Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Human Services, and their plan is to build a new allied health building.
• Those programs, as well as the pay plan increases in the actual salary that took place last July, have
• And so we're hopeful that those types of programs, the pay plan, et cetera, will help us over time get
• The first part of what we were doing was pay plan. This is kind of the final act of the pay plan.
• "This is kind of the final act of the pay plan.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The ALC-Review Subcommittee reviewed seven methods of finance, including university projects at ASU Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Black River Technical College deferred maintenance, UA Batesville’s Farm Project Gateway Center, UAMS PET cyclotron equipment, a new allied health building at UAPB funded by a federal grant, and UCA’s multi-purpose arena design work. The committee also approved an alternative delivery construction project for UAPB’s Allied Health and Sciences Building, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members then approved discretionary grants from the Department of Health and DHS, including support for a heart attack center designation, community health worker training, homeless services funding corrections, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. In the contracts section, the committee reviewed RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and a large slate of out-of-state and in-state contracts covering topics such as seatbelt survey data collection, Medicaid and DHS systems, state hospital staffing and services, veterans’ services, education assessments, and state IT and procurement projects. Several contracts drew extended questioning. Senators and representatives pressed DHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs about heavy reliance on contract nursing and staffing costs, and officials said they were using pay incentives and recruitment efforts to increase state employee staffing. Members also questioned AEDC’s lithium supply chain study and the Department of Education’s security contract, with concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments. The committee held three in-state contracts—Department of Education security services and two DHS staffing contracts—until Friday, then adopted the remaining contracts and received informational reports on contract amendments, executed contracts, and emergency procurements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• the way I understand it, it would open up the door for other companies to come in and give better plans
• And the principle that you're, I think, looking at, not only other health plans, but consolidation—the
• And I will say there are plans.
• So all that is to say... ...the principle that you're, I think, looking at, not only other health plans
• And I will say there are plans.

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 47, the school employee insurance “80-20” bill, which would require school districts and charter schools to pay 80% of employee health insurance premiums, bringing K-12 employees into parity with other public employees. Supporters from school superintendents, school boards, charter schools, teachers, AFT, NIA, and labor groups said the bill would improve recruitment and retention, reduce the burden of rising premiums, and increase take-home pay, especially in rural districts. One amendment proposed by Senator Ramos would have expanded the bill to require a cooperative purchasing process and more insurance options, but it was opposed as a structural change not vetted for this bill and was withdrawn. The committee then approved HB 47 on a roll-call vote and sent it to the Senate floor. The committee next took up House Bill 253, the public education changes bill, which focuses on full-time virtual education and related funding issues. The sponsor and education officials said the bill preserves virtual learning options, requires districts and charters to report virtual enrollment, creates an evaluation/certification process for full-time virtual programs, and includes a temporary funding fix to address budget shortfalls caused by virtual enrollment growth. Testimony from school leaders and boards supported the compromise, noting the need to avoid a statewide loss in unit value while also addressing the Gallup-McKinley situation and other funding distortions. Several senators raised concerns about impacts on small rural districts, out-of-state students, and the treatment of full-time virtual students in rural-unit calculations, but officials said emergency supplemental funding could address shortfalls and that a broader study would be done in the interim. The committee then passed HB 253 on a roll-call vote and advanced it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when that money is depleted and gone, what is the plan that you have in the future?
• So when we award our grants, we're looking at their sustainability plan.
• So when we award our grants, we're looking at their sustainability plan.
• What does the council plan to do to make sure that that's happening if it were to come over?
• Are there plans for the utilization of those funds?

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations first for the Idaho Workforce Development Council. Analyst Brooke Dupree reviewed the council’s statutory role, fund balances, and FY 2027 requests, including an ongoing transfer of $1.15 million within the In Demand Careers Fund to support more Launch grants, a proposed consolidation of the STEM Action Center into the council, and reappropriation authority for ARPA and other grant funds. Director Wendy Sechrist said Launch, workforce training grants, child care grants, and semiconductor-related grants have produced strong participation and wage gains, and she explained that the STEM education fund would be sunset under the merger. Members asked about the remaining STEM dedicated fund, the timing and impact of a proposed $10 million cash transfer from Launch, repayment of some Launch grants, and how much of the training funding goes to incumbent workers versus new hires. The committee then reviewed the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Dupree outlined the agency’s dedicated funds and FY 2027 requests for additional appropriation authority tied to Social Security reimbursements and adaptive aids store revenue, plus one-time vehicle replacement funding. Administrator Beth Cunningham said the agency uses those funds to support vocational rehabilitation, independent living services, and surgeries for eligible clients without other coverage. Members asked about discrepancies in fund figures, the growth in the adaptive aids fund balance, and the effect of holdbacks on services; Cunningham said the cuts would modestly reduce client services, travel, and some site restoration support. Finally, the Idaho State Historical Society presented its budget. Dupree described requests for $450,000 to complete the move of state records and collections into the new archives addition, $36,300 for IT hardware, and reappropriation authority for moving costs, along with prior enhancements for Old Pen staffing and archival work. Director Janet Gallimore emphasized stewardship of state records and artifacts, the importance of the move, and the agency’s role in Idaho’s America 250 efforts. Members praised the agency’s work and asked about historic preservation reviews and archaeological surveys; Gallimore said staff consult with federal agencies under the National Historic Preservation Act and agreed to provide travel records for surveys in Bonner County. The meeting ended with a presentation of historical artifacts and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• They built businesses, had business plans, and the state changed some of the ways things operated, which
• It provides us something we can plan around and plan into the future.
• There's questions about water quality, implications for policy and planning, ecosystems, and then how
• the governor and the lieutenant governor brought together folks to say, we need to come up with a plan
• We're planning on developing short one-page, one- to two-page fact sheets that we can bring to you all

Summary: The committee began with presentations from the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRI). Eric Wyseth of IOGA described the association’s history, its more than 400 members, and the industry’s economic impact, saying outfitting and guiding generates about $891 million annually, supports over 7,500 jobs, and largely benefits rural Idaho. He also raised concerns about Fish and Game allocation changes, the importance of keeping public lands in public hands, and the ongoing FERC relicensing process for Hells Canyon Dam, where outfitters want daytime minimum flows maintained for jet boating. Dr. Kendra Kaiser of IWRI outlined the institute’s water research priorities and funding process, including a 32-member advisory committee, more than $500,000 distributed to university projects, and work on statewide issues such as water scarcity, recharge and water quality, snowpack data, flood mapping, monitoring gaps, East Snake Plain reach gains, and Lake Pend Oreille management. Director Matt Weaver praised IWRI’s renewed role as a neutral, applied-science partner for water management. The committee then set aside several code cleanup bills at the sponsor’s request. House Bill 569, sponsored by Representative Sauter, was introduced to expand recreational water skiing rules to allow driver-and-skier operation on public waters under specified equipment, age, and time restrictions; it was moved and passed to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1222, presented by Representative Pickett, was described as a follow-up to last year’s domestic water exemption law, clarifying the definition of a subdivision as five lots and making the changes prospective beginning July 1, 2025. Testimony from the Idaho Water Users Association supported the bill, and it was also sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation after questions about domestic use, irrigation limits, and enforcement. Finally, Representative Boyle presented Senate Joint Memorial 108, which urges federal officials to address concerns that livestock producers on BLM and Forest Service allotments are discouraged from filing depredation claims for wolf or grizzly bear losses because of threats to their permits or grazing terms. The memorial was supported by a Farm Bureau letter in the packet. The committee moved it to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor has submitted a plan to the legislature that is balanced, so this is not a reflection of
• that plan.
• And then the far-right-hand column is the legislative budget plan as recommended by the governor, and
• Now, we added a law that added the expansion plan onto that.
• It details clear timelines for each step of the process so attaching entities can plan accordingly.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding infrastructure act would ensure that projects would be ready, designed, and planned before
• With that, I'm just saying we're going to pay for the site plan.
• I know that initially it's probably going to go toward a lot of planning and design, just because planning
• So the hope would be that if in the first couple of years you'd get a lot of the planning and design
• Representative McQueen is coming in. planning and design and then another that is for construction.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As background, the Office of Financial Management maintains a comprehensive classification plan for all
• The comprehensive classification plan is maintained by... ...conditions.
• The classification plan must meet certain criteria prescribed by statute, including that it does not
• My name is Amy Rourke, and I helped co-create Washington's Tenure Plan to Reduce Poverty.
• While this policy is not listed as a specific recommendation in the plan, it is fully aligned with the

Summary: The committee began in executive session with staff briefing several bills and proposed amendments. House Bill 2206, concerning uniformed and overseas civilian voting standards, was discussed but ultimately pulled from consideration for the day. House Bill 2123, dealing with foreign national donor reporting, was amended to raise the certification threshold to $6,000 and then advanced from committee on a 5-2 vote. House Bill 2120, which would remove two JLARC reporting requirements, also passed unanimously. House Bill 2411, authorizing shared leave for state employees involved in immigration enforcement actions or who are victims of hate crimes, was amended and then reported out on a 5-2 vote after debate over eligibility and privacy-related language. The committee then held hearings on House Bill 2309 and House Bill 2205. HB 2309 would bar state civil service classifications from requiring a postgraduate degree unless required by law, with the sponsor and OFM saying it would reduce barriers to state employment and expand the applicant pool. Testimony in support emphasized workforce access, equity, and skill-based hiring. HB 2205 would expand tribal sports wagering to allow bets placed at any tribal gaming facility and permit wagering on Washington college teams, while continuing to prohibit bets on individual Washington student-athlete performance. Tribal leaders and casino operators supported the bill as a way to bring existing illegal betting into a regulated tribal system and improve integrity monitoring, while the University of Washington and Washington State University opposed it, warning of harassment, student-athlete safety concerns, and broader gambling harms. A taxpayer advocacy witness urged broader online sports betting options, arguing that limiting access drives bettors to offshore markets. The hearing on HB 2205 was left open and HB 2309 testimony concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, any plans to resume?
• to resume I know you and okay any plans to resume I know you and uh<00:04:41.160><c> leader</c><00:04
• here just to know uh the ideas<00:05:01.360><c> and</c><00:05:01.479><c> the</c><00:05:01.639><c> plans
• and especially now ideas and the plans and especially now that<00:05:02.800><c> we're</c><00:05:03.000
• Do you have plans for bringing them up later, or are they going to be dead for the session?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that's the state strategy as articulated by CARB scoping plan and other state planning documents
• We are very involved in the long-term gas planning OIR and the long-term gas planning proceeding at the
• We are very involved in the long-term gas planning OIR and the long-term gas planning proceeding at the
• These are such grandiose plans.
• There are a lot of important plans here that could be impacted.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as you know, Aon supports our health care insurance plans, the UK health plan, UK student health
• plan, and retiring medical health plans, and the Know Your Rx coalition.
• plan, and retiring medical health plans, and the Know Your Rx coalition.
• plan, and retiring medical health plans, and the Know Your Rx coalition.
• ,</c><01:04:05.320><c> UK</c> insurance plans, the UK health plan, UK insurance plans, the UK health

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• The plan is to have um all of correct.
• Uh and I think know plan on on this.
• So our plan with those old items? Yes.
• So our plan is to uh tomorrow you'll have your regular scheduled agencies.
• So our plan with those old items? Yes.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just simply says there's a plan; there will be involved.
• </c> fee it just simply says there's a plan fee it just simply says there's a plan will<00:37:24.920>
• know does things—the planning board has to be a vote of the planning board to put more articles on,
• board I know does things the planning board I know does things the planning<01:32:23.040><c> board</
• board has to be a vote of the planning board has to be a vote of the planning<01:32:24.520><c> board

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up an amendment to a bill dealing with digital assets, zoning, utilities, and noise. Members discussed removing the “private key” language, clarifying that the bill would prohibit state or local governments from treating digital asset mining differently from other industrial uses, and narrowing several provisions based on feedback from the Municipal Association. There was also discussion about electricity use, rate schedules, and whether the bill would allow payment of electric bills in Bitcoin; members clarified that bills would still be paid in dollars and that discriminatory rates were not allowed. The amendment was approved on a straw vote, and the committee then voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. The committee then considered a separate bill related to a paint stewardship program. The sponsor explained that the amendment would remove references to a fee structure that had troubled him in public hearing, while still preserving the plan and oversight by the Department of Environmental Services. Members discussed whether the bill’s liability and disclosure language affected antitrust concerns, and a representative from the American Coatings Association testified that the program’s environmental management practices and liability provisions were intended to ensure responsible handling and cleanup. The committee ultimately voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. Later, the subcommittee moved to liquor-related business. It first voted unanimously, 7-0, to retain a cannabis-related item. It then discussed a tavern license bill that would create a 21-plus tavern category, with the Liquor Enforcement Division explaining that the restriction was tied to alcohol-only venues and the potential for late-night entertainment and nightclub-style operations. Members raised concerns about local control and public safety, and the discussion referenced existing cocktail lounge rules and the possibility of towns opting into such a license. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on that item is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> finally have our um master plan finally have our um master plan finalized.<01:13:15.440><c> And<
• We we didn't we're planning to do.
• So, so my plan was for amendment today. So, so my plan was for these<01:33:39.600><c> guys.
• And so um so that's my plan.
• </c> employers take advantage of this plan. employers take advantage of this plan.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In April of 2026, DGS re-estimated the project based upon the fully defined plans and specifications
• So the plan for release July 1st is still on track for that larger release. Of this year? Correct.
• Are you planning to come before that policy committee to provide a...
• Department of Treasury formally announced approval of California's plan to use its total award on the
• This should hopefully reduce deferred maintenance backlogs and help departments budget and plan better

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we may also look through the plan that the waste management plan, so you could call that an audit
• , just looking at the plan that the waste management plan.
• But um Senator Her, Madam Chair, the um the A19 amendment is uh management plan. management plan.
• </c><00:27:05.960><c> are</c> you know, none of the plans are you know, none of the plans are approved
• we plan to vote this bill &gt;&gt; We we plan to we plan to vote this bill at<01:47:50.000><c> 5:00<

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the federal government, the resource management plans, the forest revision plans, water issues,
• plan together.
• And then when you look at doing a mitigation plan, those plans, if you don't have somebody with some
• ,</c> plans, the forest revision plans, plans, the forest revision plans, water<02:13:11.520><c> issues
• plan, those plans, if doing a mitigation plan, those plans, if you<02:14:02.079><c> don't</c><02:14:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 552, relative to coverage of children under the State Retirees Insurance Plan.
• long as we fully fund our retirement plan, you know, as long as the retirement plan is fully funded,
• month for a non-Medicare-eligible dependent, paid entirely by the retiree to the plan.
• because the retiree has to pay for the insurance plan for their kid.
• CU life is like that. plan the retiree because the retiree has plan the retiree because the retiree has

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have next year planned out already for everything I'm going to do.
• I have next year planned out already for everything I'm going to do.
• I have next year planned out already for everything I'm going to do.
• I have next year planned out already for everything I'm going to do.
• </c><01:46:14.560><c> and</c> wonderful uh and put the planning and wonderful uh and put the planning

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The actions we will be taking today represent the Senate's budget plan.
• before we close the hearing today, members, we wanted just to share a few of our thoughts on this plan
• bring up, today's actions reflect the previously released Senate Foundation for the Future Budget Plan
• So while this was not in the Senate plan, it is still a priority of many members, including myself, to
• So Caltrans, in the future, and our transportation needs need to start planning a little bit more for

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a comprehensive plan in every city in the state, in America.
• The hearings are, you know, at, at a zoning commission, at a planning, planning and zoning commission
• . um, everybody's got a bite at the apple as a community on the comprehensive plan, but, um, this special
• If it's zoned and it's on the comprehensive plan, I just go get a permit.
• It's on the comprehensive plan for multi-family, but this special hearing gives a community another bite

Bills: HB164

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property