Transcript Highlights:

• It adds a new subsection allowing the county commission of a county where a CVB is located to appoint
• For any multi-county CVBs, the county commission of each of the counties that are included within the
• This bill clarifies the authority and responsibilities of the State Chief Information Security Officer
• unsanitary structures and for planning or improvement of property owned by municipalities and county commissions
• unsanitary structures and for planning or improvement of property owned by municipalities and county commissions

Committee: Senate Government Organization

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stating findings of the legislature and supporting consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission
• The speaker explained that the state tax commission began preparing implementation of the legislation
• Constitution's preamble: 'We, the people of the state of Idaho, grateful to God Almighty for our freedom, to secure
• House Revenue and Taxation Committee has received and reviewed all pending rules from the State Tax Commission
• regarding sales tax and the State Tax Commission.

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The Idaho State Historical Society then gave its annual presentation, highlighting artifacts tied to the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and Idaho statehood, along with remarks about the importance of civic history and public understanding. The House also received Senate messages transmitting Senate Concurrent Resolutions 115 and 116 and Senate Bills 1234 and 1239, and it reported several committee actions, including the enrollment of House Bill 559 to the governor and the printing and referral of House Bills 606 through 611. On the floor, the House considered and passed House Bill 551, which addresses urban renewal districts and fire and ambulance district budget authority, and House Bill 526, which expands a small-seller exemption for certain food sales. House Bill 544, increasing Guard and Reserve leave from 120 to 160 hours, also passed. House Joint Memorial 11, urging Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, passed after debate over federal funding commitments and fiscal concerns. House Joint Resolution 7, which would have sent a constitutional question to voters on repealing Idaho’s sectarian appropriations ban, failed to reach the required two-thirds threshold. The House also advanced a large batch of new bills for first reading, including measures on solar energy, polling place liability insurance, mental health and developmental disability detention standards, disturbing the peace, architects, programmable money, fire insurer transparency, wildfire risk mitigation, county commissioner powers, concealed weapons, Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, a daily moment of silence in schools, and aggregated student data on immigration status and nationality. Senate Bill 1225 was sent to third reading, and House Joint Memorial 12 was held one legislative day. The chamber then filed committee letters approving pending administrative rules, made a temporary change to the third reading calendar order, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Where's our security? >> Hey, Richard, could you do it?
• But all it does is extend the probationary period for county commission from 6 months to one year.
• extends the probationary period<00:09:29.279><c> for</c><00:09:29.600><c> county</c><00:09:29.920><c> commission
• </c><00:09:30.399><c> from</c><00:09:30.800><c> 6</c> period for county commission from 6 period for
• county commission from 6 months<00:09:31.680><c> to</c><00:09:31.920><c> one</c><00:09:32.160><c> year

Committee: House Tuscaloosa County Legislation

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stating findings of the Legislature and supporting consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission
• The State Tax Commission began preparing implementation of the legislation and discovered that fire and
• Constitution's preamble: 'We, the people of the state of Idaho, grateful to God Almighty for our freedom to secure
• House Revenue and Taxation Committee has received and reviewed all pending rules from the State Tax Commission
• regarding sales tax and the State Tax Commission.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> For security concerns are in gress egress.
• A person who violates this provision is subject to penalties by the Florida Commission on ethics.
• Section 2 of the bill deals with fines imposed by the Commission on Ethics for any violation of the Florida
• This bill is recommended by the commission on Ethics in consultation with the attorney general.
• See Harry Stoneman Florida Commission on ethics waiving in support. Thank you.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Cal Grant Program is a financial aid program administered by the California Student Aid Commission
• coordinating commission, that would be really important for us to be part of.
• Schools can be a key factor in spreading life-saving information about secure firearm storage.
• This bill will also make the information about secure storage laws easier to understand.
• This bill will also make the information about secure storage laws easier to understand.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and so— Discretionary review process with hearings, a trip to the planning commission, and such.
• So whether you are struggling in trying to secure housing or you're able to afford fair market rents,
• When funding is already secured and providers are ready to help the people who are homeless and disabled
• committee to amend the bill to preserve some local authority to require an on-site supervisor, a security
• to ensure...' " Michael Lilliquist continued: "...to ensure and improve the safety and personal security

Summary: The Housing Committee held work sessions on federal Continuum of Care homelessness funding and on state step-housing siting rules before moving into public hearings on House Bill 2266 and House Bill 2489. Commerce staff said HUD’s late and restrictive Continuum of Care funding notice put about $120 million a year in Washington operating support for existing homeless housing projects at risk, but a lawsuit led by the Attorney General forced HUD to restart renewal funding. Commerce also reviewed how local governments are implementing step-housing requirements, including model ordinances, planning updates, and ongoing compliance reviews under recent state law. House Bill 2266 would require cities and counties to allow step housing in all nonindustrial zones, apply the same permitting and environmental review as other residential uses, limit design review to administrative processes, and remove certain local standards and conditions on existing buildings and affordable housing. Supporters, including Plymouth Housing, Disability Rights Washington, King County, the Attorney General’s Office, and Catholic Community Services, argued the bill would reduce discriminatory barriers, protect people with disabilities, and make it easier to site shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. Several city representatives and the Association of Washington Cities opposed or sought amendments, saying the bill was too broad and could limit local authority over operational agreements, safety plans, spacing, community engagement, and funding conditions; some asked for clearer carveouts for emergency shelters and related uses. House Bill 2489 would bar local governments from enforcing public-space anti-camping or similar laws unless adequate alternative shelter space is available, with “life-sustaining activities” and “adequate alternative shelter space” defined in detail. Rep. Gregerson said the bill would create a statewide floor and prevent punishment for survival conduct when no real shelter option exists. The ACLU, service providers, and shelter operators supported the bill, citing displacement from fragmented local ordinances, enforcement costs, and the need to align enforcement with actual shelter availability. Testimony also described low-barrier shelter operations and examples of people stabilizing once housed. The hearing on HB 2489 began with staff explanation and initial testimony; no votes were taken on either bill in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on what planning commission you have and what city council you have, that's how your planning
• with a developer being able to find how they are able to fund the building, and that is through securing
• When a construction loan is secured, it sets everything else in motion.
• funding for being able to propel forward with their development, it is on the contingency that you secure
• Because again, up front, you know, that a lot of people forget that it's not just securing the loan,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . $20 million for public school hardening, $20 million for security in Jewish Day schools. $2.5 million
• for a new grant program to support technology-based security enhancements in public and charter schools
• Lastly, the proposed budget provides funding to improve campus security in our post-secondary institutions
• The $4.5 million is for election security. Thank you, Mr. President.
• All of that is the same pot of money, the Election Crime and Security Office. Jared Segley.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and environmental/agricultural programs. Major items discussed included school funding increases, workforce and university investments, Medicaid and child welfare funding, corrections operating deficits, housing and hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and state employee compensation. Members asked detailed questions about several budget items. In education, senators discussed teacher salaries, declining enrollment supplements, scholarship funding growth, and charter school capital outlay. In higher education, they asked about Bright Futures, New College funding, and the EASE grant program. In health and human services, senators focused on the iBudget waiver, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, the ADAP HIV drug program, and the use of opioid settlement funds. In criminal justice, questions centered on DOC deficits, inmate health care and food service costs, public defender and state attorney funding, and whether the budget would prevent the need for National Guard support. In environmental and state agency budgets, senators discussed Florida Forever land acquisition, conservation easements, cultural grants, the Emergency Management Trust Fund, and election security funding. After the budget presentations and questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments to place Senate language onto the House vehicles for conference. The chamber passed HB 5001, the appropriations bill, by a 36-0 vote and agreed to conference. It also passed the implementing bill, collective bargaining and state employee bills, retirement legislation, fuel tax and SLERS bills, the court trust fund bill, judicial certification bill, K-12 and higher education conforming bills, and other related measures, generally by unanimous votes. Several motions were adopted to request the House to pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures timely, fair, and secure elections and guarantees that no community is left without representation
• it's important, but I think that when we have the mechanism in place to fully determine, in order to secure
• The League of Women Voters shares this body's goal of ensuring fair, accessible, and secure elections
• The League of Women Voters shares this body's goal of ensuring fair, accessible, and secure elections
• in Florida. shares this body's goal of ensuring fair, accessible, and secure elections in Florida.

Bills: S0460 , S0748 , S1180 , S1334

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a way to enhance energy security in the state, and that we are unified in our attempt to look at
• It is a way to enhance energy security in the state, and that we are unified in our attempt to look at
• in the state enhance energy um Security in the state and<00:04:58.560><c> that</c><00:04:58.759><c>
• First on our testifiers list we have Leoon from the Public Utilities Commission. thank<00:18:00.880><
• I'm Ashley Norman, on behalf of Leo Ascension from the Public Utilities Commission.

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended. Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, this is the bill that amends the secured transaction provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code to
• indicate who is authorized to file with the filing office, and there are provisions that require a secured
• indicate who is authorized to file filing with the filing office and there are provisions that require a secured
• party to file a term file a termination statement when if a secured party to file a termination statement
• for law enforcement officers and prosecutors are made contingent on the Criminal Justice Training Commission

Bills: HB2548 , HB2453 , HB2640 , HB2095 , HB2386 , HB2239

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: health care market standards, hospital consolidation, merger review, health care transaction notice, attorney general review, antitrust, provider organizations, hospital systems, contracting affiliation, material change, nonprofit conversion, for-profit conversion, health care acquisition, asset sale, Washington RCW, health care competition, price transparency, market oversight, premerger notification, antitrust revolving fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Holt was commissioned through Northeastern State University ROTC program in May 1990 as a field artillery
• momentum going by uniting around three principles: reduce regulation, protect the vulnerable, and secure
• President Trump is championing a pathway to secure the American Dream for the next generation.
• We're securing it for the next generation.
• It's time to eliminate the OSSAA and secure our progress with open transfer.

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370 , HB2937 , HB3419 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3267 , HB3268 , HB3310 , HB4311 , HB3841 , HB3024 , HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• I look at the House here, and we had concerns over safety and security, and what did we do as a group
• The House Capital Security Commission decided that we would have more people that were able to defend
• </c><00:21:52.880><c> and</c> concerns over safety and security and concerns over safety and security
• The house the capital<00:21:57.919><c> security</c><00:21:58.320><c> commission</c><00:21:58.799><c>
• decided</c><00:21:59.200><c> that</c> capital security commission decided that capital security commission

Bills: HF4362 , HF4252 , HF4440

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun rights, gun control, campus safety, public college, university, postsecondary institution, higher education, visitor carry, concealed carry, open carry, campus policy, Minnesota Statutes 624.714, petty misdemeanor, parking lot carry, firearm possession, public safety, college campus, student carry

Transcript Highlights:

• a permit from the commission in order to move forward.
• </c><00:19:29.200><c> a</c> supply chain before they can secure a supply chain before they can secure
• Thank you for the opportunity security.
• </c> operating, offering financial security operating, offering financial security to<00:58:25.359><c
• Um, I am on the planning commission for Goodhue County. Just full disclosure.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• today, we're going to be going over three different topics: the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission
• today, we're going to be going over three different topics: the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission
• Moving on to our next: Commission for Behavioral Health. Thank you for joining us today. Thank you.
• Moving on to our next: Commission for Behavioral Health. Good morning.
• Brenda Graylish, Executive Officer for the Commission for Behavioral Health.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• housed in the state patrol to Security housed in the state patrol to provide<00:25:39.600><c> security
• </c><00:46:55.040><c> and</c> about increasing the the security and about increasing the the security
• </c><00:54:14.319><c> And</c> non-public schools for security. And non-public schools for security.
• So this um for additional security.
• </c> the additional capital security the additional capital security personnel<01:08:46.319><c> we</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our attorneys got involved, and after months, we finally secured an agreement where the school district
• ... ...got involved, and after months, finally secured an agreement where the school district paid for
• would work with several of you on this, to have a full new Chapter 70 or school funding formula commission
• We should have a full commission so that, within that, we would say: what is the true contribution ability
• would work with several of you on this to have a full new chapter 70 or school funding formula commission

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with most testimony focused on two main topics: improving access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for students with disabilities, and raising educator pay statewide. On the AAC bills (House 514/Senate 418), parents, advocates, and attorneys described how AAC devices and communication books help nonverbal or minimally verbal children communicate, participate in class, and reduce frustration and behavioral issues. Testimony emphasized that while districts are generally required to provide devices, many teachers and school staff lack training to use them effectively; the bill would direct DESE to update licensure and training requirements so newly licensed teachers are prepared to support AAC users. Committee members asked about current teacher-prep practices, implementation, and whether DESE could act without legislation, and witnesses said the proposal was intended as a long-term solution and had previously received some support and compromise language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House 733/Senate 370, which would set a statewide minimum salary of $70,000 for teachers and $55,000 for education support professionals (ESPs/paras), with inflation adjustments and a phase-in structure that would shift costs over time from the state to municipalities. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, MTA leaders, and school employees from several districts, argued that current pay is not a living wage, contributes to staffing shortages and turnover, and forces many educators to work multiple jobs or rely on public assistance. They said the bill would help recruit and retain staff and better reflect the importance of the work. Committee members raised questions about how the state would fund the mandate, how it would interact with Chapter 70 school aid and local budgets, whether other states have similar mechanisms, and whether the proposal could create disincentives for districts already paying above the floor. Witnesses pointed to the Student Opportunity Act, the Fair Share Amendment, and the need for a broader school funding formula review as possible parts of the solution. The committee also briefly heard and discussed Senate Bill 435/House Bill 736, which would require de-escalation training for school bus operators, with the training paid for by employers. The sponsor and a parent advocate said the bill was prompted by a school bus incident involving a child with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and would improve safety and reduce reliance on law enforcement. Members asked whether the bill should also cover bus monitors and other transportation staff, and whether private contractors and public operators currently provide similar training. At the end of the hearing, the chairs closed testimony on the full list of bills and adjourned the hearing without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nevertheless, the statute is very specific in that it says commissioned police officers.
• And the commission, we talked about it.
• And the commission, we talked about it.
• Members, this establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law
• laws, the duties and powers include identifying and prioritizing resources to improve safety and security

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nevertheless, the statute is very specific in that it says commissioned police officers.
• I'm Randy Davis, one of the assistant commission.
• And the commission, we talked about it.
• Members, this establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law
• laws, the duties and powers include identifying and prioritizing resources to improve safety and security

Bills: HB12 , HB145 , HB222 , HB291 , HB430 , HB821 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB979 , HB1193

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits