Transcript Highlights:

• Both the ACLU and the Human Rights Campaign have stated in other contexts that, quote, a dizzying patchwork
• Knapp, are you still planning to take questions? I will be happy to do so. Okay.
• I'm the regional political and Idaho State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and we

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bill 557, which would preempt local governments from adopting or enforcing anti-discrimination ordinances that go beyond state law. The sponsor, Rep. Bruce Skaug, and supporters argued the bill would create statewide uniformity, reduce burdens on businesses, and protect religious liberty and conscience rights. Testifying in support were representatives from Alliance Defending Freedom and Idaho Family Policy Center, a former Hitching Post owner, Sandpoint’s mayor, and several private citizens who said local ordinances had created legal risk, especially in housing, employment, and public accommodations. They emphasized concerns about compelled participation in same-sex weddings, gender identity policies, and the cost and uncertainty of local enforcement. Opponents, including the Association of Idaho Cities, officials from Victor, Boise, and Moscow, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, clergy, and other residents, said the bill would strip local control and weaken protections for LGBTQ people. They argued that city ordinances fill gaps in state law, improve safety and trust, and help with housing and employment discrimination. Boise and other city representatives said their ordinances were adopted in response to constituent concerns and had not produced the harms claimed by supporters; Boise also said it had no complaints from businesses alleging coercion under its ordinance. Several opponents said the bill would make communities less welcoming and could harm economic development. Committee members questioned witnesses about uniformity, local authority, housing protections, and whether similar laws exist in other states. Supporters cited state preemption examples and said other states have enacted similar laws; opponents cited constitutional concerns and the Romer v. Evans case. No final vote or action on HB 557 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair continued taking testimony from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both the ACLU and the Human Rights Campaign have stated in other contexts that, quote, “a dizzying patchwork
• Knapp, are you still planning to take questions? I will be happy to do so. Okay.
• I'm the regional political and Idaho State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and we

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sunset Report by the Department of Regulatory Agencies to require podiatrists to develop a written plan
• post-secondary talent development and, in connection therewith, creating a committee to develop a plan
• I've campaigned in the mobile home parks and I, you know, I would agree with the sponsors.
• I've campaigned in the in the district.
• I've campaigned in the in the mobile<03:09:38.720><c> home</c><03:09:39.040><c> parks</c><03:09:39.760

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was motivated to get involved in campaigns, initially to support a local leader in my area who was
• park lands and recreational facilities designated in a local agency safety element in its general plan
• those parks and recreational facilities that are designated in a local agency's hazard mitigation plan
• Those aren't just like willy-nilly—you throw any old park project in your hazmat plan.
• It's got a—there's FEMA, there's insurance, like there's a lot of other Project in your hazmat plan.

Summary: The committee heard multiple bills, with extensive discussion focused on short-term rental regulation, street vending, park/public safety financing, transit-oriented housing fees, and demographic data collection. SB 346 would require short-term rental platforms to provide local governments with listing addresses and related information to help collect transient occupancy taxes and enforce local ordinances; supporters argued cities and counties need the data to identify unlicensed operators and recover taxes, while opposition from platforms raised privacy and due process concerns and said administrative subpoenas already exist. The bill was amended and passed 7-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, sought to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared in ways that could expose them to federal immigration enforcement; supporters described raids and fear in vendor communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. SB 499 would clarify that certain park and recreation facilities designated in local safety or hazard mitigation plans can qualify for fee deferral exemptions when they serve emergency or public safety functions; supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and recovery hubs, while some housing advocates sought a clearer nexus to development impacts. The bill passed as amended 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which would modernize traffic impact fee rules to better reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, drew support from housing and transportation advocates and passed 8-0 to Appropriations. SB 515, aimed at improving demographic data collection and reporting by local governments and state entities, passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote. The committee also took up SB 276, presented by Assembly Member Stefani on behalf of Senator Wiener, which would allow San Francisco to create a permit-and-enforcement system for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks. Supporters said the measure is needed to address fencing operations and protect legitimate vendors, while emphasizing it is narrowly targeted and not aimed at food vendors or permitted sellers. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 276, with supporters from the Mission street vendor community and San Francisco Public Works describing enforcement problems and the need for clearer rules and city resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• She planned to be here today and couldn't, so I completely understand.
• That's the plan. I don't think we're going to do that. kids will let me leave.
• I didn't plan to testify on this bill. My name is Ryan Davenport, a public school administrator.
• We also plan to recess a little bit, most certainly. Before 11, because we've got session.
• In addition, UMCL passed a plan that also has a clinic that is right behind a public school.

Bills: SB604 , SB843 , SB1636 , SB2395 , SB571 , SB1224 , SB1832 , SB2392 , SB747 , SB2623 , SB2624 , SB2185

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• This master plan phase 3b which would expand and upgrade the school central utility plan.
• We hired Mercer compensation consultants to underwrite a compensation. plan for us last year and and
• The retirement plan offered to certain employees of higher education who may need flexibility to that
• This is something that I ran my campaign on, was improving the lives of special education students.
• Rescue Plan Act.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Prohibition on campaign contributions.
• (a) No person shall knowingly solicit, offer, deliver, or accept, by affirmative act, a campaign contribution
• (b) No member of the Senate shall knowingly solicit or accept a legislative campaign contribution by
• (c) This section shall not apply where a campaign contribution is received by a senator under circumstances

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ADA support will also allow me to create a marketing campaign to reach out to young women, young men
• :13:30.480><c> create</c><01:13:30.719><c> a</c><01:13:30.960><c> marketing</c><01:13:31.360><c> campaign
• </c> allow me to create a marketing campaign allow me to create a marketing campaign to<01:13:32.159>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They certainly would hopefully do that in part of a generalized security plan.
• They certainly would hopefully do that in part of a generalized security plan.
• They certainly would hopefully do that in part of a generalized security plan.
• They're already planning a crime before they pick up a gun.
• Are they planning on is going to study.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ahead and you know what day you can plan ahead and you know what day you can<00:38:50.480><c> switch
• on that you know um so I wasn't planning on that you know um so I think<01:01:33.000><c> that</c><01
• </c><04:19:51.359><c> and</c><04:19:51.520><c> RFP</c> hiring planning and RFP hiring planning and RFP
• If the parties are planning strategies, each party is allowed to confidentially plan their strategy.
• to confidentially plan party is allowed to confidentially plan their<04:22:24.760><c> strategy</c><04

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232, which would protect health care workers’ conscience rights in connection with certain procedures, especially abortion and sterilization, and also referenced contraception. The prime sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, said the bill is meant to prevent medical professionals from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their beliefs, while still prohibiting discrimination against patients based on protected characteristics. He said the measure was intended to help retain health care workers in New Hampshire and noted he had added an amendment to address concerns about people taking jobs only to later refuse duties, as well as emergency situations where a provider is the only one available. Committee members raised concerns about how broadly the bill and amendment were written. Questions focused on whether the protections could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers, receptionists, or pharmacy employees; whether a provider could refuse to schedule, refer, or otherwise assist with services; and how “emergency” would be determined in practice. Several members also questioned whether the bill could affect access to contraception, including pharmacy sales and procedures such as tubal ligation, and whether the language was clear enough to prevent confusion or unintended refusals of care. Pearson said the bill was not intended to allow refusal of emergency care or general patient discrimination, and he acknowledged some language could be tweaked. Rep. Paige Boerman, a maternal-child health nurse, testified in opposition, saying she had seen pharmacists question prescriptions related to miscarriage care and that the bill could create barriers to contraception and other reproductive health services. She warned that the lack of a disclosure requirement and the broad definitions could create risks, especially in rural areas with limited providers. She also pointed to problems she said had occurred in other states, arguing the bill could lead to delayed care in emergencies. The hearing ended after questions and discussion; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll be strategic plan Oahu plan. It'll be strategic plan Oahu region<00:33:24.559><c> 2026.
• </c> weeks to work on planning. weeks to work on planning.
• is</c> portion of the plan which that plan is portion of the plan which that plan is scheduled<05:43:
• </c> on the the recruitment campaign. on the the recruitment campaign.
• plans, which then informs development plans and our community development plans.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was in the plan to be about a five-year project.
• This is the $10 million that you all appropriated for the fair plan slash mitigation.
• Water Security Planning Act.
• for the Water Security Planning Act.
• So there are plans for that money to go out the door.

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local governments to engage in planning to develop strategies for a clean energy future.
• processes and allows them to build on existing plans rather than develop new ones.
• Additionally, AB 39 provides... ...on existing plans rather than develop new ones.
• We're planning on doing this bill. Give us your input. This was last November.
• And a third of the people who have solar in my district are also on the CARE plan.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:07.759><c> So</c> are planning to finish at 2:00 today.
• So are planning to finish at 2:00 today.
• </c><00:09:14.080><c> formulary</c> insurance plan formulary insurance plan formulary requirements.<00
• Lines 398 contains planning services.
• </c><00:57:56.880><c> year</c> prescriptions through the plan year prescriptions through the plan year

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• into what we call our 9 by 90 work plan, because while I believe in the value of a strategic plan and
• Every one of these has a different business plan attached to it.
• We've provided funding to look at shoring up an oyster plan management plan, and I think he's supposed
• Patrick Banks, former assistant secretary, he's over that oyster master plan, oyster management plan.
• The master plan, oyster management plan, and the results of that—it's ongoing, but I mean, we're close

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plan review.
• It's a recipe for poor planning and long-term consequences.
• , is this a planning issue?
• You know, Chapter 163 is the Community Planning Act.
• Chapter 163 is the Community Planning Act.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations. Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> to</c><00:17:57.240><c> do</c><00:17:57.840><c> sure</c><00:17:58.559><c> um</c> the bicyclist plans
• to do sure um the bicyclist plans to do sure um I<00:17:59.799><c> am</c><00:17:59.919><c> not</c><00
• I wasn't planning on testifying for the record. My name is Ellen Reed.
• You need strong enforcement, an effective law, and an education campaign.
• think of this concept as a campaign think of this concept as a three-legged<01:18:23.320><c> stool</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee held a public hearing on HB 249, which would allow bicycles, and in the bill’s language human-powered vehicles and e-bikes, to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs when safe. The bill sponsor, Rep. Seth Miller, said the measure is intended to improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer crashes or injuries. He emphasized that the bill would remain optional, would not let cyclists ignore cross traffic, and would help riders avoid the unstable “wobble” that comes from repeatedly stopping and starting, especially on cargo bikes or other heavier bicycles. Committee members raised concerns about predictability, liability, and whether the proposal creates a special class of vehicle. Rep. Crawford asked why the bill also addresses left turns on red for one-way streets; Miller said that provision is meant to address situations where bicycles do not trigger signal equipment and could otherwise be stranded at a light. Rep. Gannon questioned the lack of explicit liability language, and Miller said he did not know of a separate provision but would be open to an amendment if the committee wanted clearer language. Rep. Hill and Rep. Emble expressed concern that other drivers would not know what cyclists intend to do and that the bill could create special rules; Miller responded that cyclists would still be required to yield and that the law would not change right-of-way rules. Several witnesses testified in support. Michael Frank, a Spofford cyclist and League cycling instructor, said the bill would help him safely commute and carry heavy groceries by reducing the effort and exposure involved in restarting after a full stop. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy and time, and would still require cyclists to stop at red lights unless the intersection is clear. He also noted that traffic signals often do not detect bicycles. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I'd like to request unanimous consent to read from a global action plan that I downloaded from
• This is a multi-page action plan, and I just want to touch on a couple of points. ...action plan, and
• On page one of this plan, it talks about effective governance of the IYRP Global Alliance, and the level
• It protects Idaho's authority over campaign finance, security, and transparency.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages from the governor and Senate, including notice that Governor Little signed House Bill 556 and that several enrolled Senate and House measures were transmitted for signatures or filing. The chamber also handled numerous committee reports, including printing House Resolution 33 and House Bills 944-951, enrolling and engrossing several previously passed bills, and advancing Senate Bill 1294 from the Health and Welfare Committee. Several bills were returned to committee by unanimous consent, including House Bills 649, 567, 627, 530, 903, 763, 857, and 614. A major floor debate centered on House Bill 940, which would restructure Idaho Digital Learning Alliance funding and use. Supporters said the bill would realign IDLA to its original purpose of supplementing, not supplanting, local schools, curb double-dipping and duplicate funding, eliminate or reduce uses such as driver’s education, LaunchPad, and some virtual-school and private-school access, and preserve core services for rural districts. Opponents argued the bill would cut a successful program too deeply, harm rural and small districts, reduce access to advanced and required courses, and unfairly affect students who rely on IDLA. After extended debate and a roll call, the House passed HB 940 by a vote of 48-22. The House also debated Senate Concurrent Resolution 123, recognizing the International Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists. Supporters framed it as a tribute to Idaho ranchers and rangeland heritage, while opponents objected to its connection to a United Nations initiative and raised sovereignty concerns. The resolution passed after a roll call vote of 39-28. Earlier, the House concurred without objection in Senate amendments to House Bills 629, 678, 522, 684, 561, and 860, and later the chamber recessed and reconvened, received additional governor and Senate messages, and continued with first readings of new bills and resolutions, including measures on public utilities, elections, and fisheries task force membership.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I'd like to request unanimous consent to read from a global action plan that I downloaded from
• This is a multi-page action plan, and I just want to touch on a couple of points.
• Action plan, and I just want to touch on a couple of points.
• On page one of this plan, it talks about effective governance of the IYRP Global Alliance, and the level
• It protects Idaho's authority over campaign finance, security, and transparency.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This change allows for a focused review of the status. of the regionalization plan currently ongoing
• Well as I laid out the change allows for a focused review of the plan, which Sunset and the legislature
• Don't put hope in my business plan. And I don't think you should either. I want them to go up.
• technology services, risk management pools, advocacy, intergovernmental relations, public information campaigns
• I mean, what is the plan regarding regional? How are we going to balance out making?

Bills: HB 111 , HB1545 , HB2145 , HB2467 , HB2520 , HB4136 , HB4181 , HB4214 , HB4218 , HB4219 , HB4359 , HB4437 , HB4822 , HB111

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation