Transcript Highlights:

• And we don't have that authority in these camp programs.
• They're proposing another one, so, Cook, I mean, it serves Harris County...
• Senator Cook, I mean, it serves Harris County.
• Authorities removed 21 young children amid abuse allegations.
• Between camps and county emergency management officials is super essential.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Greene County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The chair recognizes the gentleman from Jasper County. Thank you, Mr.
• Seeing none, gentleman from Green County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from Warren County in the back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Seeing none, gentleman from Greene County is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After adoption of each of the resolutions, we will return to privileges of the floor for the author to
• He's someone who, as the author mentioned, was the first Latino quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
• And I want to thank the author for bringing forward this resolution. Senator Gonzales.
• He is a living legend, as my colleague from Orange County mentioned, a Latino living legend who we are
• The Oakdale Saddle Club is in Stanislaus County and Senate District 4.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Natural Resources, under consideration of House Bill 2420, emissions reduction credits counties
• election to participate in the program; it results in a certification of emission reduction credits by county
• 45-1921, 45-1973, and 45-1976, repealing Section 45-1991, and adding new sections relating to the county
• water augmentation authority.
• It was advice statute by adding Section 45-2000, relating to the county water augmentation authority.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lone Oak County. There you go. Your district, I know that. And I think, yeah, that's about it.
• I know she's in Lonoke County.
• So that authority, was it granted to you? I'm glad you have it. That is great news to me.
• And I'd say that's fairly accurate because the last incident in a county next door to me was 15 months
• , gets their certification and authority through us to wear the badge and do the job.

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The act does authorize a committee or an agency to require folks to sign in before they comment, but
• to do because they don't have the authority, which is the ultra vires action.
• And I recognize that we may not have any authority here, but as we go to make a recommendation, that
• Can they get it through the counties and cities then?
• Do we have any idea how much the cities and counties are paying for this? No, we don't.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that law still is in place in Jordan today and in the Palestinian Authority.
• And then last week in JLBC, DDD acknowledged that the agency basically grew itself without authority
• As you notice, Maricopa County has significantly greater prices on gas than around the rest of Arizona
• As you notice, Maricopa County has significantly greater prices on gas than around the rest of Arizona
• And so we have to use a specific gasoline. and subsequently conduct a feasibility study of authorizing

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up HCR 2047 and the identical companion H.R. 2002, both of which would direct state communications to use the terms Judea and Samaria instead of West Bank and affirm the historical, biblical, and legal legitimacy of those names. The sponsor and several proponents, including Jeff Schwartz, Jason Morris, Rabbi Pinchas Alouche, and Jake Bennett, argued that the language is historically accurate and that “West Bank” is a political term that erases Jewish history. No one testified against either measure. HCR 2047 passed 10-6, and H.R. 2002 passed 11-6, both with due pass recommendations. The committee then heard HB 2554, which would establish a biennial state budget process and biennial capital planning, shifting agencies to submit budget requests every other year and requiring the governor to propose a two-year executive budget. Sponsor Rep. Joseph Chaplik said the bill would make government smaller, more disciplined, and more efficient, reduce long budget sessions, and restore a part-time legislative model. JLBC staff provided historical context on Arizona’s past annual and biennial budgeting systems and noted that second-year budgets are often modified for revenue and caseload changes. Several members raised concerns about legislative leverage, flexibility, and whether the change would be constitutional or practical. The bill received a do-pass recommendation after debate. Next, HB 2014, as amended, would require ADEQ and the Department of Agriculture to study gasoline blend emissions and feasibility for seasonal fuel sales in certain areas, with appropriations for the studies. Sponsor Rep. Lisa Fink said the bill responds to fuel vulnerability in Maricopa County and possible supply disruptions tied to California refinery closures. Some members supported the concept but voted present or no, citing prior stakeholder work, cost, and uncertainty about whether the studies would change outcomes. The amended bill passed with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2180, as amended, appropriated funding for the AZ Reach hospital transfer program; Rep. Julie Willoughby and AZ Reach representatives said it helps rural hospitals transfer patients efficiently and keeps clinicians at the bedside. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the appropriation from $2.5 million to $500,000, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation after testimony from rural health providers. Finally, HB 2156, as amended, appropriated $250,000 to the livestock compensation fund to help ranchers with wolf depredation losses and conflict-avoidance measures. Game and Fish staff said the existing federal funding is unstable and insufficient, and the state fund helps compensate ranchers in rural Arizona. Some members supported the fund but opposed using general funds, citing budget constraints, transparency concerns, and wildlife conservation priorities. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost to house individuals in county jails is established in code in Section 2237A.
• The department also pays $2.50 for county medical costs.
• That's an increase from... ...of 991 residents in county jails per month.
• Every additional resident must be housed in a county or out-of-state facility. Mr.
• They do have that statutory authority. And I think it also promotes efficiency.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the January 19, 2026 minutes and voted to send Michael Kennedy’s gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Judicial Council to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then received a JFAC budget presentation on the judicial branch, Idaho Department of Correction, and Idaho State Police. Judicial branch highlights included a requested increase for guardian ad litem/CASA pass-through funds in the Second Judicial District and a large increase for the Senior Magistrate Judge Retirement Fund to cover expected retirements and related service purchases. For IDOC, analysts described declining dedicated fund balances, the governor’s holdback exemption, and population-driven costs for county and out-of-state placements and medical services; members asked about vacant FTE reductions, inmate labor revenue declines, probation/parole collections, and population growth despite lower crime trends. For Idaho State Police, the main budget issue was a proposed commission pay plan funded by increasing the Project Choice fee from $3 to $12 per vehicle registration, which drew questions about the impact on motorists and whether state general funds should cover the cost instead. JFAC Chair Scott Grow also discussed overall state budget conditions, emphasizing structural balance, revenue uncertainty, and the need to avoid relying on one-time funds for ongoing expenses. He noted that general fund revenues and appropriations are tightening, that conformity legislation and other policy bills could affect the bottom line, and that JFAC is considering ongoing spending reductions for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Members questioned the assumptions behind the revenue forecast and the size of the ending balance under different scenarios. The committee then printed two RSs from Senator Lakey: RS 33169, which would further align Idaho’s illegal-entry/presence law with federal immigration law and address preemption concerns, and RS 33172, which would clarify juvenile probation officers’ authority to detain or arrest juvenile probationers for in-person violations and to execute warrants and transport juveniles. Finally, the committee heard and passed Senate Bill 1239, a technical change to sex offender residency restrictions that would treat locally approved or zoned daycare facilities the same as state-licensed daycares for purposes of the 500-foot restriction; the bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation after questions about retroactivity and whether existing residents would be forced to move.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:22.880><c> to</c> governments that have the authority to governments that have the authority
• Charitable gambling is statutorily authorized under chapter 349, and then the state lottery is authorized
• Revenue for parimutuel horse racing is authorized under the Constitution and authorized for on-track
• </c> uh this would these give us the author uh this would these give us the author to<00:47:57.359><c
• </c> Liquor license, the issuing authority—liquor license, the issuing authority—does we have several

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, a bill chief authored by Senator Mchuan.
• Uh a bill chief authored by 3101. Uh a bill chief authored by Senator<00:01:20.840><c> Mchuan.
• </c> the chief author the chief author or<00:36:56.560><c> Senator</c><00:36:56.880><c> Fate.
• The city and county development.
• </c><01:35:40.080><c> This</c> signing on as the co-author. This signing on as the co-author.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've talked to four different police officers in Coos County.
• My name is Stephen Enders, and I'm an assistant county attorney in Merrimack County.
• .' at the request of state county or local at the request of state county or local law<04:24:05.800><
• The authors try to claim that it doesn't, but in fact it does.
• </c> wasn't fifth Federal Federal authorities wasn't fifth Federal Federal authorities have<06:31:05.240

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot that goes with Israel for 38.6 authority. We have to set up a friend's.
• for lack of a prior authorization.
• for plans that implemented a prior authorization requirements.
• Those claims that they were denied Salaita for not having a prior authorization in place.
• How long it for the prior authorization for the not to now the claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is having, the counties. is having, the counties.
• Next we have County Clerk Moana Ludy from the Office of the County Clerk, County of Maui, in support
• Next we have County Clerk Moana Ludy from the Office of the County Clerk, County of Maui, in support
• My name is Moana Ludy, and I'm the County Clerk for the County of Maui.
• </c> County of Maui. County of Maui.

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, space Florida is the state's airspace, finance and development authority.
• And just, you know, we always offer and this is something just by county.
• This is at the county level. We can do it by industry by subsector and various things.
• and the surrounding areas around our county.
• that share their namesake, including Franklin County where I was there recently.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, section 11 pertains to the state agricultural society bonding authority.
• It increases the bonding authority limit.
• It increases the bonding authority limit.
• It increases the bonding authority limit.
• It increases the bonding authority limit.

Bills: HF9

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> authority to review those petitions. authority to review those petitions.
• </c><00:27:45.679><c> away</c> pulled that delegation authority away pulled that delegation authority
• I'm Sher Davis from Crook County.
• I'm Sher Davis from Crook County. I'm simply a citizen. Ms. Davis from Crook County.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Jerry Davis from Crook County. &gt;&gt; Jerry Davis from Crook County.

Bills: HB0108 , HB0039 , HB0091 , HB0070

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: audit, transparency, government reporting, accountability, public access, firearm rights, restoration of rights, criminal justice, felony convictions, Wyoming law, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve 32 sites across the county of the Berkshires. Thank you.
• We serve 32 sites across the county of the Berkshires.
• Both Albany County and Schuyler County in New York have land application moratoriums, while Steuben County
• Both Albany County and Schuyler County in New York have land application moratoriums, while Steuben County
• I am the chapter secretary of the Franklin County FFA chapter.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please do not include that authorization in the final budget. Thank you.
• Pierce County legislators collectively identify this work as a priority for its significant county-wide
• As a host county for the state capital, Thurston County Superior Court serves as the Capitol Court for
• Yes, Ramona Hattendorf with the Arc of King County.
• I have four staff in King County serving more than 1,600 youth.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lucy Salcedo Carter with the Alameda County Office of Education.
• Pamela Gibbs, representing the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
• Orange County Department of Education, in partnership with Butte County Office, has led the statewide
• Leticia Garcia on behalf of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.
• Gabby Vargas Buell on behalf of California County Superintendents.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:50.440><c> charge</c><00:56:50.920><c> a</c> Authority uh legal authority to charge a Authority
• On the left is Carroll County, which of course is a recreational county in the middle of the state.
• Rockingham County is a county like that.
• c> in</c> about 300 counties like Caroll County in about 300 counties like Caroll County in the<04:29
• </c><04:30:15.119><c> is</c><04:30:15.359><c> a</c> county like that Rockingham County is a county like

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.