Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, since Senator Hoffman is in the room, we will hear SB 1568.
• Members, any questions of staff? Seeing none, Senator Hoffman. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr.
• Members, any questions for staff? Seeing none, Senator Hoffman. Thank you very much, Mr.
• Chair, Representative Marquez, we've been debating this with staff both in the Senate and with outside
• Members, we will hear Senate Bill 1037. Are we ready? We're ready. Senate Bill 1037. Mr.

Bills: SB1018 , SB1037 , SB1568 , SB1687 , SB1825 , SCR1001

Committees: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections , House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Keywords: foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Hogan.
• Thank you for the question, Senator Hogan and Senator Davidson. I wrote it down.
• Senator Hogan. Thank you.
• Senator Hogan? Thank you.
• Senator Lee.

Committee: Joint Human Services

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Following this hearing, the Senate Following this hearing, the Senate Education<00:12:49.920><c>
• ,</c><00:15:57.680><c> but</c> to have a superintendent on staff, but to have a superintendent on staff
• </c> consolidate resources to provide staff consolidate resources to provide staff more<00:29:12.399>
• And I commend Senator Ward for 292.
• Senator Ward, thank you.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bauer-Kahan, thanks.
• Yeah, thank you, Senator.
• Senator Bauer-Kahan. Thank you.
• Senator Bauer-Kahan. Thank you.
• Senator O'Brien.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 psychiatric holds, with supporters saying it would reduce delays in emergency departments and speed access to psychiatric care; counties and behavioral health directors opposed the bill, and members raised concerns about juvenile use and whether the measure was a band-aid for a larger system problem. The bill was later approved on a unanimous roll call after amendments. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, would prohibit businesses from using personal data to set individualized prices; supporters framed it as a consumer fairness and anti-discrimination measure, while business and industry groups argued the bill was too broad, could chill discounts, and should be enforced by a public agency rather than a private right of action. After extensive discussion of exemptions, discounts, and enforcement, the bill passed on a divided vote. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect unpaid administrative fines for serious code violations, including illegal cannabis activity, unsafe housing conditions, and fire hazards, by allowing money judgments and clarifying ordinary property lien authority. County, city, and code enforcement representatives supported the bill as a tool to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation; there was no recorded opposition, and the bill passed unanimously as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment from Assembly Member Jackson, was presented as a clarification of Section 31A of the California Constitution to curb misuse and align it with voter intent; it received support from Education Trust-West and was placed on consent after committee approval. AB 649 would create a longer, six-year incentive period for businesses that proactively obtain a CASp accessibility inspection and correct identified barriers, giving them a 120-day right to cure later claims during that window. The author and small business witness argued the bill would encourage voluntary compliance and reduce predatory ADA litigation, while disability rights groups ultimately moved to neutral after amendments and committee members debated whether the bill might weaken enforcement or create confusion between state and federal claims. The committee also discussed the need for better public awareness of CASp inspections and the broader problem of repeat litigation against small businesses. The bill was approved as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to include a surveyor on staff.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Thornton. Thank you, Chair. I just got to say the same thing.
• On the Senate side, Senator Lujan had established enough In that Congress, we passed the Senate, but
• Montoya, perhaps Senator Chavez.
• Thank you, Senator.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, um Senator Senator Pantis. Thank you, um Senator Chair<00:36:29.200><c> Ward.
• Senator Senator Senator Oil.<01:29:18.880><c> Okay.
• Uh, Grant Bossi, deputy chief of staff with the New Hampshire Senate.
• So Senator Sullivan, I... amendment, Senator Ward. Um, so the the amendment, Senator Ward.
• deputy chief of staff with the New<01:46:25.760><c> Hampshire</c><01:46:26.000><c> Senate.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• SAFETY AND SECURITY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE PARAMOUNT TO CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE OF LEARNING
• WE WILL GO TO REPRESENTATIVE MY GOAL ALL THE WAY OVER THERE WITH STAFF NEXT TO HER.
• MY STAFF BROUGHT THAT FOR DISTRIBUTION.
• WE HAVE COMPLIANCE STAFF SPECIFICALLY FOR THREAT MANAGEMENT.
• WE HAVE COMPLIANCE STAFF OR PHYSICAL SECURITY AS WELL.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, since Senator Hoffman is in the room, we will hear SB 1568.
• Members, any questions of staff? Seeing none, Senator Hoffman. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr.
• Members, any questions for staff? Seeing none, Senator Hoffman. Thank you very much, Mr.
• Chair, Representative Marquez, we've been debating this with staff both in the Senate and kind of outside
• Chair, if I could acquire staff, we want to make it match... ...we want to make it match the Senate version

