Transcript Highlights:

• started as a science teacher at Goddard High School, uh, right next door, moved into the office as an assistant
• this being my first year, and secondly I would just follow that besides, you know, the tragedy of suicide
• other areas where they help train not only the, the children that need the help, but adults that can assist

Transcript Highlights:

• They raise the level of self-harm and, um, of suicide attempts. they do is they raise the level of risk
• of um<03:25:44.479><c> of</c><03:25:44.800><c> suicide</c> um of suicide um of suicide attempts.<03:25
• Here's an uncomfortable truth.<03:30:50.239><c> The</c><03:30:50.479><c> suicide</c><03:30:50.960><c>
• The suicide attempt rate of truth.
• attempts and suicide completions increased dramatically.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Responded to assist in that crash.
• ASL is the fourth most requested language assistance in California courts.
• Committee Assistant Porter, please call the roll. This is file item number 18, AB 2113.
• I see committee assistant Porter. Okay. Let's do this. On the consent calendar.
• Okay, committee assistant Porter, starting at the top of the consent calendar.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Um oftent times if it's um<01:09:12.239><c> involving</c><01:09:12.799><c> a</c><01:09:13.040><c> suicide
• c> we</c><01:09:14.640><c> try</c><01:09:14.880><c> to</c><01:09:15.440><c> uh</c> um involving a suicide
• we we try to uh um involving a suicide we we try to uh protect<01:09:15.920><c> the</c><01:09:16.319
• But also what is needed is some assistance to the school bus driver.
• </c> assistance to the school bus driver. assistance to the school bus driver.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• cameras, if we increase cameras, there'll be obviously a larger workload, and we need to be able to assist
• /c><00:13:22.920><c> to</c> workload and we need to be able to workload and we need to be able to assist
• um HPD and the prosecutor's assist um HPD and the prosecutor's office<00:13:26.320><c> to</c><00:13:
• Thank you very much. problems there murders problems there murders suicides<01:40:20.119><c> the</c><
• the lack of training is amazing suicides the lack of training is amazing there's<01:40:22.719><c> been

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we talk about how we can really look at ways that we can start to stem the suicide trend that's going

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen several children unfortunately die by suicide as a result of this act.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• in the parents making a decision that 1 in 4 children who go through this Either attempt or commit suicide

Bills: HB3620 , HB3942 , HB3279 , HB3378 , HB3383 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3420 , HB3130

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: 2030 census, complete count committee, census outreach, decennial census, enumeration, population count, hard-to-count populations, hard-to-enumerate areas, State Data Center, Oklahoma Census, multilingual campaign, public outreach, school-based outreach, community organizations, minority groups, ethnic minorities, language minorities, self-response rate, census awareness, federal census

Transcript Highlights:

• where that individual was shot and killed in the act—so that was part terroristic threat and part suicide

Bills: HCR40 , HB214 , HB214

Committee: Senate Border Security

Transcript Highlights:

• Do our assistant ranking, our ranking member, Clicker.
• Do our assistant ranking, our ranking member, Clicker.
• Do our assistant ranking member, Clicker. Thank you for the opportunity to present this bill today.
• According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the suicide rate for farmers in Washington

Bills: HB2459 , HB2480 , HB2530 , HB2129 , HB2223

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: school siting, urban growth, education policy, zoning regulations, community planning, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, public facilities district, regional aquatics, sports facilities, local government, infrastructure, agritourism, agriculture, tourism, economic development, local businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations on the bill. Great.
• The individual professionals to whom we can delegate that are APRNs, physician assistants, and under
• When a caregiver is licensed, they have access to more financial assistance.
• weeks ago, we put in place a peer review network for police officers in response to the issue of suicides

Bills: HB 1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB 1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me make this very clear: the veterans assistance fund that is in existence right now will continue
• So I want to make that very clear: no change will take place in terms of the veterans assistance fund
• oversight, and they continue to have oversight as is already stipulated in law over the veterans assistance
• the Open Meetings Act and can go into executive session to discuss sensitive issues such as veteran suicide

Bills: SJR 1 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 36 , SJR 1 , SJR 5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SR 61 , SR 91 , SR 97 , SR 103 , SR 104 , SR 112 , SR 115 , SR 116 , SCR 16 , SB 26 , SB 26

Transcript Highlights:

• ASL is the fourth most requested language assistance in California courts.
• So, Committee Assistant Porter, please call the roll. This is file item number 15, AB 1916.
• Committee Assistant Porter, please call the roll. This is file item number 18, AB 2113.
• I see committee assistant Porter. Okay. Let's do this. On the consent calendar.
• Okay, committee assistant Porter, starting at the top of the consent calendar.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum. The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition. Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reducing health care costs by assisting patients to take better care of themselves benefits all of us
• c><01:37:45.720><c> care</c><01:37:45.920><c> costs</c><01:37:46.440><c> by</c><01:37:46.600><c> assisting
• </c> Reducing health care costs by assisting Reducing health care costs by assisting patients<01:37:47.800
• They’re developing skills, and so they need some assistance through that.
• </c> skills, and so they need some assistance skills, and so they need some assistance through<03:44:

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• of the cause of the thoughts, kids dealing with those thoughts are significantly more at risk of suicide
• As far as you know, like the suicide and stuff like that, I don't think that would be affected by this
• About suicide and things like that, that would not be affected by this bill.
• the full context of the bill so they could be referred for, like I've stated, you know, help with suicide

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• have passed evidence-based policies such as safe storage laws, which are proven to reduce pediatric suicide
• have passed evidence-based policies such as safe storage laws, which are proven to reduce pediatric suicide
• have passed evidence-based policies such as safe storage laws, which are proven to reduce pediatric suicide
• have passed evidence-based policies such as safe storage laws, which are proven to reduce pediatric suicide

Bills: HF3351

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• And Tacitus reports that Pomponius Label and his wife Paxa committed suicide when they were facing charges
• 00:29:26.880><c> Paxa</c><00:29:27.679><c> uh</c><00:29:27.919><c> committed</c><00:29:28.240><c> suicide
• </c><00:29:29.360><c> when</c><00:29:29.600><c> they</c> wife Paxa uh committed suicide when they wife
• Paxa uh committed suicide when they were<00:29:30.240><c> facing</c><00:29:30.559><c> charges</c><00

Bills: SB2444 , SB2446 , SB2450 , SB2453 , SB2461 , SB2457 , SB2462 , SB2313 , SB2528 , SB2532 , SB2571 , SB2678 , SB2529

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• was abused as a child, went through multiple issues, anger, frustration, all the above, attempted suicide
• 13:53.680><c> the</c><00:13:53.839><c> above,</c><00:13:54.240><c> attempted</c><00:13:54.639><c> suicide
• </c><00:13:55.040><c> twice</c> all the above, attempted suicide twice all the above, attempted suicide

Summary: The Joint Committee on Families and Children met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and received an update that the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements was 8,647 as of September 7, 2025. The first presentation was from Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit that provides a home-like setting for children on removal day so they do not have to wait in a state office. Speakers described the mission as reducing trauma for children, lightening the burden on case workers, and easing transitions to foster or kinship placements. They said the Kentucky home in Logan County opened on August 15 and had already served 10 children in its first six days. Committee members asked about logistics, including whether children placed with kinship caregivers would still come to the house, how long children can stay, who remains responsible for them, and how volunteers are screened. The presenters said children are brought to the house regardless of whether they are headed to kinship or foster placement, that 72 hours is not a hard cutoff, and that a case worker remains in charge at all times while volunteers provide support. They also said volunteers undergo background checks, trauma-informed training, confidentiality instruction, and annual continuing education. In response to questions about funding and expansion, they said Isaiah 117 House is community-funded without state or federal money, and that new homes are opened only when fully funded, with construction costs typically ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 and first-year budgets around $180,000. The committee then heard a presentation from Remy Eastep Homes on its Family Centered Integrated Healthcare and related services. Leaders described the organization’s history from its origins as separate orphanages in Boyd County to residential treatment, treatment foster care, prevention services, and outpatient behavioral health. They said the organization shifted about 15 years ago toward engaging families more directly because family involvement improves outcomes and helps keep children safely at home when possible. The presentation continued into program details, but no votes or formal actions were taken on either presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• DDD created a permanent quality improvement and technical assistance unit to collaborate closely with
• I am a part of a couple of organizations that have been at the forefront of assisting with our displaced
• Now this problem of fraudulent schemes and billing when it comes to behavioral health assistance to our
• And, you know, I can attest that this problem has affected members of— Our help has assisted members
• Ten days from prison, he was hit and killed, ruled suicide by blunt force trauma because he was drinking

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21 minutes and then heard SB 1179, which would remove the delayed repeal date and appropriation contingency from the Developmental Disabilities Group Home Monitoring Program. Testimony from Disability Rights Arizona and program managers described the program’s monitoring and investigative work, including identified systemic concerns in group homes, while the sponsor said the effort should continue. SB 1179 received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote, with some members reserving their right to revisit the bill on the floor. The committee then took up SB 1114, appropriating $1 million for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering. Witnesses, including Native advocates, described widespread recruitment of vulnerable people—especially Native Americans—into fraudulent treatment and sober-living schemes, often through social media and across state lines. Members and the sponsor framed the bill as an enforcement response to long-running abuse. SB 1114 passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 1115, which would require AHCCCS/Access employees to work in person rather than remotely; supporters argued remote work had harmed oversight and service delivery, while Access said it would need substantial office space and warned of costs and staffing impacts. SB 1115 passed 4-3. The committee next considered SB 1051, requiring hospitals that accept Access payments to collect patients’ citizenship or immigration status on intake forms and report aggregate data to DHS. Supporters said it was a data-collection and accountability measure; opponents, including nurses and physicians, said it would deter care, undermine trust, and function as immigration surveillance. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1122, dealing with prior authorization and prepayment review for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, was amended to require a corrective action plan before 100% prepayment review; Access said it had minimal concerns with the amended version. It passed unanimously 7-0. SB 1132, a blank appropriation for a new Arizona State Hospital wing, drew testimony from families and advocates about the shortage of psychiatric beds and the effects of the Arnold v. Sarn consent decree; it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1169 for graduate medical education funding, SB 1171 on dual enrollment checks between AHCCCS and exchange plans, and SB 1172 on DCS investigations and court notification, with votes ranging from 4-2 to unanimous support. Finally, the committee heard SB 1173, which would require owners and applicants for outpatient behavioral health facility licenses to be U.S. citizens or lawfully present, with an amendment clarifying lawful permanent resident status. The sponsor said the bill was intended to curb fraud tied to behavioral health licensing and patient brokering; discussion focused on whether the bill language matched that intent. The transcript ends before a final vote on SB 1173.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's one judge and then two assistant staff.
• It's the same personnel: judge, a judge's assistant, and a court monitor to record the record.
• So that also assists statewide. It allows them to talk to each other under one enterprise.
• I believe that the DFA recommendation can encompass at least one attorney, one legal assistant.
• The money that we are asking for is going to greatly assist so that we can do it right.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.