Transcript Highlights:

• ’re asking for $3 million to give to you for another habitat project, and you’re asking for $8.2 million
• So they will ask for the spending authority for the same money that we’re asking for the spending authority
• They will ask for the spending authority for the same money that we’re asking for the spending authority
• So I'm just looking for a way for us to get our corrections budget down to save money for the state of
• If you wanted to say your name for the record, then. Chairman, for the record.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and questions for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Office of Species Conservation, and the Office of the Attorney General. Fish and Game’s budget was described as largely dedicated and federal funding with no general fund support, with discussion of ongoing and one-time enhancements for fisheries inflation, habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, depredation claims, chronic wasting disease testing, and communications. Director Jim Fredericks also reviewed the new nonresident tag draw system, access challenges on private lands, and the department’s role in habitat work and species management. Members raised concerns about depredation claim shortfalls, survey and advisory committee processes, predator management, and the overlap between Fish and Game and the Office of Species Conservation on habitat and endangered species work. The Office of Species Conservation presentation focused on its role coordinating state actions for threatened, endangered, and candidate species, mostly through federal and miscellaneous revenue funds. Administrator Mike Edmondson explained that the office often serves as the policy and administrative lead while Fish and Game carries out much of the field work, and he described metrics for sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bear-related efforts. He also said the office has been working with the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources on a possible merger, with some staff reductions under consideration, and answered questions about grizzly bear delisting, wolf litigation, and tribal consultation. Attorney General Raul Labrador then argued that his office has produced significant results without asking for new money, but said the committee’s proposed reductions would force furloughs or position cuts and asked for $980,000 to be restored. He highlighted the ICAC unit’s elimination of a cyber-tip backlog, increased arrests, consumer protection recoveries, and expanded appellate and civil litigation work defending state laws. Members asked about the source of recovered funds, the office’s flexibility to absorb cuts, and whether the state could work on a framework to transfer incarcerated undocumented offenders to federal custody for deportation. The committee ended by noting upcoming budget-setting work and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the work that you do for the city of Long Beach and for the entire state of California.
• High rates of violence, disappearances, and homicides for generations.
• for Indigenous women.
• Adequate funding for U.S.
• For these reasons, I respectfully request your support for A.J.R. 10. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved routine procedural motions, and recognized several guest groups, including First Five California, a fourth-grade class from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, visitors from Modoc and Lassen counties, and representatives from the Port of Long Beach. The chamber then moved through second reading and concurrence items, with most bills and resolutions being read, deemed adopted, or passed on file without debate. The main floor action centered on ACR 39, designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Assembly Member Ramos and many caucus members spoke in strong support, describing the crisis as a state of emergency and emphasizing violence against Native women, girls, and two-spirit people, the need for better data collection, agency coordination, tribal sovereignty, and continued action beyond symbolic recognition. The resolution passed concurrence with 67 ayes and 0 noes. The Assembly also passed a series of bills on topics including classified school employee pay stubs (AB 374), allowing voucher preferences in housing (AB 282), authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates (AB 583), student health insurance protections (AB 594), local housing pre-approval programs (AB 1206), veterans education program administration (AB 1509), expanding the Family Urgent Response System (AB 898), Star Wars Day (H.R. 33), local news sale notice requirements (AB 611), mask-wearing protections in public spaces (AB 1326), a Chula Vista university land-use measure (AB 76), undercover officer record protections (AB 1178), and preservation of Clover Valley in Rocklin (AB 1152). Most passed with broad support, though AB 282 and AB 611 drew some opposition. A major debate occurred on AJR 10, which urged the President to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Members from both parties discussed wildfire prevention, forest health, staffing, and federal-state responsibility, with some criticizing the administration and others emphasizing forest management and the need for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution was adopted after a co-author roll and final roll vote of 67 ayes and 0 noes. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, heard an adjournment in memory for Giovanni “Johnny” of East Side Italian Deli, and adjourned until Monday, May 12, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's very, very high-level skills involved that make it difficult for people to understand what exactly
• There's very, very high-level skills involved that make it difficult for people to understand.
• Members, any other questions for Mr. Bracken? Thanks for being here. Thanks for your testimony.
• And I hope that you will support this bill. Thank you. Thanks for your testimony. Welcome.
• Thank you for your time. And thank you for your testimony. Thanks for being here. Welcome.

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB 1130

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• for your constituents, for our constituents, and for those that we know are going to go through this
• wasn't the storm for us.
• I hope it's something that we can get an answer for them because I'm guessing if we're dealing with that
• Thank you very much for those remarks. Members, thank you for the questions.
• I'm excited for this year. Hope we get some good policy out there.

Transcript Highlights:

• for Lawsuit Reform.
• For that testimony, members, any questions for this panel? All right. Thank you.
• Thank you for watching. Thank you for watching.
• I'd ask for your favorable consideration. OK. Members, any questions for Chairman Ginn?
• And we hope we can count on your support. Thank you. Thanks for your testimony.

Bills: HB170 , HB865 , HB748 , HJR112 , HB 1110 , HB1495 , HB786 , HB 1130 , HB170

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for what you're doing, for how you do it, and for how you have blessed us to do it together
• Thank you for being here today for African American Legislative Day and for bringing leaders, advocates
• We appreciate everything you do for Arizona, for our communities, and for our country.
• Speaking for him, speaking for those veterans who came home and were spit on, speaking for those veterans
• So thank you for being here. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for doing your part.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona House and Senate held a joint protocol session for African American Legislative Day, opening with prayer, presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and performances of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A representative from the Buffalo Soldiers of America also used the occasion to correct the program name and ask lawmakers for help securing a vacant building for a museum to preserve and display its historical exhibits and community work. Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed attendees and said the event was an opportunity to hear directly from community leaders on priorities such as opportunity, public safety, education, affordability, and economic security. Representative Quante Cruz, chair of the African-American Legislative Conference, read a Black History Month proclamation and emphasized the importance of recognizing African American contributions and history. Ashley Anderson and Jerry McPherson of the Governor’s Office of African American Affairs highlighted the conference theme, “Made for This Moment,” and urged continued civic engagement, policy advocacy, and year-round collaboration with the office and community organizations. Senator Keiana Maria Sears delivered the main remarks, focusing on Black history, legacy, and the need to keep pushing for equality, economic parity, food security, and housing access. She spoke about the experiences of Black veterans, South Phoenix history, and the importance of teaching Black history and encouraging voting and civic participation. Representative Blackman also offered brief remarks about courage, faith, and the contributions of Black Americans to the country. The session ended with closing remarks and a benediction by Representative Cruz, who stressed building connections across districts and communities, followed by adjournment of the joint protocol session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just want to respectfully ask for your aye vote, and thank you for your consideration today.
• And not just for the sake of the job, but I would hope also for the sake of the business.
• Thank you for your time. Thank you for your comment. Thank you so much. Very good.
• For public employees, the gap remains high, with nearly a $14,000 difference between each gender's median
• like rent, food, and diapers, but also for putting money away for retirement and savings for an emergency

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker rights, workplace technology, pay equity, and retail/self-checkout standards. SB 703 would require ports to collect and report information on trucking companies to help identify worker misclassification in the port trucking industry; supporters, including Teamsters and the California Labor Federation, said better data is needed for enforcement, while trucking and retail groups said they were working with the author and expected to remove opposition after amendments. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar of other measures. SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for annual employer notices about workers’ labor and civil rights, including emergency contact notification if a worker is detained or arrested. Supporters said the bill would help workers understand their rights amid federal rollbacks and weak enforcement; the California Restaurant Association opposed it. SB 7 would require notice and human review before employers use automated decision-making systems for discipline or termination, and would bar predictive use of such systems for employment actions. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while HR, chamber, retail, and local government groups raised concerns about breadth, notice burdens, and small-business impacts. Both bills passed 5-0 to their next committees. The committee also advanced SB 238, which would require disclosure about workplace surveillance and AI monitoring tools, and SB 442, which sets staffing and operational standards for self-checkout, including at least one staffed lane, one employee dedicated to monitoring self-checkout, item restrictions, and a 15-item limit sign. Supporters argued both bills improve transparency, safety, and worker protections; opponents warned SB 238 could expose security practices and SB 442 could raise costs and create preemption issues. SB 464 would expand state pay-data reporting to better capture public-sector workforce demographics in line with reparations and pay-equity goals, and SB 642 would strengthen the Equal Pay Act by extending recovery periods, clarifying wage definitions, and updating pay-scale language. SB 464 and SB 642 also passed, with some opposition from county and business groups over scope and retroactivity. All measures taken up in the hearing were approved by committee, generally on 5-0 votes, and re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• . for. for.
• I really hope that the people that were responsible for making this bill difficult, that they will um
• for B funds, 800,000 for B funds as well for fiscal year 26, and six positions.
• </c> for HP 0934. for HP 0934.
• for A funds for fiscal We have 200,000 for A funds for fiscal year<00:20:34.679><c> 26,</c><00:20:35.679

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee first took up HB 496 HD2 SD1 on mamaki tea. Members described the agreed conference draft as prohibiting misleading use of Hawaiian words, imagery, place names, and motifs on tea packaging unless all tea or dried leaves were grown, harvested, and dried in Hawaii. The bill also included an appropriation for a measurement standards inspector position at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, with $65,000 in each of FY 2026 and FY 2027. The House and Senate managers recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by unanimous votes from the members present, with some members excused. The committee then recessed and reconvened several times to manage a larger agenda of conference bills, moving some items to later times and rooms. Among the measures adopted were HB 862, addressing school transportation shortages by allowing certain nontraditional vehicles under safety conditions; HB 667, retitled the Microchip Identification Act, requiring DOT and counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips and notify animal services; HB 958, regulating electric bicycles and other micromobility devices with safety, labeling, registration, and age requirements; HB 934, relating to broadband and the digital equity office, with appropriations and positions; HB 960, raising DOT capital advancement contract thresholds and annual caps; HB 697, updating automated speed enforcement rules and appropriating $2 million; and SB 26, creating an affordable housing land inventory task force with a $250,000 appropriation. Each of these measures was adopted with amendments by conference vote, with some members excused and several brief recesses taken for quorum or agenda management. Not all bills were resolved. HB 732, relating to the film industry tax credit cap, was deferred after conferees said they had not reached agreement, despite comments supporting the industry and local workers. HB 437, concerning an office in the Philippines under DBED, was also deferred for lack of agreement. The committee adjourned after stating that the remaining measures on the agenda would be deferred indefinitely.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> see as essential for rateayers. see as essential for rateayers.
• </c> for committee and go ahead. for committee and go ahead.
• </c> u in your packet I hope and and online. u in your packet I hope and and online.
• They're already providing reductions for ratepayers and cutting costs for utilities.
• </c> BPPs and the numbers for Minnesota. BPPs and the numbers for Minnesota. &gt;&gt; Great.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that question.
• And I would hope that we would have support for this. It should be a very simple bill.
• So thank you for that.
• works for voters, and works for our high voter turnout, which we all in the nonpartisan and bipartisan
• works for voters and works for our high voter turnout, which we all in the in the nonpartisan and bipartisan

Bills: HF2185 , HF1849 , HF3719 , HF3721 , HF3845 , HF3720

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: flag display, residential property rights, homeowners association, HOA, covenants, restrictive covenant, deed restriction, subdivision regulation, local ordinance, rental agreement, property rights, patriotic display, United States flag, Minnesota flag, POW/MIA flag, military flags, armed forces flag, Blue Star flag, Gold Star flag, common interest community

