Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Idaho State Senator Kevin Cook, from Legislative District 32, and I'm here to discuss Senate Bill
• Chairman, is walk through this legislation and show you where that's at.
• First of all, this legislation that you have before you would be the same legislation that if Wyoming
• Can it supersede legislative authority? How narrow is that? Senator Cook? Mr.
• So this dietitian compact, which this legislation says we would like to join, if we join that, it will

Summary: Senate Commerce began with introductions of a new page, Hayden Carter, and recognition of outgoing pages Amanda Olson and Cooper, who each reflected on their service and future goals. Committee members praised the pages’ professionalism and noted the behind-the-scenes work of the Legislature. The committee then moved to legislation, starting with Senate Bill 1284, the Dietitian Compact, presented by Senator Cook as a licensure portability measure for dietitians while preserving Idaho’s authority over licensing standards. Testimony on SB 1284 came from several dietitians and advocates who supported the compact, saying it would improve access to nutrition care, reduce delays, help rural and border-area patients, and ease burdens on practitioners who work across state lines. Senators raised concerns about sovereignty, rulemaking, fees, fingerprinting/data sharing, and how compact rules would interact with Idaho law. After debate, a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed on a 4-5 roll call, and the bill was held in committee. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1285, which would clarify that homeschool diplomas satisfy education requirements for occupational licensure; after discussion, Senator Taves agreed to amendments to broaden the language to “non-public” schools, make the bill effective immediately, and consider lowering an age reference from 21 to 18. Supportive testimony came from Idaho Family Policy Center and Homeschool Idaho, who said homeschool graduates have faced unnecessary licensing barriers. The committee voted to send SB 1285 to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 512 followed, reinstating an open-book Idaho law exam for professional land surveyors; surveyors testified that the exam helps protect property owners and reduce boundary disputes, and the committee approved a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting ended with a gubernatorial reappointment hearing for Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, where members offered supportive comments and no vote was taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I go to the National Coalition of Insurance Legislators, and I've been going there for, I guess, it's
• We have committee meetings in between to get that model legislation.
• And I hope to continue to commit part of my legislative career to working on this topic.
• I can't speak to other pieces of legislation.
• That's not the kind of legislator I tend to be, but I also… Not the kind of legislator I tend to be.

Bills: HB3048 , HB3259 , HB3646 , HB3696 , HB3780 , HB3781 , HB3802 , HB3818 , HB4294 , HB4488 , HB2929

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Transcript Highlights:

• into the issue he started with a broad approach before narrowing it down after looking at other legislation
• that the with some of the legislation that the with the<00:01:48.960><c> chamber</c><00:01:49.600><c
• So that's a good piece of legislation that will be coming. Any questions?
• </c><00:18:25.440><c> Uh</c><00:18:25.840><c> any</c> legislation that will be coming.
• Uh any legislation that will be coming. Uh any questions?

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many Idaho legislative districts, based on our research, are going to see a 10% to 15% increase in residents
• They don't have to be major legislative changes.
• We are also working with the legislature on two pieces of proposed legislation... ...also working with
• the legislature on two pieces of proposed legislation.
• That is one piece that we are proposing for inclusion in the legislation.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Heffner and I are the co-chairs by default, as the legislation was written.
• One of our big things when we started running this legislation was that the federal government was going
• In that report, there was a map that shows states that have enacted legislation regarding eliminating
• So, if it's light blue, there's no legislation enacted currently in place to eliminate the use of the
• That's not the intent of any of the laws or legislation that states are passing to transition away from

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a legislator to specify the purposes of non-custodial monies appropriations and requires
• It requires a legislator to specify the purposes of non-custodial monies appropriations and requires
• The bill also does include legislative findings. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.
• The bill also does include legislative findings. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.
• The bill also does include legislative findings. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation also contains other provisions to better deter and enforce property fraud.
• I recently sent my legislative information, and that's going to share that in your Apple report.
• Generally, we are very supportive of this legislation when it comes to recording issues regarding the
• Generally, we are very supportive of this legislation when it comes to recording issues regarding the
• This is common-sense legislation in terms of House Bill 2103. There's a lot of scams. I'm from St.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Wildlife Conservation Commission on the implementation of recently passed legislation relating to
• that was signed into law during the 2025 legislative session.
• We feel that this number will increase substantially with the new legislation that has been implemented
• What happened is the legislation went through before the Commission meeting that we were going to bring
• it to, so we froze it and paused it because the new legislation, if passed, would have completely changed

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee's substitute for HB 796 would establish... ...a permanent joint legislative committee on
• Officers in difficulty may get legislators in difficulty.
• I've carried legislation in this direction before too, and I appreciate what you're doing here.
• Mitch Fuller, Legislative Director for the VFW Department of Texas, and I obviously enthusiastically
• Today, I speak not only as a legislator but as a father.

Bills: HB186 , HB201 , HB229 , HB796 , HB1506 , HB2702 , HB2885 , HB3225 , HB3909 , HB4285 , HB5138

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• This is made possible due to efforts from legislative action that happened in the last budget cycle,
• And I know there's various pieces of legislation that we might be talking about later that will partially
• And then finally, we believe that it would take additional time for us to complete the legislative report
• So rather than July for us to complete the legislative report that is requested.
• Angela Short, Legislative Analyst's Office.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an overview of efforts to streamline access to safety net programs and move toward more automatic, person-centered enrollment. CDSS, DHCS, and CalHHS described current cross-enrollment between Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs, including data showing high overlap among programs and a text-message outreach pilot that increased CalWORKs applications and enrollments but reached only a small share of potentially eligible people. Witnesses emphasized barriers such as differing federal eligibility rules, data-sharing limits, privacy concerns, and the need for better technology, consent management, and stakeholder engagement. Members pressed the administration on how to institutionalize these efforts across administrations and asked for concrete budgetary and regulatory steps to support “no wrong door” enrollment and automatic referrals. The committee also reviewed several chair priorities. On the proposed foster care multi-agency office, CDSS said existing coordination structures already address much of the intended work and asked to verify prior fiscal scoring. On the Employment First Office, CalHHS explained that the office’s $1 million budget was eliminated in the 2024-25 budget as part of deficit reductions, while noting that employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remains an administration priority through existing departmental coordination. For the food insecurity proposal, CDSS said it could provide technical assistance but would need new data-sharing agreements, could not separately calculate a CFAP participation rate with current data, and would likely need until July 1, 2027, plus ongoing staffing, to complete the requested report. The mandated reporter proposal drew support for reform, with CDSS estimating low-millions in one-time training costs and ongoing costs in the hundreds of thousands. The subcommittee also discussed a guaranteed income proposal. CalHHS suggested drafting new statutory language and considering a county-administered model rather than a state-run competitive grant process to reduce administrative burden, while members and public commenters urged support for AB 661 and a study of a permanent statewide guaranteed income program. Public testimony also supported automatic enrollment, community-supporting mandated reporting reforms, and cash assistance for fire recovery. In the final items, CSD described how local nonprofit partners helped during the Los Angeles fires with food, housing vouchers, transportation, and emergency energy assistance, and explained that LIHEAP and CSBG remain important but limited tools for disaster response. CSD also said recent federal staffing cuts and possible future federal budget threats could affect LIHEAP and CSBG administration, though no immediate service disruptions had occurred and additional LIHEAP funds were expected to be released soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESSES A PERSISTENT PROBLEM IN THE STATE'S MANAGED CARE SYSTEM LIMITING ACCESS TO
• FIRST THE LEGISLATION WILL MAINTAIN A STANDARD OF CARE IN FLORIDA AND ESTABLISH ACCESS FOR ENROLLEES
• THIS IS A CRUCIAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND UPHOLDS PERSONAL FREEDOM AND PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF EVERY
• ARE THERE ANY LEGISLATIVE IN THIS BILL?
• HE HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY ON IT HAS BEEN HIS ENTIRE TIME IN THE LEGISLATION NOW.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The consequence of that, as was discussed in the last legislative session, was that attorneys' fees have
• exercising their constitutional rights, raising serious constitutional questions throughout the legislative
• And, again, a legal obligation that's the consequence of an avoidable mistake by the legislative branch
• It was, in fact, foreseen by many of the legislators. I know I was here.
• The legislative majorities that passed, again, what was House File 3, it was a priority of the legislative

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Rachel Ehlers with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• And now I would say for you all, we legislate, which creates cost pressures on you all.
• Are those proposed at all in terms of actual legislation to roll back anything like that?
• Because that's a key piece of legislation that, if it was delayed, it would help with costs.
• Frank Jimenez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Journal of the House 94 session 2025, 13th Legislative Day, St.
• Journal of the House, 94th Session 2025, 13th Legislative Day, St.
• This is how legislation should be this.
• And I want to thank Representative Van Binsbergen for bringing this legislation.
• This is model legislation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the first hearing of the Senate Committee on Border Security for the 89th legislative session
• He's my legislative director. He's also an attorney, which I need; we all need from time to time.
• These are the standard rules that each standing committee is using during this legislative session, as
• I've been developing legislation.
• I've been developing legislation. Uh, we haven't filed the bill yet because we're Yeah, thank you.

Committee: Senate Border Security

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security held its first hearing of the 89th legislative session, established a quorum, welcomed new and returning members, and adopted the committee rules without objection. The chair said the hearing would be limited to invited state agency witnesses and was intended as a status update for new members on current border operations, especially in light of the change in federal administration. Testimony came from the Office of the Attorney General, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Military Department. The Attorney General’s representative said border-related litigation is largely in a holding pattern while the new U.S. Department of Justice awaits additional leadership, and noted prior cases involving concertina wire, buoys, and the CBP One app. DPS described Operation Lone Star’s evolution from filling gaps when Border Patrol was overwhelmed to current operations focused on interdiction, criminal arrests, fentanyl and meth seizures, and national security concerns, while also noting improved morale and more voluntary deployments as border pressure has eased. The Texas Military Department reported more than 5,000 personnel on state active duty, extensive use of barriers, drones, boats, and rapid-response forces, and said Operation Lone Star has resulted in more than 531,000 apprehensions and a 90% reduction in illegal crossings. Members and witnesses discussed whether the state should maintain its current border-security footprint while federal policy settles, with the chair emphasizing preserving institutional knowledge and leaving tactical decisions to the governor. Questions also covered trooper fatigue, Border Patrol training under SB 602, and concerns about cartel-driven commercial trucking and fuel depots near the border. The committee heard that Border Patrol training with DPS has resumed, and the chair asked agencies to keep the Legislature informed as legal and operational circumstances change. No bills were heard and no votes were taken beyond adopting the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know how you legislate leadership, but I definitely would welcome the effort.
• I fear at this moment jumping into a legislative packet without really taking a moment to think about
• I don't know if those are things that necessarily need to be legislated.
• So I, the form of that, I would have to defer to kind of our legislative staff on exactly that.
• BES needs their own legislative staff, government relations person.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On that, I mean, just so that I'm kind of tracking too, this is a legislative proposal.
• That would be for the legislators. Did you look at changing their budget to say, we want to...
• That would be for the legislators.
• If I'm the legislator, I would rewrite your appropriation bill.
• We have the ability to do that as legislators.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our second meeting of the Special Legislative Commission to study the future of payments and
• Legislation regulating the markups that plastic card processors can charge our small businesses would
• Legislation regulating the markups that plastic card processors can charge our small businesses would
• Any proposed interchange legislation would undermine these popular programs, harming the Massachusetts
• “Passing legislation would save Massachusetts restaurants between $52.5 million and $87.5 million just

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to continue studying credit card payments, interchange fees, fraud, chargebacks, and the impact of card processing costs on small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurant owners, payment-industry representatives, and an airline trade group. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a major and rising expense, that businesses are paying fees on sales tax and tips that are merely pass-through amounts, and that merchants have little negotiating power. Several restaurant and retail witnesses described thin margins, higher costs for card-not-present transactions, and chargebacks that they said usually favor cardholders and leave merchants absorbing losses and fees. Witnesses from the Cooperative Credit Union Association cautioned that state-level interchange regulation could reduce revenue used for fraud prevention, compliance, and member services, and could lead to higher rates or reduced access. Retail and restaurant representatives countered that fees have risen sharply, that statements are difficult to decipher, and that rewards programs and card-network pricing are subsidized by merchants and ultimately by all consumers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and independent operators urged legislation to bar fees on tax and tip portions of transactions and to allow businesses to pass along card fees if they choose, saying this would improve transparency and fairness and help keep small restaurants open. Other testimony came from the National Restaurant Association, which supported interchange reform and said modern point-of-sale systems can already separate tax and tip amounts, and from a payments-industry group that emphasized the broader economic benefits of digital payments and warned against state-by-state rules. Airlines for America opposed changes that could undermine airline credit card rewards programs. Commission members asked detailed questions about fee structures, card types, chargebacks, POS systems, and whether consumers paying cash are also affected. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this proposed legislation is backed by 70 or more organizations.
• A study tends to always go into a piece of legislation.
• North Fork Kings was created via special legislation rather than a JPA.
• Our GSA was established by legislation. SB 594 was an old Canella bill in 2016.
• So, as a special legislation district and not a JPA, we don't have the ability to enforce those fees

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this type of legislation affect the U.S.
• I was really pleased that the bill handler brought this legislation to the Commerce Committee.
• But until this legislation moves forward, they're in a little bit of a holding pattern.
• I just think it's a great piece of legislation, something that needs to happen.
• I just think it's a great piece of legislation, something that needs to happen.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a roll call and then moved through House Bills for Perfection, Informal. Members briefly recognized Doug Pitt and Crystal Simon of Care to Learn, with remarks highlighting the organization’s work providing clothing and other support to students in 60 communities and reaching about 130,000 students statewide. Several bills were then taken up and advanced. HB 2848, creating the offense of masked intimidation, was explained as targeting intentional harassment or threats while hiding one’s face; members discussed examples ranging from domestic intimidation to historical hooded groups, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. HCS HB 1791, aimed at speeding building permits to help address housing costs and disaster recovery, drew debate over whether the 30- and 60-day permit deadlines would burden local governments; an amendment requiring code-enforcement staff to be certified in the adopted code was added, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed as amended. HCS HB 2465, expanding small-business health coverage options by allowing one-person businesses to access group plans outside the ACA framework, was adopted and perfected and printed. HCS HB 2711, reducing the assessment rate on broadband infrastructure investment to encourage expansion, received amendments clarifying that the tax break is intended to promote broadband expansion; members debated whether upgrades within existing territories should qualify, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The chamber also advanced HCS HB 3080, restoring historic preservation tax credit language that had previously been struck down by the courts; supporters cited recovery and redevelopment projects in places such as Joplin, St. Charles, Independence, Odessa, and St. Louis, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed. HB 1772, increasing state payments for adoption attorneys and separating guardian fees to help move children out of foster care more quickly, was described as a targeted effort to reduce legal barriers to adoption and was perfected and printed. HB 2096, raising state matching funds for regional planning commissions and updating the list of commissions, was also perfected. Finally, HCS HB 2913 and 3228, which would protect teachers and other school employees from liability when intervening to protect themselves or students in violent situations, was supported as a response to teacher concerns and was adopted and perfected and printed.