Transcript Highlights:

• Erin Carruthers, Executive Director of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• Since 1990, the state council has had a unique role inside Porterville and Canyon Springs.
• Since 1999, the State Council has had a unique role inside Porterville and Canyon Springs.
• To assess community safety, the State Council team did chart reviews of 585 individuals who have left
• We support the targeted changes that State Council discussed that would strengthen transition planning

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on around the state.
• It's in our state.
• I'm here specifically to address Century Code 53-06 of the Century Code.
• of re-arrest also builds.
• of re-arrest also builds.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They ensure compliance with fire and life Safety codes, structural standards, including designing buildings
• fire marshal, local building code commission, and the attorney general's office.
• in 1,750 in-state firms.
• in-state opportunities.
• So the council basically meets and makes recommendations to the state department of education.

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our regional board works with the State Council, and I fear that there is going to be a big disconnect
• at the state level.
• separate states.
• separate states.
• The states, several states, had different definitions, and it appears that the U.S.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and received messages from the Senate, including enrolled Senate bills sent for the Speaker’s signature and Senate Bill 1326 filed for first reading. Committee reports advanced several bills, including House Bill 850 to Health and Welfare and multiple business, health, and state affairs measures to second reading. House Resolution 26, reviewing certain administrative rules, was sent to Judiciary, Rules and Administration for printing. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bill 1314, a budget rescission measure cutting regional behavioral health director positions and regional behavioral health boards; one member opposed it, warning of a disconnect between local communities and the state council. The House also passed House Bills 716, 648, 846, 825, 815, 717 as amended, 668 as amended, 750 as amended, 847, 848, 849, and 681. These bills addressed highway and local road funding, chemotherapy parity coverage, license plate fee changes tied to the Idaho Heritage Trust, school transportation reimbursement for a charter school, vehicle registration penalties, child custody interference enforcement, programmable money protections, judicial and legislative branch maintenance budgets, career ladder movement for CTE and pupil services staff, and elimination of the statute of limitations for certain child sexual abuse crimes. The House also adopted House Joint Memorial 17, which urges the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges; the memorial drew sharp debate over marriage, federalism, and LGBTQ rights and passed 44-26. House Concurrent Resolution 33, creating an interim effort involving education, the attorney general, and the 988 line to address sex torsion and youth protection, also passed by recorded vote. Several bills were held on the third reading calendar, and the House recessed and later reconvened to continue floor action and committee scheduling announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• value, a $2 million building.
• This shows increasing production not only in the top 10 oil-producing states, but also the United States
• states have it.
• I get to serve as the State Supervisor of Assessments for the Office of State Tax Commissioner.
• They're beautiful buildings.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• and our state and our people.
• Despite a horrid history and a horrid past by the United States and the state of California, we look
• Senator Jenny Oropeza, State Senator Ted Lieu, Assembly Member Autumn Burke, and Los Angeles City Council
• and Construction Trades Council.
• And the United States.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State law will apply.
• Code.
• People to clean the building.
• Additionally, IHS facilities bill with a revenue code and a procedure code is not required.
• Madam Chair, and I used to sit on the State Health Council, and by the time I rolled off of it, our only

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve on the Altadena Town Council. Good morning.
• State Farm should be ashamed of themselves.
• They're working on building their full home.
• And it builds on success that we've seen across the country, a similar program in New York State, which
• Given that the state has invested billions of dollars in building affordable housing, ensuring the continued

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Keith Dunn, here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades Council.
• Chairman, Keith Dunn, here on behalf of the state building construction trades council, I just need to
• The State Building Construction Trades Council opposes this bill. We'd ask for you to reject this.
• Keith Dunn here on behalf of the State Building Construction Trades Council, proud to be co-sponsors
• Keith Dunn here on behalf of the State Building Construction Trades Council, proud to be co-sponsors

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 5616, a bill to amend Title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to
• H.R. 5616, a bill to amend Title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to
• In my home state of Colorado, regulations account for 39% of the cost of building a new home.
• state-mandated energy codes and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's minimum standard for
• state-mandated energy codes and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's minimum standard for

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the State Building and Construction Trades.
• of the State Building and Construction Trades.
• Madam Chair, members, Mike Monaghan on behalf of the State Building Trades.
• I just, this bill will, we need to build infrastructure in this state.
• Madam Chair, Member Scott Weasher, on behalf of the California State Pipe Trades Council, the State Association

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and Member Scott Weston on behalf of the California State Pipe Trades Council, the State Association
• GDE, State Building and Construction Trades Council in support. Thank you. Bill. Mr.
• Chairman, and Member Scott Weston on behalf of the California State Pipe Trades Council, the State Association
• GDE, State Building and Construction Trades Council in support. Thank you.
• Judy E., State Building and Construction Trades Council, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with SB 1003, which would create pro-housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts to help local governments fund infrastructure needed for housing developments. The author and supporters argued that infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while the chair expressed support and said the bill would be taken up later when quorum was available. SB 1014 followed, proposing new disclosure requirements for local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 days of application, with supporters saying it would reduce late surprises and opposition from several cities citing implementation concerns with the 30-day timelines. The committee then took up SB 802, a Sacramento-region bill requiring a joint powers authority to coordinate housing and homelessness services. Senator Ashby and former Mayor Darrell Steinberg argued that Sacramento’s fragmented system has failed for years and that a JPA would improve accountability, coordination, and use of state funds. The bill drew broad support from local officials, service providers, business groups, and advocates, while some county and city representatives registered opposition or neutral concerns about state-mandated local governance. Several committee members said they were persuaded by the need for regional coordination, though some raised concerns about local control; the chair noted the bill would be moved when quorum allowed. The committee also heard SB 1092 and SB 1093, both focused on mobile home park residents after disasters or park sales. SB 1092 would give residents a right of first opportunity to match a sale offer for a park, with supporters saying it protects vulnerable seniors and preserves affordable housing, while park owners and their representatives argued it would devalue property and raise constitutional and financing concerns. SB 1093 would require more transparent communication, access to property, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after a disaster; supporters cited the long uncertainty faced by Palisades residents, while opponents warned about liability, safety, and burdensome review requirements. Members split along similar lines, with some emphasizing property rights and market impacts and others stressing the need to protect residents and preserve scarce affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is New Mexico State University Day, New Mexico Association of Regional Councils of Government Day
• Regional Councils play in strengthening collaboration and development across our state.
• of Regional Councils.
• in Action; Madison Sal's, Student Council; and Camilla Fierro, Student Council.
• State University. Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and there will be variations from state to state.
• That being said, And there will be variations from state to state.
• There's a state, excuse me, State Board of Equalization is the board's name.
• There's a state, excuse me, State Board of Equalization is the board's name.
• The report from the governor states that, pursuant to North Dakota Century Code, this report is submitted

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the state.
• It's administered by a state agency. It will be staffed by state employees.
• to our state agencies, we sometimes put agencies in charge of managing construction of their own buildings
• In Century Code, it states that you should not get a discount of 5% unless the property tax bill is paid
• Following the State of the State... ...to receive the State of the State message from the Governor.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're scattered throughout the state.
• And if the math doesn't work to build a building or to renovate a building or to have enough students
• to have teachers... ...doesn't work to build a building or to renovate a building or to have enough
• Board and the State Department.
• portion that we actually had as a state.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee first approved minutes from February 18, 19, 20, and 23, 2026. The committee then heard House Bill 657, which would change charter school lottery priorities to give charter schools more local discretion while also adding foster children to the sibling category and allowing military-connected students on Title 10 orders to be considered in the lottery. Supporters, including military families, the Idaho Charter School Association, and the Idaho Charter School Network, said the bill would reduce enrollment barriers for military children who move frequently and often miss lottery windows. Opponents, including the Mountain Home superintendent and a retired senior master sergeant, argued it could harm Mountain Home schools and that a simpler fix would be to amend existing military enrollment law. The sponsor moved to hold HB 657 in committee and instead advance RS-33489, which the committee approved for introduction and referral to the second reading calendar with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 711, an alternate authorization pathway for principals and superintendents. Chairman Hawkins and Superintendent Critchfield said the bill is meant to help rural districts fill leadership vacancies by allowing experienced non-educators to enter school administration with mentoring and training, while not forcing any district to use the option. The Idaho School Boards Association and Idaho Association of School Administrators raised concerns about removing the master’s degree requirement, the breadth of the executive pathway, and the use of training funds for mentorships. A teacher and union leader also opposed the bill, saying educational leadership requires experience in law, budgeting, special education, and curriculum. After debate, the committee passed HB 711 out of committee with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up RS 32862 C1, which would move the STEM Action Center under the Workforce Development Council, require a 50% industry match, reduce overhead costs, and add performance measures for general fund spending. The sponsor said the change would create savings, improve coordination, and strengthen accountability. After brief questions about charitable contribution deductions and governance, the committee voted to introduce the RS. The chair then announced House Bill 712 would be moved to the next morning’s agenda, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first item is the Secretary of State Building Security Improvements.
• The state has two years to make available the state match funds from the date of disbursement.
• , as you've been in the buildings, there are some very unique architectural design to the building.
• state?
• ODI is new to state government.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're scattered throughout the state.
• And if the math doesn't work to build a building or to renovate a building or to have enough students
• to have teachers... ...doesn't work to build a building or to renovate a building or to have enough
• Board and the State Department.
• portion that we actually had as a state.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , are the state legislators to that point of micromanaging the different programs in each of these states
• And what do other states do? Yes.
• And what do other states do? Yes.
• The reason why we excluded the state funding is because when Carla and I were talking about the state
• So that only includes external, no state appropriated dollars or even state competitive dollars, kind

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill helps the state address wildlife crossings on routine state highway maintenance projects, digging
• State highway maintenance projects.
• The Australian Code of Practice was The Australian Code of Practice was developed after years of research
• California has fallen behind the rest of the nation and is the only state in the United States with this
• We can't do it yet with the state. So here you are where you cannot build essential...

Summary: The committee heard SB 1393, an omnibus update to the Fish and Game Code covering steelhead trout and Dungeness crab management. Supporters from The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, CalTrout, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations said the bill would strengthen the steelhead report card program, refine crab fishery rules, and clarify vessel transit through closed crab areas. There was no opposition, and the bill was accepted with amendments and moved on a 4-0 vote to the Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1250, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning and asset management, with performance targets and coordination with wildlife agencies. The author and supporters argued it would improve ecosystem connectivity, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and save money by integrating crossings, culverts, and fencing into planned projects. The California Building Industry Association moved to neutral after amendments clarifying the bill would apply to transportation rights-of-way and not create exactions on private property. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1212, which would repeal California’s ban on importing and selling kangaroo products. The author argued kangaroo harvest in Australia is tightly regulated and that California’s ban is outdated, while opponents from Humane World for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and others said the bill would reopen the market to products from a cruel commercial slaughter industry and undermine long-standing wildlife protections. No motion was taken at that point. The committee also heard SB 1268, codifying the Outdoors for All initiative, which supporters said would protect and expand equitable access to parks and outdoor recreation; it advanced 3-0. Finally, the committee heard three Western Joshua Tree bills from Senator Arreguín: SB 1061, SB 1062, and SB 1063. Supporters from water agencies, local governments, and industry said the bills would reduce fees and streamline permitting for tree relocation, public infrastructure, and basic utility hookups in desert communities. Opponents withdrew or softened opposition on the first two bills after amendments, but objected to SB 1063 as too broad. SB 1061 and SB 1062 each passed 2-0 to Appropriations, while SB 1063 was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.