Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any questions for staff? Seeing none, Senator Elias, welcome. Any questions for staff?
• My name is Rob Hatfield, staff to this committee.
• My name is Rob Hatfield, staff to this committee.
• If staff will pull up the sheet... All those in favor say aye. Aye, aye.
• Seeing no changes, staff, would you announce the vote?

Bills: SB6313

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support

Transcript Highlights:

• At Daisy State Park, the $100 in camping drawer funds could not be located by park staff at the time
• have, we want to ask questions about we may have different staff that we need to come to the table.
• Nicholas Stewart, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Corrections.
• I'm Wayne Ruthven, Chief of Staff, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
• And I'll now recognize another one of our staff, Charlie Camp, to present that report.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of audit reports with findings. The Department of Human Services report described theft and fraud involving false benefit claims, including about $8,000 in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, about $5,800 in Medicaid benefits, and an altered state warrant for nearly $610,000 that was cashed by an auto body shop in California; it also noted asset-control problems and an error in sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members asked whether the fraudulent business had been flagged or notified to other agencies, and DHS said the matter had been referred to law enforcement but no broader notification to California officials was known. The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism report cited missing museum receipts of nearly $3,500 and issues with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium, including a missing $100 drawer fund and an $80 overage; officials said they were considering cashless operations at War Memorial Stadium and provided an update that the museum theft investigation was still ongoing, with misdemeanor time limits expired but felony investigation still possible. The Department of Corrections report found unauthorized fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster-recovery test for offender management software; Corrections said staffing had been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster-recovery test was now scheduled after DIS upgrades were completed. The Department of Veterans Affairs report found four Fayetteville Veterans Home employees were paid for hours not worked, with additional unapproved overtime totaling more than $6,600, a duplicate vendor payment of nearly $1,000 that was refunded, and many overtime instances lacking proper approval; the department said it had tightened overtime approval policies statewide. The committee also received a special report on law enforcement agencies’ compliance with Arkansas’s racial profiling policy requirement. Legislative Audit said it had received responses from 203 of 383 agencies and forwarded updated policies to the Attorney General, while identifying 180 agencies that had not responded and were deemed out of compliance. Members asked what happens if agencies still fail to respond and requested a list of nonresponding agencies; staff said their role is limited to collecting and forwarding policies, and the committee agreed to receive the list. All reports were filed or reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after announcing the next meeting date and a possible room change due to building work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and start off with the introduction of members and staff.
• So we'll go ahead and start with staff. Or, we're going to go ahead and go with staff first.
• Members, do we have any questions for our House staff? All right.
• Members, do we have any questions for staff?
• Members, do we have any questions for staff? Networks. Happy to answer questions.

Bills: HB2065 , HB2066 , HB2071 , HB2106 , HB2237 , HB2258

Committees: House Rural Economic Development , House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Keywords: appropriation, housing, Apache Junction, affordable housing, rehabilitation, blight abatement, broadband, fiber optic, technology, connectivity, infrastructure, rural development, workforce hub, health services, transportation tax, county excise tax, regional transportation authority, public transportation authority fund, regional transportation fund, ADOT

Transcript Highlights:

• This is my 16th session down here, and when I was on staff before that I did handle education policy.
• Well, thank you, members, and now we're going to introduce the staff.
• This is my third session on staff, and I serve education, regulatory affairs, and transportation.
• And Minority Policy Staff, Courtney Acosta. Madam Chair, members, good afternoon, Courtney Acosta.
• But the people who are dropping dead in schools of heart attacks are staff, and most of the staff are

Bills: SB1009

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, AED training, high school curriculum, public school, safety training, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• Once a non-native species gains a foothold in our state, our staff and partners shift to containment
• Risk screenings help our staff assess the likelihood that a species will cause harm to Florida.
• If a response is required, staff or paid contractors, partners, and volunteers will respond and remove
• approach has saved staff time and seen great benefits in the number of pythons removed.
• The options that staff brought forward to commissioners for a future hunt were accepted."

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened with a quorum present and excused Senators Arrington and Pizzo. The committee first took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 1 through 4, and Senator DiCeglie moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees together. The motion passed unanimously, and the appointees were favorably recommended. The main presentation was from FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton on invasive species management in Florida. He described the scale of the problem, including more than 500 non-native species reported in the state, and outlined FWC’s prevention, containment, removal, outreach, and research efforts. He highlighted risk screenings, the conditional/prohibited species framework, enforcement actions against illegal wildlife trafficking, and public programs such as the Florida Python Challenge, lionfish outreach, the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and the “I’ve Got One” reporting app. He also noted ongoing removal efforts for pythons, tegus, lionfish, and iguanas, and discussed new technologies and partnerships aimed at improving control efforts. Members asked follow-up questions about FWC issues beyond invasive species, including the status of special activity licenses for threatened species and giant manta rays, the upcoming bear hunt, and whether the committee could help reduce barriers to invasive species removal on federal lands. Wharton said all SAL permits for threatened species are currently suspended pending Commission review, that Florida is on track for a bear hunt this December with 172 permits issued across four subpopulations, and that bear management is based on scientific data while urban bear conflicts still require separate management. He also said federal partners are increasingly cooperative on python control, including commercialization of hides, and that drones, sentinel snakes, robotic lures, and AI-based traps may improve future invasive species removal. Senator Sharief and Senator Burton later requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on tabs 1 through 4, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no debate, staff please open the queue for a vote. We're able to... aye.
• Seeing no debate, staff please open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing no debate, staff please open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing no debate, staff please open the queue for a vote. More aye.
• Seeing no debate, staff please open the queue for a vote. 10 aye, 1 nay.

Bills: SB1873 , SB1948 , SB540 , SB1653 , SB1061 , SB1534

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee heard several Senate bills, most of them described as cleanup or compact-related measures. Senate Bill 1061 was presented as a cleanup bill adding defining language, supported by the Department of Consumer Credit and correcting a typo, and it passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1534, a charity enforcement act worked on with the Attorney General’s office, was described as strengthening protections for donor intent, preventing misuse of charitable funds, and closing enforcement loopholes; after a brief question about examples of bad actors, it also passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1873 was another cleanup bill requested by roofers and passed 11-0. The committee also considered interstate licensure compacts. Senate Bill 540 would create Oklahoma’s participation in a dentist and dental hygienist compact; one question focused on why the Oklahoma Dental Association opposed it while the American Dental Association supported it, and the bill passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1653 would join a compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, with the sponsor noting 31 states already participate; it passed 11-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1948 would allow year-round fireworks sales in Oklahoma. Members questioned how the bill would interact with city and county authority, whether it would affect dense neighborhoods, and concerns about veterans with PTSD. The sponsor said the bill would not override city ordinances and argued counties should not restrict private property owners, while also saying current law already allows fireworks use year-round but limits in-state purchasing windows, sending consumers to other states. The bill passed 10-1. The chair then announced this was the last bill for the day and that about 12 bills remained for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions for staff?
• Staff will call the roll. Mr. Berg. Representative Berg votes aye. Street.
• Staff will call the roll. Berg? Berg. Berg votes aye. Representative Burke votes aye.
• Staff will announce the vote. Madam Chair, we have eight ayes, six nays, and one excused.
• Staff will announce the vote. Madam Chair, we have eight ayes, six nays, and one excused.

Summary: House Finance met on Saturday, March 7, and reviewed several tax-related Senate bills before taking executive action. SB 6129 concerned cigarette, tobacco, and vapor product taxes; staff described a striker that would lower the new cigarette tax rate, keep separate tax structures for other tobacco and vapor products, direct portions of OTP revenue to the Andy Hill account and foundational public health services, and provide penalty relief and collection stays for certain retailers. SB 6228 would repeal a preferential B&O rate for warehousing/reselling prescription drugs and create a preferential rate for critical access pharmacies; Amendment 174, lowering that rate from 0.25% to 0.138%, was adopted after testimony that the original rate was not enough to support pharmacies serving isolated communities. SB 6231 would remove a tax exemption for replacement equipment at data centers and had no amendments, with members discussing the bill’s impact on budget balancing and economic development, especially for data centers and related construction jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:57:50.000><c> will</c> staff.
• Um, our classified staff will staff.
• Even our classified staff—we have 80% of our staff take that insurance, and 40% of that is our classified
• Even our classified staff—we have 80% of our staff take that insurance, and 40% of that is our classified
• </c><01:02:36.000><c> down</c> we've, you know, paired our staff down we've, you know, paired our staff

Bills: SF0059 , SF0053

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> staff because they know they are good. staff because they know they are good.
• What was that 61 new staff for?
• What was that 61 new staff for?
• What was that 61 new<00:21:25.600><c> staff</c><00:21:25.919><c> for?</c> new staff for?
• new staff for?

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm one of the three House Research analysts that staffs this committee.
• John Walls, House fiscal staff. Representative Walter Hudson, 3A, St.
• </c> research and are the other two dfl staff research and are the other two dfl staff yeah<00:03:05.200
• </c> about 10 years first in the staff about 10 years first in the staff attorney<00:33:47.360><c> position
• </c> chair yes that is correct uh the staff chair yes that is correct uh the staff attorney<00:42:03.440

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also would like to welcome our new administration staff, Thomas McGregor, Jay Motherall, and Matthew
• And I'd like for the staff to go ahead and introduce your staff.
• And I also would like to welcome our new administration staff, Thomas McGregor, Jay Motherall, and Matthew
• And I'd like for the staff to go ahead and introduce your staff.
• Go ahead and introduce the members of your staff so that your record is okay.

Committee: Senate Administration

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration convened for its first hearing, established a quorum, welcomed new and returning members and staff, and adopted standard committee rules without change. The committee then took up S.J.R. 36, a proposed constitutional amendment allowing the legislature and state agencies to accept gifts and contributions for the preservation and purchase of items of historical value. Senator Hall presented the bill, there was no public testimony, and no questions from members. After discussion, Senator Hall moved to report S.J.R. 36 favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass and be printed. The committee approved the motion unanimously by a roll call vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays, and the bill was reported favorably. With no further business, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is also extremely burdensome on staff, the budget committee as well as our budget staff.
• So extremely burdensome on staff, the budget committee as well as our budget staff.
• I don't think staff get enough credit.
• I want to echo my colleagues' comments about thanking staff.
• Our staff got all this information piled on them...

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, please explain the bill. Staff, please explain the bill. Mr.
• Staff, please explain the amendment. Staff, please explain the amendment. Mr.
• Members, any questions for staff? I'm available for questions. Members, any questions for staff?
• Members, any questions for staff? I'm available for questions. Members, any questions for staff?
• Staff? Staff? Mr. Chair, members.

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

Summary: The committee convened with roll call, member and staff introductions, and a review of amendment deadlines and decorum rules. Members also suspended the committee rule on late-distributed amendments to allow consideration of a Kolodin amendment. The chair then moved to the agenda bills, beginning with HCM 2001, a memorial urging Congress and the President to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and asking Arizona agencies to monitor related organizations. Testimony on HCM 2001 was sharply divided, with supporters arguing the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR are linked to terrorism and Sharia law, and opponents calling the memorial discriminatory, unsupported by evidence, and an attack on Muslim civil rights organizations and free speech. The committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2001 out of committee. The committee then heard HCM 2002, which urges a federal review of CAIR for possible foreign terrorist organization designation and supports related congressional action. Testimony again split along similar lines: opponents, including CAIR representatives, a veteran, and community members, said the measure was scapegoating, lacked legal basis, and would stigmatize Muslim communities; supporters cited the Holy Land Foundation case, FBI concerns, and alleged ties between CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2002 out of committee. Following a brief recess, the committee took up HB 2009, which would prohibit committees primarily organized to influence constitutional amendments from accepting foreign national contributions and require disclosure of out-of-state funding. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve transparency and keep constitutional initiatives focused on Arizona voters; members discussed whether the measure should apply to all ballot initiatives and how donor verification would work. HB 2009 was also approved 4-3. The committee then began HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election procedures, including citizenship requirements for voting, limits on foreign contributions to candidate and ballot measure campaigns, government-issued ID requirements, and changes to early voting and mail ballot rules. The committee adopted a late amendment after procedural discussion, and the sponsor described the resolution as a broad election-security reform modeled on Florida. Members raised concerns that the proposal could reduce access, increase lines, and create confusion for mail voters, while the sponsor argued it would improve security and voter confidence. The transcript cuts off during this bill’s discussion, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jackson and committee staff. Yes, good afternoon, Dr. Jackson and committee staff.
• Jackson, committee members and staff.
• or more staff leaving, and it was also reported that... 20% reported six or more staff leaving, and
• it was also reported that staff turnover, especially high levels of staff turnover and frequent turnover
• Chair, and staff.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on developmental services, rehabilitation, and related supports, with no votes taken. The first major topic was the Master Plan for Developmental Services. Administration officials described a year-long, community-driven process that included a steering committee, work groups, and statewide engagement sessions, and said the final draft would be released that Friday with about 170 recommendations. The Department of Developmental Services said the plan would inform future work, but did not offer a detailed implementation roadmap. The LAO said the plan contains significant policy and budget implications, may require statutory changes, and needs further analysis to turn recommendations into actionable proposals. Advocates and regional center representatives urged the Legislature and administration to avoid letting the plan sit on a shelf, called for prioritization and ongoing stakeholder oversight, and emphasized the need to address equity, workforce, service coordination, and cross-system collaboration. The chair said he wanted to work with the LAO on trailer bill language and future reporting to create a clearer path forward. The second topic was the Office of Employment First and competitive integrated employment. Administration witnesses said California has ended subminimum wage under SB 639, but that moving people into competitive integrated employment remains a major priority. They described existing efforts such as DDS’s coordinated career pathways pilot, paid internships, job development services, benefits counseling, and DOR’s career counseling and referral services, along with pilot projects in San Diego and Orange County. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities and advocates argued that employment outcomes have remained stuck at roughly 15% and that a dedicated Employment First Office is needed to coordinate across agencies, align goals, and improve outcomes. The LAO recommended regular legislative oversight on people transitioning out of subminimum wage and asked for technical assistance on coordinated career pathways. The chair criticized the administration’s decision to effectively eliminate funding for the office, requested a detailed implementation timeline and quarterly transition reports, and said the committee would continue pressing for the office to be implemented. The final issue was respite services, utilization trends, and access. DDS reported that in-home respite use and spending have risen sharply over several years, with about 150,000 people using respite in 2023-24 and expenditures reaching about $1 billion. Officials said access depends on families knowing the service exists, service coordinators identifying need, and having enough providers, especially in rural and linguistically diverse communities. The San Diego Regional Center said utilization generally mirrors statewide trends, but access is stronger in some areas, such as Imperial County, where families often prefer family-directed or agency-supported models that allow them to hire trusted workers. Committee members emphasized the importance of respite for family health and caregiver well-being, asked whether service coordinators are asking practical questions about sleep and stress, and discussed the need for better identification of complex behavioral and medical needs. DDS said a standardized family support tool and updated IPP process are intended to improve consistency, transparency, and person-centered assessment for respite and related services.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently experiencing staff shortages exacerbated by regulation, which create capacity issues
• </c> Revenue limits based on child to staff Revenue limits based on child to staff ratios<00:05:18.680
• To answer your question, the main part of our bill is addressing the staff qualifications.
• To answer your question, the main part of our bill is addressing the staff qualifications.
• So they say one staff to seven toddlers, with a max of 14 in a room, essentially.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is the staff and workforce impact. And I know we have some staff in the room today.
• The first is the staff and workforce impact. And I know we have some staff in the room today.
• The first is the staff and workforce impact. And I know we have some staff in the room today.
• </c> forcing staff into manual workarounds. forcing staff into manual workarounds.
• </c> on staff compensation. on staff compensation.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to say thank you to staff, and a special thank you to our nonpartisan fiscal staff, Sue Beckl,
• Thank you to our nonpartisan staff.
• Thank you to our our nonpartisan<00:08:02.800><c> staff.</c> nonpartisan staff. nonpartisan staff.
• </c> with administrators and support staff. with administrators and support staff.
• Agencywide trainings for all of our staff, embedded into all staff meetings.

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And the staff.
• I would say we all want the same thing for our students, our faculty, and staff.
• </c><01:16:33.880><c> are</c> students and faculty and staff are students and faculty and staff are experiencing
• </c><01:21:48.040><c> and</c> it's about students faculty staff and it's about students faculty staff
• Alumni Association staff will be on hand to help guide you there.

Transcript Highlights:

• We supported 230 staff, including 125 clinicians and case managers.
• We have not had an issue of finding staff.
• And thankfully, we haven't had an issue of finding staff.
• We have not had an issue of finding staff.
• And thankfully, we haven't had an issue of finding staff.

Summary: The Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access held its third hearing to review the state of youth mental health, progress under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and remaining implementation and funding challenges. The chair emphasized that schools are often the main point where education, health care, and social services intersect for students, and that the committee’s goal is to ensure public investments translate into better access and outcomes. The hearing featured testimony from researchers, a youth advocate, state officials, and local practitioners. PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala reported that teen mental health remains a serious concern, with high rates of chronic sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, though recent California data show some improvement since the pandemic. She noted persistent disparities by gender, race, and rural status, and said school-based health centers, wellness centers, and community schools are associated with lower suicidal thoughts. Youth advocate Ella Cruz, speaking for NAMI California, described her own mental health struggles and argued that youth voice, peer-to-peer support, and reducing stigma are essential; she also said technology and AI cannot replace trusted adults or trained professionals. Committee members asked about phone use, stigma, cultural barriers, and how to make supports more accessible and relatable to students. Dr. Sohill Sood of the California Health and Human Services Agency said statewide survey data show declining stigma, increased counseling use, and lower suicide ideation among students, and he highlighted CYBHI’s certified wellness coaches, digital tools, awareness campaigns, and the first-in-the-nation fee schedule that allows schools and colleges to bill health plans for behavioral health services. He said the program is growing quickly, with more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue to date, while acknowledging that billing systems and coordination are still being built. Trina Frazier of Fresno County described a multi-tiered system of care supported by CYBHI, CalAIM, and other grants, serving thousands of students through school-based services, wellness centers, and mobile therapy units; she said ongoing funding and flexibility are critical. Rachel Kroberniski of El Segundo High School’s James Morehouse Project described a long-running wellness center and peer mentorship model that supports students in multiple languages, and said peer programs help students feel seen, connected, and more willing to seek help. Members broadly praised the flexibility, collaboration, and peer-based approaches described by the witnesses. Questions focused on sustaining funding after one-time grants expire, improving coordination among schools, counties, and providers, expanding the fee schedule to higher education, and ensuring continuity of care for students after high school. Officials said county offices of education, DHCS, and other partners are using communities of practice and technical assistance to spread best practices, and that CYBHI services can follow some young adults through age 25, with additional supports through community-based programs and digital platforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• SSD staff have also reached out to me with concerns regarding their class size.
• Yeah, well, to begin with, I really feel like they have some of the most highly skilled staff.
• So when I speak about this, I'm talking about staff—the staff that support my daughter are in a completely
• So my experience has been that SSD staff and everybody involved have been very responsive to us.
• They are available in these other settings because SSD has those trained staff.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 3070, a firearms-related bill. Representative Koslow argued the bill was not truly Second Amendment friendly, saying it could block return of stolen firearms, expose taxpayers to large payouts, and harm firearm dealers. Representative Greg said local law enforcement did not support it. The committee then voted 3 ayes and 9 noes, and HB 3070 failed to be reported do pass. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2904, which would expand animal mistreatment law to include starvation and add a House committee substitute addressing false reports of animal abuse. Representative Don Mayhew said the bill responds to cases of animals left chained and neglected, and supporters from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane World for Animals, and the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation backed the measure. No opposition testimony was offered. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 2933, which would allow school districts in St. Louis County to withdraw from the Special School District of St. Louis County through board action and a local vote. The sponsor and supporters, including Lindbergh officials, parents, and an attorney, said the current SSD structure is too rigid, lacks accountability, and can fail to meet students’ individualized needs; they cited service delays, litigation, and concerns raised by families. Opponents, including SSD administrators, superintendents, parents, and advocates, said SSD provides specialized services that many districts could not replicate, warned the bill could fragment services and create instability, and pointed to the countywide history and existing review mechanisms for SSD. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 2933.