Transcript Highlights:

• on death row for crimes they did not<03:09:58.720> commit.
• may not have even committed the crime may not have even committed the crime and<03:11:50.080>
• 04.800> all<03:23:05.040> have heinous crime that you all have heinous crime that you all
• Um I was a huge proponent of the crimes.
• Speaker, I move you, to this crime. Mr.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:13 Report of Committees 00:06:00 Orders of the Day 00:06:39 HB 4 00:07:32 HB 7 00:10:19 Enrollment 00:12:49 HB 10 00:13:30 HB 58 00:14:31 HB 78 00:18:39 HB 96 00:21:59 Enrollment 00:25:31 HB 134 00:26:01 HB 139 00:28:20 HB 185 00:35:36 HB 213 00:38:16 HB 220 00:40:32 HB 253 00:41:45 HB 265 00:44:55 HB 280 00:47:10 HB 290 00:49:13 Enrollment 00:51:49 HB 355 00:52:25 HB 398 00:54:42 HB 622 00:57:07 HB 424 00:58:24 HB 456 01:01:43 HB 459 01:02:51 HB 470 01:04:54 HB 555 01:10:20 HB 562 01:12:35 HB 576 01:16:37 HB 648 01:18:59 SB 68 01:21:53 SB 226 01:27:40 SB 90 01:30:36 SB 137 01:34:08 SB 136 01:37:08 SB 198 01:41:55 Recess 01:46:14 Reconvene 02:47:31 Orders of the Day 02:48:28 HB 10 02:48:53 HB 67 02:50:01 HB 257 02:51:05 Senate Message 05:52:18 Enrollment 02:53:15 SB 183 02:57:00 SJR 23 03:00:24 SB 251 03:06:24 Announcement 03:24:34 Enrollment 03:25:28 Recess 03:26:50 Reconvene 07:04:07 Enrollment 07:04:12 Senate Message 07:06:54 Appointment of Conference Committees 07:09:38 Orders of the Day 07:10:03 SB 100 07:11:06 Appointment of Conference Committee 07:12:18 HB 778 07:12:37 HB 6 07:15:14 HB 142 07:18:48 HB 144 07:21:27 HB 236 07:24:13 HB 305 07:26:45 HB 651 07:29:16 HB 521 07:31:44 HB 692 07:36:04 HB 491 07:38:33 HB 689 07:40:50 HB 767 07:43:24 HB 627 07:46:33 HB 869 07:49:00 HB 566 07:50:21 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:54:31 Introductions 08:07:19 ConC & Rules Report 08:12:28 Floor Amendments 08:13:10 Adjournment 08:16:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a victim crime by any means, and the individuals within our administration we are trying so
• data collection and reporting, community engagement, education, and technical assistance. a victim crime
• by any means and the a victim crime by any means and the individuals<00:02:32.440> that<00:02
• And so this is a growing area of crimes that we need to continue to focus on.
• and so this is a growing area of crimes and so this is a growing area of crimes that<01:20:47.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , victims of crimes, victims of crimes, which<00:31:24.720> they<00:31:24.840> do<00
• Our recoveries go back to the crime Our recoveries go back to the crime victims,<00:31:28.760>
• defraud them, or individual crime defraud them, or individual crime victims. victims. victims.
• crimes.
• Um crimes.

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• elements of the crime would not apply to this uh elements that he's listed in the amendment.
• <00:28:48.720> and understand there's elements of crime and understand there's elements of
• elements of the crime would would uh the elements of the crime would would not<00:28:52.159> apply
• Again, there's elements of this crime. Again, there's elements of this crime.
• If If journalists are met in this crime.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:38:53.160> report in according to the BCA crime report in according to the BCA crime report
• in the state of Minnesota, but yet is the only crime that affects every single driver all the way down
• Chair. severity crime in the state of Minnesota severity crime in the state of Minnesota but<00:48:07.520
• <00:48:09.520> that<00:48:09.720> affects but yet is the only crime that affects but
• yet is the only crime that affects every<00:48:10.960> single every single every single driver

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're acknowledging in the bill it's going to be more crime because of this.
• We're going to create government in order to deal with that crime.
• <01:19:29.520> that's create um plans for a new crime that's create um plans for a new crime
• <01:19:41.960> because there's going to be more crime because there's going to be more crime
• <01:19:46.920> it's in order to deal with that crime it's in order to deal with that crime

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Crime are described in the slide.
• Slide 5 is showing me that juvenile crime is 30% below fiscal year 19.
• We don't even have a juvenile crime problem.' Look at 2009.
• Panel, on the referrals: what type of crimes?
• I know they're misdemeanors, but give me like just five quick crimes that would be referred.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows the judge to look at the circumstances of each crime instead of the prosecutor making that.
• ...it allows the judge to look at the circumstances of each crime instead of the prosecutor making that
• I have had a crime that has been expunged, but I have been charged along with my neighbor, whose crime
• had that case expunge or that crime had that case expunge or that crime expunge<01:16:14.000>
• You have the authority to make it non-searchable on the website, should a crime be considered expunged

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not going to excuse their crimes. It is not going to give them any time.
• Representative Blackman: It is not going to excuse their crimes.
• referral pipeline to immigration enforcement, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and violent crimes
• SB 1055 makes people afraid to report crimes and seek help.
• This objectively means more crime goes unreported and unsolved.

Bills: SB1032, SB1055, SB1107

Keywords: corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement first heard SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the State General Fund to the Corrections Oversight Fund in fiscal year 2027 to help administer the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Supporters, including Justice Action Network and a family member who described the death of her son after severe mental health and jail-care failures, argued the office is needed to provide accountability, transparency, and a check on systemic problems in the Department of Corrections. Representative Blackman strongly backed the measure, saying the oversight office would help address lawsuits, staffing shortages, mental health issues, and the state’s federal receivership. The committee approved SB 1032 on a 14-0 vote with one absent, giving it a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered SB 1107, which creates an alternative certification pathway for honorably discharged U.S. veterans who served as military police to become Arizona peace officers through an abbreviated training process that credits military training and experience. There was no sponsor present and no opposition testimony. Members discussed whether the bill would include equivalent military law enforcement roles from all branches, and staff indicated the bill is intended to track Department of Defense training standards. The bill received broad support as a way to help fill public safety staffing shortages, though one member voted no over concerns about applicants with prior misconduct elsewhere. SB 1107 passed 11-1, with two present and one absent, and received a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard SB 1055, which requires law enforcement to immediately notify ICE or CBP when an arrested person is unlawfully present in the United States. Supporters said the bill would strengthen cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and help ensure people are not released before federal authorities can act. Opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona and several community speakers, argued it would undermine trust in law enforcement, chill crime reporting, create due process and constitutional concerns, and impose unfunded compliance burdens on local agencies; one speaker also raised concerns about impacts on Indigenous people and families dealing with mental illness crises. A strike-everything amendment offered by Representative Cruz would have replaced the bill with a restriction on DOC inmate telephone contracts so the department could not profit beyond operating costs, but the committee rejected that amendment 6-8. The committee then approved the underlying SB 1055 on an 8-6 vote with one absent, giving it a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yep, who has my wonderful counterpart in crime. Thank you.
• Yep, who has my wonderful counterpart in crime.
• Even if you committed a heinous crime, like murder, in the situation we have, they cannot be charged
• Even if you committed a heinous crime, let's say murder, like in the situation we have, they cannot be
• The alternative is to let them on the streets, where they could potentially commit more crimes and not

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions recognizing Disability Day at the Capitol, the Arizona Cattle Association, Nurse-Family Partnership nurses, Navajo Nation visitors, and others. Members also made personal privilege remarks on topics including a strike by ASU Aramark food service workers, Lent and Ramadan, and Black History Month. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 2006, a death resolution honoring Yvonne Glee Lyme Federson and her work with Childhelp, with a moment of respectful silence. The House resolved into Committee of the Whole and then Additional Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. HB 2089, HB 2177, HB 2258, HB 2322, HB 2786, and HB 2825 were all recommended do pass, with HB 2177, HB 2322, and HB 2825 amended. HB 2074, dealing with abortion-related language, drew extensive debate over a floor amendment that removed a life-of-the-mother exception; the amendment was adopted and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended. HB 2104 and HB 2105, both relating to county property tax assessment procedures and inspections, were amended to address assessor concerns and then recommended do pass as amended. After the committee reports were adopted, the House considered and passed several third-reading bills. HB 2173, HB 2203, HB 2223, and HB 2501 all passed 57-0. HB 2307, an emergency measure concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and out-of-state treatment options, passed 37-20 but did not receive the required two-thirds vote to enact the emergency clause. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• VERY IMPORTANT REASON I'M SURPRISED NO ONE HAS MENTIONED YET IS CONNECTION BETWEEN GREEN SPACES AND CRIME
• RESEARCHERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FOUND CITIES WITH MORE GREEN SPACES TEND TO HAVE LOWER CRIME
• WE NEED LOWER CRIME RATES.
• SO BY PROTECTING THE GREEN SPACES IN OUR COMMUNITY THIS BILL WOULD DECREASE CRIME RATES AND THAT IS WHY
• LAST YEAR WE HAD CREATED INCREASED PENALTIES FOR GAMBLING CRIMES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a bag, and you don't know if you're supposed to call 911 because something they just discovered, a crime
• a bag, and you don't know if you're supposed to call 911 because something they just discovered, a crime
• The DE1 is adopted to House discovered a crime going on or what, but discovered a crime going on or what

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4017, with Representative Johnson presenting a delete-everything amendment that substantially changed the bill from a regulatory approach to a study. Johnson explained that the issue involves improper disposal of medical waste by hospitals and surgery centers, including items such as blood, gauze, syringes, and body parts, which he said has been occurring statewide despite an existing separation law dating back to 1989. He described the problem as a safety, operational, and cost issue for waste facilities and workers, saying facilities have had to shut down, bring in cleanup crews, and investigate incidents when contaminated waste is found in general trash. Johnson said prior efforts to address the problem with hospitals and other locations had only temporary success, and that the amended bill would instead create a study to determine why the violations are happening, how widespread they are, and who needs education. The chair noted the amendment was a compromise that could move forward now, even if it was not a complete solution. No member questions were raised. The committee adopted the DE1 amendment by voice vote, then renewed the motion to refer House File 4017 as amended to the general register. That motion passed by voice vote, and the bill advanced. Johnson thanked the co-authors and others who worked on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Witness: The assumption the bill prevents crime is based on a claim most people know is not based on
• Almost all child victim sex crimes are between people who know each other, Witness: babysitters, relatives
• But two 15-year-olds are creating a crime, and if that person is 15 and 16, the 16-year-old is committing
• a crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• today essentially provides an easier enhancement than what would be available for the equivalent adult crime
• A crime for an adult, but currently is treated as one when a juvenile does it, criminalizing it with
• As you heard and know, the act of running away itself is not a crime.
• It is a similar issue to the curfew ordinance, in that treating a status offense as a crime drags youth

Bills: HB1821, HB1822, HB1943, HB3882, HB4263, HB4476, HB4628, HB4631, HB4885, HB4923, HB5461, HB5483, HB5525

Keywords: juvenile records, sealing, privacy, criminal justice, youth rehabilitation, legal procedures, juvenile court, record sealing, nondisclosure, age jurisdiction, criminal justice reform, juvenile board, compensation, Winkler County, juvenile justice, county funding, grants, career education, technical programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• and instead prioritize investments that strengthen our communities and address the root causes of crime
• communities and address the root causes communities and address the root causes of<00:26:45.919> crime
• of crime. Mahalo. of crime. Mahalo.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee convened at 10:00 a.m. and opened with instructions about live streaming, one-minute testimony limits, and the possibility of reconvening on March 31 if technical problems interrupted the hearing. The committee then took up HB 300, which drew extensive testimony from state agencies, commissions, nonprofits, and advocacy groups. Many agencies, including Budget and Finance, Education, Health, Housing, and others, said they stood on their written testimony and supported the measure. One witness from the Kohala Island Reserve Commission supported the bill and asked for funding for a CIP project at its Kihei site to consolidate offices and generate revenue for Maui. Several groups, including the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition and the Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, supported funding for mandated oral health services and higher ABA provider rates for children with autism. In contrast, the Re-imagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition and Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice opposed $30 million for jail planning and additional incarceration-related spending, urging more investment in housing, mental health, youth programs, education, and restorative justice. The chair noted the testimony totals for HB 300: 186 in support, 91 opposed, and 52 comments. The committee then heard brief testimony on HB 794 and HB 795. The Department of Budget and Finance supported HB 794, and the Tax Foundation was listed for HB 795 but was not present. No additional testimony was offered on either bill. After the testimony phase, the committee deferred all three measures—HB 300, HB 794, and HB 795—for decision making to March 31 at 10:00 a.m. in the same room.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 104, introduced by Representative Rieb, an act relating to crime.
• Revising the definition of criminal offense for the purpose of the Victims of Crime Act to include certain
• crimes against a peace officer.
• Relating to crime, amending the sections of the Controlled Substances Act, providing a penalty for when

Transcript Highlights:

• victims, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, elder abuse, and other violent crimes
• There are exceptions with regard to if you commit involved crimes or commit homicidal thoughts, suicidal
• deputies and detectives were attempting to serve a search warrant to collect evidence related to crimes
• Information sharing has always been an enormous challenge when it comes to fighting crime and public
• Communication is the key to fight crime.

Bills: SB1161, SB1215, SB1270, SB1400, SB1537, SB1538, SB1580, SB1584, SB1627

Keywords: appropriation, public safety, Yuma County, funding exemption, family advocacy center, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1161, which would prevent lapse of a $750,000 FY2026 appropriation to DPS for the Yuma County Family Advocacy Center (Amberly’s Place). Testimony described the center’s 24/7 crisis response, forensic interview and medical services, and satellite offices in nearby communities. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 11-0 roll call, with three members absent. The committee then considered SB 1215, a clarifying bill on the list of cancers covered by the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers, with a retroactivity amendment to June 30, 2021. Firefighters’ representatives said the measure corrects a drafting issue involving adenocarcinoma and would prevent denials of claims; members asked about peace officer coverage, independent medical exams, and workers’ compensation impacts. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with 11 ayes, one present, and two absent. SB 1270, dealing with supplemental employer contributions to defined contribution accounts for corrections employees, drew testimony focused on severe retention problems in corrections and county detention. Supporters said the bill would allow optional incentive payments at service intervals to help keep trained officers on the job; members discussed vesting, recruitment versus retention, and whether the program could be funded without a new appropriation. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do pass recommendation, with ten ayes, one nay, two present, and one absent. The committee also heard SB 1400, authorizing law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and setting confidentiality rules. Police association testimony supported the concept but noted concerns about the breadth of the privilege carve-outs, especially if licensed therapists are involved; several members said they would support the bill after an amendment clarifying privilege protections. The bill was reported do pass with ten ayes, one nay, and two present. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and allow one MDMA treatment course if federal approval and rescheduling occur by January 1, 2029. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued it could help severe PTSD cases, while county representatives opposed the mandate and raised cost and approval concerns. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with seven ayes, three nays, and one present. Finally, the committee considered SB 1537, renaming the peace officer training equipment fund as the public safety de-escalation and life safety fund and repealing its advisory commission. Testimony explained the change was meant to reduce confusion between similar funds and reflect the fund’s use for de-escalation and safety equipment; some members noted opposition from the Arizona Police Association and concerns about whether the money might be better used for raises. The bill passed on a 7-4 vote with three absent. The committee then began SB 1580, which would appropriate Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund money for fire incident management support and other public safety equipment, including pepperball equipment, simulators, records management software, and retention/recruitment efforts. Testimony supported the equipment and data-sharing investments, but members also questioned accountability, ongoing costs, and whether the listed uses were the best use of the fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• you stated, like if somebody decides to sell their car to invest in their child, to me that's not a crime
• What crimes have been committed against children?
• that one so I'm chair and representative you made a statement that this was to protect children what crimes
• of these events, certainly to be able to provide an opportunity for justice for survivors of these crimes
• and to look at what the legislature must do to... ...of these crimes and to look at what the legislature

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Derek Powell is a criminal investigator with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime
• Since taking office, she has been hard at work, focusing on fighting crime, protecting consumers, and
• To further improve public safety, our administration is also looking to take action on juvenile crime
• Violent crime committed by juveniles has reached a concerning level in Missouri.
• We must allow prosecutors to request a hearing before a judge for certain violent crimes committed by

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who's 18, if they commit a... ...took into consideration that somebody who's 18, if they commit a crime
• I am always open to conversations that increase penalties for violent crimes, regardless of the age,
• I think that our prosecutors in the state have discretion to make those charging decisions when crimes
• In fact, any sexualized depiction of a minor is a crime, and we must call it what it truly is.
• Using accurate terminology reinforces that this material is a serious crime against a child, and that

Summary: The committee first took up HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores the rights of adults 18 and older, emphasizing constitutional rights, military service, voting, jury duty, and parental responsibility. Opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates and several members, cited Parkland and the recent FSU shooting, argued that people under 21 are still developing and more impulsive, and said the current law helps protect public safety. After extensive debate and public testimony on both sides, the committee voted 11-5 to report HB 133 favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 35, which adds driving without a valid license to the offenses that can lead to habitual traffic offender designation and is named Isaiah’s Law in memory of a child killed by an unlicensed driver. Supporters said it addresses repeat dangerous conduct and should help prevent similar tragedies. One member questioned whether it was a knee-jerk response, while others said it was a reasonable accountability measure. The PCS passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 245, which updates Florida law to use more accurate terminology for child sexual abuse material rather than “child pornography,” and includes related technical corrections. The sponsor said the change better reflects the seriousness of the crime and asked whether the bill also covered AI-generated material; the sponsor said the statute already addresses such references. After a technical amendment was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. The chair also reminded members to maintain respect toward public witnesses and each other before adjourning the meeting.