Transcript Highlights:

• I introduced this piece of legislation last year, kind of in the second half of the session, and then
• Um Um, um, um, I am going to vote yes today on this piece of legislation.
• I never heard from DOT at all on this legislation.
• That does not change in this piece of legislation.
• That does not change in this piece of legislation.

Bills: HB542

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one of our favorite days in the legislative session. Thank you very much.
• I'm in support of this legislation because I've seen firsthand the squeeze that our industry has been
• I am very supportive of this legislation.
• We've invited legislators over to see those asparagus farms and some of the other small crop-growing
• This legislation is also vital to interior designers like myself who work in professional service.

Summary: The Consumer Protection & Business Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 2616, described as an agriculturally resilient markets act, would create a broad package of agriculture-related policies and appropriations, including a strategy to expand state purchasing of Washington-grown food, temporary packaging and emissions exemptions for certain agricultural uses, changes to labor notice rules for agricultural and dairy layoffs, several grant and study programs, a transfer of cannabis production/processing/testing oversight to the Department of Agriculture, and an appropriation for the tree fruit leadership program. Representative Christine Reeves said the bill was intended as a state-level “farm bill” to address farm losses, food security, and regulatory burdens, and she emphasized stakeholder input and the need to support family farms and farmworker well-being. Testimony on HB 2616 was overwhelmingly supportive, with growers, commodity groups, dairy and potato representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders arguing that Washington farms face low margins, high regulatory and labor costs, refrigeration and processing challenges, and competition from foreign producers. Several speakers said the bill’s exemptions, grants, and studies would help keep farms viable and preserve local food production. Committee members asked about stakeholder outreach, the role of Washington State University and commodity commissions, the impact of federal versus state policy, and possible ways to reduce compliance burdens. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair noted the bill was after cutoff and would not move this year, but that stakeholder meetings would continue over the summer. The committee then heard House Bill 2721, which would create a registration system for commercial interior designers, expand and rename the Board of Architects, set education, examination, and experience requirements, define the scope of practice, require seals and technical submission attestations, and establish penalties and a fee account. Supporters from interior design organizations said the bill would recognize a profession already performing code- and safety-related work in commercial spaces, align Washington with other states and national model law standards, and remove barriers to ownership and advancement, especially for women. Testifiers also said the bill would clarify responsibility for life safety, accessibility, and non-structural interior construction in schools, health care, and public buildings. The committee heard only supportive testimony, but members raised questions about how the profession compares with architecture, the impact of delaying the bill until 2027, and demographic diversity in the field. The chair closed the hearing noting the bill would not advance this session and that further interim work would be needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The percentages of disability, is that outlined elsewhere in legislation?
• The legislation clarifies that the credit must carry over to the surviving spouse in the event The legislation
• My other piece of legislation does. But they are essentially the governing body.
• And so that's really what inspired this piece of legislation. Thank you. Thank you.
• I forgot to mention that this is a legislative masterpiece.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted committee substitutes and voted do pass on House Bills 383, 2940, and 1869 by unanimous roll-call votes. The chair then moved to public hearings and announced shortened testimony times because of the late hour. A large portion of the hearing focused on several nearly identical proposals to provide property tax relief to disabled veterans and, in some versions, surviving spouses. Representatives Jobe, Crosley, Bolerking, Schmidt, and Jones described different approaches: tiered exemptions based on VA disability ratings, homestead-based exemptions, county opt-in or opt-out provisions, sunsets, and in some bills relief tied to assessed value or personal property/vehicle taxes. Committee members raised questions about acreage limits, transfer of benefits to new residences, remarriage of surviving spouses, annual recertification, and whether counties should have discretion. Several witnesses in favor, including veterans and veterans’ advocates, urged broader eligibility, especially for 100% permanent and total veterans and those with individual unemployability, and argued the benefit would help veterans remain in Missouri. A public advocate opposed the bills on fiscal grounds, citing large projected costs to local governments, school districts, and state funds. The committee also heard testimony from veterans and advocates on the importance of recognizing spouses and families, and on the need to avoid burdensome county administration. Representative Schmidt presented two related bills, one offering a percentage-based property tax discount and another creating a homestead tax credit with county participation and a market-value cap; members discussed combining the measures and revising sunset and spouse language. Representative Jones presented bills extending relief to 100% disabled veterans and to personal property/vehicles, emphasizing that counties could opt in and that the credit should not shift costs to other taxpayers. The hearing ended before the final witness finished, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...to the Legislative Services Office.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with legislative services.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services.

