Transcript Highlights:

• Practically, that's from the Medicaid management scenario.
• So practically,... ...the Military Division, for instance.
• So practically, that's how this packet is structured for the committee.
• So practically what you're seeing is the impact from the agency-specific reduction on the general fund
• So on the centrally assessed plan, what you would see is the by-agency increase or decrease for the services

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to review budget rescission options and related statewide budget decisions for fiscal year 2026. Keith Bybee of DFM walked members through a packet outlining the governor’s recommended rescissions, plus two additional agency reduction scenarios of 1% and 2%. He explained that the governor’s package would reduce appropriations by about $177.5 million and nearly 100 FTEs, while the added 1% and 2% scenarios would deepen reductions further. He also clarified that some agencies were exempt or partially exempt from the additional cuts, including public schools, Medicaid services, corrections, and Idaho State Police, and that the Secretary of State had proposed a one-time contract savings instead of participating in the full additional reduction. Members discussed why the committee was considering further reductions despite existing reserves and a balanced budget outlook, with supporters emphasizing uncertainty around tax conformity, revenue forecasts, and other policy bills that could affect the budget. Several members expressed concern that the proposed cuts were ongoing, broad, and could create instability for agencies, while others said the process would give work groups a clearer target and more flexibility to adjust budgets later. Bybee and the co-chairs repeatedly stressed that the goal was to right-size the budget and preserve flexibility as more revenue and policy information becomes available. The committee also reviewed proposed cash transfers totaling about $106.7 million to help balance the budget, including transfers from the In-Demand Careers Fund, Water Pollution Control Fund, Strategic Initiatives Fund, Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Fund, and Permanent Building Fund. Members asked whether those transfers were legally permissible and were told the legislature has authority to move money in the treasury for balancing purposes. Finally, Bybee outlined statewide decisions for maintenance budgets, including personnel benefit cost increases, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, a small military CEC adjustment, and options for a 3%, 4%, or 5% ongoing base budget reduction. The co-chairs said motions would be brought forward on Friday, and the committee adjourned with plans to continue hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those amounts were not in either the LFC or executive rec it's typical practice for those fund balance
• Chair and Representative, so the typical practice of the department is to divide that evenly by district
• And so this is just common practice that we do in case that we use all our budget authority in the prior
• And so it's common practice that we've done for the past I want to say 10 years.
• the beginning of the legislative session as part of Our charge with House Bill 3, or how is this assessment

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 5196 provides a practical, structural solution to this issue by requiring state agencies to
• cosmetology licensure compact and allow eligible cosmetologists... ...license in one member state to practice
• For licensees, it allows them to practice across state lines and access more job opportunities. ...allows
• The purpose of this compact is to create an additional optional alternative pathway to multistate practice
• I understand that one of the key charges this committee has undertaken is to assess the impact of rising

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Practice law in the state.
• transportation HB 1387 by Verdell relating to a person's eligibility sit for an examination for a license to practice
• Submitting to public utility agencies, providing authority to issue bonds, providing authority to impose assessments
• Water conservation practices refer to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• It'd be 1488 by ladder back relating to the employment practice of the government's own cities and state

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rapid investments in technology and artificial intelligence have made it easier to create deceptive practices
• House Bill 7083 creates a new chapter in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, allowing individuals to
• Best practice states that after a sexual assault, patients should be offered a variety of options, one
• This creates an inconsistency with statute as the Civil Practice and Remedies Code allows the witness
• This bill helps keep that practice going by providing a tax credit of 8 cents per pound.

Bills: HB220 , HB783 , HB2240 , HB3336 , HB4202 , HB4449 , HB4904 , HB3441 , HB4284

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, HB 3336, alcoholic beverage tax credit, spent grain

Transcript Highlights:

• clocks, its impact on our economy, our health, and our everyday lives, we can see that the This practice
• Hawaii and Arizona have opted out of the practice and other countries in the past 10 years have either
• Congress has the authority to end this outdated and harmful practice.
• Karin Johnson, state of Minerala. and practicing sleep medicine specialist in Massachusetts.
• Let me ask, as a practical matter, does that work?

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: daylight saving time, Sunshine Protection Act, health impacts, clock change, legislative discussion

Summary: The committee meeting was dedicated to discussing significant legislative topics, focusing particularly on the implications of daylight saving time (DST). Senator Scott advocated for the Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep daylight saving time year-round. He emphasized the negative health impacts associated with DST, including increased risks of heart attacks and accidents immediately following the time changes. Various witnesses provided personal testimonies and expert opinions, highlighting the confusion and health disruptions caused by the current time change practices.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> all practice settings across the state. all practice settings across the state.
• What exactly are the services practice.
• ><c> can</c> collaborate practice agreement, can collaborate practice agreement, can prescribe<01:00:
• insurance practices and address regulatory<01:38:12.600><c> gaps.
• I think we are<01:43:59.360><c> continuing</c><01:43:59.760><c> to</c><01:43:59.920><c> assess</c><01

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:54:09.640><c> do</c> version when they they practically do version when they they practically
• Professional risk managers are obligated to follow solid risk assessment practices, and that basically
• </c><02:16:55.679><c> that's</c> reasonably practical that's reasonably practical that's all<02:16:58.559
• </c><02:36:34.120><c> um</c> when attendance is not practicable um when attendance is not practicable
• There’s no notice, so how do you make that practicable?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that an accurate assessment of what I've heard from you?
• Is that an accurate assessment of what I've heard from you?
• We have a very broad practice here, and that’s been a great blessing to us to be able to practice.
• It’s a daily practice, a daily practice. All right, thank you. Liguori, you’re next.”
• It's a daily practice, a daily practice. All right. Thank you. Legory. You're next.

Bills: SB1095 , SB1114 , SB1116 , SB1162 , SB1164 , SB1178 , SB1179 , SB1249 , SB1253 , SB1346 , SB1347 , SB1446 , SB1561 , SB1813

Committee: House Health & Human Services

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, assess project benefits based on the performance Incentive programs.
• Number two, assess project benefits based on the performance of existing equipment rather than a hypothetical
• SB 57, signed into law last year, directs the CPUC to assess the extent to which data center loads result
• That assessment is due January 1, 2027.
• And, you know, you know, additional tracking and assessment of our wildfire risk mitigation.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1294, an act amending Section 42-15157, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to property tax assessment
• to calculate... ...somehow provide more assessments to calculate a new concept of the number of years
• All it says is that they must change the practice with which they make them available to children under
• Senate Bill 1294, amending Section 42-157, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to property tax assessment
• Property tax assessment. You've heard a third reading of Senate Bill 1294.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done some cost estimates and assessments for certain areas, specifically in the Blackfire area.
• To be a very fair assessment of this thing.
• Is that a fair assessment when it comes to underground water?
• Is that a fair assessment when it comes to service water on the project?
• We'd pay an assessment just like any other user.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:58:38.720><c> for</c> know, I I was in private practice for know, I I was in private practice
• Will we can we get them assessed and evaluated on what's the most appropriate step moving forward?
• Will we get them assessed and evaluated on what's the most appropriate step moving forward?
• Will we get them assessed and evaluated on what's the most appropriate step moving forward?
• Will we get them assessed and evaluated on what's the most appropriate step moving forward?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you would think that after 50 years there would be some kind of a comprehensive summative assessment
• Uh, is there like a best practice for trying to figure that out?
• Uh, is there like a best practice for trying to figure that out?
• The study is the social impact study overview of responsible gaming and problem gaming best practices
• best practices in the United<01:04:39.680><c> States</c><01:04:40.480><c> and</c><01:04:40.640><c> it

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's because I think you've put forward something practical here that can actually move our state
• erasure disrupted the cultural teachings, the spiritual traditions, and the reciprocal stewardship practices
• I present to you SB 1305, a study bill, to take an important step in having the state assess the feasibility
• Otherwise, you end up in court, and it is the most practical way.
• Otherwise, you end up in court, and Alene is the most practical way.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you, what is your assessment on that recommendation on identifying or improving law enforcement
• The crimes and the investigative tools, like you said, what's most effective, what are the best practices
• Would you agree with that assessment? I would. We have seen that historically.
• will be the League of United Latin American Citizens. that what happens to one they're usually practicing
• have publicly claimed to ban Sharia, targeting Islamic centers, proposed mosques, Muslim burial practices

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if revenue was properly deposited, determine the selected disbursements for proper purposes, and assess
• if revenue was properly deposited, determine the selected disbursements for proper purposes, and assess
• Is that normal practice for fairs?
• And again, here's me practicing law-fowl license.
• But if there's anything fraudulent there, there is no And again, here's me practicing law-fowl license

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 87 last year commissioned the Council on Postsecondary Education to do a study to assess
• /c> Senate Bill 87 last year commissioned the Council on Postsecondary Education to do a study to assess
• That's $10 million in acquisition of new aircraft. >> Okay. >> The student-to-aircraft ratio best practice
• ><c> the</c><00:18:42.799><c> FAA</c><00:18:43.200><c> is</c><00:18:43.360><c> 10</c> ratio best practice
• from the FAA is 10 ratio best practice from the FAA is 10 to1.<00:18:44.240><c> So</c><00:18:44.480>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to begin hearing budget requests from Kentucky universities. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden highlighted EKU’s enrollment growth, its large population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, and its role in producing graduates for Kentucky’s workforce, especially in health care, public safety, manufacturing, engineering, and aviation. He said EKU is seeking support for a Center for Health Innovation, including a doctor of osteopathic medicine program, with a $50 million accreditation escrow and startup funding that would be returned to the state after accreditation. He also described EKU’s health programs, which have strong pass rates and high in-state employment outcomes, and said the university wants continued asset preservation funding, inflationary operating support, and other recurring budget items. McFaden also outlined EKU’s aviation request, including $10 million for new aircraft and support for an enhanced air traffic control program created in response to a legislative study. He said the program would enroll cohorts of about 30 students, likely attract out-of-state students, and require a $5 million startup investment plus $1.5 million in annual recurring support. He added that EKU’s lab school is seeking a revised funding model tied to enrollment rather than a flat mandated amount. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the medical school escrow, aircraft needs, and program capacity, and McFaden clarified that the escrow would remain intact until accreditation and then be returned to the general fund. Kentucky State University President Kakpo then reviewed prior capital support that helped repair a dorm and several leaking roofs, and said the university is still addressing campus infrastructure problems. He said KSU’s main request is a new health sciences building to house its growing nursing program and language program, along with $40 million for additional dorm renovations and a carve-out for its aquaculture program. Kakpo said the aquaculture PhD proposal would be federally funded and could bring in more revenue, while the new building would help relieve overcrowding and support KSU’s research role. In response to questions, he said KSU’s campus housing capacity would be about 1,334 beds if all dorms were repaired, and that the university is rotating students through renovated buildings while trying to keep them on campus. Committee members also raised safety concerns about the December campus shooting at KSU. Kakpo said the incident was isolated, expressed sympathy for the families affected, and said the university has reviewed campus procedures, added police and security positions, and is strengthening safety processes. The meeting did not include any votes or formal actions; it was a budget presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is focused on soil health and trying to foster use of good soil health practices within the
• They went through the audit findings and analyzed best practices across the country.
• there was some cleanup last year in higher ed language, and they've developed some really solid practices
• There were four legal experts that brought different practice experience to this process.
• , and that's why I said this will be a little bit shorter presentation, is who the fee should be assessed

Committee: Joint Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An important thing to keep in mind is that tracking food insecurity and assessing the impact of our public
• An important thing to keep in mind is that tracking food and security and assessing the impact of our
• , acknowledge the amount of resource, both state and federal, that's being put into each of them, assess
• So in our WAA food study, we assess household food security through an 18-item questionnaire.
• one of those items, one of those survey questions..." "...that question on its own can be used to assess

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.