Transcript Highlights:

• during the Schwarzenegger administration, Some time ago, during the Schwarzenegger administration, the bonds
• So you got park bond money if you built housing.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing met on April 7, 2026, and heard two housing-related bills in detail: SB 1116 and SB 1117. SB 1116 would update the Starter Home Revitalization Act by clarifying development standards for small infill projects, reinforcing ministerial approval and timelines, strengthening state oversight, updating subdivision rules, and addressing private restrictions such as HOA or deed limitations. Supporters, including California YIMBY, AlphaX, and several housing groups, said the bill would remove implementation barriers and help produce more starter homes; there was no opposition testimony. Members generally supported the measure, and it was advanced to the Senate Local Government Committee. SB 1117 would clarify accessory dwelling unit fee law by requiring local governments to calculate impact fees only on the portion of an ADU above 750 square feet, rather than charging fees on the entire unit once it exceeds that threshold. Supporters argued the bill would reduce cost barriers and encourage larger ADUs, while opponents from Cal Cities, counties, special districts, and fire districts said impact fees fund essential infrastructure and services and should not be further limited. Committee members largely supported the bill as narrowly tailored, though several emphasized the importance of infrastructure funding and asked for continued work with local government stakeholders. The bill was also moved to the Senate Local Government Committee. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 1267 and the committee omnibus bill SB 1426, both of which were approved. After quorum issues and a brief recess, the committee later returned to lift calls and finalized votes, approving the consent calendar 10-0, SB 1117 10-0, and SB 1116 8-0. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are generated from taxes by constitution can't be invested in anything other than short-term bond
• for cash in there. ...taxes by constitution can't be invested in anything other than a short-term bond

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance and Corporation Committee met with a quorum from both chambers and first approved a $6.5 million federal supplemental appropriation for the Military Division to replace failing climate control systems in Idaho Air National Guard buildings at Gowen Field. The committee then considered Idaho State Police funding tied to three revenue measures: a beer excise tax distribution change, a new specialty license plate, and a liquor account distribution change. Members discussed the impact on cities and counties, with several noting the shift away from local governments, but the motion to appropriate $6.695 million in dedicated and federal funds for ISP personnel costs passed and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee next took up two pieces of language related to Idaho Digital Learning Academy. One trailer language item tied to House Bill 940, which would change course fee limits for non-graduation and graduation-required courses, was adopted by unanimous consent. A second proposal to restore IDLA’s access to PSIF after a large appropriation reduction failed after members raised concerns about allowing access before the academy spent down its cash balance and about weakening the budget cap. Members then approved language redirecting about $12 million from the Strategic Initiatives Fund to the local highway distribution formula instead of LTAC grants, after debate over whether formula-based distribution or competitive grants better served local needs. Finally, the committee adopted language preventing an automatic transfer from the Budget Stabilization Fund to the General Fund when the fund exceeds its 15% cap, preserving the fund balance unless the legislature acts otherwise. The meeting adjourned after the final do-pass recommendation was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1456, authorized third-party bond exemption, is on... it's not 32,
• Madam Chair, member, SB 1401, strike-everything titled housing contractors bonds taxes, passed committee

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills, with members instructed to move quickly, note short titles, and pull only selected measures from consent. Many bills were reported as passing committee on party-line votes or with split votes, while others were unanimous. Several members repeatedly requested bills be pulled from consent, especially on contentious topics such as artificial intelligence content verification, gender transition procedures provider liability, vaccine reimbursement rates, light rail expansion feasibility, public employee merit hiring, health board evaluations, rural health funding, patient steering, DCS policies, school safety, virtual currency payments, undocumented immigrants’ financial services, central bank digital currency, and various criminal justice and education measures. A number of bills drew brief substantive comments or objections. One member criticized SB 1015 on Trans Visibility Day. Another raised concerns about fingerprinting requirements for behavioral health facilities, arguing similar safeguards should apply to universal voucher programs. Judiciary-related bills also prompted strong reactions, including measures on narcotics sentencing for minors, probation and immigration notification, crimes against children monitoring, and a death penalty bill involving firing squad, which drew an explicit objection for the record. Several bills were flagged because of split votes, Democratic no votes, or concerns about funding, constitutional issues, or policy consistency. The caucus also discussed a blue-sheet amendment to HB 2874 on campaign committee termination statements and penalties. Members asked about the retroactive date, the size of outstanding fines, the Secretary of State’s position, and who offered the Senate amendment. Supporters described it as a cleanup bill that would help committees close out old accounts, while others questioned the retroactive scope and financial impact. The chair ultimately announced that Mr. Winninger was refusing the Senate amendment, so final passage would not occur that day and the measure would instead go to conference committee or remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• from somebody that is already in custody and is sitting in the jail awaiting, whether it's being bonded
• running that information, and that person is sitting in the jail awaiting whether they're going to be bonded

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Local Government Committee approved the February 24, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 660, sponsored by Representative Dale Hawkins. Hawkins said the bill would require law enforcement to collect and publish biannual statewide data on the immigration status and nationality of arrested individuals, arguing Idaho taxpayers should know the costs and jail impacts associated with people in the country unlawfully. He said the bill was intended to create a uniform reporting system and that the state needs better information to manage immigration-related detention costs. Testimony was split. Supporters, including Secure Idaho representatives Michael Angela and Tim O’Donnell, said the bill would improve transparency, use information already gathered during booking, and help lawmakers make policy based on measurable data. Opponents, including Idaho Chiefs of Police Association representative Tracy Bastercia, argued the bill would burden local police, create confusion about who must collect the data, potentially duplicate work already done at the jail level, and raise concerns about asking citizens their nationality and publishing sensitive information. Several members questioned whether the fiscal note was accurate and whether the bill should be limited to sheriff’s offices and jail booking rather than all law enforcement agencies. After closing testimony, Representative Wheeler moved to hold the bill in committee, but that motion failed 8-7. The original motion to send HB 660 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation then passed 8-7. The chair noted interest in possible cleanup of the bill’s language, and the committee adjourned with a reminder that it may need to meet again later in the week for Senate bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• from somebody that is already in custody and is sitting in the jail awaiting, whether it's being bonded
• that information and that person is sitting in the jail awaiting whether they're being going to be bonded

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And those visits did not preserve a bond. They reopened wounds.
• is important because especially for babies and young kids we know the importance of building those bonds

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• specified requirements to contract additional indebtedness, borrow money, and issue general obligation bonds
• specified requirements who contract additional indebtedness, borrow money, and issue general obligation bonds

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• specified requirements to contract additional indebtedness, borrow money, and issue general obligation bonds
• specified requirements who contract additional indebtedness, borrow money, and issue general obligation bonds

Summary: The Local Government Committee met for its final meeting of the session and considered six bills in executive session after a caucus break. The committee first took up Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026 on residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. Members debated how to balance housing production with local control and walkable downtowns. The committee adopted a striking amendment that removed some exemptions, capped ground-floor commercial or mixed-use requirements at 40% of affected acreage, extended the compliance deadline to 18 months, and barred such requirements on publicly subsidized affordable housing projects. A proposed amendment to raise the population threshold from 30,000 to 40,000 was rejected. The bill was then reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 5-2 vote. The committee next considered Substitute Senate Bill 6309 on permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects, including development agreements with regional transit authorities. Two property-rights-related amendments were rejected or modified, and an ADA-related amendment was adopted to ensure accessibility requirements were not waived. The bill was reported out as amended. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5374 on tribal representation in transportation planning also advanced after an amendment changed “consult” to “coordinate,” aligned county processes with the Growth Management Act, and added access to technical assistance; the bill passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 6132, allowing a narrow increase in indebtedness for select inland port districts to preserve federal funding eligibility, passed unanimously without amendment. The committee also approved Substitute Senate Bill 6076, which streamlines procurement rules for consumer-owned utilities on clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution projects, with members noting broad support from utilities and labor. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5729, which limits local governments from charging applicants for certain third-party reviews already covered by staff review in affordable housing permitting, was reported out unanimously. The meeting ended with members thanking staff for their work during the session and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• are required for certain purposes, such as the capital projects fund for major capital purposes and bond
• provides for tax proceeds and other revenues and disbursements related to redemptions of outstanding bonds

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• They just did $92 million in bonding. Yeah, gave them authority.
• And so if we don't hold our reserves, we just got our bonding rating, and you hold your reserves at 28%

Bills: SB190 , HB247 , HB8

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The clerk will read the bond initiatives and the committee assignment. >> Introductory House Bond

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, January 22, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to— the governor mentioned briefly that the state has a AAA bond rating.
• part because of our lack of an income tax, and I think imposing an income tax would threaten our AAA bond

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability on the second day of the 60-day legislative session, reacting to Governor Ferguson’s State of the State address and outlining their priorities. They said the top issue is affordability, and argued the governor and Democratic majority are responding with more taxes, regulation, and government spending rather than restraint. They criticized the prospect of a state income tax, calling it unconstitutional, politically unpopular, and likely to expand beyond high earners over time. They also said the state should avoid raiding the rainy day fund and instead look for savings through tighter budget management, reduced middle management, and a focus on core services. The leaders also discussed public safety, immigration enforcement, child care oversight, transportation, housing, and the Climate Commitment Act. On immigration, they said law enforcement coordination is essential and criticized mixed messages from state leaders about federal enforcement and sheriffs. On child care, they said allegations of fraud in subsidy programs should be investigated through audits and oversight, and rejected the idea that looking for fraud is offensive to honest providers. They said there is some bipartisan agreement on using Climate Commitment Act revenue for the Working Families Tax Credit, transportation, and wildfire prevention, but argued the tax itself is regressive and should be redirected to better uses. On the budget, Republicans said the current deficit will not be solved by a future income tax and that the state will likely need spending cuts or savings. They said there is some limited agreement with moderate Democrats against further tax increases and against using the rainy day fund as a first step. On housing and transportation, they said the real solutions are permitting reform, changes to the Growth Management Act and energy code, and more stable transportation funding, rather than more state spending on affordable housing or piecemeal fees. No votes were taken, and the event ended as a press availability with questions from reporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• And staying the course and chairman said this yesterday about about baby bonds or buying bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I would say the most apparent example to me is, is in our bond programs we typically have an arterials
• Um, and so in, in initial planning for the 26 bond, we're anticipating spending roughly $500 million

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, it would allow magistrates to include as a condition of release on bond for an individual... .
• To give a bond in an independent administration when a creditor comes forward, which is unusual because

Bills: HB368 , HB3311 , HB1734 , HB2495 , HB2716 , HB793 , HB3376 , HB2524 , HB3421 , HB3446 , HB3181

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• That's clear because it's bond-funded money, so it would be like a grant-in-aid, which is the legality—very
• That's clear because it's bond-funded money, so it would be like a grant-in-aid, which is the legality—very

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , such as retirement and group insurance, Social Security and benefit replacement replacement pay, bond
• Adjust debt service appropriations to conform with committee decisions regarding bond appropriations

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• They do a lot of education uh promoting environmental best practices.
• do a lot of education<00:04:37.520><c> uh</c><00:04:37.680><c> promoting</c><00:04:38.160><c> environmental
• </c> education uh promoting environmental education uh promoting environmental best<00:04:39.120><c>
• Senate Bill 228, Chair, Education, Energy, and Environment Committee, Maryland Environmental Service.
• Senate Bill 228 is the departmental bill from the Maryland Environmental Service.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start with 26003 from the Department of Environmental Services.
• I'm the assistant commissioner at the Department of Environmental Services, and I have Sue Carlson here
• 15.200><c> and</c><00:20:15.440><c> I</c><00:20:15.600><c> have</c><00:20:15.760><c> Sue</c> of Environmental
• Services and I have Sue of Environmental Services and I have Sue Carlson<00:20:16.559><c> here</c><00
• I'm the assistant commissioner at the Department of Environmental Services, and I have Sue Carlson here

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• important decisions, be preemptively notified and well informed about any risk associated with environmental
• develop on buffer zones, the same buyers who didn't do their due diligence on important local environmental
• What's the cost to a corporation to have environmental regulations?
• We are not adjusting any environmental regulations or processes.
• We are not adjusting any environmental regulations or processes.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report for the day. The chamber took up House Bill 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill removes strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is completed at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, led by Rep. Cross and others, argued the bill relies too heavily on buyer-beware principles and does not adequately notify future buyers or renters. The bill passed 87-24 after debate. Members then considered House Bill 145 on suits against the government. Rep. McFarland said it updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident, with a later automatic increase, while preserving the liability shield and improving access to compensation for people harmed by government negligence. The bill also aligns the statute of limitations with private claims and allows entities to settle above the cap. After brief debate, the House passed the bill 104-7. The House next debated CS/HB 289 on wrongful death for an unborn child, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow claims involving unborn children and their parents. The bill prompted extensive questioning and debate about damages, definitions, medical care, surrogacy, and whether the measure could affect abortion access or expose doctors, friends, family members, and surrogates to lawsuits. Multiple amendments sought to carve out protections for mothers, health care providers, abortion care, perinatal professionals, surrogates, and victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking, but each was defeated. The final vote on the bill itself was 33-78, so the motion failed and the bill did not advance.