Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, that is a truism: the polarization, the politicization, the two-party system, whatever it is
• Chairman, you've already said that the system isn't set up, and now you're saying the system is set up
• Chairman, you've already said that the system isn't set up, and now you're saying the system is set up
• Chairman, there's more kids. set up and now you're saying the system is set up against that. Mr.
• The rest are in the public K-12 system, and I can't support a measure because it's troubling.

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first heard SCR 1028, a voter-referral constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds legislative vote for state fee and assessment increases set by agencies, closing what supporters described as a loophole that has allowed fee hikes without direct legislative approval. The sponsor argued the measure would restore accountability and prevent agencies from using fees as a workaround for tax increases, while opponents from business and economic groups warned it would make agencies less responsive, delay needed adjustments for inflation and program costs, and shift costs to taxpayers or reduce funding for services. After debate, the committee returned SCR 1028 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent. The committee then took up SB 1142, which would have Arizona opt into a federal tax credit program for donations to scholarship-granting organizations and set eligibility requirements for those organizations. Supporters said the program would bring in private dollars at no state cost, expand school choice, and help students with tutoring, special needs, transportation, and other educational expenses; they also argued that if Arizona does not opt in, donations could flow to other states. Opponents, including the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, said the federal program was not yet fully written, lacked guardrails, and could further strain public schools by diverting resources away from the majority of students who remain in district schools. The committee returned SB 1142 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So nothing with the current system would change.
• Madam Chair, Representative Chavez, this is not changing the current system.
• They do not have a local carrier system. It's all the shipment system utilizing UPS or FedEx.
• TriCare and Quest don't have carrier systems across the state.
• So oftentimes the jail system and the court system is requesting a broader, more frequent testing than

Summary: The House Health and Human Services Committee first heard House Bill 256, which would require school cardiac emergency response plans to address sudden cardiac arrest at school athletic activities and ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible at those events. The sponsor and an American Heart Association representative said the bill builds on last year’s law and is meant to improve implementation, not add new equipment costs. Members asked about funding, were told the AEDs are already in place, and the bill received a due pass with no opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 278 on Medicaid reimbursement for toxicology testing in substance use disorder treatment. The sponsor and Southwest Labs argued that current payer policies limit providers’ clinical judgment, that a new flat-rate code for unlimited analytes would improve care, keep Medicaid dollars in New Mexico, and support local laboratories. Several members raised concerns about whether the bill effectively rewrites bundled G-codes, whether it mainly benefits one company, how it affects MCO contracts, GRT/tax issues, and whether the fiscal estimates were realistic. After extensive questioning and conflicting views, a due-pass motion was made but the vote ended in a tie, so the bill did not advance. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 287 to create a permanent, full-time Health and Human Services Committee with a director and expanded membership, similar to other permanent legislative committees. Supporters from advocacy and policy groups said health care is too large and complex to be handled by a part-time interim committee and that year-round staffing would improve oversight and policymaking. Members discussed committee composition, staffing, subpoena power, and the proposed appropriation, and the sponsor said the bill is a starting point that could be refined later. The committee approved HB 287 on a do-pass motion and then adjourned until Monday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know these algorithms are powerful because they helped to build the systems that proved it.”
• They’ve described a systemic effort to prevent, whitewash, or erase findings that reflect negatively
• This plus Meta's sophisticated system of harassment and retaliation toward anyone who speaks up about
• However, when adolescents are already experiencing distress, algorithmic systems may also expose them
• We believe enacting legislation that closely resembles are in the court system.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade and Economic Development Committee first held a work session on protecting children online. Testimony focused on a proposed Kids Online Protection Act that would limit addictive algorithmic feeds for minors and restrict push notifications during school hours and at night. Supporters included a former tech executive, a Meta whistleblower, and a psychology researcher, who argued that social media design exploits adolescent development, harms well-being, and that the bill gives parents and children more control without banning access to content. Industry and trade group witnesses opposed the approach, arguing it would violate the First Amendment, create privacy risks through age verification, and could reduce useful personalization and safety tools; they said companies are already implementing teen protections and parental controls. The committee did not take a vote during the work session. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5928, sponsored by Senators Warnick and Short at the request of the Insurance Commissioner. The bill would require property insurers using wildfire risk scores or models to disclose more information to consumers, explain adverse factors, provide appeal and rescoring processes, and account for mitigation actions in rate filings and discounts. The Office of Insurance Commissioner, a Colville Tribal representative, fire district testimony, climate advocates, realtors, hospitality businesses, and insurance agents generally supported the bill as a transparency and consumer-protection measure, with some urging inclusion of commercial lines and stronger recognition of local fire mitigation. Several insurance trade groups opposed or were neutral, warning that the bill goes too far, could expose proprietary underwriting information, increase regulation and costs, and should be narrowed to align with other states’ approaches. No vote was taken, and the chair adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support a coordinated with system support a coordinated with system response<00:15:36.240><c> when
• . system.
• </c><00:40:12.440><c> And</c> online teacher licensure system. And online teacher licensure system.
• </c> student-centered system of assessment. student-centered system of assessment.
• </c> system because of this new reading MCA. system because of this new reading MCA.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and wastewater systems.
• </c> expands this to drinking water systems expands this to drinking water systems that<01:38:06.480>
• </c> big systems.
• It's covering the systems big systems.
• We see them attacking these systems<01:48:52.239><c> remotely,</c> systems remotely, systems remotely

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or who have been diverted from the criminal justice system, essentially.
• In collaborative court system? It is a different population.
• Drug courts are part of the collaborative court system? Yes.
• To replace 17 firearm and ammunition systems and databases.
• Court Appointed Counsel System.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:51.920><c> Incorporated</c> Big System Incorporated Big System Incorporated employee<00:13
• ,</c> Finelli, president of Digsafe System, Finelli, president of Digsafe System, Inc.<01:15:40.320><
• </c> relative to limiting new system relative to limiting new system enrollment<02:06:04.400><c> and<
• </c> the solar energy systems tax exemption. the solar energy systems tax exemption.
• </c> systems. They're installed, right? systems. They're installed, right?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Identity Project speaking in opposition to the proposal for the DMV proposal for the state-to-state system
• One is, as you said, the justice system.
• Those are within the context of the justice system.
• any faster because of how the court system is right now.
• any faster because of how the court system is right now.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation met with a quorum present and took up a vote-only agenda on a large set of budget issues across corrections, public safety, judiciary, labor, and transportation. One public commenter, Edward Hasbrook of the Identity Project, opposed the DMV state-to-state Real ID proposal, arguing that uploading driver data to the AMVA/Spex database would expose Californians’ information to federal and out-of-state access and should be removed from the budget for fuller consideration. The committee then voted on multiple grouped items in Part A, Part B, and Part C, generally adopting staff recommendations. Most votes passed with either unanimous support or two-to-one margins, with Senator Seyarto occasionally voting no or not voting. The actions were described as reflecting the Senate’s budget plan and were intended to be folded into the broader budget agreement. In closing comments, the chair and members highlighted several issues they want to continue pursuing in negotiations, including privacy and security concerns with the Real ID state-to-state system, rehabilitation and reentry programming, workforce training, and expansion of the Wildfire Mitigation Grant Program. Senator DeRazzo also emphasized support for justice-system programs, public defenders, trauma recovery centers, and workforce initiatives, while Senator Seyarto stressed transportation funding, court capacity for Prop. 36 implementation, and broader workforce and business development. The chair thanked public participants, staff, consultants, sergeants, and the Department of Finance and LAO, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason for this is you’ve got some people out there that are kind of gaming the system.
• The reason for this is you’ve got some people out there that are kind of gaming the system.
• So when we switched from an over-the-counter system to the draw system, it changed the game a lot for
• So when we switch from an over-the-counter system to the draw system, it changed the game a lot for how
• And so this in this current system, it would essentially allow them they would still pay non-resident

Summary: The committee heard and advanced Senate Bill 1396, sponsored by Senator Lakey, which repeals Idaho Code 67-452 and removes Idaho’s obsolete membership in the Pacific Fisheries Task Force. Lakey said Idaho has not participated since 2022 and that the task force is no longer necessary. The committee had no questions and voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 855, presented by Representative Petsky, which changes the residency requirement for purchasing a lifetime hunting or fishing license from six months to five years. Petsky and Idaho Department of Fish and Game representative Ellery Tucker Williams said the bill is intended to close a loophole used by people moving to Idaho briefly to obtain lifetime licenses, then leaving the state while still benefiting from resident-style tag access and lower costs. After questions about how residency is verified and whether other approaches, such as grandfathering or revoking licenses after a move, might be better, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with one member requesting to be recorded as opposed. House Concurrent Resolution 34, sponsored by Senator Harris, was also introduced and advanced. The resolution supports Idaho’s rights under the Bear River Compact, calls for studies and feasibility work on storage and recharge projects, and directs investment in stream gauging to document water use and support future claims. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association testified in support, emphasizing the need for better information and planning for the Bear River Basin. The committee asked about potential costs, and Arrington said the resolution concerns study work first, with project funding to be addressed later. The committee then voted to send the resolution to the floor with a due pass recommendation and approved the February 25 minutes before concluding with remarks to a departing page and a final statement that the committee’s work for the year was essentially finished.

Transcript Highlights:

• An equally important part of our work involves making it easier for people to access the court system
• When the vendor supporting that system announced that it would discontinue the software, we used the
• In just the first nine months of 2025, those systems blocked more than 1.79 million phishing attempts
• They are daily reminders that safeguarding the justice system requires constant vigilance.
• That shared responsibility remains at the heart of our constitutional system.

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present and one excused absence, then approved the prior day’s journal. After moving to motions and resolutions, the chamber welcomed the Chief Justice and members of the Idaho judiciary for the annual State of the Judiciary address. The Chief Justice described the courts’ workload, including rising civil caseloads, ongoing criminal and juvenile matters, and the continued use of treatment courts, mediation, remote hearings, self-help services, and online case access tools to improve access and efficiency. The Chief Justice also highlighted courthouse facility upgrades in several counties, concerns about courthouse security and threats to judges and court staff, and cybersecurity efforts that blocked large numbers of phishing and malicious access attempts. He emphasized civic education efforts, the judiciary’s five governing principles, and the need for continued collaboration with the legislature and counties. The Senate ordered the address spread upon the journal and then returned the Chief Justice to the chamber exit. In later business, the Senate received Senate Joint Resolution 102, proposing a constitutional amendment related to state trust lands, and referred it to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. The chamber also received two gubernatorial appointments: Estella Zamora to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights and Janet Lawler to the Commission of Pardons and Parole, referring them to the appropriate committees. Two bills were introduced on first reading—Senate Bill 1224 on slow-moving vehicles and Senate Bill 1225 on presidential searches for state higher education institutions—and both were referred to Judiciary and Rules for printing. The Senate then announced a schedule change for America 250-related activities the next day and adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Court processes without serious consequences, the entire justice system becomes unreliable.
• Allowing parole for those who undermine that trust could damage confidence in the justice system.
• Obviously, I work in the court system, so I can't be better. Does that not work? Hello?
• You know, I work in the court system, so I know that anything can happen at any time, and especially
• Especially if you have someone that's maybe it's their first time through the system.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's unique, like the community college system working with the university system.
• . system. system.
• </c> So with the student information system So with the student information system and<02:08:22.239><
• c> that's</c><02:08:24.000><c> what</c> and this is a system that's what and this is a system that's
• and that student information system and that student information system<02:13:28.800><c> will</c><02

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• her support system brought system. and her support system brought system. and her support system brought
• And systems. And systems.
• Is it a system used operating system is.
• Mobile operating system. system. 10. Mobile operating system. system. 10.
• When we get into the ERIC system versus the AVID system, the AVID system versus the AVID system, the

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hindering our voice or our right to vote within the carceral system is a system of oppression.
• It's a smart investment in our democratic systems and in our voting population.
• The current system causes... ...not a household form.
• We know the system works. We know same-day voter registration works.
• But desire means nothing if the system keeps slamming the door in their faces.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on a wide range of voting-access and election-administration bills. The largest portion of testimony focused on same-day voter registration (H. 834/S. 505), with support from Rep. Gentile, Boston and Chelsea officials, civic groups, and election administrators from Maine and Vermont. Supporters argued that same-day registration would help eligible voters who move frequently, miss deadlines, or face administrative errors, and would reduce rejected provisional ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Vermont elections director Sean Sheehan testified that same-day registration has worked in their states without major administrative problems and has helped increase turnout. A Boston-based panel also described high rejection rates for provisional ballots and the burden of registration cutoffs on renters, students, immigrants, and low-income voters. A second major topic was restoration of voting rights for incarcerated people, including S. 524 and related House bills. The committee heard extensive virtual testimony from incarcerated individuals at MCI Norfolk and MCI Shirley, who said voting should be restored as part of rehabilitation, civic engagement, and reintegration. They described disenfranchisement as dehumanizing and argued that voting would help maintain family and community ties, reduce recidivism, and give incarcerated people a voice on laws affecting prisons and reentry. Rep. Erica Uyterhoeven also testified in support, saying the bill would restore municipal voting rights for incarcerated residents and align with broader efforts to expand political participation. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting election administration and access, including a proposal to reduce or eliminate mandated early in-person voting in primaries and shorten the general-election early voting period, with supporters from the town clerks’ community arguing that low usage, staffing burdens, and costs justify the change. Opponents warned that reducing in-person early voting could hurt voters who do not use mail ballots and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Other bills discussed included decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, requiring periodic accessibility inspections of polling places, and a Somerville home-rule petition on non-citizen municipal voting and another on lowering the voting age in municipal elections. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• By providing uninterrupted, Just the friction in the system as well.
• system and found that dangerous drivers repeatedly avoided consequences and oversight.
• The DMV point system is designed to identify high-risk drivers.
• Without points, these drivers now remain invisible to the system even after a fatal incident.
• What is that going to do to the justice system, the criminal justice system, to protect victims?

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on criminal justice, public safety, and detention-related issues. SB 498 by Senator Becker would make electronic messaging free for incarcerated people in CDCR facilities and end 15-minute limits on voice calls; the author and supporters argued it would strengthen family ties and rehabilitation, while no opposition testified. SB 953 by Senator Niello would require two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even when diversion is granted; victims’ family members and law enforcement groups supported it as an accountability measure, while the ACLU and Debt-Free Justice California opposed it, arguing diversion should remain an incentive for rehabilitation and safer roads. The committee also heard SB 1306 by Senator Cortese, which would align state law with federal exemptions for certain GBL-containing chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing; the author and SEMI said it would reduce unnecessary regulation and protect California’s semiconductor industry, and there was no opposition testimony. Members also considered SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost. The author and supporters described high prices for basic necessities and poor conditions in private detention centers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 691 by Senator Wahab would require law enforcement body-camera policies to include a process for EMS personnel to request redaction of recordings before public release when patients are receiving medical treatment; supporters said it would protect patient privacy, while the Sheriff’s Association opposed it as duplicative and potentially confusing. SB 562 by Senator Ashby would allow partial refunds of bail bond premiums when charges are not filed or are dropped early; supporters framed it as a fairness measure for low-income families, while bail industry representatives and victims’ advocates warned it could discourage bail agents from posting bonds and could affect domestic violence cases. The committee also took up several additional measures on consent or with no opposition testimony, including AB 2796, SB 891, SB 1012, and SB 1143. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 953, SB 1306, and SB 941, and to move SB 498, SB 691, and SB 562 forward as well, with some votes initially held open for absent members. Several bills were pulled by their authors and not heard, including SB 1004, SB 1208, SB 1338, and SB 1401. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning until the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's well water, and the problem has to do with the systems within the building.
• He understood that to truly transform a system, you must engage with it from both the inside and the
• Civil immigration arrests in courthouses create a chilling effect on our justice system.
• During a period when trust in the justice system is sometimes fragile, Judge Harris...
• He understood the systemic barriers and daily struggles many face.

Bills: H4783, H4826, H4876, H5111, H5116, H5244, S2975, S2976

Keywords: homelessness, homeless, unsheltered, unhoused, shelter rights, anti-camping, anti-loitering, public space, public land, encampment, sleeping in public, life-sustaining activities, right to rest, right to sleep, vehicle dwelling, RV living, tiny home, civil rights, municipal liability, affirmative defense

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2305 protects a fundamental principle of our legal system.
• I think it's very important that we have a civil legal system.
• I think that there's in the legal system. I don't think C-Jack coming forward.
• It really is, and in our system.
• It's really important for our system and people having confidence in it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This replaces an outdated reporting system with a more modernized and secure platform.
• Our goal is to align with yours to ensure circular systems for organics wherever possible.
• And we have a robust system of checks and balances to continue this cleanup successfully.
• ... ...us to consolidate reporting systems, and that would help our data intake.
• How the gas control system is operated may be a factor.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard department budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle presented its 2026-27 budget and discussed priorities including edible food recovery, composting, beverage container recycling, and landfill response. Members asked about funding for food recovery grants, processing fees for wine and spirits containers under SB 1013, plastic packaging generation under SB 54, restaurant food waste requirements under SB 1383, and litter cleanup efforts. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has helped recover more than 300 million meals, but there is no sustained funding source; it also explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and that new producer responsibility and infrastructure investments are intended to improve recycling rates over time. The committee then heard CalEPA’s overview, including the agency’s response to climate, air quality, water, toxics, and enforcement challenges. Secretary Garcia emphasized federal rollbacks, methane monitoring, AB 617 implementation, safe drinking water progress, Exide cleanup, and pesticide reduction efforts. Members questioned the agency about regional gasoline blends, authority and technical thresholds for landfill intervention, and the growth in the Secretary’s office staffing and budget. CalEPA said the budget increase reflects expanded coordination, technology modernization, hazardous materials response, and legal capacity. The committee also discussed a proposed landfill support, response, and enforcement package for subsurface elevated temperature events, with CalEPA describing a coordinated multi-agency approach and the need for stronger early response tools. DTSC presented its department overview and several BCPs. Director Butler highlighted progress on permit backlog reduction, safer consumer products rulemaking, Exide cleanup, PFAS work, and planning for emerging waste streams such as solar panels and lithium batteries. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals, and fee-setting authority, and identified community concerns about cumulative impacts, hazardous waste planning, accessible data, and engagement. The committee also heard a proposal to expand DTSC’s Office of Policy into a statewide planning division to implement hazardous waste management plan recommendations and improve reporting systems. Members raised concerns about whether the new division duplicated existing work, but DTSC said it would fill identified gaps and improve coordination. Public testimony largely supported the proposals, especially ongoing funding for edible food recovery, composting, safer consumer products enforcement, and the coordinated landfill response package. Witnesses from StopWaste, California Against Waste, Waste Management, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and water advocacy groups urged continued or increased funding for these programs. No votes were taken; the chair held all items open and adjourned the hearing after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public safety protections are already built into that system.
• The migration to this new software system has been challenging at times.
• That system is well established and widely understood as necessary.
• This process often happens after a fire sprinkler system is already installed.
• the integrity of these systems can be affected.

Bills: HB1347, HB2091, HB2264

Keywords: education, funding, student loans, affordability, higher education, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, unemployment insurance, benefits, employment, layoffs, workforce reduction, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But these systems are converging.
• These are infrastructure, the operating systems where stablecoins move.
• These are infrastructure, the operating systems where stablecoins move.
• to get your money in a crypto universe. system.
• So you can have things like systems maintenance, systems conversions, which could artificially update

Keywords: 988, house, all