Transcript Highlights:

• Out of our budget that we sent to schools to help reduce property taxes, we spent $3 billion.
• So we've spent a lot of, about 21% of our entire budget now goes to lowering property taxes, but a lot
• We have to be careful how we spend it, so it's spent on one-time things for the most part like we.

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, and you may not know, but in 2017, we had spent about $2 billion in property tax relief, which
• There are very few things where we can invest money and receive a $4 return for every dollar spent.
• We invest and we brought Samsung, along with the billions of dollars that they've spent.

Bills: SJR12 , SCR39 , SB27 , SB29 , SB241 , SB406 , SB414 , SB464 , SB568 , SB578 , SB609 , SB660 , SB689 , SB693 , SB785 , SB857 , SB879 , SB921 , SB922 , SB955 , SB985 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1059 , SB1098 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1494 , SB1536 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1741 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR81 , SJR50 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB406 , SB689 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB504 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB241 , SB304 , SB1023 , SB204 , SB609 , SB670 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB447 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB1215 , SB1302 , SB583 , SB673 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB955 , SB957 , SB1120 , SB541 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB53 , SB1352 , SB785 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB711 , SB746 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB667 , SB1059 , SB1567 , SB310 , SB311 , SB505 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1470 , SB264 , SB1029 , SB1358 , SB1364 , SB1569 , SB1376 , SB1228 , SB519 , SB1350 , SB462 , SB827 , SB1585 , SB1396 , SB1484 , SB1273 , SB1741 , SB927 , SB1227 , SB1229 , SB1353 , SB1464 , SB1709 , SB1729 , SB1733 , SB1744 , SB1772 , SB1841 , SB2188 , SB1147 , SB879 , SB1008 , SB1536 , SB2016 , SB1453 , SB1173 , SB1163 , SB996 , SB27 , SB568 , SB1370 , SB1321 , SB1101 , SB860 , SB993 , SB693 , SB1610 , SB1537 , SB1332 , SB1307 , SB963 , SB493 , SB922 , SB984 , SB619 , SB1098 , SB1122 , SB455 , SB522 , SB1057 , SB1239 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1259 , SB1341 , SB1664 , SB1877 , SB464 , SB1277 , SB32 , SB732 , SB660 , SB731 , SB921 , SB268 , SB1822 , SB1188 , SB1589 , SB397 , SB2230 , SB1058 , SB1036 , SB1267 , SB2112 , SB1930 , SB532 , SB1035 , SB2155 , SB508 , SB29 , SB292 , SB291 , SB901 , SB1333 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB964 , SB779 , SB1378 , SB2312 , SB1719 , SB1386 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB1245 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1948 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB1882 , SB1197 , SB1814 , SB618 , SB38 , SB393 , SB2065 , SB1371 , SB1394 , SB1365 , SB2243 , SB2226 , SB2039 , SB1919 , SB1895 , SB1598 , SB1493 , SB1810 , SB1791 , SB1706 , SB1644 , SB1238 , SB783 , SB458 , SB22 , SB651 , SB897 , SB1809 , SB1080 , SB745 , SB826 , SB989 , SB1320 , SB1437 , SB2320 , SB2289 , SB1171 , SB664 , SB1637 , SB27 , SB29 , SB857 , SB879 , SB922 , SB1098 , SB1453 , SB1536 , SB1741 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB406 , SB689 , SJR12 , SR358 , SR361 , SR362 , SR368 , SJR74 , SJR76 , SB2408 , SB2409 , SB2461 , SB2462 , SB2463 , SB2464 , SB2465 , SB2466 , SB2467 , SB2468 , SB2469 , SB2470 , SB2471 , SB2472 , SB2473 , SB2474 , SB2475 , SB2476 , SB2477 , SB2478 , SB2479 , SB2480 , SB2481 , SB2482 , SB2483 , SB2484 , SB2485 , SB2486 , SB2487 , SB2488 , SB2489 , SB2490 , SB2491 , SB2492 , SB2493 , SB2494 , SB2495 , SB2496 , SB2497 , SB2498 , SB2499 , SB2500 , SB2501 , SB2502 , SB2503 , SB2504 , SB2505 , SB2506 , SB2507 , SB2508 , SB2509 , SB2510 , SB2511 , SB2512 , SB2513 , SB2514 , SB2515 , SB2516 , SB2517 , SB2518 , SB2519 , SB2520 , SB2521 , SB2522 , SB2523 , SB2524 , SB2525 , SB2526 , SB2527 , SB2528 , SB2529 , SB2530 , SB2531 , SB2532 , SB2533 , SB2534 , SB2535 , SB2536 , SB2537 , SB2538 , SB2539 , SB2540 , SB2541 , SB2542 , SB2543 , SB2544 , SB2545 , SB2546 , SB2547 , SB2548 , SB2549 , SB2550 , SB2551 , SB2552 , SB2553 , SB2554 , SB2555 , SB2556 , SB2557 , SB2558 , SB2560 , SB2561 , SB2562 , SB2563 , SB2565 , SB2566 , SB2567 , SB2568 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB2571 , SB2572 , SB2573 , SB2574 , SB2575 , SB2576 , SB2577 , SB2578 , SB2579 , SB2580 , SB2581 , SB2582 , SB2583 , SB2584 , SB2585 , SB2586 , SB2587 , SB2588 , SB2589 , SB2590 , SB2591 , SB2592 , SB2593 , SB2594 , SB2595 , SB2596 , SB2597 , SB2598 , SB2599 , SB2600 , SB2601 , SB2602 , SB2603 , SB2604 , SB2605 , SB2606 , SB2607 , SB2608 , SB2609 , SB2610 , SB2611 , SB2612 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB2615 , SB2616 , SB2617 , SB2618 , SB2619 , SB2620 , SB2621 , SB2622 , SB2625 , SB2626 , SB2627 , SB2628 , SB2629 , SB2630 , SB2631 , SB2632 , SB2633 , SB2634 , SB2635 , SB2636 , SB2637 , SB2638 , SB2639 , SB2640 , SB2641 , SB2642 , SB2643 , SB2644 , SB2645 , SB2646 , SB2647 , SB2648 , SB2649 , SB2650 , SB2651 , SB2652 , SB2653 , SB2654 , SB2655 , SB2656 , SB2657 , SB2658 , SB2659 , SB2660 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2663 , SB2664 , SB2665 , SB2666 , SB2667 , SB2668 , SB2669 , SB2670 , SB2671 , SB2672 , SB2673 , SB2674 , SB2675 , SB2676 , SB2677 , SB2678 , SB2679 , SB2680 , SB2681 , SB2682 , SB2683 , SB2684 , SB2685 , SB2686 , SB2687 , SB2688 , SB2689 , SB2690 , SB2691 , SB2692 , SB2693 , SB2694 , SB2695 , SB2696 , SB2697 , SB2698 , SB2699 , SB2700 , SB2701 , SB2702 , SB2703 , SB2704 , SB2705 , SB2706 , SB2707 , SB2708 , SB2709 , SB2710 , SB2711 , SB2712 , SB2713 , SB2714 , SB2715 , SB2716 , SB2717 , SB2718 , SB2719 , SB2720 , SB2721 , SB2723 , SB2724 , SB2725 , SB2726 , SB2727 , SB2728 , SB2729 , SB2730 , SB2731 , SB2732 , SB2733 , SB2734 , SB2735 , SB2736 , SB2737 , SB2738 , SB2739 , SB2740 , SB2741 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2744 , SB2745 , SB2746 , SB2747 , SB2748 , SB2749 , SB2750 , SB2751 , SB2752 , SB2753 , SB2754 , SB2755 , SB2756 , SB2757 , SB2758 , SB2759 , SB2760 , SB2761 , SB2762 , SB2763 , SB2764 , SB2765 , SB2766 , SB2767 , SB2768 , SB2769 , SB2770 , SB2771 , SB2772 , SB2773 , SB2774 , SB2775 , SB2776 , SB2777 , SB2778 , SB2779 , SB2780 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB2783 , SB2784 , SB2785 , SB2786 , SB2787 , SB2788 , SB2789 , SB2790 , SB2791 , SB2792 , SB2793 , SB2794 , SB2795 , SB2796 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2799 , SB2800 , SB2967 , SB3034 , HJR1 , HJR4 , HB9 , HB 13 , HB22 , HB135 , HB143 , HB195 , HB908 , HB1392 , SB861 , SB1013 , SJR74 , SJR76 , SB2408 , SB2409 , SB2461 , SB2462 , SB2463 , SB2464 , SB2465 , SB2466 , SB2467 , SB2468 , SB2469 , SB2470 , SB2471 , SB2472 , SB2473 , SB2474 , SB2475 , SB2476 , SB2477 , SB2478 , SB2479 , SB2480 , SB2481 , SB2482 , SB2483 , SB2484 , SB2485 , SB2486 , SB2487 , SB2488 , SB2489 , SB2490 , SB2491 , SB2492 , SB2493 , SB2494 , SB2495 , SB2496 , SB2497 , SB2498 , SB2499 , SB2500 , SB2501 , SB2502 , SB2503 , SB2504 , SB2505 , SB2506 , SB2507 , SB2508 , SB2509 , SB2510 , SB2511 , SB2512 , SB2513 , SB2514 , SB2515 , SB2516 , SB2517 , SB2518 , SB2519 , SB2520 , SB2521 , SB2522 , SB2523 , SB2524 , SB2525 , SB2526 , SB2527 , SB2528 , SB2529 , SB2530 , SB2531 , SB2532 , SB2533 , SB2534 , SB2535 , SB2536 , SB2537 , SB2538 , SB2539 , SB2540 , SB2541 , SB2542 , SB2543 , SB2544 , SB2545 , SB2546 , SB2547 , SB2548 , SB2549 , SB2550 , SB2551 , SB2552 , SB2553 , SB2554 , SB2555 , SB2556 , SB2557 , SB2558 , SB2560 , SB2561 , SB2562 , SB2563 , SB2565 , SB2566 , SB2567 , SB2568 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB2571 , SB2572 , SB2573 , SB2574 , SB2575 , SB2576 , SB2577 , SB2578 , SB2579 , SB2580 , SB2581 , SB2582 , SB2583 , SB2584 , SB2585 , SB2586 , SB2587 , SB2588 , SB2589 , SB2590 , SB2591 , SB2592 , SB2593 , SB2594 , SB2595 , SB2596 , SB2597 , SB2598 , SB2599 , SB2600 , SB2601 , SB2602 , SB2603 , SB2604 , SB2605 , SB2606 , SB2607 , SB2608 , SB2609 , SB2610 , SB2611 , SB2612 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB2615 , SB2616 , SB2617 , SB2618 , SB2619 , SB2620 , SB2621 , SB2622 , SB2625 , SB2626 , SB2627 , SB2628 , SB2629 , SB2630 , SB2631 , SB2632 , SB2633 , SB2634 , SB2635 , SB2636 , SB2637 , SB2638 , SB2639 , SB2640 , SB2641 , SB2642 , SB2643 , SB2644 , SB2645 , SB2646 , SB2647 , SB2648 , SB2649 , SB2650 , SB2651 , SB2652 , SB2653 , SB2654 , SB2655 , SB2656 , SB2657 , SB2658 , SB2659 , SB2660 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2663 , SB2664 , SB2665 , SB2666 , SB2667 , SB2668 , SB2669 , SB2670 , SB2671 , SB2672 , SB2673 , SB2674 , SB2675 , SB2676 , SB2677 , SB2678 , SB2679 , SB2680 , SB2681 , SB2682 , SB2683 , SB2684 , SB2685 , SB2686 , SB2687 , SB2688 , SB2689 , SB2690 , SB2691 , SB2692 , SB2693 , SB2694 , SB2695 , SB2696 , SB2697 , SB2698 , SB2699 , SB2700 , SB2701 , SB2702 , SB2703 , SB2704 , SB2705 , SB2706 , SB2707 , SB2708 , SB2709 , SB2710 , SB2711 , SB2712 , SB2713 , SB2714 , SB2715 , SB2716 , SB2717 , SB2718 , SB2719 , SB2720 , SB2721 , SB2723 , SB2724 , SB2725 , SB2726 , SB2727 , SB2728 , SB2729 , SB2730 , SB2731 , SB2732 , SB2733 , SB2734 , SB2735 , SB2736 , SB2737 , SB2738 , SB2739 , SB2740 , SB2741 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2744 , SB2745 , SB2746 , SB2747 , SB2748 , SB2749 , SB2750 , SB2751 , SB2752 , SB2753 , SB2754 , SB2755 , SB2756 , SB2757 , SB2758 , SB2759 , SB2760 , SB2761 , SB2762 , SB2763 , SB2764 , SB2765 , SB2766 , SB2767 , SB2768 , SB2769 , SB2770 , SB2771 , SB2772 , SB2773 , SB2774 , SB2775 , SB2776 , SB2777 , SB2778 , SB2779 , SB2780 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB2783 , SB2784 , SB2785 , SB2786 , SB2787 , SB2788 , SB2789 , SB2790 , SB2791 , SB2792 , SB2793 , SB2794 , SB2795 , SB2796 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2799 , SB2800 , SB2967 , SB3034 , HJR1 , HJR4 , HB9 , HB 13 , HB22 , HB135 , HB143 , HB195 , HB908 , HB1392 , SB861 , SB1013

Transcript Highlights:

• When I spent a year working here as a House page, I learned from so many people, five of whom, by the
• When I spent a year working here as a House page, I learned from so many people, five of whom, by the
• When I spent a year working here as a House page, I learned from so many people, five of whom, by the

Transcript Highlights:

• Southwestern College has spent years working collaboratively with our local UC, UC San Diego, our local
• Time spent reconciling redundant reports is time not spent supporting schools, responding to families
• Time spent reconciling redundant reports is time not spent supporting schools, responding to families
• Before becoming chief of staff, I spent 20-plus years providing direct mental health services.
• I spent almost a year in 2024 consulting and working on this bill.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, beginning with AB 387 on youth sports safety and AED access. The author and supporters, including youth sports and cardiac safety advocates, said the bill would improve coordination between youth sports organizations and facilities to ensure AEDs are available and emergency response is better prepared. School administrators, county groups, and school business officials opposed unless amended, citing liability, cost, staffing, maintenance, and school security concerns. Members asked about AED portability, CPR training, and liability; the author said committee amendments were accepted, but the bill was held due to lack of quorum while negotiations continued. AB 467 would codify the California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College, allowing it to seek multi-year grants and other outside funding after an initial state appropriation sunsets. Supporters said the center has already trained faculty, supported paid internships and fellowships, and reached thousands of Californians, while opponents were absent. Members questioned whether codification was premature before the required report is due in 2027; the author said the measure was needed now to stabilize fundraising. The bill was also placed on hold for lack of quorum. A major portion of the hearing focused on AB 664 and AB 2694, both dealing with community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 664 would authorize Southwestern College to seek up to four targeted bachelor’s programs to address local workforce shortages in South San Diego County; students, local officials, and community college advocates supported it, while CSU and UC opposed, arguing for a statewide solution and concern about the master plan. AB 2694 proposed a broader statewide framework for community college bachelor’s degrees with stronger workforce and partnership requirements, reduced program caps, and limits on duplication; it drew support from community college groups and students, but CSU and UC again opposed or opposed unless amended. Members discussed place-bound students, workforce needs, transfer pathways, and the need for a master-plan-level approach, but no votes were taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 917, which would require certificated employees in very small school districts and certain county-run programs to receive permanent status under the same rules as larger districts. CTA and many educators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, while small school district and ROP representatives opposed, saying the current flexibility is necessary to manage enrollment swings, staffing, and specialized regional programs. Testimony emphasized the tension between job security for educators and operational flexibility for small LEAs; the hearing continued with more opposition testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, in the incident last night, I've already spent a substantial...
• We got $45 million; we only spent $35 million last year.
• We got $45 million; we only spent $35 million last year.
• We got $45 million; we only spent $35 million last year.
• We got $45 million; we only spent $35 million last year.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Time spent out of school has long-term consequences...
• The CTEDs want to have full control on how the excess monies are spent.
• I think both need to come to some kind of agreement on how these dollars can be spent.
• So we have $394 million of inaccessible cash, or so-called dead cash, that cannot be spent.
• But I can't believe we spent seven hours on a committee on school safety...

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 4043, which would require each school district and charter school, beginning in 2027, to ensure at least one employee at each school is trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use. The sponsor said he intended to amend the bill on the floor to ensure someone is trained at all times and to clarify AED language. The American Heart Association testified neutral with concerns, supporting CPR training but warning the bill could leave gaps if only one person is trained and noting the need for AED access and emergency planning. Parents whose son died in an Arizona kindergarten classroom urged support, saying school staff should be prepared to respond to emergencies. The committee recommended the bill do pass by a vote of 7-1 with four present. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2015, as amended by a strike-everything amendment supporting at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity for students and prominent display of federal dietary guidelines. A representative of End Chronic Disease testified in favor, arguing schools should help prevent chronic disease through health education and physical activity. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then gave the resolution a due pass recommendation on a 12-0 roll call. House Bill 2621, in its strike-everything form and with a Garcia amendment, addressed enrollment and special education procedures for students in unorganized territory, students using certificates of educational convenience, and children of active-duty military parents. The sponsor explained the bill was meant to clarify confusing law, speed enrollment and evaluations, and reduce delays in services. Champions for Kids supported the measure and the amendments, and the committee adopted both amendments before recommending the bill do pass 11-0. The committee also approved House Bill 2385, which limits superintendent contracts to one-year terms for the first three years unless the superintendent has already been employed three consecutive years; the sponsor framed it as a way to reduce costly early buyouts. That bill passed 7-4. Later, the committee approved House Bill 4106, creating the One Arizona Service Fellowship Program to provide service opportunities, stipends, and tuition awards for young adults, with an amendment changing the stipend contribution formula. The sponsor and supporters described it as a state-based service model inspired by Utah and aimed at education, military families, parks, hunger, and homelessness work; some members opposed it as an unnecessary state mandate or questioned the need for a new program. The committee also passed House Bill 2992, as amended, establishing a pilot program on child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention, expanded to K-12 and including grooming/exploitation content. A survivor advocate strongly supported the bill, while some members raised concerns about the funding source and possible unintended consequences. Finally, the committee passed House Bill 2370, which would require school leaders to notify governing boards before modifying weapons detection systems and to report changes within 24 hours; the sponsor cited a fatal school stabbing and other weapons incidents, while opponents argued the bill was too vague and could create operational problems. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 4056, allowing legislators making public records requests in their official capacity to avoid fees and requiring electronic production; the sponsor said it was needed after districts sought large fees, while opponents warned it could burden public agencies. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 2478, which would create an Arizona Commission on Student Outcomes to study K-12 accountability, finance, graduation requirements, and related issues, with proposed amendments to add early childhood study and change commission membership, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• is sometimes the problem spent is sometimes the problem and<00:27:28.640><c> how</c><00:27:28.919><c
• Unfortunately, a lot of what we've spent money on isn't for new unit creation, and that should be our
• and and where being um uh well spent and and where might<00:44:05.079><c> uh</c><00:44:05.280><c> the
• </c> question um I think we haven't um spent question um I think we haven't um spent enough<01:21:51.159
• </c><01:37:14.480><c> on</c> and the tablespoon was what we spent on and the tablespoon was what we spent

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:14.919><c> an</c><00:08:15.159><c> enor</c> folks of the state have spent an enor folks of
• the state have spent an enor amount<00:08:16.319><c> of</c><00:08:16.560><c> time</c><00:08:17.159><
• I'm just trying to get this because it's money that's being spent, and it just seems counterintuitive
• <00:12:29.199><c> and</c><00:12:29.279><c> it</c><00:12:29.440><c> just</c> spent and it just spent and
• </c> together of that 2 million we have spent together of that 2 million we have spent about<00:58:04.240

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wonder how much of the increment is currently being spent inside the district?
• Um, the exact percent of the TIF district that's been spent in district on project expenses is about
• So currently 80% of the increment is being spent outside of the District 6. Um, I'd have to look.
• So currently 80% of the increment is being spent outside of the District 6. Um, I'd have to look.
• So currently 80% of the increment is being spent outside of the District 6. Um, I'd have to look.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a continuation of the state's commitment to comprehensive Everglades restoration, and we've spent
• on this is a dollar not spent on road repairs in West Palm Beach, not spent on classroom resources in
• Boynton Beach, not spent on public safety across Palm Beach County.
• on this is a dollar not spent on road repairs in West Palm Beach, not spent on classroom resources in
• Boynton Beach, not spent on public safety across Palm Beach County. not spent on public safety across

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote. The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• I spent much of my life in the greenhouse business, and electricity was among the largest operational
• Um, I spent my early adult years in Alabama. I then went to Washington State.
• Um, I spent my early adult years dogs. Um, I spent my early adult years in<00:40:24.160><c> Alabama.
• Um, I spent the last 10 years in Washington state.
• Um, I spent the last 10 and raised.

Bills: HB403 , HB399 , HB392 , HB403 , HB399 , HB392

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think a very interesting statistic is that there's more money spent, Medicaid money spent on this
• </c> is that there's more money spent is that there's more money spent Medicaid<00:03:55.480><c> money
• </c> Medicaid money spent on this population Medicaid money spent on this population and<00:03:57.280
• Um, and this was somebody who had spent 23 out of the previous 24 months in a hospital because nobody
• 24 month 23 out of the previous 24 spent 24 month 23 out of the previous 24 months<00:12:59.560><c>

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the July 15 minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Matthew Holder and Dr. Henry Hood of the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville. The clinic serves people with complex intellectual and developmental disabilities through a transdisciplinary model that combines medical, dental, behavioral, psychiatric, therapy, and other services under one roof. The presenters argued that this population is large-cost but small in number, often receives little provider training, and is vulnerable to diagnostic overshadowing, overmedication, and missed medical or dental problems. The clinic reported that in Tennessee, payer data showed average costs of about $5,200 per member per month before clinic involvement, with a 44% reduction in overall health care spending after patients were seen, including lower emergency room use, inpatient admissions, and prescription use. They said those savings were measured by the payer, not the clinic, and that the savings accrued to Medicaid or managed care payers rather than the clinic itself. They also shared a case example of a patient who had been placed on hospice but improved after diagnosis and treatment at the clinic. Patient and parent satisfaction were described as very high, generally above 95%. The clinic asked for roughly $5 million to expand into Northern Kentucky, estimating 500 to 700 patients would use the new site and projecting annual savings of about $13 million to $19 million once mature. Members asked about the budget, startup and operating costs, where the savings go, and whether the clinic had considered taking full risk or another value-based model. Senator Meredith and others encouraged the clinic to explore an accountable care or risk-based arrangement, while the presenters said they were open to that discussion but had not pursued it yet. The exchange ended with follow-up questions about the clinic’s overall budget structure and public-private funding mix.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has spent approximately one year of his adult life out of prison.
• </c> those offenses and he basically spent those offenses and he basically spent the<00:04:19.759><c>
• He has spent approximately years old.
• I've spent half my life here in Kentucky.
• I've spent half my life here California. I've spent half my life here in<00:55:58.720><c> Kentucky.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes of its June 10, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony on House Bill 198, “Angela’s Law,” sponsored by Representative Samara Hein. The bill would add a new aggravating circumstance in death-penalty cases when an offender abuses the corpse of a kidnapping or murder victim by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse, or sexual contact. Representative Hein and the victim’s parents described the case that prompted the proposal, saying the current law did not allow the conduct to be treated as an aggravating factor because the sexual act occurred after death. They emphasized that the bill would not require a death sentence or life without parole, but would give judges and juries another sentencing factor to consider. Doug and Angela Kerr gave emotional testimony about their daughter’s murder and said the current sentencing options were inadequate given the facts of the case. Several members expressed sympathy and supported the bill’s purpose. Senator Wheeler said the measure would signal that the Commonwealth will not tolerate such conduct, and Representative Petrie said he supported the concept but urged careful drafting so the language would not be too narrow or unintentionally reach co-conspirators or others whose conduct differed from the principal offender. The committee then received an informational presentation on KRS Chapter 202C from Judge Lisa Payne Jones and Shauna Mitchell of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. They explained that 202C was enacted in 2021 to address a gap in Kentucky’s civil commitment laws for defendants found incompetent to stand trial after serious offenses. The presentation outlined the process: a Commonwealth’s attorney must file a petition for qualifying offenses, an evidentiary hearing must be held quickly, and if the respondent is found by a preponderance of the evidence to have committed the offense, a commitment hearing follows with a higher burden of proof. They also described the 2024 amendment changing the commitment criteria from requiring all four factors to only one, and noted the statute’s review-hearing schedule and the availability of later review if circumstances change or new evidence emerges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every dollar paid in a grant, $4.69, is spent in state. according to the Office of the Governor.
• The expectations are very clear about what can be spent.
• And dollars will be spent in our economy, the Texas economy. Absolutely. They're measurable.
• NASA spent a bunch of money looking at how to build a pen that would write in space.
• Then they spent the plaintiff left. The mediator told us this.

Bills: SCR37 , SB60 , SB226 , SB231 , SB264 , SB387 , SB570 , SB596 , SB651 , SB769 , SB855 , SB863 , SB991 , SB1079 , SB1085 , SB1151 , SB1191 , SB1214 , SB1243 , SB1247 , SB1314 , SB1364 , SB1372 , SB1401 , SB1409 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1625 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1728 , SB1759 , SB1762 , SB1804 , SB1818 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1851 , SB1855 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1877 , SB1879 , SB1901 , SB1919 , SB1921 , SB1923 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB1968 , SB1977 , SB2034 , SB2053 , SB2066 , SB2077 , SB2124 , SB2143 , SB2166 , SB2180 , SB2204 , SB2231 , SB2237 , SB2243 , SB2321 , SB2569 , SJR39 , SJR68 , SCR29 , SCR42 , SB22 , SB30 , SB33 , SB37 , SB75 , SB217 , SB240 , SB331 , SB393 , SB505 , SB530 , SB546 , SB552 , SB584 , SB586 , SB618 , SB626 , SB636 , SB732 , SB762 , SB769 , SB825 , SB844 , SB870 , SB884 , SB926 , SB964 , SB1080 , SB1099 , SB1150 , SB1177 , SB1184 , SB1261 , SB1262 , SB1314 , SB1325 , SB1364 , SB1398 , SB1455 , SB1506 , SB1524 , SB1577 , SB1596 , SB1620 , SB1624 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1646 , SB1667 , SB1727 , SB1760 , SB1789 , SB1791 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1851 , SB1868 , SB1870 , SB1901 , SB1923 , SB1927 , SB1951 , SB1960 , SB1962 , SB2010 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2037 , SB2051 , SB2052 , SB2056 , SB2066 , SB2122 , SB2129 , SB2180 , SB2183 , SB2185 , SB2207 , SB2226 , SB2252 , SB2323 , SB2361 , SB2368 , SB2405 , SB2420 , SB2425 , SB2569 , SB2717 , SB2949 , SB1 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR39 , SJR63 , SJR68 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR38 , SCR37 , SCR42 , SCR29 , SB1596 , SB33 , SB505 , SB37 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB957 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB264 , SB1364 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB1877 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB964 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1882 , SB618 , SB393 , SB2243 , SB2226 , SB1919 , SB1791 , SB22 , SB651 , SB1080 , SB826 , SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB2237 , SB1257 , SB2034 , SB1522 , SB1151 , SB596 , SB1191 , SB226 , SB570 , SB870 , SB991 , SB60 , SB1401 , SB1728 , SB586 , SB529 , SB217 , SB209 , SB1923 , SB1839 , SB387 , SB1874 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1921 , SB1883 , SB1620 , SB1838 , SB2024 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB2166 , SB510 , SB2420 , SB1860 , SB1314 , SB1398 , SB855 , SB2425 , SB2037 , SB1759 , SB1924 , SB1818 , SB1762 , SB1968 , SB1977 , SB2077 , SB2321 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB2124 , SB2204 , SB1855 , SB863 , SB2252 , SB1962 , SB2253 , SB825 , SB1577 , SB1184 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB1901 , SB2368 , SB1963 , SB1960 , SB1643 , SB1625 , SB1299 , SB841 , SB668 , SB584 , SB231 , SB1085 , SB2431 , SB2231 , SB1490 , SB530 , SB1261 , SB552 , SB1099 , SB1646 , SB2180 , SB1804 , SB1937 , SB1936 , SB2569 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1806 , SB1868 , SB2361 , SB2314 , SB769 , SB1409 , SB2122 , SB434 , SB1214 , SB1951 , SB2183 , SB2046 , SB1667 , SB1870 , SB1727 , SB2405 , SB2127 , SB1975 , SB1760 , SB1734 , SB1335 , SB2066 , SB2129 , SB2246 , SB2439 , SB1624 , SB1244 , SB1468 , SB2717 , SB1612 , SB1262 , SB604 , SB2395 , SB2185 , SB1832 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB2207 , SB2023 , SB1784 , SB1524 , SB626 , SB528 , SB437 , SB269 , SB1137 , SB968 , SB636 , SB747 , SB1325 , SB1789 , SB1455 , SB2056 , SB75 , SB1940 , SB2052 , SB1927 , SB2010 , SB1579 , SB2068 , SB3034 , SB844 , SB1920 , SB1177 , SB1558 , SB1236 , SB1044 , SB926 , SB884 , SB463 , SB331 , SB227 , SB240 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB1717 , SB2053 , SB546 , SB2141 , SB2949 , SB2323 , SB2200 , SB2332 , SB2199 , SB1642 , SB1150 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB1138 , SB2051 , SB2626 , SB2458 , SB1864 , SB30 , SB2201 , SB1862 , SB1583 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB1898 , SB2662 , SB2161 , SB2964 , SB2881 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2743 , SB2533 , SB1413 , HJR4 , SB2073 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB2774 , SB2702 , SB2629 , SB2443 , SB2349 , SB2167 , SB2145 , SB2121 , SB758 , SB648 , SB647 , SB512 , SB438 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB1495 , SB2705 , SB2366 , SB1422 , SB1369 , SB1013 , SB682 , SB2692 , SB2570 , SB2797 , SB2111 , SB1896 , SB1164 , SB1020 , SB663 , SB2371 , SB1152 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2798 , SB330 , SB646 , SB843 , SB1998 , SB1418 , SB2788 , SB1169 , SB2873 , SB1754 , SB1534 , SB1718 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB1143 , SB1756 , SB912 , SB2119 , SB2032 , SB527 , SB1580 , SB1952 , SB2601

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in no relation referencing the level of years that are spent in an academic setting.
• I had spent over a decade serving my community.
• Again, I am not going to limit the questions or the time spent asking questions.
• I'd estimate I spent about 4,000 hours in clinicals and 1,500 hours.
• I spent almost my entire childhood in Big Spring and Odessa.

Bills: HB35 , HB4490 , HB4454 , HB2188 , HB3078 , HB4743 , HB2556 , HB46 , HB5342 , HB4783 , HB3785 , HB5278 , HB1639 , HB2581 , HB4224 , HB4070 , HB4099 , HB4882 , HB3794 , HB46

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards

Transcript Highlights:

• We spent more than $100,000 to stand on principle.
• We've spent a lot of money on software. Are we using it? And are we secure?
• You said 60% is spent? No the majority of it goes to grants.
• All being deposited into a trust and then spent on the grant programs, right? Correct. Okay.
• Attorneys and spent, you know, over $100,000 and I think they were one of the only ones that.

Bills: HB512 , HB2248 , HB2679 , HB2832 , HB3112 , HB3368 , HB3490 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB3666 , HB3700 , HB3711 , HB3770 , HB3963

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• The two campaigns and IE groups and others have spent more than $73 million.
• The AP reported that Elon Musk's political action committee has not only spent money directly on the
• ><c> limiting</c><00:12:28.079><c> the</c> 72% of the public supports limiting the amount of money spent
• I guess the question I have, Senator Westlin, is of the $73 million that's been spent in the Wisconsin
• which have both spent over 14.3 million million million um<00:23:58.960><c> which</c><00:23:59.280><

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Purposes, but hasn't been spent, allowing it to be considered when certifying the budget as balanced.
• want to clarify That that is available for one time use we can we can use those dollars have to be spent
• so we've got the four billion that was for schools four four point five billion in that did not get spent
• And then for $26, $27, $97 billion. billion being spent and some change.
• These are hard jobs in those facilities and again I'm speaking. maybe out of term, but I'd spent eight

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So because we drew the funds in advance, and not everyone spent their funds, there were funds that had
• So because we drew the funds in advance, and not everyone spent their funds, there were funds that had
• And then we had leftover money because all the benefits weren't spent, and we needed to return them to
• But we have spent a lot of time with the former director of information technology and their CISO.
• We have spent a lot of time with the former director of information technology and their CISO.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff. The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.

Transcript Highlights:

• As someone who spent more than 27 years administering elections, I know democracy is not self-executing
• As someone who spent more than 27 years administering elections, communities.
• As someone who spent more than 27 years administering elections, I know democracy is not self-executing
• I spent a summer as a college student working as an analyst in the voting section of the Civil Rights
• wine tasting, walked through a flower farm, taken your kids to a petting zoo or a pumpkin patch, or spent

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.