Transcript Highlights:

• licensing them?
• Are y'all asking us to consider maybe licensing them?
• Are you all asking us to consider maybe licensing them?
• Are y'all asking us to consider licensing them? As we know, they are not licensed.
• Harris County has been the contractor for...

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you for having a contractor that does a nice job on that.
• I mean, obviously the office has procedures and we work with a contractor who helps with part of the
• You said that you all, in order to determine income of the applicants, use a contractor.
• Who is that contractor, if you don't mind?" "It's FACTS. We engage with two contractors.
• If they're graduating as nurses, are they getting licensed as nurses?

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of State Treasurer’s FY27 budget presentation from Treasurer Vivek Malik. He highlighted record investment earnings, growth in MOBUCK$ linked deposits, record unclaimed property returns, expansion of the MOST 529 plan, and changes to the MoABLE disability savings program. Members then focused heavily on two budget requests: $750,000 for the Show Me My Retirement Savings program and additional spending authority for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (MOST Scholars) program, along with a staffing request for compliance and communications positions. Much of the discussion centered on MOST Scholars’ rapid growth, how applications are prioritized, whether income is reverified, how funds flow through educational assistance organizations, and concerns about marketing, geographic distribution, and the use of public dollars for private schools. The treasurer also answered questions about the 529 plan, the pending lawsuit over the ESA general-revenue transfer, and whether funds should be swept back to general revenue when unused. Several members raised policy objections to MOST Scholars, including concerns about discrimination by participating private schools, the lack of annual income requalification, and whether the program shifts money away from public education. Other members defended the program as a parent-driven choice option and asked about expanding access, improving outreach, and ensuring the program is fully funded. The treasurer said the office was following the statute as written, that the program’s demand could exceed available resources, and that the office would continue to seek more funding and better outreach. The committee then concluded the treasurer’s budget hearing. The committee next began the FY27 budget hearing for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Commissioner Bennett Boggs introduced the department’s leadership team and gave a brief overview of the department’s role in aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs through its coordinating board and strategic planning. The hearing had just started when the transcript ended, and no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Magic Valley getting hooked up to the electrical grid and getting their electricians and their contractors
• From '23 to '24, the contractor that we worked with for that chemistry didn't increase the price.
• From 23 to 24, the contractor that we worked with for that chemistry didn't increase the price.
• They're like, 'We don't want to lose our license.'
• there any move afoot that potentially might change how it's structured, as far as maybe going to contractors

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, legislative staff reviewed the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY 2026–2027 budget requests, including pay adjustments, replacement items, IT hardware, a reappropriation for the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two major one-time requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and urgency of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the state’s rapid response to quagga mussels, and explained how the program uses inspections, stations, chemicals, and other tools to reduce risk. Members asked about grant timing, vehicle replacement, signage costs, research into alternative treatments, chemical costs, possible use of sturgeon, and whether budget cuts would affect inspection stations; the director said some station openings or hours could be delayed or reduced, but priority would be given to border crossings and higher-risk locations. The committee then reviewed the State Liquor Division budget. Staff outlined the division’s dedicated-fund operations, personnel levels, statutory distributions, and FY 2027 requests for inflation, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, all recommended by the governor. Director Andrew Arulenandum said his priorities were safety, legal exposure, and operational continuity, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety needs as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a policy proposal to restrict bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, the division’s pricing and markup structure, and whether Idaho might move away from a state-run liquor model. The director and his staff said the lottery restriction would not have a fiscal impact, that the markup is standardized, and that while the division remains open to efficiency ideas, the current control-state structure is intended to support revenue and temperance. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would return the next day to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:53.520><c> under</c><00:24:54.000><c> chapter</c> insurance company licensed under chapter
• insurance company licensed under chapter 6A<00:24:55.520><c> to</c><00:24:55.840><c> offer,</c><00:24
• </c><00:41:51.920><c> to</c> about Mshure will engage a contractor to about Mshure will engage a contractor
• </c><00:42:57.520><c> develop</c> that they engage a contractor develop that they engage a contractor
• the um health licensing omnibus<00:52:50.640><c> didn't</c><00:52:50.960><c> go</c><00:52:51.119><c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• giving local agencies the ability to consider more than just the lowest price when selecting a contractor
• Homeowners and contractors often wait hours or even days for simple inspections that take just five to
• Contractors still bring the same tools and equipment to perform the same physical tests and checks for
• My experience is that video inspections keep jobs moving, save time and money for the contractor, the
• And the only good positive side I see is the option of the homeowner or the contractor...

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• federally licensed but this gives the federally licensed but this gives the opportunity<00:48:38.480>
• </c><01:04:42.160><c> child</c> within a th00and ft of a licensed child within a th00and ft of a licensed
• </c><01:05:01.920><c> childare</c> thousand ft of a licensed childare thousand ft of a licensed childare
• </c> able to go into a a home a licensed able to go into a a home a licensed child<01:12:01.280><c> care
• Could I license a to be my neighbor.

Transcript Highlights:

• to maintain caseload guidelines, court monitor fees, and support for the single-source continuum contractors
• We do anticipate that more of our kinship homes that are. become licensed.
• In addition, we have contractors who also have access to sensitive information.
• Care contractors also provide incentives for them to come on board and stay with them.
• A license placement and we're unable to find one among our provider base.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a little leery about putting Department of Agriculture charges, even though they are our licensing
• We have to have applicator licenses in this state.
• You have to have applicator licenses in this state.
• Licensed pest management professionals in Idaho are trained, regulated, insured, and experienced in rodent
• Licensed pest management professionals already carry this insurance and assume that liability privately

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We've just aligned the licensing to be with the training.
• We've just aligned the licensing to be with the training.
• of the 2027 calendar and licensing year.
• Veterinary technicians were licensed later on.
• It also makes a water well contractor licensing reference update in accordance with Senate Bill 2308.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously. The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions. The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact. Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• It applies to trades licensed by the Division of Labor and the State Fire Marshal.
• I urge passage of the bill. ...licensed by the Division of Labor and the State Fire Marshal.
• license to legally practice in every other state.
• The bill allows licensed cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license to legally practice in every other
• Engrossed House Bill 5323, relating to indexing and license and stamp fees.

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• The License protective orders.
• Uh contractors reached out preferences.
• ,</c><00:27:00.960><c> criminal</c> use of a multi-state license, criminal use of a multi-state license
• </c> relating to professional licensing relating to professional licensing background<01:18:04.000><c
• </c> to limited commercial driver's licenses to limited commercial driver's licenses and<01:18:10.880

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes staged auto accidents, fraudulent contractors soliciting business from storm victims, medical
• Gordon, after major disasters, we often see an influx of fraudulent home repair contractors and scammers
• Don't go to these contractors and sign away your rights.
• notify your agent, your broker, your company of potential harm and make sure that you have a valid licensed
• contractor working on it.

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: homeowners insurance, natural disasters, insurance costs, climate change, disaster preparedness, federal policies, bipartisan solutions

Summary: The meeting reviewed critical issues surrounding the rising costs and accessibility of homeowners insurance across the United States, particularly in light of increasing natural disasters linked to climate change. Members engaged in extensive discussions regarding the implications for families and the economy, citing significant increases in premiums and decreasing availability of policies in high-risk areas. Supervisor Peysko highlighted the direct impact of federal policies on local communities, emphasizing the growing burden on homeowners as they face skyrocketing insurance costs amidst a backdrop of environmental challenges and regulatory constraints. The committee expressed a unified call to action for bipartisan solutions, focusing on improving building codes and enhancing disaster preparedness measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have well contractors and folks that have been doing this for many, many years.
• Our contractors are quality. They know what's going on.
• Our contractors can move forward with. Our contractors are<00:17:06.079><c> quality.
• </c><01:42:04.320><c> It's</c> licensed tier three teachers. It's licensed tier three teachers.
• </c><01:51:39.760><c> They</c> contractors making them better. They contractors making them better.

Transcript Highlights:

• was his sort of initiative to come up with this bill to say, "Do you have the ability to lease or license
• So, you know, his initiative was there's a way for you to lease or license your property.
• I would say we would not do it for any civilian contractors because we generally don't have a lot of
• , and use the income offset contractors, and use the income offset of<00:11:03.760><c> not</c><00:11:
• because we generally don't contractors because we generally don't have<00:11:47.760><c> a</c><00:11:

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• ; HB 2941: motorcycle electric driving air quality; SB 2957: license enhanced mobile prohibition; HB
• ; HB 2941: motorcycle electric driving air quality; SB 2957: license enhanced mobile prohibition; HB
• The jury pool is drawn from registered voters and from people who have driver's licenses, and it is a
• And what we learned is that the Department of Health Services issues licenses in good faith.
• Which they do not currently do a background check when they issue licenses in this state.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a recorded quorum, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced several guest groups in the gallery, including the City of Maricopa Youth Council, students from Alpha School in Scottsdale, a student shadowing Sen. Gonzalez, Gilbert EduPrize students, InterWest Energy Alliance representatives, and Kingman city leaders. The chamber adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the Senate also approved a motion to request House consent to adjourn after Wednesday, March 11, until Monday, March 16. A large number of bills were introduced on first reading, and standing committee reports were ordered entered without being read aloud. The Senate then took up numerous third-reading measures. Bills passed included SB 1654 (elections funding), SB 1711 (school safety/age-appropriate information), SB 1743 (campaign contribution address privacy), SB 1747 (assistive technology content), SB 1212 (health insurance reimbursement rules), SB 1284 (moving violations), SB 1336 (State Land Department-related changes), SB 1365 (property tax exemptions/veterans park discounts), SB 1655 (juror summoning/poll worker recruitment), SB 1662 (probation), SB 1803 (veterans’ services), SB 1818 (vehicle statutes), SB 1494 and SB 1497 (school insurance-related changes), SB 1503 (pension benefit plans), SB 1584 (Department of Corrections staffing), SB 1632 (Department of Economic Security), SB 1723 (bail), SB 1206 (insurance claims on reconsideration), and SB 1827 (aviation appropriations on reconsideration). SB 1134 on political signs initially failed, but the Senate later reconsidered and passed it. SB 1544 (probation) and SB 1585 (sex offender monitoring funding) failed. Several votes were close, and members offered explanations for both support and opposition on issues such as election administration, campaign privacy, health care incentives, veterans’ claims assistance, and criminal justice policy. The chamber then resolved into the Committee of the Whole for a long series of bills, adopting committee and floor amendments and recommending do pass on SB 1009, SB 1050, SB 1054, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1317, SB 1461, and SB 1672. Testimony in committee focused on topics including high school training standards, veterans’ state park passes, local measures, Arizona Rangers oversight, AHCCCS reimbursement and workforce issues, reentry programming, allied health workforce development, and anti-psychotic drug access. Later, the Committee of the Whole also considered SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1295, and SB 1611. SB 1173 drew debate over whether additional fingerprint/background checks were needed for AHCCCS providers; SB 1234 and SB 1295 addressed juvenile court representation and inmate medical release; and SB 1611, on the American Indian Health Program, prompted extensive discussion about fraud in the program, tribal consultation, and whether the program should be moved out of AHCCCS. The committee adopted amendments and advanced these bills with do pass recommendations, while members on SB 1611 emphasized both the need for reform and concerns about consultation with Arizona tribes.

Transcript Highlights:

• license?
• A no valid license, however, it will reflect as not having a license, but what is the recourse or the
• valid driver's license or whatever their driver's license was suspended, and we're able to reduce it.
• This bill revises the definitions of Class A air conditioning contractor and mechanical contractor to
• license.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• that within October, agency budget submissions to the legislature, agencies will include a list of contractors
• Sendors and contractors must report subcontractors to agency.
• Bill 1268 establishes a deferred option plan within the Oklahoma Public Retirement Systems to allow licensed
• Representative, sorry I didn't get to you sooner, but I am Curious why this license is so much higher
• On your bill, the license for this style of termination, cremation, was much higher.

Bills: HB3329 , HR1039 , HR1040 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB3706 , HB3711 , HB4139 , HB1268 , HB3660 , HJR1023 , HB3298 , HB3056 , HJR1084 , HB3934 , HB3919 , HB4118 , HB4119 , HB3791 , HB4260 , HB4178 , HB4215 , HB4324 , HB3270 , HB4352 , HB4305 , HB2955 , HB3315 , HB3066 , HB1245 , HB4125 , HB3075 , HB3129 , HB3239 , HB4153 , HB3265 , HB4491 , SB680 , HB4263 , HB4268 , HB1675 , HB3885 , HB2984 , HB3697 , HB2959 , HB3671 , HB3852 , HB2933 , HB3057 , HB3802 , HB4294 , HB4285 , HB3708 , HB3979 , HB3977 , HB3986 , HB3985 , HB3588 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HJR1070 , HB3590 , HB3595 , HB3391 , HB3183 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB1002 , HB4434 , HJR1086 , HB4060 , HB3881 , HB3500 , HB4408 , HB3648 , HB3127 , HB3606

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got driver's license. That's the appointment systems upgrade of $3 million.
• carried forward in this unexpended because, you know, we were awarded in our township and to get contractors
• There are not enough, particularly bridge contractors, to make it happen.
• That’s license. License in six months. How about titles? We’ll have another conference, Mr.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met to consider Senate Bill 2012, the Department of Transportation budget, with Representative Brandenburg presenting a detailed House amendment package and Speaker Robin Weisz explaining the overall funding strategy. The discussion focused on restructuring transportation funding streams, including moving Prairie Dog money into a flexible transportation fund, adjusting gas tax distributions, increasing the legacy earnings transfer from 7% to 8%, and authorizing a $155 million bond for Highway 85. Members also discussed DOT operations, bridge funding, rest areas, electronic titling, and the use of funds for grants to counties, cities, and townships. A separate provision would let the DOT consider whether local ordinances or policies unreasonably restrict permitted agriculture or energy projects when scoring grant applications, which drew significant debate about local control and whether the language was punitive. Testimony from Brandenburg and Weisz emphasized that the plan was intended to provide more predictable funding, preserve the ability to match federal dollars, and direct money where needs are greatest through a grant process. Weisz said the package was designed to simplify multiple revenue buckets, ensure DOT can meet federal match requirements, and free up money for the general fund while still supporting transportation needs. Several members raised concerns about whether cities, counties, and townships would receive as much as under the prior Prairie Dog structure, whether the bridge allocation was correctly reflected in the bill, and whether the local-policy language would penalize subdivisions that oppose energy projects. Supporters argued the state needed to protect revenue tied to energy development and that local governments would still receive distributions plus additional grant opportunities. The committee adopted the House amendment to SB 2012 by a vote of 19-1-3, then rejected an amendment to remove the local-policy language on a 5-15-3 vote. The committee then passed SB 2012 as amended on a 20-0-3 vote, with Representative Brandenburg designated as the carrier. The chair announced that Senate Bill 2014 would not be taken up at that time and the committee recessed until called back.

Transcript Highlights:

• who passed away, unfortunately, Randy Raymond from Dynamic Systems, was one of the large union contractors
• In 2009, I worked, I mean, and it's unbelievable, but at one point I had union contractors in my factory
• I have been a licensed attorney for 29 years, and my career has centered on using the law as a compass
• He is licensed to practice law in Texas, Maryland, and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• I still keep my license because it's very important.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• So all of those will still go to the license office.
• You can’t get a driver’s license, you know, at dealers.
• license offices.
• You said that there's 174 contracted licensing offices.
• So the license offices are bid out, as you all are aware, and that license was up for bid, and the agent

Committee: House Budget