Transcript Highlights:

• Like, I live this. I don't expect anybody to know it to the degree.
• They will be disrupted or delayed; future services compromised if this bill is not stopped.
• I live in Twin Falls, Idaho.
• This alignment supports effective delivery of services to Idaho residents and communities.
• of services to Idaho residents and communities, including, yes.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the March 16 and March 17, 2026 minutes. It then introduced RS 33798, a proposal related to cooperative and group discount purchasing in the Department of Administration procurement division, and sent it for printing. The main policy item was Senate Bill 1422, a major rewrite of Idaho campaign finance law. Senator Harris and Secretary of State Phil McGrane said the bill would move the laws into Title 74, reorganize reporting rules, prohibit foreign contributions, require new disclosures for signature-gathering and independent expenditures, add pre-primary and pre-general reports, increase contribution limits modestly, and create a graduated fine structure. Questions focused on reporting thresholds, commercial recordkeeping, and the distinction between reporting violations and other violations. The committee voted to send SB 1422 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 889, a broad update to the State Procurement Act. Representative Britt Raibolt said the bill clarifies procurement definitions, best-and-final-offer procedures, use of subject-matter experts, multiple-award contracts, bid scoring, prior performance, federal CMS approval timing, confidentiality of technical information, debarment, cooling-off periods, protest bonds, and disclosure of procurement-related spending. He said the goal was to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in large state procurements. After brief questions about the need for the overhaul and the definition of frivolous protests, the committee voted to send HB 889 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 890, also presented by Raibolt, would repeal a surplus-property carve-out used in the ITD building sale and return disposal of surplus administrative property to the regular process under the State Board of Land Commissioners. The committee also advanced HB 900, which sets procedures for private insurance claims over $100,000 involving state property damage, requires appraisal opportunities, public notice of settlement offers, and a public hearing plus legislative notice if an agency relocates services or sells property after such a claim. Both bills received due pass recommendations. The longest discussion was on House Bill 898, which would move the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society into the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Senator Den Hartog said the move would improve coordination on federal permitting and preserve SHPO’s functions, while opponents argued the current placement supports preservation work, grants, archives, and Section 106 review, and that moving SHPO into an office focused on energy and minerals could create conflicts of interest and weaken preservation outcomes. Testimony came from historians, preservation professionals, local commission members, utility and water industry representatives, and a youth witness, with supporters emphasizing streamlined permitting and opponents emphasizing mission alignment and public trust. The sponsor closed by saying the bill complies with federal law and that federal law allows states flexibility in where to house the office; the transcript ends before any final committee action on HB 898.

Transcript Highlights:

• They couldn't do the proper steps to make their lives easier to not get pulled over just because.
• > couldn't do the proper steps to make couldn't do the proper steps to make their<00:44:10.000><c> lives
• &gt;&gt; You<00:55:56.000><c> just</c><00:55:56.079><c> live</c><00:55:56.240><c> in</c><00:55:56.319
• </c> &gt;&gt; You just live in the boat. &gt;&gt; You just live in the boat.
• and then transition into ORV land. land. land.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've traditionally focused on the high school transition, post-secondary education and workforce training
• , focused on the high school transition, post-secondary education and workforce training, but recognize

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He lived a full and generous forgot him.
• If we create a separate statutory structure here for abortion services today, what healthcare service
• </c> Committee on Health and Human Services Committee on Health and Human Services to<09:17:40.078><c
• </c> care for basic ser health care services. care for basic ser health care services.
• </c> Committee on Health and Human Services Committee on Health and Human Services to<09:30:07.040><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those services.
• They can choose to live in a city or they can choose to live in the... That.
• And those that choose to live in cities have the expectation of receiving higher service levels.
• and service levels.
• , senior services.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Tolleson District, she said, bond issues had come up and not as much as debt service had been
• That practice kind of happened as we were transitioning back into person, but then it slowly stopped.
• That's probably not even enough to pay the debt service on the bond that they used to buy the land.
• They probably did not even pay enough to cover the debt service on the bond that they used to buy the
• School districts were required or were created in order to deliver education to the students that live

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from providing personal care products in small plastic containers that would encourage them to transition
• containers that would uh encourage<01:02:16.720><c> them</c><01:02:16.839><c> to</c><01:02:17.000><c> transition
• /c><01:02:17.400><c> to</c><01:02:17.599><c> bulk</c><01:02:17.880><c> or</c> encourage them to transition
• to bulk or encourage them to transition to bulk or more<01:02:18.440><c> sustainable</c><01:02:19.440

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee met on February 13, 2025, after a brief recess for a concurrent hearing. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including HB 332 on recycling and lithium-ion batteries, HB 256 on environmental protection and federal air standards, HB 348 on single-use plastics in lodging establishments, HB 810 on noise pollution and helicopter-related civil actions, HB 505 on Red Hill coordination, HB 975 on carbon sequestration incentives, and HB 974 on utility financing and step-in agreements. Testimony was generally supportive on HB 256, HB 348, HB 505, HB 975, and HB 974, while HB 332 drew both support and opposition, including concerns from the Consumer Technology Association about battery recycling policy. On HB 975, OPSD supported the program but urged language to prevent use for carbon offsets, and the committee discussed how the program would be monitored and reimbursed. On HB 974, the chair summarized extensive amendments addressing reserve fees, revenue definitions, trust funds, default procedures, and customer credits, while noting the Consumer Advocate’s changed view that a reserve fee may not be constitutionally required. In decision making, the committee adopted amendments and recommended passage for HB 332, converting it into a working group to study recycling of small- and medium-format lithium-ion batteries, with members from state agencies and industry and a note that an appropriation may be needed. HB 256 was passed with amendments to clarify compliance with federal law unless standards become more stringent. HB 348, HB 810, and HB 505 were each passed as is. HB 975 was passed with amendments, including language to prevent use of the program for carbon offsets and a note that dollar amounts would be blanked out and addressed in the committee report. HB 974 was also passed with amendments after the committee reviewed the proposed changes and discussed the reserve fee issue. The committee additionally noted that HB 1476 had previously been deferred and would remain deferred, and the meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, maybe I'll go live there. Okay, I know some people who could go live in those lawless parts.
• It's poor service to the taxpayers. It's poor service to the county and the district.
• She's the Director of Business Services.
• She's the Director of Business Services.
• The customer service was taking too long.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Summary: The committee began with opening remarks about moving to a monthly, two-hour schedule for more timely and focused oversight of Auditor General findings. Members also recognized Melanie Chesney for 32 years of service to the Office of the Auditor General, with several speakers praising her work and her role in strengthening the relationship between the Auditor General’s office and J-LAC. The main agenda item was the Auditor General’s December 2025 special audit on the school safety interoperability fund and interoperable communication systems. Staff reported that about $26 million had been allocated to 14 law enforcement agencies for systems intended to improve real-time communication between schools and first responders. The audit found that all 14 agencies used the money for interoperable systems, but four agencies allowed private or tribal schools to participate contrary to statute, and several agencies failed to submit required annual expenditure reports. It also found that none of the three systems reviewed met every statutory requirement as written, in part because some requirements were vague or interpreted differently by vendors and agencies. The audit recommended that agencies recover and report any improper benefit to non-public schools, avoid using fund money for ongoing costs tied to non-public school participation, submit missing reports, and improve cost planning and contract monitoring; it also recommended that the legislature clarify eligibility for private and tribal schools and revisit unclear system requirements. The audit further found procurement and contracting problems at nine of 14 agencies, including weak or missing sole-source justifications, contracts that lacked accountability and termination provisions, and poor documentation of pricing and deliverables. Several agencies had not planned for ongoing annual costs, which the audit estimated could range from about $16,000 to $382,000 per rural county depending on the system. In the discussion, members expressed frustration with sole-source contracting and lack of documentation, and some said they would oppose future vendor bills without competitive bidding and stronger payment controls. The auditor also described mixed system performance: some agencies reported useful features such as panic alerts, camera access, and map sharing, but other systems were not fully functional or had never been implemented. The committee then heard from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, whose president said sheriffs support the goal of improving school safety, described county implementation challenges, and defended the use of local staff to manage the projects, while acknowledging that smaller counties face staffing and connectivity limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't live on the Gulf, do you? I do. You don't live on the Gulf, do you? I do not.
• in service. protection, and we honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
• Not for the lives on the line.
• So we're making somebody post something that we don't even live. We don't live it.
• Live these events.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, maybe I'll go live there. Okay, I know some people who could go live in those lawless parts.
• Which service did you spec out?” “We used Mutualink.”
• It's poor service to the taxpayers. It's poor service to the county and the district.
• She's the Director of Business Services.
• She's the Director of Business Services.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2013, she transitioned to GSD and started in the State Purchasing Division as a buyer.
• organizations committed to community service and diplomacy.
• Leadership and music and service organizations committed to community service and diplomacy.
• As we all know, the cost of living is very high. Affordability is a thing.
• As we all know, the cost of living, employees. As we all know, the cost of living is very high.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayers and pledges, and several procedural announcements, including permission for cameras, a relaxed dress code for guests, and excusing a few senators. Members also recognized numerous guests and honorary lieutenant governors, and discussed a planned bolo tie contest tied to New Mexico tradition and state history. The chamber then moved to business, including the confirmation of Anna Silva as Secretary of the General Services Department. The confirmation drew broad support from senators on both sides, who praised Silva’s long career in state government, her management experience, and her work on major projects such as the executive office building, procurement reforms, and facilities management. After debate, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm her appointment. Silva’s family and guests were recognized from the floor after the vote. The Senate then took up House Bill 2 and 3, the state budget. Senator Muñoz presented the Senate Finance version as a balanced budget with about $11.1 billion in spending, 27% reserves, recurring investments in health care, early childhood, public safety, education, roads, housing, and economic development, and targeted nonrecurring spending for items such as water, universities, and innovation sectors. Supporters emphasized affordability, teacher health insurance parity, medical residency funding, rural and community investments, and public safety funding. Critics raised concerns about the size of the budget, the late availability and complexity of the bill, the removal of a proposed 1% pay raise for state employees, and whether spending priorities and education dollars were being allocated effectively. No final vote on the budget was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, I live this. I don't expect anybody to know it to the degree.
• They will be disrupted or delayed; future services compromised if this bill is not stopped.
• They provide critical services and guidance, especially in cases where there may be... ...services and
• I live in Twin Falls, Idaho.
• of services to Idaho residents and communities, including, yes.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• services.
• And so we paid for those services through fee for service pending that.
• And so we paid for those services through fee for service pending that.
• However, Division of Youth Services... ...services, not the other settings.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here we are, you know, $7 million that we're not providing for our seniors and all for basic home services
• complete educational record and to be informed if a school employee facilitates or implements social transitioning
• working with for just a few months, and we hope that we don't scare you away from your desired public service

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here we are, you know, $7 million that we're not providing for our seniors and all for basic home services
• complete educational record and to be informed if a school employee facilitates or implements social transitioning
• with them for just a few months, and we hope that we don't scare you away from your desired public service

Summary: The meeting began with a JLBC presentation on the state budget proposal. Staff reviewed revenue changes from the April forecast, which lowered expected growth slightly, and then walked through major tax policy provisions. Those included full conformity with HR1 for the current tax year, a shift to the provisions of SB 1106 for future tax years, new deductions for retirement/pension distributions and Roth IRA contributions, an increase in the dependent credit, and a child and dependent care subtraction. Staff said the tax changes had an overall fiscal impact of about $1.4 billion over four years. They also described offsets from repealing several tax credits and exemptions, including solar-related tax breaks, a renewable energy production credit, a new employment tax credit, a refundable R&D credit for smaller employers, and a pollution-control device credit, totaling about $75 million in added revenue. Another budget item would redirect Arizona Commerce Authority Competes Fund lottery distributions to the general fund. Members asked questions about the budget’s effect on ACCESS eligibility checks, state employee health insurance funding, and cuts to one-time funding for area agencies on aging and Alzheimer’s programs. The committee then moved to caucus items on several bills. HB 2249, as amended by the Senate, would expand the parents’ bill of rights to include access to a child’s complete educational record and notice if school staff facilitate social transitioning, and would require investigation of prior violations; the sponsor concurred with the amendment. HB 2035 would require DCS and courts to identify and consider extended family for kinship foster care placement, with Senate changes shortening a reporting deadline and adding adopted family members to the definition. HB 2170 would bar state contracts for electronic or IT goods with PRC-controlled companies, with a certification requirement added in the Senate. HB 2573 would remove a waiting period for ignition interlock restricted licenses after DUI revocation and adjust psychotherapy language. HB 2415 on kratom would classify synthetic kratom as a narcotic drug and add advertising, packaging, and retail restrictions, but the sponsor intended to refuse the Senate changes. HB 2873 would let local petition sponsors withdraw municipal referendum petitions retroactively, which members noted could affect the Marana data center petition effort. The final bill discussed, SB 1798, would create a Financial Aid Awareness Program in the Department of Education to recognize schools that support FAFSA completion. Members questioned whether the department would need additional staff or resources, but no fiscal note had been provided. The meeting ended with recognition of interns and a brief photo opportunity before the caucus moved into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• reports an indeterminate fiscal impact due to the amount of tribal facilitation and dispute resolution services
• statutes, adds certainty to the overall process, and allows tribes and counties to access mediation services
• Today the state has grants for improving highways, public transit, and airports, but not so much for

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reports an indeterminate fiscal impact due to the amount of tribal facilitation and dispute resolution services
• statutes, adds certainty to the overall process, and allows tribes and counties to access mediation services
• Today the state has grants for improving highways, public transit, and airports, but not so much for

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two transportation-related bills. For Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5374, staff explained that the bill would require tribal governments to be included in Growth Management Act transportation coordination and in preparation of county six-year transportation programs, and would create a tribal traffic safety coordinator grant program through the Traffic Safety Commission. Fiscal impacts were described as indeterminate and scalable, with estimates for staffing, grants, and local government coordination costs. The Association of Counties testified in support, saying the bill would better align existing tribal consultation processes with transportation planning and would not force counties to restart plans already near adoption. For Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, staff said the bill would create a Washington State Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal ports with public operations, with DOT setting priorities and criteria in collaboration with supply chain stakeholders. Fiscal notes estimated significant staffing and program costs, but the amount would depend on appropriations; no funds were included in the current Senate Transportation budget. The Washington Public Ports Association and representatives from the Port of Everett and Port of Port Angeles supported the bill, arguing it would help ports address congestion, improve freight efficiency, and leverage federal matching funds for major infrastructure projects. The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board director said many proposed projects would not qualify for FMSIB funding because they are not on strategic freight corridors, which is why a separate program may be needed. Members asked about timing, whether the tribal planning bill would require counties to start over on plans already near completion, and how the port bill would interact with existing funding sources and FMSIB eligibility. Staff and witnesses said the tribal bill was intended to work with existing coordination processes and not force counties to restart, while the port bill was meant to fill gaps where current programs do not apply. The chair then reviewed amendment deadlines for budget and committee bills, and the meeting adjourned for caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've traditionally focused on the high school transition, post-secondary education and workforce training
• , focused on the high school transition, post-secondary education and workforce training, but recognize

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard discussion of House Bill 779 and a related revised statement of purpose, RS 33597, dealing with homeschool enrollment and parental consent. Representative Ehart described the measure as a cleanup bill intended to solve problems schools and homeschool families had encountered with rolling enrollment. Kate Haas explained that the revised language would clarify that if a student does not show up at the start of the year, the student is not considered enrolled, while still allowing a district to enroll the student later if the child returns. The committee voted to hold House Bill 779 in committee and then voted to send RS 33597 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 761, which would merge the STEM Action Center with the Workforce Development Council. Representative Tanner said the bill was intended to improve reporting, add a sunset, encourage industry matching, and reduce costs, noting that the current structure had limited visibility into outcomes. Wendy Chris, executive director of both entities, testified that the merger would create a clearer talent-development pipeline from education to workforce readiness, reflect how STEM applies across many careers, and produce operational savings, including the elimination of two staff positions. After brief discussion and no opposition, the committee voted to send House Bill 761 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill helps Imperial County transition from one of the state's most economically challenged areas
• geothermal power plants, AB 1016 supports the state's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met as a subcommittee because a quorum was not present, and the chair announced 16 measures on the agenda, nine of them on consent. The committee then took up AB 1016 by Assemblymember Gonzalez, which would create a five-year pilot program allowing certain counties with geothermal elements in their general plans to locally permit geothermal plants up to 150 net megawatts through 2030. The author and Imperial County representatives argued the bill would streamline a duplicative permitting process, support local control, and bring jobs, tax revenue, and clean baseload energy development to Imperial County, which they described as facing high unemployment and poverty and having significant geothermal potential. Supporters included Imperial County officials, Rural County Representatives of California, Independent Energy Producers, and local community representatives. They emphasized the county’s long history of geothermal permitting, its planning efforts, and the economic benefits of projects that could support schools, health care, and community colleges. Opposition came from labor organizations including the California State Pipe Trades Council, Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers, California Coalition of Utility Employees, State Association of Electrical Workers, and State Building Trades. Their main concern was that shifting permitting from the California Energy Commission to local governments could remove the skilled-and-trained workforce requirement that currently applies to CEC-permitted projects. Committee members asked about that labor issue, and the author said he intended to work with the opposition coalition to ensure local workers are prioritized and that projects use skilled, trained, California-licensed labor. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration; no vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the world we live in.
• Live free or die.
• Uh live free or die. inspector. Uh live free or die.
• </c> will have to live there. will have to live there.
• Um, if you live in a parking spot.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all