Summary: The committee began with a general fund update from Legislative Services, which reviewed the latest green sheet, explained where to find budget information and hearing schedules online, and noted that JFAC actions had updated the FY 2026 and FY 2027 ending balance estimates. Members asked about tracking workgroup progress and were told to consult analysts and workgroup members rather than circulate a public daily summary. The update also noted several bills moving between chambers, including House bills 503, 556, 684, 737, and 759, and Senate Bill 1226. The committee then considered and approved several agency budgets and supplemental requests. The Idaho State Tax Commission budget was reconsidered and approved with a revised FY 2027 motion that removed funding for the chief operating officer salary and set aside funding for property tax education, tax automation, fast tax collection services, seasonal employees, replacement items, and OITS hardware; accompanying language restricted the fast tax collection money to that purpose and required any unused amount to revert to the general fund. The Office of Information Technology Services received approval for FY 2026 supplemental funding for Chinden campus furnishings and the E-CORE grant, and FY 2027 enhancements for enterprise security, the E-CORE continuation, and the final IT modernization transfer of 58 positions from Health and Welfare, along with cash-transfer language tied to SWICAP costs. The Military Division’s request for indirect cost recovery funds passed, but a proposed add-on for the state education assistance program failed. The Industrial Commission and Public Utilities Commission budgets also passed with dedicated-fund increases for IRIS maintenance, training, disability fund costs, and replacement hardware. The Department of Fish and Game budget was approved with a large package of dedicated and federal fund enhancements for fishery habitat work, Good Neighbor Authority projects, hatchery and lab inflation, temporary employees, wolf depredation response, communications, and equipment replacement, along with reappropriation authority. The Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services drew the most debate: one motion would have funded home visiting, immunization assessment restoration, lab testing, ARPA grants, HIV and hepatitis prevention, and related items, while a substitute motion sought to keep some funding but move the home visiting program to Early Learning and Development and restore additional public health items. Both motions failed, leaving that budget unresolved in committee. The meeting ended with new language for the State Controller and State Treasurer requiring monthly cash reconciliations between Luma and TATERS, reporting to JFAC and LSO, and retention of supporting documentation for audit purposes. The committee adjourned after being reminded that budget setting would continue through the week and that Monday’s agenda would include education, administration, building fund, and lottery budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• As no legislation this body passes would meaningfully reduce the dangers of a runaway convention.
• manage funding, the change, according to legislative counsel, were those changes in definition?
• You said that legislative counsel—but does that apply as well? Sorry, Mr.
• You said that legislative counsel—but does that apply as well? Mr.
• Because we are delegating the legislative authority to a non-legislative part of government, a rule is

Bills: HB2424, HB2608, HB2775, HB2805, HB2908

Keywords: Arizona political parties, precinct committeeman, precinct committeemen, proxy voting, party bylaws, county committee, state committee, qualified elector, election administration, political party rules, precinct representation, adjoining precinct, county party meeting, proxy attestation, notary public, witnesses, transitional housing, military veterans, grant program, housing services

Transcript Highlights:

• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• So, this legislation is here because when the rideshare sector began not that long ago, the legislature
• A number of legislators that hasn't been provided yet.
• guarantee in this piece of legislation?
• We as legislators have worked hard to close the digital divide.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that the legislative process is very intentionally one that is supposed to take a while.
• We know that the legislative Right?
• </c> action uh quicker than just legislative action uh quicker than just legislative action.<00:03:46.480
• Representative Frederick: Within the advisory, uh, we do have legislators who are appointed.
• </c> the advisory, uh we do have legislators the advisory, uh we do have legislators who<00:12:28.320

