Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> we</c><00:22:00.240><c> do</c><00:22:00.720><c> if</c><00:22:01.200><c> retail</c><00:22:
• ><c> deadline</c><00:22:07.280><c> but</c><00:22:07.520><c> it</c><00:22:07.840><c> is</c><00:22:08.000
• I<00:22:10.000><c> can</c><00:22:10.240><c> tell</c><00:22:10.400><c> you</c><00:22:10.640><c> for</c
• records.<01:22:04.560><c> But</c><01:22:04.719><c> that's</c><01:22:05.040><c> not</c><01:22:05.280>
• <01:22:15.760><c> explicitly</c><01:22:16.480><c> states</c><01:22:17.040><c> that</c><01:22:17.360><

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:55.720><c> and</c><00:22:56.400><c> in</c><00:22:56.640><c> many</c><00:22:56.919><c> cases
• ><01:22:01.679><c> of</c><01:22:01.880><c> and</c><01:22:01.960><c> I</c><01:22:02.080><c> talked</c>
• <01:22:02.760><c> bit</c><01:22:03.199><c> to</c><01:22:03.679><c> to</c><01:22:03.880><c> people</c>
• ><01:22:04.840><c> who</c><01:22:04.960><c> know</c><01:22:05.080><c> more</c><01:22:05.239><c> about
• ><01:22:09.679><c> credits</c><01:22:10.120><c> have</c><01:22:10.280><c> like</c><01:22:10.400><c> a

Bills: HF1 , HF779 , HF1034

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• against</c><01:22:05.040><c> the</c><01:22:05.239><c> retailer</c><01:22:05.840><c> having</c><01:22
• ><01:22:09.880><c> blaming</c><01:22:10.199><c> the</c><01:22:10.280><c> total</c><01:22:10.639><c> wine
• they<01:22:11.440><c> have</c><01:22:11.679><c> their</c><01:22:12.520><c> I</c><01:22:12.800><c> the
• 14.400><c> and</c><01:22:14.639><c> I</c><01:22:14.920><c> I</c><01:22:15.040><c> don't</c><01:22:15.280
• I don't blame them uh<01:22:16.560><c> I</c><01:22:16.639><c> mean</c><01:22:16.800><c> I'm</c><01:22

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> because</c><00:22:02.320><c> they're</c><00:22:02.559><c> too</c><00:22:02.720><c> busy</c><00:22
• :03.600><c> jobs</c><00:22:04.159><c> in</c><00:22:04.400><c> my</c><00:22:04.720><c> reason</c><00:22
• They're not<00:22:07.760><c> for</c><00:22:07.919><c> this</c><00:22:08.159><c> bill</c><00:22:08.880
• ><c> and</c><00:22:09.039><c> I</c><00:22:09.280><c> got</c><00:22:09.440><c> a</c><00:22:09.600><c>
• </c><00:22:18.400><c> in</c><00:22:18.559><c> a</c><00:22:18.720><c> house</c><00:22:19.360><c> that<

Bills: SB2033 , SB2487 , SB2497 , SB2471 , SB2829

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m. The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted. A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> format</c><00:22:03.520><c> uh</c><00:22:03.640><c> as</c><00:22:03.760><c> we</c><00:22:03.880><
• </c><00:22:20.440><c> so</c><00:22:20.760><c> limiting</c><00:22:21.720><c> this</c><00:22:21.880><c>
• when we<00:22:26.279><c> know</c><00:22:26.440><c> that</c><00:22:26.559><c> it</c><00:22:26.640><c>
• supportive<00:22:31.840><c> of</c><00:22:31.919><c> this</c><00:22:32.039><c> Bill</c><00:22:32.240>
• > it</c><00:22:33.520><c> uh</c><00:22:33.640><c> and</c><00:22:33.799><c> thank</c><00:22:33.919><c>

