Transcript Highlights:

• Help them to lead not from ego, but from love, not for status, but for service.
• Help them to lead not from ego, but from love, not for status, but for service.
• In discussing these acts of service, I failed to mention that Idaho is leading the nation in just-served
• So Idaho is quite literally leading the way in acts of service. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the corrected journal, and received several committee reports and gubernatorial appointment recommendations. Judiciary and Rules reported Senate Joint Resolution 102 and Senate Bills 1224 and 1225 for referral, and recommended confirmation of Scott Smith to the Commission of Pardons and Parole. State Affairs also recommended confirmation of Megan Runk to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights and Salvador Cruz to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board. The governor’s transmittal of outstanding appointments was filed. The Senate introduced Senate Bills 1226 and 1227, dealing respectively with DNA sample/thumbprint collection for certain offenders and a generative artificial intelligence in education framework for schools. It also received House Concurrent Resolution 22 from the House, which declares 2026 the year of volunteerism and the America 250 and Idaho Service Challenge. The Senate suspended the rules by a 35-0 roll call vote, took up HCR 22 immediately, and adopted it after brief debate praising the America 250 effort and volunteer service. During the floor session, senators and guests highlighted the America 250 celebration, including a themed song and recognition of ambassadors and organizers. The Senate also heard announcements about a luncheon on land use and housing, a presentation on rats in the Treasure Valley, and upcoming caucus and chairman meetings. The body then adjourned until 10:45 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• equipped African American women with the networks, the tools, but more importantly, the confidence to lead
• bench, a durable bench, Through LAPI, Joy built a lasting bench, a durable bench of women prepared to lead
• understood the importance of servant leadership, and she understood the importance of letting values lead
• understood the importance of servant leadership, and she understood the importance of letting values lead

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas peace officers will be standing guard at the Peace Officer Memorial for 24 hours leading into
• memorial<00:10:16.320><c> for</c><00:10:16.640><c> 24</c><00:10:17.120><c> hours</c><00:10:18.079><c> leading
• c><00:10:18.480><c> into</c><00:10:18.800><c> a</c><00:10:19.680><c> uh</c> memorial for 24 hours leading
• into a uh memorial for 24 hours leading into a uh remembrance<00:10:21.519><c> c</c><00:10:21.519><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As FedEx's lead attorney, the company.
• </c><00:37:21.760><c> the</c> University, where he helped lead the University, where he helped lead the
• Iran is the leading state End of quote.
• </c><05:15:06.480><c> with</c> elected leaders bully and lead with elected leaders bully and lead with
• </c><06:05:48.878><c> an</c> last year, I was proud to co-lead an last year, I was proud to co-lead an

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to thank the author for leading on this.
• But happy to support this today, and just thank you for leading on safety issues as it relates... ...
• And I just thank you for leading on safety issues as it relates to transportation, both on our roads,
• Currently, the maintenance of this critical infrastructure has a high price tag, leading to delays in
• This will eventually lead to unmet demand.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a very long lead time to get to actually submitting their report.
• So I don't know who's leading off, whether it's OMB or a... Couple months.
• And that actually kind of leads me to my next slide here for legacy application debt.
• So that does kind of lead me to the RFI that we did.
• Several CTS staff were—I call them our module leads, so the leads of our finance, HCM, and campus solutions

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Summary: The committee received a series of informational reports from NDIT and DPI on major IT projects, cybersecurity, and the K-12 student information system transition. Justin Data reviewed the quarterly major project portfolio, noting 111 projects totaling about $542.8 million, generally under budget and slightly behind schedule overall. He highlighted three schedule-red projects: Bed Management System and Vital Records, both now complete and being closed out, and the Roadway Capital Planning Project, which is delayed due to vendor bug fixes after user testing. He also summarized new project startups, including the Attorney General’s Victim Notification System, HHS Medicaid correctional facilities data exchange, Highway Patrol’s motor carrier e-permit system, and additional RIMS work, and answered questions about project timing, funding, and whether work had begun on legislatively funded IT projects. Chris Gurgan, NDIT’s chief information security officer, reported on mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting under HB 1314. He said 77 incidents have been reported since August 2021, with 47 meeting the statutory definition of a cybersecurity incident; phishing remains the most common type, followed by email quarantine alerts, XDR detections, and malware. He emphasized that most incidents are resolved, but that timely reporting is critical for any chance of recovering funds in business email compromise or ransomware cases. He also described several notable incidents since the last report, including the PowerSchool breach, a SimpleHelp intrusion at a school district, a court intrusion, a WSUS vulnerability, a business email compromise at a K-12 district, and a recent ransomware report involving a non-state critical infrastructure entity. Members asked about smishing, MFA, conditional access, security awareness training, and recovery of lost funds; Gurgan said state systems use phishing-resistant MFA and conditional access, training is provided to state employees and offered to political subdivisions on an opt-in basis, and broader cybersecurity maturity assessments are underway. Craig Falkley gave brief reports on coordination with political subdivisions and higher education, including shared networking, cybersecurity, radio/911, PeopleSoft, and co-location services. He also explained distributed ledger technology as a tool for decentralized, secure data sharing, but said the state has limited use for it and would likely frame future reporting more broadly around emerging technologies. The committee then heard from Tony Ambrose of DPI on the statewide Infinite Campus implementation. He said district implementations are underway, but the project had to terminate its original data migration vendor for poor performance and replace it with Aurora Educational Technology, which had experience with a similar North Carolina migration. He also said DPI is moving special education data from Tynet into Infinite Campus, is still working through how to preserve e-transcripts and Choice Ready-type functionality after the PowerSchool transition, and is developing identity, authentication, and data-sharing arrangements for the summer cutover. Members raised concerns about procurement timing, summer school disruption, and whether some functions would be ready by July 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a very long lead time to get to actually submitting their report. And the last one there...
• So I don't know who's leading off, whether it's OMB or a... Couple months.
• And that actually kind of leads me to my next slide here for legacy application debt.
• So that does kind of lead me to the RFI that we did.
• Several CTS staff were, I call them our module leads, so the leads of our finance, HCM, and campus solutions

Summary: The committee received several informational reports from NDIT and DPI. Justin Data reviewed the quarterly major IT project portfolio, noting the portfolio was slightly under budget and behind schedule overall, with three red schedule items: Bed Management System and Vital Records were essentially complete and being closed out, and the Roadway Capital Planning Project was delayed by vendor bug fixes after testing. He also summarized recent project startups and closeouts, including the Victim Notification System, Medicaid data exchange, Highway Patrol’s motor carrier permit system, and several completed HHS and RIMS projects. Members asked for follow-up on ADA compliance work, the public-facing RIO website, and the state’s mainframe retirement timeline, and staff agreed to provide updates later. Craig Falkley reported on coordination of services with political subdivisions and higher education, including StageNet, cybersecurity, radio/911 services, and PeopleSoft coordination. He also explained distributed ledger technology as a tool for transparency and fraud prevention, but said it is not widely used in state government and suggested the report be modernized to focus more broadly on emerging technologies such as AI and cybersecurity. The committee generally agreed that the topic should be updated. Chris Gurgan presented the mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting program created by HB 1314, explaining how agencies and political subdivisions report incidents through NDIT’s website or service desk. He said 77 incidents had been reported since 2021, 47 met the statutory definition, and most were phishing-related; most reported incidents were resolved, with one recent ransomware matter still open. He also reviewed notable incidents since the last report, including the PowerSchool compromise, a SimpleHelp intrusion at a school district, a court intrusion, a WSUS vulnerability, a business email compromise, and a recent ransomware incident involving a non-state critical infrastructure entity. Members asked about recovery of stolen funds, early warning signs, smishing, training, MFA, conditional access, and cybersecurity maturity assessments; Gurgan said the state uses MFA and conditional access, provides awareness training to state employees, and would return with more information on maturity assessments. Tony Ambrose then updated the committee on the K-12 student information system bridge project. He said district implementation of Infinite Campus had begun statewide, but the data migration vendor originally selected was terminated for poor performance and replaced by Aurora Educational Technology, which had experience with similar statewide migrations. He also said DPI is migrating special education data from Tynet into Infinite Campus, and that some SLDS-based tools such as e-transcripts and Choice Ready may not function exactly as they do now at July 1, requiring interim or alternative solutions. Members raised concerns about summer school disruptions, the timing of the cutover, and whether the new system would support existing reporting and transcript functions; DPI said it was working on identity, authentication, data-sharing agreements, and post-go-live integrations, and would continue to refine the plan beyond June 30.

Transcript Highlights:

• midst of wearying labors and long days, that God would give you strength and that he would help you to lead
• Will you please rise as Page James Laughlin of Barre City leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• And<00:14:55.120><c> whereas</c><00:14:55.480><c> leading</c><00:14:55.800><c> organizations</c> And
• whereas leading organizations And whereas leading organizations concerned<00:14:57.000><c> with</c><00
• </c> Japan, being one of the world's leading Japan, being one of the world's leading centers<00:21:26.960

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure would amend the prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution
• materials in water relating to lead materials in water infrastructure. infrastructure. infrastructure
• </c> prohibitions on the use of lead prohibitions on the use of lead materials<01:02:14.800><c> in</c
• And uh just to point lead in our water.
• Senate Bill 3136 relating to lead materials and water infrastructure, we will move this forward as is

Bills: SB3326

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned, speed is number one on our list; it is the number one significant factor that leads to
• </c><00:03:58.079><c> to</c> four contributing factors that lead to four contributing factors that lead
• to uh injury speed is factor that leads to uh injury speed is kinetic<00:04:10.760><c> energy</c><00
• </c> these things uh coming into play leading these things uh coming into play leading to<00:29:35.320
• </c> that you know that's kind of a leading that you know that's kind of a leading indicator<01:04:27.240

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lead to everybody stray. I like that everyone enjoys giving me a hard time. This is...
• I may just mention that on your SOP, it still does show the agency lead.
• That on your SOP, it still does show the agency lead as the sponsor, but we're adding Representative

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee approved the minutes from its February 4, 2026 meeting and then considered two RSs presented by Representative John Schurz. RS 32854 would move the existing rule on airborne shooting of coyotes, wolves, and other predatory animals into statute. Schurz said the proposal does not change the substance of the current rule, but would give the Legislature more direct oversight of a predator-control program used by farmers and ranchers. Committee members briefly paused to confirm the RS was available in the documents file before proceeding, and the motion to introduce the RS was approved. The committee then heard RS 32855, which would also move existing rules into statute, this time regarding certificates of free sale for agricultural commodities grown or processed in Idaho and exported elsewhere. Schurz explained that exporters apply for the certificate and pay an application fee capped at $100. Representative Levitt moved to introduce the RS, and the committee approved the motion without opposition. After the two RSs were introduced, the committee concluded its work and adjourned. No dissenting testimony or recorded opposition was noted on either item.

Transcript Highlights:

• welcome into Your tender care, may we in our work and play, our plans and purpose, follow where You lead
• WELCOME INTO YOUR TENDER CARE, MAY WE IN OUR WORK AND PLAY, OUR PLANS AND PURPOSE FOLLOW WHERE YOU LEAD
• The Chair will lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join me.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:45.279><c> testing</c> so we removed the lead testing so we removed the lead testing requirements
• She was the director leading it. She had three of her staff there.
• She was the director leading it. She had three of her staff there.
• She was the director leading it. She had three of her staff there.
• She was the director leading it. She had three of her staff there.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• context of public management and public policy, the primary bodies that we think about—and this is leading
• context of public management and public policy the primary bodies that we think about and this is leading
• But it leads me to my next question. If you're getting 200 calls a year, what's going on there?
• carried out to assure employees are following agency policies, state laws, and requirements, it can lead
• Without good oversight and spot checking, inaccurate asset tracking and inputs can lead to additional

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation. The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews. The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Komen, the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization.
• I'm the lead oral chemo pharmacist at St. Luke's Cancer Institute.
• So I deal with... ...lead oral chemo pharmacist at St. Luke's Cancer Institute.
• So that leads to issues down the road as far as outcomes with his disease.
• That leads to worse health outcomes and higher long-term costs.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the privilege of leading the team that helps people live how they want as they age.
• That leads to staff making sure they understand how to detect it, how to report it, and basically how
• at dhw it is part of their job and they understand how it is part of their job that makes uh that leads
• to staff making sure sure they That makes that leads to staff making sure sure they understand how to
• Sometimes, though, through these investigations, it also leads us to identify inappropriate provider

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the January 21 and January 22, 2026 minutes, then heard a presentation from AARP Idaho on aging issues. AARP described Idaho’s growing 50-plus population, emphasizing concerns about Social Security, affordable health insurance, caregiving, housing, transportation, and fraud/scams. The presenter highlighted AARP’s age-friendly community work and grant program, and said older Idahoans are a major voting bloc whose needs should be considered across policy areas. In response to questions, AARP discussed education efforts on scams, including scam jams and outreach with law enforcement, and noted support for measures such as a bill targeting fraud through crypto kiosks. The committee then received a detailed Department of Health and Welfare update from Director Juliet Sharon on program integrity, fraud, waste, and abuse prevention. She said the department had recently created a department-wide fraud policy, an anonymous reporting line, a compliance committee, and mandatory staff training, and launched “impact reviews” to evaluate whether programs are still solving the intended problems. She also described ongoing fraud work in Medicaid, self-reliance programs, and the Idaho Child Care Program, including a 360-degree review of 775 child care providers that had already led to nine terminations and further investigations. Sharon said the department has limited staff and backlogs, and asked for additional resources, including five new child care staff and a contractor to assist with Medicaid provider reviews. Members raised concerns about child care providers receiving public funds while not registered with the Secretary of State, recovery of overpayments, and the visibility of recovery data. Sharon said the department is working with the Tax Commission and plans to codify child care program requirements and create a broader Title 56 program integrity chapter. She said recovered funds are returned to the appropriate program bucket, with federal shares returned as required, and that the department is working to improve public reporting. The committee also discussed single audit findings, the use of technology and possible AI tools to improve oversight, and the department’s efforts to reduce compliance problems before they become public issues. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution will lead the parade. We even have the Mayflower coming, which is wonderful.
• She'll be in the lead flotilla with the Eagle, U.S.
• And some of our lead characters are John Adams, Paul Revere, Mercy Otis Warren, John Hancock.
• And I apologize I wasn't able to lead it myself here.
• So again, our lead characters, we've got John Hancock, Mercy Otis Warren, Sam Adams.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission meeting opened with a roll call that established a quorum, after which members could not approve prior minutes because the earlier meeting had not been official. Co-chairs Senator Paul Mark and Representative Sean Garballey offered remarks praising recent America 250/Henry Knox Trail events in Great Barrington, Alford, and Springfield, and noting the upcoming Worcester commemoration. Sheila from the Office of Travel and Tourism then outlined Massachusetts’ America 250 plans, including the state’s 250th signature event on July 4 with the Boston Pops, grant-funded programming across the Commonwealth, and several national initiatives: a time capsule contribution, a coordinated July 8 reading of the Declaration of Independence, America’s Potluck on July 5, volunteer-service promotion through America Gives, and a tractor-themed tribute idea from Kansas. Members discussed how to handle the time capsule, with suggestions that Secretary of State William Galvin help decide the final item and that Massachusetts create its own backup time capsule; they also said the Declaration reading should be broadly promoted, while the potluck should likely wait for Governor Healey’s buy-in. Jonathan Lane and Dusty Rhodes then updated the commission on Henry Knox Trail, Evacuation Day, and Sail Boston, describing large crowds at prior events, the move of the Worcester program to a larger venue, planned commemorations in Framingham, Cambridge, Roxbury, and Dorchester Heights, and a major Sail Boston schedule in July with many international ships and extensive public-safety coordination. They also noted related plans such as an invitation-only Boston Public Library event to unveil the Washington Medal and a March 17 Dorchester Heights ceremony with a procession and tented program. The final presentation was from John Lane on Rebel Town, a musical about the Boston Tea Party developed in western Massachusetts. He described the show as a family-friendly, educational production that blends history and theater, with characters including John Adams, Paul Revere, Mercy Otis Warren, and John Hancock, and said it had been staged in Lenox with strong audience response. Lane asked the commission to help find a Boston venue and broader support so the production could be mounted for the 250th anniversary, estimating a larger-scale budget and noting interest from local supporters and cultural organizations. Members asked a few questions about prior performances and logistics, then agreed to circulate his materials to the commission. With no further business, the commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• each of us to continue his work, not only in words spoken on the holidays, but in the way we live, lead
• Not the kind that makes headlines, but the kind that leads to change.
• And some of you may know or not know, he was first asked to lead the Civil Rights Movement.
• Some of you may know or may not know, he was first asked to lead the Civil Rights Movement and he said
• May we go and lead with reflection and confidence and commitment to our communities. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine announcements and motions. Senator González obtained unanimous consent to print a letter in the journal. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 107, honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with extensive floor remarks from many senators reflecting on King’s legacy, civil rights, nonviolence, economic justice, solidarity across communities, and current concerns about discrimination, immigration enforcement, and threats to democracy. Speakers from multiple caucuses and affiliations supported the resolution, including Senators Richardson, Archuleta, Choi, Smallwood-Cuevas, Blakespear, Pérez, Weber, McNerney, Wiener, Reyes, Cabaldon, Rubio, and Alvarado-Gil. Their comments emphasized King’s leadership, the Letter from Birmingham Jail, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the need to continue his work through policy and civic action. Senator Richardson closed on the measure, and the Senate adopted SCR 107 by roll call vote. After the resolution, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory. Senator Pérez honored Alhambra Police Department Officer Alex Sanders, who died in a vehicle pursuit accident while on duty. Senator McGuire remembered Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, with additional remarks from Senators Becker and Laird about his cultural impact and philanthropy. Senator McNerney and Senator Alvarado-Gil then honored the victims of a Stockton mass shooting, including children Journey Rose Guerrero, Maya Lupian, and Amari Peterson, and a 21-year-old, Susanna Archeletta, describing their lives and the community’s loss. The session ended with the Pro Tem noting the day’s reflection and announcing the Senate would reconvene on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Going just a little bit more in depth, just to not bury the lead too much, PIT...
• Going just a little bit more in depth, just to not bury the lead too much, PIT despite the 5% net cut
• Certainly that is the lead growth area on sales tax in recent quarters.
• And natural gas is now the leading source of severance tax right now. It's moving on up.
• we're cutting the personal income tax because of other related impacts, the personal income tax is leading

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure. Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues. Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• secured state housing and connected to support programs could suddenly exceed the income threshold, leading
• I have with me today to testify in support one of the leading experts in California tax law and policy
• I have with me today to testify in support one of the leading experts in California tax law and policy
• This bill would help us build more infill housing and lead to cleaning up more pollution by capping the
• It's being headed by your very own Sharon Quirk-Silva, and she is taking the lead on that.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups. Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.