opponents, including the Florida Medical Association and a cardiologist, warned that physician oversight is important for patient safety and that anesthesia complications can arise quickly. After debate, the committee passed HB 649 favorably by a vote of 12 yeas and 6 nays. The committee then heard HB 723, which requires the Department of Health, working with school districts, to develop informational materials on early detection of type 1 diabetes and have schools notify parents within the first 30 school days about those materials. The sponsor said the goal is to help parents recognize warning signs earlier and avoid emergency diagnoses such as diabetic ketoacidosis, with minimal fiscal impact because the materials would be distributed digitally. Members generally supported the bill and discussed timing and distribution methods, suggesting the notice not get lost in back-to-school paperwork. HB 723 passed unanimously, 18 yeas and 0 nays, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:07.920><c> Um,</c> of them have water and sewer. Um, of them have water and sewer.
• </c> water and sewer. water and sewer.
• We have water would benefit from this. We have water sewer. sewer. sewer.
• No. >> Waters Evans of Charlotte? No. >> Waters Evans of Charlotte?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Waters Evans of Charlotte. &gt;&gt; Waters Evans of Charlotte. &gt;&gt; Yes.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And together we work to implement state policy and regulate the regulated investor-owned for-profit utilities
• The PUC does not regulate investors.
• </c><01:09:48.960><c> by</c> however, may elect to be uh regulated by however, may elect to be uh regulated
• So, currently the PUC regulates the PUC.
• </c> some of the primary areas of regulation some of the primary areas of regulation for<01:10:12.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We already have the regulated side, right?
• ...you know, they are still regulated. They are still closely monitored.
• </c><00:44:40.280><c> evaluate</c><00:44:40.880><c> that</c> then as The Regulators evaluate that then
• company comes in and says they want to sell renewable water produced by solar?
• produced by solar this renewable water produced by solar this set<01:01:25.920><c> that's</c><01:01:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• They purchase water from another water system.
• Water District or purchase water from the city of Grafton.
• Improved water quality: surface water is variable.
• water quality.
• And they have a lot of water issues. Isabel's got a lot of water. Lake 5's got a lot of water.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• With SB 375 remaining as one of the few regulations focused on reducing VMT, having targets also consider
• Our state already has many regulations and funding programs that encourage the transition to zero-mission
• With SB 375 remaining as one of the few regulations focused on reducing VMT, having targets also consider
• We do have regulations in this space as well, but not nearly as much.
• That includes protections for water and habitat, historic resources, construction impacts, and... ...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation that raises questions about the administrative structure of telecommunications and broadband regulation
• include electric rates and reliability, climate initiatives, utilities, utility wildfires, on top of regulation
• This is in addition to their success in building homes and a water system on their ancestral land.
• They were awarded $4.7 million And a water system on their ancestral land.
• In phase two of the proceeding, the CPUC is actively considering extending service quality regulations

Summary: The Communications and Conveyance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), focused on telecommunications, broadband deployment, resiliency, and the California Teleconnect Fund. Chair Tasha Boerner said the hearing was intended to examine structural issues at the CPUC, including whether telecommunications oversight should remain within the commission, while also reviewing major programs such as Last Mile, BEAD, carrier of last resort, and emergency preparedness. CPUC President John Reynolds and Deputy Executive Director Anna Maria Johnson described the commission’s work on public safety, universal service, broadband grants, Lifeline modernization, and network resiliency, including the 72-hour backup power requirement and merger review. Members questioned CPUC officials about the pace and metrics for Last Mile and BEAD projects, the relationship between middle-mile and last-mile buildout, and how the commission balances carrier obligations with the risk of driving providers out of high-cost areas. They also pressed the CPUC on the California Lifeline home broadband pilot, asking when enrollment would be available, which providers were participating, how much of the state would be covered, and what the surcharge impact would be. CPUC said 15 providers had been approved, one was already serving customers, and the rest were still onboarding, and it committed to provide follow-up information on timelines, coverage, and costs. A major portion of the hearing centered on the California Teleconnect Fund and proposed changes to how schools would access the program. Superintendent Tony Thurmond argued strongly against shifting administration from county offices of education and districts to individual schools, saying it would add burden, worsen inequities, and risk underuse of a valuable broadband subsidy. Committee members echoed concerns that smaller schools and districts may lack the staff to manage direct applications and reporting. In public comment, the Los Angeles County Office of Education supported the CDE’s position and urged changes that would align the program more closely with E-Rate and reduce administrative burdens. No formal vote was taken, and Chair Boerner closed by saying she remained committed to pursuing reforms to the CPUC and referenced her bills AB 2289 and ACA 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• The contaminated material must be removed to comply with the cleanup regulations.
• We thought this was a great opportunity for both of our agencies to ensure that environmental regulations
• , I mean, if they shut down in '06, it's been at least 20 years, we haven't seen any issues in the water
• There's issues in the water, but not coming from that. Yeah, it's coming from upgradient.
• We provide a voice for the industry, serve as a bridge between the aviation community and regulators,

Bills: HB2495

Keywords: vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't let the water get muddied so that you don't understand the information and the data.
• Don't let the water get muddied so that you don't understand the information and the data, because it
• They're just technical issues under the regulations. Madam Chair, thank you, Ms. Duke.
• We cannot regulate after people die. We cannot apologize after families are destroyed.
• Why are families still bearing the burden while regulators promised reform?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clearly with their support because they expected us to take action to address wildfire risk, flooding, water
• AB 714 removes commercial driving from programs that may be exempted from regulations by the Bureau for
• The Bureau oversees ...regulations by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
• We must ensure that commercial driving programs are properly regulated to ensure drivers are properly
• the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. ...that commercial driving programs are properly regulated

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would water, our health, and our jobs.
• and fresh water across our region.<00:27:12.320><c> Mr.
• .<02:40:31.520><c> It's</c> water.
• </c><08:08:29.040><c> And</c> air, land, water, and wildlife. And air, land, water, and wildlife.
• Well, we are here today to say we water.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1012, house, all