Transcript Highlights:

• move to um my amendment move to um my amendment >> question.
• So, amendment A7. Yes.
• Um, I encourage members to vote yes on this amendment. amendment that that that person couldn't amendment
• amendment. Thank you. amendment. Thank you.
• amendment is not adopted. amendment is not adopted.

Bills: HF3874, HF962

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch

Transcript Highlights:

• motion is ought to pass with amendment. motion is ought to pass with amendment.
• So the amendment is adopted. I 150. 150. So the amendment is adopted.
• Chairman. amended for House Bill 218. amended for House Bill 218.
• and 146 we're meeting on an amendment. and 146 we're meeting on an amendment.
• In the amendment. The amendment says amend the bill by replacing section one.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:13:22.240> amendment<00:13:22.720> is The amendment is The amendment is 1084H<00
• the amendments adopted. the amendments adopted.
• The amendment<05:26:46.440> is amendment is amendment is 0318H<05:26:49.200> printed<05
• The amendment is adopted. it. The amendment is adopted.
• Amendment. Amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 107 amendment is my amendment.
• Chair, C1 and C2 are amendments. The amendments are identical.
• Chair, Adams, C1 and C2 are amendments. The amendments are identical.
• The amendment is adopted. Now we need a motion to pass as amended.
• This is on page 3, as amended. Sorry, do pass as amended.

Summary: The committee first reviewed a long list of House and Senate bills that were ready to be passed out, then heard a special language subcommittee report. The report recommended do pass on six bills, including SB 63, SB 67, SB 73, HB 1089, HB 1090, and HB 1093, and amendments on 11 others. A motion to pull HB 107 out for separate consideration failed, and the special language report was adopted. The committee then took up the Revenue Stabilization Law and schedule. Staff explained the schedule’s differences from the governor’s balanced budget proposal and described several fund transfers, including $100 million for Medicaid sustainability, $70 million for the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom account, $43.7 million for the general discretionary majority vote set-aside, $5 million for the motor vehicle set-aside, and two $150 million transfers related to the Quick Action Closing Fund and public highway improvements. Members asked for clarification on allocations, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed both House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 as amended. Representative McClendon then presented a bill to support expansion of the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor, but withdrew it, saying he would seek other funding sources. The committee then moved through the remaining captioned bills, including House Bills 105, 107, 1008, 1022, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1051, 1052, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1089, 1090, and 1093, and Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 41, 43, 58, 63, 67, and 77, generally passing them with little or no discussion, some as amended. The chair announced that all prior holds had been released and said the next Joint Budget Committee meeting would be Tuesday for peer issues only, then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further amendment, amendment number 040. Objection. Amendment number 0498 is withdrawn.
• Further amendment, amendment number 0499.
• Amendment number 0499 is withdrawn. Further amendment, amendment number 0500.
• Amendment at the desk, Amendment Number 0501, the Secretary will read.
• Amendment at the desk, Amendment Number 0501, the Secretary will read.

Summary: The Senate opened with a moment of silence for Senator Chris Gildon and his family after the death of his wife, Autumn. It then took up several bills on final passage, beginning with Substitute House Bill 2020, which establishes a 3.1% B&O tax rate for payment card processing activities and allows a deduction for certain related fees. Supporters said it resolves a long-running dispute with the Department of Revenue; it passed 47-0. The chamber also passed House Bill 2039, delaying the child support pass-through expansion from 2026 to 2029, and House Bill 2040, delaying the elimination of recoveries from the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Assistance Program from October 2025 to October 2028. Supporters framed both as timing changes, while opponents argued they would postpone benefits for families and vulnerable people. Both bills passed 25-22. Substitute House Bill 2051, dealing with payment to acute care hospitals for difficult-to-discharge patients, passed 27-20 after several proposed amendments were withdrawn. Supporters said the bill helps hospitals care for patients who have nowhere else to go, while opponents argued the state should not delay payment support for these patients. The Senate also passed In Gross Substitute House Bill 2061, imposing a 10% concession fee on duty-free sales to fund tourism promotion and sustainable aviation fuel, over objections that it was a tax increase passed on to consumers. Finally, Substitute House Bill 2077, which taxes certain business activities related to zero-emission vehicle credits, passed 28-19 after an amendment to remove or narrow parts of the tax was rejected. Supporters said the measure would encourage spending of credits and support clean transportation goals, while opponents called it a targeted tax on Tesla and warned it could raise EV prices. The Senate then concurred in amended Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1293, a litter and plastic bag measure that increases litter penalties and keeps the planned bag-thickness increase from taking effect, and passed it 27-20. The Senate adjourned until April 27, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I do have an author's amendment. Representative Olson, is yours the A2 amendment? It is.
• discuss the amendment and take the Thank you to the bill as amended.
• Hopefully, it is viewed as a friendly amendment, and that is what the amendment does.
• Those opposed, the motion prevails, and the bill is now amended with the A3 amendment.
• Those opposed, the motion prevails, and the bill is now amended with the A3 amendment.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs. Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments to it. amendments to it.
• to the amendment. to the amendment.
• to<03:31:25.160> it this amendment had a amendment to it this amendment had a amendment to
• Senate Bill 6 as amended, 48 as amended, 113 as amended, 134, 146, 147, and 163 as amended pass on second
• amended, 48 as amended, Senate Bill 6 as amended, 48 as amended, 113<04:39:28.199> as<04:39:28.279

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and heard several announcements and recognitions. Members marked World Ovarian Cancer Day, promoted Cinco de Mayo and a related potluck, welcomed DeMolay International guests, and recognized correctional officers and employees during Corrections Officers and Employees Week. Several committees also announced upcoming meetings and bill hearings, including Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Transportation, Housing, and Local Government, Capital Development, and Appropriations. Committee reports were read, including favorable recommendations on several bills and a postponement indefinitely of House Joint Resolution 1029. The Majority Leader then moved a slate of bills to special orders, and the House agreed without objection. The chamber then proceeded to floor consideration of Senate Bill 134, concerning payment card network fees. Senate Bill 134 drew debate over whether merchants should continue paying swipe fees on the tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters said the bill would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and restaurants, with estimated savings of $8,000 to $10,000 per business and about $217 million statewide. Opponents argued the bill shifted costs to banks and could have unintended consequences, suggesting the state should instead directly pay or reimburse the fees. After debate, the House passed Senate Bill 134 by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Amendment L001.
• discussion on the amendment? discussion on the amendment?
• This is a good amendment amendment amendment and<02:27:48.800> it<02:27:49.040> should<
• ; House Bill 1183 is amended; House Bill 1241 is amended; House Bill 1308 is amended; House Bill 1331
• . amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and heard several announcements about committee schedules and Capitol events, including Faith and Justice Lobby Day, Agriculture Week activities, and a tribute presentation for Sergeant Benjamin Pennington. The tribute honored Pennington’s Army service, his time at Fort Carson, and his death from injuries sustained in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base; he was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. A member also offered remarks recognizing the sacrifice of service members, and taps was played. The chamber then took up third reading and final passage on multiple bills. Senate Bill 39, concerning Fire and Police Pension Association disability and survivor benefits, passed 63-1. House Bill 1311, regarding use of a bond in lieu of retainage in construction contracts, passed 55-1 after a brief explanation of support from a member. House Bill 1184, continuing the Colorado Forest Health Council, passed 50-1; House Bill 1305, on inpatient behavioral health access, passed 64-0; and House Bill 1234, on access to child abuse or neglect records, passed 64-0. Senate Bill 50, requiring certain child care center policy disclosures to caregivers, passed 56-8. Senate Bill 84, preserving privileges for certain state entities in connection with information provided to the state auditor and fraud hotline duties, passed 42-12. House Bill 1186, continuing regulation of bail bonding agents by the Division of Insurance, passed 61-13. House Bill 1181, continuing the Barber and Cosmetologist Act, passed 51-13 after a member requested removal of their name as a co-sponsor. The House also moved Senate Bill 21 back to the general orders calendar and set several bills as special orders. In the House Special Committee on Legislative Interim Activities, House Bill 1331 was heard; the appropriations committee report was adopted after members noted a roughly $400,000 general fund reduction and a 3.3 FTE staffing reduction. The bill itself would suspend 10 interim committees, repeal two committees, and limit travel and per diem reimbursements to help address the budget gap. Supporters said the measure was similar to last year’s bill and encouraged continued policy work outside formal interim committees, while opponents argued that some committees, especially those related to water, behavioral health, and youth, should be preserved and questioned the prioritization of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• report on uh amendment 2026-1065s. report on uh amendment 2026-1065s.
• . on my amendment.
• I move the amendment. We have a motion on the amendment. I will second it.
• >> I move the amendment. >> I move the amendment.
• <00:33:55.120> amendment Um, all in favor of amending amendment Um, all in favor of amending

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the amendment.
• And then I'll address the amendment.
• I didn't have the amendment ready by the deadline, but there is an amendment that I am working on.
• And we have an amendment.”
• The bill is amended now.”

Bills: HB2099, HB2263, HB2264, HB2330, HB2341, HB2492, HB2757, HB2782, HB2843, HB2889, HB2912, HB2915, HB2918, HB4025, HB4100, HCR2020, HCR2057

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project

Summary: The committee heard a series of water, energy, housing, and environmental bills, with several measures amended before passage. House Bill 2099, as amended, would limit long-term storage credits and related CAP water storage during declared Colorado River shortages; water utilities, CAP, Phoenix, and other water interests raised concerns about flexibility, contracts, and the law of the river, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to address shortage conditions. The committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed the bill 6-3. House Bill 2263, also amended, would restrict where Colorado River water diverted for replenishment in an AMA may be stored; CAP, tribal counsel, and AMWA opposed it as too restrictive and potentially excluding existing facilities, but the bill passed 6-3 after amendment. House Bill 2264, requiring the University of Arizona to promote Arizona history and the five Cs through the mining museum, passed unanimously. House Bill 2330 and House Bill 2341, both concerning certificates of environmental compatibility for energy projects, passed 6-3 after amendments expanding siting factors to include character of an area and known off-takers, respectively. House Bill 2918, which would end certain tax benefits for renewable energy and storage equipment after 2026, also passed 6-3. House Bill 2889, appropriating $1 million for uranium contamination monitoring and a statewide registry with tribal epidemiology partnerships, passed unanimously after discussion about moving the program to ADEQ and adjusting the reporting date. House Bill 2492, which would bar state and local urban growth boundaries that prevent new development, passed narrowly 4-3 with one present and two absent. House Bill 2782, focused on utility rate transparency and regulatory assets, passed 5-3 after a late amendment and a motion to suspend committee rules for amendment distribution. House Bill 4025, creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refineries, passed 6-3, and HCR 2057 supporting a geothermal permitting roadmap passed unanimously. HCR 2020, supporting housing developments outside designated service areas under certain groundwater conditions, passed 6-2. House Bill 4100, requiring notice to customers about potential water-rate increases if CAP water is lost, drew concerns about public confusion and negotiation impacts; testimony from municipal water users opposed the bill as too speculative and difficult to implement, and the transcript ends while that bill is still under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• All in favor of the amendment say aye. The amendment is adopted.
• All right, the amendment is adopted. We are back on the bill as amended.
• All in favor of the amendment say yay. The amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amended.
• All in favor of the amendment say, yay. The amendment is adopted.
• All in favor of the amendment say, yay. The amendment is adopted.

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills first and reported both favorably without debate. SB 20, relating to relief of J.N., a minor, would pay the remaining $400,000 of a $600,000 settlement after an 11-year-old was injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk with a known defect; SB 14, relating to the estate of Pineal Januier, would authorize payment of the remaining $1.7 million of a $2 million settlement after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. Both bills were supported by the sponsors and the Senate Special Master’s favorable recommendations, and both passed on roll call votes. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, both by Senator Avila, which would create a new property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead residential property for more than six months in order to encourage more affordable rental housing. Local governments, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, impacts on public safety and services, and uncertainty for local budgets; several senators also questioned whether landlords would pass savings on to renters and whether the measure would worsen density and parking issues. Despite the opposition, both measures were reported favorably after the sponsor said the bills would be refined and revised. SB 674, by Senator Wright, was reported favorably with support from property appraisers who said it would let them budget and pay hiring or retention bonuses, similar to authority already given to tax collectors, to help compete for specialized staff. CS for CS SB 268, by Senator Jones, also passed after an amendment adding congressional members; the bill would create a public-records exemption for certain home-address information for elected officials, and debate centered on balancing transparency with safety after members described death threats and harassment. The committee then approved SB 100, by Senator Fine, which would bar government buildings from displaying flags representing political viewpoints and allow active or retired military or National Guard members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag; the bill drew extensive opposition from transparency, civil rights, and LGBTQ advocates who argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride flags, while supporters said government should not endorse political messages. Finally, CS for SB 1664, by Senator Trumbull, was reported favorably after a strike-all amendment. The bill would require voter reapproval every eight years for certain local discretionary taxes, including tourist development taxes and some local option taxes, unless pledged to revenue bonds. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the lodging industry opposed it, saying the measure would create uncertainty, threaten tourism marketing and beach restoration funding, and make long-term infrastructure and debt planning difficult. Senator Trumbull argued the proposal simply gives voters a recurring chance to decide whether they still support the taxes and the projects they fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll begin with the author's amendment first, amendment A12.
• me A15 amendment does. me A15 amendment does.
• . amendment. amendment.
• or her amendment. or her amendment.
• The amendment is not adopted. amendment would require that the amendment would require that the ondemand

Bills: HF3553, HF3513, HF3576

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment is adopted. Please move the bill as amended.
• The amendment is adopted. Please move the strike-everything state amendment as amended.
• The amendment to the strike-everything amendment is adopted. Please move the bill as amended.
• The amendment has failed. Please move the bill as amended.
• The amendment is adopted. Please move the bill as amended.

Bills: HB2093, HB2370, HB2376, HB2380, HB2381, HB2383, HB2423, HB2481, HB2621, HB2895, HB4005, HB4043, HB4109

Keywords: mental health, school curriculum, education policy, instruction requirements, statute repeal, charter schools, education, weapons detection, public safety, school administration, school districts, real estate transactions, school property, bond issuance, land use approval, capital improvements, school governance, board meetings, education funding, parental notification

Summary: The committee first approved the March 18, 2026 minutes and then considered the nomination of John Snyder to the State Board for Charter Schools. Snyder described his background in municipal finance, charter school financings, and prior service with Arizona charter school organizations and the Arizona School for the Arts. Members asked about how his finance experience would help the board’s oversight role, and the committee voted 6-0 with one not voting to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard HB 2093, which would remove the statutory requirement that health education include mental health instruction tied to multiple dimensions of health and would repeal related consultation requirements in 2037. The sponsor argued the bill would remove social-emotional learning from schools and return mental health matters to parents, while opponents, including students, a suicide-loss parent, and youth mental health advocates, said school-based mental health education saves lives and should remain available with parental opt-out. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give the bill a do pass recommendation. Several school safety and education bills followed. HB 4043, requiring at least one campus employee trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use where applicable, passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor and school administrators. HB 4005, requiring instruction on ethical and educational uses of artificial intelligence in school districts beginning in 2027-28, passed 4-3 despite opposition from the Arizona Education Association over unfunded mandate concerns. HB 2895, allowing Native American language proficiency to satisfy a world language requirement and adding language clarifying districts are not required to offer such courses, passed unanimously as amended. HB 2383, renaming trampoline court safety legislation as Ty’s Law, also passed unanimously as amended. The committee also advanced HB 4109, a school public safety and notification bill requiring district safety policies, parent and law enforcement notification after life-threatening violence or weapon incidents, annual public safety reporting, and misdemeanor penalties for noncompliance. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters cited delayed or inadequate notification in serious incidents, while opponents argued the bill was too broad and criminalized administrators. The bill passed 4-3. The committee then approved HB 2376, appropriating $40 million for the school safety program and prioritizing school resource officers and school safety officers, and HB 2380, requiring greater public access to governing board meetings, materials, video, and out-of-state travel approvals; both passed 4-3. Finally, the committee began considering HB 2381, a major strike-everything amendment on career technical education district governance and funding, along with a follow-up amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Penalty Amendments. Penalty Amendments.
• before we get to the amend to amendment. before we get to the amend to amendment.
• . amendment. amendment.
• amendment. We have amendment read in. amendment. We have amendment read in.
• committee amendment read in? committee amendment read in?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . amended. amended.
• <00:03:31.440> that amended by the A1 and A2 amendments that amended by the A1 and A2 amendments
• , we can't amend the amendment to the amendment.
• , we can't amend the amendment to the amendment.
• , we can't amend the amendment to the amendment.

Bills: HF4252

Keywords: higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration

Transcript Highlights:

• , amendment one, the title amendment, amendment one, the title amendment, Representative<00:06:36.960
• of House Floor Amendment 1.
• floor amendment one to House Bill 264. floor amendment one to House Bill 264.
• by House floor Bill 264 as amended by House floor amendment<00:41:20.480> one.
• amendment one. amendment one.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:05:32 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:06:28 Orders of the Day 00:08:06 HB 459 00:08:16 HB 293 00:10:44 HB 379 00:20:16 HB 526 00:24:16 HB 264 00:39:32 HB 448 00:43:37 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:46:17 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 00:57:26 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 00:58:27 ConC/Rules Report 01:01:42 Floor Amendments 01:03:00 Adjournment 01:03:24, 958, all

Summary: The House convened, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were offered, a quorum was established, absent members were excused, and the journal was approved. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed several bills and requested concurrence. Members then reviewed a slate of second-reading measures, including bills on child care, gubernatorial transitions, campaign finance, local public agency transactions, unclaimed property, state contracts, mental health treatment, economic development, aviation task force continuation, and a child care study resolution. The House then took up and passed House Bill 459 on licensed occupations. The sponsor said the bill would require licensure boards to collect workforce data and would recognize certain out-of-state marriage and family therapists who meet Kentucky standards. House Bill 293 on vehicle wheels was also passed after its sponsor explained it was narrowed to require rubber on heavier horse-drawn equipment to reduce road damage while exempting lighter personal transportation; it passed 80-8. House Bill 379 on postsecondary education passed unanimously after a committee substitute added provisions on governing board attendance, collection of enrollment-related debts by the Department of Revenue, formalizing Northern Kentucky University’s role with the Center for Mathematics, and allowing preliminary presidential evaluations in closed session. House Bill 526 on members of the bar generated the most debate. A floor amendment was adopted to add explanatory language and delay the bill’s effective date until July 1, 2027. Supporters argued the bill would make bar membership voluntary while preserving Supreme Court authority over admission and discipline; opponents warned it would weaken attorney oversight and public protection. A motion to suspend the rules to consider another amendment failed 22-? against the required 51 votes. The bill then passed 70-21. House Bill 264 on theft by deception was also advanced after a floor amendment added vacant lots to the property covered by the bill’s fraud presumption; the sponsor said it targets real estate scams involving property listed without authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• the amendments. >> Was.
• discussion of the A28 amendment? discussion of the A28 amendment?
• on the amendment.
• the amendment? the amendment?
• I will have a DE amendment. Uh we have I will have a DE amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk of the House announced the House amended and passed...
• I move the Senate concur in the House amendment to Senate Bill 200.
• , establishing the First Amendment Preservation Act.
• I move the Senate concur in the House amendments to Senate Bill 531.
• I move the Senate concur in the House amendment to Senate Bill 641.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of House amendments and effective-date changes on several bills and largely concurred with the House changes. SB 4, relating to crimes against public justice, was amended to restore a cleaner definition of harassment and then passed 31-2. SB 59, on voter eligibility and residency requirements, was concurred in and passed 33-0, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. SB 104, concerning state mine inspectors, had its effective date set to July 1, 2026 by a 33-0 vote, and SB 200, increasing penalties for assault on public service workers, law enforcement officers, and police animals, was concurred in and passed 33-0. SB 481, relating to elections, was made effective from passage by a 33-0 vote, and SB 531, the First Amendment Preservation Act, was amended to add entities associated with foreign adversaries and passed 31-2, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to SB 641 on above-ground storage tanks, narrowing the bill to brine water storage and reducing tank capacity thresholds; it passed 25-8. SB 645, prohibiting surprise billing for ground emergency medical services, was amended to reflect a lower reimbursement rate and removal of some balance-billing language, then passed 29-4. SB 800, clarifying jury service policy to allow some people with expunged or pardoned convictions to serve, passed 31-2. SB 878, creating the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Secretary of State’s office, was concurred in, passed 30-4, and made effective July 1, 2026 by a 34-0 vote. Later, the Rules Committee reported House Bill 5381, a measure to develop a comprehensive energy development policy and plan for the Office of Energy, recommending it do pass. The Senate advanced the bill to third reading with the right to amend. The session then moved to remarks and adjourned until the next day at 11 a.m., with the Rules Committee scheduled to meet at 10:45 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• My amendment is just a clarifying amendment from conversations with the CPAs.
• As a reminder, members, the Mesnard Amendment is just a clarifying amendment regarding the retroactivity
• Epstein, do you want to move your amendment? Epstein, do you want to move your amendment?
• Any discussion on the amendment?
• Nobody has to file an amended return.

Bills: SB1638

Keywords: taxation, income tax, internal revenue code, deductions, tax benefits, retroactive, standard deduction, 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up SB 1638, a tax conformity bill that would update Arizona’s tax code to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and incorporate federal changes from 2025. The bill also included individual income tax subtractions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, along with changes to the standard deduction and charitable contribution deduction. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether Arizona should conform broadly to federal changes or limit the bill to more targeted, temporary provisions. Two amendments were considered. The chair’s amendment was described as clarifying only, addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language, and it was adopted. Senator Epstein’s amendment would have removed the broader conformity provisions and the modified charitable deduction, limited the standard deduction change to tax year 2025, and kept the individual subtractions; she argued the business-related conformity items mainly benefited corporations and should be negotiated in the budget. Opponents said the amendment would create unnecessary recalculations and uncertainty for taxpayers and businesses, while supporters of the underlying bill said conformity was needed quickly to match Department of Revenue forms and avoid filing-season confusion. Epstein’s amendment failed. Public testimony split along similar lines. Business and tax group representatives supported prompt conformity, saying taxpayers and small businesses needed certainty and that the department’s forms should be codified. Opponents argued the bill would reduce state revenue substantially and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations, while diverting money from education, child care, and health care. After debate, the committee voted to move SB 1638 as amended with a do-pass recommendation, passing it by about 4-3, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's offering the amendment? I've got the amendment, Mr. Chair.
• Who who who's offering the amendment? amendment? amendment?
• That's that's in your amendment. amendment. amendment. >> That's<00:07:15.280> correct.
• as amended twice. as amended twice.
• . amendment. amendment.

Bills: HB304, HB285, HB312, HB311, SB60

Keywords: impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law