Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Appropriations Committee.
• And members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
• We see that in terms of the cost of operating housing.
• We see that in terms of the cost of operating housing.
• tools in the rental housing market.

Transcript Highlights:

• We now have House bills for reference.
• It passed the House on February 25th of 2026.
• Listen to House February 25th of 2026.
• It passed the House on February Affairs.
• The next question is, on appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1249, Alzheimer's disease state plan appropriation; Health and Human Services and Appropriations and
• SB 1250, appropriation State Route 87; Appropriations and Transportation and Technology.
• SB 1251, appropriation Department of Gaming telehealth; Appropriations and Transportation and Technology
• SB 1272, appropriation Douglas Porter entry. Appropriations, Transportation and Technology.
• SP 1273, appropriation Olga frontage road. Appropriations, Transportation and Technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill that was passed from the House, I don't see my House colleague at this point.
• The House Bill stage one.
• This is not a failure of House Bill 8.
• This is not a departure from House Bill 8. This is not a departure from House Bill 8.
• You all passed House Bill 8 unanimously.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to go to House Bill 2 maybe and see?
• That was in appropriation, right?
• Now what about House Bill 2155?
• So this was both a House Bill 1 amendment and a House Bill 1 amendment, right?
• So, is this now in the House Bill 1 with the amendment? The House Bill 2 amendments? 106?

Summary: The committee first took up a House Bill 2 amendment to remove a bail-related section that had already passed in another bill and was now considered duplicative. Members discussed the earlier change to how bail commissioners are reimbursed, concerns that the Judiciary was losing money collecting the fees, and whether the magistrate-related language would still be needed. They noted the bill had already crossed over to the Senate, that the section was obsolete, and that any remaining issue about magistrates’ five-year terms might need to be raised with the Criminal Justice Committee. Amendment 997H, deleting section one, was moved, seconded, and adopted unanimously. The committee then reviewed a package of HB 1 position transfers involving the Department of Environmental Services, Fish and Game, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Staff explained that several positions were being shuffled to correct position numbers and align permitting functions, including one Fish and Game position moving back to Fish and Game, one DEES position remaining funded after ARPA money ends, and adjustments to hours for permitting and environmental services positions. Members discussed whether the Fish and Game position had been intended to be temporary, but ultimately agreed to accept the first four Environmental Services items and the last two Natural and Cultural Resources items as a package; that motion passed unanimously. They then also accepted sections 2 through 8 of HB 1 with the related amendments and footnote language. The committee next turned to dredge-and-fill fee changes in section 11, where one member objected to a 50% fee increase for seasonal docks, arguing it could discourage permitted work and might apply to repairs that only require notification. Staff said the increase was intended to help cover the cost of additional positions in future biennia, but members decided to hold that section for more information, including how many seasonal dock repair fees are actually collected. Finally, the committee began discussing HB 215 and a proposed tipping-fee/surcharge structure to make a solid waste accounting unit self-funded, with members saying the fee could offset about $2.9 million in general fund costs and support the grant program, but no final action was taken on that item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• from a prior appropriate a prior appropriation<00:21:16.400><c> for</c><00:21:16.720><c> drought</c>
• So we um propose to appropriation.
• ><c> available</c><00:26:40.480><c> to</c> This appropriation was um available to This appropriation
• Um we had an appropriation for it.
• </c> our perspective not the appropriate our perspective not the appropriate thing<00:37:43.200><c> to

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We are opposed to House Bill 2787.
• Chair and members, House Concurrent Memorial 2009 urges the appropriate federal authorities to require
• Chair and members, House Bill 2889 appropriates $50,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027
• Chair and members, House Bill 2014. Mr.
• ADEQ is neutral on House Bill 2014.

