Transcript Highlights:

• Apologies, we got in the room late.
• Up next, we have file item 6, AB 1857. AB 1857.
• design instructional files.
• The individual applicant can still file a civil rights complaint.
• That statement would need to be signed under penalty of perjury.

Summary: The committee heard several immigration-, health-, food access-, and tribal-rights-related bills. AB 1725 would require disclosure of oil wells near homes and sensitive sites and stronger methane monitoring; supporters described health and safety harms in communities near wells, while apartment, realtor, building, and chamber representatives opposed or sought amendments, arguing the bill should better target the responsible industry and fit existing disclosure processes. AB 1650 would require privately rented or leased vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly identifiable and equipped with safety lighting; supporters, including immigrant-rights advocates and local officials, said unmarked vehicles create fear and confusion during ICE operations, while the chamber sought clarification and noted exemptions for ordinary undercover law enforcement. AB 1857 would prohibit grocery restrictive covenants that keep new supermarkets from opening after a store closes, with supporters framing it as a food-access and anti-hunger measure; grocers and retailers raised concerns but said amendments addressed many issues, and the committee moved the bill forward as amended to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with all members present voting aye except one absent member and the bill placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1876, which would codify federal health-care nondiscrimination protections in state law. Supporters from Equality California, Disability Rights California, Planned Parenthood, and other health groups said it would preserve coverage protections for LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other protected classes amid federal rollbacks; opponents argued it would entrench gender-affirming-care standards and criticized the underlying medical framework. The bill passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with most members voting aye and one no vote, and was placed on call. AB 1908 would allow public entities to use judgment obligation bonds to finance self-funded victim compensation funds; Los Angeles County said the bill would fill a financing gap for faster compensation, and the committee advanced it on a recorded vote and placed it on call. AB 1881, the California Indian Freedom Act of 2026, would protect California tribes’ access to sacred sites and traditional practices on state public lands and require meaningful consultation; it drew extensive support from tribal leaders and Native organizations, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and business groups were opposed unless amended, largely seeking clarification and narrowing. The bill was amended to focus on state public lands and passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, then placed on call. Later, AB 2465 would bar businesses that profit from private detention facilities or contract with immigration-enforcement agencies from receiving state grants, loans, or tax credits and create an immigrant resilience fund. Supporters said the state should not subsidize businesses tied to immigration raids and detention; opponents, including the chamber, bankers, and contractors, raised vagueness and scope concerns, especially over what contracts would be covered. Members said they supported the concept but wanted the bill tightened, and it passed to Revenue and Taxation on a recorded vote with one no vote and was placed on call. The committee then heard AB 2662, which would create a formal state process to monitor and report on federal immigration enforcement actions and their impacts; supporters from legal aid and health centers said raids have chilled access to work, schools, clinics, and naturalization, and the bill was presented as a modest accountability measure. The transcript cuts off before any vote on AB 2662. The committee also approved a consent calendar of several bills and resolutions, sending some to Appropriations and others to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that there should be some penalty...
• But that civil penalty, almost every Republican at that time co-sponsored.
• And we had a discussion about that, about penalties, what was appropriate.
• It adds a civil penalty section on page 3, lines 1 through 8.
• Our members believe that there needs to be some penalty provision.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved HB 2468 and HB 2481. HB 2481 was amended to replace earlier federal-style language with the governor’s recommended definitions and executive-order language, then rolled into a committee substitute and passed out of committee on a 9-3 vote. The discussion on HB 2481 centered on SNAP-related definitions and whether the revised language would affect federal waivers or change food-stamp purchasing rules; the sponsor said it would not. The committee then moved to regular session. The main public hearing was on HB 3070, the Second Amendment Preservation Act. Representative Hardwick said the bill was revised to remove language the Eighth Circuit had found problematic, while keeping Missouri’s anti-commandeering approach and prohibitions on state or local participation in certain federal gun-control actions, such as firearm registries, tracking, and confiscation from law-abiding citizens. Members questioned whether the bill would interfere with task forces, federal cooperation, courthouses, FFL paperwork, or local officers sharing information with federal agents. Hardwick and supporters said it would not affect Missouri enforcement of state gun laws or cooperation on other crimes, and that the bill was intended to stop Missouri officers from being used to enforce specific federal gun-control measures. Supporters from the Missouri Firearms Coalition and a gun-rights advocate backed the bill and emphasized civil penalties and anti-commandeering protections, while an opponent from Moms Demand Action argued it would handcuff police, weaken interstate trafficking enforcement, and create a dangerous patchwork of enforcement. No vote was taken on HB 3070 in the hearing. The committee also heard HB 388, which would prohibit certain anti-competitive health-care contracting practices, including anti-steering, anti-tiering, gag clauses, and most-favored-nation clauses. The sponsor and supporting witnesses described the bill as an anti-consolidation measure intended to improve price transparency, preserve competition, and help consumers and insurers steer patients toward lower-cost providers. They said the bill would apply to both providers and insurers and would not be anti-hospital or anti-payer. Members asked about effects on rural access to care, 340B pricing, physician-owned referral arrangements, and whether the bill would actually lower consumer costs. Supporters said the goal was to give payers more negotiating leverage and ultimately benefit patients through more competitive pricing, but no action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• penalties laid out in law that family members can recover from you.
• You should be subject to increase penalties for the second, third, and however many other people you're
• One of the bittersweet elements of speaking this late in the hearing is that the committee's probably
• Too often, my ticketed clients must file suit to disprove conclusions in police reports based only on
• All I wanted was for the police officer to file a report so the city would know, and he refused to do

Bills: HB2095

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The customers should know how to file a complaint with the PUC and how to file a complaint if the PUC
• Fail to file a report.
• An eight-day pre-election report is considered filed as of the date of the correction, or if it's late
• when a complaint is filed.
• Then subsequently to the election, they didn't file. He found that their report was not filed.

Bills: HB346 , HB1360 , HB1510 , HB1606 , HB1804 , HB1805 , HB2156 , HB2391 , HB2767 , HB3022 , HB3044 , HB3272 , HB3293 , HB3493 , HB3809 , HB3824 , HJR110 , HB2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• Um but we will pre-file it. we're going to live to pre-file it. we're going to live to pre-file it. we're
• So, we will pre-file fight another day. So, we will pre-file fight another day.
• of uh claims filed because it of uh file of uh claims filed because it of uh file of uh claims filed
• That's why some a little bit too late. That's why some a little bit too late.
• or filing this bill right is senator or filing this bill right is senator or filing this bill right

Bills: HB 135 , HCR 64 , SCR 3 , SCR 30 , SB 500 , SB 739 , SB 816 , SB 898 , SB 1283 , SB 1351 , SB 1423 , SB 1531 , SB 1540 , SB 1666 , SB 1721 , SB 1886 , SB 1931 , SB 2001 , SB 2075 , SB 2154 , SB 2173 , SB 2217 , SB 2284 , SB 2375 , SB 2383 , SB 2386 , SB 2398 , SB 2448 , SB 2476 , SB 2540 , SB 2580 , SB 2589 , SB 2693 , SB 2707 , SB 2776 , SB 2786 , SB 2801 , SB 2864 , SB 2927 , SJR 84 , SCR 30 , SB 243 , SB 324 , SB 393 , SB 457 , SB 511 , SB 529 , SB 547 , SB 636 , SB 646 , SB 659 , SB 715 , SB 731 , SB 735 , SB 800 , SB 801 , SB 904 , SB 1065 , SB 1141 , SB 1181 , SB 1224 , SB 1241 , SB 1242 , SB 1250 , SB 1266 , SB 1285 , SB 1359 , SB 1434 , SB 1442 , SB 1467 , SB 1502 , SB 1524 , SB 1528 , SB 1551 , SB 1585 , SB 1640 , SB 1754 , SB 1757 , SB 1777 , SB 1844 , SB 1863 , SB 1972 , SB 2007 , SB 2035 , SB 2046 , SB 2055 , SB 2069 , SB 2082 , SB 2119 , SB 2139 , SB 2154 , SB 2200 , SB 2201 , SB 2269 , SB 2310 , SB 2330 , SB 2357 , SB 2366 , SB 2401 , SB 2422 , SB 2514 , SB 2530 , SB 2533 , SB 2543 , SB 2544 , SB 2550 , SB 2568 , SB 2589 , SB 2660 , SB 2693 , SB 2695 , SB 2707 , SB 2717 , SB 2721 , SB 2742 , SB 2753 , SB 2807 , SB 2846 , SB 2891 , SB 2925 , SB 2938 , SJR 3 , SJR 18 , SB 5 , SB 326 , SB 767 , SB 769 , SB 783 , SB 914 , SB 963 , SB 1035 , SB 1197 , SB 1271 , SB 1415 , SB 1437 , SB 1619 , SB 1637 , SB 1786 , SB 1806 , SB 494 , SB 530 , SB 2312 , SB 1 , SB 260 , HB 135 , HB 1109 , HB 1392 , HB 22 , HCR 64 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SJR 84 , SJR 59 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SCR 48 , SCR 19 , SCR 30 , SCR 3 , SB 2023 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 1502 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1376 , SB 1585 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1163 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 261 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 1999 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 510 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 1524 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 517 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 1863 , SB 2681 , SB 2200 , SB 2199 , SB 1757 , SB 2458 , SB 2201 , SB 801 , SB 2533 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 1721 , SB 1013 , SB 2797 , SB 2383 , SB 2119 , SB 2448 , SB 1777 , SB 1283 , SB 2076 , SB 2786 , SB 2876 , SB 2284 , SB 1540 , SB 