Transcript Highlights:

• And so in that way, preclearance is designed to be preventative, right?
• And so in that way, preclearance is designed to be preventative, right?
• First of all, by any metric, does Washington State meet the measure of the histories of discriminatory
• And how can you measure that? Well, we can measure it just by voter turnout in Sunnyside alone.
• But you can also measure that by even getting them—if you see our local city council meetings, if you

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They raised it three feet to prevent some of this flooding at the port of entry.
• And again, we have other projects that are working on the north side of Columbus to prevent flooding
• Either special appropriations or reintroduction of our bonding bill as a potential measure that she may
• Here, listening to some of the things that Arizona does for dust control measures, I think that we need
• And so I just wanted to mention that because there are—there's a whole group of dust control measures

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the bill we heard previously that deals with wildfire prevention and mitigation at wells
• There's a risk of greenwashing and junk credits if baseline estimations... ...are inadequately measured
• Also, the surface landowner cannot. ...be prevented from accessing their property by being locked out
• They're not actually providing the Railroad Commission a set of specific plans and measures that are
• Like, do they actually get into the part where we believe these measures...?

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• What are the ways they really prevent harms and protect their children online?
• The National Crime Prevention Council estimates that 8 and 10 fentanyl overdose deaths are connected
• How should we measure where the platforms are actually safer? Reducing harm.
• They can prevent harms, but they can't fully prevent harms because they're reactive to what kids are
• Can we really create those kinds of benchmarks and measures?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB5450 by Lawson relates to the establishment of an advisory committee on preventable deaths in county
• HB5528 by Ladderback relates to the establishment of the Texas Law Enforcement Crisis Prevention Task
• AG5573 by Bohac relates to the prevention of fraud and waste for the Committee on State Affairs.
• HB5611 by Oliverson relates to the authority of an emergency service district to provide preventative
• HB5614 by Rose relates to the establishment of a grant program for preventing violence and substance

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does improve care coordination and prevents unnecessary isolation of respondents from family
• Family provided much support and filed a care petition as a hopeful path to prevent continued deterioration
• I don't think inflation is a good measure of that which homeowners associations have, even as operating
• It's a common-sense transparency measure that reduces avoidable costs, improves efficiency, and supports
• Housing-related pet relinquishment is a significant driver of preventable intake that places ongoing

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on health care planning, mental health court participation, homeowners association governance, groundwater enforcement, pet-policy disclosure in rentals, and post-disaster property speculation. SB 1088 would update California’s POLST and DNR laws by renaming POLST to Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, allowing electronic signatures, clarifying who may sign on a patient’s behalf, and making clear that these forms are voluntary; it drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and no opposition. SB 1242 would let original family petitioners participate in CARE Court for care coordination and information-sharing, while preserving judicial discretion to exclude them if harmful; supporters said it would improve treatment coordination, while Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and a removal of patient consent. The committee advanced SB 1242 on a 7-0 vote, with the bill placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1007, which would require more HOA budget transparency, disclosure of evidence for violations, and a lower cap on regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote. Supporters argued it would improve accountability and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while HOA industry groups warned it could undermine funding for insurance, maintenance, and other operating costs. Members raised concerns about the cap and the need for flexibility for large expenses; the bill passed 6-1 and was placed on call. SB 1364, as amended, would prevent a person convicted of sexual assault from obtaining custody or visitation of a child conceived from that assault, while preserving the possibility of voluntary co-parenting and aiming to qualify California for federal grant funding; it passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Later, SB 997 would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and its groundwater sustainability plan, addressing an enforcement gap for a GSA created by special legislation rather than a joint powers agreement. It drew support from agricultural and county groups and passed 9-0, placed on call. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front on applications, websites, and ads, and allow refund of an application fee if disclosure was not provided before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted application costs and pet relinquishment, while rental housing groups said the ad disclosure requirements were impractical. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. The final bill, SB 1090, was introduced to prohibit large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire-disaster areas, responding to investor activity after the Eaton and Palisades fires; the author and a SAGE witness described it as a protection against disaster capitalism and predatory low offers to displaced residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea here is what are preventative things that we should be doing to address the same as we do with
• </c> The idea here is what are preventative The idea here is what are preventative things<00:07:14.200
• 00:09:57.840><c> it's</c><00:09:58.000><c> a</c><00:09:58.040><c> duplicative</c><00:09:58.800><c> measure
• </c><00:09:59.640><c> We</c> underline it's a duplicative measure.
• We underline it's a duplicative measure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, number one, children are really smart and able to kind of get around most compliance measures.
• So number one, children are really smart and able to kind of get around most compliance measures.
• It was designed to prevent one wasn't just designed to remove local control over yet another thing.
• It was designed to prevent one city from flying one flag.
• it appears to be have the effect of preventing judicial review.

Summary: Senate State Affairs began by taking up HCR 31, a resolution honoring former Representative Lyndon Bateman. Senator Anthon, Tess Molitor, and former Lieutenant Governor David Leroy spoke in tribute, describing Bateman’s long legislative service, his work on Idaho Day, his advocacy for cursive and Idaho history, and his humor and letter-writing. The committee moved HCR 31 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, and the motion carried. The committee then heard gubernatorial appointments to the State Building Authority from Nicholas Gouho and Todd Christensen, both of whom outlined extensive backgrounds in construction, development, finance, and public service. The committee also considered and approved confirmations for Robert Donaldson and Irving Littman to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, sending both to the floor with recommendations for confirmation. Several RS requests were introduced and sent to print, including measures on liability protections for polling places, a legislative salary reduction resolution, revisions to 340B drug reporting, surveyor access, and cremation identification requirements. The committee also advanced HB 637 on gold and silver legal tender, HB 573 expanding who may teach enhanced concealed carry courses, and HB 561 on government flag displays. HB 542, the social media bill aimed at limiting addictive features and requiring age estimation and parental controls for minors, drew extensive testimony both for and against; after debate over the effective date and private cause of action, the committee sent it to the 14th order for possible amendments rather than directly to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a consumer protection measure protecting Texans from cities increasing fees on every one
• to make sure you're at 65 decibels, going from, I guess in the daytime from 75 and when they're measuring
• We do all we can do to prevent that, but I don't think this is all... adding up so I love this bill all
• there a way that you could work, do you think it's possible to work with to ensure that it doesn't prevent
• And this will prevent their home address home telephone number emergency contact information number and

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Electronic signatures can actually improve fraud prevention by creating clear authentication and audit
• clear prevention by creating clear authentication<00:37:57.520><c> and</c><00:37:57.760><c> audit</c
• </c><01:03:55.599><c> Distracted</c> were entirely preventable.
• Distracted were entirely preventable.
• </c> sustainable measures in place. sustainable measures in place.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to also preface my comments by thanking our Speaker for his boldness in bringing this measure
• So I'm happy to stand here today to, one, ask my colleagues to support this important measure because
• I-67 no zero on the measure.
• The measure passes immediate transmittal to the Senate. on the measure, the measure passes immediate
• I can still say that in a calm and measured way. It was disastrous.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Paulson, committee members, I think this could probably be prevented by...
• Additionally, 42 districts reported that they actively monitor or measure food waste.
• And over time, these adjustments prevent overproduction and reduce waste. All right.
• If this measure should pass in November, right? So we're stuck with $133 million. That's correct.
• I heard you guys measuring it in your minds here.

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Passing the bill to the Omnibus Bill would not prevent any member of LCPR from asking those questions
• c><00:02:21.240><c> Bill</c><00:02:21.440><c> would</c><00:02:21.600><c> not</c><00:02:21.800><c> prevent
• </c> to the Omnibus Bill would not prevent to the Omnibus Bill would not prevent any<00:02:22.400><c>
• It doesn't change the way that the disability is measured other than the fact that it changes it from
• </c><01:13:20.400><c> impact</c> have any significant measurable impact have any significant measurable

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Suicide prevention should never be political. It's a public health responsibility.
• Last year, national funding for a 988 LGBTQ+ suicide prevention line was cut, shutting down a lifeline
• Suicide prevention must be taken seriously, but not be driven by what I would call caustic compassion
• AB 2424 is a measure that will provide the necessary oversight for the California Lifeline program to
• prevent systemic abuse and fraud in its administrative process.

Summary: The Communications and Conveyance Committee heard several bills focused on telecommunications, emergency response, and digital access. AB 1540 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez would restore the 988 “press 3” option for LGBTQ+ youth crisis support, with strong support from suicide prevention advocates, mental health organizations, local governments, and family groups, and opposition from groups arguing it politicizes crisis services and raises safety concerns. Members emphasized the bill’s life-saving purpose and noted it would depend on federal approval. The committee voted AB 1540 out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, including AB 2093 and AB 2193, both sent to Appropriations. AB 1832 by Assemblymember Ransom, as amended, would expand and stabilize statewide 211 services through a state fund, a community needs dashboard, and integration into emergency planning; supporters described 211’s role during disasters and service gaps in many counties, and the bill passed unanimously as amended to Appropriations. AB 2289, the chair’s bill, would create an Office of Broadband and Digital Equity, consolidate broadband programs, and narrow CPUC jurisdiction to voice communications; TURN and CWA District 9 opposed the regulatory changes but acknowledged shared goals, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2424 by Assemblymember Carrillo would create a new low-income telecommunications advisory board to oversee California Lifeline and address fraud and oversight concerns. Supporters said the board would add needed telecommunications expertise and improve access for low-income and immigrant communities, while opponents argued an existing advisory structure already serves that role and warned of added costs and surcharges. After discussion, the committee voted AB 2424 out on a 7-2 vote to Appropriations. The meeting concluded after all listed bills were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the conclusion of MIT's Election Performance Index, which is a nonpartisan measure that evaluates
• , or a voter who has experienced intimidation, as it's defined in the election code, or has been prevented
• clerk or a voter who has experienced intimidation as it's defined in the election code or has been prevented
• from voting due to obstruction or disturbance of the polling place as a code or has been prevented from
• They're going to vote; nothing in here would apply to prevent them from doing so.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a bill aimed at protecting New Mexico elections from outside interference and codifying emergency election procedures. The sponsor argued New Mexico already ranks first nationally in election administration, but said the bill was needed in response to threats of federal interference, including possible deployment of federal agents at polling places. The bill would create state prohibitions on stationing troops or armed federal personnel at polling places, interfering with election workers or voters, or changing voter qualifications or election rules contrary to state law. It would also create civil enforcement authority for the Attorney General, Secretary of State, county clerks, or affected voters, with injunctions and civil penalties, and make violations a fourth-degree felony. A second major section would allow emergency changes to polling locations and voting procedures during declared disasters such as wildfires or floods without first obtaining a court order, including use of mobile voting units and secure online ballot return options for some voters. The Secretary of State’s office said these procedures were already largely in rule and that the fiscal impact would be minimal, with existing voter education materials and law enforcement guides covering implementation. The office also said the bill would extend who may request law enforcement assistance and strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language and a new offense for intentionally obstructing access to a polling place. Committee members raised concerns about definitions, possible effects on military personnel, police, federal officers, county clerks, tribal jurisdictions, and polling places on federal property, as well as the scope of civil penalties and how intent would be proven. Several members questioned whether the bill was rushed, whether all analyses had been received, and whether the emergency provisions could disadvantage rural communities if notice requirements could not be met during disasters. The sponsor and Secretary of State representative responded that the bill would not prevent qualified voters, including military members, from voting, that local police were treated differently from federal personnel, and that courts would determine intent and appropriate defendants. No vote was taken; the chair said the hearing was being held as a subcommittee and would reconvene later, likely the next day, for a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about preventing system collapse while preserving meaningful oversight and remedies for children
• From prevention programs, supported housing, to child welfare case management, youth crisis shelters,
• It is about preventing system collapse while preserving meaningful oversight and remedies for children
• House Bill 529 does not prevent future accountability reforms it ensures that there is a system left
• And obviously, so much work is done to prevent a claim from being filed in the first place and that is

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest landowners on our own do a lot to try to prevent wildfires and reduce their impact on the landscape
• Fire or Forest Fire Association whose goal was to protect landowner investments in forest land by preventing
• Forest landowners on our own do a lot to try and prevent wildfires and to reduce their impact on the
• The cost of treating our lands and forests to prevent the next catastrophic wildfire is pennies compared
• And it doesn't show up necessarily as a headline or any kind of thing that we can actually measure right

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 29, 2026, to consider a gubernatorial appointment, three public hearings, and two executive-session bills. Kristen L. Frazier was introduced as the governor’s appointee to the Board of Tax Appeals. She described her background in legislative fiscal analysis, constitutional law, and tax adjudication, and said the board is working on faster residential review and settlement processes. Members praised her service and said the appointment would be voted on at a future meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5893, which would transfer $65 million from the Natural Climate Solutions Account to the Wildfire Response, Forest Restoration, and Community Resilience Account to fully fund wildfire response and forest health work. Committee staff explained the Climate Commitment Act funding source and the account history, and the Department of Natural Resources said the money would support forest health treatments, firefighting readiness, and partner pass-throughs. Forest industry representatives and DNR supported the bill, arguing wildfire work reduces emissions, protects communities, and prevents larger future costs; one member questioned why DNR had not submitted a decision package for the funding. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 6229, which would subject gains from the sale of qualified small business stock to Washington’s capital gains tax. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers, raise about $1.2 million in fiscal year 2027, and cost the Department of Revenue about $1.1 million over four years to implement. Startup founders, venture capital and tech industry representatives opposed the bill, warning it would discourage investment, founders, and job creation in Washington; a Budget and Policy Center witness supported it as a way to make the tax code less regressive and argued the exemption mainly benefits the wealthiest taxpayers. The committee also heard House Bill 1376, which would allow taxpayers to prepay capital gains tax up to six months early without interest on any later refund; staff said it had no revenue impact and a small administrative cost, and the lone public witness opposed it as penalizing success. In executive session, the committee received a briefing on the proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5395 on prior authorization transparency and AI use in health care, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5860 regarding school board compensation. The committee adopted the proposed second substitute for SB 5395 and voted it out of committee with a do pass recommendation to the Rules Committee, subject to signatures. Substitute SB 5860 was moved out of committee without recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• they become vulnerable to abuse from certain parties, that's a prime example of what we're trying to prevent
• they become vulnerable to abuse from certain parties, that's a prime example of what we're trying to prevent
• , and we're happy to work through some of the things, there's a lot of things that can be done to prevent
• for this 15-plus years, we can show you that this is unnecessary, that there's things we can do to prevent
• before the introduction of this bill because of some of the good measures that the department already

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee first heard SB 410, which would add current and former licensed private investigators, and their spouses and children, to the list of people whose home address, phone number, date of birth, photographs, and related family information are exempt from public records disclosure. Sponsor Senator Trunow said the exemption is meant to protect investigators who work on sensitive matters such as fraud, missing persons, human trafficking, and abuse cases and may face retaliation. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee heard testimony from a private investigator describing threats and safety concerns, then voted to report the bill favorably as CS/SB 410. The committee then took up SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility verification. Senator McClain said the bill is intended to combat unemployment fraud by requiring claimants to contact five prospective employers per week, appear for scheduled interviews, and undergo regular identity, immigration, employment, and incarceration checks, with fraud information shared among agencies and published annually. Opponents, including labor advocates and representatives of construction and rural workers, argued the bill would add barriers for legitimate claimants, worsen Florida’s already low recipiency rate, and create problems for seasonal, rural, and transportation-limited workers. Supporters said the system needs stronger fraud controls and that employers and taxpayers bear real costs from noncompliance. The committee reported SB 216 favorably after debate. In routine open-government sunset review business, the committee approved two committee bills. SPB 7014 extends for five years a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of a social media standards law, with staff noting the exemption has not been used because of ongoing constitutional litigation. SPB 7016 preserves a public records exemption for certain financial information held by an economic development agency when administering state or federally funded small business loan programs; supporters said the exemption protects applicants from fraud and harassment, while Senator Smith said he would vote no to remain consistent with his prior opposition. Both measures were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the measure for three reasons and have two suggestions to strengthen it.
• Homeline supports this measure also because of the calls we receive.
• also because of supports this measure also because of the<00:39:47.440><c> calls</c><00:39:47.720><c
• Again, the northern counties have some of the most pristine lakes, and we're really trying to prevent
• </c> representation at its core this measure representation at its core this measure adds<01:01:17.280

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This first one is a transfer of $716,000 into our aquifer monitoring and measuring fund.
• This first one is a transfer of $716,000 into our aquifer monitoring and measuring fund.
• That money is used to support about and measuring fund.
• We will look to get a measurement device order in place there in the coming months.
• We also have a program for telemetry measurement and monitoring.

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33154, introduced by Senator Tammy Nichols, which would update Idaho’s cloud seeding statute with clearer definitions, authorizations, and reporting requirements. Nichols said the proposal was a refinement of a bill from the prior session, did not create or expand a program, and had no fiscal impact, but would improve transparency and public accountability for existing cloud seeding operations. The committee moved to send the RS to print. The Idaho Department of Water Resources then presented zero-based rulemaking for Water District 34 in the Big Lost River Basin (docket 37-0312-2-250). Matt Anders explained that the changes were largely clarifying and reducing unnecessary language, with substantive edits in definitions, river reach descriptions, allocation of natural flow, and timing/administration provisions. He said the rule text was reduced by 484 words and that the committee approved the docket after a brief question about winter stock water use. Director Matt Weaver gave an agency update covering budget holdbacks, the new Water Administration Bureau, groundwater and delivery-call administration on the Eastern Snake Plain, Treasure Valley groundwater conditions, the Bear River Compact, and the proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into IDWR. He described ongoing curtailment and mitigation efforts, new groundwater district work in tributary basins, and concerns about staffing experience and workload. Committee members asked about groundwater district participation, Bear River water rights, and the effects of canal efficiency projects and Bear Lake storage; no votes were taken on the update. Jeff Raybould of the Idaho Water Resource Board reported on revisions to the state water plan, major water project funding, recharge and cloud seeding programs, aging infrastructure grants, and regional sustainability projects. He said the board had submitted state water plan changes tied to the ESPA settlement and a higher recharge target, and discussed projects such as the Anderson Ranch Dam raise, Priest Lake work, and the Twin Falls Canal Company lining project. Members questioned Bear Lake storage and how canal efficiency savings would affect groundwater demand, but no formal action was taken on the board presentation.