Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Megan Kittner, and I'm with the Arizona Association of Counties.
• I'm the Maricopa County Assessor. Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members.
• House Bill 2092 allows a person to waive participation in ASRS if they become eligible to participate
• I'm a resident of Pinal County.
• Pinal County remains a vital link between Arizona's two most populated and economically important counties

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes in-custody Provided to individuals who participate in MHSAs.
• First, the bill modifies several of the eligibility criteria to participate in MHSAs.
• I am with King County Superior Court.
• in another county because of uneven application of the criminal justice system.
• Most counties also have felony diversions.

Bills: HB2217 , HB2558 , HB2641 , HB2648 , HB1239 , HB1591 , HB2209 , HB2310 , HB2526

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: rehabilitation, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, first-time offenders, pathways to rehabilitation, mental health, sentencing alternative, criminal justice, diversion programs, HB 2641, ICE out act, law enforcement hiring, immigration and customs enforcement, ICE officers, former federal employees, sworn officer, police staffing, general authority law enforcement agency, limited authority law enforcement agency, immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• And participating or not participating.
• I would like to point out that last night I participated in the Franklin County Food Share.
• </c><00:57:32.799><c> um,</c> participants in all 120 counties, um, participants in all 120 counties,
• </c><00:59:48.799><c> Um</c> County uh to participate in. Um County uh to participate in.
• So, if you're in Henderson County and want to participate, you can look up and see what CSAs or what

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fremont County does. Um, our county is a little different and it has been hard.
• Fremont County does. Um, our county is a little different and it has been hard.
• It's not just a Fremont County situation. Uh, I've got a Fremont County situation.
• It's not just a Fremont County situation. Uh, I've got a Fremont County situation.
• </c> and a tremendous number of participants. and a tremendous number of participants.

Bills: SF0082

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> members participating remotely. members participating remotely. Hill. Hill. Hill.
• </c> active participation for the workforce. active participation for the workforce.
• </c> of counties. of counties.
• </c> of responsibilities to our counties. of responsibilities to our counties.
• And they actually broke it down by county, and so you had counties like Hennepin County.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to maintain continuity and participate more consistently.
• Two, it requires counties to give veterans who apply for benefits a direct referral to county veteran
• service officers. ...counties to give veterans who apply for benefits a direct referral to county veteran
• Alameda County, Solano, and Contra Costa County, and definitely in strong support. Please consider.
• I want to thank everyone who participated today.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will talk directly to my city and county directly, right?
• We want to support our counties.
• Some of the regions do have multiple counties.
• Tribes, nations, and pueblos, along with multiple counties.
• And, like for us, McKinley County, I really pushed it.

Bills: HB1

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• It also required that counties provide to the state payments known as county facility payments in an
• I want to talk about the courthouse project in Yukaya, which is the county seat for Mendocino County.
• seat for Mendocino County.
• I want to talk about the courthouse project in Yucaya, which is the county seat for Mendocino County.
• County, we have 36 courthouses.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation held a hearing focused first on courthouse facility funding and then on the Governor’s proposed court facilities budget. Legislative Analyst’s Office staff outlined the state’s court-facilities funding structure, including the 2002 shift of trial court facility responsibility from counties to the state, the main funding accounts, the insolvency of the construction fund, the move to General Fund support, the backlog of deferred maintenance, and the large estimated cost of needed new construction and repairs. Judicial Council representatives and judges from Los Angeles and Mendocino described severe seismic, safety, ADA, security, and maintenance problems, with examples of floods, elevator failures, asbestos-related closures, and long-delayed or underfunded projects. They argued that chronic underinvestment is making facilities less safe and more expensive to maintain, and that courthouse conditions directly affect access to justice and public confidence. Committee members pressed witnesses on how projects are prioritized, whether population and filing volume are adequately reflected, why reassessments have not been updated since 2019, how long acquisitions and construction take, and what level of funding would actually close the gap. Members also questioned the fixed county contribution, the use of General Fund backfills, and whether the state should set a clearer long-term funding target for the judicial branch. LAO staff emphasized that any new General Fund commitment would require tradeoffs with other budget priorities and said the Legislature must decide its appetite for funding. Judicial Council staff said the current prioritization was based on the 2019 reassessment and trailer bill language, that a new reassessment would cost about $14 million, and that acquisition delays are often driven by willing-seller issues and CEQA requirements. The chair asked for written testimony and indicated the committee would consider a future field hearing. In the second panel, Judicial Council and Department of Finance representatives reviewed the Governor’s budget proposals for court facilities. They said the proposal includes continued backfill for the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, several new construction and reappropriation items, relocation of Los Angeles courtrooms from the Spring Federal Building, and completion of a fire/life-safety project in Orange County. A court executive from Ventura testified that courthouse conditions affect public trust, employee morale, and the quality of service, citing roof leaks, elevator breakdowns, and HVAC failures as examples of why sustained facilities funding is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:43.040><c> County</c><00:44:43.320><c> Clerk's</c> office to Maui County County Clerk's office
• to Maui County County Clerk's office<00:44:44.320><c> to</c><00:44:44.440><c> ask</c><00:44:44.640><
• And county labor rinse, and repeat.
• ,</c> county, the prosecutor from each county, county, the prosecutor from each county, as<01:17:35.840
• </c> &gt;&gt; to what the counties already do. &gt;&gt; to what the counties already do.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've participated in leading clubs like Black Student Union and have participated in activities such
• </c> More than 230,000 students participated More than 230,000 students participated in<00:26:13.039>
• I am here in uh, and Lake County.
• To use Cook County as an example, the entire county has about 5,600 people.
• </c> entire county has about 5,600 people. entire county has about 5,600 people.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm unique in the Orange County area because I sit on the board for the Orange County Workforce Development
• Board. and we've I’m unique in the Orange County area because I sit on the board for the Orange County
• County, to Orange County in the course of a day, just... incredibly difficult to ask a community college
• County to Orange County in a course of a day, just, County, L.A.
• County to Orange County in the course of a day, just to meet the financial needs that they have because

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools, cities, counties, and the state itself.
• without participating in local bargaining sessions.
• Eric Larry, on behalf of the California State Association of Counties, the Urban Counties of California
• AB 1619 gives county boards of supervisors for these 20 counties the ability to approve up to $320 per
• AB 1619 gives county boards of supervisors for these 20 counties the ability to approve up to $320 per

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the SPI of the school's intent to participate.
• Or activity, it diminishes participation in those activities.
• I know Maricopa County has recently teamed up with several other counties.
• The county superintendents have been in the room.
• That's why we go to every county in the state.

Bills: HB2040 , HB2142 , HB2255 , HB2379 , HB2482 , HB2575 , HB2600 , HB2764 , HB4033 , HCR2015

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: public education, adoption, sex education, parental rights, student health information, school safety, resource officers, mental health, training, infrastructure improvements, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, school district, governing board, training requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• It strikes a requirement that the caucuses for Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and St.
• Paragraph C is about membership participation. Paragraph D is about witness participation.
• > St</c> hennipin County Ramsey County and St hennipin County Ramsey County and St Louis<00:03:47.200
• paragraph D is about participation paragraph D is about witness witness witness participation<00:04:
• </c> related to being able to participate related to being able to participate remotely<00:04:21.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to full counties or to bring online new counties.
• , helped fundraise in each county, the students that participated in each of the 58 counties, and what
• Who did you, who in what county, just give me Sacramento County.
• I think there was not one book, not one enrollment, not one county participation where you've partnered
• , engaged counties, all 58 counties, and participated in local nonprofits.

Summary: The committee held a follow-up informational hearing on the State Library’s oversight of the statewide Imagination Library program, focusing on how state funds were used by the Strong Reader Partnership (SRP) and whether the program complied with statutory requirements. Chair and Senator Grove repeatedly questioned State Librarian Greg Lucas about delayed document production, the State Library’s decision to allow SRP to continue spending $4.8 million after the 2024 budget changes, and the lack of clear accounting for how many books were actually delivered to children. Lucas said the State Library had sent one demand letter, relied on counsel’s advice, and ultimately received bank statements, invoices, and narrative reports that he said were satisfactory, though he acknowledged the committee should have been given the documents sooner. A major issue was whether SRP and its vendors used state funds for lobbying or influence efforts related to AB 157/SB 157, despite contract language prohibiting lobbying. The committee highlighted invoices and emails involving ChangeCraft and SAGE Strategies that appeared to coincide with legislative activity, while SRP representatives said their work was communications, stakeholder outreach, and board-directed advocacy, not lobbying. Members of SRP also defended their vendor selections and invoicing practices, explaining that the organization was in startup and transition mode, had multiple financial vendors for checks and balances, and was working to build infrastructure, local partnerships, and multilingual outreach capacity rather than directly buying books. The hearing also scrutinized specific expenditures, including roughly $581,000 to Shipyard for marketing and web/digital work, $110,000 to Lotus Financial Solutions, and a $5,000 grant to United Way of the California Capital Region. Senators argued the invoices were vague and the deliverables were not evident, pointing to a simple website, limited social media presence, and no clear evidence that some advertised campaigns ever went live. SRP witnesses said the work was part of a phased plan to establish a statewide foundation and that some assets and documentation had not yet been provided to the committee. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with the chair emphasizing the need for tighter oversight, clearer documentation, and better accountability for taxpayer funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Doesn't mean she can't participate.
• Doesn't mean she can't participate.
• our public to participate.
• I'm an assistant county attorney in Merrimack County. I've been a prosecutor for over 20 years now.
• I'm Sheriff Bill Wright, BF County. Bill Wright, BF County Sheriff.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BECAUSE IT'S RESIDENT OF THAT COUNTY.
• I HAVE FIVE COUNTIES I HAVE TO RETURN ANY PETITION TO THE SUPERVISOR FOR WHICH THE COUNTY RESIDES SO
• SENDS IT TO THE WRONG COUNTY. >> Sen.
• DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS WILL BE AN ONLINE THING SO EVERY COUNTY PARTICIPATES OR WILL THIS BE IN PERSON
• THEY EVEN PUT DOWN INSTEAD OF COUNTY, COUNTRY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to maintain continuity and participate more consistently.
• million pounds of food to our current county families.
• Two, it requires counties to give veterans who apply for benefits a direct referral to county veteran
• Thank you. ...Alameda County, Solano, and Contra Costa County, and definitely in strong support.
• I want to thank everyone who participated today.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on disability services, food security, veterans, aging services, and child care. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make permanent the option for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive certain regional center services remotely; supporters said remote services improve access, continuity, safety, and choice, and there was no opposition. The committee initially lacked a quorum, so action on the bill was delayed until later in the hearing, when it was moved on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, reduce duplication, and support a 24-hour hunger hotline; supporters framed it as a coordination and strategic-planning measure, while some members questioned whether existing programs should be evaluated first and whether the bill needed stronger reporting and accountability. It passed 3-0 to Governmental Organization. The committee also heard SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez, which would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with developmental disabilities are not left without support if a parent or other primary helper becomes unavailable. Supporters, including families and disability advocates, described emergencies, immigration enforcement fears, and service interruptions as reasons for the bill; members asked about the current approval and renewal process and whether the annual renewal requirement could be streamlined. The bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1077, also by Senator Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency benefits mechanism; supporters cited the 43-day federal shutdown and delays in benefits, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Other measures discussed included SB 1201 by Senator McNerney, the No Hungry Heroes Act, which would seek waivers and direct referrals to protect veterans from federal SNAP changes and job-search-related income calculations; it passed 3-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource connections continue operating during partner transitions so people do not lose access to “no wrong door” services; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would update child care subsidy funding and reimbursement structures to better reflect direct family services and stabilize providers; the author said a provision tied to the budget would be removed, and the bill passed 4-0 to Education. Finally, SB 991 by Senator Menjivar was presented to improve how abuse and neglect findings in residential care facilities for the elderly are categorized in the licensing database, so serious abuse is not lumped together with lesser violations; testimony described examples of sexual assault and restraint being recorded as generic residents’ rights violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the chair before participating in our meeting today.
• Counties represent local governments.
• Participating in the TFW Policy Committee.
• They're not necessarily participating in TFW, but they are participants in the program.
• They're not necessarily participating in TFW, but they are participants in the program.

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Pinellas County, they already have the ability to do the full implementation.
• notices in place of newspapers if the county website met certain standards.
• on the county courthouse's front door.
• And I would hate to see somebody participating in a Black Lives Matter protest.
• My dad participated in a march organized by the Black Panthers.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and reported several of them favorably, often after brief sponsor presentations, supportive public testimony, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Early measures included PCS for CSHB 1069 on background screenings for athletic coaches and qualified entities, CS/HB 365 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and CS/HB 269 plus its linked public-records bill CS/SB 298 on domestic violence and dating violence. The domestic violence package focused on using NG-911 technology for discreet help-seeking, expanding protections to dating violence victims, and preserving confidentiality for participants in related programs. The committee also approved HB 6507, a claims bill for injuries involving DCF negligence, after limited discussion. Members then considered PCS for CSHB 1159, which increases penalties and updates terminology for sexual offenses involving minors, child sexual abuse material, and related crimes. The bill was amended to replace “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” and to address childlike sex dolls, and it passed unanimously. The committee also heard CS/HB 529 on community-based care lead agency and subcontractor liability insurance. That bill would remove a statutory liability-insurance requirement for certain child welfare providers amid an insurance market crisis; it drew extensive debate, with supporters saying it would prevent agencies from shutting down and opponents warning it would reduce accountability and leave children vulnerable. It passed 15-4 as amended. The committee next approved PCS for CSHB 277 on domestic violence and protective injunctions. The bill creates a Pinellas County pilot for electronic monitoring with victim notification, raises the victim relocation allowance, strengthens penalties for repeat injunction violations, and adds protections involving military orders and pets. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from survivors, and the bill passed 18-0 as amended. CS/HB 1009 on government publication of advertisements and public notices also passed, after an amendment requiring notices to remain publicly accessible; newspapers and press groups opposed it, arguing it would fragment access to notices, while the sponsor said it modernizes outdated posting rules. Finally, the committee heard PCS for CSHB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations, which would create a state process for designating domestic terrorist organizations and bar public support for them; the bill drew sharp constitutional objections from civil liberties, press, labor, and advocacy groups over due process, free speech, and viewpoint discrimination concerns.