Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 715 by the Local Government Committee: An act relating to public libraries, amending Section
• 33-2607, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the powers and duties of public library boards of
• Section 33-2607, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the powers and duties of public library boards
• Amending Section 33-2608, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding library directors of public libraries

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:

• I can imagine if the agency would have been in effect during the fires that affected so many there in
• amendments would add another step in the implementation process by requiring the California State Library
• committee amendments, with the understanding that more amendments are forthcoming to narrow the state's library

Summary: The Senate Government Organization Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and took up a series of bills, many focused on regulatory oversight, state symbols, food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and ethnic media funding. SB 885 by Senator Strickland proposed requiring legislative approval for major regulations with an estimated economic impact over $50 million; supporters argued it would restore accountability and help address affordability, while labor and environmental opponents warned it would delay important health and safety rules. After discussion of committee amendments and concerns about timing, the bill was moved out on a due-pass motion, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 986, a similar regulatory oversight bill by Senator Saryato, which accepted committee amendments and advanced after supporters emphasized separation of powers and opponents raised delay concerns. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado created an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across departments; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight guardrails, and the bill was moved forward with the roll held open. The committee then heard several symbolic designation bills. SB 1214 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly; supporters highlighted the species’ ecological importance and conservation value, and the bill advanced as amended. SB 1178 by Senator Reyes would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp; testimony emphasized its role in pest control and agriculture, and it also moved forward as amended. SB 1286 by Senator Richardson would designate the California sea lion as the official state pinniped; the author and Marine Mammal Care Center described sea lions as a conservation success story and a sentinel species, and the bill passed out of committee as amended. The committee also considered SB 1171 by Senator Caballero, which would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants. Supporters framed it as a response to harmful ICE enforcement practices, while opponents warned it could sweep in providers of essential services such as food, medical care, and legal research for detainees and could invite retaliation against California funding. The bill was approved on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open. Finally, SB 1358 by Senator Rubio, the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act, would create a database and contracting framework to direct more state advertising and outreach funds to ethnic and community media; supporters said it would improve reach, trust, and effectiveness in underserved communities, and the bill advanced on a strong vote with the roll held open. The committee also took up the consent calendar after quorum was established, and several items were held open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can imagine if the agency would have been in effect during the fires that affected so many there in
• amendments would add another step in the implementation process by requiring the California State Library
• committee amendments, with the understanding that more amendments are forthcoming to narrow the State Library

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused largely on regulatory oversight, food insecurity, state symbols, immigration-related funding, and ethnic media outreach. SB 885 and SB 986 would require major regulations with estimated economic impacts over $50 million to come back to the Legislature for review; supporters said this would restore accountability and help address affordability, while opponents warned it would delay health, safety, and worker protections. SB 1025 would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across state departments, expand outreach, run a hunger hotline, and analyze service gaps; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight language. SB 1214 would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly, and SB 1178 would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp, with testimony emphasizing conservation, ecology, and agricultural benefits. SB 1286 would recognize the California sea lion as the state pinniped, with supporters citing its role as a sentinel species and conservation success story. SB 1171 would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded grants or loans; supporters framed it as a response to ICE conduct, while opponents raised concerns about unintended impacts on contractors providing essential services and possible federal retaliation. SB 1358 would create the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act to improve state advertising and outreach to ethnic and community media through a database and contracting requirements, with supporters arguing it would improve effectiveness and reach underserved communities. Several bills were advanced on committee votes, many with roll calls held open for absent members. SB 885, SB 986, SB 1025, SB 1214, SB 1178, SB 1286, and SB 1171 all received motions to do pass, with some members noting support but also urging amendments or guardrails, especially on timing, reporting, and oversight. The committee also took up a consent calendar of multiple items after quorum was established.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can imagine if the agency would have been in effect during the fires that affected so many there in
• amendments would add another step in the implementation process by requiring the California State Library
• committee amendments, with the understanding that more amendments are forthcoming to narrow the state's library

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The continuation of a statewide early literacy program is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
• be that's the program that has been most popularly utilized and matched with county and municipal libraries

Bills: HB4030, HB4031, HB4032, HB4033, HB4034, HB4035, HB4036, HB4037, HB4038, HB4039, HB4040, HB4041, HB4042, HB4043, HB4044, HB4045, HB4046, HB4047, HB4048, HB4049, HB4050, HB4051, HB4052, HB4053, HB4054, HB4056, HB4057, HB4065, HB4067, HB4071, HB4072, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1149, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1167, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• they need because our kids are out here you've seen what we've got we have no museums we have no libraries
• That is their library. Right?
• Can you, can you imagine you going to La Cueva and walking in their gym and, and seeing, you know, the

Transcript Highlights:

• going to provide an enormous protection for officers in all kinds of use cases that we haven't even imagined
• I currently work full-time as a reference attorney at the Travis County Law Library.
• Our director, Lisa Rush, has developed our library into a self-help center for pro se litigants, assisting

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• years, this beloved tradition, rooted in Pennsylvania's strong German heritage, has captured our imagination
• Phil actually lives in, has a couple of minutes, so to speak, in the Punxsutawney library, where he lives
• PHIL ACTUALLY LIVES IN -- HAS A COULDN'T MINUTE NUMB, SO TO SPEAK, IN THE PUNXSUTAWNEY LIBRARY, WHERE

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I imagine just about everybody in now.
• </c> &gt;&gt; An individual went to the Kelly Library &gt;&gt; An individual went to the Kelly Library
• I think it is as bad a policy as could be imagined.
• </c><03:16:19.200><c> I</c> as bad a policy as could be imagined.
• I as bad a policy as could be imagined.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the account include extended family visit program expenses, family-centered activities, law library
• Funds are prohibited from being used for the creation or maintenance of a law library.
• And I do have a question around Will, and that is the issue of the law libraries that was taken out.
• And I do believe—can you share with me—is it a constitutional requirement that we provide law libraries
• , or what's the rule around the provision of law libraries within our institutions in the state?

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5917, which would change how the Department of Corrections and Department of Health distribute abortion medications from state stockpiles. Staff and the bill sponsor said the measure would remove pricing restrictions, allow the medications to be donated or sold more flexibly to health care providers, and help avoid expiration of existing supplies. Supporters, including the Washington State Women’s Commission, the governor’s health policy advisor, DOH, physicians, and Pro-Choice Washington, said the bill would improve access to medication abortion and miscarriage care, especially for people facing barriers. Opponents argued it would expand state involvement in abortion, shift costs to taxpayers, and raise safety concerns. No vote was taken on the bill in the hearing portion shown. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6080, which would require written contracts before local jails accept people in federal custody and would prohibit some out-of-state transfers absent a valid judicial warrant. Senator Cleveland said the bill was prompted by a situation in Clark County and was intended to provide clarity, reimbursement, and accountability for local governments. Supporters from the Latino Community Fund, the Association of Counties, and the City of Vancouver said it would protect taxpayers and local discretion. The sheriffs’ association supported some of the bill’s goals but raised concerns about unintended consequences for routine federal arrests and wanted more clarification. The hearing on SB 6080 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6085, which would revise the Institutional Welfare Account, formerly the incarcerated individual betterment fund, to require more input from incarcerated people and their families on how the funds are spent and to change some allowable uses. The sponsor said the bill would ensure the account reflects current needs and supports family contact, reentry, and institutional safety. Testimony was mixed: the Washington State Reentry Council supported the concept but objected to requiring legislative appropriations and to using the funds for reentry services; a Department of Corrections representative supported the intent but raised concerns about removing law library funding without replacement. After testimony, the committee moved into executive session and considered several bills and amendments, including SB 5940, SB 5945, SB 5957, and SB 5966. Multiple amendments were offered and mostly failed on SB 5940 and SB 5945, while one amendment on SB 5945 passed. The committee advanced SB 5940, SB 5957, and SB 5966 with due-pass recommendations, and the transcript ends with the committee adjourning after the final action on SB 5966.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be presenting the state law library, some of your recommendations.
• All right, the chair calls Amy Small, executive director for the Texas State Law Library.
• My name is Amy Small, and I am the executive director of the state law library.
• We're competing with private law firms, academic law libraries who can just pay more, and the staff that
• UB authority recommendations continue UB authority for Article 4 agencies and adds the state law library

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 290 is a simple bill relating to county law libraries.
• Currently, the local bars or the local law libraries have funds to purchase materials, and they are not
• is a simple Bill relating to county 290 is a simple Bill relating to county law<00:09:40.800><c> libraries
• currently the the local law libraries currently the the local bars<00:09:44.640><c> or</c><00:09:44.839
• have funds to purchase libraries have funds to purchase materials<00:09:51.760><c> and</c><00:09:52.519

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:01 Attendance Roll Call: 00:04 HB 684 (Rep. Decker): 00:49 HB 71 (Rep. Duvall): 06:55 HB 290 (Rep. Wilson): 09:20 HB 555 (Rep. Freeland): 15:21 HB 160 (Rep. Witten): 16:30 HB 455 (Rep. Flannery): 22:04 Adjournment: 27:21, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered several bills. House Bill 684, an elections “continuous improvement” measure, drew the most discussion. Rep. Jennifer Decker said it was based on issues identified during the 2024 election cycle and included changes to absentee voting for primary caregivers and other election administration updates. Senators focused on a committee substitute removing credit and debit cards as a second form of ID for provisional ballots; Decker said local election workers had reported people trying to use cards with no photo ID, and she did not want financial institutions determining voter eligibility. The bill also clarified that certain ballots could be issued by hand or by mail. It passed 9-1, with some members voting no or passing because they wanted more time to consider the ID change. House Bill 71, requested by the Kentucky Public Pension Authority, would reorganize KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the CFO into an executive director-level role. Testimony said the change was structural only, with no impact on system funding and minimal short-term costs. It passed unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 290, by Rep. Nick Wilson, would allow county law libraries to use funds for online legal research resources, computers, and internet-related equipment. Supporters said libraries had money but were limited to buying books; the bill passed unanimously, with the chair noting it would let libraries use existing funds more effectively. House Bill 555, as amended by committee substitute, addressed audit and reporting requirements for small cities. Supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Auditor’s Office said many small cities struggle to find certified CPAs, and the bill would raise the threshold for less frequent audits, expand the exemption threshold, allow the Auditor’s Office to contract to perform audits, and clarify that state-fund withholding for noncompliance would not apply to contractual or utility payments. It passed 10-1, and the title amendment was adopted. House Bill 160, with a committee substitute, would regulate manufactured housing and local zoning by establishing standards that supporters said were needed to prevent discrimination against modern manufactured homes. Several senators expressed concern about state interference in local zoning, while others supported the bill as a housing access measure; it passed 10-1. Finally, House Bill 455 would create a Unit of Election Investigations and Security in the Attorney General’s Office to handle election-crime allegation review, the voter fraud hotline, prosecutorial referrals, and legislative oversight. Supporters said it codified existing practices and would not require new funding, but opponents objected to placing the hotline in a partisan office. The bill passed 9-1 with one pass, and the committee adjourned after reporting favorable action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• aware that a few years ago we partnered with the Hands On Children's Museum and the Dolly Parton Imagination
• Library to create spaces in our visitation areas for children to play with their incarcerated parents
• I actually spent a lot of time last year visiting prisons and community custody, as you guys imagine,
• Imagine if your loved one was housed at an assisted living facility. What would you do?
• I spent my career serving victims of crime of every imaginable and unimaginable person-against-person

Bills: SB5873, SB5895, SB5945

Keywords: incarcerated individuals, escorted leaves, criminal justice, rehabilitation, state law, healthcare, incarcerated, extraordinary medical placement, criminal justice reform, medical care, persistent offender, three strikes, resentencing, juvenile conviction, youth offender, juvenile sentencing, life without parole, LWOP, most serious offense, sentencing reform

Transcript Highlights:

• if the things he's talking about are challenges for someone of his caliber and level of success, imagine
• said, the only Michelin star in San Antonio, and we have garnered every national accolade you can imagine
• So it's, and so the last thing I'll say is just to give you an example is imagine you have a piece of
• So I would imagine that, you know, entities that have more, uh, business entities are going to see a
• You know, you might have a county library or something like that that you're not, you know, required

Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB 22

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a library of continually updated transactional forms with built-in protections against the
• If you know someone who owns a pet, or if you own or if you have pets yourself, I can imagine you would

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened its first hearing of the session with remarks from Chair Chan and Senate Co-Chair Pavel Payano, who emphasized consumer affordability and professional licensure reform. The chairs also reviewed public testimony rules, noting the hearing was recorded, testimony would be public, and speakers should avoid including sensitive personal information. The committee then heard testimony on several bills carried over from prior sessions and new proposals, with each witness generally speaking in support of the measure they addressed. On self-storage, Joe Doherty of the Self Storage Association supported House Bill 340 and Senate Bill 236, saying the bills would clarify abandonment procedures, allow electronic delivery and signatures for rental agreements, and address situations where a renter fails to return a signed contract after a facility sale, while preserving existing consumer protections. On housing and fair housing education, Nicholas Pelletier and counsel Justin Davidson of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors supported House Bill 343 and Senate Bill 232, which would require fair housing education for real estate licensees; they said fair housing training is already part of MAR’s programs but is not required for all licensees, and Pelletier described a personal example of discriminatory treatment in a rental application. Senators asked whether other states have similar requirements and requested follow-up information. The committee also heard strong support for House Bill 348 and Senate Bill 220 on licensure of applied behavior analysts from Dr. Pauli Gidej of MABA and Dr. Charlie Newfield of Beacon ABA Services. They argued that a dedicated board would improve oversight, speed licensing, and help reduce delays that affect access to autism services, noting the growing number of practitioners and the strain on families waiting for care. Later, Robert Mellion of the Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified for House Bill 390, which would expand alcohol license suspension penalties to all business activity for certain retailers; members questioned the impact on grocery and big-box stores, the difference between suspending alcohol sales versus closing an entire store, and whether fines in lieu of suspension would be sufficient. The committee also heard testimony in favor of House Bill 407 and Senate Bill 277 to license veterinary technicians, with witnesses saying standardized education and licensure would improve animal safety, clarify scope of practice, and better distinguish technicians from assistants. Finally, Craig Orlin of Honda supported House Bill 474 and Senate Bill 291, which would use RMV contacts to notify drivers of open safety recalls and require recall completion as part of registration renewal; he said the bills could improve recall completion rates and address the large number of unrepaired vehicles on the road. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted several bills that did not receive testimony that day, invited written submissions by email, and announced the committee would reconvene in about two weeks. Representative McKenna moved to adjourn, Representative Keefe seconded, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's very difficult because, I mean, I can imagine counties may not want someone like that.
• So you can sit in a study carrel in the library, in the new building, and look out at the Marin Headlands

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the Idaho State Historical Society, the Idaho Commission for Libraries
• Inconceivable, Senators: impossible to conceive, to understand, or to imagine.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were offered, and the journal was approved. The chamber received notice of Senator Galloway’s substitute appointment and moved through committee reports, introductions, and messages from the House. Several bills were routed to committees, including new Senate bills on appropriations, slow-moving vehicles, property rights, and road rules, while House Concurrent Resolution 31 was referred to State Affairs and House Bill 608 was signed and returned to the House. The Senate then adopted three joint memorials and one resolution. Senate Joint Memorial 110 urged federal action to restore sugar import safeguards to protect Idaho sugar beet growers and rural jobs; Senate Joint Memorial 111 reaffirmed Idaho’s support for keeping public lands in public hands and opposed land sales or transfers to the state; and Senate Joint Memorial 113 supported Treasury bonds redeemable in gold as a way to strengthen dollar credibility and address inflation concerns. Senate Resolution 116, a cleanup of local government and taxation rules related to sales and lodging taxes, also passed without opposition. On final passage, House Bill 624 passed 32-0 after debate focused on regulating Idaho Home Learning Academy’s virtual learning program with added oversight, contract controls, and funding safeguards. Senate Bill 1305 passed unanimously on a roll-call vote to let water districts charge property transaction-related recordkeeping costs to the specific buyer or seller rather than all users. Senate Bill 1271, as amended, passed 28-3 after debate over a state role in coordinating response to invasive rats; supporters said the bill would help assess and manage a growing public health and agricultural nuisance, while opponents argued private industry already handles the issue and objected to possible state spending. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I imagine that you could go in, you could say a name and somebody's date of birth.
• who knows her license plate number, her driver’s license number—and I’m not kidding, she knows her library

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the February 18, 2026 minutes and advanced gubernatorial appointee Callie Younger as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with a recommendation for Senate confirmation. The committee then introduced several RS measures, including a resolution supporting use of Article V to pursue a balanced-budget amendment, a memorial backing gold-backed U.S. bonds, and a bill authorizing the state treasurer to invest idle funds in gold and silver bullion. It also introduced RSs related to school district strategic performance plans, a new school funding formula study, college athletics, traffic use of the passing lane, and campaign finance reform. The committee heard and advanced several bills on state administration and elections. SB 1320, a cleanup bill repealing language tied to the business information infrastructure fund and Luma implementation, and SB 1321, which clarifies reporting deadlines and enforcement for agency contracts and MOUs filed with the state controller, both received due-pass recommendations. SB 1322, which tightens the voter affidavit process by requiring additional identifying information and poll-worker verification before issuing a ballot, also advanced after discussion about election integrity, privacy, and practical implementation. The committee likewise advanced SB 1296, which creates a specific criminal trespass offense for entering or remaining in a church or house of worship with intent to intimidate, harass, or disrupt worship services. The committee also advanced HCR 28, calling on Idahoans to fast and pray on March 1 for unity, peace, and moisture/snowpack, after testimony in support from the Idaho Family Policy Center and a private citizen. Finally, the committee heard HB 539, which limits temporary administrative rules to emergency or other narrow circumstances, requires a gubernatorial statement explaining necessity, and restricts repeated substantially similar temporary rules; after testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau in support, the bill was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after all listed items were handled.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I imagine that you could go in, you could say a name and somebody's date of birth.
• she knows her license plate number, her driver’s license number—and I’m not kidding, she knows her library

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the February 18, 2026 minutes and forwarded the gubernatorial appointment of Callie Younger as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then introduced several RS measures, including resolutions supporting a balanced-budget amendment effort by Idaho’s federal delegation, backing a proposal for gold-backed U.S. bonds, authorizing the state treasurer to invest idle funds in gold and silver bullion, and updating school accountability and funding processes. Members also introduced a joint memorial on college athletics and a bill to address slow driving in the passing lane, as well as a broad campaign finance reform measure revising Idaho’s 1974 laws on reporting, transparency, and contribution limits. The committee also advanced several bills from Senator Blaylock and Senator Lenny. SB 1320, a cleanup bill repealing outdated language tied to the Luma implementation and the business information infrastructure fund, was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. SB 1321, which clarifies reporting deadlines and enforcement when agencies fail to disclose agreements, MOUs, and contracts to the State Controller’s Office, also received a due pass recommendation. SB 1322, an election security bill tightening the voter affidavit process by requiring additional identifying information and verification before a ballot is issued, drew testimony from Secretary of State Phil McGrane in support; it too was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered SB 1296, which enhances criminal trespass penalties for entering or remaining in a church or house of worship with intent to intimidate, harass, or disrupt services. The sponsor and supporters framed it as protecting religious worship and responding to disruptions at churches, while some members noted it was narrower than broader protections for other venues; the bill was advanced to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HCR 28, a concurrent resolution urging Idahoans to fast and pray on March 1 for peace and for snow and rain, also received support and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, HB 539, which limits temporary administrative rules and requires the governor to explain their necessity, was supported by the Idaho Farm Bureau and passed out of committee with a due pass recommendation before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• THESE ARE TARGETED AROUND HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS AND LIBRARIES AND AREAS THAT WE WOULD SET UP FOR
• ARTICULATE THIS TO MY SPOUSE AND SAY DEAR, THINK HOW DIFFICULT IT IS AT TIMES TO FILE OUR TAXES AND NOW IMAGINE

Keywords: 999, senate, all