Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the first opportunity we've been offered to discuss it here this afternoon.
• opportunity to discuss these or uh<00:04:39.440><c> Yes</c><00:04:39.600><c> sir.
• But did you have discuss on on the bill.
• </c><00:08:08.800><c> these</c> an opportunity to discuss these an opportunity to discuss these amendments
• Uh, seeing no further discussion, discussion, discussion, uh,<00:25:49.279><c> Senator</c><00:25:49.679

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been some more discussions.
• There's been some more discussions. discussions. discussions.
• </c> are discussions are discussions over<01:29:09.480><c> there</c><01:29:09.720><c> someplace.
• Any discussion on OTPA motion?
• </c><04:10:32.400><c> Um</c> can discuss that. Um can discuss that.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no more discussion, we can do an expedited roll call vote.
• I don't see any more discussion. Staff will call the roll. Barry votes aye.
• Seeing no more discussion, I think we can do an expedited roll call vote.
• Seeing no more discussion, I think we can do an expedited roll call vote.
• See no more discussion. We can do an expedited roll call vote.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met in executive session on February 25, 2026, to act on four bills. Staff briefed the committee on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 (PFML premium rate-setting would move from a statutory look-back formula to an actuarial approach and require a four-month reserve by 2030), Engrossed Senate Bill 6106 (a cleanup bill related to mass layoff and closure notices that also excludes tribes from the employer definition and protects worker information from public disclosure), Senate Bill 6134 (requiring notice to striking workers about possible unemployment overpayment liability if they later receive retroactive strike wages), and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6197 (changing plumbing credential suspension from three violations in six months to five violations in five years). Staff also clarified that L&I would count infractions from the prior five years for purposes of ESSB 6197. Members generally described the bills as negotiated or cleanup measures with broad support, though some concerns remained. On ESSB 6106, one member noted support for the bill but said the caucus would be mixed because of concerns about how the layoff notice requirement would apply to farmworkers whose work ends naturally with the season. On ESSB 6197, members said the bill reflected compromise between union and open-shop plumbing stakeholders and referenced L&I guidance supporting the five-year lookback. On SB 6134, members said the bill would help inform workers and improve overpayment processing. On 2SSB 5292, supporters said the actuarial approach and reserve requirement would strengthen PFML financing, while also acknowledging more work remains on the program. All four bills were moved out of committee with due-pass recommendations. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 passed 9-0, Engrossed Senate Bill 6106 passed 7-2, Senate Bill 6134 passed 9-0, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6197 passed 9-0. The committee then adjourned after thanking staff for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any further discussion or questions on the motion?
• Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor indicate, but... Oh, sorry.
• I think there's very few topics that don't deserve at least a discussion.
• I just have a problem with some Topics that don't deserve at least a discussion.
• Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye.

Summary: The Judiciary and Rules Committee met to approve the February 9, 2026 minutes, which passed by voice vote. The committee then considered several RSs for print only, noting this was not a full hearing and that some measures would later go to other committees. Senator Tammy Nichols presented RS 33485, a proposal to establish a statewide minimum standard allowing residents of single-family homes to keep up to four hens for household egg production, with incidental sales allowed under existing food safety and cottage food laws. She said the bill was narrowly tailored, preserved local and HOA nuisance-related authority, and was a refined version of a similar measure that passed the Senate last year but stalled in the House. The committee voted to send RS 33485 to print after a brief exchange about the “chicken or egg” question. Senator Phil Hart presented RS 32877C1, which would encourage judges to finish their terms by limiting post-retirement service as senior judges for those who retire early, while exempting judges forced into retirement by incapacity. He said the bill is intended to reduce early retirements that lead to gubernatorial appointments and incumbent advantages. Senator Ruchti opposed the motion to print, saying he generally supports printing RSs but was concerned about repeated changes affecting the judiciary and warned that such changes could discourage qualified attorneys from becoming judges. Despite that objection, the committee voted to send the measure to print. The committee then approved in one block four additional RSs: RS 32871C1 to the Local Government and Tax Committee, RS 332259 and RS 33526 to the Health and Welfare Committee, and RS 33508, a rules resolution related to local government tax. All motions passed by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
• Any further discussion or questions on the motion?
• I think there's very few topics that don't deserve at least a discussion.
• I just have a problem with some "Topics that don't deserve at least a discussion.
• Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye."

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? Appearing to be none.
• Any discussion? discussion? discussion?
• ><00:02:27.920><c> to</c> the commission is fully prepared to the commission is fully prepared to discuss
• :30.400><c> uh</c><00:02:30.560><c> make</c><00:02:30.800><c> rulings</c><00:02:31.280><c> on</c> discuss
• these and uh make rulings on discuss these and uh make rulings on those.<00:02:32.400><c> And</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission met on December 2, 2025, with members attending both in person and remotely due to snowy road conditions. A roll call established a quorum, and the commission approved the minutes from the November 18 meeting without objection. The chair then noted that the staff report would be deferred until the end of the meeting. The main substantive item was the Grossberg matter, involving five separate motions. The commission had already heard arguments from both counsel at a prior meeting and was prepared to discuss and rule on the motions. On motion and second, the commission voted unanimously to enter executive session to consider the Grossberg motions. No rulings on the individual motions were made in the open portion of the meeting before the commission went into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you and I both discussed how we need them. We need them there.
• Any discussion or debate? Seeing none, the clerk... Seeing no question.
• Any discussion or debate? Seeing none, the clerk open the queue for a vote.
• Any discussion or debate? Seeing none, clerk open the queue for a vote. Culver, aye.
• Would you agree that, was there ever discussion about maybe stair-stepping this in?

Bills: SB206 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1500 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1557 , SB1562 , SB1572 , SB1644 , SB1645 , SB1794 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1849 , SB1984 , SB2007 , SB2074

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then took up a series of health and human services bills, most of them moving forward on do-pass motions. Senate Bill 1645 would set audit procedures for Medicaid providers, with discussion focused on protecting providers from penalties for scrivener’s or typographical errors while still holding them accountable for fraud or failure to provide services. Senate Bills 1796 and 1806 addressed foster care, including a 72-hour cap on informal care and extending foster care to age 21 for youth continuing their education. Senate Bills 1423, 1425, and 1502 all repealed outdated advisory councils or programs that were no longer active or needed. SB 206, as amended, expanded licensed ambulance services as essential services to help them access more federal funding, and SB 500 sought to prevent pharmacy benefit managers from delaying payments to pharmacists. These measures were reported out with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1503, which would allow certain nonprofit pregnancy-support organizations without an Oklahoma physical address to apply for Choosing Childbirth grants. Members questioned whether state dollars could go to out-of-state personnel and how telehealth and reporting requirements would work. The bill was laid over for further amendment work. Senate Bill 1557 would place certified behavioral analysts under the State Board of Examiners of Psychology, and members raised questions about how it might interact with a separate bill affecting board authority; it passed after discussion. Senate Bill 1894 gave the podiatry board authority over continuing education, and SB 1984 was a cleanup bill for the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, including authority over certain licensure and telemedicine-related review issues; both passed after questions about scope and reciprocity. Later, the committee considered several pharmacy and insurance-related bills. SB 1344 created an insulin access and affordability program to partner with manufacturers of low-cost biosimilar insulin, and SB 1380 required Medicaid eligibility checks against death records, with an amendment discussed to protect long-term care facilities from retroactive nonpayment when eligibility is delayed. SB 1572 would commission a feasibility study on dissolving the Department of Mental Health and temporarily allow the Health Care Authority commissioner to oversee both agencies. SB 2007 required PBMs to reimburse pharmacists at actual acquisition cost when reimbursement falls below cost, with escalating fines for noncompliance. SB 2074 would impose a mandatory dispensing fee tied to the Medicaid rate; it drew extensive debate over whether costs would be shifted to employers, employees, or the state, and over the impact on pharmacy closures and rural access. The committee ultimately reported the bills out, with SB 2074 passing after lengthy discussion and a final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Castile. Aye.
• Any discussion? Seeing none, I have a House Committee substitute to offer ending in .02C.
• Any additional discussion?
• Any discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Castile. Aye.
• Any discussion?

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 2717 by a 7-0 vote. It then adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2465, described as changing a number from two to one, and passed the substitute bill 8-0. The committee also adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute for House Bill 1791, which adds an emergency permit provision allowing a 30-day extension to obtain a full permit, and passed that substitute 8-0. Representative Manser raised a question about whether the bill would align with federal disaster recovery grant requirements, and the chair said he would look into it further. The committee then heard House Bill 2927, which would revise Missouri’s bad faith/time-limited settlement demand statute. Sponsor Representative Parker said the bill is intended to clarify that settlement demands used to support extra-contractual or bad faith claims must be in writing, remain open for at least 90 days, and reference the statute. Supporters, including representatives of the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Shelter Insurance, and health care and business groups, said the bill closes a loophole created when plaintiffs avoid the current “time-limited demand” language and instead use untimed or vaguely timed demands, which they argued increases litigation and insurance costs. Opponents, including attorney Blake Marcus, argued the bill would make it harder for injured people and policyholders to hold insurers accountable, would encourage delay, and would increase the need to hire lawyers earlier. No vote was taken on HB 2927 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2057, a technical fix for an entertainment district in Osage Beach. Representative Vernetti said the bill corrects language from last year’s legislation after the Senate used the wrong population figure, and supporters said it would allow patrons to move between venues within the district under controlled alcohol rules similar to other Missouri entertainment zones. The committee then heard House Bill 1707, which would exempt credit card surcharge amounts from sales tax. Sponsor Representative Coleman and supporters from the business community said the Department of Revenue has been taxing these surcharges in audits, creating a burden for small businesses, and that the bill would clarify that fees tied to the extension of credit are not taxable. The committee adjourned after the hearings, and no further votes were taken on those bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're having those discussions.
• So, they're<00:13:15.440><c> having</c><00:13:15.680><c> those</c><00:13:15.920><c> discussions.
• </c><00:13:16.959><c> This</c> they're having those discussions.
• This they're having those discussions.
• So in discussions with um to do this.

Bills: HB245 , HB138 , HB151 , HB152 , HB245 , HB138 , HB151 , HB152

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision, perinatal care, prenatal care, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there are a number of other questions that I've discussed with Senator Dever involving, you know
• Well, the discussion of the need for this has taken place for quite some time.
• Bismarck might be an appropriate place that's been discussed.
• And now the legislature's saying, do it this other way that the department hasn't discussed yet.
• The House did not have a discussion this in depth on this topic.

Bills: SB2015

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members. The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration. A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then there was more discussion to have a discussion on Senate Bill 3, which actually sets up the
• So after discussion, then The bill sponsor agreed to roll over so that there could be some more discussion
• Again, we are back on discussion of Senate Bill 3.
• I believe they emailed it to me, but the discussion was a wide-ranging discussion about the gaps, and
• The discussion that we had on Friday was a wide-ranging discussion.

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:53.839><c> have</c><01:04:54.000><c> a</c> discussing here, we currently have a discussing
• </c> globally that we're in discussions with. globally that we're in discussions with.
• I'd like to add discussion around coal.
• </c> Any discussion on the bill? Any discussion on the bill?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Any further discussion on that? &gt;&gt; Any further discussion on that?

Bills: HB0120 , HB0043 , HB0128

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You want discussion?
• Any discussion? Vice Chair?
• Any discussion? Chair votes 1st, 2050. Any discussion?
• Any discussion?
• Any discussion? Chair votes eye 2050. Any discussion?

Bills: SB874 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2126 , SB2154 , SB2153 , SB2160 , SB2123 , SB2110

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> opportunity to discuss opportunity to discuss it<00:03:48.159><c> um</c><00:03:48.439><c> thank<
• And there was some discussion. I want to know how you do that, you know, how does the AG do that?
• </c> recognized and there was some discussion recognized and there was some discussion I<00:30:55.880
• We did briefly discuss this bill, but nothing that resulted in any suggestions.
• I do think this is a really important discussion that shouldn't be cut off.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't remember us ever discussing this lease.
• I think we need to at least have that discussion.
• But I think that is an option that..." "...that we could discuss with our sister agency.
• K-6 and L-1 will be the two that I want to discuss today.
• So I know we keep discussing this and keep asking in budget hearings where we're going to be.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, is there discussion or debate with regard to that motion?
• Further discussion, debate. Representative Shirts: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Committee, is there further discussion or debate with regard to the motion?
• Further discussion, debate.
• Further discussion.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from March 6, 11, 12, and 13, 2026 after correcting a procedural issue with the earlier March 6 approval. The committee then heard House Bill 861, which would allow universities to apply for grants from the state’s 2% hotel bed-tax marketing fund currently used for tourism promotion and chambers of commerce. Representative Monks said the bill would only expand eligibility to apply, not guarantee funding, and argued it could help universities offset promotion costs. An Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association representative testified in opposition, warning that diverting those dedicated tourism dollars could harm outdoor recreation marketing and rural jobs. After debate, the committee rejected the motion to send HB 861 to the floor on a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 885, a homestead exemption bill that would clarify residency and documentation requirements, including allowing a prior or current Idaho income tax return as proof of address, requiring six months’ residency in Idaho for continued eligibility except for military or religious mission service, and tying the homestead exemption to candidate residency provisions already in code. Sponsor Representative Raybould said the bill was intended to ensure only Idaho residents receive the benefit and to prevent double-dipping on similar exemptions in other states. Ron Nate of the Idaho Freedom Foundation opposed the bill, arguing it could create retroactive candidacy problems, impose unequal exceptions, and be difficult to administer across other states. Despite concerns and requests to delay the effective date, the committee passed HB 885 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, with several members recording no votes. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1345, which would let the Idaho State Tax Commission communicate with taxpayers by email or other secure electronic means if taxpayers opt in, instead of relying only on U.S. mail or certified mail. Chairman Cannon said the change would improve efficiency and save an estimated $300,000, and noted the Tax Commission had helped shape the bill and was comfortable with the July 1, 2026 implementation date. With no testimony in opposition, the committee unanimously sent SB 1345 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
• In discussion on the motion. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
• In discussion on the motion. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
• Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
• Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and transfer requests, beginning with a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing to cover administrative costs for its enterprise licensing platform, funded by license and application fees. It then reviewed two large Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation for the final quarter of the fiscal year, and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support the Arkansas BEAD broadband grant program, including an extra help position and grants to internet service providers. The broadband item drew extensive questions about awardees, contract amendments, accountability, build-out timelines, backup plans if providers default, the definition of broadband serviceable locations, and the cost per location. The State Broadband Director said no providers had requested amendments, the program would use milestone-based disbursements and a four-year build-out period, and the first tranche would serve 51,566 homes and businesses with $126.1 million in grants. Both Section B and Section C items were approved. In Section D, the committee approved a $458,000 transfer within the Department of Correction from the female work release program to the Tucker Unit water treatment plant, a $25 million transfer within the Department of Education to cover declining enrollment, teacher incentive, school recognition, and Easter Seals funding, and a $229,000 transfer for the Department of Shared Administrative Services to support two project management office positions. The education transfer prompted questions about how declining enrollment funding is calculated, how many districts receive it, and how long districts can continue to receive it; agency staff said 152 districts were on the preliminary list and the formula is based on the prior two-year average ADM compared with the previous year. The committee also gave favorable advice on a proposed $4.7 million loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization tools; agency officials said the loan would be repaid through cost recovery rates over five years and would replace an existing loan that is ending, with expected savings from consolidating applications but no precise savings estimate yet. The committee then reviewed cash fund and federal grant requests, including $200,000 for wage and hour claimant payments, $15 million for unclaimed property claims, $8,000 for a heritage program grant, and $1.1 million for a College and Career Coaches grant to expand services in rural districts. It also reviewed pay plan and budget manual items without objection. The most extensive report discussion focused on the Medicaid trust fund, where DHS and DFA officials said the balance has been declining and that the state may need to add capital back into the fund. Senators and representatives asked about the current balance, the projected year-end level, the role of the $100 million set-aside, the impact of outstanding Medicaid rules from the prior session, and whether future federal funding could help reduce long-term Medicaid costs. Officials said they are still working through more than 10 outstanding rules with CMS and do not yet have a final price tag for those changes. The meeting ended after the reports were reviewed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have on our agenda today two budget discussions.
• The first item on our agenda is a budget discussion, which will be led by Keith Bybee from LSO.
• Representative Ehlers, do you have a question or did you want to weigh in on that discussion? Mr.
• So I'm happy to discuss that further at length when the appropriate time comes.
• Yes, we won't take up time to have that discussion and debate if it turns into that today.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 22, 2012, for budget briefings from Legislative Services Office staff. Keith Bybee gave an overview of Idaho’s general fund structural balance, explaining that recent revenue projections for FY 2026-2028 still show pressure on the budget if spending continues to grow at historical rates. He reviewed how prior surpluses were used for stabilization funds, transportation, building projects, and other one-time investments, and noted major budget drivers such as Medicaid expansion, the state public defender system, and water-related spending. He also walked through the state’s cash position, explaining beginning balances, reappropriations, carryforwards, reversions, and the governor’s proposed use of cash transfers and temporary spending reductions to help balance the budget. Members asked questions about whether JFAC discusses raising revenues versus cutting spending, whether the figures were inflation-adjusted, and how sales tax exemptions affect the overall picture. Bybee said the charts were nominal, not inflation-adjusted, and estimated sales tax exemptions and exclusions at about $2 billion, with current collections around $3.3 billion. He also addressed contract inflation and health insurance costs, saying health care growth is driven more by actual program costs than contract terms. The committee then discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Idaho tax conformity, with Bybee summarizing Tax Commission estimates for provisions such as the standard deduction, overtime, tips, senior deductions, car loan interest, and research and experimentation expensing; members also raised questions about bonus depreciation and the possible budget impact of conforming to federal changes. Christopher LaHocet then demonstrated LSO budget and revenue tools available online, including the general fund budget monitor, daily updates, the budget book, sales tax distribution tables, and the base budget dashboard. He explained that these resources help track revenue performance, legislative budget actions, and the buildup of agency base budgets over time. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after announcing a follow-up RS hearing on tax conformity for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, seeing none, our discussion?
• Seeing none, um, discussion? All right.
• </c><00:15:10.000><c> the</c> opportunities for members to discuss the opportunities for members to discuss
• </c><00:15:19.120><c> Chair</c> uh any other member discussion?
• Chair uh any other member discussion?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm really disappointed that we didn't get to have some good discussions.
• We had some discussions, but I just feel that this bill is short.
• We had some discussions, but I just feel that this bill is short.
• Speaker. some I'm hoping we can have discussions some I'm hoping we can have discussions in<00:13:32.160
• ><c> the</c><00:16:11.120><c> clerk</c> Seeing no further discussion, the clerk Seeing no further discussion

Keywords: 1183, house