Transcript Highlights:

• 1495 Unidentified Speaker: …the centers of excellence program has been a great program that the Judicial
• Unidentified Speaker: …the centers of excellence program has been a great program that the judicial council
• So can you explain this program to us? So there is a... So can you explain this program to us?
• We love the rural public defender program.
• Senator: The program has been very successful.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Treatment programs have wait lists. Some programs are unavailable.
• Any of the programs, well, let me ask, in regards to the mandated program, and I had it written down
• An evaluation of the LEAD program found... ...treatment when appropriate.
• An evaluation of the LEAD program found that it not only reduced recidivism and lowered crime, but also
• The CalVIP program is California's flagship community-based violence prevention program and a proven

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• above and beyond our existing work program, so it's new projects coming into the work program, and to
• above and beyond our existing work program, so it's new projects coming into the work program, and to
• So one is the aggregate grant program.
• I know the program review. Another program review.
• For program demand, ultimately, we have seen demand sort of outstrip supply for this program.

Summary: The committee met to receive a base budget overview for agencies under its jurisdiction, which include the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Staff explained the budget format and noted that the Legislature appropriated more than $20.2 billion to these agencies in the current fiscal year, a 66.7% increase over 10 years. The Department of Transportation then presented on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing it as a $7 billion effort to advance 20 major congestion-relief projects statewide. Secretary Jared Perdue said the department is ahead of schedule, with 14 of 20 projects expected to be underway by the end of the calendar year. He highlighted major projects including I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, I-75 improvements, Southwest 10th Street in Broward County, Fruitville Road, Capital Circle in Tallahassee, and I-275, and discussed innovations such as aggregate supply grants, modified phase design-build, workforce hiring events, and voluntary acceleration. Senators asked about business impacts from construction, tourism-related transit funding, aggregate sourcing, and labor shortages; the secretary said FDOT works with local businesses and that additional revenue sources for transit would require legislative action. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reviewed motorist services, revenue collection, licensing, vehicle titling, specialty plates, insurance compliance, driver safety, and commercial driver licensing. Officials said the department collected about $2.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023-24 and described modernization efforts, including electronic verification systems, Real ID compliance, mobile licensing units, and a planned digital driver license. Members asked about the driver license backlog in Miami-Dade and Broward, and the department said service delays were driven by growth and staffing constraints but should improve with $7.5 million in recent funding and the eventual transition of services to county tax collectors. Questions also addressed temporary paper licenses and birth certificate fraud prevention. The Department of Commerce presented on the Job Growth Grant Fund and Visit Florida. Commerce said the grant fund, created in 2017, has awarded $257 million to 70 projects in 37 counties since 2019, with demand exceeding supply about four to one. Officials emphasized that the program supports targeted industries and workforce and infrastructure projects, and they highlighted examples in CDL training, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and health care. Senators raised concerns about small businesses affected by transportation construction, and Commerce said it has an Office of Small Business Innovation and other tools, though the grant fund is limited by statute to targeted industries. Visit Florida then described its public-private tourism marketing role, saying the state’s $80 million appropriation is matched by private investment and that the latest EDR review found a $3.30 return in tax revenue for every state dollar spent. Visit Florida reported record visitation and tourism spending, along with hurricane recovery marketing and rural promotion efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• the accuracy, effectiveness, and utility of personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, an evaluation
• of the... ...effectiveness and utility of personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, an evaluation
• microstamp technologies both in the production of new firearms and modification of existing firearms, an evaluation
• of the feasibility and utility of a personalized firearm technology tax incentive program, an evaluation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology convened its fifth hearing, led by co-chairs Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Senator Michael Moore, with a quorum present. The co-chairs reviewed the commission’s charge to study emerging firearm technologies, including personalized firearms and microstamping, and to assess their feasibility, utility, legal issues, commercial availability, and potential costs and impacts in Massachusetts. They noted prior hearings on smart guns and microstamping and said this session was for public testimony. The only registered speaker was Matthew Nugent of Beverly, who urged the commission to recommend microstamping legislation. He argued that microstamping could help identify crime guns, solve shootings, and hold traffickers accountable by imprinting a unique code on cartridge casings when a firearm is fired. He cited other states, including New Jersey, California, and New York, as having adopted similar requirements and asked Massachusetts to follow suit. No other oral testimony was offered, though the co-chairs reminded the public that written testimony would continue to be accepted and posted for commissioners. Senator Moore thanked attendees for their input, and the commission then voted to adjourn without any substantive action or recommendations taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• EPA's programs.
• Chairman, Representative Hernandez, I believe the EPA has a monitoring program. monitoring program, and
• The program you had mentioned...
• Like, they enter the program, we don't really have the ability to say no, you can't enter the program
• to strengthen that program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• across education and workforce development, as well as adopt regulations to better administer programs
• Fifteen of the state's 20 physician assistant programs are in our sector.
• On behalf of the California, Target investments and evaluate progress to ensure measurable outcomes.
• State Plan, and other K-14 CTE issues and programs.
• There are a lot of programs that have been in place for a long time.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met in a special hearing and took up SB 638 by Senator Padilla, a workforce development bill aimed at creating a coordinating entity called the Middle Class Pipeline Project. The bill would streamline interagency education and workforce programs, improve career technical education and career pathways, and direct resources toward high-unemployment, low-income regions through changes to the CTE incentive grant program. Supporters, including the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California Edge Coalition, National University, Long Beach City College, and United Ways of California, argued that California needs a statewide coordinating body to reduce silos, improve access to high-quality jobs, and better align education with labor market needs. Committee members focused heavily on whether the proposed entity would duplicate existing bodies such as the California Workforce Development Board and other education/workforce agencies, and whether its broad duties could be carried out with the $1.5 million budget allocation. The author said the bill is intended to move an operational coordinating entity into broader tri-party negotiations with legislative leadership and the Governor, and that the final structure and staffing would depend on those talks. Some members supported the concept but raised concerns about scope, duplication, and whether the bill should be delayed or audited; one member opposed it as too broad and underfunded. The committee ultimately voted to pass SB 638 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on a courtesy vote. The roll call showed five ayes and three noes, with one member not voting, and the chair later allowed additional members to add on, including an additional aye from Assemblymember Haney. The hearing then adjourned with the chair noting that further conversations would continue on the coordinating entity and its responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Williamson County, which has a great program.
• It's a tough program.
• Of their program, because as Representative Anchia pointed out, these are rigorous programs to get their
• so you have to make a two-year commitment. to get into the program.
• You can't evaluate what a 911 tape says a week before trial.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• Program, and we run a variety of other family health programs related to genetically handicapped persons
• But a program that has a really bad history of being— mildly off on your estimates on this program, and
• So again, this is a state-only program.
• To help cover growth in program costs.
• Medi-Cal program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs, this program or any other particular program, and I don't know how it's going to play out.
• I view evaluation more in terms of looking at experience with the programs at the school and the parents
• I view that as the meaning of evaluation: their experience and observations of various programs and services
• <00:25:42.080> School<00:25:42.520> District<00:25:43.760> programs of evaluating
• School District programs of evaluating School District programs uh<00:25:44.960> this<00:25:45.120

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and noted weather-related absences and a large number of new bills. The chair said a subcommittee would be formed to review three cell phone bills, and a full committee work session on bullying would be scheduled for the week after next. The committee then began a hearing on House Bill 121, which would create local special education advisory councils in school districts. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the sponsor, said the councils would be parent-driven, with parents of children with disabilities advising districts on education, safety, program development, evaluation, planning, policies, and communication with administrators. He said the bill would require at least quarterly meetings with district administration, an annual parent workshop, and a year-end report to the school board. He also cited federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on parent advisory councils and said the goal was to improve collaboration between parents and schools. Members raised questions about the use of “shall,” how councils would be formed in districts without PTAs/PTOs, whether the councils could function in very small districts, privacy concerns about parents disclosing their children’s disabilities, whether the councils should include guardians or educational professionals, and whether the councils would have any direct tie to the state advisory council. The sponsor said the requirement was intended to make the councils mandatory, that local districts could organize them organically if needed, that participation would be voluntary, that parents would not be required to disclose private information, and that the councils would remain advisory rather than determinative. He also said costs should be minimal. Testimony then began from Nicole Sheath, a pediatric occupational therapist and parent of four children with disabilities, who described her experience balancing advocacy, school collaboration, and the demands of her children’s therapies and education.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don’t know what kind of programs there are that show an endorsement.”
• I don’t know what kind of programs there are that show an endorsement.
• The new program would authorize a business primarily engaged in...”
• program.
• Funds available for the program would be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported. The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The quick overview: our lease assistance is one of the PSCOC funded programs that occurs annually.
• As well, the exhibits, the recommendation report, the district letter, the programming of spaces, the
• As I've evaluated the operation, I've been on the job for about two weeks.
• The Teacher Housing Pilot Program is moving forward.
• We're under some better guardrails for this program to prevent the costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission members are appointed for their technical expertise and charged with faithfully evaluating
• Supporting the process of this allows New Mexico to fairly evaluate produced water treatment, keeps the
• The Water Quality Control Commission nonetheless put in place a research-based pilot program to bring
• The WQCC exists to evaluate. Be pushed through by statute. The WQCC exists to evaluate.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, my name is Tricia Snyder, and I'm the Rivers and Waters Program