2929 , SB 2540 , SB 2595 , SB 2217 , SB 715 , SB 500 , SB 1640 , SB 2001 , SB 2514 , SB 2753 , SB 2398 , SB 1241 , SB 2927 , SB 2173 , SB 2538 , SB 898 , SB 1449 , SB 2529 , SB 2846 , SB 2476 , SB 986 , SB 1181 , SB 2075 , SB 2154 , SB 2864 , SB 1359 , SB 2386 , SB 2550 , SB 1351 , SB 1423 , SB 1931 , SB 2245 , SB 2589 , SB 2707 , SB 410 , SB 2776 , SB 2580 , SB 1886 , SB 1234 , SB 739 , SB 456 , SB 1666 , SB 2801 , SB 2055 , SB 1012 , SB 2926 , SB 2138 , SB 1242 , SB 2615 , SB 2310 , SB 1224 , SB 2972 , SB 2841 , SB 3016 , SB 2139 , SB 1856 , SB 2035 , SB 1528 , SB 1141 , SB 2401 , SB 2530 , SB 2375 , SB 547 , SB 1266 , SB 1373 , SB 1467 , SB 2069 , SB 2269 , SB 2480 , SB 672 , SB 904 , SB 2695 , SB 2891 , SB 2422 , SB 2543 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 2539 , SB 2532 , SB 2925 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 2203 , SB 457 , SB 2357 , SB 2721 , SB 243 , SB 1285 , SB 2568 , SB 1959 , SB 1442 , SB 1454 , SB 2520 , SB 2541 , SB 1708 , SB 1237 , SB 1844 , SB 1586 , SB 1551 , SB 3039 , SB 2819 , SB 66 , SB 629 , SB 1015 , SB 2342 , SB 2903 , SB 2933 , SB 1965 , SB 2477 , SB 3029 , SB 2605 , SB 2419 , SB 1957 , SB 375 , SB 250 , SB 777 , SB 628 , SB 2523 , SB 2367 , SB 2703 , SB 2608 , SB 2778 , SB 3044 , SB 2965 , SB 2521 , SB 865 , HB 2525 , HB 3093 , SB 1032 , SB 2165 , SB 2501 , SB 2675 , SB 2452 , SB 2835 , SJR 84 , SB 457 , SB 547 , SB 904 , SB 1467 , SB 1757 , SB 1777 , SB 2055 , SB 2069 , SB 2139 , SB 2401 , SB 2530 , SB 2543 , SB 2695 , SR 349 , SR 367 , SR 468 , SB 3064 , SB 3065 , HJR 7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB 163 , HB 166 , HB 201 , HB 272 , HB 331 , HB 380 , HB 654 , HB 694 , HB 718 , HB 865 , HB 1266 , HB 1397 , HB 1500 , HB 1552 , HB 1576 , HB 1583 , HB 1584 , HB 1760 , HB 1894 , HB 1965 , HB 2018 , HB 2029 , HB 2286 , HB 2340 , HB 2427 , HB 2455 , HB 2467 , HB 2508 , HB 2523 , HB 2730 , HB 2756 , HB 2791 , HB 2970 , HB 3016 , HB 3096 , HB 3248 , HB 3255 , HB 3336 , HB 3623 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4129 , HB 4187 , HB 4236 , HB 4238 , HB 4643 , HB 4738 , HB 4739 , HB 5333 , SCR 3 , SCR 30 , SB 500 , SB 739 , SB 898 , SB 1283 , SB 1351 , SB 1423 , SB 1540 , SB 1666 , SB 1721 , SB 1886 , SB 1931 , SB 2001 , SB 2075 , SB 2154 , SB 2173 , SB 2217 , SB 2375 , SB 2383 , SB 2386 , SB 2398 , SB 2448 , SB 2476 , SB 2540 , SB 2580 , SB 2589 , SB 2707 , SB 2776 , SB 2786 , SB 2801 , SB 2864 , SB 2927 , HB 135 , HCR 64 , SB 2284 , SB 3064 , SB 3065 , HJR 7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB 163 , HB 166 , HB 201 , HB 272 , HB 331 , HB 380 , HB 654 , HB 694 , HB 718 , HB 865 , HB 1266 , HB 1397 , HB 1500 , HB 1552 , HB 1576 , HB 1583 , HB 1584 , HB 1760 , HB 1894 , HB 1965 , HB 2018 , HB 2029 , HB 2286 , HB 2340 , HB 2427 , HB 2455 , HB 2467 , HB 2508 , HB 2523 , HB 2730 , HB 2756 , HB 2791 , HB 2970 , HB 3016 , HB 3096 , HB 3248 , HB 3255 , HB 3336 , HB 3623 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 4129 , HB 4187 , HB 4236 , HB 4238 , HB 4643 , HB 4738 , HB 4739 , HB 5333

Keywords: sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, gifted education, education support, student achievement, academic excellence, Texas education, cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• c> uh</c> uh the late uh uh the late uh the<01:42:12.159><c> late</c><01:42:12.639><c> uh</c><01:42:13.440
• We're late to the game. We're late to the game. We need to do something.
• We're late to the game. We the game. We're late to the game.
• We're late at the game. something now. We're late at the game.
• You can be late. You can always be late for a bill.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> penalties for operating without a crime. penalties for operating without a crime.
• You want to see higher penalties?
• You want to see higher penalties?
• You want to see higher penalties? fair? You want to see higher penalties?
• Enhanced penalties for that. In right? Enhanced penalties for that.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:15:26.079><c> 3791</c> Madame Chair, Senate File 3791 Madame Chair, Senate File 3791 makes<00:15:28.639
• &gt;&gt; So Senator Weslin moves that Senate File &gt;&gt; So Senator Weslin moves that Senate File 366
• Senate File 367 Senate File 367 to<01:49:40.000><c> be</c><01:49:40.239><c> recommended</c><01:49:41.040
• We'll move to Senate File 3662. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. This is Senate File 3662. Okay.
• This is Senate File<01:51:34.000><c> 3662.</c> File 3662.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ..this is being brought forward late in the process.
• And like I said, this is not creating any fines or penalties.
• This is why I filed this bill.
• I don't think we're treating non-participation as a penalty.
• Teachers start working in early August or late July.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, many of them amended. Early action included PCS for CS for HB 639, which would expand an existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to all Floridians, tighten specialty plate rules for future applicants, require financial projections and reporting, and create several new specialty plates. After questions about Florida nexus requirements and a successful amendment adding a Florida Film Legacy plate, the bill was reported favorably 26-0. PCS for CS for HB 1169, limiting local governments’ use of excess building-code enforcement funds for construction of the code-enforcement building, also passed unanimously after testimony from the Florida Home Builders Association. The committee then approved HB 139, expanding whistleblower protections for state, local, and contract employees who file ethics complaints, with support from the Florida Commission on Ethics. PCS for HB 273, which would make special districts eligible for certain state and federal grants and direct pay options, passed 24-1 after testimony from both supporters and opponents. Members also approved CS for HB 1087, a public-records exemption for certain stablecoin issuer information, and CS for HB 1085, updating the local government cybersecurity grant program by moving it to Cyber Florida at USF, adding a sunset, and limiting consecutive awards. Several environmental and local-government transparency measures drew extended debate. CS for CS for HB 1417, a broad environmental bill, was amended to remove several provisions, retain others on the Environmental Regulation Commission, springs, solar facilities, Indian River Lagoon septic deadlines, and coastal resiliency partnerships, and then passed 24-0 amid mixed testimony from DEP, water management districts, and environmental advocates. CS for HB 1457, creating a framework for regional stormwater management systems and water quality enhancement areas, passed 24-0 after discussion of port impacts. CS for HB 1329, requiring local budgets to be posted earlier, retained longer, and made searchable, and adding a 10% budget-cutting exercise, passed 17-6 after strong opposition from local-government groups who argued it would be costly and duplicative. The committee also approved CS for HB 4091 creating a special district for stormwater and flood control in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and then took up CS for HB 995, a major overhaul of Public Employees Relations Commission and union-related procedures, including registration, dues disclosure, election rules, leave-time limits, and expedited bargaining over legislatively appropriated salary increases; that bill was still under questioning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• heard stories of people that have killed themselves while waiting for a claim to be allowed or to file
• Under current law, when a worker files a wage complaint under the Wage Payment Act, L&I is required to
• investigate every complaint that’s filed.
• L&I is required to investigate every complaint that’s filed.
• They can order civil penalties on investigations that they’ve initiated on their own. Right. Okay.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken. HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I came late.
• There's actually some penalties involved. It's not just a fine.
• There's actually some penalties involved.
• , but seeing that there's no other states that have those penalties in there?
• It's there's actually some penalties involved.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2923, which would give homeowners a temporary property tax exemption of up to four years on qualifying home improvements between $7,500 and $75,000, so long as the property is the owner’s homestead and the required intent and completion forms are filed. The sponsor said the bill is meant to encourage reinvestment in homes, including after catastrophic events, and said the fiscal note showed no impact. Members asked about the bill’s effect on assessors, taxing districts, school districts, the definition of homestead, and whether the state would reimburse lost revenue. Testimony in support argued the bill would reduce ambiguity in new-construction assessments, encourage repairs and improvements, and help homeowners avoid being penalized for fixing damaged homes. Concerns were raised about routine maintenance, the four-dwelling language, possible burdens on assessors, and whether the bill could affect senior tax freezes. The hearing on HB 2923 ended without a vote. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 3256, adopted a committee substitute, and voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of five yes and one no. Discussion focused on criminal penalties in the bill, with the ranking member objecting to those provisions and noting that other states do not include them. The sponsor explained changes in the substitute, including broader retail-establishment language, explicit coverage of sports venues and concert halls, and removal of banks and credit unions from the bill. Members suggested further floor amendments and additional review of other states’ statutes. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 95, which would create the Show Me Prosperity Fund as a constitutional endowment intended to eventually replace all state-imposed taxes with investment earnings. The senator said the fund would be seeded by a one-time appropriation, managed by the treasurer, audited by the auditor, and protected from borrowing or diversion, with distributions capped at 3 percent. Supporters said the proposal would use compound growth to create long-term tax relief and eventually make Missouri the first state to eliminate state taxes; one witness called it straightforward and honest. Members questioned the size of the needed appropriation, how the fund would work if state income tax changes separately, whether state law allows the needed investments, and how the fund would avoid becoming unstable if distributions begin before it is large enough. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing concluded without action on SJR 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE BILL REQUIRES A PERSON BE NOTIFIED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OF ASSOCIATED PENALTIES AND CHARGES FOR FAILURE
• THIS BILL PROVIDES MANDATORY MINIMUM PENALTIES FOR THIS CRIME A MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS IN JAIL FOR THE FIRST
• THIS IS WHY THOSE ENHANCED PENALTIES CONTINUING TO DRIVE ON A SUSPENSION AS WELL AS CRIMINALIZING OF
• IT DOES NOT CARRY A PENALTY FOR MANSLAUGHTER WHEN IT INVOLVES LAW ENFORCEMENT.
• LET'S TAKE UP THAT LATE FILED AMENDMENT BARCODE 147290 BY SENATOR ARRINGTON, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't file what we call come-see-me bills.
• They're going to file a motion to dismiss, and that person has no cause of action.
• That allows us now to file bills based on the data we've now collected.
• There's no penalties. There's no punishment.
• No penalty, no punishment. Just send in your plan.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a workers’ compensation overhaul creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and setting up confidentiality, rulemaking, and penalties. Senator Myers said the bill was meant to modernize a paper-based system, speed injured workers back to care and work, reduce disputes through a more predictable fee schedule, address outliers and abuse, and generate reliable data for future fee-schedule decisions. Representative Melarine then offered a large amendment package combining portions of House Bills 780 and 1101 into SB 408, adding preliminary-determination procedures, changes to benefit durations, fraud language, and a deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached. Supporters said the package would create a more complete reform; opponents argued the additions were rushed, not germane, and would harm injured workers, especially those without lawyers, by adding technical filing burdens and stricter fraud consequences. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment package, then adopted a follow-up amendment removing the word “potential” from a fines provision and deleting the fraud section, and finally reported SB 408 with amendments on a divided vote. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply split. Proponents, including Alton Ashy and Trey Mustian, argued the bill’s transparency and data-collection provisions were the most important part, that the system needs a modern fee schedule, and that the added reforms would help control costs and speed payment. Opponents, including Shannon Lindsay and another injured-worker advocate, said the original bill was a good compromise but the added provisions changed its character and would disadvantage pro se claimants, remove materiality from fraud law, and reduce benefits for seriously injured workers. Committee members also questioned the timeline for the database and fee schedule, the effect of historical data gaps, and whether the reforms would help employers and injured workers alike. The committee ultimately agreed the bill still contained its core goals of faster care, predictable fees, anti-abuse measures, and modernization. The committee then moved to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, a workplace-violence/safety measure for small-box discount retailers. Chasson explained that the bill had been narrowed to require retailers to submit an existing written workforce safety plan, or develop one if they do not already have one, with no penalties attached. The committee adopted a substitute bill incorporating prior amendments. Representative Glorioso noted continuing concerns about civil-liability implications and the duty to protect against third-party criminal acts, but the bill was advanced from committee after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator is one amendment is timely, file its barcode 7, 4, 2, 5, 8, 2, by Senator McClain.
• There is one amendment is a late file amendment.
• Is there objection to taking up the late File amendment without objection?
• If one of those was remove you from office, if you're found in violation as a penalty for financing,
• 2 thirds of a board voting, you know, to extend it by late 2 thirds of a board voting, you know, to

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it provides for a similar penalty, a permanent injunction for any Idaho county, city, agency, board
• So it's not a gotcha lawsuit that gets filed and, surprise, you know, there's a violation.
• Oh, no, I turned it on late. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Senator Lakey. Can you just...
• No, I turned it on late. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Senator Lakey.
• I don't see a provision for a penalty for selecting all of them.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee met in a special session and introduced several measures focused largely on immigration enforcement and firearms policy. The committee introduced RS 33695, which would impose an excise tax on international money transfers and provide a tax credit for Idahoans; RS 33831, requiring local and county law enforcement to apply for and participate in ICE 287(g) agreements; RS 33832, the Refugee and Illegal Alien Accountability Act, which adds reporting and status-verification requirements and restrictions on unlawful harboring or transporting; and RS 33835, which would allow certain Idaho Department of Correction inmates with federal immigration detainers and final removal orders to be released to federal authorities before sentence completion, with an estimated state savings of $3.5 million. All of these RSs were moved to print without opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1430, which strengthens enforcement of Idaho’s firearms preemption law by creating penalties and a private cause of action against local governments that willfully violate state firearms statutes, while preserving existing authority for discharge ordinances and university rules. Support came from the NRA and the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, and the bill’s sponsors emphasized notice and an opportunity to cure before litigation. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 894, concerning open meetings, was presented as clarifying that members of the public may record open meetings by audio, video, or photographs, with exceptions for executive sessions and certain correctional and parole settings. It was advanced to the floor unanimously. House Bill 932, an advisory vote measure asking Idahoans to choose a favorite firearm from a list of historically significant guns, drew extended discussion and humor from committee members and was also sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. H.C.R. 36, a resolution honoring the Idaho National Guard and supporting modernization, including a transition from A-10s to F-16s and Army force-structure changes, was approved despite one member expressing reluctance about losing the A-10s. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 888, which would shift procurement of information technology services to the Office of Information Technology Services and allow use of third-party brokers or existing procurement channels. Testimony from the bill’s supporters emphasized faster procurement, cost savings, and centralized oversight, while the Office of Information Technology Services testified neutral but raised concerns about workload, transparency, and the need for clearer selection and appeals procedures. After discussion about rulemaking and safeguards, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the crime is so serious that we should be able to file it. Just a follow up.
• Also, I thought the penalties were a little bit steep.
• Senator Kaiser, what are the current penalties for reckless driving? Senator Kaiser.
• I have a bad habit of working really late.
• I have a bad habit of working really late.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number 39, filed by the Senate...
• Amendment number 54, filed by the senator from me. on hold.
• Amendment number 67, filed by the Senator from Worcester and Hampden. Senator filed.
• The penalties are pretty strict. We sell drugs. It's one time. The penalties are pretty strict.
• I filed it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a comprehensive immigration-related bill, the Protect Act (House No. 5316), with extensive debate focused on limiting civil immigration enforcement in sensitive locations and protecting immigrants, victims, workers, and public institutions. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fear in schools, hospitals, courts, child care settings, and other community spaces, while preserving criminal law enforcement and public safety cooperation. Several senators also emphasized the economic and community contributions of immigrants, and some spoke from personal or district experience about fear, school enrollment declines, and impacts on health care and daily life. A number of amendments were debated. Amendment 6, offered by Senator Kennedy, was adopted to extend protections to DDS facilities and disability-related care settings, with supporters stressing the importance of protecting immigrant caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Other adopted amendments included Amendment 7 on effective dates, Amendment 34 adding residential schools/programs as safe spaces, Amendment 10 on courthouse curtilage, Amendment 13 protecting health care workers from retaliation, Amendment 20 establishing an immigration commission with minority-party representation, and Amendment 69 as a corrective/technical amendment. Many other amendments, largely offered by Senator Tarr and others, were rejected, including proposals concerning 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, court authority, and legal defense funding; several amendments were also withdrawn. The chamber took multiple roll-call votes on contested amendments. Amendment 59 on 287G funds was defeated 5-34, Amendment 63 on status information tied to criminal offenses was defeated 7-32, Amendment 67 on felony detainers was defeated 10-29, and Amendment 75 on state-funded legal defense programs was defeated 5-34. After amendments were completed, the Senate adopted the Ways and Means recommendation, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by a 37-3 vote. The Senate later rejected a House amendment, appointed a conference committee, and adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:39:31.119><c> a</c> go through the rig roll of filing a go through the rig roll of filing a motion
• It's not a particularly significant penalty.
• It's not a particularly significant penalty.
• It's not a particularly significant penalty.
• </c><03:13:11.319><c> for</c> and seek meaningful penalties for and seek meaningful penalties for violations

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number 9, filed by the Senator from ... is on hold.
• Amendment number 39, filed by the Senate...
• Amendment number 54, filed by the Senator from ...
• The penalties are pretty strict. We sell drugs. It's one time. The penalties are pretty strict.
• I filed it.

Summary: The Senate took up the Protect Act, a broad immigration-related bill, and first adopted Amendment 6 offered by Senator Kennedy. Kennedy framed the amendment as strengthening protections for DDS facilities and other disability-related settings, arguing that immigrant caregivers are essential to the direct care workforce and that these spaces should be treated as sensitive care environments. The chamber also agreed to print several senators’ remarks in the journal. Members then considered a series of amendments, with many withdrawn or rejected. An effective-date amendment was adopted, while multiple amendments from Senator Tarr and Senator Keenan dealing with 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, notification procedures, sanctuary-related language, and other enforcement provisions were defeated. Amendment 34, expanding safe-space language to include residential schools and residential programs licensed or funded by the state, was adopted. Amendment 11 on protecting immigrant victims of crime and trafficking was not adopted. Later, the Senate adopted Amendment 10 from Senator Edwards on courthouse curtilage and Amendment 20 establishing a commission on immigration, with Edwards noting minority-party representation would be included. Amendment 13 from Senator Miranda, protecting health care workers from retaliation when acting in good faith for patients, was also adopted. A corrective amendment from Senator Friedman was adopted, and Senator Montigny used the occasion to speak about human trafficking and the need to protect victims and prosecute traffickers. After the Ways and Means recommendation was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 37-3. The Senate then took up a House amendment to a student learning and mental health bill, rejected the House changes, and appointed a conference committee. The chamber also adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number 9, filed by the Senator from Mr. Ten, is on hold.
• Amendment number 39, filed by the Senate, Amendment number 39, filed by the Senate, and Amendment 38,
• filed by the Senator from Norfolk and Plymouth, the clerk will read.
• The penalties are pretty strict. We sell drugs. It's one time. The penalties are pretty strict.
• I filed it.

Keywords: 1212, all