Transcript Highlights:

• This agency is on page 4-57 of the legislative budget book.
• On page 4-57 of the Legislative Budget Book, and it is on your SharePoint, also 4-57, so a little bit
• This is on page 5-15 of your legislative budget book.
• This is on page 5-15 of your legislative budget book.
• Currently working through this legislative body are two pieces of legislation that support this merger

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation for the Department of Water Resources. Analysts explained the agency’s structure, continuously appropriated funds, and the large budget increases tied to ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds and the ongoing $30 million infrastructure appropriation. Director Matthew Weaver and Water Resource Board Chairman Jeff Raybould described the department’s role in managing water rights, aquifer recharge, stream gauges, groundwater monitoring, and major projects in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA), the Palouse area, Mountain Home, and the Bear River basin. Members asked about aquifer stabilization, the impact of budget holdbacks on field work and monitoring, water quality concerns, project delays caused by easements and federal coordination, and the effect of data centers on water use. Weaver said reductions are being managed through cuts to travel, training, maintenance, and some stream gauge funding, and that the department is working toward a long-term goal of stabilizing the ESPA through reduced pumping, increased recharge, and expanded management areas. Chairman Raybould and Director Weaver also discussed the use of the prior $30 million appropriation, saying it has been fully obligated for recharge, conversion from groundwater to surface water irrigation, telemetry, and related projects. They said the next $30 million would likely support additional ESPA work, a Bear River study, and other emerging needs, but that major projects can take years because of engineering, landowner, state, and federal coordination. Questions also covered recharge capacity, the current average recharge level, and whether the state could reach a 350,000 acre-foot annual recharge goal; the witnesses said current infrastructure could handle well over 500,000 acre-feet in a good year, but more capacity is needed. The committee also discussed private and local matching funds for aging irrigation infrastructure and the role of groundwater quality monitoring, with Weaver noting that contamination issues are referred to the Department of Environmental Quality. The committee then moved to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission budget. Analysts said the agency’s budget is driven largely by one-time water quality appropriations in recent years and a small ongoing base, with a supplemental and enhancement request tied to CREP funding. Weaver, serving as interim administrator, and two commissioners explained that the commission supports local conservation districts and that a stakeholder process led by the Langdon Group recommended merging the commission with the Department of Water Resources. Weaver said the merger would preserve the commission’s non-regulatory, locally led mission while creating administrative efficiencies, and that related legislation and a concurrent resolution are moving through the Legislature. Members asked about CREP data, acreage, and water savings; Weaver said the program is a voluntary federal-state partnership, mainly in southern Idaho and parts of the eastern Snake Plain, with about 11,000 acres enrolled out of a 50,000-acre cap. He said a fully utilized CREP program could significantly reduce groundwater diversions, and the committee adjourned after discussing the historical shift from soil conservation toward water conservation priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Fifth Legislative District.
• This legislation really is to allow school districts to maximize the funding that they ...to allow school
• We're not changing any of that in this legislation.
• We're not changing any of that in this legislation.
• We're not changing any of that in this legislation.

Bills: HB1796

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, contract indebtedness, school districts, bonding authority, education funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To help facilitate this legislation, we provided for intermediaries who will help connect donors and
• This is the exact same piece of legislation we brought last year. All right.
• In fact, we think a lot of small businesses probably would be most to gain by this legislation related
• This is a great piece of legislation.
• I just want to go on record in support of this legislation.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 2409 from Rep. Brenda Shields, which would create three child care-related tax credit programs to help address Missouri’s workforce and child care shortages. Shields said the bill is aimed at expanding affordable, reliable child care through community partnerships involving businesses, nonprofits, and providers, with credits for contributions to child care facilities, employer-provided child care assistance, and provider facility improvements. She and supporters cited child care deserts, high costs, and lost economic output, arguing the bill would help parents work and businesses recruit and retain employees. Witnesses in support included the Missouri Chamber, Kids Win Missouri, Associated Industries of Missouri, local chambers, economic development groups, and child care-related organizations; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then moved into executive session and approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2508 and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2517, both by unanimous 12-0 roll call votes and both sent do pass on consent. The 2508 substitute dealt with series LLC language, including searchable records and stand-alone certificates of good standing. The 2517 substitute addressed wholesaling, adding a 14-day disclosure period and changing Attorney General enforcement language from “shall” to “may.” Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2654 from Rep. Knight, which would create a Missouri Works capital investment track for projects with at least $50 million in investment, offering a 2.5% tax credit without requiring new job creation. The sponsor and Department of Economic Development said the proposal is modeled on programs in other states and is intended to help Missouri compete for large investments, especially in manufacturing and automation. Many business and economic development groups testified in support, emphasizing retention, expansion, and regional competition; several members asked whether the $50 million threshold could be lowered, and the sponsor said he was open to discussion. No opposition testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I strongly support this legislation.
• I strongly support this legislation.
• This legislation gives better protection against guardians who abuse their authority through isolation
• This legislation repeals Section 19-5809 dealing with the capital crimes defense fund because it's no
• I guess at this point I don't have anyone signed up to testify on this piece of legislation.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21, 2026 minutes, then took up Senate Bill 1240, a major rewrite of Idaho’s guardianship and conservatorship laws. Sponsor Sen. Ruchti and witnesses from TEPI, Disability Rights Idaho, AARP Idaho, the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, the courts, and professional fiduciaries said the bill modernizes outdated statutes, strengthens least-restrictive alternatives, clarifies notice and hearing rights, adds a new short-term protective proceeding, and improves oversight and protections against isolation and abuse. One public witness raised concerns about ambiguity, agency authority, and possible overreach, but no formal opposition was presented by stakeholder groups. The committee voted unanimously to send SB 1240 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered three cleanup or clarification bills from Sen. Lakey. Senate Bill 1248 repeals the obsolete capital crimes defense fund now that the state has taken over public defense; it passed without testimony and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1249 updates a statutory reference to current time-zone terminology; it also passed without opposition and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1251, which clarifies that the Idaho Attorney General has statutory authority to civilly enforce state laws through declaratory or injunctive relief when no specific enforcement mechanism is provided. Sen. Lakey said the bill is meant as a catch-all and does not mandate action in every case. One public witness opposed the bill over concerns about broad authority and potential conflicts with local control, while Sen. Wintrow also raised separation-of-powers concerns during debate. Despite those objections, the committee voted to send SB 1251 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This work requires sound policy, strong advocacy, and legislators who understand what's at stake for
• Please proceed. work requires a sound policy, strong advocacy, and legislators who understand what's
• Dated this fifth day of February 2026, Representative Jeff Weninger, Legislative District 13.
• Date of this fifth day of February, 2026, Representative Jeff Winneger, Legislative District 13.
• If you are in support of good legislation to protect the community, ...of law enforcement.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to represent the 40th Legislative District, which includes the San Juan Islands, Whatcom County
• As Representative Lekanoff mentioned, the 2019 legislation and gross substitute House Bill 1578 was the
• Representative Lekanoff mentioned the 2019 legislation, and gross substitute House Bill 1578 was the
• I'm honored to represent the 13th Legislative District of the state of Washington, which is Kittitas
• For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to support this legislation as it moves through the legislative

Bills: HB2436 , HB2322 , HB2343 , HB1420 , HB2426 , HB2271 , HB2215 , HB2421 , HB2301 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment, coast guard authorization, Board of Pilotage Commissioners, articulated tug barge, bunker vessel, refueling vessel

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to represent the 40th legislative district, which includes the San Juan Islands, Whatcom County
• As Representative Lekanoff mentioned, the 2019 legislation and gross substitute House Bill 1578 was the
• I'm honored to represent the 13th Legislative District of the state of Washington, which is Kittitas
• For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to support this legislation as it moves through the legislative
• So it makes sense that when the legislation passes that it would apply to the permit they've already

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2436, a technical fix to Washington’s oil tanker escort tug requirements in Puget Sound waters. The bill would require escort tugs to have either horsepower equal to 5% of the tanker’s deadweight tonnage or 3,000 horsepower, whichever is greater. Rep. Lekanoff and the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners said the change aligns statute with existing rules and industry practice and supports protection of the Salish Sea and southern resident killer whales. No opposition was raised, and the hearing was closed without action at that point. The committee then heard House Bill 2322, which changes Clean Fuels Program rules and tax incentives for alternative jet fuel. Supporters, including Rep. Dent, Sky Energy, 12, and the City of Moses Lake, said the bill would provide certainty for large-scale sustainable aviation fuel investment by changing the trigger for tax incentives and clarifying that certain renewable electricity, including hydro, can count as zero carbon. Ecology opposed the bill’s treatment of electricity accounting, saying it would weaken incentives for new renewable generation and could reduce the clean fuels program’s emissions benefits. U.S. Oil asked for additional clarification or changes to allow Pierce County participation or define “blender.” No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. In executive session, the committee passed several bills. Substitute House Bill 2343, dealing with discharge permits for publicly owned animal facilities, passed 21-0. Proposed second substitute House Bill 1420, creating a textile and apparel coordinating organization for a needs assessment, passed 12-9. House Bill 2426, allowing Pollution Control Hearings Board appeals to be heard by a single member or alternative panel by agreement, passed 19-2. Substitute House Bill 2271, expanding post-consumer recycled content requirements for certain plastic products, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2215, adjusting Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier thresholds, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2421, restricting 6PPD and certain substitutes in tires, passed 11-9 with one excused after an amendment to exempt rural eastern Washington was rejected. Action on House Bill 2301 and House Bill 2296 was deferred to a later meeting due to time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I'm Claudia Kauffman, State Senator, the 47th Legislative District, and also a member
• This proposed legislation is a significant first step towards addressing the risk of cultural resources
• Today, I wish to speak in opposition to the legislation as drafted.
• TechNet members Deserves careful legislative attention.
• Many states have considered similar legislation. Colorado has been the only state to pass a bill.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two bills. On SB 5609, concerning cultural resource reviews under SEPA, staff explained that the proposed substitute would require cultural resource review for certain categorical exemptions, including infill housing and some GMA-related projects, unless a local government has an approved data-sharing agreement, ordinance, or cultural resources management plan with tribal consultation. Senator Kauffman said the bill is intended to protect tribal cultural sites without stopping development. Supporters, including tribal representatives and some local officials, said early review and consultation can prevent irreversible damage and provide clarity; opponents from business, builders, and county planning groups argued it would add costs, delay housing and permitting, and shift too much authority to state-level review without clear timelines or standards. The committee took public testimony only and then closed the hearing on SB 5609. The committee then heard SB 6284 on high-risk artificial intelligence. Staff described requirements for deployers of high-risk AI systems to maintain risk management policies, conduct impact assessments, notify consumers when AI is used in consequential decisions, and report algorithmic discrimination to the Attorney General, along with disclosures for government agencies and an extension of the AI task force with a workplace subgroup. Senator Elias said the bill is intended to focus regulation on high-risk uses while preserving innovation. Testimony was mixed: consumer and student advocates supported the bill’s transparency and accountability measures, while industry, banking, insurance, hospital, and technology groups raised concerns about definitions, implementation, overlap with existing regulation, and possible effects on innovation or regulated sectors. The committee heard public testimony and then adjourned after closing the hearing on SB 6284.

Transcript Highlights:

• To present to you docket number 24-2601-2501, this starts on page 453 of your legislative review book
• This ability to lower fees is set to expire at the end of this legislative session.
• of the Idaho Board of Nursing to present Docket 24-3401-2501, which starts on page 459 of your legislative
• Legislative review book.
• We have each year brought forward draft legislation to merge boards.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for taking the time to hear this piece of legislation.
• And so with this piece of legislation, I'll change that savings to the consumer, which will allow for
• I think Nevada owes their patients that legislation.
• We need comprehensive legislation that touches on all parts of the supply chain.
• We brought legislation last session to deal with both heat and air quality.

Bills: AB93 , AB204 , AB414 , AB504 , AB598

Committee: Assembly Commerce and Labor

Keywords: public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, medical debt, collection agency, healthcare, consumer protection, financial assistance, occupational safety, air quality, greenhouse gases, employee monitoring, safety program, hemp, hemp products, cannabidiol, CBD, cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• So we appreciate the effort of the state legislators that help putting our request together.
• So we appreciate the effort of the<00:18:17.600><c> state</c><00:18:18.280><c> legislators</c><00:18:
• 19.280><c> that</c><00:18:19.840><c> help</c><00:18:20.160><c> putting</c> the state legislators that
• help putting the state legislators that help putting our<00:18:21.280><c> request</c><00:18:21.679><
• </c><00:21:46.400><c> should</c> is what all good legislators should is what all good legislators should

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates discussed House File 2444, a veterans and military affairs bill to formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos during the secret war from 1961 to 1975. Speakers, including Rep. Ethan Cha and other veterans and family members, said the measure is long overdue and framed it as both a symbolic and practical step to restore dignity, honor, and veteran status to Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority veterans whose service had not been formally acknowledged. Testimony emphasized the historical role of the SGUs, the secrecy of the war, and the heavy losses suffered by the community. Speakers described the bill as a bipartisan effort with support from House and Senate members, and noted that a similar version had already passed the Senate unanimously. They also said the bill would help Minnesota set an example for other states and improve public understanding of the secret war and the contributions of Southeast Asian communities. Rep. Cha explained that the bill creates a new statutory definition for veterans of the secret war in Laos, establishes eligibility criteria for benefits and privileges, authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to verify veteran status, and creates a 12-member task force to advise that process. The bill would allow access to certain state veterans benefits and privileges, including veterans designation on IDs, grave markers, honor guard, state veterans cemeteries, and related preferences. In response to questions, speakers said the main challenge had been educating colleagues because the war was classified, and they estimated fewer than 1,000 SGU veterans are still alive. They also said the bill carries no major monetary benefit and is intended primarily to provide recognition and a framework for verification.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 1010 is our top legislative priority this year, and it has been the last few years as well
• I'd like to thank Representative Agbaje for bringing this important legislation forward and urge the
• I'd like to thank Representative Agbaje for bringing this important legislation forward and urge the
• Every year that we do not pass this legislation is another year lost on this important investment in
• </c><00:14:18.560><c> is</c> that we do not pass this legislation is that we do not pass this legislation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Any members, Mitch Fuller, legislative director for the Department of Texas VFW.
• Given the low bill number, it's definitely a priority piece of legislation.
• Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this vital legislation, and I yield for any questions.
• without clear legislative approval, and what lessons from past deployments should be informed in this
• As a veteran, Dan McKnight calls HB 930 ultimate support our troops legislation.

Bills: HB39 , HB227 , HB930 , HB 1078 , HB39 , HB227

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: highway designation, veteran recognition, commemorative, transportation, Brazoria County, Texas National Guard, combat duty, military activation, state requirements, emergency response, active combat duty, military service, Congressional action, Governor responsibilities, Congressional declaration, state law, conflict, armed forces, congressional approval, war declaration

Transcript Highlights:

• reminder, there will be time that members of this subcommittee may need to step away for other legislative
• Bread and butter is policing, it's not the legislating work of a county.
• I think we are A product in the history goes back to the last legislative session.
• This has actually been done in the past, the last legislative session. and doesn't create like a new
• We did good things this last legislative session.

Bills: HB336 , HB554 , HB849 , HB 1033 , HB1338 , HB 1246

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we have instituted is, at the end of every legislative session, we will be reviewing each of
• Or enacted, so we're not reducing them in the sense that we're legislatively making a cut to previous
• Those are legislatively mandated grants that we pass through to 11 councils.
• The red slice represents a legislatively mandated grant for a public art project here in St. Paul.
• There were free activities in every single legislative district in the state.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• During COVID, there was legislation passed and bumped that up to 10%, but that sunset last year.
• So what this legislation would change, it would put that at 10% for critical shortage areas.
• passed and bumped that up to legislation passed and bumped that up to 10%<00:09:43.880><c> but</c><00
• a couple years uh we passed legislation a couple years ago<00:14:06.160><c> that</c><00:14:06.320><c
• Representative Tipton replied that they used 10 percent because, when they did the legislation during

Keywords: Consideration of HB 73 02:23 Consideration of HB 441 07:24 Consideration of HB 462 18:44, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I now move to go to the next order of business: introduction of legislation.
• Speaker, and we go to that order of business: introduction of legislation.
• Legislators and performing in the rotunda. As you know, we will be meeting for that joint session.
• our legislative process?
• Accept these envelopes of good wishes for a productive legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's again page six, line legislation.
• We've heard an awful lot legislation.
• legislation legislation when<00:47:42.400><c> we've</c><00:47:42.720><c> got</c><00:47:43.280><c> a<
• Legislative composition changes past.
• </c> operational impacts this legislation operational impacts this legislation would<01:19:35.120><c>

Bills: HB0130 , HB0095 , HB0096 , HB0097 , SF0101 , SF0106 , SF0067 , SF0123

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 261 updates legislation that was passed in 2024, prohibiting firearms at polling locations
• The purpose of this legislation is to prevent violence and intimidation at polling places and help ensure
• So if this legislation were to be enacted, polling places will be firearm-free, with the updated exemptions
• This legislation does not target intimidation, threats, or criminal conduct.
• So I'm just wondering how we rectify that with this legislation. Madam Chair, Representative.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Joint Resolution 7, a land swap between the City of Santa Fe and the state involving a parcel in Midtown Santa Fe, the former College of Santa Fe campus area. The sponsor said the transaction would not involve any money and was intended to help advance redevelopment of the Midtown area. There was no public testimony, and the committee moved a due pass recommendation with no opposition. The committee then took up Senate Bill 261, which updates 2024 law restricting firearms at polling places by narrowing exemptions. The bill would generally make polling places firearm-free, while still allowing firearms for law enforcement requested by election officials to maintain order or respond to emergencies, for officers whose offices are in the same facility, and for people inside private vehicles. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, said firearms can intimidate voters and poll workers and should not be present at polling sites. Opponents from the Zia Rifle and Pistol Club, NRA, and New Mexico Business Coalition argued the bill removes protections for law-abiding concealed carry holders and off-duty officers, and that concealed carry is not inherently intimidating. Committee members questioned how the ban would be enforced, how concealed carry would be identified, and whether polling places would be left vulnerable in the event of an attack. The Secretary of State’s representative said stationing uniformed officers at polling places would violate federal law, that poll workers are trained in de-escalation, and that the bill is intended to create a clear, uniform rule for election workers. Before the discussion concluded, the sponsor had to leave for another committee, and the chair announced the bill would be rolled to a later meeting. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has testified before legislative bodies ranging from Brazil chamber of deputies to the U.S.
• ><c> from</c><00:03:23.760><c> Brazil</c> legislative bodies ranging from Brazil legislative bodies ranging
• What does potential legislation look like?
• </c> to legislators to legislators uh<01:04:24.480><c> and</c><01:04:24.799><c> other</c><01:04:25.039
• policy or legislation around addressing those<01:10:51.120><c> issues.

Keywords: 912, senate, all