Transcript Highlights:

• property if they sell or grant the surplus technology hardware at a depreciated cost to public school
• Under the bill, surplus technology hardware is defined as computer laptops, tablets, and other electronic
• The school districts that sell or grant the surplus technology hardware should prioritize the receipt
• As specified in the bill, surplus technology hardware is defined to include laptops, tablets, or other
• It doesn't require the school district to surplus it, but if they're going to surplus it, it should go

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Committee staff and the prime sponsor said the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs that may be online, hybrid, or site-based. Several members raised concerns that the terminology could unintentionally affect fully in-person programs; the sponsor and a retired principal testified that the bill is meant as a name change and would not materially alter current programs. The bill drew 52 pro, 4 con, and 0 other sign-ins. House Bill 2369 would create a Washington Local Food for Schools program in OSPI to help schools procure and distribute Washington-grown foods through existing USDA food distribution systems. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce logistical barriers for farmers and districts, support local agriculture, and improve the quality and appeal of school meals. Testimony came from school nutrition advocates, farmers, a school superintendent, students, and OSPI, with broad support and discussion of how the program would work through catalogs, ordering windows, and existing warehouses. The bill drew 455 pro, 64 con, and 1 other sign-in. House Bill 2432 would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated value, with priority for students with greater need. The sponsor said the goal is to help students transition to work, college, and other postsecondary opportunities. Committee members asked about whether the bill should address assistive devices and whether devices could be reserved for future graduating classes; staff noted existing law already covers transfer of assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance staff supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of devices and benefit students. The bill drew 57 pro, 5 con, and 0 other sign-ins. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced amendment deadlines for several bills scheduled for executive session later in the week and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1102, Idaho Code, to make codifier's corrections; amending Section 39-1132A, Idaho Code, to remove surplus
• 1102, Idaho Code, to make codifier's corrections; amending Section 39-1132A, Idaho Code, to remove surplus
• -103, Idaho Code, to make a codifier's correction; amending Section 55-303, Idaho Code, to remove surplus
• -103, Idaho Code, to make a codifier's correction; amending Section 55-303, Idaho Code, to remove surplus
• But it's hardware that needs to be replaced and is absolutely critical for keeping our network secure

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received gubernatorial and Senate messages, including signed House bills and several Senate bills and House bills returned for enrollment or referral. Committee reports moved a number of measures forward, including bills on agriculture, education, revenue and taxation, state affairs, and appropriations, along with House Concurrent Resolution 35 recognizing Idaho athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics and House Joint Memorial 21 concerning tungsten, both sent for printing. The House introduced a large slate of new bills, including measures on tax refunds for erroneous sales tax payments, county commissioner vacancy procedures, codifier’s corrections, open meetings, data centers and water use, compliance with law, tax exemptions for information technology equipment, historic preservation, state office vacancies, administrative rules, abortion trafficking, irrigation districts, education strategic performance plans, and several appropriations and policy bills. The chamber also placed many bills on the third reading calendar and later returned some items to committee or general orders, including House Joint Memorial 19, House Bills 828 and 862. A major portion of the meeting was floor debate and passage of several budget and policy bills. The House suspended rules and passed House Bills 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, and 835, with debate focusing on maintenance and enhancement budgets, dedicated funds, one-time expenditures, agency consolidations, cybersecurity, and transparency in JFAC budgeting. House Bill 866 covered constitutional officers; House Bill 867 covered general government and military pay; House Bill 868 funded PERSI enhancements; House Bill 869 restored cuts for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; House Bill 870 funded OITS cybersecurity and Health and Welfare IT consolidation; House Bill 871 funded the State Tax Commission; and House Bill 835 limited non-cognizable spending authority. Most bills passed with recorded votes, though several drew significant opposition over spending levels and use of federal or dedicated funds. The House also heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and possible floor action later in the week, and members introduced visitors in the gallery. The chamber adjourned by motion until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts and educational service districts from public notice requirements that generally apply for surplus
• If selling or granting surplus technology hardware to public school students, for surplus property if
• selling or granting surplus technology hardware to public school students.
• It also provides that school districts that sell or grant the surplus technology hardware to students
• We want to make sure that they have an opportunity, by using the hardware and the computers and electrical

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on seven bills, with a brief recognition of students shadowing Representative Steele before moving to bill action. Staff summarized measures dealing with competency-based graduation assessments (HB 2007), school-supplied albuterol and standing orders for asthma or respiratory symptoms (HB 2360), the Washington Local Food for Schools Program (HB 2369), surplus technology hardware for students (HB 2432), privacy protections for Education Ombuds complaint records (HB 2440), military family school enrollment and services (HB 2534), and special education evaluation timelines and parent access to reports (HB 2557). Several proposed amendments were discussed, including multiple null-and-void amendments tied to fiscal notes; most of those were rejected or withdrawn, while a substantive amendment to HB 2360 was adopted and an amendment to HB 2557 was adopted to adjust evaluation-report timing and related procedures. In final action, the committee reported HB 2007, HB 2360 as a substitute bill, HB 2369, HB 2432, HB 2440, substitute HB 2534, and substitute HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2007’s null-and-void amendment failed, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 2360’s withdrawn amendment and adopted substitute language led to a 17-2 vote in favor. HB 2369’s null-and-void amendment failed and the bill passed 19-0. HB 2432 passed 16-3, with some members voting no or without recommendation. HB 2440 passed 12-7 after debate over privacy versus transparency. Substitute HB 2534 passed 19-0 after a voice vote. Substitute HB 2557 passed 19-0 after adoption of the timeline amendment and rejection of the null-and-void amendment. Throughout the meeting, supporters emphasized student-centered flexibility, public health access in schools, support for local agriculture, access to surplus technology, privacy for families using the Ombuds Office, smoother transitions for military-connected students, and clearer special education timelines for parents. Opponents or cautious members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, transparency, implementation details, and whether some changes should be handled in fiscal committees rather than policy committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 893 continues: amending Section 39-1392A, Idaho Code, to remove surplus verbiage; amending
• verbiage; and amending Section 49-402D, Idaho Code, to make a codifier's correction and to remove surplus
• the section; amending Section 54-5802, Idaho Code, to make a codifier's correction and to remove surplus
• -103, Idaho Code, to make a codifier's correction; amending Section 55-303, Idaho Code, to remove surplus
• But it's hardware that needs to be replaced and is absolutely critical for keeping our network secure

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and committee reports. Several new bills and resolutions were introduced and referred, including measures on taxation refunds, county commissioner vacancies, open meetings, data centers and water use, state historic preservation, and multiple Senate bills on vacancies, administrative rules, abortion trafficking, energy resources, irrigation districts, and education. The House also advanced a number of bills to second and third reading calendars and referred House Concurrent Resolution 35 and House Joint Memorial 21 for printing. The bulk of the floor action focused on budget and appropriation bills brought up under suspended rules. House Bills 866 and 867, maintenance budgets for constitutional officers and general government, passed after debate over the size of the appropriations, transparency of JFAC’s cuts, and the inclusion of military pay raises and other baseline costs. House Bill 868, for the Public Employee Retirement System, passed after questions about one-time software and disaster-recovery funding. House Bill 869, for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, passed amid discussion of using dedicated funds to restore cuts and confusion with a separate deaf-and-blind school budget. The House also passed House Bill 870, an Office of Information Technology Services enhancement bill centered on cybersecurity hardware and the final phase of IT consolidation from Health and Welfare, despite objections that it represented government growth and relied on federal funds. House Bill 871, funding the State Tax Commission for tax conformity work, property tax education, and seasonal staff, also passed after debate over necessity and spending. House Bill 835, limiting non-cognizable spending by the executive branch and preserving exceptions for emergencies, military facilities, and tuition-related funds, passed as well. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until Monday, March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 3048 is the Oklahoma Insurance Department cleanup bill requesting cleanup to the surplus
• conforms the laws for licensing to align with other licensing statutes, and it's an agreement with the Surplus

Bills: HB3048, HB3259, HB3646, HB3696, HB3780, HB3781, HB3802, HB3818, HB4294, HB4488, HB2929

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Summary: The committee heard a series of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on homeowners insurance rates, transparency, and regulatory oversight. House Bill 3696, a proposed rate-approval style measure for homeowners insurance, drew extensive questioning about whether it would actually lower premiums, its comparison to Texas, the role of the Insurance Department and Attorney General, and possible effects on carriers and agents. The author said the bill was intended to increase transparency and consumer protections, acknowledged it was a work in progress, and agreed to strike the title and keep working with the committee. The bill ultimately passed the committee on a recorded vote. The committee also advanced House Bill 3259, which would prohibit certain health care contract clauses such as all-or-nothing, anti-steering, gag, and most-favored-nation provisions; House Bill 4294, a follow-up to Dylan’s Law dealing with epilepsy-related insurance coverage and neurostimulator devices; and House Bill 4488, which would let the Insurance Commissioner appoint an impartial umpire when a body shop and insurer cannot agree on a loss value. House Bill 3646, a broad and still-developing insurance bill involving rate review, litigation, venue, AI use, and Attorney General involvement, generated substantial concern from members about workability, litigation, and agent exposure. Its author said it was not final, but the committee voted it down. Later, the committee passed House Bill 3048, a cleanup measure for surplus lines licensing laws; House Bill 3780, requiring an independent actuary review as a transparency measure; House Bill 3781, changing the timing from use-and-file to file-and-use with a 60-day review period while the author said he did not want rate approval; House Bill 3802, delaying rate adjustments after a spouse’s death until renewal; House Bill 3818, creating a home and auto savings account framework intended to help policyholders raise deductibles and lower premiums; and House Bill 2929, which limits how far back insurers may look at homeowners and auto claims for underwriting purposes. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition after brief questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The school districts that receive surplus property under this provision would be able to use it only
• And also, school districts that receive surplus property under this provision can't sell it before the
• School districts that receive surplus property under this provision would be able to use it only for
• And also, school districts that receive surplus property under this provision can't sell it before the
• School districts that receive surplus property under this provision would be able to use it only for

Bills: HB346, HB1851, HB2974, HB5596, HCR118, HCR127, HCR141

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee heard and laid out several measures focused on school safety, Texas-Taiwan relations, defense manufacturing, business formation, hotel tax policy, and NASA relocation. HB 1851 would allow surplus DPS vehicles and law enforcement equipment to be transferred to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas for use by school police and security personnel, with a two-year resale restriction. HCR 127 expressed support for the Texas-Taiwan relationship and trade ties, HCR 118 supported expanding warship manufacturing in Texas, HCR 141 urged Congress to move NASA headquarters to Houston, HB 346 (with a committee substitute) revised business filing and fee authority while making permanent a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses, HB 2974 was an omnibus hotel occupancy tax and qualified hotel project bill, and HB 5596 addressed accountability for municipal hotel occupancy tax revenues in coastal communities. Witnesses generally supported the measures, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association on HB 2974 and resource witnesses from the Texas Veterans Commission and Secretary of State on HB 346; no opposition testimony was registered on the laid-out bills. After public testimony, the committee took up pending business and adopted committee substitutes where applicable. HB 1851, HB 346, HB 2974, and HB 5596 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with HB 346 and HB 2974 also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HCR 127 and HCR 118 were reported favorably as well, and HCR 127 and HCR 141 were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported HB 4320 favorably, though the transcript repeats that motion several times. The meeting ended with the committee standing in recess until 7:00 a.m. subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• municipal and county law enforcement... ... agencies in economically disadvantaged areas can purchase surplus
• Thus, House Bill 1851 would allow the Facilities Commission to transfer surplus motor vehicles and other
• The subject is California with medical textile integration to ensure school districts that receive surplus
• Additionally, school districts that receive surplus property under this provision cannot sell it before

Bills: HB346, HB1851, HB2974, HB5596, HCR118, HCR127, HCR141

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• substitute on this one, and it allows school districts and educational service districts to sell surplus
• School districts and educational service districts may sell surplus computers, laptops, tablets, and
• It also allows them to grant this surplus technology hardware at no cost to students from low-income
• hardware.
• Surplus technology hardware. Senate Bill 6222. We have Senate Bill 6222 before us.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5849, which would require all high school students to receive financial education instruction and meet state financial education learning standards to graduate, beginning with the class of 2033 unless the State Board of Education recommends an earlier date. Staff explained the bill’s relationship to existing graduation requirements, the State Board’s role in integrating the requirement into current pathways, and a fiscal note showing about $201,000 in state costs plus unknown district costs. Senators asked about how the requirement would fit different school schedules, whether teacher preparation and clock hours would be addressed, and how the standards would stay current. The bill’s sponsor said it would be embedded within existing pathways, aligned with the Future Ready initiative, and supported by OSPI, the State Board, and the financial education public-private partnership. Testimony on SB 5849 was overwhelmingly supportive, especially from students, educators, nonprofits, bankers, and advocacy groups. Supporters said many students graduate without knowing how to budget, use credit, file taxes, understand loans, or make other basic financial decisions, and argued that a graduation requirement would make financial literacy more equitable and not dependent on family background or zip code. Several students described personal experiences with W-2 forms, student loans, credit cards, and lack of exposure to finance classes, while organizations such as Junior Achievement and the Washington Bankers Association said they already provide curriculum and support and could help districts implement the requirement. One school directors association representative opposed the bill, arguing districts are already overburdened and underfunded and should not receive new mandates without removing others or providing more resources. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive action on a separate packet of bills. It advanced SB 6278 on teacher preparation program review, SB 613 on National Voter Registration Day activities in high schools, SB 6222 on surplus school technology for students, and SB 6206 on a child care pilot for first responders, adopting proposed substitutes where offered. In a second packet, the committee referred SB 6260 on school bus depreciation, adopted a substitute and advanced SB 5346 on student mobile device use and digital citizenship, advanced SB 6263 on public bid thresholds, adopted a substitute and advanced SB 6268 on public access to special education complaint decisions, and adopted a substitute and advanced SB 6247 on financial oversight and misconduct in school districts. The committee then adjourned after signing the boards.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so anytime you're passing a budget that's not just spending a surplus, but it is in fact anticipating
• that's not just passing a budget that's not just spending<00:04:08.159><c> a</c><00:04:08.480><c> surplus
• , but it is in fact spending a surplus, but it is in fact anticipating<00:04:10.879><c> a</c><00:04:11.120
• 01.600><c> exemption</c><00:09:02.080><c> for</c><00:09:02.320><c> software,</c><00:09:02.800><c> hardware
• ,</c> tax exemption for software, hardware, tax exemption for software, hardware, and<00:09:03.560><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 3048 is the Oklahoma Insurance Department cleanup bill requesting cleanup to the surplus
• conforms the laws for licensing to align with other licensing statutes, and it's in agreement with the Surplus

Bills: HB3048, HB3259, HB3646, HB3696, HB3780, HB3781, HB3802, HB3818, HB4294, HB4488, HB2929

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Transcript Highlights:

• Services, in their interim report, House Bill 2426 instructs member agencies to study the use of surplus
• Availability of surplus federal, state, and local government buildings and land, assessing the feasibility
• of developing surplus property into housing units for homeless veterans, and identifying existing funding
• bill requires various state agencies to get together and try to determine if there are excess or surplus

Bills: HCR7, HB1557, HB1608, HB2061, HB2201, HB2210, HB2426, HB2754, HJR165, HB2513, HCR7

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• this budget deficit that's been created because There's no money after having an $18 billion budget surplus

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in the day, when the ITD facility was designated as surplus property, this was the process that
• administrative property back in the day when the ITD facility was designated a surplus property this
• It's dedicated funds. $3,700 in the OITS hardware.
• It also has $47,300 for our IT hardware replacement. And with that, I ask for your green light.
• It also has $47,300 for our IT hardware replacement. And with that, I ask for your green line.

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then received messages from the Governor and Senate, including notice of several House bills signed by the Governor, Senate bills and resolutions transmitted for signature or first reading, and committee reports advancing a number of measures. The House also referred Senate Concurrent Resolution 122 to State Affairs and introduced several new bills, including House Bills 936 and 937, and Senate Bills 1297 and 1352, all of which were sent to committee. On third reading, the House passed House Bills 873, 890, 900, 928, 929, 930, 932, 879, 898, 896, 895, 856, and 911, along with Senate Bills 1321, 1224 as amended, 1347, 1380, 1381, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, and House Resolution 28. The bills covered election deadlines, surplus state property, insurance claims on state facilities, a merit-based health care/DEI restriction bill, patient-negotiated medical discounts, campaign finance reporting, an advisory ballot question on an official state gun, industrial hemp regulation, historic preservation office reorganization, enforcement of compliance with state law, data center water use, protection of human remains, large-load utility ratepayer protections, and several appropriations or enhancement budgets. Most passed by comfortable margins, though House Bill 928 drew the most debate and passed 56-14, and House Bill 930 passed narrowly 36-34. Several measures drew notable testimony or opposition. Supporters of House Bill 928 argued it would remove DEI-related practices from Medicaid health care and replace them with merit-based standards; opponents warned it would block anti-racism and implicit-bias training and could worsen health disparities. House Bill 896 prompted concerns that it politicized enforcement of the law by allowing selected officials to refer alleged violations to the Attorney General, while supporters said it created a needed compliance mechanism with a cure period. House Bill 895 on data centers, House Bill 911 on large-load utility protections, and House Bill 856 on human remains all emphasized transparency, resource management, or closing loopholes. The House also returned some bills to committee, sent others to general orders, made announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• we deal with at surplus.
• </c> employees that work for surplus. employees that work for surplus.
• </c> furniture anymore, it'll go to surplus furniture anymore, it'll go to surplus and<02:28:13.120><
• </c> surplus in that too. Okay. surplus in that too. Okay. &gt;&gt; Follow. &gt;&gt; Follow.
• </c> a surplus balance? a surplus balance? &gt;&gt; Mr.<02:34:51.760><c> chairman.

Keywords: 916, all

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then moved through caucuses and a series of transportation, elections, energy, historical records, cannabis, abortion-access, and fiscal bills. Members repeatedly emphasized that several measures were supplemental or technical updates to existing law, while others involved larger policy disputes over taxes, fees, clean energy, election security, and reproductive health. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and briefly recessed for caucus during the day. The most prominent action was final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting a technical amendment and a larger striker amendment. Supporters highlighted preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, road safety, and continued work on major projects statewide; opponents largely reserved comments or noted concerns about future needs. The House passed the bill 93-0 with five excused. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711 on transportation resources, after adopting a technical amendment that removed the aircraft tax and delayed an RV-related tax change; supporters said it protected businesses and jobs, while opponents objected to trade-in treatment and other tax changes. That bill passed 83-10. On elections, the House considered Senate Bill 5892 to protect the voter registration database. An amendment to reduce penalties from a felony to a civil infraction and remove the emergency clause failed, while the committee amendment passed 50-34. Supporters said the bill was needed to safeguard sensitive voter data and clarify access; opponents argued it created conflicts with federal law and imposed excessive penalties on local election officials. The bill then passed 57-36. On energy, Substitute Senate Bill 5982 updating consumer-owned utility provisions drew debate over carbon capture, resource adequacy, data centers, and clean energy policy. Amendments on carbon capture and blackout-triggered termination failed, while an amendment preserving cogeneration exceptions passed; the bill then passed 57-37. The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, after rejecting an amendment to require longer retention but adopting the committee amendment; supporters stressed preserving the history of residential habilitation centers and the value to families seeking records. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising cannabis license fees while removing an escalator, passed 52-42. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5917 on access to abortion medications saw several failed amendments from opponents seeking to narrow, reframe, or add fiscal limits to the bill; supporters said it preserved flexibility to ensure access and avoid waste, and the bill passed 57-36.

Transcript Highlights:

• need to go somewhere else" instead of being forced by the hospital to use that particular... ...Hardware
• It deals with surplus lines. So if... what's a surplus line?
• lot along the coast, if you can't get insurance, you're more than likely going to have to go to a surplus
• Yes, Surplus Conly, should I vote for this?
• Yes, Surplus lines company is a company that's a non-admitted carrier in Alabama.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so this ITSPF, we are in a multi-year expansion and upgrade of all of the Department of Revenue's hardware
• The back-end work of money movements is a big deal, and upgrading these hardware and software systems
• And upgrading these hardware and software systems is critical. Questions, comments?
• The back-in work of money movements is a big deal, and upgrading these hardware and software systems
• is critical. and upgrading these hardware and software systems is critical.

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in the day when the ITD facility was designated as surplus property, this was the process that was
• administrative property back in the day when the ITD facility was designated a surplus property this
• back in the day when the ITD facility was designated as surplus property this was the process that was
• It's dedicated funds. $3,700 in the OITS hardware.
• It also has $47,300 for IT hardware replacement. With that, I ask for your green light.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 53 members present, approved the journal, and received messages from the Governor and Senate announcing several signed bills, enrolled measures, and new Senate bills and resolutions. Committee reports moved multiple bills forward, including measures on elections, health and welfare, education, revenue and taxation, transportation, and state affairs. The House also introduced new bills on property, land use, conversational AI safety, and housing, and referred them to committee. A Senate concurrent resolution supporting Idaho’s partnership with Taiwan was referred to State Affairs. The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading bills. Among the major policy debates were House Bill 928, the “Merit-based Health Care Act,” which would restrict DEI-related practices in Medicaid and health care provider agreements; supporters framed it as a merit and patient-care measure, while opponents argued it would block anti-racism and implicit-bias training and worsen health disparities. House Bill 929, allowing patients to negotiate discounted cash prices with providers and have them count toward deductibles, passed after brief debate. House Bill 930, revising campaign finance reporting, loans, and investment rules, also passed after concerns about credit card treatment and reporting complexity. House Bill 879, aimed at closing a loophole in industrial hemp regulation to prevent THC products from being sold as CBD, passed as well. Several other notable bills passed the House, including House Bill 932 creating an advisory ballot question on an official state gun for America 250; House Bill 896 establishing a process for the Attorney General to investigate and seek remedies for alleged failures by public officers or entities to follow the law; House Bill 895 regulating water use for new data centers; House Bill 856 closing a loophole involving the sale of human remains; and House Bill 911 codifying protections so large electrical loads do not shift costs onto other ratepayers. The House also passed House Bill 898, which reorganizes the State Historic Preservation Office within a new administrative structure, despite concerns that it could weaken preservation independence. In addition, the House approved a number of appropriation and enhancement bills, including funding for the Commission on Aging, the State Historic Preservation Officer, the Idaho State Lottery, Veterans Services, the Public Utilities Commission, the Industrial Commission, and Pardon and Parole. The House returned some bills to committee or moved them to General Orders, including House Bills 529, 828, 862, and 903. It also adopted House Resolution 28, which approved House Agriculture Committee rules. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.