Video & Transcript : 'Section 94B' :
Page 55 of 500
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 3rd, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 3 provides a cross-reference.
- Section 5 requests legislative management to consider. Sections 5 and 7.
- Could you explain Section 7 a little bit? I'll pick the bill. Okay, Section 7. Okay, Section 7.
- Okay, Section 7.
- If we look back at Section 5, Mr. Chairman, and I don't have Section 5. Oh, I do have it.
Summary:
The committee met to review fiscal aspects of House Bills 1417 and 1425, both part of a broader criminal justice reentry package. HB 1417 would eliminate the $35 public defender application fee and end court-ordered reimbursement of indigent defense costs, while also removing the $55 monthly community supervision fee. Testimony from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the Department of Corrections said the bill would replace lost revenue with general fund appropriations of about $310,000 for indigent defense and $1.5 million for supervision fees, and that the fees are rarely collected and can hinder reentry. Representative Clemene said the bill is intended to reduce barriers to successful community reintegration and improve data and supervision practices.
HB 1425 would create and fund front-end diversion, deflection, and pretrial services programs. Supporters described it as allowing prosecutors and local jurisdictions to divert appropriate low-level offenders from prosecution, establish deflection programs for people with behavioral health needs, and expand pretrial services. The bill includes a pilot program in three counties, a $1 million appropriation to DOCR for one FTE and contracts with local providers, $750,000 to DHS for treatment services, and $55,000 for a study of pretrial services cost savings. Committee members asked several questions about how the pilot counties would be chosen, how the consultant study would be procured, and what services the DHS funds would cover.
The committee also heard House Bill 1603, which would provide a $500,000 matching grant for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, with $100,000 available to each of North Dakota’s five tribes if matched. Sponsor testimony said the funds would support a Historical Society NAGPRA compliance committee and help catalog and repatriate human remains and cultural items in coordination with tribes. After questions about the federal mandate and the difficulty of identifying artifacts, the committee voted 4-0 to give HB 1603 a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Meyer assigned to carry it forward.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- There are provisions in section 4, section 7, and section 12, and I'll identify the line items in each
- </c><00:55:17.520><c> section</c> section 4, section seven, and section section 4, section seven, and
- Section 8, which the change is found on 10.13, section 9 on 11.29 to 11.30, and section 10 on 12.13 to
- And section section three um enactment.
- Our final section here in article three is section seven.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Medical Assistance provider enrollment processes 2/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- you'll</c><00:05:08.160><c> see</c><00:05:08.320><c> the</c> Section five is where you'll see the Section
- </c> require I'm sorry I this is section 8. require I'm sorry I this is section 8.
- Section 9 provides that...
- Section 10 is all new language in section 10.
- Section 10 is all new language in section 10.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 13 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 3.
- : Section 20S.
- : Section 20S.
- Section.
- Section 5A.
Summary:
The House considered House No. 57, a $425 million supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 to fund the emergency shelter/emergency housing assistance system and related activities. The bill, as described by the chair of Ways and Means, included major policy changes requested by the Governor: immediate residency verification at intake, limits on eligibility, required criminal history disclosures and CORI checks, a reduced maximum shelter stay from nine months to six months with hardship waivers, temporary respite sites for 30 days, and a cap on system capacity. Supporters argued the changes were needed to preserve the right-to-shelter system amid fiscal strain and federal inaction; opponents said the bill still did not go far enough or, in some cases, went too far and risked harming families and children.
The House debated and voted on numerous amendments, mostly focused on tightening eligibility or changing shelter operations. Several Republican amendments to reduce funding, impose a one-year residency requirement, require broader background checks, limit eligibility to homelessness caused within Massachusetts, and require cooperation with ICE were rejected, often after roll call votes. A point of order was sustained on multiple amendments as beyond the scope of the bill, including proposals affecting court officers, law enforcement, and ICE-related provisions. The House also rejected amendments to cut the appropriation from $425 million to $200 million and to add other restrictions on eligibility and administration.
Some amendments were adopted. A redrafted Amendment 27, offered by Rep. Decker, was adopted 25-25 on a tie vote and expanded protections to children under age six and added related hardship/extension language. A subsequent amendment by Rep. Consalvo was adopted unanimously to add disability-related protections and extend benefits in certain cases. Another amendment by Rep. Finn was adopted to modify language about seeking federal reimbursement, and Amendment 9 was adopted to require competitive bidding for certain service funds. After debate and roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 126-26. The House then observed a moment of tribute for Doug Selfick and adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m.
VT
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 6 and 7 with the sovereign...
- Section 10. Yeah, that's out. Section 10 is out. That's that bonding that was on for Southwest.
- The, uh, the, uh, yeah, section. Yeah, Section 12. Is that reading the way with Chris? Mr.
- So anyway, Section 13 is okay.
- Then we go to Section 22. Section 22 is the line item transfer.
Summary:
The committee first returned to the A&E/Water Resources budget and walked through the bill section by section, agreeing to keep some routine items and remove or defer others. Members accepted Section 4 with language to allow additional Resources Trust Fund revenues and requested federal funds, while Sections 5, 6, 7, 10, and 17 were taken out for now. They also discussed Section 12’s Bank of North Dakota line of credit for the water infrastructure revolving loan fund, Section 14’s federal funding for the biotreatment plant, Section 20’s study language on water governance and finance, Section 22’s line-item transfer limits, and Section 23’s carryover language. Several members raised concerns about the size and flexibility of available funds, the need for a project stabilization fund, and whether some projects—especially Southwest water—should be studied again. No final votes were taken, and the chair said the committee would return to the budget later after more numbers were known.
The committee then moved to the Historical Society budget, where members reviewed a series of one-time funding changes. The $500,000 NAGPRA grant was removed from the budget because it is tied to separate legislation. For the military gallery expansion, the committee reduced SIF funding by $5 million and split another $4.2 million request between SIF and donations. The Medora area planning amount was reduced, local grants were reworked with matching requirements and a cap on awards, Fargo’s request was reduced, the Medora transportation improvement grant was removed, and the America’s 250th celebration funding was increased to $1 million. Members also discussed adding language giving the North Dakota National Guard military gallery primacy on signage and allowing the Adjutant General to manage content.
The chair and members indicated the Historical Society budget amendments would be drafted and brought back, with the goal of finishing them by Friday if possible. The committee also noted upcoming hearings on related bills, including 1603, and said the budget work would likely go to conference committee because several funding and matching issues remained unresolved. No formal votes were taken in this portion either, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene the next day.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-14-25) - Upon Recess
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> charges is uniform throughout in section charges is uniform throughout in section s<00:12:21.720
- I will touch briefly section by section here and then gladly entertain questions when I get finished.
- Sections one through two deal with TIF districts.
- Sections 28 through 29 deal with the selling farmer tax credit. incentive sections uh 11 through 14 are
- </c> one other comment so there is a section one other comment so there is a section if<00:20:41.600>
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:02
HJR 53 Discussion 00:00:35
HJR 53 Vote 00:03:52
HB 622 Discussion 00:06:52
HB 622 Vote 00:12:55
HB 775 Discussion 00:13:50
HB 775 Vote 00:22:15, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first reconsidered House Joint Resolution 53, which concerns releasing previously appropriated funds for Kentucky State University. Kentucky State University President Kofi Aapo testified in support, describing significant enrollment growth, a balanced budget, and a $5 million fund balance since his arrival, and asking for continued support. Members praised his leadership while noting the institution still has work to do. The motion to reconsider passed, and the resolution then received favorable expression by a 9-2 vote.
The committee next took up House Bill 622, a compromise bill involving the Kentucky Nonprofit Network and the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to improve prompt payment practices for grants and contracts, including partial payments on undisputed invoice items within 30 days and a process for disputed items. The bill also included several appropriation-related corrections and adjustments, including a fix to an allocation for Elizabethtown water and sewer projects, a change in an economic development recipient, revisions to school resource officer language, and additional contingency authority for the Capitol renovation. The committee adopted a title amendment and passed the bill with favorable expression by a 10-1 vote.
House Bill 775 was then discussed as a broad tax and economic development measure. The bill covers TIF districts, electronic filing for craft brewers, pipeline property tax treatment, bourbon barrel tax cleanup, staged income tax reductions, extension of the Metropolitan College incentive, tourism and lodging incentives, reauthorization of an expired TIF, taxation and licensing of cannabis-infused beverages, alternative fuels and jet fuel tax credit review, entertainment event incentives, the selling farmer tax credit, IRC conformity, data center incentives, the first audit of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, and limits on additional electronic charity gaming locations until regulations are adopted. Members raised questions about the beverage tax structure, TIF impacts, and the income tax reduction provisions; some expressed concern about making future tax cuts easier, while others supported the bill’s TIF and agriculture provisions. The bill passed with favorable expression by a 7-2 vote with two pass votes, and the committee then adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- You are recognized to open debate on amendment to Section 3. Mr.
- and without objection, the amendment to Section 1 will be considered read.
- among the professions into one code section.
- Amendment to Section 1 will be adopted. Senator Den Hartog, Mr.
- The amendment to Section 1 will be adopted. Senator Den Hartog, Mr.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the prior journal. Committee and message reports were received, including enrollment of several bills and resolutions, gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho State Racing Commission and State Building Authority, and multiple House bills referred to standing committees. The chamber also advanced a large slate of bills through first and second reading, with several measures sent to the third-reading calendar.
The Committee of the Whole considered and amended several bills. Amendments were adopted on House Bill 494 (temporary caregiver background checks), Senate Bill 1294 (hearing screening timelines for infants and midwives), Senate Bill 1299 (digital ID enforcement and police-requested deletions), House Bill 728 (definitions cleanup), House Bill 703 (restoring an individual fine provision for surveyors and engineers), Senate Bill 1335 (veterinary medicine clarification), Senate Bill 1330 (small claims court attorney fees), Senate Bill 1359 (virtual currency kiosk consumer protection), and Senate Bill 1348 (clarifying the location of a North Idaho gun club). The committee reported all of those measures back as amended without recommendation, while several other bills remained on the 14th-order calendar.
A major floor action involved House Bill 745, which had been held in the Commerce and Human Resources Committee. Under Rule 14E, a motion was made to excuse the committee from reporting the bill forthwith. After extended debate over committee prerogatives and the Senate’s ability to force consideration of held bills, a roll call vote was taken. The motion to excuse the committee passed 25-1 with one abstention, meaning House Bill 745 would remain in committee for the rest of the session. The Senate then reordered the third-reading calendar, received announcements, and adjourned until 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2026.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So when you look at the bill, section one is the 609 section, so that's removing that penalty for the
- Senator ... is happy to explain the mysterious section 530 and says the bill would amend section 2901
- Senator Hauschild, if you would take us through your bill section by section.
- </c><00:14:51.839><c> by</c> through um your bill section by through um your bill section by section<
- </c> prefer section by section and I prefer section by section and I completely<00:16:14.000><c> understand
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- 25-202.01 and amending sections 25-204 and 25-205, relating to marital agreements.
- 25202.0 1 amending section 25 20 202 0.mending section 25 20404 or 25 205 errors statutes building marital
- 2, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, and adding section 25202.01, amending sections 25203, 25204,
- 2, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, and adding section 25202.01, amending sections 25203, 25204,
- Section 15-115.02, amending section 15-711, relating to public educational institutions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Sections 1 and sections 6 through 16 are the sections that move up the effective dates that Mr.
- The first grouping of sections, sections<00:18:32.280><c> 1,</c> sections 1, sections 1, 21,<00:18:34.080
- Sections Sections Sections 2<00:18:47.400><c> through</c><00:18:47.720><c> 4,</c><00:18:48.679><c> 15
- Section<00:19:22.679><c> 14</c> Section 14 Section 14 provides<00:19:25.280><c> role-based</c><00:19:
- Uh<00:20:15.400><c> sections</c> Uh sections Uh sections 1<00:20:17.720><c> 5</c><00:20:18.800><c> 8<
Keywords:
housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- that applies to two sections.
- Section 3 is the appropriations for PELSB.
- Section 5 is. The state academies, and Section 6 is the Perpich Center.
- Section 4 modifies the definition of oral language.
- Section 14 is one of several sections relating to ending the department's partnership with CARI on June
Bills:
HF1388
Keywords:
BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 32-904.01, and amending section 32-904.01, relating to
- Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 32-904.01, amending sections 32-9-203 and related provisions
- Senate Bill 1243, enacting and amending section 36-541.01 and section 36-543, Arizona Revised Statutes
- Senate Bill 1243, enacting and amending section 36-541.01 and section 36-543, Arizona Revised Statutes
- Senate Bill 1244, enacting section 36-9505, section 36-5402, and section 36-5403, Arizona Revised Statutes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 04/07/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 18 adds a definition of emergency backup generator to section 216I.02.
- Section 18 adds a definition of emergency backup generator to section 216I.02.
- Section 18 adds a definition of emergency backup generator to section 216I.02.
- Section 18 adds a definition of emergency backup generator to section 216I.02.
- Section 18 adds a definition of emergency backup generator to section 216I.02.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 2nd, 2025 at 01:00 pm
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 6-01-04.1 and 6-01-04.2 and subsection 7 of Section 6-03-03 and all sections related to 13-04 of the
- This section of code was kind of pulled... ...this section of code was kind of pulled from Wisconsin,
- And then the same thing again at the bottom of page, excuse me, you go to the next section, section two
- must be sentenced in accordance with subsection 5 of section 39-08.1, while that is a section dealing
- must be sentenced in accordance with subsection 5 of Section 3908.1, while that is a section with dealing
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial veto message on Senate Bill 2261. The governor vetoed the bill creating a prison industries workforce development tax credit, citing dormant Commerce Clause concerns and arguing the tax credit would create an unfair market advantage and not meaningfully help Rough Rider Industries. The House agreed to place SB 2261 on the next day’s calendar for a possible veto override. The chamber also re-referred Senate Bill 2159 to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 2133 after the Senate refused to concur with House amendments.
The House then took up a series of Senate amendments and final passage votes on several bills. It concurred in amendments and passed House Bill 1140 naming the Specialist John P. Fettig, Iraq Bridge; House Bill 1241 allowing funeral home vehicles to display flashing purple lights and clarifying emergency vehicle lamp rules; House Bill 1316 imposing additional penalties for repeated violations of temporary restricted licenses; House Bill 1127 expanding Department of Financial Institutions authority and data security provisions; House Bill 1564 on Indian child welfare; House Bill 1167 requiring AI disclosure statements in political communications; House Bill 1170 on state employee annual leave; House Bill 1447 regulating virtual currency kiosks; House Bill 1278 creating a cash management board for state treasury funds; House Bill 1024, the deficiency appropriation bill; House Bill 1205 on newborn safety devices; House Bill 1204 expanding false-information rules for political ads to text messages and telephone calls; House Bill 1001, the governor’s budget; House Bill 1206 increasing penalties for DUI offenses involving a minor; House Bill 1088 on insurance penalties and restitution; and House Bill 1515 on motor vehicle warranty work compensation. Most passed with strong margins, though HB 1170 and HB 1024 drew notable opposition, and HB 1447 and HB 1204 also had several nays.
The most extended debate came on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4008, which proposed a constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits from the current structure to four four-year terms and repeal a constitutional restriction on proposing such changes. Supporters argued the measure would preserve institutional knowledge, allow voters to reconsider the 2022 term-limit decision, and let the public decide on the ballot. Opponents said the people had already spoken, the measure was confusing or unnecessary, and it could distract from other ballot issues. After reconsideration was granted, the House passed SCR 4008 by a vote of 53 yeas to 39 nays. The session ended with announcements, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until April 3, 2025.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- It was previously in Section 48-09-03, and it's moved up to Section 1 for clarity.
- Section 3 is a section regarding security that's provided by the offeror.
- Chairman, in Section 1 of the bill, main item there, I guess I would say in subsection 1 is adding Section
- It was previously in Section 48-09-03, and it's moved up to Section 1 for clarity.
- So in the bill draft, we take it out of the security section and move it up to Section 1 and expound
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- of the State Teachers Association, to make technical corrections, amends Section 33-1271, Idaho Code
- Amending Section 39-204, Idaho Code to revise provisions regarding the powers and duties of abatement
- Amending Section 39-28-12, Idaho Code to establish provisions regarding aerial abatement and to make
- Code to re-designate the section in declaring an emergency.
- of code. ...proof of identification, which is actually outlined in a different section of code.
Summary:
The House convened with 67 members present and approved the House Journal. It received gubernatorial and Senate messages, including enrolled House Joint Memorials 9 and 11 and several Senate bills, and standing committees reported on multiple House bills, with several measures advanced to second reading or referred to other committees. The House also introduced a large group of new Ways and Means bills covering vehicle titles and electronic ownership records, enforcement actions, biometric identifiers, collective bargaining and union funding, fire deficiency warrants, abatement districts, public records, city annexation, programmable money, and sales tax rebate changes, along with Senate bills on crime victims’ proceeds, public records exemptions, the Idaho Women’s Commission, and E-Verify employment requirements.
On third reading, House Concurrent Resolution 28 passed unanimously after debate urging Idahoans to observe March 1, 2026, as a day of fasting and prayer for guidance, unity, and moisture. House Bill 639, updating Idaho midwifery law to allow medication administration within scope and training, passed 67-0. House Bill 532, which links DMV vehicle registration and driver identification records and addresses Social Security number documentation, passed 66-1. House Bill 629, allowing electronic proof of vehicle registration on a phone for all drivers, passed 43-26-1 after debate centered on officer safety and law enforcement concerns. House Bill 503, moving the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the Department of Water Resources, passed unanimously, as did Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 supporting that consolidation while preserving the commission’s voluntary, non-regulatory mission. House Bill 543, updating Percy Choice 401(k) language to comply with SECURE Act 2.0 Roth contribution provisions, also passed unanimously.
The House returned House Bill 671 to committee and held the remaining third-reading bills until Monday, February 23. During announcements, members introduced guests and noted upcoming committee meetings, and the House adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026.
ID
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 until we insert the new language, the plan is to 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, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal. Members also received notice of a temporary substitute appointment for Legislative District 3, Seat B, and a Senate message transmitting enrolled Senate Bill 1225 for the Speaker’s signature. Committee reports then referred a large number of bills and resolutions to standing committees or to second reading, and several measures were advanced from committee with do-pass recommendations, including House Bills 620, 532, 629, 503, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, while House Bill 627 was placed on general orders and House Bill 648 was re-referred.
On the floor, the House passed several bills. House Bill 528, on self-directed or directed blood donation, passed 52-17. House Bill 521, which moves fingerprinting/background-check authority for non-criminal-justice private entities into a new code section, passed 69-0. House Bill 498, allowing the Legislature to hire private counsel to initiate lawsuits in certain circumstances, passed 61-8. House Bill 539, tightening rules around temporary administrative rules and their justification, passed 67-2. House Bill 516, correcting an accidental leftover reference in the parental rights/education law, passed 59-10 after debate over its effect on instruction and parental opt-in rights. House Bill 522, addressing drones near correctional facilities and penalties for restricted-airspace violations and contraband drops, 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 the homeowners exemption for people temporarily away on religious or community service missions, passed 48-20.
The House also held House Bill 639 on the third reading calendar until February 20 and House Joint Memorial 12 for one legislative day. During announcements, members highlighted the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho Food Bank outreach in the rotunda, Whammy Kids on the fourth floor, an Energy Caucus meeting, lunch hosted by the Idaho School Board Association, and girls’ state basketball tickets. The House then adjourned until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, they also added a section.
- ><c> in</c><00:15:37.200><c> section</c><00:15:37.680><c> four</c> section second change is in section
- And the fourth and final change is in Section 17, the effective date section.
- is in section 17, the effective<00:16:40.680><c> date</c><00:16:40.960><c> section.
- There's a section on Europe.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The journal should show it has been read the third time at length, section by section, and placed before
- at length, section by section, and placed before the Senate for final consideration.
- by section, and placed before the Senate for final consideration. ...the third time at length, section
- , section by section, and placed before the Senate for final consideration.
- Section 18, 13, 59.
Summary:
The Senate convened with 27 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge, approved the corrected journal, and then moved through committee reports, messages from the House, and first and second readings of several bills. Among the measures introduced or advanced were appropriations bills, child custody and visitation bills, a digital identification bill, a virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention bill, and bills on public outdoor target ranges, hearing loss screening, and small claims procedure. The chamber also re-referred or held several resolutions and bills, including SCR 125 and SR 121 for printing, and later took a short recess for caucus and announcements.
On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1347, a transparency bill requiring more reporting from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association on federal housing and homelessness funds; supporters said it would improve oversight of subrecipients and outcomes, while opponents argued it duplicated existing HUD and IHFA reporting. The Senate also unanimously passed SB 1369, which rewrites Idaho’s civil venue statute and allows certain lawsuits to be filed either where the defendant resides or where the cause of action occurred, and SB 1358, which lets returning school administrators count prior administrative service toward the teacher career ladder if they meet performance requirements. SB 1379 passed 28-7 to raise the Project Choice vehicle registration fee by $5 to help recruit and retain Idaho State Police troopers, with supporters citing public safety and opponents warning about taxpayer burden and impacts on local law enforcement.
The Senate then passed HB 635, requiring the Professional Standards Commission to report suspected criminal conduct in education cases to law enforcement; HB 532, standardizing identity requirements for DMV transactions; HB 520, standardizing hearing-notice requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act; and HB 541, expanding the definition of a child for electronic enticement offenses to cover some 16- and 17-year-olds when the offender is at least five years older. Later, the chamber passed HB 581, allowing the Legislature to formally notify the Supreme Court when it believes a court rule conflicts with statute or substantive rights, despite separation-of-powers concerns raised by one senator, and HB 599, changing distribution of digital curriculum funds to a needs-based process.
The Senate also approved HB 544 on military leave, HB 642 on death benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children of fallen public safety officers and firefighters, HB 560 allowing county election workers to be drawn from the jury pool, HB 697 separating election-crime offenses into distinct code sections, HB 698 closing a loophole for out-of-state felony convictions, HB 503 transferring the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the Department of Water Resources, and HB 676 on geothermal water applications, which began debate on Boise’s geothermal system before the transcript ended. Most final votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, with the main recorded opposition on SB 1347, SB 1379, and HB 581.