Transcript Highlights:

• He simultaneously serves on the city of Casey as a member of city council.
• He simultaneously serves on the city of Casey as a member of city council.
• The city of Akron, which I proudly represent, has been nicknamed the rubber capital of the world due
• </c> chapter 8 of Title 5 United States code chapter 8 of Title 5 United States code of<06:05:46.558>
• </c> this place or any public forum city this place or any public forum city council<07:19:11.638><c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I watched *Recovery City*, a documentary that took place in my district, I was about a month into
• I’m a subject in the *Recovery City* documentary that Rep. LeBoeuf mentioned.
• I'm the director-producer of the documentary *Recovery City*.
• that are everywhere, but in our gateway cities especially.
• We do have them sign a code of conduct.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a broad set of mental health, substance use, recovery, and patients’ rights bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2227, which would replace stigmatizing substance use terminology in the General Laws, and H. 3950, which would support parents in recovery involved with DCF by requiring more individualized recovery plans, clearer benchmarks for parenting time, access to recovery coaches or counselors, family counseling after sustained recovery, and staff training on addiction and lived experience. Speakers described the bills as ways to reduce stigma, increase accountability, and improve reunification outcomes for families. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1386, which would transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. Advocates, family members, and disability groups testified that Bridgewater functions like a prison rather than a hospital, with excessive restraint, seclusion, involuntary medication, poor conditions, and racial disparities, and argued DMH should oversee a treatment setting. One DMH occupational therapist and MNA member opposed the transfer, saying the real issue is mixing forensic and continuing-care patients and that DMH should instead create designated forensic units under bills H. 228/S. 1408. Committee members asked about Bridgewater’s population, the history of DOC control, capacity, staffing, and how a transfer might be implemented. The committee also heard testimony on modernizing the six fundamental rights for psychiatric inpatients, including expanding communication options, clarifying visitation and advocacy definitions, and improving access to gender-appropriate and culturally relevant items. Another bill, H. 2216, would require stronger oversight before antipsychotic medication is prescribed in nursing homes, prompted by concerns about inappropriate use. Finally, testimony supported H. 2240 and H. 2239 on sober homes, with supporters saying discharge and relocation policies are needed when a resident returns to active use or becomes unsafe, while preserving the recovery environment and resident rights. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2001, the legislature enacted Idaho Code 32-142, which formally established court assistance officers
• This is at the library, the gas stations, the post office, in both Idaho City and Horseshoe Bend.
• It's a city-owned public space.
• You can use this code for disturbing the peace.
• In your mind, what is the ...because there's no definition in code of a religious gathering.

Summary: The Idaho Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee began with introductions of a new page and visiting family members, then unanimously approved the minutes from February 19, 2026. The committee heard presentations from court administrators on court assistance offices, family court services, and treatment courts. Testimony described services for self-represented litigants, family law support, mediation and fee assistance, and the structure and outcomes of treatment courts. Members asked questions about recidivism, sanctions, and court procedures, and one line of questioning about child interviews in family cases was cut short because of pending legislation in that area. The committee then took up House Bill 692, which would expand access to child protection hearings and create a rebuttable presumption for attendance by children, relatives, foster parents, fictive kin, service providers, and legislators unless the judge finds exclusion appropriate. The sponsor and advocates said the bill would improve transparency and allow children and caregivers to be heard; opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, confidentiality, and the inclusion of legislators and broad categories of service providers. After discussion, the committee rejected a motion to send the bill directly to the floor and instead approved a substitute motion to send it to general orders by a 15-1 vote. Next, House Bill 23, a House rule change for procedures during a call of the house, was explained as allowing members and staff access to offices and restrooms while still requiring attendance and voting. It passed unanimously. House Bill 683, concerning sex offender residency definitions and removing a care-facility exemption near schools or daycares, also passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor and a sheriff. House Bill 684, shifting transport costs for escaped state prisoners from counties to the state, passed unanimously as well. Finally, House Bill 615, which would add religious gatherings and houses of worship to the disturbing-the-peace statute, drew both support and constitutional concerns about vagueness and First Amendment issues; it passed the committee 9-2 and was sent to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The procurement code was established in order to make sure there was a level playing field as we spend
• So section two, as currently stands, allows the procurement code to be healthy.
• Section two, as currently stands, allows the procurement code to be healthy.
• We have the City and County of Honolulu. Best value; IFB is not the only method.
• We have the City and County of Honolulu.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a rural economic development tool, not a big city program.
• I'm also from Lake Havasu City. Introduce yourself.
• The city is not liable for that. The developer's not liable.
• You have to go through your city.
• I have a feeling the city could end up paying for that.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the March 16, 2026 minutes and then heard testimony on several bills, with the chair noting that votes would be taken in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would increase the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion; Lucid Motors supported it as a rural economic development tool, while Senator Epstein questioned the fiscal note and whether the higher credit would actually attract new investment. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas funded by voluntary lodging assessments to support marketing and tourism promotion; the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix backed it as a competitive tool for rural and urban destinations, and committee members focused on whether participation was truly voluntary and how the assessments would be administered. HB 2780 made technical conforming changes to Arizona’s property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sale process, building on a prior law that created a mechanism for delinquent property owners to recover equity; the sponsor and a longtime constituent said the changes would fix timing and credit-bid language so qualified entity sales could work in practice. HB 2502 would let certain elected officials in ASRS retire at normal retirement age without resigning their office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate; ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor argued the bill would treat elected officials more like other ASRS members. The committee then adopted do-pass recommendations for HB 2502, HB 2780, HB 2950, and HB 2939, with each passing on split votes. The committee also adopted a striker to HB 2140, allowing the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and the Sound Money Defense League argued it would diversify reserves and hedge against market disruption, while opponents said gold is volatile, costly to store, and not something taxpayers need the state to buy. HB 2140 then passed as amended on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2398, as amended, which requires commercial liability insurance for watercraft rentals and peer-to-peer boat sharing programs, with supporters saying it addresses uninsured rental boats and law enforcement concerns; the bill passed as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee also heard HB 2999, a major housing-finance bill creating state affordability infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure through bonds and assessments; proponents said it would lower housing costs by spreading infrastructure costs over time, while contractors and some senators raised concerns about payment risk, impact-fee treatment, and whether savings would reach homebuyers. After adopting a striker and hearing extensive questions, HB 2999 passed as amended on a 6-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, this is a local issue, a city issue.
• Every city should have the right to decide on their own Issue.
• Every city should have the right to decide on their own personal historical value.
• Let's get certainty for the income tax code.
• However, the fines that the cities get pay for a lot of different programs.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading. The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory. Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our city council voted to fly certain flags. I vote for my city council.
• Gernica is our sister city.
• That's on city property.
• That's on city property.
• The city of Boise flies official city flags in accordance with the law.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a resident of Silver City and Grant County, and Healy Regional is a hub for all health care services
• in southwest New Mexico, not just Silver City, not just Grant County, but Luna, Catron, and Hidalgo
• I'm a registered lobbyist for Freeport-McMoRan down in Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico.
• Too many times in New Mexico's tax code, we actually disincentivize folks from investing... ...mining
• What we are doing is choosing, as a state, which pieces of the federal code we want to conform to and

Summary: The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee heard and voted on several bills, beginning with SB 190, which would authorize revenue bonds for Gila Regional Medical Center to replace an aging linear accelerator for cancer treatment. The sponsor and hospital representatives said the project is critical for rural patients who otherwise travel long distances for radiation therapy. After a brief amendment changing the bond term from 20 to 30 years, the committee advanced the bill 7-0. The committee then took up SB 152, a broadband affordability and rural telecommunications bill that would keep money in the broadband fund for maintenance, expansion, and a new affordability program after the federal ACP lapsed. The sponsor and broadband stakeholders said the bill is needed to close the digital divide, while some industry witnesses supported the affordability goal but wanted changes to broaden eligibility and adjust program rules. The committee heard public testimony from supporters and opponents, then passed the bill 8-0. Next, SB 77 would require certain highway and public works contractors to contribute to apprenticeship training funds; labor groups supported it as workforce development, while highway and asphalt contractors opposed it as an added cost and argued they already run their own training programs. After extended debate about whether the 60-cent-per-hour contribution would raise project costs or simply redirect existing prevailing-wage funds, the committee advanced SB 77 on a 5-3 vote. The committee also heard SB 182, a dyed diesel gross receipts tax deduction for agricultural use, but held it for the tax package without a vote. SB 151, a corporate income tax decoupling bill intended to recover revenue lost to federal tax changes, drew strong support from tax and advocacy groups and strong opposition from business, oil and gas, and chamber representatives who called it a tax increase that would hurt investment and competitiveness. Committee members raised concerns about long-term revenue stability and business impacts, but the sponsors said the bill would restore state tax capacity and selectively decouple from federal provisions; the bill was held for later consideration in the tax package. Finally, the committee heard SB 133 on eliminating gross receipts tax on medical providers for medical equipment and supplies, and SB 212 on a ski-area construction equipment gross receipts tax exemption, with sponsors arguing both would improve competitiveness and support industry investment; both were discussed as possible tax-package items and held for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies finding IQ loss are color-coded with the blue symbol.
• Studies finding IQ loss are color-coded with the blue symbol.
• Studies finding IQ loss are color-coded with the blue symbol.
• </c><05:28:05.840><c> of</c> Water Systems um which is like city of Water Systems um which is like city
• It depends if you're a village district, a town, or a city.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills in executive session, beginning with HB 568 on subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Representative Donnelly moved ITL, arguing the bill would create costly studies, that towns already have jurisdiction over needed studies, and that the issue was not widespread. The committee voted ITL 9-7. HB 582, dealing with safety requirements for personal watercraft, was also moved ITL on the grounds that existing law already covers the issue and the bill was unnecessary after recent action on personal flotation devices. Representative Derby opposed the ITL, saying the bill was a common-sense safety measure and would restore a misdemeanor penalty, but the committee voted ITL 9-7. The committee then retained HB 595, relative to coastal resilience zones, after members said the bill was important but needed more work and time because of its complexity. Members noted it should be revisited later, and the motion to retain passed 16-0. HB 607, funding the Hampton Beach Area Commission and making appropriations, received an ought-to-pass recommendation 15-1, with support from members who described Hampton Beach as an important economic driver and one dissenting member saying the state should not bear the full cost. The committee also adopted Amendment 2025-3 on HB 624, establishing a local river management advisory committee grant program, by a 16-0 vote; the amendment shifted funding decisions to the Department of Environmental Services based on demonstrated need and a first-come, first-served process. The bill as amended then received an ought-to-pass recommendation 16-0 and was placed on consent. Later, the committee retained HB 629, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams, after members said the dams need attention but the bill required more work because suggested amendments had just been received. That motion passed 16-0. HB 644, concerning drones in state parks, was ITL’d because the Department of Parks and Recreation is already working through rulemaking on UAS use in remote areas, and the committee voted 16-0 for ITL. HB 657, the short notice booking act access for New Hampshire residents to state parks, was also ITL’d at the request of the prime sponsor, passing 16-0. The committee then adjourned and announced a later hearing on HB 663, which would allow the Division of Historical Resources to use a portion of Moose plate funds for administering its grant program; testimony from the sponsor and the division supported the bill as clarifying existing authority, and no final vote on HB 663 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Century Code has established a $4 an acre cap for the maintenance levy.
• So Century Code says you can bond up to six years of your maximum levy.
• So I think we do a pretty simple change in Century Code.
• We also have the dike that protects the city of Devil's Lake.
• The state helped with the Devil's Lake Dam or their dike around their city, which was great.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases. Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and so when we leave our poorest tax code or our sales tax code the way it is, we currently exempt
• Uh, and so when we leave our poorest tax code or our sales tax code the way it is, we currently exempt
• Uh, and so when we leave our poorest tax code or our sales tax code the way it is, we currently exempt
• </c> example, in the higher tax cities of St. example, in the higher tax cities of St.
• </c> I'm currently the CEO of City Nursery.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying, I—my district, it's got a big city in it, and it's the 14th largest city in the metro St.
• I live in Kansas City. Kansas City. I'm in St. Louis. Okay. I see food trucks all over in my area.
• I live in Kansas City. Kansas City. I'm in St. Louis. Okay. I see food trucks all over in my area.
• Madam Chair, Shannon Cooper, today representing the city of Kansas City, and a little different twist
• Louis City, Warren County, and, in St. Louis County, Warren County, and St. Louis City.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met with 13 members present and first went into executive session. It voted House Bill 3095 and House Bill 3249 do pass, both by 12-1 votes, and also adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2142 that rolled in House Bill 2058 before voting the combined measure do pass by 12-1. The transcript does not describe the substance of those bills in detail, but records the committee’s favorable action on each. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3262, Representative Peters’ proposal to create an interstate massage compact. Supporters, including the sponsor, a massage business operator, a former state massage board regulator, and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, said the compact would improve workforce mobility, reduce duplicate licensing and background checks, and preserve state authority over standards and discipline. An opponent argued interstate compacts are unconstitutional, could supersede state law, and raise concerns about gifts and closed meetings. No vote was taken on HB 3262 during the hearing. The final hearing was on House Bill 3157, which would create a single statewide permit for mobile food vendors. The sponsor and supporters from the Institute for Justice and the food truck industry said the bill would reduce duplicative local permits and inspections, lower costs, and help food trucks operate across jurisdictions while keeping health and safety standards. Opponents, including Kansas City and Springfield-Greene County health officials, argued the bill would preempt local control, shift regulatory authority to the state, and create enforcement and fiscal concerns. Committee members raised questions about local inspection authority, fees, and a possible committee substitute, but no final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It absolutely does not end the decision of a developer or city or town to build or extend a gas line,
• And I will talk about my city, my hometown in Fitchburg, which many of you have toured.
• I hear it a... home in the city of Worcester found that heat pumps are cheaper.
• city in central Massachusetts, suggests that the clean alternative is also the less expensive one.
• That benefit a few cities at the expense of everyone in the state. Senator Kammerford.

Summary: The Senate continued debate on House 5175, An Act Relative to Energy Affordability, Clean Power, and Economic Competitiveness, taking up a series of amendments focused on clean energy procurement, oversight, gas infrastructure, housing impacts, and ratepayer costs. Amendment 22, offered by Senator Rogers, was rejected 5-34 after he argued the underlying bill already improves clean energy procurement and reduces utility middlemen. Senator Tarr then offered Amendment 34 to expand reporting, oversight boards, and consumer representation, and to strike provisions on consumer choice, gas program frameworks, and municipal procurement authority; it was also rejected 5-34 after supporters of the bill said the legislation already strengthens oversight through the EEAC, a new review board, and DPU audits. The chamber also considered Amendment 77 by Senator Eldridge to end ratepayer-funded gas line extension subsidies for new construction. Supporters said the subsidy unfairly shifts costs to all ratepayers, favors gas over cleaner alternatives, and could save about $1.6 billion over ten years; opponents argued it could raise housing construction costs, especially for gateway cities and large projects. After extended debate, the amendment failed 19-20. Senator Moore withdrew Amendment 65, which would have created a commission on reducing emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles while preserving long-term zero-emissions goals. Several other amendments were adopted, including measures on low-income discount charges, environmental justice protections, data and tax printing, and increased access to plug-in solar. The Senate also adopted the Ways and Means amendment, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 32-8. Separately, the Senate adopted a Judiciary extension order after removing two bills from it, and agreed to adjourn in memory of Robert G. Najarian.

Transcript Highlights:

• AMENDMENT BAR CODE 197591 YOU ARE RECOGNIZED INTRODUCE THE AMENDMENT. >> Rep.
• FLORIDA AND NOW IS SOLELY FOR THE PROMOTION OF RACING OF HORSES THE BILL ADOPTS THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
• I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, THE CITY OF DEWBERRY.
• EVEN THOUGH THE RENT WOULD THEN EXCEED THE PREVAILING MARKET RATE AND KEEP IN MIND THE CITY DOES NOT
• IN THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE SEVEN APARTMENT COMPLEXES REQUESTED THIS EXEMPTION.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is going to cause fear in cities. This is going to cause big problems.
• In reality, all this bill is going to do is hurt the state's economy and waste city resources.
• Amendment bar code 8-760.
• Amendment bar code 8-760. Seeing none, there is one amendment.
• Amendment bar code 876382 by Senator Bradley.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of this district is selected, and number two is to allow for the district to be annexed into a wet city
• within the county by a petition of the board of governors and approval of the city council.
• Lastly, this bill seeks to make nonsubstantive technical changes in updating existing code language in
• this style and comes under... ...this style and comes under 39-160 of the code.
• I truly believe that Alabama has an opportunity here to be the shining city on the hill.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very easy bill that removes the current requirement in Idaho Code 34-906 that, in general elections
• But a lot of times, I guess if you live in the city, there's a lot of things on your ballot.
• Each year, the LSO is charged with going through the code and all our bills and making sure everything
• Examples would be like sometimes we'll pass two bills in the same part of code, and so that language
• I do know that some of these, for sure, on the city and county levels, they are starting to add more

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 659 simply amends the Texas Penal Code to expand certain provisions in the definition of
• Uh, here's an example from a sheriff that operated in my, uh, area of operations in the Rio Grande City
• The case was centered around the Rio Grande City area where he executed 3 search warrants on the smuggling
• years, nonprofits motivated by faith to provide humanitarian aid have faced investigations under this code
• Section 20.05A3 of the Penal Code makes it a crime to knowingly assist, guide, or direct two or more

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities, counties, and park districts should be required to install AEDs at sports fields similar to how
• Modern AED units can be secured in protective code-accessible boxes that activate when 9-1-1 is called
• Cities, counties, and park districts should be required to install AEDs at sports fields similar to how
• Modern AED units can be secured in protective code accessible boxes that activate when 9-1-1 is called
• 2027, say the funding hasn't been identified, so somebody's out of compliance with that part of the code

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met as a subcommittee and heard three youth-sports safety bills. AB 310 would require youth sports organizations to have written emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies, maintain and test AEDs, and ensure coaches have training in AED use and CPR. The author and supporters, including the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation and the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology, argued the bill would save lives and build on last year’s AED requirement. Youth soccer organizations opposed the bill’s broader AED mandate on cost grounds, saying compliance could total millions statewide and could force higher dues, while asking for grants, liability protections, and public-field AED installation. The committee discussed costs and funding options, then passed AB 310 on a 9-0 vote. The committee then considered AB 437, which would add sports-related injuries, including head injuries, to the health and safety information the CIF must report to the Legislature and Governor. Support came from the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and there was no opposition. Members said the measure would improve reporting on athlete safety and accepted technical amendments. AB 437 was approved 9-0 as amended. Finally, AB 708 would allow parents to choose soft-shelled helmet add-ons for youth football to reduce concussion risk. The author described the bill as a parental-choice and safety measure, noting studies showing reduced concussion risk. Members praised the bill as a common-sense alternative to banning the sport and emphasized that it would let families choose additional protection. There was no opposition, and the committee passed AB 708 9-0. The committee also adopted a consent calendar item with amendments before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• appointments that have not been previously communicated pursuant to Title 67, Section 803 of Idaho Code
• appointments that have not been previously communicated pursuant to Title 67, Section 803 of Idaho Code
• volunteers came out from both... ...our nation's humble beginnings, volunteers came out from both hollers, cities
• From Boise nights with a bright city glow to Coeur d'Alene's calm waters below.
• discussing these acts of service, I failed to mention that Idaho is leading the nation in just-served cities

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the corrected journal, and received several committee reports and gubernatorial appointment recommendations. Judiciary and Rules reported Senate Joint Resolution 102 and Senate Bills 1224 and 1225 for referral, and recommended confirmation of Scott Smith to the Commission of Pardons and Parole. State Affairs also recommended confirmation of Megan Runk to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights and Salvador Cruz to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board. The governor’s transmittal of outstanding appointments was filed. The Senate introduced Senate Bills 1226 and 1227, dealing respectively with DNA sample/thumbprint collection for certain offenders and a generative artificial intelligence in education framework for schools. It also received House Concurrent Resolution 22 from the House, which declares 2026 the year of volunteerism and the America 250 and Idaho Service Challenge. The Senate suspended the rules by a 35-0 roll call vote, took up HCR 22 immediately, and adopted it after brief debate praising the America 250 effort and volunteer service. During the floor session, senators and guests highlighted the America 250 celebration, including a themed song and recognition of ambassadors and organizers. The Senate also heard announcements about a luncheon on land use and housing, a presentation on rats in the Treasure Valley, and upcoming caucus and chairman meetings. The body then adjourned until 10:45 a.m. the following day.