Transcript Highlights:

• We know that some jobs are very difficult, and some things may have negative impacts here and there,
• It is truly often a thankless job.
• And I can say just because of that experience, it's a very difficult job.
• It may be the most difficult job, but it's also the most rewarding job.
• So it's so appropriate. difficult job, but it's also the most rewarding job.

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HM2 , HM16

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Transcript Highlights:

• to approve the minutes from February 2nd and February 3rd, and commend our committee secretary for a job
• For a job well done. Thank you, thank you, everybody.
• She held a job. She is the nursery leader in her church. And she adds value everywhere.
• I think, as an education system, we're also doing a better job... ...how we can intervene earlier for
• I think, as an education system, we're also doing a better job of recognizing that our job truly in special

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also good-paying jobs and would be a great way to make sure that we are good for the environment
• We do create a lot of jobs.
• We do create a lot of jobs.
• And then, like I said, it's a great job creator. We also give— I'm going to tear up a little bit.
• If you say, I want to just be careful because it's not my job to say the intent of legislation.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two producer-responsibility bills and then a work session on consumer electrical equipment. On SB 6271, which would create an extended producer responsibility program for mattresses, staff explained the bill’s requirements for a producer responsibility organization, collection and recycling targets, reporting, and enforcement. Senator Hunt said the measure would reduce landfill burden and illegal dumping while creating recycling jobs. Local governments, a recycler, and environmental advocates testified in support, citing landfill capacity concerns, high disposal costs, and the potential to recover most mattress materials. Retail and industry groups said they support the goal but opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it differs from existing state models and could create unnecessary cost and administrative burden. The hearing closed with 459 signed in support and 172 opposed. The committee then heard SB 6174, a proposed substitute on textile producer responsibility that would first require a needs assessment and the creation of a coordinating organization. Supporters, including the sponsor, environmental advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and a student testifier, described textiles as a fast-growing waste stream with major landfill, pollution, and global labor impacts, and said the needs assessment is an important first step. Opponents from retail, business, apparel, and hospitality groups said they support continued stakeholder work and the needs assessment concept, but raised concerns that the bill still presumes a future EPR program, could impose fees and penalties, and may sweep in retailers and company uniforms in ways that create burdens for small businesses. The hearing closed with 1,253 signed in support and 364 opposed. In the work session, Jeremiah Miller of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory briefed the committee on codes and standards for grid-connected and portable solar equipment. He explained how the National Electrical Code, UL certification standards, and IEEE interconnection standards work together, and described newer supplemental standards such as UL 3141 for power control systems and UL 3700 for portable or plug-in solar. Members asked about safety, certification timing, and how Washington could allow these products while ensuring proper installation and consumer protection. Miller said UL 3700 is very new and not yet widely certified in the market, but that the current code framework can accommodate certified products while standards continue to evolve. The committee took no votes and adjourned after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• that it is in the best interest of the state to go in and restore wildfire damage, then that is the job
• that it is in the best interest of the state to go in and restore wildfire damage, then that is the job
• Representative Crane did a phenomenal job laying out some of the harms that flow from addictive social
• And that is our job, to protect our children and grandchildren.
• And that is our job is to protect our children and grandchildren. and that is our job is to protect our

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33178, a proposed constitutional amendment to change how state endowment and public lands are managed. Representative Raibald said the measure would shift the focus from maximum long-term financial return to a broader approach that prioritizes ongoing revenue generation, preserves public access for recreation and hunting/fishing/trapping where possible, and still allows sale or exchange only when needed and at appraised value. He also said the amendment would create a framework for any future federal land transfers, account for existing rights and obligations, and direct revenues into a dedicated fund for managing those lands. Members raised questions about wildfire impacts, tribal rights, land exchanges, and whether the proposal could lead to sales of valuable land; Raibald said the legislature would retain policy authority and that the measure was meant as a backstop. The committee voted to introduce RS 33178. The committee then heard House Bill 542, which would regulate social media use by minors. Representative Crane and legal counsel Chelsea Yeoman argued the bill is aimed at addictive design features rather than content, citing harms to youth mental health, privacy, and attention, and saying the bill would use existing age-estimation technology to default minors off platforms unless parents give verified consent. The bill would also require removal of features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, public like counts, and algorithmic targeting for covered minors, and it would create a private right of action and Attorney General enforcement. Supporters said it would empower parents and protect children from harmful platform design; a remote industry witness opposed it, arguing it would violate First Amendment rights, conflict with precedent, and invite litigation. Committee members asked about constitutional issues, Section 230, age estimation, parental controls, enforcement, and the bill’s $1 billion coverage threshold. Supporters responded that the bill was drafted to be content-neutral and to fit existing case law, while opponents said it still functioned as speech regulation. After public testimony from Idaho Family Policy Center in support and CCIA in opposition, the committee debated the bill. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing child safety and parental control, while others noted likely litigation and costs. The committee then voted to send House Bill 542 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• that it is in the best interest of the state to go in and restore wildfire damage, then that is the job
• that it is in the best interest of the state to go in and restore wildfire damage, then that is the job
• Representative Crane did a phenomenal job laying out some of the harms that flow from addictive social
• And that is our job: to protect our children and grandchildren.
• And that is our job is to protect our children and grandchildren. and that is our job is to protect our

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• artificial intelligence systems, or GPS or tracking technology for the primary purpose of monitoring job
• presumptive based upon the stress and the hardships and the exposures and the carcinogens and just the job
• And the exposures and the carcinogens and just the job conditions of both of these professions.
• Folks who work, do the job, do the job, ensuring that our most vulnerable workers. ...work, do the job
• employees injured Workers' compensation system serves as a vital safety net for employees injured on the job

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met on January 28, 2026, first hearing staff briefings and then taking executive action on House Bills 1571, 2144, 2191, and 2372. HB 1571 would make heart conditions a presumptive occupational disease for certain firefighters and law enforcement officers; members spoke in support of the bill as a response to the stresses and exposures of those jobs, and it was reported out 8-1 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2144 would require notice to employees when employers use electronic monitoring for performance evaluations. The committee considered several amendments to a proposed substitute, adopting an amendment clarifying private communications protections but rejecting amendments to broaden emergency exceptions and remove the private right of action. The bill, as amended, passed 6-3. HB 2191 concerns wages in the construction industry and employer/contractor liability for unpaid wages. The committee considered a proposed substitute and several amendments. Members rejected amendments to include public entities as owners and to extend the right to cure to subcontractors, but adopted amendments removing Attorney General enforcement authority and making additional clarifying changes. Supporters emphasized accountability for unpaid wages and protecting vulnerable workers; opponents raised concerns about the scope of liability. The amended bill was reported out 6-3. HB 2372 would require workers’ compensation time loss benefits to include the full employer health care premium contribution rather than a partial percentage. An amendment to add L&I invoice and notice requirements and bar attorney fees on the health-care-premium portion was rejected, and the bill was then reported out 6-3. The committee also held public hearings on HB 2563 and HB 2188. HB 2563 would allow the Office of Administrative Hearings to automatically serve unemployment-case notices electronically during a pilot period ending July 30, 2029. OAH testified that the change would reduce mailing costs and improve service, while the Unemployment Law Project warned it would harm claimants with limited digital access and create procedural barriers; no action was taken during the hearing. HB 2188 would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rate caps shift costs to other classes. Business groups supported the transparency measure, and L&I testified it could provide the information and that the bill would have no fiscal impact; the hearing was closed without action.

Transcript Highlights:

• the grocery store, staggering child care costs, and we have seen lower wage workers with multiple jobs
• directly impact families who rely on child care in order to work, attend school, and participate in job
• As I recovered, I realized that I wanted a job that was fulfilling, one that meant something.
• As I recovered, I realized that I wanted a job that was fulfilling, one that meant something.
• Paying these licensing fees means starting a job in debt just to remain employed.

Summary: The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee met on January 27 and first took executive action on three bills. House Bill 2311, which makes administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, was reported out with a do pass recommendation after the Leavitt amendment was withdrawn; supporters emphasized transparency, accountability, and student success metrics, while one member opposed moving it forward and urged more interim work. House Bill 2324, which extends tuition waiver access for children of eligible veterans when a disability determination occurs after age 18, passed unanimously. House Bill 288, the Dietitian Licensure Compact, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2028 and then passed unanimously as a substitute bill; members cited workforce shortages and the value of broader licensure portability. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2422 would shift private security guard licensing fees from individual guards to their employers, eliminate transfer fees, and penalize companies that require reimbursement; the sponsor and workers testified that the current system burdens low-wage guards and contributes to high turnover, while some members asked about whether fees could instead be lowered or eliminated. House Bill 2438 would create the SEEDS scholarship for early childhood education students using up to $10 million from the GET account if it remains sufficiently funded; the sponsor described it as a targeted test of surplus GET funds to address early learning workforce shortages, and testimony from educators, providers, and advocacy groups strongly supported it, while WASAC said the bill may need technical changes to avoid conflicts with existing 529 rules. The committee also heard House Bill 2525, which would create a WSU heritage orchard program and registry for old or rare apple varieties; the sponsor and industry witnesses said it would preserve agricultural history, support research, and aid future breeding and education. Finally, House Bill 2586 would align Passport to Careers with federal financial aid formulas and automatically deem Passport-eligible youth financially needy for the Washington College Grant; the sponsor and WASAC said it would help foster youth and homeless students access aid earlier and more predictably, and multiple students and advocates testified in strong support. No final action was taken on the bills heard in public testimony during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• My job duties there included interviewing the residents and preparing reports for the commissioners to
• I left that position after about three and a half years and took a job as a probation and parole officer
• It's an important job, I know that for a fact.
• And while the men and women at the Department of Correction do a great job in the prisons of providing
• If I don't make this the very best thing I've ever written and submit it, I'm out of the job.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee began its first meeting of the session by introducing two pages, Emmy Roberts of Lewiston and Cooper Smith of Nampa, who each described their backgrounds and interest in serving. The committee then considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Commission on Pardons and Parole: reappointment candidate Scott Smith and new appointee Dylan Hobson. Both testified about their public service backgrounds and approach to parole decisions, emphasizing public safety, individualized review, rehabilitation, and the importance of prison programming and supervision. Members asked about parole factors, the rider program for sex offenders, the role of politics, workload, and whether the system is working well. The committee did not vote on the appointments at this meeting, noting that votes would be taken at a later meeting. The committee then took up several Idaho State Police rule dockets. Lieutenant Colonel Russ Wheatley presented rule cleanups for civil asset forfeiture, the Idaho Public Safety and Security Information System (ISLITS), state criminal history records, and the sex offender registry. He repeatedly stated the changes were non-substantive, mostly simplifying language, deleting duplication, or updating the sex offender registry rule to match a new photo-transfer process after DMV system changes. The committee approved each of those rule dockets after brief discussion and no public comment. The final and most extensive item was the pending Idaho Rules of Administrative Procedure update presented by Chief Administrative Law Judge Brian Nichols. He explained the changes were driven by recent statutory modernization, field testing of the 2024 rules, and a new rule addressing artificial intelligence in administrative contested cases. Nichols said the AI provisions are aimed at transparency, disclosure, and safeguards against misuse, while preserving access for self-represented parties; he also said ALJs themselves are barred from using AI in deciding cases. Members questioned whether avatars should be allowed to present testimony or argument, and some expressed concern about abuse, but the committee ultimately approved the pending rule docket, with one senator stating he would have preferred a stricter prohibition on avatars. The meeting ended after all rule dockets were approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My job duties there included interviewing the residents and preparing reports for the commissioners to
• It's an important job, I know that for a fact.
• And while the men and women at the Department of Correction do a great job in the prisons of providing
• If I don't make this the very best thing I've ever written and submit it, I'm out of the job.
• Because our job is to develop the record. It's not the same sort of gotchas that you see in court.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Great job. The Chair recognizes. Maylie Leir testifying on behalf of self.
• Great job.
• Just, just in general, because I feel, I feel like despite the, the thorough job, and I believe that
• I, if you just answer my, I generally, I'm a trial lawyer in my day job. OK.
• basically type and type and cross, you know, and transfuse this patient and you know they do a good job

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• the setting, when you want to bid on it, you're a subcontractor or a contractor wanting to bid on a job
• they waived their right to void it later on, but they also waived it for every subcontractor on that job
• markets meet accounting standards that allow them to be audited, thereby enabling the SEC to do its job
• And so they've done a really good job of protecting and preserving their reputation.
• I don't blame him for the pressure of, like, what do I do—sign an NDA or not have a job?

Bills: HB34 , HB128 , HB621 , HB748 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB3113 , HB4749 , SB835 , HB128

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy, local government, state agency, political subdivision, foreign adversary, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Taiwan, major non-NATO ally, cultural exchange, educational exchange, tourism, bilateral cooperation, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• The provider is probably going to say, "Well, that's not our job."
• It's actually the state's job to make sure that people are eligible, which is true.
• So no question the MCOs are going to say, hey this is not our job. I get that. I understand it.
• By doing his job. So what's going on here?
• Technicians perform their jobs at times with little to no training, and yet they are required to know

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 jobs? I was that the school for everything.
• Their time they do an extraordinary job that Florida and also station is is just miracles.
• This very important job that you've articulated. Thank you, Mr.
• And they did a great job.
• You did such a great job of explaining the bill that I was trying to take notes 2 behind.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And these are good jobs that are in many cases mid-career, like you talked about in the case of both
• </c><00:10:35.360><c> are</c><00:10:36.000><c> good</c><00:10:36.600><c> good</c><00:10:36.959><c> jobs
• </c><00:10:37.720><c> uh</c> and um they these are good good jobs uh and um they these are good good
• jobs uh that<00:10:37.959><c> are</c><00:10:38.040><c> in</c><00:10:38.240><c> many</c><00:10:38.519>
• And so I do agree with you, Representative Kel, and I do think the state workers are good at their jobs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• get them to stay in California with this incentive they'll stay here and they'll retire at another job
• The tobacco inspectors that we have out there, and they do a fantastic job, it's a big state.
• administration perspective to take your best... collectors and then have them trained for a whole new job
• These investments go well beyond just dollars, they drive entrepreneurship, create jobs, and strengthen
• want is to bring, we have a contractor that's doing it for us now, and we feel like we can do a better job

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're doing a fine job starting out, so I appreciate your service.
• /c> thank you Mr chairman you're doing a thank you Mr chairman you're doing a fine<00:03:02.920><c> job
• ><c> out</c><00:03:04.280><c> so</c><00:03:04.840><c> appreciate</c><00:03:05.319><c> your</c> fine job
• starting out so appreciate your fine job starting out so appreciate your service<00:03:06.239><c> I've
• I just want to take an opportunity to brag on the job that Mr.

Keywords: 00:00 Meeting Start 00:45 Attendance Roll Call 01:50 Introduction of New Members 07:10 Discussion of HB 24 09:36 Roll Call Vote 12:20 Discussion of HB 216 19:25 Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session, with the new chair opening the meeting, confirming a quorum, announcing the House’s 24-hour rule for committee substitutes and amendments, and welcoming several guests and new committee members. The chair also emphasized agriculture’s importance to Kentucky’s economy, citing crop revenue and the broader economic impact of the sector. The committee first considered House Bill 24, which would raise the audit threshold for conservation districts from $750,000 to $1 million. Supporters said the bill updates an outdated threshold and helps reduce the burden of costly audits amid inflation. The bill received a motion and second, no opposition was raised, and it passed by roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 216, presented by the vice chair and Brandon Reed of the Kentucky Office of Policy. The bill would allow certain Department of Agriculture employees to apply for grants or loans while preserving the existing prohibition for employees who oversee those programs. Testimony explained that the office’s funding comes from tobacco master settlement dollars, with a formula that directs money to agriculture and other purposes, and members discussed the importance of keeping those funds in Kentucky. The bill passed with favorable expression by roll call vote. Before adjournment, members made additional welcoming remarks for local officials and guests, and the chair noted the National Farm Machinery Show and tractor pull as a major event for Kentucky agriculture. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a good job.
• a good job.
• a good job.
• a good job.
• a good job.

Bills: HF3874 , HF3875 , HF3378

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• "You're doing a good job so far." "Talk about our chair." "So anyway, yeah.
• Brigadier youth and job challengemies.
• It just comes with the job. So, you guys will see a little more control deliveries.
• It just comes with the job. So, you guys will see a little more control deliveries.
• </c> but we are looking at the job but we are looking at the job descriptions<01:53:12.639><c> of</c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if wouldn't implicate their jobs.
• &gt;&gt; excellent<01:40:01.560><c> job.
• </c> in recovery in jobs. in recovery in jobs.
• It's crucial and you all do an awesome job.
• We had testimony in an awesome job.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Economic Development and new jobs Economic Development and new jobs there's<00:02:04.799><c> also
• But this policy is about more than just jobs.
• precisely the kinds of jobs that are precisely the kinds of jobs that every<00:37:26.200><c> state</c
• </c><00:37:34.720><c> a</c> policy is about more than just jobs a policy is about more than just jobs
• He's done his job, uh, and then the committee, of course, will do our job too.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.