Transcript Highlights:

• We have a duty to ensure that... schools, hospitals, and community-based programs.
• Good morning, Chair Livingstone, Chair Kennedy, schools, hospitals, and community-based programs.
• They enter school less ready to learn.
• As Angela once said, every elementary school kid should have a flyer in his backpack with, hey...
• Every elementary school kid should have a flyer in his backpack with, hey, did you claim $440?

Bills: H5085 , H5286

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on miscellaneous bills, including H. 5286, which would require DCF to consult a medical professional when a parent presents evidence of a pre-existing diagnosis that could explain symptoms mistaken for abuse or neglect. Representative Brian Mario said the bill would give DCF another tool in difficult cases. Jennifer Fernandes testified about her family’s experience with her grandson being removed after doctors initially suspected a skull fracture that later proved unfounded, saying the bill could help prevent similar outcomes. Committee members expressed sympathy and indicated interest in further discussion. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H. 5085/S. 3095, the omnibus “An Act Significantly Alleviating Poverty.” Supporters described the bill as a comprehensive anti-poverty package built from the Poverty Commission’s work, combining higher cash assistance grants, matched savings, baby bonds, a guaranteed stipend for youth aging out of foster care, expanded tax credits, language access, clean slate record sealing, and worker protections. Senator Eldridge, Senator Miranda, Representative Decker, and many advocates argued that poverty is tied to housing instability, child welfare involvement, health harms, and racial and gender inequities, and that the bill would help families meet basic needs, build wealth, and reduce the benefits cliff. Witnesses from social service, legal aid, labor, immigrant advocacy, and public health groups strongly supported the bill’s provisions. Several focused on specific sections: child support pass-through and a broader good-cause exception for TAFDC recipients; extending the state EITC to ITIN filers; creating baby bonds and matched savings programs; automating criminal record sealing; improving language access at state agencies; and ending the subminimum wage for farm workers. Former foster youth and service providers said the guaranteed stipend would help young adults avoid homelessness and transition more safely into adulthood. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly noted the limited time and encouraged written testimony and follow-up conversations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> be mainly a school of nursing facility. be mainly a school of nursing facility. uh<00:35:57.920>
• </c><00:36:37.920><c> of</c> the uh in addition to the school of the uh in addition to the school of
• So a uh type school that would be built.
• </c><01:08:27.120><c> presence</c> two plus two uh medical school presence two plus two uh medical school
• And this slot is the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes 00:02:01 Information Items 00:02:10 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:02:20 A. A. Eastern Kentucky University 00:02:48 B. B. Kentucky Community and Technical College System 00:15:21 C. C. Kentucky State University 00:31:43 D. D. Morehead State University 00:41:44 E. E. Murray State University 01:01:56 F. F. Northern Kentucky University 01:16:09 G. G. University of Kentucky and Hospital 01:25:00 H. H. University of Louisville 01:42:52 I. I. Western Kentucky University 01:56:17, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call establishing a quorum. The committee then approved the prior meeting’s minutes. Members were reminded to silence cell phones, and the chair noted an informational item on capital plan amendments made by state agencies during the latest revision period before moving to university capital plan presentations. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden outlined EKU’s enrollment growth, strong Kentucky student retention, and signature programs in nursing, occupational therapy, criminal justice, education, manufacturing engineering, and aviation. EKU’s main capital priorities were a new health innovation project to support a proposed osteopathic medical program, including a $50 million escrow requirement until accreditation; a collaborative center for health innovation to address outdated health sciences facilities; a $5 million startup request for an air traffic control program; aircraft upgrades for the aviation fleet; and continued asset preservation funding. In response to questions, EKU said roughly 40% of the new health facility would be dedicated to the medical school, with shared simulation space for multiple health programs, and that aviation maintenance needs are currently being met through KCTCS partners but could be expanded if demand grows. KCTCS representatives then described the system’s scale and capital needs, noting service to 107,000 students, extensive dual credit and workforce training, and a network of 342 buildings across 70 campuses. They said prior legislative support, including $277 million in asset preservation and $90 million released for approved projects, had helped with safety, roofs, energy efficiency, and campus security. Their current priorities include about $30 million for systemwide safety and security upgrades, renovations tied to consolidation and footprint reduction under Senate Joint Resolution 179, and broader asset preservation needs estimated at roughly $300 million to $325 million. Members discussed the need to preserve and expand skilled trades training, and KCTCS said its plan includes construction trades and flexible, multiuse facilities that can adapt to changing workforce needs. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the presentations concluded with questions and discussion only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, Hawaii School Facilities Authority...
• Next, Hawaii School Facilities Authority... Chair: Thank you, Mr. Aeta. Okay, thank you.
• Ricky Fujitani with the School Facilities Authority. We offer comments.
• </c><01:04:04.400><c> program</c> the safe routes to school program the safe routes to school program
• <01:15:58.520><c> be</c><01:15:58.760><c> vain</c><01:15:59.000><c> fly</c> school be vain fly school

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lauren Olivaura was born and raised in Turlock and graduated from Turlock High School.
• Students' data is encrypted and remains protected until the data reaches school personnel.
• In our schools, educators, counselors, and other school employees with DACA status are wondering whether
• School leaders are also struggling with staffing shortages.
• Shortly after Brian graduated from Tulare Union High School, he began his law enforcement career.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had the University of Utah reserving medical school... ...to educate WAMI students.
• And you know, Idaho at the table as we build out medical school options and getting students on track
• We're not training them just to go anywhere, which is really kind of how medical school curriculum has
• So in addition to building out that school, we can also purchase seats, consistent.
• I think the larger expansion of the school here is great, but I don't know if we can't obligate future

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee approved the May 28 minutes and received a status update from DHW Director Juliet Sharon on the Rural Health Transformation Program. Sharon reviewed the committee’s expedited review process for solicitations and subgrants, explained where funding opportunities are posted, and noted a new email subscription feature for stakeholders. She said the department has focused first on administrative and contractor awards, with provider-oriented subgrants coming soon, and said the committee will receive information on applicants, scoring, and awards. Members raised concerns about process complexity, outreach, and whether smaller rural providers may be disadvantaged; Sharon said DHW is working to simplify applications and expand outreach. The committee also discussed the first maternal and child health solicitation, with Sharon saying she would follow up on the applicant pool and would bring any need to pivot back to the committee. The committee then heard from the Idaho Military Division on its rural health priorities. Bureau Chief Wayne Denny said the division is partnering with DHW on modernizing the 911/emergency communications system, including next-generation 911 work with counties, relocating the backup state communications center, and coordinating exercises. He also described rural health extenders, including community health workers and community health EMS, and said the goal is to place at least one paid full-time EMS provider in every county and use prevention and chronic-care management to reduce emergency room use. Members asked about how the extenders would function, how the 911 work would be funded and implemented county by county, and how sustainability would work after the five-year grant period. Jennifer White of the State Board of Education outlined higher education and workforce proposals, including mobile simulation training, shared statewide clinical infrastructure, learn-in-place programs, and targeted equipment and facilities for nursing and allied health. She said the board is also working on graduate medical education, with about $5 million of ready-to-launch projects and roughly $3 million still available, and proposed a strategic rural GME incubator and a rural training site network. A lengthy discussion followed about whether remaining funds should support GME, broader medical education, or undergraduate medical education, including a proposed University of Idaho/University of Utah partnership and possible satellite campus. Some members supported using funds to build Idaho’s medical pipeline and noted existing policy for UME expansion, while others warned against creating long-term state obligations without legislative approval. The committee also discussed outreach, the first federal progress report due at the end of August, and plans to create a governor-appointed rural health transformation task force with legislative and stakeholder representation. The meeting ended with plans for an additional committee meeting on August 18 and a later meeting in late September, with adjournment following.

Transcript Highlights:

• 90 supplemental funding, Carlisle doubled its road maintenance, completing major work on church, school
• People could get to school, and it was our only numbered route in town.
• So the ability to keep our roads open and safe and allow people to get to school and to businesses in
• This bill gives our state the ability to fix rail crossings, intersections, near schools, commercial
• Well, I know mainly for our school system.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held its first hearing of the session on H. 53, Governor Healey’s Chapter 90 proposal to increase state funding for municipal roads, bridges, sidewalks, and culverts. Committee chairs outlined the hybrid hearing process and invited testimony from municipal officials, labor groups, regional planning organizations, contractors, and administration officials. Across the hearing, speakers consistently supported the bill, emphasizing long-deferred maintenance, inflation in construction costs, climate-related flooding, and the need for more predictable, multi-year funding so cities and towns can plan projects and take advantage of the construction season. The administration described H. 53 as part of a broader $8 billion transportation package, proposing to raise annual Chapter 90 funding from $200 million to $300 million for five years, with the additional $100 million distributed by road mileage to better support rural and small communities. They also highlighted $200 million for culverts and small bridges, plus other transportation investments, and said the five-year authorization would provide certainty for municipal capital planning. Municipal witnesses from places including Carlisle, Beverly, Granby, Hatfield, Newton, Nahant, Gardner, Beckett, and Yarmouth described local road and culvert backlogs, rising asphalt costs, and the difficulty of maintaining infrastructure on limited local budgets. Labor and industry witnesses from the AFL-CIO and MAPA said the bill would support good-paying jobs and provide stability for contractors and producers. The MBTA Advisory Board and regional planning representatives also backed the proposal, noting the connection between local roads and the broader transportation system. Committee members asked questions about the road-mile formula, culvert needs, asphalt costs, and the rationale for a five-year authorization. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has to do with public employees and teachers and school employees.
• So that's when the school year starts or that's when the fiscal year starts.
• We then submit that to the school district, and the school district processes that.
• You're putting the onus on the teachers, excuse me, on the school system when it shouldn't.
• Me on the school system when it shouldn't, but just something to look at. Oh yeah, and Rep.

Summary: The House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations met for its final meeting of the session and took up SB 312 by Senator Talbot, a bill concerning labor organizations, employee dues and fees, withdrawal from unions, collective bargaining agreements, and related notice and reporting requirements. The author explained the bill would require annual notice to employees of their right to join or refrain from joining a labor organization, allow dues deductions to be authorized and revoked electronically, and require stoppage of deductions at the nearest possible payroll period after notice. The committee first adopted a technical amendment set, then considered a larger amendment set that shifted the withdrawal request to the employer, required the employer to notify the labor organization, placed the burden of proving notice compliance on the labor organization, and made the labor organization responsible for certain administrative costs. Supporters said the bill protected employee choice and could reduce taxpayer-funded administrative burdens; opponents argued the amendments created confusion, unnecessary bureaucracy, and unclear invoicing and cost-shifting procedures. Testimony came from business and labor representatives on both sides. Jim Patterson of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry supported the cost-shifting language as a way to protect taxpayers and public employers. Matt Wood, Peter Robbins-Brown, and Larry Carter, representing labor groups, said they had worked for months to reach a simpler opt-in/opt-out framework and objected to the new amendments as adding complexity and uncertainty. Several members questioned why police, firefighters, and later mass transit employees were exempted; the author and others said those exclusions were tied to federal law or because those groups had not requested inclusion. After debate, the committee adopted the large amendment set and then adopted a separate technical amendment adding mass transit employees to the exemption list. On the bill itself, members continued debating whether the measure was necessary if unions already allow members to opt out and whether the bill should apply only to public employees such as teachers and school workers. The committee ultimately voted to report SB 312 with amendments. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with several members voting no, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association in support. Thank you.
• They're the reason I'm able to stay in school.
• Oregon also has a good neighbor policy for us when we want to go to school there.
• Balancing school, work, and parenting is not easy.
• Without this support, staying in school would be extremely difficult.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for a policy hearing on several higher education bills. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a California approval process for short-term workforce Pell Grant programs; supporters said it would expand access to job training with consumer protections, while a neutral witness urged more work on implementation. Members raised concerns about the bill’s $4,000 tuition cap, but the measure passed 5-1 with an urgency clause and was sent to Labor and Employment. AB 1831 (Irwin) would cap compensation for certain CSU administrators, bar raises in years when tuition rises, and repeal a 2025 executive pay resolution; the author said she would amend the bill to remove retroactive repeal, narrow the scope, and clarify that it applies to base salary and non-represented managers. CFA, students, and labor groups supported the bill as an accountability measure, while CSU opposed it, arguing the cap would hurt recruitment and retention. The committee approved the bill 4-1-3 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee also advanced AB 1555 (Hadwick), which would allow up to 200 students to qualify for in-state tuition at College of the Siskiyous under a cross-border regional arrangement; it passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 1552 (Jackson), requiring the community colleges and CSU and requesting UC to report recommendations on civic engagement and democracy education, also passed to Appropriations after some members objected that such programs could be used for partisan activity. AB 1829, which expands CalWORKs student-parent support by allowing more direct aid and waiving a 25% work-study employer match at the colleges’ discretion, passed 8-1 and was re-referred to Human Services. The committee later added on consent items and adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.

Transcript Highlights:

• and middle schools.
• Charter schools cannot have unions, so they're not included in this.
• But we still have many school districts who are not following that.
• All of that is provided for free to the school district.
• I literally pay dues so I can do that work for other educators and my school.

Summary: The House convened with 66 members present, approved the March 3, 2026 journal, and received gubernatorial and Senate messages, including notice that the governor had signed House Bills 502, 533, and 555. Committee reports advanced several bills and resolutions to second reading or printing, and the House introduced a new slate of bills, including measures on community infrastructure districts, auxiliary containers, minimum wage, voter registration at DMV offices, education, tobacco products, and fertility preservation services. The House then moved a number of bills to the Third Reading Calendar, including measures on Medicaid, libraries, insurance, LLCs, transactions, crimes, prisoners, bribery, urban renewal, taxation, reckless driving, state government, child protection, the state controller, and insurance. On third reading, the House passed House Bills 695 and 697, both dealing with criminal or election-related code revisions; House Bill 727, which sponsors described as strengthening Idaho’s response to sextortion and threats against minors; House Bill 678, aimed at making wolf trapping more effective and humane; House Bill 745, which would bar taxpayer funds from being used for union activities, with debate focused on teacher associations and exemptions for police and fire; House Bill 733, revising partnership tax audit procedures; House Bill 720, lowering the population threshold for district elections in cities, despite concerns about college-town representation; House Bill 723, implementing child welfare and oversight reforms for residential treatment facilities; House Bill 664, addressing differential speed limits for trucks and other vehicles; and House Bill 667, removing a state requirement to offer certain driver licenses to non-citizens, with supporters citing federal uncertainty and trucking safety concerns. Several other bills were held on the calendar for one legislative day. Debate on the bills was often substantive and partisan, with supporters emphasizing safety, taxpayer protection, local representation, and child protection, while opponents raised concerns about labor rights, college-town districting, truck safety, and the scope of regulation. The House also heard announcements about Idaho Day, America 250 activities, and upcoming committee meetings. The chamber adjourned until 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And because of that lack of requirement, only about 7% of Missouri high schools...
• Of requirement, only about 7% of Missouri high schools.
• program during the school year.
• And that was something that you had to pass, or in some schools it was an elective.
• And I did not ride a horse and buggy to school. Thank you very much, Mr. Spoon.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the school buses, we had $18 million for school buses. Is that right? Mr.
• Well, as an ex-school teacher, I don't mind that. I rode a lot of bus miles.
• On that topic, on that point, what monies are available for electric school buses?
• And just so everybody knows, I mean these school buses, the kiddos show up at school in much better shape
• They're mid school.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If they have a public water system number and they are a school that is delivering water and they are
• One last question: So you're saying that our public school systems, are the public school systems accessing
• this to be able to replace lines going into our buildings, our public school buildings?
• and schools in general on these issues.
• This happens quite frequently with young kids in schools.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The kids in school. The kids. They're passing this climate as normal.
• And she was kicked out of school by the Nazis. She never graduated from high school.
• And then she was kicked out of school and her mother got her lessons to learn to be a cook.
• He was sent to Switzerland to go to school.
• Through her tireless efforts, thousands of school-aged children heard a Holocaust story firsthand.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Belton School District has 2 large high schools and thousands of students.
• The exceptions were geared around parental knowledge of minors' whereabouts to include school activities
• parameters at home, not getting it at school, and then also not, not receiving that intervention by
• So it's well understood the discipline in our schools, the discipline in our in our society today, our
• My mother literally couldn't come get me from school because she didn't have gas money.

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Pastor Scott is a graduate of Turner Ashby High School.
• Madison University, earning a master's degree in reading education and educational leadership and school
• Myers Elementary School. Over the years, he served as a fourth-grade teacher at John C.
• Myers Elementary School.
• Today we pause to honor the memory of Nayae Hill, a Granby High School graduate, a young woman whose

Keywords: March 13, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• followed by the Pledge of Allegiance provided for us today by Allie Silver of I Succeed Virtual High School
• , Title 33, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section, 33-16-39, Idaho Code, to require public schools
• district or public charter school, and declaring an emergency and providing an effective date.
• to provide daily recess for students in kindergarten through grade five, and to encourage schools to
• district or public charter school and declaring emergency and providing an effective date.

Summary: The House convened with 66 members present, approved the journal, and received a Senate message transmitting enrolled House Bill 504 to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for delivery to the Governor. Committee reports followed, including several bills recommended do pass and referred to the appropriate committees or calendars, along with House Bill 562 being placed on general orders without objection. During third reading, the House first took up House Joint Memorial 14, which urges federal agencies to advance water-storage research and planning in Idaho, including small and medium reservoir feasibility, basin studies, and a long-term goal of 750,000 acre-feet of new storage by 2100; it passed by voice vote and was sent to the Senate. The House then passed House Bills 676, 737, 615, 683, 684, 645, 703, 560, and 637, with recorded votes on several measures. The bills addressed geothermal utility water-right planning, consolidation of state agency functions, disturbing the peace at religious services, sex-offender residency clarification, reimbursement for counties retrieving escaped prisoners, portable benefits for independent contractors, consolidation of DOPL disciplinary provisions, allowing prospective jurors to serve as poll workers, and recognizing foreign gold and silver coin as legal tender in Idaho. House Bill 637 passed on a narrower 55-13 vote; the others passed with larger margins. Members also agreed to hold the remaining third-reading bills one legislative day. In announcements, committees scheduled upcoming meetings, the Energy Caucus and construction industry reception were noted, and members were reminded to submit amendments before the next general orders calendar. The House then adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• followed by the Pledge of Allegiance provided for us today by Allie Silver of I Succeed Virtual High School
• , Title 33, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new section, 33-16-39, Idaho Code, to require public schools
• district or public charter school, and declaring an emergency and providing an effective date.
• to provide daily recess for students in kindergarten through grade five, and to encourage schools to
• district or public charter school and declaring emergency and providing an effective date.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She's waiting with great anticipation to go back to school.
• Monday, she came over to the house and she had her school outfit on.
• She's going to go back to her Catholic school. ...over to the house and she had her school outfit on.
• She's going to go back to her Catholic school. And she had it on.
• I'm on a school board, so when it comes to children, they touch my heart. Yeah.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had in the city of Puyallup a homeless drop-in center in a neighborhood very near a school.
• We had in the city of Puyallup a homeless drop-in center in a neighborhood very near a school.
• Fifty-three percent of the school kids had free and reduced-price lunches.
• And so in Puyallup, we had to erect a giant fence around the school.
• More than 48,252 public school children experienced homelessness during the 2024-25 school year.

Bills: HB2266 , HB2489

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters, homelessness prevention, public space, local governance, life-sustaining activities, statewide standards, regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we look at how can we get natural sugars in kids' school lunches and in their breakfast programs
• How can we get natural sugars in kids' school lunches and in their breakfast programs?
• Back when I was in high school, I took trombone lessons from his dad.
• He graduated from high school with a scholarship to go to Diesel Mechanics School.
• He graduated from high school with a scholarship to go to Diesel Mechanics School.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all