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• That includes government-to-government grants, federal programs, tribal housing programs, and the like
• There is a direct supervision program, which is called our new covered persons program.
• Crow helped us evaluate the costs and the future of that program.
• So that is one of the programs that we're very proud to be able to administer. ...is one of the programs

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget change proposals and trailer bill items, beginning with Housing and Community Development (HCD) requests. HCD sought permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to support the HCD Connect IT system, and a separate proposal to fund implementation of eight 2025 housing-related laws with $4.2 million General Fund and 16 positions, plus $470,000 one-time General Fund. Members asked about how HCD Connect would interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee, and HCD also explained that the estimated cost to implement AB 1053 had been revised downward from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared implementation with CalHFA and the new committee structure. The committee also heard a Cal ICH proposal for $339,000 one-time General Fund to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing data gaps and the need for a contract-based approach because HMIS cannot be changed unilaterally. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: $15.34 million and 53 positions for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, $13.5 million and 51 positions for the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and $49,000 ongoing for two positions in the broker-dealer/investment adviser education program. Members and the public raised concerns about the size and fairness of debt collector assessments and licensing fees, while DFPI explained the pro rata fee structure, the current license count, and how larger assessments fall on larger firms. Public testimony also supported retaining funding for the Student Loan Empowerment Network and requested funding for a franchise broker registration program. The committee also considered a mandate item involving suspension of a disclosure requirement related to property taxation, and trailer bill language from the Government Operations Agency to amend AB 91 on MENA demographic data collection, with the administration emphasizing data nondisclosure, protection of federal funding, and delayed implementation. The Secretary of State’s office then presented Help America Vote Act funding requests: $10.3 million for VoteCal maintenance and operations and $4.492 million for HAVA spending plans supporting voter education, training, accessibility, auditing, and county assistance. The office also requested $660,000 General Fund to implement AB 1392, which would make voter registration information for elected officials and candidates confidential, and explained the need to modify VoteCal and county election systems. The committee also heard requests to continue the Cal-Access Replacement System with $11.8 million General Fund and to continue the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project with $9.75 million from the Business Fees Fund. Members asked about total project costs, testing, data migration, and the expected November 2026 go-live date for Cal-Access replacement. Votes were taken on the vote-only items once quorum was established, and the committee approved the items considered. The final informational item was an overview from the California Arts Council, which highlighted the agency’s 50th anniversary, its statewide grantmaking, and the economic impact of arts funding. Council staff described Creative Corps, cultural districts, and the role of arts funding in local economies, while members and public witnesses urged increased support, including a request to raise local assistance grant funding to $50 million and to provide additional funding for cultural districts. Testimony emphasized the arts as economic infrastructure, community infrastructure, and a source of civic and cultural vitality across California.

Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure grant programs.
• It's a great program, no doubt.
• , funding for these programs.
• , funding for these programs.
• The McKinney-Vento program...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools, with the kitchen infrastructure grants, Tier 2 ELOP funding, and ongoing community schools funding as the main budget issues. For universal meals, the Department of Education and the Department of Finance supported continued investment in school meal infrastructure and explained that federal changes, inflation, and underreporting in meal counts could affect future funding. The LAO recommended rejecting a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure grants, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and that future funding should be tied to clearer goals and data. Several public commenters and school groups supported continued kitchen grants and universal meals, citing supply-chain delays, workforce needs, and benefits such as more freshly prepared meals and higher participation. For ELOP, the administration proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and an additional $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended fully fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579 and tying future changes to program requirements, while CDE supported the proposal and said the program is improving attendance and academic outcomes. Senators and witnesses discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, with concerns raised about accountability, flexibility, and whether the program should better serve older youth. CDE said new CalPADS reporting and the biennial report will provide more data soon, and public testimony largely supported stabilizing Tier 2 funding while also asking for more support for middle and high school students. For community schools, the Governor proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing sites, along with new accountability through annual self-certification and future accreditation. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger number of grantees. CDE strongly supported the ongoing funding and asked for additional support for county offices and technical assistance. Committee members questioned how accreditation would work for a model meant to be locally tailored, and administration staff said technical assistance would come first, with schools losing eligibility only if they failed to meet standards after support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive of community schools, with parents, students, county offices, and advocacy groups describing gains in attendance, graduation, mental health supports, family engagement, and student belonging, while some commenters urged clearer eligibility rules, stronger reporting, and continued support for related programs such as MTSS and homeless student services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have we evaluated everything that we could have evaluated out there? And so, Mr.
• <00:32:54.240> have<00:32:54.399> evaluated everything that we could have evaluated
• property taxes and and having evaluated property taxes and and having evaluated that<00:33:34.080
• Programming for the computer programming for the camera system.
• for the computer programming programming for the computer programming for<01:04:42.000> the<01

Bills: SF0061, SF0098, SF0110

Keywords: sales tax, motor vehicle, family transfer, tax exemption, Wyoming legislation, veteran, property tax exemption, Wyoming National Guard, honorable discharge, tax benefits, surviving spouse, military service, property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, it would allow the legislature to track and evaluate progress on implementation of tribal
• And would require extensive analysis inconsistent to how other beneficial uses are evaluated.
• program to fill the gap.
• Income Household Water Assistance Program, providing the needed relief for Californians struggling to
• that can be adapted for a state program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After an evaluation of construction costs and market conditions provided by the architect, After an evaluation
• in 2023, and there was a $2.5 million transfer from SIF for that program.
• from SIF for that program.
• Thank you. and there is a $2.5 million transfer from SIF for that program.
• Another area that has been discussed is a free meal program.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we can start our program updates.
• I am the outgoing program administrator for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
• And we're going to run through some program updates. Let's go to the Through some program updates.
• And similar to the efforts of the previous program, the program has worked with those businesses to reach
• But, you know, a program like this, very, very similar, as I said, to the mega programs that happen up

Summary: The Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee met for a work session and public hearing on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement program. Program staff outlined major milestones, including the recent biological opinion, the Coast Guard’s opening of a public comment period on the Navigation Impact Report, expected decisions in early 2026 on navigational clearance and the final supplemental environmental impact statement, and a possible amended record of decision in 2026. They also discussed the Bridge Investment Program grant amendment deadline, the need for an initial finance plan, and ongoing community outreach and contractor engagement. Greg Johnson announced he was stepping down as program administrator, and Carly Francis introduced herself as interim administrator. A large portion of the meeting focused on design and cost questions. Staff said the program is studying fixed and movable spans, single- and double-deck configurations, and one versus two auxiliary lanes, with final recommendations to be made through the federal environmental process. They said the Coast Guard’s decision is central to what bridge configuration is permittable and to the timing of the updated cost estimate, which has not yet been released. Members pressed for more detail on cost drivers, potential impacts to businesses upriver, and whether the states would need to seek additional funding. Staff said they had reached agreements with four impacted river users, but the underlying evaluation materials are protected and not publicly releasable. The committee also reviewed transit-related questions. Staff explained that light rail remains part of the modified locally preferred alternative and that ridership and operations estimates are being updated using federal modeling methods. They said projected opening-day transit operations and maintenance costs have dropped from an earlier estimate of $21.8 million to about $10.3 million annually because the current model assumes lower frequency, with Oregon and Washington shares split by geography and fare recovery. Members raised concerns about TriMet’s financial stability and the need for a funding plan by fall 2027, ahead of a planned federal transit funding application in fall 2028. During public testimony, several speakers criticized the delay in releasing a new cost estimate and argued the project scope should be reduced if costs continue to rise. Testifiers from City Observatory and the Just Crossing Alliance said the project appears to be avoiding bad news, urged the committee to consider scope reductions, and questioned whether the active transportation and freeway components align with the project’s core purpose. The meeting ended with thanks to Johnson for his service and a transition to public hearing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It broadens and clarifies how domestic violence claims are proven and evaluated, using...
• It broadens and clarifies how domestic violence claims are proven and evaluated, using, using, Cases.
• In that program, you’re supposed to get an alternative address.
• I’m an Arizona mother and a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program.
• I’m an Arizona mother and a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program.

Bills: HB2495, HB2557, HB2594, HB2615, HB2800, HB2861, HB2862, HB2931, HB2995, HB4042, HB4070, HB4117, HB4136

Keywords: vulnerable adults, sentencing, felonies, criminal justice, enhanced penalties, medical records, patient rights, healthcare access, privacy, healthcare providers, timeliness, address confidentiality, domestic violence, privacy protection, voter registration, court proceedings, parenting time, supervised visitation, family court, high-risk cases

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2931, which would continue the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board for eight years. Staff and the sponsor described it as a continuation measure to preserve the board’s civil rights reporting and advisory role. One supporter from the Civil Rights Division testified that the board is a volunteer, nonpartisan body that issues reports on civil rights issues, while the division itself protects Arizonans in employment, housing, voting, and public accommodations. The bill passed on a 5-3 vote with a due pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2862, a strike-everything amendment creating a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask to conceal identity, narrowed by amendment to Title 13 offenses only. Supporters argued it would deter offenders and help law enforcement, while opponents from CAIR Arizona and the ACLU warned it could burden religious expression and expressive protest, including niqabs, hijabs, motorcycle helmets, and protest costumes. The committee adopted the striker and an additional amendment, then advanced the bill as amended on a 7-2 vote. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in the adoption/termination context, would require service of a filed paternity action to prevent waiver of paternal rights and allow failure to do so to support termination of the parent-child relationship. An adoption attorney said the change would close a loophole that can leave children in legal limbo, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 4136 created unlawful entry into a residential structure where a vulnerable adult resides as a felony, but several members and an opponent argued the conduct was already covered by existing trespass, burglary, abuse, and aggravating-factor statutes; the bill nevertheless received a due pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. The committee also advanced HB 2995, which rewrites child custody/domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in legal decision-making and parenting time, expand the definition to include coercive control, and create a rebuttable presumption against custody for a parent who committed domestic violence. The sponsor and a bereaved mother testified that the bill is intended to better protect children from lethal domestic violence; it passed 8-0 with one member present. Later measures included HB 4070, which would bar certain convicted individuals from serving as nonprofit officers/directors and expand civil liability related to trafficking; supporters called it a prevention tool, while opponents said it was overbroad and could chill nonprofit services, especially for immigrants and DACA recipients. The bill passed 7-2. HB 2861, codifying post-nuptial agreements and setting standards for enforceability, passed 9-0. HB 2800, increasing penalties when someone knowingly lends a vehicle to a restricted DUI driver and a serious injury or death results, passed 9-0 after emotional testimony from the victim’s family and MADD. HB 2495, adding sentencing enhancements for offenses against vulnerable adults and limiting early release, passed 8-0 with one present. HB 2557, requiring health care providers to produce patient medical or payment records within seven business days after a written request, passed 9-0 after discussion about electronic records and timing. Finally, HB 2594, concerning the Address Confidentiality Program, would require family courts to use the participant’s state-issued address, limit access to a child’s records in certain cases, and make illegally obtaining or attempting to obtain a confidential address a class six felony; the sponsor and a participant described repeated attempts by abusers to uncover protected addresses.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we changed the language here, as you can see: the department may accept applications, evaluate them
• um evaluate them for completeness<00:05:01.720> and<00:05:01.919> request<00:05:02.320
• directive and the authority to evaluate directive and the authority to evaluate additional<00:28
• The cities that have their own inspection programs?
• programs programs um<05:00:15.240> they<05:00:16.240> these<05:00:16.760> this<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Solid Waste Subcommittee met to discuss proposed amendments to HB 171 and HB 215. For HB 171, Representative Gerna outlined technical changes to a landfill moratorium bill: DES would be allowed to accept applications only to review them for completeness, a notwithstanding clause would override automatic approval timing rules, the word “fully” would be removed, and an unnecessary reference to perennial water bodies would be deleted. Members raised concern about whether applications deemed complete during the moratorium would still have to comply with later changes in law or rule. Director Mike Whap of DES said applicants would likely need to amend applications if policy changes occurred, and suggested the bill could explicitly state that later changes apply to pending applications. The subcommittee generally supported the revised language and agreed the amended bill could go directly to executive session, though one member said the underlying legislation was ill-advised but preferred the amended version over the original. The committee then turned to HB 215, which would create a two-stage landfill siting review centered on a “net public benefit” determination before full technical review. Representative Gerna explained that the amendment would define net public benefit, require an independent third-party assessment paid for by the applicant, and set up a process for selecting the contractor from a list submitted by the applicant, with DES and the host community involved and the commissioner choosing if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked how “host community” would be defined; DES said it would generally mean the municipal governing body, though that body could appoint others. The amendment also broadened the factors considered in both harms and benefits, including human health, property values, tourism, recreation, wildlife, local economic benefits, and infrastructure improvements. The discussion also added a provision directing DES to consult with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as needed when reviewing the third-party assessment. Director Whap said interdepartmental consultation is normal and that DES would likely adopt rules to guide the process. Members questioned whether the new framework would be too vague or burdensome for applicants, but Whap said it would not be designed to stack the deck against applicants and that the process should provide clearer, more balanced criteria. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the subcommittee appeared to continue refining the amendment language before further action.