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32.480><c> that</c><00:22:32.720><c> it</c><00:22:32.880><c> was</c><00:22:33.039><c> for</c><00:22:
• it was for religious purposes that<00:22:34.559><c> he</c><00:22:34.720><c> was</c><00:22:34.880><c>
• 00:22:39.520><c> why</c><00:22:39.679><c> he</c><00:22:39.840><c> was</c><00:22:39.919><c> growing</c
• didn't</c><00:22:42.240><c> say</c><00:22:43.200><c> they</c><00:22:43.440><c> didn't</c><00:22:43.679
• <00:22:46.159><c> growing</c><00:22:46.400><c> it</c><00:22:46.640><c> for</c><00:22:46.799><c> his</

Summary: Division 3 of House Finance met in a continued work session on Senate Bill 118, with no LBA present. The chair reviewed the bill’s complicated history: it began as a short Senate bill, was expanded in the Senate to address Hampstead Hospital and related contracts, and was later amended by the House Health and Human Services Committee to add the substance of House Bill 53, which would allow home cultivation of cannabis for therapeutic use. Members also discussed the bill’s timing against upcoming legislative deadlines and the available options, including recommending it ought to pass, retaining it, ITL, or amending it. A member asked about the $160,000 appropriation tied to Hampstead Hospital employees. Deputy Commissioner Marissa Hen explained that most of the money would cover accrued time owed to a small number of employees who transitioned through multiple staffing arrangements at the hospital, and the rest would honor previously promised bonuses for a few workers who would otherwise miss them after the transition to Dartmouth Health. She said the payments were intended to make employees whole after repeated changes in hospital management and staffing. Representative Stringham then offered Amendment 2345H, which would strip the House-added cannabis provisions and keep only the Senate-originated Hampstead Hospital-related sections. He argued this would improve the bill’s chances of surviving a gubernatorial veto and preserve the portions members broadly supported. The amendment failed on a 6-3 roll call. The committee then voted 6-3 to recommend the bill ought to pass without the amendment. Members also designated Representative Seaworth to speak for the majority and Representative Daniels for the minority when the bill reaches full Finance, and the work session adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For a married couple's fishing license, from $22 to $40.
• For a married couple, a fishing license from $22 to $40.
• Final vote shows 67 yea, 22 nay. Senate Bill 2013 is declared passed.
• That is current law inside of this chapter.
• That is current law inside of this chapter. So we aren't adding any of that.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then approved journal corrections and recognized visiting students from Underwood School. The chamber also handled several conference committee appointments after failing to concur with Senate amendments on House bills 1022, 1049, 1229, and 1029, and after the Senate failed to concur on House amendments to Senate bills 2010 and 2113. The House then concurred in or passed a series of amended measures, including House Bills 1481 (dental insurance loss ratio and reporting), 1511 (physician guidance on abortion law, with an emergency clause), 1562 (mandated reporter training), 1197 (correctional facilities study), 1095 (child protective services liaison work group), 1317 (barber licensing board changes), 1549 (corrections facility grants and reentry-related provisions), 1354 (appraiser evaluations), 1374 (open meeting exemption for township supervisors during on-site inspections), 1355 (abbreviated notice for administrative rulemaking), 1025 (advanced nuclear energy study), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes), 1592 (Lignite Research Council updates), and 1375 (alcohol service/photo ID provisions). Final passage votes were recorded on each bill, with most passing comfortably and some drawing notable opposition, especially HB 1470 and HB 1549. The House spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol appropriation. Members discussed shifting one-time funding from the general fund to the Electronic Motor Carrier Permit Fund, including body armor, preliminary breath tests, an emergency vehicle course, resurfacing, fleet costs, and handgun/taser replacement, while also noting a federal grant and no new FTEs. Questions focused on salary-line increases and the new-and-vacant FTE pool, with Appropriations explaining that those dollars had been moved back into agency budgets from OMB. The bill passed 84-6. The House also passed Senate Bill 2013, the Commissioner of University and School Lands appropriation, after discussion of Trust Lands operations, unclaimed property staffing, and distributions from the Common Schools Trust Fund; one member was excused for a conflict, and the bill passed 67-22. Senate Bill 2023, the Racing Commission appropriation, passed 65-25 after a brief explanation of the agency’s responsibilities and funding. A major policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2385, which revises mobile home park regulation. Supporters said it creates receivership procedures if a license is revoked, requires clearer tenant notices, limits certain fees, and strengthens protections against eviction and utility overcharges. Two members were excused from voting due to conflicts tied to mobile home park ownership, and the bill passed 84-4. Another extended debate occurred on Senate Bill 2159, which allows the State Energy Research Center to study nuclear-related projects with approval from the Industrial Commission and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. Supporters said it is meant to help study advanced nuclear energy while preserving existing prohibitions on high-level radioactive waste storage; opponents raised concerns that the language could weaken prior protections and open the door to waste-related research or storage. The transcript ends during that debate, before a final vote on SB 2159 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Senator</c><00:22:45.720><c> Howe</c><00:22:45.880><c> moves</c><00:22:46.200><c> the</c><00:22:
• </c><00:22:49.840><c> say</c><00:22:50.120><c> I.
• The<00:22:53.360><c> amendment</c><00:22:53.640><c> is</c><00:22:53.720><c> adopted.
• Now,<00:22:55.600><c> any</c><00:22:55.760><c> further</c><00:22:56.000><c> discussion</c><00:22:56.720
• on Senate file<00:22:58.240><c> 3956</c><00:22:59.200><c> as</c><00:22:59.320><c> amended?

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans met on March 4, 2026, and began with a moment of silence honoring Sergeant First Class Nicole Amore of White Bear Lake, who was killed while serving in Kuwait. The committee then took up Senate File 3956, an MDVA policy bill giving the commissioner clearer authority to direct staff time and other non-monetary resources toward partnerships with organizations serving veterans, especially on food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, and related efforts. MDVA and Disabled American Veterans testified that the bill would help them work more quickly and clearly with outside partners, including food pantry and outreach efforts, while remaining focused on non-monetary support. Senator Howe offered an A1 amendment narrowing the bill to the three named priorities and removing the broader “other critical issues” language; the amendment was adopted after discussion about whether the reporting language also needed adjustment. SF 3956, as amended, was laid over for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate File 3955, which would create a new procedure for temporary closure of a Minnesota veterans home if an involuntary termination notice requires it, bringing state law into closer alignment with federal expectations. MDVA emphasized that it had no intention of permanently closing any veterans homes and that the bill was intended only to establish a temporary closure plan to satisfy survey requirements. Senator Howe offered an A1 amendment clarifying that any closure would be temporary unless the legislature approved a permanent closure; MDVA and the Department of Health indicated the change was acceptable. The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to recommend SF 3955, as amended, to pass and refer it to the full committee. Finally, the committee began Senate File 4072, an MDVA cleanup and conformity bill. After adopting a technical A3 amendment, MDVA explained that the bill would reclassify the Chief of Staff/Deputy Chief of Staff role as Deputy Commissioner for Administration to better reflect the scope of the position, and would also repeal outdated statutes related to environmental hazards assistance and a data-collection requirement that the department said it could not implement. The bill was still being presented when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SF 4072 was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the State Guard, we do have a separate chapter, and it's Chapter 10.
• have a a separate chapter and it's chapter<00:21:05.440><c> 10.
• The main<00:22:53.600><c> uh</c> main uh main uh changes<00:22:56.080><c> uh</c><00:22:56.320><c> for
• </c><00:22:56.559><c> for</c><00:22:56.880><c> the</c><00:22:57.039><c> bill</c><00:22:57.200><c> is<
• uh for for the bill is on page two<00:22:58.799><c> and</c><00:22:59.039><c> like</c><00:22:59.280><c

Bills: SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• chapter? chapter?
• It<00:22:27.160><c> was</c><00:22:27.320><c> J-term,</c><00:22:27.920><c> and</c><00:22:28.040><c> I<
• /c><00:22:28.120><c> was</c><00:22:28.280><c> working</c><00:22:28.720><c> at</c><00:22:29.040><c> a<
• But<00:22:38.520><c> one</c><00:22:38.640><c> of</c><00:22:38.720><c> the</c><00:22:38.800><c> best</
• <c> I</c><00:22:40.080><c> got</c><00:22:40.280><c> to</c><00:22:40.360><c> see</c><00:22:40.520><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:22:16.400><c> it</c><00:22:16.559><c> was</c><00:22:16.640><c> a</c><00:22:16.799><c>
• about</c><00:22:25.120><c> with</c><00:22:25.440><c> such</c><00:22:25.679><c> great</c><00:22:26.000
• She describes<00:22:32.080><c> the</c><00:22:32.480><c> urban</c><00:22:32.720><c> renewal</c><00:22:
• <00:22:43.360><c> here</c><00:22:43.520><c> in</c><00:22:43.760><c> Anna</c><00:22:44.080><c> Rundle<
• And she is<00:22:52.000><c> joining</c><00:22:52.400><c> us</c><00:22:52.799><c> today</c><00:22:53.520

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:02.080><c> those</c><00:22:02.360><c> uh</c><00:22:02.440><c> for</c><00:22:02.640><c> an</c><
• in<00:22:04.360><c> in</c><00:22:04.679><c> total</c><00:22:05.039><c> in</c><00:22:05.159><c> other
• </c><00:22:05.320><c> words</c><00:22:05.600><c> they</c><00:22:05.720><c> could</c> In total, in other
• thanks<01:22:03.400><c> sener</c><01:22:03.719><c> Port</c><01:22:03.920><c> sen</c><01:22:04.239><c
• :22:06.520><c> routinely</c><01:22:07.520><c> when</c><01:22:08.080><c> um</c><01:22:08.360><c> a</c>

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• is very similar to<00:22:01.600><c> a</c><00:22:01.760><c> typical</c><00:22:02.080><c> criminal</c>
• <00:22:02.480><c> trial.
• </c> Now,<00:22:06.240><c> at</c><00:22:06.400><c> the</c><00:22:06.640><c> conclusion,</c><00:22:07.120
• that sufficient evidence has been<00:22:09.679><c> presented</c><00:22:10.000><c> to</c><00:22:10.240
• ><c> support</c><00:22:10.480><c> a</c><00:22:10.720><c> finding</c><00:22:10.960><c> that</c> Been presented

Summary: The committee approved the minutes of its June 10, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony on House Bill 198, “Angela’s Law,” sponsored by Representative Samara Hein. The bill would add a new aggravating circumstance in death-penalty cases when an offender abuses the corpse of a kidnapping or murder victim by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse, or sexual contact. Representative Hein and the victim’s parents described the case that prompted the proposal, saying the current law did not allow the conduct to be treated as an aggravating factor because the sexual act occurred after death. They emphasized that the bill would not require a death sentence or life without parole, but would give judges and juries another sentencing factor to consider. Doug and Angela Kerr gave emotional testimony about their daughter’s murder and said the current sentencing options were inadequate given the facts of the case. Several members expressed sympathy and supported the bill’s purpose. Senator Wheeler said the measure would signal that the Commonwealth will not tolerate such conduct, and Representative Petrie said he supported the concept but urged careful drafting so the language would not be too narrow or unintentionally reach co-conspirators or others whose conduct differed from the principal offender. The committee then received an informational presentation on KRS Chapter 202C from Judge Lisa Payne Jones and Shauna Mitchell of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. They explained that 202C was enacted in 2021 to address a gap in Kentucky’s civil commitment laws for defendants found incompetent to stand trial after serious offenses. The presentation outlined the process: a Commonwealth’s attorney must file a petition for qualifying offenses, an evidentiary hearing must be held quickly, and if the respondent is found by a preponderance of the evidence to have committed the offense, a commitment hearing follows with a higher burden of proof. They also described the 2024 amendment changing the commitment criteria from requiring all four factors to only one, and noted the statute’s review-hearing schedule and the availability of later review if circumstances change or new evidence emerges.

Transcript Highlights:

• And after the accident,<00:22:00.400><c> I</c><00:22:00.799><c> said</c><00:22:01.039><c> I</c><00:22
• </c><00:22:04.159><c> But</c><00:22:04.400><c> when</c><00:22:04.640><c> God</c><00:22:05.039><c> sat
• :22:08.480><c> my</c><00:22:08.720><c> God,</c><00:22:09.120><c> I</c><00:22:09.360><c> can't</c><00:
• 00:22:16.400><c> so</c><00:22:16.720><c> much</c><00:22:17.520><c> and</c><00:22:17.760><c> I've</c><
• </c><00:22:19.840><c> And</c><00:22:20.080><c> I</c><00:22:20.320><c> hope</c><00:22:20.720><c> that<

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:00.360><c> 41</c> online 14 3 on the chapter 41 online 14 3 on the chapter 41 spreadsheet<
• </c> with skilled workers from fiscal year 22 with skilled workers from fiscal year 22 and<00:42:18.440
• </c> received um in chapter received um in chapter 41<01:10:35.560><c> um</c><01:10:35.760><c> the</c
• </c><01:33:20.440><c> 41</c> Appropriations were added in chapter 41 Appropriations were added in chapter
• According to the language in chapter 41 According to the language in chapter 41 on<01:33:49.480><c> the

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amending Chapter 36, Title 63, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section 63-3622H, Idaho Code, to
• “Gentleman, 22.” “I’ll—yes, yes, you’ve answered the question, thank you.” “Thanks.
• 22 referenced, that you had to have a tow rope.
• Gentleman from 22, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from 22, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen in<00:22:14.080><c> a</c><00:22:14.240><c> number</c><00:22:14.480><c> of</c><00:22:14.720
• </c><00:22:32.000><c> engage</c><00:22:32.400><c> the</c><00:22:32.640><c> office</c><00:22:32.960><c
• 22:35.679><c> of</c><00:22:35.840><c> like</c><00:22:36.159><c> mediation</c><00:22:36.720><c> role?
• Um and because<00:22:39.280><c> I</c><00:22:39.520><c> do</c><00:22:39.679><c> think</c><00:22:39.760
• The goal is I<00:22:48.080><c> want</c><00:22:48.159><c> to</c><00:22:48.400><c> understand</c><00:22

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.600><c> was</c><00:22:00.799><c> spent</c><00:22:01.720><c> and</c><00:22:01.880><c> we</c><00:22
• :22:22.320><c> in</c><00:22:22.559><c> civil</c><00:22:22.840><c> beat</c><00:22:23.120><c> some</c>
• ago</c><00:22:24.240><c> and</c><00:22:24.360><c> it's</c><00:22:24.480><c> our</c><00:22:25.039><c>
• </c><00:22:28.840><c> that</c><00:22:29.000><c> they're</c><00:22:29.240><c> still</c><00:22:29.520><
• 00:22:44.320><c> comment</c><00:22:44.679><c> on</c><00:22:44.919><c> any</c><00:22:45.080><c> of</c>

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:22:43.039><c> our</c><00:22:43.360><c> state</c><00:22:44.120><c> that</c><00:22:44.480
• > to</c><00:22:51.520><c> um</c><00:22:51.919><c> advocating</c><00:22:52.520><c> for</c><00:22:52.760
• :22:58.159><c> we</c><00:22:58.919><c> the</c><00:22:59.240><c> cow</c><00:22:59.559><c> has</c><00:22
• hope you<01:22:03.920><c> can</c><01:22:04.080><c> add</c><01:22:04.239><c> me</c><01:22:04.360><c>
• ><c> thank</c><01:22:06.719><c> you</c><01:22:07.000><c> uh</c><01:22:07.159><c> any</c><01:22:07.320

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the quote today is from Psalms chapter 9, verse 10.
• Chairman, 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sorry, had somebody talking to me there a second ago. Mr.
• Title 22, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section, 22-1708, Idaho Code, to establish provisions
• The gentleman from District 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for a privilege and then a motion.