Transcript Highlights:

• and we're not going to pay because we're prohibited<00:09:31.680><c> by</c><00:09:31.920><c> paying.
• </c><00:09:32.880><c> So,</c> prohibited by paying. All right. So, prohibited by paying. All right.
• </c><00:10:19.200><c> somewhere</c> fairgrounds is having to pay somewhere fairgrounds is having to pay
• </c><00:10:50.880><c> I</c> uh somebody's got to pay for that. I uh somebody's got to pay for that.
• We pay up to $360 a year paying their premium. It's about $3.6 million.

Keywords: Government Structure - Room 409, 12 January, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are dollars that help pay for soft capital, hard capital.
• the cost of the reduced-price lunch program, where if you qualify for a reduced-price lunch and you pay
• And a dramatic increase, she shielded the tribes, but everybody else has to pay the 40% unless you're
• We heard yesterday that, you know, troopers were going to pay $7,000 more for health care.
• As I tell my kiddos when I coach baseball and all the sports I coach, hard work pays off. It does.

Summary: House Republican caucus met on April 29 to review the FY 2027 budget package and several related “budget implementation” bills, with Chairman Livingston noting that HB 2415 was being held. Staff and members walked through HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act (“feed bill”), which appropriates about $17.96 billion from the general fund and includes one-time fund transfers, 5% lump-sum reductions for most agencies, funding for the state health insurance plan, school facilities, child care, correctional officer stipends, public safety, and other prior-year items. Members emphasized that the budget reflected House and Senate negotiations after the governor left budget talks, and Republican leaders framed it as a package that lowers taxes, shrinks government, and funds priorities such as K-12, child care, foster care, and public safety. The caucus then reviewed a series of mostly standard budget bills: HB 4139 on gaming/racing assessments; HB 4140 on federal monies, the budget stabilization fund, and ACE initiative savings reporting; HB 4141 on capital outlay, highway construction, airport funding, and rural transportation match funds; HB 4142 on commerce and lottery distributions; HB 4143 on corrections reporting; HB 4144 on environmental provisions and water-related fund uses; HB 4145 on state employee health insurance premiums and DES reforms; HB 4146 on higher education funding provisions; HB 4147 on SNAP administration and error-rate reduction; HB 4148 on K-12 inflation adjustments, school facilities, and ASDB property-sale oversight; HB 4150 on county expenditure flexibility and state office rent rates; HB 4151 on the Department of Revenue’s integrated tax system funding and related charges; HB 4152 on tax conformity, deductions, and repeal of several renewable-energy tax preferences and the Rio Nuevo diversion; and HB 4153 on transportation reporting. Discussion repeatedly centered on health plan solvency, SNAP/ACCESS eligibility and fraud controls, school funding, rural transportation, and tax conformity and relief. The caucus also took up several blue-sheet bills: HB 2035 on extended-family placement notifications in child welfare cases; HB 2170 restricting certain PRC-controlled companies from state IT contracts; HB 2249 expanding Parents’ Bill of Rights provisions; HB 2573 on DUI interlock/restricted-license rules and psychotherapy definitions; and HB 2873, which was amended to allow withdrawal of referendum petitions before ballot qualification. HB 2415 was held. The Speaker closed by praising the caucus for its budget work, saying the package delivers tax relief, protects vulnerable populations and public safety, and reflects months of Republican negotiations, and the meeting adjourned to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the remedy we came up with is that if the state passed it, the state should pay for it.
• the remaining balance, and they would pay interest but no penalty. ...and they would pay interest, but
• But the other big piece of that is the state coming in and paying for the mandates that we passed in
• It's who is paying. And I think that's one of the things that we've seen over the last few years.
• And homeowners paying for that. And it culminated in a new county executive to come into the role.

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform heard public testimony on House Bills 3253 and 3254, presented by Representatives Steinhoff and Jobe. The bills would expand assessor training and continuing education requirements, require physical inspections for large assessment increases on commercial property as well as residential property, allow greater use of technology and remote imagery in assessments, create optional electronic notices and communications for taxpayers, and move toward setting property tax levies by subclass with a small-parcel exception. The bill also included provisions to raise the per-parcel reimbursement floor for assessors, reimburse local governments for revenue losses tied to SB 190 and SB 3, provide payment options during appeals, and require counties to offer installment payment options for property taxes. The sponsors said the proposal was built from bipartisan committee discussions and statewide listening sessions, and they emphasized assessor professionalism, taxpayer flexibility, and fairness in the assessment process. Committee members asked about assessor training, the fiscal note, the parcel reimbursement formula, and how the subclass levy system would work in small jurisdictions. Witnesses from the Missouri Special Districts Association and school administrators generally supported the concepts of better assessor training, more resources, and taxpayer payment flexibility, while also warning about implementation burdens and the fiscal impact of state backfill for SB 190 and SB 3. Testimony also focused on the accuracy of ratio studies and the fairness of moving to subclass-based levies. Some members argued the current system can shift tax burdens unfairly between residential, commercial, and agricultural property owners, while others cautioned that the new structure could create winners and losers depending on local assessment practices. A representative from the State Tax Commission clarified that commissioners do receive training, corrected the parcel reimbursement discussion to note the first 20,000 parcels are treated differently under current law, and said the commission already provides assessor training. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we're paying much lower than that.
• So this is a good solution that we have to do just by bumping this pay up just a little bit.
• Right now Blaine County is paying $126.
• Property taxpayers should not be paying the state's expenses. This is a debt of the state.
• So we're not doing our job paying these bills, and we need to get on it right now.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee reports and bill referrals. Among the measures introduced or advanced were bills on restroom access and indecency, assertive community treatment, foreign law in Idaho courts, police dog protections, hospital taxing district petitions, legislative residency requirements, driver education options for parents, and redesigning the agricultural license plate. The House also passed several bills on second or third reading, including HB 652, HB 556, HB 602, HB 654, HB 549, HB 628, and HB 663, sending them to the Senate. HB 556 drew the most debate. Supporters argued the state should raise reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails because county costs have risen well above current reimbursement levels, counties are overcrowded, and property taxpayers are subsidizing state obligations. Opponents said the fiscal note was too large for the current budget year, though several members still acknowledged the underlying problem. The bill ultimately passed the House 59-10. HB 602, which limits the use of foreign law when it conflicts with Idaho or U.S. constitutional rights, also passed after questions about prior legislation affecting child support enforcement; the sponsor said this bill was narrower and preserved existing law as the guardrail. HB 673, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 days in the preceding year before filing, generated significant concern about retroactivity, fairness, and impacts on military members, missionaries, traveling workers, and others with temporary absences. After debate, the House voted to send it to general orders for further work rather than advancing it immediately. HB 628, concerning parent-taught driver education in urban districts, was defended as expanding parental choice and reducing costs, while opponents raised safety concerns about teaching teens on busy roads without dual brakes or other safeguards; it passed 63-6. The House adjourned after announcements and committee meeting notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• When payments are delayed or denied, families struggle to pay rent, buy groceries, and keep utilities
• People are struggling right now to pay bills.
• People are struggling right now to pay bills.
• They should not have to choose between paying rent or Right now, to pay bills.
• They should not have to choose between paying rent or paying for their medication, but those are the

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and several guest introductions, including Scout groups from Phoenix/Levine, Dr. John Galgiani for Valley Fever Awareness, and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day. Senator Kavanagh read a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber also adopted a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy and observed a moment of silence. The Committee of the Whole considered SB 1036 on unemployment insurance, SB 1056 on reporting vacant state positions, SB 1236 on AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, and SB 1238 on the physician assistant licensure compact. SB 1036, SB 1056, and SB 1238 were approved in Committee of the Whole, with SB 1036 and SB 1238 amended. During floor debate, SB 1036 drew criticism from Democrats as adding burdens and reducing benefits for unemployed workers, while supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud; it later passed the Senate 17-12. SB 1056 also passed 17-12 after debate over whether automatic elimination of long-vacant positions would improve efficiency or harm agency staffing. SB 1238 passed with a conforming amendment and later the House version HB 2190 was substituted and passed. The Senate then took up several third-reading bills. SB 1126 on educational records passed 29-0. SB 1189 on campaign expenditures passed 27-2 after debate about political violence and campaign-related expenses. SB 1211 on sentencing passed 29-0. The chamber also reconsidered and substituted House bills for identical Senate bills: HB 2206 for SB 1333 and HB 2396 for SB 1368, both related to SNAP. HB 2206 passed 17-12 after debate over a proposed SNAP error-rate penalty and its impact on food access, and HB 2396 passed 17-12 after debate over restricting SNAP purchases. Finally, HB 2796 was substituted for SB 1236 and passed after debate over AHCCCS enrollment barriers. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The definition retains its inclusion of insurance brokers who pay premium taxes on behalf of insurance
• Scott, H-3503.1, makes changes to the intent section and requires that high-volume mortgage lenders pay
• It defines high-volume mortgage lenders as a person that pays the B&O surcharge and that has an annual
• Taxpayers are going to pay the same regardless if this bill passes, but where they haven't...
• Taxpayers will not pay anymore.

Bills: HB2713, HB2730, HB2297, HB2487, HB2382, HB2089, HB2431, HB2451, HB2590, HB2325, HB2278, HB2224, HB2322

Keywords: private detention facilities, business tax, occupation tax, financial impact, state revenue, aerospace, tax preferences, effectiveness, economic impact, grocery stores, underserved communities, food access, incentives, economic development, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, excise tax

Transcript Highlights:

• If it does, the arbitration does result in higher payments, ultimately who pays that cost?
• Do you have enough money to pay claims based on the way these rates are set up?
• I'm all about making it easier to pay your bills. I have a question, though.
• The only other way I could pay it was by paying a $4.95 fee over the phone.
• it before I could pay it off, let me know, because I'd like to save the $15.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and heard a full agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and passed without objection after supportive testimony from banking and credit union groups. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program; the sponsor described it as a way to move emergency out-of-network payment disputes away from costly litigation and into an independent dispute resolution process modeled on the federal No Surprises Act. A proposed amendment drew significant questions from senators and concerns from the Florida Insurance Council about confusion over state versus federal eligibility and possible effects on contracted rates, and the sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment. The underlying bill was then supported by health care and insurance stakeholders and reported favorably. SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels also passed, with Progressive Insurance waiving in support. The committee next approved CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which requires continuing education for agents, clearer consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; the amendment was technical and adopted. SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage was presented as expanding required coverage for mammograms and supplemental screenings for certain insurance products, and it passed with support from cancer and radiology groups. CS/SB 314 on digital asset issuers was amended to create a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act, allowing state-level regulation as an alternative to federal supervision, and was reported favorably. SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, including higher small-estate thresholds and clearer authority for personal representatives, also passed after a banking-related amendment requiring letters of administration for safe deposit box access was adopted. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance, which raises the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ comp policies from 10% to 20% and adjusts the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; a carrier representative testified that the change would help keep more high-risk accounts in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 on a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for DFS to create a Florida coin, limit the pilot to existing stablecoins with at least $1 billion market capitalization, and require qualified public deposit handling; it then passed. CS/SB 838 on electronic payments for retail installment contracts clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments are permissible while preserving a fee-free option, and it was reported favorably after questions about consumer access to free payment methods. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, made a wide range of administrative changes affecting My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, licensing, bail bonds, and other DFS functions; a late-filed amendment on title insurer appointments was adopted, and the bill passed. The committee also approved SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting condo hardening assistance to owner-occupied units meeting income and occupancy criteria, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which the sponsor and industry witnesses said would modernize Florida law and promote insurance competition and economic activity. The meeting ended with all bills on the agenda reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the Cicero Institute points out that in many cases it is up to 10 or even more times cheaper. to pay
• whatever they pay in the marketplace, if they use their GoodRx card, for example, and get that counted
• Those providers may, in fact, be cash pay providers inside the network who are willing to take cash.
• for, and the insurance company is going to pay whatever that price is they've negotiated.
• pay around $15,000 annually. per person a year.

Bills: SB437, SB528, SB626, SB636, SB884, SB968, SB1044, SB1608, SB2336

Keywords: healthcare, training, abuse, neglect, penalties, chemical dependency, safety, regulation, inpatient competency restoration, competency restoration, forensic mental health, mental health law, criminal competency, incompetent to stand trial, Chapter 46B, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state hospital, behavioral health, local mental health authority

Transcript Highlights:

• that doesn't even have the value that I'm getting taxed on at a time when I may not have the money to pay
• determine which counties receive the funding based on certain factors, such as the county's ability to pay
• They can offer benefits, sign-on bonuses, higher pay, and better scheduling, and it is attracting these
• They can offer benefits, sign-on bonuses, higher pay, and better scheduling, and it is attracting these
• state contribution rate may not exceed one-third of the total contributions, it's been very hard to pay

Bills: SB868, SB1337, SB1371, SB1377, SB1426, SB1620, SB2064, SB2065, SJR4

Keywords: SB 868, rural volunteer fire department assistance program, volunteer fire department assistance fund, Texas Government Code, wildfire, wildland fire, high-risk wildfire area, fire suppression, rural fire departments, volunteer firefighters, emergency response, public safety, grant allocation, appropriations, disaster preparedness, tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several bills focused on tax administration, transportation, emergency services, historic preservation, forensic training, pension funding, and the state’s rainy day fund. Senate Bill 1337, by Senator Creighton, would require the comptroller to assess penalty and interest only on the net tax due and allow sales and use tax overpayments to offset underpayments more automatically; it was left pending while the author, comptroller staff, and a private witness continued working on the language and fiscal note. Senate Bill 1371, by Senator Hinojosa, would address Corpus Christi transit authority operations, including emergency refueling coordination, fare-setting procedures, and board term limits; it received supportive testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 1377, by Senator Perry, would create a grant program for rural counties to buy ambulances, with a committee substitute expanding eligible uses in some cases to equipment and setting a sunset date; numerous EMS officials, county representatives, and association witnesses testified in support, emphasizing rising ambulance costs, staffing shortages, and the need for rural emergency coverage, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 868, by Senator Sparks, would direct at least 10% of volunteer fire department assistance funding to high wildfire-risk areas; Texas A&M Forest Service explained the map and methodology, and the committee substitute was adopted. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1426, which would place the First Capitol State Historic Site in West Columbia under Texas Historical Commission stewardship, and Senate Bill 1620, which would create a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program through the Office of Court Administration to address forensic scientist shortages; both had no opposition in testimony and their committee substitutes were adopted. Senate Bill 2065 would change the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System funding structure to require an actuarially determined state contribution and address the system’s unfunded liability over 30 years; Pasadena fire department representatives testified that the pension is an important volunteer retention tool, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Joint Resolution 4 would raise the Economic Stabilization Fund cap from 10% to 15% of biennial revenue deposits, with a committee substitute correcting the effective date to September 1, 2027; the committee discussed the fund’s current balance and purpose before adopting the substitute. After quorum was established, the committee voted out the measures. Senate Bill 1868, Senate Bill 1371, Senate Bill 264, Senate Joint Resolution 4, Senate Bill 1426, Senate Bill 1620, and Senate Bill 2065 were all reported favorably to the full Senate, with some bills also certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee substitute for Senate Bill 868 was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's going to talk today about health insurance and making health insurance companies pay their fair
• share, essentially taxing them to pay for what would be reinsurance.
• </c><00:10:19.680><c> to</c><00:10:19.920><c> pay</c><00:10:20.079><c> for</c><00:10:20.320><c> what<
• /c> essentially taxing them to pay for what essentially taxing them to pay for what would<00:10:20.600
• I imagine you would be opposed generally to a tax on health insurers to pay for that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• exempts congressionally chartered veteran service organizations like American Legions and VFWs from paying
• </c><00:02:12.680><c> V</c><00:02:13.040><c> vfw's</c><00:02:13.720><c> from</c><00:02:13.920><c> paying
• </c> American Legions and VFWs from paying property taxes on buildings that they own and operate.
• Because of this accountability, it makes sense for them to pay no property taxes.
• We can pay our bills, but we don't have much money in the bank.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• People that go into it often waste hard-earned dollars that they could be using to pay for gas, to pay
• for rent, to pay for the groceries for their families.
• </c><00:24:28.200><c> for</c><00:24:28.600><c> gas</c><00:24:28.880><c> to</c><00:24:29.000><c> pay</
• c><00:24:29.159><c> for</c> could be using to pay for gas to pay for could be using to pay for gas to
• pay for rent<00:24:29.559><c> to</c><00:24:29.640><c> pay</c><00:24:29.760><c> for</c><00:24:29.880>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California taxpayers already pay the highest car tax in the nation.
• Beyond income tax and sales tax, $900 post-tax that they would have to pay.
• So this is not being proposed in addition to paying the gas tax.
• gas-powered vehicle, they are paying the most for our transportation system.
• Most of them cannot afford electric vehicles, so they are paying the high gas.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're paying for short-term rentals repeatedly.
• ><c> rentals</c> We're paying for shortterm rentals We're paying for shortterm rentals repeatedly.<00
• We’re paying this is our money.
• </c><00:28:21.600><c> So</c> we're paying this is our money. So we're paying this is our money.
• Um, I that we're already paying for.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I work hard every day, and I still struggle to pay my bills.
• The union gives us a voice protecting fair pay and safe conditions.
• The answer was to pay them for activities, even though the district is already paying for these activities
• However, passion alone does not pay the bills.
• It quickly became apparent I had little to no voice in advocating for my pay increases.

Bills: S0042, S0688, S0762, S1168, S1296, S1298, S1300, S1318, S1332, S1376, S1548, S1570, S1574, S1632, S1634, S1750

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, criminal defense, legal representation, death penalty, indigent defense, regional counsel, conflict of interest, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included. Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs. The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting. In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they are paying a price. They're paying $400,000 a year for mistakes that they didn't make.
• One year they didn't pay because there was COVID.
• For 12 years all we did was pay interest rate until Dr.
• What does the interest pay for? Well, the... So...
• And California schools are paying the price.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Housechild pays for mind that.
• I pay federal tax, state tax, and self-employment tax.
• I I pay I sell corn. and write a check. I I pay I sell corn.
• </c><00:17:45.760><c> tax,</c> I pay federal tax, state tax, I pay federal tax, state tax, um<00:17:48.720
• </c><01:07:57.359><c> place</c> require assessors to then pay place require assessors to then pay place

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've got to pay attention, keep up with what's happening, and vote as we go forward.
• It decreases the amount of money that you have to pay for vehicle registration for anybody who wants
• Why are we— Why are we wanting electric vehicle owners to pay more than gas owners if we're trying to
• Instead of having to pay a high registration fee, you're paying much lower, to make sure you have more
• I don't want to pay an extra $3 for a bag of chips.

Summary: The Arkansas Boys State House convened with a quorum, heard opening remarks from legislative leaders and guests, and then considered a series of bills focused on rural services, education, taxes, and zoning. House Bill 1001 would have increased rural health care funding through a 10% tax on individuals earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, long-term funding, and whether it would drive away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed by a vote of 24 yeas, 51 nays, and 1 present. House Bill 1002 would have limited the number of subjects rural teachers could be assigned and offered sign-on bonuses to recruit more teachers; supporters said it would reduce burnout and improve specialization, while opponents questioned funding and whether it would worsen inequities. After immediate consideration, it passed narrowly, 38 yeas, 36 nays, and 2 present. The House then debated House Bill 1003, which would regulate AI data centers through county zoning authority and a 10% tax on corporations to fund conservation efforts. Supporters said counties should be able to decide whether data centers fit local needs, while opponents warned about lost jobs, higher costs, and federal-state jurisdiction issues. The bill passed 62 yeas, 7 nays, and 3 present. House Bill 1004 would have reduced motor vehicle registration fees to offset high fuel costs, but critics argued it would reduce highway and road funding and strain the state budget; it failed 20 yeas, 46 nays, and 4 present. The chamber then took up Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits to encourage healthier food purchases and address food insecurity and obesity; supporters framed it as a way to improve access to healthy food, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas and 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in middle school and state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and implementation. It passed 67 yeas, 6 nays, and 1 present. Senate Bill 3 would cut individual and corporate income taxes to promote economic growth and ease cost-of-living pressures; supporters cited prior tax cuts and business attraction, while opponents said the benefits would mostly go to wealthy corporations and CEOs. It passed 53 yeas, 15 nays, and 16 present. Senate Bill 4 created a mixed-use zoning grant program funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax to encourage affordable housing and downtown redevelopment; it passed 51 yeas, 7 nays, and 13 present. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• , I pay them a per diem, and then they take the calls that normally a Lewiston trooper would take.
• They got 3% on part of their pay, not all of their pay.
• , you'll pay your house off seven years earlier, whatever the number is.
• So now what we're asking is for local governments to pay the bill, at least in part.
• Of course, having the need to increase the pay, I recognize that.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 959, which would adjust levy limits and related property tax provisions for fire and EMS districts affected by prior tax changes. Senator O’Conniewicz and fire district officials said the bill is needed because fire and EMS districts rely heavily on property tax and are struggling to keep up with growth and operating costs. The Idaho Home Builders Association and the Association of Idaho Cities both supported the bill, with cities noting it would provide needed relief for emergency services even if broader tax fixes are still being sought. The committee moved and passed a motion to send HB 959 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 706, which would allow cities to permit single-stair apartment buildings in limited circumstances if additional life-safety and design standards are met. Supporters, including Senator Robbie, an architect, and a private citizen, argued the bill could lower construction costs, help infill development, and create more affordable “missing middle” housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other requirements. Fire officials and the Association of Idaho Cities opposed the bill, warning that a single stair reduces redundancy for evacuation and firefighter access and could create risks in fires or active shooter situations. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to send HB 706 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Anthon and Adams recorded as no votes. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 967, a compromise measure to increase funding for Idaho State Police compensation by shifting $4 million total, including $2 million from liquor funds that would otherwise go to cities and counties. Senator Lakey and Colonel Gardner said ISP has severe staffing shortages, especially among mid-level troopers, and needs a funding fix to remain competitive and retain officers; the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police also supported the bill. Cities, including the mayor of Moscow and the Association of Idaho Cities, opposed the measure because it would reduce local revenue used for police, fire, and EMS, and argued the state should use other funding sources instead. Several senators expressed concern about the impact on cities but said they felt compelled to support a compromise for ISP, and the committee ultimately passed the motion to send HB 967 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with recorded no votes from Senators Robbie and Riggs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And after 53 years of marriage, I can tell you I pay attention.
• the piper to get access to these benefits that they've earned and shouldn't have to pay for them.
• And I worry then that we're not only creating a pay gate for veterans to get the benefits that they've
• Well, he's paying less than taxes. But it's the benefit that's occurring to the surviving spouse.
• That company doesn't pay them.

Keywords: 959, house, all