Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader, would you like to grant leave for Joint Budget Committee? We don't need it.
• And so, I guess my comment is, you know, we're talking about we need to cut our budget.
• </c> budget. We need to tighten our belts. budget. We need to tighten our belts.
• and I ask for a nay reduce our budget and I ask for a nay vote<01:17:04.040><c> a</c><01:17:04.120><
• </c> though, because today the Joint Budget though, because today the Joint Budget Committee<01:37:28.160

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports and appointment recommendations. Committees reported favorably on a number of bills and appointments, including local government, health and human services, transportation and energy, business/labor/technology, and judiciary items. The chamber also announced a change on the Senate Finance Committee, with Senator Adrian Benavidez appointed to replace Senator Julie Gonzales for the remainder of the session. A major floor item was House Bill 1136, creating the Pathways to Public Service Program in the Department of Personnel and Administration to identify coursework that could qualify students for entry-level state government jobs. Supporters said it would help attract young people to public service and fill state vacancies using existing resources; opponents argued it promoted government employment over private-sector careers and could expand government unnecessarily. After debate, the Senate adopted the bill on second reading, and the Committee of the Whole report later reflected that HB 1136 passed second reading and was ordered revised and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 1023 recognizing Latino/Latina Advocacy Day after reading it at length and hearing remarks in support of civic engagement and Latino participation in policymaking. In addition, the chamber concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 74, which clarifies penalties and procedures related to excessive claims in public construction performance bond disputes; the bill then passed again on re-passage. Several other bills, including Senate Bill 63 and remaining calendar items, were laid over to later dates, and the Senate also considered and began processing consent-calendar gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, can you go through, you just said that everything will go through the legislative budgeting
• consultation process, including the requirement that a legislative budget commission approve certain
• budget amendments.
• the requirement that the LBC approve certain budget amendments.
• If approved through the budget consultation process. Peter Berman: Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our real-time portal and budget book are available online for full public access, and our budget process
• We are still supplementing, out of our own budget, close to $3 million out of our operational budget
• Having the budget is crucial.
• So really, we actually saw a reduction in our budget.
• Part of our budget as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I'd like to be able to go to the governor and say, Governor, we need 25% more budget.
• And this is a tough budget year, so he's going to say, yeah, why would I?
• Percent of our operating budget.
• I think is useful context for thinking about increasing the budget.
• My budget for advertising in Placer County is $250 a year.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor approved a budget of, I think, a million dollars, and that's what we're looking for.
• Okay, thank you, Director, Budget and Finance Department. Thank you very much.
• Okay, thank you, Director, Budget and Finance Department. Thank you very much.
• </c> system okay thank you director budget system okay thank you director budget and<00:32:51.639><c>
• Okay, we have a budget and finance as well as the Hawaii Firefighters Association.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor and personnel measures. Senate Bill 1567 would require the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of the executive branch classification and compensation system and allow it to contract with a third party outside normal procurement rules. Director Brana Hashimoto testified in support, saying the state has more than 1,400 classes of work and limited staff to keep the system current; she said outside vendor help and market data are needed to update class specifications, minimum qualifications, and pay structures. She noted the project scope and timeline would depend on funding, and said the governor had approved about $1 million for the effort. Members asked about vendor scope, comparisons to the private sector and other public employers, consolidation of obsolete classes, and whether the exemption from procurement rules would speed the work. The committee also heard Senate Bill 326 on defense of state employees, with testimony in support from HGEA, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Senate Bill 337 would expand the pool of interest arbitrators used in collective bargaining disputes by allowing the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to request a list from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and to use arbitrators from both FMCS and the American Arbitration Association; HGEA supported the bill, saying the broader pool would improve selection and address communication issues. Senate Bill 1233 would create a State Internship and Workforce Development Program within DeHerd. The University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce supported it. DeHerd said the program could help place interns into vacancies and convert them to civil service jobs, but said it would need about five FTE and roughly $330,000 in salaries to administer a program serving about 50 to 75 interns at a time; members questioned whether the positions could be filled and whether the program could proceed without added resources. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1359, which would increase the employer-based composite monthly contribution to the Hawaii EUTF Benefits Trust Fund beginning in January 2026 and then tie future increases to Medicare Part B premium changes with a lag. The EUTF administrator testified, and a member noted the measure resembled a bill that had died in conference the prior year. Senate Bill 1454 would give the Labor and Industrial Relations director authority to issue wage payment violation orders, establish penalties and appeals, and broaden the definition of wage; the department supported it, explaining it would align procedures under chapter 387 with existing chapter 388 enforcement and make investigations easier. Finally, the committee moved through a series of collective bargaining cost-item bills for various bargaining units and related entities, with testimony generally in support from Budget and Finance, HGEA, UH, HHSC, UPW, and other unions and associations. One amendment request was to include bargaining units 1 and 10 in the temporary hazard pay funding bill, and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association noted its airport firefighters unit was still in arbitration and would provide final numbers later.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We also have a municipal budget We also have a municipal budget committee<00:50:48.480><c> in</c
• </c><00:50:57.440><c> for</c><00:50:57.680><c> the</c> with my budget presentations for the with my budget
• They are lifelines to our on a budget.
• I mean, when a school makes a budget, I don't know that somehow a state dollar in their budget and a
• </c><01:24:52.960><c> budget</c><01:24:53.840><c> somehow</c> local dollar in their budget somehow local

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to hear from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals as part of its review of a proposal involving statewide administrative consolidation and changes to school governance. Members first discussed how school board witnesses would be selected, with the chair saying the committee would seek a mix of district sizes and structures and would also accept emailed input. The principals’ association said it represents more than 550 principals and assistant principals and urged caution about any mandatory consolidation, arguing that successful consolidations are gradual and voluntary. Association leaders and principals testified that principals already handle a wide range of responsibilities, including instructional leadership, student discipline, safety, staff supervision and evaluation, family and community engagement, and day-to-day crisis response. They argued that shifting more legal, budgetary, and administrative duties onto principals would reduce time for coaching teachers and supporting students, increase burnout and turnover, and create legal and training risks, especially in areas such as special education, privacy, and labor issues. They also said the roles of superintendents, principals, and school board members are distinct and require different training and expertise. Members asked detailed questions about how responsibilities are divided between principals and SAUs, whether principals recruit and evaluate staff, and how much time principals work. One principal said she works about 60 to 70 hours a week and that additional duties would be difficult to absorb. Another principal described his school’s structure, the importance of community building, and the need to preserve district-wide alignment if consolidation moves forward. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's going to fix all of the ills that are in our budget.
• And it's going to fix all of the ills that are in our budget.
• President, because it's the easiest thing that politicians can do when budget deficits come about and
• We'll simply put it in the budget in several years. Now, this reminds me, Mr.
• I think it is a good change to align that with the biennial budget cycle.

Bills: SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution, 904

Summary: The Senate considered engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6346, a major tax package creating a new income tax on high earners, providing tax reductions and credits, and funding various spending priorities. A point of order was raised that House amendments exceeded the bill’s scope under Senate Rule 66, focusing on new provisions affecting sales and use taxes and business and occupation taxes. The President ruled the amendments were within scope, finding they were tax reductions similar to those already in the Senate-passed bill, and the Senate then took up the motion to concur in the House amendments. Members debated the House changes at length. Supporters said the amendments improved the bill by expanding the Working Families Tax Credit, adding exemptions for diapers and over-the-counter medicines, bringing forward some tax relief, preserving business loss carryforwards, and adding funding or intent language for items such as Fair Start for Kids, K-12 investments, local government replacement funding, and universal school meals. Opponents argued the bill remained unconstitutional or unfair, criticized the income tax structure and inflation indexing changes, objected to the gambling-loss deduction and limits on charitable deductions, and said the bill’s promises on public defense, education, and other priorities were not secured in the body of the measure. On a roll call vote, the Senate concurred in the House amendments by a vote of 27-21, with one excused. The Senate then passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346 as amended by the House by the same 27-21 vote, and the President signed the bill in open session. The chamber also received several messages from the House announcing signed bills, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the ways we control our costs is by preparing our capital budget months in advance of the first
• That way we can prioritize the projects that serve our customers and keep costs at budgeted amounts.
• to provide a year's advance notice, we feel we can better fit the fish passage projects into the budget
• and meet our franchise agreements and still budget.
• Fish passage projects into the budget and meet our franchise agreement requirements and still budget

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5690, which would require WSDOT to improve coordination with utilities on fish barrier removal projects and utility relocations, provide advance notice when feasible, and seek to maximize federal funding for relocation costs. Staff described the bill’s background, including the federal culvert injunction and WSDOT’s fish barrier work, and noted fiscal impacts tied to grant monitoring and possible revenue changes. Senator McEwen said the bill was narrowed from a prior version to reduce fiscal concerns and cited a district example where poor coordination allegedly wasted public and ratepayer funds. Utility representatives from PUDs testified in support, emphasizing better communication, advance notice for budgeting, and access to federal funds; no opposition was presented on this bill before the public hearing was closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6148, which would extend the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years and remove eligibility for regional mobility grant funds if an RTA uses bonds longer than 40 years. Staff and committee fiscal discussion focused on how longer terms reduce annual debt service but increase total interest paid over time, with examples comparing 25-, 40-, 50-, and 75-year bonds. Supporters, including Sound Transit board members, local officials, labor, and transit advocates, argued the bill would give Sound Transit flexibility to manage inflation, preserve project schedules, and align financing with long-lived infrastructure and the federal TIFIA loan program. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term costs, shift burdens to future generations, and is premature because Sound Transit is still revising its plan and already has substantial cash and bonding capacity. The hearing ended after questions about debt safeguards, refinancing, and how the proposed authority would interact with TIFIA loans.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also, some of the line items that you'll see on the budget request is we will be having a few different
• So the budget that I believe all of you have in front of you, I want to make sure that you see the cost
• And so the entire budget request is $196,600, and I believe we can take care of the motion for this,
• I would move that the committee approve the proposed America 250 budget as presented, including funding
• And, you know, just like when we do reconciliations in the Treasurer’s budget with the controller, you

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council met to approve prior minutes and authorize several funding items tied to Idaho’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Members approved January 19 minutes and a reimbursement of up to $20,882 to the State Superintendent of Public Education for additional Spirit of U.S. box materials for schools. They also approved a broader America 250 budget proposal that includes the July 4 Capitol celebration, ambassador programs, and authority to solicit and accept private donations, with funds to be managed separately by the treasurer’s office and the A250 subcommittee. Representative Galaviz and Treasurer Ellsworth outlined plans for the July 4 celebration at the Capitol and Cecil Andrus Park, including a parade, concert, bands, family activities, and open Capitol offices and exhibits. They described cost-sharing with the We the People parade organizers, who are covering most parade-related expenses, and discussed related projects such as the Liberty Bell carriage, go bags for ambassador materials, the Veterans Mustang Ride, challenge coins, heritage fountain plans, flags across Idaho, Liberty quilts, and the service challenge. The treasurer reported strong statewide participation, including 1,100 ambassadors across cities, counties, businesses, schools, and veterans groups, and noted that service challenge participation had surpassed 11,000 acts. Director Gallimore gave a task force update on statewide and national America 250 efforts, including the Idaho Lottery’s planned scratch ticket, the Moments That Made Us downloadable exhibit, Reading the Republic, the Four Score exhibit opening, and a complementary exhibit later in March. She also noted coordination for events at Signature Point and the Old Pen, and said the museum would be open on July 4 with free admission. Hannah Laurie Hine reported on federal America 250 initiatives such as the White House’s Freedom Truck mobile museums, the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., a prayer-focused event, the Presidential 1776 Award civics contest, and other national story-collection and volunteer efforts. The committee agreed to meet again on March 9 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also, some of the line items that you'll see on the budget request, is we will be having a few different
• So the budget that I believe all of you have in front of you, I want to make sure that you see the cost
• And so the entire budget request is $196,600, and I believe we can take care of the motion for this,
• So to streamline, we did envision a single motion for all of the budget requests that is there, and again
• I would move that the committee approve the proposed America 250 budget as presented, including funding

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council approved the January 19 minutes and also approved reimbursement of up to $20,882 to the state superintendent for additional materials for Spirit of U.S. boxes for schools. The committee then reviewed a financial update and heard a detailed subcommittee report on plans for Idaho’s July 4, 2026 celebration at the Capitol, including a parade, park activities, bands, family stations, and open Capitol access. Members discussed cost-sharing with the We the People group, with the committee approving a proposed America 250 budget of $196,600 that includes the July 4 celebration and America 250 ambassador programs, authorizes private donations, and directs how remaining funds should be used for regional and county events later in the year. Treasurer Julie Ellsworth reported on the ambassador program, including staffing needs, the growing number of Spuds appearances statewide, and plans for six “go bags” so materials can travel to communities even when the mascots are unavailable. She also described the proposed Liberty Bell carriage, which would debut on July 4 and then travel to every county, along with related efforts such as the Veterans Mustang Ride, challenge coins, a heritage fountain, flags across Idaho, Liberty quilts, and the “Bring Idaho’s Liberty Bell Home” fundraising effort. Committee members praised the work and noted strong public engagement and social media response. The Governor’s Task Force report highlighted the America 250 website, voice-recording project, Idaho Lottery scratch ticket partnership, downloadable “Moments That Made Us” exhibit, and the upcoming “Four Score” and “United We Celebrate” exhibits. Director Gallimore also noted coordination with the BLM and Transportation Department for events at Signature Point and the Old Pen. Hannah Laurie Hine provided a national update on White House and congressional commission initiatives, including mobile museums, the Great American State Fair, a prayer-focused event on the National Mall, the Presidential 1776 Award civics contest, and other reflection and volunteer projects. The committee agreed to meet again on March 9 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor’s budget — a gentleman on the second floor — did estimate around $155 million allowance
• These are going to cause extreme cuts to our budget.
• Senators, there's been talk about the budget situation that we find ourselves in.
• Our budget has increased year over year.
• Our budget has increased year over year for the last six years at least.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Leadership announced that the day’s only substantive floor item would be House Bill 559, along with routine committee reports and first- and second-reading referrals for several measures, including Senate bills on retirement, insurance investments, short-term rentals, rural health transformation, foster care, Medicaid, and alcoholic beverages, plus House Concurrent Resolution 24 honoring fallen firefighters and House Bill 557 on human rights/local anti-discrimination ordinances. House Bill 559, the annual tax conformity bill, was brought up under suspension of the rules and debated at length. Supporters said it was needed so Idahoans, businesses, accountants, and the Tax Commission could file returns using the updated federal tax provisions, and they highlighted individual benefits such as no tax on tips and overtime, car loan interest deductions, senior-related deductions, and an increased grocery tax credit. Opponents argued the bill would worsen an already strained budget, create administrative burdens, and force future cuts to schools, transportation, and other services; some urged full conformity or a later effective date instead of retroactive conformity to January 1, 2025. After debate, the Senate passed House Bill 559 on a roll call vote of 28-7, with one paired vote noted, and approved the title for return to the House. A minority report on the bill was also ordered spread upon the journal. The Senate then moved through miscellaneous business, including introductions of visiting youth leaders from Bonneville County and family members in the gallery, and adjourned until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• that this board, which was established in 2016, does not have any dedicated FTEs or administrative budget
• And so the staff that does support this board are staff at our budget office, staff on our policy team
• as quoted here, I pulled this from JLBC's Appropriations Report when it was passed in the FY 2017 budget
• So how this works is, when it was established in the FY 2017 budget, about $24 million was transferred
• And that's because, like I mentioned before, there's no dedicated FTE or administrative budget.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With every year, the impacts grow, and the drag on our budget becomes tougher and tougher to overcome
• When you're marketing a product as a small business, you have an advertising budget.
• You set an advertising budget, and you allocate that budget on the various ways that you do advertising
• And you allocate that budget on the various ways that you do advertising.
• Everybody utilizes their full budget and spends the money.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first order of business, of course, is to get to the budget work.
• Okay, now turning our attention to the budget before us.
• You know, all of those are doing quite well, and so our budget is probably going to reflect that fact
• make sure that these cuts are balanced and that we're not, you know, balancing our transportation budget
• off of the our our transportation budget off of the backs<00:10:33.360><c> of</c><00:10:33.760><c> um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And just to confirm that the $2 million is in the CIP budget to continue the project. Yes.
• 15:33.120><c> project</c><00:15:33.680><c> is</c><00:15:33.920><c> in</c><00:15:34.079><c> the</c> budget
• to continue the project is in the budget to continue the project is in the CIP<00:15:34.720><c> budget
• </c><00:15:36.480><c> And</c><00:15:36.720><c> and</c><00:15:37.120><c> the</c> CIP budget. CIP.
• And and the CIP budget. CIP. Yes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Senator Meyer: So the E&E Committee looked at this budget for the Historical Society.
• Chairman, that is the amendment for the Historical Society budget. So, Mr.
• House Bill 1016 is the budget for the Adjutant General and National Guard.
• This is a big budget, and it's not easy to explain.
• Item 5 is base budget adjustments are made as follows, and you can see what those are.

Bills: HB1603

Keywords: Native American, grave protection, repatriation, cultural heritage, tribal compliance, 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and announced it would begin meeting at 8 a.m. for the rest of the week to work through a growing bill list. The committee first approved House Bill 1603, a companion to the Historical Society budget dealing with NAGPRA, including a $500,000 matching grant to be divided among North Dakota’s five tribes and a committee to address repatriation of human remains and cultural items. The vote was unanimous, 15-0. The committee then considered House Bill 1225, which would increase penalties for reckless endangerment involving a firearm and create a mandatory prison term. After debate over public safety concerns versus the bill’s fiscal note and prison costs, the committee adopted a do not pass recommendation by a 9-6-1 vote. Members also discussed House Bill 1018, the State Historical Society budget, and approved an amendment that adjusted one-time funding items, including NAGPRA compliance, museum exhibits, military gallery funding, local historic grants, and line-of-credit repayment. The amended bill then received a due pass recommendation by a 14-2 vote. The committee next approved House Bill 1468, a behavioral health facility grant for St. Hayes, which supporters said would expand in-state access to acute and adolescent behavioral health care and reduce the need to send patients out of state. The bill passed 14-1. It then amended and passed House Bill 1485, increasing the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients by $15 and indexing it to inflation; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 14-2. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 1016, the Adjutant General/National Guard budget, after adopting an amendment that funded disaster relief, response equipment, IT and website costs, and staffing changes for the watch center; the amended bill passed 14-2. The committee adjourned after completing six bills and planned to resume the next morning at 8 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, actually, if we did not have a $5 billion projected budget deficit, my... value in a program having
• $5 well actually if we did not have a $5 billion<00:05:20.680><c> projected</c><00:05:21.319><c> budget
• But in light of the large projected budget deficit, I think staying at the current course is essential
• But in light of the large projected budget deficit, I think staying at the current course is essential
• And I hope that in the next budget, two years down the road, we can expand this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The intention of this is to be budget neutral.
• The intention of this is to be budget neutral.
• The intention of this is to be budget neutral.
• Uh we are have requested budget neutral.
• ,</c> agree to do as part of your budget, agree to do as part of your budget, which<00:58:43.280><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state government establishing a budget state government establishing a budget for<00:08:44.480><
• In the Senate, we had a responsible approach to budgeting, and our budget was negative $313,000.
• </c> budgeting cycle. budgeting cycle.
• </c><01:33:44.239><c> to</c> proportion of their state budget to proportion of their state budget to
• We did not meet to talk the budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh passes assuming uh that the budget uh passes assuming uh that the budget uh passes that'll be in
• chairman is a request uh to the budget chairman is a request uh to the budget chairman for $5 million
• that's in the budget why don't we when that's in the budget why don't we when that's in the budget why
• we get to that point with the budget we get to that point with the budget because that that may be a
• then I could thank you will you budget then I could thank you will you budget then I could thank you

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 920, all