Transcript Highlights:

• I think it would be like a discount. Mm-hmm.
• And if people take advantage of this program, well, it's like a discount on the Apple Watch.
• It's a discount given for that Apple Watch.
• So they gave them the discount to go buy. a new Apple Watch, and it's made a difference.
• And I got a discount for putting it in my house with my insurance company.

Bills: HB 106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• to low-income energy assistance under CETA provided by electric utilities, as well as low-income discount
• Provided by electric utilities, as well as low-income discount rates or grants required for investor-owned
• It prohibits an electric utility from reducing the level of low-income energy assistance, discounts,
• It prohibits an electric utility from reducing the level of low-income energy assistance, discounts,
• It prohibits an electric utility from reducing the level of low-income energy assistance, discounts,

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you contrast that with the amount that typically is charged in a merchant discount rate, maybe
• The merchant discount fee goes into a multitude of different facets.
• Illinois also has a vendor discount percentage, and they do... Who pays for that? Who pays the...
• The interchange or the merchant discount, excuse me, the merchant discount fee is higher on a credit
• The merchant discount fee is higher on a credit card versus a debit card.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love those pension discounts. Representative Kloba also has a question.
• the definition of surveillance-based price, as drafted, could harm loyalty programs and targeted discounts
• For example, customers who regularly purchase certain items may receive discounts or manufacturer coupons
• And so retailers can now go and discount those to incentivize sales for it to go today.
• Alterations such as sales and discounts are very clearly allowed in this bill.

Bills: HB2278 , HB2325 , HB2481 , HB2503

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: tourism, promotion areas, state funding, economic development, community engagement, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers

Transcript Highlights:

• covered entities, it says they've got to have a written agreement in place to prevent duplicate discounts
• What kind of discounts could be duplicated?
• what kind of duplica duplicate discounts what kind of discounts<00:10:30.079><c> could</c><00:10:30.240
• ><c> be</c><00:10:30.399><c> duplicated</c><00:10:31.120><c> or</c><00:10:31.560><c> yeah</c> discounts
• could be duplicated or yeah discounts could be duplicated or yeah okay<00:10:32.079><c> thank</c><00

