Transcript Highlights:

• And we've seen some of that already happen naturally.
• They are a scourge that costs our state millions... ...of our natural plant, native plants.
• They are scourge that costs our state million. of our natural plant, native plants.
• Weeds are plants out of place that harm agriculture, natural ecosystems, and waterways.
• Weeds are plants out of place that harm agriculture, natural ecosystems, and waterways.

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Francis with a political science degree. ...who just graduated from St.
• Francis with a political science degree and who will be going to Penn State this fall to get his master's
• We are joined this morning by Asante Johnson, who is studying at Morehouse, studying computer science
• Joe's studying history and political science.
• Holly and Brian, welcome to the floor of the House. ...and political science.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recognized several guests in the gallery, and then took up a series of committee reports, referrals, and floor actions. Early business included concurrence in committee reports on bills and resolutions from Game and Fisheries, Professional Licensure, Health, and Children and Youth, along with referral of Senate Bill 1377 to Transportation. The chamber also signed House Bill 1344 after the Senate returned it without amendment. Later, members announced caucus and committee meetings, including Rules, Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations, Insurance, and Appropriations, before recessing and then reconvening for floor votes. The House adopted several resolutions, including House Resolution 537 designating Rail Safety Week, House Resolution 449 recognizing the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and House Resolution 568 designating Javei Syndrome Awareness Day. The chamber also considered House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency corruption, where Amendment A03882 narrowing the bill to public officials and immediate family members was adopted, while two later amendments were tabled or failed. House Bill 2198, repealing the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment, was amended to take effect immediately and to bar KOZ use for data centers, then agreed to. House Bill 2559, concerning a university conveyance and other conveyances, was agreed to after out-of-order amendments were ruled on. A major portion of the session focused on data center policy. House Bill 2496, creating a 180-day pause on data center proposals to give municipalities time to update zoning and planning, drew extensive support from members emphasizing local control, environmental concerns, and the need for time to assess impacts; it passed final passage 201-1. House Bill 2650, creating the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development certification for data centers, also generated lengthy debate over energy use, water, community benefits, and tax treatment; it passed 134-68. The House also passed House Bill 2162 on temporary licensing for drug manufacturers before FDA approval, House Bill 2388 on rounding cash payments when pennies are unavailable, House Bill 2437 on county and municipal bridge repair funds, House Bill 2555 on equine dealer recordkeeping, and House Bill 2621 directing a Department of Health survey on maternal and infant outcomes. Other actions included final passage of House Bill 1006 on milk tester and wearer sampler certification periods, House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors and emergency service organizations, House Bill 2512 prohibiting ride-share pricing based on device condition, House Bill 2644 authorizing itemized capital bridge projects, and Senate Bill 1058 updating the E85 flex-fuel reference. The House also adopted House Bill 2162, House Bill 2388, House Bill 2437, and House Bill 2555 by recorded votes, and several committee reports were agreed to throughout the day. The session ended with additional committee referrals, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We live in the hub of life sciences here in Massachusetts.
• The top-down mandates of doing testing like this are against natural parental rights, and they go against
• Advances in science, and yes, in Massachusetts we still follow the science, have increased lifespans
• Once the stuff of science fiction, unmanned drones and robotics have now dominated military theaters
• What once sounded like science fiction is no longer far-fetched, and that means that this legislature

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, often suspending rules to advance them quickly. Early in the session, the chamber handled a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a conference committee. It also referred a poverty-related petition away from Judiciary to the Committee on Children and Families after suspending Joint Rule 12. The House then considered a series of Ways and Means bills, including measures on police interactions with people with autism, honoring Blue Star families, Bolton land conveyances, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology; most were amended, ordered to third reading, or passed to be engrossed. The most extensive debate centered on House 5441, requiring newborn screening for congenital CMV. Supporters described CMV as a common but often overlooked infection that can cause hearing loss, developmental delays, and other serious harms, arguing that universal screening would allow earlier treatment and better outcomes. An amendment to add several rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment to create a broad parental opt-out was rejected by a roll call vote of 153-1. The bill then passed to be engrossed by a vote of 154-1. The House also passed House 5443 on expanded public access to epinephrine after emotional testimony about fatal anaphylaxis cases; that bill passed 149-0. Another major measure, House 5444 on civil rights and technology, would prohibit weaponized drones and robotic devices, restrict threatening or harassing use, and set rules for law enforcement use and warrant requirements. Members emphasized both public safety and civil liberties, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 154-1. The House also passed the Blue Star families bill, which creates commemorative license plates for immediate family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, with members speaking about fallen officers and the importance of honoring their families. Additional bills passed included the autism-related Blue Envelope bill, the Bolton land conveyance bill, and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The session included multiple recesses, quorum checks, memorial tributes to Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, and concluded with the House adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really interfering with basic medical science.
• , I'll say it, but guided by medical science and patient safety.
• We're talking about, you want to talk about quack science.
• So utilizing science, utilizing new things coming down the pike, this is actually where we should be.
• So utilizing science, utilizing new things coming down the pike, this is actually where we should be.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11 minutes and heard a presentation from Nathan Smith, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services, on homelessness in Maricopa County. He described rising homelessness, especially among older adults, and said CASS uses low-barrier emergency shelter, family shelter, and an older-adult shelter with case management, behavioral health services, and partnerships with outside groups for food, banking, digital access, and other supports. Members asked about collaborations with mutual aid groups and about point-in-time data, and Smith said the county data could be drilled down through AZMAG. The committee then moved to legislation. HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, would bar businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services or employment based on medical interventions, with an amendment allowing schools to limit access during outbreaks or for certain infections. Supporters framed the bill as protecting bodily autonomy and informed consent, while opponents argued it would undermine employers’ ability to prevent disease spread. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. HB 2906, requiring one dental board member to be an active oral and maxillofacial surgeon, passed unanimously after testimony that the board needs surgical expertise for complex cases and anesthesia oversight. HB 2189, directing the Nursing Board to adopt rules for licensed health aides and routine ventilator care, also passed with an amendment and a 6-0 vote. HB 2403 appropriates $2.5 million in FY2027 for home and community-based services providers for elderly and physically disabled Arizonans. Supporters said the funding would help retain caregivers, whose wages have lagged for years, and argued home care is cheaper than hospitalization or institutional care; the bill passed 6-0. HB 2731 continued the Physician Assistant Board to 2030 and passed with a technical amendment, and HB 2730 continued the Occupational Therapy Board and passed as well. HB 2729 continued the Nursing Board to 2030; the board said it regulates about 150,000 licensees and handles thousands of complaints annually, and the bill passed 6-0. HB 2728 continued the Department of Economic Security and incorporated several previously vetoed policy provisions affecting SNAP, unemployment, and eligibility/redetermination rules. Speakers in opposition said it would make benefits harder to access and turn a continuation bill into a vehicle for controversial policy changes, while supporters argued it was part of the legislature’s oversight role. The bill passed 4-3. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to HB 2048, which limits utilization controls on FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications relative to opioids; supporters said it would improve access to non-opioid pain treatment and reduce opioid harm, while opponents warned it would bypass clinical review and raise costs. HB 2048 passed 4-3. Finally, HCR 2058 would require a comprehensive claim-level audit of Arizona Medicaid claims and direct recovery efforts for misappropriated funds; supporters said it could recover significant overpayments, while opponents questioned its incentives and overlap with existing oversight. The resolution passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really interfering with basic medical science.
• Again, health care decisions shouldn't be guided by lack of, you know, quack science, I'll say it, but
• guided by medical science and patient safety.
• We're talking about—you want to talk about quack science.
• So by nature, tying access to this specific drug to the least restrictive... ...tying access to this

Bills: HB2048 , HB2189 , HB2248 , HB2403 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2906 , HCR2058

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: orders of protection, domestic violence, court procedures, legal guardian, enforcement, healthcare, licensed health aides, scope of practice, ventilator care, training standards, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, public health, government regulation, elderly, physical disabilities, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, home and community based services, funding increase

Transcript Highlights:

• After completing the biomedical science master's program at Midwestern University, she attended medical
• 2915 is withdrawn from the Committee on Ways and Means and additionally referred to the Committee on Natural
• Geological Survey Astrological Science Center.
• Speaker Pro Tem, with your permission, the Committee on Science and Technology will be meeting in 10
• Speaker, Pro Tem, with your permission, the Committee on Science and Technology will be meeting in 10

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including International Mother Language Day, Arizona Nurses’ Day, Environmental Day, Teamsters Local 104, and Arizona Aerospace Day. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and three excused. The chamber also announced committee meetings, bill referrals, and later adjourned until Thursday, February 12, 2026. The main floor action centered on House Bill 2785, a taxation measure tied to federal tax conformity. Members debated whether Arizona should conform to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing it would validate current tax forms and provide tax relief, and opponents warning it would mainly benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations while reducing state revenue. The bill passed 32-26 with two not voting. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole for two calendars of bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2190, HB 2206, HB 2396, HB 2442, and HB 2448, all on health and human services topics, with amendments adopted on the first three. HB 2206 drew extended debate over SNAP payment error rates and whether the bill would impose an unfunded mandate and make benefits harder to access; supporters said it would reduce waste and save money, while opponents said it would set DES up for failure. HB 2396, which would restrict certain SNAP purchases, drew testimony over whether it would improve nutrition or unfairly limit low-income families and create a “food police” system. HB 2442 and HB 2448 also drew criticism over added SNAP work requirements and limits on agency waiver authority during recessions. The Committee later advanced HB 2688, HB 2689, HB 2690, HB 2796, and HB 2797, including bills on government staffing, hospital immigration-status data collection, unemployment benefits, SNAP eligibility/redeterminations, and fraud reporting. HB 2689 prompted sharp opposition over fears it would deter immigrants and mixed-status families from seeking medical care, while HB 2796 and HB 2797 were criticized as adding administrative burdens and duplicative SNAP checks. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and a motion to amend the report to show HB 2689 failed was rejected 24-32.

Transcript Highlights:

• type of termination it is, the impact category—so is it ag, is it non-profit, is it energy, is it science
• Number two is the National Science Foundation. We are home to now four research universities.
• The National Science Foundation grant is at $83,900.
• The National Science Foundation. There you go. Okay, so it could be an NSF project. Okay.
• We had to get the 5% spent in like three weeks or something of that nature, and that caused a lot of

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the statewide trade association for life science industry, and we represent collectively with
• The over 9,000 life science and biotech companies in Texas, and there is life science. life science and
• this kind of a program, and it's actually starting to become a competitive disadvantage in the life science
• This, I would argue, is of that same sort of nature.
• Sciences seems to get hit a lot too, so I haven't heard that SBA, I haven't heard that one in the news

Bills: HB186 , HB517 , HB 1093 , HB 1268 , HB1395 , HB186

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental

Transcript Highlights:

• They are building stadiums, bridges, and things of that nature.
• People in K through 2, and in particular, math and sciences, you now have high school instructors that
• Ed would be on board by now with the Literacy Act for sure; it's been around for a while in the science
• This is a plan that actually takes Math and Science teachers and prepares them to be teachers.
• They're really doing the work you asked them to do to focus on teaching the science of reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• wildlife populations require agencies to be well-funded and to make management decisions based on science
• . ...well-funded and to make management decisions based on science, and to have the tools to ensure that
• To have a science perspective and that we're trying to have a mix of perspectives on the mission more
• can you Talk about or describe species of wildlife that we're not working with right now and the science
• Madam Chair, Senator, is your concern that Does the science will force them to manage species that they

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• As a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from
• And she states, as a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal
• So in that very nature, that's always public.
• And then we have science.
• The street term for it is the science of reading.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> residents that had come here naturalized residents that had come here naturalized and<00:26:59.760
• Um, I think, at baseline, humans aren't naturally fertile.
• At baseline, uh, humans aren't naturally fertile.
• Or you when you donate them to science?
• </c><01:29:31.920><c> of</c> given their their sovereign nature of given their their sovereign nature

Bills: HF4609 , HF4401

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• If y'all could please Building Science.
• </c> muckers the father of social science. muckers the father of social science.
• , you got to be neat, fixed up, but you can wear it natural.
• Naturally, that'll be a certain dress, you know, and whatnot.
• </c> else of that nature. else of that nature.

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean. The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day. On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou. The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would create a comprehensive statewide framework to ensure consistency in science-based handling of
• California would be the first state to create standards-based public health and science serving as a
• The task force identified significant gaps in science, testing protocols, and claims practices.
• This ensures that survivors have real science-based standards governing their claims.
• Science-based requirements that every insurer must follow.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we have is legislation that goes beyond natural inalienable rights and falsely defines certain
• </c><00:56:16.400><c> rights</c> do parental rights are natural rights do parental rights are natural
• That is the nature of us trying to work out differences and pass legislation.
• That is the nature of us trying to work out differences and pass legislation.
• These students deserve the best educational... outlines the nature of each standard outlines the nature

Transcript Highlights:

• , or continue to trying to to science, or continue to trying to implant<00:23:47.679><c> them</c><00:
• And so that science and investigation is enormously expensive.
• And so that science what's in the body.
• of these markets the online nature of these markets provides<01:16:25.199><c> a</c><01:16:25.440><c>
• um atrocities, wars, uh natural um atrocities, wars, uh natural disasters.<01:18:09.120><c> What</c><

Bills: HF1758 , HF4437 , HF4353

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as a advance the basic science as well as a breeding<00:43:01.760><c> partnership</c><00:43:
• of Kernza that hasn't been at science of Kernza that hasn't been at the<01:10:34.960><c> forefront</
• Chair, Senator Kunish, I have not, uh, but I guess I would restate the permissive nature of Mr.
• Chair, I would restate the permissive nature of it.
• But again, it's also beneficial for the environment and natural resources.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it's not rocket science.
• </c> not a moderate science-based decision. not a moderate science-based decision.
• c><04:44:01.520><c> treasure,</c> natural heritage, a national treasure, natural heritage, a national
• </c> member of the committee on natural member of the committee on natural resources<05:16:04.560><c>
• </c> unleashing Alaska's abundant natural unleashing Alaska's abundant natural resources.<05:46:16.240

Transcript Highlights:

• We live in the hub of life sciences here in Massachusetts.
• The top-down mandates of doing testing like this is against the natural parental rights, and it goes
• Advances in science, and yes, in Massachusetts we still follow the science, have increased lifespans
• The science has increased lifespans by decades.
• Once the stuff of science fiction, unmanned drones and robotics have now dominated military theaters

Transcript Highlights:

• I also earned a master's degree in political science from the University of Alabama and my law degree
• the state of Florida, I think it's important that we continue that trend in nursing and in health sciences
• So that is my number one goal is to continue to work with the college health science program and nursing
• So life sciences and allied health and it's very important to me.
• being able to do things like that that kind of rely on my doctoral expertise and the behavioral sciences

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.