Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of those programs at the health districts are administered under agreements with DEQ, and in a
• lot of other environmental and health programs DEQ has the responsibility and then has an agreement with
• They could still enter into agreements similar to the septic programs. Senator Wintrow.
• Francisco said that under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act, the federal government has oversight
• So ultimately, under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act, the federal government has oversight over

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard several RS introductions and one House bill. RS 33393, by Sen. Van Orden, would create an audit/transparency process related to residential habilitation and provider rate increases; after clarification that it was the audit piece only, the committee voted to send it to print by voice vote. RS 33404, presented by a University of Idaho law student for Sen. Anthon, would allow pharmacists to seek voluntary dual licensure as naturopathic doctors; it was sent to print. RS 33355, by Sen. Blaylock, would restructure Health and Welfare oversight by eliminating administrative regions, regional directors, the Board of Health and Welfare, and regional behavioral health boards; despite concerns from Sen. Wintrow about losing advisory capacity, it was sent to print. RS 33406 would require hospitals to provide clearer, bundled labor-and-delivery pricing information, and RS 33419 would update newborn screening exemption language to align with existing vaccine exemptions; both were sent to print without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 555, a rewrite of the Idaho Solid Waste Code, presented by Rep. Weber with testimony from Nate Francisco of the Idaho Solid Waste Association. The bill would move solid waste regulatory authority from health districts to the Department of Environmental Quality, with supporters citing greater expertise, statewide consistency, fewer conflicts of interest, and user-fee funding for DEQ’s added responsibilities. Members asked about impacts on septic systems, public health protections, and federal primacy under RCRA; the presenters said the bill concerns municipal solid waste, preserves public health and safety, and is intended to maintain Idaho’s primacy. The committee voted to send HB 555 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you see any issues in the future with the Missouri River of states downstream?
• , oil and gas research program, and renewable energy programs.
• That's typically what the lignite research program, oil and gas research program, renewable energy program
• Typically, what the lignite research program, oil and gas research program, and renewable energy program
• So this program has been very successful.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• My constituents and New Mexicans deserve more than that, and we need to look to the future.
• I have John Martinez of Conservation Voters of New Mexico, Mason Graham, Common Cause New Mexico, Hong
• I am here representing Conservation Voters New Mexico.
• example, we have put democracy legislation on equal importance with all of our environmental and conservation
• The governor in the future, whether it's Republican or Democrat, doesn't get a chance to look at SJRs

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The first provision contains a fix for DNR to keep some programs from going insolvent.
• The first provision contains a fix for DNR to keep some programs from going insolvent.
• We continue to benefit from the success of the program and remain in compliance.
• That will be a much heavier cost than keeping the program running, and the program running can be maintained
• We'll help us maintain our air quality programs and standards here within the state of Missouri.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 7 provides a practical conservative solution by giving counties the option to bring driver's
• 17.200><c> practical</c> Senate Bill 7 provides a practical Senate Bill 7 provides a practical conservative
• solution</c><00:03:20.000><c> by</c><00:03:20.319><c> giving</c><00:03:20.640><c> counties</c> conservative
• solution by giving counties conservative solution by giving counties the<00:03:21.680><c> option</c>
• . 35% of it is transferred to Kentucky Trauma Care System, and 30% is transferred to the veterans program

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 01:09 Roll Call 02:11 SB 7 12:42 SB 7 Vote 13:48 SB 30 17:26 SB 30 Vote 19:56 SB 28 46:35 SB 28 vote, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue the work that we're doing with the Tick Riders program.
• We have about 100 full-time staff in that program.
• And we're not sitting on our hands waiting for that particular program.
• And we're not sitting on our hands waiting for that particular program.
• We use ivermectin-treated corn in our cattle fever tick eradication program.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we have the employer-provided child care program.
• Ideologically, I am, as a conservative, supposed to be opposed to tax credits.
• You know, that was that program she felt very strongly about.
• But just for future, I do believe that people need time to vote.
• But just for future, I do believe that people need time to vote.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How can we do better by our law enforcement program?
• program works.
• to show that this program works.
• It's a half a million dollars to do a pilot program.
• To present about our program today.

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho has the lowest error rate, one of the lowest error rates in the country in this program.
• The federal lowest error rate, one of the lowest error rates in the country in this program.
• So the coordination was important, that it falls under these new, under the new combined programs that
• we... ...under the new combined programs that we have, and so it really does make it more in line, more
• We're Ready Students Program Fund to the Idaho High Needs Student Fund. We have a motion.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first considered a trailer appropriation for House Bill 730, which changes how SNAP eligibility is determined. The committee heard that the bill would require $351,000 one-time from the General Fund for system changes in the Division of Welfare. One member argued the change was unnecessary because Idaho already has a low SNAP error rate and uses existing verification systems, but the motion passed in both chambers and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up trailer actions for House Bill 898, moving the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Members discussed whether the move was requested by the governor and whether it would improve coordination and permitting efficiency; supporters said it would streamline federal review and the historical society director supported the move. The committee approved reducing the Historical Society budget by 12 FTP and $1,699,700, then approved adding the same staffing and funding to SMEC, and also adopted language exempting SMEC from certain transfer restrictions. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 128, creating the Idaho High Need Students Fund for extraordinary special education costs. The analyst explained that the recommended one-time $5 million dedicated fund appropriation would also require a $5 million cash transfer, and that increasing special education spending could raise the state’s federal maintenance-of-effort obligation. The committee approved the $5 million appropriation and two transfers: $1 million from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund and $4 million from the driver training account, all with do-pass recommendations. Finally, the committee revisited the Department of Fish and Game budget. After discussion of habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, fisheries inflation, wolf depredation, communications, OITS replacements, and replacement items, a substitute motion that would have funded a larger package failed in the House, and the original motion passed instead. The committee approved a reduced Fish and Game budget package and adopted language directing the $200,000 wolf depredation enhancement specifically to wolf trapping. The meeting ended with brief discussion of the next day’s agenda and timing, including pending items such as rural health transformation and state police-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, these are a conservative method of drawing down federal dollars, getting back some of our
• college, real estate trade association, legal association, or an approved continuing legal education program
• And so that means that in the future, the city will have less growth than they would have, but that funds
• pharmacies, convenience stores, food distributors, and food banks, as well as chambers of commerce, conservative

Bills: SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723 , HB9 , HJR1

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Transcript Highlights:

• This Hampshire's agricultural future.
• </c> program.
• Uh, they've had some programs program.
• </c> through a nationally recognized program. through a nationally recognized program.
• I wasn't planning to New Futures.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the solid waste program manager at the Department of Ecology.
• the delivery and management of solid waste programs.
• I'm the solid waste program manager at the Department of Ecology.
• the delivery and management of solid waste programs.
• Given the fact that this bill does assume a role of the EPR program and the management of this program

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several waste and recycling bills. House Bill 2212 would require microfiber filters on commercial and industrial washing machines, with Ecology authorized to consider residential machine rules later if cost thresholds are met. Supporters, including the sponsor, students, environmental advocates, and scientists, said washing machines are a major source of microplastics and that filtration is a practical way to reduce pollution before it reaches waterways and human bodies. Opponents, including appliance manufacturers, laundromat operators, business groups, and Ecology staff, raised concerns about technical feasibility, worker safety, cost, and the lack of third-party certification for commercial systems. Ecology said the science is emerging and the proposal would create new agency work and costs. No vote was taken. House Bill 2233 would tighten the state’s carry-out bag laws by banning reusable film plastic bags, raising the paper bag pass-through charge to 20 cents, and extending certain requirements to manufacturers, distributors, and third-party sales platforms, while preserving protections for food assistance cardholders. Supporters argued the current thicker-bag approach has not reduced plastic waste, that plastic bags contribute to litter and microplastics, and that a stronger ban would better protect waterways and wildlife. Opponents from grocery, retail, hospitality, paper, and business groups argued the bill would raise consumer costs, create checkout and food-safety problems, and add operational complexity; some also said the state should wait to see the effects of the recent fee increase. Several local government and environmental witnesses supported the bill. No final action was taken. House Bill 1420 would establish an extended producer responsibility program for textiles and apparel, requiring producers to form a producer responsibility organization to manage collection, reuse, repair, recycling, and related infrastructure. The sponsor described the bill as a response to textile waste, overconsumption, and landfill impacts, and said the proposal had been refined through extensive stakeholder work. Supporters from environmental groups, local governments, Ecology, counties, Goodwill, and circular-economy organizations said textiles are a growing waste stream and that producer responsibility could improve collection, reduce dumping, and support repair and reuse. Opponents from business, retail, hospitality, apparel, and medical-device groups raised concerns about complexity, consumer and compliance costs, governance, supply-chain reporting, and possible unintended coverage of uniforms or medical products. The hearing also included a State Board of Health health impact review noting likely increased awareness and collection but limited evidence on large-scale reuse and recycling outcomes. No vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we've reviewed doctoral programs.
• </c><00:08:22.479><c> a</c> eligible to uh uh submit a program a eligible to uh uh submit a program a
• </c> doctoral program for review by CPE. doctoral program for review by CPE.
• So, this would cover PhD programs.
• </c> to meet to deliver highquality programs. to meet to deliver highquality programs.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 77, which would allow comprehensive universities to pursue doctoral programs under a new approval process and, in the original bill, would also change who may serve on the EPSB board for small colleges and universities. The sponsor and Council on Postsecondary Education representative explained that the committee substitute removed the current statutory prohibition on comprehensive universities offering certain doctoral degrees, but added eligibility guardrails: a 77% first-to-second-year retention rate, a 56% six-year graduation rate, and three months of unrestricted cash reserves. They said the thresholds were based on national data placing institutions in roughly the top quartile, and that CPE would still review proposals for mission fit, workforce need, fiscal impact, and, where applicable, programmatic accreditation and legislative appropriations. EKU President David McFaden supported creating a pathway for comprehensive universities, said Kentucky is unusual in having an explicit statutory prohibition, and urged the committee to keep the standards attainable and durable. The committee approved the bill and adopted a title amendment, with the motion passing unanimously. The committee then heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, which addresses antisemitism on postsecondary campuses. Senator Tichenor said the resolution responds to a rise in antisemitic incidents after October 7, 2023, and would require campuses to notify students each semester of Title VI rights, complaint procedures, existing harassment policies, and available Jewish student resources. It would also direct campuses to disband student organizations found to provide material support to known terrorist organizations, report such matters to law enforcement, and collect and report antisemitism data to CPE for posting on its website. A guest speaker from the Kentucky Jewish Council described a sharp increase in reported incidents, including harassment, threats, vandalism, and hostile campus activity, and argued that schools have often done too little to respond. He said the resolution was amended to protect free speech while ensuring Jewish students receive the same protections as other protected groups. The transcript ends while testimony on the resolution was still underway, before any committee vote on SJR 55.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the cost to the state could be very substantial in the future if we don't take action now.
• And the cost to the state could be very substantial in the future if we don't take action now.
• Member of Senate Bill 985 codifies the local food for schools program and authorizes ODAF to continue
• to build the program to get fresh, local program and authorizes ODAF to continue to build the program
• sunset on the GPT that's already collected for Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, OWRB, Conservation

Summary: The committee took up a long series of Senate bills, beginning with SB 44, which extends a sales tax exemption to contractors working for nonprofits. It was presented briefly and reported out 24-0. The committee then considered SB 237, with a PCS and a written amendment that delayed the effective date and phased out the manufacturing exemption for solar and battery energy storage systems; members discussed the impact on ongoing projects, the treatment of solar and storage like prior wind and data center exemptions, and concerns from the renewable industry before the bill was advanced. Several other measures were heard and passed, including SB 248 on reinvesting proceeds from any sale of tourism real property back into state park maintenance and capital improvements; SB 1360 on the Pro Tem’s numeracy bill for the Department of Education; SB 985 codifying the local food for schools program; SB 1204 requiring three days of paid bereavement leave for school district employees; SB 1239 extending the bridge funding formula and moving certain motorcycle and moped fees to Service Oklahoma; SB 1307 cleaning up statutory language related to the ARCS Council, J.M. Davis Arms Museum, and Historical Society; and SB 2143 allowing county assessors to use aerial imagery, but not drones, to identify property changes. The aerial imagery bill drew the most debate, with questions about privacy, assessors’ authority, and whether the measure would save counties money; it passed 13-11. The committee also advanced SB 1428 creating an Alzheimer’s and related dementia services coordinator in the Health Department; SB 1390 extending a gross production tax sunset for tourism and water-related entities; SB 1400 combining sales tax exemptions for aircraft maintenance facilities; SB 1405 renewing the wildlife diversity check-off; SB 1732 raising fees for the construction industries board; SB 1832 adding voluntary ODVA checkboxes to licenses and hunting forms; SB 1859 creating a revolving fund for the OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit; SB 1989 allowing electronic payment methods such as Cash App and Venmo for 529 accounts; SB 2018 changing valuation rules for new multifamily housing; and SB 1427, a bipartisan diabetes prevention and health bill. Most bills were reported out with overwhelming support, with a few receiving one or two no votes, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see here this program alone is create 5,000 jobs.
• And so now we're looking at moving that that continue that program.
• And I think it'll be a something that's going to continue to show benefit into the future.
• Our program are in Israeli innovation program, which is which is continuing some 13 cycle right now.
• We also could open new programs, for example, letter welcome centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Addressing human health and environmental protection now ensures the restoration of the land for future
• I'm a registered lobbyist for Conservation Voters New Mexico.
• My name is Mike Abbott Sini with Bold Futures.
• My name is Mike Abbott Sini with Bold Futures.
• And as the organization behind Indian Family Protection Act, or if, bold futures.

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 226, which would appropriate $50 million for continued cleanup of abandoned uranium mine sites. Supporters, including Navajo and Pueblo advocates and conservation groups, described serious health and environmental harms from unreclaimed mines and argued state funding is needed because federal cleanup has been insufficient. One witness representing uranium companies said prior state funding helped clean up four sites in McKinley County and that additional money would continue meaningful progress. After questions about land ownership, cleanup responsibility, and existing budget funding, the committee adopted a due pass motion and approved the bill on a 4-0 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 242, which appropriates $3 million to CYFD’s Office of Tribal Affairs to contract for field liaisons to help ensure compliance with the New Mexico Indian Family Protection Act and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act. The sponsor offered and the committee approved a technical amendment changing the bill to authorize multiple liaisons. Tribal advocates and child welfare organizations supported the measure, saying CYFD needs more capacity and accountability in Indian child welfare cases. The bill passed unanimously on a 4-0 due pass vote. Next was Senate Bill 249, an appropriation to support the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force and related work in the Attorney General’s office, including maintaining a portal and IT support. Supporters said sustained funding is needed for accountability, coordination, data collection, and justice for Indigenous families, and that the issue remains a critical public safety and sovereignty concern. The sponsor noted he would continue working to fit funding into the budget. The committee voted due pass 4-0. Finally, Senator Campos presented Senate Bill 201, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Cultural Affairs Department for rural library operations in FY27, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. He said the bill is intended to help additional rural libraries that qualify for grants and complements other library funding measures already considered. A Pueblo of Pojoaque lobbyist spoke in support, citing the bill’s importance to cultural integrity in northern New Mexico. The committee approved SB 201 on a 4-0 due pass vote and then recessed until the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is required to implement a program to eradicate
• House Bill 3497 would then rename the program to the Rio Grande Vegetative Management Program and expand
• Two of the most influential programs from the authority are the Young Farmers Grant Program and the Interest
• Rate Reduction Program.
• , but looking at microloan programs.

Bills: HB43 , HB519 , HB1275 , HB1592 , HB2842 , HB3088 , HB3479 , HB4163 , SB823 , HB609

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• That it would "repurpose" bond funds from the district's 2018 bond program.
• As a grouchy fiscal conservative, what I would argue is that school districts ought to be utilizing that
• And in trying to estimate the future, the... And future interest cost.
• I don't think it would be possible to know how to contemplate refinancing in the future and to put that
• How and into the future would almost assuredly put upward pressure on people's tax bills and worsen the

Bills: SB414 , SB621 , SB2395

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank

Transcript Highlights:

• How's Hawaii's future in Thank you. How's Hawaii's future in support? Thank<01:31:17.840><c> you.
• We need more farms to support the farm-to-school program.
• We need more farms to support the farm-to-school program.
• So I... the farm to school program. And as COVID the farm to school program.
• That's what our SMA permitting program was intended to do.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 737 was referred to the Resource and Conservation Committee, and House Bills 740 and 741 were
• conservation districts around the state.
• It was unanimously supported. ...soil and water conservation districts around the state.
• Commission and its districts. ...of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and its districts.
• I've been through the chairs of IASCD, the Idaho Conservation Soil District Conservation Association,

Keywords: 989, all