Transcript Highlights:

• the University of Utah Medical Education Program, where Idaho students attend medical school in Salt Lake
• Botz of the University of Utah from Salt Lake here.
• we have a general residency program for psychiatry where they spend their first two years in Salt Lake
• But at the same time, we have concerns over in Wyoming and in Salt Lake, students from Idaho, mostly,

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a series of budget presentations from the Legislative Services Office and agency leaders on higher education and health education programs. Kevin Campbell first reviewed the Office of the State Board of Education budget, noting staffing growth tied to added responsibilities, the end of federal COVID/ARPA funding, a governor-recommended supplemental reversion for the sunsetted Empowering Parents grant, and FY 2027 requests including a Canvas LMS renewal, a risk-manager transfer back to institutions, and a one-time federal AI grant. Jennifer White, OSBE executive director, defended the Canvas contract as a cost-saving centralized arrangement, discussed budget pressure on colleges and universities, and said the board is developing an outcomes-based funding model that would shift emphasis from enrollment to progression, completion, and workforce outcomes while phasing in changes to avoid destabilizing institutions. Members asked about cuts, tuition, private donations, rainy-day funds, the longitudinal data system, CETL Now usage, and whether programs should be evaluated or eliminated based on outcomes. White said the board is still gathering data and expects at least another year before a workable funding proposal is ready, and she emphasized that unearned funds under the new model would be returned to OSBE for targeted intervention rather than simply removed. The committee also discussed risk-management centralization, with White explaining that moving risk managers back to institutions would improve day-to-day efficiency while OSBE retains enterprise risk oversight. The committee then turned to health education programs, beginning with Family Medicine Residencies. Campbell outlined the program’s funding and recent growth, and residency leaders said the 3% holdback affected both ISU-based and hospital-affiliated programs but would not force immediate reductions. They stressed the importance of continued legislative support, noted that residency training helps retain physicians in Idaho, and said the programs rely on a mix of state, federal, and patient-care revenue. Members also raised concerns about clinical placement capacity, rural access, and whether federal rural health funds could help support expansion. Additional presentations covered the Eastern Idaho Medical Residencies and the University of Utah medical program. EIMR leaders said Idaho remains far short of needed psychiatrists, especially child psychiatrists, and that training residents in-state helps keep physicians in Idaho; they also described private hospital support as part of the funding model. For the University of Utah program, Campbell said the state supports both medical students and psychiatry residents, and the program requested funding for three additional child psychiatry residents. Dr. Beth Botz, the training director, attributed rising child psychiatry need to increased stress, social media, COVID-era effects, and broader awareness of mental health issues, and said placing residents in southeast Idaho has already improved access and reduced wait times.

Transcript Highlights:

• The smallest it's probably ever been at 46 troopers are in the lake division. We call it 'roopw'.
• It's all of our state lakes.
• I've got 32 that are assigned to the lakes, all the state lakes around the state.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that there's a library that has been developed in a small place called Fence Lake.
• And I know that there's a library that has been developed in a small place called Fence Lake.
• If the Fence Lake people would reach out to us, we would really be happy to speak with them and give
• Within just an hour or two in any direction, you can explore the caverns, mountains, national forests, lakes

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve areas that are cities, rural townships, heavy industry, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior
• the<00:07:02.080><c> FondeLac</c><00:07:02.720><c> band</c><00:07:02.880><c> of</c><00:07:03.039><c> Lake
• </c><00:07:03.199><c> Superior</c> the FondeLac band of Lake Superior the FondeLac band of Lake Superior

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But what happens is if you get hurt in Rankin or McCamey or Big Lake or whatever.
• Lubbock has 100-year water plan and we are in the permitting phase to construct our next water supply lake
• , which will largely be a reuse lake that capitalizes on 20 years of investments that the City has made
• When completed, this lake will make Lubbock one of the few cities in West Texas that is more reliant

Bills: HB249 , HB 1186 , HB2313 , HB2408 , HB2508 , HB2730 , HB2974 , HB3045 , HB3232 , HB3336 , HB3710 , HB4044 , HB4236 , HJR133 , HB249

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: ad valorem taxes, property taxes, homestead exemption, disabled veterans, senior citizens, tax payments, installment payments, municipal tax revenue, hotel, convention center, tax code, economic development, local government, municipality, tax revenue, qualified projects, municipal taxation, hotel project, municipality funding, veteran

Transcript Highlights:

• Corrections budget when an active, ongoing internal investigation is being conducted in the Lionel Lakes
• currently have a team, and we've identified a number of cases at the Shakopee facility and at the Moose Lake
• colleagues here, starting with the line of inquiry from of Schwartz regarding the investigation in Lino Lakes
• state law and necessitate the investigation that's ongoing in Lino Lakes. Commissioners? Mr.

Bills: HF2432

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• natural beauty, and saltwater fishing, one of the challenges is getting more visitors to our freshwater lakes
• Senator Burton said that she was contacted by a sweet old man in Lake Alfred, who didn't realize that
• The stack for the facility in Lake County lies 760 feet from its closest residential neighbor in the
• Arlington Ridge community, and there are no complaints in Lake County about odor.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably. SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• levels have occurred before in the canal's history, such as in the 1930s, when the Madden Dam and Lake
• We've talked about the drought in 2023 and the historic low water levels that it caused in Lake Catoon
• , what Commissioner Maffei just discussed about the development of a second reservoir to feed into Lake
• Just discussed about the development of a second reservoir to feed into Lake Gatun and the U.S.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Lake Park, Royal Palm Beach, and Mangonia Park.
• That's the beautiful city of Hialeah and the town of Miami Lakes. This is...
• So I'm a businessman from Lake County. So I'm a businessman from Lake County, District 25.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative Mike Veeley, District 35, which includes Bear Lake, Caribou, Teton, and parts of Bonneville
• Representative Mike Veeley, District 35, that is Bear Lake, Caribou, Teton, a little bit of Bonneville

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the intake to Murphy Lake Dam—we had to repair it three times last summer.
• Murphy Lake is very important to the economy of that area.

Bills: SB193

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent all of Teton, all of Caribou, Bear Lake, part of Bonneville, and part of Bannock County.
• I attend West Jefferson High School in Mud Lake, Idaho. I'm super excited to be here.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session with member introductions, including the new committee secretary, Abby Rowe, and the pages. The pages also introduced themselves and answered questions from senators about their interests and experiences. The committee then moved to gubernatorial reappointments and appointments for several state boards and commissions. The first confirmation hearing was for Megan Ronk’s reappointment to the Commission on Human Rights. Ronk described her background in state government and Idaho Power, her long service on the commission since 2008, and the commission’s role in investigating discrimination complaints and often resolving cases through education or training when appropriate. Senators asked about due process, statutory authority, and the kinds of complaints the commission sees most often; Ronk said sex-based and sexual harassment claims remain common. Senator Harris praised her public service and dedication. The committee also heard from Salvador Cruz, nominated to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Committee. Cruz outlined his background in banking, federal financial regulation, and the Idaho Department of Finance, and said he would apply the prudent investor rule to any investment decisions, including possible precious metals investments if authorized. In response to questions, he expressed concern about the national debt and its long-term economic effects. No votes were taken on the appointments; the chair said confirmations would be voted on at a later meeting. At the end of the meeting, Senator Den Hartog gave brief remarks about joining the committee and the importance of the issues it will handle this session. Senator Burns then reviewed the committee’s assigned administrative rules and asked members to contact the relevant agencies and begin scheduling meetings to work through those rules. The meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's Pasquani Pasquani school district, named after an Indian group up in the lakes region, up around
• Newfound Lake.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference met on HB 718, focusing on the Senate’s changes to the bill. Members discussed language requiring the Department of Education to report rules that exceed state or federal minimum requirements and, when fiscal impacts on local school districts are indeterminable, to identify the unfunded financial impact. The committee also reviewed added language related to the new Pasquani school district and its need to set a tax rate for the 2025-2026 school year. The chair explained a House amendment, 2725H, that would make two technical corrections: restoring the word “certified” in the provision directing the Department of Revenue Administration to expedite certified adjusted rate applications, and changing the bill’s effective date to “upon passage” so the new tax-rate provisions could take effect in time. A further clarification was proposed to specify July 1, 2025, in the tax-rate language. One member raised concern that the bill’s underlying special education fiscal effects were indeterminate and said they could not support it without a fiscal note, but the committee proceeded with the technical changes. A vote was taken among House conferees on the three changes, and the chair reported two yeses and one no, treating the result as effectively unanimous. The committee agreed to draft the report and indicated the bill would move forward, with the Pasquani school district language and the technical corrections included.

Transcript Highlights:

• It sits closer to the water source, which is Lake Millwood in a different county in Arkansas, but it's
• Which is Lake Millwood in a different county in Arkansas, but it's still within 30 miles of the city

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Summary: The Committee on State-Federal Relations heard testimony on HB 3484, which would formalize agreements between border municipalities and treat certain infrastructure, services, and facilities as Texas assets for funding eligibility if they are within 30 miles of the border. Representative Van Deaver and a witness from Texarkana described how the bill would help Texarkana, Texas, secure state funding for jointly used facilities such as wastewater, water treatment, and airport assets that are physically located in Arkansas but serve Texas residents. Members asked about whether Arkansas benefits from the facilities and whether the bill would apply only to U.S. border cities; testimony clarified that it applies to Texas municipalities bordering another U.S. state, and the bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also heard HCR 112, by Representative Perez, which urges Congress to allow state-issued Real ID cards, including Texas driver’s licenses, to be accepted as identification for U.S. citizens re-entering the country at land and sea ports of entry. Perez argued that Texas already verifies citizenship and lawful presence for Real ID issuance, that most Texans already have Real ID-compliant licenses, and that acceptance at the border would reduce costs and delays for routine cross-border travel without weakening security. Members asked about the security features of Real ID, implementation timing, passport delays, and how border crossings currently work; Perez said the resolution would not replace passports for international air travel and would apply only to U.S. citizens returning at land and sea ports. HCR 112 was also left pending, and the committee adjourned after HDR 125 was withdrawn from the schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to make mention that this is personal to us in Lake County.
• This is personal to us in Lake County.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The Education Employment Committee held its first meeting and heard three bills. Chair Kennedy opened with remarks about the committee’s work and the goal of moving Florida from “excellent to eminent.” The committee first considered PCS for CS for HB 151 on private school participation in interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities. Representative Abbott explained that the bill would let private school students participate in sports at FHSAA member schools when their own school does not offer that sport, clarify treatment of single-sex versus co-ed teams, adjust FHSAA board appointment authority, require appeals panels to include a majority of member-school representatives, set timelines for eligibility appeals, and post appeals decisions online. An amendment by Representative McFarland added FHSAA board decisions to the transparency requirement. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably as amended by a 19-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 549 on the “Gulf of America.” Representative Porras said the bill would align Florida’s geographic materials and academic standards with the federal designation replacing the Gulf of Mexico, with a later amendment to phase in the change only for materials adopted or acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Members questioned the timing, costs, and impact on instructional materials; the ranking member and others argued the bill was unnecessary and could burden districts, while supporters said Florida should lead in adopting the federal terminology. Public testimony included support from Florida Citizens Alliance and opposition from a speaker who called the bill a waste of time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 16-2 vote. Finally, the committee considered CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions. Representative Kendall described the bill as addressing elementary students who live within the two-mile walk zone but must cross interstates, freeways, highways, or ramps, and said the measure would provide bus service in those hazardous situations. An amendment clarified the language by tying it to the statutory definition of a limited access facility. Members from both parties described local safety concerns and personal experiences, while one member noted the likely added cost to districts. Public testimony listed opponents, but the chair later clarified they had submitted cards with the wrong bill number. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 20-0 vote, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We saved our pennies and did our first trip in 2015 on Lake of the Woods, where we brought 10 veterans
• We did successfully, but the funny aspect is going up to Lake of the Woods, and I have a credit card

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• 23, there is a new $1 million one-time appropriation in fiscal year 2026 for POS remediation at the Lake
• 23, there is a new $1 million one-time appropriation in fiscal year 2026 for POS remediation at the Lake
• 23, there is a new $1 million one-time appropriation in fiscal year 2026 for POS remediation at the Lake
• 23, there is a new $1 million one-time appropriation in fiscal year 2026 for POS remediation at the Lake
• </c> student 24 students in the Prior Lake student 24 students in the Prior Lake school<01:49:32.320>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• weed removal lack clear safety Lake weed removal lack clear safety standards<01:30:20.199><c> proper
• </c><01:35:52.480><c> to</c> pinned down on the bottom of the lake to pinned down on the bottom of the
• The ice will come off Minnesota lakes, and these companies will continue to do this work.
• They're taking orders for new scuba lake weed removal for this spring.
• and these companies will continue lakes and these companies will continue to<01:41:32.280><c> do</c>

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I spent several years at Lake Superior College in Duluth, and now I’ve been in my current role for six
• </c> Mike R. in Minnesota North Central Lakes, Northland, etc., but also with our tribal colleges, with
• I will share that I grew up in Cass Lake, Minnesota, on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation.
• It also helps to have student housing as well because we do draw from students from the Leech Lake area
• Scholastica, Lake Superior Community College, and the Duluth public school system to think about the

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anthony Village and New Brighton, Columbia Heights and Hilltop, Spring Lake Park, and Fridley.
• </c> Columbia Heights and Hilltop Spring Lake Columbia Heights and Hilltop Spring Lake Park<00:01:26.560
• It's nine cities, but the biggest ones are Badness Heights, White Bear Lake, and Lio Lakes. Thanks.
• </c> ones are Badness Heights Whitebear Lake ones are Badness Heights Whitebear Lake and<00:04:36.880
• I represent Senate District 4, which is Moorhead over to Detroit Lakes.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all