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:51.760><c> for</c><00:10:52.000><c> a</c> division, but in our shared hope for a division,
• hopes for a great season.
• </c> the arena next year ready with high the arena next year ready with high hopes<00:38:09.760><c> for
• And I I saw hopes for a great season.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Porter for high school athletes. &gt;&gt; Porter for high school athletes.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for their work.
• Thanks for working with us.
• Thanks so much for the help. I think it gets to the issue that we're looking for.
• Thanks so much for the help. I think it gets to the issue that we're looking for.
• For these reasons, we respectfully ask for the committee's support for SB 894. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire- and emergency-related bills. SB 1270 by Senator Richardson would expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to more counties and direct future funding toward areas with the greatest wildfire risk and social vulnerability; supporters included CSAC and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. SB 1079 by Senator Stern would create a permanent fire innovation unit within Cal Fire to identify operational needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful tools; it drew support from Megafire Action, fire agencies, and several advocacy groups. SB 1020 by Senator Niello would require annual reporting on open gubernatorial states of emergency, including spending and lessons learned, to increase legislative oversight without limiting emergency powers; the LAO provided technical assistance on the bill. SB 894 by Senator Allen would establish a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help finance home hardening and defensible space improvements, with broad support from state, local, environmental, and credit union interests. Testimony on the bills emphasized wildfire risk, the need for broader home hardening access, and the value of innovation and oversight in emergency management. Supporters of SB 894 said grants alone cannot meet the scale of needed mitigation and that low-cost financing could leverage private capital. Supporters of SB 1079 argued California needs a more formal system to connect firefighters with innovators and scale proven technologies. On SB 1020, the author and committee discussed balancing executive emergency authority with transparency and accountability. There was no recorded opposition to the measures during testimony. After discussion, the committee accepted amendments on the bills and voted to pass SB 894, SB 973, SB 1020, SB 1270, and SB 1079 as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The transcript shows multiple roll calls as quorum was established and absent members were called; each bill ultimately received unanimous support from members present and was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• for their work.
• Thanks for working with us.
• So thank you for your leadership and committee staff for working with us. Appreciate it.
• Thanks so much for the help. I think it gets to the issue that we're looking for.
• For these reasons, we respectfully ask for the committee's support for SB 894. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard five wildfire- and emergency-related bills. SB 1270 by Senator Richardson would expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to more counties based on wildfire risk and social vulnerability, with the author and county representatives saying the program should better target home-hardening assistance where need is greatest. SB 1079 by Senator Stern would create a Fire Innovation Unit within Cal Fire to identify operational needs, test new wildfire technologies, and speed deployment of successful tools; it drew broad support from fire, environmental, local government, and industry groups. SB 1020 by Senator Niello would require annual reporting on open states of emergency, including spending and lessons learned, to increase legislative oversight without limiting the governor’s emergency powers. SB 894 by Senator Allen would establish a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on the state’s Go Green financing platform to help homeowners afford wildfire hardening and defensible-space improvements; supporters included the State Treasurer’s office, counties, fire-safety groups, local governments, and credit unions. There was no opposition testimony on any of the bills. Committee members generally expressed support, with comments emphasizing wildfire risk, the need for home hardening, innovation, and accountability in emergency powers. Senator Rubio asked to be a coauthor on SB 894, and the chair noted the bill’s importance for making mitigation more affordable at scale. All five measures were approved by the committee on motions for “do pass as amended to appropriations,” with roll calls taken over several quorum interruptions. The bills were advanced out of committee, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to say thanks to everybody for that, and not just for my mother, but for everybody that's
• For that, and not just for my mother, but for everybody that's lost their mother, I just want a moment
• S-1343 by Senator Pennacchio permits students to be eligible for high school graduation credits in career
• circumstances. ...to be eligible for high school graduation credits in career readiness or career and
• We'll open a machine for a vote, green for a majority leader, and red for Senator Schepisi.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, we hope you give this a green light, and I'm happy to stand for any questions.
• We hope you give this a green light, and I'm happy to stand for any questions. Thank you.
• By the time our orders were finalized, enrollment windows for many high-performing charter schools had
• Thank you for your time, and I respectfully ask for your support for House Bill 762.
• Stand by for your questions. For your support for House Bill 762. Stand by for your questions.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard two bills. Senate Bill 1358, presented by Sen. Harris, would amend Idaho’s career ladder rules so superintendents and principals who return to classroom teaching can count qualifying administrative experience toward career ladder advancement, rather than restarting at their prior teacher-ladder placement. Testimony from a remote superintendent and the Idaho Association of School Administrators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, noting that administrators can face large pay cuts when returning to teaching and that the bill still requires proficient-or-higher evaluations. After brief discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1358 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 762, presented by Sen. Woodward, which would give charter schools the option to prioritize enrollment for children of active-duty or active-reserve military members and for foster children who already have a sibling in the school. A long line of testimony from military spouses, veterans, charter school leaders, and military children described frequent relocations, waitlists, and the difficulty of finding stable school placements, arguing the bill would improve access and support military readiness without creating new schools or changing accountability. One witness also noted the bill’s flexibility for charter schools and its limited, targeted nature. The committee voted to send HB 762 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope everyone can be prompt as you were today. I want to thank all of you for doing that.
• But thank you all so much for the work that you do and for showing us your facilities.
• No, thank you for that.
• For educational programs.
• the families and for the children and for the community.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:28.480><c> further</c> for those items selected for further for those items selected for further
• Um, I'm going to preface this by saying that I have a really high regard and a high appreciation for
• </c> uh ask for forgiveness than it was for uh ask for forgiveness than it was for permission
• The only things we've used this contract for this year have been for the application for H-1B visas for
• :49:17.040><c> for</c><01:49:17.360><c> our</c> application for H-1B visas for our application for H-

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection. The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts. The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate. A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• that you're asking for?
• We were asking for full funding for the approved budget from last year.
• So that being said, I would hope to say that the money that you receive for this 10% that you did lower—obviously
• And thank you for being here today. I appreciate you finding a time for us. Okay.
• And thank you for being here today. I appreciate you, you find a time for us. Okay.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first reviewed a list of bills already ready for “do pass,” including several House bills (HB 1010, 1018, 1020, 1023, 1041, 1055, 1077) and Senate bills (SB 4, 16, 23, 24, 55, 59). It then took up the JBC Personnel Subcommittee report (B1), where a substitute motion to separate out the governor’s staff-related item for a separate vote was debated at length. Members raised concerns about transparency, a requested appearance by a governor’s staff member, and whether the administration should be compelled to testify. The substitute motion failed on a roll-call division vote, and the committee then adopted the subcommittee report as presented. The committee next questioned Treasurer John Thurston on House Bill 1034 and his office’s budget request, focusing on salary increases for his executive team, the size of raises under the new pay plan, office hours, and whether the increases were justified. Thurston said the request was to fully fund the approved pay plan, later reduced to a 10% increase after discussion with legislative leaders, and explained that salaries were set within the approved plan. Several members criticized the raises as too large or unfair, while others noted the compromise and thanked him for cooperating. The committee then adopted the HB 1034 letter. After that, the committee reviewed Schedule C and several special-language items, including amendments to SB 4, SB 58, HB 1052, and SB 77. It discussed a new item allowing DFA to establish a GAMP program for agricultural extension office improvements, with no funding attached, and adopted it. The committee then passed or adopted a series of measures, including SB 29, SB 51, HB 1034, and the remaining ready bills listed at the start of the meeting. SB 4 was set aside as not ready. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would reconvene in 15 minutes in another room to handle special language.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I would think that it would definitely be a good career track and a high-paying one for folks to
• </c> that's um intended for our youth for our that's um intended for our youth for our small<01:03:36.720
• </c><03:02:15.359><c> for</c><03:02:15.600><c> housing</c> for a joint application for housing for a
• Thank you for the time today for allowing me to testify.
• Thank you for that. All Thank you. Thank you for that.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, for a motion. Motions are in order.
• for repeal.
• Committee, any questions for Senator Lakey? Questions for Senator Lakey? Senator, go ahead.
• Just for a question.
• Thank you, committee members, for being here today and for listening to this.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee first considered two gubernatorial reappointments. It voted to send Senator Todd Lakey’s reappointment to the State Insurance Fund Board to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation, and then did the same for Kevin Settles’ reappointment to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Both motions passed without opposition, though members joked about the Lakey appointment and one senator noted he would reserve the right to change his vote on the floor. The committee then heard three RS drafts from Senator Lakey as part of a code cleanup effort tied to the DOGE Task Force. RS 32897 would repeal outdated veterans-related provisions tied to transferred assets and the completed construction of the North Idaho Veterans Home; RS 32901 would remove obsolete provisions related to county public defender employee transitions and old employee procedure language; and RS 32906 would repeal outdated PERSI-related provisions involving former community college employees, city employees, and certain firefighters. Each RS was moved to print, and Lakey said there had been no pushback on the repeals. Finally, Representative Skaug presented House Bill 514, which would allow cosmetology and barber students to take the state exam once they reach 80% of their program requirements, rather than waiting until full completion. He said the bill had unanimous House support and no known opposition from schools, students, or salons. The committee voted to send HB 514 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned.