Transcript Highlights:

• The general operating position would then have the top two, which this is basically stating.
• the general uh operating uh you know the general uh operating uh you know position<00:03:31.319><c> would
• </c><00:28:35.240><c> elections</c> State House and Senate general elections State House and Senate general
• </c><00:59:02.440><c> of</c> just the influence generally of just the influence generally of lobbyists
• </c> um I think these concerns are generally um I think these concerns are generally you<01:04:25.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This, of course, represents a substantial amount of resource—$20 million from the general fund—and we
• fund and we million from the general fund and we know<00:27:26.760><c> exactly</c><00:27:27.080><c>
• fund or general obligation bonds.
• </c><01:02:35.000><c> fund</c><01:02:35.200><c> or</c><01:02:35.359><c> general</c> rest out of the general
• fund or general rest out of the general fund or general obligation<01:02:36.520><c> bonds</c><01:02:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Felipe Fuentes here on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California, and we respectfully
• What I appreciate about this bill is that it's a revenue generator at a time when the state does not.
• We hope that this will help generate income and revenue to increase enforcement and make it more fair
• Good afternoon, Matt Easley on behalf of the California chapters of the Associated General Contractors
• Felipe Fuentes, here on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker protections, AI in the workplace, bereavement leave, and construction labor standards. SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would increase public works contractor registration fees, raise prevailing wage and related penalties, and direct half of collected penalties back into the Public Works Enforcement Fund. Supporters said the bill would help combat wage theft and misclassification and strengthen enforcement; opponents argued the higher fees and penalties would burden contractors without fixing enforcement backlogs. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to Appropriations. The committee also approved SB 951 by Senator Reyes, which would require 60-day notice when 25 or more workers are displaced by technology and require reporting on AI-related job impacts. Supporters framed it as a response to rapid AI-driven layoffs and a way to gather real-time data; opponents raised concerns about small employers, proprietary information, and litigation. SB 947 by Senator McNerney, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review of automated discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and restrict predictive behavior analysis. Supporters said it would prevent biased or mistaken automated decisions; opponents objected to the inclusion of independent contractors, private rights of action, and other provisions. Both bills were advanced to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also passed SB 1149 by Senator Durazo, which would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person,” including chosen family relationships. Supporters, including AARP and a witness who described losing a long-term partner, said the bill reflects modern family structures; there was no opposition. In addition, SB 1185 by Senator Cortese, applying skilled and trained workforce standards to pharmaceutical facility construction, was approved despite opposition from business and construction groups who said there was no demonstrated safety problem and that the mandate could raise costs and reduce competition. Several other bills on the consent calendar were also approved, and all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Felipe Fuentes here on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California, and we respectfully
• Felipe Fuentes here on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California, and we respectfully
• What I appreciate about this bill is that it's a revenue generator at a time when the state does not.
• What I appreciate about this bill is that it's a revenue generator at a time when the state does not.
• Felipe Fuentes, here on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And once completed, the land generally sits idle, and no one really knows the status of it.
• So in general, when someone is audited, it's... I'm just asking how many.
• So in general, the bookkeeping, they will do it yearly.
• So in general, the bookkeeping, they will do it yearly.
• So in general, the bookkeeping, they will do it yearly.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As requested by the Chairman, you should have some general summaries of each of the rule dockets.
• The rule presentations will go a little bit beyond those general summaries and provide the committee
• But what is intended to do is allow the flexibility generally kept between 60 and 80, but what we had
• If so, how much are you bonding to generate that from other sources? Or what is the source of that?
• I just wanted your thoughts on that in general. Some of those are pretty heavy users. Mr.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Environment, Energy and Technology Committee met to consider a series of Department of Environmental Quality rule dockets, beginning with an overview of program primacy and incorporation by reference of federal rules. DEQ explained that Idaho adopts federal hazardous waste, air quality, and drinking water rules to maintain primacy and keep state rules aligned with federal requirements, while committee members asked about timing, notice of federal changes, and why the rules are not written out in full. The committee approved the hazardous waste docket 580105-2501 and the air quality docket 580101-2501 after brief presentations describing annual federal updates and examples such as e-manifest, sulfur dioxide standards, and emissions reporting changes. The committee also approved drinking water docket 580108-2501, which incorporated revised federal Consumer Confidence Report and Lead and Copper rules, and docket 580108-2502, a narrow technical correction restoring prior static pressure language for public water systems with an early effective date of sine die. DEQ then presented docket 5801-2-2501 on water quality standards, describing administrative updates to align Idaho rules with EPA actions, including removing arsenic from a hardness-based table and updating references to federal approvals; the committee approved it. The committee next approved docket 5801-13-2501, a temporary and pending rule for cyanidation ore processing updated to conform to Senate Bill 1170, with DEQ noting further negotiated rulemaking is underway for more substantive revisions. Later, the committee approved docket 58-016-2501 on solid waste management rules, which DEQ said was part of zero-based regulation and focused on removing redundant language and improving clarity. Docket 58-0116-2501 on wastewater rules was also approved after DEQ described modernization changes, clarification for aquaculture facilities, and updates from public comment. The committee then approved docket 58-0112-2501 on administration of wastewater and drinking water loan funds, which reorganized affordability criteria into tiers for disadvantaged communities, clarified ineligible costs, adjusted professional liability insurance flexibility, and simplified waiver provisions. Finally, the committee approved docket 58-111-2501 on groundwater quality rules with an exception for two sections related to unresolved federal PFAS standards, after DEQ said those portions should wait for federal clarity; members also discussed the meaning of “shall,” “must,” and “will,” and one member noted a wastewater reuse pilot project before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is where most of the value generated and the jobs created will take place.
• And that will ensure that the wealth generated here stays in the New Mexico economy.
• And so who generally owns the coordination, though? Is there a hub?
• So I'll give you a more generic answer because I don't know.
• How do we think about the next generation?

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not an effort for sheriffs to generate revenue.
• So, it wouldn't be a revenue generator for the counties necessarily. Mr.
• </c> this is going to be used to generate this is going to be used to generate revenue<00:05:10.160><
• So, it wouldn't be a<00:05:41.199><c> revenue</c><00:05:41.520><c> generator</c><00:05:42.080><c> for
• generator for the counties necessarily.<00:05:43.840><c> Mr.

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The largest supplemental investments are in general government, which includes the housing package.
• Additional projects in the general government functional area of the budget include funding for security
• Iman, this is the capital budget, which is, I think you probably are speaking to general fund dollars
• Hyman, I think you will appreciate that the capital budget is bonded against the general fund, which
• Hyman, I think you will appreciate that the capital budget is bonded against the general fund, which

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But yes, it would be around $6 million because it's not just the general fund that you gave us.
• Yes, so we had asked for $14 million of carryover general fund. So $14.4 million.
• Of which other funds is $3.598 billion, and general funds is $2.254 billion.
• Yeah, I'm just saying in general, Mr. Chair, I don't know the answer.
• I mean, the general fund is obviously taken.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration. The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight. Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we all know this hits close to home, as this is my parents' generation, it's our parents' generation
• , our grandparents' Generation, and so it is absolutely important that we continue to honor them.
• And the arts district, and it’s to provide materials and energy-generational programming.
• They have received some support; the county board generously provided $10,000.
• This book will be a lasting tribute to our town's history and a resource for future generations.

Bills: HF2411, HF2471, HF1440, HF1393, HF1631, HF1259, HF280, HF1281, HF1459

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• The limited access general category individual fishing quota permit. These are smaller boats.
• In ’23 alone, the scallop fishery generated over $450 million in landed value.
• In 23 alone, the scow fishery generated over 450 million in landed value.
• You know, we're always looking for a new generation of fishermen.
• So, on a general sense, I just want to make a few comments.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass. Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.

Transcript Highlights:

• History by securing the first union contract ever for the residents and fellows at Mass General Brigham
• Our union contract is the first ever union contract inside of Mass General Hospital, and that is not
• I'm a resident physician finishing up my training at Massachusetts General Hospital, and after I finish
• Importantly, I'm a proud member of our resident physician union here at Mass General Brigham, where we
• The idea of CEA in general ultimately is sort of a population health metric.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing. On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals. Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• Defend the dignity of the needy and protection for our children, that our wealthy and generous state
• </c><00:00:58.320><c> state</c> that our wealthy and generous state that our wealthy and generous state
• </c><00:49:24.480><c> And</c> from one generation to the next. And from one generation to the next.
• ,</c> submitting their art, not AI generated, submitting their art, not AI generated, um<00:50:26.559
• So this is just a motion to send it to the general register.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Normally, these are six-month CDs to generate return, but they roll off to provide liquidity for the
• In total, BND generates around a 4% return, not including...
• And I have a specific question about the slide, but then a general question.
• With prices being $30 more, we generate about a million barrels per day.
• So again, North Dakota prices are generally maybe $10 less than Brent.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous minutes, and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has been reviewing statewide cash, liquidity, and investment practices, finding that the state generally manages money well but could improve forecasting, automation, and coordination across agencies. He highlighted that the state has about $35 billion in liquid assets and investments, with most in longer-term investments, and described a change already underway replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work. Members also discussed the impact of House Bill 1176 on Legacy Fund earnings and the possibility of future legislation to avoid losing investment returns when large transfers are made all at once. The board also noted that some agencies still hold funds outside the Bank of North Dakota system, and that this is being reviewed. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the Task Force on Government Efficiency, saying the group has focused on how to measure whether programs are actually working. He said the task force has not yet proposed legislation, but the administration has agreed that new and expanding programs should answer five questions, including who is affected, what outcome is expected, whether there is another way to do it, and how success will be measured. Members discussed the need for dashboards, program evaluators, better data collection, and possible use of artificial intelligence to identify duplicate or outdated programs. Toman said the task force will continue reviewing agency workflows, with upcoming presentations from courts, the university system, the auditor, and other agencies, and that future legislation or rule changes may be needed to require performance metrics. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota presented labor market and program updates. He reported that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5%, labor force participation is about 68.7%, and the state continues to rank near the top nationally. He reviewed job openings, in-demand occupations, and several workforce programs, including H-2A agricultural worker inspections, the Job Placement Partnership Program with DOCR, and virtual and in-person job fairs. Davis said the DOCR partnership has shown strong results, with lower recidivism and higher earnings for participants, and he emphasized that Job Service tracks outcomes and reports them to federal and state partners. Members asked about child care subsidies, workforce participation, agency coordination, and whether more staff are needed for H-2A inspections. Finally, Allen Knutson presented the updated S&P Global revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the last update, making the revenue outlook more favorable but still volatile. S&P’s baseline forecast showed the current biennium’s four major tax collections about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and a much larger increase for the next biennium, though he cautioned that federal tax changes and oil market uncertainty could alter the numbers. In an alternate scenario using higher near-term oil prices, he estimated about $242 million more in oil and gas tax collections and roughly $120 million more for the Strategic Investment Fund. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about changes in tribal oil production assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• No general fund dollars go into those. There was also 25 minutes.
• No general fund dollars go into those.
• And generally... ...generally pretty good industry background experience in the type of reclamation experience
• And generally, I'm sorry, Chairman, Suavon, members of the committee, generally pretty good.
• The well counts generally increasing.

Summary: The committee met as the Budget Section’s Regulatory Division and first reviewed base budget materials for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Mineral Resources. Legislative Council explained the blue-sheet budget summaries and historical funding trends. The Housing Finance Agency then reported on its ongoing homeownership, housing incentive, and homelessness programs, noting that its new FTEs are being filled, loan servicing remains above benchmark, and the agency is operating largely on special and federal funds rather than general fund dollars. Housing Finance officials said the Housing Incentive Fund continues to be heavily oversubscribed, with requests far exceeding available dollars, and described how funds are being used for multifamily gap financing, rural single-family development, community land trusts, and homeless prevention/rapid rehousing. Members asked about performance measures, the number of people served, and the relationship between housing costs, wages, and homelessness. The agency said it uses scoring criteria tied to performance and outcomes, and requested that the Legislature maintain or increase funding for HIF, single-family housing, and homeless grants. Committee members also discussed the need to coordinate housing finance efforts with Commerce and broader site-preparation and workforce issues. The Department of Mineral Resources reported that it is on track with its budget, has filled most of its newly authorized reclamation positions, and is moving ahead on several initiatives, including IT modernization through Project North Star, organizational succession planning, and rulemaking for critical minerals and oil and gas programs. The director gave an extensive update on oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals and operational efficiencies are keeping production relatively flat even as rig counts decline, and that gas capture remains around 95 percent. Members asked about oil prices, hedging, spacing units, and the effects of geopolitical events on markets and state revenues. The committee also received an update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with additional oil and gas research funds also committed, and officials said the projects will require public status reports and final reports. The Pipeline Authority described major natural gas transmission projects, including the upcoming Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which recently completed a binding open season after the Industrial Commission selected WBI Energy’s proposal to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're actually generating revenue off of this.
• This is not a revenue generator. This is a cost. When you talk about...
• This is not a revenue generator. This is a cost.
• First of all, it's not a revenue generator. Reimbursements are just reimbursements.
• I represent four generations of Idahoans. I beg you to reject this bill.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from March 6 and March 9, then advanced two gubernatorial appointments to the State Building Authority: Nicholas Gouho and Todd Christensen, both with recommendations for confirmation. It also introduced RS 33670 on community schools, RS 33719 on sewer district rate regulation, and RS 33722 related to a presidential primary and down-ballot races. Senate Bill 1376, dealing with online candidate filing and shifting local filing/reporting to county clerks, was supported by the Secretary of State’s office and sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 29, which sought to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist organizations. The sponsor argued the resolution would help guide future state policy, while some senators raised concerns about the strength of the claims and the need for more research. Despite those concerns, the resolution was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 659, requiring local law enforcement to apply for available ICE 287(g) agreements and publicly explain any refusal, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve coordination, transparency, and public safety, while sheriffs, police chiefs, and several citizens argued it would undermine local control, add costs, and strain trust with immigrant communities. A motion to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment failed 4-5, and the committee then voted 5-4 to hold the bill in committee. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1356, which would make Ada County Highway District elections partisan and countywide rather than district-based. The sponsor said countywide elections would better reflect countywide transportation needs, while numerous residents, advocacy groups, and ACHD representatives opposed the bill as unnecessary politicization that would dilute local representation and increase campaign costs. The transcript ends during continued testimony against the bill, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've heard that the Attorney General is not allowed to intervene or to go into those cases.
• Does that require special legislation to allow the Attorney General to help the county prosecutors in
• Chairman Redouana, I believe that the Attorney General would need permission on the criminal cases...
• The Attorney General, I just not, because we currently have DAGs that represent the department right
• And as my good friend here to my left mentioned, we're protecting generations of children here.

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 and March 10 minutes, then introduced RS 33592C1, a proposal for a state pilot program to study psychedelic substances for PTSD and traumatic brain injury, with the sponsor saying no state funding was requested. The committee also heard and advanced Senate Bill 1255, which would add tribal health care facilities and tribal police officers to Idaho’s involuntary commitment process so tribal members in mental health crises can be evaluated and held more quickly; tribal representatives and the sponsor said it would improve coordination without changing state funding or the underlying commitment standards. The bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1257 on foster care visitation and permanency. The bill would clarify that visitation can include in-person, video, phone, and written contact, limit in-person visitation after substantiated serious physical or sexual abuse unless a court finds it is in the child’s best interest, and allow courts to consider a parent’s likely long-term incarceration when deciding permanency and termination. Department officials, foster parents, adoptees, and child welfare advocates testified that the bill would protect children from re-traumatization and give courts clearer statutory guidance. Some members raised due process and parental-rights concerns, arguing the bill could expand agency power or reduce protections, but after a failed motion to hold the bill in committee, the committee approved it on a roll call vote and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also resumed testimony on House Bill 808, which would expand the Medical Freedom Act. County, hospital, city, business, and public health witnesses opposed the bill, saying it would create conflicts with federal health and accreditation rules, weaken school and child care immunization protections, reduce the usefulness of the IRIS immunization registry, and interfere with employer and public-safety decisions. Supporters argued the bill would strengthen bodily autonomy and parental choice and reduce coercion around vaccines. The sponsor closed by saying the bill was about protecting private medical decisions, but no final action on HB 808 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not adding the general fund portion.
• So the part you deleted was where it says add $140,500 from the general fund to partially restore the
• So it just didn't make sense to me to add additional general funds at this time for this purpose.
• None of their enhancement requests were requested from the general fund.
• These are not dealing with adults generally. It's children.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved a $3,700 dedicated-fund enhancement for the Endowment Fund Investment Board to replace a high-end laptop. It then took up several Department of Lands items. A $125,000 supplemental for Forest and Range Fire Protection to help stand up firefighters was rejected after concerns were raised that prior firefighter bonus money had gone largely to office staff rather than firefighters. The committee did approve a supplemental shifting 1.25 FTP and $160,000 from the Abandoned Mines Lands Fund to the Navigable Waterways Fund to align spending with statutory uses, and later approved a broader FY 2027 Department of Lands package including radio equipment, vehicle storage, a UTV, legal counsel fund shifts, Idaho Geological Survey support, replacement items, and OITS hardware. A proposed substitute that would have omitted the $140,500 general-fund restoration for eastern Idaho fire preparedness failed, but the original motion including that amount passed. The committee also adopted language for the Idaho Geological Survey and later approved Parks and Recreation FY 2027 enhancements for staffing, trail work, a mower, grant pass-throughs, staff housing, interpretive displays, Farragut entrance work, RV campsite development, and replacement items, after questions about federal replacement-item funding were answered by the director. A FY 2026 Parks and Recreation supplemental allowing program transfers above the 10% cap also passed. The committee then moved to the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services. It approved FY 2027 funding for the Idaho Home Visiting Program, immunization assessment fund restoration, disaster planning and training, fee-for-service lab testing, ARPA multi-year grants, HIV prevention, hepatitis prevention, and a $19,000 suicide prevention restoration; a substitute motion that would have reduced the home-visiting restoration to $500,000 failed, and the original motion passed. The committee adopted reporting language for suicide prevention, HIV prevention, hepatitis prevention, and immunization assessment funds. It then considered the Division of Early Learning and Development, approving funding for Idaho Child Care Program capacity, replacement items, population forecast adjustments, and the transfer of the Idaho Home Visiting Program from Public Health; a separate motion to require an open competitive acquisition process for Idaho STARS was set aside and the committee instead held the language in committee for further work. The committee also adopted language for Idaho Home Visiting reporting, Idaho Child Care Program reappropriation, Idaho Child Care Capacity Grant restrictions, and a transfer-limitation exemption for the division. Finally, the committee began the Division of Family and Community Partnerships and heard a request for $180,000 in federal funds for kinship navigation services to help relatives and close family friends care for children and prevent foster care entry. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that item, so no final action on it is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:13.840><c> in</c> in office of the inspector general in in office of the inspector general
• inspector general whistleblowers come forward<00:04:33.199><c> and</c><00:04:33.440><c> say</c><00:04
• herself, prevented them for from general herself, prevented them for from pursuing<00:05:21.120><c>
• The Office of the Inspector General is just a criminal referral for criminal investigation, right?
• </c> it's not when there's just generally it's not when there's just generally unruly<00:20:26.880><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all