Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think the budget process will work itself out.
• No, this is not anything close to the $7.59 that the governor had in her budget.
• I request my remarks be entered into the journal.
• With that, I request your support. Please, thank you. Thank you for that.
• With that, I request your support. Please, thank you. Thank you for that.

Summary: The committee opened by announcing a heavy agenda and noting that Senate Bill 1176 would be held. It then took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 1272, which appropriates $5 million for the City of Douglas as a state match for the Douglas Port of Entry project. The bill was amended to draw the money from the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund instead of the General Fund. Senator Gowen, the Douglas mayor, and city staff described the project as a $678 million federal investment opportunity that would support water, wastewater, and broadband infrastructure, create jobs, and improve border security. The committee approved SB 1272 as amended on a 15-0 vote with three present and one not voting. The committee next approved SB 1503, as amended, which expands the state death benefit to include civilian pilots employed by law enforcement agencies and applies the change retroactively to January 1, 2026. Senator Gowen and DPS leadership testified that the change was needed so the family of a pilot killed in a February helicopter crash would qualify for the benefit. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1274, as amended, created a separate timeshare salesperson license and training path; supporters said it would streamline licensing for people who only sell timeshares, while one member objected to the added rulemaking discretion. It passed 17-1 with one not voting. The committee also approved SB 1286, which expands veterinary telemedicine by allowing longer prescription periods for certain medications after an electronic exam, with shorter limits for antimicrobials. Supporters said it would help rural and disabled pet owners and had been negotiated to the satisfaction of veterinarians and telemedicine advocates. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1519, as amended, raised the off-highway vehicle weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds and revised related registration and funding provisions; supporters argued it would reflect newer enclosed-cab vehicles and better align Arizona with neighboring states, while opponents warned of trail damage and said the study process was not complete. It passed 10-7 with one present and one not voting. Finally, the committee approved SB 1618, which restructures the Military Affairs Commission, adds members with defense and aerospace expertise, requires more frequent meetings and reporting, and updates the Military Installation Fund and related duties to better attract and retain defense missions. Supporters said the changes would help Arizona compete for military and defense investment, while some members questioned whether the commission’s mission was being broadened too far and whether the existing structure should instead be handled through other agencies. The bill passed 10-6 with one present and one not voting. The committee then considered SCR 1020, which would index legislative salaries to inflation or deflation starting with future officeholders if approved by voters. Supporters argued the current $24,000 salary had eroded significantly since 1998 and limited who could serve, while opponents objected to legislators voting on their own pay or preferred reducing session time instead. The resolution was approved and sent forward for voter consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> there was also a a request there was also a a request for<01:58:38.079><c> um</c><01:58:39.079><
• If I have a line item in my budget for $445,000 welfare relief and I have requests for $50,000, and the
• </c> if if I have a line item in my budget if if I have a line item in my budget for for for $445,000
• <02:13:09.119><c> for</c> requests for requests for 50,000<02:13:11.639><c> um</c><02:13:12.199><c> and
• line item in the budget, and it was pretty stable throughout all the years.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “We are accomplishing the request of the legislature to be eliminating duplication with the provisions
• So I'm requesting unanimous consent to withdraw my motion.
• Unanimous consent has been requested, withdrawing the motion. Is there any discussion on that?
• Larson, genuinely, is one of the recommendations in the governor's proposed budget was to do away with
• From the menu of options that the governor suggested to you in his budget, these rules would still be

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Health and Welfare Committee met to consider several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare rule dockets tied to licensing and certification. The first docket rewrote and consolidated rules for developmental disabilities agencies and residential habilitation agencies, with the department saying the changes streamline overlapping requirements and remove duplicative language. A member asked about physical restraint provisions, and staff explained the definition was carried over from the residential habilitation chapter and that restraint remains limited and subject to written consent and plan requirements. The committee approved the docket unanimously. The committee then took up the residential assisted living facilities rewrite. Department staff said the revision reorganizes application, resident activity, admission termination, and medical review provisions, removes redundant language, and aligns fire safety references with the International Fire Code. Members focused heavily on criminal history and background check language, especially whether unlicensed employees could work before clearance and whether the proposed wording weakened supervision requirements. Staff said the change was not substantive and that employees awaiting clearance must still be supervised and not have one-to-one contact with residents; they also clarified that memory care units are covered by these rules. After questions about the application process and business registration, the member who had proposed striking a subsection withdrew the motion, and the committee approved the docket in full. A third docket repealed the residential habilitation agencies chapter because its substance had been recodified in the earlier consolidated chapter; the committee approved that repeal as well. Finally, Representative Redman presented RS 33050, which would update Idaho’s midwifery statute to reflect modern practice and allow licensed midwives to administer medications within their training and scope. He described it as a modernization rather than a scope expansion, and the committee voted to introduce the RS. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I believe there's some dollars in the budget request from ITS that are there. >> I want to say, and
• Clerk, please read the title. requested. Anyone object voting no? requested.
• </c> requested. Anyone object? Voting no. requested. Anyone object? Voting no.
• </c> Immediate release has been requested. Immediate release has been requested.
• </c> requesting object. requesting object.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:01:32.400><c> by</c> Okay, a roll call has been requested by Okay, a roll call has been requested
• request.
• </c><01:16:09.520><c> request.
• </c><01:16:10.360><c> After</c> its biennial budget request. After its biennial budget request.
• This bill also removes prior statutory requirements tying the department's biennial budget to request

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note was requested but is not yet available. That concludes my presentation.
• This request does not create a mandate. It will not displace existing programs.
• A fiscal note was requested, but is not yet available, and that concludes my report.
• A fiscal note was requested, but is not yet available, and that concludes my remarks.
• Fiscal note was requested, but is still not available.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several education bills. SB 6078 would provide pre-licensing supports for prospective child care providers through DCYF, fire protection consultations, and a licensing resource guide; the sponsor, DCYF, and a community nonprofit all supported it, emphasizing that it would reduce fragmented permitting barriers and help expand child care access, while a senator raised the possibility of overlap with existing early learning facilities support. SB 6089 would create a public-private partnership account to support coordination across the P-20W system and fund a public-facing data dashboard; the sponsor and many advocates supported it as a way to align early learning through workforce systems and improve transparency, while some testifiers urged stronger public oversight, caution about private influence, and explicit inclusion of early learning. SB 5859 would expand competency-based assessments as graduation pathway options; supporters said it would better reflect how students learn and provide flexibility, while the State Board of Education and school principals urged caution and suggested waiting for the board’s broader Future Ready graduation review. SB 5861 would require more school board directors to be elected from director districts in larger districts; supporters said it would improve community representation, while some districts and WSSDA warned about local control, added costs, and governance disruption. SB 6065 would allow districts in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds for temporary loans or transfers with OSPI approval; supporters said it could help districts recover financially without harming transportation needs. After the hearings, the committee moved into executive session and acted on two bills. It adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5956, which restricts certain automated decision systems, surveillance technologies, biometric data, and facial recognition uses in student discipline and school safety decisions, and then advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5901, which concerns state funding for on-base school construction, and advanced that bill with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means. Both measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:27:34.320><c> interest</c> budgeted $1.5 million in interest budgeted $1.5 million in interest
• </c> budgeting practices. budgeting practices.
• </c> it is doing to stu that that the budget it is doing to stu that that the budget does<02:38:24.080
• ,</c> training, simple budgeting frameworks, training, simple budgeting frameworks, and<02:40:59.680>
• </c> finances and um running better budgets finances and um running better budgets and<02:41:58.640><

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, JBC will be meeting across the street on adjournment, and we'll be considering supplemental budget
• requests from health care policy and finance.
• adjournment and we'll be considering adjournment and we'll be considering supplemental<00:26:32.720><c> budget
• </c><00:26:33.360><c> requests</c><00:26:33.919><c> from</c> supplemental budget requests from supplemental
• budget requests from healthc<00:26:35.039><c> care</c><00:26:35.279><c> policy</c><00:26:35.600><c>

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and suspended Senate Rule 1B to allow Senator Sullivan’s granddaughter, daughter, and wife to lead the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Senate then approved the January 26, 2026 journal as corrected and received routine administrative notices, including that several bills and resolutions were correctly engrossed or revised. Members made a series of announcements and personal privilege remarks recognizing guests and upcoming events. The chamber welcomed representatives from Summit Stone Health Partners, who were praised for their behavioral health and crisis services in Northern Colorado, including crisis intervention, detox, outpatient treatment, mobile crisis response, and peer support. Senators also highlighted an upcoming higher education reception, a Forest Health Council breakfast, a State Affairs Committee hearing on Senate Bill 4, and a Colorado Airport Operators Association reception. Additional announcements noted that the Joint Budget Committee would meet on supplemental budget requests from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, and that the Joint Health and Human Services Committee would hold its SMART Act hearing after adjournment. Senator Bridges promoted the Great Colorado Payback and National Unclaimed Property Day. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11 a.m. later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax assessor collector is not required to send a refund to a taxpayer unless the taxpayer formally requests
• If no request is made, any overpayment is applied toward the next year's property taxes.
• You can request a refund and it must be processed within 60 days of the request.
• The city pre-funds the park board on a quarterly basis per the approved budget and a 95% factor that
• True up if HOA achieves or exceeds the approved budget, the remaining funding is provided to the park

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, Madam Clerk, Governor's Message No. 4 makes amendments to the Governor's executive budget request
• 15.879><c> executive</c> amendments to the governor's executive amendments to the governor's executive budget
• <00:02:16.720><c> request</c><00:02:17.080><c> for</c><00:02:17.239><c> fiscal</c><00:02:17.640><c> banum
• </c><00:02:18.319><c> 2025</c><00:02:19.319><c> to</c> budget request for fiscal banum 2025 to budget
• request for fiscal banum 2025 to 2027<00:02:21.519><c> file</c><00:02:22.519><c> Governor's</c><00:02

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any requests for leave at this time? Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Leave for Senator King.
• Any other requests for leave? If not, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• Again, we've been having conservative budgets for a number of years that's let us be able to get to the
• Do you have any idea today what that percentage of the overall general budget or general revenue it might
• And we hear a lot about contemplating things and conservative budgeting, but to some people, that just

Summary: The Arkansas Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief morning hour that included an announcement about volunteers for the Hunger Caucus “Serving Up Solutions” fundraiser. The chamber then moved to its business agenda, where the main item was Senate Bill 1 by Senator Dismang, which would reduce income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. Senator Dismang explained the bill as a continuation of tax reductions begun in 2013, lowering the top individual rate from 3.9% to 3.7% effective January 1, 2026, and reducing the corporate rate to 4.1% starting next year. The bill drew debate over state priorities and fiscal tradeoffs. Senator Flowers questioned local sales tax limits and whether future needs such as Medicaid, education, and educational freedom accounts could be funded if taxes were cut further. Senators Tucker and Leding spoke against the bill, arguing the state should prioritize investments in early childhood education, hospitals, maternal health, and public schools rather than returning revenue to taxpayers. Senator McKee spoke in favor, saying money should be returned to the people who produced it. Senator Dismang closed by emphasizing that the tax cut was supported by surplus revenue and that a family making $65,000 had already seen a significant reduction in effective tax burden since 2013. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1 by a vote of 29 yeas to 6 nays and transmitted it to the House. Afterward, members announced that the Revenue and Taxation Committee would meet after House adjournment if the House sent over its tax bill, and the Senate adjourned subject to clearing the desk and reading House Bill 1001 across the desk, until 9 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, we don't have a state budget yet for this year. We don't have a state budget done.”
• “For this year, we don't have a state budget done yet for this year as far as budget apportionments.
• All right, and roll call is requested by five members. The request is seconded.
• Who requested the roll call? Mr. Pace. Do nine members second that request? Nine members do.
• I've got an adjourning memory request. All right, state your request.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cuts to Medi-Cal lead to reduced state budgets and ultimately cuts to critical programs like home and
• And I'd make one comment because unfortunately I am the budget chair. Yeah.
• I urge support for this request.
• What kind of supports is, and I understand that there's still a budget to come and proposals to come,
• You know, they budget for that. And this isn't a city that has a lot of food banks.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funding but I do understand um budget funding but I do understand um budget restrictions<00:05:02.800
• </c><01:07:25.119><c> even</c> make a request they made a request even make a request they made a request
• much of your budget is spent on political activism?
• Then my other question was how much your budget goes to political activism. and how much of your budget
• <01:11:57.159><c> from</c><01:11:57.360><c> this</c> requested from this requested from this committee

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• partnership with the Attorney General's Office to ensure we are aware of any impacts to the state budget
• a week later. overnight, the funding freeze. by the Office of Management and Budget a week later.
• Most likely, they're going to go after them via budget reconciliation.
• We're also monitoring the 2026 budget and waiting for the forthcoming environmental bond bill.
• We're also monitoring the 2026 budget and waiting for the forthcoming environmental bond bill.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits. The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a request for the Medical Commission.
• Did we not cut in excess of $7 million on the state budget last year for abortion access?
• We are all painfully aware of the dire budget climate facing lawmakers this session.
• We have seen what happens when constitutional duties collide with budgets.
• Make sure that there's budget and policy perspectives on this group.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a public hearing on six bills, with the chair repeatedly emphasizing one-minute testimony limits because of the large number of sign-ins. The committee first heard SB 6292, which would create a joint legislative-executive committee on health care financing to study strategies for improving statewide access and coverage and report in 2027. Supporters, including the Health Care Authority, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, community health centers, carriers, and provider groups, said the bill could help the state respond to affordability and system sustainability challenges and coordinate policy work across branches of government. The committee then heard SB 6258, which would create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntarily relinquishing certain Washington Medical Commission licenses. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would provide a humane exit option for physicians and other licensees who are medically disabled or otherwise leaving practice, without forcing them into a disciplinary process. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, and the hearing closed with 17 people signed in pro and 2 con. The committee also heard SB 6182, establishing an abortion savings program funded by a new assessment on health carriers. Supporters argued it would recapture funds originally set aside for abortion care under the ACA and protect access amid federal changes, while opponents raised concerns about hidden taxes, lack of opt-out, and the impact on premiums and conscience rights. The hearing drew very large public interest, with 245 signed in pro and 1,775 con. The committee next took testimony on SB 5947, which would establish the Washington Health Care Board and prepare a state universal health care plan contingent on federal authorization and funding. Supporters from labor, health care, tribal, and universal coverage advocacy groups said the bill would position Washington to act quickly if federal waivers become available and argued that health care should be treated as a human right; opponents warned about costs, vagueness, and government overreach. The hearing then moved to SJR 8206, a proposed constitutional amendment declaring access to affordable health care a fundamental right. Supporters framed it as an aspirational commitment and a necessary step toward universal coverage, while opponents argued the language was vague, legally risky, and could create costly obligations. Finally, the committee heard SB 5823, which would require hospitals to employ or provide access to patient advocates to help patients navigate bills, records, and appointments. Hospital and patient coalition witnesses supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify staffing, exemptions, and scope; the hearing closed with 20 signed in pro, 792 con, and 3 other. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to the budget and we're taken care of. to the budget and we're taken care of.
• And it's just on page 39 of your budget.
• </c><00:30:20.080><c> is</c> having this language in the budget is having this language in the budget
• c><00:36:21.760><c> uh</c> respectfully request to withdraw uh respectfully request to withdraw uh amendment
• </c><01:00:25.119><c> document,</c> Our budget is a moral document, Our budget is a moral document, and

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the process of requesting a mail ballot is very good. The process is good.
• I think the process of requesting a mail ballot is very good. The process is good.
• You're dealing with a request for the ballot. The ballot gets filled out.
• I want to focus you in on the part that says a request to be included.
• Our budget people aren't going to do that. We still have the caucus system.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That don't have the budgets for websites and all that.
• That don't have the budgets for websites and all that.
• And when you look at their budget...
• When you look at their budget, it's not much greater than $2.6 million.
• And when you look at their budget, it's not much greater than $2.6 million.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills on water quality, public safety, utilities, and transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment and water quality enhancement areas was presented as a follow-up to prior water quality legislation and was reported favorably with no opposition. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy, drowning prevention, and autism advocates who described Florida’s high child drowning rates and supported requiring at least one pool or water-safety feature at short- and long-term rentals; the committee adopted two amendments, including one requiring license applicants to certify compliance, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1724 on municipal utility services, which addresses outside-city utility service agreements, revenue use, rate limits, and customer meetings; an amendment added gas utilities back into the bill. CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a section viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then reported favorably. SB 1622, creating a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, was supported by speakers and reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage at towing facilities was amended to focus on storage only and to limit the extra fee period until inspection clears fire risk; the bill drew mixed testimony from insurers, towing-related interests, and fire officials, but was reported favorably. Later, SB 1264 on private schools was presented as easing zoning and occupancy barriers for small schools and microschools, with supporters saying it would help meet demand for school choice; members raised concerns about local implementation, but the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits was amended to apply only to residential properties and to clarify capacity and annexation-related exceptions; it was supported by local-government and environmental testimony and reported favorably. CS/SB 1102, expanding the local government infrastructure surtax to include body camera costs, was amended so any use would require a new referendum and was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related information, drew testimony from counties, cities, and transparency advocates about costs and uniform templates, and was reported favorably after amendment, with several senators noting concerns for smaller local governments while supporting the transparency goal.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you very much.
• I would respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you very much.
• We didn't get it done then; it got done in the subsequent budget.
• It got done in the subsequent budget. 15. We didn't get it done then.
• It got done in the subsequent budget.

Keywords: 988, house, all