Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Uh, House action was $31,629,17.
• </c><00:38:30.480><c> Uh,</c> River Valley Water Supply District.
• Uh, River Valley Water Supply District.
• >> I. >> The ayes have it. >> You're recognized, Senator. >> House Bill 1903 is for the Tombigbee River
• uh gauges and uh towards Pearl River uh gauges and this<00:59:33.520><c> was</c><00:59:33.680><c> a<

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of my consumers are going across that river.
• A lot of my consumers are going across that river.
• A lot of my consumers are going across that river.
• A lot of my consumers are going across that river.
• A lot of my consumers are going across that river.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Devon Polarys, and I serve as the Director of Development and Strategy for Four Rivers.
• I am the Chief Operations Officer at Four Rivers.
• So a little bit about Four Rivers: we also serve a five-county region here in central Missouri.
• So Four Rivers as a whole... Four Rivers as a whole very similarly serves within school districts.
• I will point out, Four Rivers does get the network funding, SUD network funding.

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this program is critically important to protect surface water quality of our rivers, and I think
• Besides enhancing river management by protecting the ecosystems and addressing the issues of pollution
• </c><00:47:17.040><c> it</c><00:47:17.359><c> are</c><00:47:17.680><c> very</c> um our local rivers it
• are very um our local rivers it are very important<00:47:18.800><c> and</c><00:47:19.119><c> besides
• management by protecting the river management by protecting the ecosystems<00:47:25.440><c> and</c><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a work session on 17 retained bills and moved through several measures, often with motions to ought to pass or inexpedient to legislate. House Bill 54, allowing alternative treatment centers to operate for profit, was supported as a way to improve efficiency and potentially lower costs for medical cannabis users, and it was recommended OTP by a 9-0 vote. House Bill 97, an appropriation for wastewater infrastructure, drew mixed views: supporters said the Senate’s reduced funding still met the bill’s intent, while opponents argued the funding was inadequate for critical infrastructure needs; the committee voted 5-4 to ITL. House Bill 111, extending the Right to Know Ombudsman and exempting certain assistance from unauthorized practice of law, was recommended ITL 9-0. House Bill 197, concerning state payment of a portion of local retirement contributions, was discussed as a recurring issue; members noted an amendment could fund it starting in fiscal 2027, but the committee ultimately voted 5-4 to recommend the bill itself rather than ITL. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a harms-and-benefits report, was amended to narrow its scope to future privately owned landfills only; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 9-0. House Bill 216, on workers’ compensation credit toward retirement service, was ITL’d 9-0 after the sponsor said the proposal was too open-ended and could affect unknown numbers of people.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's some in the state of Minnesota, but a lot of it is brought in from the Missouri River projects
• , but also going as the rivers run north in Canada.
• There's some in the state of Minnesota, but a lot of it is brought in from the Missouri River projects
• , but also going as the rivers run north in Canada.
• you had a large hydro facility that was proposed in Minnesota, where we do have a lot of renewable river

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• River corridor rules still apply. Stream alteration rules still apply.
• </c><00:18:02.600><c> River</c> preservation still applies. River preservation still applies.
• River corridor<00:18:03.400><c> rules</c><00:18:03.840><c> still</c><00:18:04.080><c> apply.
• Taggart of Wells River Town. No. Taylor of Mendon. Tomlinson of Winooski. Yes.
• </c> Taggart of Wells River Town. No. Taggart of Wells River Town. No.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , a five-year pilot program that would include the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, Barren River
• Area Development District, and the Green River Area Development District.
• </c><00:08:58.160><c> Area</c> Development District, Baron River Area Development District, Baron River
• </c><00:09:01.279><c> It's</c><00:09:01.440><c> a</c> River Area Development District.
• It's a River Area Development District. It's a pilot<00:09:01.839><c> program.

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would eliminate funding for the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
• of recreation opportunities associated with the potential drawdown of reservoirs of the Lower Snake River
• This amendment simply eliminates the funding for the Columbia River Gorge Commission, including the base
• This amendment simply eliminates the funding for the Columbia River Gorge Commission, including the base
• Chair, when I'm making my way over to visit you in Spokane, as you know, I like to drive along the river

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association, and I also served for 10 years
• I'm the Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association, and I also served for 10 years
• So that's, I think, the brilliance, The Charles River watershed, across Massachusetts.
• I'm Nasser Rahim, Director of Climate Resilience at the Mystic River Watershed Association.
• I'm Nassah Rahim, Director of Primer Resilience at the Mystic River Watershed Association.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on affordable housing insurance, homeowners insurance practices, climate resilience, and consumer protections after property losses. Senators and representatives testified in support of a resolve to create a commission on affordable housing insurance (S. 768/H. 1279), arguing that rising premiums and deductibles are threatening the viability of affordable housing properties and new development. Supporters also backed bills to establish private flood insurance standards (S. 719), create climate-resilient home retrofit grants (S. 720), expand the MVP climate resilience program (H. 1310/S. 686), and protect urban trees and limit insurer-driven tree removals (H. 1316). Several lawmakers and advocates said these measures would help reduce risk, preserve insurability, and address the effects of increasingly severe storms and flooding. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing insurer use of aerial imagery (H. 1242/H. 2142) and notice periods for nonrenewals or repairs (H. 4042 and related measures). Supporters said insurers should be allowed to use drones and satellite images but with stronger guardrails, including current photos, disclosure of risk factors, an appeals process, and time to cure defects. They argued that homeowners are sometimes blindsided by nonrenewals based on inaccurate aerial photos or given too little time to make repairs. Opponents from the insurance industry said aerial imagery is already regulated by the Division of Insurance, that additional statutory requirements could create confusion and litigation, and that existing notice rules already provide 45 days for nonrenewals and 60-day limits on cancellations. Industry witnesses also warned that some proposed timelines conflict with current law and could restrict useful underwriting tools. Another major topic was H. 1077, which would restrict solicitation by restoration companies and public adjusters at fire scenes. A homeowner described being approached immediately after a house fire by restoration and public-adjuster representatives and said the experience was intrusive and overwhelming; supporters said homeowners need time and space to make informed decisions after a disaster. Public adjusters and restoration contractors opposed the bill, saying they provide needed guidance, emergency mitigation, and claims assistance when homeowners are under stress, and that some existing protections already allow consumers to cancel contracts. The hearing ended after all listed witnesses testified, and the committee voted to close the hearing; no bill dispositions were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a senior climate and environmental policy analyst at the Duwamish River Community Coalition, or DRCC
• Our river, the Duwamish River, was straightened in the 1920s for industrial purposes, and the tidelands
• neighboring the river were covered with cement, literally paving the way for polluted waters and the
• present-day designation of the Duwamish River as a Superfund site.
• And in 2022, the river overtopped and caused damage to 22 homes, permanently displacing 12 families.

Bills: HB2426 , HB2606

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• issue was the impact that data centers could have on our hydro system, on the fish that need the rivers
• And running the Columbia River, running Wanapum, Priest Rapids Dam... Senator, it is just five.
• And running the Columbia River, running Wanapum, Priest Rapids Dam on the river for years, I could tell
• They need to connect to the grid at the BPA switchyard along the Columbia River.
• They need to connect to the grid at the BPA switchyard along the Columbia River.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Give Director Noasis River Authority for House Bill 3728. Yes sir. Welcome. You may proceed.
• I am John Barham, Executive Director of the Noasis River Authority.
• You couldn't swim, and a river dumping into Lake Erie caught fire.
• And it burned, and they couldn't put it out, the Cuyahoga River.
• The Hudson River is coming back after millions of dollars and a lot of efforts going on there.

Bills: HB4568 , HB5458 , HB4543 , HB2703 , HB3728 , HCR113 , HCR126

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• But we had clawback numbers with Big River Steel. That has made money for the state of Arkansas.
• But we had callback numbers with Big River Steel. That has made money for the state of Arkansas.
• It was mentioned the Big River Steel project.
• Big River Steel is an example. Nucor also.
• Just go up the road 40 miles to Osceola and look at the Three Rivers plant, the steel plant, another

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, leave requests, and routine business, including reading gubernatorial approval letters for several recently enacted acts. Members also recognized guests in the chamber. The body then took up a motion to send House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee, which passed, with Representative Jean explaining the bill would be revised to remove pay raises and address cybersecurity and bank fees later. On the red and budget calendars, the House passed House Bill 1103 to increase the homestead property tax credit by $75, with supporters noting it would be the fourth straight annual increase and total $300 per household over four years. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064, then passed Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements. Several appropriation bills were then considered in batches and individually, with mixed results: House Bills 1005, 1051, 1089, 1090, 1093, and Senate Bills 8, 10, 16, 20, 23, 36, 43, 55, 58, 63, 67, and 30 passed; House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, 1066, and Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed; Senate Bills 10 and 24 were initially passed over for later consideration. A major portion of the meeting focused on Amendment 1 to House Bill 1100, the RSA/one-time funding package. Representative Jean outlined increases for corrections, state police, LEARNS/freedom accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and other set-asides, plus a proposed $300 million economic development reserve for a confidential project with clawback provisions. The amendment drew extended debate: supporters argued it could bring major job creation and broader economic benefits, while opponents criticized the secrecy, size of the subsidy, and opportunity cost. The amendment ultimately passed 54-36-3. The House then adjourned until 1 p.m. the next day after announcements about upcoming budget and House Management meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we had clawback numbers with Big River Steel. That has made money for the state of Arkansas.
• It was mentioned the Big River... ...project term that I've heard people talk about.
• It was mentioned the Big River Steel Project.
• Representative Carr cited Big River Steel as an example and also mentioned New Corps.
• Representative Wooten said to go up the road 40 miles to Osceola and look at the Three Rivers plant,

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted several leaves, and received gubernatorial approval notices for multiple fiscal-session measures. The chamber then referred House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee so pay raises could be stripped out and cybersecurity/bank-fee funding handled later. House Bill 1103, increasing the homestead property tax credit by $75, passed 94-0. Members then considered several budget amendments and appropriations. Amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064 were adopted, and Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements, passed 87-7. A batch of appropriation bills passed, but several individual bills failed, including House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, and 1066. House Bills 1089 and 1090, supplemental appropriations for pregnancy crisis centers and waste tire cleanup, both passed. House Bill 1093, a corrections reappropriation bill that excluded use of funds in Franklin County, also passed 94-0. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 1100 Amendment 1, which set out the RSA and one-time funding package. Supporters described major allocations for corrections, state police, LEARNS Freedom Accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and a proposed $300 million economic-development site-preparation and road package tied to a confidential project. Opponents criticized the secrecy, size, and policy approach of the incentive, while supporters argued it could bring jobs and broader economic benefits. The amendment passed 54-36-3. The House also passed Senate Bills 8, 16, 30, 63, 67, and 73, while Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed, and Senate Bill 10 passed after being briefly set aside for clarification. The chamber adjourned to 1 p.m. the next day, with committee meetings announced for budget and house management.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's from the Hailey/Wood River area.
• It's bordered on three sides by BLM and the Salmon River to the east.
• So it has a relatively new bridge across the Salmon River there, across toward the property.
• If anyone knows where Dugout Dick's is, this property is right across the river.
• If anyone knows where Dugout Dick's is, this property is right across the river.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee first heard a budget presentation for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Legislative staff explained the agency’s structure, dedicated funds, and a proposed FY27 supplemental to transfer about $9.8 million in grant funds from a consolidated program into the current park operations program after a prior reorganization. The agency’s FY27 request also included dedicated-fund enhancements for additional park personnel, trail maintenance staff, and one-time improvements, with no general fund request. Director Susan Buxton described major capital projects completed with prior appropriations, including campground, marina, lodge, trail, and accessibility upgrades across the state, and said the investments had increased capacity and visitation. Committee members asked about access for Idaho residents, reservation pricing, and the effect of charging out-of-state users more. Buxton said the new reservation system is more mobile-friendly, out-of-state pricing has increased availability for residents, and a University of Idaho study is evaluating the impact. She also said the agency expects more campsites, boat slips, and day-use areas than originally projected. Members discussed the agency’s OHV education campaign, trail maintenance, and the new observatory at Bruneau Dunes State Park. No formal action or vote was taken during the Parks and Recreation presentation. The committee then reviewed the Office of the State Public Defender budget. Legislative staff summarized the agency’s staffing, fund balance, and FY27 requests, including six new trial attorney positions, secure hosted data storage, and laptop/data migration costs. Director Stephen Frederickson said the statewide system is now stable after a difficult transition from county-based defense, with vacancies down to about 7 percent and 55 new employees hired since July 1. He warned that further budget reductions would likely be absorbed through training cuts first, but could eventually force reductions in contract attorneys and increase caseloads, which he said would risk attorney turnover and constitutional problems. Members asked about county MOUs, Twin Falls staffing shortages, attorney levels, child protection cases, training, and the impact on county costs and property taxes. No vote was taken, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next day’s agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• said it would take about 20 years for that to flush out of the system naturally into the underground river
• And then, I also, especially along the Columbia River there, like to get our Oregon partners on board
• this same task of making sure our waterways are clean, because they're contaminating our Columbia River
• And then, I also, especially along the Columbia River there, like to get our Oregon partners on board
• this same task of making sure our waterways are clean, because they're contaminating our Columbia River

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met on February 4, with public hearing and executive action on several bills. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2668, as proposed substitute, which would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify and pursue relocation of the Bob Oak Game Farm and to plan remediation of the current site. Testimony from the bill sponsor, Centralia city officials, Lewis County public health staff, a tribal member, and residents strongly supported relocation, citing nitrate contamination in a sole-source aquifer, risks to drinking water for Centralia and nearby households, and the need for long-term public health protection. The committee also heard that interim mitigation measures such as point-of-use filters and water/sewer extensions were underway, but witnesses said relocation was the only durable solution. The bill was added to the day’s executive session as an unusual late addition, then later passed out of committee on a voice vote with a due pass recommendation. During executive session, the committee also acted on House Bill 2598, creating a Salmon Advisory Commission; House Bill 2619, creating a legislative task force to reduce regulatory stress in agriculture; House Bill 2199, dealing with derelict vessels and disposal timelines; House Bill 2463, which revises agricultural donation and farm-to-food pantry programs; and House Bill 1735, which prohibits force-feeding birds and related foie gras sales. Amendments were considered on several bills, including a DNR amendment to the vessel bill and a narrowing amendment to the force-feeding bill, which failed. The committee approved House Bill 2598 by a 6-5 vote, and House Bill 2619, House Bill 2199, House Bill 2463, House Bill 1735, and House Bill 2668 all received due pass recommendations, with some on voice votes and others by recorded roll call. The chair noted that moving House Bill 2668 in executive session the same day as public hearing was highly unusual and done because of the bill’s urgency and bipartisan support.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Chair: REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON PERHAPS YOU COULD ASK UWF AND INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE THAT QUESTION
• MISS ANDREW TREADWELL ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS AT MY KENYAN RIVER
• WE REPRESENT FOUR COUNTIES MARTIN, INDIAN RIVER, OKEECHOBEE AND ST.
• WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE AND OUR VETERANS COME HERE AND ARE LOOKING FOR PLACES JUST LIKE OURS THAT INDIAN RIVER
• AND FOLKS WE WON THE ASPEN PRIZE FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXCELLENCE AT INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE AND OUR

Transcript Highlights:

• the Velociraptor Cycling Team, the Brownsville Bike Brigade, the City Cruisers, and the Brownsville River
• This has to do with Hemphill, Texas, which is in Sabine County, sits along the bank of Sabine River,
• Hemphill City Manager Thad Smith and the Sabine River Authority, I respectfully request that Hemphill
• What's the name of the river? Sam Rayburn. Hello. Lots of lakes in the area.
• By working with local jurisdictions, counties, cities, neighborhoods, river authorities, and private

Bills: HCR6

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: Meals on Wheels, senior services, nutrition, community support, volunteerism

Transcript Highlights:

• It focuses on the river clause, which is very specific to the military and lands being utilized to help
• A prime example of this is collaboration with the middle and lower Suwannee River.
• And with that issue task force, the Suwannee River and its tributaries are viable, natural resource and
• Sewage spills into the Withlacoochee river that goes into the state of Florida do with the culture it
• River Borders, Madison County in Hamilton County and it could wrap it up.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• up in Julia Davis Park because of the great foot traffic that exists in that space along the Boise River
• The event will take place in the Wood River Valley.
• The following week we'll move from the Wood River Valley to Blackfoot.
• The following week we'll move from the Wood River Valley to Blackfoot.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The America 250 in Idaho Advisory Council met to review progress on statewide America 250 celebrations and preparations for July 4th events. Members approved the May 11, 2026 minutes and received a financial update showing about $54,967.53 currently available to spend, roughly $474,000 in total expenditures to date, and about $17,500 left to disperse in grants. Treasurer Ellsworth reported strong fundraising and broad participation, including 1,900 volunteer ambassadors and co-branding by cities, counties, businesses, schools, and veterans groups across the state. The council heard updates on numerous commemorative activities, including Liberty Bell-related programming, the Liberty Grove tree-planting effort, the “acts of service” challenge, and local events and exhibits around Idaho. Jesse Barcroft outlined the July 4th Capitol celebration, which will combine a pancake breakfast, parade, flyover, booths, concerts, and Capitol tours, with Josh Ritter as headliner and several food vendors and community booths confirmed. Questions focused on booth participation and ensuring performers’ messaging aligns with the America 250 theme. Additional reports highlighted statewide and national partner efforts. Hannah Lori Hine described federal America 250 programs such as the “Our American Story” oral history trailer in Boise, the “America’s Block Party” listing for Idaho events, the Freedom Truck visit June 7-10, the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., and student contests including the American Heroes art contest and 1776 Presidential Award. Stephen Hatcher of the Idaho Commission on the Arts previewed Cowgirl Congress in the Wood River Valley and the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo, both tied to traditional arts and cultural heritage. Idaho Public Television also reported on America 250 programming, including educational materials, statewide event coverage, and an upcoming hour-long special on how Idahoans are celebrating the semiquincentennial. The committee agreed to meet again on June 10 and then adjourned.