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2037, which would replace the current executive board model for Direct Care and Treatment with a commissioner-led structure. Representative Frederick moved the DE1 amendment, which was adopted, to conform the bill with Senate language and place the CEO under the commissioner. Frederick said the change was intended to preserve some continuity while increasing accountability and insulating direct health care services from politics. Frederick argued that the existing executive board, which meets only a few times a year and hires the CEO, would leave the legislature and governor with limited ability to respond quickly to serious problems in a billion-dollar agency. He said the bill is about accountability to Minnesota taxpayers and creating a structure more like other state agencies. Public testimony was closed without any outside witnesses. Members discussed the tradeoffs between board governance and a commissioner model. Chair Schumacher noted Frederick would become chief author of the bill, and several members said they appreciated the effort to balance accountability, continuity of care, and operational expertise. Questions focused on the role of the advisory council; Frederick said it would remain in place so stakeholders could advise the commissioner and CEO, and that legislators are included among its members. The committee then laid over House File 2037, as amended, for possible inclusion in a later bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially... in the laws that you legislators have in the laws that you legislators have also<00:14:
• I appreciate that, and I appreciate the legislators' legislative session this year.
• Good morning, legislators.
• Good morning, legislators.
• </c><01:32:02.400><c> Thank</c> legislative session. Oh, great. Thank legislative session.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees received an informational briefing from Hawaii DOT and related partners on the Navahine settlement and the department’s plan to meet its climate and transportation commitments. Speakers described the settlement as a first-of-its-kind agreement rooted in the state constitution, the public trust doctrine, and prior legislative findings and laws, including Act 131. They said the settlement is intended to formalize DOT’s work, establish milestones, and keep climate and transportation policy less dependent on changes in administration. The presentation emphasized that transportation is Hawaii’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and that the plan is aimed at meeting 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals. DOT outlined several major implementation pieces: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. The youth council reported on its membership, statewide representation, meetings, and work on charter, bylaws, and committees focused on policy and legislation, events and advocacy, and ground transportation. Youth members said they provided feedback on the energy security plan and discussed walk audits and safe routes to school. The department also described a new project-scoring tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts of every DOT project, which it said is intended to make Hawaii a national leader in evaluating transportation emissions. A major topic was the settlement’s transportation network requirement, which speakers said compresses roughly 15 years of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network work into five years and will require about $40 million to $50 million per year over the next five years. They said a GIS map is being developed to identify gaps and that the work will involve counties and other partners, with benefits for safety, connectivity, and emissions reduction. Other topics included clean fuel standards, electrification of ground transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel transitions, cold ironing at ports, and the costs and availability challenges associated with those transitions. DOT also reported progress on EV charging infrastructure, including two completed sites and more planned, and said it is using a sustainability partner contract to maintain chargers and recover only electricity costs. The briefing also highlighted carbon sequestration and fire mitigation work, including native tree planting. DOT said it has exceeded its minimum annual tree-planting commitment, with 3,000 trees planted in 2024 and 4,200 by mid-2025, and noted that the Legislature provided $15 million for fire mitigation that is being used for this work. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think... ...for wading into what is a hard area of legislation.
• Reducing legislation to do that.
• I too want to tell you that I think this is a great piece of legislation.
• So, Madam Chair, I want to thank you for this piece of legislation.
• content, you can't legislate content, you cannot legislate content.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the form of legislation. in the form of legislation. um<00:03:38.640><c> ideas</c><00:03:39.200
• </c> engaged legislators on our task force. engaged legislators on our task force.
• </c> West Virginia did legislate to ban that. West Virginia did legislate to ban that.
• </c> would inform any change in legislation. would inform any change in legislation.
• </c> each have a legislative email address. each have a legislative email address.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Again task force held its first meeting to set interim priorities rather than take formal action. Co-chairs and members said the group’s goal is to identify practical policy ideas to improve Kentucky’s poor health outcomes, with an emphasis on prevention, and to gather input from members and outside stakeholders. Roll was called, several members were present, and the co-chairs noted the meeting would be limited in length and would not include a lunch break. Members identified a wide range of possible focus areas, including childhood and adult obesity, nutrition in schools, food deserts, agriculture and support for local farms, health responsibility, physical activity, mental health, and provider education on nutrition. Several speakers stressed that Kentucky’s health care costs are rising unsustainably and that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Others emphasized that the task force should work with agencies, hospitals, universities, and experts, and should narrow its work to a few actionable areas rather than “chase every rabbit.” There was also discussion of food as medicine, improving the quality of food in schools and hospitals, and making healthier choices more accessible and affordable. Members referenced conversations already underway with industries, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and agricultural leaders. No votes or formal motions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the main action was the exchange of priorities and direction for future task force work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the uh Madame legislation at all.
• </c> relating to two pieces of legislation relating to two pieces of legislation that<01:09:17.920><c
• It It's already the 2023 legislation.
• </c><01:12:24.719><c> in</c> that if there is pending legislation in that if there is pending legislation
• </c><01:14:26.000><c> must</c> the view that uh the legislation must the view that uh the legislation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last legislative session, that was Was about the Legacy Earnings Fund.
• So again, that's still set by this legislative body.
• So again, that's still set by this legislative body.
• It doesn't change that there's legislative control.
• Well, we've got a busy next 30 days coming up, legislative body.

Summary: The Legacy Fund Committee received updates from the North Dakota Retirement Investment Office (RIO) on fund performance, liquidity, in-state investments, and internal management. Scott Anderson reported strong returns for the Legacy Fund across multiple time periods, with performance exceeding the policy benchmark and expectations, driven largely by strong equity markets and effective implementation. He also reviewed private market pacing, noting commitments were on plan but that unfunded obligations and distributions were lower than expected, and presented a new liquidity analysis showing the fund had substantial capacity to meet obligations even under stressed market scenarios. The committee also discussed RIO’s internal investment program and cost savings. Anderson explained how internal management of fixed income, equity, and cash overlay strategies has reduced fees and transaction costs, while improving flexibility and portfolio construction. Members asked about staffing needs, and RIO leadership said asset growth has outpaced current staffing, with a request for additional FTEs likely coming to support investment, operations, risk, and legal functions. The committee also reviewed the Legacy Fund’s in-state investment program, including 50 South Capital and infrastructure lending, and heard that one manager’s buildout is progressing more slowly because many opportunities are still early-stage. Adam Odison presented a preliminary estimate of the 2026 Legacy Fund earnings distribution, projecting about $894.8 million under current law, with roughly $237 million to the Highway Fund and $554 million to the Property Tax Relief Fund after the sinking and interest fund allocation. Jody Smith then gave a project update on a new standalone Legacy Fund website required by statute, intended to consolidate performance, holdings, governance, fees, and use-of-funds information for the public, with a planned launch around the October State Investment Board meeting. She also raised a possible future proposal to place the Legacy Earnings Fund back under State Investment Board management so the cash could remain invested longer before being transferred out, though members noted liquidity, accounting, and bank-deposit implications would need further review. Finally, Kelvin Holden of the Bank of North Dakota reviewed the match loan program, explaining how it supports large economic development projects by pairing Bank of North Dakota loans with State Investment Board CDs. He said the program currently has about $272 million outstanding and has supported projects such as Coal Creek Station and the MDU gas line to Gwinner. Members discussed whether the program’s return is appropriate and noted a prior moratorium on new investments so the committee can revisit the policy next session. The committee then elected Senator Klein as chair and Representative Hogan as vice chair, and the meeting ended with members thanking staff and partners for the fund’s progress.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another particular concern of the legislation is around the two semesters of Western civilization.
• So in the first section in 33-145, we just have some legislative findings.
• So in the first section in 33-145, we just have some legislative findings.
• So in section 33-145, we just have some legislative findings.
• This legislation is an alternative administrator bill.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from March 9, 10, and 11, 2026. It then took up Senate Bill 1336, a proposal to codify civics and American founding content in Idaho social studies standards. Sponsor Senator Anthon said the bill was a work in progress and asked that it be sent to the 14th order for amendment, citing concerns about flexibility, local control, and implementation. Testimony from school groups was generally supportive of the goal but raised concerns about codifying standards in statute, the Western civilization requirement, staffing and scheduling impacts, and funding for curriculum changes. The committee voted to send SB 1336 to the 14th order. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 1412, a school hiring and reporting bill combining earlier proposals on educator misconduct disclosure, mandatory reporting, employer verification, Professional Standards Commission reporting, and whistleblower protections for private school employees. Senator Nichols said the bill was intended to create uniform statewide protections and transparency. Testimony strongly supported the bill from several educators and advocates who described failures to report abuse, retaliation against whistleblowers, and cases where alleged offenders remained employed. The committee voted to send SB 1412 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 832, which would change career technical education hiring rules by replacing a fixed 6,000-hour industry experience requirement with standards set by the State Board of Career Technical Education. The bill was presented as a way to improve recruitment and retention of industry professionals, and it passed with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 711, creating alternative authorization pathways for school principals and superintendents through either a grow-your-own route or an executive leadership route. Supporters argued it would help districts, especially rural ones, recruit leaders and that it was optional; opponents said it lowered standards, did not solve retention problems, and could weaken preparation in school law, finance, and instructional leadership. Despite objections, the committee voted to send HB 711 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee revisited House Bill 516, which would restrict classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity and had an amendment clarifying that incidental references in certain subjects would not be prohibited. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters framing it as a parent-rights and transparency measure and opponents warning it would chill instruction and invite litigation; discussion focused on the meaning of “incidental reference” and the bill’s private right of action, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's a much-needed piece of legislation. We want to get it right.
• So this is an effort to move us to advance beyond where we currently are and create legislation that
• So this is an effort to nutty for us to advance beyond where we currently are and create legislation
• And so I had a meeting with the legislative auditor a couple weeks ago to see if there's any legislative
• And so I had a meeting with the legislative auditor a couple weeks ago to see if there's any legislative

Bills: HF3489, HF3990, HF3825, HF3826, HF3827, HF3822

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is align this legislation with already existing practices that have been in place.
• Other pending legislation?
• The unanimous consent has been requested to refer to pending legislation.
• The unanimous consent has been requested to refer to other pending legislation.
• This is the maintenance budget for the legislative branch, which includes legislative service offices

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House met with 67 members present and approved the journal, then received Senate messages transmitting enrolled Senate bills 1244, 1265, and 1331 for the Speaker’s signature, along with Senate Bill 1326 and House Bills 583 and 528. Committee reports advanced several bills, including House Bill 850 to Health and Welfare and a group of business, health, and state affairs bills to second reading. The House also printed House Resolution 26, which reviewed certain environmental and licensing rules, and later took up a large slate of second-reading bills covering education, transportation, child custody, appropriations, veterans, and criminal trespass. On third reading, the House passed Senate Bill 1314, which rescinds funding for regional behavioral health positions and boards; one member opposed it, warning of a disconnect between local communities and state-level behavioral health policy. The House also passed House Bill 716 on highway distribution and local road inspection funding, House Bill 648 requiring parity in coverage for oral and intravenous chemotherapy, House Joint Memorial 17 urging reconsideration of Obergefell v. Hodges, and House Concurrent Resolution 33 creating an interim committee to address sex torsion and youth safety. The House then recessed and reconvened later in the day. After recess, the House suspended rules to immediately consider and pass House Bill 846 on school enrollment and attendance accounting, House Bill 825 eliminating a 50-cent license plate fee and converting the Heritage Trust plate to a specialty plate, House Bill 815 correcting charter school transportation reimbursement, House Bill 717 as amended imposing a 30-day vehicle registration deadline and a $75 penalty for late registration, House Bill 668 as amended strengthening child custody interference enforcement, and House Bill 750 as amended establishing guardrails for programmable money and prohibiting discriminatory transaction controls. The House also passed House Bill 847 and 848 on judicial and legislative maintenance budgets, House Bill 849 on career ladder movement for CTE and pupil services staff, and House Bill 681 removing the statute of limitations for certain child sexual exploitation offenses. Most measures were transmitted to the Senate after title approval, with recorded votes showing some opposition on the more controversial bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I am here with this very dynamic, unique group of legislators to talk about some bills I have up
• There's no partisan, as I've been attending these legislator conferences and working with legislators
• conferences and working with legislator conferences and working with legislators<00:11:57.600><c> across
• </c><00:11:57.920><c> the</c><00:11:58.040><c> states</c> legislators across the states legislators across
• </c> legislators up here. legislators up here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senators Erin Maye Quade, Eric Lucero, Liz Boldon, and Chair Ron Latz discussed a package of bipartisan bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence and related technology in Minnesota. The speakers argued that AI can be beneficial but has been rolled out without adequate safeguards, citing concerns about consumer surveillance, insurance claim denials, dynamic pricing, chatbot harms to children, and the use of AI in healthcare utilization review. Maye Quade and Boldon emphasized protecting kids, consumers, and constitutional rights, while Lucero framed the issue as keeping law aligned with rapidly changing technology and protecting individual liberties. A major focus was the “reverse warrant” bill, which would restrict law enforcement from using warrants that start with an unknown suspect and sweep up data from everyone in a location or search terms in a broad area. The senators said such warrants are the opposite of the Fourth Amendment’s particularity requirement, though they noted ongoing conversations with the BCA and police chiefs about balancing privacy and public safety. They also discussed a bill to prohibit minors from accessing chatbots, describing chatbots as conversational, addictive, and uniquely harmful to developing brains; Maye Quade cited examples of self-harm, sexual content, and dangerous advice allegedly given to minors. The senators said the package was intentionally heard in Judiciary first so it could be referred to Commerce, and they expressed hope for further hearings there and in the House. Lucero said he did not support all the bills, naming the dynamic pricing bill and the AI utilization review prohibition as measures he had reservations about, while supporting the reverse warrant, disclosure, and minor-access restrictions. The discussion also touched on federal preemption concerns, with the senators saying states are stepping in because federal action has lagged and the harms cross party lines. No formal votes or committee actions were described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that the legislation reflects a thoughtful collaboration among the witnesses, legislators, and
• The term does not technically appear in the legislation or even in the title.
• This legislation is very vague. I don't think it's well thought out.
• All we're asking for is a seat at the table and proper legislation to be written.
• Because I, for one, do not like that we're adding legislative intent into bills.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee heard House Bill 754, which would add physical therapists to Idaho’s direct primary care law so they could enter direct payment agreements with patients without being treated as insurance contracts. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural areas, and would not expand physical therapists’ scope of practice. Some members objected that the bill’s wording could blur the meaning of “primary care” and create scope confusion. The committee passed HB 754 to the floor with a do pass recommendation after debate and a recorded no vote from several members. The committee then took up House Bill 724, which would codify safety-related rights for children in foster care, including safe placement, freedom from abuse, timely medical or forensic evaluation after abuse disclosures, basic necessities, and consideration of safety in visitation and placement decisions. The sponsor and multiple foster parents, foster youth, and advocates testified in support, describing serious abuse, unsafe visitation, and placement concerns and arguing the bill would help judges and agencies better protect children already in state custody. Some members raised constitutional and drafting concerns about enumerating rights in statute and proposed amending the bill, but a substitute motion to send it to amending order failed 4-12. The committee then passed HB 724 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 759, a Medicaid budget bill that would reduce funding for residential habilitation services, paired with a proposed audit and rate-study process for home- and community-based services. The sponsor said the bill would remove funding tied to prior enhancements that were not implemented and would help balance the budget, while providers and family members testified that the bill was vague, could create administrative burdens, and might cut services for vulnerable people with disabilities without clear assurance that rate studies would be followed. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee until March 11 failed, and a substitute motion to send it to the floor with a do pass recommendation also failed 9-7. The committee then voted to hold HB 759 in committee until March 11, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pending legislation. Not seeing any objections, go ahead.
• This is the co-pay accumulator legislation.
• We now have 25 states that have this legislation.
• This legislation would not be in conflict with that.
• This legislation would not be in conflict with that.

Summary: The committee first introduced RS 33403, a follow-on podiatry bill that would merge podiatry with the Board of Medicine and move certain rules into statute. Representative Ehlers explained it was a replacement for prior legislation, and the committee voted to introduce it without objection. The committee then heard House Bill 713 on copay accumulator policies. Representative Cannon and co-sponsor Representative Furman argued the bill would stop insurers from refusing to count third-party copay assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, especially for patients with expensive specialty drugs. Supporters, including patients and advocates, described serious financial hardship and treatment adherence problems caused by accumulators. Opponents, including the Idaho Association of Health Plans, argued the bill would raise costs and premiums, could conflict with Idaho’s anti-kickback law, and might interfere with private plan design. After debate, the committee voted 7-8 against the motion to send HB 713 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. Next, the committee took up House Bill 655 and its related RS 33527, a pilot program to incentivize preceptorships by giving certain Medicaid providers a 12-month exemption from prior authorization requirements. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce administrative burden and increase training opportunities in rural areas and in family practice, psychiatry, and OB-GYN, with caps on participation and expansion to advanced practice providers and PAs in the RS. The committee first voted to hold HB 655 in committee, then approved RS 33527 for introduction and second reading. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 723 on children’s residential facilities. Representative Erickson said the bill would add quality-of-care oversight, annual unannounced inspections, resident and staff interviews, a youth bill of rights, and critical incident reporting, based on an OPE study and prior testimony about abuse and gaps in oversight. Testifiers, including parents and former residents, described abuse, isolation, and lack of reporting mechanisms in facilities and supported the bill. The committee discussed whether the bill created enforceable rights, but the sponsor said existing child protection and corrective action processes would apply. The bill was moved to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope that you'll take on this legislation. Thank you.
• Anybody in opposition to this legislation? Anybody online? One in support?
• Rebecca checked with Legislative Finance.
• How many in the audience are in opposition to this legislation? All right.
• We do stand opposed to the legislation.

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• brought to you by 26 legislators at the request of constituents.
• I'm in support of this legislation.
• We want to thank the bill sponsor for bringing this legislation forward.
• This legislation was passed in Arizona. Is that correct? Madam Chair.
• by 26 legislators at the request of our constituents that came forward during this session.

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 54, which would ask the Public Regulation Commission to convene a working group on utility service problems in manufactured home communities. The sponsor described repeated water, electricity, and gas outages in mobile home parks and said current remedies are too slow and often require attorney general lawsuits. Supporters from PNM and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty said manufactured home communities are an important source of affordable housing and that clearer coordination and oversight are needed. The memorial passed on a due pass motion with no opposition. House Bill 166 then drew substantial debate. The bill would create a statewide permitting framework for battery-charged electric fences used by commercial businesses, while sponsors said municipalities would still retain zoning authority. Supporters argued the measure would reduce confusion, provide uniform standards, and help businesses deter crime without taxpayer cost. Several members raised concerns that the bill would override local zoning practices, favor a specific product type, and create conflicts with existing local codes and historic or mixed-use districts. Despite those objections, the committee advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote, with members noting it should be worked on further before floor consideration. House Bill 20 proposed allowing Native American applicants to request a Native American designation on state driver’s licenses and ID cards, using tribal documentation but not naming a specific tribe. Supporters, including tribal representatives, State Police, and the sponsor, said the designation could help with law enforcement, turquoise alerts, child welfare, health and education verification, and recognition of tribal political status. Opponents and some members expressed concern about racial profiling, stigma, and whether the designation could create unintended consequences or extra bureaucracy. The bill ultimately passed, with several members explaining their votes and asking for continued discussion with tribes. The committee also heard Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would remove constitutional language requiring school elections to be held separately from partisan elections, allowing school bond and mill levy questions to appear on the general election ballot. Sponsors and school board advocates said this could reduce special-election costs and increase turnout, while some members questioned ballot crowding and whether county clerks had been consulted. The resolution passed by due pass motion. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 295, a committee substitute creating an Office of Accessibility to centralize reporting and technical assistance on ADA compliance for state buildings and websites. Disability advocates and supporters said the office would improve coordination and accessibility, while opponents argued it lacked enforcement power and would not by itself change compliance. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended.