Transcript Highlights:

• I had renter's insurance when I was a renter, and I had no idea that flooding wasn't covered in that
• This is a simple bill that adds juice grapes to the covered agricultural products under the Agricultural
• And this is supposed to be bringing in money to support these entities. So today, Mr.
• Last line: specified medical condition will be covered by a health carrier.
• Last line: specified medical condition will be covered by a health carrier. Senator Harris.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5928 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB6061 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB6137 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5834 , SB5837 , SB5872 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB5925 , SB6019 , SB6148 , SB6190 , SB6237 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5992 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB5395 , SB6282 , SB5905 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5838 , SB5845 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5922 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5982 , SB5984 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6034 , SB6035 , SB6070 , SB6097 , SB6110 , SB6246 , SB6248 , SB6278 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB6054 , SB5835 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6247 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB5974 , SB6044 , SB5906 , SB6081 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6323 , SB6210 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB5346 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, zero emission, cargo handling, port district, environmental impact, grant allocation, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• Alexius Health is covering the expense of.
• Or do you want me to cover them both? Or don't go ahead and... Okay.
• The clinic serves the entire region, but we are the entity being certified.
• I'm happy to report that that fee will be covered by the contingency of the architecture firm, and there
• I'm happy to report that that fee will be covered by the contingency of the architecture firm, and there

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alexius Health is covering the expense of, to where it's going to push it out just a little bit, under
• So we'll cover the same agenda as the last few times I've presented.
• Or do you want me to cover them both? Or don't go ahead and... Okay.
• The clinic serves the entire region, but we are the entity being certified.
• I'm happy to report that that fee will be covered by the contingency of the architecture firm, and there

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on major health-related projects and programs. CHI St. Alexius representatives reported progress on behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks, including demolition and construction milestones, staffing plans, and timelines. The Bismarck project remains on track for completion in June 2027 with about $346,500 spent to date. Williston reported construction underway, a $750,000 unbudgeted air handler replacement, active recruitment for psychiatrists and other staff, and a projected substantial completion in early 2027. Grand Forks reported about 30% completion, weather-tight status expected in August, and continued staffing ramp-up as the facility expands from its current 24-bed operation. The Department of Health and Human Services then reviewed a set of technical line-item transfers, emphasizing that they were administrative corrections with no net change in funding. The department also walked through the Salaries and Wages Block Grant and FTE counts, noting overall staffing remained within appropriated limits and that behavioral health staffing had increased. Members asked about vacancies, consultant use, and the mix of in-state versus out-of-state expertise for the Rural Health Transformation Program. HHS said it had posted 12 funding opportunities, received 422 applications, obligated $8.4 million so far, hired 26 people, and was preparing additional grant rounds and a CMS budget submission. The department said the program is structured around workforce, prevention/healthy living, care closer to home, and technology/data, with ongoing stakeholder engagement and community forums. The committee also heard on the certified community behavioral health clinic implementation plan, SNAP payment error rates, and the state laboratory project. HHS said CCBHC certification is being implemented in four regions—Williston, Minot/North Central, Fargo/Southeast, and Dickinson/Badlands—with care coordination expanding and baseline data still being collected. On SNAP, the department reported a 2025 payment error rate of 9.89%, acknowledged cost impacts under HR1, and said it is using training, system changes, and pre-authorization quality checks to reduce errors toward a 6% target over the next 6 to 12 months. Finally, Public Health reported the state laboratory reached substantial completion on June 12, with total costs at $69.95 million of the $70 million budget, though a service elevator issue will require a new lift to be added using contingency funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alexius Health is covering the expense of.
• So we'll cover the same agenda as the last few times I've presented.
• Or do you want me to cover them both? Or don't go ahead and... Okay.
• The clinic serves the entire region, but we are the entity being certified.
• I'm happy to report that that fee will be covered by the contingency of the architecture firm, and there

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that vein, I would be, uh, I think that I think this will get us, given that it covers tobacco places
• I just I'm trying to figure out what institutions, what entities there would be other than people selling
• c><00:53:23.680><c> an</c> Representative Share: Just to be clear, there's no possibility that an entity
• No, I think you covered it quite well. Thank you. Go ahead. and I we have to take action.
• No, I think you covered it Oh, yeah. No, I think you covered it quite<01:15:07.720><c> well.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's for education in some way, but what, in particular, are programs that would these funds would cover
• These funds are used to cover travel and lodging expenses associated with having staff temporarily assigned
• These funds are used to cover travel and lodging expenses associated with having staff temporarily assigned
• Do we want to cover all of those, one of those, or how would you like to proceed on those?
• And right now the entities, or the people, it’s an opt-in. You can do it; it’s not mandatory.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:58.080><c> 100%</c><00:23:58.559><c> of</c> financial award that covers 100% of financial
• award that covers 100% of tuition<00:23:59.039><c> fees</c><00:23:59.360><c> and</c><00:23:59.520><c>
• You know, I think initially we had it would cover people even with 70% disability ratings and higher.
• I told him if he knew that meant that no one would be covered for insurance.
• A program that covers the full cost of attendance for eligible fosters in our state.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just need the shape of an entity. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• </c><00:13:34.639><c> So</c> should go to these types of entities.
• So should go to these types of entities.
• </c> We just need the shape of of an entity. We just need the shape of of an entity.
• </c> the recipient entities misuse the funds? the recipient entities misuse the funds?

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, when these newer entities were still providing services under the roof of their parent, i.e.
• </c><01:04:52.720><c> were</c> However, when these newer entities were However, when these newer entities
• now</c><01:05:09.280><c> being</c> entity.
• With these entities now being entity.
• Thus, I urge groups that can cover it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:47.200><c> on</c> Service and other Federal entities on Service and other Federal entities
• The programs cover things like history of the fur trade.
• The programs cover things like history of the fur trade.
• The programs cover things like history of the fur trade.
• </c> services that our public uh entities services that our public uh entities provide<00:54:23.520><

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're already covering it well too.
• So you're already covering it well too.
• </c><01:50:41.400><c> those</c> have federal funds um to cover those have federal funds um to cover those
• We have 11 program IDs that I’ll cover. TRN 102 is our Daniel K.
• </c><02:45:39.200><c> program</c> for Harbors we'll be covering program for Harbors we'll be covering

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> original bill is that it is covers original bill is that it is covers anywhere<00:43:39.680><c>
• </c><01:06:48.640><c> this</c> explainer of the bill if he covered this explainer of the bill if he covered
• </c> actually requires us to cover actually requires us to cover freestanding<01:24:09.840><c> birth<
• </c> covering the this child now is covered covering the this child now is covered under<01:27:09.920
• c> the</c><02:30:31.680><c> terms</c><02:30:32.720><c> of</c> entities would negotiate the terms of entities

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The landlord of a smart access building must make any written privacy policy of the entity that developed
• And third, the landlord's insurance does not cover the tenant's belongings, and the tenant should consider
• The disclosure is only required for tenancies covered under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act for leases

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's an organization that has 70 persons and entities from a wide cross-section of Idaho, including
• As I said, this doesn't cover any particular statute, but what it does say is that there's an enforcement
• This covers that.

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, a quorum established, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The journal was approved as corrected, and the chamber received committee reports and House messages. Several bills were advanced: Senate bills 1261, 1262, 1265, and 1266 were reported out of committee for second reading, and House Bill 504 was also reported out. The Senate also received House bills 520, 579, 580, 581, and 583 for introduction, and Senate Bill 1225 and House Joint Memorial 10 were processed for enrollment and transmittal. The Senate introduced a large group of new bills, including measures on kratom consumer protections, direct-to-consumer agricultural commerce, dietitian licensure compact participation, occupational licensing and homeschool diploma equivalency, veteran benefits consumer protections, highway and right-of-way procedures, education funding and scholarship limits, school social access for homeschool students, foster parent training, public benefits verification, hearing loss screening, criminal trespass of a church, and conversational AI safety. The chamber then moved several bills to third reading, including Senate Bills 1240, 1248, 1249, and 1251, after second-reading action on additional bills such as 1250, 1246, 1247, 1254, 1255, 1256, and 1264. On final passage, Senate Bill 1240, a comprehensive overhaul of Idaho’s guardianship and conservatorship laws, received strong support after debate emphasizing added protections, alternatives to full guardianship, and a delayed implementation date of January 1, 2027; it passed 32-0 with three absent and excused. Senate Bill 1248, eliminating the old county capital crimes defense fund after the state took over public defense, also passed 32-0. Senate Bill 1249, a code cleanup measure updating an outdated time-zone reference, passed 32-0. Senate Bill 1251, clarifying the Attorney General’s civil enforcement authority to seek injunctions and declaratory relief, passed 30-3 with two absent. All passed bills were transmitted to the House. During miscellaneous business, senators announced upcoming events including the University of Idaho 4-H Know Your Government program, a birthday acknowledgment for Senator Shippee, and a memorial service for deceased senators scheduled for Monday, along with an afternoon session for bill introductions. The Senate then adjourned until 10 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think of the Clone Wars and Star Wars, and the vast majority of a single entity that was cloned.
• I've got another amendment that basically states that if you were covered, which is 45 CFR Parts 16 through
• Covered, which is 45 CFR Parts 16 through 164, that's HIPAA.

Bills: SB210 , SB176 , SB167 , SB244 , SB218 , SB9 , SB153 , SB9

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, aggravated theft, employee benefits, retirement funds, criminal penalty, state law, overdose, failure to render aid, public health, Alabama Athletic Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• purchases a nonprofit for-profit entity purchases a nonprofit long-term<01:00:59.600><c> care</c><01
• There's also an MDH cost, which I'll cover later on.
• Uh the cost to DHS is uh cover later on.
• </c> as well that I'll cover later. as well that I'll cover later.
• In other words, the budgetary balance is not sufficient to cover that revenue loss.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But, uh, and then, uh, with the advent of some people moving, uh, are we as a state going to cover the
• Could you please explain to me how that will morph from one labor union entity to another?
• uh entity to another &gt;&gt; commissioner?
• by MMA um so captains are covered by MMA um so transferring<01:22:09.679><c> from</c><01:22:10.560><
• Are moving expenses covered?

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:30.279><c> my</c> so with that that uh I've covered my so with that that uh I've covered my
• The cost that we’ve heard about covering some of that, I think that’s an improvement.
• The cost that we’ve heard about covering some of that, I think that’s an improvement.
• </c> the statute or did some other entity the statute or did some other entity tell<01:35:38.880><c>
• </c><01:36:23.199><c> some</c> that we've heard about um covering some that we've heard about um covering

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The floor was pointed out to me by Representative Murray to put a time period on how long the entity
• They can run it themselves or contract with a private entity, nonprofits, or veterinarians.
• It could be a half-day course on water sector, and that would cover four or six hours.
• That's not what this bill covers.
• You want to pick pieces of the bill and challenge it, but in reality, the bill covers all of that.

Bills: HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , SCR28 , SB141 , SB169 , SB206 , SB233 , SB417 , SB421 , SB429 , SB437 , SB477 , SB510 , SB521 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB902 , HB943 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB127 , HB284 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB211 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB132 , HB193 , HB635 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB750 , HB911 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB961 , HB1146 , HB977 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Transcript Highlights:

• I was living on a part-time teacher's salary, paying for medical co-pays, therapies that were not covered
• To the right of him were the little hands of two other children out from under the morgue covers.
• Approximately 1% of Mass pension equities, a little over $500 million, are invested in such entities,
• titled, From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide, demonstrating how numerous corporate entities
• titled, From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide, demonstrating how numerous corporate entities

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing focused first on teacher retirement legislation, especially H. 2932 and S. 1884, which would give long-serving educators a one-time opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus after the program’s 2001 rollout was described as confusing and inconsistently communicated. Legislators, union leaders, and many teachers testified that some educators missed the opt-in window because of faulty notices, leave status, transfers, or misinformation about payroll deductions, and that many have had to work several extra years as a result. Supporters said the bills would correct an unfair administrative error, provide a buyback option with interest, and could also save local school districts money by allowing earlier retirements. Representative Mark Sylvia also testified for H. 4234, a Fairhaven-specific bill to raise the age limit for special police officers from 65 to 70 and clarify appointing authority, citing experience and budget needs. The committee then heard testimony on several pension investment and divestment bills. Supporters of H. 2811 and related climate-risk measures argued that PRIM should assess, disclose, and address climate-related financial risk in the state pension fund, warning that fossil fuel investments could threaten long-term returns and public finances. Environmental advocates and financial experts said climate risk is systemic and urged transparency, divestment planning, and alignment with the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Another set of speakers supported H. 2984, which would divest pension investments from companies selling weapons to Israel; they argued the state should not be complicit in violence in Gaza and cited humanitarian and human rights concerns. Additional testimony supported H. 2900 and S. 1869 to divest from the firearm industry, with speakers saying pension investments should not undermine Massachusetts gun laws. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs repeatedly thanked speakers, limited testimony time, and noted that written testimony could be submitted later. The hearing concluded with the committee moving through the sign-up list and hearing extensive public testimony on the teacher retirement and divestment proposals.