Transcript Highlights:

• Do their states have that also?
• state adopts a new congressional map mid-decade, or until a new state districting law is adopted following
• of the United States.
• And we are part of a 50-state federation of states where the decisions of the U.S.
• We'll now call up our Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, and the former Secretary of State, Sam Reed.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2260, House Joint Resolution 4209, and House Bill 2259, with testimony and questions on each. HB 2260 would require petition signature gatherers to sign and date each petition sheet, provide their address and county, and require voters’ residence addresses for signature verification; supporters said this would improve accountability and help prevent fraud or duplicate signatures, while opponents argued it would burden volunteers, risk disenfranchising voters who move or use incomplete addresses, and add unnecessary penalties. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State opposed the bill, saying existing verification methods are effective and that the measure could create costly, unintended barriers. HB 2259 would require 1,000 registered-voter signatures before filing an initiative or referendum and prohibit pay-per-signature compensation, with civil penalties and a private right of action; supporters said it would reduce frivolous filings, title shopping, and fraud incentives, while opponents said it would chill initiative activity, especially for rural communities and referenda with tight timelines. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State also opposed HB 2259, saying the initiative process should remain accessible and that the bill would add barriers and workload. House Joint Resolution 4209 would amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to modify congressional districts mid-decade by simple majority if another state adopts a new congressional map absent a court order. The prime sponsor argued Washington should not unilaterally stay passive if other states engage in partisan mid-decade redistricting, while opponents said the proposal would weaken Washington’s bipartisan redistricting system, set a bad precedent, and invite retaliation. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided, with supporters warning that partisan redistricting elsewhere threatens fair representation and opponents saying Washington should preserve its existing commission-based process rather than respond in kind. The hearing on HJR 4209 was concluded after testimony. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt. The chair suspended and reopened hearings as planned, and testimony was taken on all three measures, with HB 2260 and HB 2259 drawing extensive public comment and questions about fraud, access, and administrative burden.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:45.040><c> for</c> Queer Trans Parent Advisory Council for Queer Trans Parent Advisory Council
• </c> the current budget pressures the state the current budget pressures the state is<00:47:36.400><c
• </c> force is learning directly from states force is learning directly from states facing<00:53:05.520
• . state. state.
• </c><00:54:34.720><c> um</c> a spot that around the the state um a spot that around the the state um

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Have the authority to hold for a state prison sentence, that state prison sentence, period, if that's
• How do you build trust?
• They're, you know, I remember when the Council of State Governments came through, they talked about regionalization
• They're, you know, I remember when the Council of State Governments came to, they talked about regionalization
• So Bay State was a minimum initially. They put a fence around Bay State.

Summary: The commission held an open discussion on how to develop recommendations for its report due at the end of September, with chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasizing that the group is moving from information-gathering into idea-sharing. Members discussed the need for more testimony from stakeholders such as reentry centers, correctional officers, unions, and the judiciary, and several participants urged the commission to use prior reports and existing data as a starting point. There was broad agreement that the work should focus on outcomes, transparency, and identifying gaps across the correctional and community supervision systems. A major theme was whether Massachusetts should move toward a more integrated, step-down model that better connects DOC, county sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, and community-based services. Participants raised the possibility of expanding use of minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and community justice support centers, and some suggested exploring whether sheriffs should have jurisdiction over people with longer remaining sentences, or whether judges should have more discretion to place people in county facilities. Others stressed the importance of involving the judiciary earlier, improving sentencing information, and aligning programming across agencies so reentry planning begins at sentencing and continues through release. The discussion also focused on facility conditions, women’s housing, Bridgewater, Framingham, restrictive housing, and the relationship between correctional settings and mental health needs. Several members called for more consistent standards, better data on spending and program effectiveness, and stronger accountability for evidence-based practices. The group also raised concerns about contraband K2, the need for cultural change inside institutions, and the importance of trust, staff training, and soft handoffs to the community. No votes were taken; the meeting was primarily a working discussion, and the chairs said they would circulate a written set of recommendations and continue the conversation at future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And currently across state.
• Additionally, we ask that the state reject subjecting state-funded populations to new burdensome federal
• As was noted, our council... Mr.
• In 2024-25, UC cared for patients from 99% of the state zip codes.
• the state.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 and related federal actions on Covered California, Medi-Cal, and immigrant access to care. The chair framed the discussion around three main issues: expected losses in marketplace coverage as enhanced federal premium subsidies expire, new federal work and renewal requirements that would add administrative burden to Medi-Cal, and the loss of eligibility for certain lawfully present immigrants. Covered California testified that H.R. 1 and new federal rules, combined with the end of enhanced premium tax credits, are driving higher premiums, lower new enrollment, and more cancellations, especially among middle-income, Latino, and Black enrollees. The agency said California’s $190 million state subsidy program is helping lower-income enrollees but cannot replace the lost federal assistance, and it noted that roughly 120,000 lawfully present immigrants in Covered California will lose federal tax credits in 2027. On Medi-Cal, the Department of Health Care Services said H.R. 1 will require work and community engagement verification, six-month renewals for certain adults, and other changes that the department expects will reduce enrollment substantially. DHCS estimated 233,000 members could lose coverage by June 2027 from the work requirement and 289,000 from six-month renewals, with losses rising much higher by 2028; it also said it is using automation, outreach, clinic navigators, coverage ambassadors, community health workers, and street medicine providers to reduce procedural disenrollments. The department described a two-phase outreach plan and said it is working with counties on implementation, while the Department of Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains $190 million for the state subsidy program and does not propose additional changes at this time. The LAO said its independent forecast is somewhat higher than the administration’s, estimating about 2.1 million fewer Medi-Cal enrollees by June 2028, and urged the Legislature to review county administrative workload and readiness. Public testimony and member comments focused on the human and fiscal consequences of coverage losses. A representative from the Sacramento Native American Health Center warned that reduced reimbursement and coverage losses would destabilize community health centers, increase uncompensated care, and worsen outcomes by pushing patients into emergency care. Members raised concerns about paperwork burdens, county capacity, outreach effectiveness, and whether the state should do more to preserve coverage, including possible modeling of additional H-CARF spending and support for middle-income consumers and immigrant enrollees. The hearing did not take any votes or formal actions, but it ended with public comment and continued discussion of implementation and budget options.

Transcript Highlights:

• States to crack Japan's primary encryption system, code-named Purple.
• And I, again, watch women build.
• Because women don't typically, again, build power the same way.
• They build in ways.
• They correct the code references to the code that gives those folks the authority to do that.

Keywords: March 10, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Texas is...
• Well, I'm kind of a... as a state employee working for the state, I'm not really supposed to be one way
• The Texas Penal Code on non-livestock animal cruelty states that a person commits an offense if the person
• State, criminal negligence depends upon a...
• And there is a problem in the code.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New language is added requiring out-of-state licenses operating in the state to register within 30 days
• in state law.
• What you've already stated in state law. And so that is what the effect of this document is.
• When the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, states could form a state-based marketplace or they
• When the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, states could form a state-based marketplace or they

Summary: The committee reviewed several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare rule dockets under zero-based rule review. For the Idaho Reportable Disease Rules, department staff said the revisions mainly reduce duplication and shorten the chapter, while adding viral hemorrhagic fevers and lowering the lead-poisoning reporting threshold from 5 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Members questioned whether stricken language on records access, daycare restrictions, inspection authority, and reporting duties changed policy; staff and the state epidemiologist said the edits were mostly consolidations or removals of language already covered by statute or federal law, and that no substantive reporting requirements were intended to change. Concerns were also raised about limited time to review the large docket, public notice, and trust in the department’s explanations. The committee approved the radiation control rules, which were described as being reduced by about 70 percent, with incorporation by reference removed and a new requirement that out-of-state licensees register within 30 days. It also approved the docket on use and disclosure of department records, which staff said simply removes repeated references to the Idaho Public Records Act, HIPAA, and other governing authorities without changing what records are protected. The reportable disease docket drew the most discussion; after debate over whether the rule changes were merely cosmetic and how statutory changes affect rules, a substitute motion to hold the docket for one week was adopted on a 5-9 roll call vote, with the docket set for reconsideration on February 3. Later in the meeting, the committee received Your Health Idaho’s annual report. Executive Director Pat Kelly said the exchange remained financially self-sustaining, had no state funding, and continued to post record enrollment, with more than 144,000 Idahoans selecting plans during open enrollment 2026. He said most enrollees receive tax credits, but the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits drove affordability concerns, increased disenrollment, and shifted many consumers into lower-cost bronze plans. Members asked about plan changes, enrollment math, assessment fee revenue, and the effect of premium increases versus the loss of enhanced subsidies. Kelly said the exchange’s net premium increases were driven mostly by the subsidy expiration, and the committee adjourned after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• would receive 55% of the settlement funds and the state is to receive 45%.
• This was awarded through the Building Bridges Program.
• The capital and building process in APS is really cumbersome.
• Off the top, the state collects $6.76 75 cents, sorry, for every $100.
• hardship for a lot of states, not just New Mexico.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In their shop, they build small buildings.
• It's repealing orphan code and repealing code for state-level activities that no longer exist, like maternity
• code that's being repealed in this bill.
• It's repealing orphan code and repealing code for state-level activities that no longer exist, like maternity
• We have some school districts in this state who have benefited more than other districts in this state

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, heard a prayer and pledge, approved the prior day’s journal, and adopted several routine committee reports and referrals. Committee actions included printing and referral of Senate Resolution 116, referral of various newly printed bills, and transmission of House bills and enrolled measures between chambers. The chamber also received messages from the House and advanced several bills through first and second reading calendars. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1276, which removes a sunset on a public employee retirement provision allowing certain retired employees to return to work, after supporters said it helps address teacher shortages and does not harm the retirement system. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1291, a Title 33 education code cleanup bill tied to prior task force work; supporters said it repeals obsolete or unused provisions, while no opposition was recorded. Senate Bill 1292, revising foster parent training requirements, passed on a shared roll call vote after supporters said it sets basic training expectations and improves foster care placement quality. Senate Bill 1293, which clarifies that crime victims’ compensation is not treated as a public benefit under prior legislation, also passed unanimously on a shared roll call vote. The most debated measure was Senate Bill 1288, creating the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to reimburse districts for unusually high special education costs above $30,000 per student, using $5 million in one-time funds. Supporters argued it would help districts meet federal obligations, reduce local levy pressure, and provide targeted relief for the most expensive cases; opponents said it was a patchwork fix, could become an ongoing obligation, and should wait for broader funding formula reform. After extended debate, the bill passed 22-1 and was sent to the House. The Senate then reordered the third reading calendar, moved to miscellaneous business, heard several introductions and announcements, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• That pathway exists today and is accepted by the Arizona State Licensing Board without additional state
• State Farm has those adjusters that adjust claims here and in every other state in the country.
• state.
• Many states did.
• Otherwise, the states will act.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 28, 2026 minutes and held Senate Bill 1241 for a later hearing because a witness was unavailable. It then took up Senate Bill 1144, which would create an alternative pathway for veterinary technician certification through supervised on-the-job training and board-approved skills standards. Supporters, including the Arizona Humane Society, a high school student in a veterinary program, and other advocates, said the bill would help address workforce shortages, reduce student debt, and improve access to care, especially in rural and low-income areas. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and several veterinarians, argued the bill could weaken training standards, increase liability, and create safety risks; the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association ultimately moved to neutral after amendments added supervision and affidavit requirements. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1144 as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee next passed Senate Bill 1247 unanimously. That bill would allow a person who does not receive care services to live with a resident in an assisted living center, and would bar the Department of Health Services from imposing requirements on that person that the resident would not face. Supporters said the bill was needed to fix a recent agency interpretation that could force spouses or other companions to separate or pay for services they do not use, and noted a possible floor amendment to extend the same treatment to assisted living homes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1286, which would extend from 14 days to 60 days the period for veterinary prescriptions and renewals issued through telemedicine. Supporters said the change would improve access in underserved and rural areas and reflect how telemedicine is already used in human medicine, while opponents warned that longer telemedicine prescriptions could delay necessary exams and diagnostics, increase the risk of misdiagnosis, and create animal welfare and liability concerns. After testimony, the sponsor asked that the bill be held for a possible amendment next week, so no vote was taken. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1164, which would allow Medicaid claims to continue under a prior owner’s billing number during a skilled nursing or assisted living facility change of ownership until new enrollment is complete; supporters said this would prevent long reimbursement delays, while Access raised concerns about federal-law conflicts and said it needed advance notice to process ownership changes. The bill passed 6-0 with one member not voting. Finally, the committee passed Senate Bill 1181, which expands CPA licensure pathways by allowing combinations of degree and work experience and updates reciprocity and rulemaking provisions, and Senate Bill 1415, which creates a licensing path for salaried insurance adjusters with out-of-state credentials, subject to an amendment clarifying exam and employment requirements. Both bills were supported as workforce and mobility measures, and both were reported out of committee on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> students in the state in the state of students in the state in the state of Mississippi<01:35:40.400
• Many states saw this our state. Many states saw this population<01:36:14.480><c> decline.
• Uh, depending on where you are in the state, people could be coding that incorrectly, which causes issues
• Uh, depending on where you are in the state, people could be coding that incorrectly, which causes issues
• </c> are in the state, people could be coding are in the state, people could be coding that<01:44:12.719

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• safety codes, etc.
• safety codes, etc.
• “Just zip code, not address, but is it just zip code?”
• Just zip code, not address, but is it just zip code?”
• The response was that the state maintains the final say because it is the state’s building.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:52.000><c> of</c> Kahana to the flag United States of Kahana to the flag United States of
• </c> offering funds to build offering funds to build no no no more<00:09:32.040><c> for</c><00:09:32.279
• </c><00:10:52.680><c> by</c> largest industry in my state by largest industry in my state by attempting
• </c> fertilizer and equipment in our state fertilizer and equipment in our state many<00:11:51.959><c
• Code 758.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Building Authority.
• That Shelly Indurud of Post Falls, Idaho, was reappointed to the State Building Authority to serve a
• It creates a new code section, which is a preemption code section, that's...
• Idaho Code 59-137?
• into our state system.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then moved quickly through committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, and House messages. Several bills were introduced and referred to committees, and the chamber later recessed and returned with a quorum established. Throughout the day, the Senate also received notices of committee action on additional bills and appointments, including confirmation recommendations for executive appointees and referral of House-passed measures to the appropriate committees. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 608, which revises the public school facilities cooperative funding program, after supporters said it clarifies eligibility and repayment rules for districts with failed bonds and under-budget projects. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1272, a transportation code cleanup bill; Senate Bill 1273 and Senate Bill 1275, both described as DOGE-style cleanup measures removing obsolete veterans and PERSI provisions; Senate Bill 1283, which reduces regulation for small-scale direct-to-consumer agricultural and homemade food sales; and Senate Bill 1325, creating a new white-and-black specialty license plate to raise money for Idaho State Police pay. Most of these passed on voice or roll-call votes with broad support, though SB 1283 drew some concern about the lack of a business-size cap. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1319, the “Emergency Affordability Act,” which targets out-of-network billing by freestanding emergency rooms and requires disclosure of nonparticipation in TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid; debate centered on whether it was a consumer protection measure or an anti-competitive attack on one Idaho facility. Senate Bill 1313 passed to allow pharmacists to seek voluntary dual licensure as naturopathic doctors, and Senate Bill 1296 passed to strengthen criminal trespass penalties for disrupting worship services in churches. Additional cleanup and transparency measures passed, including SB 1320 on the Business Information Infrastructure Fund, SB 1321 on controller reporting compliance, and SB 1322 tightening the voter affidavit process by requiring additional identifying information and county clerk verification when voters lack ID. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 1269 on cloud seeding, which supporters said would add Idaho-specific definitions, reporting, and accountability to an existing program, while opponents argued it mostly duplicated federal reporting and exempted much of the activity from the new rules. Debate on that bill was underway at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Washington State.
• We have been saddled with this tax code for 90 years, and the people of Washington State feel it every
• Asking the highest-earning households in our state and individuals in our state is adding a leg to the
• The B&O code.
• So this is not something new to the tax code, if you will, for our state.

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders, joined by Speaker Laurie Jinkins and House Finance Chair April Berg, introduced a “Millionaire’s Tax” proposal and framed it as a way to reduce Washington’s reliance on sales tax and B&O tax while raising revenue from the state’s highest earners. They said the bill is a starting point and will continue to change through negotiations with the governor, business groups, local governments, and lawmakers. The leaders also said the proposal is intended to support education, health care, public safety, and tax relief measures such as sales tax exemptions on hygiene products, an expanded working families tax credit, a larger small business tax credit, and an early end to the B&O surcharge. The governor had already said he could not support the bill in its current form, which the sponsors said surprised them because they had spoken positively with him the day before. They said the bill will not be the same by the time it reaches his desk and that they expect continued talks to address his concerns, including more money for small business relief and the working families tax credit. They also defended the bill’s structure, saying it mirrors the state capital gains tax, uses Washington’s capital gains definition, and includes credits intended to prevent double taxation for pass-through businesses and others already paying B&O or related taxes. Much of the discussion focused on criticism from Republicans and outside groups that the proposal amounts to a marriage penalty or could drive away high earners and tech businesses. Democratic leaders rejected those concerns, saying the tax applies only to income above $1 million, that the first million is taxed at zero, and that the state would still compare favorably with other income-tax states. They said about 30,000 taxpayers would be affected and estimated the bill would raise roughly $3.5 billion, with about 5% dedicated to county public defense costs. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate public hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Ways and Means, with the House expected to hear the Senate version later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• You folks spend a lot of time reviewing building codes, approving them, and moving them forward.
• Why shouldn't a builder know the codes we're building towards?
• So, you folks pass those building codes, and you're asking the towns to enforce them by doing a building
• </c><00:21:11.919><c> But</c><00:21:12.080><c> you</c> about those building codes.
• But you about those building codes. But you folks,<00:21:13.120><c> they</c><00:21:13.520><c> exist.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have a code, electrical code that would apply to both public and private sector. >> That's a state
• There are existing building codes and other types of codes that talk about exit requirements and whatnot
• Um, again, I'm not that well versed in codes, but codes tend to apply to buildings or areas.
• Um, again, I'm not that well versed in codes, but codes tend to apply to buildings or areas.
• </c> electoral code that the state follows electoral code that the state follows changes<01:00:56.640

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , just as we do the International Building Code, the National Electric Code, some of the other conformity
• We can handle this at state law.
• state law.
• I think that the balance that we struck last session with the building code inspection law that we passed
• I think that the balance that we struck last session with the building code inspection law that we passed

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 702, which would amend Idaho’s Uniform Commercial Code provisions governing securities entitlements. The sponsor and a guest attorney argued the bill would restore investor priority over banks in the event of a major Wall Street failure, saying current law gives secured lenders priority when brokers or custodians pledge customer securities without consent. Several members questioned whether the bill was broader than described, whether it mainly affected margin accounts, and whether it should be handled at the state level at all. After discussion, a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed 8-7, and the committee then moved to hold the bill in committee at the call of the chair while members sought more information and further discussion. House Bill 562, sponsored by Representative Sauter, would extend the notice period for property insurance nonrenewals and cancellations from 30 days to 60 days for both residential and commercial policies. The sponsor said the bill was intended as a consumer protection measure to give policyholders more time to find replacement coverage or resolve issues with their current carrier, and he noted it would not change the 10-day notice for nonpayment or the separate timeline for rate changes. Committee members asked about existing contract language and whether a longer notice period could discourage insurers from writing policies in Idaho; the sponsor said he had not heard that concern from carriers and was open to adjusting the effective date. The committee approved a motion to send the bill to general orders. The committee then considered House Bill 585, which would impose “shot clocks” on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections, similar to last session’s building inspection timelines. The sponsor said local governments would have 48 hours to complete inspections or refund the fee so a private third-party inspector could be used, and would have to provide written reasons for a failed inspection within three business days. Testimony from a third-party inspector and the Idaho Associated General Contractors supported the bill, saying it could save time and money and help keep projects moving. The committee adopted a due pass motion and sent the bill to the floor. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 545, which would create a pathway for certain military chaplains to become licensed professional counselors in Idaho based on their Master of Divinity, military counseling experience, and related clinical pastoral education. The sponsor and supporters said chaplains already provide substantial counseling in military settings and should be able to serve Idahoans, including veterans, while critics from the counseling profession argued the bill would bypass important counseling coursework, the national counselor exam, and existing gatekeeping standards. After extensive testimony from both sides, including questions about training, testing, supervision, and public protection, the committee had not yet reached a final disposition in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each state has a reportable disease program.
• for any of the rules happening across the state.
• New language is added requiring out-of-state licensees operating in the state to register within 30 days
• in state law.
• When the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, states could form a state-based marketplace, or they

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and State Street in Boston.
• Families across our state are depending on you. Society.
• That program is required by state law.
• We also have to look seriously at a state-provided insurance ...state-provided insurance mechanism as
• kind of insurer of last resort for the state.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all