Video & Transcript : 'cookware safety' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is an issue that could be sent to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation,
- This is an issue that could be sent to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation,
- Problems such as wage theft, health and safety violations, and poor-quality construction are often not
- Some such as wage theft, health and safety violations, and poor-quality construction are often not visible
Summary:
The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee.
The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony.
AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 52 Jun 4th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- decades, he carried out his responsibilities with professionalism, respect, and commitment to the safety
- Officer Edwards' life, his service, and his commitment to public safety will always be remembered with
- affirming that Massachusetts remains a beacon of hope and a place of refuge for all seeking compassion, safety
- Vieira of Falmouth. for all seeking compassion, safety, and liberty in their lives.
Summary:
The House began with ceremonial resolutions, adopting several measures congratulating new Eagle Scouts and recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States. It then took up and advanced several local bills, including the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act (S. 2619/H. 5472), a Fall River land conveyance bill, a Belmont alcohol licensing bill, a Reading senior property tax exemption bill, and a Lynnfield fund appropriation bill. The House also recessed and later returned to continue floor action.
The most extensive debate centered on the data privacy bill, which supporters described as a comprehensive consumer privacy framework. Members emphasized rights to access, correct, delete, and transfer personal data; limits on data collection; enhanced protections for sensitive data; a ban on selling precise location data; restrictions on targeted advertising to minors; and enforcement focused largely on large data holders rather than small businesses. Several members spoke in favor, framing the bill as a response to surveillance capitalism and a protection for vulnerable groups, civil liberties, and small businesses. The House adopted amendments and passed the bill to be enacted by roll call vote.
The House also passed a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill after a separate constitutional vote, and enacted a bill extending Milton’s deadline to appropriate money for a high school or conservation land. Another major item was the bill authorizing municipalities to opt into a temporary summer 2026 pilot extending liquor license hours and allowing public consumption in designated districts; after debate and an amendment, it was passed to be engrossed and the House concurred with the Senate’s referral. The House additionally enacted a bill updating laws concerning individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with members praising the removal of outdated and offensive language and stressing that the measure changed terminology without altering substantive rights. The session ended with the House adopting an order to adjourn and meet again the following Monday.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1270 amends Section 38-867, A.R.S., relating to the public safety personnel defined contribution
- Senate Bill 1270 amends Section 38-867, A.R.S., relating to the public safety personnel defined contribution
- their tireless efforts, Arizona correctional officers play a pivotal role in safeguarding public safety
- individuals serving in the corrections profession and the essential role they play in the public safety
Summary:
The House met, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and first took up a motion to request Senate consent for an extended adjournment. Representative Volk opposed the motion, arguing members should keep working on unfinished business, while Speaker Montenegro said the House had completed its current budget work and was waiting on the governor to return to negotiations. The motion passed 31-20, and the House also agreed to a related Senate adjournment request and to return HB 2415 to the Senate for reconsideration.
The chamber then went into Committee of the Whole and considered several Senate bills. SB 1199, concerning the Salt River wild horse herd, was amended to pause removals for a genetic diversity study and received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1399 on Medicaid spending transparency, SB 1496, SB 1497, SB 1582, SB 1713, and SB 1798 were also amended and advanced. SB 1713 drew the most debate, with supporters saying it would expand pharmacist access to basic care and improve rural and veteran access, while opponents warned it expanded scope of practice beyond pharmacists’ training. The House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report, ordered several bills engrossed, and sent SB 1399 to third reading.
In a second Committee of the Whole, SB 1214 and SB 1670 were further amended and advanced. The House then moved to third reading and voted on multiple bills. SB 1006, SB 1037, SB 1171, SB 1242, SB 1270, SB 1419, SB 1429, SB 1445, SB 1452, SB 1478, and SB 1566 passed, while SB 1099 and SB 1635 failed on the initial vote. Members then used reconsideration motions to place SB 1006 and SB 1635 back on the third-reading calendar. The session ended with personal privilege remarks recognizing correctional officers, Cinco de Mayo guests, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day, and other tributes, followed by adjournment until June 1, 2026.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs May 5th, 2026
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I felt that the areas of agreement were animal safety and welfare... ...must remain central; consumer
- hold the facilities actually accountable that are doing things that are outlandish or outside of safety
- hold the facilities actually accountable that are doing things that are outlandish or outside of safety
- It had been in the statute that dogs and kennels are required to wear tags, and there's some safety concerns
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Legislators Call for Humanitarian Parole for Detained Minnesotan - 04/23/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And our goal is to bring people in the first-person encounters with migrants seeking safety in our country
- 13:42.960><c> with</c><00:13:43.120><c> migrants</c><00:13:43.640><c> seeking</c><00:13:44.000><c> safety
- </c> encounters with migrants seeking safety encounters with migrants seeking safety in<00:13:45.040>
Summary:
The meeting focused on the detention of Andrea Pedro Francisco, a 23-year-old Burnsville resident and Minnesota constituent who was detained by ICE and transferred from Camp East Montana in El Paso to the El Paso Processing and Detention Center while awaiting surgery for a large ovarian cyst. Senator Lindsey Port, Congresswoman Angie Craig, and Senator Alese Matson argued that she has been denied adequate medical care, receiving only Tylenol and constipation medication despite an emergency room confirming she needs surgery. They said the delay could lead to severe pain, bleeding, loss of fertility, infection, or death, and repeatedly called for her immediate release on humanitarian parole.
Pastor Ellery Deikman described visiting Andrea in detention with other clergy and her lawyer, saying she appeared thin, in pain, and deeply distressed, though she brightened when told people in Minnesota were praying for her. He and others framed her situation as a humanitarian and human rights issue, criticizing the detention system as punitive and for-profit. Senator Matson, who is also a physician, explained that the standard treatment for a cyst of this size would be surgery and that waiting is medically dangerous. Participants also said Andrea had been in detention for close to 80 days, had limited access to legal and medical records, and had been separated from family and faith community.
The speakers tied Andrea’s case to broader concerns about immigration enforcement under the current administration, saying detentions and arrests have increased sharply and that many detainees have no criminal record. Vicki Schmidt of Abriendo Fronteras said detention numbers and costs have risen, conditions are often inhumane, and many people are being held in for-profit facilities. She and others urged support for HR 7335, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act, and called on DHS to grant Andrea parole immediately. In the question-and-answer portion, the physician-senator reiterated that surgery is the only treatment, that the condition could worsen at any time, and that prior practice generally allowed asylum seekers to remain in the community while their cases proceeded if they were not a danger.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Three - Thursday, April 16
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So this bill is about public safety on our roads.
- I think this does come from a place of a safety concern, and I understand the lady from Jackson's reason
- I think especially when you're operating large commercial vehicles, there is a safety component to being
- All that to say, I understand the safety component.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a vote of 126-2. Members then observed a moment of silence for former Representative Barney Fisher, who was remembered for his Marine Corps service, business career, and House service from 2005 to 2013. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including Southern Boone third graders, Lake of the Ozarks Day visitors, and guests connected to autism awareness and other local interests.
The House then took up several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 907, the “Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation,” was amended and passed 148-0; supporters said it would curb predatory ADA website lawsuits and give businesses 90 days to fix problems before suit, while still preserving access rights. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize investment authority for the state treasurer and potentially generate about $15 million annually, passed 100-34 after debate over investment safeguards and whether it was too broad. House Bill 2741, requiring CDL holders and applicants to be able to read and speak English sufficiently for safety-related tasks and imposing penalties on operators and carriers, passed 104-22 amid concerns about subjectivity and immigration impacts.
The House also passed House Bill 2474, adding progressive design-build as an optional project delivery method for local governments, by 141-5; House Bill 3076, a Department of Natural Resources cleanup bill exempting agricultural non-point sources from water permitting, by 102-41 after sharp debate over environmental protections; House Bill 2436, revising animal abuse/neglect and impoundment procedures, by 88-54; House Bill 2576, a naming/recognition bill, by 140-3; and House Bill 3175, “Mason’s Law,” allowing health-condition information to be shared with law enforcement during traffic stops, by 147-0. The chamber then announced upcoming committee work and adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (3-25-26)
Banking & Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- So, things that we think of in daily activities, just as far as safety in a shower, different legs qualify
- activities, just as think of in daily activities, just as far<00:04:38.960><c> as</c><00:04:39.200><c> safety
- </c><00:04:40.760><c> So,</c><00:04:41.000><c> different</c> far as safety in a shower.
- So, different far as safety in a shower.
Committee:
House Banking & Insurance
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/11/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- many rideshare drivers who I've spoken to who have cameras that film the inside of their car for safety
- guilty under this for, you know, something that they were recording inside their car for their own safety
- many ride chair drivers who I've spoken to who have cameras that film the inside of their car for safety
- guilty under this for, you know, something that they were recording inside their car for their own safety
Summary:
The Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the minutes from February 18, February 20, and March 4, 2026, then took up several measures while holding others in reserve. House Bill 2006, which would require counties without a USPS processing and distribution center to mail printed sample ballots 14 days before an election instead of 11, received support from the Association of Counties and passed on a 7-0 vote. House Bill 2167, which would impose liability on the Attorney General for certain public nuisance or consumer fraud actions that are dismissed or found meritless, drew opposition from some members who said it would interfere with the AG’s work, but it passed 4-3. The committee also discussed House Bill 2109, a hands-free driving bill that would increase penalties and expand the prohibition to watching or streaming video on a device; after extensive testimony and concerns about vagueness, dash cameras, CarPlay, navigation, and other in-car systems, the chair held the bill without prejudice for stakeholder discussions.
The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 2016, which would send to voters a proposal to eliminate county vote centers and on-site early voting and require precinct-based polling places with a 2,500-voter cap per precinct. Testimony from voting rights groups, county officials, and rural and tribal representatives strongly opposed the measure, citing higher costs, more provisional ballots, longer lines, delayed results, and reduced access for voters in rural areas and on the Navajo Nation. County representatives asked for a delayed effective date, funding, a higher precinct cap, and a fallback option if precinct sites cannot be secured. After hearing the testimony, the chair announced the resolution would be held without prejudice until the following week to allow further stakeholder discussions with the sponsor.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- because we don't want you to be in the position of devastating tax increases versus cuts to the social safety
- Washington is a critical safety net for its residents and those traveling from other states.
- Our safety net is rapidly unraveling.
- This devastates our already strained budgets for roads, schools, courts, and public safety.
Bills:
HB2747
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending, 904, all
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Mar 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- because we don't want you to be in the position of devastating tax increases versus cuts to the social safety
- Washington is a critical safety net for its residents and those traveling from other states.
- Our safety net is rapidly unraveling.
- This devastates our already strained budgets for roads, schools, courts, and public safety.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee held public hearings on several bills and took executive action on House Bill 2747. HB 2747 would change how Washington estimates future revenue in its four-year balanced budget outlooks by using the official revenue forecast instead of the current 4.5% growth assumption for the next two biennia. Staff described the bill as a technical change with indeterminate fiscal effects, and supporters said it would make budgeting more realistic and sustainable. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation by a vote of 26 ayes, 3 nays, and 2 excused.
The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, which would create an abortion savings program funded by a new annual assessment on health carriers offering exchange plans. Staff said the bill would generate about $10 million in fiscal year 2027 and about $2.1 million annually thereafter, with most funds going to grants for abortion care providers and some administrative costs for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Department of Health. Supporters said it would stabilize access to abortion care and help low-income patients, while opponents argued it would force taxpayers and insurers to subsidize abortion and raised concerns about oversight, morality, and premium impacts.
Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority to support new transmission projects and related tribal clean energy work, drew testimony from utilities, labor, clean energy advocates, counties, and landowners. Supporters said the state needs faster transmission buildout to improve reliability, support clean energy, and reduce congestion costs; opponents and county representatives raised concerns about eminent domain, loss of local tax revenue, board accountability, and the need for stronger landowner and county involvement. Staff estimated the bill would have a several-million-dollar general fund impact and noted possible indeterminate local revenue effects. The committee also received a briefing on engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which would reduce funding or eligibility for several K-12 programs, including bus depreciation, Running Start, and transition to kindergarten; public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with school officials, educators, community college representatives, students, and rural districts warning of reduced opportunities and harm to small and low-income districts.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- But we also remain a committed partner to solving this crisis, and it's what's become a public safety
- crisis and and it's what's become a this crisis and and it's what's become a public<00:05:21.480><c> safety
- And to echo Rebecca just now, this is a public safety issue.
- So it certainly is a public safety and general welfare issue.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 2/27/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- program, in the basic infrastructure that we expect counties to use to implement a lot of these social safety
- 10.160><c> social</c> implement a lot of these uh uh social implement a lot of these uh uh social safety
- 11.519><c> that</c><00:16:11.759><c> we</c><00:16:11.920><c> expect</c><00:16:12.160><c> counties</c> safety
- programs that we expect counties safety programs that we expect counties to<00:16:12.720><c> administer
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Feb 25th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2735 would improve child safety and development outcomes, eliminate unnecessary state intrusion
- In gross substitute Senate Bill 5906 concerns data and personal safety.
- In gross substitute Senate Bill 5906 concerns data and personal safety, there is one amendment H3669
- We should be putting the safety of our communities first over everything else.
Committee:
House Civil Rights & Judiciary
Keywords:
family law, constitutional floor, legal standards, child custody, divorce, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges, caseload, docket backlog, judicial workload, elected judge
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Garcia: Importantly, the bill supports reentry from the justice system and public safety, something
- who work at labor pools are formerly incarcerated, the bill would help Jean Tuffett: improve public safety
- My wife and I are reassessing the safety of our family and we will move if these bills continue to pass
- This hit rainbow-lined streets and even here in Tallahassee, streets for public safety were paved over
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- metrics these agencies must prove to show that this bailout will go to help either ridership issues, safety
- ... ...that this bailout will go to help either ridership issues, safety measures, or cleanliness concerns
- This is a bridge loan to ensure that our safety net services, our transit services, remain viable and
- He championed infrastructure investments that improved public safety, transportation, and neighborhood
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures.
The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination.
The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor.
The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We pray for protection and safety. Protect these legislators from harm and grant them strength.
- children in need and coordinated major rescue efforts to bring thousands of vulnerable children to safety
- It promotes maternal safety.
- Increased regulation of abortion providers does not enhance the health or safety of pregnant people,
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- hear from applicants, especially young families, is a lack of child care that aligns with public safety
- That directly impacts public safety, staffing, and service to work.
- That directly impacts public safety, staffing, and service to work.
- I'm here to echo the statements that have been made about public safety schedules and how that has its
Summary:
The committee met late in the evening and announced that Senate Bill 132 would be rolled until the next day. The only bill heard was Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 241, which would codify New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program in statute, establish eligibility, payment, wait-list, and co-payment rules, require reporting and transparency, and tie reimbursement rates to a cost-estimation model and wage scale/career lattice. The sponsor and administration described the bill as creating a durable framework for universal child care, with protections for program integrity, inclusion of children with developmental needs, and requirements to maximize state and federal child care tax benefits. Public testimony was largely supportive of the bill’s child care expansion goals, with endorsements from State Police, firefighters, early childhood advocates, and women’s policy groups, but many providers and educators said they could not support it without stronger wage and career-ladder protections and clearer guarantees that funding would reach staff salaries rather than owners or institutions.
The committee adopted Vice Chair Dixon’s amendment, which lowered the proposed transfer from the Early Childhood Education and Care Trust Fund from $1 billion to $700 million and added reporting requirements on the wait list, consultation requirements for rate-setting, additional facility reporting, a prohibition on supplanting certain public education funds, tribal facility participation, and food program reporting. A separate amendment from Representative Duncan to require first-come, first-served enrollment was debated at length but was tabled by a 9-7 vote after the sponsor and secretary said it conflicted with federal prioritization rules and the bill’s targeted access goals. Members also questioned how the bill would affect public entities, nontraditional-hour providers, co-pay triggers, and whether the wage scale would adequately compensate educators.
After debate, the committee voted 10-7 to give the amended bill a do-pass recommendation. Supporters said the bill would strengthen workforce stability, improve access for working families, and help sustain New Mexico’s universal child care system; opponents warned about the long-term fiscal impact, the potential growth of the program, and whether the bill sufficiently protected early childhood educators’ wages and other state priorities. The meeting adjourned with notice that the committee would reconvene at 8 a.m. the next day to hear the Senate’s actions on House Bill 2.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- whereas exaggerated fears regarding the risks of Valley Fever can lead to misguided decisions about the safety
- As exaggerated fears regarding the risks of Valley Fever can lead to misguided decisions about the safety
- I urge a no vote on SB 1036 because it weakens the safety net that helps Arizona recover after losing
- Also keep in mind that unemployment insurance is a safety net for our economy.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and several guest introductions, including Scout groups from Phoenix/Levine, Dr. John Galgiani for Valley Fever Awareness, and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day. Senator Kavanagh read a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber also adopted a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy and observed a moment of silence.
The Committee of the Whole considered SB 1036 on unemployment insurance, SB 1056 on reporting vacant state positions, SB 1236 on AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, and SB 1238 on the physician assistant licensure compact. SB 1036, SB 1056, and SB 1238 were approved in Committee of the Whole, with SB 1036 and SB 1238 amended. During floor debate, SB 1036 drew criticism from Democrats as adding burdens and reducing benefits for unemployed workers, while supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud; it later passed the Senate 17-12. SB 1056 also passed 17-12 after debate over whether automatic elimination of long-vacant positions would improve efficiency or harm agency staffing. SB 1238 passed with a conforming amendment and later the House version HB 2190 was substituted and passed.
The Senate then took up several third-reading bills. SB 1126 on educational records passed 29-0. SB 1189 on campaign expenditures passed 27-2 after debate about political violence and campaign-related expenses. SB 1211 on sentencing passed 29-0. The chamber also reconsidered and substituted House bills for identical Senate bills: HB 2206 for SB 1333 and HB 2396 for SB 1368, both related to SNAP. HB 2206 passed 17-12 after debate over a proposed SNAP error-rate penalty and its impact on food access, and HB 2396 passed 17-12 after debate over restricting SNAP purchases. Finally, HB 2796 was substituted for SB 1236 and passed after debate over AHCCCS enrollment barriers. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- whereas exaggerated fears regarding the risks of Valley Fever can lead to misguided decisions about the safety
- As exaggerated fears regarding the risks of Valley Fever can lead to misguided decisions about the safety
- I urge a no vote on SB 1036 because it weakens the safety net that helps Arizona recover after losing
- Also keep in mind that unemployment insurance is a safety net for our economy.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a real safety discussion that we have about staffing.
- replacement items, including obsolete security systems, broken signage and aging shelving, service and safety
- We based it on three primary factors: number one is safety, number two is exposure to the state in terms
- Item number two, in our warehouse, we need some safety equipment for the higher racks.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, legislative staff reviewed the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY 2026–2027 budget requests, including pay adjustments, replacement items, IT hardware, a reappropriation for the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two major one-time requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and urgency of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the state’s rapid response to quagga mussels, and explained how the program uses inspections, stations, chemicals, and other tools to reduce risk. Members asked about grant timing, vehicle replacement, signage costs, research into alternative treatments, chemical costs, possible use of sturgeon, and whether budget cuts would affect inspection stations; the director said some station openings or hours could be delayed or reduced, but priority would be given to border crossings and higher-risk locations.
The committee then reviewed the State Liquor Division budget. Staff outlined the division’s dedicated-fund operations, personnel levels, statutory distributions, and FY 2027 requests for inflation, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, all recommended by the governor. Director Andrew Arulenandum said his priorities were safety, legal exposure, and operational continuity, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety needs as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a policy proposal to restrict bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, the division’s pricing and markup structure, and whether Idaho might move away from a state-run liquor model. The director and his staff said the lottery restriction would not have a fiscal impact, that the markup is standardized, and that while the division remains open to efficiency ideas, the current control-state structure is intended to support revenue and temperance. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would return the next day to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets.