Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:47.920><c> I</c> depending um on the bargaining unit I depending um on the bargaining unit
• </c> the settlements um for the faculty units the settlements um for the faculty units are<01:02:54.520
• what our FTE is per unit, so we can provide that.
• what our FTE is per unit, so we can provide that.
• what our FTE is per unit, so we can provide that.

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 5063 will be reported. Next item on the agenda is House Bill 5087.
• House Bill 5653 will be reported. Next item on the agenda is House Bill 4452.
• House Bill 4452 will be reported. Next item on the agenda is House Bill 4801.
• House Bill 4801 will be reported. Next item on the agenda is House Bill 5622.
• House Bill 4546 will be reported. Next item on the agenda is House Bill 5613.

Summary: The Committee on Government Organization met with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then considered a series of House bills, most of them related to licensing, local government administration, and agency operations. House Bill 5063 would let county commissions appoint a county commissioner as a voting member of a convention and visitors bureau board, including for multi-county CVBs; it was reported to the full Senate. House Bill 5087 would join the interstate cosmetology licensure compact, allowing licensed cosmetologists to obtain multi-state practice privileges in compact states, and it was also reported. The committee then took up a strike-and-insert amendment for House Bill 4793, which combined provisions affecting barbering/cosmetology apprenticeships and lowered certain age and education requirements; after adopting a Jefferson amendment clarifying the salon training language, the bill was reported as amended. Members next approved a strike-and-insert for House Bill 5638, which clarifies the State Chief Information Security Officer’s duties, changes cyber risk review procedures, and updates references to the Office of Technology head as the chief information officer; it was reported as amended. House Bill 4483, dealing with the Board of Funeral Examiners, was amended to change the effective date for licensee-in-charge requirements and make technical corrections, then reported as amended. House Bill 5653, requested by the Department of Revenue, would expand confidentiality protections to cover audit manuals, guidelines, procedures, algorithms, and related materials to prevent taxpayers from gaming audit selection, and it was reported. House Bill 4452 repeals acreage limits on church property ownership, and House Bill 4801 expands permissible uses of hotel occupancy tax funds to include demolition of unsafe structures and planning or improvement of public property; both were reported. The committee also advanced House Bill 5622, which creates an expedited process for municipalities to conform local election terms and procedures to the state requirement that municipal elections be held with statewide primaries or general elections, and recognizes the Secretary of State as keeper of municipal charter rolls. House Bill 4546 would allow business entities to file reports biennially instead of annually, with higher biennial fees and updated enforcement provisions; its strike-and-insert amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 5613 would define and regulate telematics for state fleet vehicles, require reporting on unsafe driving and corrective actions, and include cost-benefit information in annual reports; it was reported. House Bill 5323 would let the Division of Natural Resources adjust license and stamp fees for inflation by removing a prior CPI-based restriction, and House Bill 4819 would revise criminal-record standards for certain non-Chapter 30 occupational licenses, shifting to a direct-relationship standard while preserving existing exclusions for violent sexual offenses; both were reported. The committee then adjourned after closing remarks from the chair and vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in Washington State, we house 10 of the 12 major soil orders.
• She's going to talk about our programming that we have throughout the western United States.
• That’s a big concern for moving into the United States and swine production.
• It's basically the network of laboratories for animal testing across the United States.
• There's no other... ...network of laboratories for animal testing across the United States.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met for a work session focused on Washington agriculture’s condition, food security, behavioral health, and animal disease surveillance. WSDA Director Derek Sandison and economist Maddie Roy presented an update on agricultural viability, describing Washington agriculture as highly diverse and valuable but increasingly strained by rising production and labor costs, aging producers, consolidation, trade barriers, land pressures, stagnant research funding, infrastructure concerns, and climate impacts. They cited declining farm numbers, falling net farm income, and negative take-home pay for farmers, while also noting strengths such as climate, soils, ports, irrigation, universities, and other infrastructure. Committee members asked about commodity-specific impacts, comparisons with other states, and the role of regulation in worsening costs. Kelly McLean followed with a discussion of opportunities to support agriculture, including trade, domestic food systems development, climate mitigation, clean energy, ag tech, workforce and education, and mental health. She highlighted investments in port and transportation infrastructure, local food processing and distribution, land access and incubator opportunities, climate resilience projects, and programs supporting farmworker and farmer mental health. Katie Raines then updated the committee on food systems and food security, explaining WSDA’s reorganization into a Farm and Food Systems Development Division and describing trends in household food insecurity, the state’s hunger safety net, and the importance of food system infrastructure. She noted that food insecurity is rising again and that even higher-income households are reporting need, while legislators asked about eligibility thresholds and the impact on lower-income residents. The committee also heard from WSU Skagit County Extension’s Don McMoran and Maddie Van der Koi on agricultural stress and suicide prevention. They described the Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership, crisis and referral resources, peer-to-peer outreach, trainings, and free counseling vouchers for farmers and farmworkers. They emphasized that farmers face chronic stress from financial volatility, weather, labor shortages, isolation, and stigma, and cited elevated suicide rates in agricultural populations. Members asked about reluctance to seek help and whether flooding had increased demand for services. Finally, Dr. Kevin Snekovic of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory described WADDL’s role in disease testing, food safety, wildlife surveillance, and rapid response to outbreaks such as avian influenza and chronic wasting disease. He said the lab supports trade and quarantine decisions, and members asked about elk hoof rot research, workforce needs, and how to connect constituents to the lab. No votes were taken; the session ended with a preview of upcoming Thursday work sessions on marine resources, Columbia River Basin supply, Ecology’s report back, and agricultural natural resources issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we pray for these United States.
• For as we pray for these United States.
• One appointed by the lieutenant governor and one is appointed by the speaker of the House.
• One appointed by the lieutenant governor and one is appointed by the speaker of the House.
• And over on the House side, they had a lot less. And they passed it 119 to three, I'm told.

Transcript Highlights:

• Across the United States, we have over 700 tribes. Some are smaller tribes.
• the House.
• For building the very much needed housing for local employees, families, and businesses.
• out of the House.
• to improve permitting for qualified workforce housing projects.

Summary: The committee began with a series of presentations highlighting tribal communities as part of rural economic development. Representative Mae Peshlakai described Legislative District 6, emphasizing its large geographic size, the eight tribal nations within it, and the cultural and scenic importance of the Navajo Nation and other tribes. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis then presented on the Gila River Indian Community, focusing on its history, Hohokam heritage, water rights, the MAR-5 aquifer recharge project, cultural traditions, and the importance of collaboration with state lawmakers. Members praised the presentations and noted the need for greater attention to tribal issues in the legislature. The committee then took up SB 1016, with a strike-everything amendment that moved the property-owner petition requirement earlier in the process for municipal improvement districts and allowed certain notice and protest requirements to be waived. Supporters, including the mayors of Camp Verde and Clarkdale, said the change would improve transparency, reduce financial risk for small towns, and help rural communities build needed infrastructure such as wastewater systems, water lines, and housing-related improvements. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1016 on a 5-0 vote, with one member present and one absent. Next, the committee considered SB 1401, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, using a strike-everything amendment that would allow municipalities to create expedited plan review and permitting for qualified workforce housing projects and exempt project proceeds from the state portion of the prime contracting sales tax. Habitat for Humanity representatives said the measure would lower carrying costs and help build more affordable homes, while one member noted the tax exemption would reduce general fund revenue but supported the bill as a targeted tradeoff to address housing shortages. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1401 by a 5-1 vote. The meeting concluded with Representative Myron Sosec’s presentation on barriers to economic development on the Navajo Nation and other tribal lands. He discussed lower workforce participation, higher unemployment and poverty, limited access to capital, trust-land financing barriers, dual taxation, infrastructure deficits, and delays caused by federal and tribal review processes. He also highlighted Navajo economic strategies such as loan guarantees, renewable energy development, and tourism investments, and urged state action on tax reform, matching funds, and annual tribal field hearings. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House. All of these things are constitutional rights.
• One that House Bill 133 would only make worse.
• We also don't have a draft any longer in the United States.
• We are the Florida House.
• We are the House. We will defend this place until we are gone. We are the House.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores the rights of adults 18 and older, emphasizing constitutional rights, military service, voting, jury duty, and parental responsibility. Opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates and several members, cited Parkland and the recent FSU shooting, argued that people under 21 are still developing and more impulsive, and said the current law helps protect public safety. After extensive debate and public testimony on both sides, the committee voted 11-5 to report HB 133 favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 35, which adds driving without a valid license to the offenses that can lead to habitual traffic offender designation and is named Isaiah’s Law in memory of a child killed by an unlicensed driver. Supporters said it addresses repeat dangerous conduct and should help prevent similar tragedies. One member questioned whether it was a knee-jerk response, while others said it was a reasonable accountability measure. The PCS passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 245, which updates Florida law to use more accurate terminology for child sexual abuse material rather than “child pornography,” and includes related technical corrections. The sponsor said the change better reflects the seriousness of the crime and asked whether the bill also covered AI-generated material; the sponsor said the statute already addresses such references. After a technical amendment was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. The chair also reminded members to maintain respect toward public witnesses and each other before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, they're in the House. Okay, they're in the House.
• Transmit the bill to the House.
• President, I am directed by the House to request the Senate to return HB 2112 to the House of Representatives
• President, I am directed by the House to request the Senate to return HB 2112 to the House of Representatives
• House Bill 2112 is returned to the House of Representatives for the purpose of reconsideration.

Summary: The Senate met in multiple Committee of the Whole sessions and considered a large number of bills, many related to digital assets and cryptocurrency, including SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1044, SB 1045, SB 1432, SCR 1003, SCR 1033, and SCR 1028. Members discussed whether the state should accept cryptocurrency for payments, tax or exempt virtual currency, ban central bank digital currency, and support digital assets in retirement systems. Senator Epstein repeatedly argued against the measures and tried to offer amendments targeting data center tax exemptions, but one such amendment was ruled not germane and the ruling was upheld on a division vote. The bills and resolutions in that group generally advanced with do-pass recommendations, with SB 1043 and SB 1044 amended before advancing. The Senate also advanced several bills on family law, public records, scholarship organizations, property conveyances, underground facilities, and environmental and energy issues, including SB 1039, SB 1139, SB 1147, SB 1148, SB 1328, SB 1078, SB 1142, SB 1184, SB 1254, SB 1278, SB 1281, SB 1418, SB 1445, and SB 1566. Some measures drew discussion and amendments: SB 1254 received a clarifying amendment for deeds handled by title and escrow professionals; SB 1278 had a floor amendment withdrawn; SB 1281 was amended by committee and floor changes; SB 1418 prompted questions about small modular reactors and concerns about uranium mining and health impacts; and SB 1566 was amended to address malicious delay enforcement and judicial review. Most of these bills received do-pass recommendations. In the health and human services calendar, the Senate advanced SB 1052, SB 1115, SB 1149, SB 1193, SB 1233, SB 1345, SB 1346, and SB 1631, with SB 1124 retained on the calendar. Debate centered on ACCESS and remote work, administrative deficiency cure periods, anonymous complaints, fee-for-service claims, and DCS-related hearings and investigations. Senator Gonzales opposed several ACCESS-related bills, arguing they lacked appropriations, could disrupt services, or conflicted with federal Medicaid law, while sponsors said the bills addressed agency performance and provider complaints. SB 1115, SB 1149, SB 1193, SB 1233, and SB 1345 were amended before receiving do-pass recommendations, and SB 1345’s sponsor said ACCESS was removed from the bill. The final calendar included regulatory and veterinary-related bills such as SB 1137, SB 1144, SB 1205, and SB 1286. SB 1205, dealing with motor vehicle booting fees, received a floor amendment requiring an appeals process for private parking lots. SB 1286, on veterinary telemedicine and prescriptions, drew the most extended debate, with a committee amendment and a Kavanagh floor amendment restoring a 14-day prescription extension and adding flea and tick treatment; Senator Leach opposed the floor amendment, describing prior stakeholder negotiations and changes in committee support. The transcript ends while that debate is still underway, after several bills have already been reported out with do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are called the Healthy Processing Food Research Unit, one of the research units in the Western
• And the USDA ARS is an in-house USDA research facility. This is an in-house USDA research facility.
• So I want to talk a little bit about our mission for our research unit.
• Also, our unit is working on almonds for almond processing.
• So I want to introduce our unit.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation was held at UC Davis and focused on how alternative proteins can support California agriculture, the bioeconomy, and farmers. Opening remarks from UC Davis leaders and committee members emphasized the university’s food science, fermentation, and sustainability strengths, and the state’s prior investments of $5 million for UC alternative protein research and an additional $1 million for ICAMP. Members framed the topic as a way to grow new markets, keep more value in-state, and address climate, food security, and commercialization challenges. The first panel featured Sana Beg of the Plant-Based Foods Institute, who argued that California agriculture and alternative proteins are complementary, not competing, and stressed that farmers are essential to the sector. She highlighted the need for ingredient processing capacity, technical assistance for growers, and predictable demand through public procurement, including schools, hospitals, and state facilities. Committee members asked about financing and market development, and Beg said guaranteed loans, grants, and state- and USDA-backed support could help de-risk investment and build the supply chain. The second panel focused on research and development. Beam Circular described the circular bioeconomy in the San Joaquin Valley, including efforts to turn agricultural residues into higher-value products, build shared infrastructure, and expand workforce training. ICAMP and UC ANR described UC Davis-centered research, pilot facilities, and a proposed plant innovation center to bridge lab-scale work to commercial manufacturing. USDA researchers discussed using byproducts such as brewer’s spent grain, tomato pomace, lima beans, and chickpeas for new food ingredients. Members repeatedly emphasized the importance of public R&D funding, consumer acceptance, and food-grade scale-up facilities. The final panel highlighted company perspectives from Optimized Foods and Blue Diamond Growers. Optimized Foods described using fungi fermentation to convert almond hulls, cocoa waste, and tomato pomace into protein-rich ingredients and stabilized nutrients. Blue Diamond outlined its grower cooperative model, sustainability practices, almond ingredient portfolio, and the Sacramento almond innovation center. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with discussion centered on research, commercialization, infrastructure, and market-building for California-grown alternative protein products.

Transcript Highlights:

• to collect, retain, and maintain citizens' personal criminal, legal, financial, health, land, and housing
• Senator Wickland discussed, the intent of Senate File 379 is to address a critical need that local units
• Senator Wickland discussed, the intent of Senate File 379 is to address a critical need that local units
• </c><00:09:54.440><c> of</c> made those smaller local units of made those smaller local units of government
• And, of course, like every other unit of government, we often encounter and keep sensitive data on our

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is House Bill 3617, by... Next up is House Bill 3617 by Representative or Leader Lawson.
• Members, House Bill 3657 has two parts.
• House Bill 3657 has two parts.
• Next item up is House Bill 4459 by Representative Newton. House Bill 4459 by Representative Newton.
• It's House Bill 2989 by Chairman de Brunsky. Mr.

Bills: HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464

Committee: House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of energy, agriculture, wildlife, water, and utility bills, adopting PCS drafts and amendments on several measures before voting them out. Early bills, including HB 4246 and HB 423, would let DEQ obtain technical assistance and instruction from outside suppliers, and both passed with 11-1 votes. HB 3617, the agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill, drew the most extended debate; supporters said it would help farmers and ranchers keep equipment operating and preserve access to parts, tools, and diagnostics, while opponents raised concerns about private contracts, intellectual property, and government mandates. The author agreed to continue working on the language and to strike the title later, and the bill passed 13-9-2. HB 3657, updating agricultural wage reporting and adding the Workforce Commission to employment-data recipients, passed 15-0. HB 2976, directing DEQ to set water-quality criteria for aluminum using EPA guidance as a tool, passed 14-1. HB 3391, requiring licensed commercial pet breeders to display their ODAF license number in advertisements, passed 15-0. The committee also advanced several natural resources and land-use measures. HB 4459 created a voluntary five-year averaging option for permitted water users, with metering required only for participants; members emphasized that nonparticipants could continue current practices unchanged, and the bill passed 12-1-3. HB 4128, as amended, moved Oklahoma’s bear season earlier by two weeks; the author said it was intended to address nuisance bears in southeast Oklahoma and protect hunters and landowners, while members raised concerns about population impacts and whether the Wildlife Department could manage harvest levels. The bill passed 13-1-2. HB 3989, described as a cleanup bill from the earlier “one megawatt fight,” passed 15-1 after the author said a compromise had been reached. HB 2989, as amended, authorized electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans and created a revolving fund, with the amendment limiting recovery to reasonable and prudent mitigation costs; the author said it was not a liability shield, and the bill passed 14-1. Later, the committee considered utility and renewable-energy regulation. HB 4060, the Plug-in Solar Act, addressed interconnection agreements and behind-the-meter solar for residents; it passed 14-1. HB 3145 cleaned up language affecting the commercial hunt industry and passed 14-1. HB 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require new large-load customers such as data centers, crypto mining, and AI facilities above 75 MW to cover their own infrastructure and provide collateral so costs are not shifted to ratepayers; members discussed protections for existing contracts and utility oversight, and it passed 14-1. Finally, HB 3464 imposed common-sense regulations on wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including surety bonds for land restoration, permit fees to support local fire departments, and a 30-day Fire Marshal response timeline; the author said more amendments were likely, and the bill passed 14-0. The meeting then recessed and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question for the House. The question before the House is passage of House Bill 1002.
• Question before the House. The question before the House is passage of House Bill 1003.
• The question before the house is passage of House House Bill 1004. Okay. Prepare the machine, Mr.
• Clerk, please read House Bill 1. Mr. Clerk, please read House Bill 1008.
• The question before the House is passage of House Bill 1008.

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Summary: The meeting was a Girl State House session in which members received procedural guidance on chamber rules, recognition, voting, and decorum, then moved through a series of bills. The first bill, House Bill 1001, would have prohibited over-the-counter diet pills from being sold or transferred to minors; supporters argued it would protect teens from eating disorders and misuse, while opponents raised concerns about medical exceptions and the age cutoff. It failed 42-55. House Bill 1002, allowing lottery winners to keep their identities confidential for a period of time, was amended during discussion to a three-year confidentiality period and passed 79-17 after a motion for immediate consideration. House Bill 1003, requiring schools to provide resources and courses on child labor/workplace laws and readiness, drew debate over whether it should be mandatory, what age group it should cover, and whether schools could support it; it failed 22-73. House Bill 1004, the Arkansas Head Injury Act requiring helmets and protective gear for motorized cycle riders, passed 94-4 after testimony focused on safety for riders, other drivers, and first responders. Members then considered House Bill 1005, which would require a year-long personal finance course before graduation to teach budgeting, taxes, credit, and related life skills. Supporters said it would better prepare students for adulthood, while opponents argued the material is already covered in existing classes and raised concerns about scheduling and implementation; it failed 35-60. House Bill 1006 increased the teacher classroom investment income tax deduction from $500 to $1,000, with supporters emphasizing teachers’ out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies and student needs; it passed 97-0. House Bill 1008 sought to limit the number of national franchise businesses in an economic zone to encourage local entrepreneurship and protect small businesses, but opponents argued it could hurt jobs, limit consumer options, and was unclear in scope; it failed 23-69. The House then passed House Bill 1009, creating a voluntary blue envelope program for people with intellectual disabilities to help law enforcement interactions, after supporters said it could reduce confusion and improve safety; it passed 87-5. The final bill introduced before the transcript ended was House Bill 2010, which would increase the income tax credit for Arkansas families supporting a child with special needs; the sponsor began by sharing a personal story about her brother with Down syndrome and the costs families face, but the discussion was cut off before debate or a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Except for your most elite police units.
• Motion to speak for or against House Bill 2470.
• House and Senate.
• Yes, I am in support of House Bill 2882.
• The chair takes off House Bill 368.

Bills: HB259 , HB259 , HB 1128 , HB1337 , HB1506 , HB1794 , HB2215 , HB2470 , HB2771 , HB2882 , HB2993 , HB3053 , HB3428 , HB3669 , HB3789 , HB3924 , HB4201 , HB4675

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the House, without objection, messages from the House listed on the calendar will not be
• Messages from the House, without objection, messages from the House listed on the calendar will not be
• From the House. Without objection, messages from the House listed on the calendar will not be read.
• Maybe I don't want a gray house with a blue top. My house is beige with a green top.
• Not in my United States of America.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paper from the House.
• Reported by the Committee on Ways and Means: The House bill relative to benefits for teachers, House
• Committee on Ways and Means to the House for the House Bill, Enhancing Child Welfare Protection, House
• From the House.
• Lucia to the United States.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work. The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate. The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• House. House and Senate bills and joint resolutions on second readings.
• Speaker, members of the House.
• House Resolution 1046 by West Rick of the House, a resolution relating to the Alfred P.
• Thank you both for coming to the House.
• And so if you use a weed eater at your house or a lawnmower at your house that has some sort of Carburetor

Bills: HR1046 , SB1733 , SB1439

Transcript Highlights:

• I would move that House File 8 be recommended to be re-referred to the Labor and Workforce Development
• </c> the number of 68 extensions local units the number of 68 extensions local units of<00:03:17.000>
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File 8.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File 8.
• </c><00:27:10.360><c> to</c> and responsible government units to and responsible government units to

Transcript Highlights:

• will experience the benefits of their decisions. ...as they work with Governor Hobbs in the Arizona House
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• leaders, educators, faith communities, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and businesses to unite
• Human trafficking has no place in the state of Arizona. thousands of Americans, and whereas the United
• We also have today Lieutenant Colonel John David DeVall, currently with the United States Space Force

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed attendance, and approved the prior journal. Several senators then used points of personal privilege to introduce guests and recognize visitors, including Chaplain Ron Lagata, an Air Force air traffic controller apprentice shadowing Senator Gabaldón, a guest of Senator Farnsworth, and a group connected to Arizona’s space industry and Special Olympics Arizona. Senator Bolick read a proclamation for “Not in Our State,” condemning human trafficking and calling on Arizonans, schools, churches, nonprofits, law enforcement, and businesses to work together to prevent trafficking and support victims. Senator Tothley then gave an emotional statement about the death of an eight-year-old girl in his community, criticized delays in the turquoise alert system, and urged statewide changes so alerts go out more quickly and broadly. The Senate observed a moment of silence in the child’s memory. The chamber then moved through second reading of a long list of bills and resolutions covering topics such as counseling after traumatic events, military permitting, EMS reciprocity, election procedures, court-ordered treatment, assisted living, juvenile detention education, Alzheimer’s funding, gaming appropriations, short-term rentals, law enforcement mask prohibitions, fire district formation, prison and correction officer issues, port of entry funding, appeals court structure, and congressional term limits. Several bills were also referred to committees, including measures on voting centers, candidate petition circulators, weather modification, federal land acquisition consent, bleed control kits, foreign donations, unemployment benefits, and SNAP purchases. The Senate also announced upcoming committee meetings and then adjourned until Monday, January 26, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Perez: THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER. MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.
• THE GALLERY PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BEING LED TODAY BY SENATE PRO TEM BRODEUR AND HOUSE
• PRO TEM DUGGAN. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC
• OF TIME AND THESE TWO WOMEN HAVE MADE SACRIFICES ON BEHALF OF YOU AND I AND THE ENTIRE SENATE AND HOUSE
• THE FOUNDERS BELIEVED IN THE WORDS OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON AND IT FELL TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not just replace the unit on the outside of your house.
• on the outside of just replace the unit on the outside of your<00:15:03.160><c> house.
• This is a major your house.
• </c><01:04:46.000><c> So,</c> KDV A AC and heating unit. So, KDV A AC and heating unit.
• </c> Last session, this was House Bill 113. Last session, this was House Bill 113.

Summary: The meeting opened with the pledge and prayer, a roll call established quorum, and members announced a Veterans Caucus meeting to follow the session. The committee also recognized distinguished veteran Joe Mash Masterson of Bardstown, who was praised for his Army service, long-time advocacy for veterans, and leadership in the American Legion and local veteran organizations. Masterson thanked his family, the American Legion Post 121, and the VA staff, and several members offered remarks honoring his service and the committee’s practice of recognizing veterans. The committee then briefly addressed a referred administrative regulation, 017 KAR 001 030, which leadership described as technical updates to existing policy; no vote was taken. After that, members heard testimony from KDVA and Finance and Administration officials on the ongoing HVAC replacement project at the Radcliffe Veteran Center. Officials said the system had been problematic for years, that design work began early to accelerate the project, and that the work was complicated by the need to replace the system in an operating nursing facility. They explained that the project was bid in March, awarded to Less Mechanical, and that protective measures, shop drawings, and equipment orders were underway. Committee members pressed officials on why the problem had taken so long to resolve, why the original system had been installed, whether the issue had been communicated regularly, and whether the state should be paying for a replacement in a relatively new facility. Officials said the original system’s components and warranties had failed, that they had tried to replace parts before moving to a full replacement, and that the system’s manufacturer and quality differed from a similar facility in Glasgow that had not had the same issues. They said the current phase one contract was about $6 million, with the remaining funds held for phase two to restore full occupancy; phase two design was nearly complete and could be bid later if funding is approved. Officials estimated phase one completion around January 2026 and full completion around March 2027, depending on funding and scheduling.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olson, um, your motion is recommendation for House File 3532 to be placed on the general register.
• This bill, House File 3532, is going to make a slight adjustment to the way that we allow service members
• House File 3532 is going to make a slight adjustment to the way that we allow service members to be buried
• Olson's motion to refer House File 3532 to be placed on the general register.
• , especially since the Global War units, especially since the Global War on<00:02:27.480><c> Terror,<

Summary: The committee heard House File 3532, authored by Rep. Olson, which would adjust eligibility for burial in Minnesota state cemeteries. Olson explained that current law generally requires 181 days of active military service, and argued that this excludes many long-serving National Guard, Air Guard, and Reserve members who may not have had uninterrupted active-duty time despite years of service. The bill would allow burial eligibility for individuals who complete an entire contract with an honorable discharge, or who die while serving. Members spoke in support, saying Guard and Reserve service should be recognized regardless of whether members were called up for active duty and that their assigned status should not affect burial rights or benefits. One member also praised the bill as an example of representative democracy and thanked Olson for bringing forward an issue close to affected service members. The committee then voted to recommend House File 3532 be placed on the general register. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition noted.