Transcript Highlights:

• not include the provision for releasing an arrestee on their own recognizance without a non-monetary bond
• Go watch a bond hearing. But the overwhelming majority of these cases are misdemeanors.
• I have an unauthorized criminal illegal alien at bond hearing and he will not qualify for ROR or and
• the judge doesn't get the good feelings and ROR and says he sets the bond at $10,000.
• Senator Martin did a uniform rate schedule for bonds. I set the bond at $10,000.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Harper is a freshman at the U of A studying environmental policy.
• And whereas streams, springs, rivers, washes, and riparian corridors are vital water-dependent environmental

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• progressive climate change mitigation technology and the deliberate and large-scale manipulation of an environmental
• So this memorial sends the message that, as Idahoans, we are concerned with the health and environmental

Summary: The House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from February 4, and then considered two request-to-introduce measures. First, Representative VanderWaal presented RS 33323, which would consolidate the old hazardous waste facility siting process into the Hazardous Waste Management Act and shift siting/public notice responsibilities to DEQ if the process is needed again. The committee had no questions and voted to introduce the RS. Next, Representative Hostetler presented RS 33167C1, a memorial urging Congress to prohibit unauthorized geoengineering over Idaho, especially solar geoengineering such as solar radiation modification and stratospheric aerosol injection. He argued the issue raises environmental and sovereignty concerns and cited federal research documents and media reports; he also emphasized that the memorial is not intended to affect cloud seeding for agriculture. Members asked several questions about that distinction, and Hostetler reiterated that cloud seeding is separate and already addressed in other legislation. After discussion, the committee voted to introduce RS 33167C1 as well. No other substantive actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the two introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• progressive climate change mitigation technology and the deliberate and large-scale manipulation of an environmental
• So this memorial sends the message that, as Idahoans, we are concerned with the health and environmental

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about this, and basically what the intent behind this bill is is to ensure that the Department of Environmental
• I'm the administrator of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau at the Department of Environmental
• I'm here to of Environmental Services.
• </c> access to the rivers and environmental access to the rivers and environmental benefits<01:29:49.240
• </c> contributing economic and environmental contributing economic and environmental benefits.<01:32:

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• environmental environmental organizations,<00:53:46.640><c> and</c><00:53:47.359><c> um,</c><00:53:47.680
• </c><01:07:29.240><c> organizations</c> through to environmental organizations through to environmental
• And we're also going to see, from the environmental perspective, an improvement on what happens at the
• And we're also going to see, from the environmental perspective, an improvement on what happens at the
• And we're also going to see, from the environmental perspective, an improvement on what happens at the

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:33:11.760><c> needs</c><02:33:12.080><c> that</c><02:33:12.240><c> we</c> needs the environmental
• needs that we needs the environmental needs that we have<02:33:12.479><c> in</c><02:33:12.720><c> the
• </c><02:33:24.640><c> challenges</c><02:33:25.280><c> with</c> growing environmental challenges with
• </c><02:37:14.960><c> So,</c> Environmental Services. Okay. So, Environmental Services. Okay.
• Services in House Bill Environmental Services in House Bill One.<02:37:24.160><c> All</c><02:37:24.560

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through a series of budget amendments, mostly to House Bill 2 and related House Bill 1 changes, with members discussing whether to reduce or preserve funding for various programs. Early actions included approving an amendment to House Bill 219 that delays implementation of renewable energy-related provisions to 2027, and approving an amendment that removes a $150,000 appropriation tied to a housing-related database while allowing use of housing fund money for the project. The committee also approved an amendment affecting magistrates so they could continue pretrial and other judicial support work, while noting they would not handle bail and that the change reflected separate legislation already signed by the governor. Members then approved a series of administrative savings items in the Department of Administrative Services, including eliminating a long-vacant computer analyst position and reducing overtime and recruiting/subscription-tool budgets. They also approved an amendment cutting marketing and administrative support for the paid family leave program, with members emphasizing that the program itself would continue. A proposed cut to the WorkInvest NH program was discussed at length, with some members arguing it benefits workers and employers and others noting the cost is borne by employers; the committee ultimately set that item aside without taking action. The committee also debated and then approved a modest reduction to a BEA regional planning grant, despite objections that regional planning commissions provide valuable municipal support. The most extended discussion centered on the State Library. Representative Sweeney said he did not want to pursue a full cut of the library and instead favored a more targeted approach, noting that some federal funding for library services such as interlibrary loans and the Libby system may be at risk. Members discussed alternatives, including unfilled positions and other partial reductions, but no final action on the full library cut was taken in the portion provided. The committee also paused on some other items to gather more information before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• environmental environmental services. services. services.
• </c><00:17:01.519><c> Services</c> uh Department of Environmental Services uh Department of Environmental
• The Department of Environmental Services has an established cyanobacteria program already, and we have
• This includes conservation districts, K-12 schools, and environmental groups.
• around the state to address all kinds of environmental concerns and projects. quality, wildlife, soil

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through bonding, loans, and other measures to spread the risk over time that is incurred by the utilities
• of affordable housing, homeless population, wildfire risk, flooding risks, all of that affects our bond
• All that talk about our bond ratings means you think you're doing...
• We could have wildfire bonds, wildfire bonds...
• We could have wildfire bonds, second-home assessments, tax assessments.

Summary: The hearing focused on the SB 254 Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study and its recommendations for addressing California’s wildfire risk, utility liability, and the financing of catastrophic losses. Committee members and presenters discussed the history of the wildfire fund created after the 2018 fire crisis and PG&E bankruptcy, the role of the California Earthquake Authority as fund administrator, and the report’s three broad policy pathways: continuing mitigation investments, more equitably allocating catastrophe costs, and considering expanded state involvement in catastrophe financing. Presenters emphasized that the report was intended as a neutral, stakeholder-informed analysis rather than an advocacy document, and that the status quo is not working well for survivors, ratepayers, insurers, or utilities. CEA, CPUC, and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety each described their contributions and recommendations. CEA outlined options such as risk-tolerance standards for utilities, preserving safety certificate accountability, tying executive compensation more directly to safety, confidential near-miss reporting, liability reforms, and a fast-pay facility for survivors. CPUC stressed that wildfire mitigation and liability costs are a major driver of electricity affordability problems, and said the state should broaden how wildfire recovery and mitigation are funded beyond ratepayers alone. Energy Safety highlighted its wildfire mitigation plan oversight and recommended stronger safety reporting and stronger safety weighting in utility executive compensation. The modeling portion of the report estimated that a more durable wildfire fund could require about $36 billion in capitalization, with lower initial capital needs if risk transfer or liability reforms are used, but potentially higher ongoing premium or assessment costs. The report also examined state-backed insurer or backstop models, post-event funding mechanisms, and targeted community wildfire mitigation, which could reduce overall funding needs. Members raised concerns about the cost burden on ratepayers, the financial stability of utilities, the fairness of asking communities outside high-risk areas to pay, the role of local governments and home hardening, and whether broader climate-related liability or insurance reforms should be considered. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with plans for further committee hearings and stakeholder discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And certainly, if there were future bonds to support our facilities needs, you know, I can say quite
• What are we doing with this, the use of these bond proceeds, to align to some of those good practices
• So when it comes to the Proposition 2 bond funds, under the current scoring system, after allocating
• can have that conversation with their locals and potentially, you know, have success with a local bond
• Any changes to scoring criteria should be prospective for a future bond as colleges have planned their

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And certainly, if there were future bonds to support our facilities needs, you know, I can say quite
• So when it comes to the Proposition 2 bond funds, under the current scoring system, after allocating
• can have that conversation with their locals and potentially, you know, have success with a local bond
• Any changes to scoring criteria should be prospective for a future bond, as colleges have planned their
• Any changes to scoring criteria should be prospective for a future bond, as colleges have planned their

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 341, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1, relating to the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds
• our honorees from East Hawaii, uh, Denise Mazerik, and today we have her husband... purpose revenue bonds
• to assist hav purpose revenue bonds to assist hav Island<00:15:29.560><c> Community</c><00:15:30.040
• year's CIP budget includes about $1.9 billion in general obligation and general obligation revolving bonds
• year's CIP budget includes about $1.9 billion in general obligation and general obligation revolving bonds

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 895, California Science and Health Research Bond Act.
• SB 895, California Science and Health Research Bond Act.
• as amended per author to make clarifying and technical changes, amend to reduce the amount of the bond
• AB 736, Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026. AB 736, Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met for a suspense-file hearing and voted only on measures already heard previously, with no public testimony. The chair explained that bills were taken up quickly in author order, with amended bills to be followed by addendum analyses. The committee considered a very large slate of Senate bills and two Assembly measures covering wildfire resilience, housing, insurance, energy, transportation, public safety, elections, health care, labor, environmental regulation, and various administrative and tax issues. Most measures were approved, many on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while a substantial number passed on 5-2 or 5-1 party-line votes with Republicans generally voting no. Several bills were amended before passage, including changes to funding contingencies, timelines, reporting requirements, definitions, and removal of certain enforcement or private-right-of-action provisions. A few members noted concerns on specific bills, including Senator Richardson on SB 1203 (private security training), though he said he would vote for it at this stage. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on wildfire smoke, wildfire recovery, mobile home parks, insurance nonrenewals, AI transparency, data center energy issues, Medi-Cal and health coverage, criminal justice, election administration, housing, and labor/workforce standards. The committee also approved AB 46 and AB 736. No bills were held for testimony because the hearing was vote-only, and the meeting adjourned after all items on the agenda were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal bonding program is sometimes sort of ensconced in a state workforce agency; just a few companies
• And federal bonding program, if if it's a... ...credit for employing them for doing so.
• And the federal bonding program, if, let's say, somebody's coming out of prison or justice-involved,
• maybe the employer feels like they're high risk, they can be bonded for very cheap.
• It's like a hundred bucks, I think, for several thousand dollars in bonding.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, focused on integrating workforce, education, training, and human services systems. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA should be aligned more closely, with fewer federal and state bureaucratic layers, more state flexibility, and a stronger emphasis on labor force participation, postsecondary attainment, and training tied to in-demand jobs. He said the federal agencies are moving toward combined plan timelines for 2026, encouraged states to pursue combined plans and waivers, and described efforts to streamline reporting, reduce administrative overhead, and expand tools such as integrated intake, cross-training, virtual and mobile service delivery, apprenticeship, and talent marketplaces. Moore also emphasized accountability and outcomes, saying states should measure training-related employment, retention, and the share of funds going to direct services rather than administration. He criticized the current workforce system as too costly and ineffective, and said states should use primary labor market information, better wage records, and employer input to align training with actual job demand. Members asked about balancing flexibility with accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, serving rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data-sharing systems such as Mississippi’s workforce technology efforts. Moore said states can use waivers and technology to create common intake and co-enrollment across programs, and that enhanced wage records are key to better workforce planning. The committee then received a separate update from DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill on reimbursement rates for aging and adult behavioral health services. They said DHS had compiled more than 100 public comments, submitted a recommendation to the governor to hold current rates, and was awaiting executive review, which they estimated could take 30 to 60 days. Members asked about the timeline and the scope of the legislation requiring monthly reports. The meeting ended with notice of a later audit presentation scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Big Mac building.

Transcript Highlights:

• amount in the CRTF, TWIA It is authorized to borrow up to $1 billion by issuing public securities or bonds
• expect any significant storm or series of storms affecting our coverage area may require us to issue bonds
• thunderstorms experienced this spring may trigger the statute of limitations. requirement to issue bonds
• absence of rating increases, we do not expect policyholder premiums to be sufficient to repay the bonds
• need an immediate infusion of financial resources to avoid a crisis. avoid the possibility of issuing bonds

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So besides the environmental assessments and reviews, we make sure that there's an actual need for the
• </c><01:07:37.760><c> risks</c> on the economic and environmental risks on the economic and environmental
• And next on the list, we have Ben Olsen with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
• I'm legislative director at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
• </c> Minnesota Center for Environmental Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.<01:08:17.920><c>

Bills: HF4236 , HF4122 , HF4377

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: public utility, interim rates, utility rates, rate case, general rate case, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, PUC, rate increase cap, rate freeze, refunds, customer refunds, ratepayer protection, electric utility, gas utility, regulated utility, ratemaking, return on equity, rate base, test year, rate design

Transcript Highlights:

• constitution as well as some of the recent goals we've set in the state for climate action and environmental
• increased, you know, costs paid for organic products is because of the internalization of the environmental
• constitution as well as some of the recent goals we've set in the state for climate action and environmental
• <01:19:32.480><c> effects</c><01:19:32.960><c> of</c><01:19:33.199><c> agricultural</c> environmental
• effects of agricultural environmental effects of agricultural production.<01:19:34.800><c> and</c><01

Bills: SB874 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2126 , SB2154 , SB2153 , SB2160 , SB2123 , SB2110

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the Neighborhood Investment Program; and engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds
• Engrossed House Bill 5685, relating to authorizing bonds for improvements to the West Virginia Science
• Engrossed House Bill 5685 relating to authorizing bonds for improvements to the West Virginia Science

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first took up Senate Bill 155 on adjunct teaching permits. After adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, the chamber concurred in the House amendment as amended and passed the bill 33-0, with one member absent and not voting. The amendment was described as creating an exception so a criminal history check would not be required every year, and the bill was presented as a tool to help county boards fill vacancies, especially in shortage areas. The chamber then received a large number of committee reports and advanced several House bills on first reading. These included measures on creating the Team West Virginia Corporation, establishing the West Virginia Collaboratory, the Foster Youth Post-Secondary Transition Awareness Act, business-ready site programs, volunteer fire company allowances, extending qualified opportunity zones, natural resource police retirement, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS, ALS care services, abuse prevention, the respiratory care interstate compact, peer support services, tax lien sales, the Neighborhood Investment Program, bonds for the Science and Culture Center, and a comprehensive energy development policy and plan. Several bills were reported as amended by committees, and one energy bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Additional committee action included reports on a bill to repeal the school-transfer eligibility protection, a load forecast accountability bill, oil and gas well plugging provisions, a TANF drug-screening extension, and a bill authorizing the Supreme Court of Appeals to create child protection commissioners. Most of these were advanced on first reading after unanimous consent. The Senate then moved to adjourn until the next day, with announcements of upcoming committee meetings before the chamber adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two, line four, she wanted the state to conduct a 14-day environmental review, and we changed
• The amendment also gives the Department of Environmental Services the right to maintain oversight of
• </c> that the Department of Environmental that the Department of Environmental Services<04:42:27.160>
• We had talked about the Department of Environmental Services, but this simply says the state.
• </c><04:46:33.558><c> public</c> to to uh find the environmental public to to uh find the environmental

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This essentially is bonding without voter approval.
• So if you think that's a good idea, okay, no vote on bonds.
• It's simply an item a limited number of districts can use without going to the voters for any bonding
• We have to pass our bonds here. Everybody else has to pass a bond. Non-voter-approved bonds.
• We have to pass our bonds here. Everybody else has to pass a bond. Non-voter-approved bonds.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects