Transcript Highlights:

• So if you are an adoptive parent who has come through Florida's child welfare system, you're eligible
• The first is that of the child welfare workforce issues.
• This bill addresses the strain on the child welfare workforce by requiring DCF to run a CPI and case
• The work group will be made up of child welfare professionals to identify current gaps in child welfare
• system takes up a lot of time and energy of the child welfare system because the child welfare system

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met with a quorum and first took up SB 398, which would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Senator Burgess said the campaign would focus on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. The committee heard supportive testimony from a caregiver, AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and others, with members discussing the need for culturally responsive outreach and continued funding. SB 398 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 106, which would strengthen Florida’s exploitation injunction law for vulnerable adults by allowing service of an unascertainable exploiter through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp. Senator Martin explained the bill as a way to close a loophole that lets scammers evade traditional service, and witnesses from the Florida Bankers Association and the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section supported it, describing how the bill could stop ongoing thefts more quickly while preserving due process. Members asked about gift card scams, clerk workload, and the definition of an unascertainable respondent. SB 106 was reported favorably. The Department of Children and Families then presented an update on the Adoption Benefits for Qualifying Adoptive Employees Program, describing its expansion over time and the current one-time lump-sum benefit structure for eligible adoptive parents. The presentation covered eligibility rules, open enrollment, funding history, and the program’s impact on adoption placements, with members asking why tax collectors were included but other constitutional offices were not, and whether foster relatives could qualify. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7012, a committee bill addressing child welfare workforce shortages, treatment foster care for high-acuity children, and improved data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill would direct DCF to recruit former public safety workers for CPI and case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and require more detailed, analyzable data and capacity studies. The bill drew support from child welfare advocates, with some members urging DCF to return with a more developed framework; it was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the event of a near-fatality of a child who was in the care of or receiving child welfare services
• E3 requires the state auditor to audit the institutional welfare account.
• E3 requires the state auditor to audit the institutional welfare account.
• We are moving on to Senate Bill 6085, Institutional Welfare Account.
• This one simply asks the state auditor to review this institutional welfare account.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5977, which would require DCYF to publish child near-fatality review reports within 180 days and post them publicly, with confidential information redacted as allowed by law. Senator Nikki Torres said the bill is intended to improve transparency, accountability, and child protection. There was no public testimony on the bill, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6184, an Office of Homeless Youth request bill sponsored by the chair. The bill makes technical and policy updates to OHY programs, including replacing the term “street youth” with “unaccompanied homeless youth,” allowing certain flexible funds to go directly to youth or vendors, renaming and making permanent the H-Sync program, expanding eligibility and housing options in the Independent Youth Housing Program, and clarifying shelter and reporting provisions. Testifiers from Commerce, advocates, school support organizations, and a youth advocate all supported the bill, emphasizing that the changes would improve access, consistency, and housing stability for unhoused youth. The hearing was then closed. The committee moved into executive session on seven bills. SB 5681, concerning intellectual and developmental disability services at age 20, had Amendment A1 fail and the proposed substitute was adopted and sent to Ways and Means. SB 5917, regarding abortion medication in DOC, saw one amendment adopted and multiple Christian amendments rejected before the bill was sent to Rules. SB 5942, renaming the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board and revising its duties, had only Amendment C16 adopted; the amended bill passed to Rules. SB 6024, on duplicative audits for community residential providers, passed without amendment. SB 6036, concerning adult family homes and foster care licensees, had Amendment D1 adopted and the bill passed to Rules. SB 6085, on the DOC institutional welfare account, had Amendment E1 adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means after several other amendments failed. In each case, the committee voted to advance the bill after considering amendments, with most of the proposed changes from Senator Christian failing except where noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Health and Welfare Committee will come to order at this time.
• Health and Welfare, yeah, goodness gracious. Yeah, we spend too much time there.
• Jared Larson, chief of staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• Jared Larson, Chief of Staff, Department of Health and Welfare.
• I work with the Department of Health and Welfare.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee reviewed several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare administrative rule dockets, mostly zero-based rewrites intended to reduce duplication, simplify language, and align rules with current statutes or federal guidance. On the reportable diseases docket, the department said the rewrite cut the chapter by about 40 percent, added viral hemorrhagic fevers as reportable diseases, and lowered the lead-reporting threshold to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to match CDC standards. Members asked about incorporation by reference, the history of using federal guidelines, and why COVID was not listed; department staff explained that COVID was handled under broader public health authority and extraordinary-occurrence provisions rather than the reportable disease list. That docket was approved by voice vote after some discussion about whether more health policy should be placed in statute versus rule. The committee then approved the radiation control rules, which were rewritten to shorten the chapter substantially, remove incorporation by reference, and require out-of-state licensees to register within 30 days. Next, members considered a consolidated chapter for developmental disability agencies and related provider types, including residential habilitation agencies and adult residential care providers; the department said the rewrite would streamline licensing requirements and had broad stakeholder support. The committee approved that chapter, then approved a repeal docket for residential habilitation agencies because those provisions had been moved into the new consolidated chapter. The final docket covered residential assisted living facilities. The department said the rewrite reorganized application, resident activity, discharge, and medical review requirements, removed duplicative statutory language, and eliminated a separate NFPA building standard reference because the International Fire Code already covers it. Senators focused on discharge protections for vulnerable residents, asking about emergency discharges, nonpayment, Medicaid-related placement issues, and the role of the ombudsman and appeal rights. Department staff said residents generally receive written notice, often 30 days, and can access appeals and ombudsman assistance; immediate discharge can occur in limited situations such as nonpayment or inability to meet care needs. The committee approved the docket by voice vote and then adjourned, with a note that budget presentations would likely begin the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Health and Welfare Committee will come to order at this time.
• Health and Welfare. Yeah, goodness gracious. Yeah, we spend too much time there.
• Jared Larson, chief of staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• Jared Larson, Chief of Staff, Department of Health and Welfare.
• I work with the Department of Health and Welfare.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee reviewed several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare administrative rule dockets, mostly zero-based regulation rewrites and consolidations. The first docket covered reportable diseases, with the department saying the rewrite cuts duplicative language, adds viral hemorrhagic fevers as reportable, and lowers the lead-reporting threshold to align with CDC guidance. Senators asked about incorporation by reference, the deletion of penalty language as duplicative of statute, testing without informed consent for exposed first responders, and why COVID was not specifically listed; department staff said COVID had never been on the list and that general authority and an “extraordinary occurrence” category were used for new outbreaks. The committee approved the docket by voice vote after brief discussion about whether more rules should be moved into statute. The committee then approved a radiation control rules rewrite that greatly shortened the chapter, removed incorporation by reference, kept fees unchanged, and added a requirement for out-of-state licensees to register within 30 days. Members next considered developmental disability agencies rules, which consolidate licensing requirements for developmental disability agencies, residential habilitation agencies, and adult residential care providers into one chapter; the department said the rewrite removes redundant standards and had stakeholder support. The related residential habilitation agencies docket was then approved as a full repeal because its provisions were moved into the consolidated chapter. Finally, the committee reviewed residential assisted living facilities rules, a comprehensive rewrite that reorganizes application, resident activity, discharge, and medical review provisions and removes duplicative statutory language. Senators focused on discharge requirements, especially emergency discharges, nonpayment, and what happens when a facility can no longer meet a resident’s needs; department staff said residents receive notice, appeal rights, and ombudsman involvement in many cases. Concerns were raised about vulnerable residents being displaced if reimbursement rates are too low, but the department said facilities and the ombudsman often work to find alternate placement. The committee approved all of the dockets it considered and adjourned after noting an upcoming budget presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:17.920><c> system</c> programs across the child welfare system programs across the child welfare
• </c><00:40:45.760><c> portion</c> honing in on the Child Welfare portion honing in on the Child Welfare
• </c> representative uh the Child Welfare representative uh the Child Welfare component<00:42:46.599><
• welfare welfare system<00:53:55.000><c> child</c><00:53:55.319><c> abuse</c><00:53:55.640><c> is</c>
• </c> believe fortunately the Child Welfare believe fortunately the Child Welfare Training<00:55:40.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Health and Welfare Committee to order. First order of business is roll call.
• Tomorrow, Health and Welfare will be here to go over the budget. I want to hear all your ideas.
• Tomorrow, Health and Welfare will be here to go over the budget, to maybe give us some insight into what
• Now, does that mean we're going to pull FTEs out of Health and Welfare?
• We will have Health and Welfare tomorrow, and you can ask all the specific questions.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 2, 2026 minutes and then introduced RS 33180, the Idaho Prior Authorization Reform Act. Representative Josh Wheeler said the proposal would require insurers to disclose prior authorization rules and criteria, use standardized electronic processes, set decision timelines, ensure appeals are reviewed by appropriately licensed specialists, and protect patients from retroactive denials after approval. Members raised questions about whether the bill would increase administrative burden and whether its physician language could unintentionally exclude advanced practice providers; Wheeler said the intent was to ensure the right specialty reviews the request and that the language may need adjustment. The committee then held an extended discussion on Health and Welfare budget options ahead of JFAC. Members floated a wide range of ideas, including reducing or trimming optional Medicaid services such as adult vision, hearing, chiropractic, and podiatry; using state reserves to soften cuts; tightening Medicaid expansion eligibility or repealing expansion; renegotiating contracts; and increasing audits and fraud, waste, and abuse reviews. Several members argued that cuts should not fall on disability, home- and community-based, or RESHAB services, while others said those programs should be reviewed for overutilization and more precise eligibility tools. There was also discussion of provider reimbursement rates, with some members opposing the 4% reduction and others saying it could be reduced if offset by smaller cuts elsewhere. Members also debated department efficiency and administrative costs, including Medicaid re-evaluations, prior authorization processing, staffing levels, and the possibility of delaying or restructuring large contracts. Representative Kaler raised concerns about Youth Safety and Permanency, suggesting possible savings from repealing the extended foster care age increase, reducing full-time positions, and adjusting employee benefit costs. Representative Healy emphasized that therapy prior authorizations are common in private insurance and said the department should improve timeliness rather than eliminate the practice. The meeting ended with the chair saying Health and Welfare would present its budget the next day and that members could send additional ideas and numbers before then.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill would have the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, known as WSIPP, conduct a child welfare
• to perform an assessment of DCYF's use of screening tools and risk assessment processes for child welfare
• I have been very, very concerned with what's happening in the child welfare arena.
• I have been very, very concerned with what's happening in the child welfare arena.
• I have been very, very concerned with what's happening in the child welfare arena.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on three bills. SB 6212, sponsored by Sen. Nobles, would create a Department of Commerce pilot program providing monthly cash benefits to families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, with a control group and a final report to the Legislature on whether to expand the program statewide. Supporters said the pilot could reduce child poverty, improve family stability, and provide evidence on the effects of direct cash assistance; the sponsor acknowledged the bill would be expensive and said funding would need to be worked out. No vote was taken. SB 6186, sponsored by Sen. Warnick, would direct DSHS to seek a federal waiver to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used to buy candy and sweetened beverages, with annual reapplication if needed. The bill’s preliminary fiscal note was described as significant, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments, including possibly limiting the proposal to Sun Bucks. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed from anti-hunger advocates, public health experts, economists, SNAP educators, and individuals with lived experience, who argued the restrictions would be costly, hard to administer, stigmatizing, and unlikely to improve nutrition; one supporter said the measure would promote healthier choices and reduce long-term health costs. No action was taken. SB 6707, also by Sen. Warnick, would have WSIPP study DCYF’s screening tools and risk assessment processes for child welfare referrals and their effects on outcomes such as services, removals, re-referrals, and fatalities. DCYF said it supports evaluating its risk assessment tool but is already working with Chapin Hall on a similar redesign and pilot of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale, and asked how the bill would avoid duplicating that work. Sen. Warnick said the bill was intended to examine child welfare outcomes more broadly. The committee heard testimony but took no vote, and the chair announced amendments for Wednesday’s executive session are due by noon the next day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This old welfare rule, known as the work penalty, was adopted after the welfare reform era of the 1990s
• Coisei Turn with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights... Okay.
• Amanda Kirchner, County Welfare Directors Association, in support. Okay.
• Amanda Kirshner, County Welfare Directors, in support. Yes, Sr...
• Amanda Kirshner, County Welfare Directors, in support. Yes, Sr.

Summary: The committee heard several child welfare, food assistance, child care, and developmental services bills. AB 308 would require a statewide evaluation of regional center safety training and crisis-response services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; supporters said it would help reduce reliance on law enforcement and improve de-escalation and emergency preparedness. AB 1049 would remove sponsor deeming from the California Food Assistance Program, with supporters from food banks and legal aid arguing the rule creates confusion, chilling effects, and wrongful denials, while one member raised concerns about accountability and fraud. AB 1201 would narrow when a parent’s prior violent felony can bar reunification services, limiting the bypass to offenses involving a child or a child’s other parent/guardian; county and advocacy witnesses said the bill preserves judicial discretion and avoids automatic denials, though a member expressed concern about child safety in violent or criminal environments. AB 2379 would require family child care providers to be notified of constitutional rights and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2429 would make ACEs screening optional and reduce required classroom observations in the early childhood mental health consultation program, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burdens and expand participation. AB 1755 would eliminate CalWORKs’ 100-hour monthly work penalty for two-parent families, and supporters said it would reduce poverty and administrative burden without changing income eligibility. AB 1981, presented later, would advance “true cost of care” child care rate reform, with providers describing the current reimbursement system as unsustainable. AB 2478 would create a streamlined kinship family approval pathway for foster care placements with relatives and other kin, and AB 1969 and AB 1996 would create statewide structures to coordinate cradle-to-career services and reduce child poverty, respectively; both were presented as data-driven, place-based efforts to align services and set measurable reduction goals. Most bills received strong support from county agencies, advocacy organizations, and service providers, with little or no opposition testimony. Members generally praised the goals of the measures but asked questions about implementation, accountability, and child safety in the reunification and benefits bills. The committee took roll calls on the bills it heard, and the votes shown in the transcript were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with several measures held on call after passing committee votes. AB 1049 was voted out 2-1, AB 1201 and AB 2379 were each voted out 3-0, AB 2429 and AB 1755 were voted out 2-0, and AB 2478, AB 1969, and AB 1996 were each voted out 2-0; the chair repeatedly noted that some bills would remain on call pending absent members. AB 1981 drew extensive support testimony from child care providers and allies, but the committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided because no motion was available at that moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and welfare. Morning hour 10. House resolutions lying over.
• Health and welfare.
• Health and welfare.
• Talbot Health and Welfare with Amendments, Bureau without.
• Senate Bill 273 by Senator Abraham, Health and Welfare with amendments.

Bills: HR286, HR287, HR288, HR289, HR290, HR291, HR292, HR293, HR294, HCR114, HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR282, HR283, HR284, HR285, HCR112, HCR113, SCR62, SCR64, SB132, SB135, SB405, HR179, HR216, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, SB39, SB99, SB111, SB112, SB124, SB134, SB174, SB189, SB190, SB201, SB233, SB236, SB258, SB270, SB273, SB288, SB307, SB313, SB320, SB321, SB325, SB326, SB331, SB339, SB341, SB345, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB357, SB359, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB419, SB422, SB426, SB435, SB437, SB440, SB451, SB464, SB470, SB487, SB488, SB495, SB504, SB505, SB518, SB523, SB228, SB408, HR168, HR174, HR194, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR102, HCR104, SCR23, SCR38, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB75, HB705, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, SCR3, HB582, HB625, HB646, HB998, HB1191, HB1255, SB81, SB100, SB109, SB197, SB374, SB479, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: HR286, House Resolution 286, LED, Louisiana Economic Development, rural development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, public-private partnership, tax credits, economic development, workforce training, school energy costs, community colleges, technical colleges, local government, building modernization, on-site energy generation, public facilities, rural parishes, distressed communities

Summary: The House met with a quorum, received a guest minister for prayer, approved the journal, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including NEC Awareness Day, a European Union delegation visit, and the Glenmore Wildcats baseball team’s state championship. Members also received Senate messages, including concurrence on some House measures, the filing of Senate bills, and several Senate resolutions and bills laid over for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long series of resolutions and bills. Among the resolutions adopted were measures on a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission, support for migratory waterfowl studies, hunting education in schools, SNAP delivery-fee studies, fraud prevention for seniors, subsurface data preservation, boating safety reporting, and visual acuity screening data. Some items were temporarily returned to the calendar, including a sales-tax uniform-base rule resolution and several Senate measures. The House also adopted a resolution creating an agricultural national security task force and another supporting a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On legislation, the House passed bills on missing-person alerts for people with disabilities (“Brian’s Call”), first responder status for public works employees, planning commission procedures, historic preservation district rules, judges’ supplemental compensation, the Baker Economic Development District, New Orleans downtown development district tax authority, a local crime prevention district, clerks of court records, hotel occupancy taxes in Shreveport-Bossier, firefighter cancer screenings, Shreveport police civil service rules, local ethics entity funding, hemp/alcohol age restrictions, OMV digital signatures, LED recreation, TOPS Tech eligibility for veterans, anatomical gift recordkeeping, crypto kiosk fraud protections, firefighting foam definitions, and consumer data privacy. Several bills failed, including HB 705 on legislative contempt penalties and HB 75 on gaming promotional play. One bill on vehicle insurance reinstatement fees was amended and passed, and a bill on judicial compensation fund adjustments was amended and passed after questions about CPI indexing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Welfare.
• Health and Welfare.
• Health and Welfare favorably. Passed third reading.
• Health and Welfare favorably. Passed third reading.
• Health and Welfare with amendments.

Bills: HR65, HR66, HR67, HR68, HR69, HCR33, HCR34, HB1006, HB1007, HB1008, HB1010, HB1011, HR58, HR59, HR60, HR61, HR62, HR63, HR64, HCR32, SCR2, SCR5, SCR6, SCR11, SCR16, SCR17, HB43, HB447, HB573, HB1000, HB1001, HB1002, HB1003, HB1004, HB1005, SB8, SB10, SB12, SB16, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB29, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB44, SB49, SB58, SB68, SB75, SB77, SB81, SB97, SB103, SB159, SB163, SB172, SB180, SB182, SB244, SB248, SB253, SB254, SB279, SB306, SB318, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB397, HB53, HB57, HB64, HB100, HB102, HB106, HB111, HB137, HB152, HB155, HB177, HB238, HB256, HB258, HB272, HB337, HB350, HB359, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB445, HB546, HB557, HB584, HB661, HB697, HB726, HB727, HB747, HB752, HB756, HB758, HB759, HB765, HB767, HB825, HB858, HB930, HB941, HB957, HB964, HB203, HB228, HB234, HB260, HB268, HB271, HB285, HB289, HB351, HB400, HB413, HB469, HB534, HB551, HB552, HB574, HB576, HB634, HB649, HB677, HB735, HB739, HB779, HB784, HB796, HB842, HB850, HB919, HB8, HB9, HB10, HB15, HB16, HB17, HB18, HB19, HB22, HB33, HB34, HB35, HB44, HB46, HB47, HB48, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB135, HB142, HB164, HB185, HB215, HB226, HB232, HB233, HB242, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB301, HB334, HB436, HB468, HB548, HB571, HB582, HB593, HB594, HB609, HB613, HB712, HB722, HB732, HB746, HB827, HB845, HB848, HB921, HB923, HB951, HB953, HB999, HB733, HB875, HB952, HB868, HB119, HB140, HB52, HB901, HB193, HB570

Keywords: condolences, Sam Goodwin, Northwestern State University, football coach, athletic legacy, obituary, ShaMonica Huggins, Louisiana, community support, public service, law enforcement, memorial resolution, Louisiana Legislature, tribute, centenarian, community recognition, Louisiana history, birthday celebration, Jeanerette, French bread

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1265 by Health and Welfare Committee.
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1266 by Health and Welfare Committee.
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1265 by Health and Welfare Committee.
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1266 by Health and Welfare Committee.
• the Board of Health and Welfare, to provide that certain references to the Board of Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several communications, including substitute senator designations and gubernatorial appointments. It also took up a memorial service honoring former Senator Carl Crabtree, former Senator Reese Werner, former Senator Wayne Kidwell, and former Secretary of the Senate Janine Wood. Each memorial was adopted after brief remarks from senators and family tributes describing their public service, character, and contributions to Idaho. The chamber also heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized visiting former senators, family members, and Girl Scouts in the gallery. In committee and referral actions, the Senate received and referred a number of measures, including Senate Joint Memorial 110 and Senate Joint Memorial 11, along with multiple new Senate bills. First-reading bills included measures on self-defense immunity and reimbursement, digital identification limits, state office vacancies and gubernatorial appointment of agency directors, beer sales by certain brewers, highway district commissioner elections, energy resources, irrigation and water district issues, mediation, juvenile corrections, human fetal tissue, ignition interlock systems, public assistance provider payments, naturopathic licensing, health department provisions, maternity price transparency, health and safety exemptions, and regional service centers in education. Several House bills were also introduced and referred, including measures on polling places, rangeland improvement, concealed weapons instruction, and virtual education and charter school requirements. Standing committee reports recommended do-pass action on House Bill 533, House Concurrent Resolution 24, Senate Bill 1258, House Bill 502, House Joint Memorial 9, and House Joint Memorial 11, with some measures referred onward for second reading or held for one legislative day. The Senate also processed second-reading bills and then recessed for the memorial service before later returning to miscellaneous business. No roll-call votes on legislation were recorded in the transcript beyond unanimous-consent actions and the adoption of the memorials, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1254 by the Health and Welfare Committee regarding the Chiropractic Practice Act.
• , appropriating additional monies to the Department of Health and Welfare.
• It's a program within Health and Welfare.
• Mostly because I've dealt with the Health and Welfare budget for multiple years now.
• House Health and Welfare Committee will meet subject to call of the chair.

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal. It also received several communications, including gubernatorial notices of signed bills, Senate-enrolled bills for the Speaker’s signature, and committee reports enrolling or advancing various measures. House Bill 971, an appropriations bill for the Attorney General’s office, was introduced and later considered under suspension of the rules. The House also advanced several Senate bills and resolutions to second reading or enrollment, including bills on health and welfare, education, state affairs, and procurement-related matters. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 822, as amended in the Senate, dealing with pediatric social transition and parental notification. Supporters said the bill clarified that state resources could not be used for social/sexual transition of children and emphasized parental rights and disclosure. Opponents argued it imposed overly punitive, potentially unconstitutional penalties, would chill teachers, health care workers, and child care providers, and would make Idaho more hostile to families and professionals. The House suspended the rules, debated the bill, and passed it 60-9; later, a motion to let one member change her vote failed after the Speaker ruled that House Rule 79 barred post-announcement vote changes without the required two-thirds support. The House also passed Senate Bill 1430 on firearms after debate over state preemption and local restrictions, and Senate Bill 1359, the virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention bill. Supporters of SB 1359 described widespread fraud involving crypto kiosks, especially targeting seniors, and said the bill would require operator registration, disclosures, fraud warnings, recordkeeping, and transaction limits for new users; opponents called it overbroad, intrusive, and a privacy concern. The bill passed 39-9. Senate Bill 1410, concerning Medicaid reimbursement updates for community health centers, also passed. Senate Concurrent Resolution 127, urging rejection of a proposed medical marijuana initiative, passed after debate over public safety, costs, and out-of-state influence versus arguments that patients with serious conditions should have access to medical cannabis. Senate Bill 1436, a procurement clarification bill, failed after concerns about broad administrative discretion and pending litigation. The House later recessed and returned to continue with additional Senate bills and appropriations measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1433, by the Finance Committee, regarding appropriations, Health and Welfare, Medicaid.
• Welfare.
• Before you is the Health and Welfare budget for Medicaid.
• Good ladies and gentlemen, this is the budget for Health and Welfare, the Division of Welfare, and this
• It will be referred to the Health and Welfare Committee.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal and received a notice appointing Randolph J. Hill as a substitute legislator for District 14. The chamber also processed messages from the Senate and Governor, including the signing and return of Enrolled Senate Bill 1396, filing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 127, and referral or enrollment actions on several House bills. House Bill 750 was reported as having failed in the Senate, while House Bills 969 and 970 were deferred for printing and later referred for committee action. The main floor business focused on appropriations and welfare-related measures. The House suspended rules and passed Senate Bill 1432, the Health and Welfare indirect services/licensing budget, after discussion of a 1.2% increase and modernization costs. It then passed Senate Bill 1433, the Medicaid budget, after extended debate over rising Medicaid costs, supplemental funding, provider rate cuts, Medicaid expansion, and the effect of federal policy changes. Senate Bill 1434, the Division of Welfare budget, also passed; members discussed SNAP administration cost shifts, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and eligibility system changes tied to federal law and prior Idaho legislation. Senate Bill 1437, a trailer appropriation for Idaho State Police DNA and thumbprint sampling tied to sexual battery and domestic violence misdemeanors, passed as well. The House also passed House Bill 968, a year-end transfer/budget bill that redirected funds to the bottom line and moved interest and other balances among accounts; one member criticized leaving money in reserves while cutting services. After recess, the chamber returned to consider Senate-amended bills. House Bill 730, on SNAP eligibility timing, passed after the Senate changed the review period from every four months to every six months. House Bill 758, on daycare licensing, passed with a Senate cleanup amendment referencing Idaho Code. House Bill 928, on merit-based health care, also passed after Senate amendments clarifying language and adding a sex-based hiring provision for certain occupational settings. The House then made announcements, including committee meeting notices, and adjourned until April 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It penalizes taxpayers by allowing waste, fraud, and abuse in our welfare programs.
• And it continues a sick cycle. welfare programs.
• The federal government funds welfare programs largely.
• CalWORKs actually lessens welfare-to-work requirements in the state of California.
• And finally, this bill does contain billions of dollars in welfare benefits.

Summary: The Assembly convened without a quorum, completed the roll call, and then proceeded with the day’s business after a prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for victims of the Texas flooding. Procedural motions suspended several rules to allow committee notices, guest seating, and the withdrawal of AB 898 back to the Senate. Members also made several guest introductions, including family members, interns, and scouting troop visitors. On the floor, AB 1416 by Assembly Member Ta, a taxation bill, was concurred in with Senate technical amendments by a 60-0 vote. ACR 1, designating October 23 as Korean Ginseng Day, was adopted by voice vote after supportive remarks highlighting Korean culture and the health benefits of ginseng; 62 coauthors were added without objection. The Assembly also heard SB 119, the budget-related human services trailer bill, with extensive debate over CalWORKs, CalFresh, child welfare reporting, and housing/homelessness programs. Supporters framed it as a needed anti-poverty and safety-net measure, while opponents criticized it as expanding dependency and failing to address fraud and work requirements. SB 119 passed on a 54-11 vote. The second-day consent calendar, including AJR 16 on the Tijuana River, was adopted 71-0, and the remaining consent items AJR 15 and SB 765 were also adopted 71-0. The session concluded with adjournments in memory of Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, followed by announcements of upcoming committee hearings and the next floor session before adjournment until July 10 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• transition... ...and understanding their awareness of welfare transition services.
• The top supportive services provided to welfare transition participants by the local workforce boards
• I appreciate the opportunity to share how we've implemented the welfare transition provisions in House
• We had two welfare transition career coaches who assisted this gentleman by conducting an initial CLIFF
• Through the Welfare Transition Occupational Skills Training Program, he earned four industry-recognized

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive implementation briefings on House Bill 1267, which was enacted to address benefit cliffs and help public assistance recipients move toward economic self-sufficiency. The Department of Children and Families reviewed SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and Medicaid-related eligibility and work requirements, including who must participate in work activities, the role of Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida, and the new standardized intake and exit surveys required by the law. Members also discussed the TCA program’s household-based structure, the 48-month adult limit, and how work requirements differ for SNAP and TCA participants. Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida then reported on implementation of HB 1267, including the CLIFF financial forecasting tool, case management changes, and survey data collected from welfare transition participants. They said intake surveys showed common barriers such as child care, transportation, and flexible work schedules, while exit surveys showed many participants were employed or had gained credentials, though response rates were low because the surveys are voluntary. A local workforce board, CareerSource Tampa Bay, described using CLIFF in case management and shared a success story about a participant who completed training, earned certifications, and moved into employment. The committee also heard a separate DCF briefing on the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its impact on SNAP. DCF said the law expands able-bodied adult without dependents requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, ends future SNAP-Ed funding, increases state administrative cost sharing, and may require states to share in benefit costs if payment error rates remain above federal thresholds. Members focused heavily on Florida’s SNAP payment error rate, which DCF said was 15.13% for federal fiscal year 2024 and 12.60% for 2023, with the state currently on a corrective action plan. DCF described steps to reduce errors, including more verification of rent and utility expenses, improved income matching, staff training, and system modernization. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 759, by the Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating to public assistance, providing
• Senate Bill 1255, 1256, 1265, and 1266 will be referred to the Health and Welfare Committee.
• House Health and Welfare Committee will meet Wednesday, February 25, at 9:00 a.m. in Room EW 41.
• House Health and Welfare Committee will meet Wednesday, February 25, at 9:00 a.m. in Room EW 20.
• House Health and Welfare Committee will meet Wednesday, February 25th, at 9 a.m.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and swore in new pages. It then received messages from the governor and Senate, including the governor’s signing of House Bills 514 and 515 and Senate passage of several bills. Standing committee reports moved a number of measures forward, including bills on taxation, utilities, medical neglect, daycare licensing, public assistance, property tax exemptions, mental health detention, blindness reporting, insurer investments, the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, and foster care placement. House Bill 692 was sent back to general orders, while House Joint Memorial 17 and House Concurrent Resolution 30 were referred to Judiciary, Rules and Administration. The House also advanced House Bill 751 and House Bill 591 to third reading. On third reading, the House passed several bills. House Bill 630, on aerial shooting of predators, was approved 60-8; House Bill 631, on certificates of free sale for Idaho exporters, passed 62-7; House Bill 548, requiring reasonable suspicion for stopping and boarding vessels on the water, passed 68-0 with two abstentions; House Bill 599, changing the public school digital content and curriculum grant process to a need-based model, passed 68-0 with two abstentions; House Bill 731, entering Idaho into a federal tax credit scholarship program, passed 68-0; House Bill 603, clarifying rules on camping and property handling on state facilities, passed 66-2; House Bill 689 and House Bill 690 also passed unanimously or near-unanimously; House Bill 698, closing a voting-law loophole involving out-of-state treason, passed 68-0; House Bill 642, creating a catastrophic benefit for public safety officers and their families, passed 68-0; and House Bill 563, easing CPA licensure pathways and updating practice privilege language, passed 67-0 with three absent. The most debated measure was House Bill 623, which requires a 60-second moment of silence at the start of each public school day. Supporters argued it would help students focus, reduce stress, and address behavioral and mental health concerns, while opponents raised local control and implementation concerns. After extended debate, it passed 51-17. House Bill 641 was held on the third reading calendar for one legislative day, and the remaining third-reading bills were also held one day. The House later filed a committee letter approving pending agriculture rules, heard announcements including the death of former Representative Bob Geddes Sr. and a welcome to Idaho firefighters, and adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on February 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amanda Kirchner on behalf of the County Welfare Directors Association.
• This old welfare rule, known as the work penalty, was adopted after the welfare reform era of the 1990s
• Amanda Kirchner, County Welfare Directors Association, in support. Okay.
• Amanda Kirshner, County Welfare Directors, in support. Yes, Sr.
• Amanda Kirshner, County Welfare Directors, in support. Yes, Sr.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bills 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, and 1316 will all be referred to the Health and Welfare Committee
• February 16, 2006, the Health and Welfare Committee reports out House Bill 55 and recommended it do pass
• Health and Welfare Committee, and Senate Bill 1317 will be referred to the Education Committee.
• February 16, 2006, the Health and Welfare Committee reports out House Bill 55 and recommended it due
• Then she moved to the Department of Health and Welfare in Idaho.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and moved through committee reports and messages. Committee actions included referral of a large group of newly printed Senate bills to the appropriate standing committees, a do-pass report on House Bill 55 from Health and Welfare, and referral of Senate Bills 1270 and 1271 for possible amendment. The Senate also received a gubernatorial appointment of Jeff Seelich to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho Board and House bills 576, 577, 632, and 607 for introduction. In the 10th order, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 114 on Education Committee rules and Senate Resolution 115 on temporary and pending rules for several state agencies, both without opposition. It also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 109, which urged Congress to address campaign finance concerns and out-of-state influence in Idaho elections, and House Joint Memorial 9, which asked Congress to reaffirm FLPMA as the governing framework for federal land management and exchanges. House Joint Memorial 11 was also adopted, calling on Congress to fully fund IDEA at the promised 40% level; supporters emphasized the burden on state and local budgets and property taxpayers, while opponents argued the state should resist federal overreach and dependency. The Senate confirmed the committee report recommending Ryan Lanham as State Athletic Commissioner, with supportive testimony highlighting his combat sports background and experience. It also adopted the committee report confirming Juliet Sharon as Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, with senators citing her Medicaid and program integrity experience and the size and complexity of the agency. In first and second reading, the Senate referred House Bills 576 and 577 to Transportation and House Bills 632 and 607 to State Affairs, and advanced House Bill 533, Senate Bill 1258, and House Bill 502 to third reading. The chamber then heard announcements about caucus and lunch events before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It comes from the Committee on Health and Welfare favorably.
• It comes from the Committee on Health and Welfare favorably.
• It comes from the Committee on Health and Welfare favorably.
• It comes from the Committee on Health and Welfare favorably.
• It comes from the Committee on Health and Welfare favorably.

Bills: SR134, SR135, SR136, SR137, SR140, SR141, SR142, SCR75, SCR77, SCR12, HB75, HB1199, HB221, HCR89, HCR96, HCR103, HCR108, HCR58, HB9, HB177, HB181, HB198, HB202, HB223, HB225, HB387, HB398, HB457, HB459, HB540, HB591, HB616, HB766, HB775, HB783, HB797, HB895, HB906, HB950, HB975, HB1028, HB1052, HB1057, HB1076, HB1100, HB1139, HB1155, HB1160, HB1182, HB1186, HB1220, HB1222, HB1223, HB1224, HB1228, HB1231, HB1245, HB1256, SCR3, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB426, SB435, SB487, SB488, SB523, SB56, SB163, SB341, SB504, SB322, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR27, HCR28, HCR66, HCR67, HCR72, HCR31, HCR47, HCR41, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB386, HB392, HB431, HB441, HB559, HB664, HB685, HB715, HB741, HB822, HB856, HB908, HB980, HB990, HB999, HB1010, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB27, HB143, HB205, HB259, HB267, HB288, HB308, HB403, HB405, HB414, HB417, HB478, HB546, HB548, HB555, HB557, HB609, HB670, HB672, HB740, HB779, HB786, HB796, HB812, HB848, HB915, HB917, HB921, HB930, HB933, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1187, HB1195, HB1230, HB316, HB511, HB799, HB1039, HB12, HB66, HB145, HB167, HB196, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB256, HB291, HB326, HB352, HB401, HB430, HB433, HB434, HB448, HB456, HB476, HB481, HB487, HB492, HB549, HB579, HB608, HB621, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB637, HB656, HB722, HB745, HB804, HB818, HB821, HB833, HB864, HB867, HB874, HB893, HB909, HB951, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB979, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1005, HB1007, HB1024, HB1032, HB1038, HB1050, HB1051, HB1056, HB1059, HB1077, HB1080, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1112, HB1153, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1193, HB1204, HB1218, HB1242, HB1244, HB1249, HB1252, HB1254, HB17, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB271, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB571, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB750, HB759, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1018, HB1036, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB441, SB449, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB149

Keywords: SR134, Senate Resolution 134, Isaac Herzenberg, Metairie Park Country Day School, Country Day, javelin, track and field, Class 2A, state championship, high school athletics, student athlete, Louisiana Senate commendation, honorary resolution, sports recognition, University of Nebraska, Baton Rouge, LSU Bernie Moore Track Stadium, sportsmanship, collegiate athletics, condolence resolution

Summary: The Senate met with 23 members present, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then took up a long calendar of resolutions and House bills. Early action included adopting numerous Senate resolutions, such as studies on the Upper Pontchartrain Basin, economic development boards, remote notarization, retirement system investments in China, and several commendations. The chamber also concurred in House Concurrent Resolutions on the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail study, roundabout education, plumbing code review, and economic ties with Taiwan, with most of these adopted unanimously or near-unanimously. A special recognition was also held for 2025-26 Teachers of the Year from Senate District 15. On the bill calendar, the Senate advanced a wide range of measures. Several bills dealt with education, public safety, and local government, including allowing virtual school students to participate in school activities, requiring mayoral training, updating rules for justice of the peace jurisdiction, and increasing penalties or fees in certain local matters. Other measures addressed health and human services, such as suicide prevention signage and 988 hotline placement on school IDs, Medicaid and provider payment rules, medical records fees for veterans, mental health protective custody procedures, and housing support for trafficking survivors. The chamber also passed bills on insurance, insurance-related venue rules, prompt payment to contractors, hazardous waste cleanup funding, and motor vehicle insurance requirements for out-of-state vehicles. The Senate also approved several criminal justice and public safety measures, including school threat penalties, autopsy photographs as evidence, impaired driving-related provisions, and restrictions on cell-cultured food products and labeling. Additional bills covered economic development and business regulation, such as wood pellet and brick manufacturing incentives, digital asset custody, CPA licensure pathways, and licensing for motor vehicle/recreational product dealers. Most bills were passed by wide margins, though a few drew notable opposition, including the constitutional and policy measures on gender/sex terminology, child custody arbitration, and the out-of-state vehicle insurance bill. Many bills were amended on the floor before final passage, and motions to reconsider were routinely laid on the table.

Transcript Highlights:

• Turham with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations. Good afternoon.
• Turham with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations. Good afternoon.
• Turham, with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations.
• The ripple effects land in emergency rooms and hospitals and child welfare cases.
• The ripple effects land in emergency rooms and hospitals and child welfare cases.

Keywords: 988, house, all