Transcript Highlights:

• That's between 30 September to 15th December.
• 2025 to 15 uh starting on 30 September 2025 to 15 December<00:02:45.280><c> 2025.
• He is a he's a 11<00:03:06.159><c> Bravo.
• He's in second 198, which is 11 Bravo.
• </c> 30 September to 15th December. 30 September to 15th December.

Summary: The meeting focused on veteran suicide and mental health challenges affecting Mississippi National Guard soldiers, with Colonel Chris Cookie describing recent losses in the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. He said that in roughly 50 days, from late September to mid-December 2025, three soldiers died by suicide, and that the unit had seen 50 to 60 suicidal ideations over the past year. He emphasized that suicide is a threat he cannot “defeat” through military training alone, and that warning signs are often hard to detect compared with battlefield threats. Cookie identified the biggest gap as the period between drill weekends and annual training, when soldiers are back home and less connected to leadership. He said the unit does well when soldiers are together at drill or Camp Shelby, where behavioral health support is available, but struggles to reach them in between. He urged the state to create preventive and responsive support that leaders in traditional status could activate quickly, and he strongly supported expanded chaplain access because chaplains are trained in behavioral and mental health issues and may be easier for soldiers to approach without stigma. Committee members discussed possible solutions, including a statewide chaplain rotation or on-call system, community-based support networks, and a 24/7 hotline staffed by Mississippi veterans. They also discussed legislation to have the state cover TRICARE costs for Guardsmen and to use TANF funds for related support services. Members said a draft bill was being prepared for public review, with committee reporting deadlines approaching on February 3, and that they would circulate the bill once it received a number and was posted online. The meeting ended with a motion to rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• 11:09.679><c> by</c><01:11:09.920><c> the</c><01:11:10.400><c> uh</c><01:11:10.480><c> the</c><01:11:
• :11:20.480><c> directly</c><01:11:20.960><c> from</c><01:11:21.679><c> um</c><01:11:22.000><c> some</
• uh</c><01:11:23.920><c> the</c><01:11:24.080><c> facility</c><01:11:24.480><c> we</c><01:11:24.640><
• we heard it tonight<01:11:25.440><c> is</c><01:11:25.679><c> that</c><01:11:26.480><c> you</c><01:11
• /c><01:11:29.199><c> department</c><01:11:29.679><c> why</c><01:11:30.400><c> u</c><01:11:30.800><c>

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Decker of Cambridge, honoring the Massachusetts Pain Initiative for its recognition of September
• An act designating September as PCOS Awareness Month. House No. 3392.
• Ordered, that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet Wednesday next at 11 a.m.
• The ayes have it, and the House stands adjourned to meet Wednesday next at 11 a.m. in formal session.
• The House stands adjourned to meet Wednesday next at 11 a.m. in formal session.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions commending Plymouth on becoming the 451st International City of Peace and honoring the Massachusetts Pain Initiative for recognizing September 2025 as Pain Awareness Month. The House also adopted orders extending reporting deadlines for the committees on Community Development and Small Businesses, Education, Environment and Natural Resources, Health Care Financing, and Telecommunications, Utility, and Energy. The chamber concurred in a Senate referral sending a petition on modernizing permitting for certain transportation loads to the Committee on Transportation. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, including proposals on pipe-fitting exemptions, Hispanic-serving institutions in higher education, and adding bone marrow and organ donation to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. The House then approved a slate of bills for consideration, including measures on gender-neutral election-law language, several Haverhill civil service exemptions, improved headlight safety, a Natick civil service exemption, and a sick leave bank for Aidan Daniels. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second reading and ordered several bills to a third reading. It then passed to engrossment local bills concerning the Natick town home rule charter, Rochester governance, and Leicester stabilization funds. On House No. 3392, designating September as PCOS Awareness Month, the House adopted an emergency preamble amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended to engrossment. The House also observed a moment of silent tribute requested by Representative Jones for political activist Charlie Kirk, with remarks condemning the killing and calling for civil discourse. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> be</c><00:11:40.000><c> you</c><00:11:40.160><c> know</c><00:11:40.320><c> we</c><00:11:40.880><
• mean teachers<00:11:41.760><c> have</c><00:11:42.160><c> talked</c><00:11:42.399><c> about</c><00:11
• <c> out</c><00:11:49.519><c> in</c><00:11:49.760><c> a</c><00:11:49.920><c> room</c><00:11:50.079><c>
• ><00:11:57.360><c> August</c><00:11:57.760><c> early</c><00:11:58.079><c> September.
• </c><00:11:59.040><c> So</c><00:11:59.279><c> I</c> in late August early September.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to the September 20 to the September to the September 20 to the September meeting.<00:03:37.440>
• 11:36.000><c> at</c><00:11:36.160><c> the</c><00:11:36.320><c> same</c><00:11:36.480><c> time.
• There<00:11:36.959><c> may</c><00:11:37.120><c> be</c><00:11:37.279><c> physical</c><00:11:37.680><c>
• 11:39.839><c> addressed</c><00:11:40.240><c> and</c><00:11:40.399><c> in</c><00:11:40.720><c> order</
• make</c><00:11:41.360><c> sure</c><00:11:41.519><c> that</c><00:11:41.760><c> they</c><00:11:42.000><

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee first approved the minutes from its July 8 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and deferred items. The committee deferred a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was still not registered with the Secretary of State, and also deferred a University of Louisville contract to the September meeting at the university’s request. Both motions passed by roll call. The committee then took up a contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities for Seven Counties Services. Committee members questioned why the state continues funding the provider despite its ongoing bankruptcy tied to unpaid retirement contributions, how the funding split is determined, whether the state had explored other providers or direct state delivery, and whether all services in the contract are truly required by statute. Agency officials said Seven Counties is the statutorily designated community mental health center for the region, serves about 24,500 people, and provides core safety-net services that would be difficult to replace; they also said the bankruptcy dispute is still ongoing and the contested amount is about $20 million. The committee ultimately deferred the contract to the next meeting and requested additional information on the scope of services and potential offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities. The final deferred item was a Department for Community Based Services contract with Youth Villages for the Intercept program. DCBS explained that the program is used because it is an approved evidence-based service under the Family First Prevention Services Act, that Youth Villages has Kentucky staff and offices even though it is headquartered in Tennessee, and that the contract is intended to support intensive in-home services, foster care stabilization, and family reunification. Members asked why the services could not be provided in-house, whether Medicaid should cover more of the cost, and whether the state requires the provider to bill Medicaid as a payer of last resort. DCBS said it would verify billing and funding details and provide them back to the committee. The committee then voted to defer the contract to the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas Arizona is home to 67 public use airports, including 11 commercial service airports and 56
• He was killed in Texas on December 11, 2025.
• I'm going to speak about Silvio Villegas Gonzalez, killed in Illinois on September 12, 2025.
• Silverio Villegas Gonzalez was killed in Illinois on September 12.
• Isaiah Sanchez Barroso was killed in Texas on December 11. Thank you. ...in Texas on December 11.

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then recognized several guest groups and proclamations, including Alzheimer’s Association advocates, Arizona Society of CPAs members, the Arizona Airports Association, and students from Onyose Day Academy. A proclamation was read declaring January 26, 2006, as Arizona Aviation Day, highlighting the economic and public-safety importance of Arizona’s aviation sector and its airports. The bulk of the meeting consisted of points of personal privilege and floor statements, many focused on condemning recent deaths and injuries involving federal immigration enforcement actions in Arizona and other states. Senators called for investigations, transparency, due process, and an end to what they described as excessive force and warrantless enforcement. One senator also read a resolution supporting human rights and the people of Iran, condemning state violence and supporting secular protections and international accountability. The chamber also handled routine business, including gubernatorial nominations, which were referred to the appropriate committees, and the introduction and first reading of numerous bills and resolutions covering topics such as taxes, education, immigration, elections, health care, water, labor, housing, firearms, and appropriations. After committee announcements, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn and recessed/adjourned until Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today the board has implemented 11 recommendations issued by the Auditor General.
• It consists of 11 governor-appointed members, and as of... ...April of 2025, 10 of 11 board member positions
• So this is what we look like right now: we have 11 investigators.
• So which number do I use, 11 or 13? I would use the 11 because that's counting our managers.
• . ...the staff, the 11 staff, were shared between both, and that's concerning.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as a Joint Health and Human Services Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and performance audit findings for several health-related boards. The first action taken was on the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. The Auditor General reported that while the board met some licensing deadlines, it had significant problems enforcing controlled substances prescription monitoring program (CSPMP) requirements, timely investigating complaints, and documenting fee analyses and other compliance items. The board director said the agency had implemented some recommendations, was seeking legislative help on CSPMP enforcement and data issues, and described staffing and vendor challenges. A public member testified that the board was generally efficient but that statutory gaps limited its effectiveness. The committee then voted 13-0, with six not voting, to continue the Board of Pharmacy for six years until July 1, 2032, with statutory changes to improve its operations. The committee next reviewed the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The Auditor General found the board timely processed licenses but continued to resolve too many complaints late, with a large and growing backlog of open cases, and identified additional issues in oversight, accounting, public records, and conflict-of-interest practices. The executive director said the board had been under-resourced as nursing volume and complaints increased, requested 28 additional investigative positions, and described efforts to triage cases and improve tracking. The Arizona Nurses Association supported the board’s role and said it was working on a bill, House Bill 2408, to improve accountability, prioritization, and fairness in the disciplinary process. A nurse attorney testified that changes to complaint notice, the scope of investigations, and triage could shorten delays. The committee approved continuation of the Board of Nursing for four years until July 1, 2030, by a 14-0 vote with five not voting. The committee then heard the sunset review for the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. The Auditor General reported that the board generally met licensing timelines but had documentation problems verifying fingerprint clearance cards or criminal history checks, and it failed to act promptly on a renewal application involving serious sex-trafficking-related charges. The board said it had accepted all recommendations, had implemented most of them, had moved to a new licensing platform, and had hired help to address rulemaking delays. Members asked about fingerprint verification and the handling of the serious criminal charges. The committee voted 16-0 to continue the board for four years until July 1, 2030, with statutory changes to improve its performance. Finally, the committee began the review of the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. The Auditor General found the board had met some licensing and enforcement requirements but lacked adequate executive oversight, accountability, and tracking systems, and it had very high complaint-resolution delays. The report also criticized the board’s incentive pay structure, which paid all staff based on measures unrelated to complaint timeliness. The new executive director said the board had created formal investigative timelines, improved reporting, sought additional support staff, and was updating IT and incentive metrics; she also explained that the board is a shared agency with the Medical Board. The transcript ends during this presentation, before any vote on the physician assistant board is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It consists of 11 governor-appointed members, and as of... In Arizona.
• It consists of 11 governor-appointed members, and as of April 2025, 10 of 11 board member positions were
• We have 11 investigators.
• So which number do I use, 11 or 13? I would use the 11 because that's counting our managers.
• ...the staff—the 11 staff—were shared between both, and that's concerning.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, August, September, October, and December.
• And to Representative Dalby, what happens in September?
• So you said September, or August, we're going to defer it to September? September.
• That was the date we had, September, correct? Yes.
• I'm not talking about $11 an hour.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent water and sewer reports, including seven new reinstatements and a reduction to four remaining delinquent filers. Staff also reported on municipal accounting code noncompliance, removing Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day clock after improved records were verified, and presenting repeat findings for Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, and Haynes. Members discussed repeated audit problems, the length of time some issues had persisted, and whether towns should be given additional time or face stronger action; motions were made and adopted to place some entities on a 60-day clock or defer action to later meetings. For Fargo and Alma, staff described extensive repeat accounting deficiencies, including missing budgets, bank reconciliations, financial statements, receipts, journals, and supporting documentation. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was beginning to improve its office systems; the committee voted to defer the matter for 60 days and file the report. Alma’s officials said they were trying to correct water audit and accounting issues, and the committee likewise deferred the matter to the August meeting while warning that water-audit delays could jeopardize turnback funds. The committee then reviewed misuse-of-street-funds findings for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho’s police chief and officials explained that traffic fines, drug-related arrests, and other citations had pushed the town over the statutory threshold, while staff clarified that the speed-trap calculation excludes certain add-on fines and is referred to the prosecuting attorney for any action. Haynes officials said repayment problems stemmed from lost revenue and staffing changes, including the loss of the police department, but staff reported the town remained behind on its repayment plan and also owed the IRS. The committee voted to defer the Haynes matter to September and to defer Jericho as well, with members emphasizing the need for consistency and possible broader legislative review of small-town viability. A special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District drew substantial discussion. Staff cited findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, car allowances and personal vehicle use, competitive bidding, and unusually high advertising spending, as well as the sale of trailers and other equipment at low prices. The district director said the board had delegated authority for many expenditures, that personal use was reported for tax purposes, and that advertising was necessary to educate the public about recycling. Members questioned the procurement and disposal decisions and the size of the advertising budget; after discussion, the committee deferred the report to September and asked the director to return. The meeting also included brief deferred reports on Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove, which were filed after local officials described ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing audit and tax issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since our last meeting on September 11, I have continued outreach and delivered Speed Task Force orientation
• :17:58.799><c> 11,</c><00:17:59.360><c> I</c><00:17:59.600><c> have</c> last meeting on September 11,
• I have last meeting on September 11, I have continued<00:18:00.320><c> outreach</c><00:18:00.720><c>
• </c><01:11:24.800><c> Um,</c><01:11:25.280><c> and</c><01:11:25.520><c> then</c><01:11:26.000><c> in<
• ><01:11:28.320><c> effect</c><01:11:28.960><c> that</c><01:11:29.440><c> set</c><01:11:29.679><c> a</

Summary: The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items. The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting. The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a question if we could go back to slide 11. Yes, I think slide 11.
• We've seen the schedule extend for delivery of the five-mile program 11 years.
• One portion of that is the real... ...program 11 years.
• The best date is the morning, 9:00 a.m. to noon, on Thursday, September 17th.
• It looks as though we'll be doing that on September 17th. So I hope to see you all then.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:17.279><c> And</c><00:11:18.160><c> um</c><00:11:18.399><c> I</c><00:11:18.800><c> you</c>
• <00:11:20.399><c> leave</c><00:11:20.480><c> it</c><00:11:20.640><c> there,</c><00:11:20.880><c> but<
• , but I I<00:11:21.760><c> don't</c><00:11:22.000><c> feel</c><00:11:22.480><c> like</c><00:11:23.680
• /c><00:11:28.320><c> your</c><00:11:28.560><c> official</c><00:11:28.959><c> duties</c><00:11:29.440>
• </c><00:11:33.040><c> to</c><00:11:33.200><c> be</c><00:11:33.279><c> a</c><00:11:33.440><c> person.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> September</c><00:26:19.120><c> 27th,</c><00:26:19.600><c> 2028.
• </c> term expiring September 27th, 2028. term expiring September 27th, 2028.
• On that, Madam President, I move that the Senate recess until 11 a.m. today. >> Okay.
• </c> recess recess until 11 a.m. today. recess recess until 11 a.m. today.
• </c> >> We're recessing until 11 a.m. today. Sorry about—

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but again,<01:11:06.640><c> I</c><01:11:06.880><c> think</c><01:11:07.040><c> we</c><01:11:07.280
• ><c> look</c><01:11:07.440><c> to</c><01:11:07.679><c> those</c><01:11:08.239><c> as</c><01:11:08.480
• ><c> the</c><01:11:09.120><c> other,</c><01:11:09.920><c> um,</c><01:11:10.080><c> I</c><01:11:10.400
• :11:12.640><c> you</c><01:11:12.800><c> know,</c><01:11:12.960><c> answer</c><01:11:13.360><c> as</c>
• , you know, answer as far as those<01:11:14.159><c> other</c><01:11:14.320><c> types</c><01:11:14.560

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:07.200><c> a</c><00:11:07.440><c> more</c><00:11:07.680><c> viable</c><00:11:08.079><c> option
• .<00:11:09.519><c> These</c><00:11:09.839><c> facilities</c><00:11:10.320><c> would</c><00:11:10.560>
• ><00:11:14.880><c> bail</c><00:11:15.200><c> or</c><00:11:15.440><c> who</c><00:11:15.680><c> may</c>
• > be</c><00:11:16.640><c> released</c><00:11:17.440><c> an</c><00:11:17.760><c> opportunity</c><00:11
• </c><00:11:23.200><c> county</c><00:11:23.760><c> and</c><00:11:24.160><c> then</c><00:11:24.320><c>

Summary: The committee met for its sixth meeting, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the October 21 meeting. The main agenda item was a presentation from Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) leaders and county officials on jail funding and jail-system reform. Speakers said county jail costs have reached crisis levels, citing large and rising general-fund subsidies in counties such as Hardin, McCracken, and Warren, and noting that county general-fund contributions to jail funds have increased by 76% since 2019. KACo outlined a three-part legislative approach for the upcoming session: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and redefining the model for housing state inmates in county jails. On regional jails, they proposed one-time state construction funding, statutory changes to allow former county jails to serve as 96-hour holdover facilities, broader participation of jailers on regional jail authority boards, an increased supplement for closed county jails, and a one-time payment for counties that close local jails and join regional facilities. Union County Judge Adam Onan described his county’s savings from contracting with Webster County and said regionalization can reduce costs where feasible. Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley focused on pre-trial felony detainees, saying counties bear the full cost of housing people awaiting trial for long periods, sometimes years, and that pre-trial time is later credited toward state sentences. He argued the state benefits from that credit and referenced prior bills that would have reimbursed counties for time-served credit. Shelley Hampton then proposed replacing the current per diem model for state inmates with contracts requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs and to support programming such as substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academics. No votes were taken on the jail proposals, and the meeting ended with the presentation and discussion of the county recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will start on September 2nd. It will start in Boise and go over to the Pocatello region.
• Also on page three, there is a 9-11.
• Also, on page three, there is a 9/11 service challenge, which is a 9/11 Day and National America 250
• If your communities are looking for 9/11 support or information, you can certainly direct them there.
• I did want to just give a little bit more update on the 9/11 Day partnership.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the July 2026 minutes, and received a financial update on America 250-related funds and expenditures. Staff reported that the Community Foundation fundraising account had reached $48,000.10, reviewed completed projects and those with remaining balances, and noted that some items, including America 250 promotion costs and the Idaho Centennial Spur Ride, had not yet had charges posted. Members discussed whether certain funds were still needed for upcoming activities, including the Veterans Mustang Ride and the Liberty Bell tour. Treasurer Ellsworth gave an update on recent service and outreach efforts, including the Veterans Mustang Boise Ride, which had been completed, and reported that the statewide service tally had reached 48,448,713 acts of service. She also outlined plans for the Liberty Bell statewide tour, which is scheduled to begin September 2 in Boise and continue through the state, including county seats, fairs, and the Veterans Day Parade, with an official return ceremony planned for November 19. Committee members asked for the detailed route and were told it would be shared after final edits; security, risk management, lodging, and transportation arrangements were also discussed. Director Gallimore and Hannah Lory Hine provided broader updates on Idaho and national America 250 activities. They highlighted ongoing community celebrations, the Move 250 partnership, 9/11 educational and service projects, the America Commemorative Flag Project, oral history efforts, and the statewide website as a hub for events. Hine also summarized federal America 250 initiatives, including the American Field Trip student contest, America Gives volunteer hours, 9/11 Day meal-packing plans, innovation and startup programs, the state dish vote, Freedom Trucks, and other national activations. Dr. Andrew Finstewan then presented the Reading the Republic project, an open-access civics and American thought curriculum for Idaho higher education institutions, available online and in person through the State Board of Education’s Next 250 initiative. The committee ended by tentatively scheduling its next meeting for October 15 and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason why we're doing it is that Labor Day starts September 7th in 2026-27 and September 6th in
• All this amendment does is, for the two years that Labor Day starts very late, September 7th and September
• In 2025, Labor Day is September 2nd.
• This isn't a 10 or 11-year-old situation.
• really amazing changes to Article 11, the READ Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• the</c><00:11:54.480><c> districts</c><00:11:54.880><c> will</c><00:11:55.040><c> then</c><00:11:55.279
• understand<00:11:58.160><c> because</c><00:11:58.399><c> in</c><00:11:58.640><c> the</c><00:11:58.800
• /c><01:11:13.840><c> types</c><01:11:14.080><c> of</c><01:11:14.239><c> trips</c><01:11:14.480><c> to
• that are<01:11:17.199><c> certified</c><01:11:17.600><c> through</c><01:11:17.840><c> the</c><01:11:
• I think do<01:11:25.360><c> you</c><01:11:25.520><c> have</c><01:11:25.600><c> any</c><01:11:25.840><

Summary: The committee met after several reschedulings due to flooding, welcomed a new assistant, and confirmed a quorum. It first approved the March 11 minutes, then reported that the day’s agenda included 310 items totaling about $139.4 million, with all vendors registered with the Secretary of State. The committee then approved deferred items involving the Transportation Cabinet/Department of Highways, including one routine PSC green-list item and one PSC amendment item, after hearing from the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Professional Services and noting prior questions had been answered. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Education contracts tied to reading and literacy initiatives. Officials described a competitive grant program for high-quality instructional resources and related professional learning, explaining that resources are selected through evidence-based reviews and a quality curriculum task force, and that districts apply using an instructional resources alignment rubric. Members questioned the program’s reach, whether districts opt in, how many schools applied, and whether the effort is producing measurable reading gains. Department witnesses said about 155 schools applied and were awarded, the program is voluntary, and the University of Louisville’s Reading Research Center is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate effectiveness. Several members expressed concern that the state has repeatedly funded literacy efforts without improving reading scores, though the committee ultimately approved the education items, with Senator Meredith noting support but frustration about the lack of progress. The committee also approved an MOA amendment item supporting the Principal Partnership Project, which provides tools, resources, and professional learning for administrators and helps meet statutory evaluation-training requirements. Members asked about the use of nonrecurring federal funds and whether the arrangement affects retirement benefits; staff said the contract pays districts based on daily wage and additional workdays, which does increase retirement packages. Representative McCool voted yes but voiced caution about possible supplanting. Finally, the committee took up an Office of the Controller contract for a brokered insurance-related procurement. Representative Balman moved to disapprove the contract, arguing the winning broker was not the low bidder and that the committee lacked answers about how technical scoring outweighed a roughly $600,000 price difference. The motion to disapprove did not prevail, and the contract was approved after further discussion about procurement scoring and the committee’s limited information.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> for</c><01:11:10.280><c> the</c><01:11:10.440><c> US</c><01:11:11.040><c> for</c><01:11:11.320><
• <01:11:14.679><c> 55%</c><01:11:15.679><c> is</c><01:11:15.880><c> a</c><01:11:16.000><c> lot</c><01:
• <01:11:16.719><c> so</c><01:11:16.880><c> Hawaii's</c><01:11:17.320><c> economy</c><01:11:17.679><c>
• :11:39.320><c> the</c><01:11:39.520><c> economy</c><01:11:40.520><c> finance</c><01:11:41.159><c> and
• ><c> as</c><01:11:53.360><c> I</c><01:11:53.760><c> said</c><01:11:54.040><c> in</c><01:11:54.159><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• And not just in September.
• Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, you are recognized. "11."
• It means something so significant to me. "11."
• I got up and realized that I was going to be number 11.
• I was going to be number 11.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a heavy floor schedule with several procedural motions and unanimous-consent actions, including withdrawing AB 362 from Appropriations, moving SB 494 to the inactive file, and rescinding prior action on SB 400. Members also adopted a motion suspending the rules to withdraw AB 362 from Appropriations and place it on second reading, with the roll showing 41 ayes and 13 noes. The chamber then took up ACR 70, proclaiming September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Assembly Member Pellerin presented the resolution with a personal account of losing her husband to suicide and urged use of the 988 lifeline, safe firearm storage, and open conversations about mental health. Many members from both parties and caucuses shared personal stories and support. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, Senate amendments were concurred in, and suicide awareness pins were distributed. Members next concurred in Senate amendments to AB 977 on Native American human remains, with broad support and a 68-0 vote, and to AB 1510 on public employees, which passed 66-1. HR 65, designating October as Filipino American History Month, drew extensive remarks on Filipino American history, labor, public service, and community contributions; it was adopted by voice vote with 63 co-authors added. The Assembly also passed SB 81 and SB 98, both urgency measures aimed at protecting immigrant communities in health care facilities and schools from immigration enforcement activity, and both were sent immediately to the Senate after 54-10 and 54-8 votes, respectively. Finally, the chamber debated SJR 9 condemning immigration raids; supporters described fear and family disruption, while one Republican member argued for secure borders and criticized the bill and related policies. The transcript ends during that debate without showing a final vote on SJR 9.