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills and one bill on party vacancy procedures. SB 1018, which would expand Arizona’s foreign law restrictions to expressly include Sharia law and certain related religious or cultural practices, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters said it was intended to prevent enforcement of coercive or unconstitutional private adjudications, while opponents argued it was anti-Muslim and unconstitutional. The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. SB 1568 would require election equipment clocks and timekeeping functions to be set to the current accurate time and verified during testing. County officials opposed parts of the bill as impractical for equipment not connected to the internet and for areas with different time zones, while the sponsor and a witness said inaccurate clocks had been observed in testing. The committee adopted the bill on a 4-3 vote. SB 1687 would move the primary election to the Tuesday before Memorial Day and adjust related filing and petition deadlines; an amendment expanding Clean Elections timing and spending provisions was offered but defeated. The bill then passed 4-3 after members discussed the need to align election timelines and Clean Elections rules. SB 1825 would change how precinct committeeman vacancies are filled, shifting authority in counties over 500,000 people toward legislative district chairs and requiring faster action by county boards. Supporters said it would streamline appointments and improve transparency, while opponents warned it could concentrate power and create abuse. An amendment clarifying the county-size threshold was adopted, and the bill passed 4-1 with one present and one absent. SB 1037, which imposes stricter cybersecurity and chain-of-custody requirements on voting and tabulating equipment and requires continuous video at counting centers, also passed after amendment on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring U.S. citizenship to register and vote, banning foreign-national election contributions, requiring proof of identity for voting, and changing some mail-ballot and polling-place rules; the transcript cuts off before any vote on that resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Local Government Committee.
• Senate Bills 6154, 6242, and 6279.
• Good afternoon, committee staff. Good afternoon. Committee staff, Jacob Ewing, staff to committee.
• We have Senate Bill 6211 before us.
• We have Senate Bill 5633 before us.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held its last Senate bill hearing before cutoff and then moved into executive session. The chair announced several bills were being removed from the executive calendar, including SB 6181, SB 6154, SB 6242, and SB 6279. Staff then summarized the remaining bills: SB 6211 would create uniformity for how GMA-planning cities implement real estate excise tax, with no amendments; SB 6234 would regulate sewage grinder pumps for new residential buildings, with a proposed substitute narrowing the bill to single-family residences, adding public utility districts, clarifying conditions for installation, and assigning maintenance responsibilities; SB 5633 would change subdivision and preliminary plat procedures, with a proposed substitute and a large Commerce fiscal note; SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period a non-certified person may work on on-site wastewater treatment systems under supervision; SB 6274 would require housing and transportation planning to identify infrastructure barriers and review street and frontage standards; and SB 6309 would allow regional transit authorities more flexibility to apply for permits and construct facilities, with a proposed substitute expanding permit application authority and adjusting subdivision exemptions. In executive session, the committee adopted the proposed substitutes for SB 6234, SB 5633, and SB 6309. SB 5633 drew a no vote from one member, who cited concerns about the fiscal note and public input. The committee then voted do pass on SB 6211, SB 6234, SB 6291, and SB 6274, sending them to Rules. SB 5633 and SB 6309 were sent to Ways and Means after adoption of their substitutes. All measures were reported as passed subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mantzavinos here. Senator Pinkney present. Senator Poore here. Senator Richardson present.
• Senator Walsh present. Senator Wilson absent. Madam Chair, 11 members present, one absent.
• Senator, I've been messing up today. Senator Richardson. Call me anything you want to.
• Senator Walsh. Oh, okay. Senator Wilson. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Are there any questions, any other questions, Senator Richardson? Senator Richardson.

Committee: Joint Capital Improvement

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jacob Lipson, staff.
• Matt Sterling, staff to the committee.
• Staff will announce the vote.
• Staff will call the roll. And no one else is listening to speak. Staff will call the roll.
• Okay, staff will announce the vote.

Bills: HB2436 , HB2322 , HB2343 , HB1420 , HB2426 , HB2271 , HB2215 , HB2421 , HB2301 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment, coast guard authorization, Board of Pilotage Commissioners, articulated tug barge, bunker vessel, refueling vessel

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rasmusson. Senator Rasmusson, thank you, Mr.
• Uh, thank you, Senator.
• Senator Pappas, um, Mr.
• papis move Senate file 1841 Senator papis move Senate file 1841 house<01:19:00.080><c> file</c><01:19
• Senator Howe, and then we'll go to Senator Rasmuson after Senator Howe.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Chambers Armstrong, Senator Herron, Senator Reed, >> here.
• Senator Richardson, Senator Webb, >> here. Representative Fister, >> here, >> here, >> here.
• </c> have another staff with us today. have another staff with us today.
• All right, there's our staff.
• </c> ACT development board instructed staff ACT development board instructed staff to<00:20:39.200><c

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met on June 11 but did not have a quorum, so it could not approve the prior minutes. The committee then received a compliance and program update from Brandon Reed and Bill McClowski of the agricultural development board, who said the office is fully staffed, has digitized most records, and has added a Facebook page to share board actions, projects, and compliance work. They also reported that the board and finance corporation continue to operate with strong county-council participation and that the office had completed numerous site visits, program reviews, and project closeouts over the reporting period. The presenters reviewed monthly funding actions from December through May, including board approvals ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, with a December finance meeting delayed by a snowstorm. They highlighted that the Kentucky Agriculture Finance Corporation now has 57 loans generating more than $2 million per month in payments, and that the revolving loan program has grown to support more than $24 million annually in repayments available for relending. They also noted that 75% of the portfolio is in beginning farmer loans and that the office had recently surpassed 1,000 active loans. Several projects were discussed in detail. These included a grain facility in Callaway County supporting organic corn production for expanding egg-layer operations, a Union County cattle business expansion, a West Liberty Veterinary Clinic project to build a working cattle facility, a Grayson County farmers market project, a Casey County veterinary services project, and a packing warehouse for the Kanye family to support specialty crops. The presenters emphasized that county and state tobacco settlement funds are often combined, sometimes with participation loans, to leverage local investment. They also stressed the importance of supporting greenhouses, farmers markets, specialty crops, and large-animal veterinary services as key agricultural priorities. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the lack of quorum and the informational presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Harrell? Here. Senator Rouson? Here. Senator Sharief? Here.
• Senator Harrell. Senator Rouson. Yes. Senator Sharief. Yes. Senator Simon. Vice Chair Garcia. Yes.
• Senator Gates, having closed on the bill. Senator Harrell. Senator Rouson. Yes. Senator Sharief.
• Senator Harrell? Yes. Senator Rouson? Yes. Senator Sharief? Yes. Senator Simon. Vice Chair Garcia?
• Senator Harrell? Yes. Senator Rouson? Yes. Senator Sharief? Senator Harrell, Senator Rouson, yes.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm Senator Craig Brandt. I represent Senate District 40, which is the town of Rio Rancho.
• And so I know this for the staff.
• Representative Senator Zavala, Senator Zavala, Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
• Senate Bill 64, the Office of Special Education, that bill passed. That's Senator Stewart's bill.
• That's Senator Pope's bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and Members, Senate Bill No. 436 by Senator Cloud provides relative to annual aviation fuel
• Thank you, Senator Cloud.
• Real quick, I've talked to staff. I think... Okay. Real quick, I've talked to staff.
• Senate Bill 423.” “Appreciate you, time, members. What is he saying? Senate Bill 423.
• Senate Bill 423 is voluntarily deferred by Mr. Foyle. Senator Foyle. Any other business?

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered Senate Bill 436 by Senator Cloud, which revises how annual aviation fuel estimates are calculated for the Aviation Trust Fund. Senator Cloud explained that the fund supports airport and aviation projects and is used to draw down federal matching dollars, but its credited amount has remained flat for years despite changing fuel sales. The committee adopted a set of amendments allowing DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce to use federal and other public data sources, requiring annual sales tax collection reports from the Department of Revenue, and making a technical change. The bill was then reported favorably as amended, with several supporters’ cards entered into the record. The committee next took up House Bill 1039 by Representative Desotel, dealing with local sales and use tax audit procedures. Desotel said the bill was intended to improve fairness, transparency, and consistency in local audits, especially where businesses face multiple simultaneous audits by different parishes. A nine-amendment set was offered; after discussion, the committee adopted all amendments except Amendment 4, which would have required private auditing firms to be domiciled in Louisiana, and authorized staff to make technical changes. Members raised concerns about whether the bill could unintentionally encourage delays in audits and about whether audits in one parish could trigger audits in others. Desotel said the goal was to add guardrails without harming parish taxing authority, and the bill was reported as amended. Several witnesses and committee members spoke in support of stronger limits on repeated parish audits, describing the burden on businesses and the need for a more uniform process. Support cards were read into the record from multiple individuals and organizations, including the Louisiana Retailers Association and NFIB. Senate Bill 423 was then voluntarily deferred, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're starting off with Senate Bill 6224, which is sponsored by Senator Wilson.
• And we are now on Senate Bill 6249. And we have Senate Bill 6249 before us.
• Senate Bill 6339 comes before you sponsored by Senator Torres.
• Senator Christian. Thank you, Senator Torres.
• So, Senator Christian, and then I see Senator Orwell has a question as well. Yeah.

Summary: The Human Services Committee met on policy cutoff day and first completed executive action on several bills. Members advanced Senate Bill 6224 on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council to Ways and Means, Senate Bill 6255 on the poverty task force/council changes to Rules, Senate Bill 5977 on DCYF near-fatality reports to Rules, Senate Bill 5979 on in-home dependency procedures to Rules, Senate Bill 6249 on DOC supervision of stalking convictions to Rules, and Senate Bill 6007 on WISIP’s evaluation of child welfare screening tools to Ways and Means. The committee also confirmed gubernatorial appointee Angela Ramirez. Several proposed amendments were debated, mostly offered by Senator Christian, but most failed; one technical amendment to SB 6184 was adopted, and an amendment to SB 6007 removing the risk-assessment portion of the study was adopted before the bill advanced. The committee also moved to waive the five-day notice rule for Senate Bill 6339 so it could be heard that day. The public hearing on Senate Bill 6339 focused on a proposed requirement that a less restrictive alternative (LRA) placement for sexually violent predators be owned and operated by the same individuals. Senator Torres and Senator Banke argued the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and community safety, citing a proposed Kennewick placement near schools and children. Supporters from the city of Kennewick and community members said the current process lacked transparency and that owner-operators should have a direct stake in safe operation. Opponents, including DSHS, the Washington Defender Association, the Office of Public Defense, and Disability Rights Washington, said the bill would create conflicts of interest, be difficult or impossible to implement, and could undermine the constitutional LRA process by making community placement unattainable. Committee members asked about liability, supervision, and the difference between LRA placements and unconditional release, and the chair said more work was needed on the issue. No final action was taken on SB 6339 during the hearing. The chair closed the hearing after noting the committee was at cutoff and that further discussion would continue later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Riccelli has moved that Senate Resolution 8666 be adopted. Remarks, Senator Riccelli.
• To this team and their coaching staff, you've brought great pride to this Senate floor and to this state
• Senator Rochelle has moved the Senate Resolution 866 be adopted. Remarks, Senator Rochelli.
• To this team and their coaching staff, you've brought great pride to this Senate floor into this state
• Would the UW men's soccer team and staff please stand and be recognized by the members of the Senate.

Summary: The Senate met briefly and handled routine business, including approval of the previous day’s journal and referral of several bills and committee reports. Among the measures mentioned were SB 5720 (Uniform Debt Default Act), SB 6194 (allowing hospitals to refer to Ways and Means), SB 5931 (redirected to Rules), and SB 6294 (redirected to Ways and Means). The chamber also received messages from state officers and the House on several bills, including House-passed substitute SB 1066 and substitute HB 1187 and HB 1345. The main substantive action was adoption of Senate Resolution 8666, which recognized the University of Washington men’s soccer team for winning the 2025 NCAA championship, the program’s first. Senators spoke in support of the team’s achievement, highlighting the players’ Washington roots, the coaching staff, the team’s hard work, and the inspiration the championship provided. The resolution passed by voice vote. After adopting the resolution, the Senate welcomed members of the UW team and staff to the gallery and recognized them on the floor. No roll call vote was taken on the resolution, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, January 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there's an A5 author's amendment as well, to be offered by the staff and Senator Muhammad.
• Chair, and thank you, Senator. Senator. Senator.
• Senator Clark: no. Senator Holmstrom: no. Senator Kreun: no. Senator Pappas: yes.
• Senator<01:25:52.159><c> Watz.</c> Senator Watz. Senator Watz.
• Senator<02:23:58.479><c> Leur.</c> Senator Leur. Senator Leur.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Message from the Senate.
• Bottern, Secretary of the Senate.
• Message from the Senate.
• The Senate has appointed such a committee: Senators Klein, Dahms, and Seberger.
• Boddern, Secretary of the Senate.