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2787, which would bar the state and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce or cooperate with the federal Mexican wolf reintroduction program, while exempting the Livestock Loss Board’s livestock loss program. Sierra Club and animal welfare advocates opposed the bill as harmful to wolf recovery and unnecessary given the livestock loss reimbursement data. The committee approved HB 2787 on a 4-3 vote. Members then considered House Bill 255, which would create a Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund and authorize the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to administer projects using long-term water augmentation funds. Opponents argued brackish groundwater is still groundwater and pumping it could cause localized impacts and land subsidence, while supporters framed it as a water-supply solution. The bill failed on a 2-4 vote. The committee next advanced House Bill 2782, requiring disclosure rules for regulatory assets included in utility rates, and House Bill 2781, which would impose financial assurance, insurance, decommissioning, and site-restoration requirements on solar energy power plants. HB 2781 drew stakeholder testimony from solar industry, utilities, and local-government interests; an amendment to revise financial assurance and remove a remediation fund was adopted, but the bill itself then failed on a 4-4 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2975, which would suspend State Land Department solar scoring maps and require new mining and housing resource maps, despite opposition that it would reduce transparency and favor certain land uses over solar. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2696, as amended, directing the Arizona Commerce Authority to prioritize fuel and gas price reduction and create a fuel resiliency task force, after debate over whether the bill should focus more broadly on energy resilience and whether the ACA was the right agency. The committee also passed HCM 2009, urging Congress to streamline mining access, compensate states for subsurface mineral rights, and require legislative approval for new national monuments, and HB 2889, which would fund ADEQ monitoring of uranium contamination and create a statewide registry and tribal-partnered monitoring program. Finally, the committee heard HB 2763, which would require a legislative joint resolution before the Game and Fish Commission could close a shooting range; Game and Fish said it would add another step to the closure process and mainly affect the Ben Avery facility, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, House file 13. 55 Baker.
• House File 78 is a technical cleanup bill.
• House File 1225, members.
• Next, Vice Chair Burkel, House File 1846.
• Representative can talk about the appropriation of the 5.9... >> The appropriation, the 2.959, that was

Bills: HF1355 , HF78 , HF1846 , HF1225

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2352. House Bill 2352, appropriating monies to the Auditor General.
• House Bill 2418. House Bill 2418, appropriating monies to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission.
• House Bill 2759, an act appropriating monies to the Department of Veterans' Services.
• House Bill 2798. House Bill 2798, appropriating monies to the University of Arizona.
• House Bill 2063. Thank you. House Bill 263 appropriates monies to the Corrections Oversight Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions, and a moment of silence honoring service members killed in the conflict in Iran, including Florida native Captain Cody Cork. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar, taking up several bills on education, public safety, insurance, health, and local government policy. Many measures were accompanied by sponsor explanations and supportive remarks from members, often emphasizing constituent impacts, public safety, and administrative efficiency. The first major bill, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, was expanded through a delete-all amendment and passed 37-0 after extensive floor debate praising debate programs as a civic and educational tool. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office; an amendment clarified that criticism of Israel is not prohibited, and the bill passed 37-0. SB 1230/HB 1019 addressed PFAS “forever chemicals,” especially in firefighting foam, with phase-outs, testing, enforcement, and exceptions for certain federal, military, and emergency uses; it also passed 37-0 and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. SB 1706 expanded the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with tighter eligibility rules, and SB 186 required broader seizure-response training and seizure action plans in schools; both passed unanimously. The Senate also approved SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining foster care medication and oversight procedures, SB 684 easing electronic signature requirements for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, and SB 778 revising forensic client services for certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 432, SB 928, and SB 620. Most of these measures passed by votes of 36-0 or 37-0 after brief debate or no debate. The most contentious item was SB 1134 on official actions of local governments related to DEI. The sponsor argued the bill would stop taxpayer funding and promotion of discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several counties and cities. Multiple amendments sought to narrow penalties, protect good-faith officials, and preserve local proclamations and observances, including LGBTQ Pride Month and other cultural events, but those amendments were rejected. Debate centered on vagueness, local discretion, and whether the bill would chill legitimate government activity. The transcript cuts off during questioning on the underlying bill, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• or linguistically appropriate services.
• and linguistically appropriate services became very difficult.
• So with that, I will open the public hearing on House Bill 1634.
• I'm speaking today in strong support of House Bill 1634.
• I'm speaking today in strong support of House Bill 1634.

Bills: HB1634

Committee: House Education

Keywords: mental health, behavioral support, education, school districts, student assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Lonnie Grine with the Odyssey House of Louisiana. ...and Emily Tilly with the O'Brien House.
• At O'Brien House, we are already never... of O'Brien House here in Baton Rouge and as the President of
• Many times they will complete treatment, and if they do not have appropriate housing or housing solutions
• But I wanted to know, so we have Odyssey House and O'Brien House represented at the table.
• And I'd like to really also thank the House Appropriations Committee; so many of you are great supporters

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several budget requests tied to health and human services. Louisiana Children’s Advocacy Centers asked for continued support and a supplemental appropriation of $1.173 million for infrastructure and standardization, explaining that the money would expand use of the Guardify digital evidence system, improve chain of custody, and reduce reliance on DVDs. Baton Rouge and statewide CAC leaders said prior funding helped eliminate a therapy wait list and speed services for abused children. Members asked detailed questions about the digital system, MDT coordination, and how the request related to SB 237, which would strengthen multidisciplinary review of child abuse cases. The Alzheimer’s Association sought $824,000 to sustain the dementia care specialist program, saying it helps families navigate services, keep loved ones at home longer, and reduce Medicaid costs. AARP and the Live at Home Coalition also testified for 750 additional Community Choice waiver slots at a state cost of $3.3 million, arguing that home- and community-based care is cheaper than nursing homes and that the current wait list is more than 11,000 people. Legislators discussed the size of the need, the state’s long-term care spending mix, and whether more support should go to family caregivers and community-based options. Testimony also focused on disability support services, substance use treatment, and developmental disability provider rates. A parent and direct support worker described the Children’s Choice waiver’s 20-hour cap and low pay, saying it makes it hard to retain caregivers and meet the needs of medically fragile children. Odyssey House and O’Brien House asked for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates under ASAM 4, warned that removal of room-and-board payments and weak Medicaid eligibility pathways are reducing access, and called for more oversight of sober living homes; members questioned outcomes data, length of stay, and links to homelessness. Finally, the Arc of Louisiana said the LDH rate study confirmed underfunding and supported a $53.6 million increase in state general funds, with local ARC leaders describing the services they provide and the need for higher direct support professional wages.

Transcript Highlights:

• CBE strongly believes that deeply affordable housing is key to solving our housing crisis.
• CBE strongly believes that deeply affordable housing is key to solving our housing crisis.
• The response was that cities can still do studies, require mitigation, and zone appropriately for housing
• to build housing, right?
• And we know that time is money with housing. And I view housing as good.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on large polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would shift costs from taxpayers to the companies most responsible for climate harm, while dedicating funding to disadvantaged communities, home hardening, school resilience, clean energy, and jobs. Supporters included environmental justice groups, health advocates, youth activists, labor-aligned climate groups, and many individual witnesses who described climate impacts in their communities and urged polluters to pay. Opposition came primarily from the building trades, business groups, and petroleum-related organizations, who argued the bill would raise fuel and consumer costs, create uncertainty for business, and accelerate refinery closures and job losses. They said California already has cap-and-trade, which they described as a better tool for funding climate action and reducing emissions, and warned that retroactive liability for past emissions was legally and economically problematic. Committee members questioned both sides on consumer impacts, job effects, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses the problem. After discussion, the committee voted 6-1 to pass AB 1243 to the Judiciary Committee, with Assembly Member Ellis voting no and Assembly Member Muratsuchi not voting. The chair and members noted the bill would continue to be discussed, and the author closed by emphasizing the need to fund climate resilience while holding polluters accountable. The transcript then began a separate presentation on a wildfire mitigation bill, with the author introducing committee amendments and describing wildfire prevention and recovery needs, but that item was not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll call up uh Attorney Larby once again. delinquent minors to be housed in a delinquent minors to be
• The circuit court ordered that he be transferred to the House of Corrections because he was 18 years
• is appropriate and then they<00:18:48.640><c> certify</c><00:18:49.120><c> it</c><00:18:49.360><c> to
• </c><00:19:14.240><c> of</c><00:19:14.400><c> Corrections</c> transferred to the House of Corrections
• transferred to the House of Corrections because<00:19:15.360><c> he</c><00:19:15.679><c> was</c><00:

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will come to order.
• Welcome to your house. Thank you. Welcome to the House.
• Thank you and welcome to the House. Welcome to the House. Thank you. Welcome to the House.
• Welcome to the House. Thank you so much. Thank you. Welcome to the House.
• House Bill 2206.

Transcript Highlights:

• , over $3 billion in appropriations made there.
• in House Bill 2.
• Pell Grants are not appropriated in House Bill 2, so it doesn't show up here, but that's a significant
• Madam Chair and Representative, um, yes, as passed the House, the equalization tax was in House Bill
• There may be a time where it's appropriate.

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• this same appropriation.
• The House passed fairly easily.
• appropriation, no longer necessary<04:06:01.760><c> or</c><04:06:02.000><c> appropriate.
• , appropriation, appropriation, &gt;&gt; please?
• </c> are an additional appropriation. are an additional appropriation.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So that was an additional piece because currently that facility also houses prisoners from Hondo and
• The facility also housed prisoners from Hondo and other places around the area.
• So right now these are two different appropriations bills.
• This puts them into one appropriation bill for simplicity, for tracking.
• So that we've done nothing to this one then, in terms of the allocation of appropriation. Mr.

Summary: The House Appropriations and Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 273 and Senate Bill 274 and first adopted an amendment combining the two measures into one appropriations bill. Staff explained that SB 273 was a response to House Bill 9 and would provide temporary funding to Torrance, Otero, and Cibola counties to offset losses tied to prison facility closures or reduced operations, while SB 274 funded several executive priorities including aging and long-term services, DOT raises, PED school improvement activities, compensation for the Pueblo of Zia regarding use of the Zia symbol, and CYFD-related needs. Committee members asked about the Cibola prisoner transport costs, the tribal inmate arrangements, the Zia symbol payment, and whether the county aid would help preserve jobs and operations. The committee then adopted a series of amendments. The first reduced SB 273 to FY27-only funding rather than spanning FY27 and FY28, with Otero’s appropriation largely unchanged because it is needed up front. A second amendment corrected the distribution language from one-twenty-fourth to one-twelfth, and a third voice amendment, based on additional data from Representative Lord, increased Torrance-related amounts and added a prisoner transport appropriation for Torrance County. Members noted the changes were intended to better match current data and allow the legislature to revisit FY28 needs later if necessary. After limited public comment from Representative Lord, who said she had corrected the Torrance numbers using clerk-provided data, the committee voted to do pass the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 273 as amended three times. The motion passed without opposition, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> may need to reschedule and appropriate may need to reschedule and appropriate notices<00:12:11.120
• ,</c> &gt;&gt; a threat in housing, &gt;&gt; a threat in housing, &gt;&gt; I'm<00:29:25.600><c> sorry
• for lack of &gt;&gt; a threat in housing for lack of &gt;&gt; housing.<00:29:28.320><c> I</c><00:29:
• There's a We've appropriated money.
• </c> appropriation for the purpose. appropriation for the purpose.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, House Bill 34, Firefighter Retirement Plans, this is a joint sponsored by Joint Appropriations and
• This is House Bill 35. My name is Kelly Norris, Wyoming State Forester again.
• I'm here to present on House Bill 105 as sponsored by the JAC.
• </c><00:25:45.760><c> was</c> biennium, uh the appropriation was biennium, uh the appropriation was 146,250,000
• Chairman, roll call vote on House Mr.

Bills: SF0052

Committee: Senate Appropriations