Transcript Highlights:

• Members, and members of the audience, please silence your cell phones and all communication devices including
• Chair Chaney: I thank you from the dais for everything you do for communities.
• I worked in my local community which happens to be the community he was born in.
• It tells our children who is worthy of celebration, it tells our community whose voices matter.
• I'm not going to vote for this because of something I know in my community, things that we deal with

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not about halting progress or rejecting technology.
• So I think for rural communities, which I hadn't thought about until you just brought it up, becomes

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not about halting progress or rejecting technology.
• So I think for rural communities, which I hadn't thought about until you just brought it up, becomes

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3256, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Dernel, which would require businesses to accept U.S. cash and prohibit cashless-only establishments, with exceptions such as unattended fuel pumps, card security deposits, and businesses that convert cash to a no-fee prepaid card for on-site use. Dernel argued the bill protects seniors, veterans, children, and unbanked or underbanked consumers who may be excluded by cashless policies, and said cash is legal tender and important for privacy and access. She also said she would remove an outdated subsection referencing banks or credit unions. Members raised concerns about whether the bill improperly limits business discretion, whether cashless policies can improve safety and reduce costs, and whether the bill’s definitions were too broad or unclear. Questions focused on what counts as a “retail establishment,” whether the bill would apply to schools, doctors, apps, and event venues, and who would be liable for violations. One member noted possible conflict with existing Missouri law on legal tender and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions and revisions. Testimony was mixed. The Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association supported the bill, saying cashless trends and credit card fees hurt gas stations and convenience stores, though they asked for practical exceptions. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry opposed the bill, arguing businesses should decide their own payment policies, especially for safety and operational reasons, and objected to the proposed Class D misdemeanor penalty, which they said is harsher than penalties in other states. Additional witnesses from consumer and advocacy groups spoke in favor, emphasizing consumer choice and the continued need for cash. No final vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's technology is different. It didn't allow them to do replacements.
• It was originally four hours per year, and we heard a lot of feedback from the regulated community and

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• one-time dedicated fund request for IT and security equipment recommended by the Office of Information Technology
• It is really, right now, we are slowing down the business community, and what I wouldn't want this committee

Summary: The committee first took up Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved increases for the Transportation Services Division, including deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, aeronautics facilities maintenance, replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs. It also adopted reappropriation language for capital facilities and aeronautics programs. The Division of Motor Vehicles budget was then approved for replacement items and IT hardware, followed by Highway Operations funding for roadside safety, tree removal, new and replacement equipment, IT hardware, and a small personnel transfer. The committee also approved Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition funding, including a large general fund transfer and language allowing accounting corrections and reappropriation authority. All of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was next. The committee approved two FY 2026 supplementals: one for quagga mussel treatment costs from the Invasive Species Fund and another for pest monitoring and control from the General Fund to the Pest Control Deficiency Fund. It then approved FY 2027 enhancements for replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget was also approved, including ongoing inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security hardware. However, a proposed reporting requirement on energy and utility rebates for the Liquor Division failed after the Senate did not support it, so that language was not adopted. The Secretary of State budget drew the most discussion. The committee approved a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal transfer for overtime, but rejected a substitute motion that would have imposed an additional base reduction. The Secretary of State testified that the office was already dealing with major filing backlogs and an earlier rescission, and that further cuts would slow business filings and election-related work. The committee then approved the original motion. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was approved for six new trial attorney positions, data migration and storage costs, IT replacement items, and health benefit funding. The meeting ended with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• one-time dedicated fund request for IT and security equipment recommended by the Office of Information Technology
• It is really, right now, we are slowing down the business community, and what I wouldn't want this committee

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved additional dedicated and federal funding for Transportation Services, Division of Motor Vehicles, Highway Operations, and Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition, including money for deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, replacement items, IT hardware, roadside tree removal, highway operations, and a capital transfer for right-of-way and construction. The committee also adopted several pieces of language, including reappropriation authority and accounting-correction language for ITD, and all of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was then reviewed. The committee approved a FY 2026 supplemental for invasive species/quagga mussel treatment and a separate deficiency appropriation for pest monitoring and control. It also approved FY 2027 enhancement funding for replacement items and IT hardware, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget followed, and the committee approved funding for inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, but rejected proposed language directing the division to report on energy and utility rebates after the Senate failed to support it. Next, the committee took up the Secretary of State’s budget. Members debated a substitute motion that would have reduced the office’s base budget and added a voter pamphlet appropriation, but that substitute failed. The original motion then passed, funding a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal personnel transfer, while leaving out the office’s IT replacement request. The Secretary of State testified that additional cuts would slow business filings and election-related work, noting the office had already absorbed a significant rescission. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was considered. The committee approved funding for six additional trial attorney positions, data migration and storage, ITS replacement items, and health benefit costs, with the agency explaining that its recent transition and high fill rate made the standard health-benefit calculation inaccurate. The meeting concluded with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our day and age, with technology, and then add in where we're at with the stickers, and you think
• school and their friends' houses, and families ride them through their neighborhoods to the park and community

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 533 from Representative Weber, which would eliminate the requirement for vehicle registration stickers on license plates. Weber argued the stickers are outdated, can be hard to read or covered up, and that ending the program would save about $300,000 for the Idaho Transportation Department. After brief questions about whether other sticker references in statute would also need cleanup, and a comment from a member of law enforcement about possible increased plate-check calls, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 500, sponsored by Representative Matthias, would clarify that Idaho’s due-care traffic law applies to electric-assisted bicycles and related provisions, so riders are clearly covered and subject to traffic laws. Testimony came from the injured constituent who prompted the bill, Sean Norton, and from Daniel Murphy, both supporting the measure as a safety update. Members discussed broader issues around e-bikes, scooters, and motorbikes, including definitions and whether future legislation should address micromobility more comprehensively. The committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 553 from Representative Petzke, which would define residency for Title 49 purposes based on establishing domicile and require new residents to obtain an Idaho driver’s license and vehicle registration within 30 days. Members raised concerns about the bill’s wording, especially the removal of “for purposes of vehicle registration” from the definition and whether it could affect other areas of law such as voting or income tax. After discussion with ITD staff, the sponsor agreed to bring back a revised bill, and the committee voted to hold the bill in committee. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 552 from Representative Handy, which would change certain deadlines from calendar days to business days and update judgment-related language to reflect current electronic transmission practices and default judgment procedures. After a brief explanation from DMV staff, the committee voted to send House Bill 552 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the best way to address housing affordability in your community?
• And we just don't want permitting to be extra for a home that's built with a different technology one

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on housing affordability and land-use policy, with presentations from Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center and Chris Cargill and Maddie Clark of the Mountain States Policy Center. Hamilton argued that housing shortages are driven largely by zoning, permit delays, parking mandates, and building-code rules, and cited examples where deregulation increased housing supply and moderated rents. She also discussed accessory dwelling unit reforms, state-local cooperation on zoning, possible building-code changes such as allowing single-stair mid-rise apartments and more units under the residential code, and said limited federal land releases near existing development could help in some cases. Members asked about single-stair buildings, the role of large institutional investors, the shift toward “missing middle” housing, whether zoning is really a problem in Idaho, and whether federal land should be opened for development. Hamilton said investor demand is often attracted by supply constraints and that easing construction is the best long-term way to expand homeownership. She also said recent price increases were driven by both demand shocks since 2020 and long-term supply constraints. Several members expressed concern that the state is moving away from single-family zoning and that many Idaho residents still prefer detached homes. Cargill and Clark presented polling and research from the Mountain States Policy Center showing strong public concern about housing costs: 86% of Idahoans called affordable housing a serious problem, 78% said legislators should act, 87% supported more flexibility for ADUs, and 69% supported automatic permit approval if regulators miss a reasonable deadline. They said respondents were divided on rent control and public housing versus reducing regulations, and argued that education is needed about the downsides of rent control. An Association of Idaho Cities representative noted Idaho already approves more building permits per capita than any other state and cautioned that automatic approvals could raise safety concerns. No votes were taken; the chair said the hearing was informational and adjourned after thanking the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the best way to address housing affordability in your community?
• And we just don't want permitting to be extra for a home that's built with a different technology one

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but the first, the first paragraph there communicates, I think the broader point, which is that voters
• And, you know, some of that's evident with respect to technology and the purchase of buses, but also

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the additional data security checks we We recommend a higher level of security technology
• Libertarian policies minimize force and deliver prosperity and peace in communities.

Bills: HB2139 , HB2253 , HB3632 , HB4171 , HB4309 , HB4508 , SB760 , SB1470

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• SINCE BEING DIRECTED TO DEVELOP A COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM FOR STATE LANDS RECORDS TECHNOLOGY HAS OF COURSE
• FINALLY, THERE IS A PERCEPTION IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THE CURRENT CAREER STATUS PROVIDES A LAYER OF INDEPENDENCE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this technology, members, is only going to get better and better. This is kind of the start.
• This amendment specifies that the bill applies to Medicaid recipients enrolled in a home and community-based

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:40:11.679><c> I</c> deaf community. Everything's good." I deaf community.
• Nobody in the deaf community is asking for a study. The deaf community wants the resources.
• community.
• community.
• </c> actually want these communities to do. actually want these communities to do.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chicano land grant community.
• and allow that community to grow.
• , cemeteries, and community economic development for their communities.
• Water is a community resource.
• communities to impoverished communities.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• You also see the addition of legislative technology in the list of programs there. to section 67.3511
• You also see the addition of legislative technology and the list of programs there. ...and programs.
• You also see the addition of legislative technology in the list of programs there.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee began with recognition of two outgoing pages, who described their experiences working at the Capitol and their plans for college and law school. The committee then received a general fund budget update from Legislative Services analyst Christopher LaHosette, who explained the green sheet, noted that the governor’s enhancement requests are effectively larger because of prior cuts, and highlighted policy bills tied to budget reductions, including House Bill 622 for IDLA and Senate Bill 1312 for Medicaid. Senator Wintrow asked about how agencies already filled out on the budget sheet could still be adjusted, and LaHosette said an agency would need to be added to the agenda before a motion could be made. The committee then acted on several budgets. It approved a $17,800 reimbursement to the Military Division for hazardous materials costs, but rejected a larger Military Division enhancement package after debate over restoring the State Education Assistance Program for guardsmen and concerns about budget process and ending balances. The committee approved Percy’s $2.6 million dedicated-funds request for pension software, continuity planning, and replacement items. It also approved the Division of Veterans Services budget, including new equipment, replacement items, federal IT hardware, and reappropriation authority for veterans’ home construction and renovation funds. A proposed intent language item for the Division of Veterans Services, directing the legislature to add $36,200 ongoing in fiscal year 2028 for cemetery maintenance, failed after members said it could not bind a future legislature and that the intent was only to signal future attention. The committee then approved the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired enhancement request and accepted language directing the agency to prioritize site restoration services. It also approved a small Vocational Rehabilitation lease increase for the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and later approved the State Tax Commission’s $765,300 supplemental for federal tax conformity implementation, along with a larger enhancement package for property tax education, GenTax automation, personnel, replacement items, seasonal employees, and OITS hardware. The committee accepted language restricting one Tax Commission item to fast tax collection vendor payments and requiring any unused amount to revert to the general fund. Finally, the committee adopted technical corrections to previously approved maintenance bill language for the Legislature and the State Board of Education, including fixes to transfer authority and year references. The chair announced that the committee would hear budget presentations for the Department of Water Resources and the Soil and Water Conservation Commission on Monday, with no votes scheduled, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it you don't have the technology? Is it that the law is written poorly, right?
• environment community tomorrow, these community<00:41:27.840><c> grant</c><00:41:28.120><c> programs<
• We are having a large communication.
• And I mentioned earlier the community grants program.
• And I mentioned earlier the community grants program.

Bills: HF3564

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How a local community regulates animals is best left for that community, and there are very few, if any
• But if those communities go away, so do the jobs.
• I wanted to move to the rural community.
• And cities safety, nuisance, zoning compatibility, and basic community standards.
• And this industry supports thousands of jobs, particularly in our rural communities.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is how we feel a mandated item to pass SB 1154. concern for communities in that area.
• Route 70, which is in the area of the San Carlos Apache community.
• Safford, Thatcher, Pima, Solomon—the community has grown quite a bit.
• Senator Rogers, you are a passionate advocate for your community, and I see that every day.
• You are a passionate advocate for your community, and I see that every day. I've worked with you.

Bills: SB1063 , SB1118 , SB1153 , SB1154 , SB1209 , SCM1001

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, safety improvements, Route 70, infrastructure, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, special license plate, special plate, license plate, vanity plate

Transcript Highlights:

• Program to help rural communities better align education, training, and workforce needs.
• When you're out an officer... so the public is losing out from being able to protect that community.
• We have communities from Deep East Texas to the Rio Grande Valley, to El Paso, to Amarillo, creating
• in our community.
• I represent a community that is a fifth under the poverty line, a community that is a fifth.

Bills: HB875 , HB1667 , HB2369 , HB3844 , HB4415 , HB4479 , HB4483 , HB4676 , HB5118 , HB5400 , HB5545

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees