Transcript Highlights:

• That's not legislation is full of intent, right?
• And again, this is a great piece of legislation.
• I'm running this legislation.
• Golf courses are not appropriate in state parks.
• You went clinical appropriate, including Mr.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services.
• This is the primary document that legislators on JFAC are working with.
• ' requested and the governor's recommended budget.
• So then I think the most used portion of the Legislative Budget Book is the narrative request, so...
• ...is the narrative request.

Summary: The committee opened by approving the minutes from January 15th. It then considered several RS introductions related to occupational licensing. RS 33021, presented by Rep. Ehlers, would reduce cosmetology licensing requirements by lowering education hours from 1,600 to 1,000 and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000, with supporters saying it would lower barriers to entry and improve Idaho’s competitiveness with other states. Members asked for more evidence of hardship from the current standards, but the RS was introduced. The committee also introduced RS 32964, presented by Rep. Manwaring, which would reinstate an open-book jurisprudence exam for professional land surveyors. He said the exam had previously been open book, had a 100% pass rate, and was intended to ensure surveyors know Idaho law in daily practice. Members asked about how the test would be structured and whether similar open-book testing should be considered for other licenses, but the RS was introduced. Rep. Tanner then gave a presentation on JFAC and budget oversight, focusing on the need for accurate fiscal notes, review of DOPL spending, and scrutiny of dedicated funds, staffing, fleets, and board consolidation. A budget analyst from Legislative Services walked the committee through budget resources, including the base budget builder, Legislative Budget Book, Fiscal Report, Fiscal Source Book, and Fiscal Facts, and offered to provide fund balance reports. Members discussed the committee’s role as policy-focused rather than budget-setting, while also noting the value of understanding budget data without overstepping JFAC’s role. Finally, the committee heard RS 32928, also related to cosmetology licensing, which would allow students to sit for their exam after completing 80% of their education hours rather than waiting until all hours are finished. Supporters said it would make the process easier without changing the requirement to complete all hours before licensure. The RS was introduced, and the committee adjourned after announcing that floor session would begin the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• By the way, I represent Legislative District 1, if I didn't say that.
• By the way, I represent Legislative District 1, if I didn't say that.
• It's going to be future legislation.
• But this legislation has not been vetted.
• , like requests for higher limits of coverage, requests for additional insureds, third-party questionnaires

Bills: HB2128, HB2255, HB2397, HB2429, HB2591, HB2680, HB2834, HB2868, HB2911, HB2951, HB2979, HB2991, HB2996, HB2999, HB4001, HB4011, HB4017, HB4020, HB4026, HB4086, HB4088, HB2244, HB2342

Keywords: homeowners associations, condominiums, open meetings, governance, transparency, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, HOA, homeowners association, planned community, condominium, CC&Rs, covenants, conditions and restrictions, resale disclosure, association disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• Absent objection, Senate File 14 has been rereferred to committee number two, appropriations. request
• . appropriations. appropriations.
• That's appropriate.
• There's a mechanism to do it through Management Council that's appropriate if LSO requests it.
• So, Mr. appropriate if LSO requests it. So, Mr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it appropriate to start with Go Dodgers? Okay.
• , it's completely appropriate.
• Again, this motion is do pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Motion is do pass to Assembly Appropriations. Motion is do pass to Assembly Appropriations.
• The motion is do pass to Appropriations. Gipson, aye. The motion is do pass to Appropriations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:21.000><c> for</c> small increase which was requested for small increase which was requested
• </c><00:17:52.280><c> uh</c> nature of this particular request uh nature of this particular request uh
• </c><00:52:08.480><c> an</c> support ambulance has to request an support ambulance has to request an
• We came forward in the 2023 session, as many of you know, with a legislative request to fund a number
• </c> as many of you know with a a legislative as many of you know with a a legislative request<01:25:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The original legislation created an exemption for smaller horse events where the entry fee The legislation
• And so what our legislation will do is increase those fees for these And so what our legislation will
• On AB 1142, the motion is due pass to Appropriations.
• for certification now, much less if this legislation is passed.
• The bill and it's do pass to Appropriations.

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> why wasn't this part of your CIP request why wasn't this part of your CIP request so<00:04:46.280
• In the fall, he requested the board support in submitting a request to the legislature even though there
• In the fall, he requested the board support in submitting a request to the legislature even though there
• requests without the report.
• requests without the report.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on February 6 and began with decision-making items. SB 663, concerning additional positions for the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, was deferred again after the chair said the university’s response did not include the requested details on vacant positions, recruitment status, and fill dates. The chair said the committee needed the full information before considering new positions, and the university apologized for treating the request as informal rather than a formal committee inquiry. The committee then discussed SB 672, relating to capital improvement projects for the Y. Manalo Research Station. University representatives said the project had been identified late because of timing and that they were still developing a broader plan for SEAR research facilities. The chair questioned how the project fit within the university’s existing Board of Regents-approved CIP priorities and whether any current priorities should be displaced. The university said it could not unilaterally reprioritize the budget, and the measure was deferred pending better direction on how it fits into the overall plan. For SB 557, which would require the John A. Burns School of Medicine to direct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention for Maui, the committee heard strong testimony in support from Maui health care providers and community representatives. Supporters described severe shortages of physicians and dentists, long waits for care, and the need for housing, loan repayment, scholarships, transportation, and telehealth support to retain providers. The university said it was willing to help and suggested the work could be done through existing rural health and AHEC efforts. The bill was kept alive for further work, with the chair encouraging the parties to develop a plan. The committee also heard SB 1107, establishing a medical education position at JABSOM to support ECHO-style mentorship and guidance programs. The university opposed the bill, saying it did not believe the measure addressed a problem that needed fixing and that Hawaiʻi already has five ECHO clinics administered through the Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association, not JABSOM. The committee then took up SB 1204, concerning integration of the Kakaʻako medical school and cancer center. University leadership asked for time to develop a plan and timeline, possibly with an external consultant, and requested the bill be withdrawn. The chair expressed skepticism, citing long-standing concerns about the cancer center’s finances and planning. Testimony included support from the American Cancer Society and a patient who warned that integration could jeopardize the cancer center’s NCI designation and clinical trials, while a university vice president said the NIH P30 grant does not require the cancer center and medical school to remain separate and that many NCI centers are integrated. No final votes were taken on the measures discussed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our first Labor and Commerce Committee of the 2026 legislative session.
• John Bronson, Senator for the 20th Legislative District.
• You may continue. ...we refer to the appropriate authority. Thank you.
• I represent the 28th Legislative District here in West Pierce County.
• This was never our intent when passing the underlying legislation.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee opened its 2026 session with member introductions and a work session on the Employment Security Department’s structure and programs. ESD officials described their roles and reviewed paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, unemployment insurance, workforce services, and agricultural worker outreach. Senators raised concerns about call volume, program solvency, fraud detection, employer access to information, and whether workers can receive leave benefits while working other jobs. ESD said WA Cares is in a limited pilot, PFML has seen rapid growth, UI trust fund solvency is projected to be near the statutory trigger level, and they would follow up with more detailed information on eligibility, fraud referrals, and employer scenarios. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5292, which would replace the current PFML rate-setting formula with a forward-looking actuarial model and require a four-month reserve beginning in 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor, JLARC staff, labor advocates, and employer groups, said the change would improve stability and follow JLARC recommendations; opponents warned it could lead to higher payroll taxes and argued the program is already too costly. The chair said she intended to keep the bill narrow as it moved forward. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6014, a technical bill on pregnancy-related accommodations that would preserve the ability of pregnant workers to request certain accommodations without a doctor’s note and create a public records exemption for sensitive complaint and investigation records; the sponsor and supporters said it corrects a drafting error and protects privacy. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5972, which would remove the population threshold limiting interest arbitration for correctional officers in jails, and Senate Bill 5869, which would make permanent and expand from residential to all building construction sites a requirement that L&I notify employers or owners within 10 working days when a hazard is identified. Correctional officers’ representatives and labor groups supported SB 5972 as a fairness and safety measure, while the sponsor said it would create consistency across jurisdictions. Construction industry groups supported SB 5869, and L&I said it had no concerns but wanted the bill kept narrow; the chair noted the bill’s purpose was to speed hazard communication. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5874, which would allow ESD to waive penalties for minor errors in quarterly unemployment reports, especially missing SOC/job-title information. The sponsor said small businesses were being hit with unnecessary fines, and ESD said it had identified a sharp rise in penalties and was working with the sponsor on possible fixes. The committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation.
• So this is absolutely appropriate.
• All right, and roll call is requested by five members. The request is seconded.
• Who requested the roll call? Mr. Pace. Do nine members second that request? Nine members do.
• I've got an adjourning memory request. All right, state your request.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:14.880><c> to</c> Members, we've received a request to Members, we've received a request to
• ,</c><00:14:05.880><c> the</c> And in carrying an appropriation, the And in carrying an appropriation
• House Appropriations Committee The House Appropriations Committee reviewed<00:20:57.640><c> S.
• Only legislators<00:29:45.840><c> and</c><00:29:46.040><c> staff</c> legislators and staff legislators
• Just legislators and staff. invited. Just legislators and staff. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would like to request your support for this legislation to ensure the farm worker housing projects
• We would like to request your support for this legislation to ensure the farm worker housing projects
• I would respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you very much.
• I would respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you very much.
• The motion is do pass as amended to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Investigations on an appropriate timeline.
• I have already requested an audit about the department and so I'm waiting.
• Pending approval of this request, we would go through a competitive procurement process.
• They lobby on legislation. Or ACCE, Alliance for California...
• But roughly 60% to 70% of the total cost of what we have requested. Is about to come up.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I request... So I thank you, Madam President. And again, I requested this be withdrawn.
• And that legislation set up the Came into the building in 2017.
• And so what this legislation does is it acts on one of the Getting into it.
• And so what this legislation does is it acts on one of the getting into it.
• Those members joining with him in this request, please rise and be counted.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a major environmental bond bill with amendments covering climate resilience, housing health, plastics reduction, coastal protection, fisheries, and related regulatory issues. Early debate included Senator Keenan’s withdrawn amendment to fund the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program with $50 million, followed by his adopted amendment banning hotels from providing plastic toiletry packages. Senator Tarr’s amendment to remove the paper bag charge was defeated after extended debate over whether the 10-cent bag assessment functioned as a tax; a related floor speech from Senator Duner argued the fee would burden working families. The chamber also adopted Senator Fernandez’s ocean acidification amendment, which would aggregate ocean monitoring data to support shellfish, water quality, and coastal management, with support from Senators Sear and Driscoll. Other adopted measures included Driscoll’s Houghton’s Pond multi-use trail, Montigny’s New Bedford State Pier redevelopment and harbor oil-recovery provisions, Collins’s Commonwealth Conservation Commission later withdrawn, and several coastal resilience and housing-related amendments. The Senate also approved a series of environmental and public health measures. Senator Moore’s rodenticide restriction amendment was adopted after testimony from animal welfare and conservation groups, with the sponsor describing harms to wildlife, pets, and livestock and noting local municipal support. Senator Lewis’s amendment directing DEP to study the feasibility of banning polystyrene was adopted, as was Senator Mark’s Massachusetts Climate Bank amendment and Senator Edwards’s carbon sequestration amendment expanding attention to salt marshes, seagrasses, and waterways. The chamber adopted amendments on equitable representation, improving indoor air quality, and a Douglas State Forest trust fund that would raise the entry fee from $1 to $2 for maintenance. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Collins’s urban coastal resilience commission and Tarr’s proposed Commonwealth Conservation Commission. Housing and permitting issues were another major theme. Senator Driscoll’s amendment requiring local confirmation before a project is designated a priority housing project was defeated, but his related amendments clarifying the process and requiring consultation with the Housing and Livable Communities Secretary were adopted. The Senate also adopted Crichton’s amendments streamlining permitting for coastal resiliency projects in urban areas and creating a five-year pilot for nature-based solutions, as well as Tarr’s amendment adding dredging and sand placement to general coastal permits. Tarr’s amendment to revise the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund was adopted, while his later constitutional challenge to a landform-migration provision was withdrawn after he argued it could amount to an uncompensated taking. The session ended with the Senate noting only two amendments remained and then adjourning in memory of Quincy’s former mayor James A. Sheets.

Transcript Highlights:

• assembly in Canada and is legislative assembly in Canada and is legislative assembly in Canada and is
• Appropriations come from either onetime Appropriations come from either onetime Appropriations come
• Appropriations from the supplemental Appropriations from the supplemental Appropriations from previous
• this bill will also appropriation this bill will also appropriation this bill will also appropriate
• will allow the funds this legislation will allow the funds this legislation will allow the the appropriation

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• For legislative business, Assemblymember Arambula.
• That power cannot be legislated away.
• to the Appropriations Committee.
• Young Legislators of the Year from the 73rd Assembly District.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature did not pass the legislation in 2023.
• My bureau chief requested that I be released.
• and treating all requests as illegitimate.
• My next question is, when you presented the legislation, excuse me, when you presented the legislation
• I believe it's reviewing every ADA request for the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so appropriation from 23 and 24.
• </c> to request a roll call. to request a roll call.
• I'd like to request a roll call, please. Roll call having been requested. There are 15 hands.
• </c><01:22:14.239><c> to</c> able to construct your your request to able to construct your your request
• </c> legislative business are we on? legislative business are we on?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that's a fair question, but that's not what this legislation does.
• What was the Department of Commerce's input on this legislation?
• Again, they could take this legislation. It could pass.
• Let me just make that unanimous consent request.
• Unanimous consent has been requested to refer to pending legislation. Is there any objection?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from March 6, 11, 12, and 13, 2026, after correcting an earlier procedural issue with the March 6 approval. The committee then heard House Bill 861, which would allow universities to apply for grants from the state’s hotel bed tax marketing fund. Representative Monks argued the bill would simply let universities compete for existing grant dollars without taking money directly from anyone, while opponents including the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association said the fund is dedicated to tourism promotion and should not be diverted from chambers, travel groups, and rural outdoor businesses. After debate over whether the money would be reduced for current recipients and whether universities would actually benefit, the committee voted down the motion to send HB 861 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next heard House Bill 885, which clarifies and tightens homestead exemption eligibility and documentation requirements, including requiring proof that a claimant does not have a similar homestead exemption in another state and allowing an Idaho income tax return as alternate proof of residency. Representative Raybould said the bill codifies existing law, helps ensure only Idaho residents receive the exemption and related property tax relief, and aligns homestead status with voting and candidate residency rules. Ron Nate of the Idaho Freedom Foundation opposed the bill, arguing it could retroactively affect candidates, create unequal exceptions, and impose an impractical multi-state verification burden. Despite concerns about retroactivity and implementation, the committee approved HB 885 and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with several members recording no votes. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1345, which would allow the Idaho Tax Commission to communicate with taxpayers by email or other secure electronic means on an opt-in basis instead of only by mail. Chairman Cannon said the bill would improve efficiency and save an estimated $300,000, and that the Tax Commission was comfortable with the July 1, 2026 implementation date. The committee had no testimony on the bill and passed the motion to send SB 1345 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 3, AB 1773 by Rubio, with a motion of due pass to Appropriations.
• We support and have sponsored legislation that puts appropriate safeguards in place without overburdening
• We support and have sponsored legislation that puts appropriate safeguards in place without overburdening
• The motion is due pass to Appropriations. Please call the roll.
• With that, I respectfully request your aye vote.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, beginning with AB 2651 by Bonta, which would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds. Supporters, including family physicians, PTA representatives, and medical groups, said the bill would improve transparency and help parents protect children and vulnerable family members. Opponents argued the data could be misleading, could identify medically exempt or conditional students, and might lead to stigma or discrimination. The bill was later moved out of committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with one no vote recorded on the roll call. The committee also heard AB 2123 by Aguirre-Curry on medical debt relief, AB 1570 by Wilson to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary breast diagnostic and supplemental imaging, AB 2201 by Berner to restore Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal flexibilities, AB 2448 by Berman to strengthen privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care records, AB 2034 by Addis on food additive safety and transparency, and AB 2598 by Krell to require better notification of next of kin when a patient dies in a hospital. Each bill drew strong support from authors, advocates, and affected individuals, while some drew opposition from insurers, industry groups, or transparency critics who raised concerns about cost, duplication, implementation, or unintended harm. Several bills were moved forward on due-pass-as-amended motions, including AB 2123, AB 2201, AB 2448, AB 2034, and AB 2598. The committee also heard AB 2551 by Elhawary, which would require health plans to collect and publish data on how often enrollees must go out of network for behavioral health care and why. Supporters said the measure would expose access barriers and high out-of-pocket costs, especially for communities of color and people with language access needs; opponents said it would add another reporting mandate and might not solve provider shortage problems. Members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals and several described personal or district-level experiences with behavioral health access problems. The bill was then moved out of committee on a due-pass motion. The committee also took up consent items and other procedural motions, with multiple bills reported out and some placed on call.