Transcript Highlights:

• Over the weekend, bring it by to our office for the OIE legislative drive out at the fairgrounds next

Bills: SB1246 , SB1510 , SB1979 , SB1929 , SB1930 , SB1976 , HCR1019 , SB1459 , SB1673 , SB1500 , SB1447 , SB1646 , SB2007 , SB1275 , SB2074

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered the invocation, and recognized the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. Members also welcomed guests in the gallery, including supporters of a prosthetic coverage bill. The chamber then took up HCR 1019, which designates the planned turnpike corridor from I-44 to I-40 as the Toby Keith Expressway in honor of the late Oklahoma country music star. The resolution was read, discussed in celebratory terms, and adopted by voice vote. The Senate also acted on Senate Bill 202 by rejecting House amendments and requesting Senate conferees to be named later. Senate Bill 1459, which extends the sunset date for the Oklahoma Abstractors Board to 2031, was explained by its author, advanced, and then passed on third reading by a roll call vote of 41-6. The Senate then approved the emergency clause for the bill, making it effective immediately. During announcements, members noted an upcoming legislative drive for the OIE fair project, a Business and Insurance Committee meeting, and recognized the agenda clerk for a birthday. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, March 2 at 1:30 p.m. when the clerk’s desk is clear.

Transcript Highlights:

• and subsequently will construct on what we call Graham Park, which is really the Olmsted County fairgrounds
• As fairgrounds usually go, probably in every one of your districts, fairgrounds get old, construction
• districts uh as you would might have them<00:14:12.280><c> uh</c> them uh them uh uh<00:14:13.120><c> fairgrounds
• get</c><00:14:13.839><c> old,</c><00:14:14.200><c> construction</c><00:14:14.959><c> or</c> uh fairgrounds
• get old, construction or uh fairgrounds get old, construction or the<00:14:15.760><c> building</c><00

Bills: HF1016 , HF2800 , HF156 , HF3051 , HF526 , HF2658 , HF2062 , HF2801

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And Representative Janelle Inonu, I represent House District 19, that's the Fairgrounds and the International

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Those programs include SWEEP, our Healthy Soils Program, Urban Agriculture, fairground emergency response
• So, for example, the fairgrounds emergency response upgrades were specifically for infrastructure, as
• through the bond language that that go pretty exclusively to infrastructure so for example the fairgrounds

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget presentations from the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), and related agencies. CDFA discussed its overall budget, ongoing support for the Farm to School program and climate-smart agriculture, and a proposed climate bond expenditure plan. Members focused heavily on whether the Farm to School proposal should become ongoing, how schools and suppliers are selected, whether the program is reaching disadvantaged and food-insecure communities, and whether the trailer bill language creates new duties. The LAO recommended rejecting the ongoing Farm to School proposal as presented, suggesting the Legislature consider Prop. 98 funding instead, while CDFA argued the program supports children, farmers, and local economies and helps build long-term supply-chain infrastructure. Several members also questioned the bond plan’s timing, program metrics, and workforce impacts, while LAO said the bond plan was generally reasonable and should be guided by legislative input. The committee also discussed CDFA’s proposal to eliminate vacant positions; the department said the positions were largely long-vacant or unfunded and could be reclassified if needed, while LAO recommended retaining the special-fund positions and weighing the General Fund positions on their merits. CDFA’s IT support request for additional ongoing funding and four positions was presented as necessary to address staffing shortages, legacy systems, and cybersecurity risks, and LAO had no concerns. The committee then took public comment and voted to approve items 9 through 13, including CDFA dog importation and carcass disposal items, a Gambling Control Commission IT item and tribal grant fund item, and an ABC office relocation item. DCC presented a request to strengthen enforcement against the illicit cannabis market by opening a North State office in Redding and adding sworn and non-sworn staff. The department said most cannabis consumed in California still comes from the illicit market, that it receives about 1,500 complaints annually but can close only about 400 cases, and that it has a backlog of roughly 4,000 cases. DCC argued that a northern office would reduce travel time, improve coordination with local agencies, and help target cross-county and cross-border criminal networks. Finance supported the request as a targeted investment, and LAO had no comment. Members asked about public safety, office security, and whether a North State presence would increase complaints or referrals; DCC said safety is considered in every office opening and that a local presence would likely improve case development. The director also described the broader regulatory strategy as balancing consumer safety, illicit-market enforcement, consumer awareness, and reducing friction for legal operators. The discussion continued into broader concerns about the size of the illicit market and the long-term goals for the cannabis program.

Transcript Highlights:

• practical example is a petting zoo described as a petting farm in SB 45 operating at our county fairgrounds
• I appreciate the committee's consideration of our concerns. fairgrounds.
• Under our local ordinance, fairgrounds.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Peace Precinct 4 and as chief security for the 1848 Event Center in Laredo, Texas, Webb County Fairgrounds
• Peace Precinct 4 and as chief security for the 1848 Event Center in Laredo, Texas, Webb County Fairgrounds
• representing Webb County in my role as executive director of the 1848 Event Center, which is our county fairgrounds
• representing Webb County and my role as executive director of the 1848 event center, which is our county fairgrounds
• community like Webb County, or in a venue that’s owned and operated by the government entity—the fairgrounds

Bills: HB1455 , HB1777 , HB2101 , HB2136 , HB2609 , HB3142 , HB3552 , HB3846 , HB4155 , HB4514 , HB4879 , HB4995 , HB5014 , HB5139 , HB5228 , HB5436 , HCR40

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Graham Park is the relatively new name for the county fairgrounds.
• It was constructed basically to replace dilapidated fairground buildings that have been there for years
• County Jail to tour it once. basically uh to replace dilapitated basically uh to replace dilapitated Fairground
• 43.160><c> of</c><00:56:43.400><c> buildings</c><00:56:44.039><c> that</c><00:56:44.520><c> have</c> Fairground
• kinds of buildings that have Fairground kinds of buildings that have been<00:56:44.880><c> there</c>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• scores of a 2021 contract competition to favor one bidder over another under the direction of the fairground

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met to hear one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, which would require district agricultural associations and fairs to follow competitive bidding standards under the Public Contract Code and prohibit sole-source contracting. Senator Padilla and his witness argued the bill was needed to close a loophole exposed by litigation and investigations involving fair contracts, citing alleged bid tailoring and favoritism in San Diego and Orange County fair contracting. They said the measure would promote transparency, accountability, and fair competition, while noting that existing exemptions and guidance should allow smaller fairs to continue routine procurement without difficulty. Committee members asked how the bill would affect small and rural fairs and what steps managers would need to take to comply. The author and witness responded that the bill was aimed at large contracts where abuse had occurred, and that fair managers generally already know how to write RFPs so more than one bidder can qualify. The vice chair indicated support after receiving clarification, and the chair and other members spoke in favor of the bill as a safeguard against corruption. No opposition was presented in committee or public comment. The committee then voted to send SB 1223 to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call showed the measure passing with eight aye votes. Before adjournment, the chair also recognized the committee’s chief consultant, Victor, and secretary, Nicole, for their long service and upcoming retirements, thanking them for their work with the Agriculture Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• scores of a 2021 contract competition to favor one bidder over another under the direction of the Fairground

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Fairgrounds provide agricultural education, host cultural events, support local economies, and serve
• Fairgrounds provide agricultural education, host cultural events, support local economies, and serve

Transcript Highlights:

• To improve parks, to improve or construct rodeo grounds, fairgrounds, event centers, plazas, or other
• We can improve parks, improve or construct rodeo grounds, fairgrounds, event centers, plazas, or other

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 103, which would prevent a homeowner from losing the 3% valuation cap solely because of a zoning change. The sponsor and supporters, including the New Mexico Business Coalition, Realtors, and the City of Albuquerque, said the bill would protect homeowners from unexpected tax increases when the property’s use has not changed. There was no opposition, and the committee approved HB 103 with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The committee then considered House Bill 145, which extends the high-wage job tax credit sunset from 2026 to 2036. The sponsor and the Economic Development Secretary said the credit has been effective in attracting and retaining higher-wage jobs, especially because employers need long-term certainty. Business and economic development groups testified in support, while no one spoke in opposition. Members discussed the wage thresholds, the value of keeping a sunset for review, and the bill’s fiscal impact. The committee passed HB 145 on a 7-2 roll call vote. House Bill 247, a major capital outlay modernization bill, generated the most extensive discussion. The sponsor described the bill as a response to billions in unspent capital outlay balances and repeated reauthorizations, and proposed amendments to require ICIP inclusion for larger appropriations, limit reauthorizations, and change how water projects are handled. Public testimony was mixed: some rural and tribal representatives supported modernization but warned that the water provisions could harm small communities, fire suppression systems, flood-control dams, and other local projects. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment striking the water-related Section 2, then later passed the bill as twice amended with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• congregate in large numbers, which will now include our community centers, our parks, and our county fairground
• President, there was a shooting at the Grand County Fairgrounds where a 15-year-old boy shot a 13-year-old

Bills: SB5068 , SB5109 , SB5188 , SB5223 , SB5280 , SB5420 , SB5467 , SB5581 , SB5649 , SB5705

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, and referred committee reports and new introductions. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8669 recognizing National Blood Donor Month after remarks emphasizing the life-saving need for blood donations and the work of blood coalition partners. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8667 honoring Monica Alexander for her long public service with the Washington State Patrol and Criminal Justice Training Commission, with multiple senators praising her leadership, reforms, and mentorship. The chamber then took up a series of gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees, confirming Rosa Peralta to the Seattle College District, Stephen Zimmerman to Wenatchee Valley College, and Tara Lear to Walla Walla Community College, each by roll call vote. After caucus, the Senate returned to third reading and considered several bills, including SB 5068 on law enforcement, corrections, and prosecutors; SB 5252 on property tax exemptions for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places; SB 5280 on consumer protections for virtual currency kiosks; SB 5124 on patient access and skilled nursing facility discharge coordination; and SB 5436 on interference with access to places of religious worship. Most of these measures were amended and then passed, with SB 5068 and SB 5436 drawing debate over immigration status and protest activity, respectively. Later, the Senate passed SB 5705, narrowing traffic safety penalties to focus on distracted driving in school zones; ESSB 5594, delaying implementation of biosimilar drug access provisions; SB 5169, expanding out-of-court testimony options for child victims and witnesses; ESSB 5098, expanding weapons restrictions to additional public buildings and outdoor public spaces, despite opposition over firearm preemption and self-defense concerns; SB 5188, allowing rural broadband repair loans; SB 5109, making the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account permanent with a fee increase; SSB 5240, authorizing schools to use available anaphylaxis medication in emergencies; SB 5420, ensuring veterans and uniformed service members access to benefits and opportunities; SB 5467, simplifying surplus property sales by water-sewer districts; SSB 5331, strengthening insurance enforcement and restitution authority; and ESSB 5071, updating child endangerment law to include fentanyl and synthetic opioids, with an amendment adding a parenting-alternative approach for child defendants. The Senate also adopted an amendment to SB 5581 to include public transportation providers in safe-system transportation infrastructure planning and then advanced the bill toward final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• congregate in large numbers, which will now include our community centers, our parks, and our county fairground
• President, there was a shooting at the Grand County Fairgrounds where a 15-year-old boy shot a 13-year-old

Bills: SB5068 , SB5109 , SB5188 , SB5223 , SB5280 , SB5420 , SB5467 , SB5581 , SB5649 , SB5705

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial business, including the roll call, colors, pledge, and prayer, then approved the previous day’s journal and referred committee reports and new introductions. Members also suspended rules to consider multiple resolutions and bills. Senate Resolution 8669, honoring National Blood Donor Month, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the life-saving importance of blood donation and recognizing the Northwest Blood Coalition, whose members were introduced in the gallery. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 8667 honoring Monica Alexander, executive director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, with multiple senators praising her career in the State Patrol, her leadership on regional training academies, sexual assault kit reform, and public safety culture. The Senate also confirmed several gubernatorial appointments to college boards, including Rosa Peralta to the Seattle College District Board of Trustees, Stephen A. Zimmerman to Wenatchee Valley College, and Tara Lear to Walla Walla Community College, each by 49-0 roll call votes. The Senate spent much of the session on third-reading bills, often amending them before final passage. Measures passed included SB 5068 on agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and limited authority; ESSB 5252 on property tax exemptions for nonprofit public assembly halls; SB 5280 on virtual currency kiosk consumer protections; ESSB 5124 on patient access and skilled nursing facility identification; ESSB 5436 on interference with access to places of worship; SB 5705 on traffic safety penalties in school zones; ESSB 5594 on biosimilar medicines; SSB 5169 on out-of-court testimony for child victims and witnesses; ESSB 5098 on weapons restrictions in certain public buildings and parks; SB 5188 on broadband infrastructure repair loans; SB 5109 on the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account; SSB 5240 on anaphylaxis medications in schools; SB 5420 on veterans’ benefits access; SB 5467 on water-sewer district surplus property sales; SSB 5331 on insurer accountability; ESSB 5071 on endangerment with controlled substances involving fentanyl or synthetic opioids; and ESSB 5581 on safe system/complete streets transportation strategies. Most of these bills passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew opposition over firearms restrictions, insurance penalties, or transportation costs. Several bills were amended on the floor before final passage, including changes to dates, scope, and technical language, and the session concluded with additional business beginning on SB 5649.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last 20 years, the State Fair has invested more than $150 million into fairgrounds improvements
• tourism, agriculture, employees, and vendors from throughout our state, and our well-maintained fairgrounds
• park-and-ride service, which is 33 free lots typically that we use in those closer rings around the fairgrounds
• c><01:53:29.679><c> the</c> those closer Rings sub around the those closer Rings sub around the fairgrounds
• then we also contract fairgrounds then we also contract directly<01:53:32.159><c> with</c><01:53:32.320

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have some other ones that come to mind, like the Ag, um, fairgrounds and the, uh, site out there
• We do have some other ones that come to mind, like the Ag fairgrounds and the, uh, site out there on
• Fairgrounds and the, uh, site out there on Lakewood, too.
• I heard you mention the fairgrounds.
• Just think of an agency: if the Department of Health wanted to utilize the two museums or the fairgrounds

Transcript Highlights:

• Department, they actually set up a headquarters on the fairgrounds to operate. there for the 24 day run
• And many years... ago we started putting bollards in place in key areas of the fairgrounds, in some places
• might impact or what are we putting in place to ensure that nothing like this ever happens on our fairgrounds

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll start by saying we're making a presumption that there actually is a viable racetrack at the fairgrounds
• I'll start by saying we're making a presumption that there actually is a viable racetrack at the fairgrounds
• Rididgeway, just to kind of put a finer point on the issue about your county contract with the fairground
• Rididgeway, just to kind of put a finer point on the issue about your county contract with the fairground
• Rididgeway, just to kind of put a finer point on the issue about your county contract with the fairground

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Gaming

Transcript Highlights:

• That will be at the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds, and Hannah Lurie will be joining them there.

Summary: The America 250 in Idaho Advisory Council met with a quorum and approved the June 10, 2026 minutes. Staff then gave a financial update showing an unobligated balance of $42,547.53, with additional accrued revenue expected to become available in fiscal year 2027; members were also reminded that Luma would be closed July 1-2 for invoice processing. Treasurer Ellsworth reported on the ambassador program and statewide America 250 activities, highlighting events and outreach efforts across Idaho, including service projects, festivals, and public appearances. He also updated the council on the Liberty Bell project, noting that the bell had been restored, that fundraising for the statewide tour was ongoing, and that the bell’s route would include county seats and other communities; a request was made on the record for the bell to pass through Nampa. He also said the bell’s transport and liability arrangements had been reviewed with risk management and that state employees could volunteer to drive it. Secretary McGrane gave a broader planning update for the July 4 Capitol celebration, saying preparations were largely complete and that the event would proceed outdoors if possible, with an indoor backup at Treefort Music Hall and a rescheduling option if needed. He described Capitol decorations, media promotion, volunteer recruitment, and coordination with Idaho Public Television, the governor’s office, and event partners. He also highlighted the national recognition of Idaho’s July 4 event, the Idaho State Pavilion in Washington, D.C., the Move 250 initiative, the restored Liberty Bell’s statewide tour, and other upcoming America 250-related events, including a July 8 statewide reading of the Declaration of Independence. The council then discussed scheduling its next meeting for July 14, tentatively, and members confirmed who would attend the July 4 celebration before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, in London, we're building a new fairgrounds facility and there will be lots of equine events
• building</c><00:48:14.240><c> a</c><00:48:14.480><c> a</c><00:48:14.720><c> new</c><00:48:14.880><c> fairgrounds
• </c> we're building a a new fairgrounds we're building a a new fairgrounds facility<00:48:15.839><c>

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its August 21 meeting and then received an update from Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation leadership on implementation of Senate Bill 299 and House Bill 566. Jamie Eids and staff described the agency’s new structure after charitable gaming was brought under the corporation, including new divisions, staffing, banking, payroll, insurance, procurement, and reporting systems. They also unveiled the corporation’s new logo and tagline, and said the transition had been designed to avoid interruption for charities, licensees, and racing operations. A major focus was the fee structure required by House Bill 566. Eids outlined current licensing fees across racing, sports wagering, and charitable gaming, compared Kentucky’s fees with other states, and recommended keeping the status quo for one more year because the agency has only recently brought all three components fully in-house. Members asked about whether charitable gaming had harmed veterans’ groups or other nonprofits, whether any revenue should be transferred back to the state, and whether the charitable gaming licenses cover one-off raffles as well as standing operations. Eids said she had not heard complaints, said the licenses include all such activity with some exemptions, and agreed to look at the question of future transfers. The committee then heard from Melissa Combs Wright on pari-mutuel wagering and Hannah Sims on sports wagering. They reported continued growth in historical horse racing, more than $11 billion in total pari-mutuel wagering in fiscal year 2025, over $10.5 billion in HHR wagers, and about $161 million in pari-mutuel tax revenue, with most of that supporting the general fund and horse-breeding development funds. They also said sports wagering has generated nearly $5 billion in wagers since launch, $73 million for the public pension fund, and more than $2 million for problem gambling services, while expanding to 13 retail locations and 92 additional sports events. Members raised concerns about players being cut off after winning, the lack of local government revenue sharing from gaming facilities, and the growth of computer-assisted wagering; the witnesses said they were reviewing CAWs and that Kentucky does not license poker rooms through the corporation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was built in San Joaquin County Fairgrounds and acted as a staging ground for over 4,000 Japanese