Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Witt, members, House Bill 2445 requires that any city, town, county, school district, or state
• and for failures to comply with the certificate of necessity requirements.
• Additionally, the bill requires licensed midwives to disclose their professional liability insurance
• status to patients and establishes annual reporting requirements for licensed midwives to DHS.
• It requires prescribers with an Arizona address on their DEA registration to register with the CSPMP,

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules. Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Witt, members, House Bill 2445 requires that any city, town, county, school district, or state
• and for failures to comply with the certificate of necessity requirements.
• Additionally, the bill requires licensed midwives to disclose their professional liability insurance
• status to patients and establishes annual reporting requirements for licensed midwives to DHS.
• It requires prescribers with an Arizona address on their DEA registration to register with the CSPMP,

Summary: The meeting reviewed two caucus packets covering a wide range of bills, with most items described by staff and then passed over without questions. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, emergency shelter grants, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, and uranium contamination monitoring. Other measures addressed utility plant replacement, local government investment pools, task-order contract posting, ambulance reporting and certificate-of-necessity changes, short-term rental regulation, tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans, memorial authorization, manufactured home installer licensing, CPR/AED training in schools, national park fee exemptions for military members and veterans, and a tourism improvement area funded by lodging businesses. Several bills focused on child welfare and family law, including expanded kinship placement notification, a neglect definition change tied to poverty, evidence rules in custody and dependency matters, DCS investigations when a protective parent is involved, and parenting-time supervision requirements. Health-related bills included midwife practice changes, controlled substance monitoring program updates, interstate EMS licensure, prostate cancer screening coverage, sleep apnea coverage, and resident electronic monitoring in care facilities. Judiciary and property-related bills included enhanced trespass penalties, post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien excess proceeds procedures, and unlawful entry into residences occupied by vulnerable adults. A few members briefly explained or defended selected bills, including the child protection measures, the CPR training requirement, the ambulance reporting bill, the tourism improvement area bill, and the bill moving inter-facility transports away from police. The sponsor of HB 2950 emphasized it was a voluntary, opt-in lodging assessment with local approval and statutory guardrails. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and most bills were noted as being on consent or third-read consent calendars, with several removed from consent or not yet on a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:11.040><c> for</c> modifying certain requirements for modifying certain requirements for Indian
• to</c> ssis for example requires uh children to ssis for example requires uh children to have<00:59:44.760
• </c><00:59:51.200><c> other</c> income and asset requirements other income and asset requirements other
• </c><01:00:18.319><c> for</c> payes are gener generally required for payes are gener generally required
• </c><01:21:30.280><c> that</c> this and there was no requirement that this and there was no requirement

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year's bill established a new standard of safety around youth sports by requiring these programs
• AB 310 will require youth sports organizations to have a written emergency response plan put in place
• And as a result, the AED requirement came as quite a surprise to many of us.
• law requires each AED to be placed with one coach.
• It's already required. And the per-coach is not in there. It just needs to be readily available.

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met as a subcommittee and heard three youth-sports safety bills. AB 310 would require youth sports organizations to have written emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies, maintain and test AEDs, and ensure coaches have training in AED use and CPR. The author and supporters, including the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation and the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology, argued the bill would save lives and build on last year’s AED requirement. Youth soccer organizations opposed the bill’s broader AED mandate on cost grounds, saying compliance could total millions statewide and could force higher dues, while asking for grants, liability protections, and public-field AED installation. The committee discussed costs and funding options, then passed AB 310 on a 9-0 vote. The committee then considered AB 437, which would add sports-related injuries, including head injuries, to the health and safety information the CIF must report to the Legislature and Governor. Support came from the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and there was no opposition. Members said the measure would improve reporting on athlete safety and accepted technical amendments. AB 437 was approved 9-0 as amended. Finally, AB 708 would allow parents to choose soft-shelled helmet add-ons for youth football to reduce concussion risk. The author described the bill as a parental-choice and safety measure, noting studies showing reduced concussion risk. Members praised the bill as a common-sense alternative to banning the sport and emphasized that it would let families choose additional protection. There was no opposition, and the committee passed AB 708 9-0. The committee also adopted a consent calendar item with amendments before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• allows, effective July 1, 2027, a person to request that the Arizona Department of Transportation require
• Excessive points that require a one-year suspension.
• It also requires the manufacturer of a speed-inhibiting device to collect only necessary data to support
• Is there any new equipment requirements? May I answer that?
• Is there any new equipment required, new people required? Is there a fiscal impact? Mr.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety approved the March 18, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills, beginning with HB 4018, which would give county sheriffs exclusive authority to regulate posse and reserve organizations acting under the sheriff’s authority and in support of the sheriff’s office. Supporters said it merely clarified existing law and improved accountability for volunteer public safety groups; one member opposed it as concentrating too much authority with too few guardrails. The committee recommended the bill do pass by a 5-1 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then heard HB 2417, which would let certain drivers choose a speed-inhibiting device instead of a license suspension for specified offenses, and HB 2771, which would allow the Department of Corrections to require prisoners to pay reasonable rehabilitation program costs as a condition of community supervision. HB 2417 drew support from a coalition focused on safer roads and second chances, but one member raised concerns about cost, privacy, and enforcement; it passed 6-1. HB 2771 was described as a simple language clarification and passed 5-2. Members also approved HB 2772, which would place a medical indicator on a driver’s license for advanced health care directives such as a living will or DNR so first responders can see it quickly; the sponsor said ADOT helped design the process and that it would not create a burden, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed HCR 259, reaffirming support for county sheriffs, by a 4-3 vote; HB 2418, which directs $600,000 in state funds to be distributed evenly among five county sheriff task forces, by a 7-0 vote; and HB 2170, which would bar state contracts with companies domiciled in or controlled by the Chinese government except in limited circumstances, by a 4-3 vote. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, First, I will share the basic elements that make up the model that is required to have a successful
• It is a least restrictive alternative that requires more intentional services for an extended period
• BHAs, the behavioral health agencies, and the courts all play an equal and yet unique role that requires
• We receive approximately between 40 and 50 notification calls from law enforcement every year.
• About three-fourths of those will require the city to pay for public defense services.

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Summary: The committee heard a series of updates on behavioral health, criminal justice, and public defense issues. Tisha Kirshbaum of the Health Care Authority reported that assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) has expanded from two counties to eight, with a ninth coming soon, and described AOT as a court-ordered, least-restrictive outpatient treatment model that depends on coordination among courts, counties, and treatment providers. She also reviewed Joel’s Law, which allows family members, guardians, conservators, or tribes to petition for involuntary detention when they disagree with a crisis responder’s decision, and judges from Snohomish and Chelan counties said petitions have increased significantly, though follow-through beyond initial detention is limited and the process remains fragmented. Committee members raised concerns about inconsistent standards, bed shortages, and the difficulty of aligning courts, law enforcement, and treatment systems. The Attorney General’s office then updated the committee on the hate crimes and bias incidents hotline created by SB 5427. Minna El-Gamel said the hotline began a pilot in King, Clark, and Spokane counties in July 2025, with a statewide launch planned for 2027, and that an advisory committee helped design referral processes, intake questions, outreach materials, and the hotline’s branding. In the first five months, the hotline received 301 reports, with about 42% requesting follow-up and only about a quarter of those seeking law enforcement referral; most callers instead wanted services such as counseling, housing, or other support. She said common challenges include public confusion about hate crimes versus bias incidents, limited law enforcement bias-response capacity, and gaps in pro bono legal services. Roger Rogoff of the Office of Independent Investigations reported that the agency has grown to 66 employees, including 31 investigators, and has completed six fatal police use-of-force investigations while maintaining family, community, and tribal liaisons. He said the office is now handling only fatality cases, has opened one region of the state, and plans to announce another regional opening and a statewide roadmap, but will need additional investigators to expand further, especially east of the Cascades. He also said the office has reviewed 29 requests to reinvestigate prior cases, but those reviews are time-intensive and require new evidence. The final major topic was public defense caseload standards and the related Blake resentencing work. OPD’s Grace O’Connor said resentencings under State v. Blake are nearly complete, but thousands of vacates remain, and funding reductions in the next biennium would force OPD to scale back direct representation. Tara Nevitt of the Washington State Bar Association and Jason Schwartz of the Snohomish County Office of Public Defense said the new caseload standards reflect modern practice but will require more attorneys, support staff, and technology, while Cindy Aaron Zelsbury of the Washington Defender Association reported that most counties cite lack of funding as the main barrier and that attorney attrition remains high. County and city representatives argued the standards amount to an unfunded mandate that could force dismissals or releases when counsel is unavailable, and they urged substantial state funding to avoid what they described as a public safety crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• this does in terms of notice is it really kind of points back to the agencies, whatever their requirements
• These are just kind of the minimum standard things that they're going to be required to include in those
• They would like to see a way for the Legislature to be able to do a formal notification so that we can
• It would require most of the Legislature to want to make that comment, and it wouldn't invalidate that
• It would require most of the legislature to want to make that comment. and legislature to want to make

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Excessive points that require a one-year suspension.
• Certify speed-inhibiting devices that meet outlined requirements for certification, publish and make
• Requires licensees to affirm that the directive is in effect at each renewal and prohibits ADOT from
• Is there any new equipment requirements? May I answer that?
• Is there any new equipment required, new people required? Is there a fiscal impact? Mr.

Bills: HB2170 , HB2417 , HB2418 , HB2771 , HB2772 , HB4018 , HCR2059

Committees: Senate Public Safety , Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Keywords: procurement, foreign adversary, China, state contracts, information technology, security, speeding, speed limit, traffic enforcement, driver safety, speed inhibiting device, appropriation, law enforcement, task forces, funding, criminal justice, community supervision, rehabilitation, supervision fee, victim compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> districts</c><01:29:54.720><c> also</c> bill requires that school districts also bill requires that
• </c><01:51:55.040><c> I</c> requirement now. Okay. I'm sorry. I requirement now. Okay. I'm sorry.
• </c><01:59:17.400><c> disclosures</c> do require disclosures do require disclosures about<01:59:19.360
• ><c> to</c><02:01:38.080><c> go</c> Instead of requiring parents to go Instead of requiring parents to
• requires requires that<02:30:19.520><c> those</c><02:30:19.800><c> that</c><02:30:19.920><c> are</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a cookie cutter issue and it requires a different solution.
• But if I had one wish today... besides voting for this resolution, it would be to vote to require that
• civics, the folks that are being naturalized know all those questions because that is one of the requirements
• Tribal support for these components, which include in section 59B1A, notification to each California
• Section 3A, upon notification the tribe has elected to consult, local government has 14 days to initiate

Transcript Highlights:

• As written, it requires, um, because I don't have the bill in front of me, it requires every call to
• </c> this bill as I read it would require this bill as I read it would require that<01:11:57.679><c>
• </c> abused, the school district is required abused, the school district is required for<01:14:50.640
• </c> no additional requirements of reporting. no additional requirements of reporting.
• Um, required or necessitated.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:30.160><c> documentary</c> Human Services shall require documentary Human Services shall require
• </c> compliance with the work requirements. compliance with the work requirements.
• </c> that they haven't met the requirement. that they haven't met the requirement. we<00:36:28.160><c
• </c><00:41:47.839><c> us</c><00:41:48.000><c> as</c> requirements that are required of us as requirements
• Um, you is the federal requirement.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an existing law that requires notice of certain health care marketplace transactions be given
• This broadens the list of those transactions that would be subject to that notification requirement,
• This would require bargaining over contributions for supplemental retirement benefits for Department
• It requires they comply with whatever training the Criminal Justice Training Commission requires for
• President, we are required to carry proof of registration for vehicles.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• INCLUDING SCHOOL RESOURCE AUTHORITY OFFICERS AND SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS WILL REQUIRE TRAINING SO FOR
• OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING TO IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE
• FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES INCLUDING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT REQUIRES AN INVESTIGATION.
• THEY ARE REQUIRED TO POST AT LEAST 45 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
• WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL NOTIFICATIONS OF THE AUDITOR GEN.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, there are reporting requirements as well, annual reporting requirements, to the city...
• There are reporting requirements as well, annual reporting requirements, to the city or county and the
• Department of Commerce in order to verify eligibility, and there's also penalties and requirements for
• We're also facing aging infrastructure that requires larger investments to maintain and operate.
• Having different tax rates for the same products also requires more work for the state.

Summary: The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken. HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In support of our federal mission requirements over the next 24 months, deploying Florida National Guard
• Legislatively, we are required to provide this report to this body, to the Senate, and to the Governor
• This requires us to be innovative.
• I get that notification by phone.
• I get that notification by phone.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires the DOC to have a supply of Narcan and facilities, and the Senate has accepted House language
• notification when an offender files a letter of apology.
• </c> crime victims to, uh, require crime victims to, uh, require notification<00:09:02.880><c> when</
• when an offender files, uh, notification when an offender files, uh, a<00:09:05.440><c> letter</c><00
• ,</c> updates to reporting requirements, updates to reporting requirements, extension<01:15:32.000><c

Transcript Highlights:

• Clear notification and engagement with property owners should be required before any action is taken.
• vegetation to meet new requirements can vegetation to meet new requirements can be<00:09:17.320><c> costly
• 10:06.839><c> required</c><00:10:07.200><c> before</c><00:10:07.519><c> any</c> owner should be required
• </c> clearance so because this would require clearance so because this would require that<00:18:13.640
• That's the other requirement.

Summary: The hearing opened with committee procedures and then took up SB 1, relating to vegetation management near utility lines. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it would shift rights, responsibilities, and liability onto the state and private landowners. Hawaiian Electric supported the measure with amendments, describing it as a first step to address wildfire risk and improve public safety and system reliability. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and Command Schools both raised concerns that the bill could impose significant costs, liability, and access burdens on farmers, ranchers, and other landowners, especially where easements are old or unclear. Life of the Land argued the issue belongs before the Public Utilities Commission, and PUC staff explained that the commission is already reviewing Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire mitigation plan and vegetation management in a docket, with a decision expected by September and public meetings scheduled for April 23 and 24. Committee members questioned the need for legislation versus negotiated solutions, and witnesses said private parties could potentially renegotiate easements without statute. The committee then heard HB 1296, relating to disaster recovery. DLNR and OPSD supported the bill, saying it would ease regulatory burdens in post-disaster rebuilding and help speed permit review. Testimony and member questions focused on the bill’s five-year rebuilding timeline, the role of the coastal zone/SMA process, and how long permit reviews typically take; OPSD said SMA major/use permits generally take about six months, while minor permits are faster. Members also discussed whether the bill would apply to existing structures damaged in disasters and whether the amendments from the Attorney General’s office and OPSD were acceptable; no objections were raised. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. HHFDC supported the bill, and testimony from a Maui affordable housing project said the measure is needed to rebuild the Weinberg Court Apartments, a 63-unit affordable project in Lahaina, using insurance funds rather than government money. Members asked whether the bill would help existing affordable rental projects damaged before the enactment of related coastal rules, and the response was that the bill is aimed at existing structures damaged during events and intended to speed rebuilding of affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also remove the requirement for repayment to begin within 90 days and allow the Texas Department
• Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to use fund money for new loans and grants, as long as the required
• HB4341 also includes a grant program to assist these facilities in meeting these requirements.
• This bill would add some additional requirements.
• Then they make the notifications as part of their evaluation for the airspace process.

Bills: HB2564 , HB2760 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3260 , HB3800 , HB4341 , HB4396 , HB5195

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:59:20.960><c> the</c> also saying that we're requiring the also saying that we're requiring the
• It's already a requirement at different levels. It removes the criminal penalty language.
• It's already a requirement at different levels. It removes the criminal penalty language.
• </c><01:26:08.800><c> of</c> non-compliant with the requirements of non-compliant with the requirements
• </c><01:26:17.719><c> because</c> know about these requirements because know about these requirements

Bills: HF1 , HF2

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy