Transcript Highlights:

• Lark to assess legislatively enacted policy and funding provisions identified by the steering committee
• Lark to assess legislatively enacted policy and funding provisions identified by the steering committee

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute House Bill 2636 establishes the public education review steering committee and directs JLARC to assess
• Lark to assess legislatively enacted policy and funding provisions identified by the steering committee

Summary: The committee met for its final executive session of the session and took up several House bills related to early learning and K-12 education. House Bill 1795 on restraint and isolation in schools was briefed as prohibiting mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints, limiting isolation, and barring new isolation rooms; a proposed amendment to the striker was defeated, and the bill then advanced. House Bill 2219 on child care licensing and drug safety was briefed as requiring licensed child care settings to be free of high-potency synthetic opioids, drug paraphernalia, and manufacturing equipment, with amendments to add drug testing and broader controlled-substance prohibitions; both amendments failed, and the striker was adopted before the bill advanced. House Bill 1295 on literacy was described as setting curriculum and educator training requirements; the committee adopted a striking amendment that removed some district implementation and continuing-education requirements, then advanced the bill. The committee also heard briefings on House Bill 1634 on behavioral health supports in schools, House Bill 2557 on timelines for special education evaluation reports and eligibility meetings, and House Bill 2636 creating a public education review steering committee and JLARC review process, all of which had no amendments at the briefing stage. In formal action, the committee voted to adopt the striker on HB 1295 and then passed HB 1795, HB 2219, HB 1295, HB 1634, and HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2636 was also advanced, but to the Ways and Means Committee rather than the Rules Committee. Several members noted concerns about costs and unfunded mandates, particularly regarding literacy implementation and child care safety provisions, while supporters emphasized student safety, child care safety, and clarity in existing law. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes permitting authorities to inspect work zones, issue stop-work orders, and assess civil
• It authorizes permitting authorities to inspect work zones, issue stop work orders, and assess civil

Bills: SB6131 , SB6311 , SJM8016 , SB6230 , SB6032 , SB6335

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: traffic safety, roadway fatalities, Washington traffic safety commission, policy update, road safety, accident prevention, pedestrian safety, construction, accessibility, public safety, urban planning, bridge repair, infrastructure, emergency funding, transportation, cash transactions, pennies, currency, economic efficiency, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes permitting authorities to inspect work zones, issue stop work orders, and assess civil
• It authorizes permitting authorities to inspect work zones, issue stop work orders, and assess civil

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session and considered seven measures, with staff briefing members on proposed amendments and substitutes. The main policy bills included Substitute Senate Bill 6066 on crash prevention zones, Senate Bill 6131 on the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission’s role in traffic safety and fatality review, Senate Bill 6311 on maintaining pedestrian passage during construction, Senate Bill 6230 on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, Senate Bill 6032 on covering or cleaning towed vehicles with mud or debris, and Senate Bill 6335 revising the State Transportation Commission. The committee also considered Substitute Joint Memorial 8016, urging federal emergency treatment for the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement. Members discussed competing amendments on SB 6066, including proposals to clarify enforcement coordination, signage, penalty amounts, and the scope of local versus state crash prevention zones. On SB 6131, amendments were offered to either remove or narrow the Traffic Safety Commission’s public health authority designation, while another amendment added HIPAA-related definitions and confidentiality protections. For SB 6311, the substitute focused on continuous accessible pedestrian passage near hospitals, parks, and schools, with later clarifications on where the requirement applies, local feasibility standards, and liability limits. SB 6230’s amendments would have allowed exact-payment exceptions and permissive rounding authority, while SB 6032’s amendment would have required reusable covers if a driver chooses to cover a towed vehicle. The committee adopted or accepted substitutes and then advanced all seven measures with do-pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. Senator King withdrew his SB 6066 substitute, SB 6131’s withdrawn amendments were replaced by adoption of amendment S-4874.1, and SB 6311’s substitute was withdrawn and then advanced in the revised form. SB 6230’s amendments were withdrawn after members noted a floor substitute was being worked on, and SB 6032’s amendment was set aside because the prime sponsor was absent. The meeting ended with thanks to committee staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was one of many that had the responsibility of going in and assessing the quality of I don't know.
• That had the responsibility of going in and assessing the quality of those institutions, the quality

Summary: The committee first approved the January 20, 2026 minutes. It then considered several gubernatorial appointments and reappointments related to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board and the Department of Finance. Hyatt Erstad, Cynthia Fairfax, and Janice Folkerson were each moved to the Senate floor with recommendations for confirmation, with motions carrying on voice votes. Nora Carpenter and Gregory Danaka appeared before the committee, introduced themselves, and answered no or limited questions; their appointments were held for a later vote, likely at the next meeting. The committee also heard a detailed presentation from Salvador Cruz, the gubernatorial appointee to serve as Director of the Department of Finance. Cruz described his background in banking supervision and state financial regulation, his current role as interim director, and the department’s responsibilities overseeing banks, credit unions, mortgage and securities industries, among others. He emphasized consumer education, combating scams such as romance and pig-butchering fraud, maintaining strong relationships with regulated industries, and keeping the department lean and effective. Senators asked about his move to Idaho, his career path, and his goals for the department; he said he wants the agency to be dynamic, more visible, and the best-run executive branch agency. No substantive legislation was debated. The only formal actions taken were approval of the minutes and the committee’s favorable recommendations to the Senate on the three Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board appointments/reappointments. The meeting ended with the chair praising the quality and willingness of Idaho’s public appointees and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and they, you know, today were alerting me to there are some requirements here about getting an assessment
• forward to see what we can do because it'll help not only the ICF but it'll help the folks being assessed

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• commission; and amending Section 38-1515, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the imposition of assessments
• Commission amending Section 38-15-15 Idaho Code to revise provisions regarding the imposition of assessments

Summary: The House convened with 70 members present, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then approved the House Journal without objection. In committee reports, House Concurrent Resolution 21 and House Bills 494 through 498 were reported and referred to the State Affairs Committee. The House also received several resolutions and memorials, including House Joint Memorial 9, House Resolution 19 condemning political violence and honoring victims and public servants affected in 2025, and House Concurrent Resolution 22 declaring 2026 the Year of Volunteerism and the America 250 in Idaho Service Challenge; these were referred for printing. The House introduced and read first a series of bills, including HB 499 on unmanned aircraft systems near Department of Correction facilities, HB 500 on electric-assisted bicycles and related motor vehicle definitions, HB 501 on ballot measure petition circulation requirements, HB 502 and HB 503 on the Idaho Forest Products Commission and Soil and Water Conservation Commission, HB 504 on Idaho Lottery bulk ticket purchases, HB 505 as a broad occupational and professional licensing cleanup bill affecting many boards and disciplinary provisions, and HB 506 on sales tax rebate provisions. All eight bills were sent to printing. During announcements, members noted an Idaho PTA Taco Tuesday event and student artwork display, a request to provide snacks for pages, a Convention of States informational meeting, and cookies in the lounge to celebrate the Indiana Hoosiers’ NCAA championship. The House then reviewed upcoming committee meetings and adjourned by motion until 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I I understand that some time ago there was a required assessment employment assessment that

Transcript Highlights:

• And instead of reporting regular risk assessments of internally not deployed, but internally used models
• , instead of reporting those regular risk assessments publicly, companies will be required to send those

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard SB 53 by Senator Wiener after the bill was substantially amended on the floor and referred back under Assembly Rule 77.2. The author explained that the bill, focused on AI safety and frontier models, now applies its main requirements to models trained above 10^26 FLOPs, includes broader whistleblower protections, sets different disclosure obligations based on company revenue, removes Attorney General rulemaking authority in favor of an annual Department of Technology report, and keeps a $1 million-per-violation penalty. He also highlighted CalCompute, a proposed public cloud intended to expand access to compute and support innovation. Supporters, including Encode AI and Economic Security California Action, argued the bill would hold AI developers accountable to their public safety commitments, improve transparency, protect whistleblowers, and help democratize access to AI infrastructure. They said the measure reflects extensive negotiation with the administration and stakeholders and aligns with recommendations from the governor’s frontier-model working group. Opponents, including CalChamber, TechNet, CCIA, and Chamber of Progress, remained opposed unless amended, saying they appreciated the author’s work but still had concerns outlined in their letters. Committee members questioned whether the bill could stifle innovation, how it would address worst-case AI harms, and whether it could reach actors outside California. The author responded that the bill is intended as a light-touch transparency measure, that it applies to entities doing business in California, and that California can still lead in the absence of federal action. Members also emphasized the importance of whistleblower protections and CalCompute. The committee voted 12-1 to pass the bill, with DeMaio voting no and Patterson not voting, and the bill was sent back to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, are being assessed if they're going to stay with the main settlement or what plans they have
• Um, so, they try not to, um, overproject and make kind of a conservative, uh, assessment of what they

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• There still will be quality and assessment. There will also be individualized instruction.
• We just may do that. will be quality and assessment, there will also be individualized instruction.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and passed two bills. HB 875 on educator preparation would create a uniform core curriculum for teacher preparation programs, establish a new competency-based CERT program, standardize mentor and clinical educator requirements, allow certain certification waivers, and create a Florida Institute of Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College subject to appropriation. Sponsor Rep. Rizzo said the bill would not add costs to local districts and would phase in beginning July 1, 2029; Rep. Snyder said the goal was to unify and raise standards across multiple certification pathways. An amendment by Rep. Aristide to reduce clinical hours for experienced teachers seeking counseling certification was withdrawn after discussion. Public testimony included support from the Foundation for Florida’s Future and opposition from the ACLU of Florida and another opponent. The bill passed on a recorded vote, with Reps. Franklin, Bracey Davis, and Campbell voting no. Members then took up HB 681, as amended by PCS, on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program funding. Rep. Mello said the bill focuses on funding transparency, accountability, resolving bargaining issues between local education agencies and apprenticeship providers, and requiring annual reporting to the Legislature to assess return on investment. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from business, trade, and workforce groups, including Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, and others. Rep. Franklin praised the sponsor’s work and said he would support the bill. HB 681 passed unanimously, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so of course I, I joined in assessment of needing to put more money into efforts are going to to
• getting dressed and things fall people get cracks, things like that, and maybe you have a better assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, cost analysis, infrastructure assessment, and enforcement considerations for a lithium-ion battery
• recycling program, and also environmental impact assessment of different management practices.

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 in Room 224 and via videoconference to consider several measures. First, it heard Senate Bill 547 on water conservation, which would create an income tax credit for gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators, along with a rebate program and building code standards. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments from DOA and the Department of Health and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1633, a Green Building tax credit measure tied to the use of Hawaii-grown hemp in primary structures, and also addressing hemp and cannabinoid product regulation, including age limits, packaging requirements, THC limits, and a separate hemp program within the Department of Health. The chair recommended passing the bill with DOA amendments and a further amendment allowing hemp processors to sell certain edible or beverage cannabinoid products with limited THC content, plus a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. The motion passed with five votes in favor. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 391 on recycling, which would expand the Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Act to cover certain lithium-ion batteries and require manufacturers to ensure their safe collection and recycling. The chair instead recommended amending the bill into a working group under the Hawaii State Energy Office to study battery end-of-life management, costs, safety, environmental impacts, in-state versus out-of-state recycling options, and related feasibility questions, with a report due before the 2026 regular session and dissolution on June 30, 2026. That amended approach was adopted unanimously, and the hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I come here just for request for assess veteran benefit. this world a better opportunity than the
• :31.160><c> for</c> Today I come here just for request for Today I come here just for request for assess
• And so it was just a very pleasant surprise to see a former Sartell Sabre up there on the screen and

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A first responder en route to an emergency is exempt from the penalties and points assessed for this
• I have agreed with Representative Joseph's assessment on the six points versus eight points and how that
• I have agreed with Representative Joseph's assessment on the six points versus eight points and how that
• They will be exempt from getting the assessed points if they're on their way to an emergency situation
• And I ask for a yes vote. ...exempt from penalties and points assessed for violating a section.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If they said we can no longer assess this penalty on people, is that what you're saying?
• If they said we can no longer assess this penalty on people, is that what you're saying?
• If they said we can no longer assess this penalty on people, is that what you're saying?
• That's part of the assessment that we're doing. Okay. Thank you. We're going to...
• Did we see any penalties accrued from that, or any assessed penalties?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:09:17.280><c> reporting</c> State agencies are currently required to perform a pre-award risk assessment
• grantees while maintaining an opportunity to respond to concerns arising from the pre-award risk assessment
• from the concerns arriving arising from the pre-award<00:10:15.120><c> risk</c><00:10:15.360><c> assessment
• </c> pre-award risk assessment. pre-award risk assessment.
• With this authority, agencies will have more consistent authority to assess, pause, and investigate their

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists represents approximately 160,000
• In June 2020, I think that there's something with the screen where somebody is not muted.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one thing I thought was telling when we asked for debate, that screen lit up, red and green.
• And one thing I thought was telling when we asked for debate, that screen lit up, red and green.

Bills: SB1177 , HB3705 , SB1942 , SB2026 , SB1533 , SB1327 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2159

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, received an invocation focused on grief and remembrance, and heard several special presentations recognizing a brave child, visiting groups, and multiple student-athlete teams and school groups in the galleries. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. The main business was consideration of the Joint Committee report on Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriations bill, presented by Chairman Caldwell-Trey. Most of the floor time was spent on extended questions about the budget’s major features. Caldwell-Trey explained the bill as a largely flat or modestly increased budget that includes a $200 million transfer to a new sovereign wealth fund, $225 million in set-asides, a $12.5 million “dream accounts” program for newborns, and funding tied to teacher pay, education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and health agencies. Members questioned the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses, the reduction in state contributions to the OPRS pension system, Medicaid assumptions, emergency management funding, veterans’ services, child care, school counselors, and the lack of funding for some requested items such as National Board Certified Teacher stipends and veterans’ facility maintenance. Caldwell-Trey defended the budget as transparent, early, and designed to preserve cash reserves while supporting core services. No final vote on the appropriations report is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The House also heard explanations that the limits bills would be run later in committee, and that the budget negotiations were still ongoing with the Senate and governor on some related items. The session ended with the queue closed after the budget questioning, and the transcript cuts off during additional remarks from Representative Timmons.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've implemented strict policies of compliance with TNC regulations to screen everyone who drives on
• We've implemented strict policies of compliance with TNC regulations to screen everyone who drives on

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.