Transcript Highlights:

• 1906, the Secretary will read: An act relating to increasing transparency and consumer protection in water
• you've lived somewhere where maybe there's just a pipe every couple of homes or you have to boil the water
• that comes out of your taps, we forget to appreciate how important safe drinking water is.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

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

Summary: The Senate considered and passed several House bills. Substitute House Bill 2152, known as Ryan’s Law, would allow limited medical cannabis use for qualifying end-of-life patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities; supporters said it would improve quality of life, and it passed 46-2. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604, dealing with search procedures for transgender and intersex individuals confined in local jails and codifying federal Prison Rape Elimination Act-related standards, drew debate over whether amendments were needed and whether the bill would burden or protect staff and inmates; two amendments were rejected, and the bill passed 30-19. Second Substitute House Bill 1906, as amended, increased transparency and consumer protections for water system rates, especially for older or smaller systems, and passed unanimously 49-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1916 tightened voter registration challenge procedures and gave county auditors more discretion in handling challenges; an amendment to broaden who could challenge voters statewide was rejected, and the bill passed 49-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2110, as amended, allowed registered nurses without EMT certification to staff certain inter-facility ambulance transports under specified conditions to reduce delays, and it also passed 49-0. The Senate also passed Second Substitute House Bill 2429, which extends and updates the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and aligns agency planning with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan; a committee striker was adopted despite concerns about added government structure, and the bill passed 49-0. Second Substitute House Bill 2384, increasing oversight of continuing care retirement communities through actuarial review and Office of Insurance Commissioner oversight, passed 37-12 after the chamber rejected the committee striker and adopted a revised striking amendment. The session ended with a point of personal privilege from Senator Lovick and an adjournment motion, and the Senate adjourned until March 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• that equates about $9.16 an hour for a person rescuing people off of a helicopter in contaminated water
• that equates about $9.16 an hour for a person rescuing people off of a helicopter in contaminated water
• A person rescuing people off of a helicopter in contaminated water with top-powered lines in a valley

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Doug was a champion on water storage, fire management, agriculture issues. He was a rice farmer.
• The governor reached out and knows, the governor knows that we desperately need to fix our water situation
• When we had members of the California Democratic Caucus come together to talk about water or forestry

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and began with a floor introduction honoring guests from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, including President Jeffrey Armstrong, students, and student leaders. Senator Laird highlighted Cal Poly’s 125th anniversary, its statewide impact, and student achievements, including Rose Parade and design-build competition awards. The body then took up two Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 111 by Senator Niello commemorated the 125th anniversary of the certified public accountant profession in California and recognized the California Board of Accountancy and the California Society of CPAs; it passed on a roll call and was later adopted 38-0 after the call was lifted. SCR 109 by Senator Grove proclaimed January 2026 as National Mentoring Month and recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California for its long-standing youth mentorship work; it also passed on a roll call and was adopted 39-0 after the call was lifted. The Senate also concurred in Assembly amendments to SB 25 by Senator Umberg, which streamlines California’s merger process and aligns it with the federal process; the vote was 33-0. Members then approved a motion by Senator Laird to give second reading and move forward bills reported from the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on February 4, 2026, despite objections from Senator Niello; the motion passed 29-10. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjourn-in-memory tributes for Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Barry Del Bono, Professor Alan Stewart Hammond, and journalist Jeb Bing, with multiple senators offering personal recollections and condolences to their families and communities. The Senate concluded by announcing the next floor session and recessing until later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE 6 ACRES RELEASE FROM THE STATE A FLOATING WATER COLUMN AND I HAVE THE LUXURY OF BEING THE CEO
• OYSTERS WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT SO WE TAKE A WHOLE BUNCH OF ENVIRONMENTAL DATA, WATER
• BETWEEN WATSON AND CHATGPT AND IT ALLOWS TO LOAD RECORDS AND I TOUCHED 200,000 BAGS IN MY CAREER ON THE WATER

Transcript Highlights:

• We had so water submerged vehicles with storm surge in Vienna Overdorf and I had this conversation same
• So in fact, if yours, if you are but water recycler, many of them may not be the much be just be storage
• And when you throw fight when you throw water on it, it looks like it's it's it's exploding with phosphorus

Transcript Highlights:

• ensuring that Florida's consumers receive some of the most essential services: electric, natural gas, water
• landscape, and frankly, the changes will surpass what we saw in the last 50 years, particularly in gas, water
• , and frankly, the changes will surpass what we saw in the last 50 years, particularly in the gas, water

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• took another 10 days of horses in high heat during the very hot summer, not having good access to water
• took another 10 days of horses in high heat during the very hot summer, not having good access to water
• Some of them couldn't even get to their water bowl, and they died crippled from this procedure. mclen
• Some of them couldn't even get to their water bowl, and they died crippled from this procedure.
• Some of them couldn't even get to their water bowl, and they died crippled from this procedure.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training through the police standards system. Representative Barbara Coma, the sponsor, said the bill was prompted by problems in animal cruelty cases, especially in rural areas without animal control officers, and she described it as a limited training measure. She said an amendment was forthcoming that would add an eight-hour approved course and a two-hour refresher every three years, and she emphasized that the trained officers would serve as resources rather than being required to take action themselves. Members asked about cost, due process, overlap with animal control officers, how trained officers would be identified and notified, and whether veterinarians could fill the role. Coma responded that the bill would not be a heavy financial lift, would not interfere with animal control officers, would apply to livestock as well as companion animals, and would still require law enforcement involvement because veterinarians cannot lawfully remove animals from property. She also said the training could improve due process by helping officers better understand when animal removal is appropriate and how cases should proceed. Sheriff William Wright, speaking for the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association, testified in opposition. He said training itself was acceptable, but the bill went beyond training by creating an obligation for sheriffs and state police to respond to and potentially investigate animal cruelty cases, which he argued would be ambiguous, unfunded, and burdensome for staffing and resources. He said some sheriff’s offices do not have investigative deputies and that the bill could create liability and uncertainty about who would lead investigations. In response to questions, he said the association would likely have no objection if the bill were limited to training, but it opposed the assistance/investigation mandate as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• is for America's sportsmen and waters is for America's sportsmen and<04:35:48.561><c> women.
• The gentleman from California is recognized. waters. policies that would have placed waters. policies
• </c><04:37:07.520><c> must</c> tackle on federal lands and waters must tackle on federal lands and waters
• , putting the recovery of species waters, putting the recovery of species like<04:49:58.080><c> the</
• </c><04:55:45.200><c> under</c><04:55:45.520><c> the</c> federal land or water under the federal land

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would water, our health, and our jobs.
• and fresh water across our region.<00:27:12.320><c> Mr.
• .<02:40:31.520><c> It's</c> water.
• </c><08:08:29.040><c> And</c> air, land, water, and wildlife. And air, land, water, and wildlife.
• Well, we are here today to say we water.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• together here in the state for the best interests of the state, its people, and its animals and the water
• its<00:07:21.280><c> animals</c><00:07:22.639><c> and</c><00:07:22.880><c> the</c><00:07:23.120><c> water
• </c> its animals and the water and the air. its animals and the water and the air.
• Katie Roth with the Commission on Water Resource Management.
• I do want to highlight, with respect to the water-use seat, while always a valuable addition, I think

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on HB 1875, which would expand Hawaii’s existing protections to include gender-affirming health care, clarify permitted disclosures of protected health information, and bar certain adverse actions by malpractice insurers and health carriers against providers of lawful reproductive or gender-affirming care. The Insurance Division of DCCA supported the bill with a technical amendment, suggesting language tied to actuarial analysis rather than the phrase “actuarially sound.” The Office of Information Practices also provided comments. Most testimony was strongly in support. State agencies and advocacy groups, including the Hawaii State Youth Commission, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Stonewall Caucus, ACLU of Hawaii, PFLAG Oahu, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the bill would protect patient privacy, reduce chilling effects from out-of-state litigation, and help retain providers in a state already facing shortages. Several testifiers said gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and life-saving, and emphasized that Hawaii should protect its own health care decisions from outside political pressure. A few individuals testified in opposition, arguing the bill was unnecessary or that it protected providers more than opponents of the bill, but these views were not echoed by most of the testimony. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers to keep comments brief and maintain decorum. The transcript provided does not include a final committee vote or disposition on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Land, Water, and Fiscal Integrity Act. >> Representative Campbell with two minutes. Thank you, Mr.
• Members, you're voting on House Bill 148, Land, Water, and Fiscal Integrity Act.
• House Bill 87, sponsored by the Water, Omnibus Water Bill Planning, an act relating to water development
• planning,</c><03:51:22.080><c> an</c> water, omnibus water bill planning, an water, omnibus water bill
• :51:23.359><c> development</c> act relating to water development act relating to water development projects

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:15.040><c> Madam</c> attraction to bodies of water. Madam attraction to bodies of water.
• These two drawn to bodies of water.
• And I'd like to let you know that water.
• </c><02:43:23.840><c> and</c> is paying the bills and the water and is paying the bills and the water
• </c><02:50:57.680><c> reclamation</c> mandated reclamation, water reclamation mandated reclamation, water

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their beds, and occupying the time of their medical staff, who are barely keeping their heads above water
• watched the floodwaters flow right by my house down Winter Street, and I was wondering, where's all that water
• my street, and John Rogers knows that because I grew up next to his family on Nichols Street, that water
• On Nichols Street, that water went into the hospital.
• Had I known what would have happened, I would have personally diverted that water into my house.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on H. 3599, a bill concerning access to historic Indian lands and easements for landlocked tribal parcels in Massachusetts. Witnesses, including members of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Herring Pond communities, said the bill would restore access to family lands that have long been treated as landlocked and had been denied easements by necessity in prior court rulings. They described heavy tax burdens, prior litigation, and support from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, with conditional support from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe pending language changes. Committee members asked about the tax assessments and the status of tribal support, and the chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments. The committee then took up S. 2922, which would authorize an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource representatives said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, supporting grid reliability and the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition. They said DCR would receive fair market value and replacement land in Wendell to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections were raised, and the panel’s testimony concluded without a vote recorded in the transcript. Most of the hearing focused on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital site by eminent domain so the hospital can be restored. Sponsors, local officials, hospital task force members, EMS and fire representatives, a chamber of commerce leader, and a former hospital administrator all argued that the 2020 flood and Steward’s bankruptcy left the region without adequate care, causing longer ambulance transports, emergency room boarding, staffing strain, and economic losses. They said the site remains a partially completed shell, that the state should be able to acquire it and bring in a nonprofit operator, and that the taking would not require state funding because an operator would pay the acquisition costs. Committee members from both chambers expressed support and asked about costs, timing, infrastructure, and whether a nonprofit operator is being pursued. The chair took the bill under advisement after extensive testimony; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to have a drink of water. You've got to make a call. It happens. Step off the floor.
• If you need to take a drink of water, we've got a water cooler outside.
• Yes, if you do happen to sneak one in, please make sure there's a lid on your water bottles.
• On your water bottles, please don't leave an open container or any sort of thing.

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jess Walker, with his thesis examining the interrelationship of marsh evaluation, water level, sedimentation
• anyone from suing for violations of actual permits or enforcement under the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water
• Representative Knox is an act in Title 33 relative to the City of New Orleans, relative to the Sewage and Water
• It just puts procurement in alignment with other state entities for the Sewage and Water Board.
• It just puts procurement in alignment with other state entities for the Sewage and Water Board.

Bills: SR146 , SCR12 , HB221 , HCR115 , HCR116 , HCR58 , HB1 , HB312 , HB313 , HB314 , HB383 , HB983 , HB1126 , HCR3 , HB2 , HB3 , SCR3 , SB56 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR72 , HCR5 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HCR50 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR62 , HCR64 , HCR68 , HCR78 , HCR81 , HCR86 , HCR97 , HCR102 , HCR31 , HCR47 , HB476 , HB481 , HB487 , HB492 , HB549 , HB579 , HB608 , HB621 , HB624 , HB626 , HB632 , HB637 , HB656 , HB722 , HB745 , HB804 , HB818 , HB821 , HB833 , HB864 , HB867 , HB874 , HB893 , HB909 , HB951 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB979 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1005 , HB1007 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1059 , HB1077 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1112 , HB1153 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1193 , HB1204 , HB1218 , HB1242 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB42 , HB45 , HB71 , HB79 , HB158 , HB160 , HB169 , HB227 , HB251 , HB289 , HB330 , HB394 , HB410 , HB429 , HB769 , HB971 , HB1017 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB202 , HB223 , HB225 , HB387 , HB398 , HB457 , HB459 , HB540 , HB591 , HB616 , HB766 , HB775 , HB783 , HB895 , HB906 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1076 , HB1100 , HB1139 , HB1155 , HB1160 , HB1182 , HB1186 , HB1220 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1231 , HB1245 , HB1256 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB47 , HB73 , HB126 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB205 , HB211 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB308 , HB310 , HB324 , HB337 , HB351 , HB399 , HB403 , HB571 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB740 , HB750 , HB759 , HB812 , HB844 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1038 , HB1107 , SB29 , SB42 , SB78 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB441 , SB449 , SB487 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB43 , SB149

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, a prayer by campus pastor Anthony Brown, and the Pledge of Allegiance. After the journal was read, the chamber took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with measures directing studies on mineral servitudes, student non-enrollment determinations, autism services, school nurse orientation, declining school enrollment, behavioral health and homelessness, floodplain map updates, opioid treatment in correctional facilities, oversized vehicle permits, rural economic development, hunting education in schools, and fraud prevention for seniors. Several local and commemorative resolutions were also adopted, including Tangipahoa Parish Fair Day, recognition of Lane Frenchy Boudreau’s military service, and a memorial resolution honoring Bob Bowman. Personal privilege remarks also recognized festival royalty, the Westlake High School baseball team, Dr. E. Joseph Savoy, and 101-year-old Thelma Smith Williams. The Senate concurred in or adopted numerous House concurrent resolutions, often after brief explanations and, in some cases, amendments. These included measures on criminal history background checks for ambulance personnel, autism support services, school nurse orientation, acute care access for individuals with developmental disabilities, child abuse reporting training, physical therapy student loan eligibility, migratory waterfowl research, and a task force on senior fraud prevention. The chamber also adopted resolutions related to seafood competitiveness, bridge backup motors, I-12 improvements, and a Louisiana Energy Protection Act-style climate litigation measure, along with a resolution supporting Preeclampsia Day and a new Woman’s Hospital initiative. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of House bills on third reading and final passage. Bills passed included measures on Safe Haven Law postings in schools, official journal pricing, the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving, the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, sexual assault survivor rights, intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing records, renewable energy recycling, school emergency operations plans, the Louisiana FIRST data system, oilfield site restoration fees, inmate programming, automatic reinstatement of suspended driver’s licenses, special vehicle permits, climate-change damages, the Louisiana Center for State Schools, the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force, fire limits, police chief appointment in Folsom, digitized credentials, Sewage and Water Board procurement, behavioral health crisis insurance coverage, the Louisiana Talent Accelerator Office, indigent defender fee thresholds, prestige license plates, public license tag agent fees, highway naming, public defender terminology cleanup, an improvement district in Orleans Parish, a Democratic Party license plate, DWI-related substance definitions, commercial driver’s license rules, and a Shreveport demolition/local property bill. Several measures drew debate, especially HB 608 on athletics revenue-sharing transparency, which passed 32-13 after concerns about public records and taxpayer transparency. The final bill mentioned, HB 1059 on TOPS math requirements, was introduced at the end of the transcript but its disposition was not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louisiana, we encourage all of our citizens to institute safe boating practices and to enjoy Louisiana's waters
• With all our waters and bayous, it's something that we all enjoy in our state and need to do safely.
• acquire property for roads and bridges, drainage and stormwater infrastructure, flood protection, water
• extend the time on the ARPA money to try to finish out some of our infrastructure projects, such as the water
• to commercial shrimping to create an exception to the prohibition on night shrimping in the inside waters

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you could, if you don’t mind, explain a little bit more about your system for forecasting community water
• you could, if you don’t mind, explain a little bit more about your system for forecasting community water
• with discovery with the teams who are actually tasked with tracking these sorts of data, or sorry, water
• be likely to—and therefore that we should be prioritizing in terms of investigating the different water
• “In terms of investigating the different water systems.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you could, if you don't mind, explain a little bit more about your system for forecasting community water
• you could, if you don't mind, explain a little bit more about your system for forecasting community water
• with discovery with the teams who are actually tasked with tracking these sort of data, or sorry, water
• be likely to—and therefore that we should be prioritizing in terms of investigating the different water
• In terms of investigating the different water systems.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on several GovOps-related budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding for the California Education Learning Lab. The Learning Lab described its intersegmental grants to UC, CSU, and community college faculty, including AI-related work and a math alignment project, and said the Governor’s proposal would move the program’s home agency to GovOps and restore $4 million annually. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to improve coordination, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the projects are hard to scale, similar professional development already exists in the segments, and the state should consider saving General Fund dollars. Senators split on the value of the program, with some emphasizing innovation and intersegmental collaboration and others questioning its measurable long-term impact; the item was held open. The committee then reviewed the Office of Civil Rights proposal to implement AB 715 and SB 48 with $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. GovOps said the office had been set up administratively, positions were being recruited, and it would provide training, technical assistance, and complaint review related to anti-Semitism and other discrimination in TK-12 schools. The LAO had no concerns, but senators raised substantial questions about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance while the laws are being implemented, the use of gubernatorial appointees, and whether the staffing structure matches the likely workload across different discrimination categories. GovOps said it would develop guidance, coordinate with CDE, and shift resources as needed once staff are hired, but several members said they were not prepared to support the item as presented; it was also held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee approved vote-only items 11 through 17 and 6 through 10. It then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation on a request for five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand digital service delivery work. ODI described projects such as reducing unauthorized EBT theft and forecasting community water system outages, and said it uses guardrails and contracts to protect sensitive data when working with vendor AI services. The LAO had no concerns, and members generally praised ODI’s small, high-impact role; the item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, reporting that 423 miles are complete, more than 70% of the network has been permitted, and about 5,300 miles are expected to be completed by December 2026, with some work potentially slipping into 2027. CDT said Skyline Technology Solutions had been selected to operate the network and that the third-party administrator, Golden State Net, would continue to support development and later help oversee operations and sales. The LAO noted the project’s progress but raised concerns about the novel three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Senators questioned the legal basis for the operator arrangement, the revenue outlook, reporting to the Legislature, and whether the network will be self-sustaining; CDT said it expects revenues to cover operations over time and will continue annual and quarterly reporting. The item was left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Arrington on behalf of the Idaho Water Users Association.
• They're not issuing the permits, but as projects are done in the water world, this is projects that involve
• They're not issuing the permits, but as projects are done in the water world, this is projects that involve
• They're not issuing the permits, but as projects are done in the water world, this is projects that involve
• In permitting processes, they're not issuing the permits, but as projects are done in the water world

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 19 and March 11. It then heard Senate Bill 1285, which would make high school diplomas from non-public schools, including homeschool, equivalent to public school diplomas or GEDs for Idaho occupational and professional licensing. The sponsor and supporters said the bill removes a barrier for homeschool and private-school graduates without changing other licensing requirements. After brief questions and supportive testimony from Homeschool Idaho, the committee voted to send the bill to the House floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 841 on prior authorization in health insurance. The sponsor said the bill would add transparency, predictable timelines, qualified clinical review, stability once authorization is granted, and reporting requirements, while preserving fraud protections and not dictating prices or coverage design. Testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a migraine patient, and the Idaho State Dental Association supported the bill as a way to reduce delays and administrative burden. Representative Harris raised concerns about complaints and fiscal impact, but after debate the motion to send the bill to the floor failed on a 9-5 roll call, with four absent. Senate Bill 1262 followed, a narrow insurance code change that removes a confusing “lesser of” investment limit and leaves a 10% asset cap for certain insurer investments. The sponsor and a domestic insurer said the change would simplify the code and improve portfolio flexibility, and the committee approved it for the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 898, which moves the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Supporters argued the move would streamline permitting and keep federal historic-preservation duties intact, while opponents warned of conflicts of interest, loss of independence, and possible funding and efficiency problems. After extensive testimony from preservation professionals, water users, and others, the sponsor closed by saying the budget and staff would follow the office and that the change would improve permitting efficiency; the transcript cuts off before the final disposition of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, these funds are from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was established by Congress
• Specifically, these funds are from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was established by Congress
• maintenance staff and equipment, $120,000 for a new excavator, $1,877,500 one time for a Land and Water
• If you look at the $1,877,500 one-time for Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, that is Land and Water

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved a $3,700 dedicated-fund enhancement for the Endowment Fund Investment Board to replace a high-end laptop. It then took up several Department of Lands items. A $125,000 supplemental for Forest and Range Fire Protection to help stand up firefighters was rejected after concerns were raised that prior firefighter bonus money had gone largely to office staff rather than firefighters. The committee did approve a supplemental shifting 1.25 FTP and $160,000 from the Abandoned Mines Lands Fund to the Navigable Waterways Fund to align spending with statutory uses, and later approved a broader FY 2027 Department of Lands package including radio equipment, vehicle storage, a UTV, legal counsel fund shifts, Idaho Geological Survey support, replacement items, and OITS hardware. A proposed substitute that would have omitted the $140,500 general-fund restoration for eastern Idaho fire preparedness failed, but the original motion including that amount passed. The committee also adopted language for the Idaho Geological Survey and later approved Parks and Recreation FY 2027 enhancements for staffing, trail work, a mower, grant pass-throughs, staff housing, interpretive displays, Farragut entrance work, RV campsite development, and replacement items, after questions about federal replacement-item funding were answered by the director. A FY 2026 Parks and Recreation supplemental allowing program transfers above the 10% cap also passed. The committee then moved to the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services. It approved FY 2027 funding for the Idaho Home Visiting Program, immunization assessment fund restoration, disaster planning and training, fee-for-service lab testing, ARPA multi-year grants, HIV prevention, hepatitis prevention, and a $19,000 suicide prevention restoration; a substitute motion that would have reduced the home-visiting restoration to $500,000 failed, and the original motion passed. The committee adopted reporting language for suicide prevention, HIV prevention, hepatitis prevention, and immunization assessment funds. It then considered the Division of Early Learning and Development, approving funding for Idaho Child Care Program capacity, replacement items, population forecast adjustments, and the transfer of the Idaho Home Visiting Program from Public Health; a separate motion to require an open competitive acquisition process for Idaho STARS was set aside and the committee instead held the language in committee for further work. The committee also adopted language for Idaho Home Visiting reporting, Idaho Child Care Program reappropriation, Idaho Child Care Capacity Grant restrictions, and a transfer-limitation exemption for the division. Finally, the committee began the Division of Family and Community Partnerships and heard a request for $180,000 in federal funds for kinship navigation services to help relatives and close family friends care for children and prevent foster care entry. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that item, so no final action on it is shown here.