Transcript Highlights:

• to comply with KRS various sections to comply with KRS Chapter<00:01:43.160> 13A.
• <00:09:00.920> to amendment amends various sections to amendment amends various sections to
• sections to comply amends various other sections to comply with<00:10:15.920> the<00:10:16.000
• The staff amendment amends various sections to comply with KRS chapter 13A.
• sections to comply with KRS chapter 13A. sections to comply with KRS chapter 13A.

Keywords: 0:06 - Roll Call 0:30 - Approval of Minutes 0:45 - OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 2:08 - FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CABINET - OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER 2:55 - BOARD OF DENTISTRY 5:30 - BOARD OF OPHTHALMIC DISPENSERS 7:30 - BOARD OF NURSING 8:32 - BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 9:30 - EDUCATION AND LABOR CABINET - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPPORT SERVICES 15:35 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH 18:44 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, HEALTH SERVICES AND FACILITIES 23:39 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES 1:01:46 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS 1:03:46 - Next meeting/adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up a series of administrative regulations from several agencies. Early items included Attorney General consumer protection rules on removal sales, health spas, liquidation sales, and nonresident sellers of visual aid glasses; Finance and Administration Controller rules on clearinghouse validation and fraud prevention; and Board of Dentistry rules updating exam requirements, controlled substance prescribing, training for neuromodulators and dermal fillers, infection control, sedation/anesthesia continuing education, and required education on pediatric abusive head trauma and controlled substance ingestion prevention. The committee also approved staff amendments on these items, generally to conform to KRS Chapter 13A, and members asked a brief question about the dentistry controlled-substances changes, which was answered as an alignment with statute. The committee next approved regulations for the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers, Board of Nursing, and Board of Emergency Medical Services. The ophthalmic dispensers package would revise meeting and recordkeeping language, raise renewal fees, set reinstatement and apprentice-license rules, add complaint and hearing procedures, and repeal a duplicative regulation. The nursing regulations would streamline approval of training programs and require notice and documentation of site visits and deficiencies. EMS rules would create five EMS medical director certifications, set expiration and renewal requirements, require publication of disciplinary sanctions, and exempt currently approved directors before October 1, 2026. Staff amendments were adopted without objection on each set. The Education and Labor Cabinet’s school transportation regulation drew extended discussion. The agency explained the changes were intended to implement Senate Bill 46 and update references affected by later legislation, including an oral amendment to delete a subsection reference tied to KRS 160.380. The committee adopted both the agency and oral amendments without objection after brief questions about the scope of the bill changes and van transportation for students. The committee then heard a lengthy package from the Department for Public Health on WIC and related nutrition program regulations, including updates to infant and child certification periods, documentation requirements, vendor criteria, sanctions, hearing procedures, and high-risk vendor standards. Staff amendments were adopted without objection. Finally, the committee considered the Inspector General’s regulation for freestanding birthing centers, which included both staff and agency amendments. The agency changes would require two neonatal resuscitation program-certified staff, set rules for medical director vacancies and appeals, revise facility and staffing terminology, adjust transfer-agreement requirements, and allow waivers when agreements cannot be secured. Mary Katherine DeLodder of the Kentucky Birth Coalition testified in support, saying the parties had worked through concerns and were ready to move forward. The committee then moved on to Medicaid’s 1915C child waiver regulations, where staff amendments were adopted, but Lucy Heskins of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified against the package because it did not include person-directed services, which she said are required by Kentucky law and important for families using the waiver.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Which section are you looking at? >> Which section are you looking at?
• However, the only statewide section in our office is the appellate section.
• > regard<00:26:05.279> to >> Uh the section with regard to >> Uh the section
• <00:27:02.480> in however the only statewide section in however the only statewide section
• <00:58:11.680> 231-394 interest as provided in section 231-394 interest as provided in section

Bills: SB2040, SB2248, SB2530, SB2732, SB2871, SB2919, SB3076, SB3300, SB3301

Keywords: freedom of speech, elections, campaign finance, non-natural persons, regulated participation, constitutional amendment, financial disclosures, government transparency, public confidence, Senate confirmation, conflicts of interest, state ethics commission, campaign contributions, state contracts, transparency, conflict of interest, government ethics, pretrial release, bail reform, financial ability

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment. SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members. SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies. SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the public section, is 3,500, but the next section is only 2,000.
• , the public section, is 3,500, but the next section is only 2,000.
• , the public section, is 3,500, but the next section is only 2,000.
• , the public section, is 3,500, but the next section is only 2,000.
• , the public section, is 3,500, but the next section is only 2,000.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping about report deadlines and bill scheduling, noting that reports should be submitted as soon as possible, ideally by Friday night, so they can be reviewed and filed on time. The chair explained the process for Democratic and Republican reports, reviewed the timing sheet for early bills, and said the committee was trying to stay on schedule to avoid hearings during vacation week. He also shared his contact information for questions. The committee then moved into executive session on 10 bills. On HB 13, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill after the prime sponsor asked that it be held for possible local action. On HB 127, extending the closing date of OHRV trails on the Connecticut River headquarters property from September 30 to Columbus Day, members debated economic benefits for Pittsburgh versus concerns about local control, conservation easements, and hunting impacts. The committee voted 11-5 ought to pass; the chair noted it would not go on consent and would have a fiscal note. On HB 174, increasing the maximum weight of a utility terrain vehicle to 3,500 pounds unladen dry weight, supporters argued the change could help accommodate electric vehicles and heavier equipment, while opponents raised concerns about undefined terms, enforcement, private landowner rights, and unintended consequences. The committee voted 8-7 ought to pass. On HB 203, requiring C-COT approved personal flotation devices while on New Hampshire state waters, the committee heard a split between members who emphasized personal responsibility and those who said the bill would improve safety and education and could reduce drowning deaths. The motion to ITL failed 11-5, meaning the committee rejected the motion to kill the bill and advanced it instead. The transcript then moved on to HB 332, allowing for the establishment of a village district, but the discussion of that bill was not included in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2048, an act amending Section 13-3602, relating to orders of protection, process service.
• House Bill 2611, an act amending various sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to child
• The Committee on Rules recommends section 8-26-11. Mr.
• House Bill 2198, an act amending Section 13-911, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to restoration of
• House Bill 2764, an act amending Title 15, Chapter 2, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 15

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents and school employees would also be given a written copy of the relevant code section before a
• They wanted to delete Section C3-2, where... ...to delete Section C3-2, where there are two pilot regions
• It's in code section itself is 61-7-7, subparagraph C, new subdivision 5.
• There were two penalty sections, five and seven, and there still are two penalty sections, but we renamed
• The penalties for failure to maintain records—you see that in the section heading there for Section 5

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two states that section one is enforced as provided in that section instead of through the administrative
• the section also lays out misdemeanor the section also lays out civil<00:03:50.200> remedies<
• two states that violation section two states that section<00:04:11.599> one<00:04:11.959>
• one is enforced as provided in section one is enforced as provided in that<00:04:13.920> section<
• of the board uh this particular section of the board uh this particular section of<00:31:48.799>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also recommend amending HRS section 291C-1, to ensure consistent definitions across the statutes,
• We also recommend amending HRS section 291C-1, to ensure consistent definitions across the statutes,
• violation of the section committed within a 2-year period shall result in an additional fine of $350
• <01:15:10.239> committed violation of the section committed violation of the section committed
• Section three, regarding language in section three that the Department of Transportation may establish

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 667 would require DOT or county departments to scan deceased cats or dogs found on public roadways for microchips, record information, and report it to county animal services. DOT said it supported the bill, and the Hawaiʻi Humane Society and others strongly backed it, describing it as important for grieving pet owners. A private citizen also testified in support, saying the measure could help families learn what happened to missing pets. The chair noted there were nine supporters. The committee then heard HB 230 on sending a carbon copy of traffic citations to vehicle owners, followed by HB 77, which would make civil identification cards free to issue or renew. The Attorney General’s office said it had already submitted comments on HB 77, DOT opposed it, and a private citizen supported it as a way to reduce barriers to basic services. HB 668, which would make license suspension mandatory for operating a vehicle without insurance, drew opposition from the Office of the Public Defender and DOT. The Public Defender argued current law already allows suspension and that a mandatory rule would discourage people from obtaining insurance, increase court burdens, and disproportionately affect indigent drivers; the chair emphasized that driving is a privilege and raised concerns about uninsured driving in rural areas. The Public Defender also said it would look into whether state insurance options could help people who cannot get traditional coverage. The committee also took up HB 12, which would bar inspection certificates for mopeds or vehicles modified to increase NOx emissions. DOT offered comments, Citizens Against Noise supported it, and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it; the chair noted six additional supporters and ten opponents. HB 169 would raise the minimum age for moped operators from 15 to 16 and increase the helmet requirement age from 18 to 21; DOT supported it, while Moped Doctors, Moped’s Direct, and seven individuals opposed it. HB 220 would require moped operators to carry insurance under motorcycle/motor scooter insurance laws; DCCA offered comments, DOT supported it, and Moped Doctors and ten individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard HB 277, which would establish a statewide vehicle pursuit policy for law enforcement agencies. The Policing Project at NYU and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi supported the bill, citing national data on deaths and injuries from pursuits and arguing for a baseline limit on pursuits for minor offenses; the Hawaii Police Department and Maui Police Department opposed it. The committee also heard HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture. DOT supported it, while the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill was overly harsh, internally inconsistent, and likely to strain courts, law enforcement, and probation systems by turning a traffic offense into a felony with prison exposure and jury-trial rights. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um in section Eversource rate case.
• Section four of the bill um to this.
• The removal section, the last section on page two, which starts at line 27 and goes through lines 33.
• The removal section, the last section on page two, which starts at line 27 and goes through lines 33.
• The removal section, the last section on page two, which starts at line 27 and goes through lines 33.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this amendment takes one small section this amendment takes one small section of<00:16:58.480>
• <00:17:03.040> um small it's it's a substantial section um small it's it's a substantial section
• other sections um as well. other sections um as well. >> Thank<00:22:22.960> you.
• c><00:33:26.640> exits, sections are confined spaces, exits, sections are confined spaces, exits
• the 1400 rules, examining the sections the 1400 rules, examining the sections and<00:34:03.039><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So can you talk to us more about that section specifically? Sure.
• So Section 9 of the bill, when we were drafting it, right?
• That is what the section of the bill is referencing.
• If Section 5...
• We are opposed to SB 378 and most specifically to Section 18.3.

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2749, an act amending Title 13, Chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 13-
• House Bill 296, an act amending Sections 11-671, 49-202, 49-203, and 49-1243, Arizona Revised Statutes
• House Bill 282: an act amending Section 36-121, Arizona Revised Statutes, amending Title 36, Chapter
• An act amending Section 38-1106, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to law enforcement officers.
• House Bill 2663: An act amending Sections 26-8 and 38-610, relating to military affairs.

