Video & Transcript : 'counties authority' :
Page 466 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent Legislative District 32, Bonneville County, and Idaho Falls.
- This bill does not change forfeiture authority or procedures, but instead it focuses on transparency
- And if you turn there, you can see we added on page 9, line 22, that reporting state, county, and local
- This bill does not change forfeiture authority or procedures, but instead it focuses on transparency
- Just to note that this does not limit forfeiture authority, and it does not change evidentiary standards
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Banking, Financial Services and Pensions REVISED: HB1182 - Removed Feb 17th, 2026
Banking, Financial Services and Pensions
Transcript Highlights:
- I had a slick agenda planned, and the first couple of bill authors aren't here, so we'll go on from there
- and what it means so we can avoid some confusion later, and hopefully committee members and bill authors
- And this is the retirement plan for EMTs and county sheriffs through OPERS.
- There's no cap for EMTs or county sheriff deputies.
- There's no cap for EMTs or county sheriff deputies.
Bills:
HB1784 , HB1245 , HB1268 , HB2116 , HB2193 , HB2206 , HB1739 , HB1889 , HB1904 , HB3172 , HB4225 , HB4352 , HB3625 , HB4263
Keywords:
education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, HB2116, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, OLERS
Summary:
The Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee heard a series of retirement, banking, and school finance bills after announcing that several measures would be laid over or sent back to Rules and that the committee would recess briefly because of quorum and scheduling conflicts. The chair also explained the committee’s OPLA/safe-harbor process for pension bills and noted that many of the measures would still need oversight and floor consideration.
Among the bills advanced were HB 1245, allowing certain DHS CLEET-commissioned agents to join the law enforcement retirement system; HB 4352, helping people refinance homes or businesses while protecting lenders; HB 4263, giving certain retired teachers who go to work for CareerTech a choice between TRS and OPERS; HB 1268, creating a five-year DROP option for EMTs and county sheriffs in OPERS; HB 1739, reinstating a half-pay provision in the law enforcement retirement system for OHP recruitment and retention; HB 2116, expanding OLERS eligibility to certain Office of State Fire Marshal officers; HB 2206, allowing newly hired school resource officers into OLERS; HB 3625, expanding school district investment options; HB 1889, providing a catch-up COLA for older police and fire retirees; and HB 1784, requiring TRS’s assumed rate of return not fall below its past 20-year annualized return. HB 3172, the “Fair Banking Act,” would restrict adverse actions by very large financial institutions based on lawful economic activity and require explanations on request; members asked whether it would affect Oklahoma banks and whether it mirrored a presidential executive order. HB 2193 proposed a COLA for state retirement systems with caps on eligible benefits and salaries, and members raised concerns about differing actuarial estimates and the need for more work before oversight.
Most bills were reported out by committee votes ranging from 8-0 to 4-3. The chair and members repeatedly noted that several measures, especially the pension bills, would need further work with actuaries and oversight committees. The meeting ended with a brief acknowledgment of committee staff and support personnel before adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So I got in my urban car, drove up to the great county, Montgomery County.
- And 20 months later, no better authority, Mr.
- President, no better authority in the nation than Mark Zuckerberg agreed because he just shut down his
- My grandmother's grandfather served in my seat over 120 years ago, out of Montgomery County, as is in
- Protecting Texas sovereignty and independent authority under the Constitution makes our state and our
Summary:
The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators by the Secretary of State. Senators-elect were then administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, formally seating the new members. Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, congratulating members and emphasizing priorities such as border security, education, energy, foster care, and school choice, while Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick highlighted the Senate’s bipartisan culture and the work ahead.
The chamber then held its organizational business, including the election of Senator Brandon Creighton as President Pro Tempore. Senator Parker nominated Creighton and Senator Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising his background, legislative record, and leadership. The Senate voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the dais and sworn in. In his remarks, Creighton reflected on his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including Texas sovereignty, economic opportunity, education, and conservative policy goals.
The only formal legislative action taken was adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the specified period. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus meeting earlier that morning.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 3, 2026 - 02:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It authorizes and regulates natural organic reduction, which is sometimes called human composting.
- Michael O'Brien with the Firefighters of Palm Beach County is a proponent of the amendment.
- Michael O'Brien with the Firefighters of Palm Beach County is a proponent of the amendment.
- Alessandro Marcosaney with Palm Beach County, waving in support.
- County have spoken supportively about as amended into the bill, is important to me.
Summary:
The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee met with a quorum present and heard four bills. HB 1231, relating to final disposition, funeral, and cemetery services, was presented as a consumer protection and workforce modernization measure. After questions about hospice/funeral provider exclusivity, direct disposal licensing, causes of action, and funeral director/embalmer licensure, the bill was amended by strike-all to remove some provisions and add authorization and regulation of natural organic reduction. Support came from funeral industry representatives, and the bill was reported favorably with the committee substitute.
HB 943 would require Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to create a commercial lines clearinghouse by January 1, 2027, to move certain commercial residential and other commercial risks into the private market while maintaining current eligibility rules. The sponsor and members discussed Citizens’ remaining commercial exposure, surplus lines participation, and carrier financial-strength guardrails. A strike-all amendment conforming to the Senate version and making technical corrections was adopted, and the bill passed favorably with the committee substitute after supportive debate from members.
HB 1221, a Department of Financial Services bill, was described as streamlining DFS processes, improving licensing, updating the My Safe Florida Home Program, strengthening public adjuster protections, and modernizing unclaimed property rules. Three amendments were adopted: notice before a My Safe Florida Home application is deemed abandoned, removal of a misdemeanor disclosure requirement for certain licensure applicants, and a provision allowing public officials to appoint or promote relatives to firefighter positions through a competitive process in a collective bargaining agreement. Testimony was generally supportive, including from firefighters and unclaimed-property claimants’ representatives, and the bill was reported favorably with a committee substitute.
HB 99, concerning reinsurance intermediary managers, would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance business from the intermediary manager statute and instead require an agency license. With no public testimony or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- intentional and reflects our commitment to serving the entire state. 95% of our students hail from 230 counties
- In 1947, the legislature authorized us to train veterans of World War II for jobs needed by industry
- Our students come from 148 of Texas's 254 counties, but 60% come from the 21 counties in our immediate
- increase in enrollment since the fall of 2022 and expanded credit and non-credit access to rural counties
- that meets the ever-growing vocational and workforce needs in and around the rural areas of Hardin County
Committee:
House Appropriations - S/C on Article III
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Rick Cheatham representing District 28, which is Power, Franklin, and part of Bannock County.
- and other authority over the travel insurance industry.
- For the record, my name is Jordan Redman, representing District 3 in Kootenai County.
- For the record, my name is Jordan Redman, representing District 3 in Kootenai County.
- My name is Jordan Redman, representing District 3 in Kootenai County.
Committee:
House Business
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 18, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And yes, you also..." "...that required rulemaking to be based on statute and statutory authority only
- Captain James Cunningham, Call Your County Sheriff's Office, waves in support.
- Captain James Cunningham, Call Your County Sheriff's Office, waves in support.
- Next up, we have HB 4023, officers and employees of North Springs Improvement District, Broward County
- This was brought to us by our county, and it's a case where they actually would have liked to pay, but
Summary:
The Government Operations Subcommittee met and took up a long agenda of policy bills, local bills, and open government sunset review measures. The committee first heard HB 433 on administrative procedures, as amended by a strike-all that would create a five-year repromulgation process for agency rules, require review of guidance documents, add cost-benefit analysis requirements, and tighten licensing reporting. Members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing JAPC review functions and raised concerns about costs and the scope of agency authority, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably 12-3.
The committee then approved HB 699, which increases penalties for certain traffic infractions when they result in a crash; CS/HB 404, a local bill updating the City of Tampa firefighters’ and police officers’ pension plan; HB 711, creating a statewide Spectrum Alert and law-enforcement training for missing children with autism; HB 4023, a local ethics-related charter change for the North Springs Improvement District; HB 583, requiring registration and disclosure for agents and organizations associated with foreign principals and foreign-supported political organizations; HB 251, recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida; and HB 749, extending medical benefits for firefighters who suffer catastrophic injuries during training. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony and were reported favorably by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The committee also considered several OGSR/open-records measures. PCB GOS-25-04 preserved exemptions for public safety communications system infrastructure records, PCB GOS-25-05 aligned cybersecurity-records sunset dates to October 2, 2026, and PCB GOS-25-06 narrowed exemptions for certain records held by the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers, making more information public. All three were reported favorably on 17-0 votes. The meeting adjourned after the final roll call.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Johns County, Putnam County, Flagler County, and parts of Volusia.
- So what we find is counties like Hillsborough County, Pasco County, counties typically in large urban
- So what we find is counties like Hillsborough County, Pascoe County, counties typically in large urban
- I’ve had it in Martin County and in St. Lucie County with breaches and ransomware in both counties.
- County.
Summary:
The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems.
The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information.
Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (03/05/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- They have no authority to tell him no because the statute gives him the authority.
- They have no authority to tell him no because the statute gives him the authority.
- They have no authority to tell him no because the statute gives him the authority.
- They have no authority to tell him no because the statute gives him the authority.
- They have no authority to tell him no because the statute gives him the authority.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs Mar 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent a district in central Orange County.
- I represent a district in central Orange County.
- County.
- , San Diego County border.
- I've been to every county in California— all 56 counties.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Native American Affairs met on Barona tribal land to examine rising homeowners insurance costs affecting tribal communities, with opening remarks from tribal leaders and Assembly members emphasizing tribal sovereignty, the history of forced settlement in high-risk areas, and the need for the state to recognize mitigation work already being done on tribal lands. The committee heard that wildfire, drought, and other climate-driven disasters have sharply increased insurance premiums and reduced coverage options, especially for tribes located in rural or mountainous areas that were not chosen by the tribes themselves.
Cal Fire Deputy Director Frank Bigelow described the state’s wildfire response and tribal engagement efforts, including tribal liaisons on incident management teams, a Southern Region Tribal Affairs Deputy Chief, cultural burning agreements, and more than $30 million in tribal wildfire resilience grants over the last three years. Members questioned why tribal communities receive only a small share of grants, whether Cal Fire should do more outreach and budget proposals for tribes, and whether mitigation work is being recognized by insurers. Bigelow said Cal Fire is working with insurers and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety on mitigation standards, but acknowledged that more tribal outreach and participation are needed.
Tribal chairpersons and fire chiefs testified that their communities are already investing heavily in fire protection through dedicated fire departments, fuel reduction, defensible space, prescribed burns, firebreaks, and home-hardening efforts, yet premiums remain high or coverage is denied. Barona leaders said premiums can range from $6,000 to $18,000 and urged insurers to assess properties individually rather than by broad high-risk zones. Soboba, Hamu, and Pechanga representatives described similar efforts and said grant rules, environmental review, and insurer practices can make it difficult to translate mitigation into lower rates. Several members suggested short-term state assistance or a tribal insurance mitigation fund, and the committee discussed the possibility of requiring insurers to better account for tribal mitigation and sovereignty in risk assessments.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- You are the author of salvation and of liberty.
- And this bill makes that explicit, that they have that authority, but that authority is limited only
- And this bill makes that explicit, that they have that authority, but that authority is limited only
- This bill makes that explicit, that they have that authority, but that authority is limited only to the
- And if you want to come up and live in my county where it is being flooded across my county, see, it's
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading.
The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory.
Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's virtually the same as our FY 2025 adjusted authorized.
- It's virtually the same as our FY 2025 adjusted authorized.
- It's virtually the same as our FY 2025 adjusted authorized.
- </c><00:17:01.240><c> for</c> uh FTA is Federal Transit Authority for uh FTA is Federal Transit Authority
- </c> records and certificates as authorized records and certificates as authorized under<05:00:36.958
Summary:
The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process.
A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities.
Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- No, this was brought to me by one of our county commissioners in Kootenai County, and it regards impact
- fees for those new buildings that the county had authorized.
- Chairman, Representative Birch, we're specifically targeting courthouses and county facilities, county
- Was the logic behind using county courthouses and prisons or jails because it benefits the entire county
- that imposes a development impact fee for a county courthouse or a county jail shall require any cities
Committee:
House Local Government
Summary:
The committee met on February 10 at 1:30 with a substitute chair presiding. Three RS proposals were heard and all were introduced by unanimous voice vote. The first, RS 33264 C1 on public records complaints and denials, was re-released as a C1 after feedback from the Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Cities, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and counties; the sponsor said the revisions were intended to make the proposal clearer and more workable.
The second item, RS 33155 on development impact fees, would require cities within a county to collect county-imposed impact fees for county courthouses and county jails, rather than allowing cities to opt out. The sponsor said the change was prompted by a Kootenai County issue and was intended to spread the cost evenly across the county. Members asked whether the bill would be retroactive, whether cities and counties had been consulted, and whether the measure related to a broader local dispute; the sponsor said it was not retroactive and was aimed specifically at county courthouses and jails.
The third proposal, RS 33280 on public meetings and recordings, would prohibit attendees at open meetings from being barred from video recording, audio recording, or photographing the meeting so long as they do not disrupt proceedings. The sponsor said the bill was modeled in part on a Montana measure and was meant to prevent people from being removed simply for recording a public meeting. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again on Thursday at 1:30.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 12th, 2026 at 06:05 pm
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- So if it's a Class C, it's, you know, if the horse is given medication authorized by a veterinarian and
- the If the horse is given a medication authorized by a veterinarian, and the residue is still there,
- So if it's a Class C, it's, you know, if the horse is given medication authorized by a veterinarian and
- the If the horses give a medication authorized by a veterinarian, and the residue is still there, yes
- There's an equally big facility announced in Lee County.
Committee:
Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Keywords:
horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Third, the bill authorizes the Attorney General to enter into or revise memoranda of understanding with
- the Department of Health, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, and the Health Care Authority to
- We understand the purpose of this review authority is to identify any competitive mergers that could
- Our main printers, like those found in the King County Library Makerspaces, are made by Prusa Research
- Our main printers, like those found in the King County Library Makerspaces, are made by Prusa Research
Committee:
House Civil Rights & Judiciary
Keywords:
litigation finance, legal funding, lawsuit, financial services, access to justice, firearm regulation, manufacturing, safety standards, background checks, license requirements, health care market standards, hospital consolidation, merger review, health care transaction notice, attorney general review, antitrust, provider organizations, hospital systems, contracting affiliation, material change
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- collector, I talked with my county assessor to see what impact that would have on my county.
- of counties.
- of counties.
- Once they did that, so did the neighboring county, Clay County.
- Once they did that, so did the neighboring county, Clay County.
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- for the record is Kelly Anthon, representing District 27, which is Kootenai, Minidoka, and Oneida counties
- This creates a dual-authority paradox that we just don't think would be good for the fish and game.
- We believe in the authority of the commission. We have seen the commission work well.
- The dual-authority thing: we've got several agencies that I can think of off the top of my head that
- For the record, my name is Treg Burnt, Senator District 21 in Rudy in Idaho, 80 County.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The committee began with a silent roll, confirmed a quorum, and recognized page Drew Brown, who spoke briefly about his interest in law enforcement and asked Senator Den Hartog about the hardest part of being a senator. The committee then considered the gubernatorial appointment of Callie Younger as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Younger described her background in public lands and natural resources, the office’s work on rural energy grants, nuclear policy, and permitting reform, and answered questions about a proposed merger with the Office of Species Conservation; the committee said it would likely vote on her appointment at a later meeting.
The committee introduced two RS measures from Senator Anthon. RS 33435 would reinforce civics and patriotism in public education, including codifying existing American history and government credit requirements and adding complementary instruction tied to the nation’s founding, in connection with America 250; it was introduced by voice vote. RS 33460 would make a narrow change for smaller irrigation districts of 15,000 acres or less to help fill board vacancies where farm consolidation has left fewer resident landowners eligible; it was also introduced by voice vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1300, which would require Senate advice and consent and gubernatorial appointment for the directors of Fish and Game, Transportation, and Parks and Recreation. The sponsor argued the change would improve accountability and align those agencies with others, while opponents from the Idaho Wildlife Federation, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Trout Unlimited, Friends of Idaho State Parks, and others said it would politicize wildlife and parks management, conflict with the 1938 Fish and Game initiative, and potentially jeopardize the Harriman State Park agreement. After debate, the committee voted to send SB 1300 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1301, which would allow licensed breweries under the small-brewer threshold to operate two remote retail taproom locations instead of one. The sponsor and brewery owners testified that the current limit restricts growth, jobs, and community investment, while the bill would support measured expansion without changing tax or regulatory oversight. The committee voted to send SB 1301 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jan 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The National Institute of Building Sciences, under congressional authority, is working on developing
- First, some background: before developing land, a developer must obtain permits from the county or city
- This official would have the authority to make all the final administrative decisions on the approval
- name is Alex Hur, testifying on behalf of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
- Jesse Simpson, testifying on behalf of the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle County, in support
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on several housing, building code, and permitting bills. HB 2228 would direct the State Building Code Council to convene a technical advisory group to recommend code amendments allowing scissor stairs in buildings with more than two dwelling units. Supporters, including architects, builders, and housing advocates, said scissor stairs could improve safety, reduce corridor and stair footprint, lower costs, and allow more efficient and denser housing layouts. The bill was then closed to public hearing.
HB 2381 would create a performance-based code pathway for low-rise residential buildings and allow recognition of third-party certifications. The chair described it as a move from prescriptive to performance-based standards, with flexibility for builders and potential alignment with clean building goals. The Building Industry Association of Washington opposed the bill as written, saying the main need is a performance pathway in the energy code rather than the IBC, while FutureWise supported the concept but urged caution about the complexity and timeline of converting code to performance-based standards. The public hearing on HB 2381 was closed after testimony.
HB 2418 would change permit review processes, including vesting rules for residential project permits in urban growth areas, pausing review clocks in certain circumstances, extending timelines to other fee-charging reviewing entities, and requiring a single permit responsible official and point of contact by 2027. Builders, developers, and housing advocates generally supported the bill’s coordination and timeline provisions, saying they would reduce delays and costs, though several groups raised concerns about the vesting section and completeness definitions. FutureWise and county representatives warned the vesting changes could create litigation or records issues, while the sponsor said the vesting portion might be reconsidered. The committee also heard HB 2273, which would require embodied carbon reduction standards for larger building projects through reuse, product-based reductions, or whole-building life-cycle assessment. Support came from architects, Commerce, and environmental justice advocates, who said the bill would reduce climate impacts and encourage innovation; opponents from the concrete and aggregate industry and a taxpayer group raised concerns about costs, supply-chain issues, conflicts with other legislation, and exemptions such as for schools. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the public hearings.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine turning back time, focusing on locking the clock. Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress has the authority to end this outdated and harmful practice.
- For example, there were programs that we authorized in the bipartisan infrastructure law that focused
- And so there is no single authority of the ones that you mentioned that has complete authority over every
- Until 2006 our state was chronologically divided you might say with some counties observing daylight
- We have 12 counties in the western part of the state that are in the central time zone so Evansville
Keywords:
daylight saving time, Sunshine Protection Act, health impacts, clock change, legislative discussion
Summary:
The committee meeting was dedicated to discussing significant legislative topics, focusing particularly on the implications of daylight saving time (DST). Senator Scott advocated for the Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep daylight saving time year-round. He emphasized the negative health impacts associated with DST, including increased risks of heart attacks and accidents immediately following the time changes. Various witnesses provided personal testimonies and expert opinions, highlighting the confusion and health disruptions caused by the current time change practices.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits Jul 15th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The audit was conducted solely and independently by the State Auditor's Office under the authority of
- We analyzed Medicaid data comparing the records for these authorized hours with billed hours.
- We analyzed Medicaid data comparing the records for these authorized hours with billed hours.
- This map shows in light green counties where Medicaid clients have larger gaps between authorized and
- of their authorized hours.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states.
The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification.
Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.