Transcript Highlights:

• They can request a specific tutor.
• They can request a specific tutor.
• They can request a specific tutor.
• They can request a specific tutor.
• They can request a tutor uh live.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, where the Appropriations Committee recommended the second substitute.
• But as we are in the second year of the legislative biennium, because no action was taken on the bill
• Appropriations Committee recommended the second substitute, but as we are in the second year of the legislative
• So I've got a district slightly over 2,000 students in my legislative district.
• I have a request. It's not fair for me to ask you to respond.

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 1662 would move several education-related boards and commissions—the State Board of Education, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, and the Charter School Commission—toward operational independence from OSPI by July 1, 2027, including separate administrative services, asset and employee transfers, and transition planning by OFM. The prime sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency, fiscal accountability, and agency flexibility, while OSPI-related testimony emphasized that small agencies need more nimble administrative support. No one testified in opposition; the hearing record noted 2 pro, 1 con, and 5 other sign-ins, and members were told the bill was substantively the same as the version passed the prior year except for date changes. The committee then heard House Bill 1683, which would require most school districts with 2,000 or more students to elect at least some school board members from director districts rather than entirely at-large, with larger districts needing more district-based seats and districts under 2,000 students exempt. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would improve geographic and demographic representation, especially for lower-income communities and communities of color, and would help ensure school boards reflect the students and families they serve. Opponents, including a school directors association representative, said the bill would be an unfunded mandate, reduce local control, and create added election costs and recruitment challenges; one witness also suggested the bill should consider broader proportional-representation options. Staff noted that 23 districts would currently be out of compliance, and the hearing record showed 12 pro, 163 con, and 2 other sign-ins. No executive action was taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting. At the end of the hearing, the chair reminded members that several bills heard that week would be on next Thursday’s executive session agenda, urged prompt amendment requests, and announced that the committee would adjourn to caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• the lieutenant governor's office to submit a biennial report beginning January 1, 2027, to the appropriate
• I have a very small amount of concern about the number of legislatively recognized days that we have.
• However, this legislation is about reducing the amount of reports. ...amendment.
• And this was requested by the treasurers that we heard from in testimony.
• So I think it is an appropriate change to make, and I'm hoping that you'll join me in voting yes.

Summary: The committee met for its final meeting before cutoff and took executive action on a series of bills and memorials. It first reviewed several measures and amendments, including bills on Washington State Leadership Board fundraising and reporting, campaign finance reporting schedules, public records exemptions for student and employee information, and agency report reductions. Members also discussed amendments that would restore or add reports on topics such as newborn transfers, health plan reporting, clean fuel tax data, instream flows, child morbidity and mortality, and Ecology permitting data, with some amendments adopted and others rejected. The committee then voted on a joint memorial calling for an independent investigation into the killing of Aichner-Ezgi, with members speaking in support of accountability for Americans killed abroad; it passed 5-2. It also approved a bill recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, and a bill related to the state capital campus, both by do-pass recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6049, concerning public disclosure exemptions for student and employee information, advanced after an amendment to remove Healthy Youth Survey records from the exemption failed. Substitute Senate Bill 6160, which reduces agency reporting requirements, passed as amended after some proposed additions to the report list were rejected. The committee also advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5840 on campaign finance reporting, adopting an amendment to remove one new report deadline and rejecting another that would have extended the reporting adjustment window from two to three days. Substitute Senate Bill 5825, authorizing the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts and grants, passed after an amendment seeking biennial reporting on private funds was rejected. Additional bills on state symbols and veterans’ issues also received do-pass recommendations. Throughout, votes were mostly bipartisan, with some members noting concerns about transparency, reporting burdens, or scope, but the committee ultimately reported all listed measures out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forget about the fashion, but going to appropriate law enforcement?
• Thank you. approval on the forbearance extension request.
• And that's what gets to solutions on difficult questions legislatively.
• And we respectfully request your aye vote.
• So since you're on the tail end of the legislative... ...agreement on.

Summary: The committee heard AB 801, which would require the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to conduct fair lending examinations of lenders on a regular schedule. The author and supporters, including the Greenlining Institute and several housing and consumer groups, argued the bill was needed because federal fair lending enforcement has weakened and California borrowers of color continue to face lending disparities. Banking and credit union representatives opposed the bill as duplicative and costly, though they acknowledged the author’s amendments and continued negotiations. The bill was approved on a vote and re-referred to Judiciary, with some members voting no or not voting at first and later the measure passing on a fuller roll call. The committee then heard AB 871, which would strengthen elder fraud protections by requiring financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and notify customers of the report. The author and county and adult protective services supporters said the bill would improve pattern detection and help stop or reverse scams more quickly. Bankers opposed the customer-notification requirement, warning it could alarm seniors and that the reporting process would add operational burden, but the author and supporters said victim information is important for investigations. The bill passed with committee support and was re-referred to Judiciary. AB 1842 and AB 1847, both related to mortgage forbearance after major disasters and the Eaton and Palisades fires, were also heard. AB 1842 would create a statewide framework for forbearance after federally declared major disasters, and AB 1847 would extend relief for wildfire survivors; both bills were amended to narrow triggers, clarify repayment and documentation issues, and remove some reporting requirements. Supporters included local officials, consumer groups, and housing advocates, while mortgage and banking groups remained in opposition on some implementation points but said they were working toward compromise. Both bills were approved and re-referred to Judiciary. Finally, AB 2116, dealing with merchant cash advances and small business financing transparency, was heard with broad support from small business and consumer advocates and partial support from some industry representatives after amendments; opponents still raised concerns about disclosure authority and unconscionability standards. The bill was also approved and sent to Judiciary. The committee additionally adopted a consent calendar of unrelated bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're continuing to review the specific budget requests to assess whether they're appropriately aligned
• But some are requesting limited positions, some are requesting permanent positions.
• But some are requesting limited positions, some are requesting permanent positions.
• So it's not that it's less requests. You're not going to be requesting less assistance.
• Two quick urgent requests.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extended briefing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, followed by testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and county officials. DHCS described major Medi-Cal changes in H.R. 1, including work/community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, reduced federal matching for some emergency services, narrower immigrant eligibility, reduced retroactive coverage, and limits on provider taxes and directed payments. CDSS outlined CalFresh changes, especially the expanded able-bodied adults without dependents time limit, reduced exemptions and waivers, and the new federal-state-county administrative cost split. Both departments emphasized implementation plans, automation, outreach, and county coordination, while acknowledging significant expected coverage losses and administrative burden. The LAO and an independent policy expert discussed how H.R. 1 could increase demand on county indigent care systems and public hospitals as people lose Medi-Cal. They reviewed the history of county indigent care, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, explaining that counties already rely on a patchwork of funding and that current realignment revenues are often used for public health rather than indigent care. They warned that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents, with wide variation in how counties respond, and raised concerns about equity, financing, and whether a more standardized state-county program should be created. Committee members pressed witnesses on county funding, exemptions, homelessness, older adults, undocumented residents, and the effect of administrative burden versus true ineligibility. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described the expected local impacts and asked for additional state support. They said H.R. 1 would drive major losses in Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollment, increase uncompensated care, strain eligibility staff, and worsen homelessness and food insecurity. Several counties urged the Legislature to fund eligibility workers, preserve enrollment, and consider a CalFresh match waiver; Santa Clara and San Bernardino also cited local tax measures and staffing reductions already underway. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the amount of legislation.
• It also does not include legislation for appropriation bills, which we know there can be a lot of those
• It also does not include legislation for appropriation bills, which we know there can be a lot of those
• the amount of legislation.
• It also does not include legislation for appropriation bills, which we know there can be a lot of those

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676 without taking testimony, noting it would receive a hearing in another committee. The committee then heard SCR 114 from Senator Guthrie, which would limit the number of bill drafts legislators may request in a year, with exemptions for appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and additional drafts approved by legislative leaders. Guthrie and supportive testimony from the League of Women Voters argued the measure would reduce legislative overload and improve quality; the resolution was sent to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1330, sponsored by Senator Galloway, to raise the small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Galloway and a constituent testified that the current limit is too low for common disputes and burdens small businesses and individuals. Administrative Office of the Courts counsel Jason Spillman said the courts expected additional workload and noted the bill could affect magistrate court jurisdiction; Galloway said he would take the bill to the 14th order to add an amendment removing the $25 cap on attorney fees in small-claims appeals. The committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 daily structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that counties are still subsidizing the state, that actual costs are higher than reimbursement, and that overcrowding and delayed transfers create safety and operational problems. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about Idaho’s incarceration rates and sentencing policies. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced HB 540, presented by Representative Bingham, which would extend public-records protections and related safety/security exemptions to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections similar to those already available to the Department of Corrections. No opposition was offered, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Finally, HB 688, presented by Senator Kaiser, would update Idaho’s airbag laws to define counterfeit and non-functional airbags, prohibit knowingly selling or installing them to mislead buyers, and set misdemeanor penalties. Testimony from the automotive industry supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure addressing counterfeit airbags; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> operating budget and further request operating budget and further request 11.9<00:23:42.440><c>
• </c><00:26:25.600><c> an</c> Justice however we are requesting an Justice however we are requesting an
• that the Judiciary is Judiciary request that the Judiciary is requesting<01:07:12.319><c> case</c><01
• </c><01:08:55.440><c> requesting</c><01:08:55.679><c> an</c> testimony request requesting an testimony
• And, as requested by the Judiciary, we'll increase the Judiciary CIP lump sum request by $2 million,

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an increase over the department request.
• This is a request.
• It does look like the department is requesting a slightly larger appropriation—well, no, a slightly smaller
• appropriation than last fiscal year.
• In the book, appropriations, $2 million.

Summary: The Budget Committee heard the Department of Mental Health’s FY 2027 budget presentation, with Director Valerie Hoon outlining a $4.4 billion department budget, including $1.7 billion in general revenue, and describing the department’s roles in substance use, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities services. Early questioning focused on marijuana-related mental health impacts, but the main discussion centered on the department’s new decision items, funding sources, and expected wait lists. The director explained several increases tied to Medicaid growth, mental health youth services, outpatient competency restoration, crisis residential services, developmental disability waivers, and provider tax adjustments, along with offsets such as reduced wraparound funding at the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center and cuts to some youth and self-directed DD services. A major portion of the hearing focused on competency restoration for people found unfit to stand trial and currently held in county jails. Members pressed the department on the cost, effectiveness, and legal implications of keeping people in jail while awaiting services, noting a reported wait list of roughly 524 to 538 individuals and average holds of about 14 months. The department said it currently has eight outpatient competency restoration beds in the community, is seeking funding for 50 additional outpatient slots, and also operates jail-based restoration for about 40 people at a time. Members repeatedly asked for breakdowns of violent versus nonviolent cases, success rates, cost per person, and the split between state and federal funding, while the department explained that Medicaid can cover only the treatment portion, not residential housing or other non-billable costs. The committee also discussed broader capacity constraints in state hospitals and developmental disability services. Hoon said Fulton, Center for Behavioral Medicine, and FTC North are full, with 183 vacancies across the department, and that the department is working on a new Kansas City hospital that would add 150 beds, though completion is now expected closer to 2029 or 2030. In the developmental disabilities section, the department warned that the governor’s recommendation would create wait lists for in-home waiver services and crisis residential services, and members questioned proposed reductions to self-directed services rates and other provider payments. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed before finishing the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• . appropriations.
• </c> &gt;&gt; There is an appropriation on there. &gt;&gt; There is an appropriation on there.
• </c> appropriations. Thank you. appropriations. Thank you.
• </c> appropriations committee, I salute them. appropriations committee, I salute them.
• </c> appropriately address that on the floor. appropriately address that on the floor.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requested Republican or Democrat. requested Republican or Democrat.
• </c> Police LEGISLATIVE SECURITY DETAIL. Police LEGISLATIVE SECURITY DETAIL.
• </c> also both proud legislators. also both proud legislators.
• </c> request or is that an order in disguise? request or is that an order in disguise?
• That is the legislative<01:31:28.720><c> body.</c> legislative body. legislative body.

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this bill was to clarify the legislative this bill was to clarify the legislative intent.<00:43:
• This is a request from Resources.
• </c> legislation is adopted uh in Washington. legislation is adopted uh in Washington.
• I think it's appropriate.
• I think it's appropriate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the request of Ms. Badger of Plymouth and Mrs.
• Wang Osagas asked unanimous consent to draw his request for a roll call.
• Total appropriation: $63,416,035,455. House Bill 5555. Total appropriation, $63,416,035,455.
• House Bill 5555, an act making appropriation for the fiscal year 2027.
• It is also the appropriation for 2027 days. There is also the appropriation for 2027. I didn't.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Appropriations Committee. Thank you, Representative Couture.
• I'm the legislative director for Climate Solutions.
• But more a request.
• Of our two requests to the governor's budget, an operating request for our collections database was funded
• Our other request for a tribal liaison was not funded.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation.
• We would request this legislation be amended to ...to ensure a stable allowance market.
• We would request this legislation be amended to direct the Department of Ecology to adjust the allowance
• And you may not know, but I'm not. ...this legislation.
• This legislation would help us have some credibility.

Summary: House Finance heard several bills and took no recorded votes. HB 2367 would end special tax and emissions exemptions for the Centralia coal plant by limiting its Climate Commitment Act exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas requirements, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. The sponsor, Rep. Fitzgibbon, said the bill would help keep the plant’s transition to cleaner natural gas generation on track; Climate Solutions supported it, while business and clean-energy groups raised concerns about allowance-market impacts and asked for amendments to adjust the cap-and-invest allowance budget. HB 1974 would authorize public housing authorities, public corporations, and nonprofits to operate as land banks for affordable housing, give them priority for tax-foreclosed properties, and provide property tax, leasehold excise tax, and REET exemptions for land bank transactions. Rep. Hill said the bill was narrowed to reduce fiscal impact and support existing land banking work in Spokane; supporters said it would lower land costs and speed affordable housing development, while questions focused on how public land would be used and whether affordability should be permanent rather than limited to 30 years. HB 2650, a Department of Revenue request, would standardize notice and effective dates for local REET and lodging tax changes and clarify documentation for an affordable housing sales tax deferral. DOR supported the bill as an administrative efficiency measure, and there was no opposition testimony. HB 2626 would raise the premium tax on health maintenance organizations, health care service contractors, and self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements from 2% to 3%, remove a dentistry-related exemption, and add a new 1% tax on certain disability and group stop-loss insurers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help fund Apple Health and subsidies amid federal funding concerns; insurers and business groups opposed it as a cost increase likely to be passed on to consumers and employers, while patient and advocacy groups supported the revenue idea but urged that funds be dedicated to subsidies or other health care supports and that pass-through to consumers be prevented.

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't have that appropriated.
• There's no appropriation within this bill.
• By saying we can't point to an exact number the way we could with an appropriation or lack of appropriation
• This change was requested by the Agency of Human Services.
• The legislative slideshow is up and running.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:05.360><c> you</c> appropriation you you mentioned you appropriation you you mentioned you
• </c> for three years after the appropriation for three years after the appropriation is<00:20:06.760>
• All I'm going to say is we will take your request under advisement, but close to a $10 million request
• </c> agency requests, it's under other funds. agency requests, it's under other funds.
• And then it doesn't appropriation.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the State Police gun range and related Public Works estimates. Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy explained that the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that includes vehicle work, movement, cover, elevation, and stress inoculation, and that it also supports requalification and special unit training for state, local, and federal partners. They said the current facility lacks running water, continuous power, and permanent restrooms, and that the PSTC range cannot accommodate rifles because its backstop is handgun-caliber only. Public Works Director Theodore Copper said the project estimate is $2.3 million, including $1.5 million for the building and site work plus soft costs, inflation, and design fees; he described the proposed building as basic, with office space, classrooms, restrooms, and HVAC. Committee members asked about the cost and scope, and Copper provided a breakdown of the estimate. The committee also heard from Commissioner Edelblute and Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho regarding career and technical education capital funding. Edelblute urged the committee to include $10 million for the Milford CTE project, saying the district had reduced the scope after a prior bond vote and that the project would support high-demand workforce programs. Misho said Milford’s initial bond vote received 42 percent and the revised proposal received 56 percent, short of the 60 percent needed, but that the community still supports the project; she said the district plans to move forward with a CTE-only ballot and a smaller local bond. Committee members expressed concern about holding state funds for a project that has not yet won local approval, but said the request would be taken under advisement. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Market Street Marine Terminal warehouse removal and office replacement project, increasing the appropriation by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also accepted a motion to add $1.8 million for the community college system, including $1.3 million for critical maintenance and $500,000 for an energy management system. The committee then discussed a Fish and Game request for a $350,000 backhoe, with members debating whether it should be funded with general funds or other funds and whether the cost was excessive; no final objection was recorded in the portion provided. Later discussion also referenced the new parking garage project, with staff saying it is expected to be operational in March 2026 and fully completed by May or June 2026, with 409 spaces and a mix of assigned and open parking.

Transcript Highlights:

• or developmentally appropriate.”
• or developmentally appropriate.
• Age-appropriate instruction in a kindergarten classroom looks very different than age-appropriate instruction
• Age-appropriate instruction in a high school classroom looks very different than age-appropriate instruction
• It was inadvertently left into the legislation.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1339 from Sen. Dave Lent, who described it as an education accountability and modernization measure that shifts schools away from compliance-driven reporting toward locally set, measurable student-outcome goals. He said the bill would reduce unnecessary reporting, provide a three-year support and intervention cycle for struggling schools, and recognize excellence while preserving local control. Victoria Young testified in opposition, arguing the bill echoed No Child Left Behind-style accountability and could unfairly single out schools, while Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association supported the bill but raised a limited concern about intervention language that could affect local authority over calendars or budgets. The committee then took up House Bill 516, a cleanup bill related to last year’s prohibition on classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. Dale Hawkins and Doug Taylor said the bill simply removes leftover “age appropriate/developmentally appropriate” language from the prior law, arguing that the K-12 prohibition is already absolute and the extra phrase creates confusion and legal uncertainty. Opponents, including Mary Brown, Jean Henscheide, Scaruleen, Nissa Nagle, and Jeffrey Watkins, argued the change would eliminate age-appropriate instruction, parental choice, and classroom discussion of relevant history, literature, and current events, and could chill instruction affecting LGBTQ students and broader education. Supporters, including Grace Howitt of the Idaho Family Policy Center, said districts had not consistently implemented the prior law and that the bill would better protect parents and prevent what they described as inappropriate gender instruction. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether the bill conflicted with existing Idaho Code, especially the older family-life and sex-education statute that leaves policy decisions to local school boards, and whether removing the phrase could create unintended effects on teaching topics like puberty, Supreme Court cases, or literature. After debate, Sen. Nichols moved to send HB 516 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, but Sen. Burtenshaw offered an alternate motion to hold the bill at the call of the chair. The committee adopted the motion to hold HB 516 at the call of the chair, so no floor recommendation was issued.

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriations report number one.
• The delegate from Baltimore City requests a special order until the appropriate time tomorrow for the
• So, um, I'm requesting a special order on this bill to the appropriate time tomorrow for the purpose
• House Bill 28 having special order until the appropriate time tomorrow. till the appropriate time tomorrow
• </c> legislative luncheon today, 11:30 a.m. legislative luncheon today, 11:30 a.m. to<00:33:13.120><c

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We really are trying to understand so that an educated appropriator, I think, is the most effective appropriator
• An informed appropriator is the best kind of appropriator we can have. So thank you.
• The gray above that is where you hit our appropriation authority.
• is an effective appropriator.
• So the spirit of our conversation today is really informed appropriator is an effective appropriator.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• On behalf of the California Legislative Latino Caucus.
• I respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you Assemblymember.
• This is not how we should be legislating.
• This bill sets this precedence of allowing legislators to override water board decisions through legislation

Keywords: 988, house, all