Video & Transcript : 'State Building Code Council' :

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 14th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill further protects the handling of items and regalia in state buildings, including the State Capitol
  • Building Industry Association.
  • And so you could look at the state public lands or state parks; there's different things.
  • Many other states have, and I think other states would follow that lead.
  • The state enacted the slavery-era insurance policies law because the state determined that descendants
Committee: House Judiciary
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Juvenile Justice Apr 7th, 2025

S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • So for example, the council on state government justice center, uh, this was a.
  • I remember being in one state going in their state training school was their state correctional facility
  • , like a youth council.
  • That is the most impacted by gangs and juvenile crime of any zip code in the state of Texas.
  • The Texas Juvenile Justice Code states, among its purposes, to provide treatment, training, and rehabilitation
Bills: HB31 , HB3360
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 12th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As the Louisiana State Senate convenes for today's session, we acknowledge that our...
  • United States Senate convenes for today's session.
  • Today is a day without child care day at the Louisiana State Capitol. So,...
  • This bill is about sports wagering, and it's about where we are as a state.
  • to transfer the council from the Board of Regents to Louisiana Works.
Keywords: 974, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 14, 2026 - 01:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • AT LEAST TWO OF THE HOURS HAVE TO GO WITH THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE BECAUSE THEY DO INTERNAL FOR MANY
  • FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION CODES, FEMA REGULATIONS AND THEN WE HAVE TO TIE INTO
  • IN THE STATE WITH OUTSIDE THE STATE.
  • TWO OF THE CODE REQUIREMENT HOURS ARE IN THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE ADVANCED SECTION.
  • FLORIDA BUILDING CODE IS A MINIMUM.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • go ahead please state your name uh good go ahead please state your name uh good morning<00:25:26.240>
  • She said this is a great starting point and that the state is considering building out a more robust
  • building out a more robust council.
  • a actually considering to build out a a more<00:28:32.279><c> robust</c><00:28:32.720><c> Council</c
  • We stand by our testimony, and we also want to make aware that we have the Building Trades Council, all
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Feb 11th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • MOST OF THEM HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT.
  • LAST BUT NOT LEAST, BECAUSE I AM A MEMBER OF THE CODE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE FOR THE BUILDING OFFICIALS
  • HOW DO WE MAKE THE CODE BETTER? REMEMBERING THAT THE CODE IS MINIMUM NOT MAXIMUM.
  • IN THE STATE.
  • WE'VE BEEN BUILDING CONDOS HERE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THERE ARE MANY OLDER BUILDINGS AND THEY ARE
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:31:10.159><c> funds</c> for the state to secure the state funds for the state to secure the state
  • The amendment is coded A3.
  • The amendment is coded A3.
  • The amendment is coded A3.
  • The amendment is coded A3.
Keywords: 1183, house
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Feb 19th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • codes don't allow that anymore.
  • You know, I couldn't be more proud of our state.
  • State.
  • Our codes officials have robust code officials that work within our organization, and they've identified
  • SB 5938 just builds on that success.
Summary: The committee held public hearings on two housing-related bills. Senate Bill 6054 would prohibit common interest communities, including HOAs and condominiums, from banning fire-hardened building materials that meet health and safety standards, while still allowing reasonable rules on design, placement, and appearance. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help homeowners reduce wildfire risk without forcing any resident to make changes, and staff explained that it would apply retroactively to conflicting governing documents. Testimony was generally supportive, including from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Community Associations Institute, and HOA United, though the American Wood Council asked for narrower definitions so wood products could still qualify under other standards. Senate Bill 5938 would revise the $80 foreclosure prevention fee created last session. Staff said the bill expands exemptions to include reverse mortgages for borrowers age 60 and older, chattel loans and retail installment contracts for dwellings secured as personal property, and limits duplicate charges in certain state-supported homeownership programs. It also removes the option to pay the fee from borrower cash at closing, allows financing through loan proceeds, clarifies disclosure and Commerce’s rulemaking authority, and directs Commerce and the Housing Finance Commission to study creating a state homeowner assistance fund by July 1, 2027. The sponsor and supporters said the changes would stabilize foreclosure prevention funding, prevent multiple charges on the same transaction, and help homeowners stay in their homes. Testimony on SB 5938 was strongly supportive from the Washington Homeownership Resource Center, the Washington Build Back Black Alliance, HOA United, and the Northwest Justice Project, with speakers emphasizing foreclosure prevention, housing stability, and the need for assistance for seniors, first-time buyers, and HOA homeowners. At the end of the hearing, the chair announced that the committee would likely take executive action on the bills early the next week and asked members to submit amendments by the stated deadlines.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 5th, 2026

Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here on behalf of the Building Code Board to present docket number 24... ...for the Building Code
  • The Building Code Board seeks to make permanent the temporary rules to the building permit fee table
  • to the 2018 building codes.
  • Changes to the International Building Code rules.
  • So I just want to acknowledge the amendments that DOPL, the state building code board, and Idaho adopted
Keywords: 989, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • Capacity right here in our state.
  • About 30 states don't tax it at all, including peer states like California.
  • New Jersey, treat federal foreign interest to try to account for the fact that state tax codes and federal
  • on State Taxation.
  • Vice President and General Counsel for the Council on State Taxation. Good morning.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue, chaired by Senator James Eldridge and Representative Adrian Madaro, opened its hearing with a moment of silence for the late Lowell State Senator Ed Kennedy and reviewed hearing procedures and deadlines. The committee then took testimony on several corporate tax bills, including S. 2033/H. 3110 on offshore tax avoidance, H. 3248 on a manufacturing tax exemption, H. 3057 on a tiered corporate minimum tax, and S. 2041 on a corporate tax haven blacklist, along with a separate business interest deduction bill. No votes were taken during the hearing. Supporters of S. 2033/H. 3110, including labor unions, health care workers, educators, public health advocates, seniors, and several legislators, argued that Massachusetts needs new revenue to offset federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, health care, education, and other services. They said the bill would raise roughly $400 million annually by increasing the share of offshore profits included in the state tax base from 5% to 50%, and they framed it as a fairness measure that would require large multinational corporations to pay more while leaving most local businesses and workers unaffected. Testimony emphasized risks to MassHealth, PCA services, adult dental care, hospitals, schools, and public health programs if new revenue is not raised. Opponents, including the Mass Taxpayers Foundation and the Council on State Taxation, argued the proposal is poor tax policy and likely unconstitutional because it would tax foreign-source income without allowing foreign tax credits or a comparable apportionment method. They said Massachusetts should take a broader, coordinated approach to federal tax changes rather than a standalone bill, and warned of litigation risk and possible double taxation. Supporters such as MassBudget and former tax counsel Don Griswold countered that the bill is a reasonable rough-justice approach, consistent with federal and neighboring-state treatment, and that it would primarily affect a small number of very large multinationals. On S. 2041, the Global Business Alliance opposed the proposed tax haven blacklist, while supporting a separate bill allowing business interest deductibility.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 01/28/25

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our members build the American dream across the state, building thousands of homes each year.
  • In the cities, we do have statewide building codes and permits and applications for building.
  • I am a proponent of a statewide building code.
  • </c><01:46:00.080><c> some</c><01:46:00.239><c> State</c> buildings um and provide some State buildings
  • that</c><01:53:13.840><c> is</c> the State Building Code uh that is the State Building Code uh that
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 5th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here on behalf of the Building Code Board to present docket number 24... ...for the Building Code
  • The Building Code Board seeks to make permanent the temporary rules to the building permit fee table
  • in comparison to the 2018 building codes.
  • Changes to the International Building Code rules.
  • So I just want to acknowledge the amendments that DOPL, the state building code board, and Idaho did
Summary: The committee first approved the January 29, 2026 minutes without objection. It then considered three RS drafts: RS 33116 on land use planning and short-term rentals, which Senator Harris said was intended to balance local control, property rights, and regulation of short-term rentals, including limits on business licensing requirements for smaller operators; RS 33133 on insurer investments, which Senator Guthrie said would give insurance companies more flexibility in making investments; and RS 33190 on PERSI reemployment rules, which Senator Lakey said would treat certain appointed officials filling vacancies the same as elected officials for retirement benefit purposes. All three RSs were moved to print and the motions carried. The committee also heard several gubernatorial reappointments. Kevin Settles was reappointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board and described his long service and focus on efficient administration. Todd Lakey was reappointed to the State Insurance Fund Board and spoke about the board’s customer-service improvements and ongoing changes. Representative John Weber was reappointed to the State Insurance Fund Board, and Robert Cuio was reappointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board; both were moved to the Senate floor with recommendations for confirmation, and those motions carried. The remainder of the meeting focused on three rule dockets from DOPL and the Idaho Building Code Board. Two dockets made temporary fee reductions permanent for factory-built structures and building permits, with no public comments and no impact on the general fund. The final docket adopted Idaho-specific updates based on the 2024 building, residential, and energy codes, including provisions on taller wood-frame buildings, mass timber, lithium-ion battery safety in garages, and an alternative prescriptive path to replace blower-door testing. Testimony from building officials and home builders strongly supported the changes as more flexible, affordable, and practical, and the committee approved all three dockets before adjournment.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee Feb 10th, 2026 at 04:25 pm

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Council.
  • The Senator has been working on trying to build a foundation for affordable health care in our state,
  • Council.
  • health care in our state.
  • Small but important change to our process to build more houses in our state. Further remarks?
Committee: Senate Rules
Keywords: 904, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Mar 4th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Code section 320301.
  • Code section 320301 and located in this state.
  • with state or federal law.
  • in the state of Florida, even though... ...that monument is in another state, correct?
  • . to live in our state.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a lengthy special order calendar. Early business included unanimous passage of CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, with supporters describing it as a way to expand access to debate programs statewide, create a Hall of Fame, support public-private partnerships, and train coaches. The bill drew broad bipartisan praise for teaching civics, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, and passed 37-0 after adoption of a delete-all amendment. The Senate also passed SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force after clarifying amendment language stating the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is consistent with First Amendment protections; members emphasized rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for recommendations on prevention, law enforcement training, and community relations. The chamber then approved CS/CS/SB 1230 / HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals, phasing out firefighting foam containing PFAS, requiring reporting and biosolid testing, and authorizing DEP rulemaking, assistance, and enforcement; the bill was described as protecting firefighters and water supplies and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. Senators also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training in schools, SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 creating protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicles and vessels, and SB 778 on forensic services for certain defendants. Most of these bills were taken up with identical House companions, no amendments, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most extended and contentious debate centered on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Sponsor Senator Yarbrough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several local governments. Multiple amendments were offered, including proposals to narrow the bill to spending, add an intent requirement for penalties, and broaden exceptions for holidays and observances; these amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor did accept some clarifying changes, including language protecting certain nonprofit services, heritage resources, and the Pulse Memorial, and he answered questions about Black History Month and at-risk youth services. The transcript ends while the Senate is still working through the amendment process on SB 1134, with no final vote on the underlying bill shown in the excerpt.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026

Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you've been to one state, you've been to one state.
  • What I'd always like to do is just look at the comparison of our state with other states.
  • as the state.
  • The state helped with the infrastructure. the state helped with the devil's lord The state helped with
  • Our state balked. Our state balked.
Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 03/19/26

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • , um building on what Senator Kupec just<01:27:20.400><c> stated,</c><01:27:20.800><c> the</c><01:27:
  • . state. state.
  • So, members, in 2020, the Minnesota Building Code mandated that storm shelters be constructed in accordance
  • </c><01:57:47.520><c> codes</c><01:57:47.880><c> already</c> high commercial buildings codes already
  • high commercial buildings codes already for<01:57:48.760><c> the</c><01:57:48.840><c> constructions</
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

General Laws Mar 25th, 2026

General Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm State Representative Don Mayhew, District 124.
  • If a building experiences an immediate need to serve a student mid-year, our building and district leaders
  • If a building experiences an immediate need to serve a student mid-year, our building and district leaders
  • Andrew is now running in the state.
  • states were not allowed to secede.
Committee: House General Laws
Keywords: 959, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 28th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • In some of the buildings that we have in the state of California, one homeowner could possibly have the
  • and local building codes that should also take care of some of the electricity concerns and other permitting
  • schools, commercial buildings all throughout the state of California through their design work.
  • schools, commercial buildings, all throughout the state of California and through their design work.
  • AB 2495 builds upon our existing protections in our labor code to cover preemptive threats that coerce
Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard a series of bills, many focused on homeowners associations (HOAs), along with measures on self-defense, design-professional litigation, mobile home park claims, senior housing, and DEI. Several bills were presented only or discussed with amendments, and the committee repeatedly noted ongoing work with authors and stakeholders. The committee also established quorum partway through the hearing and took up a consent calendar of several unrelated bills, which passed. AB 2584, on civil immunity for lawful self-defense, was presented as a work-in-progress. The author and a UFC/public-safety witness argued that people hesitate to intervene because of fear of civil liability, while committee members said California already has strong self-defense and Good Samaritan laws and that the proposal could create confusion. The bill was not advanced at that time, with the chair emphasizing further conversations. AB 1684, which would prevent HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or replace compliant cooling systems, drew support from the author, a constituent statement, and supporters from the California Department Association and others; an HOA group opposed unless amended, citing association property rights and grid/power concerns. Members generally supported the concept, and the author said amendments addressed damage and code-compliance issues. AB 1892, a technical cleanup bill clarifying HOA duties on utility repairs, election notices, and electronic voting timelines, passed unanimously as amended. AB 2050, requiring a formula for HOA reserve funding and a phase-in period, also passed with broad support; witnesses said underfunded reserves lead to special assessments, insurance and mortgage problems, and deferred maintenance, while members framed it as a consumer-protection and affordability measure. AB 2106, extending certificate-of-merit protections for design professionals and requiring California-licensed experts in certain cases, passed with strong support from engineers, architects, landscape architects, and civil-justice groups. AB 2145, directing HCD to study seniors’ need and desire to downsize, passed after lenders and financial groups moved from opposition to neutral with amendments; supporters said it could help unlock larger homes for younger families. AB 2238, aimed at deterring meritless failure-to-maintain lawsuits against mobile home park owners by shifting fee exposure to attorneys, passed after amendments narrowed its focus. Supporters said some firms were using vague demand letters and frivolous claims to force settlements and raise insurance costs; opposition said the bill still needed refinement to protect meritorious resident claims. AB 2439, prompted by two authors’ own HOA payment problems, passed despite opposition concerns about community-wide certified-mail requirements and personal liability for board members; supporters said better notice is needed when payment processors change and that liens and collections can be unfairly imposed without notice. AB 2579, responding to the earlier $100 cap on HOA fines, passed as amended to create a Department of Real Estate process for serious health and safety violations; supporters said the cap had weakened enforcement, while members said the bill sought a better balance. Finally, SCR 89, reaffirming California’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, was presented as a response to federal attacks on DEI programs. The author and witnesses from the UC Student Association, National Action Network, and civil-rights and labor groups argued DEI is essential to fairness, access, and opportunity, especially for students and historically underserved communities. Members voiced strong support, describing DEI as central to California’s values, and the resolution moved forward with bipartisan support noted by the author.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Mar 26th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Education Code states that if a student is screened, parents must be notified if a defect is identified
  • There are waivers in the code that require districts to go to the state on a case-by-case basis and show
  • I had the opportunity to chair the State Superintendents Council for the previous three years, so I have
  • Jeremy Smith here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California.
  • Yeah, I just wanted to kind of build on the tweener comment from the State Building Trades around this
Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 4th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Certain behaviors, states are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Some states don't do RS hearings, introductions. my feeling in general.
  • So this piece of legislation basically saves the state $410,000.
  • Since then, we've had a Behavioral Health Council that kind of looks all over the state.
  • from the behavioral health councils and carry that on?
Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee heard several RS introductions and one Senate bill. RS 33412, the “Merit-based Health Care Act,” would apply merit-based standards to Medicaid-funded health care and was introduced after questions about whether it would affect existing contracts and how it would interact with Medicaid’s voluntary participation. RS 32997 C2 proposed changes to child abandonment investigations and social worker training, including autism and introversion training and new reporting limits; members raised concerns about penalties, the scope of the training, and whether the bill could create conflicts in reporting duties. After debate, the committee voted 9-6 to return RS 32997 C2 to the sponsor. RS 33561, a prompt-pay insurance bill, would redefine claims processing timelines, add good-faith standards, give the Department of Insurance more complaint-handling authority, and require transparency about AI use; it was introduced without objection. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1314, which would eliminate regional director positions, regional behavioral health boards, and the Board of Health and Welfare to reduce state spending by about $410,000. Supporters said the changes reflect the state’s move to a Behavioral Health Council and managed care structure and would remove an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. Opponents warned that the regional behavioral health boards provide important local input and coordination, especially for mental health services, and said they had not been consulted before the bill advanced. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to send SB 1314 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.