Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, I have had four or five people literally apply for jobs while they're in my academy to leave
• How much money do you actually need to do the full measure of your job right? Director Gardner. Mr.
• I keep telling everybody this is not my job. I shouldn't be doing this.
• He's got a hard job. We have a hard job. We have to make decisions on what we're going to do.
• So my motion is to not pass this bill and send a clear message to JFAC for them to do their job.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from March 17, 18, 19, and 20, then took up House Bill 944, sponsored by Rep. Palmer, which would redirect $5 million from the liquor distribution formula to the Idaho State Police choice fund to help address trooper pay and recruitment problems. ISP Director Bill Gardner testified that the agency has severe staffing shortages, unfilled positions, and difficulty recruiting and retaining troopers, especially at the 5-, 10-, and 15-year marks, because its pay has fallen behind other law enforcement agencies. He explained that the bill would help but would not fully solve the problem; he said the original ongoing funding request was $12 million, and a fully sustainable long-term solution would be about $18 million. He also described a new merit-based pay structure and said he would suspend ISP’s lateral transfer program for three years if a solution is reached, to reduce concerns from sheriffs and city police about losing officers. Committee members raised concerns that the bill would shift financial pain to counties and cities, especially rural counties that already struggle to fund local law enforcement and related services. Some members argued the Legislature should use the rainy day fund or restore prior gas-tax support instead of reallocating existing revenue, while others said the bill was a necessary step to address a real law enforcement crisis even if it was not enough. Rep. Palmer said he did not want to use the rainy day fund for ongoing salaries and asked the committee to consider a smaller, more workable solution. After debate, Rep. Cheatham moved to send House Bill 944 to General Orders as a substitute motion, and the committee approved that motion on a 12-3 roll call vote, sending the bill to General Orders rather than advancing it directly to the floor. The committee then briefly recognized its page and secretary before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• service systems of the Department of Transportation, Revenue, and Human Services, transferring their job
• Last, the bill modernizes job posting requirements by allowing electronic and social media postings in
• The second new article creates the West Virginia Job Development Grant Program, which will award grants
• Eligible jobs must pay at least $75,000 per year.
• is funded each year when the Department of Commerce informs the Tax Division how many of these new jobs

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements for training for assessors so that there's additional actual minimum requirements to have the job
• Because it is a— I always thought it was a good job, but it's a job where you've got to be able to work
• I recognize y'all did a great job. My inquiry is of the Vice Chair. Mr.
• So, I mean, they are getting training, and they're not just standing by and not trying to do the job.
• ought to be a requirement before they're appointed to the position as far as their ability to do the job

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That made me step away from my professorship job.
• We've got job training, education should stop at high school.
• We've got job trainings for our economy, all these different things going on.
• Then they can go out and get that job, their apprenticeship. I swung a hand.
• They're 17 or 18 years old, then they can go out and get that job, their apprenticeship.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've tried to do it within the legislature, but we have not really done that job yet.
• I have a hard time with that because they do a good job of teaching their students.
• That's what the job of the ESD is, is to do that and catch that.
• Thank you very much, Senator. within the legislature, but we have not really done that job yet.
• That's what the job of the ESD is, is to do that and catch that.

Summary: The House Education Committee heard several bills focused on school district operations, student access, and special education. Substitute Senate Bill 6222 would allow school districts and educational service districts to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students, with priority for low-income students and documentation of the transfer. Testimony from the sponsor, district staff, and advocates emphasized helping students keep familiar devices, reducing waste, and extending the public investment in technology. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 5969, which would better integrate IEP transition plans with the statewide online IEP system and the universal high school and beyond plan platform to reduce duplication; staff noted a fiscal note had been requested, and there were no public testifiers on the bill. The committee spent substantial time on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6247, a school district financial management bill. The bill would require additional ESD oversight and support for districts showing signs of financial distress, create mandatory school director training on funding and finance, strengthen penalties for knowing violations of budget expenditure limits, and require disclosure authorizations before hiring certain budget or accounting personnel. Senator Dozier said the bill was prompted by district financial problems, declining enrollment, failed levies, and reserve fund declines. ESD, WSSDA, WASA, WOSBO, and OSPI testified in support overall, though some witnesses raised concerns about mandatory training, funding for implementation, and whether training should extend beyond school directors. Committee members asked about the bill’s scope, the undefined term “significantly,” the $750,000 reimbursement cap, and how it compared with House Bill 2593. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 622, which would exempt school districts and ESDs from certain surplus-property notice requirements when selling or granting surplus technology hardware to students at depreciated cost or no cost to low-income students. Senator Hunt said the bill came from constituent concerns about unused laptops and tablets and would help students transition to work, college, or technical school. Zero Waste Washington and an Issaquah School District official supported the measure, citing environmental benefits and practical student access to technology. The committee closed public hearings on the bills, noted sign-in counts for pro and con positions, and announced amendment deadlines and upcoming executive sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• jobs within one year of graduation.
• She's done an exceptional job.
• She's done an exceptional job.
• She's done an exceptional job.
• She's done an exceptional job.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Monday, February 16, 2026, and then heard a presentation from the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The dean highlighted the college’s land-grant mission, student placement rates, research and extension work, and major facilities projects including the new Meat Science and Innovation Center, the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE), and the deep soil ecotron. Members asked about genetics research at CAFE, herd acquisition timing, the status of a proposed Jerome-related center, and how endowed positions are handled. The dean also explained how the college is responding to budget cuts by delaying hires and reducing some temporary support. The committee then heard from Dr. Kendra Kaiser of the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, who described the institute’s statewide water research priorities and its use of advisory committees, public submissions, and data tools to guide projects. She discussed work on snowpack visualization, flood mapping, managed aquifer recharge water quality, harmful algal blooms, monitoring gaps, canal seepage, Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer modeling, and other water supply and quality issues. Members asked for the project selection materials, clarification on snow-water content and water budget modeling, and more detail on the value of independent review and data access. Dr. Kaiser said the institute is building interactive public data tools and expects initial water quality trend results later in the year. The committee then considered House Bill 630, which would move the airborne shooting of coyotes, wolves, and other predatory animals from rule into statute. Representative Schurz said the bill codifies an existing program to help producers address predation. The committee voted to send HB 630 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. It also heard House Bill 631, which would move agricultural certificates of free sale into statute, and voted to send that bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation as well. At the end of the meeting, the committee recognized its page, Kaylyn, for her service. She spoke briefly about learning how to advocate for agriculture and the importance of family farm operations. The committee presented her with a Capitol-flown flag, a governor-signed certificate, and a necklace before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the scope of the existing data systems that DEES is currently managing, and they do an incredible job
• currently managing and they do an dees currently managing and they do an incredible<00:08:38.880><c> job
• with keeping the public incredible job with keeping the public informed<00:08:40.880><c> in</c><00:08
• Uh, and we will have completed our job when the reports are filed on these three bills.
• Uh and we will have completed<00:19:35.679><c> our</c><00:19:35.919><c> job</c><00:19:36.240><c> when

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:05.040><c> important</c><00:16:05.440><c> for</c><00:16:05.759><c> this</c><00:16:06.079><c> job
• There's the people in the public that do not, but your job matters and it means the world to us knowing
• There's the people in the public that do not, but your job matters and it means the world to us knowing
• Would you, we'd like to come to the mic and introduce yourself if you don't mind and tell us your job
• </c> tell us your job title if that's okay. tell us your job title if that's okay.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It hasn't been doing its job.
• The federal government has not been doing its job.
• We were legally paid less than men for doing the same jobs.
• Advertisements for jobs were separated by sex, with the lower-paying jobs reserved for women.
• Today, women earn 30% less than men for the same jobs, another critical issue.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and advanced the gubernatorial appointment of Ryan Lanham as State Athletic Commissioner to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee also sent RS 33249 to print, a resolution covering reviewed and approved rules for several state agencies, including Idaho State Police, the Public Safety and Public Utilities Commissions, the Secretary of State, the Department of Administration, and the State Lottery. Members then considered RS 33252, a joint memorial urging Idaho’s congressional delegation to pursue greater state autonomy over election laws and campaign finance, including possible constitutional changes. The memorial was introduced and sent to print without opposition. The committee next heard SB 1247, which would require E-Verify for state and local government employers and certain larger contractors. Supporters said it would protect taxpayer dollars and align with other states, while opponents argued it was too narrow, left subcontracting loopholes, and could burden employers without fully addressing illegal hiring. After debate, the bill was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 1236, a code cleanup bill to remove the obsolete Idaho Women’s Commission from statute. The sponsor said the commission was defunded years ago and the bill simply removed unused code. Testimony from women’s advocacy groups opposed the bill, arguing the commission could still be reactivated and could address ongoing issues affecting women. Committee members split over whether the commission was still needed, but the bill was ultimately sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation, with Senators Ruchti and Bernt recorded as voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• He had a job, and he loved everyone.
• And it's really not our job to make sure everybody has Narcan or is educated.
• You did a beautiful job. Thank you. How are you all done? My name's Chuck Carroll.
• One of the people owned the jobs there. All I know, I hadn't heard...
• I worked two jobs, had no way to get there to help her in any way.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2901 in executive session. After a brief explanation from the bill sponsor, the committee adopted a House Committee amendment ending in 0.07 that set a five-year expiration date and clarified where reports must be filed. The committee then rolled the amendment into a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 13 ayes and 0 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 3000, which would fix the signature threshold for petition-driven audits by tying the required number of signatures to the gubernatorial election in effect when the petition process begins, rather than when signatures are submitted. The sponsor and the State Auditor’s office said the change would prevent the required number from shifting during the petition period and provide consistency. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 313 was then heard, a fentanyl-poisoning response bill that would require naloxone in public buildings, designate October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, require fentanyl education for students in grades 6 through 12, and require training and investigation procedures for law enforcement in drug-related deaths. The sponsor and multiple family members who lost loved ones to fentanyl strongly supported the bill, emphasizing prevention, access to Narcan, and more thorough death investigations. Committee members generally expressed support, raised questions about the definition of public buildings, school implementation, and funding, and testimony suggested opioid settlement money as a possible source. No committee action was taken on HB 313 in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wayne Denny and his team have absolutely done an amazing job with a very smooth transition, with no loss
• Ben Call through Public Safety Communications has done a phenomenal job of maintaining our public safety
• communications network. absolutely done an amazing job with a very smooth transition with no loss of
• You do such a great job that it attracts out-of-state vets.
• That you do such a great job that it attracts out-of-state vets to come and live with us.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Idaho Military Division, the Division of Veterans Services, and the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). For the Military Division, analysts and Major General Tim Donnellan reviewed the division’s structure, recent transfer of emergency medical services into the division, and the fiscal year 2027 request. The request included a small general fund amount for hazardous materials response, a pay-parity adjustment for state employees tied to federal military pay scales, and a dedicated-fund enhancement for overhead recovery, offset by rescissions including vacant positions and reduced tuition assistance. Members asked about the 3% rescission, EMS transition costs, and why certain CEC-related positions appeared in and out of the budget; the general said the division had absorbed the cut but that further reductions could affect education assistance for Guardsmen. He also described the EMS transition as smooth and said the division was modernizing its Army and Air components. The committee then reviewed the Division of Veterans Services budget and heard from Administrator Mark Champal. The analyst outlined the division’s homes, cemeteries, veteran assistance programs, and fiscal year 2027 requests, including one-time equipment and replacement items, an ongoing reduction for expiring software fees, and reductions for long-vacant positions. Questions focused on nursing shortages, contract labor, the miscellaneous revenue fund, and memory-care capacity. Champal said the division is using a temporary nursing pool to reduce reliance on contract nurses and expects to save nearly half a million dollars, while continuing to struggle with staffing. He said the Boise home currently meets memory-care needs and that the new Boise facility could expand if needed. He also highlighted outreach efforts, claims assistance, cemetery services, and the division’s efforts to connect veterans with outside support. Finally, PERSI’s budget was presented and discussed with Director Mike Hampton. The analyst described the retirement system’s defined benefit and defined contribution plans, the ongoing pension software upgrade, and one-time requests for the final software phase, disaster recovery planning, and IT replacements. Committee members asked about administrative growth, who participates in PERSI, software maintenance costs, and why there was no general fund rescission. Hampton explained that PERSI is fully funded by employer and employee contributions, that the software project is nearing completion, and that the annual maintenance increase reflects licensing costs. He also discussed post-retirement allowance adjustments, saying the board recommended a retroactive catch-up through 2022 and that future increases depend on fund performance and legislative action. The committee also discussed the merits and risks of defined benefit versus defined contribution plans, and Hampton said PERSI remains well funded, with strong investment returns and broad participation across Idaho public employers. The meeting ended with adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• birthday, and we're going to bring the choir down here, but I don't think they can do as good of a job
• c> as</c><00:27:25.200><c> good</c><00:27:25.279><c> of</c><00:27:25.279><c> a</c><00:27:25.520><c> job
• c><00:27:25.679><c> as</c><00:27:26.400><c> it</c><00:27:26.559><c> is</c> they can do as good of a job
• as it is they can do as good of a job as it is the<00:27:26.960><c> birthday</c><00:27:27.600><c> for
• The men and women of law enforcement are doing a job they were lawfully tasked to do.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're waiting for this to get these jobs done while we have weather permitting in Minnesota.
• citizens of Minnesota and they've been working on this and they're waiting and they're scheduling jobs
• </c><00:03:08.879><c> done</c> waiting for this to get these jobs done waiting for this to get these
• jobs done while<00:03:09.680><c> we</c><00:03:09.840><c> have</c><00:03:09.920><c> weather</c><00:03:
• they're scheduling jobs when you have<00:03:48.799><c> great</c><00:03:49.120><c> weather</c><00:03:

Bills: HF3228 , HF475

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, statue replacement, Hubert H. Humphrey, national commemoration, civil rights, Minnesota history, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That bill has been referred to the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development.
• That bill has been referred to the committee<00:09:10.000><c> on</c><00:09:10.240><c> jobs</c><00:09:
• 10.640><c> and</c><00:09:10.880><c> economic</c> committee on jobs and economic committee on jobs and
• Have you considered his roles as jobs chair and as Senate president and what that could mean to that?
• </c><00:10:36.240><c> and</c><00:10:36.560><c> as</c><00:10:36.800><c> senate</c> roles as jobs chair

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to Lightcast occupation data, there are 2,500 jobs for speech language pathologists in...
• From 2018 to 2024, the average monthly job postings for speech and language pathologists...
• hemp growers like myself and processors and retailers who have invested in Alabama's future, costing jobs
• and reducing economic opportunities. ...costing jobs and reducing economic impact.
• Limiting sales to 21 and up establishments would slash our distribution and sales by 95%, threatening jobs

Bills: HB441 , HB445 , HB477 , HB441 , HB445

Committee: House Health

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax

Transcript Highlights:

• It was meant to be a sort of a fun summer job.
• On the third day of his job, he drowned doing that lakeweed removal because currently we as a state do
• 12.400><c> summer</c> was meant to be a sort of a fun summer was meant to be a sort of a fun summer job
• </c> job. Um he drowned at the age of 20. job.
• </c><00:01:36.720><c> that</c><00:01:36.960><c> lakeweed</c> job, he drowned doing that lakeweed job,

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The most of the community was completely out of jobs and didn't have anything to do.
• Many of the people are having to just park their boats and find other jobs for work.
• Clam farming helps bring in over 550 jobs in the area.
• I got a job as an artist for corporation and its fortune up to turn that into a career.
• company that work for from us decade decided to cut all the artist out and to my wife that I pass my job

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that is a fair question to ask, and that it is their job to do so.
• He said they did not do their job, and if they do not do their jobs, they do not get reelected here.
• </c><01:34:06.000><c> We're</c> That's what our job is to do. We're That's what our job is to do.
• If we don't do They didn't do their job.
• </c> our jobs, we don't get reelected here. our jobs, we don't get reelected here.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• your job, and then now we're asking the auditor to do your guys' job too.
• So I think that there's some job too.
• ,</c> when it comes time to not do your job, when it comes time to not do your job, then<00:43:27.280
• Then we got to tell the your job.
• And so I think when there are job.

Bills: HB2185 , HB2621 , HB2179 , HB2534 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB2565 , HB2172 , HB2298 , HB2304

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: sports officials, referees, umpires, athletic directors, school administrators, league administrators, coaches, assault, first-degree assault, substantial bodily injury, temporary restraining order, TRO, private counsel, Department of Education, DOE, sports safety, school sports, amateur athletics, professional sports, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• I think about the state budget because that's my job. And so I know, Mr.
• You get paid probably less than we do. to do this job, which ain't much at all.
• , public service job you can have.
• You did a great job.
• So I just want to be clear that you have a job to do. I have a job to do. We all have a job to do.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all