Transcript Highlights:

• East Bay is providing free CSU courses to area high school students.
• It protects the teacher-to-community pipeline for our schools.
• More than 22,000 GSTG recipients have committed to teaching in high-need schools, including over 50 schools
• in Senate District 25 and many other school Senate districts that Including over 50 schools in Senate
• My name is Alex Kerem, and I'm here with the Alder Graduate School of Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why aren't they in after-school programs?
• For the schools, our need is twofold.
• We are about to embark on the search for a new superintendent and assistant superintendent of schools
• of the six principals at our elementary schools.
• I'm a middle school teacher, single father of three.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing bills, with much of the discussion focused on seasonal communities and funding for year-round housing in places like Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires. Speakers supported bills including H. 4410/S. 966 and related seasonal communities legislation, which would allow local option real estate transfer fees and expand tools for towns to preserve and create affordable housing. Testimony emphasized severe housing shortages, high home prices, workforce displacement, and impacts on public safety, schools, health care, and local businesses. Many witnesses said the transfer fee would provide a sustainable local revenue stream, citing prior land bank models on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as proof the approach can work. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3989 regarding seasonal community designation, with supporters arguing that towns should be included automatically or through a simpler opt-in process, and on H. 4568 to expand the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which would broaden access to a federal voucher-based savings and self-sufficiency model. Senator Edwards testified in support of a bill to create training for municipal board members, describing it as a toolkit to improve informed local decision-making. Senator O’Connor testified for a bed bug bill, saying it would create clearer landlord and tenant notification and treatment requirements and provide needed legal guidance after his family’s experience with an infestation. Senator Lovely also testified for the Homeworks program, which provides transportation so homeless children in motels and shelters can attend after-school activities. The committee further heard testimony on a bill to fund housing in seasonal communities through a transfer fee and on a companion measure to expand the seasonal communities toolkit, with repeated calls for favorable reports. Witnesses from public safety, health care, housing nonprofits, schools, and local government described staffing shortages and housing insecurity as urgent problems. Later, the committee took testimony on H. 1559/S. 102 to maintain stable housing for families with pets, with animal welfare groups supporting protections against eviction, breed discrimination, and excessive pet rent. They said housing-related pet surrenders are a major driver of shelter intake. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1498 to limit criminalization of homelessness, which would restrict citations, fines, and related consequences for outdoor camping tied solely to homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's item one, I believe, is the school facility—or is JLBC staff discussing school facility division
• construction?
• Chair, members will be discussing the school facilities division's construction cost index.
• facilities division cost per square foot factors for new school facilities.
• I'm Chief Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. Speaking into the microphone, if you have.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Budget Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Definitely in construction and the building trades is our bread and butter.
• We have a driving school program.
• Definitely in construction and the building trades is our bread and butter.
• They can also be done at high schools as well.
• We've had one in medical assisting that started like seven years ago.

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• To 2005 is when the West End Outlet was first constructed.
• Again, as it relates to the cost of construction, constructing said outlets, you can see here the total
• Again, as it relates to the cost of construction, constructing said outlets, you can see here the total
• The year Munich-Starkweather ended in basketball, we only had 12 high school boys in the two schools
• The year Munich's dark weather ended in basketball, we only had 12 high school boys in the two schools

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes significant investments in our colleges, universities, and public school construction projects
• Our school districts do a major job in providing workforce education, and this will assist them. $90
• Again, we're focused on... agencies. 3.3 million to provide assistance to schools to participate in the
• Our school districts do a major job in providing workforce education, and this will assist them. $90
• Specifically, the bill reestablishes a declining enrollment supplement in the FFP to assist school districts

Bills: S2500 , S2502 , S2504 , S7028 , S2506 , S2508 , S2510 , S2512 , S2514 , S2516 , S2518 , S0482 , S0678 , S0984 , S1016 , S1074 , S1706 , S7030

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:56.080><c> It</c> retail workers, construction workers.
• It retail workers, construction workers.
• If you school or college or something.
• You, should school, yeah, I get it.
• </c><00:43:22.680><c> and</c> sending you a to a trade school and sending you a to a trade school and

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• The Cleveland High School and what was the other one that was put?
• The Cleveland High School and what was the other one that was put?
• The second one I would highlight is Elliott School.
• And just... 35% for schools.
• Is that active schools or retired schools? Those are primarily vacant schools.

Committee: House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe... and I know our schools have a history of, during the school year, during ice storms and other
• district's going to have school or not, and if it's safe enough for people to get to school.
• management assistance.
• So, community assistance, both NFIP and FMA grants, flood. Mitigation Assistance grants.
• I'm the assistant director for the Flood Science and Community Assistance Division.

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• I HAD TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH SCHOOL AND TO KNOW THAT KIDS CAN WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH SCHOOL, AFFORD TO
• I WAS ACTIVE IN THE STUDENT POLITICS WHEN I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL.
• THE FASTEST SUPERCOMPUTER ANY SCHOOL HAD IN THE WORLD.
• FINALLY WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURE SCHOOL.
• IT IS A SIMILAR MODEL TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE CONSORTIUM FOR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

Transcript Highlights:

• As new construction costs go up, they drives the price of existing homes up as well.
• Part of that, of course, is due to the cost of new construction.
• </c> construction and or ownership. construction and or ownership.
• </c> and or township, county, school and or township, county, school district,<00:24:38.000><c> maybe
• </c> on our schools. on our schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our children miss school days wheezing. Our parents... Our children miss school days wheezing.
• Right now in New Jersey, we only allow it in assisted livings, but it's done in assisted livings for
• Right now in New Jersey, we only allow it in assisted livings, but it's done in assisted livings for
• back in our school doors.
• It is a resource that our school counselors, our school nurses, our educators, all will value and get

Transcript Highlights:

• In many projects, it is the largest cost for construction.
• But in particular, the local school district goes over a cliff.
• In particular, the local school district goes over a cliff.
• I think this is a constructive approach.
• School buses are the often cited example.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• To be able to get to construction.
• , from award to construction, moves faster and cheaper.
• At CDLAC, we have a set-aside for homeless assistance projects.
• So, mindful of the focus on new construction the last few years, we've really prioritized new construction
• HCD's Mobile Home Assistance Center, or the MAC as we call it, provides direct assistance to the public

Summary: The subcommittee opened with remarks on the Senate’s budget plan for affordable housing and homelessness, including a proposed $2 billion housing investment and full funding for HHAP rounds 7 and 8. The first major item was the administration’s housing reorganization and trailer bill package, which would codify the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC), consolidate multifamily housing finance programs into a one-stop application and award process, and shift some authority over bonds, tax credits, and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program. Administration officials said the goal was to reduce duplication, speed projects from award to construction, and improve accountability by aligning financing decisions. The LAO generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside and earlier reallocation of unused bond authority, and suggested preserving flexibility for integrated applications and reporting back on the proposed 70/30 split for housing versus sustainable communities funding. Committee members, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the new committee structure could add process and delay, and questioned whether the proposal was effectively repurposing the climate-oriented ASIC program into a housing finance tool without enough direct investment in core housing programs. Administration witnesses responded that the structure was meant to create transparency, public accountability, and simultaneous financing awards, and said the proposal was only a first step in a broader consolidation effort. Members also asked about specific programs such as the Joe Serna Farm Worker Housing Grant Program and the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program, and staff said those would remain within the broader streamlined framework or the flexible sustainable communities allocation. The committee then heard from CDLAC and TCAC on federal tax credit changes and state housing finance. Staff explained that H.R. 1 increased the federal 9% LIHTC allocation and, more importantly, lowered the bond-financing threshold for 4% credits from 50% to 25%, allowing California to finance many more projects. They reported emergency regulations were adopted quickly to implement the change, resulting in 195 projects and more than 25,000 units in the 4% program, while the 9% program funded 58 projects and nearly 3,000 units. Members asked about the value of the state low-income housing tax credit program and rehabilitation projects; staff said state credits remain important for filling financing gaps and that a portion of bond and credit resources is now set aside for acquisition and rehabilitation. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights rollbacks and on three limited-term or expiring programs: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal closures and funding cuts have increased demand on the department, which now has more than 12,000 open matters, up from 8,700 a year earlier, and a six-month wait for intake interviews despite overtime triage and early case screening. Members urged continued funding for the programs, arguing they are essential as federal protections weaken; department staff said California vs. Hate connects callers quickly to support services, the conflict resolution unit fills a gap left by the shuttered federal counterpart, and the limited-term investigators have helped reduce wait times even as filings continue to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• The construction of fire stations in communities is about community safety and firefighter safety.
• The bill is framed in a way to accelerate station construction by streamlining the judicial process,
• These smaller construction, rehab, and maintenance projects are not construction; they are painting or
• Okay, Mike West for the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, in support.
• When you say out-of-state, you mean contractors for construction and other services?

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• And then they spend their grade school, middle school, and high school years trying to catch up.
• ><c> school,</c><00:43:49.520><c> and</c><00:43:49.720><c> high</c> grade school, middle school, and
• high grade school, middle school, and high school<00:43:50.160><c> years</c><00:43:50.520><c> trying<
• </c> school years trying to catch up. school years trying to catch up.
• <01:50:56.520><c> standards</c><01:50:57.520><c> construction</c> construction standards construction

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• pools that I had a problem with because I had schools that were in these school pools and then when
• They've gone to a CODA school.
• And the physician assistants licensure compact has 16 members so far.
• For over 40 years, physician assistants at the University of Texas M. D.
• My name is Mercedes Dodge, and I'm a physician assistant for 17 years.

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:20:13.919><c> Department</c> assistant commissioner at the Department assistant commissioner at the
• </c><00:25:04.799><c> is</c> just because the construction is just because the construction is progressing
• </c> the the site work on the construction the the site work on the construction side<00:36:26.480><c
• ,</c><00:38:05.839><c> uh,</c> week and showed us the construction, uh, week and showed us the construction
• I'd like to thank lottery commission management and staff for their assistance during the audit.

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCR 2034 schools and questions of judiciary. HCR 2035 school district.
• district's room; HB 2380, school facility; HB 2384, school district's requirements; HB 2477, Arizona's
• ; HB 2635, full-day kindergarten; HB 2637, school districts; HB 2638, school mental health; HB 2644,
• HB 2496, revaluations district's construction contract, Commerce.
• HB 26, who buyer assistance program requirement, Government.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recorded attendance at 56 present, zero absent, and four excused. Members then used personal privilege to introduce guests and recognize visiting groups, including the West Valley Regional Chamber, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics Arizona, Vitalant, and veterans and military representatives. The chamber and blood donor month proclamations were read, with Representative Bliss recognizing January as National Blood Donor Month in Arizona and Vitalant’s role in supplying most of the state’s blood supply, and Representative Aguilar declaring January 22, 2026, West Valley Regional Chamber Day. The House handled a large volume of procedural business, including reports of standing committees, first reading and referral of numerous bills and resolutions, and announcements of committee meetings. The bills covered a wide range of topics such as elections, education, housing, taxes, health care, artificial intelligence, veterans, public safety, and energy. Several measures were also withdrawn and reassigned to different committees, including referrals to the Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, Government, Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and Natural Resources, Energy, and Water. Members also made brief remarks honoring guests and community causes, including a Veterans Caucus lunch announcement focused on military-family policy and a personal remembrance by Senator Cruz. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken beyond procedural approvals and the motion to adjourn. The House recessed and later adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the East Valley School District.
• My district, the Walla Walla School District, recently purchased 18 electric school buses.
• and middle school. and a bunch of stuff that are actually getting kids onto high school and middle school
• , I visited the schools.
• Their kids went to school here. They went to school here.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care