Summary: The Senate convened, took attendance, approved the journal, and received gubernatorial communications and nominations. Several nominations were referred to committee, and messages from the House were entered, including transmission of Senate Bills 1058, 1237, and 1294 to the Governor. The chamber recessed for caucus, then reconvened and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2082, HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296 (the transcript also contains some misstatements of bill numbers/titles). Amendments were adopted on HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296, including a Rogers floor amendment to HB 2749 establishing a sunset and a Shope floor amendment to HB 296 making technical and coordination changes related to water infrastructure and the Clean Water Act. The Committee of the Whole reported all of those measures do pass as amended, and the Senate later adopted the report. The Senate then took up additional business, including confirmation votes on gubernatorial nominees. John A. Conley, Ruby Dylan Williams, Thomas J. Connolly, Charles Essex, and Dr. Lynette Levesay were all confirmed. The chamber then passed several House bills on third reading, including HB 2308, HB 4011, HB 2049 as an emergency measure, HB 2253, and HB 2663, with recorded votes largely showing 24 ayes and 0 nays. Committee announcements were made for upcoming Natural Resources and Education meetings. Near adjournment, Senator Epstein gave a personal privilege statement criticizing ICE conduct in a Minnesota case and calling for accountability, and Senator Gonzales thanked her and offered birthday wishes to a family member. The Senate then adopted a motion to notify the Governor of the day’s confirmations and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, subject to earlier recall by the President if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• each other, but there are differences, and so this effort is to put all of those provisions in one section
• So beginning in section one, sections one and two deal with CHIPS cases where there's a request for a
• where we're taking the language out of existing statute and we're recodifying it in a subsequent section
• It also the the new section in the bill.
• Section four is a new provision that addresses compliance hearings.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on House File 4075, a collaborative bill from Rep. Dibble and Chair Moller addressing firearm surrender and related procedures in domestic violence cases. Members were told the committee would not vote on the bill that day; instead, House Research provided a nonpartisan overview of the DE2 amendment. The bill is intended to consolidate scattered domestic violence firearm-surrender provisions into one section of statute and improve follow-up on court orders, which sponsors said had been enforced in fewer than 2% of cases under the 2015 law. Jeff Dibble explained that the bill would apply to CHIPS and order-for-protection cases by requiring petitioners to identify known firearm locations, and by requiring respondents ordered to surrender firearms to also surrender carry and purchase permits. He described provisions allowing surrender to a federal firearms license holder, law enforcement, or a qualified third party, with third-party transfers conducted at a law enforcement agency and supervised or video recorded. The bill also includes proof-of-transfer paperwork, third-party affidavits, and a declaration for people who do not possess firearms. A new compliance-hearing requirement would have courts hold a hearing within 10 business days after a surrender order to confirm compliance, with protections against self-incrimination. Dibble also noted clarifying language making clear that when a court bars possession of a specific firearm, the person is barred from possessing any firearm, plus conforming changes in domestic assault harassment and pretrial release provisions. The meeting ended after the presentation, with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill amends certain sections to create a level 6, third-degree felony offense for a person 18 years
• First, it amends Section 893 to add 7-OH concentrated at a level above 400 parts per million on a dry
• And fourth and finally, the bill amends Section 893.135 to create a first-degree felony for trafficking
• It also proposes changes to several sections of Chapter 943 to clarify the duties and responsibilities
• It also proposes changes to several sections of Chapter 943 to clarify the duties and responsibilities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard and approved several bills. SB 504 and its related public records bill SB 506, both by Sen. Burgess, would allow local governments to authorize code enforcement officers to use body cameras under standardized policies and create a public records exemption for certain recordings; members raised questions about disclosure and when cameras may be used, and both bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 32 and SB 210 by Sen. Sharif, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and extending public records protections to petitions under that injunction category. Supporters included law enforcement, women’s advocacy groups, and justice organizations. The committee then favorably reported SB 676 by Sen. Arrington, which creates a graduated penalty structure for adults who involve minors in certain animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties related to fighting or baiting animals. SB 432 by Sen. Yarbrough was also approved; it adds certain concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I, exempts FDA-approved veterinary xylazine products, creates penalties for candy-like xylazine products, and establishes trafficking penalties for xylazine. Sen. Osgood spoke in support of the bill, emphasizing the dangers of adulterated street drugs for people with substance use disorder. Finally, the committee approved SB 524 by Sen. Simon, which makes a series of technical and administrative changes affecting the Medical Examiners Commission, district medical examiner appointments, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and notice procedures for administrative complaints. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement appeared in support. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you believe that that section will increase C-sections to potentially save a probably doomed fetus
• It says it in the next section.
• I'm talking about the very next section, Section 405, dealing with jurisdiction, says a court of this
• Section 171A.407, liability for violation.
• Person from bringing an action under this section.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2 [00:17:16.069]: Section 3 [00:17:31.750]: Section 4 [00:17:47.950]: Section 5 [00:18:06.830
• ]: Section 6 [00:18:25.710]: Section 7 [00:18:41.950]: Section 8 [00:19:00.190]: Section 9 [00:19:15.190
• ]: Section 10 [00:19:31.669]: Section 11 [00:19:50.630]: Section 12 [00:20:05.789]: Section 13 [00:20
• :22.350]: Section 14 [00:20:40.070]: Section 15 [00:20:56.909]: Section 16 [00:21:12.549]: Section 17
• [00:21:28.190]: Section 18 [00:21:45.909]: Section 19 [00:22:01.870]: Section 20 [00:22:20.070]: uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1107 enact, Enacted, Section 384 and 41-1822. tears.
• Senate Bill 1020, an act amending sections 28-5851 and 28-2042, Arizona statutes, relating to special
• Senate Bill 1029, an act amending sections 16-933, 16-934, and 16-937, Arizona statutes, relating to
• 33-1261.01; amending title 33, chapter 16, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 33
• Section 41-3027-2828-2782-2828-2782-21. We're talking about it.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guests and issued proclamations, including honors for the Maryvale High School basketball program and Maryvale’s gifted and talented micro school, a Black History Month proclamation, and a remembrance for Emily Pike, with Senator Hatathlie urging continued attention to missing and murdered Indigenous people and to changes in the turquoise alert law. The chamber also marked Arizona’s statehood anniversary with cake for members and staff. The body then moved through Committee of the Whole and third-reading action on several bills. SB 1107, relating to peace officer certification pathways, was amended in committee and passed 27-2-1. SB 1032, appropriating money to the Corrections Oversight Fund, passed 29-0-1 after supportive explanations from senators. SB 1083 on condominiums and planned communities, SB 1252 on assignment for benefit of creditors, and SB 1259 on campaign-related provisions all passed 29-0-1. SB 1198, relating to the Arizona Beef Council, passed 23-6-1 after debate over whether the council used tax dollars or industry checkoff dollars. SB 1020, relating to special plates, initially passed 26-3-1 but was later reconsidered at Senator Bolick’s request and then passed again 25-4-1. The Senate also requested the House return SBs 1333 and 1368 for reconsideration. Committee meetings were announced for the following Monday, and the chamber adjourned until February 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Gross, Senate Bill 2401, a bill for an act to create a new subdivision to subsection 2 of Section
• Line 28, there's a section later that allows for the epinephrine, like if you think an EpiPen.
• a new subsection to Section 43-48-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prescriptive
• Pharmacists and therapeutic substitution; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of Section 26.1-36.11-01
• ; to repeal Section 43-15-25.3 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to approved laboratory tests

