Transcript Highlights:

• Amanda Kirshner, on behalf of County Welfare Directors, in support. All right, thank you.
• And we know that was embedded in some of our early welfare policies.
• And we know that was embedded in some of our early welfare policies.
• States implemented these rules to restrict welfare eligibility and enforce morality, often cutting off
• Alexis Rodriguez, with the County Welfare Directors Association, in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, and no opposition testified. SB 902 would allow electronic signatures for child care and development services paperwork while preserving paper options; supporters said it would reduce burdens on families and providers, and the bill passed to the Assembly Education Committee 4-0. The committee also heard SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance efforts, and SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule. Supporters of SB 1025 said the state’s food system is fragmented and needs a coordinated strategy; SB 1030 supporters argued the rule is outdated, redundant, and rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. Both bills received no opposition testimony and were approved on 4-0 votes, with SB 1025 sent to the Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee and SB 1030 to Appropriations. The committee then approved SB 1077, which would require CDSS to create a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns, including a public webpage and planning for state-funded benefits; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1194 would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand immigration legal services in underserved areas, and supporters emphasized the need for legal representation in rural and Central Valley communities; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1201 would seek federal waivers to protect veterans from CalFresh time limits, require referrals to county veterans service officers, and adjust treatment of job-search expenses; it passed unanimously 6-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 557 and SB 1051, also passed unanimously. After all items were heard, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• status in the state you can't get a public benefit and public benefits in this case are health and welfare
• We talked about health and welfare benefits. We talked about vaccines.
• I've worked carefully with Deputy Director Moni Pro from the Department of Health and Welfare and also
• In Health and Welfare, I should have some...
• I have the figures; probably Health and Welfare does. We want to keep people living in their homes.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 29, 2026, and then the minutes from January 28, 2026, by voice vote. It then printed RS 33115C1, a proposal from Senator Shippey to establish a 10-hour baseline foster parent training expectation in statute, with the stated goal of reducing barriers to foster licensing while setting uniform expectations and allowing more advanced training for higher-need placements. The committee also printed RS 33213, sponsored by Senator Wintrow, to clarify that crime victims compensation and related sexual assault forensic exam funding are not public benefits subject to immigration-status verification requirements. Wintrow said the measure was intended to prevent confusion created by prior public-benefit language and to avoid added red tape for victims. The committee then printed RS 33314, from Senator Galloway, to recognize voluntary newborn hearing screenings in Idaho law amid federal uncertainty; Galloway said parents can still opt out and can request screening through an audiologist. Senate Bill 1266, also by Senator Galloway, was heard and sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The bill would expand expedited foster placement eligibility from relatives to “kin,” including extended family members and others with a significant family-like relationship, while keeping licensing and safety standards in place. Testimony from a foster/kinship parent supported the measure and described the benefits of placing children with familiar caregivers. Senate Bill 1267, sponsored by Senator Wintrow, was heard but not advanced. The bill would direct the Department of Health and Welfare to study and prepare for changes to Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities so participants could continue coverage and work past age 65 without facing sharply higher premiums or losing community-based supports. Several disabled workers testified in support, describing the program’s importance to independent living, while some senators questioned the bill’s references to institutionalization and the role of government; no motion was made, and the bill was held in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Welfare.
• Health and Welfare.
• Health and Welfare.
• Health and Welfare.
• Health and Welfare.

Bills: HR84, HR85, HR86, HR87, HR88, HR89, HR90, HCR42, HCR43, HB1087, HB1088, HB1089, HB1090, HB1091, HB1092, HB1093, HB1094, HB1095, HB1096, HB1097, HB1098, HB1099, HB1100, HB1101, HB1102, HB1103, HB1104, HB1105, HB1106, HB1107, HB1108, HB1109, HB1110, HB1111, HB1112, HB1113, HB1114, HB1115, HB1116, HB1117, HB1118, HB1119, HB1120, HB1121, HB1122, HB1123, HB1124, HB1125, HB1126, HB1127, HB1128, HB1129, HB1130, HB1131, HB1132, HB1133, HB1134, HB1135, HB1136, HB1137, HB1138, HB1139, HB1140, HB1141, HB1142, HB1143, HB1144, HB1145, HB1146, HB1147, HB1148, HB1149, HB1150, HB1151, HB1153, HB1154, HB1155, HB1156, HB1157, HB1158, HB1159, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1163, HB1164, HB1165, HB1166, HB1167, HB1169, HB1170, HB1171, HB1172, HB1173, HB1174, HB1175, HB1176, HB1177, HB1178, HB1179, HB1180, HB1181, HB1182, HB1183, HB1184, HB1185, HB1186, HB1187, HB1188, HB1189, HB1190, HB1192, HB1193, HB1194, HB1195, HB1196, HB1197, HB1198, HB1199, HB1200, HB1201, HB1202, HB1203, HB1204, HB1205, HB1206, HB1207, HB1208, HB1209, HB1210, HB1211, HB1212, HB1213, HB1214, HB1215, HB1216, HB1217, HB1218, HB1219, HB1220, HB1221, HB1222, HB1223, HB1224, HB1225, HB1226, HB1227, HB1228, HB1229, HB1230, HB1231, HR73, HR74, HR75, HR77, HR78, HR79, HR80, HR81, HR83, HCR36, HCR37, HCR38, HCR39, HCR40, HCR41, HB368, HB433, HB1017, HB1018, HB1019, HB1020, HB1021, HB1022, HB1023, HB1024, HB1025, HB1026, HB1027, HB1028, HB1029, HB1030, HB1031, HB1032, HB1033, HB1034, HB1035, HB1036, HB1037, HB1038, HB1039, HB1040, HB1041, HB1042, HB1043, HB1044, HB1045, HB1046, HB1047, HB1048, HB1049, HB1050, HB1051, HB1052, HB1053, HB1054, HB1055, HB1056, HB1057, HB1058, HB1059, HB1060, HB1061, HB1062, HB1063, HB1064, HB1065, HB1066, HB1067, HB1068, HB1069, HB1070, HB1071, HB1072, HB1073, HB1074, HB1075, HB1076, HB1077, HB1078, HB1079, HB1080, HB1081, HB1082, HB1083, HB1084, SB111, SB122, SB195, SB221, SB404, HR1, HCR6, HCR19, HB27, HB81, HB134, HB154, HB163, HB170, HB194, HB214, HB217, HB220, HB254, HB259, HB290, HB308, HB311, HB360, HB382, HB401, HB410, HB417, HB463, HB514, HB575, HB592, HB718, HB723, HB750, HB755, HB776, HB812, HB830, HB838, HB844, HB882, HB885, HB888, HB950, HB961, HB966, HB980, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HB58, HB69, HB93, HB166, HB199, HB201, HB202, HB218, HB223, HB224, HB231, HB235, HB246, HB338, HB349, HB352, HB379, HB405, HB429, HB535, HB547, HB577, HB588, HB626, HB636, HB652, HB653, HB669, HB688, HB691, HB721, HB738, HB806, HB851, HB857, HB861, HB889, HB904, HB907, HB908, HB929, HB1009, HB13, HB23, HB25, HB32, HB41, HB90, HB120, HB121, HB122, HB127, HB138, HB139, HB141, HB179, HB187, HB213, HB247, HB286, HB332, HB344, HB357

Keywords: physical therapy, healthcare, prevention, wellness, education, Louisiana, landscape architecture, environment, public health, economic development, infrastructure, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, Roger D. Boudreaux, Church Point, mayor, Louisiana House of Representatives, community service, local government

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer, pledge, and national anthem, and spent much of the early portion of the day on recognitions and personal privileges. Members welcomed Reverend Dr. D. Edward Cheney, the Louisiana School Board Association, Southern University visitors for S.U. Day at the Capitol, former Representative Shirley Bowler, the mother of Caleb Wilson, a West Jefferson High School JAG group, the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women, and a Jeff Davis Parish delegation. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring women legislators for Women’s History Month and observed a moment of silence for Caleb Wilson. The House received a large batch of Senate bills and referred them to committees, including measures on human trafficking, sexual assault kit reporting, bail schedules, environmental notice procedures, DOTD authority, judicial removal, school-zone and shoulder driving rules, workers’ compensation, kidney disease reporting, contractor licensing, public records exemptions, career-alignment dashboards, student health centers, sports wagering exclusions, gaming background checks, soybean promotion, and accessories-after-the-fact sentencing. Members also introduced numerous House resolutions and House bills, including measures on airport TSA loan assistance, Physical Therapy Day, Landscape Architecture Month, condolences, coastal protection, succession and paternity studies, and a long list of new bills covering taxes, education, health care, criminal justice, transportation, public records, and state operations. Several bills were debated and acted on. House Bill 69, concerning ignition interlock devices and penalties when used as a bail or probation condition, passed 82-18. House Bill 93, transferring Lincoln Parish jury commission functions to the clerk of court, passed 96-0. House Bill 199, extending the nursing home moratorium, drew substantial debate over nursing home capacity, competition, and patient care; an amendment requiring LDH to track occupancy and rejection reasons was adopted, and the bill passed 88-11. House Bill 201 creating a state seal of fine arts passed 98-0, and House Bill 202 requiring state civil service applicants to be notified when vacancies are filled or they are not selected also passed 98-0 after amendment. House Bill 218, requiring student questionnaires to include food insecurity questions, was introduced and amended technically, with debate beginning as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so I'm here today to talk about the welfare property tax exemption, which I call the unsung hero
• So what we're suggesting is that you could statutorily conform the welfare exemption income eligibility
• Happy to answer any questions. the welfare property tax exemption.
• mixed-income properties, and recent fixes to the welfare exemption administration...
• The welfare exemption stops at 80% of AMI.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so I'm here today to talk about the welfare property tax exemption, which I call the unsung hero
• So what we're suggesting is that you could statutorily conform the welfare exemption income eligibility
• The welfare property tax exemption.
• So the earlier conversation about the welfare exemption—this is critical, actually—that we are going
• The welfare exemption stops at 80% of AMI.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we are Committee on Health and Welfare report that we have had under consideration House Bills
• Senate Bill 1292 and Senate Bill 1293 were referred to the Health and Welfare Committee.
• House Bill 530, by the Health and Welfare Committee, regarding insurance.
• House Bill 530, by the Health and Welfare Committee, regarding insurance.
• House Health and Welfare Committee will meet Monday, March 2nd at 9:00 a.m. in Room E.W. 20.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages from the Senate transmitting several Senate bills for first reading. Standing committee reports moved a number of House bills forward, including health, transportation, local government, and state affairs measures, while House Bill 717 was placed on General Orders. The House also introduced a new slate of bills, including measures on podiatrists, preceptor prior authorization exemptions, Coeur d’Alene Tribe water rights, architects, traffic infractions, taxation, beer excise revenue, school attendance, obscenity and minors, fire protection district commissioners, and state treasurer securities lending. The Committee of the Whole considered several bills. House Bill 570 on reckless driving was amended to clarify language about children and active construction zones and was reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bill 561, the “flag bill,” was amended to add the Basque flag and to restrict certain flags on government property that are political, religious, or ideological; it was also reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bill 692 received a clarifying amendment on child protection language, House Bill 575 was amended to broaden forfeiture language and clarify county law enforcement references, and House Bill 562 received a delayed implementation date amendment. Bills 530, 627, 598, and 673 were held in committee with progress reported. The House then debated and passed House Bill 704, which requires employers to use E-Verify for new hires to prevent unauthorized employment. Supporters argued it would enforce existing law, protect Idaho workers, and address illegal immigration; opponents warned it would burden businesses, harm agriculture and other industries, and create economic losses. The bill passed 43-26 and was sent to the Senate. The House also passed House Bill 700, a related E-Verify measure with criminal penalties for violations, after extensive debate over constitutionality, federal preemption, labor shortages, and the impact on agriculture and other sectors; it passed 36-33 with one abstention. The House later held the remaining third-reading bills until the following Monday, received administrative rules committee letters, made announcements, and adjourned until March 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hour of nine o'clock having arrived, we will call the House Health and Welfare Committee to order
• And we're saying to the Department of Health and Welfare, don't do more than 100 providers in each of
• And we're saying to the Department of Health and Welfare, don't do more than 100 providers in each of
• It would be Health and Welfare picking a random person. And they could also interview staff.
• It would be the health and welfare picking a random person. And they could also interview staff.

Summary: The committee first introduced RS 33403, a follow-on podiatry bill that would merge podiatry with the Board of Medicine and move certain rules into statute. Representative Ehlers explained it was a replacement for prior legislation, and the committee voted to introduce it without objection. The committee then heard House Bill 713 on copay accumulator policies. Representative Cannon and co-sponsor Representative Furman argued the bill would stop insurers from refusing to count third-party copay assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, especially for patients with expensive specialty drugs. Supporters, including patients and advocates, described serious financial hardship and treatment adherence problems caused by accumulators. Opponents, including the Idaho Association of Health Plans, argued the bill would raise costs and premiums, could conflict with Idaho’s anti-kickback law, and might interfere with private plan design. After debate, the committee voted 7-8 against the motion to send HB 713 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. Next, the committee took up House Bill 655 and its related RS 33527, a pilot program to incentivize preceptorships by giving certain Medicaid providers a 12-month exemption from prior authorization requirements. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce administrative burden and increase training opportunities in rural areas and in family practice, psychiatry, and OB-GYN, with caps on participation and expansion to advanced practice providers and PAs in the RS. The committee first voted to hold HB 655 in committee, then approved RS 33527 for introduction and second reading. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 723 on children’s residential facilities. Representative Erickson said the bill would add quality-of-care oversight, annual unannounced inspections, resident and staff interviews, a youth bill of rights, and critical incident reporting, based on an OPE study and prior testimony about abuse and gaps in oversight. Testifiers, including parents and former residents, described abuse, isolation, and lack of reporting mechanisms in facilities and supported the bill. The committee discussed whether the bill created enforceable rights, but the sponsor said existing child protection and corrective action processes would apply. The bill was moved to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the chair of the Health and Welfare the chair of the Health and Welfare Committee<00:25:09.120><
• Welfare Committee does concur with this Welfare Committee does concur with this proposal<00:43:26.440
• The Health and Welfare Committee unanimously supports Dr.
• c> Committee</c> Your Health and Welfare Committee Your Health and Welfare Committee unanimously unanimously
• President, the Senate Health and Welfare asked that you confirm Jenny Samuelson with your vote.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It remains an essential part of California's child welfare system.
• Good afternoon, Amanda Kircher on behalf of the County Welfare Directors in support.
• Next, we'll hear from the County Welfare Directors Association.
• Next, we'll hear from the County Welfare Directors Association. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, members.
• AB 2247 represented an important shift toward trauma-informed child welfare practice.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we'll be hearing bills relative to the Department of Children and Families and child welfare-related
• I'm Senator Robyn Kennedy, the Senate Chair of the committee, and I'm joined here to... ...child welfare-related
• I also serve on the Child Welfare Coalition and the Court Improvement Program Task Force.
• system, the department will continue to be stressed within the work within child welfare.
• A mandated reporter can... ...involvement with child welfare made things significantly worse.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death. Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements. On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an $18.3 million increase from OTS for the child welfare modernization system.
• Okay, then explain to me the $5.1 million for child welfare and incidental expenses.
• So the child welfare incidental expenses, these are actual direct charges.
• My name is Connie Guillory, and I'm the Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare.
• My name is Connie Guillory and I'm the Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council, or SLIC, as we
• It's Division of Welfare, and it has two budgeted programs.
• welfare dedicated funds; line 16, corporate welfare federal funds.
• There's two budgeted programs, and this is underneath the Department of Health and Welfare.
• So there's 11 people. ...and welfare.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the March 11 journal and received routine communications, including notice of a temporary substitute senator and several committee reports. The chamber also received a gubernatorial message transmitting signed Senate bills and House messages on enrolled bills and new legislation. Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, including measures on finance, judiciary, resources, education, local government, agriculture, and transportation, with some bills held for amendment or one legislative day. On the floor, the Senate considered several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 1351, concerning state office vacancies and limits on reappointed gubernatorial appointees, passed 34-0. Senate Bill 1364, revising the expiration of temporary administrative rules, passed 35-0. Senate Bill 1370, amending the abortion trafficking statute by removing the word “recruiting” after constitutional concerns raised by the Attorney General’s office, passed 28-6. Senate Bill 1337, allowing limited flexibility for small irrigation district boards, passed 34-0, and Senate Bill 1339, replacing continuous improvement plans with multi-year strategic performance plans for schools and reducing reporting requirements, also passed on a 34-0 vote. The Senate also passed House Bill 576 on the Consumer Asset Recovery Fund, House Bill 731 on participation in the federal tax credit scholarship program, House Bill 591 cleaning up obsolete indigent eligibility law, House Bill 663 shifting agricultural license plate design authority, House Bill 543 updating retirement system Roth contribution language, House Bill 563 revising CPA licensure pathways, and House Bill 652 designating hunting as Idaho’s state sport. Senate Bill 1303, revising provisions related to renewable/sustainable energy resources and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, passed 27-8. House Bill 822 was introduced, and Senate Bill 1227 received House amendments that the Senate concurred in. The major defeat of the day was Senate Bill 1375, the fiscal year 2027 Health and Human Services maintenance appropriation bill. After extensive debate over Medicaid rate reductions, provider impacts, federal funding losses, and the use of reserves versus cuts, the bill failed 10-25 and was retained by the Secretary. The Senate then returned to committee reports, received additional House and Senate messages, and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 1224, by the Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating
• House Bill 724 will be referred to the Health and Welfare Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 7377, by the Health and Welfare Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 777 by Health and Welfare Committee.
• In 2025, Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare, under then Director Adams, ended this practice by

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the prior day’s journal, received committee reports, and handled a large number of bill referrals and messages from the House. Several measures were advanced, held on the calendar, or referred to committees, including appropriations bills, policy bills on education, transportation, taxation, and administrative procedure, and a memorial honoring Wake Island civilians. The chamber also received enrolled bills for signatures and transmittal, and later recessed and reconvened before continuing floor action. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 1363, the natural resources maintenance appropriation. The bill covered budgets for the Department of Environmental Quality, Fish and Game, Lands, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, and the Endowment Fund Investment Board, with reductions and maintenance adjustments discussed in detail. Supporters said it was a responsible “tightening of the belt” and noted the bill preserved core operations, while opponents argued the across-the-board cuts would harm firefighting, water quality, parks staffing, permitting, and other public services. The bill passed 28-7 and was sent to the House. The Senate also passed House Bill 558 on protecting federal survivor and dependent benefits for children in state custody, House Bill 500 clarifying that e-bike riders are covered under motor vehicle due-care provisions, House Bill 577 eliminating the 10-year mandatory replacement cycle for license plates, House Bill 636 allowing school facilities funds to be used for lease purchases, House Bill 539 tightening limits on temporary administrative rules, House Bill 511 raising the cap on the fire-structure surcharge, House Bill 639 updating midwifery medication authority, House Bill 628 expanding parent-taught driver education options in urban districts, and House Bill 620 giving county commissioners special expertise status in federal land-management coordination. House Bill 610, which would have extended the homestead tax exemption to homeowners absent for religious missionary service, failed on a 16-17 vote. The Senate then completed miscellaneous announcements and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hour of nine o'clock having arrived, we'll call the House Health and Welfare Committee to order.
• Chairman and members of the Health and Welfare Committee. For the record, my name is Lucas Cayler.
• And we also feel, with talks with the agency, with the Health and Welfare Department, that there is also
• Up next on the agenda is Senate Bill 1314, Department of Health and Welfare.
• I wasn't involved in Health and Welfare making these decisions.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee met with a quorum, announced a change to start time the next day, and removed RS 33162 from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. The committee first heard RS 33412, the “Merit-based Health Care Act,” which would apply merit-based standards to Medicaid-funded health care and preserve civil rights compliance. Members questioned whether the bill would affect existing contracts and what impact it could have on state agencies that rely on Medicaid; the sponsor said he would clarify those issues later. The committee voted to introduce RS 33412. The committee then considered RS 32997 C2, which would revise child abandonment investigation procedures, require social worker documentation and psychological suitability evaluations, and add autism and introversion training for social workers. Members raised concerns about the bill’s penalties section, which appeared to create conflicting misdemeanor and felony consequences for violations, and about whether the training requirements were clear and appropriately targeted. After discussion, a substitute motion to return the RS to the sponsor passed on a 9-6 roll call, and RS 32997 C2 was sent back for revision. Next, the committee introduced RS 33561, a prompt-pay insurance bill that would update claim definitions, set new timelines for payment or denial, add good-faith standards, give the Department of Insurance more complaint-handling authority, and require transparency about AI use in claims processing. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at reducing long delays in claim payment while balancing provider and carrier responsibilities. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1314, which would eliminate regional director positions, regional behavioral health boards, and the Board of Health and Welfare to save about $410,000. Some members objected that the regional behavioral health boards provide important local input and questioned whether the savings outweighed the loss of community-level coordination, but the motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed despite opposition. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hour of nine o'clock having arrived, we'll call the House Health and Welfare Committee to order.
• Chairman and members of the Health and Welfare Committee. For the record, my name is Lucas Cayler.
• Representative Kaler: We also feel, with talks with the agency and the Health and Welfare Department,
• Up next on the agenda is Senate Bill 1314, Department of Health and Welfare.
• I wasn't involved in Health and Welfare making these decisions.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee heard several RS introductions and one Senate bill. RS 33412, the “Merit-based Health Care Act,” would apply merit-based standards to Medicaid-funded health care and was introduced after questions about whether it would affect existing contracts and how it would interact with Medicaid’s voluntary participation. RS 32997 C2 proposed changes to child abandonment investigations and social worker training, including autism and introversion training and new reporting limits; members raised concerns about penalties, the scope of the training, and whether the bill could create conflicts in reporting duties. After debate, the committee voted 9-6 to return RS 32997 C2 to the sponsor. RS 33561, a prompt-pay insurance bill, would redefine claims processing timelines, add good-faith standards, give the Department of Insurance more complaint-handling authority, and require transparency about AI use; it was introduced without objection. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1314, which would eliminate regional director positions, regional behavioral health boards, and the Board of Health and Welfare to reduce state spending by about $410,000. Supporters said the changes reflect the state’s move to a Behavioral Health Council and managed care structure and would remove an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. Opponents warned that the regional behavioral health boards provide important local input and coordination, especially for mental health services, and said they had not been consulted before the bill advanced. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to send SB 1314 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we, the Committee on Health and Welfare, return misdirected Senate Bill 1265 to the desk for
• House Bill 777 by the Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating to uniform controlled substances,
• Also number 77 by Health and Welfare Committee and act related to a newborn safety review, providing
• Also number 777 by Health and Welfare Committee, and after relating to uniform controlled substances,
• House Health and Welfare Committee will meet Thursday, February 26 at 9 a.m.

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, prayer, and the Pledge, then approved the journal and received messages from the Senate. Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 was signed by the Speaker, House Bills 533, 502, and 555 were returned from the Senate for enrolling, and Senate Bills 1254 and 1258 were introduced and referred to committee. Standing committee reports moved a number of bills and memorials to second reading or other committees, including several education, local government, agriculture, environment/technology, transportation, and state affairs measures; Senate Bill 1265 was re-referred, and House Bill 575 was placed on general orders. In third reading, House Bill 641, dealing with sick leave and employer discipline, drew debate over whether it improperly incorporated federal law into state law and whether it could create litigation risk for employers. The bill failed on a 24-46 vote. House Bill 728, which defines school staffing categories and adjusts K-12 funding-related terminology and flexibility, received bipartisan support and passed 70-0. House Bill 751, revising the STARS transportation revenue program limits, also passed 70-0. House Bill 591, a cleanup bill repealing the last remaining section of the county medical indigent program, passed unanimously, as did House Resolution 24 on temporary and pending Idaho State Tax Commission rules and Senate Bill 1221, which makes changes affecting irrigation districts and PERSI-related treatment. The House also heard first reading of a large package of new bills, including measures on workforce development and computer science/STEM education, charter school admissions, foreign adversary investments, harboring aliens, taxing districts, development impact fees, contractor registration, motor vehicle insurance and appraisals, industrial hemp, corporate credit union cleanup, Fish and Game penalties, motor vehicle exemptions, newborn safety review, controlled substances, dual enrollment, and student enrollment counts. Several bills were advanced to printing or committee referral, and the chamber then moved to announcements and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we, your Committee on Health and Welfare, return misdirected Senate Bill 1265 to the desk for
• House Bill 776 by Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating to a newborn safety review, providing
• Also number 77 by Health and Welfare Committee and act related to a newborn safety review, providing
• Also number 777 by Health and Welfare Committee, and after relating to uniform controlled substances,
• House Health and Welfare Committee will meet Thursday, February 26th at 9 a.m.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 68 members present, approved the journal, and received messages from the Senate and governor, including enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 and Senate Bills 1254 and 1258. Several committee reports moved bills forward, including education, local government, agriculture, environment/energy/technology, transportation/defense, state affairs, and health and welfare measures. The chamber also introduced a large slate of new bills, including education, tax, controlled substances, foreign adversary investment, immigration-related, and local taxing district measures, and referred them to committee or the second-reading calendar as appropriate. On third reading, House Bill 641, dealing with employer sick leave plans and discipline for using accrued sick leave, drew debate over whether it improperly codified federal law and could create litigation or unintended employment consequences. It failed on a 24-46 vote. House Bill 728, which would define school staffing categories and adjust education funding transparency and flexibility, passed 70-0 after bipartisan support. House Bill 751, expanding and adjusting the STARS transportation revenue program, passed 70-0, as did House Bill 591, a cleanup bill repealing the last remaining section of the county medical indigent program, and House Resolution 24, approving temporary and pending Idaho State Tax Commission rules. Senate Bill 1221, which revises treatment of irrigation districts and PERI-related work limits, also passed unanimously. The House then handled committee enrollment business and moved to announcements, including notice that general orders would be taken up Friday and amendments were due by 3 p.m. the day before. Members welcomed visiting groups in the gallery, including United Way visitors, Idaho Soft Drink Association representatives, Desert Study Abroad Academy students, Eagle High School students, Kerry Hanks, and Kuna High School government students. The House also announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday, February 26, 2026, with a note that Friday’s floor session would begin earlier at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Welfare Committee to order at this time. Welcome, committee members.
• Chairman, members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, my name is Ryan Bernard.
• Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
• Chairman and members of the State Health and Welfare Committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here
• We have Senator Groh coming in to present on the health and welfare budget sections of it for us.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from January 19, 2026, then took up several administrative rule dockets from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. The first, docket 24-2301-2501 for the Speech, Hearing, and Communication Services Licensure Board, added a new video remote interpreting provider license created by prior legislation and set a $150 fee for up to five sign language interpreters per business. The agency said the fee would be the lowest in the country, drew no public comments, and would have no impact on the general fund. Some members questioned the cap and the fee level, but the committee approved the docket on a 5-3 roll call vote. The committee then approved, by voice vote, two chapter repeal dockets tied to the merger of the Nursing Home Administrators and Residential Care Facility Administrators boards into the new Idaho Long-Term Care Administrator Board: docket 24-0901-2501 and docket 24-1901-2501. Both repeals were presented as necessary because the old boards’ rules were being replaced by a unified rule set under the merged board structure. Finally, the committee approved docket 24-4101-2501, the new unified chapter for the Idaho Board of Long-Term Care Administrators. The presenter said the chapter combined previously approved rules from the two former boards with no substantive changes, only reformatting to fit the merged board. The committee also recognized visitors from A&A Idaho and Nurses Day at the Capitol before adjourning, with a budget presentation scheduled for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , appropriating additional monies to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Supplemental Nutrition
• , appropriating additional monies to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Public Health Services
• It's going to coordinate between the Department of Health and Welfare and the State Lottery Program to
• , appropriating additional money to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Public Health Services
• Idaho insurance carriers by the Department of Insurance and used by the Department of Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then processed a large number of messages and committee reports, including enrollment/transmittal actions for several bills and resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 128, which approved temporary and pending administrative rules and rejected others, was adopted and transmitted to the House. The Senate also received and introduced several House bills, including appropriations measures and other legislation, and moved through multiple orders of business with several recesses and at-ease periods while awaiting paperwork and additional House action. The main floor action centered on a series of appropriation bills and one policy bill. House Bill 973, a supplemental appropriation for the Military Division to replace climate control systems at Gowen Field, passed 29-2. House Bill 975, which would have limited transfers from the Budget Stabilization Fund and left the higher balance in place, passed 19-13 after debate over whether the money should instead be used to address budget shortfalls and service cuts. House Bill 976, changing how local highway distribution funds are allocated, passed 32-0. House Bill 972, a trailer appropriation for the Department of Health and Welfare tied to SNAP eligibility system changes, passed 25-8. House Bill 974, an appropriation for the Idaho State Police to implement a new pay plan and related funding structure, passed 33-0. House Bill 978, a Health and Welfare appropriation restoring the Immune Assessment Fund and related public health funding, passed 24-11 after discussion of vaccine access and cost savings. The Senate also considered House Bill 896, a civil enforcement bill that would allow certain officials to seek Attorney General review of alleged violations of statutory prohibitions and, after court process and a finding of willful violation, could render a public official ineligible to hold office for up to five years. Supporters framed it as a due-process-based accountability measure, while opponents argued it was overly broad, centralized power in the Attorney General, and could be weaponized against local officials. The bill failed 8-27. Later, House Bill 959, dealing with initiative procedures and budget caps for fire protection and ambulance districts, passed 33-0. The Senate then completed final transmittals, received gubernatorial messages, and adjourned sine die at the close of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we've seen recently in Minnesota welfare programs is a lot of exploitation.
• That to me is common sense because what we've seen is exploitation in our welfare programs, whether it's
• And you would be surprised how often our welfare programs have people who have plenty of assets but still
• </c><00:01:41.360><c> programs</c> exploitation in our welfare programs exploitation in our welfare programs
• people often our welfare programs have people who<00:02:07.759><c> have</c><00:02:08.319><c> plenty<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Nolan West and Representative Pam Oldenorf introduced and defended a bill aimed at tightening Minnesota SNAP eligibility rules. They said the measure would move the net income test to the front of the application process, add asset testing similar to other state programs, and exclude vehicles over $100,000. They argued these changes would reduce overpayments, improve “good governance,” and help the state avoid future financial penalties tied to SNAP error rates. Oldenorf said Minnesota’s SNAP error rate has risen from about 4% in 2013 to about 9% now, and warned that if it stays above 6% the state could owe about $86 million in 2027. She cited a GAO report saying broad-based categorical eligibility is a major driver of payment errors, and pointed to examples she described as fraud or improper enrollment, including a millionaire receiving benefits and a recent Minneapolis SNAP fraud conviction. West and Oldenorf said the bill would not significantly increase county workloads, because counties already do similar eligibility and asset checks in other programs. In response to questions, the sponsors said they had not yet formally consulted many stakeholders because the bill had just been drafted, but they expected bipartisan support and said they had reached out to counties for input. They also said counties would retain some administrative costs, but the bill should not add major new burdens. The discussion then shifted to a separate topic when West raised concerns about access to Hennepin County voter rolls and alleged irregularities in voter data; he said he had obtained some county records and believed the Secretary of State was improperly limiting access, though no bill action or vote was taken on that issue in this transcript.