Transcript Highlights:

• Members, by your vote, it is seven ayes, two noes, and one not voting.
• I'd like to vote yes.
• Members, by your vote of six ayes, three noes, one not voting.
• So I'm very happy to vote. Senator Epstein, explain my vote. You may.
• And with that, vote aye. Five ayes, three noes, and two not voting.

Bills: HB2056 , HB2057 , HB2224 , HB2257 , HB2265 , HB2311 , HB2352 , HB2367 , HB2369 , HB2446 , HB2532 , HB2592 , HB2752 , HB2809 , HB2957

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding, Arizona, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• The following members will be participating remotely in today's hearing: Senator PA from Brooklyn Park
• also the fact that perhaps, you know, there's Uber, people taking Ubers, and the people working remotely
• now that maybe weren't working remotely before.
• </c><01:26:41.320><c> now</c> know there's people working remotely now know there's people working remotely
• </c> that maybe weren't working remotely that maybe weren't working remotely before<01:26:43.520><c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• But no voting or changes of votes will be allowed after today. So the vote is the vote.
• But no voting or changes of votes will be allowed after today. So the vote is the vote.
• in accordance with our remote voting policy.
• If you vote no, you're voting to keep it in what we're about to vote on. Any questions on that?
• So if you vote against this, you're not voting against saying all of this stuff; you're voting to put

Summary: The commission held its 16th and final meeting to review and vote on revisions to its draft report on combating antisemitism. After roll call, members approved the prior meeting minutes, adopted a procedure for handling substantive and technical edits, and authorized limited technical corrections after the meeting. Senator John Velis’s letter was read into the record noting his military deployment and support for the final report, and the commission discussed the scope of the report, including its 118 findings and recommendations and the large volume of testimony received over the year. Members then worked through a series of amendments to the report. The chair’s prefatory statement was revised to restore language and data about Massachusetts Jews’ relationship to Israel and the impact on the commission’s work. Commissioner Liken’s proposal called for DESE guidance and teacher training to support intellectually diverse K-12 classrooms; members debated how to ensure it could not be used to justify biased or false material, and the amendment passed with discussion about existing guardrails. Commissioner Hay’s technical edits were adopted, and commissioners also discussed whether DESE’s new reporting system should anonymize data; the language was revised to specify anonymized data and approved. Additional amendments were adopted on public safety and higher education, including clarifying support for nonprofit security grants and personnel grants, refining language on academic boycotts, and adding references to Zionist identity and presumed Zionist identity as possible bases for antisemitic treatment. Commissioner Kipnis’s revisions to the prefatory statement were also considered, with some members objecting to the removal of language about minimization and traumatic invalidation and others supporting a more concise, fact-driven tone. The commission also approved language strengthening recommendations by changing several “should” statements to “must.” Treasurer Deborah Goldberg then delivered closing remarks praising the commission’s work and sharing personal family history to illustrate the persistence of antisemitism in Massachusetts. She said the report offers a practical roadmap, including bias reporting in schools, security coordination, and broader anti-discrimination training, and emphasized that the recommendations will help all communities. Commissioners thanked her for her leadership and testimony. The meeting continued with further amendments, including one on law enforcement security grants and another on higher education findings and recommendations, and the commission repeatedly voted by roll call, generally approving the revisions unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• So members, please vote your district, vote your conscience, don't vote early, don't vote often, but
• </c><00:12:24.160><c> your</c> vote your district, vote your vote your district, vote your conscience
• </c><00:12:26.160><c> vote</c> conscience, don't vote early, don't vote conscience, don't vote early,
• </c> often, but just vote. often, but just vote.
• Go ahead and vote for it if you like. Vote. Don't vote for it if you don't want to.

Transcript Highlights:

• vote by us in order to get something presented to you.
• Thank you. change we as a group vote on these change we as a group vote on these things<01:09:03.920>
• </c> and in turn requires unanimous uh vote and in turn requires unanimous uh vote by<01:09:09.920><c
• </c> have to vote on it and after they vote have to vote on it and after they vote on<01:21:05.280><c
• </c><01:25:13.840><c> so</c> state aid would be is quite remote so state aid would be is quite remote

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul McDonald on remote. Do turn on Mr. Paul McDonald on remote.
• Okay, let's proceed with... vote on this uh this amendment. vote on this uh this amendment.
• I'm with Vote Solar, and we are a part of the Rise and Repair Coalition.
• </c> vote no on this amendment. vote no on this amendment. Senator<02:24:34.720><c> Kowski.
• So I not going to vote on it, right?

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• employment, the Ethics Act does not prohibit a legislator from inducing, supporting, advocating, or voting
• I met him remotely. Okay. And at what time did you meet him remotely?
• As Representative Simmons, I'm speaking on behalf of what the entire legislature has voted on, and I
• I was one vote on the board.
• I think it was signed remotely. You're incorrect.

Summary: The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance. Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns. Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.

Transcript Highlights:

• employment, the Ethics Act does not prohibit a legislator from inducing, supporting, advocating, or voting
• I met him remotely. Okay. And at what time did you meet him remotely?
• As Representative Simmons, I'm speaking on behalf of what the entire legislature has voted on, and I
• I was one vote on the board.
• I think it was signed remotely. You're incorrect.

Summary: The hearing opened in a Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings matter involving Legislative Ethics Board complaint 2025-5 against Representative Tara Simmons. The ALJ outlined the process, the issues on appeal, and the burden of proof, which centered on whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for others’ benefit and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her duties, and what sanction would be appropriate. Several exhibits were admitted by stipulation or without objection, while Exhibit 2 was initially held for later ruling but was ultimately admitted after testimony from the witness who prepared it. The board also granted a motion to sequester witnesses and took under advisement a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after the staff case-in-chief. In opening statements, board staff alleged Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070 by sponsoring a proviso that benefited her outside employer, Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), by using campaign surplus funds to help hire a friend, by intervening in a dispute over the proviso-funded work, and by sending text messages to influence others. Staff said it would seek penalties of up to $5,000 per violation plus costs. Defense counsel argued the allegations were technical ethics issues, denied Simmons profited personally, and contended the proviso funding her employer was permitted under prior board guidance; counsel also argued the campaign donation and later contract dispute were lawful and context-dependent. The first witness, Kimberly Gordon of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), testified that AEJG received state proviso funding and donations from Simmons, including $10,000 and later $40,000, which Gordon said were intended to fund the hiring of Antoine Coleman, Simmons’s romantic partner. Gordon said AEJG returned the donations and terminated Coleman after learning of the relationship and potential conflict of interest. She also testified about a later 2024 proviso involving EEC, a subcontract between AEJG and EEC, and a dispute over EEC’s performance under that subcontract. Gordon said AEJG raised concerns with the Administrative Office of the Courts, met with contract manager Chris Stanley, and ultimately rewrote the subcontract after Stanley, allegedly after speaking with Simmons, directed them to do so. The hearing then recessed for lunch, and cross-examination of Gordon was set to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge a yes vote.
• Senator Benke, how do you vote? Senator Binky votes aye. Mr.
• Senator Frame, how do you vote? Vote aye. Senator Frame votes aye. Senator McEwen, how do you vote?
• Vote no. Further remarks, Senator Christian. Thank you, Mr. President. Bad bill. Please vote no.
• And we voted on it. It didn't have the votes a few years ago.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5975 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6066 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6151 , SB6197 , SB6220 , SB6256 , SB6311 , SB6343

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, I will uh we'll take a vote on 1048.
• Seeing none, I will uh we'll take a vote on 1048.
• Seeing none, I will uh we'll take a vote on 1048.
• She is on remote.
• And, uh, this is a good time for remote.

Bills: HF1048 , HF1049 , HF745 , HF2210

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• We've decided to go ahead and do a block vote on them at our last committee meeting.
• Is there a motion to recommend confirmation by a block vote? Is there an objection?
• Seeing no objection, we will vote, then in a block.
• Seeing no objection, we will vote then in a block vote on all individuals in Tabs 2 through 13.
• And by your vote, all those we have heard from today will be recommended for confirmation.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• hope the coalition that you see up here honoring and thanking you today is a reflection of how our votes
• And I look forward to voting to give you guys what you deserve, what you have earned, because you are
• ballots voted by mail for the Committee on Elections.
• And authorizes this and the shares to be voted by the proxy advisor investment manager for the Committee
• HB 3835 by Curry relates to the vote required to approve the issuance of general obligation bonds by

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to to vote on it. to to vote on it.
• We're voting on &gt;&gt; Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• do you say we vote on it?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Clerk votes yes. Represent Hri Bulla. &gt;&gt; Clerk votes yes. Represent Hri Bulla.
• </c> He he tried he tried getting two votes He he tried he tried getting two votes but<02:18:29.679><

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The work session focused first on SP 492, a bill intended to give the New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services authority to lease or license property for housing and related uses. Major General David Mikolitis testified that the bill is aimed at addressing affordable housing for junior enlisted service members, especially those assigned to Pease Air National Guard Base who currently face long commutes because of the Seacoast housing shortage. He said the most likely uses would be converting limited barracks space in Pembroke or Stratford into apartment-style or extended-stay housing, and possibly allowing office/co-op space for federal civilians, though he emphasized the primary purpose is housing for junior ranks. He also said any development would likely be done by a private developer through an RFP, with costs borne by the developer rather than the department. Committee members asked about whether the bill could apply to commercial uses, how taxes would work, whether revenues would go into the general fund, and whether the concept could be expanded statewide. Mikolitis said the intent was housing only, not commercial development like a Starbucks, and that any developed property would be taxable locally rather than remain tax-exempt. He said revenues would go into a dedicated Veteran Services Property Fund and be used for facilities, not the general fund. He also explained that the department has about 20 armories statewide but sees only a few viable locations for this concept, mainly Pembroke, Stratford, and possibly one other site, because the goal is to serve personnel within roughly a 45-minute drive of Pease. He noted that a proposed seven-acre parcel near Pease had already been approved by the Pease Development Authority but still needed FAA approval, and he was not optimistic about using that land for housing because of contamination and redevelopment costs. Committee discussion ended with members indicating support for OTP, but the chair said the vote would have to wait until 11 o'clock and then closed the work session on SP 492. The committee then opened a work session on SP 627 and heard testimony from Jim Jelbert, owner of CJ Bus Lines and chair of the legislature’s transportation council, who spoke in support of the bill. Jelbert argued that the measure would allow New Hampshire to raise tolls and generate significant revenue for the 10-year highway plan without directly taxing citizens, and said the money could address congestion and safety problems, including work on I-93 in Manchester and other statewide projects. He estimated the bill could generate substantial revenue over time and said toll credits could help leverage federal matching funds. He also said improved roads would benefit businesses like his by reducing vehicle wear and improving efficiency. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SP 627 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• We will take the vote up when we have a quorum.
• We will take the vote up when we have a quorum.
• We will take the vote up when we have a quorum.
• We're going to entertain a vote change on Item 1. Vote change on Item 1.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Need is here.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote on this measure.
• We will take the vote up when we have a quorum.
• We're going to entertain a vote change on Item Number 1. Vote change on Item Number 1.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue. AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language. AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lecannaf, vote, aye. Rule votes aye. Representative, rule, votes, aye. Schmick.
• Representative Valdez votes aye. Davis, aye. Representative Davis votes aye.
• aye Lecanoff Aye representative of canoff votes aye rule rule votes aye Representative rule votes aye
• Representative Stonyer votes aye. Aye. Representative Steevy votes aye. Tye. Tye votes aye.
• Representative Tharinger votes aye. Representative Stuebe votes aye. Tye, aye.

Bills: HB2402 , HB2555 , HB2599 , HB2685

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: phthalates, medical equipment, healthcare regulation, intravenous therapy, toxic substances, Medicaid, healthcare, traditional practices, health insurance, coverage expansion, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, tribal data, data protection, privacy, sharing of information, Indigenous rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in favor vote aye. Opposed vote no. The ayes have it; so ordered. Opposed vote no.
• Senator Sears, how'd he vote? Senator Alston, how'd he vote? Senator Sears, how do you vote?
• Secretary, record the vote. By our vote is 16-9-1-11-A-3. Not voting.
• Secretary, record the vote. By a vote of 27-0-0-0-0, nays and three not voting.
• Director, record the vote by a vote of 27-0-0, nays and three not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• meeting</c><00:31:10.480><c> our</c> remotely serious about meeting our remotely serious about meeting
• You, Carlson, have to vote for this."
• And then I you have to vote for this."
• Uh but I will be a yes vote on problem.
• </c> regardless of how this vote goes today. regardless of how this vote goes today.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:28.080><c> PL</c> uh the voting PL uh the voting PL spot<00:22:30.200><c> which</c><00:22:
• in or voted out.
• The vote on Amendment 2025-2770?
• The clerk votes yes.
• If you're in favor of that motion, you'll vote yes. If you are opposed, you will vote no.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate voted out legislation just yesterday. Senator Geiss, for your questions.
• Senate voted out legislation just yesterday on a variety of housing issues.
• Yeah, thanks for letting me join in remotely here. I'm Chairman Irwin and members of the committee.

Committee: Senate Housing and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services met with a quorum, adopted the June 16, 2026 minutes, and then unanimously adopted S-1 substitutes for House Bills 5570 and 5571. The chair said the committee would take testimony and likely not move to final passage that day, in order to allow more discussion and questions. The bills, as substituted, would allow local governments to permit certain multifamily buildings up to four stories to be built or converted with a single staircase, subject to conditions such as limits on units per floor, floor size, and existing fire safety requirements. A sunset provision was described as ending the statute once LARA adopts corresponding building code rules. Representatives Fairbairn and Wooden testified in support, saying the bills are intended to address Michigan’s housing shortage by making smaller infill and “missing middle” projects more feasible and less costly. They argued the current two-stair requirement drives up costs, makes land assembly harder, and limits development on narrow or irregular lots. Senators asked about stair width, emergency safety, the choice of four stories instead of six, and why the American Institute of Architects opposed the approach; the sponsors said the 48-inch stair width was intended to allow two-way movement, four stories was a compromise aligned with expected code changes, and the architects preferred rulemaking over statutory change. Supportive testimony came from Pew Charitable Trusts, which said research from New York City, Seattle, and other places found fire death rates in modern single-stair buildings to be indistinguishable from other multifamily buildings, and that modern safety features such as sprinklers, alarms, and fire-rated construction make these buildings safe. A developer from Ann Arbor and the Michigan Home Builders Association said the reform would improve floor-plan efficiency, reduce wasted circulation space, lower construction costs, and help smaller projects pencil out. Abundant Housing Michigan also supported the bills, estimating they could reduce apartment construction costs by nearly 13%. The clerk read in numerous written cards in support from business, housing, municipal, and advocacy groups, while the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union were listed as neutral. The committee adjourned without further business.