Transcript Highlights:

• starting the entire— we're kind of starting anew— A system called IMPACT that is going to be a new computer
• How can we use the computer system to narrow that down?

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, a person commits the crime of reckless driving if that person drives a vehicle in
• Under current law, a person commits the crime of reckless driving if that person drives a vehicle in
• of reckless driving to include when as amended by the Community Safety Committee expands the crime of
• And then also, if somebody had agreed to a lesser crime, and you'd mentioned that, you know, if they
• found out that you actually didn't commit that crime...

Bills: SB5420, SB5877, SB5868, SB5109, SB5832, SB5922, SB5944, SB5988, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Almost all child-victim sex crimes are between people who know each other: babysitters, relatives.
• Crimes against children are facilitated by social proximity, not geographical proximity.
• crime.
• crime.
• I have been, you know, hate crime before because of it.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got my phone and my computer. Can I come through all right? Good. Yes. Okay.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was the final session of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century, convened to adopt its final report. The chairs described the report as the product of extensive public engagement, research, and collaboration, focused on challenges and opportunities for Massachusetts agriculture, including climate resilience, farmland access, workforce development, food security, and farm viability. Several members and stakeholders thanked the chairs and staff for the multi-year process and emphasized the value of hearing directly from farmers and industry participants. Senator Barrett offered a detailed set of draft corrections and concerns for the record, including the report title, outdated references, repeated definitions of MDAR, the need to better reflect suburban communities, and a possible tension between recommendations supporting anaerobic digestion and a governor’s proposal affecting the alternative portfolio standard. The chairs noted that comments had been circulated for written review and said substantive feedback would be considered, while also indicating the document was nearing finalization. The commission then held a roll call vote and unanimously voted to adopt the final report, with all members present voting yes. The chairs said the final report would be formatted, published online, and distributed to stakeholders and the public, with a public rollout and media briefing planned for the fall. They also noted that the report was intended to support related legislation already filed or expected to be filed in the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• have successfully completed major milestones in transitioning the current unemployment insurance computer

Summary: The committee first considered a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism request to swap three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager for Blanchard Springs State Park. Members were told the change would be funded by conservation tax special revenues, would not increase total positions, and had OPM’s support. The item was reviewed and approved without objection. Members then approved two special compensation plans: one from the Department of Commerce for lump-sum bonuses of up to $5,000 for employees involved in the unemployment insurance system migration to a cloud-based platform, and one from the Department of Veterans Affairs for $2,000 recruitment bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the Fayetteville and North Little Rock State Veterans Homes. The Department of Health also received approval to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board, with the agency noting the position was already authorized and would not increase total staffing. The committee spent substantial time on a Commerce reduction-in-force affecting the Division of Services for the Blind and related workforce operations. Secretary Hugh McDonald said the layoffs were driven by over-obligated federal funds, lack of fiscal planning, and a need to realign operations; he said the RIF would be permanent and that 56 employees remained furloughed, with 17 positions slated for elimination. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the board and governor, and whether the cuts disproportionately affected African American employees; Commerce was asked to provide racial composition data for the workforce and the RIF. The committee also reviewed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Members asked about overtime levels at DHS, Corrections, and Transportation, and whether higher staffing levels and the new pay plan were reducing overtime. OPM said overtime was being monitored, that direct-care positions are exempt from the hiring freeze, and that the state had hired more than 1,200 employees at DHS since the new system went live. No further action was taken on the report items, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some computer issues today, so if anybody would like to testify, now is the time.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved minutes from February 2 and February 18, 2026, then heard several bills. Senate Bill 1369, sponsored by Senator Hart, would reorganize and simplify Idaho’s venue statute for district court cases and allow plaintiffs to file in their home county when the defendant lives out of state. Hart and Idaho Trial Lawyers Association representative Barbara Jordan said the change would make the law easier to read and more convenient, and Senator Ruchti supported it as a long-needed clarification. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 615, presented by Senator Taves, would clarify that the disturbing-the-peace statute applies to houses of worship and religious gatherings, while also removing obsolete language and making minor grammar changes. Senator Wintrow asked why the bill was limited to religious venues, and Taves said it was narrowly focused on protecting religious liberty. The committee received no testimony and advanced the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 521, carried by Senator Kaiser and Idaho State Police Bureau Chief Lila McNeil, was described as a technical fix to align Idaho law with FBI requirements so state police can contract for fingerprint services for people working with vulnerable populations. McNeil said the FBI had placed Idaho in a grace period while the statute is corrected. The committee also heard House Bill 684 from Senator Lakey and Sheriff Matt Clifford, which would reimburse county sheriffs for costs of retrieving Idaho Department of Corrections probationers or parolees who abscond out of state; supporters said sheriffs are currently paying these costs from local budgets. Both bills were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations. Finally, House Bill 695, presented by Senator Kaiser and supported by Terry Durden of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, would correct a one-word error in eviction-related statute by changing “writ of possession” to “writ of restitution” so sheriffs can charge the proper fee for eviction service. Durden said the current wording causes underbilling for a more time-consuming process. The committee voted to send House Bill 695 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's some news on your computer before he hands down.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No one had signed up on the chair’s computer, and no one responded.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 24 and advanced the gubernatorial appointment of Gaston Patterson to the Aeronautics Advisory Board to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation. It then took up Senate Bill 1340, a traffic safety bill requiring slower traffic to keep right and creating a penalty for impeding traffic in the left lane on controlled-access highways. Senator Harris said the measure was intended to improve traffic flow and reduce dangerous passing situations, and AAA and the Idaho Transportation Department/ISP indicated support while suggesting clarifying amendments. The committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 532, dealing with uniform identity verification standards for DMV services and consolidating identity requirements into one statute, was presented by ITD and received no opposition. The committee voted to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1287, which would revise Idaho public right-of-way law, drew extensive testimony from highway district and county representatives who raised concerns about public hearing requirements, survey costs, dedications, donations, and possible disruption to existing eminent domain and right-of-way processes. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the bill in committee at the call of the chair so amendments could be worked on. Finally, House Bill 663, a cleanup bill moving design authority for the Idaho agricultural license plate to the Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom board and making related language changes, was presented by Senator Nichols and supported by Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom. The committee voted to send House Bill 663 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities was updated to include data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, artificial intelligence computing

Bills: HB2989, HB3724, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB3989

Keywords: wildland fire, wildfire, electric utility, electric cooperative, utility liability, vegetation management, power lines, grid hardening, public utility, rate recovery, National Electric Safety Code, NESC, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, landowner incentives, cost-share program, revolving fund, property damage, trespass

Transcript Highlights:

• high-demand facilities to become data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, artificial intelligence computing

Bills: HB2989, HB3724, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB3989

Keywords: wildland fire, wildfire, electric utility, electric cooperative, utility liability, vegetation management, power lines, grid hardening, public utility, rate recovery, National Electric Safety Code, NESC, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, landowner incentives, cost-share program, revolving fund, property damage, trespass

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 4246, which would expand training and technical assistance options for rural water-related programs by allowing the state to consider qualified suppliers other than the Rural Water Association. After brief questions about the type of vendors involved, the bill received a 7-0 due pass vote. House Bill 3989 followed and was described as cleanup language continuing prior negotiations among the oil and gas industry, electric co-ops, and investor-owned utilities; the committee adopted the PCS and passed the bill 7-0. Members then considered House Bill 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection Act of 2026. The committee adopted a PCS and an amendment reducing the threshold from 100 megawatts to 75 megawatts. The bill would require data centers to pay infrastructure costs tied to their electricity demand so those costs are not shifted to other ratepayers; it passed 7-0. House Bill 3464, which adds protections and regulatory requirements for battery storage and updates transparency and decommissioning provisions for wind and solar projects, also passed 7-0 after adoption of a PCS. House Bill 3724, as revised in a second PCS, drew the most debate. It would define high-demand facilities to include data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, AI computing facilities, and large battery storage systems, and would impose restrictions on subsidies, infrastructure costs, water use, foreign ownership, agricultural land siting, noise, decommissioning, and local approval processes, including a petition mechanism to overturn local decisions. Supporters argued it was needed to protect communities, landowners, water resources, and ratepayers; opponents raised concerns about property rights, agricultural land restrictions, local control, and the petition/recall process. The bill failed on a 2-6 vote and remained in committee. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2989, which would allow electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans, create a wildfire mitigation revolving fund, and direct the Conservation Commission to develop a wildfire mitigation test pilot and refine mitigation strategies. With a PCS adopted and no debate, the bill passed 8-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like trying to design a computer while it's actually trying to process and work.

Bills: HB3794, HB3796, HB3928, HB2955, HB4453, HB4460

Keywords: licensure, criminal history, public safety, occupational certification, rehabilitation, state regulations, insurance, regulations, certification, long-term care, mergers, consumer protection, property safety, vision insurance, optometry, reimbursement, healthcare policy, ophthalmic materials, provider agreements, captive insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, he's trying to get his computer fixed. Okay. All right. We have a unanimous vote here, Mr.

Bills: HB4422, HB4117, HB4300, HB4298, HB2984, HB3344

Keywords: immigration, public assistance, legal status, food assistance, state benefits, family resource center, community support, employment services, kinship families, social connections, child care, criminal history, background checks, child safety, licensing, Oklahoma laws, advisory committees, daycare, licensed child care facility, child care subsidy

Summary: The Children, Youth, and Family Committee met for its first meeting, with the chair emphasizing a shared goal of improving outcomes for children and families and describing the bills before the committee as work in progress. The committee first adopted a working draft and heard House Bill 4422, which would require applicants for welfare benefits to be checked through the SAVE system to verify American citizenship; the speaker said amendments removed earlier child-only and WIC changes. The bill was reported out 7-1. The committee then considered several DHS- and child welfare-related measures. House Bill 4117 would broaden the definition of family resource centers to better reflect Oklahoma organizations and support access to public and private grants, including faith-based and workforce-training efforts; it was reported due pass after discussion about the range of services such centers provide. House Bill 4298 would allow child care facilities to receive rule-change notices electronically instead of only by mail, while preserving mail delivery as an option, and House Bill 4300 would add a fingerprint requirement to child care background checks to align state law with federal Child Care Development Fund requirements; both were reported due pass. House Bill 2984 would direct DHS to seek a waiver limiting SNAP purchases to Oklahoma in order to reduce out-of-state card skimming and fraud; members discussed border-area concerns and possible radius exceptions, but the bill was reported out 6-0. The final major measure was House Bill 3344, a foster care bill intended to improve placement and support for foster children and families. The author said the bill was only a starting point and that he had been working with DHS, judges, and other stakeholders; members raised concerns about a felony penalty in the bill, and the author said that provision would be revised as the bill moved forward. The committee passed the bill 7-0. Several members also used the discussion to stress the need for stronger funding for vulnerable populations and state agencies, especially foster care and mental health services. The meeting ended with plans for further revisions and a follow-up meeting the next Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Little technical things here with the computer.

Summary: The Resources and Conservation Committee met to approve prior minutes and then considered three Idaho Department of Fish and Game administrative rule dockets under the governor’s zero-based regulation process. The first docket covered public use of Fish and Game lands and added definitions for camping and leash, clarified restrictions on dogs and domestic animals on wildlife management areas, and added prohibitions on exploding targets and airsoft guns to reduce fire risk and litter. Members questioned whether the leash language and related references to dogs versus other domestic animals were fully consistent, and whether a separate provision about livestock grazing could be read to conflict with open-range law; department staff said the livestock language was existing rule text and that the intent was not to alter open-range obligations. The committee approved the docket. The second docket addressed trapping and taking fur-bearing animals. Changes included defining natural liquid scent as bait, increasing reimbursement for non-target species, moving lynx and wolverine reporting to a separate section, allowing certain trap sets on snow-covered routes and under bridges or culverts except at wildlife crossings, allowing trapping of gray wolves on private property near an active feeding site, and removing a fixed July 31 reporting deadline. Testimony was mixed: the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association said it was neutral, while the Idaho Conservation League supported the incidental bycatch reporting changes but opposed including ESA-listed species such as grizzly bears in the rules, arguing it was unnecessary and confusing. The committee approved the docket. The third docket revised rules for selecting, operating, suspending, and discontinuing Fish and Game license vendors. It removed outdated vendor classifications and low-numbered vendor criteria, replaced them with community-benefit factors, lowered the active vendor ceiling from 475 to 400, ended acceptance of out-of-state vendor applications, expanded suspension/termination review to include employee and contract violations, changed transaction-count language, and allowed vendors to pass through credit card processing fees. Members asked about the impact of online sales and the nonresident draw on local vendors, how the department would monitor credit card fees, and how smaller rural vendors would be treated; staff said discretion would remain for small or seasonal communities and that fee enforcement would rely largely on customer complaints. The committee approved this docket as well, then adjourned after noting more contentious rules would be taken up later.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think back when the calculator was introduced, when the personal computer was introduced, the Internet

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard gubernatorial appointment testimony from Pete Kohler for the State Board of Education and Jennifer White for Executive Director of the Office of the State Board of Education. Kohler described a long career in the military and Idaho education, including work as a teacher, principal, superintendent, State Department of Education chief of staff, and service on several state committees and commissions. In response to questions, he emphasized early reading mastery, stronger math and financial literacy, expanded career and technical education, more flexible high school pathways, and a focus on helping students become capable thinkers and resilient adults. He also discussed a major financial crisis he managed as Nampa superintendent, saying he stabilized the district without layoffs and worked openly with staff, unions, and the public. Committee members expressed support, but the appointment vote was deferred to the next meeting. White introduced her family and outlined her background in Idaho, law, and higher education, including work in state government, private practice, Boise State University, and government relations. Senators praised her professionalism and performance under questioning in prior budget hearings, and no concerns were raised. As with Kohler, the committee said the confirmation vote would be taken the following day. The committee also considered RS 32954C1, introduced by Senator Cook, which would direct the state to develop guidelines for artificial intelligence in education. Cook said the proposal was meant to help students learn about AI while adding guardrails, similar to how schools adapted to calculators, computers, and the internet. The committee moved RS 32954 to print, and the motion passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is with regards to legislative reporting, computer science reporting.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're going to switch over to 1600 while he gets his computer. House Bill 1600.

Bills: SB2004, HB1600

Keywords: ethics commission, immunity, conflict of interest, complaints, public officials, transparency, legislative action, criminal prosecution, complaint resolution, HB 1600, immigration law clinic, University of North Dakota, UND Law, law school clinic, legal aid, immigration attorney, student clinic, pro bono, immigration legal services, caseload limit

Summary: The committee reconvened to continue work on water-related appropriations and related bills, with the chair emphasizing the need to move the water bill to conference committee soon because of differences with the House. Members reviewed project funding levels and carryover balances across several water projects, including NAWS, Southwest, Valley City, Cirrus River flood control, Hart River, Redder water supply, municipal and rural water, general water, and discretionary funding. The discussion focused on reduced revenue forecasts, the use of a $150 million line of credit as a working assumption, and concerns about large carryover amounts and piling up cash. No final changes were made to the water funding numbers, but the chair said the committee would revisit the bill after further cleanup of the draft language. The committee then took up House Bill 1600, which would create an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota law school. Members agreed the program should be treated as a one-time pilot rather than ongoing general fund spending, so they adopted an amendment changing the $400,000 appropriation to one-time funding from the strategic investment fund. The amended bill passed unanimously, and Senator Meyer was assigned to carry it. House Bill 1417, dealing with parole and probation-related policy, was also amended. The committee removed Section 8, which eliminated the bill’s appropriations language, based on testimony that the referenced funding was already included elsewhere in the budget. The amended bill then passed unanimously. The committee also discussed possible future amendments to water study language, including earlier reporting deadlines and a proposal to require larger new water project requests to go through the Water Topics Overview Committee before being introduced, but no final action was taken on those concepts. Several other bills, including the AI-related House Bill 1448 and law enforcement bonus bill 1193, were left for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are always looking for skilled labor, especially people with backgrounds in engineering and computer

Summary: The Senate Committee on K-16 met with 14 bills on the agenda and announced it would recess around 9:45 to attend the floor session, then resume afterward. The committee first took up Senate Bill 2361, which would transfer governance of the University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System and rename it Texas A&M University-Victoria. Senator Cole explained that the committee substitute added transition language for employee health benefits and ERS contributions. Supporters, including Texas A&M System officials, Victoria’s mayor, regional economic development leaders, a Formosa Plastics representative, a Victoria College trustee, and a local business owner, said the move would better align the university with regional industry needs, especially engineering, agriculture, and workforce development, while helping retain local students and support economic growth. A Texas A&M official also noted accreditation, data-system, and other transition challenges, but said the change was manageable. Because there was no quorum, the committee could not adopt the substitute, and SB 2361 was left pending subject to the call of the chair after public testimony closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 530 from Senator Sparks, which would update Texas higher education law to match federal rules allowing institutions to use any nationally recognized accreditor rather than only a regional accreditor. Sparks said the bill was a cleanup measure responding to a 2019 federal rule change and prior concerns had been addressed over the interim. Testimony in support came from a Texas Public Policy Foundation fellow, who said the bill would give universities flexibility, preserve quality standards, and simplify credit transfer and costs for students. With no opposition and no questions, public testimony closed and SB 530 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christian Castro is charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime
• And then tried to cover up that crime by saying that the person he shot had attacked them with a room

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an act relating to supporting our crime victims and witnesses by promoting victims' trauma-informed
• This is an act relating to supporting our crime victims and witnesses by promoting victims' trauma-informed

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ERIC COMPOS WITH THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU WAVING IN SUPPORT.
• AND ERIC DE COMPOS WITH THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU WAVING AND SUPPORT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all