Transcript Highlights:

• All right, moving into the impact team, Everybody knows Tamara Figueredo.
• All right, moving into the impact team, All right, moving into the impact team, you're all familiar with
• He's a team lead downstairs for the impact team, adding all sorts of value around here.
• The governor does recommend spending authority for the rural health transformation grants.
• Every single cut that we had to make has impacts.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee opened the session with roll call, confirmed a quorum, and introduced new members, staff, and pages. Co-chairs and staff then reviewed JFAC’s role as the legislature’s main budget committee, the committee’s daily schedule, and the resources available through legislative staff, the impact team, and the newly released 2026 Legislative Budget Book and related budget tools. The committee received a detailed briefing from the Division of Financial Management on the JFAC calendar and then from Governor’s Budget Director Lori Wolf on the governor’s FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget recommendations. Wolf said the budget is balanced but tight, relying on a mix of ongoing reductions and one-time actions rather than reserve fund transfers. Major budget actions included a 3% ongoing reduction across most state agencies, reversions of certain one-time balances to the general fund, no recommended pay increase for state employees or teachers, and higher employee health insurance costs. The budget also proposed reductions or policy changes in Medicaid, virtual school funding, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, and some transportation and water-related funds, while preserving funding for public safety, education, water, and transportation priorities. Members questioned the assumptions behind the budget, especially the projected ending balances, the use of one-time transfers, the impact of rising health insurance costs on employees, the effect of Medicaid cuts on services and cost shifts, and the rationale for reductions to online education and IDLA. Several members also asked about the proposed federal tax conformity changes, including the timing of implementation and the treatment of Idaho’s existing R&E tax credit. Wolf said the conformity estimate was based on Tax Commission analysis and that the administration was not recommending use of the budget stabilization fund. No votes or formal actions were taken; the committee concluded by noting that the Economic Outlook Committee would meet later in the week and that JFAC would continue budget hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a county prepares an environmental impact statement on the impacts of the planned action, EIS is not
• That has a real impact on housing.
• I’m excited that it’s actually had such a huge impact.
• A rural home, new construction, on a 40, A rural home, new construction, on a 40-acre piece, probably
• We have seen a positive impact from that.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in work session and heard a series of presentations on SEPA, permitting reforms, and building code implementation. Department of Ecology staff gave an overview of the State Environmental Policy Act, explaining its role in state and local decision-making, common exemptions, planned actions, and recent housing-related statutory changes such as transit-oriented development exemptions and SEPA appeals protections for certain local ordinances. Committee members asked about repeated SEPA reviews, cultural and historic resource review, and how SEPA relates to NEPA; Ecology responded that repeated reviews usually occur when proposals change and that programmatic EISs can help front-load analysis. Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections described how recent SEPA exemptions reduced residential review volume and supported more housing permits, and said the city is considering raising thresholds further. The State Building Code Council provided an update on code adoption timelines and legislative tasks tied to the 2024 codes, including single-stair housing, multiplex housing, dwelling unit size, and temporary emergency shelter standards. Council staff said the content of the codes is largely set, but administrative timelines have been delayed, prompting a motion to postpone final adoption while pursuing ways to preserve the planned implementation schedule. Members asked about the timing of code changes and the impact on housing costs, and staff said the legislative topics remain on track for inclusion in the 2024 code package. Committee staff then reviewed recent permitting legislation, including SB 5290’s permit decision deadlines and fee-refund provisions, later bills limiting pre-application meetings and clarifying that building permits are excluded from those timelines, and project-specific changes affecting middle housing, ADUs, lot splits, passive house projects, self-certification, transit-oriented development, and parking requirements. Commerce’s Dave Anderson reported on SB 5290 implementation, including guidance on permit fees, studies on staffing and statewide permitting systems, grants to local governments, and the first annual performance report, which showed mixed results and highlighted the importance of digital tools, clear checklists, staff training, and coordination across departments. Local officials from Issaquah and Kitsap County described their own process improvements, including code updates, optional pre-application meetings, new staffing, reporting systems, and a phased “Two by Six” review model in Kitsap, while also noting challenges from staffing shortages, agency coordination, and the burden of implementing multiple new mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many people already experience barriers accessing birth control, especially those living in rural Missouri
• and those with lower ...barriers accessing birth control, especially those living in rural Missouri
• Packages ...in the mail can be impacted by extreme outside temperatures, which can make them less effective
• It reduces unintended in the mail can be impacted by extreme outside temperatures, which can make them
• In 2024, 98 of the state's 101 rural counties lacked access to primary medical care, making frequent

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for House Bill 3401, Representative Phelps’s workplace violence bill, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass. The substitute broadened language by removing a specific reference to bodily fluids, based on testimony from hospital security personnel that broader wording would be easier to prosecute. The roll call showed the substitute adopted and the bill passed out of committee. The committee then heard House Bill 2370, sponsored by Representative Peters, which would require private insurance to cover a one-year supply of self-administered hormonal contraceptives at one time, similar to Missouri HealthNet. Supporters included ACOG, the Missouri State Medical Association, Beacon Reproductive Health Network, and the Missouri Nurses Association, who argued the bill would improve access, reduce missed doses and unintended pregnancies, and save costs by reducing barriers such as transportation, work schedules, and pharmacy refill gaps. The Missouri Insurance Coalition opposed the bill, arguing it would impose a mandate on private plans, increase costs—especially for brand-name products—and raised questions about whether the bill would require bulk dispensing and how it would interact with existing refill rules. The committee also heard informational testimony from MoSPI noting rural access barriers, higher adherence with 12-month supplies, and that Missouri HealthNet already covers an annual supply. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3278, sponsored by Representative Lobbinger, which would create a multidisciplinary adult protection team framework for adults 60 and older and adults 18 and older with cognitive impairments or disabilities. The bill is intended to improve coordination among agencies handling abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases by allowing limited information sharing and reducing duplicated investigations while preserving confidentiality and guardianship protections. DHSS testified in support, saying the bill would provide a clearer framework for existing multidisciplinary teams, streamline coordination, and help protect vulnerable adults without creating new positions or infrastructure. Committee members asked about membership, meeting frequency, conflicts of interest, and how the bill differs from the ombudsman system; the sponsor and DHSS explained that the teams would be case-specific, generally meet as needed or quarterly, and apply to community cases rather than facility residents. The sponsor also submitted letters of support from existing multidisciplinary teams and related organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a couple of different policy issues that impact that.
• It's something that we do pretty frequently when there's legislation that could have a potential impact
• And that's a problem for rural air service.
• The RACE program pays is the subsidy to keep these rural airports going.
• Like this is when you've had an impact or something has happened.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This feedback loop is especially critical for rural and under-resourced institutions, which often lack
• It also supports rural communities by aligning local talent with the jobs that exist in their regions
• we hosted more than 1,400 student visitors on site, and this also allows us to go and positively impact
• The skyrocketing cost of tuition has impacted the amount that each profession is eligible for.
• in blue are counties where providers would get an additional. ... stipend if you are working in a rural

Bills: SB1998 , SB646 , SB2786 , SB2076 , SB2615 , SB1961 , SB1418 , SB2647 , SB1322 , SB2788

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, our CRNAs provide an incredibly valuable healthcare option in almost all of our rural communities
• Enhanced health care options in our rural communities and all over New Mexico, but primarily our rural
• And so it's very important that it impacts an entire health plan when you talk about Medicaid membership
• It will have a phenomenal financial impact on the cost of care.
• start on the next bill, the medications, the LDL lowering medications, it starts to have an immediate impact

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you know, with that many counties, it's a fairly rural area.
• There are size factors because we know that, especially as you get very small rural districts, you lose
• and district size units that accounts for some economies of scale, if you will, in those very small rural
• Negatively impact student performance, and so traditionally, we have provided additional funding because
• While we agree that there are some negative impacts of high mobility, the data that we use to calculate

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you just describe to me real quick the impact of a gift like this and what this could potentially
• And so this could potentially have a big impact for landowners.
• The impact economically that that's had, not only to your constituents, but to Medina. Absolutely.
• I mean, it is definitely a huge economic impact.
• Medina County is going to be impacted.

Bills: HB143 , HB4530 , HB4931 , HB5559 , HB5560

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: election, bonds, authorization, financial governance, public funding, HB 143, bond election, debt authorization, November uniform election date, Texas Election Code, emergency election, voter approval, municipal bonds, local government finance, public debt, school bonds, special election, uniform election date, bond issuance, water rights

Transcript Highlights:

• So you say, well, maybe if I'm just out in this rural area and I'm in a sewer district, I can just do
• There's no fiscal impact, and the Commission is in favor of this. With that, debate is open.
• For many in rural Idaho, that kind of travel and time commitment can be a significant barrier to care
• important also for our rural communities and for folks going through treatments there.
• Our farmers, our ranchers, our rural families, they are the backbone of this state.

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present, later noting all 35 present, and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the March 24 journal. The body then moved through committee reports and messages from the House and Governor, referring a number of bills and memorials to committees, enrolling and transmitting several measures, and advancing to floor consideration of legislation. Among the early actions, House Bill 928 was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment, and multiple House and Senate bills were introduced, read, and referred to standing committees. The chamber first took up House Bill 760 on reconsideration after it had previously failed on a tie vote. After debate over whether the bill would create an optional low-income housing tax credit program that supporters described as a workforce housing tool and opponents criticized as a tax shift and government-subsidized housing, the motion to reconsider passed 24-11. On final passage, however, the bill failed again, 15-20, and was returned to the House. The Senate also debated and passed Senate Bill 1397, which extends utility-style consumer protections to certain privately held wastewater systems; supporters said it addresses captive customers and stranded property, while opponents warned against expanding regulation. The bill passed 21-14. The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1398, which returns Idaho to a presidential primary system and sets the primary for the Tuesday after the first Monday in May; supporters cited low caucus turnout and broader voter access, while opponents worried about shortening the campaign season. Senate Bill 1396 also passed as a cleanup measure repealing obsolete Pacific Fisheries Task Force language. In addition, House Bill 630, on airborne control of predatory animals, failed 6-28 after debate over whether the measure merely codified existing permit rules or could harm livestock protection efforts. Later, the Senate passed House Bills 631, 826, 585, 648, 773, 787, and 790. These measures dealt respectively with certificates of free sale for Idaho agricultural products, eliminating the Idaho Honey Commission, expanding inspection requirements to help speed housing-related permits, parity for oral cancer medication coverage, repeal of obsolete credit union and cemetery code sections, moving podiatry under the Board of Medicine, and allowing certified interior designers to sign certain nonstructural technical submissions. Several of these bills were described as cleanup or efficiency measures, while HB 648 drew especially personal testimony about the cost of oral chemotherapy. The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 31, honoring the late Lyndon B. Bateman, with members sharing personal recollections of his teaching, handwriting, and service. The day ended with additional committee reports, referrals, announcements, and a recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a fiscal note that, as I understand it, shows no impact to the program.
• There is a fiscal note that, as I understand it, shows no impact to the program.
• There is a fiscal note that, as I understand it, shows no impact to the program.
• I may— This bill looks like it could have an impact on state revenues.
• Do you have any idea what that impact might be? Senator Westrom, Mr.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the impact that the fiscal impact of refugees and asylum seekers was positive over the last 15-year
• These are all effects and impacts from illegal immigration, and this is part of the reason this— And
• in terms of being an American, being a humanitarian, and yes, my colleagues spoke to the economic impact
• in terms of being an American, being a humanitarian, and yes, my colleagues spoke to the economic impact
• Francisco, how does this bill impact you?

Bills: SB1152 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1213 , SB1232 , SB1268

Committee: Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Keywords: immigration, public benefits, asylum, verification, Arizona Revised Statutes, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, immigration enforcement, probation, law enforcement, court notification, civil rights

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a small farm in Missouri, and so we like the rural part of the state.
• We're a more remote and rural area, probably as remote as any place in the state, but it's definitely
• So we're especially proud of that and the impact that we have on Quay County, Tucumcari, and the area
• Four of the students went through the Impact Wind GWO training.
• So the GWO is going to be through Impact Wind. It's a separate company that we work with.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Every day there are parents, especially in our rural communities, who are doing everything right but
• still struggle to Every day there are parents, especially in our rural communities, who are doing everything
• Representative Wilmeth will temporarily replace Representative Blackman on the Special Committee on Rural
• Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections, and additionally referred to the Committee on Rural
• Brad's leadership and advocacy for neighborhood, city, and state policies leaves a lasting impact on

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the doctor of the day. Members also introduced numerous guests and groups in the gallery, including the Dandy Project, Arizona Right to Life, Red State Reform, Reproductive Freedom for All, Somerton elected officials, Apache County Supervisor Alton Joe Shepard, and the family of the late Brad Brower. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2053 honoring Brower’s life and service, followed by a moment of respectful silence and remarks from members about his community leadership. The House considered several Senate bills in Committee of the Whole. SB 1020, relating to the Arizona Space Commission and a specialty license plate, drew debate over a proposed Villegas floor amendment to add a community college access and success plate; the amendment failed on a recorded division vote, and SB 1020 was then approved. SB 1127 and SB 1181 also received do-pass recommendations without controversy. The House later held an additional Committee of the Whole on SB 1426, adopted a floor amendment, and reported the bill as amended with a do-pass recommendation. On third reading, the House passed SB 1125 on child safety by a vote of 43-4 and SB 1415 on insurance adjusters by a vote of 46-1. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole report, with a separate motion to include the defeated Villegas amendment in SB 1020 failing 19-28. The chamber announced upcoming committee meetings, made several brief personal and ceremonial announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every day there are parents, especially in our rural communities, who are doing everything right but
• still struggle to Every day there are parents, especially in our rural communities, who are doing everything
• Representative Wilmeth will temporarily replace Representative Blackman on the Special Committee on Rural
• Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections and additionally referred to the Committee on Rural
• Brad's leadership and advocacy for neighborhood, city, and state policies left a lasting impact on countless

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Authority and leaders in Santa Cruz County who gave us a wonderful presentation on the need to invest in rural
• The need to invest in rural Arizona, but also our largest port of entry.
• I serve a part rural and a city district, which means that I do have food deserts in my district, just
• as many of us in this chamber have. ...I serve a part rural and a city district, which means that I
• is America where we are free to make our own choices as long as they're not, you know, directly impacting

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the fiscal impact on this bill? Thank you for the question.
• Currently, there's not a fiscal impact on this.
• Currently, there's not a fiscal impact on this.
• In rural Oklahoma. He's requesting it.
• There is no fiscal impact to the state.

Summary: The committee considered and advanced a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 3834, which creates a revolving fund at the Department of Health for ibogaine research. The author said the measure is limited to clinical trials, has support from several tribal nations, and would not have an immediate fiscal impact, though retirement-related costs were discussed as roughly $1 million based on prior estimates. HB 3834 passed 20-0. House Bill 3940, updating Oklahoma Military Department provisions, National Guard retirement benefits, and some Uniform Code of Military Justice language, also passed after questions about the same estimated retirement cost and the effect of changing the date for implementation; it passed 21-1. Members then approved House Bill 4346, with an amendment aimed at addressing fraud concerns in agricultural sales tax exemptions. The bill would extend reciprocity to holders of ag sales tax exemption cards from Texas and other surrounding states, allowing them to use those exemptions in Oklahoma border communities. Opponents argued the change would place too much burden on retailers to verify out-of-state cards and could increase liability, but supporters said it would help rural businesses. The bill passed 17-4. House Bill 2947, allowing clinical interns and accredited behavioral health graduate programs to bill Medicaid for supervised services, passed 21-0, and House Bill 3257, extending state benefits for 100% disabled veterans to those similarly disabled due to negligence at a VA hospital, also passed 21-0. The committee next passed House Bill 3264, which adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of 85% crimes. Supporters emphasized the seriousness of strangulation and its connection to later homicide risk, while questions focused on prison population growth and costs; the bill passed 21-0. House Bill 4326, dealing with Oklahoma Promise homeschool language and the definition of certified classroom personnel, was amended to remove unrelated T-SET restructuring language and then passed 19-2. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” which requires fentanyl testing in child welfare drug screens when fentanyl use is suspected, drew emotional testimony about a child’s death and had its fiscal estimate discussed as dropping from $125 million to about $16 million; it passed 22-0. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 3944, a State Finance Act cleanup and modernization measure, after questions about reporting dates and public finance oversight, and House Bill 3979, which raises financing caps under the Oklahoma Economic Development Finance Pool, after an amendment to add an effective date and emergency clause; both passed 21-0. House Bill 4118, updating the family caregiver tax credit and raising the maximum credit while keeping the annual cap unchanged, passed 20-1. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this would have no impact—no impact on the farm, which is beloved and does serve the community.
• No impact on the farm, which is beloved and does serve the community.
• First, the gas-to-VMT tax swap would have modest impacts statewide.
• On the top of my head, I can’t remember the specific impacts.
• Poverty has real and material impacts on health.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• It affects farmers, farm workers, and families and communities in rural Missouri.
• So the end user farmer is being impacted because of not following a label.
• We don't want to impact farmers with this. We really want to protect farmers.
• And how would it impact our voters? I don't know.
• And how would it impact our voters? I don't know.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs like the NIH Institutional Development Award, the IDEA program, have transformed rural states
• The impact of federal support does not stop at these important new scientific discoveries.
• I have barely scratched the surface of the impact of this commitment. my testimony today.
• thank you. impacted, as well as your support for others who are battling pediatric cancer.
• That has profound impact. impacts on the private investment community, and money is global.

Committee: Senate Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• families, it's impacting businesses, it's impacting seniors, it's impacting kids in school.
• The housing shortage is impacting families, it's impacting businesses, it's impacting seniors, it's impacting
• </c><00:28:28.279><c> housing</c> Department of Agriculture Rural housing Department of Agriculture Rural
• </c><00:32:01.639><c> of</c> bit about um about the the impact of bit about um about the the impact of
• </c> acquisition of 10 of these uh rural acquisition of 10 of these uh rural housing<01:21:41.199><c>

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house