Transcript Highlights:

• is a slightly modified definition that comes from SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
• Right now they're housed in Fire Station 3, which is in White Rock.
• Especially when it comes to emergency fire protection. We'll look at all of them and see, you know.
• It's a loan repayment for service going directly to the student loan provider.
• Department of Health and Human Services.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization and step-therapy measure, on a committee substitute that had already incorporated many stakeholder changes. The sponsor and agency witnesses described revisions to definitions of chronic health condition and serious mental illness, shorter prior-authorization periods, and limits on reporting requirements. Supporters, including a nurse practitioner and disability advocates, said the bill would reduce barriers to needed medications and urged broader protections for chronic and behavioral health conditions. Health insurance and pharmacy benefit management representatives remained opposed, arguing prior authorization is an important patient-safety tool and objecting to the bill’s limits on its use. Senator Hickey offered two amendments: one to conform electronic prior-authorization response times to existing law by changing seven days to three, and one to restore the prior-authorization period from 12 months to three years. The first amendment was accepted; the second passed on a 5-4 vote. The committee then approved the amended substitute 6-3. The committee next heard Senate Bill 111, which would expand the confidentiality of personal information held by the Motor Vehicle Division to include sex, gender identity, national origin, and immigration status. Tax and Revenue officials explained that the bill would not change what documents MVD collects, but would limit disclosure of sensitive information contained in scanned records unless a statutory exception applies. Members asked about what appears on licenses, what is stored in MVD’s system, and whether law enforcement access would change; officials said criminal law enforcement exceptions would remain in place and that the bill mainly affects public disclosure requests. The committee voted 8-1 to give the bill a do-pass recommendation. Senate Bill 218, funding a Los Alamos Emergency Operations Center, was presented as a regional disaster-response and training facility for northern New Mexico. Los Alamos County witnesses said the project would support emergency management training and coordination across the region and requested $5 million. Several senators questioned whether the county had explored bonding, intergovernmental agreements, or regional cost-sharing, and raised concerns about Los Alamos’s debt capacity and whether the project was truly regional. Supporters said the county has a long capital backlog and that the center would serve communities from Santa Fe north. The committee ultimately voted 9-1 to advance the bill. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 14, a major health professional loan-repayment proposal. Senator Hickey described it as an effort to recruit and retain physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals by increasing repayment amounts, prioritizing physicians and doctors of osteopathic medicine for 50% of the fund, and allowing service commitments with some flexibility, including part-time work. Supporters from medical, nursing, and behavioral health groups said the bill would help address workforce shortages and make New Mexico more competitive. Committee members asked about the inclusion of physician assistants, the 90-day start requirement, anti-donation concerns, tax treatment, tribal and IHS providers, and whether the 50% physician set-aside would leave enough for other professions. After discussion, the committee voted 10-0 to send the bill forward with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we would be doing them a service to, I think we would be doing them a service to make this required
• So they are receiving special education services.
• So they have to consider what are the educational services, what are the related services, what are these
• other services?
• . ...the medical services and treatment.

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills focused largely on special education transparency, school safety, and student support services. Senate Bill 1908, by Senator Zaffirini, would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study the feasibility of a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements, including regional portals for healthcare clinical slots, with a report due by December 1, 2026. A representative of the Texas Nurses Association and the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition testified in support. The bill was left pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then took up Senate Bill 111, by Senator Hall, which in its committee substitute was narrowed to a reporting bill requiring school districts to disclose legal proceedings involving special education due process complaints when legal fees exceed $10,000, rather than capping spending. Several parents and advocates testified that districts spend large sums on litigation against families of children with disabilities and that greater transparency is needed; some senators raised concerns about unintended consequences, including possible pressure to settle cases. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1551 on automated external defibrillators in public schools, Senate Bill 865 on CPR instruction requirements for certain volunteers, Senate Bill 1032 on the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and Senate Bill 571 on school employee misconduct reporting and access to the Do Not Hire Registry; each was reported favorably after committee substitute adoption and roll-call votes. Additional bills discussed included Senate Bill 1884, which would formalize and expand dedicated staff support for the State Board of Education and give the board chair hiring authority over that staff; members questioned whether it duplicated TEA functions, while a witness argued the workload increase justified the change, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 625 would replace the current half-credit economics requirement with a half-credit in personal financial literacy; educators and advocates strongly supported making the course required, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 582 would make TEA settlement agreements in special investigations publicly available when sanctions are imposed, and Senate Bill 2600 would bar transportation fees for students living within two miles of campus unless districts do not receive state transportation funding; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2751, which would require TEA inspections of non-public special education programs to consider medical standards of care and crisis-prevention training; testimony from a program operator described severe student behaviors and the need for more flexibility, and the bill was left pending after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• services.
• More IMD services.
• housing services.
• A couple more would be your emergency services, both fire and ambulance, would be hurt by it.

Summary: The meeting focused on Turtle Mountain’s public health and behavioral health priorities, especially access to rural health transformation funding and a long-running data use agreement with the state. Tribal public health leaders described how, during COVID, a temporary data-sharing arrangement allowed them to do their own contact tracing and case management, and they argued that a similar agreement is now needed to respond more quickly to very high syphilis rates and other infectious disease concerns. Committee members generally expressed support and said they would follow up with state officials, while tribal representatives emphasized that they already have the staff and infrastructure to use timely data effectively. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center and the broader issue of the IMD exclusion and residential treatment capacity. Tribal leaders described the center’s opening, its five levels of care, its 16-bed limit, and its efforts to become financially sustainable through billing, grants, and partnerships. They shared success stories and argued for an IMD waiver or similar flexibility so the center could expand to 32 beds and better meet local need. Committee members discussed the policy barriers to expanding residential treatment, including federal approval timelines, state funding choices, and the need to preserve a continuum of care that includes outpatient and community-based services. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Hector Hernandez-Dogato of the National Health Law Program on the history and mechanics of the IMD exclusion and Section 1115 waivers. He explained that the exclusion limits Medicaid payment for services in facilities with more than 16 beds, but noted existing exceptions and alternatives such as state plan options, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He also reviewed mixed results from states that have used IMD waivers, warning that they do not automatically improve overdose deaths, emergency room use, or access to community care, and may risk reinforcing institutionalization if not paired with strong upstream services. The committee discussed a draft bill to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE for HHS to pursue an IMD waiver, with members suggesting the bill may need to explicitly include serious mental illness as well as substance use disorder and asking for department input at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• On your laboratory services, the purpose of the laboratory service program is to provide laboratory analysis
• We pull in ECECD services for any additional support services that might be needed through their home
• We do screenings, immunizations, and other clinical services.
• Chairman, in contractual services... Of note, Mr.
• Other times it's going to be the Forest Service or BLM.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• an agency is charging somebody like an admissions fee, or if they're charging another agency for services
• We were left the fire and the reconciliation. Under our own capital.
• We are left the fire and the reconciliation appropriation contingency fund and the other one.
• area wants to do that, now we've just set the precedent of buying private property when there's a fire
• Now we've now we've just set the precedent of buying private property when there's a fire.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB2, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Summary: The committee reviewed drafting instructions and spending sheets for House Bill 2, focusing on both recurring and nonrecurring appropriations, reserve levels, and several late changes. Staff explained that the package would leave reserves around 28% under the current scenario, with the possibility of rising to about 30% if a separate natural disaster reform bill is enacted. Members discussed how disaster funding would be handled through a replacement Section 8 and the appropriation contingency fund, and whether the operating reserve could be tapped with explicit authorization. There was also clarification on fund types, including other state funds and interagency transfers, and on how line items were reflected in the spreadsheets. A major point of debate was how to offset additions by reducing funding elsewhere. Members discussed shifting money from the state fair/multipurpose arena request, the Office of Natural Resources Trustee, and other capital items to accommodate changes. Several senators raised concerns about cutting the Office of Natural Resources Trustee too deeply and about the purpose of those funds, including possible land purchases and floodplain mitigation in Ruidoso. The committee also discussed whether the state fair money should be reduced, with some members supporting a $25 million restoration and others preferring to leave the executive’s request intact. Staff noted that some reductions were not true cuts but swaps or offsets, such as moving local road money and using excess capital outlay reserves. Other corrections and policy items were addressed, including an increase for UNM and NMSU stadium funding, a correction to a project distribution on line 105, and funding for the Health Council. Members also noted that the public employee 1% raise was no longer funded because recurring capacity was used elsewhere, and that no COLA was included. After discussion, Senator Woods moved to adopt the drafting instructions, Senator Gonzalez seconded, and the motion passed without objection. The committee then directed staff to prepare a catch-up cleanup version of House Bill 2 for later review and said House Bill 8 would be taken up the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• the endorsement and has been referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12 to the Committee on Public Service
• House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to
• House Bill 4009, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to
• An act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to a certain
• An act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to a certain

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural matters, including concurrence with a Senate petition to establish a sick leave bank for Gregory Baker of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, which was approved. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for additional petitions, including bills concerning the Dalton Fire District interim fire chief and a sick leave bank for Carlos Borges of the Department of Correction. The Committee on Steering then reported a slate of House bills for consideration, covering local matters such as Cheshire special elections, MWRA sewer service for a parcel in Sharon, animal cruelty fines and shelter funding, treasurer-collector duties in Berkeley, the Sandwich charter, amendments to the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act, and a Medford city charter. The House ordered several of those bills to a third reading. It then considered two engrossed bills establishing sick leave banks for Department of Transportation employees Daniel Wright Ender and Mark Capeman. The House adopted emergency preambles for both measures by recorded division and then passed each bill to be enacted. During the session, the Speaker also introduced Nepal’s ambassador to the United States, Luck Dashman Regimi. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time, with the next session noted as a formal session with roll calls at one.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consumer sales and service stations.
• Just as important is service and ...service and called the Fila.
• And then, similarly, enabling more service stations so that those cars can then be serviced in state
• Whereas if the service dealership service center were not located on tribal land, the tax would come
• to that service station.

Bills: SB22, SB310

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 22, which would allow certain motor vehicle manufacturers, including electric vehicle companies, to be licensed as dealers in New Mexico and sell/service directly to consumers. Supporters, including the sponsor’s office, Taxation and Revenue, Rivian, and clean-energy advocates, argued the bill would expand consumer choice, lower prices, improve EV access and service in-state, and bring new investment and jobs without eliminating existing franchise dealers. Opponents, including auto dealer associations, chambers of commerce, and franchise owners, argued the measure would weaken the franchise system, harm local businesses and jobs, reduce community reinvestment, and could disadvantage rural and tribal communities. After questions about trade-ins, tribal land sales, tax effects, and economic impacts, the committee voted to table SB 22 by a vote of 7-2. The committee then took up Senate Bill 310, which appropriates $1.1 million to the New Mexico Environment Department for planning, design, and construction improvements to the Mora mutual domestic water system. Supporters described aging water and wastewater infrastructure, an AOC related to discharge into the Mora River, flood and fire impacts, and heavy-metal contamination concerns in private wells. They said the project is part of a larger effort to address inflow and infiltration, improve treatment capacity, and protect public health, with additional funding already sought through the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund and the Water Trust Board. Some senators questioned whether the request should instead go through existing water funding programs and raised concerns about piecemeal financing and the Environment Department’s role, but others supported the need for the project. The committee approved SB 310 on a 5-3 due-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding service centers, this calendar year the RMV will be moving three service center locations to
• The RMV also services business customers at our service centers through a drop-off service.
• hours, weekend services, and route expansions continuing across RTA service areas.
• We've also launched permanent extended service on all service lines and eight frequent bus routes on
• Service on all service lines and eight frequent bus routes on Fridays and Saturdays, and extended service

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the services available to taxpayers is the taxpayer advocate services, which works closely
• And one of the services available to taxpayers is the taxpayer advocate services, which works closely
• And one of the services available to taxpayers is the taxpayer advocate services, which works closely
• </c> was he called woke and fired? was he called woke and fired?
• </c> carried the burden of service. carried the burden of service.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:15:02.320><c> Allan</c> inventory and range of services, Allan inventory and range of services
• Secondary hyperaldostism service.
• </c> Miss Dot's work reminds us that service Miss Dot's work reminds us that service is<00:47:50.560>
• </c> contracts with streaming services. contracts with streaming services.
• </c> Just in the summer of 2023, service Just in the summer of 2023, service employees<04:33:15.600><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They went out to bid for bus services.
• And the same is true with the pupil services folks.
• It changes the definition of governmental entity to include fire protection districts and ambulance service
• So in order to keep the services whole for this drug, mental health, and family court services, the court
• They do take care of our insurance, manage the insurance services.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through routine orders including committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, messages from the governor, and messages from the House. Several bills were introduced and referred to committees, including appropriations measures for the Department of Health and Welfare, a firearms preemption bill, and House measures on taxation, Medicaid, dentistry, and the National Guard. The Senate also received and filed various enrolled bills and confirmations, and advanced multiple measures to later orders for consideration. The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading bills. Among the major policy items discussed were Senate Bill 1412, creating the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act; House Bill 789, approving the Coeur d’Alene Tribe water rights settlement; House Bill 570, expanding reckless driving provisions for school and construction zones; House Bill 654, expanding the definition of police dogs to include electronic storage detection dogs; House Bill 681, removing statutes of limitation for certain child sex offenses; House Bill 575, requiring the state controller to publish asset forfeiture information; House Bill 736, lowering the threshold for ballot name rotation; House Bill 793, redirecting beer tax revenue to replace lost Alcohol Beverage Control funding; House Bill 798 and 799, repealing outdated state treasurer and alcohol code provisions; House Bill 665, revising Appaloosa specialty plate funding; and House Bill 667, ending non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in Idaho. The Senate also debated housing and tax measures, including House Bill 707 on land division for financing accessory dwelling units, House Bill 722 on utility property tax reporting, House Bill 792 on occasional sales and yard sales, and House Bill 800 on manufactured home siting. Other bills addressed education, insurance, and health care. House Bill 815 corrected a transportation support funding issue for a charter school; House Bill 849 revised the career ladder for CTE instructors and pupil services staff; House Bill 562 increased notice periods for insurance cancellations and nonrenewals; House Bill 825 changed funding for the Idaho Heritage Trust and specialty plates; House Bill 788 created a preceptor-based prior authorization exemption for Medicaid providers; House Bill 785 established a school discipline framework for inappropriate online behavior; and House Bill 846 clarified student enrollment counts. Debate on these measures focused on consumer protection, workforce shortages, school safety, housing supply, and administrative cleanup. Most bills passed on voice or roll-call votes, with the Senate approving many measures by wide margins, though House Bill 849 passed narrowly and House Bill 788 passed with a closer vote. Several bills were returned to the House after Senate passage, and titles were approved without correction.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one case in RID's service territory, a developer decided they were going to take down the acres, got
• By allocating additional funding resources to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
• for salt cedar mitigation in the lower Gila River corridor, this bill can reduce flood and fire risk
• Is this for birds or is this for fire mitigation?
• The Department of Forestry and Fire Management estimates annual impacts ranging from $169 million to

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority on its role storing Colorado River water underground and holding long-term storage credits for CAP municipal and industrial subcontractors, on-river contractors, the Hualapai Tribe, Mojave County Water Authority, and Nevada. Members asked about future firming for CAP subcontractors, recovery constraints, funding sources, and whether the authority could use groundwater withdrawal fee credits for Indian firming and CAP users. The manager explained the authority has no post-2026 firming policy yet for CAP M&I subcontractors, relies mainly on withdrawal fees and ad valorem taxes, and distributes credits on paper through ADWR transfer forms rather than delivering wet water. No action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard SB 1445, which would allow certain small municipalities to conduct bacteriological testing on site with EPA-approved equipment and originally limited ADEQ sampling requirements to no more than four times per month. The sponsor and the mayor of Kearny argued the bill would reduce costs and travel burdens for rural towns while allowing more frequent testing. Committee discussion focused on whether the change was already possible under existing law and whether the amendment would weaken testing requirements. The Griffin amendment removed the language restricting ADEQ’s sampling frequency. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. The committee also considered SB 1137, a modernization measure for Arizona’s 811 call-before-you-dig system that sets procedures for large project coordination meetings, positive response communication, and related enforcement. Supporters from Associated General Contractors and an underground utility contractor said the bill reflects stakeholder consensus and would improve safety and efficiency without adding state costs. The Taylor amendment shifted implementation procedures from the Corporation Commission to the One Call Notification Center and made other technical changes. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0. SB 1287, which extends to all active management areas the ability of holders of irrigation grandfathered rights to withdraw up to 10 acre-feet annually for stockwatering or domestic use, also passed 9-1. The committee next approved SB 1335, as amended by a strike-everything amendment tied to the Ag-to-Urban program, allowing a groundwater savings holder to continue irrigating for up to two years after issuance of groundwater savings credits. DWR and irrigation district representatives said the change would address timing problems between relinquishing irrigation rights and finalizing development, while some members objected that it could increase groundwater pumping. The bill passed 5-4. Finally, SB 1336, which continues the State Land Department for four years and adds reporting, planning, and oversight provisions including a new oversight board, passed 5-4 after debate over whether another board was necessary and whether the reauthorization period was long enough. The committee concluded with SB 1677, appropriating $3 million for salt cedar mitigation along the lower Gila River and the Gila-Colorado confluence. Supporters from Audubon Southwest, the City of Buckeye, and local landowners described flood, fire, habitat, and water-supply benefits, while members questioned herbicide use and the need for data. The bill passed 9-0, and the meeting adjourned after all votes were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why not just have your organization offer this as a service, go to each hotel and say, 'For this much
• So when you say, excuse me, when you say, you know, police and fire, right, well, if the fire station
• So it would only be if the fire department, if the fire station was planned by the town or the city to
• So... ...example of fire station. Okay. And again, just to dig down into that. So, Mr.
• Because we're saying you have to use this service.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the March 16, 2026 minutes and then heard testimony on several bills, with the chair noting that votes would be taken in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would increase the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion; Lucid Motors supported it as a rural economic development tool, while Senator Epstein questioned the fiscal note and whether the higher credit would actually attract new investment. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas funded by voluntary lodging assessments to support marketing and tourism promotion; the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix backed it as a competitive tool for rural and urban destinations, and committee members focused on whether participation was truly voluntary and how the assessments would be administered. HB 2780 made technical conforming changes to Arizona’s property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sale process, building on a prior law that created a mechanism for delinquent property owners to recover equity; the sponsor and a longtime constituent said the changes would fix timing and credit-bid language so qualified entity sales could work in practice. HB 2502 would let certain elected officials in ASRS retire at normal retirement age without resigning their office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate; ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor argued the bill would treat elected officials more like other ASRS members. The committee then adopted do-pass recommendations for HB 2502, HB 2780, HB 2950, and HB 2939, with each passing on split votes. The committee also adopted a striker to HB 2140, allowing the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and the Sound Money Defense League argued it would diversify reserves and hedge against market disruption, while opponents said gold is volatile, costly to store, and not something taxpayers need the state to buy. HB 2140 then passed as amended on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2398, as amended, which requires commercial liability insurance for watercraft rentals and peer-to-peer boat sharing programs, with supporters saying it addresses uninsured rental boats and law enforcement concerns; the bill passed as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee also heard HB 2999, a major housing-finance bill creating state affordability infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure through bonds and assessments; proponents said it would lower housing costs by spreading infrastructure costs over time, while contractors and some senators raised concerns about payment risk, impact-fee treatment, and whether savings would reach homebuyers. After adopting a striker and hearing extensive questions, HB 2999 passed as amended on a 6-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as having ambulance services at all track events, they're expensive to have.
• We... ...ambulance services at all track events. They're expensive to have.
• I attend an annual memorial service for Dominic Daly and James Halligan.
• The memorial service takes place a half mile away from my office.
• Marshal Service, from U.S. District Court. That is separate. That is handled differently.

Summary: The hearing covered several public safety bills and related testimony. On S. 2681, “Colby’s Law,” which would establish safety standards for BMX/motocross tracks, the committee heard emotional testimony from the family of a teen killed at a track and from advocates who said minimum standards are needed for barriers, medical staff, emergency planning, insurance, and oversight. A track owner and rider also testified that safety is important but argued the bill was incomplete and should better distinguish between BMX and motocross and include more specific equipment and weather-related rules. On S. 2680, a bill to expand emergency planning around aging nuclear plants and high-level nuclear waste sites, supporters from Cape Cod, medical groups, and anti-nuclear organizations urged a 50-mile emergency planning radius and stronger state preparedness, citing risks from long-term waste storage and inadequate federal oversight. The committee also heard testimony on a Barnstable home rule petition to allow certain emergency response vehicles to use red lights, with the town supporting the change to improve response times on the water. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on H. 5158, the Protect Act, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. County sheriffs testified about how ICE notifications and detainers work in practice, distinguishing between criminal warrants and civil immigration requests to notify, and describing their discretion when people are released on bail or at the end of a sentence. Sheriffs said they generally notify ICE when requested, especially in cases involving serious charges, but emphasized the need to balance public safety, victim notification, and due process. Committee members pressed them on the impact of ICE pickups at courthouses and jails, and several lawmakers and witnesses argued that pretrial detainees taken by ICE can disrupt prosecutions and deny victims their day in court. Supporters of the Protect Act included labor, education, health care, and immigrant advocacy groups. They said immigrants and mixed-status families are living in fear of routine interactions with police, schools, courts, and hospitals, and urged the committee to ban 287(g) agreements, prohibit law enforcement from asking about immigration status or providing operational assistance to ICE, and add stronger protections for sensitive locations such as schools and health care facilities. Medical witnesses described patients and families avoiding care because of ICE presence, and educators said students are missing school out of fear. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and indicated it would continue receiving written testimony before taking action later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me, I guess, express my appreciation again for your previous service.
• So we appreciate you being with us today and appreciate again your service.
• I'm from Twin Falls, Idaho, and I own Roadworkahead Traffic Services.
• And they have to have their fire extinguishers.
• And they have to have their fire extinguishers.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the February 25, 2026 minutes and then considered several bills and gubernatorial appointments. House Bill 681, which removes the statute of limitations for aggravated lewd conduct with a child and for producing sexually exploitative material, was presented by Rep. Stone and supported by the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Members discussed the purpose of statutes of limitations and concerns about fading memories, but the bill was advanced to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard virtual testimony from Terry Kirkham for reappointment to the Pardons and Parole Commission and Paula Gray for reappointment to the Sexual Offender Management Board; both described their prior service and qualifications, and no votes were taken at the meeting on those appointments. The committee passed House Bill 491, expanding Good Samaritan immunity to include mental health and suicide emergency first aid, and House Bill 492, adding a juvenile justice or adult misdemeanor probation representative to the POST Council. House Bill 522, dealing with unmanned aircraft systems near correctional facilities, drew testimony from drone industry representatives and others who raised concerns about federal law, commercial flights, and alternative anti-contraband measures; the committee sent it to the 14th order for possible amendment rather than advancing it directly. House Bill 570, which adds driving 20 mph or more over the limit in active school or construction zones to reckless driving when children or workers are present and visible, was supported by a traffic control witness but drew some concern about subjectivity and enforcement; it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 548, requiring reasonable suspicion before law enforcement may stop or board a boat under the Idaho Safe Boating Act, prompted debate over Fourth Amendment protections and existing Coast Guard and sheriff boating inspection practices. The Idaho Sheriffs Association opposed the bill, saying current contacts are generally consensual and tied to federal boating safety agreements, while the sponsor argued the bill simply aligns boating stops with vehicle stops; the committee nonetheless advanced it with a due pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 654, which adds electronic storage device canines to the definition of police dogs for purposes of protecting them from mistreatment or killing, received supportive testimony from an Internet Crimes Against Children task force commander and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're the people that jump in that fire truck on that volunteer fire department.
• Randy Christman from the Public Service Commission come up right now.
• Of the Public Service Commission, mine reclamation. They pay 64% of that.
• No, it's forest fires from Canada.
• That brings cool air on the outside of the fire.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There aren't other agencies that provide these services.
• We're able to keep our services efficient, operate these expedited services, especially in a very timely
• So those services aren't being provided right now.
• Those services aren't being provided right now.
• Auditor, it relates to fire departments.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State’s office described its FY27 budget, emphasizing efficiency gains from technology, election security work, and business services. It said it is operating with fewer staff than a decade ago, but rising costs and outdated statutory fees are creating deficits in service of process and other operations. The office asked the committee to consider either increasing fees or allowing it to retain a larger share of business-service revenue, and it also proposed creating an Office of Entrepreneurship to help small businesses navigate state government, grants, permits, and related services. Committee members questioned the Secretary of State’s office about fee increases, the current 50-50 split of certain revenues with general revenue, and whether the proposed entrepreneurship office would duplicate existing services. The office said it would complement, not replace, Commerce, SBDC, or grant programs, and would report metrics and policy recommendations to the legislature. The Attorney General then requested a one-time $2 million special revenue appropriation to hire additional lawyers and support staff, citing increased litigation, federal and state legal work, and the need to defend new laws. He also discussed embedded DMV lawyers handling DUI revocation hearings and said the arrangement costs the office just over $200,000. The State Auditor reported that his office is largely self-funded through special revenue and said he wants to reduce reliance on general revenue over time. He highlighted savings from renegotiated leases and an open government contract, discussed the need for more auditors in the Chief Inspector’s Division, and described fraud recovery and P-card operations. A major topic was delinquent land sales: the auditor said the office sold about 17,000 parcels last year and believes online bidding and better marketing could generate substantially more revenue, with the surplus potentially shared among counties, the state, and other programs. Members also asked about securities fee changes, fairness hearings, fire department audits, IT/cybersecurity, and how surplus proceeds from delinquent land sales should be handled. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They both used the same appraiser, but the Fish and Wildlife Service insisted that the ground would have
• burden in the form of increased reliance on social safety nets, such as Medicaid, long-term care services
• I'm a Boise Police officer and a task force officer with the Secret Service.
• There's maybe the Department of Transportation has some land somewhere in the state, and there's a fire
• situations where there would need to be camping by emergency personnel, whether law enforcement or fire

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several RS drafts and bills, beginning with introductions that were sent to print: RS 33617 on abbreviated newspaper legal notices, RS 33591 on off-highway vehicle and snowmobile fund allocations and advisory committee changes, RS 33628 on candidate filing, and RS 33644 to codify the Idaho Child Care Program and add program integrity and oversight provisions. Senate Bill 1349 was announced as not being considered at the sponsor’s request. The committee then advanced multiple bills with due-pass recommendations, including SB 1348, which revises the prior arrangement for the Cordillera Skeet and Trap Club project and allows Idaho Fish and Game to use Pittman-Robertson funds for an alternate shooting range location near Farragut State Park; SB 1350, which provides cash-rounding guidance for cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being minted; and SB 1351, which would bar reappointment of a gubernatorial nominee rejected by the Senate for one year and require vacancies to be filled within 90 days or before the next session. SB 1359, a cryptocurrency kiosk fraud-prevention bill aimed at protecting seniors and other vulnerable Idahoans from scams and money laundering, was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment after testimony from the sponsor, AARP, law enforcement, and others. The committee also heard and passed Senate Joint Memorial 114, calling on Congress to address college athletics issues such as NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment, and the financial instability facing Idaho universities and smaller athletic programs. Testimony came from Boise State leadership, Lewis-Clark State, and the State Board of Education, all emphasizing the economic and institutional importance of college sports and the need for federal standards. Finally, House Bill 603, which amends Idaho law to restrict overnight camping on state-owned Capitol Mall property while allowing certain canopies and rule-based exceptions, drew strong testimony both for and against; supporters framed it as a time, place, and manner regulation for safety and access, while opponents warned it would trigger more litigation. The committee approved HB 603 on a do-pass vote, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:40.000><c> department</c><01:03:41.000><c> uh</c> at the Pittsburgh fire department uh at
• uh mated services that we have<01:26:26.000><c> to</c><01:26:26.239><c> do</c><01:26:26.880><c> and<
• Under existing statute, which is RSA 548-D:A, there is a mechanism for fire departments to be able to
• Under existing statute, which is RSA 548-D:A, there is a mechanism for fire departments to be able to
• The restitution is clear: it clearly goes to the fire department that suffered the damage.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> implement Next Generation 911 services implement Next Generation 911 services this<00:08:09.520>
• Yes, and I think it has to do with location services, right?
• Yes, and I think it has to do with location services, right?
• </c> there you go you're good go ahead fire there you go you're good go ahead fire away<00:26:59.600>
• </c> of my nomination to extend the service of my nomination to extend the service my<00:32:36.080><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts. Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review. The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.