Transcript Highlights:

• , technology, law enforcement, computer-aided design, and welding.
• ,</c><00:08:33.680><c> technology,</c><00:08:34.399><c> law</c> facility service, technology, law facility
• service, technology, law enforcement,<00:08:35.200><c> computer</c><00:08:35.519><c> AED</c><00:08:35.839
• Um, first of all, I was a uh services.
• </c> general fund later to pay debt service. general fund later to pay debt service.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• budget, and also the Legislative Services Office.
• I'm a budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• Williams, please come forward with Health and Human Services. Mr.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first received updates from LSO on the latest green sheet, including the revenue impact of House Bill 559, recent cash transfers, and the Idaho Budget Rescissions Act for FY 2026. Members then moved through a series of FY 2027 maintenance budgets, beginning with the legislative branch. The committee discussed the statewide 2% reduction layered on top of the governor’s recommendation, benefit-cost adjustments, and how those decisions were being built into the maintenance budgets. The legislative branch budget passed, followed by unanimous-consent adoption of related language. The committee next considered public safety, natural resources, health and human services, economic development, judicial branch, constitutional officers, and general government budgets. In each case, analysts explained how rescissions, ongoing base reductions, and statewide adjustments were incorporated. Several members objected to the across-the-board cuts, arguing they would reduce staffing or services in corrections, juvenile corrections, environmental quality, health and welfare, public defender services, crime victims compensation, tax administration, and treatment courts, while supporters said the committee needed a target and would revisit details in enhancement work groups. Most budget motions passed on divided votes and were forwarded with do-pass recommendations. The committee also adopted multiple sections of standard and nonstandard language, including cash transfers, reporting requirements, and agency-specific provisions. In Health and Human Services, members debated language requiring reporting on large acquisitions and transfers, and in Economic Development and General Government they adopted language affecting the State Public Defender, the Department of Insurance, and group insurance premiums. The meeting ended while the committee was still working through a disputed general government language item about funding employee health insurance premiums from reserve accounts, with members debating whether the language should reference specific reserve funds or broader reserve funding and whether the proposal was properly within JFAC’s scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• Income Tax, Cyber Security Technology and Service Tax Credit Alterations.
• It alters the cyber security technology and service tax credit.
• Because service is that necessary?
• </c><00:43:41.680><c> to</c> programs and they provide services to programs and they provide services
• Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program for Service Members and Veterans. >> Senate

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 39 members present, heard the invocation from Reverend Meredith West, and journalized her remarks. The chamber then recognized several guest groups and observances, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Second District Corridor 1 for “100 Q’s in Annapolis Day,” the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the Maryland 2A state championship, Arts Day participants, Rural Maryland Council members, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition advocates, and visitors from the Maryland Judiciary. Senators also spoke about the meaning of Kente cloth during Black History Month, and the chamber recognized a birthday and thanked protocol staff for Valentine’s Day decorations. The Senate’s featured presentation was the annual Lincoln Day speech by the Senator from the 37th District. The senator reflected on Abraham Lincoln’s life, political career, and moral leadership, emphasizing his self-education, opposition to the expansion of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, and the idea that the nation’s founding principles of liberty and equality guided Lincoln through the Civil War. The minority leader praised the address, and the Senate agreed without objection to journalize the remarks. After the ceremonial portion, the Senate moved to business. Bond initiatives on the calendar were read and referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Executive Nominations Committee reported favorably on a list of recess appointees, including gubernatorial secretaries, district court judges, and a state board appointee, and the report was special ordered to Monday, February 16, 2026. The chamber then began second-reader consideration of Budget and Taxation bills: Senate Bill 25, altering the cyber security technology and service tax credit, was amended and ordered printed for third reading; Senate Bill 58, creating a property tax credit for retail service station conversions, was discussed with questions about who would receive the credit and why the incentive was needed, and consideration was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hearing AB 2279 by Assembly Member Gibson relating to the California Advanced Services Fund, rural
• hubs to coordinate infrastructure development, connecting underserved communities to affordable services
• That's not how we get service into the community. I think that this will help with paperwork.
• And just as a friendly reminder to everyone when I'm... to emergency medical services, and just as a
• As far as other jurisdictions that was mentioned that have not provided the services by the opposition

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The hospitals need to be paid in order to continue to provide services.
• We doubt that the state would be able to provide services.
• Medicaid is the primary payer for mental health services in Idaho.
• Health services in Idaho.
• youth, senior services, and services for victims of domestic violence.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As written, the bill would prevent heir-finding firms from providing this service.
• Heir-finding firms exist specifically to fill that gap, and they provide an important service.
• Heir-finding firms exist specifically to fill that gap, and they provide an important service.
• State law requires county clerks to collect specified fees for their official services.
• The revenue from these fees is retained by the county performing the service.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2158 would authorize remote notarization of tangible records and remote oaths/affirmations, with record-retention requirements and no fiscal impact; the prime sponsor and staff described it as an access-to-justice measure, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Substitute House Bill 2239 would create a framework for family burial grounds on private land, including setbacks, notice, recording, local regulation authority, and grandfathering of existing sites; supporters said it would help rural families and some tribal members bury loved ones on family land, while WSDOT raised a technical concern about the setback from rights-of-way. Substitute House Bill 2178 would reconcile statutes with court rules on malicious mischief aggregation, infraction deadlines, payment plans, and treasurer handling of certain funds; the sponsor and AOC described it as a technical cleanup with no fiscal impact, and it was supported by AOC. The committee then heard Engrossed House Bill 2445, which would tighten probate procedures to curb “probates for profit” by extending the time to petition, narrowing who qualifies as a suitable personal representative, changing venue, adding notice and reporting requirements, and regulating agreements with transferees for value and heir-finding firms. The sponsor, Attorney General’s Office, and Northwest Justice Project said the bill would protect grieving families from predatory actors, while some probate attorneys warned it could sweep too broadly and affect legitimate heir-finding services; the sponsor said he was open to further discussion and written recommendations. Substitute House Bill 2543 would update county clerk fees to match new appellate court rules and modernize outdated references such as CDs; county clerks and county officials supported it as a technical, cost-recovery measure. Finally, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 would create a standalone gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, replacing part of the criminal impersonation statute and adding prohibitions on badges, vehicles, and attire that mimic law enforcement, with exceptions for lawful, artistic, and inherited items. The sponsor, the governor’s office, and a city representative supported it as a public-safety and trust measure, citing impersonation incidents and protections for immigrant communities. The committee also began hearing Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532 on nitrous oxide, which would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell or distribute nitrous oxide canisters for personal use while exempting medical, veterinary, dental, food, industrial, and automotive uses; members questioned how the law would be enforced and whether additional controlled-substance treatment would be needed. No votes were taken during the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christopher Lehosit, I'm with Legislative Services Office. I'm a budget and policy analyst.
• to four months later and cost the state millions of dollars in jails and hospitals and emergency services
• that we provide, and so, I mean, I these services that we provide.
• Services.
• This is $45 million that's taken away for just our general services for transportation.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first received a briefing on the updated “green sheet” budget materials and how to read the FY 2027 columns, along with a review of several bills with fiscal impacts, including HB 503, HB 556, HB 559, and HB 578. Staff explained where the documents could be found online and answered questions about the timing and size of the bills’ fiscal effects, including the tax conformity bill and county jail reimbursement changes. The main business was the 2026 Idaho Budget Rescissions Act. Members debated whether to adopt the governor’s 3% rescission, add an additional 1% reduction, or add an additional 2% reduction. Supporters of deeper cuts argued the state needed structural balance, a larger ending balance, and a response to revenue uncertainty and the pending tax conformity bill. Opponents said across-the-board cuts were too blunt, could harm Medicaid, education, public safety, and other programs, and should be handled agency by agency. The committee first rejected the 1% and 2% substitute motions, then approved the governor’s 3% rescission motion on a due-pass recommendation. The committee then approved a transfer of $22,366,500 from the Public School Income Fund to the General Fund, with the motion passing after a roll call vote. It next took up statewide decisions, starting with ongoing base reductions for selected state agencies. After debate over whether the reductions should be 3%, 4%, or 5%, the committee rejected the higher-cut substitutes and approved the governor’s 3% base reduction recommendation. Members emphasized that the work groups would still have flexibility to adjust individual agency budgets later. Finally, the committee considered personnel benefit cost increases for FY 2027. Staff explained the proposed health insurance and other variable-rate adjustments, and members debated whether to use the governor’s recommendation or a DOGE Working Group recommendation that slightly changed the funding mix and total. The governor’s recommendation was defended as more consistent with prior employee-benefit review practice, while supporters of the DOGE proposal said it would tighten legislative control over funding. The governor’s recommendation was ultimately rejected, and the committee moved on after the roll call votes on the competing motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• assistant commissioner working with parks and trails, forestry, and our operation management budget services
• Operation Services Division—Reno Soulight is our division director.
• division uh Reno operation service division uh Reno soulight<00:18:02.080><c> is</c><00:18:02.159><c
• He explained that the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a primary agency of the U.S.
• </c> costs either so those Services costs either so those Services contracts<01:34:59.000><c> could</

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• cost increases for their services as per the General Services Department FY27 published rates.
• Those are to cover HR shared services.
• This has reduced waitlist times for people to access services.
• It's also reduced the travel that survivors have to seek services.
• and strengthen our services across the state of New Mexico.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We employ, I'm a full-service fire protection company.
• trades into accounting and bookkeeping, networking infrastructure and cybersecurity, and surgical technology
• And then the same with surgical technology.
• partners have come to us to talk to us about the development of apprenticeship programs in surgical technology

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is very concerning for services that everyday Texans need.
• Health Services and, and so much more.
• Um, we have to invest state funds in services that are eligible for a federal. Match.
• And so my service has been as a firefighter, paramedic, ER doc, and EMS doc.
• Smartwatch technology.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• A long-term plan for family preservation services in our state.
• Connected to mental health services that wound up escalating to a traditional CPS case.
• And thank you for your service, what you do. is really amazing, thank you.
• And so my service has been as. a firefighter, paramedic, ER doc, and EMS doc.
• Smart watch technology. Items of clothing.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• welcome to the second meeting of the House Standing Committee on Small Business and Information Technology
• As we've talked about, it's going to be a challenge to keep up with the technology, but the end goal
• </c><00:04:02.480><c> have</c> to have the office of Technology have to have the office of Technology
• The First Amendment doctrine does not reset itself after each technological advance.
• My only question has to do with cost or the burden on the Office of Technology.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:36 SB 4 Discussion 01:16 SB 4 Vote 28:30 SB 130 Discussion 31:18 SB 130 Discussion 36:02, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 4, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a state artificial intelligence governance framework for Kentucky government agencies and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The bill’s sponsors said it is intended to regulate only state government use of AI, not the private sector, and would require oversight by the Office of Technology, agency reporting, and annual reporting to the General Assembly. They also said the elections provisions were narrowed to focus on AI-generated audio and video, remove image disclosures, eliminate prior restraint and monetary damages, and rely on disclosure requirements modeled on laws they said had survived constitutional review in Texas. Testimony on SB 4 was mixed. Supporters emphasized transparency, human accountability, and the need to prepare state government for rapidly changing AI tools, citing possible uses such as fraud detection, inmate classification, and transportation planning. An opponent from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argued the bill would burden core political speech, create First Amendment problems, and invite litigation and abuse, especially in the election context. Members asked about litigation, constitutional concerns, costs, and whether the bill should be expanded later to cover ordinary citizens harmed by AI-generated content. Several members expressed support but noted reservations about the election sections or the need for future amendments. After discussion, the committee voted on SB 4 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed the measure passing with favorable expression, with some members explaining votes as supportive but cautious, and one member initially passing before later recording a yes vote. The chair then moved to Senate Bill 130, and Senator Scott Maiden and Kentucky Retail Federation representative Shannon Stiglets began presenting it as a response to gift card scams and theft of redemption information, describing recent large-scale supermarket fraud cases in Kentucky and saying the problem is tied to broader organized retail crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• their bravery and service are remembered for<00:10:50.079><c> generations</c><00:10:50.720><c> to</c
• He did service time. So I just want you to know, like this, I had no idea about any of this.
• </c><00:57:57.839><c> Thank</c> provide that service. Thank you. Thank provide that service.
• , and technology transfer at the Aggregate Readiness Association Minnesota.
• Thank you for your time. technology actually in 2016 there was a technology actually in 2016 there was

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:58.120><c> up</c><00:30:58.240><c> to</c> yet to have the goods and services up to yet to
• </c><00:31:02.320><c> District</c><00:31:03.320><c> on</c><00:31:03.559><c> West</c> Special Service
• District on West Special Service District on West Broadway<00:31:04.240><c> Avenue</c><00:31:04.760><
• So the Special Service District was something that was appropriated by the state legislature, and it
• District was something that was Service District was something that was appropriated<00:35:28.240><c

Bills: HF339 , HF1272 , HF2121 , HF2122 , HF1216 , HF1003 , HF2319

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF339, Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, nursing homes, long-term care, elder care, workforce standards, certified worker organizations, labor funding, general fund appropriation, worker grants, Minnesota labor law, nursing home staffing, caregiver workforce, section 181.214, HF1272, nursing home, boarding care home, nursing home workers, labor standards, Medicaid-certified facility

Transcript Highlights:

• See if I can do this technology the right way.
• We sat next to each other in human services. He was on my left-hand side for four years.
• </c> the desire of the human services the desire of the human services committee<00:34:59.359><c> to<
• the</c><00:41:36.079><c> bill</c><00:41:36.800><c> to</c> services committee amends the bill to services
• Services? Are you ready for the Services? Are you ready for the question? question? question?

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That technology is not available currently. how um so I I like that what I what I how um so I I like
• So it's... the technology is available for a low-voltage charger to monitor.
• So that's what I was going to say is the technology for us to do without an extra meter.
• </c><00:24:35.279><c> for</c> was going to say is the technology for was going to say is the technology
• Go ahead. >> Greg Loper, Driver and Vehicle Services.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies. Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment. Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 353 would recast the existing Office of Internal Audit Services at the CPUC and create the Inspector
• This bill does not mandate a specific amount of forest treatment or the technologies used to process

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills, with the chair announcing AB 2200 would be taken on consent. AB 353, by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath, would convert the CPUC’s internal audit office into an Inspector General office to improve transparency and oversight; it drew support from some local and consumer groups and opposition from the California Water Association. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass from wildfire mitigation efforts, with broad support from forestry, labor, local government, and energy groups, and opposition from environmental organizations that argued biomass electricity is costly and polluting. Members asked about the bill’s transparency and ratepayer impacts, and the author said she would work with opponents. Assembly Member Rogers presented AB 1761, which would increase transparency around the PCIA “exit fee” charged to community choice aggregators and other load-serving entities. Supporters said the bill would help CCAs forecast rates and audit calculations, while Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric opposed it, citing market-sensitive data concerns and CPUC oversight. Rogers also presented AB 2369, aimed at improving transmission planning for energy-only projects in rural areas by allowing the CPUC to begin planning before a project is formally proposed; it drew support and no opposition at the hearing, with members noting the need to break the “chicken-and-egg” problem in transmission development. Assembly Member Pacheco presented AB 2124, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require the California Council on Science and Technology to evaluate the cost and efficacy of proposed legislative mandates affecting utility bills before committee votes. Utilities and labor supported the bill as a way to inform lawmakers about rate impacts, while members questioned the analysis process and timing. Assembly Member Schultz presented AB 1787, which would require investor-owned utilities to offer dynamic electricity rates to customers after smart meter upgrades, with supporters saying it could lower bills and improve grid use; utilities opposed parts of the bill over cybersecurity and cost-shift concerns, though some CCAs moved to neutral after amendments. Finally, Assembly Member Zbur presented AB 2383, a data center rate bill intended to ensure new large loads pay their fair share and do not shift costs to other ratepayers; supporters included labor and oversight groups, while opponents said the bill still lacked key protections on clean energy procurement, transmission costs, demand response, and treatment of existing data centers. The committee also heard AB 2493, by Assembly Member Cardenas Norris, which would impose deadlines, audits, remedial action, and return-on-equity consequences to speed grid interconnection work; clean energy and environmental groups supported it, while utilities opposed it as duplicative and costly, though they said they were willing to keep working on amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other change we made is that we changed all of the mobile food unit, food service establishment to
• this bill does, a lot of stakeholder input on this, basically aligns speed standards with existing technology

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other change we made is that we changed all of the mobile food unit, food service establishment to
• this bill does, a lot of stakeholder input on this, basically aligns speed standards with existing technology

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session with a quorum present and took up three bills. House Bill 3262 was moved do pass and approved by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 0 noes. House Bill 3157 was then considered with a House Committee substitute; the sponsor explained changes intended to clarify mobile food vendor licensing and inspections, including tying the definition of food to existing law, standardizing terminology, requiring one license per vehicle, extending the licensing timeline to 30 days, and preserving local/county inspection roles through collaborative agreements and state reimbursement. Members asked about inspection standards, local control, and concerns raised by counties and Kansas City, and the substitute was adopted before the bill was approved 15 ayes, 0 noes, with 2 present. The committee next took up House Bill 2886 with a House Committee substitute. The sponsor said the substitute aligned broadband speed standards with current technology, adjusted eligibility language for middle-mile and related federal programs, clarified treatment of second-place finishers in auctions, and removed a restriction on other forms of service. After brief questions and comments about stakeholder input, the substitute was adopted and the bill was voted do pass by 17 ayes and 0 noes. The committee then adjourned.