Transcript Highlights:

• looked at the population of California at 40 million and the landscape, I just do a comparison to Montana

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, our neighboring states of Utah, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, and Montana already allow this position

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• winds took them away and distributed those particulates all over Utah, portions of Nevada, southwest Montana

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge, and approval of the journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and a series of committee reports. Committee actions included printing, referral, or placement on calendars for numerous measures, including budget bills, education, tax, health, and code-cleanup legislation. The House also introduced a large slate of new bills and resolutions, many of them referred to committees for printing or further consideration. On the floor, the House passed several bills and resolutions, often after brief explanations and little or no debate. Measures approved included House Bills 773, 775, 787, 790, 758, 798, 799, 831, and 863; House Resolution 26; Senate Bills 1261, 1232 as amended, 1226, 1239, 1240, 1291, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, and 1363; and Senate Concurrent Resolutions 116, 117, and 118. Topics ranged from code cleanup and deregulation to bankruptcy exemptions, podiatry board consolidation, daycare licensing, elections and polling locations, Medicaid budget reductions, guardianship and conservatorship reform, DNA collection for certain misdemeanors, sex offender residency rules near daycares, AI policy in K-12 education, and a maintenance budget for natural resources. A notable portion of the debate centered on Senate Concurrent Resolutions 117 and 118 concerning water projects and cloud seeding. Supporters argued these projects are essential to Idaho agriculture, aquifer recharge, and water supply, while opponents raised concerns about insufficient independent data, environmental and health effects, transparency, and public consent. Despite those objections, both resolutions passed. The House also heard announcements recognizing visitors, upcoming committee meetings, and the Idaho Vandals’ athletic success, and it recessed with plans to return later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:22:00.960><c> United</c> The smallest detection system in the United States, outside of one in Montana

Committee: Joint Insurance

Keywords: Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• States like Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Idaho have these similar protections as well.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and acted on multiple bills. HB 2192, a child influencer bill, would require compensation for minors featured in monetized content to be placed in trust, create a process for minors or adults to request takedown of content, and add restrictions on sexualized depictions of minors. The sponsor and Google supported it as model legislation; members raised questions about compliance, age 13 access to earnings, and removal rights at 18. It passed 9-0 with 2 present. HB 2501, an agency bill conforming Arizona’s appraisal management company definition to federal law, also passed unanimously 11-0. HB 2693, which revises bona fide association rules to allow self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements through statewide chambers or business leagues, passed 8-1 after an amendment; one member cited possible federal preemption in opposing it. HB 2010, the digital goods disclosure bill requiring clearer “buy/purchase” language and prorated refunds when access changes, passed unanimously after amendment, with supporters calling it a consumer protection measure and retailers warning about compliance burdens and possible preemption. The committee then considered HB 2279, which would exempt commercial river outfitters in Grand Canyon National Park from liability for injuries or deaths arising from inherent risks of river trips, while preserving liability for gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Supporters said it aligns Arizona with other western states and reflects existing federal oversight; opponents argued it could violate Arizona’s anti-abrogation clause and improperly define inherent risk. The bill passed 7-4. HB 2690, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring more work-search actions, weekly reporting, and pre-claim data cross-checks, drew strong opposition from advocates who said it would add red tape and harm eligible claimants; supporters said it would reduce fraud and encourage work. It passed 7-4. HB 2310, clarifying that qualified marketplace contractor agreements may be terminated unilaterally by the contractor, passed 10-0. The committee also approved HB 2555, requiring retail businesses with physical locations to accept cash for purchases of $100 or less and prohibiting cash fees, after an amendment exempting rentals and mobile home vendors; supporters emphasized access for unbanked consumers and small purchases, while one member objected that businesses should self-govern. It passed 10-0. HB 2199, which requires RV park managers to complete education on landlord-tenant laws similar to mobile home park managers, passed 7-0 with 3 present after testimony from homeowner advocates and park groups in support. Finally, HB 2459 was introduced at the end of the meeting; it would allow landlords to pass through utility charges actually imposed by providers and add an administrative fee for submetering, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of them are related to public defenders, but some states like Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico, and Montana

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session on juvenile rehabilitation trends and then a hearing on Senate Bill 6062. The work session featured a national overview from NCSL, DCYF updates on Green Hill, Harbor Heights, and community transition services, and local/community perspectives from Pierce County, Team Child, and Northwest Credible Messengers. The national presentation described broad juvenile justice trends, including limits on extreme sentencing, expanded diversion and due process protections, reduced fines and fees, record clearing, and changes in juvenile court jurisdiction. Committee members asked about juvenile crime trends and overcrowding, and the presenter noted that crime has generally decreased overall since 2020, though some offenses have risen in some places and overcrowding remains an issue in certain states. DCYF reported on its behavior management system, Harbor Heights opening as relief for overcrowding, Green Hill population pressures, and expansion of community transition services. Officials said the behavior management system is intended to improve safety, consistency, and restorative accountability, while Harbor Heights has added programming and family engagement but still faces space, IT, and medical-infrastructure challenges. Green Hill leaders said reduced population has improved stability, programming, and use-of-force outcomes, but overcrowding remains a concern. DCYF also highlighted an ombuds process, family listserv updates, staffing changes, and a proposed budget request for additional JR capacity and staffing. Pierce County described its long-running detention reform work, reduced average daily detention population, and plans for a new juvenile justice center, while Team Child and Northwest Credible Messengers emphasized community-based supports, culturally responsive services, healing-centered engagement, and reentry planning. Senate Bill 6062 was then briefed as a measure revising juvenile sentencing and JR placement rules. The bill would require courts to grant suspended disposition alternatives in eligible cases unless the court finds community supervision would not adequately protect the community, expand eligibility for certain sentencing alternatives, require midpoint review hearings, and set rules for transfers from JR to DOC when facilities exceed 105% of rated bed capacity. The committee also voted to waive the five-day notice rule for hearings on Senate Bills 6319 and 5979, and that motion passed. During public testimony on SB 6062, youth from Green Hill supported the bill and asked for clearer standards around DOC transfers, while DCYF supported efforts to reduce JR population but said the bill needs stronger emergency transfer language to address overcrowding at Green Hill. Committee members and the bill sponsor emphasized rehabilitation, individualized sentencing, and the need to balance community safety with better placement and services for youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a small antimony smelter in Montana, owned by the U.S. Antimony Corporation.

Committee: Joint Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mentioned, there are 16 other states that have already enlisted in the PA compact: Oklahoma, Arizona, Montana

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• State to state specific specific agreements with Washington, Oregon, and Montana, and we're focusing

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, Montana provided that for unpaid or future medical expenses.

Bills: HB4806

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service stationed in Missoula, Montana, and in St. Paul.
• 41.120><c> Missoula,</c> Forest Service stationed in Missoula, Forest Service stationed in Missoula, Montana
• </c><00:04:43.520><c> Her</c><00:04:43.840><c> work</c> Montana, and in St. Paul.
• Her work Montana, and in St. Paul.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• earning their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2016, capped by a huge 60 to 57 win over rival Montana
• capped by a huge 60 to 57 win over 2016, capped by a huge 60 to 57 win over rival<00:33:45.919><c> Montana
• </c><00:33:47.200><c> Congratulations</c><00:33:48.000><c> to</c> rival Montana State.
• Congratulations to rival Montana State.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I just thought you could know the state and say Louisiana, Arkansas, Montana, or wherever.
• :46.000><c> say</c><02:50:46.120><c> Louisiana</c><02:50:46.800><c> Arkansas</c><02:50:47.160><c> Montana
• </c> state and say Louisiana Arkansas Montana state and say Louisiana Arkansas Montana or<02:50:47.840

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's one making in Montana?
• What's one making<01:27:14.560><c> Montana?
• c> What's</c><01:27:15.360><c> one</c><01:27:15.600><c> making</c><01:27:16.400><c> in</c> making Montana
• What's one making in making Montana? What's one making in Utah?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• already require all their police departments to collect stop data, including Alabama, California, and Montana
• already require all their police departments to collect stop data, including Alabama, California, and Montana
• already require all their police departments to collect stop data, including Alabama, California, and Montana
• already require all their police departments to collect stop data, including Alabama, California, and Montana

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every drop of that water that goes through my backyard is great for Montana, for North Dakota, for South
• backyard through my backyard is<00:59:12.880><c> great</c><00:59:14.319><c> for</c><00:59:14.880><c> Montana
• ,</c> is great for Montana, is great for Montana, for<00:59:17.040><c> North</c><00:59:17.280><c> Dakota

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my district of people contemplating the same, people talking about moving to Wyoming, the Dakotas, Montana
• Wyoming. people talking about moving to Wyoming. the<04:10:05.279><c> Dakotas,</c><04:10:05.920><c> Montana
• and</c><04:10:06.640><c> Idaho</c><04:10:07.439><c> for</c><04:10:07.840><c> some</c> the Dakotas, Montana
• , and Idaho for some the Dakotas, Montana, and Idaho for some semblance<04:10:09.520><c> of</c><04:10

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some of the northern states, you know, like Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, have
• <01:08:01.760><c> know</c><01:08:01.920><c> like</c><01:08:02.079><c> Idaho,</c><01:08:02.680><c> Montana
• ,</c><01:08:03.680><c> New</c> states you know like Idaho, Montana, New states you know like Idaho, Montana

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have like Montana and, let's see what we got here, Montana, Michigan, the Dakotas, and none of
• The last one that cracks me up every single year is these other states, you know, New Jersey, Montana
• The last one that cracks me up every single year is these other states, you know, New Jersey, Montana

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• States are either able to use a condition-based model like Alaska or a claims-cost-based model like Montana
• States are either able to use a condition-based model like Alaska or a claims-cost-based model like Montana

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.