Transcript Highlights:

• Lauren, if you'll just walk us through what's on our sheets from the staff, please.
• The staff report apologizes for staff recommendations on the House bill. on February 2nd, 2026, for Bills
• That is where the staff recommendation came from. That is the only thing the bill does.
• Seeing none, any opposition to the motion to accept the staff recommendations?
• Seeing none, we've adopted the staff recommendations. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you ask staff, you know, it.
• </c><00:37:27.800><c> But</c><00:37:27.920><c> then,</c> SAM staff. But then, SAM staff.
• and our internal audit staff.
• Um, and I'm looking at LSOHC staff.
• Um, and I'm looking at LSOHC staff. staff. staff.

Bills: HF3564

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you need accommodations, please let our staff know.
• For the sake of our staff, we had high levels of staff illness during COVID, very low levels of staffing
• ><c> were</c> levels of Staff illness uh that were levels of Staff illness uh that were occurring<01:
• </c> in a prison without security staff in a prison without security staff nothing<01:24:40.920><c> and
• </c> profound and specifically um on on staff profound and specifically um on on staff in<01:26:21.080

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we get started, I want to take a moment to introduce my staff.
• Staff review licensure applications on a.
• The TDLR web design staff really led that charge with the vet.
• So we had worked with Sunset staff and I'm going to interrupt you.
• Reviewed and directed staff not to take action on lottery ticket couriers, correct?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don Eichner, committee staff.
• Good morning, John Wilson de Paley, committee staff.
• Seeing none, will staff announce the vote.
• Seeing none, staff, will you please call the roll?
• Staff, bring up the room. Staff, bring up the room. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee met in executive session on several bills before fiscal cutoff. Staff briefed Substitute House Bill 2236 on the State Housing Finance Commission, House Bill 2281 on state-tribal government-to-government relations, House Bill 2514 to establish a Global War on Terror memorial on the Capitol campus, and House Bill 2551 allowing certain school districts to sell real property under specified conditions. Staff also noted an updated fiscal note for HB 2281 showing a Department of Natural Resources estimate of about a $5 million per-biennium reduction in receipts due to reduced timber sales. HB 2236 was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation after members discussed whether it expanded the Housing Finance Commission’s authority; the vote was 10-6 with three excused. HB 2514 also passed out of committee, with members generally supporting recognition of veterans and families affected by war, though some objected to the bill’s title and framing; it passed 12-4 with three excused. HB 2551 drew more concern, with some members arguing school districts should not sell capital assets to cover operating costs and others noting local jurisdiction impacts; after additional discussion and reopening of the vote, it ultimately passed 10-8 with one excused. HB 2281 was considered with a proposed substitute and two amendments from Representative Walsh. Amendment H-203, intended to protect critical infrastructure projects, and amendment H-202, intended to preserve access related to timber and natural resource sales, were both rejected. Members supporting the bill said it was meant to protect free exercise of religion and tribal interests, while opponents raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the need for more stakeholder work. The substitute bill then passed out of committee 10-8 with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• To our staff, welcome, and of course, anything that we can be of service to you as well, please let us
• I appreciate the staff and hope that you can hold my hand because I am a freshman.
• I serve as your Chief of Staff for Senate Finance during this session.
• There is an amount of 14 million for legislative district offices and staff on page 6.
• Alone, your staff who's doing the counting in the committee room over here.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I thank the staff for the engagement in this process.
• Chair, members and staff.
• The eligible support staff include all staff employed at UC for at least five years and are first-time
• Under this ACA, support staff do not become eligible for the more robust U.S.
• I staff the California Labor for Climate Jobs Coalition.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, I want to thank your great staff and yourself for this well-drafted amendment.
• I just wanted to thank Chair Bradley and her staff for this amendment.
• staff, as you're making...
• How would you rely on staff, you know, having been on staff, as you're making your decision?
• We have staff at all eight casino facilities.

Bills: S0468, S0822, S1234, S1260, S1580, S1706

Keywords: animal cruelty, reporting, veterinary, protection, liability, regulation, community association, management certification, Florida Statutes, certified manager, association governance, building permits, inspections, offsite construction, local government, housing, property regulation, construction standards, state of emergency, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start with a staff briefing.
• For the record, Matt Sterling, staff to the committee.
• For the record, Noah Baker, staff to the committee.
• Can we have staff report?
• I have a question for staff. Can we get to this last one and then we'll come back to staff? Okay.

Bills: HB2095, HB2500, HB2412, HB2595, HB2354, HB2597

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, charitable organization, charity, nonprobate transfer, beneficiary designation, life insurance, retirement account, payable on death, POD account, transfer on death, TOD, financial institution, insurance company, transfer agent, estate planning, donor intent

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start with a staff briefing. Good morning.
• For the record, Yelena Baker, staff to the committee.
• For the record, Noah Baker, staff to the committee.
• Can we have staff report?
• I have a question for staff. Can we get to this last one and then we'll come back to staff? Okay.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. On House Bill 2354, relating to common interest communities under WUCIOA, staff explained that the proposed substitute would exempt small middle-housing communities from most WUCIOA provisions, exempt certain middle-housing communities from reserve studies if wastewater-related reserve components are not needed, raise the audit threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 in annual assessments, and prevent governing documents from shifting maintenance costs for EV chargers and heat pumps away from the unit owner. Representative Reed and a Community Associations Institute witness supported the bill as a set of cleanup changes tailored to smaller communities, and there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee then heard House Bill 2412, which would add a ninth Superior Court judge in Yakima County. Representative Mendoza and Yakima County officials and judges testified that the county has had eight judges since 1998 despite major population growth, rising filings, and a backlog of more than 2,800 cases older than two years. They said the county can accommodate the new judge physically and has budgeted its share of the cost. The bill was supported as a way to reduce delays, protect speedy-trial rights, and improve access to justice, and the hearing was closed without opposition testimony. House Bill 2500, concerning transfers of beneficiary-designated property to charities, would require holders such as financial institutions or insurers to notify charitable beneficiaries within 10 days of the owner’s death, allow charities to submit an affidavit to claim the property, require transfer within 30 days, and bar holders from demanding personal information or requiring charities to open accounts or wait on other beneficiaries. Charitable organizations strongly supported the bill, describing long delays and invasive paperwork, while credit unions and bankers raised concerns about identity verification, fraud risk, and the 30-day deadline. The committee then heard House Bill 2595, which would extend the time limit for collateral attacks on criminal judgments from one year to three years and allow the Office of Public Defense to provide direct representation in those matters. Supporters, including incarcerated individuals, defense-related advocates, and the League of Women Voters, argued the current deadline is too short for pro se prisoners and juvenile offenders to discover and litigate claims; prosecutors and victim advocates opposed it, citing finality, workload, and harm to victims. Finally, House Bill 2597 would create a state civil cause of action for violations of federal constitutional rights during civil immigration enforcement, with damages, fees, and a three-year limitation period. The sponsor and supporters framed it as an accountability measure for constitutional violations, while law enforcement and other opponents warned about unclear definitions, immunity issues, and unintended consequences. The hearing on HB 2597 was concluded, and the committee noted an executive session on the bill would occur later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nationwide, they have roughly... 7,200 county office staff.
• For state farm loan and national office staff, they... Typically, they have 3,400 staff nationwide.
• That's down to 2,000 staff.
• In New Mexico, we've seen a 33% reduction in NRCS staff.
• Currently, we employ 25 full-time staff members.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:45.120><c> So,</c> was going to thank the staff first.
• So, was going to thank the staff first.
• ><c> analyst</c><00:03:57.120><c> Ken</c> committee staff, fiscal analyst Ken committee staff, fiscal
• And to the staff and the rest of the committee members, thank you for your input.
• But as a former staff member at food.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to introduce our staff.
• APPROXIMATELY 9% OF STAFF COMMENTS RELATED TO THESE TWO ISSUES.
• IF DIFFICULTIES CANNOT BE RESOLVED AT THE STAFF LEVEL, THE STAFF PREPARES A RECOMMENDATION FOR FORMAL
• MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS OF KEN BEFORE WE MOVE ON OR QUESTIONS OF COMMITTEE STAFF?
• Copies of correspondence between staff and the agency are included as packet. MATERIAL TO STAFF.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This houses most of the administrative staff for the department.
• It also houses fiscal and budget staff, facility staff, public relations, and inmate placement staff.
• In this division, this houses most of the administrative staff for the department.
• It also houses fiscal and budget staff, facility staff, public relations, and inmate placement staff.
• and to be able to limit some of the staff aspects.

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee reviewed the Idaho Department of Correction budget, beginning with an agency-wide overview and then moving through management services, state prisons, county and out-of-state placement, community corrections, community-based substance use disorder treatment, and medical services. Analysts and the director explained that the department’s budget is heavily driven by personnel, contracts, medical costs, and population pressures, with dedicated funds such as inmate labor and probation/parole receipts declining in cash balance. Members asked about vacancies, overtime, holdback impacts, software licensing, hepatitis C funding, and the department’s use of contracts and technology. The committee also heard that some planned reductions tied to the governor’s holdback remain in place despite the agency being exempted, including cuts to Recidivis, GEO-related services, and some technology purchases, while body-worn cameras were kept in place because of safety and accountability benefits. A major portion of the discussion focused on rising incarceration and housing costs. The director said the department is near capacity, with more people coming in than leaving, and that county jail and out-of-state placements are increasing because state facilities are full. Analysts described the county jail and out-of-state placement budget as highly volatile and based on updated population forecasts, with supplemental and ongoing requests increasing significantly. Members also asked about mandatory minimums, criminal aliens in custody, and the cost of housing inmates in state versus out-of-state facilities. The director said Idaho’s per-day direct prison cost is about $85, or about $95 with administrative costs, while the Arizona contract rate is about $85 per day. The committee also discussed rehabilitation and recidivism-reduction programs, including education, work programs, community reentry centers, and the Bridge 8 tablet system. The director said the tablets are funded through inmate phone-related charges and are used for educational and rehabilitative purposes, not because the state is required to provide them. She said community reentry centers have shown an 11% lower recidivism rate for participants, and that the department has previously eliminated ineffective programs after evaluation. Members asked for more information on inmate labor contracts, hepatitis C treatment funding, and the cost and effectiveness of various programs. The meeting ended before all questions were resolved, and the committee adjourned to continue work groups the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This houses most of the administrative staff...
• This division houses most of the administrative staff for the department.
• It also houses fiscal and budget staff, facility staff, public relations, and inmate placement staff.
• The agency also didn't request it; they had some turnover of their fiscal staff.
• and to be able to limit some of the staff aspects.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met jointly with Senate Finance and House Appropriations to review the Idaho Department of Correction budget, beginning with an agency overview from Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson and then testimony from Director Bree Derrick. Discussion focused on the department’s overall funding mix, declining balances in dedicated funds such as inmate labor and probation/parole receipts, vacancy management, and the impact of the governor’s holdback exemption. Members also asked about software and technology costs, the Hepatitis C Fund, replacement items, and why some positions remain vacant or are held open as a budget strategy. A substantial portion of the meeting covered the department’s major divisions and cost drivers. In state prisons, county/out-of-state placement, community corrections, community-based substance use disorder treatment, and medical services, the analyst and director explained enhancement requests, supplemental needs, and rising operating costs tied to inflation, population growth, and contract rates. Members questioned the inmate labor fund’s decline, the loss of work contracts, the cost and effectiveness of recidivism and transparency software, the Pocatello reentry center, body-worn cameras, RFID and drone detection technology, and the medical contract with Centurion. The department said some cuts were made or planned in response to budget pressure, including reduced spending on Recidivis and other contracts, while body-worn cameras and some public-safety tools were retained. The committee also discussed prison population pressures, county jail and out-of-state placement costs, mandatory minimum sentences, and the use of county jails as overflow. Director Derrick said the department is seeing more admissions than releases and that Idaho’s incarceration rate remains high relative to neighboring states. She also said the department is working to expand county and out-of-state options and to pursue more inmate labor contracts. Several members asked for follow-up information on staffing, contract counts, program impacts, and fund balances. The meeting then moved to the Commission of Pardons and Parole budget, where Director Christine Starr testified that commissioners are part-time but effectively work full-time, are not paid for training or all preparation time, and that turnover remains a concern. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned to resume the next day after work groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff were already concerned about locations, travel distance, and et cetera.
• Staff were already concerned about locations, travel distance, and et cetera.
• I wish I had medals to give to our staff for, first of all, dealing with me.
• Again, thanks to the staff for putting this together.
• Echo Senator Wagoner's gratitude toward our staff.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go through the committee first, but I want to make sure we also introduce our staff.
• We'll go through the committee first, but I want to make sure we also introduce our staff and go over
• I'd like for the staff to introduce themselves. I think we have almost everybody back.
• I wanted to do the committee dinner because that is for staff and for legislators.
• I wanted to do the committee dinner, because that is for staff and for... Okay.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair Jackson and staff. Wonderful to be here with you this afternoon.
• The turnover for these staff is the highest of all staff within child welfare departments.
• counties' staff are not included in this.
• As a result, the increase in staff and the increase in the cost of doing business for staff has greatly
• As always, I want to thank committee staff.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> gratitude to our staff. gratitude to our staff.
• clerk staff.
• clerk staff.
• clerk staff.
• ,</c><05:56:02.240><c> uh</c> what staff does, how to use staff, uh what staff does, how to use staff

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, will you read in HB 21? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• We'll have staff read in HB 1017.
• We'll have staff read it in. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Staff will read in next bill. Okay. Okay. Staff will read in the next bill.
• Staff will read in HB 49. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Summary: The Retirement Committee heard several retirement-related bills and deferred two measures at the start: HB 26 and HB 993 were voluntarily deferred by the author. HB 31, by Rep. Eccles, would allow certain small municipalities to terminate participation in the municipal police employees’ retirement system and create a lower-cost “Plan C” option for small towns like Stirlington. After discussion about population and officer-count limits, the committee adopted amendments, heard concerns from the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System about remaining issues, and reported HB 31 as amended favorably. The committee also advanced HB 1134, which creates a backdrop-style retirement option for judges whose positions are abolished, and HB 24, which would allow retired teachers to return to work as one-year contract teachers without the current retirement contribution structure. TRSL testified that return-to-work policy is complex and that a broader Senate study-group proposal is also moving, but the committee reported HB 1134 and HB 24 favorably. HB 21, a technical correction to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System law, was amended to remove a sunset problem that would be fixed in another bill and was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee reported HB 1017 favorably, which limits former spouses’ claims to post-divorce earnable compensation in the Firefighters’ Retirement System, with testimony that the bill would reduce litigation over promotions and raises after divorce. HB 43, which would let certain LASERS members retire after 35 years of service at any age, drew testimony from LASERS about its cost and workforce effects but received no motion and was voluntarily deferred. HB 30 was also voluntarily deferred because its substance would be moved into another bill. The committee then took up two major municipal police bills. HB 45, after extensive negotiations among the author, the Louisiana Municipal Association, EMPERS, and the City of New Orleans, was substantially rewritten by amendment to address retention pay, out-of-state service credit purchases, survivor benefits for certain officers killed in the line of duty, COLA funding, and a reduction in the non-hazardous accrual rate. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 45 as amended favorably. HB 49, a related bill on municipal police and firefighter retirement issues, was also replaced by a substitute that changed opt-out procedures, revised partial dissolution rules, and preserved full dissolution liability; after testimony that the changes would save New Orleans and other cities significant money, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 49 as substituted favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.