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met on March 14, 2025, and took up a committee substitute for Senate Bill 153. The substitute deleted the original bill language and replaced it with provisions from Senate Bill 14, aimed at prohibiting pharmaceutical manufacturers from discriminating against 340B covered entities and adding reporting requirements for those entities. The sponsor explained that the protections would sunset after one year, allowing lawmakers to review data by July 1, 2026, and that Kentucky would continue to follow any future federal changes to the 340B program. Members asked several questions about the scope of the reporting, including what “total operating cost” means, how duplicate discounts are prevented, whether the reporting applies only to hospitals and not federally qualified health centers, and who would receive the data. The sponsor said the reporting is intended to help the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Office of Health Data Analytics at LRC assess how the program is working, including charity care and community benefits, while preserving protections for rural hospitals and allowing them to continue using contract pharmacies. A representative from LRC confirmed the data would come to the General Assembly through the Office of Health Data Analytics. The committee expressed mixed views about the balance between transparency and potential burdens on hospitals, especially rural facilities. Several members said they were supportive but had reservations about the reporting requirements and the sunset structure, while others noted concerns about unintended consequences and the possibility of changes on the House floor. The committee ultimately adopted the committee substitute, approved a title amendment, and reported Senate Bill 153 with House Committee Substitute 2 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• loyalty programs, consumers don't even want retailers using this type of data as consideration for discounts
• We're not upending how discounts are done with this bill, and I want to be very clear about that.
• This bill has nothing to do with veteran discounts or senior discounts or with the characteristics of
• So those discounts can still work as needed. ...the device or the zip code or any of the things in this
• So those discounts can still work as needed. Okay. I agree with that.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills on consumer protection, pricing, gift cards, streaming ads, name-image-likeness protections, and online hate. SB 259 by Senator Wahab would prohibit surveillance pricing based on device data such as geolocation; supporters said it would curb discriminatory and opaque pricing, while business groups raised concerns about geolocation language and impacts on legitimate location-based pricing. The bill was moved on a due pass motion and passed the committee 8-1, with the author saying amendments were still being discussed. SB 22 by Senator Laird would raise the amount consumers can redeem from unused gift cards, with the author emphasizing inflation and consumer fairness. Retailers, restaurants, and other business groups opposed the bill, arguing it would increase fraud risk, create safety concerns by requiring more cash on hand, and should also clarify existing exemptions and rules. Consumer advocates supported the measure. The bill was sent out on a 6-1 vote and kept on call. SB 576 by Senator Umberg, the CALM Act, would apply broadcast-style limits on loud commercials to streaming services; the Motion Picture Association and Streaming Innovation Alliance opposed it, citing technical and federal-law concerns, but the committee approved it 8-0. SB 683 by Senator Cortese would clarify that people whose name, image, voice, or likeness is misused can seek injunctive relief or a TRO, with the author saying the bill updates an outdated statute and strengthens privacy protections. The Recording Industry Association of America supported the goal but wanted faster takedown timing, while the First Amendment Coalition opposed the measure over free-speech and prior-restraint concerns. The bill passed 8-0. The final bill, SB 771, sought to hold social media platforms accountable when their algorithms amplify hate, harassment, or violence; supporters from Jewish and Muslim advocacy groups described real-world threats and violence linked to online hate, while TechNet and CCIA argued the bill would conflict with Section 230 and chill protected speech. Members raised questions about constitutional limits and the scope of platform liability, and the discussion continued as the hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• MANUFACTURERS REBATE AND DISCOUNT MEDICATIONS TO THE TUNE OF HALF OFF THE LIST COST OF MEDICINE AND THAT
• FORTH AND HIGHLIGHT, ONE IS CHAIRING THOSE REBATES TO THE PATIENT, MAKING SURE THE PATIENT GETS THE DISCOUNT
• AT BEYOND THE FORCE THAT THERE'S A 340 B PROGRAM, THEY MIGHT NOT BE BIG FANS BUT THEY DO OFFER A DISCOUNT
• TO ENSURE CLINICS AND HOSPITALS CAN OFFER MEDICATIONS AT A DISCOUNTED RATE OR PRICE FOR PATIENTS WHO
• THERE'S A LOT OF F HQ ACS IN MY DISTRICTS THAT USE THAT PRICE DIFFERENCE WHERE THEY GET IT AT A DISCOUNT

Transcript Highlights:

• They were not limited to one. 48% also used it for child care tuition and discounts for their own staff
• They were not limited to one. 48% also used it for child care tuition and discounts for their own staff
• that they were able to use these funds effectively. 48% also used it for child care tuition and discounts
• , electrical, and plumbing systems, updated security, new science labs, updated locker rooms, new windows
• </c><01:39:33.520><c> and</c> updated locker rooms, new windows and updated locker rooms, new windows

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ways we're fortunate that we have this lever to pull in this moment of crisis, but I don't want to discount
• ways we're fortunate that we have this lever to pull in this moment of crisis, but I don't want to discount
• ways we're fortunate that we have this lever to pull in this moment of crisis, but I don't want to discount
• As a reminder, Minnesota is one of 13 states that show a four-year window into our state's budget and
• Minnesota is one of 13 states that show a four-year window into our state's budget and economic outlook

Bills: HF3425

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• So essentially, the substitute bill enacts the Discount Retailer Workforce Safety and Retention Act,
• So the small-box discount retailers, they already have an existing plan.
• So these small box discount retailers, they already have an existing plan.
• It's small-box discount retailers that fit that 5,000 to 10,000 square feet, which is what we confine
• Discount retailers that fit that 5,000 to 10,000 square feet, which is what we confine it to, similar

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a workers’ compensation overhaul creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and setting up confidentiality, rulemaking, and penalties. Senator Myers said the bill was meant to modernize a paper-based system, speed injured workers back to care and work, reduce disputes through a more predictable fee schedule, address outliers and abuse, and generate reliable data for future fee-schedule decisions. Representative Melarine then offered a large amendment package combining portions of House Bills 780 and 1101 into SB 408, adding preliminary-determination procedures, changes to benefit durations, fraud language, and a deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached. Supporters said the package would create a more complete reform; opponents argued the additions were rushed, not germane, and would harm injured workers, especially those without lawyers, by adding technical filing burdens and stricter fraud consequences. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment package, then adopted a follow-up amendment removing the word “potential” from a fines provision and deleting the fraud section, and finally reported SB 408 with amendments on a divided vote. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply split. Proponents, including Alton Ashy and Trey Mustian, argued the bill’s transparency and data-collection provisions were the most important part, that the system needs a modern fee schedule, and that the added reforms would help control costs and speed payment. Opponents, including Shannon Lindsay and another injured-worker advocate, said the original bill was a good compromise but the added provisions changed its character and would disadvantage pro se claimants, remove materiality from fraud law, and reduce benefits for seriously injured workers. Committee members also questioned the timeline for the database and fee schedule, the effect of historical data gaps, and whether the reforms would help employers and injured workers alike. The committee ultimately agreed the bill still contained its core goals of faster care, predictable fees, anti-abuse measures, and modernization. The committee then moved to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, a workplace-violence/safety measure for small-box discount retailers. Chasson explained that the bill had been narrowed to require retailers to submit an existing written workforce safety plan, or develop one if they do not already have one, with no penalties attached. The committee adopted a substitute bill incorporating prior amendments. Representative Glorioso noted continuing concerns about civil-liability implications and the duty to protect against third-party criminal acts, but the bill was advanced from committee after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• loyalty programs, consumers don't even want retailers using this type of data as consideration for discounts
• We're not upending how discounts are done with this bill, and I want to be very clear about that.
• This bill has nothing to do with veteran discounts or senior discounts or about the characteristics of
• your device, and the characteristics of your device should not have a bearing on discounts you get.
• Those discounts can still work as needed. Okay. I agree with that.

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to privacy, consumer protection, and online harms. SB 259 by Senator Wahab would prohibit surveillance pricing based on device data such as geolocation or battery level; supporters argued it would curb discriminatory and predatory pricing, while opponents raised concerns about geolocation definitions, legitimate location-based pricing, and impacts on discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee and passed 8-1, with members noting amendments and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. SB 22 by Senator Laird would raise the amount of gift cards that can be redeemed for cash, with the author saying the goal is to update the long-standing $10 threshold for inflation and preserve consumer value. Consumer advocates supported the bill, while retailers, restaurants, grocers, and chambers of commerce opposed or opposed unless amended, citing fraud concerns, safety issues, and the need for clarification on donated or returned gift cards. The committee voted the bill out on a 6-1 vote and kept it on call. SB 576 by Senator Umberg would apply broadcast-style loudness rules to streaming advertisements. The author said the bill is intended to prevent ads from being much louder than programming, especially for children, while the opposition argued that streaming ad insertion is technically different and that existing industry standards and FCC oversight already address the issue. The bill passed 8-0. SB 683 by Senator Cortese would clarify that people can seek injunctive relief, including a TRO, for unauthorized use of name, image, or likeness; supporters said it strengthens privacy protections, while opponents warned about prior restraint and First Amendment concerns. The bill was moved out on a due pass motion and kept on call. The final bill discussed, SB 771 by Senator Stern, would clarify that existing civil rights and hate-related laws apply to social media platforms and their algorithms, with higher penalties for intentional or reckless violations. Supporters, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Islamic Networks Group, described online hate as fueling real-world violence and urged stronger accountability; opponents argued the bill could conflict with Section 230, chill lawful speech, and create vague standards. Members raised questions about constitutionality, definitions, and whether the bill would be workable, but several expressed support for the author’s goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you contrast that with the amount that typically is charged in a merchant discount rate, maybe
• upwards of two or three percent... ...merchant discount rate, maybe upwards of two or three percent,
• The merchant discount fee goes into a multitude of different facets.
• Illinois also has a vendor discount percentage, and they do— Who pays for that? Who pays the...
• The interchange or the merchant discount, excuse me, the merchant discount fee is higher on a credit

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action. Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The discount given on the property tax of the disabled veteran's primary residence matches the percentage
• So, disabled at 55%, 55% discount is your discount on your property tax.
• And so that just gives eyes on that disability rating each year to make sure that it matches your discount
• Well, there's no, there's no discount for that. Veterans who maybe were 90% disabled.
• Well, there's no discount for that, right?

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted committee substitutes and voted do pass on House Bills 383, 2940, and 1869 by unanimous roll-call votes. The chair then moved to public hearings and announced shortened testimony times because of the late hour. A large portion of the hearing focused on several nearly identical proposals to provide property tax relief to disabled veterans and, in some versions, surviving spouses. Representatives Jobe, Crosley, Bolerking, Schmidt, and Jones described different approaches: tiered exemptions based on VA disability ratings, homestead-based exemptions, county opt-in or opt-out provisions, sunsets, and in some bills relief tied to assessed value or personal property/vehicle taxes. Committee members raised questions about acreage limits, transfer of benefits to new residences, remarriage of surviving spouses, annual recertification, and whether counties should have discretion. Several witnesses in favor, including veterans and veterans’ advocates, urged broader eligibility, especially for 100% permanent and total veterans and those with individual unemployability, and argued the benefit would help veterans remain in Missouri. A public advocate opposed the bills on fiscal grounds, citing large projected costs to local governments, school districts, and state funds. The committee also heard testimony from veterans and advocates on the importance of recognizing spouses and families, and on the need to avoid burdensome county administration. Representative Schmidt presented two related bills, one offering a percentage-based property tax discount and another creating a homestead tax credit with county participation and a market-value cap; members discussed combining the measures and revising sunset and spouse language. Representative Jones presented bills extending relief to 100% disabled veterans and to personal property/vehicles, emphasizing that counties could opt in and that the credit should not shift costs to other taxpayers. The hearing ended before the final witness finished, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The discount given on the property tax of the disabled veterans' primary residence matches the percentage
• So, disabled at 55%, 55% discount is your discount on your property tax.
• And so that just gives eyes on that disability rating each year to make sure that it matches your discount
• And then, to comment, you know, I echo those sentiments... ...it matches your discount.
• Well, there's no discount for that, right?

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> obtain drugs at a steeply discounted obtain drugs at a steeply discounted level<01:25:01.080><c>
• , so either they lose revenue or they have to build the discount into their overall pricing.
• </c><01:31:30.239><c> so</c> um uh required to provide discounts so um uh required to provide discounts
• And if you have a high-cost drug, a high discount is a large number.
• And if you have a high-cost drug, a high discount is a large number.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:32.799><c> Uh</c> discounts for proactive homeowners.
• Uh discounts for proactive homeowners.
• >> So, we did not mandate discounts because our conversations with industry are they are in love with
• And so we didn't see a need to mandate discounts because in practice it's happening.
• because in practice it's uh discounts because in practice it's happening. happening. happening.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> being required to provide a discount being required to provide a discount on<00:02:34.320><c> patient
• So, which patients are eligible, and then also preventing duplicate discounts.
• You cannot take a discount on more than one discount on the same prescription at the prescription level
• Um, so here, same $100 drug, same discount, discounted 340B price, um, but no payment received.
• , discount, discount, discounted<00:09:05.760><c> 340B</c><00:09:06.480><c> price,</c><00:09:07.560><

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• In its current... ...format, it also gives discounted or free licensures for activity military reserves
• So what this does is removes the hunting and fishing or discounted lifetime licenses from the original
• So what this does is removes the hunting and fishing or discounted lifetime licenses from the original

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up three veteran-related bills. SB 78 would allow the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs to authorize a nonprofit retirement community serving only veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses to create veteran- and spouse-designated nursing home beds in a skilled nursing facility, including transfer of certificate-of-need beds within 100 miles. The Air Force Enlisted Village CEO testified in support, saying it would add needed skilled nursing care to their continuum; the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 1280, a broad veterans bill that modernizes employment and training programs, renames the program the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program, creates a job-training grant program, adjusts reimbursement caps, expands university/agriculture training stipends for veteran spouses, provides various fee reliefs, waives a one-time state business filing fee for veterans, and expands veterans’ treatment courts. Two amendments were adopted: one changed the state flagship designation to the SS American Victory and allowed disabled veteran designation on specialty plates via a DV embossing, while removing outdated references; the second removed hunting and fishing license provisions due to funding concerns. Veterans Florida representatives waved in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. Finally, SB 1282 created a public records exemption for information submitted to the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program when veterans are developing business opportunities, protecting trade secrets and related sensitive information from disclosure. Veterans Florida supported the measure, and after brief debate the bill was reported favorably. The committee then briefly reconsidered the vote for recording purposes and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that they would discount this situation as well.
• We have that window to do whatever work we need to get done.
• sessions to be no longer than 60 days and in general sessions to be no longer than 90 days in that window

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several House bills dealing mainly with ethics, elections, and legislative procedure. HB 858 by Rep. Riser, creating a public records exception for GPS data on wildlife and aquatic life held by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, was reported favorably without objection. HB 661, which expands existing nepotism exceptions to allow school board members and superintendents to hire immediate family members as paraprofessionals and janitors, drew support from members concerned about staffing shortages in schools; the Ethics Administrator noted the board’s concern that repeated exceptions erode the nepotism rules, but the bill was still reported favorably without objection. HB 359, a cleanup bill on the death of a non-major-party primary candidate, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 258, which clarifies that volunteer firefighters are not subject to dual office-holding restrictions and allows retired judges to serve on certain boards while still being available for ad hoc judicial service, passed on an 8-4 roll call vote. Rep. Newell’s HB 705, which would strengthen contempt of the legislature penalties and add provisions addressing disorderly conduct and interference with legislative proceedings, generated the most debate. Members raised concerns about the proposed jump in fines from $1,000 to $50,000, due process, and the breadth of language that could be read to cover ordinary advocacy or passionate testimony. After discussion, the author agreed the bill needed more work, and it was voluntarily deferred in committee. The committee also heard HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to return on a contractual basis to address shortages, which was amended and then reported favorably without objection. HB 238, which would remove a waiting period and population-based restriction for former school board members or certified psychologists to return to work in school districts, prompted a lengthy debate about the judiciary and per diem rules because of related ethics concerns raised in the discussion; the author ultimately asked to voluntarily defer the bill, and the committee agreed. Finally, HB 398, which would cap lodging, meal, and incidental expense reimbursements for state officials and employees at GSA rates and limit emergency exceptions, drew sharp opposition from several members and a retired judge who argued the current judicial per diem is reasonable and tied to safety and travel needs. The author said he would work on amendments and voluntarily deferred HB 398. The committee then began discussion of HB 752, which would move the timing of regular legislative sessions into joint rule and change the session start/end dates, with the author explaining it was intended to give the Legislature more flexibility without needing constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the University of Idaho, I did the Brinkfini building upgrades for all the windows.
• At the University of Idaho, I did the Brinkfini building upgrades for all the windows.
• choose to participate in Medicaid and Medicare can sell certain drugs to safety net providers at a discount

Committee: Senate State Affairs