Transcript Highlights:

• It came out of your Committee on Professional Registration, 21 to 0, and also passed out of Rules 11
• Speaker, House Bill 2436 came through your committee on agriculture with a vote of 14 to 7 and rules
• It's also deals with animal neglect, and it came out of rules issues committee 11 to 0, and from rules
• It's also deals with animal neglect, and it came out of rule issues committee, 11 to Zip to 0, and from
• rules 8 to 1.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 127-2. Members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize a new grandchild, President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Artemis II and Missouri’s role in space manufacturing, Line Worker Appreciation Day, a visiting mayor, and a former representative. The chamber then moved into third reading and perfection business. Several bills were passed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 139-1 after supporters described it as a limited, accountable way to coordinate research and report on outcomes. House Bill 2422, which raises a county filing fee to support the Department of Agriculture’s Land Survey Program, passed 131-6 after members said the program could not continue on the current fee. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 311, moving bail bond oversight under the Board of Private Investigators and Fire Investigators, passed 112-22. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3009, allowing nonprofit pharmacies to provide medications during emergencies, passed 133-6. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2474, authorizing progressive design-build project delivery for public construction, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3076, clarifying that common agricultural practices are exempt from non-point source permitting under clean water law, were both ordered perfected and printed. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize the state treasurer’s constitutional investment authority, drew the most debate. The sponsor argued it would update outdated restrictions, allow safer investment options, and generate an estimated $15.1 million without raising taxes. An amendment adding legislative, governor, and auditor approval for changes to the investment policy was adopted. Supporters called the proposal conservative and bipartisan, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could reopen questions about risky investments or conflict-of-interest issues. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the resolution perfected and printed. The chamber also took up House Bill 2436, dealing with animal impoundment, return of animals when no charges are filed or a defendant is found innocent, and related animal neglect provisions. Members adopted a title amendment, then adopted an amendment creating penalties for malicious false reports of animal abuse and another amendment modernizing neglect and abandonment offenses, including provisions on adequate care and control and higher penalties for repeat or harmful conduct. Debate centered on whether the bill was necessary, how to define malicious reporting, and concerns from animal welfare groups versus law enforcement and agricultural interests. The bill remained under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• to House Rule 35A.
• </c> of the House Education Committee. of the House Education Committee.
• </c> as possible for those committees. as possible for those committees.
• </c> uh for the study committees. uh for the study committees.
• </c> of the CEDAC Committee. of the CEDAC Committee.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, essentially, committee members, this would not allow an HOA to change the rules after someone has
• agreed to those rules.
• And we'd like for the committee to clarify that the intent is that an HOA can also adopt reasonable rules
• Welcome to our committee.
• Welcome to our committee.

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills. House Bill 749, dealing with forced annexation and septic-system replacement in unique annexation situations, was presented as a property-rights compromise that would let a city pay for a new system or allow the homeowner to install one at their own expense. The committee moved HB 749 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the motion carried. House Bill 661, which would allow small waste haulers to compete in counties with franchise agreements, also received a due pass recommendation and passed the committee. House Bill 715, which would require city council involvement in hiring or firing directors of city-owned libraries, drew strong opposition from library professionals and associations who warned it would politicize libraries and create conflicting lines of authority; supporters argued it would add accountability for taxpayer-funded positions. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to send HB 715 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1354, a major accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bill that would prevent cities over 5,000 population from banning ADUs, require by-right allowances for internal and detached ADUs, limit local restrictions on size, setbacks, parking, fees, and owner-occupancy rules, and extend HOA restrictions to ADUs unless owners consent in writing. Supporters, including AARP Idaho and the Idaho Home Builders Association, said it would expand housing options, help aging Idahoans and family caregivers, and increase supply. Opponents, including the Association of Idaho Cities, APA Idaho, and community association representatives, argued it was too preemptive, would strain infrastructure and parking, and should preserve more local control. The committee voted to send SB 1354 to the 14th order for possible amendment after a failed motion to hold it in committee. House Bill 733, a tax administration bill, would shift partnership audit handling to the partnership level rather than requiring amended returns from each individual partner, aligning Idaho with federal practice and other states. The sponsor and a CPA representative said it was a process change only, intended to reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency for both taxpayers and the Tax Commission. The committee sent HB 733 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved the minutes from February 26 and March 5 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House of Representatives, your standing committee on rules begs leave to report that it has carefully
• House Resolution Number 213 by the House Rules Committee, the special order calendar.
• Just want to announce the rules committee is going to meet right now in room 617.
• Just want to announce<03:14:41.120><c> the</c><03:14:41.279><c> rules</c><03:14:41.600><c> committee<
• is going to announce the rules committee is going to meet<03:14:42.399><c> right</c><03:14:42.640><c

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would like to move the bill to come before the committee.
• </c> unless I'm back here in this committee unless I'm back here in this committee we're<00:07:04.879
• to what is happening to us today here in committee.
• </c> I have a lot of concerns about rule I have a lot of concerns about rule making<00:20:09.520><c>
• </c> modified form in a subsequent committee modified form in a subsequent committee if<00:38:04.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We had the committee hearing, of course, so it's gone through a committee.
• </c> Medicaid rules. Medicaid rules.
• </c> committee. We can prevent child abuse. committee. We can prevent child abuse.
• It was one of the last committee hearings, or the last committee hearing.
• </c> committee established last year. Rep. committee established last year. Rep.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if uh from Senate Rules Committee, um, if rules approved late introductions, you will need to file
• Chairman, and good morning members of the Rules Committee.
• Chairman, and good morning members of the Rules Committee.
• </c> do study committees through late rules. do study committees through late rules.
• This is a for the rules committee.

Committee: Senate Rules and Enrolled Bills

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this rule rather than the full 100%. this rule rather than the full 100%.
• </c><00:10:40.640><c> But</c> rule that's discussed later. Okay. But rule that's discussed later.
• </c> assumes that the rule will be taken out. assumes that the rule will be taken out.
• are</c><03:36:34.080><c> going</c> committee and other committees are going committee and other committees
• are adopted by the says until rules are adopted by the committee<04:14:58.080><c> or</c><04:14:58.319

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a handout comparing House Bill 2 to current retirement law and walked through the bill section by section with staff from the retirement system. The discussion focused on vesting, earnable compensation, average final compensation, compensation-over-base limits, special duty pay, normal retirement age, re-retirement, and maximum benefit rules for Group 2/Tier B members. Staff explained that some provisions would restore pre-2011 rules, including counting certain end-of-career payments such as unused sick and vacation time in earnable compensation and reducing the AFC averaging period from five years back to three. They also described how the bill would eliminate the current cap on compensation over base, which mainly affects overtime, and noted that the actuarial cost of the AFC-related changes is interrelated rather than easily broken out by feature. A separate discussion covered the special duty pay limitation, which currently applies to Tier A and would be removed under the governor’s bill for both Tier A and Tier B members after their vested buy date. Staff said the actuary estimated that removing the special duty limitation would increase costs by about $13.9 million. Members also asked about the practical difference between overtime and special duty, with staff explaining that special duty generally involves work for a private third party, often police detail work, while overtime depends more on staffing and scheduling. The committee also reviewed the normal retirement age changes for Tier B and the possibility that some members would need to work longer to reach the new vested buy date. Members raised concerns about an ambiguity in the bill that could allow already-retired Tier B members to return to work, then re-retire and claim the higher benefits, or allow vested deferred members to stop working and wait for the new vested buy date. Staff said the governor’s office did not intend to allow that result and requested clarifying language, noting that the bill as drafted does not expressly prohibit it. The committee also discussed part-time and seasonal work after retirement, with staff explaining that such work generally does not restore membership unless the person takes a full-time position requiring enrollment. Finally, the committee reviewed the maximum benefit provisions and noted that HB 2 in the current year does not change the maximum benefit date or include the 1.5% annual escalator that had been part of the 2023 proposal, making the current bill more costly than the earlier version.

Transcript Highlights:

• House joint from the Committee on Rules.
• President, Senator Wagner, I have a report from the committee on rules.
• Desk read and receive the resolution from the committee on rules.
• from the committee on rules. rules. rules.
• </c><00:56:28.160><c> Senate</c> from the committee on rules. Senate from the committee on rules.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean. The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day. On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou. The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee. For the record, David Moneckee, staff committee.
• Good afternoon, committee members. My name is Holden Ringer. Good afternoon, committee members.
• Good afternoon, committee.
• Good afternoon, committee.
• Good afternoon, committee.

Bills: HB2307 , HB2374 , HB2379 , HB1823 , HB2111

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match

Transcript Highlights:

• And to be clear, members, if you're not on that committee, you'll need to find someone on the committee
• So you have to be on the committee.
• , to make a motion to suspend the rules.
• So you have to be on the committee to ask for suspension of the rules.
• , to make a motion to spend the rules.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee
• Madam Chair, I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee
• Madam Chair, I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee
• Madam Chair, I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee
• I move that the bill receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee met in executive session on several housing-related House bills. Staff briefed bills expanding affordable housing on religious-organization property (HB 1859), requiring cities and counties to allow various forms of supportive and emergency housing in certain zones (ESHB 2266), making changes to common interest community law and WUCIOA (SHB 2354), changing service requirements for rent-increase notices and unlawful detainer notices (SHB 2452 and HB 2664), and exempting limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA (2SHB 2590). The committee also reviewed fiscal notes and noted that most bills had no state fiscal impact, while the limited equity cooperative bill had a small Department of Revenue cost that would be absorbed. The most extensive discussion centered on ESHB 2266. Senator Gildon offered amendments to require step housing to be near transit, allow local review of operational plans, require 24-hour on-site supervision unless otherwise justified, and limit new requirements for smaller cities; Senator Gaynor offered a population-based amendment for cities under 10,000. Supporters of the underlying bill argued it would reduce barriers and expand needed shelter and housing, while opponents raised concerns about local control, neighborhood impacts, and operational oversight. None of the amendments were adopted, and the committee advanced the striker and underlying bill. The committee then voted to send HB 1859, SHB 2354, SHB 2452, 2SHB 2590, and HB 2664 forward with due-pass recommendations, with HB 1859 and ESHB 2266 sent to the Rules Committee and 2SHB 2590 sent to Ways and Means. Members generally expressed support for expanding housing options, though some noted concerns about implementation, local impacts, and the need for further work on WUCIOA-related issues. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, that's what was shared in committee.
• I, you see, I voted present in committee.
• And then, members, I didn't have the opportunity to sit in committee, but based on...
• At this time, I don't know if there are any other committee members who have any comment.
• So we just have the three that went through rules. So SCR 1004 is your last one.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Transportation Committee hearing is called to order.
• Thank you, Chairman, and committee members.
• Thank you, and I will stand for any questions from the committee.
• Thank you, and I will stand for any questions from the committee.
• Thank you, and I will stand for any questions from the committee.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under rules of the House, from the Committee on Transportation, bills numbered 1190 and 1483 are referred
• </c> committee. Thank you. committee. Thank you.
• minority of the committee. minority of the committee.
• Speaker, pursuant to House Rule 47F, Chair Janeigian waves the second committee referral of House Bill
• Uh, pursuant to House Rule 47F, Chairman Wiler, excuse me, waves the second committee referral of House

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It probably broke the rule that I'm not the one that didn't request this committee, I think.
• DMV rule sets—we have a lot of rules at the DMV.
• DMV rule sets—we have a lot of rules at the DMV.
• DMV rule sets—we have a lot of rules at the DMV.
• Services committee services committee Services committee services will<02:39:15.520><c> make</c><02:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Matt Sheper, committee staff.
• I move that the proposed substitute receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee
• Committee.
• Committee.
• I move the proposed substitute receive a due pass recommendation and be sent to the Rules Committee.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee first held a public hearing on SB 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act to broaden the definition of motor fuel to include gaseous fuels and electricity and remove the separate alternative fuel definition. Staff and the Department of Agriculture said the change would let WSDA inspect and test hydrogen and other newer fuels; Commerce and Douglas County PUD supported the bill as needed for hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and the hearing closed with the chair noting broad support. The committee then heard SB 6223, which would authorize community-scale weatherization projects under the low-income weatherization program. Supporters from community action, Spark Northwest, Commerce, and Washington Conservation Action said the bill would let the state weatherize multiple homes at once, improve health and safety, reduce energy burdens, and help meet climate and grid goals more quickly. Staff said the bill has a fiscal note for rulemaking and administration. The hearing ended with strong support and no opposition testimony. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes and passed SB 5982, SB 6050, SB 5965, SB 6010, SB 5984, SB 6076, and SB 5652 to the Rules Committee or Ways and Means, depending on the bill. Amendments were adopted on SB 5965 to adjust carryout bag provisions, while amendments on SB 6010 were not adopted. SB 5982 would update CETA-related utility definitions and reporting, SB 6050 addresses distributed energy resources and utility rules, SB 5965 revises carryout bag requirements, SB 6010 concerns EFSEC tribal consultation, SB 5984 regulates AI companion chatbots, SB 6076 streamlines procurement for certain clean energy projects, and SB 5652 concerns environmental and health mitigation in large port districts. The committee also noted it would not take action that day on SB 5975 and SB 5466.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every violation of the strict rules in the committee amendment is enforced by the Attorney General.
• Pursuant to House Rule 47F, I hereby waive second committee jurisdiction for Senate Bill 482.
• Speaker, pursuant to House Rule 47F, the Chair of Finance waves the following second committee bills:
• And pursuant to House Rule 47F, the Chair of Criminal Justice waves the second committee referral of
• Pursuant to House Rule 47F, the chair of Ways and Means waves the following second committee referral

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Papers from the House: Several petitions come from the House on the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and are
• referred to their respective committees.
• The question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• Joint Rule 12 is suspended, and those matters will be referred to their several committees.
• the rules are The Senate will be in a brief recess.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations Committee analysis.
• Are there any other committee questions?
• Can you speak to the committee amendments? Did you accept the committee amendments?
• We've got two more committees to go to. Well, there's two more committees.
• And I want to accept the nine pages of committee amendments and to emphasize that the committee has done

Summary: The Committee on Emergency Management heard several bills related to public safety, wildfire preparedness, and fireworks regulation. SB 1299, by Senator Arreguín, would place in statute a certification and training framework for fire sprinkler fitters and apprentices after a court decision disrupted prior State Fire Marshal regulations. Supporters said the bill would protect life safety by ensuring qualified installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems, while opponents raised concerns about added costs, housing affordability, and labor-related effects. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Labor and Employment on a roll call vote, with DeMaio and Hadwick voting no. SB 1153, by Senator Caballero, would require urban retail water suppliers to incorporate wildfire-specific procedures into emergency plans and clarify that water systems are not designed to serve as wildfire defense systems. Supporters from water agencies and fire organizations said the bill would improve coordination, planning, and ratepayer protection while acknowledging infrastructure limits. Members discussed transparency, backup generators, and whether the bill should require more public disclosure; the author said he would continue working on possible amendments. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. SB 828, by Senator Cabaldon, responds to the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion by requiring fireworks licensees to disclose storage locations, verify local permits, and meet other compliance conditions. The author said the bill was developed with the State Fire Marshal and local public safety partners to close information gaps and improve enforcement. An opposition witness argued the permit-verification requirements could not be met in all jurisdictions, especially for hobby rocketry and small-scale uses, prompting discussion about clarifying different rocket categories and administrative implementation. The committee passed SB 828 as amended to the Committee on Local Government, and the meeting then adjourned after all bills were reported out.