Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I will close and reserve the right. Uh, thank you, Representative Cunningham.
• All right, if there's no further questions, uh, we'll reserve your right to close.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're also required to keep reserves for replacement of... ...equipment that will have a normal lifespan
• so that they'll have the reserves there when the time comes.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, we don't want to prematurely plug off reserves that could be accessed later, but at the same
• Members, please reserve your questions until we have finished the entire panel. panel's testimony.

Bills: SB2122, SB2050, HB16

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• pellets that are made right here in New Hampshire with New Hampshire trees, an important part of our forest
• pellets that are made right here in New Hampshire with New Hampshire trees, an important part of our forest
• pellets that are made right here in New Hampshire with New Hampshire trees, an important part of our forest

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > a</c><00:20:22.000><c> part</c><00:20:22.160><c> of</c><00:20:22.240><c> a</c><00:20:22.400><c> forest
• Uh they own a part of a forest states.
• Uh they own a part of a forest which<00:20:23.120><c> is</c><00:20:23.280><c> in</c><00:20:23.679><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's good to have backup in the military; it's called a reserve, an active reserve, a mobile reserve.
• It's good to have backup in the military; it's called a reserve, an active reserve, a mobile reserve.
• It's good to have backup in the military; it's called a reserve, an active reserve, a mobile reserve.
• It's good to have backup in the military; it's called a reserve, an active reserve, a mobile reserve.
• It's good to have backup in the military; it's called a reserve, an active reserve, a mobile reserve.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with defects due to uranium mining and contamination of water from different mines that are on the reservation
• , no fault of their own..." "...or on the reservation, no fault of their own, are they born with this
• And there's a lot of people born with heart defects on the reservations.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tribal models is that the more successful tribal casinos are the ones that are on the edge of a reservation
• they have... ...population center nearby, so they have a big flow of people from outside of the reservation
• ones that have worked less well have been where you have a tribal casino, say in the center of a reservation

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with all of my reservation, I would like to reserve my right to change my vote on the floor.
• I do reserve the right to change my vote if need be on the floor, but I will support the motion.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 959, which would adjust levy limits and related property tax provisions for fire and EMS districts affected by prior tax changes. Senator O’Conniewicz and fire district officials said the bill is needed because fire and EMS districts rely heavily on property tax and are struggling to keep up with growth and operating costs. The Idaho Home Builders Association and the Association of Idaho Cities both supported the bill, with cities noting it would provide needed relief for emergency services even if broader tax fixes are still being sought. The committee moved and passed a motion to send HB 959 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 706, which would allow cities to permit single-stair apartment buildings in limited circumstances if additional life-safety and design standards are met. Supporters, including Senator Robbie, an architect, and a private citizen, argued the bill could lower construction costs, help infill development, and create more affordable “missing middle” housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other requirements. Fire officials and the Association of Idaho Cities opposed the bill, warning that a single stair reduces redundancy for evacuation and firefighter access and could create risks in fires or active shooter situations. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to send HB 706 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Anthon and Adams recorded as no votes. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 967, a compromise measure to increase funding for Idaho State Police compensation by shifting $4 million total, including $2 million from liquor funds that would otherwise go to cities and counties. Senator Lakey and Colonel Gardner said ISP has severe staffing shortages, especially among mid-level troopers, and needs a funding fix to remain competitive and retain officers; the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police also supported the bill. Cities, including the mayor of Moscow and the Association of Idaho Cities, opposed the measure because it would reduce local revenue used for police, fire, and EMS, and argued the state should use other funding sources instead. Several senators expressed concern about the impact on cities but said they felt compelled to support a compromise for ISP, and the committee ultimately passed the motion to send HB 967 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with recorded no votes from Senators Robbie and Riggs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to support this, but with a little reservation.
• But I do have a little bit of reservation for just the potential lack of public awareness.
• Where in previous years, we were able to use that apparatus for 10 to 12 years and then put it into reserve

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee heard several bills related to fire district administration and workforce housing. House Bill 765 would allow fire districts to adjust boundary lines through partial annexation/de-annexation and to merge districts and departments when all parties agree. Testimony from fire chiefs and the Association of Idaho Cities said the bill would help districts align boundaries with service areas and improve efficiency without raising taxes. The committee voted to send HB 765 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 766 would streamline the process for fire and ambulance districts to adopt development impact fees by reducing the number of required intergovernmental agreements and public hearings, while keeping local government and public input in place. Supporters said it would save time and attorney costs and make the process more workable for districts spanning multiple cities and counties; some senators raised concerns about public visibility and the role of fire districts in setting fees. The committee approved HB 766 for the floor. House Bill 767 would allow fire districts to use up to 50% of development impact fee revenue for replacement or improvement of fire apparatus, not just new stations, citing rising equipment costs and growth-related wear. Home builders opposed the bill as an expansion of impact fee use beyond the original intent, and several senators said it was a carve-out that should be addressed more broadly; the committee voted to hold HB 767 in committee. The committee also advanced House Bill 797, which would ensure each fire district sub-district has representation by requiring commissioners to reside in the sub-district they serve. No opposition was raised, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 760 would expand an existing property tax exemption to encourage workforce housing by allowing for-profit/nonprofit partnerships, permitting use with federal housing tax credits, requiring affordability at 60% of area median income, and leaving participation optional for local governments. Supporters said it could help produce more affordable housing without state general fund spending, while some senators noted it could add pressure to local tax bases and fire districts; the committee sent HB 760 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to support this, but with a little reservation.
• But I do have a little bit of reservation for just the potential lack of public awareness.
• Where in previous years, we were able to use that apparatus for 10 to 12 years and then put it into reserve

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee heard several bills related to fire districts, impact fees, and housing. House Bill 765 would allow partial annexation and merger of fire districts/departments to better align boundaries and improve efficiency; fire chiefs and city representatives supported it as a fix to problems created by prior law, and the committee sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 766 would streamline the process for fire and EMS districts to adopt development impact fees by reducing the number of required hearings and agreements; supporters said it would save time and attorney costs while preserving public input, and it also passed the committee with a due pass recommendation despite some concern about public visibility. House Bill 797, a cleanup bill to ensure fire district sub-districts retain representation, also passed unanimously to the floor. House Bill 767, which would allow fire districts to use up to 50% of development impact fees for replacement fire apparatus, drew the most debate. Fire chiefs argued it was needed because apparatus costs have risen sharply and growth is wearing equipment out faster, while the Idaho Home Builders Association opposed it as a departure from the intended use of impact fees and a potential step toward broader fee expansion. Several senators said the bill was a response to funding pressures created by House Bill 389, but a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee prevailed, so HB 767 did not advance. The committee also considered House Bill 760, a workforce housing bill that would expand an existing property tax exemption for affordable housing projects, allow nonprofit/for-profit partnerships, and let local governments opt in. Supporters said it would help finance workforce housing without state general fund money and preserve local control; senators noted it could still add pressure on local services, but the bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• transferred the entire balance, $88 million and change, from the SFRA, or School Foundation Program Reserve
• In my mind, it is two million because we don't breach the 5% statutory reserve amount.
• So, in truth, there is 192,765,000 dollars, which is the statutory reserve amount of 5% of next biennium's

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first addressed an unintended consequence in the Joint Conference Committee report involving dual and concurrent enrollment funding. Staff explained that a dollar-for-dollar reduction tied to Senate File 81 would have fully funded public school dual/concurrent enrollment while leaving no funds for non-public school students. Senator Salazar moved to strike that provision, the motion was seconded, and it carried. Budget and Fiscal Administrator Don Richards then walked through the conference committee report and the major adopted amendments. He reviewed Senate and House amendments affecting items such as sign language interpreters, rural veterinary education, predator management authorization, petroglyphs and pictographs, senior services, community college funding, school district entitlement payments, the School Foundation Program reserve transfer, a tourism-related rodeo museum change, archaeological work on human remains, a jet airplane reduction, abortion-related language, livestock ear tags, provider rates for developmental disabilities, student-athlete endorsement restrictions, a forensic audit for the Wyoming Business Council, and the Yellowstone tree inscription. He also described several deleted sections and policy changes, including removal of spending-policy provisions, flex authority language, and other budget sections. Richards further summarized new or revised appropriations and conditions, including funding for local cybersecurity, stormwater fees, the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund, lab services, IT modernization, Wyoming Public Television, matching funds, cloud services, and restored governor FTE requests. He noted a compromise on the outdoor trails matching program, a conditional $10 million University of Wyoming operational review appropriation tied to future cost savings, and a stablecoin appropriation. He also explained that the report retained the base-bill reversion language, discussed the remaining general fund balance and statutory reserve, and said the committee would circulate the amendment and signatures for floor action later that day. The meeting then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• timely initial examinations of tribal members experiencing mental health crisis and residing on reservations
• know how this actually works because Clearwater County is within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation
• know how this actually works because Clearwater County is within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first considered a gubernatorial appointment, voting unanimously to send Juliet Sharon’s nomination as Director of the Department of Health and Welfare to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1264, which would create an Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and a bipartisan legislative oversight committee to direct and monitor federal rural health transformation money. Senator Cook and supporters argued the bill would give the Legislature direct oversight of how the funds are spent, while opponents raised concerns about federal debt, added bureaucracy, and whether the committee would slow distribution of the money. Testimony from hospital, physician, and rural health advocates emphasized the urgency of the funding and the needs of rural hospitals and clinics, while critics argued the money was borrowed and should not be accepted. After extended debate, the committee passed the bill on a 5-4 vote. The committee then quickly advanced Senate Bill 1254, a technical fix allowing chiropractors certified in clinical nutrition to obtain certain listed vitamins, minerals, fluids, and epinephrine from pharmacies by clarifying that they may “prescribe” those items. After brief testimony, the bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1255 followed, expanding Idaho’s involuntary commitment law to allow tribal health care facilities to hold individuals in mental health crisis and recognizing tribal police officers for this purpose. County law enforcement, tribal representatives, and the sponsor said the change would improve coordination and reduce delays on reservations; the bill was unanimously sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1256, a cleanup bill requested by the Division of the Blind and Visually Impaired to remove outdated statutory referral language. The sponsor said the change came from the agency itself and was identified through a review of obsolete statutes. The committee approved the bill unanimously and adjourned, with a meeting scheduled for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 503A, which exempts traditional compounding pharmacies from rigorous federal CGMP requirements reserved
• This high-bar requirement is reserved for full-scale drug manufacturing.
• This high-bar requirement is reserved for full-scale drug manufacturers, not traditional 503A compounders

Bills: HB2545, HB2613, HB1496, HB2155, HB2283, HB2340, HB2425, HB2437, HB2577

Keywords: healthcare, patients, cardiovascular procedures, outpatient services, surgical facilities, HB2613, compounded medications, compounded drugs, pharmacy compounding, bulk drug substances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, API, drug safety, patient safety, pharmacy license, Washington pharmacy law, RCW 18.64, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA, pharmaceutical compounding

Transcript Highlights:

• . $52 million of our budget is from project reserve Funded with district ad valorem revenue, $52 million
• of our budget is from project reserves and fund balances, all for projects only, followed by the $38
• be completed in 2032, but some of them are on more of a deferred reimbursement due to our limited reserve

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work. Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions. Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $52 million of our budget is from project reserves and fund balances. $52 million of our budget is
• from project reserves and fund balances, all for projects only, followed by the $38 million from state
• be completed in 2032, but some of them are on more of a deferred reimbursement due to our limited reserve

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from five water management districts for fiscal year 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the core statutory missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year, largely because large projects were completed or because grant and appropriation funding is not yet fully included until awarded. Testimony focused on major district priorities such as springs protection, alternative water supply, flood control infrastructure, land management, agricultural cost-share programs, and water quality restoration. Examples highlighted included Northwest Florida’s springs and watershed work, Suwannee River’s agricultural and springs-related projects and the Water First North Florida recharge effort, St. Johns River’s Taylor Creek Reservoir, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Indian River Lagoon restoration projects, Southwest Florida’s large alternative water supply program and aging water control structures, and South Florida’s Everglades restoration, reservoirs, and flood control system. Members repeatedly asked how districts choose projects, how they forecast maintenance costs, and what share of staff and budgets are devoted to core missions. Several districts said project selection is a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, stakeholder input, and state or federal priorities. They also explained that they use cost estimation tools, market monitoring, strategic or basin planning, and periodic reevaluation of capital plans to keep projections current. A few districts requested additional funding or positions, including Northwest Florida’s request for more regulatory services funding and Suwannee River’s request for one additional FTE tied to permit review under a new rule. No votes on the district budgets were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in 2012, the Federal Reserve started targeting this policy of 2%.
• And so the Federal Reserve adopted something called average inflation targeting, where they said, basically
• There was a 2023 study done by the Federal Reserve that looked at this very question, not for Washington

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on October 8 with introductions from council members and staff, then received a detailed presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on long-term economic assumptions and the state pension systems’ financial condition. OSA reported that the combined pension systems are currently 100% funded on a smoothed basis, with open plans above 95% funded, and that legacy Plan 1 systems remain on a path toward full funding under current policy. The actuaries recommended updating assumptions to 3% inflation, 3.5% general salary growth, and a 7.25% investment return, while keeping Plan 1 membership growth at 1%. They also explained asset smoothing, the role of recent strong investment returns, and the expected budget impacts of the recommended changes. Representatives from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the State Investment Board offered supporting perspectives, generally describing the assumptions as reasonable and consistent with their own outlooks. The council also heard an overview of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (WACares) from DSHS and OSA. Program staff described the program’s social insurance structure, premium collection, benefit eligibility, and upcoming implementation milestones. OSA reported that the program’s first actuarial valuation showed a positive actuarial balance under the base scenario and recommended no change to the current 0.58% premium rate during the program’s early learning phase, noting that future changes would depend on experience and the program’s risk-management framework. OSA also said the recommendation would remain the same regardless of the outcome of the pending ballot measure affecting investment options. During public comment, a representative of the Washington State School Retirees Association urged continued work on Plan 1 funding and related legislation, while the Association of Washington Cities cautioned against increasing pension assumptions in a way that could raise future employer costs and reduce flexibility for current local government services. In action, the council adopted a motion to maintain the current long-term economic assumptions by a 4-2 vote, adopted the recommendation to keep the WACares premium rate at 0.58% by a 6-0 vote, and then elected Katie Chapman as council chair by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was Chair of the Federal Reserve from August of 1997 to January 2006.
• Alan Greenspan actually became Chair of the Federal Reserve Board the exact same month and year that
• Alan Greenspan was the Federal Reserve Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• These operating reserves dropped below critical thresholds triggering industrial demand response.
• detail exactly what advanced power flow controller and topology optimization systems or should I reserve
• With that, I will pause and reserve for closing. Thank you. One second. Ms.

Bills: HB 551, HB 1281, HB 1378, HB 1617, HB 2868, HB 2881, HB 3374, HB 4439, HB 4726, HB 4732, HB 4878, HB 4914, HB 4921, HB 4958, HB 5200, HB 5318, HB 5360, HB 5402, HB 5568, HB 5573, HB 5623, HJR 218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, as you are aware, the death penalty is reserved for those convicted of the most heinous of
• Supreme Court have long recognized that the death penalty is an extreme and extraordinary punishment reserved
• There's a warm spot in hell reserved for people who do this.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice considered and advanced a series of criminal justice bills, with most measures reported favorably after brief presentations, amendments, and roll-call votes. Among the bills approved were CS/SB 468 on fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, which increases offense levels and allows impoundment of involved vehicles; CS/SB 1136 on age as an element of a criminal offense, which strengthens protections for minors and was amended to adjust age thresholds and luring/enticement language; CS/SB 144 on criminal justice, which was narrowed by substitute amendment after discussion with law enforcement and includes provisions on kill switches, body cameras/AI, first responder recognition, and other corrections-related items; and CS/SB 1782, which creates penalties for dangerous excessive speeding. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 964 on objective parole guidelines, CS/SB 1450 on arrest and detention of individuals with significant medical conditions, CS/SB 612 on murder involving unlawful drug distribution by minors, CS/SB 1838 on tampering with or harassing court officials, CS/SB 716 on enhanced penalties for sexual offenses by repeat offenders, CS/SB 1604 on corrections, and CS/SB 1360 on xylazine, which preserves veterinary use while increasing penalties for illicit trafficking and possession for sale. Several bills drew substantive testimony and debate. CS/SB 1838 prompted concerns from the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers that the tampering language could be applied to prosecutors or defense attorneys; the sponsor said he would work to refine the language. CS/SB 964 received support from criminal defense advocates and a witness who argued Florida’s parole system needs revision due to prison overcrowding and staffing issues. CS/SB 1604 generated questions about inmate access to courts, the statute of limitations for confinement claims, and involuntary mental health treatment; the sponsor said the bill aims to balance inmate rights with timely reporting and to address bad actors in corrections. CS/SB 1360 was supported as a response to the spread of xylazine on the street, while noting its legitimate veterinary use. The most contested measure was CS/SB 1804 on capital sex trafficking. The bill would create a capital offense for adult trafficking of a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person under specified circumstances, with a life-felony fallback if capital punishment is later found unconstitutional. Supporters argued it targets especially heinous conduct and closes a gap in existing law; opponents, including the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and anti-death-penalty advocates, argued it expands the death penalty beyond homicide, raises constitutional concerns, risks retraumatizing victims, and would be costly to litigate. After extensive debate, the committee adopted an amendment aligning the bill with the House companion and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 776 adding an aggravating factor for assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, despite objections from some members who voted no. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members for the session, and the committee adjourned.