Transcript Highlights:

• performance audit was conducted solely and independently by the State Auditor's Office under the authority
• , and then the counties disperse it to the schools.
• And the bottom line is that they're only entitled to spend whatever you all authorize.
• But I think the average citizen out there, when they understand that the state auditor has authority
• The county then gives it to the school district. Yes, you're correct.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the accuracy and reliability of OSPI’s school apportionment system. Auditors said the system, which calculates and distributes K-12 funding using multiple feeder systems and a core apportionment engine, is outdated, unstable, inefficient, and at high risk of failure. They reported weak controls over data input, documentation, oversight, and staffing, and said OSPI relies heavily on manual workarounds, a few knowledgeable staff, and vendor support. In limited testing of three districts, the auditors found the system calculated funding correctly for the 2023-24 school year, but they identified nine small input discrepancies tied to differences between budget materials and state law, which they said could compound into larger dollar amounts. The auditors recommended replacing or modernizing the system and noted that delays in doing so prolong risk. OSPI largely agreed that the current platform needs replacement and said it has been working toward a new system for years. Agency officials clarified that the Legislature requested a feasibility study in 2022, that the study found the system at risk of catastrophic failure, and that funding for a replacement is now in the state IT pool subject to OCIO/OFM gate reviews. OSPI disputed the audit’s characterization of the rounding and budget-law discrepancies, saying the issue was an agency rule and implementation choice, not an error that caused under- or over-allocation. Officials also said the current system is too old to easily absorb future formula changes, but that the planned replacement should be flexible enough to handle a new funding model if the Legislature adopts one. Committee members asked about the amount and timing of the $16 million project funding, whether smaller districts face greater risk, how many times data is entered, and whether the funding formula should be simplified. Auditors and OSPI both emphasized that formula simplification is a policy question for the Legislature, not the audit. Public testimony came from one online witness, who urged full implementation of the audit recommendations and modernization of the system. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Jordan Redman, representing District 3 and Cootney County.
• For the record, my name is Jordan Redman, representing District 3 in Cootney County.
• State legislatures have the primary authority in shaping school curriculum and educational standards,
• He also said he served eight years as a county chairman for the Republican Party in Custer County and
• What this bill does, it recognizes and assumes the authority of Plyler.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee heard RS 33261, the School-Sponsored Bible Reading Act, which would require public school teachers to read sequential Bible passages daily without comment or instruction, with accommodations for objections and injunctive relief as the enforcement mechanism. The sponsor and a representative from Idaho Family Policy Center argued the bill fits Idaho’s history and the U.S. Supreme Court’s current “history and tradition” approach, while opponents said it was unconstitutional, not voluntary, and inconsistent with separation of church and state. A substitute motion to return the RS to the sponsor failed on a tie vote, and the motion to introduce the RS also failed on a tie vote. The committee then considered RS 33332 C1, which would treat student walkouts or absences for protest as unexcused and require reporting to state officials. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at students leaving class to protest during school hours, while members raised concerns about impacts on student civic engagement, parent-excused absences, and politically active youth groups. The RS was introduced by voice vote. Next, the committee heard a revised RS 33523-2-3 on collecting aggregate data about students’ immigration status in public schools to estimate the cost of educating non-citizen students. The sponsor said the bill would not deny enrollment, would use only aggregate data, and was intended to help the legislature understand costs; members questioned administrative burden, possible discrimination, and the fiscal note. The motion to introduce the RS failed on a tie vote. Finally, the committee advanced Senate Bill 1244, a code-cleanup measure removing obsolete regional library system provisions, to the floor with a due pass recommendation. It also heard Senate Bill 1227 on artificial intelligence in K-12 education, which would create a state framework for AI use, local district policies, training, transparency, and privacy protections; testimony was generally supportive but urged caution, especially for younger students. The committee voted to send SB 1227 to general orders for amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the New Mexico Finance Authority, that's been approved.
• Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque Chamber, City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Public Schools, County
• I have Ashley Leach and I have Justin Horowitz, Bonding Authority, but we're ready for questions.
• I serve as The Bernalillo County Commissioner for District 3, where the State Fairgrounds are located
• You heard the City Council, you heard the County Commissioner.

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• We take on the role of authoring and permitting the hydrogen fuel supply chain to service the vessel.
• time to sit and give you an update on our progress with the development of a new P3 program you authorized
• First is authorizing a digital driver's license, which is something I've heard from many, many people
• First is authorizing a digital driver's license, which is something I've heard from many, many people
• I am a transit operator for King County.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are overseeing, as I said, Health Care Authority.
• is in the upper Hondo, mostly in Lincoln County.
• In Rio Arriba County, it's over $20 million. Thank you for all those answers. I appreciate it.
• In this context, the council would not have the authority to enact anything by design.
• Like, why are we constantly giving that authority to ECECD too?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it. House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions. Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Abbott: PCS for HB 849 authorizes the Department to adopt rules to implement the Florida
• It gives the Medical Examiner Commission the authority to appoint Representative Abbott: the district
• This bill simply authorizes the Attorney General to initiate legal proceedings...
• With respect to the Attorney General's authority, professional boards already exist for a reason.
• We are clergy and lay leaders from diverse faith communities in Collier and Lee County. Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• counties.
• of Grant County, and the sliver of Douglas and Adams County.
• The department manages land in every county and every legislative district in the state.
• And again, House Bill 2170 seeks to clarify our authority in this space.
• I'm the farmland preservation program manager for King County.

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes a qualified candidate or political party with qualified candidates in the same race
• Senate Bill 624 authorizes batterers' intervention programs to offer supplemental faith-based activities
• A notice identifying the property as a former phosphate mine has been recorded in the county where the
• Electric cooperatives serve approximately 2.7 million Floridians in 57 counties and must balance growing
• So if I authorize payment for deficient work to a subcontractor, and I know that work is deficient, but

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements and allow challenges by qualified candidates or political parties. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; the sponsor and local law enforcement supporters emphasized the Raynor case, while criminal defense lawyers objected to deleting existing force-limit language and to the mandatory life penalty. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills extending or preserving public records exemptions, including CS/SB 7014 on social media platform investigations, SB 7016 on small business loan program records, CS/SB 7012 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigations, CS/SB 7000 on emergency shelter recipient information, CS/SB 7002 on Department of Military Affairs records, SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit reinvestigation materials, SB 7006 on Florida Public Service Commission records and meetings, and SB 7008 on Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. Other measures reported favorably included SB 624 allowing optional faith-based activities in batterers’ intervention programs, HB 167 protecting former phosphate mining lands from certain strict-liability claims, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units and housing supply, SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure, SB 292 creating a records exemption for appellate court clerks and families, CS/SB 296 expanding domestic violence safety tools and address confidentiality protections, CS/SB 298 as the public-records companion, SB 386 on farm equipment lemon-law style protections, and SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local governments, advocacy groups, industry groups, and affected families, with some opposition on SB 156 and SB 290. For CS/SB 48, the committee adopted two amendments before reporting the bill favorably. SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was temporarily postponed after the chair allowed public testimony but no final action was taken. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 37, an act relating to retirement benefits for state and county employees and hazardous positions
• House Bill 176, an act relating to prior authorization. Representative Chester-Burton.
• House Bill 176, an act relating to prior authorization. Representative Moser.
• </c><00:44:10.000><c> Representative</c> Pensions Authority. Representative Pensions Authority.
• House Joint Resolution 11, a joint resolution designating the Kenny Brown Memorial Highway in Boone County

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 01:02 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:51 Stand at Ease 11:46 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 26:33 Adjournment 46:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Tuscaloosa County delegation meeting for today.
• to authorize the full-time mayors of the municipalities in the county to participate in the employee
• Second. >> Good. of of the municipalities in the county of of the municipalities in the county participate
• Pass county regardless. So you got to win a vote in Tuscaloosa County regardless, right? Yeah.
• Pass county regardless. So you got to win a vote in Tuscaloosa County regardless, right? Yeah.

Committee: House Tuscaloosa County Legislation

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I'll co-author the bill. I'll co-author the bill. Thank<00:21:41.920><c> you.
• ,</c><00:23:52.080><c> the</c><00:23:52.200><c> inflation</c> the authorization, the inflation the authorization
• Louis County School District or the Hibbing School District loses money.
• Louis County School District but the St.
• Thank you to Senator Rarick for authoring this important legislation.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The homeless population and what the county judges and county sheriffs were facing.
• We cover six counties in the most western part of the state. Thank you.
• Said another way, the state, county, and local governments here in Arkansas have no authority over these
• So I'm not saying this to, but just in terms of scope, Los Angeles County, one of the largest counties
• The Maricopa County, where Phoenix is, is administered by the Maricopa County Association of Governments

Summary: The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with a focus on unsheltered homelessness, untreated mental illness and substance use, public safety, and the role of local law enforcement and shelters. Presenters from law enforcement, homeless service providers, mental health, and policy groups discussed federal Continuum of Care funding, the need for better data and accountability, and proposals such as statewide camping enforcement, stronger treatment access, and consolidating or reworking the continuum-of-care structure. Much of the discussion centered on the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, with witnesses describing it as a way to expand crisis services, treatment, and coordination with housing and justice systems. They also discussed homelessness among sex offenders, family homelessness, workforce supports, and how to scale successful local programs statewide. No formal action was taken on the homelessness proposals during the discussion. The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. The energy rule updated solid waste post-closure cleanup thresholds from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025. Nursing-related rules added fees for the new dialysis patient care technician registration created by Act 198 of 2025, updated contact-information requirements, implemented APRN authority under Act 862 of 2025, clarified durable medical equipment language under Act 431 of 2025, and incorporated delegation changes from Act 959 of 2025. Additional nursing rules updated certified medication assistant training and duties under Act 265 of 2025, and corrected rules for full independent practice to include clinical nurse specialists under Act 872 of 2023. Each rule was reviewed without objection. At the close of the meeting, members received an update that UAMS had completed its NCII designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, which was described as a major milestone. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The homeless population and what the county judges and county sheriffs were facing.
• We cover six counties in the most western part of the state. Thank you.
• Said another way, the state, county, and local governments here in Arkansas have no authority over these
• Angeles County.
• The Maricopa County, where Phoenix is, is... ...administered by Maricopa County Association of Governments

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment A5 and Amendment K, sponsored by Senator Fortunato, authorize the state to pay for an accused
• it a Class C felony for a state or local election officer to knowingly disclose from the state or county
• Additionally, the governor does still, through this bill, retain full appointment authority.
• I obviously can only speak for you in your role like Pierce County, but...
• know, gender and race of the workforce of Pierce County.

Bills: SB5973 , SB5892 , SB6081 , SB5842 , SB5827 , SB5968 , SB6034 , SB6035 , SB5888 , SB6123 , SB5853

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: initiative, referendum, ballot measure, petition, signature gathering, circulator, per-signature pay, paid circulator, election integrity, voter fraud, ballot title, Secretary of State, Code Reviser, direct democracy, citizen lawsuit, civil penalties, Washington elections, initiative process, referendum process, grassroots petition

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the sheriff of Anoka County.
• County County jails<00:04:12.000><c> the</c><00:04:12.200><c> introduction</c><00:04:12.720><c> of</
• The A2 really does bring House File 294, authored by Representative R.
• The A2 really does bring House File 294, authored by Representative R.
• The A2 really does bring House File 294, authored by Representative R.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 327, which would increase penalties for introducing contraband into correctional facilities, especially drugs and other dangerous items sent through the mail or brought in by outside actors. Representative Ingan described the bill as a response to a sharp rise in violations and staff exposures in DOC facilities, arguing that stronger felony penalties are needed to deter people from sending in illicit substances. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee omnibus because it has a fiscal note. The committee adopted the DE1 author’s amendment after Representative Ingan explained it was intended to clarify language that could otherwise create a catch-22 for people arrested or booked into jail who already have contraband on them. Members then raised concerns about the breadth of the bill, including overlap with an existing DOC statute and the possibility that the language could sweep in incarcerated people in situations involving prescription medication or minor exchanges. House nonpartisan staff and members suggested the DOC provisions should be reconciled with existing law before moving forward, and some suggested narrowing the bill to focus more specifically on jails. Sheriff Brad Wise of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying contraband in jails threatens staff, inmates, visitors, and administrators and that current penalties are not enough to deter smuggling. Commissioner Paul Schell of Corrections also testified, noting that DOC already has a separate statute with a higher felony penalty for certain contraband, described the department’s mail-scanning contractor process, and said it has reduced suspected drug incidents by about two-thirds. An A2 amendment tied to medication intake practices was offered by Representative Curran but then withdrawn after discussion, with members agreeing the issue of medication access in facilities should be handled separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who would have appropriate authority?
• And what authority would they authority? And what authority would they need?
• ><c> frequently</c> County nursing homes quite frequently County nursing homes quite frequently have<
• </c> View in uh Carroll County? View in uh Carroll County?
• </c> and prior authorization process as well. and prior authorization process as well.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I read a quote this morning without an author.
• an act relating to midwifery, amending Section 54-5504, Idaho Code, to revise certain rulemaking authority
• Representative [unidentified] welcomed local county officials visiting the House today and thanked them
• Representative [unidentified] introduced his nephew, a Boise County Commissioner, in the gallery.
• Representative [unidentified] introduced his nephew, a Boise County Commissioner, in the gallery.

Keywords: 989, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:21.240><c> and</c><01:00:21.760><c> city</c> uh County and city uh County and city taxes<01
• </c> county that uh the state sees counties county that uh the state sees counties as<01:36:33.960><c
• </c><01:39:18.080><c> in</c> cares very much uh about counties in cares very much uh about counties in
• <01:39:56.159><c> had</c> counties had counties had been<01:39:58.000><c> dished</c><01:39:58.440><c>
• </c><01:42:54.800><c> uh</c><01:42:54.920><c> by</c> up the counties uh by up the counties uh by five

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes the Office of Court Administration to conduct a study about digital reporting and
• Senator Johnson moves the bill be recommended for local and uncontested counties. Objection?
• Senator Middleton moves the bill be recommended for the local and uncontested counties.
• Dean of the Senate regarding the appointment and compensation of bailiffs in certain courts in Webb County
• The chair lays out House Bill 3395 by Representative Van Deaver relating to the authorization of a beneficiary

Bills: HB1193 , HB2495 , HB2733 , HB3104 , HB3395 , HB4325 , SB3009

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education