Transcript Highlights:

• In Idaho, forfeiture laws are governed primarily by Idaho Code Title 37.
• He explained that it repeals three outdated sections of Idaho Code.
• Lakey said Idaho Code 23-103 is a lingering code section from the 1939 Prohibition era.
• Committee, this is House Bill 736, which amends Idaho Code Section 34-903.
• This is House Bill 736, which amends Idaho Code Section 34-903.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several bill introductions and resolutions focused on budget savings, transparency, election rules, and cleanup of outdated code. Senator Cook presented RS-33715, which would reduce executive branch elected officials’ salaries by 5% in calendar year 2027, and RS-33735, which would print a proposal to study transfer-on-death deeds; both RS requests were introduced. The committee also heard House Bill 575, which would require asset forfeiture reports to be sent to the State Controller and published on Transparent Idaho; sponsors said it would not change forfeiture authority, only improve transparency. A prosecutor testified in support, and the bill was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. House Bills 798 and 799, both code cleanup measures repealing outdated statutes, also advanced unanimously. The committee then considered HCR 33, which would create an interim committee to study sextortion, its prevalence, prevention, and impact on minors. Senator Lakey and Representative Greene described the crime as technology-driven, harmful to youth, and often difficult to prosecute because offenders may be overseas; the resolution was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 810, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 nights in the year before filing, drew questions about military, religious mission, and redistricting exceptions; after discussion, the committee voted to send it to the 14th order for possible amendment rather than directly to the floor. The committee also advanced HCR 27, honoring Morrison-Knudsen employees and Idahoans who served and died at Wake Island during World War II, after hearing about civilian sacrifice and wartime losses. House Bill 736, which lowers the threshold for ballot name rotation from political entities with 100,000 registered voters to those with 25,000, was described as a way to reduce ballot-order bias and was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 793, which reallocates beer tax revenue to help fund Alcohol Beverage Control and law enforcement rather than the permanent building fund, passed the committee on a voice vote and was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 444, with House Amendment 1, an act to amend Title 15 of the Delaware Code relating to the
• House Bill 444, with House Amendment 1, an act to amend Title 15 of the Delaware Code relating to the
• House Bill 448, an act to amend Title 15 of the Delaware Code relating to campaign expenditures.
• House Bill 448, an act to amend Title 15 of the Delaware Code relating to campaign expenditures, out
• However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Westlin. trust code and I do have um Lauren Baron trust code and I do have um Lauren
• </c> technical changes to our trust code technical changes to our trust code which<00:03:32.519><c> was
• </c><00:03:40.840><c> that</c> chapters of the Minnesota code that chapters of the Minnesota code that
• Nope, this is all in the probate code.
• </c><00:18:47.480><c> more</c> opportunity to um bring the code more opportunity to um bring the code

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The code is pretty clear on what has to be provided.
• at their code and provide some cleanup.
• And this is substantive and meaningful change and clarification in the code.
• I mean, this is language from the existing code, isn't it? We just moved it.
• I'm here today in support of House Bill 511, which updates Idaho Code 38-11 to...

Summary: The committee first confirmed Michael Lyndon of Post Falls to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and then heard several water-related bills. Senate Bill 1304 would clarify ditch easement rights by allowing ditch owners to inspect, maintain, and relocate diversion structures within an existing easement without written landowner permission, while still requiring permission to move anything outside the easement. Senate Bill 1306 would fix a timing issue in irrigation district exclusion petitions by replacing an automatic approval trigger after 150 days with a more structured hearing and appeal timeline. Senate Bill 1305 would let water districts, if authorized by a patron resolution, charge specific property owners for costs tied to updating water-right ownership records instead of spreading those costs across all users. Senate Bill 1307 would repeal and consolidate overlapping code chapters on lateral ditch management into one chapter, adding definitions and clarifying election, appointment, and maintenance rules for lateral users associations and water delivery entities. All four bills received do-pass recommendations, though one senator reserved judgment on SB 1304 to consult local property-rights concerns. The committee also considered House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on the Idaho Department of Lands’ improved-parcel wildfire preparedness surcharge from $40 to $100 per year. The sponsor and department said the fee supports wildfire readiness, equipment, training, and rapid initial attack in growing wildland-urban interface areas, and industry witnesses supported the increase as modest and necessary. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass motion, with Senators Cole and Hart voting no. Finally, Senate Bill 1269 would update Idaho’s cloud seeding statute by adding definitions, formal reporting and public meeting requirements, accountability provisions, and clarification that state standards govern the program. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and preserve the existing program without expanding it, while one virtual witness testified against it. Several members said they wanted more transparency and further discussion, but the committee still sent the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The canned software is in code, so that part was struck.
• The canned software is in code, so that part was struck.
• If you have more than two in code, that represents yourself as a retailer.
• to remove any duplications of Idaho Code that was in rule.
• any one part of a code or not.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on February 3, 2026, and first approved the minutes from January 28 and 29 by unanimous voice vote. The committee then took up two Tax Commission rule dockets presented by Vice Chair Weber. The first, docket 3501-0-2-2501, covered sales and use tax rules and was described as a major zero-based regulation cleanup with substantial deletions and relocations of text. Members asked detailed questions about terminology changes, including a correction from “reality” to “realty,” the treatment of computer software versus canned software, cloud storage, short-term rentals, yard sales, and exemption certificate forms. Tax Commission staff explained that most changes were intended to restate or clarify existing law rather than change tax policy, and that Idaho Code controls over rule language. The most significant discussion centered on yard sales and the new small seller threshold. Representatives Monks, Shepard, Birch, and others raised concerns that the rule language could conflict with recently passed legislation allowing small sellers up to $5,000 before permit and tax obligations apply. Tax Commission staff acknowledged the need to review the language and possibly strike or revise the yard sale section, and also said they would try to provide revenue information on yard sales. On motion by Representative Monks, the committee held docket 3501-0-2-2501 to a date certain of February 9, 2026, and the motion passed. The second docket, 3501-06-2501, dealing with hotel, motel, and campground rules, was presented as another zero-based cleanup with about 37% of the text removed or moved, and it was approved by voice vote without discussion. Before adjournment, the chair noted the committee would not meet the next day and would reconvene Thursday at 9 a.m. to hear an RS from Representative Cheatham and House Bill 551.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as part of the cleanup, this would just remove those pages of code.
• So it would just make our code shorter to remove that whole chapter.
• And this part of code just governed that actual group.
• And this part of code just governed that actual group. ...governed that actual group.
• I thought you were talking about the Payette section of code.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill makes it clear that the Texas Family Code, that the Texas Family Code that another person or
• One of these is um chapter, Texas Family Code chapter 32.003.
• just throughout the code, um.
• Uh, the family code was last codified in 1995, a long time ago.
• In the family code.

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:

• Code Cleanup Section.
• is done, and current practice is outlined in Idaho Code 67-3502.
• And this particular section of code deals with DOGE, asking DOGE to provide assistance.
• They verified that they were okay with the code cleanup. Okay.
• These last two ...way it's written in code. This is considered obsolete.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard Senate Bill 1291 from Senator Carrie Semmelroth, a code-cleanup measure tied to the prior session’s Code Cleanup Act and reviewed by agencies, the LSO program impact team, and the DOGE Task Force. Semmelroth walked the committee through multiple sections of Idaho Code Title 33 that she described as obsolete, outdated, or orphaned, including provisions on public school appropriations, third-party contracts to improve student achievement, teacher recognition reporting, county school funding mechanisms, industry partner funds, asbestos abatement at Albion Normal School, and advanced opportunities. She also explained that two sections in the bill simply removed references to provisions being repealed. The committee asked no substantive questions and voted unanimously to send SB 1291 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. After the bill hearing, the committee received a presentation from Idaho FFA state officers, who described FFA’s role in agricultural education, leadership development, and supervised agricultural experience. The students outlined the three-circle model of classroom instruction, FFA activities such as career and leadership development events, and SAE projects ranging from beekeeping and welding to dairy work, greenhouse management, and livestock production. They highlighted statewide participation, leadership conferences, community service hours, and the upcoming state convention in Twin Falls, and invited legislators to attend. Committee members responded with supportive comments and a few questions about the students’ projects, including welding techniques, aluminum prep, and beekeeping. The students answered with details about MIG welding, cleaning aluminum before welding, hive management, honey production, and recordkeeping. The chair thanked the students for their work and emphasized values such as respect, responsibility, and resilience before adjourning the committee until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis budget, which will completely bankrupt the city. ...half of the city of St.
• to talk to the city of St.
• Louis City. Thank you.
• Louis City. Thank you.
• Louis City. Thank you.

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to meet all the International, the Arkansas Fuel Gas Code, National Electric Code, and they
• A code cycle. The IMC is the mechanical code that we work under. A code cycle.
• You still got that three-year code cycle.
• The thing that we, with the electrical, is that the code cycle starts.
• The codes or the classes they have to attend are for code updates.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture repealed rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify child support enforcement treatment for pregnant women, remove the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminate a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B after loss of group coverage; members highlighted the significance of the language change and asked for a quick-reference eligibility chart. DHS Medical Services also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model rule for sickle cell drugs and a technical Medicaid-assisted medication-assisted treatment update that was described as cost-neutral and non-substantive. The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules implementing recent acts and internal cleanup changes. These included procedures for local construction plan disputes under Act 591, Contractors Licensing Board amendments raising the restricted commercial license threshold from $750,000 to $1.5 million and allowing deferral of owner-complaint investigations during civil litigation, and a similar residential contractors change. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader revisions under Act 746, including grammar and cleanup changes, elimination of the Class C license with transfer of existing holders to Class B, expansion of allowable work limits, a change to continuing education from four hours annually to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and clarification on training, child labor, and licensing issues. Several members questioned the practical impact of the HVAC changes, but the rule was approved. The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting under Act 473, concluding that no rule was necessary because the act already defines the key terms and review process for foreign-adversary cultural exchange agreements. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report recommending continuation of its existing rules was accepted. During the status updates on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained delays were due to overlapping 2025 amendments and the large volume of rules, while members expressed concern about the length of time since enactment; staff noted only a small number of 2023 rules remain outstanding. The meeting ended after written 2025-session updates were received with no further questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 6 through 17 are strengthening existing offenses in our election code.
• So you have to look at what intimidation means under our election code.
• It’s a fourth degree felony in the election code. So if... I’m sorry.
• It’s a fourth degree felony in the election code.
• Intimidation as it is defined in our election code.

Bills: SB264 , SB261

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Keywords: election integrity, voter coercion, public safety, emergency procedures, polling place security, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms

Summary: The committee heard two election-related bills. SB 264, sponsored by Sen. Duhigg and others and presented by the Secretary of State, would add definitions and new offenses to New Mexico election law to prohibit interference with elections, including the presence of troops or armed persons at polling places or ballot drop boxes, attempts to impose election rules contrary to state law, and intentional obstruction of access to polling places. It also would create civil enforcement options, strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language, and include emergency voting procedures for voters displaced by natural disasters. Supporters, including Common Cause, the Center for Civic Policy, and the League of Women Voters, said the bill protects voters from intimidation and outside interference. Several county clerks and rural legislators raised concerns about late changes, lack of consultation, rural logistics, and possible litigation. The committee adopted the Rules Committee substitute and advanced SB 264 on a 5-3 roll call vote. SB 261, presented as a companion election measure, would remove the existing exception that allowed law enforcement to carry firearms at polling places, but the sponsor offered an amendment to allow armed law enforcement to respond when called by the presiding judge, county clerk, or Secretary of State. Supporters said firearms do not belong in or around polling places because they can intimidate voters and poll workers, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary because existing law already covers law enforcement response and that the amendment created confusion. After a recess caused by members leaving the room, the committee returned, adopted the Rules Committee substitute including the amendment, and advanced SB 261 by unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Chapter 36 of the Water Code, the legislature has already called upon groundwater conservation
• the audience, 137 and, uh, they were looking at the, the Criso Wilcox Aquifer as well as the Queen City
• That is not an easy issue to deal... is vital for both our cities and our rural communities.
• Um, so, uh, I represent the city of Corpus Christi.
• We have all types of water districts that are related to water from cities to river 542 authorities to

Bills: HB24 , HB27

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bills 27 and 24 on groundwater issues in East Texas, with members and witnesses focusing on a proposed large-volume groundwater export project and the need for more science before major permitting decisions are made. HB 27, which was within the special session call, would direct the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a hydrogeologic study of the aquifers in the affected area and temporarily pause new export permits while the study is underway. HB 24, a separate bill that would limit certain production and export permits to 5% of modeled available groundwater, was laid out but the chair said it would not be moved out of committee. Testimony on HB 27 was largely supportive, though some witnesses were neutral. Supporters, including representatives from a water supply corporation, the Trinity River Authority, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the region lacks enough hydrologic data, that the proposed pumping could affect private wells, surface water, and local economies, and that the state needs better information on sustainable yield and groundwater-surface water interaction. Several witnesses emphasized that groundwater conservation districts need clearer tools and better data, while also noting concerns about property rights and the rule of capture. Committee members discussed the scale of the proposed project, the absence of a groundwater conservation district in Houston County, and the possibility that the study should examine desired future conditions and maximum sustainable pumping rather than only modeled available groundwater. The committee adopted the committee substitute for HB 27 and voted it out favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Calendars. The roll call was unanimous, 11 ayes and 0 nays. After the vote, members briefly reflected on the complexity of the issue and the need to continue working on broader groundwater policy in the interim and next session. HB 24 was discussed later in the meeting, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The authority for the rule before you is listed as the federal code and RSA 151:9.
• The authority for the rule before you is listed as the federal code and RSA 151:9.
• The authority for the rule before you is listed as the federal code and RSA 151:9.
• The authority for the rule before you is listed as the federal code and RSA 151:9.
• The authority for the rule before you is listed as the federal code and RSA 151:9.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am not an expert in building codes or county building codes.
• I am not an expert in building codes or county building codes.
• I am not an expert in building codes or county building codes.
• 00:35:06.720><c> du</c> Providing dual-line water supply provision, I am not an expert in building codes
• or county building codes.

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure. HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu. HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses. HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the 10-cent gas tax reduction will impact cities and counties, as we mentioned before.
• As has been done in the past, we may add a payment to the schedule to catch these cities and counties
• will receive less funding in and cities will receive less funding in August<00:08:46.880><c> than</c
• I guess for the counties or cities, if this happens, how are they going to keep track of that?
• </c> I just think it's the understanding that those coded CRP are priority one, correct? Okay.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:22 Overview/Impact of Executive Order 47:02 General Funds in Road Plan 50:37 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met for its first meeting and received an overview from Transportation Cabinet officials on the governor’s executive order responding to high gas prices. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock and budget director Shawn McKiernan explained that the order declared a state of emergency, reduced the state motor fuels tax by 10 cents per gallon, froze the tax rate for FY27, and urged Congress to suspend the federal gas tax. They said the emergency regulation would remain in effect until the war in Iran ends or Kentucky gas prices fall below $3 per gallon, and that any transportation budget shortfalls could be covered by the state budget reserve trust fund if requested later by the governor. McKiernan estimated the 10-cent reduction would reduce the road fund by about $26.8 million per month, with roughly 44% flowing to county road aid, rural secondary, and municipal road aid. He said the immediate impact to counties and cities would be about $11.8 million for one month, while the cabinet would see about $15 million per month less available for its own use. He also said the freeze on the FY27 motor fuels tax rate would prevent a scheduled increase and, compared with the budget assumption, would produce about $42 million in net additional revenue, split between local governments and the cabinet. He added that if the reduction lasted through December, the major transportation programs could be down about 16.9% from budgeted levels. Members focused on the effect on local governments, the road fund, and the cabinet’s cash management process. Several senators and representatives criticized the executive order as short-sighted or political, while others emphasized the need for a long-term solution to transportation funding. Questions were raised about how make-whole payments to counties and cities would be handled, how the cabinet manages cash flow, and whether the state should continue relying on general fund transfers to support the road plan. Cabinet officials said they would work with lawmakers, explained that project authorizations are managed based on cash flow and seasonal spending patterns, and noted that construction and maintenance costs have risen sharply, making revenue adequacy a continuing concern.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope we do start to see some of those changes, you know, on cities' own.
• I hope we do start to see some of those changes, you know, on cities' own.
• I hope we do start to see some of those changes, you know, on cities' own.
• </c> conversations with uh some of the city conversations with uh some of the city groups<00:49:55.760
• I move that we adopt the conference committee report coded CCRSF2298.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 344, with House Amendment 1, an act to amend Titles 15 and 29 of the Delaware Code relating
• House Bill 444, with House Amendment 1, an act to amend Title 15 of the Delaware Code relating to the
• House Bill 448, an act to amend Title 15 of the Delaware Code relating to campaign expenditures, out
• House Bill 373, with House Amendment 1, an act to amend Titles 4 and 16 of the Delaware Code relating
• However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.

Summary: The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote. The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates. On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• of code for the treasurer for securities lending.
• of code for the treasurer for securities lending.
• three sections of code under the liquor part of the code.
• I think that my guess is covered in updated code. This is obsolete code.
• I think that my guess is covered in updated code.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know what works across the states that have passed the codes.
• We know what works across the states that have passed the codes.
• , which is the add-on code.
• Yeah, so 34 states have passed the codes now on their Medicaid fee schedules.
• That these are primary care codes, and that removes a lot of the barriers.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 6 through 17 are strengthening existing offenses in our election code.
• So you have to look at what intimidation means under our election code.
• It’s a fourth degree felony in the election code. So if... I’m sorry.
• It’s a fourth degree felony in the election code.
• Intimidation as it is defined in our election code.

Bills: SB264 , SB261

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: election integrity, voter coercion, public safety, emergency procedures, polling place security, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, 996, all