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ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 26th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the Department of Corrections has some opportunities where people can even earn a little money.
  • And the Department of Corrections has some opportunities where people, you know, can even earn a little
  • So any more programs like that that the Department of Corrections can provide, I think, are well worth
  • Now, the states of Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee have
  • Now, the states of Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee have
Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first considered the gubernatorial appointment and reappointment of Alan Kavanaugh to the Pardons and Parole Commission, but no vote was taken at this meeting. Kavanaugh, a longtime law enforcement officer, described his approach as conservative on parole, strongly victim-focused, and centered on public safety, fair hearings, and helping people succeed after release. Senators asked about workload, decision-making, and successful outcomes; Kavanaugh highlighted a veteran who used parole to rebuild his life and support other veterans, and he also praised a work-release program in eastern Idaho as a model for reducing recidivism and increasing employment. Members expressed support for the commission’s work and noted the importance of adequate funding, but deferred the appointment vote to the next meeting. Eric Fredrickson, the Idaho State Public Defender, then gave an update on the statewide public defense system. He reviewed the history of public defense reform in Idaho, the creation of the State Public Defender office, and the transition from county-based to state-based operations. Fredrickson said the office faced a difficult rollout in October 2024, including a backlog of more than 1,300 cases and staff departures, but that the system has since stabilized. He reported that increased funding in 2025 allowed salary adjustments, higher contract rates, new institutional offices, and significant hiring, including 34 attorneys, 13 legal assistants, and 11 investigators. Senators asked about the effects of budget holdbacks, backlog recovery, judge relations, and future needs; Fredrickson said holdbacks led to reduced travel, training, and tighter spending on experts and billing, and said the office’s next priorities are an Idaho-specific workload standard, more attorneys, and more social workers. The committee then printed two bills. RS 32880 C1, by Senator Foreman, the “Constitutional Courts Act,” would prohibit Idaho courts from enforcing or applying judgments based on religious or cultural law that do not conform to the U.S. and Idaho Constitutions. Foreman said it was intended to prevent any outside body of law from replacing Idaho’s legal system, while not restricting private religious practice. Senators debated whether the proposal was necessary, whether it conflicted with religious liberty protections, and whether it would treat some religions differently; the motion to print passed. RS 33006 C1, by Senator Nichols, would update Idaho’s Son of Sam law to prevent criminals from profiting from notoriety through modern media and digital monetization while protecting free speech and due process. Nichols said the current statute is outdated and constitutionally vulnerable; the motion to print also passed, and the committee adjourned.
WV

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 11:34 am

West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Engrossed House Bill 4602, relating to requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot
  • Engrossed House Bill 4602, relating to requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot
  • So I brought up in committee: Is there anything that forces the Department of Highways to take those
  • The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Human Services to create an ALS Care Services
  • The bill directs the Department of Commerce to collaborate with the Department of Education, county boards
Keywords: 994, senate, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary C May 12th, 2026

Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:
  • So this bill requires, I hate to keep putting it on the Department of Education, but it requires the
  • Department of Education to prepare a document and explanation that will have to be given to the students
  • And I was just looking at page four of eight, and it goes, you know, of course all of this applies to
  • A violation of one of the conditions of parole has occurred.
  • A violation of one of the conditions of parole has occurred.
Committee: Senate Judiciary C
Keywords: 974, senate, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Transportation Feb 27th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • In terms of fiscal impact, the Department of Licensing's fiscal note estimates a cost of $186,000, which
  • and proof of insurance with the specified insurance policy dollar amounts.
  • So in terms of the transportation agencies, the Department of Licensing identifies a cost of $106,000
  • , Department of Licensing, the Department of Transportation, and the Traffic Safety Commission; the executive
  • Department of Transportation.
Summary: The committee first held an executive session on several transportation measures heard earlier in the session, including bills on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, vehicle title transfers to insurers, a memorial bridge naming, BAT lane access for private employer transportation services, oil tanker escort requirements, Traffic Safety Commission authority, fifth-wheel trailer length, electric vehicle sales and funding, and vehicle loads on public highways. Most of the measures were advanced with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and the committee adopted amendments on the penny-rounding bill, the EV funding bill, and the vehicle-loads bill. Members noted some opposition or reservations on a few items, including the penny-rounding proposal and the vehicle-loads amendment, but the motions carried. The committee then returned to public hearing on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2323 would create a blue envelope program for neurodiverse drivers to help communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops; the Department of Licensing and State Patrol fiscal notes were described, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2588 would expand county ferry district authority to include vehicle ferries and require voter approval for new taxes after the effective date; testimony was mixed, with Whatcom County officials and ferry users supporting the bill as a funding tool, while one opponent criticized the tax and timing provisions. The committee also heard public testimony on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2172, which would change the route jurisdiction transfer and abandonment process for state highways by requiring agreements or legislative review for longer abandonments or bridge transfers; cities, counties, the Transportation Commission, and the TIB supported the bill as a more transparent process. Additional public hearings covered Substitute House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency operations for drivers who bypass emergency road closures; a defense-lawyer witness opposed the mandatory license suspension, while the sponsor described the bill as a response to flood and fire rescues. Substitute House Bill 2410 would create a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and raise the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32 per vehicle; the trucking industry and business groups supported it as a safety and training investment. The committee also heard a staff briefing and sponsor testimony on Second Substitute House Bill 1923, the Mosquito Fleet Act, which would expand passenger-only ferry district options and was presented as a local tool to improve ferry access and relieve Washington State Ferries congestion.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Higher Education and Workforce Development Mar 10th, 2026

Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, we do have a... so in that she changed the department from the Department of Economic Development
  • to the Department of Higher Education.
  • Perry Gorel, Chief of Government Relations for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  • The Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has taken the laboring oar of developing
  • I am the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development's Director of External Relations.
Keywords: 959, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This amendment adds a new section essentially protecting public servants of the Texas Department of Criminal
  • and I quote, "may the Texas Legislature delegate to the Attorney General of the Department of Justice
  • , a member of the Executive Department, the prosecution of election law violations in district and in
  • The powers of the government of the state of Texas shall be divided into three distinct departments,
  • And no person or collection of persons being of one of these departments shall exercise any power properly
Bills: HB8 , HB12 , SB 3 , HJR1 , SB 11 , SB 16 , SB 14 , HB 8 , HB 12 , SB 3 , HJR 1 , SB 11 , SB 16 , SB 14
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm president of the Texas State Association of Firefighters.
  • favor of HB198.
  • When you consider an average of a $500 cancer screening compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars
  • the importance of it.
  • of firefighters, and a lot of good stuff.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Ways & Means Apr 14th, 2025

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Of what we do, we'll make the City of Allen and the state of Texas proud.
  • in support on behalf of the City of McAllen.
  • The City of Victoria, the local chamber, and the Port of Victoria are all in support of this.
  • They have that projection because of the amount of growth and the number of people moving in.
  • I'm in favor of House Bill 4109 on behalf of the City of Tyler.
Committee: House Ways & Means
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources Apr 9th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • And There are, I, to answer one of the questions that came up, I'm not aware of any insurance by any
  • Ellis conceded that most of them are covered by general liability insurance.
  • policy because the punitive effect of punitive damages is lost if it's covered by insurance.
  • have. have insurance coverage that provides cost of defense for litigation.
  • The leading engineering department on line 25 of page 3 of the bill is filed and adding language that
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 9th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we can get a lot of people's houses saved. and probably insurance rates would probably be less.
  • Parks and Wildlife. or two miles of a youth camp licensed by the Department of State Health Services
  • Most of them have insurance. That insurance covers this defense cost.
  • To answer one of the questions that came up, I'm not aware of any insurance, by any insurance carrier
  • policy because the punitive effect of punitive damages is lost if it's covered by insurance.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 9th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the commissioner of Precinct 1 of Hidalgo County and also serve as a member of the board of the
  • Ivy out kind of in your neck of the woods.
  • We simply have the burden of bureaucracy setting on top of them in ordinance.
  • interests of the protection of the aquifer, and in the best interests of ensuring that housing remains
  • They don't, a lot of places don't want to, a lot of municipalities. 768 housing.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Commerce and Tourism Feb 4th, 2025

Commerce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • The type of entities we deal with: we deal with part of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • At the Department of State, we deal with the Division of Corporations and their notaries.
  • And at the Department of Commerce, we have a big chunk of the Department of Commerce, largely their Division
  • Department of Commerce, largely their Division of Workforce Services and their Division of Economic Development
  • Our first panelist is Secretary Alex Kelly from the Florida Department of Commerce.
Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Nov 4th, 2025

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a presentation by the Department of Environmental Protection on the sale or exchange of conservation
  • Again, my name is Brian Bradner, and I am the Deputy Secretary of Land and Recreation with the Department
  • The department is grateful to the Florida Legislature and the bold leadership of Governor DeSantis to
  • General rule of thumb, so you'd have to ship to Alabama, Georgia.
  • We have a lot of hazardous waste that goes to Alabama.
Summary: The committee first received a Department of Environmental Protection presentation on Florida Forever and the sale or exchange of conservation lands. DEP described Florida Forever as the state’s main conservation land acquisition program, funded in recent years at high levels, and said most acquisitions since 2019 have been within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation also explained the legal process for disposing of conservation lands: requests are reviewed by the Acquisitions and Restoration Council, then the governor and cabinet decide whether land is no longer needed for conservation or whether an exchange provides a net conservation benefit. Senator Smith asked several questions about recent land-swap proposals, public notice, political influence, and whether any transactions had bypassed the usual sequence; DEP said applications can be withdrawn before ARC review, notice is posted seven days in advance, and the council and cabinet are the decision-makers. Senator Harrington asked about the difference between Florida Forever land sales and water management district surplus lands, and DEP said the reported 2.3 acres sold referred only to Florida Forever-funded projects. The committee then heard presentations from the Department of Health and DEP on PFAS and PFOA. DOH outlined what PFAS are, their common uses, possible health impacts, and ways Floridians can reduce exposure, including water filtration and avoiding certain products. DOH said it conducts well investigations, health consultations, fish consumption advisories, and monitoring in coordination with DEP and FWC. DEP followed with a more technical overview of PFAS regulation and cleanup, explaining federal testing and drinking-water standards, Florida’s provisional cleanup levels, and the state’s response at contaminated sites, including bottled water and filtration for affected residents. Senators asked about testing requirements for public systems and private wells, disposal of used filters, and how federal rulemaking and litigation could affect Florida’s standards; DEP said public systems are required to test under EPA monitoring rules, private wells are not directly required to test, and Florida may adopt its own standards if federal action does not occur by the statutory deadline. Finally, the committee took up SB 150, which would designate the flamingo as the state bird and the scrub jay as the state songbird. The sponsor argued the bill better reflects Florida’s identity and conservation values, noting the flamingo’s iconic status and the scrub jay’s status as a Florida-only species. Members asked lighthearted questions about mockingbirds, flamingo color, and feeding costs, and an appearance card was filed in support by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The committee debated the bill briefly and then passed SB 150 favorably by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes except Senator DiCeglie, who was excused.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • public health and we had all of our Many of our public health, local public health departments from
  • I think some of that trust will be with the department. So I know that there are some concerns.
  • What is the percentage of that? Six dollars and... $6.82 to cover rent, insurance, utilities.
  • a mix of Medicaid patients, but half of the children in the state of Texas are insured through the Medicaid
  • We see that a lot of times from the insurance side these days.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Appropriations Apr 2nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The budget provides the Department of Juvenile Justice with a total of $12.7 million for additional residential
  • University College of Business, Department of Risk Management.
  • This center will conduct research into all lines of insurance.
  • Much of these suggestions... ...from the Department of Education and at the last committee stop.
  • It requires the Department of Management Services to work with the State Board of Administration as it
Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.