Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking at section 401.1.
• It's section 650, so it's page 488. Page 488, section 650.
• The next section is section 010.01.8.I, which is on page 270.
• The last section I wanted to cover is section 060, which is violations on page 291.
• And we deleted that section.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met with Vice Chairman Senator Hart presiding and took up several Department of Environmental Quality pending rules. DEQ first presented the water quality standards docket, explaining it was largely an administrative cleanup to align Idaho rules with EPA disapprovals of prior temperature and arsenic-related provisions; members asked why EPA rejected parts of the earlier rule, and DEQ said EPA wanted stricter temperature criteria while Idaho had sought flexibility for measurement variability. The committee then voted to approve that docket. DEQ next presented the wastewater rules docket, describing a broad zero-based regulation rewrite to streamline language, reduce duplication, and clarify definitions and review requirements. Testimony highlighted changes to gray water, material modification, wastewater system definitions, and sludge disposal/use plans, as well as an aquaculture-specific exemption from municipal wastewater treatment requirements. A member raised a question about a non-municipal treatment plant in District 2, and DEQ said it would fall under other wastewater provisions. The committee held this docket at the call of the chair so the public witness who had technical difficulties could return at a later meeting. The committee then approved the hazardous waste incorporation-by-reference docket, which updates state rules to match federal regulations through July 1, 2025 and adds Part 271 for state authorization provisions. DEQ said there were no comments and that the update helps maintain program primacy and simplify compliance. The solid waste management rules docket was also approved after DEQ described zero-based cleanup changes, including revised definitions, incorporation-by-reference updates, and deletion of a violations section already covered by statute; members commented that the strikeout format made it hard to tell what was removed versus moved. Finally, the air quality incorporation-by-reference docket was approved, with DEQ summarizing federal updates affecting state implementation, modeling, incinerators, sulfur dioxide standards, engine and gasoline distribution reporting, storage vessel requirements, and a Congressional Review Act disapproval affecting hazardous air pollutant source classifications. The committee adjourned after approving the completed dockets and holding the wastewater docket for later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amending Section 54-1606, Idaho Code, to provide for graduation from a non-public school; amending Section
• Amending Section 54-2916B, Idaho Code, to provide for graduation from a non-public school; amending Section
• 313502 Idaho Code to remove a code reference repealing Section 56, Amending section 313502 Idaho Code
• Amending Section 18-902, Idaho Code, to define a term; amending Section 18-903, Idaho Code, to revise
• Amending Section 18-902, Idaho Code, to define a term; amending Section 18-903, Idaho Code, to revise

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, received Senate messages, and handled a long calendar of bills and resolutions. Early actions included the introduction and referral of several appropriations and policy bills, plus committee reports moving measures on transportation, education, and other topics. The chamber also welcomed a substitute representative and later recessed with plans to return in the afternoon. Among the major floor actions, the House passed Senate Bill 1332, a cash-transfer measure described as necessary to balance fiscal year 2026, by a vote of 59-9. The House also passed House Bill 545, which would allow certain military chaplains to obtain counseling licensure and bill insurance, after extensive debate over training equivalency and scope of practice; it passed 52-17 with one abstention. Other bills passed included House Bill 702 on securities ownership and Idaho law, House Bill 638 to restore the presidential primary, House Bills 765, 766, 767, and 797 on fire district boundaries, impact-fee administration, impact-fee use for equipment replacement, and fire district representation, and House Bill 672 limiting logos and slogans in the executive budget document. The House also approved House Bill 785 on school discipline for vulgar or inappropriate online conduct toward educators, House Bill 760 on property tax exemptions for workforce and affordable housing, and House Bill 789 ratifying the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Water Rights Settlement of 2026. In addition, the chamber adopted House Concurrent Resolution 27 honoring Idaho civilians who served and died on Wake Island during World War II, and passed House Resolution 25 regarding reviewed rules. Several measures were held on the calendar, and House Bill 833 on daily recess for elementary and middle school students was taken up after a two-thirds vote to suspend rules, with debate focused on whether the bill would unduly limit classroom discipline.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> proposal here is to accept house section proposal here is to accept house section 26<00:25:23.919
• </c><00:26:33.039><c> 42</c><00:26:33.520><c> related</c> section 35 and House section 42 related section
• 21 and uh line out of Senate section 21 and uh Senate<00:26:47.120><c> section</c><00:26:47.559><c>
• 47</c><00:27:24.000><c> uh</c> are Senate only. sections 46 and 47 uh are Senate only. sections 46 and
• Article 8, section 44 and section 45. Seeing no further discussion, a roll call.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you look at each section, it's the end of the section.
• </c> the uh different sections. the uh different sections.
• . section.
• I want to go section by section. Section 1, subsection A, definitions.
• </c> the section by section of the bill. the section by section of the bill.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• section 8-11-11, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by Laws 2024, Chapter 47, Section 5, and section
• 246, Section 2, as amended by Laws 2022, Chapter 377, Section 2, repealing Laws 2018, Chapter 259, Section
• 246, Section 2, as amended by Laws 2022, Chapter 377, Section 2, repealing Laws 2018, Chapter 259, Section
• 2025, Chapter 172, Section 1, and Section 13-1204.01, as amended by Laws 2025, Chapter 172, Section
• Senate Bill 1487, documenting Section 287. Senate Bill 1487, documenting Section 287.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors and other visitors. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills on topics including public schools and curricula, transportation, health care, child welfare, municipal and county governance, homeowners’ associations, speech, and election-related matters. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others were advanced with committee or floor amendments. Among the more notable debates, senators discussed SB 1094, which would impose civil liability related to gender reassignment surgery on minors; supporters said it would compensate minors harmed by such procedures, while opponents argued it would discriminate against transgender youth, raise malpractice costs, and chill access to care. SB 1813, concerning the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, drew concern about litigation and the need to expand capacity for people with serious mental illness, while supporters said the bill would remove a legal cap and allow more beds to be used. SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures was amended to clarify representative payee requirements and received generally favorable comments, though some members raised concerns about child safety and DCS discretion. The Senate also advanced SCR 1004, a photo radar ballot referral, after an amendment requiring voter approval in jurisdictions that use photo radar; Senator Leach thanked the sponsor for the change. Other bills moved forward included measures on school firearm safety instruction, civics instruction, chiropractic claims, behavioral health prior authorization, psychiatric evaluations, DCS procedures, AHCCCS procurement contracting, county recorder and HOA-related issues, and legislative qualifications. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• sections within this section.
• And so on pages 150 On page 161 and section 21.
• : page 133, Section 003, and also page 137, Section 2001A, along with the table.
• 003 and Section 200, subsection 01A.
• Representative Bruce, I move we approve docket 58-111-2501 with the exception of Section 003 and Section

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Environment, Energy and Technology Committee met to consider a series of Department of Environmental Quality rule dockets, beginning with an overview of program primacy and incorporation by reference of federal rules. DEQ explained that Idaho adopts federal hazardous waste, air quality, and drinking water rules to maintain primacy and keep state rules aligned with federal requirements, while committee members asked about timing, notice of federal changes, and why the rules are not written out in full. The committee approved the hazardous waste docket 580105-2501 and the air quality docket 580101-2501 after brief presentations describing annual federal updates and examples such as e-manifest, sulfur dioxide standards, and emissions reporting changes. The committee also approved drinking water docket 580108-2501, which incorporated revised federal Consumer Confidence Report and Lead and Copper rules, and docket 580108-2502, a narrow technical correction restoring prior static pressure language for public water systems with an early effective date of sine die. DEQ then presented docket 5801-2-2501 on water quality standards, describing administrative updates to align Idaho rules with EPA actions, including removing arsenic from a hardness-based table and updating references to federal approvals; the committee approved it. The committee next approved docket 5801-13-2501, a temporary and pending rule for cyanidation ore processing updated to conform to Senate Bill 1170, with DEQ noting further negotiated rulemaking is underway for more substantive revisions. Later, the committee approved docket 58-016-2501 on solid waste management rules, which DEQ said was part of zero-based regulation and focused on removing redundant language and improving clarity. Docket 58-0116-2501 on wastewater rules was also approved after DEQ described modernization changes, clarification for aquaculture facilities, and updates from public comment. The committee then approved docket 58-0112-2501 on administration of wastewater and drinking water loan funds, which reorganized affordability criteria into tiers for disadvantaged communities, clarified ineligible costs, adjusted professional liability insurance flexibility, and simplified waiver provisions. Finally, the committee approved docket 58-111-2501 on groundwater quality rules with an exception for two sections related to unresolved federal PFAS standards, after DEQ said those portions should wait for federal clarity; members also discussed the meaning of “shall,” “must,” and “will,” and one member noted a wastewater reuse pilot project before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1613, amending Title 4, Chapter 20, A.R.S., by amending Section 2, and Section 15, and Section
• Senate Bill 1649, amending Title 41, Chapter 1, Article 4, A.R.S., by amending Section 41-181 and Section
• Sections 11-483 and 11-484, A.R.S., relating to records confidentiality.
• House Bill 2660, amending sections 32-924 and 32-15.01, A.R.S., by adding Section 32-30.03, relating
• House Bill 2661, amending Section 8809.01, relating to dependent children.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by section.
• by section.
• Section 1, that Section 63-602G, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended to read as follows: 63
• Senator, that's amendment to Section 2, just Section 1.
• Section 3 and Section 4 there, Section 3 talks about the existing rules being null, void, and of no force

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge, approved the corrected journal, and then moved through committee reports, gubernatorial messages, and House messages. Several bills were reported, enrolled, or transmitted, including Senate bills and resolutions sent to the Governor or House, and House bills referred to committees. The chamber also received new Senate bills on taxation, ICE agreements, refugee accountability, and deportation-related enforcement, and then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider amendments on the general calendar. On final passage, the Senate approved a series of measures. Senate Bill 1410, a technical Medicaid bill authorizing state plan amendments for encounter-rate changes, passed 33-0 with two absent. Senate Bill 1426, an Idaho Transportation Department appropriation/enhancement bill, passed 30-4 with one absent. Senate Bill 1427, a Department of Lands appropriation with fire preparedness, radio equipment, waterways, and geological survey funding, passed 25-9 with one absent. House Bill 797, requiring fire protection subdistrict appointees or electors to live in the district, and House Bill 843, eliminating homestead exemption proration and applying the full exemption once a complete application is approved, both passed on shared roll calls. The Senate also passed House Bill 711, creating an alternative administrator certification pathway for principals and superintendents in traditional school districts; supporters emphasized rural recruitment and local control, while opponents warned about lowering qualifications and retention issues. House Bill 832, revising CTE industry-experience requirements for instructors, passed with broad support. House Bill 795, cleaning up definitions of obscene material and lewd matter, passed without debate. House Bill 817, updating tobacco retailer permitting rules for premium cigars and adult-only cigar operations, passed after debate focused on small business and youth protections. House Bill 831, changing how schools used as polling places are handled by prohibiting in-person instruction at those sites and adjusting instructional-time rules, passed 30-4 with one absent. House Bill 872, allowing constitutional amendments and initiatives to be printed on available ballot space instead of a separate page, and House Bill 893, a codifier’s corrections bill, both passed unanimously on shared roll calls. The Senate also passed House Bill 650, a states’-rights measure directing agencies to construe federal power narrowly under the Tenth Amendment, and House Bill 674, which streamlines telecommunications service discontinuance by removing a duplicative state process in favor of the FCC process, after a split debate over state versus federal decision-making. Finally, House Bill 810, as amended, adding a 120-day fixed-habitation requirement for legislative candidates while exempting active-duty military, passed 20-14 with one absent despite constitutional concerns raised by opponents. The chamber then returned to committee and calendar business, including a recess for page graduation and a Committee of the Whole session that began considering amendments, including one to House Bill 730 changing SNAP eligibility check intervals from four months to six months.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then sections, I guess it's the next three sections, so that would be four through six, I believe
• “Can we go to section five of Senator Hill?” “Yes. Starting at line 97.” “What? Section five.
• </c> &gt;&gt; section five. That's section four. &gt;&gt; section five. That's section four.
• That is the only crime in Section five: the entry. >> That is the only new crime in Section five.
• Section four is just paperwork.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two, effective date. stalking. Section two, effective date.
• Sections 1 through 39.
• Those are sections 40 and 41.
• Again, that's sections 40 and 41.
• </c> sections 40 and 41. sections 40 and 41.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General Schultz has been read the third time at length, section by section, and placed before the Senate
• It has been read the third time at length, section by section, and placed before the Senate for final
• The bill has been read the third time at length, section by section, and placed before the Senate for
• The bill has been read at length, section by section, and placed before the Senate for final consideration
• Section 18, 13, 59.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 27 members present at the start, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the corrected journal, and then moved through committee reports, messages from the House, and first- and second-reading referrals. Several resolutions and memorials were introduced, including SCR 125 on legislative compensation and SR 121 on transportation rules, along with multiple bills referred to committees or advanced for printing and second reading. The chamber also recessed briefly for caucus and later reconvened with a quorum of 33 senators present. On third reading, the Senate passed a series of bills, often by unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. Among the measures debated were SB 1347, a transparency bill requiring more reporting from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association on federal housing and homelessness funds, which passed after supporters argued it would improve oversight and opponents warned of duplicative reporting. SB 1369 rewrote Idaho’s civil venue statute to make it more readable and allow filing where the cause of action occurred; SB 1358 adjusted career ladder rules so administrators returning to teaching could count administrative experience; and SB 1379 raised the Project CHOICE vehicle registration fee to help recruit and retain Idaho State Police troopers, drawing debate over public safety, taxpayer costs, and impacts on local law enforcement. The Senate also passed HB 635 requiring the Professional Standards Commission to report suspected criminal conduct to law enforcement, HB 532 standardizing DMV identity requirements, HB 520 standardizing hearing notices under the Administrative Procedure Act, HB 541 clarifying the definition of a child for electronic enticement offenses, HB 581 allowing the Legislature to formally notify the Supreme Court when court rules appear to conflict with statute, HB 599 changing distribution of public school digital content funds to a needs-based process, HB 544 extending military leave from 120 to 160 hours, HB 642 correcting death benefits for surviving families of fallen public safety officers and firefighters, HB 560 creating an option for jury-eligible residents to serve as county election workers, HB 697 separating election-crime offenses into distinct code sections, HB 698 closing a voting-rights loophole for felons convicted in other states, HB 503 transferring the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the Department of Water Resources, and HB 676 revising geothermal water application rules. Most of these bills passed with little opposition, and titles were approved for transmission back to the House. The Senate also introduced new bills on public utilities and elections, and later began debate on HB 737 to merge the Office of Species Conservation with the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, though that discussion was not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amending Section 39-4402, Idaho Code, to provide legislative intent and make technical corrections.
• Amending Section 39-4403, Idaho Code, to revise definitions into defined terms.
• So what the plan is, is what they have suggested is that we put it under a separate code section.
• And this section of code was just added eight months ago.
• of code, all we are left with in 33-650,... ...from this section of code.

Summary: The House convened with 69 members present, approved the previous journal, and received a substitute appointment notice for Kenneth Zakin to temporarily serve in Legislative District 3, Seat B. It also received an enrolled Senate bill for the Speaker’s signature and a large batch of committee reports and bill referrals, including several new bills and resolutions being printed or sent to standing committees. House Joint Memorial 15 and House Resolution 24 were sent for printing, and multiple bills were introduced and referred, including measures on hazardous waste, libraries, transportation funding, motor vehicle registration, campaign finance, elections, building codes, and taxation. The chamber then considered and passed several bills on third reading. House Bill 528, concerning self-directed and directed blood donation, passed 52-17. House Bill 521, which moves fingerprinting authority for certain non-criminal-justice private entities into a new code section, passed 69-0. House Bill 498, allowing the Legislature to hire private counsel for offensive litigation, passed 61-8. House Bill 539, tightening rules around temporary administrative rules and related review requirements, passed 67-2. House Bill 516, correcting a leftover reference in the parental rights and education law, passed 59-10 after debate over its effect on existing education restrictions. House Bill 522, addressing drone incursions near prisons and related penalties, passed 62-7. House Bill 635, requiring the Education Professional Standards Commission to report possible criminal conduct to law enforcement, passed 66-8. House Bill 594, codifying a court decision on distribution of penalties and interest from late tax payments to subjurisdictions, passed 69-0. House Bill 610, preserving homeowners exemptions for Idahoans serving religious or community missions when they intend to return, passed 48-20. Other business included holding House Bill 639 and House Joint Memorial 12 on the third reading calendar, and announcing that House Bill 620, 532, 629, 503, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 had been reported out of committee earlier in the day. The House also heard announcements about the Simplot Games, Idaho Food Bank, Whammy Kids, an Energy Caucus meeting, Idaho School Board Association lunch, and girls’ state basketball tickets. The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3BSA</c> Section two amends uh 3BSA Section two amends uh 3BSA uh<00:18:59.679><c> 125A</c> Section
• So section one is the finding section. I won't read those to you.
• Section two is the intent section. you. Section two is the intent section.
• this when I say section now like section this when I say section now like of<01:24:40.960><c> a</c><01
• </c> statutory section uh some so section statutory section uh some so section 1121 1121 1121 requires

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections<00:50:19.720><c> 8,21</c><00:50:20.720><c> and</c> Sections 8,21 and Sections 8,21 and 22<00
• The first grouping of sections,<00:53:39.720><c> sections,</c> sections, sections, sections, sections
• Section one is unchanged. It... Section 1 is unchanged.
• Section 53. Um, this requires services. Section 53.
• </c> section applies to. section applies to.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on page two, section two.
• So if you would go to the sections and start with Section number five, okay, the first two sections are
• But start with Section five. So Section five identifies $3,512,670 in one-time funding for SIFT.
• And if you look at the sections, it's talked about in section four.
• Section 5 is the motor carrier electronic permit fund transfer authorization. Section 6 is...

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• by section.
• by section.
• The bill has been read the third time at length, section by section, and placed before the Senate for
• Section 1, that Section 63-602G, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended to read as follows: 63
• Section 3 and Section 4 there.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and then moved through committee reports, gubernatorial and House messages, and bill introductions. Several measures were referred to committees or held for later action, including new Senate bills on taxation, immigration-related enforcement, and refugee/illegal alien accountability, which were sent to Judiciary and Rules for printing. The Senate also received and processed numerous enrolled bills and committee reports on education, finance, resources, health and welfare, and state affairs. On the floor, the Senate considered and passed a series of bills. Among the measures approved were Senate Bill 1410 on Medicaid state plan amendments for federally qualified health centers and rural health centers; Senate Bill 1426 appropriating additional funds to the Idaho Transportation Department; Senate Bill 1427 funding the Department of Lands; House Bill 797 requiring fire protection sub-district appointees or electors to live in the district; House Bill 843 changing the homestead exemption so the full exemption applies once a complete application is approved rather than prorating it; House Bill 711 creating an alternative administrator authorization pathway for principals and superintendents; House Bill 832 revising CTE industry-professional qualification rules; House Bill 795 cleaning up definitions for obscene material and lewd matter; and House Bill 817 updating tobacco retailer permitting rules for cigar-related businesses while keeping age restrictions in place. The Senate also passed House Bill 831 on school polling places, House Bill 872 allowing constitutional amendments and initiatives to be printed within available ballot space, House Bill 893 making codifier’s corrections, House Bill 650 codifying a Tenth Amendment-based presumption favoring state authority, House Bill 674 streamlining telecom service discontinuance review by removing a duplicative state process, and House Bill 810 adding a 120-day fixed-habitation requirement for legislative candidates, though that bill drew constitutional objections. Most of these measures passed on roll calls, some by unanimous consent to reuse prior vote counts, and titles were approved before transmission back to the House or onward to the Governor as appropriate. The session also included a page graduation presentation and several brief recesses and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• R N R 9<00:22:37.840><c> section</c> 9 section 9 section 10<00:22:40.640><c> R</c><00:22:41.400><c>
• ><c> then</c> 13 and then 13 and then R32<00:22:49.760><c> section</c> R32 section R32 section 23.<00
• 1 at line 195.24; page R8, sections 8 and 9; page R9, section 10; page R10, sections 11, 12, and 13;
• ><c> R10,</c><00:25:30.559><c> sections</c><00:25:30.960><c> 11,</c> R9, section 10, page R10, sections
• 15, and R1 15 section 14, R14, section 15, and R1 15 section<00:33:22.519><c> 16.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's SB 1445, an act amending sections...
• SB 1631 in Act of Mending Sections 8-817.
• ; amending Section 11-1133, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing Section 12-524, Arizona Revised Statutes
• Amending Section 11-1133, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing Section 12-524, Arizona Revised Statutes
• 1531 relating to 1531 relating section 21 3301 relating to section 21 rules recommend the following

Summary: The Senate met in multiple Committee of the Whole sessions and considered a large number of bills, many related to digital assets and cryptocurrency, including SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1044, SB 1045, SB 1432, SCR 1003, SCR 1033, and SCR 1028. Members discussed whether the state should accept cryptocurrency for payments, tax or exempt virtual currency, ban central bank digital currency, and support digital assets in retirement systems. Senator Epstein repeatedly argued against the measures and tried to offer amendments targeting data center tax exemptions, but one such amendment was ruled not germane and the ruling was upheld on a division vote. The bills and resolutions in that group generally advanced with do-pass recommendations, with SB 1043 and SB 1044 amended before advancing. The Senate also advanced several bills on family law, public records, scholarship organizations, property conveyances, underground facilities, and environmental and energy issues, including SB 1039, SB 1139, SB 1147, SB 1148, SB 1328, SB 1078, SB 1142, SB 1184, SB 1254, SB 1278, SB 1281, SB 1418, SB 1445, and SB 1566. Some measures drew discussion and amendments: SB 1254 received a clarifying amendment for deeds handled by title and escrow professionals; SB 1278 had a floor amendment withdrawn; SB 1281 was amended by committee and floor changes; SB 1418 prompted questions about small modular reactors and concerns about uranium mining and health impacts; and SB 1566 was amended to address malicious delay enforcement and judicial review. Most of these bills received do-pass recommendations. In the health and human services calendar, the Senate advanced SB 1052, SB 1115, SB 1149, SB 1193, SB 1233, SB 1345, SB 1346, and SB 1631, with SB 1124 retained on the calendar. Debate centered on ACCESS and remote work, administrative deficiency cure periods, anonymous complaints, fee-for-service claims, and DCS-related hearings and investigations. Senator Gonzales opposed several ACCESS-related bills, arguing they lacked appropriations, could disrupt services, or conflicted with federal Medicaid law, while sponsors said the bills addressed agency performance and provider complaints. SB 1115, SB 1149, SB 1193, SB 1233, and SB 1345 were amended before receiving do-pass recommendations, and SB 1345’s sponsor said ACCESS was removed from the bill. The final calendar included regulatory and veterinary-related bills such as SB 1137, SB 1144, SB 1205, and SB 1286. SB 1205, dealing with motor vehicle booting fees, received a floor amendment requiring an appeals process for private parking lots. SB 1286, on veterinary telemedicine and prescriptions, drew the most extended debate, with a committee amendment and a Kavanagh floor amendment restoring a 14-day prescription extension and adding flea and tick treatment; Senator Leach opposed the floor amendment, describing prior stakeholder negotiations and changes in committee support. The transcript ends while that debate is still underway, after several bills have already been reported out with do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 7 and 8, and do not adopt Section 9, which is the transfer of SIF dollars.
• The first section sets up the design process. The second section sets up the loan process.
• So the first section sets up the design process. The second section sets up the loan. The process.
• So it appears to me that Section 8 is associated with Section 9.
• So it appears to me that Section 8 is associated with Section 9. I didn't read it that closely.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The committee first discussed a wastewater infrastructure bill, centered on whether state support should be provided as a grant or through the existing Clean Water State Revolving Fund as a low-interest loan program. Department of Environmental Quality official David Brushwine explained that the SRF already finances wastewater projects, can leverage federal funds with state bond proceeds, and could accommodate the Washburn, Lincoln, and Peasant projects if they are ready to proceed. Members noted that losing federal grant support would make projects harder for local residents to afford because costs would be recovered through utility rates or special assessments, but the projects would still be eligible for loans. Senator Magrum indicated he would likely concur with the budget after this discussion, and the bill was set aside for later consideration. The committee then turned to a proposed amendment for a four-plex housing project for people with disabilities or other special needs. Senator Mathern described Sections 7 and 8 as creating a design consultation appropriation and a revolving loan fund modeled on existing hospital and nursing home loan programs, while Section 9 would transfer $3.3 million from the state infrastructure fund. Members debated ownership, rent subsidies, repayment terms, and whether the state should finance the project directly or leave it to a private developer with Department of Human Services oversight. Concerns were raised that the state should not own the housing and that the proposal needed more work to be workable, but the committee ultimately reached consensus to adopt Sections 7 and 8 and leave out Section 9 for further conference committee discussion. The committee also reviewed provider inflation and long-term care rate issues, with members discussing whether to support a 2% and 1.5% inflation adjustment and how to handle the $5-per-day basic care rate. Staff explained that the $5 payment was already in the base budget, but members debated whether it should remain ongoing or be treated as one-time funding and paired with a study of rate rebasing. The committee agreed to have draft language prepared to remove the $5 from the base budget and add study language, then moved the bill forward for drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to section six. spreadsheet. Moving on to section six.
• </c> sections two and three on page 34. sections two and three on page 34.
• Sections 7, 8, and 9 are more technical cross-reference changes related to section 10.
• Sections 7, 8, and 9 are more technical cross-reference changes related to section 10.
• Sections 7, 8, and 9 are more technical cross-reference changes related to section 10.

Bills: HF2300

Keywords: 1183, house