Transcript Highlights:

• And we will partner with various entities to make sure we're blending everything together is as a as
• And we actually in working with other transportation modes transportation and that those entities they
• >> Yes, Florida has a ton of entities that drive visitors here.
• So every state has a tourism marketing entity. And so we want to compete with them.
• I'm talking about an entity that influences you in your mind when you're making a decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation provides for a limitation on annual increases in the maintenance budget of all entities
• Of all entities of the state government of the state of Idaho, it also importantly allows for exceptions
• However, the restrictions on annual increases to the maintenance budgets of state entities may have a
• This legislation will limit any annual increase in the maintenance budget of any entity...
• Will limit any annual increase in the maintenance budget of any entity of the state government of the

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard presentation of Senate Bill 1252, the “ROGUE Act” (Restraint of Government-Uncontrolled Expansion), by Senator Dan Foreman. The bill would limit annual increases in the maintenance budgets of state entities to the average CPI-U increase for the western U.S., while allowing exceptions for exigent circumstances, federally mandated costs, and operational needs. Foreman said the measure was intended as a statement of intent and a budgeting target, not a hard cap, and said it had been coordinated with JFAC leadership and LSO staff. Committee members raised several concerns, including whether the bill would affect employee compensation, whether it could interfere with JFAC’s appropriations authority, how exemptions would be determined, and whether CPI is a reliable measure of inflation. Members also questioned the lack of a clear definition of “maintenance budget” and whether the bill adequately accounts for population growth and past recession-related budget cuts. Foreman responded that the bill was meant to preserve flexibility for JFAC and would not prevent necessary increases when operational needs require them. Overall, the committee expressed interest in the concept but said the proposal was not yet ready to move forward because of unresolved issues around the definition of maintenance budgets and the practical effect of the cap. No vote was taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ARE DEALING WITH THESE VERY HIGH-LEVEL CONSULTANTS WITH RESPECT TO THE COST OF ALL OF OUR STATE ENTITIES
• BUT AS SENATOR WRIGHT BROUGHT UP THERE MIGHT BE SYNERGIES IN OTHER WAYS TO DO THINGS WITH THESE ENTITIES
• Pizzo: I HOPE THE BINDER WOULD NOT CONTAIN ANY ENTITY RELATED TO MY DISTRICT.
• OF THE 144 ENTITIES WITH 197 AUDIT FINDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THREE OR MORE SUCCESSIVE AUDIT
• UNLESS THE RESPONSE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN PROVIDED IT APPEARS THE ENTITY IS TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION TO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We receive applications in response to the RFP from all kinds of entities all across the state.
• We receive applications in response to the RFP from all kinds of entities all across the state.
• We receive applications in response to the RFP from all kinds of entities all across the state.
• We receive applications in response to the RFP from all kinds of entities all across the state.
• We receive applications in response to the RFP from all kinds of entities all across the state.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These small co-ops all across our state are going to have to pass on higher electricity cost to cover
• 00:12:52.600><c> electricity</c><00:12:53.280><c> cost</c><00:12:54.280><c> to</c><00:12:54.400><c> cover
• </c> pass on higher electricity cost to cover pass on higher electricity cost to cover them<00:12:54.960
• We have done loans for both public Um, we have done loans for both public and private entities.
• This organization will have nearly all of their electricity costs covered by the power generated from

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But tax-free debt and a tax-free entity does have consequences.
• PG&E pays over a billion dollars in property taxes and other taxes to municipal entities in the state
• A tax-free entity is not going to be paying those taxes, which effectively means less money for local
• I would just add that there's another layer of service that these entities are attempting to provide.
• That's a role for an entity like a transmission authority.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation provides for a limitation on annual increases in the maintenance budget of all entities
• Of all entities of the state government of the state of Idaho, it also importantly allows for exceptions
• However, the restrictions on annual increases to the maintenance budgets of state entities may have a
• This legislation will limit any annual increase in the maintenance budget of any entity...
• Will limit any annual increase in the maintenance budget of any entity of the state government of the

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1043 by Sparks relating the composition of the advisory Committee for metal recycling entities
• Senate Bill 1097 by Hughes, relating to a franchise tax credit for taxable entities that make contributions
• Senate Bill 1119 by Hughes, relating to liability of a water park entity for injuries arising from certain
• Senate Bill 1119 by Hughes relating to liability of a water park entity for injuries arising from certain
• constitutional amendment prohibiting the enactment of a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities

Summary: The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund. Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters. No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If these entities can demonstrate that they have complied, which shifts the burden of proof, they can
• But I thought that the presumption was for private entities, but that there's complete immunity for local
• He also said that for private entities, it is not enough to simply put in the standards; they also have
• And then, you know, as to the private entities, I want to say also it's not enough for them to just put
• over the last two years around this issue, ...and entities over the last two years around this issue

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I kind of get understanding of what the universities, the state colleges, these different entities that
• as Senator Wright had brought up, there might be some synergies and other ways to do things from entity
• to entity.
• Government and educational entities that have failed to correct long-term audit findings.
• The action available to us today is to direct staff to send a letter to those entities to request an

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee received a presentation from Auditor General staff on recurring findings from audits of district school boards, colleges, and universities. For school districts, the main issues discussed included missing or outdated safe-school officer training documentation, weak purchasing-card controls, vendor banking-change fraud risks, incomplete background screenings and disqualification-list procedures, missing website budget disclosures, excessive or untimely IT access, late deactivation of former employees’ access, missed emergency drill deadlines, inaccurate capital outlay and resiliency education records, weak tangible property inventories, adult education reporting errors, untimely bank reconciliations, and improper use of workforce development funds. The auditors said many of these issues are repeated from prior years and are summarized in their annual report on significant findings and financial trends. For universities and colleges, the auditors highlighted similar control weaknesses, including vendor information change controls, IT access issues, cash and investment reconciliation problems, purchasing and procurement deficiencies, personnel and compensation issues, and student fee compliance concerns. Specific examples included a UF consulting contract totaling about $6 million, FAU underreporting carry-forward balances by about $77 million, UCF’s payment loss of about $107,000 from an email scam tied to vendor changes, and a North Florida College unauthorized transfer involving a few hundred thousand dollars. The committee asked questions about the UF consulting work, the FAU carry-forward issue, and whether the listed findings meant every named entity had every issue; auditors clarified that the lists reflected entities with findings in those categories, not necessarily each specific problem. The committee then turned to enforcement for entities with long-standing uncorrected audit findings. Staff reported 144 entities with 197 findings repeated in three or more successive audit reports and recommended sending letters requesting updated corrective-action status, including for late-filed 2022-2023 reports where appropriate. The committee approved the staff recommendation and directed letters to be sent. The meeting ended with members emphasizing the importance of audit oversight and taxpayer accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• homeowners can't afford long delays for a service connection, as they need to begin renting the ADU to cover
• establishes an obligation for data center customers to pre-fund a 10-year contract through a load-serving entity
• establishes an obligation for data center customers to pre-fund a 10-year contract through a load-serving entity
• There's a lot to cover in two minutes.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• determined by something called the Oil Price Information Service, or OPIS, and they're a private pricing entity
• Information Service, or OPIS, and they're a private pricing entity that charges a subscription, and there
• So we haven't had an emergency declaration to cover gasoline prices.
• We haven't accused anyone of criminal price gouging for that reason. declaration to cover gasoline prices

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing on managing the transportation fuels transition, fuel pricing, and supply reliability. Chair Allen opened by discussing prior legislation, including SB 1322 and special session measures, that expanded reporting to the California Energy Commission (CEC) and gave the state tools to study gasoline costs, refinery margins, inventories, and potential supply disruptions. He framed the hearing around refinery closures, rising imports, global conflict affecting crude markets, and the need to balance affordability, reliability, and the state’s long-term clean-fuels transition. CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda, CDTFA Chief Deputy Director Gentian Droboniku, and DPMO Director Ty Miller presented data showing California’s growing dependence on imported crude and refined products, declining in-state refining capacity, and stable-to-tight inventories that are being supported by higher imports. They said the new transparency laws have improved understanding of the market and pointed to the proposed Gateway Pipeline, marine imports, and distribution constraints as important supply issues. CDTFA and DPMO emphasized that retail margins, especially for branded gasoline, have widened significantly, with large price gaps between branded stations and hypermarts/unbranded stations, and that some of the recent price increases were tied to the Iran conflict while earlier spikes were more consistent with localized market behavior and possible price gouging. DPMO also said it is investigating high-priced branded stations, monitoring algorithmic pricing under AB 325, and continuing to analyze diesel spot-market transparency. The CEC and CARB also discussed the Transportation Fuels Transition Plan and the SB 237 assessment, describing them as efforts to plan for a managed decline in fossil fuel demand while protecting workers, communities, and consumers. They said California’s climate goals remain centered on an 85% greenhouse gas reduction by 2045, with continued use of liquid fuels expected but with lower-carbon alternatives, more efficient vehicles, and alternative fuels playing a larger role. Committee members focused heavily on workforce impacts, the need for concrete transition planning, and whether the agencies could provide a clearer picture of what California’s fuel system will look like under the state’s long-term goals. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Freiberg's point, I know the clearer path and template that you can give to a district or to any entity
• If they make sure that the safety and well-being of the children is covered. Okay, thank you.
• The only entity that would have an unannounced visit is someone who had not used an accreditation program
• Now he wanted to address something he had heard repeatedly: the idea that Bulletin 741 already covers

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard SB 206, which would require cardiovascular pre-screening and blood pressure testing for student athletes beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Chairman Miller said the bill was prompted by concerns about undiagnosed hypertension and sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, and Coach Marcus Scott testified about his own kidney transplant after years of untreated high blood pressure. Members asked about who would perform the screenings and how follow-up would work; the American Heart Association said existing athletic physical processes and referral networks could handle it. An amendment was adopted, and the committee reported SB 206 favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 305, which would require a publicly available statewide career-alignment dashboard showing how degree programs connect to workforce outcomes, including completion, employment, wages, and high-demand jobs. Chairman Edmonds and student task force member Cruz Cassard said the goal was to help students understand job opportunities in Louisiana and reduce the number leaving the state after graduation. Workforce and higher education stakeholders supported the measure as a transparency and workforce-planning tool. The committee reported SB 305 favorably. Next, the committee considered HB 624, a school safety cleanup bill updating references from crisis management plans to emergency operations plans and aligning school emergency language with national standards. Representative Johnson and the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools said the bill would not create new mandates or costs, but would clarify existing requirements. The committee reported HB 624 favorably. The committee then heard HB 1022, as substituted, concerning school-based health care services. Representative Jackson said the bill was intended to clarify that medical decisions in school-based health centers should be made by licensed health professionals, not school staff, while preserving parental consent. Testimony from school-based health center providers supported the bill, but several members raised concerns about consent, parental authority, and whether the language shifted too much responsibility away from schools; the Charter School Association suggested adding more collaborative language. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 1022 favorably by a 10-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The law enforcement members recently provided field presentations covering federal, state, and local
• How do you characterize your relationship with local governmental entities?
• Have you investigated more complex cases where one or more entities, companies, may have been involved
• We are a statewide trade organization that covers and represents companies across the value chain.

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We cover literally every portion of the steel business.
• Maybe we have something we can talk about: if it's on tribal land, owned by whatever entity, then it's
• Additionally, the bill requires fund monies to be allocated to an entity founded in 2012 in the state
• Like if you have a, if you're a boat rental company, you have to have the insurance that cover your boat

Bills: HB2003 , HB2057 , HB2109 , HB2111 , HB2112 , HB2114 , HB2256 , HB2259 , HB2317 , HB2323 , HB2398 , HB2443 , HB2446 , HB2574

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: driver education, instruction permit, underage drivers, motorcycle licenses, traffic regulations, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> and make getting her insurance to cover, and make getting her insurance to cover, etc.<00:18:52.200
• covers 20 Last<01:11:47.080><c> year,</c><01:11:47.200><c> it</c><01:11:47.320><c> covered</c><01:11:
• </c><01:11:49.560><c> And</c><01:11:49.760><c> we</c> Last year, it covered 26 and 27.
• And we Last year, it covered 26 and 27.
• You're doing an excellent job, covered a lot of territory, and I appreciate that.

Committee: Joint Health Services

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It says any public entity, public school, charter school, school district, then political subdivisions
• It says any public entity, public school, charter school, school district, then political subdivisions
• I'm just concerned that it does appear to be a witch hunt for one particular entity or a group of...
• ...to be a witch hunt for one particular entity or a group of entities.
• Chairman, good lady, I'm trying to make it so it's not for one particular entity or individual or whatever

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make it super clear that the public has the right to request data from a government entity,
• Then having the data-providing entity, the government entity, move on to the next stage of that request
• So it's helpful guidance both for the government entity and the requester.
• Now, the things that they do for the government entity generally become public, such as emails about
• policy or the work product that somebody produces for the government entity.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• For these entities, the legislature has adopted an exception to that five-month rule, allowing up to
• Now, in my world, irrigation district is a specific thing, a specific entity that is similar to others
• , but it is a specific entity.
• administrator... ...and others on this question, we've learned this is generally applied to water entities
• , similar entities that may or may not be an irrigation district.

Summary: The Senate Commerce committee approved the January 22, 2026 minutes and then heard three gubernatorial appointments. Erica Malman of Boise was introduced for the Idaho Personnel Commission; she described her background as a natural resources attorney and law firm managing partner, and senators asked about the challenges and rewards of commission service and her legal practice. Brett Thomas of Twin Falls was reappointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and Dr. Karen Cabell of Post Falls was appointed to the same board; both briefly outlined their professional backgrounds and service, and the committee indicated it would likely vote on the appointments the following Tuesday. The committee then considered two DOPL rules dockets. Docket 24-3201-2101 for the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors moved licensing fees into rule, formalized a 60% fee reduction, and removed intern-related fees; it received no public comments and was approved. Docket 24-3950-2101 for the Public Works Contractors Board finalized temporary fee reductions of 16% to 20% and added “not to exceed” language to allow future reductions; it also drew no public comments and was approved effective sine die. Senate Bill 1221 was presented by Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association and supported by a water master from Water District 65. The bill would change Percy retirement language from “irrigation district” to “irrigation or drainage entity” so seasonal retirees can work up to eight months for certain water entities without triggering penalties, matching how the provision is already applied. The committee heard no opposition and voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. The final presentation was an informational briefing from NCCI on Idaho workers’ compensation. Todd Johnson explained NCCI’s role as the state’s rating bureau, described declining claim frequency and generally favorable combined ratios, and noted recent rate decreases, including a 2.5% overall decrease effective January 1, 2026, plus reductions in assigned-risk surcharges. Senators asked about high-risk employers, NCCI’s rating process, and whether it handles claims decisions; Johnson said NCCI sets class-code rate recommendations and does not decide compensability or claims adjustment. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're covered up. We're busy. We're having a lot of success.
• So that covers the front part of the page.
• So, um that covers the those efforts.
• And yes, I was taken aback by your cover letter on the GCRF.
• I'm glad he covered that.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all