Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requiring action with two two pool requiring action with two two pool projects<00:26:52.840><c>
• So, that's approved, so go on with your two pool projects that require no action.
• in excess of Next are two pool projects in excess of $1<00:29:14.680><c> million.
• and one from the supplemental pool.
• All four are water grant reallocations from the county allocation pool. Okay.

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:28 Approval of Minutes 0:00:40 Information Items 0:01:13 Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:26:46 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:30:53 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:39:20 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:52:42 Econ Development – EDF Grants 0:55:15 OFM Debt Issues 0:58:43 Informational Discussion 1:44:36 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of minutes, and informational items on school district financing and KCTCS equipment purchases. It then considered two KCTCS capital projects after initially rolling them together and later unrolling them: a Fire Commission Fire Academy maintenance building project that had grown from an original $2 million authorization to $4.7 million because of design changes, soil issues, and higher mechanical costs, and a $1.5 million renovation of the Blake Lee building at Somerset Community College for a health science simulation lab. Members questioned the large cost increase on the fire academy project and the adequacy of front-end due diligence, while KCTCS said the project was bid and ready to proceed and that a 15% contingency had been included. Both projects were approved by roll call vote, with the Blake Lee project ultimately approved after the committee unrolled the items and took them separately. The committee next heard and approved a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for the Hamburg East Medical Office Building, a five-story, 220,000-square-foot facility with a not-to-exceed budget of $275 million. UK said the project is intended to expand outpatient access, consolidate some services, and support projected growth in patient volume; the building will house multiple specialties, urgent care, therapy, imaging, and a retail pharmacy. Members asked about possible community uses, consolidation of services, and whether the project would free up other space, and UK said it hopes to consolidate some services and free campus space. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved three UK lease renegotiations: a specialty pharmacy and infusion services lease at Wellington Way in Lexington, a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences lease at Conte Terrace, and a College of Social Work lease at McGrath Park Way. Members asked about rising lease rates, occupancy, and whether space needs should be reduced; UK and the lessor’s representative said the pharmacy space remains busy, the ophthalmology lease was lower than before, and the social work lease had been negotiated down from a higher request. The committee also approved a Department of Military Affairs project amendment for a Mutual Field Maintenance Shop Restoration project, increasing federal funding by $1 million to $4.5 million because of higher construction costs, and approved a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation project funded by bond and HBCU Title III funds. Finally, it approved a new lease for the Office of Mines and Minerals in Pike County, a new lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Pulaski County, and a lease renewal for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kenton County after questions about rent increases and office utilization; the cabinet said the Kenton County space still has limited vacancy and remains in use by field staff. The meeting ended as the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority began presenting six sewer and water loans and six cleaner water program grant reallocations, with members agreeing to roll those items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pool charges, or a pool tax, can vary.
• Pool taxes may be offset by interest earned on the trust fund.
• There were no pool charges. There's no fund builder.
• But we have triggers that are automatically built in as to when we have the pool and then we have the
• We have triggers that are automatically built in as to when we have the pool and then we have the fund

Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pool charges, or a pool tax, can vary.
• Pool taxes may be offset by interest earned on the trust fund.
• There were no pool charges. There's no fund builder.
• But we have triggers that are automatically built in as to when we have the pool and then we have the
• We have triggers that are automatically built in as to when we have the pool and then we have the fund

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for CS for House Bill 1259, a bill to be entitled an act relating to property tax benefits for residential
• for CS for House Bill 1259, a bill to be entitled an act relating to property tax benefits for residential
• for CS for House Bill 1259, a bill to be entitled in act relating to a property tax benefits for residential
• Why can't they build residential communities where they want to build them? Let people live.
• By Representative Abbott, House Bill 6033, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Labor Pool Act

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• MinnesotaCare is a type of insurance pool that you buy into.
• So I have great concerns about excluding people out of this insurance pool, which would then increase
• , how much are the premiums going to go up for those people left in the pool?
• that you buy type of insurance pool that you buy into<00:46:56.200><c> so</c><00:46:56.440><c> I</c>
• </c> taking people out of our insurance pools taking people out of our insurance pools and<00:47:03.760

Bills: HF10, HF27

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• We have struggled over at least the last seven, eight years with a labor pool that is so small for fire
• would have been in place eight, nine years ago, it would have maybe put enough people in the labor pool
• We have struggled over at least the last seven or eight years with a labor pool that is so small for
• > that</c><00:32:48.799><c> we</c><00:32:48.960><c> wouldn't</c><00:32:49.200><c> be</c> the labor pool
• And if I had a better word than “critical,” then we are critical right now in the labor pool.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 220 00:02:49 Consideration of HB 467 00:09:50 Consideration of HB 516 00:19:50 Consideration of HB 589 00:27:16, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I think you're reducing your pool of bidders if you're doing the and and not the or, so that
• would typically, I think, increase your cost if you're reducing the pool of bidders that you're doing
• :21:11.000><c> you're</c><00:21:11.200><c> reducing</c><00:21:11.559><c> your</c><00:21:11.760><c> pool
• </c> I mean I think you're reducing your pool I mean I think you're reducing your pool of<00:21:12.440
• of biders that you're reducing the pool of biders that you're<00:21:20.520><c> doing</c><00:21:20.720

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2113, amending Section 44-604-11 of the statutes, relating to the residential utility consumer
• public monies, removes the requirement that the State Treasurer manage the local government investment pool
• House Bill 2113, amending section 28-4164, is a statute relating to the residential utility consumer

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2113, amending Section 44-604 and 11-... statute, relating to the residential utility consumer
• It removes the requirement for the State Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool by
• House Bill 2113, relating to the Residential Utility Consumer Office, heard the third reading.

Summary: The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a guest introduction for Deputy Frank Sloop. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and, in several cases, floor amendments. Topics included public records, capital outlay review, local government, taxation, state budget implementation, higher education appropriations, utility regulation, towing regulation, homeowners association disclosures, nursing board regulation, veteran services, criminal justice, human services, K-12 education, state property management, and the continuation of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Several bills were amended on the floor before receiving favorable recommendations. House Bill 2114 on motorcycle-related provisions was amended to require that at least one registered owner be legally licensed to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. House Bill 2397 on HOA/condominium disclosures was amended to change disclosure timing and fee rules and make other conforming changes. House Bill 2408 on nursing board regulatory action was amended to remove a clear-and-convincing-evidence burden in disciplinary matters and clarify complaint-sharing procedures. House Bill 2957 on driver’s license/handheld provisions, House Bill 2305 on towing regulation, and House Bill 2321 on DCS-related reporting also received amendments before do-pass recommendations. The largest item was Senate Bill 1847, the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Senators offered extensive floor amendments affecting agriculture, corrections, criminal justice, school safety, law enforcement equipment, vehicle theft task force funding, liquor licensing, and other budget items. During third reading and debate on the budget, Democratic senators praised negotiated gains such as funding for aging services, food assistance, civil legal aid, school meals, heat relief, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, while criticizing border-related funding, ESA/voucher policy, and cuts to higher education and adult education. One member’s remarks were ruled dilatory after repeated off-topic comments, and the ruling of the chair was sustained by a 16-12 vote. The transcript ends with additional budget-related explanation of votes continuing after the budget’s third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's not even including residential design. That's just public spaces like schools, hospitals.
• So that's not even including residential design.
• California also has a considerable pool of internationally trained dentists whose clinical training,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When it says eligible builder, it means a residential home builder. Why just eligible builders?
• When it says eligible builder, means a residential home builder. Why just eligible builders?
• trying to not get new homes built, but I am trying to allow existing homes on the market to be into the pool

Bills: HB111, HB108, HB145, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HB63, HB64, HB165, HB184, HB200, HB4, HB7, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB88, HB96, HB166, HB285, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it allow them to reduce to more than one space per residential unit? Senator Colletti.
• consideration was 100 units, would that mean that the developer could build less than one spot per residential
• established by the Florida Supreme Court, tells lawyers what parameters they need in the accounts where pooled

Summary: The committee considered a long agenda of bills, with most measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations, amendments, and roll calls. Early bills included SB 658 on lien waivers/releases, SB 736 on Brownfields redevelopment, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, and SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage. Each was amended or discussed as needed and then approved by the committee. The committee also advanced SB 768 on foreign control interests in health care licensing, SB 772 on school diabetes management and access to glucagon, SB 1400 on removal of altered sexual depictions posted without consent, SB 1696 on prearranged transportation services, and SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct. Several bills drew notable public testimony and debate. SB 1132 prompted strong support from the sponsor and agriculture interests, but opposition from equipment dealers, technology groups, and wireless industry representatives who argued the market already provides repair options and that the bill could harm dealer networks and security. SB 1730, the Live Local/affordable housing bill, received extensive discussion about parking reductions, height and density preemption, attorney’s fees, local government authority, and impacts on Monroe County and other areas; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably despite concerns from some members and advocates about parking, due process, and local control. SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments also generated significant debate, with opponents warning it could displace long-term guests and vulnerable families, while the sponsor said it clarifies transient occupancy and removes ambiguity in the removal process; the bill passed after the committee rejected a related amendment. Other measures advanced with less controversy. SB 576 updated service-of-process rules, and SB 1164 authorized email delivery of landlord-tenant notices if the parties agree in writing, though tenant advocates urged clearer safeguards and the sponsor said he was not yet committed to the House version. SB 940 prohibited the resale of restaurant reservations without consent and was supported by restaurant interests. SB 1690, allowing infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, drew emotional support from several witnesses who said it would provide anonymous, life-saving alternatives for mothers in crisis; the committee continued discussion into the latter part of the meeting. Throughout, the committee adopted several amendments, heard both support and opposition from industry, advocacy, and local-government witnesses, and reported the discussed bills favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• side, when costs go up, that it's gonna make the cost per square per square foot for commercial or residential
• Uh, pool of people making some of those decisions because Mr. Speaker, gentle lady.
• I mean, just, I mean, there's nobody living there at the moment, but when, if, if and when residential

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes our date of birth, our residential address, our driver's license numbers, and our Social
• While I, too, would love to keep every document and every artifact from our residential habilitation
• Residential habilitation centers.
• In the history of our residential habilitation centers for individuals with developmental disabilities
• This amendment would give a one-time reduction in the state property tax pool, just to push a little

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681, SB5467, SB5820, SB5863, SB5892, SCR8406, HB2487, HB2711, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Fireman's Percy has $4.5 million, high-risk insurance pool has $23 million, for a total of $158 million
• in the pool.
• take the deductions out that I listed, the insurance refund, the Percy, and the high-risk reinsurance pool
• take the deductions out that I listed, the insurance refund, the Percy, and the high-risk reinsurance pool

Summary: The committee began by recognizing and thanking page Caleb Williams for his service, including brief remarks and a song, before moving to approval of the minutes from March 12, 16, 17, and 18, 2026. All four sets of minutes were approved by voice vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1420, which would redirect about 1% of the state health insurance premium tax into a fund for medical education, with the goal of stabilizing funding for undergraduate medical education and supporting future expansion of medical school seats. Senator Lent and Representative Manwaring explained that the bill would create a dedicated pathway for these funds and could also accommodate other medical education-related revenues. After questions about the premium tax and existing uses of the fund, the committee voted to send SB 1420 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; Senator Zito requested to be recorded as opposed. Next, the committee considered House Joint Memorial 20, which asks the federal government to address the costs Idaho incurs under Plyler v. Doe for educating students regardless of immigration status. Representative Tanner argued the decision created an unfunded mandate and cited rough estimates of annual and long-term costs. After questions about the source of the student estimates, the committee voted to send HJM 20 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Burtenshaw and Semmelroth requesting to be recorded as opposed. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 915, which would establish a baseline recess policy for public and charter schools, including a 20-minute daily outdoor recess for grades K-5 when feasible and a prohibition on withholding recess from an entire class as punishment. Senator Taves said the bill was intended to protect children’s health and learning, while opponents argued it was unnecessary and infringed on local control because schools already provide recess. The committee voted to hold HB 915 at the call of the chair, and the meeting adjourned with notice that the IDLA bill was expected the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fireman's Percy has $4.5 million, high-risk insurance pool has $23 million, for a total of $158 million
• in the pool.
• take the deductions out that I listed, the insurance refund, the Percy, and the high-risk reinsurance pool
• take the deductions out that I listed, the insurance refund, the Percy, and the high-risk reinsurance pool

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in 2021, and it was after a lot of debate and some testimony regarding what you thought the patient pool
• would be—not the entire population of Alabama, but the patient pool.
• The patient pool, and you gave the commission the right—not the legislature—to add dispensaries if the
• patient pool, after all 37 dispensaries were up and running for an entire year, warranted it.

Bills: SB185, SB194, SB72

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, prescription refills, animal care, regulatory compliance, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, medical cannabis, cannabis license, integrated facility license, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, AMCC, medical marijuana, dispensary, cultivation, processing, license appeal

Transcript Highlights:

• as</c><01:15:08.280><c> collateral</c> dtcc the pool can be used as collateral dtcc the pool can be
• </c> and create this pooled and create this pooled nature<01:43:12.000><c> um</c><01:43:13.000><c> the
• I finally got pool PT. What happens when you go in a pool? Gravity’s gone.
• I finally got pool PT. What happens when you go in a pool? Gravity’s gone.
• </c> expensive finally got pooled expensive finally got pooled PT<04:50:33.440><c> what</c><04:50:33.718

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and members, House Bill 2344 directs the state treasurer to manage the local government investment pool
• The contract with a major bank that maintained that pool, that fund, and there was a catastrophe.
• The treasurer manages this pool.
• , and millions and millions of new dollars from counties and cities have been moved over into this pool
• This would prevent a future treasurer from refusing to manage the local government investment pool.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met on January 28 and heard several bills, beginning with introductions of members and staff. The committee first considered HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites. Sponsor Rep. Gail Griffin argued the state should explore use of large brackish groundwater reserves amid Colorado River concerns, while one speaker opposed the bill on aquifer-protection grounds. The committee voted 11-6-1 to give HB 2056 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2798, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Geological Survey to compile data on materials relevant to nuclear energy, including thorium and other non-uranium fuels. Rep. Carbone and others framed the bill as an economic development and national security measure, while opponents questioned whether Arizona has meaningful deposits and whether the state should fund the research. The University of Arizona testified that the Geological Survey could do the work. The committee adopted the Livingston amendment and then approved the bill 11-5-1. Next, the committee considered HB 2303, which codifies investment standards for the State Treasurer, emphasizing safety and principal preservation and prohibiting speculative investments and insider misuse. The Treasurer’s Office supported the bill, saying it reflects existing policy and ethics rules, though members asked for clearer definitions of “speculative” and how the bill would interact with other statutes. The committee passed HB 2303 15-0 with two members present and one not voting. HB 2344, which directs the Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool internally and allows a third-party contract only for emergency backup, also passed after questions about local control and whether the bill was necessary; the vote was 12-2-3 with one not voting. The committee later heard HB 2759, a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Services to partner with an educational institution in Yavapai County for veterans programs. Retired Navy SEAL Chief Richard Rodriguez testified about Embry-Riddle’s veteran population and emergency assistance needs for housing, travel, and equipment, while opponents objected to using state funds for a private institution and argued veterans services should be broader and statewide. The bill received a due pass recommendation 11-6-1. The committee also approved HB 2207, which funds the prison Braille transcription program at $300,000 and was described as a successful rehabilitation and service program, and HB 2224, as amended to $1 million, which funds the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program through SNAP; supporters said it helps families, farmers, and local economies, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• to other states, 30 of them, that offer expansion of coverage through allowing small businesses to pool
• Why not organizations of volleyball players or other types of pools of people? Mr.
• This does allow smaller employers to pool together.
• don't know that a volleyball league, but think of geographically and industry-specific employers can pool
• things, let's expand it broader so that statewide chambers or other statewide business associations can pool

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the February 16, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 2173, which would let tax officers and taxpayers communicate electronically about proposed property tax corrections or claims unless certified mail is required. County and assessor representatives supported the bill as a modernization measure, and the committee voted 6-0 to give it a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered several Arizona State Retirement System-related measures and nominations. It recommended confirmation of Thomas J. Connolly as a public member of the ASRS Board and Charles Essex as a retired member, both by 6-0 votes. The committee also passed House Bills 2089, 2090, and 2092, which clarified ASRS health subsidy eligibility, changed the disability determination timing for long-term disability benefits, and adjusted the waiver window for new eligible members age 65 or older. Each of those bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support. Members next approved House Bill 2693, as amended, which revises Arizona’s association health plan and multiple employer welfare arrangement rules to align with current federal law and adds a study by the Department of Administration on state and school employee health insurance options. Supporters said it could expand affordable coverage for small businesses, while Senator Epstein raised concerns about consumer protections, preexisting conditions, and prior fraud issues; the bill passed 5-1. The committee also passed House Bill 2120, allowing Social Security disability determination letters to help certify eligibility for the property tax exemption for disabled persons, and House Bill 2138, clarifying workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters traveling directly to or from duty, both with some discussion but no opposition. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2273, which creates a one-time $300 income tax rebate for certain Pinal County residents using remaining escrow funds from the county transportation tax litigation, though members debated whether the money should instead go to roads. The bill passed 3-2 after comments from the sponsor, a Pinal County mayor, and senators who said they wanted the funds directed to transportation projects. The committee then passed House Bill 2786, exempting income from renting required college textbooks from transaction privilege tax, and adjourned.