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage. Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced. Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, with SB 1864 though, we are extremely concerned about one section and that would be section D.
• Hey, just to be clear on, uh, section.
• We had talked about this section before, um, Section F, um, it would basically the way I read it, it
• Um, there is an A, and I missed that there is a section that it is only classifying to B and section
• We talked about, uh, the section of the bill, I think it's Section D, that puts a cap of $50 per year

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's section one. Section 2 is on the program. And so that's Section 1.
• Section 2 is on the program evaluation of child care services.
• So like if you look at Section 1, Legislative Management Study, Child Care Provider Licensing.
• And as Senator Larson, I think section three is appropriate because they're reporting to us.
• So the two amendments I'm hearing are on four, and we'll check on Section 2.

Bills: HB1220

Keywords: accelerated degree, high-demand occupations, education reform, North Dakota, licensing, 908, all

Summary: The Workforce Development Committee reconvened to discuss House Bill 1119, which would create a child care advisory committee and authorize a Legislative Council program evaluation of child care services. Senator Hogan explained that the bill is intended to review child care licensing rules, child care assistance, and related laws and policies, while also giving child care providers a stronger voice in the rulemaking process. He described the proposal as a new model for legislative program evaluation and noted that leadership had been briefed and was supportive. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s wording, scope, and structure. Senator Larson questioned the title and several sections, and multiple members suggested making the response language less directive and more collaborative, including changing “shall” to “may” in the section requiring a written response from the Department of Health and Human Services. Members also discussed limiting the advisory committee to the interim, clarifying that the evaluation would focus on child care services rather than broader early childhood programs, and adjusting language about enacted legislation to sound more neutral. The committee also discussed fiscal impact, with Hogan saying the evaluation would be done by Legislative Council staff and that any costs would likely be limited to meetings and existing DHS rulemaking activities. Members compared the proposal to other oversight models, including audit-style reviews and a possible DOGE process, and Hogan emphasized that the bill is meant to evaluate why child care issues keep recurring and why some laws are not fully implemented. No vote was taken; the committee agreed to continue refining the bill and planned to meet again the following Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, Section 4203 of the penal code prohibits a person from...
• The committee substitute amends a drafting error in section. one of the bill.
• 3, I'm sorry, Section 3 on page H2, the bill amends the text code.
• in the committee substitute is now a different section.
• And so it describes the activities identified in that section.

Bills: SB682, SB1013, SB1369, SB1422, SB2001, SB2080, SB2366, SB2705, SB2841

Keywords: memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision