Transcript Highlights:

• Next order of business is introduction of special guests. Introduction of special guests.
• I will skim over this resolution with special pleasure.
• Speaker, a very special announcement. Proceed, gentleman. Mr.
• morning and afternoon session.
• Speaker, special announcement. Proceed, gentleman.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 119-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize a 40th wedding anniversary, honor Sherry Anderson for her service to the House, and observe Black History Month with a tribute to former Senator Yvonne Starks-Wilson. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Festus girls cross-country team, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference, and advocates connected to the blind pension fund. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2033, 1608, 1672, and 1854, which would remove the sunset from the SAFE Act and continue restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Supporters argued the bill protects children, citing concerns about puberty blockers, hormones, surgery, and evolving medical guidance; opponents said it targets transgender youth, interferes with family and medical decisions, and misstates the science. After extended debate, the previous question was adopted 102-45, and the combined bill package passed 102-40. House Bill 1847, creating the Dental Licensure Compact, also passed 138-10 after questions about reciprocity, data sharing, and state sovereignty. The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, which bars peace officer licensure for applicants whose certification was revoked or suspended and for non-citizens, by a 101-36 vote after debate over citizenship, military service, and law enforcement standards. House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1908 and 2337 passed 147-0; the sponsor described it as protecting women and children in abusive situations and addressing legal responsibility in marriage. House Bill 1961, allowing temporary dietitian licenses and a compact for interstate practice, passed 137-8. House Bill 2180, changing Department of Revenue and blind pension notice delivery methods and allowing electronic notices, passed 146-0 and was described as both a service improvement and a cost saver. House Bill 2591, updating speech-language pathologist licensure to allow out-of-state training and practice in Missouri, passed 144-0. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, a Scouting America Eagle Scout recognition, an America 250 celebration event, and a Labor Caucus meeting before adjourning until Monday, February 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're empowering we're out of session.
• </c> session and I hope to track that number. session and I hope to track that number.
• We're out of session.
• And I told Senator Wiggins this before this session.
• And I told Senator Wiggins this before this session.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Your session is now convening. The House will come to order.
• Betty Davis, Legislative District 28. Representatives Livingston and Pingerelli.
• Senate Bill 1252, signed in open session.
• I want to echo the comments of my colleague from Legislative District 3.
• Arizona State University will provide special data equipment on the New.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've passed Senate Bill 1161 in open session.
• You have passed Senate Bill 1209 in open session.
• You've passed Senate Bill 1041 in open session.
• Senate Bill 1041 in open session.
• You've passed Senate Bill 1249 in open session.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call showing 25 members present. The journal was approved, and several guests were introduced, including Pastor Caden Metcalf as Pastor of the Day and Dr. Jane Peterson as Doctor of the Day. The chamber also took up a motion to reconsider SB 1827, which passed on a division vote, and then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered and advanced several bills, generally by adopting committee strike-everything amendments and then recommending each bill do pass. Measures included SB 1041 (Arizona Trail Fund), SB 1131 (cardiac emergency response plans in schools), SB 1140 (expungement of misdemeanor records), SB 1249 (Alzheimer’s disease/state brain appropriation), SB 1275 (sentencing and imprisonment), SB 1517 (Barbering and Cosmetology Board), and SB 1673 (Crime Victim Notification Fund). SB 1275 drew the most debate: Senator Ortiz argued a floor amendment would gut judicial discretion and preserve prosecutorial power, while Senator Gowan said the amendment preserved a veterans diversion program; the amendment was adopted on a 15-13 division vote. The Committee of the Whole then reported the bills back to the Senate, which adopted the report. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on multiple bills. SB 1161, SB 1209, SB 1598, SB 1118, SB 1399, SB 1563, SB 1564, SB 1629, SB 1754, SB 1041, SB 1131, SB 1140, SB 1249, SB 1517, and SB 1673 all passed, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to more divided outcomes. Several members explained votes, especially on SB 1598 and SB 1754, which involved community garden funding and special education/parent complaint issues, respectively. The Senate then recessed, received a large batch of House bills for first reading and committee referral, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I really appreciate the opportunity to speak with you all today, especially after that marathon session
• We're now expanding to special education as well.
• We're now expanding to special ed as well.
• Affirming care and inclusive policies are not about special treatment.
• Affirming care and inclusive policies are not about special treatment.

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• I will just note that the LFC recommendation was contingent on legislation passing; that legislation
• This is special, not in the base.
• There is no legislation.
• That's the way it was described in the bill that was done during the special sessions, and that concerns
• I think over the last year and since the last legislative session, and in the direction of the governor

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Why are we legislating for it? Thank you for the question.
• Members, it is hard to believe, but we have come to the close of the first half of this legislative session
• The proof of identity is defined by legislative action. By legislative action. Thank you, Mr.
• And that's not the object of this legislation.
• Members, it is hard to believe, but we have come to the close of the first half of this legislative session

Bills: SB65 , SB248 , SB330 , SB378 , SB844 , SB1330 , SB1410 , SB1475 , SB1476 , SB1565 , SB1618 , SB1623 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB2084 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB2174 , SB1775 , SB1873 , SB1204 , SB1884 , SB1916 , SB1937 , SB1447 , SB1500 , SB2007 , SB2074 , SB1944 , SB2018 , SB1984 , SB2026 , SB2045 , SB2049 , SB2062 , SB2112 , SB2118 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2135 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1195

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, this legislative body certainly needs your grace.
• Last session I think Senator Gilmore and Representative Beatty Last session, I think Senator Gilmore
• How are we going in session tomorrow?
• That's got nothing to do with this bill, but I hear we're going to have a special session real soon.
• That's got nothing to do with this bill, but I hear we're going to have a special session real soon,

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, leave requests, and routine business, including reading gubernatorial approval letters for several recently enacted acts. Members also recognized guests in the chamber. The body then took up a motion to send House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee, which passed, with Representative Jean explaining the bill would be revised to remove pay raises and address cybersecurity and bank fees later. On the red and budget calendars, the House passed House Bill 1103 to increase the homestead property tax credit by $75, with supporters noting it would be the fourth straight annual increase and total $300 per household over four years. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064, then passed Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements. Several appropriation bills were then considered in batches and individually, with mixed results: House Bills 1005, 1051, 1089, 1090, 1093, and Senate Bills 8, 10, 16, 20, 23, 36, 43, 55, 58, 63, 67, and 30 passed; House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, 1066, and Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed; Senate Bills 10 and 24 were initially passed over for later consideration. A major portion of the meeting focused on Amendment 1 to House Bill 1100, the RSA/one-time funding package. Representative Jean outlined increases for corrections, state police, LEARNS/freedom accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and other set-asides, plus a proposed $300 million economic development reserve for a confidential project with clawback provisions. The amendment drew extended debate: supporters argued it could bring major job creation and broader economic benefits, while opponents criticized the secrecy, size of the subsidy, and opportunity cost. The amendment ultimately passed 54-36-3. The House then adjourned until 1 p.m. the next day after announcements about upcoming budget and House Management meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a special guest appearance. For the question, and if Mr.
• It's a special guest appearance. I know. I'm just not usually here.
• It's a special guest appearance. I know.
• If we did not ask you, Representative Stonyers, the prime sponsor of this legislation, how this legislation
• For the record, Mike Steele, a state representative for the 12th legislative district.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on several alcohol-related bills. HB 2128 would expand the sports entertainment facility liquor license to cover publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons engage in sports, amusement, or recreational activities, such as the Leavenworth Adventure Park. The prime sponsor and supporters said it would modernize the license while keeping LCB safety controls in place; one member questioned whether it amounted to an expansion of alcohol access. A fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, and the public hearing was closed without action. The committee then heard HB 2207, which would create a bonded beer warehouse license and make related changes to bonded wine warehouse law. The sponsor said it would help a Ridgefield logistics warehouse store beer the same way it can already store wine and spirits, while supporters from the Washington Brewers Guild said it would give breweries parity with wineries. Distributors and other opponents raised concerns about direct-to-consumer shipping, public access to warehouses, and federal tax-and-trade restrictions; the sponsor said amendments were being considered to address some of those issues. The hearing was closed without action. HB 2536 would allow wineries to hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses, or beer and/or wine restaurant licenses, at additional winery locations. The sponsor and winery representatives said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let wineries operate tasting rooms and restaurant-style spaces more flexibly, while opponents argued it could broaden alcohol access and create tied-house concerns. HB 2476 would remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for theaters seeking a spirits, beer, and wine theater license; the sponsor and theater operators said existing alcohol control plans and other safeguards would remain in place, and the change would help theaters compete and attract patrons. The committee also heard HB 1701, which would allow multiple liquor licensees to operate within a shared facility and was described as a way to support a mixed-use winery/brewery/restaurant project; the sponsor said he was willing to remove the Public Records Act exemption again, and distributors urged transparency and guardrails. In executive action, the committee took up HB 2229, revising the Professional Engineers Registration Act. After adopting Amendment CLA 407 to restore current law on the board’s name, the committee voted to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. Several members supported the bill as a modernization of registration and continuing-education provisions, while some members voted no, citing concerns about changes to board membership requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that these legislators are here today because they took an oath, an oath to the people of this
• Speaker, I move that we suspend for the duration of this special session House Rule 41A and B, requiring
• The question before the House is suspension of Rule 41A and 41B for the duration of the special session
• House Rules 41A and B, and House Rule 60 are suspended for the duration of the special session.
• the notification to the governor that the House is in session and ready for business.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 96 members present. Members granted several leaves of absence and recognized guests, including Arkansas State Troopers and the nurse of the day. The clerk then read the governor’s proclamation calling the General Assembly into extraordinary session. The governor’s call said the special session was convened to consider tax relief measures, specifically lowering the top individual income tax rate to 3.7% effective January 1, 2026, and reducing the top corporate income tax rate to 4.1% effective January 1, 2027. The call also included payment of House and Senate expenses and per diem for the special session. The Speaker reminded members that only matters within the governor’s call could be considered. The House adopted motions to suspend House Rules 41A and 41B, which normally require bills to be on the desk for 24 hours before final passage and limit how soon bills can be placed on committee agendas, as well as Rule 60A on committee meeting notice requirements, for the duration of the special session. House Bill 1001, titled “Revenue and tax,” was read twice. The House then notified the Senate and governor that it was ready for business and adjourned until 9:30 the next morning, with the Revenue and Tax Committee scheduled to meet later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next order of business is introduction of special guests. Introduction of special guests.
• introduction of a special guest.
• I have an introduction of special guests.
• Further introductions of special guests. Seeing none, gentleman from Green. Special guests.
• Speaker, to introduce special guests. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, to introduce special guests.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, approved the House Journal by a 107-1 vote, and then spent much of the day on introductions of guests, family members, interns, and public servants. Members recognized visitors including family of legislators, a park ranger honored for life-saving work, substance-use treatment advocates, nonprofit and apprenticeship program representatives, students, and staff. The chamber also received committee reports and Senate messages, including a conference committee appointment on House Bill 2818 and fiscal review reports recommending passage of Senate Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 1062. The main floor action centered on the state budget, especially House Bill 2 on public education. The budget chair explained the conference report as providing $8.4 billion for K-12 and the Office of Childhood, with disputes over funding sources and the foundation formula. Several members argued the bill underfunded schools by about $190 million and objected to using blind pension and projected ARPA/lottery-related funds; others defended the budget as record-level funding and emphasized that the total education dollars were unchanged, only the funding mix differed. A substitute motion to reject the conference report and send the bill back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report on House Bill 2 was then adopted 83-68; the bill was third read and passed 83-68. The House then adopted and passed House Bill 3 on higher education, after debate over a proposed performance-based funding model and language directing the department to develop a new formula by the end of the year. Members generally supported keeping funding flat this year while studying a longer-term model. House Bill 4, covering Revenue and Transportation, was adopted 128-21 and passed 127-27, with discussion of rural roads funding and transportation investments. The House also took up House Bill 5 on the Office of Administration and IT consolidation/accountability, with the sponsor describing it as the central state-government operations bill; debate on that measure began before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• As these senators gather for this special session, we recognize the seriousness of the work before them
• As these senators gather for this special session, we recognize the seriousness of the work before them
• May the work accomplished in this special session bring stability, fairness, and confidence to the people
• The Governor has called us in a special session to receive and to consider his congressional redistricting
• This is what we should be having a special session on. But instead, we are here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sign in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• I think this initiative in particular, this legislation in particular, this legislation in particular
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Rick Seeman, who are my legislative Rick Seeman, who are my legislative aides,<00:17:52.400><c>
• </c> at the end of session. at the end of session.
• session as this budget bill continues to move forward and continues to evolve as session continues.
• </c> legislation anyway. legislation anyway.
• </c> completed by the end of this session. completed by the end of this session.

Bills: HR203 , SB2802 , SB3081 , SB2902 , SB2005 , SB3252 , SB2096 , SB2095 , SB2046 , SB2999 , SB3103 , SB83 , SB2041 , SB3234 , SB3156 , SB3154 , SB2146 , SB2053 , SB2010 , SB2009 , SB2667 , SB3215 , SB2698 , SB2363 , SB2372 , SB2673 , SB2948 , SB2277 , SB2057 , SB3085 , SB3025 , SB2761

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> essentially vary it's a legislative essentially vary it's a legislative decision<00:07:26.520><c
• </c><00:12:46.040><c> taxing</c> and then for special taxing and then for special taxing jurisdictions
• </c> tax proceeds go to the uh Special tax proceeds go to the uh Special Districts<00:12:52.399><c> but
• </c> talented Revenue uh had a legislative talented Revenue uh had a legislative sponsor<01:26:13.600
• special education funding.

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:47.079><c> Revenue</c> special Revenue special Revenue fund<00:12:49.000><c> um</c><00:12:49.399
• </c> accounts in the a fund and the special accounts in the a fund and the special Revenue<00:21:15.080
• </c><00:43:36.960><c> to</c> utilize this time during session to utilize this time during session to
• For the last two legislative sessions, the state legislature approved and the Minnesota Department of
• </c><00:53:26.720><c> Les</c> well for the last two legislative Les well for the last two legislative

Bills: HF1704

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:20.880><c> that</c> Last year, we passed legislation that Last year, we passed legislation
• So, it seems like this session.
• Have a motion to leave executive session. It's been moved that we leave executive session.
• </c> session. All in favor say I. session. All in favor say I.
• We're out of executive session. &gt;&gt; Opposed. We're out of executive session.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or special exception. or special exception.
• </c> many do do uh sorry, do use special many do do uh sorry, do use special exceptions.<01:06:28.720
• </c> per special exceptions. per special exceptions. Thank<01:06:59.760><c> you.</c> Thank you.
• All right, and I will... >> This is good legislator work. >> Close the subcommittee work session on HP
• &gt;&gt; this is good legislator &gt;&gt; this is good legislator &gt;&gt; close<01:11:42.960><c> the

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge this next session to look at larger privacy bills, omnibus bills.
• What happens is, at the end of the legislative session, the budget bill is dropped and there appears
• It's already in legislation. Well, I said, we'll see.
• We've offered to help amend it at several points during this session.
• We've offered to help amend it at several points during the session.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 10, 2026, and then heard several House bills, mostly on appropriations, fees, water, food assistance, technology, and licensing. HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 for an Arizona Department of Water Resources feasibility study on brackish groundwater desalination, passed 6-3 despite concerns raised in opposition about increased groundwater pumping, subsidence, and impacts to tribal lands and conservation efforts. HB 2057, reducing the Arizona Centennial Special Plate renewal fee from $25 to $20, also passed 7-2 after one senator objected that the plate’s purpose and discount were not well justified. HB 2224, appropriating $1 million annually to DES for the produce incentive program, drew supportive testimony from food access groups who said the program helps families, farmers, and local markets; members noted the amount was below the prior $2 million funding level and could force site closures, but the bill passed 9-0. The committee also advanced HB 2257, which changes the distribution of watercraft registration and fee revenue, shifting more money to lake improvement and boating safety funds and less to the watercraft licensing fund. It passed 6-3 amid criticism that the bill moved money away from Game and Fish and concern that the boating safety fund increase could support immigration enforcement. HB 2265, which bars courts from charging criminal defendants for public defender services and certain other criminal-case fees and assessments, passed 7-1 after extensive testimony from advocates who argued the fees burden indigent defendants and cost more to collect than they raise; opponents called it a cost shift to counties and other local governments and said more fiscal data was needed. HB 2311, regulating publicly available conversational AI services with disclosure, anti-gamification, sexual-content restrictions, parental tools, and self-harm protocols, passed 7-2 after the sponsor and supporters framed it as child protection, while opponents warned about privacy, surveillance, and overbroad definitions; an Epstein amendment broadening the bill was rejected. The committee then considered HB 2752, which would subject Arizona Commerce Authority trade offices to legislative appropriation and require annual reporting. The ACA said it was neutral but supported the concept of data-driven decisions; the sponsor said the Legislature should approve trade offices and that the bill reflected his prior trade-office initiatives. An Epstein amendment requiring objective research for trade-office appropriations was rejected, and the bill passed 6-3. Finally, the committee heard HB 2957, which would preserve non-Real ID driver’s licenses, prohibit mandatory participation in enhanced ID programs, restrict biometric collection and document retention, and bar government entities from requiring digital or mobile IDs. The sponsor and several supporters argued it protects privacy, state sovereignty, and informed consent, while opponents from ADOT and the trucking industry warned it could conflict with federal Real ID and CDL requirements and jeopardize federal compliance and funding. The discussion was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, with witnesses and members debating whether the bill would change current practice or create federal conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shortly after session in Room 1200, old building. Thank you.
• And that was a great example for a young legislator.
• And that was a great example for a young legislator.
• remainder of today's floor session.
• What an amazing special day we have here today.