Transcript Highlights:

• </c> been on the Portsouth Police Commission been on the Portsouth Police Commission for<01:04:32.480
• Uh this uh bill uh Commission.
• </c><01:09:02.719><c> has</c> Department of Homeland Security has Department of Homeland Security has
• >> Frighteningly, uh, the police commission and in particular the chair. >> Okay.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Frighteningly, uh the police commission &gt;&gt; Frighteningly, uh the police commission

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• transparency, SB 877 protects homeowners from arbitrary or undisclosed reductions and helps families secure
• Our security, our future, that we hope to leave for our children and our granddaughter.
• And, you know, during the madness of the fires, I would sometimes call the commission and say, hey, why
• They do not have compliance attorneys to advise them on written data management, storage, security plans
• Our income is commission income, so it's set by the insurance company.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

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, a lot of people forget that it's not just securing the loan, it's getting,

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just going back to that because you're seeing licensing commission, you talked about the individuals
• So just going back to that because you're seeing licensing commission, you talked about the individuals
• automation include additions of new access roles, authentication and authorization reviews, updates to security
• Traditional food security safety nets... For a homebound senior's needs.
• Traditional food security safety nets are not designed for a senior.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview from the California Department of Aging on the state’s Master Plan for Aging, including progress at the five-year midpoint, local aging and disability action plans, HCBS gap analysis, workforce work, and stakeholder engagement. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted the department’s budget was relatively flat but flagged federal H.R. 1 pressure on nutrition-related programs. Members discussed how H.R. 1 and broader federal and state budget pressures could affect older adults through other programs, even where the Department of Aging itself had no direct cut. The committee also heard a stakeholder request from the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging for $62.3 million to support Older Californians Act services, with Finance cautioning that any added ongoing spending would worsen out-year deficits. The committee then reviewed several Department of Aging proposals, including HICAP modernization to add paid counselors and reduce reliance on volunteers, and senior meal program oversight for virtual congregate/to-go meals under AB 1476. Members also discussed the status of area agencies on aging in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, including a new RFP process in the Central Coast and the need to protect service continuity during transitions. Finance clarified that remaining modernizing Older Californians Act nutrition funds can still be used through June 2029. The Department of Social Services presented a series of items. These included new federal Medicaid Access Rule implementation for IHSS grievance and critical incident systems; housing and homelessness programs for CalWORKs Housing Support, HDAP, Home Safe, and Bringing Families Home, with testimony that one-time funds are expiring and service levels will likely decline; permanent position authority for housing and homelessness administration; a facility management system to replace aging licensing systems; home care services branch solvency and regulations; child care centers in multifamily housing; the Seizure Emergency Response Act; licensing during emergencies and disasters; and the Family Preparedness Plan Act. The committee also heard a detailed exchange about the Autumn Oaks facility in Tulare County, where Senator Grove raised concerns about 53 complaints and the handling of unsafe conditions; CDSS said it is reviewing the matter and has authority to take administrative action even after a license surrender. No votes were taken, and items were held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures timely, fair, and secure elections and guarantees that no community is left without representation
• name due to marriage, divorce, or adoption; clarifying the timeframes for the Elections Canvassing Commission
• that'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
• a passport and a majority of married... shares this body's goal of ensuring fair, accessible, and secure

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• exemption, nuclear facility projects requiring certification by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• We can't rely on reputation alone for people to secure that next wave of manufacturing.
• Also, due to changes in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission caused by the Trump administration, there is
• low-enriched uranium used in SMR reactors does indeed pose significant nuclear proliferation and security
• finish my degree, put roots down in the community, and start the foundation of my career with the security

Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• She found it very important that we had food security and we had the products to take care of the pest
• We appreciate the security that this allows for our farmers, knowing that those pesticides and fertilizers
• This has been discussed by the Tax Preference Commission and always upheld.
• Distribution centers in the state are what keeps medicine moving, safely, securely, and on time, often
• Distribution centers in the state are what keeps medicine moving, safely, securely, and on time, often

Bills: SB5989 , SB5898 , SB6240 , SB6244 , SB6231 , SB6228 , SB6220

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, aeronautics, taxation, aircraft fuel, state funding, aviation fuel, hazardous substance tax, air quality, noise mitigation, environmental impact, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, data center

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the cement industry was telling me in a parliamentary commission that we would close them down
• if we put in place, ...a commission that we would close them down if we put in place our cap-and-trade
• Yes, it is our feeling that the consignment approach will generate more investment and will help secure
• that the utilities need to retain the ability to say no if something is going to create a system security
• It aligns with our climate commitments, strengthens energy security, bolsters an affordable decarbonized

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then held a work session on emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Ecology staff reviewed how cap-and-invest works, explained EITE no-cost allowance allocations, and summarized a new report to the Legislature on policy options for 2035-2050. Ecology recommended continuing no-cost allocations but adjusting them to fit the cap, considering a consignment approach that would require EITEs to invest part of the value of free allowances in decarbonization, and studying additional benchmarking and leakage-mitigation refinements. Quebec officials described their cap-and-trade system, including a consignment model that withholds part of free allocations, holds the value in trust for facilities, and requires technical studies and investment in mitigation projects; they said it has encouraged industrial investment and no business closures. Members asked about facility closures, compliance costs, eligible uses of consigned funds, and adaptation spending. The work session then closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2296, which would expand distributed energy resources by allowing portable plug-in solar devices and meter-mounted devices. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to lower barriers and startup costs for renters and homeowners who want to electrify or add solar. Supporters, including a nonprofit promoting plug-in solar and a physician group, said the devices could broaden access to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas and health harms. Utilities, labor, and industry groups opposed the bill as written, citing safety concerns, lack of national electrical code standards, possible backfeeding and fire risks, utility-worker hazards, unclear interconnection rules, and concerns about multifamily housing and small-utility review burdens. Some witnesses said they were open to continued work on the proposal. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2285, which would allow natural gas generation paired with carbon capture, utilization, storage, or mineralization to count toward Clean Energy Transformation Act compliance. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would provide a “bridge” for firm power, help address reliability and transmission constraints, and support jobs while reducing emissions compared with conventional gas. Opponents said the bill would weaken CETA’s 100% clean electricity target by allowing resources that still emit carbon to qualify, and they questioned whether 75% capture is sufficient. Other testimony raised cost concerns and warned that carbon capture could increase ratepayer costs. The hearing on HB 2285 was later suspended and reopened briefly for additional testimony from Ecology, which said the bill would permanently weaken CETA standards and likely reduce emissions reductions. The committee also briefly received a staff briefing on House Bill 2272, a ski-area terminology bill, and then suspended that hearing to take it up later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our county commission just recently approved what we refer to as a 20-year master vision plan.
• We've been very fortunate to secure, in the last five years, $97 million worth of grant funding, and
• The rest of the items, you know, there are some items such as security items, drones, because if not,
• The rest of the items, you know, there are some items such as security items, drones, You know, there
• are some items such as security items, drones, and other things that we deal with on a regular basis

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework for counties and municipalities to allow utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain local roads with posted speed limits below 55 mph, subject to local safety determinations, licensing, insurance, and other restrictions. Supporters, including a retired sheriff and a Florida Sheriffs Association representative, argued the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and reflect the reality that UTVs are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are not designed for public roads and lack key safety features. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash risk, but the bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senators Martin, McClain, and Truenow expressing reservations. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port of Palm Beach, and Port Tampa Bay described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the importance of state and federal grants, private partnerships, and long-term planning. They also discussed challenges including limited land, bulkhead and berth maintenance, channel deepening, workforce needs, fuel access, resiliency, and intermodal connectivity. Senators asked about return on investment, trade patterns, financing, cruise-versus-cargo balance, and operational risks; the ports emphasized that they are largely enterprise-funded but still depend on public investment for major infrastructure. The committee also approved a block of appointments to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority without objection. In addition, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, recommending a coordinated statewide aerial imagery and LiDAR program, shared procurement and cost-sharing arrangements, and statutory updates to improve interagency coordination and access to geospatial data. Senators briefly discussed potential uses for the data in insurance, emergency management, and property assessment, and the presentation concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So requiring MST to secure support from each city is burdensome and unnecessary, especially given that
• And finally, just to put a point on it, we still have to go to the voters and secure two-thirds of those
• And the ERA Economics report commissioned by the DCC, which is also referenced in your analysis, backs
• And the ERA economics report commissioned by the DCC, which is also referenced in your analysis, backs
• benefits of home sharing for home providers and home seekers, including a stronger sense of safety and security

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with members explaining that measures with significant fiscal impacts would be held for suspense or taken up later. AB 761 would let the Monterey-Salinas Transit District place a local sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board rather than needing approval from each member jurisdiction; supporters said it would preserve transit funding for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, while an opponent argued it would make it easier to raise a regressive tax. The bill was voted out 5-2 after being called for absent members. AB 1253, which would clarify property tax treatment for wildfire reconstruction beyond substantial equivalence, drew support from the Los Angeles County Assessor and the California Assessors Association but was sent to suspense. AB 8, dealing with hemp enforcement, intoxicating hemp products, and integration of hemp cannabinoids into the cannabis supply chain and tax system, drew strong support from cannabis operators and labor groups and opposition from small cultivators and public health advocates concerned about supply, tax revenue, and voter intent; it was also sent to suspense. The committee then heard AB 1138, a major expansion and modernization of the film and television tax credit program. Supporters, including entertainment unions, workers, studios, and local officials, said the bill would help keep production and jobs in California amid competition from other states and countries; opponents criticized it as picking winners and losers and argued broader business costs were the real problem. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 829, which would create a California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and voluntary tax contribution program to support research and services, received unanimous support from advocates and was approved 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 474 would exempt rental income from nonprofit home-sharing programs for low-income homeowners from state income tax and protect participants’ eligibility for certain benefits; supporters said it could help older adults age in place and address housing shortages, and the bill was sent to suspense after members asked for clarification on the fiscal estimate. The committee also heard AB 376, which would exempt wildfire settlement payments from state income tax for certain disaster survivors; supporters from rural counties said the money is meant to help victims rebuild and should not be taxed, and the bill was referred to suspense. Finally, AB 480 would allow developers using low-income housing tax credits to switch from allocated to certificated state credits after an award, with supporters saying it would maximize private investment and stretch housing dollars further; it too was sent to suspense. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance policy goals with fiscal impacts, and several bills were held or referred to suspense rather than voted out immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were approved by the Idaho Public Charter School Commission in November of 2021.
• Post Falls City Government, we've had tremendous support from Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission
• So I think that having that sort of secure, sacred space at school to learn what it means to be human
• So I think that having that sort of secure, sacred space at school to learn what it means to be human

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Ed Kates, headmaster of Kootenai Classical Academy, describing the Hillsdale College charter school model and its emphasis on classical education, virtue development, Socratic discussion, phonics, limited technology use, constitutional history, and sports. He highlighted the school’s rapid growth, strong waitlists, spelling bee success, and student achievement, and answered questions about how new schools are founded, why some districts have declined the curriculum, the role of music, the purpose of education, and the school’s per-student cost. Committee members generally praised the school’s approach and discussed broader concerns about education focused too narrowly on jobs or testing. The committee then heard from Dr. Sally Brown of the Idaho Higher Education Literacy Partnership (I-HELP), joined by colleagues from NNU and Boise State. She explained that I-HELP works across Idaho’s higher education institutions to strengthen teacher preparation in the science of reading, revise literacy standards and assessments, and support literacy initiatives statewide. She described the partnership’s concept and competency guides, reliability and validity work on assessments, and a literacy learning lab at the College of Idaho that trains pre-service tutors and supports first-grade reading intervention. Members asked about collaboration with BYU-Idaho, whether the effort is improving teacher readiness, and how the state’s K-3 reading investments are working; Brown said the state is moving in the right direction but emphasized the need for continued teacher preparation, mentoring, and instructional coaching. No formal votes or committee actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5874 relates to the quarterly report sent by employers to the Employment Security
• Starting with some background, employers must file quarterly reports with the Employment Security Department
• Currently, under existing law, correctional employees who are uniformed and non-uniformed, commissioned
• and non-commissioned, employed in a jail by a county with a population of 70,000 or more have binding

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several labor-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5874, staff and Senator McEwen described a proposal to let the Employment Security Department waive penalties for minor quarterly reporting errors by employers, especially inadvertent electronic filing issues involving occupational codes and job titles. No one testified in opposition, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical providers, allow medically appropriate departures from L&I treatment rules, prohibit employers from requiring treatment from a specific provider, and set timelines for utilization review. Supporters, including workers’ advocates and union representatives, said the bill would improve access to care and reduce delays, while business groups opposed it as weakening the provider network and raised concerns about costs and claim duration. L&I said it could implement the bill with a technical fix and noted that the fiscal note was still being updated. A previously adopted claims-manager staffing amendment was discussed but not included in the version heard. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, the committee heard testimony on requiring public works contracts to update prevailing wage rates annually rather than freezing them at bid time. Labor groups supported the bill as protecting workers from wage erosion on long projects, while contractor groups opposed it unless amended to allow change orders for wage increases above 5 percent, citing unpredictable jumps in prevailing wage rates and added risk for small contractors. L&I requested a delayed effective date to July 1, 2028 because of IT changes. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 5944, which would make missed or canceled appointment payments bargained economic compensation for language access providers, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5972, which would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of county population. Labor groups supported both bills; counties and a city representative opposed 5972 over cost concerns and asked for fiscal safeguards. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302, which would require L&I to investigate possible misclassification when three or more independent contractors are used for the same type of finishing work on a public works project. Labor and contractor groups both supported the amended version, saying it targets misclassification without banning legitimate independent contractors. The hearing ended after testimony, with no votes or final committee actions taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• active-duty military personnel and their families, according to data collected by the Federal Trade Commission
• Trade Commission.
• VA computer system from obtaining unauthorized access to veterans' personnel information through secure
• veterans place barriers between them and the future they deserve, whether it's overcoming debt, securing

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met with a quorum and first approved its consent calendar, which included AJR 15, SB 56, SB 296, and SB 855, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then heard SB 694 by Senator Archuleta, a bill aimed at protecting veterans from unaccredited claims representatives and other for-profit entities that charge fees to assist with VA disability claims. The author and supporters, including county veterans service officers and veterans organizations, argued the measure would curb predatory practices, restore accountability, and steer veterans toward free, accredited assistance through CVSOs and other authorized representatives. Testimony in support emphasized that veterans are often targeted online and may pay large fees for services that are available for free, while supporters said unaccredited firms lack transparency and can exploit vulnerable veterans. Opposition witnesses, including representatives of claims-assistance companies and individual veterans, argued the bill would eliminate choice and that some contingency-based firms provide useful services, better outcomes, and faster claims processing. Committee members debated whether the bill would unlawfully bar legitimate assistance or whether it was needed to stop illegal business practices, with several members noting the issue is also being litigated in federal court and that an accreditation process already exists through the VA. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 694 and refer it to the Committee on Judiciary. The final vote was 6 ayes, with some members not voting. The committee then completed the consent calendar vote, which passed with eight votes, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you tell me why the Energy Commission? And the Air Resources Board is spending from the MVA.
• Yes, so I can't speak on terms of the Energy Commission.
• Today's request would help secure a large portion of this funding goal, providing vital and sustainable
• , highlighted in its October 2024 report that the majority of this funding gap likely Needs to be secured

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Social Security pushed the Social Security Administration<00:17:56.000><c> to</c><00:17:56.240><
• I also secured 750,000 for the Veterans I also secured 750,000 for the Veterans District<00:30:56.559
• </c> historic investments, I've now secured historic investments, I've now secured over<00:31:10.080>
• </c> or American national security at all. or American national security at all.
• </c><05:35:36.958><c> the</c> security. This is about water. the security.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that we have a right by our constituents to make a ...and the State Tax Commission.
• Right now, the State Tax Commission, they sent out memorandums in understanding to a lot of different
• That goes with our, I'll call them our sister department, the State Tax Commission, that is under our
• Yeah, I would say that might be a better question to ask of the State Tax Commission. All right.
• Dan Hutton, State Tax Commission ombudsman now for the State Tax Commission.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Peterson, if you would come back up to the podium and present the Pardons and Paroles Commission.
• Next up, we have the budget presentation for the Commission of Pardons and Parole.
• The commission just has one dedicated fund: the miscellaneous revenue fund.
• There were no ongoing enhancements for the Commission of Pardons and Parole for fiscal year 2026.
• I'm the executive director of the Commission of Pardon Central. Yes, thank you.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met jointly with Senate Finance and House Appropriations to review the Idaho Department of Correction budget, beginning with an agency overview from Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson and then testimony from Director Bree Derrick. Discussion focused on the department’s overall funding mix, declining balances in dedicated funds such as inmate labor and probation/parole receipts, vacancy management, and the impact of the governor’s holdback exemption. Members also asked about software and technology costs, the Hepatitis C Fund, replacement items, and why some positions remain vacant or are held open as a budget strategy. A substantial portion of the meeting covered the department’s major divisions and cost drivers. In state prisons, county/out-of-state placement, community corrections, community-based substance use disorder treatment, and medical services, the analyst and director explained enhancement requests, supplemental needs, and rising operating costs tied to inflation, population growth, and contract rates. Members questioned the inmate labor fund’s decline, the loss of work contracts, the cost and effectiveness of recidivism and transparency software, the Pocatello reentry center, body-worn cameras, RFID and drone detection technology, and the medical contract with Centurion. The department said some cuts were made or planned in response to budget pressure, including reduced spending on Recidivis and other contracts, while body-worn cameras and some public-safety tools were retained. The committee also discussed prison population pressures, county jail and out-of-state placement costs, mandatory minimum sentences, and the use of county jails as overflow. Director Derrick said the department is seeing more admissions than releases and that Idaho’s incarceration rate remains high relative to neighboring states. She also said the department is working to expand county and out-of-state options and to pursue more inmate labor contracts. Several members asked for follow-up information on staffing, contract counts, program impacts, and fund balances. The meeting then moved to the Commission of Pardons and Parole budget, where Director Christine Starr testified that commissioners are part-time but effectively work full-time, are not paid for training or all preparation time, and that turnover remains a concern. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned to resume the next day after work groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• able to work with DIR and, uh, Bring that to the table for the agencies is to put them in a better security
• Service commission, a chair. Calls Kelsey Sims with the Legislative Budget board. Thank you, Mr.
• Benjamin for the Texas Funeral Service Commission. She's good.
• My name is Scott Binghaman, and as the executive director of the Texas Funeral Service Commission, it
• The Texas Funeral Service Commission has significantly widened its regulatory scope.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• is funded out of uh the capital security is funded out of some<00:09:16.800><c> of</c><00:09:16.880>
• You've heard of the talk of the Blue Ribbon Commission members.
• The Blue Ribbon Commission will be real cuts.
• The Blue Ribbon Commission will be real cuts.
• cuts for the Blue Ribbon Commission.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That way, you keep all the ballots secure.
• The Chair calls Ed Johnson with Harris County Ballot Security. Hello, sir.
• The healthy rule today also shows constitutional jurisdiction is secure.
• Security and self.
• It continues to be paramount to the security of our state and our country.

Bills: HB304 , HB401 , HB556 , HB1475 , HB1489 , HB2259 , HB2424 , HB2773 , HB2811 , HB3323 , HB304

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform