Transcript Highlights:

• But what's the sexual motivation part? Like, what kind of conduct is captured in sexual motivation?
• But what's the sexual motivation part? Like, what kind of conduct is captured in sexual motivation?
• A lot of this is on the Reentry 2030 proposals, which Washington is part of.
• Individuals, if they take part in rehabilitation, have a different release time.
• Individuals, if they take part in rehabilitation, have a different release time.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and sponsor testimony on four bills. House Bill 2310 would elevate fourth-degree assault with a finding of sexual motivation to a Class C felony after two prior qualifying convictions within 10 years, with discussion focused on when sex-offender registration would apply and whether the bill would capture repeat conduct that is often pled down. The sponsor said the bill responds to a constituent’s experience and is intended to increase accountability for repeat offenders. Testimony was split: prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical way to address repetitive sexual-motivation assaults, while defense advocates warned it would trigger major sex-offense consequences, including registration, prison time, immigration consequences, and possible sentencing disproportionality. No vote was taken and the hearing was held open. House Bill 1239, the reentry readiness bill, would increase earned release time to up to 33.33% for eligible offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, make certain enhancements eligible for earned release time, create a two-year peer-support pilot for incarcerated survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, and require victim-notification materials about sentencing changes. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and better prepare people for release, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission said it aligns with prior recommendations for consistency in earned release. Prosecutors opposed the bill, arguing it mainly shortens sentences rather than improving reentry and could reduce accountability. The hearing remained open. House Bill 1228 would allow blood and breath toxicology testing to be considered valid if performed by a lab certified under ISO/IEC 17025, in addition to current state toxicologist methods. The sponsor and several local officials said Washington’s toxicology backlog is causing long delays, sometimes over 300 days, which slows charging decisions and can allow repeat DUI behavior before cases are filed. Supporters said private accredited labs could provide a local option and speed results, while defense advocates asked for discovery protections if outside labs are used. County and law enforcement representatives supported the concept but cautioned against shifting costs to counties and creating unequal access based on local resources. The sponsor indicated an amendment would remove out-of-state labs and add a five-year report-back. House Bill 2464 would require private detention facilities to report serious incidents such as abuse, neglect, deaths, suicides, injuries requiring hospitalization, and service disruptions to the Department of Health and local law enforcement within one business day, and would require annual reporting by law enforcement on calls and follow-up actions. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at transparency and ensuring that incidents in private detention facilities are not hidden. Testimony from advocates, journalists, and researchers described alleged abuse, suicides, hunger strikes, fires, and barriers to reporting at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, and said the bill would improve public access to information. Law enforcement representatives said the bill affects only two agencies and urged the committee to consider the cumulative burden of reporting mandates and the public-trust implications of involving local agencies in federal detention issues. The hearing on this bill was also held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in District 19 as a part-time assistant DA in Cole County.
• And we will obviously try to do our part as much as we can physically possible.
• There's two parts to that.
• I'm a single mother, and I have two part-time jobs, but I want to stay here.'
• Any further questions on the district court part of the presentation? OK, move on to your next one.

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of this inventory process, we're working with the agencies to improve outcomes tracking.
• It's really part of the appropriation itself; you know, X amount is for a...
• Part of that is because it is under one bundle, but the other part of that is also in respect for providers
• I apologize for missing the first part, but I am excited about the dashboard.
• I think that's part of our jobs.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• District covers the majority of San Miguel County as well as parts of Torrance County.
• Part of our operations is also our regional support.
• I live in the valley, and so it's always good to stay in the north part of the state.
• To our members and to everyone, that last part basically gives us a safeguard.
• So we're trying to, thanks in part to Mr. Brasher, who's here; you'll hear from him.

Transcript Highlights:

• coming from the federal government and the state government out into Minnesota to get broadband to all parts
• That's going to be part of their training for this program, and we didn't want people to have to repeat
• "So, this bill again to measure the problem comes as a part of a larger set of recommendations adopted
• "So, this bill again to measure the problem comes as a part of a larger set of recommendations adopted
• "So this bill again to measure the problem comes as a part of a larger set of recommendations adopted

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• San Angelo had part of a task force.
• San Angelo had part of a task force, Lubbock ISD had a task force.
• Sangello had a part of a task force, LSD had a task force.
• Senator West, and you know, I agree with you in part.
• And the cool part about it is that she had the ability, because we did the training.

Bills: SB27 , SB226 , SB326 , SB570 , SB605 , SB870 , SB991 , SB1871 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1924 , SB1925

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so part of what we do is we try to have, we're part of organizations that gather together different
• So I'll take the second part first. He actually does engage with our peers.
• We took all of our moderate categories that are part of that exercise.
• Miller, you are also part of this great group. Thank you. It was an honor.
• So I get to geek out too because I did the technical part.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• million a year only the fund has both interest and investment earnings, the interest earnings, the part
• property tax tax, school property tax collections grow faster than in participated, that replaces part
• First, I will say that school districts do not have a part in the appraisal process.
• Make sure we have equity and people are paying their part.
• Also on the right part of this page, the map.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm struggling with that part of it. This is why we're pushing back here.
• I'm struggling with that part of it. This is why we're pushing back here.
• I'm struggling with that part of it. This is why we're pushing back here.
• I'm struggling with that part of it. This is why we're pushing back here.
• I'm struggling with that part of it. This is why we're pushing back here.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard extended discussion on House File 8, a bill aimed at changing Minnesota’s permitting and environmental review process. Supporters said the bill is intended to help small and medium-sized businesses and projects that face long delays, and argued that the proposal does not lower environmental standards. They described the bill as modeled in part on provisions used in other states, including a staggered permitting process and an expedited option, and said the goal is to improve transparency, reporting, and real-time public access to permit information. Members raised concerns about whether the bill could also benefit large corporations and major industrial projects, including mining and other large facilities, rather than just smaller businesses. Several lawmakers questioned the use of county-based public input, the lack of tribal consultation, and how the bill would interact with treaty rights and communities outside the affected county. Others argued that the bill could create risks by speeding permits for bad actors or by allowing larger entities to pay for expedited treatment. Testimony also referenced examples from the Minnesota Chamber’s report, with a witness disputing the claim that permitting alone drove companies out of Minnesota and saying those cases involved more complex facts. The committee first considered a motion to lay the bill on the table, but that motion failed on a 5-7 roll call. The committee then voted on a motion to re-refer House File 8, as amended, to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee. That motion passed 7-5, and the bill was sent on to that committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I appreciate your leadership and the opportunity to be a part of the major work that we're doing
• I'm super excited to be a part of this conversation. I look forward to working with all of you.
• That's a natural part of our business.
• Another part of that program.
• Brian Bohl is also part of our team.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill is part of a cleanup bill and, in part, giving every district court the option to be in
• So this bill is part of a cleanup bill and, in part, giving every district court the option to be in
• Schaffin, who's the assistant superintendent of the Livingston Parish School System, and they were part
• I obviously wasn't a part of that, but I've heard that it's been a lot of work and it's really nice when
• I obviously wasn't a part of that, but I've heard that it's been a lot of work and it's really nice when

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the best part of the day, I'll let AML uh say. Assistant Minority Leader Winter.
• </c><00:29:26.240><c> And</c><00:29:26.560><c> the</c><00:29:26.640><c> best</c><00:29:26.919><c> part
• And the best part what their passion is.
• And the best part of<00:29:27.159><c> the</c><00:29:27.200><c> day,</c><00:29:27.400><c> I'll</c><00:
• </c><00:30:25.720><c> of</c><00:30:25.840><c> what</c><00:30:26.040><c> this</c> that was a huge part

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The investments are a big part of its continued success in providing pensions, and they also help drive
• ... ...are a big part of its continued success in providing pensions, and they also help drive important
• I think that's part of it: there's just a later entry into the state workforce at a later age.
• The CPI plays a part because most retirees get a 2% COLA.
• So that's part of when Scott talked about having the latest data.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Opening remarks emphasized CalPERS’ role in providing retirement security for about two million members and the importance of pension funding to the state budget, especially amid economic uncertainty, market volatility, federal policy changes, and concerns about future fiscal pressure. Scott Tarando, CalPERS chief actuary and a CAP member, presented on the statutory disclosure requirements in Government Code Section 2029. He explained that CalPERS’ current discount rate is 6.8%, that lower investment returns increase contribution rates and unfunded liabilities, and that the plan uses a 20-year amortization period for new unfunded liabilities. He said CAP has recommended a reasonable amortization range of 15 to 20 years and that CalPERS’ longer smoothing period helps reduce volatility in employer contributions. He also explained the timing of actuarial data: the valuation used for current contribution rates is based on the prior fiscal year’s audited data, with the next year’s rates developed later in the annual cycle. Members asked about the relationship between average employee service life and amortization, whether current market and AI-related changes could justify using more current data, whether pension benefits change when valuations are updated, and how CalPERS’ funded status has changed over time. Tarando said retiree benefits do not change based on annual valuations, that the system’s funded status has improved from roughly the mid-60% range about a decade ago to around 80% or higher more recently, and that CalPERS is monitoring possible long-term workforce effects from AI but sees no immediate need to change assumptions. Michael Cohen of CalPERS said the system complies with information requests and is independently audited annually, but there has been no formal federal review released. In public comment, a representative of county governments praised the improved funded status and PEPRA reforms. The hearing concluded with remarks reaffirming fiduciary responsibility and the importance of protecting CalPERS beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• The investments are a big part of its continued success in providing pensions, and they also help drive
• ... ...are a big part of its continued success in providing pensions, and they also help drive important
• our state relies... ...the Middle East, and we know how much our state relies on energy from that part
• mean by that is each year our office, or the CalPERS office, performs an actuarial evaluation, and part
• So that's part of when Scott talked about having the latest data.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Opening remarks emphasized CalPERS’ role in providing retirement security for roughly two million members and the importance of actuarial assumptions to state budgeting and long-term pension health. Scott Tarando, CalPERS chief actuary and a CAP member, presented the report with Michael Cohen of CalPERS’ investment office available for questions. Tarando explained the statutory disclosure requirements under Government Code Section 2029, including sensitivity analysis around CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate, and discussed how investment return assumptions and the 20-year amortization period affect contribution rates, unfunded liabilities, and budget volatility. He said shorter amortization periods would raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs, and noted that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth contribution changes over time. He also described the timing of the annual valuation process, explaining that contribution rates for a given fiscal year are based on the most recently audited year-end data and are approved by the board before being used in the budget process. Members asked about the relationship between average employee service life and amortization, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and labor-market changes on future assumptions, whether retirees’ benefits change with annual valuations, and CalPERS’ funded status. Tarando said the average expected working lifetime is about 11 to 12 years, while CalPERS uses a 20-year amortization period; he also said retiree benefits are set at retirement and do not change based on later valuations. He estimated CalPERS’ funded status had risen from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at June 30 and above 80% more recently. Cohen said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that no formal federal review had been released. During public comment, a county association representative praised the improved funded status and PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reiterating fiduciary responsibility and the need to protect CalPERS’ long-term stability, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of tax bills versus the current method of collecting sanitation fees as part of the water bill.
• tax</c><00:10:54.959><c> bills</c><00:10:56.000><c> versus</c><00:10:56.480><c> current</c> fees as part
• of tax bills versus current fees as part of tax bills versus current method<00:10:56.959><c> of</c><
• 10:58.320><c> as</c> method of collecting sanitation fee as method of collecting sanitation fee as part
• </c> part of water bill. part of water bill.

Committee: Joint Energy

Keywords: Energy - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we started that committee about three years ago, I sat down, and as part of the membership on that
• So yes, we did talk to them as part of that review process.
• But, as part of that enrollment agreement, they did not say we're going to fore.
• Just having the DEI part doesn't get us where we need to be.
• So, then what I missed a part of that.

Bills: HB3700 , HB3315 , HB3242 , HB3379 , HB3129 , HB3132 , HB2950

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: education policy, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, higher education, bachelor's degree, feasibility study, Oklahoma State Regents, accreditation, credit hours, emergency declaration, gender, privacy, public schools, sleeping quarters, restrooms, criminal history, admissions process

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's part of the reason why you're seeing that drop-off between fiscal year 25 and fiscal year
• When the question is how much have we spent, the spent part has actually been quite modest.
• The spent part has only been on the architectural, and we're about to spend some money on the removal
• When the question is how much have we spent, the spent part has actually been quite modest.
• I have a two-part question.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation on the Idaho Transportation Department from Legislative Services analyst Brooke Dupree and then from Director Scott Stokes. The presentation outlined ITD’s four divisions and major funding sources, including the State Highway Fund, Aeronautics Fund, and the Transportation Expansion Congestion Mitigation (TECK) and Garvey bonding programs. The analyst also reviewed appropriation trends, noting the effect of reappropriations and the continuous appropriation of the Strategic Initiatives Program Fund, and compared the department’s request with the governor’s recommendation. ITD’s requested enhancements included $15.5 million for deferred maintenance on state buildings, funding for State Highway 16 operations and maintenance, $4.9 million for roadside tree removal, $4.7 million for new equipment, a $275 million general fund transfer for safety, capacity, road, and bridge work, and smaller requests for airport improvements and aeronautics maintenance. Members asked about the Highway 16 funding, the continuous appropriation language, the impact of the governor’s decision not to recommend the $275 million transfer, and the department’s equipment and maintenance priorities. The director explained that much of the work is contracted, that the agency is prioritizing pavement and bridge condition, and that the department is prepared to move projects quickly if funding returns. In questioning, legislators also raised concerns about the reduction in strategic initiatives funding, the department’s workforce retention, the State Street property project, and why ITD remains on its existing finance system rather than fully transitioning to LUMA. Stokes said the State Street project has had modest spending so far, with about $41 million appropriated and an estimated total cost of $60 million to $70 million, and that the agency is still housed at the Chinden campus. He also said workforce retention has improved somewhat after prior pay adjustments, and that the LUMA decision was driven by federal reimbursement and system integration concerns. The committee took no vote on the budget in this segment and adjourned with notice that rescissions, cash transfers, and statewide decisions would be taken up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start because we have numerous institutions around the state. full time, part time.
• I assume it's going to take into account full-time, part-time students. All that.
• The plan of attack to send out An email to every single student enrolled part-time or full-time.
• Part of the issue was that it wasn't that these kits had made it to the crime lab.
• Okay, so, Madam Chair, this is the frustrating part. What the hell is going on?

Bills: SB132 , SM16 , SM17

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• And it looks like that part is being stricken. And I'm just wondering how smart is that?
• waiting for clearance in line of sight, aren't we kind of covering that in the part that's added, that
• The part that I don't like about the stricken language in my mind, and maybe I'm just completely dense
• “That's the unknown part.
• That's the part that I have a very difficult time wrapping my mind around, if that makes sense. Mr.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a big part of the overall tax picture in the state of Idaho.
• Right now I have a part-time position at the airport, Alaska Airlines.
• I'm Representative Jeff Ehlers from District 21, which is part of Meridian.
• I'm Representative Jeff Ehlers from District 21, which is part of Meridian.
• It's been an honor to be a part of this body.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all