Transcript Highlights:

• This Senate confirmation process is crucial to ensuring that director nominees will faithfully execute
• This Senate confirmation process is crucial to ensuring that director nominees will faithfully execute
• Geltzor Ridgway’s confirmation and respectfully asks for your support today. Thank you, Mr.
• On behalf of the Cactus League Association and our entire board, we respectfully ask that you confirm
• On behalf of the Cactus League Association and our entire board, we respectfully ask that you confirm

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Alex Scalpsa Ridgeway’s nomination to serve as Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. In her opening statement, Ridgeway emphasized her Arizona roots, prior service in state government, and her view that tourism is a major economic driver for the state. She highlighted record 2024 visitation and spending, argued that tourism marketing produces strong returns for taxpayers, and said her priorities include improving data use, expanding social media and digital outreach, supporting rural communities, and strengthening international tourism and direct air service. Committee members questioned Ridgeway about the state of tourism, responsible visitor messaging, marketing the Grand Canyon and other parts of Arizona, rural tourism, budget priorities, use of public funds, and how she would respond to unlawful or poor policy directives. She said the office uses an activity-based marketing strategy focused on visitor personas such as family travel, outdoor recreation, culinary, wellness, and luxury, and that it partners with rural destinations and event organizers to spread visitor spending statewide. She also said she would follow the law, would raise concerns about bad policy, and described steps taken to improve transparency and conflict-of-interest practices after questions about a prior logo contract and a costly state branding project. Public testimony was strongly supportive. Representatives from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Cactus League Baseball Association, and Experience Scottsdale praised Ridgeway’s experience, collaboration with industry partners, and understanding of tourism’s economic impact, especially for rural areas and major visitor destinations. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, with a 5-0 vote, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a motion to recommend confirmation?
• Moved by Senator Garcia, seconded by Senator Graal, to recommend confirmation.
• Is there a motion to recommend confirmation? Recommended by Senator Grover.
• Is there a motion to recommend confirmation? Recommended by Senator Grall.
• If not, is there a motion to recommend confirmation? Senator Grall moves.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I move confirmation of the members. Are there any requests to sever?
• Reported favorably from the Nominations Committee, be confirmed.
• The secretary will call the roll. 31 ayes and no nays; the nominees are confirmed.
• President, I move confirmation of the nominees. Are there any requests to sever?
• Favorably from the Nominations Committee, be confirmed.

Bills: HJR34, HB6, HB18, HB39, HB107, HB114, HB138, HB247, HB300, HB647, HB748, HB762, HB793, HB1240, HB1275, HB1397, HB1584, HB1700, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2071, HB2254, HB2340, HB2350, HB2516, HB2712, HB2713, HB2715, HB2760, HB2842, HB3088, HB3104, HB3260, HB3479, HB3575, HB3687, HB3788, HB4163, HB4187, HB4205, HB4370, HB4384, HB4655, HB4753, HB4809, HB4850, HB5195, HCR90, HCR98, SJR60, SB203, SB317, SB719, SB801, SB867, SB1071, SB1232, SB1319, SB1483, SB1633, SB1798, SB1978, SB2233, SB2363, SB2603, SB2607, SB2717, SB2797, SB2841, SB2928, SB3038, SJR5, SB4, SB9, SB21, SB23, SB27, SB34, SB40, SB75, SB213, SB458, SB482, SB493, SB840, SB841, SB843, SB912, SB1241, SB1253, SB1350, SB1388, SB1423, SB1535, SB1559, SB1789, SB1951, SB2037, SB2143, SB2155, SB2544, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2308, HB2525, HJR34, HB1393, HB26, HB388, HB2712, HB1633, HB685, HB762, HB2286, HB1606, HB1458, HB1240, HB2791, HB3146, HB1397, HB2061, HB647, HB4738, HB2563, HB128, HB581, HB766, HB2259, HB2358, HB4384, HB748, HB793, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB1584, HB3806, HB3804, HB3803, HB1522, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB1314, HB2254, HB1237, HB3126, HB2856, HB3114, HB3505, HB4205, HB5652, HB3687, HB2025, HB3395, HB2495, HB138, HB18, HB1700, HB4655, HB2516, HB1894, HB1965, HB300, HB2713, HB39, HB114, HB24, HB3088, HB4163, HB3479, HB2842, HB519, HB609, HB1275, HB1592, HB3348, HB120, HB6, HB247, HB1533, HB2421, HB2273, HB2464, HB2011, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HB3424, HB2715, HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4396, HB5195, HB4341, HB43, HB5686, HB2467, HB2468, HB2518, HB4310, HB4386, HB4490, HB180, HB5323, HB2, HB149, HB4945, HB2434, HB2529, HB3161, HB3745, HB4044, HB5155, HB5667, HB4996, HB2697, HB2492, HB2355, HB2282, HB2001, HB1902, HB1866, HB1445, HB1443, HB1306, HB1024, HB908, HB305, HB285, HB449, HB171, HB47, HB3464, HB2637, HB4263, HB5436, HB4429, HB3986, HB3966, HB3510, HB2560, HB2026, HB2688, HB4076, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB1978, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3038, SB3045, SB1538, SB719, SB3071, SB3065, SB823, SB3062, SB719, HB39, HB114, HB138, HB247, HB300, HB762, HB793, HB1275, HB1584, HB1700, HB1894, HB1965, HB2254, HB2340, HB2350, HB2760, HB2842, HB3088, HB3104, HB3260, HB3479, HB3575, HB3687, HB3788, HB4163, HB4205, HB4370, HB4655, HB4809, HB5195, SB1978, SR508, HJR34, SB963, SB1383, SB1883, SB1968, HB2525, HB112, HB117, HB557, HB783, HB869, HB876, HB1039, HB1201, HB1347, HB1359, HB1650, HB1788, HB1904, HB1955, HB2370, HB2849, HB2853, HB3066, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3196, HB3241, HB3567, HB3672, HB3715, HB3720, HB3883, HB3954, HB3976, HB4070, HB4098, HB4222, HB4327, HB4359, HB4412, HB4683, HB4755, HB4894, HB4926, HB5115, HB5165, HB5320, HB5437, HB5499, HB5596, HB5650, HB5651, HB5654, HB5656, HB5658, HB5659, HB5661, HB5662, HB5665, HB5666, HB5670, HB5671, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5677, HB5678, HB5679, HB5680, HB5681, HB5682, HB5688, HB5694, HB5695, HB5696, HB5699, HCR46, HCR59, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR111, HCR142, HB112, HB117, HB557, HB783, HB869, HB876, HB1039, HB1201, HB1347, HB1359, HB1650, HB1788, HB1904, HB1955, HB2370, HB2849, HB2853, HB3066, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3196, HB3241, HB3567, HB3672, HB3715, HB3720, HB3883, HB3954, HB3976, HB4070, HB4098, HB4222, HB4327, HB4359, HB4412, HB4683, HB4755, HB4894, HB4926, HB5115, HB5165, HB5320, HB5437, HB5499, HB5596, HB5650, HB5651, HB5654, HB5656, HB5658, HB5659, HB5661, HB5662, HB5665, HB5666, HB5670, HB5671, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5677, HB5678, HB5679, HB5680, HB5681, HB5682, HB5688, HB5694, HB5695, HB5696, HB5699, HCR46, HCR59, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR111, HCR142

Keywords: HJR 34, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, real property, border counties, U.S.-Mexico border, United Mexican States, border security, border security infrastructure, landowner, county tax base, local government, tax relief, property value increase, infrastructure improvements, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are the major things I wanted to mention as we go into his confirmation.
• There's a motion made to move you to a full Senate confirmation this morning.
• Senate confirmation this morning.
• With a vote of 6 in favor, you will be moving on to a full Senate confirmation later this morning.
• We are constitutionally authorized to do confirmations during the interim. During the interim.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to your confirmation. You have been a breath of fresh air, not that Chuck wasn't.
• Confirmation. You have been a breath of fresh air.
• Hurdle for director, we urge you to confirm her.
• So we couldn't endorse her confirmation more. Thank you. Good afternoon.
• And I'd be honored to move your confirmation to the Senate floor. We'll vote.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The appointment has been approved to move to the full Senate for confirmation.
• The appointment has been approved to move to the full Senate for confirmation.
• The appointment has been approved to move to the full Senate for confirmation.
• The appointment has been approved to move to the full Senate for confirmation.
• So we will know. to the full Senate for confirmation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If confirmed, I would like to focus on two primary areas.
• If confirmed, I would like to focus on two primary areas.
• If confirmed, I am prepared to serve thoughtfully, work ...seriously.
• If not, a motion would be in order to recommend the confirmation of Ms.
• It's on registration and it's confirming. So, I mean, it's not to catch.

Bills: S0460, S0748, S1180, S1334

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico's school boards urge your favorable consideration of her confirmation.
• Favorable consideration of her confirmation. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Guillen.
• Please support this confirmation, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Thank you.
• for a full Senate confirmation.
• With six in favor of your confirmation, you will move forward to a full Senate confirmation later this

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I move confirmation. Members, are there any requests to sever?
• Senator Campbell moves that the nominees reported favorably from the nominations committee be confirmed
• Secretary will call the roll. 31 ayes and no nays, the nominees are confirmed.
• President, I move confirmation of the nominees. Members, are there any requests to sever?
• Alvarado 31 ayes and no nays, and the nominees are confirmed. Thank you, Senator Campbell.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 2 bills before us, which we will hear first and then we'll go on to the continuing confirmation
• And if you'll confirm, please that in order to be a member of the board of trustees, you must either
• Let me explain why I want you to vote me for confirmation to the board of trustees of Uwf.
• Is there a motion to confirm these individuals 7 named so moved?
• or choose to confirm her, not confirm.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be hearing a bill and then we're going to start the process of confirmations.
• We're going to be doing a little different confirmation process instead of simply hearing doing just
• And now we're going to go into our confirmation here.
• But I am hopeful that out here and will be a positive confirmation from you again today.
• And I look forward to confirmation by this committee in order to to advance those goals.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to we support his confirmation.
• The first time we confirmed you. Okay.
• Okay. confirmed you. Okay. confirmed you.
• confirmations confirmations and<01:11:06.120> fulfilling<01:11:06.560> our<01:11:06.680
• They rely on us to confirm you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the committee on confirmations. from the committee on confirmations.
• Patricia Anne Jones is confirmed.
• All right, Secretary, call the next confirmation from the Committee on Confirmations.
• Angela Star is confirmed.
• Secretary, call the next confirmation from the Committee on Confirmations.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 28 senators present. The body agreed to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading and adopt the previous journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The presiding officer also recognized several guests on the floor and in the gallery, including an intern from the Lieutenant Governor’s office and guests of Senator Chambliss. Committee reports focused on confirmations for Alabama State University’s Board of Trustees. Patricia Anne Jones (Confirmation 79), Angela Star (Confirmation 80), and Bobby Singleton (Confirmation 78) each received favorable committee reports and were confirmed by the full Senate, with roll-call votes showing unanimous or near-unanimous support. The chamber spent considerable time in lighthearted debate and personal remarks during Singleton’s confirmation before adopting the motion and confirming him. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 81 commending the Coach Safely Foundation for youth sports injury mitigation, and several other resolutions honoring individuals and organizations, including Johnny Williams, Jim America, Senior Trooper Hunter Woodruff, and retired Army Colonel Shawn Thomas Prricett. A resolution encouraging Alabama public high schools to form a consortium was also adopted. On local bills, the Senate passed Senate Bill 243 regarding Jefferson County and House Bill 532 regarding Shelby County, both by using the previous roll and with no opposition. The Rules Committee then reported a special order calendar for the 22nd legislative day, which the Senate adopted 30-0. The special order calendar included bills on the Board of Funeral Services, the Public Service Commission, tax abatements, electric utilities, child support, dogs, school lands, Chambers County, and real property. The first special-order bill taken up was Senate Bill 107 by Senators Figures and Gudger, concerning the Alabama Board of Funeral Services. Senators discussed the bill’s purpose of funding the board’s increased duties, the effect on funeral home license fees, and an amendment offered by Senator Bell to reduce certain fees. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was explained as not affecting pre-need funeral arrangements. Debate continued as members asked questions about costs to families and funeral homes, but the chamber had not yet reached final disposition of the bill by the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services and placed on the confirmation Services and placed on the confirmation calendar<00:28:01.279
• I hope you will support their confirmation. Any further discussion?
• confirmation. Any further discussion? confirmation. Any further discussion?
• The motion prevails, so the appointments are confirmed.
• . confirmed. confirmed.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened under call, received a prayer and pledge, and then proceeded through routine business including roll call, quorum, and messages from the House. The chamber concurred in House amendments to Senate File 3210, a human rights bill concerning disability accommodations, and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 42-22. The Senate also received several House messages on conference committees and returned bills, including SF 4476, SF 4612, and SF 4760, and agreed to conference committees on House File 3426 (Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations) and House File 4252 (higher education student aid reporting). The Senate adopted committee reports and moved several bills through second reading and introduction stages. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which governs Senate business during the interim between sessions; the sponsor explained that most changes were cleanup and modernization, with one substantive change allowing the Secretary of the Senate to appoint someone to fill a vacancy in an elected officer position for the remainder of the interim. The resolution passed 57-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 87, commemorating deceased senators Bruce Anderson, Carrie Dietick, Alice Johnson, Bob Kurlin, Don Samuelson, James Yuland, and Ray Vander, followed by a moment of silence. The Senate then took up confirmations of three Minnesota Tax Court judges: Jane Bowman, Bradford Deopena, and Beverly Luther Quest. Supporters cited their combined public- and private-sector tax law experience, and the appointments were confirmed. Later, the chamber designated special orders and debated Senate File 3891, which would allow eggs to be donated up to 30 days past their quality assurance date to food shelves; supporters emphasized food insecurity, food waste reduction, and the bill’s support from food shelves and retailers. The bill passed 65-0. The Senate also considered House File 4240 on election administration, adopting an amendment that replaced House language with Senate language, including polling-place requirements for certain school district elections, a ban on candidates betting on their own elections, and an effective date for Three Rivers Park District reporting; the bill then passed 36-28. The chamber then began consideration of House File 4239, another elections-related bill, taking it from the table and offering an A5 amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The nominees for said governor's messages have been confirmed. Mr.
• Uh, in the gallery we have with us newly confirmed members. Uh, GM72 is Ken Kawahara.
• And we also have our new student regent that has also been newly confirmed, Joshua from Muina.
• gallery we have with us newly confirmed gallery we have with us newly confirmed members.<00:02:50.160
• <00:03:14.000> uh<00:03:14.080> and confirmed, uh, Joshua from Muina, uh, and he has

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call, approval of the prior day’s journal, and receipt of several communications, including governor’s messages transmitting proposed conference drafts for collective bargaining agreements, House communications on concurrence with Senate amendments and conferee changes, and conference and standing committee reports. The chamber also took up advise-and-consent items on governor’s messages, approving the nominees on consent with no objections and confirming them. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, House Draft 1, after several members registered no votes and Senators Kim and Gabbard reserved their votes; the resolution passed with five no votes. Members also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 96 on consent. During the meeting, Senator Kim introduced newly confirmed members in the gallery, including Ken Kawahara for the Board of Regents and student regent Joshua from Muina. On final reading, the Senate passed SB 1296 CD1 relating to disaster recovery and SB 1318 CD1 relating to water pollution by unanimous consent. The Senate also reconsidered and agreed to House amendments to SB 1448 HD2, with Senator San Buenaventura noting the changes were technical and created a clean date; one-day notice was then given for final reading. A legislative communication extending the conference negotiation deadline for fiscal bills from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. was filed, and the chair announced the decking deadline for fiscal bills in conference was 11:30 p.m. The Senate then recessed until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, leaving the journal open until midnight for additional conference committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a governor's message and Judiciary communications agenda, which is for confirming judges and members
• > continuing confirmed, I commit to continuing confirmed, I commit to continuing continuing<00
• I respectfully urge you to vote no on this confirmation. Thank you.
• vote no on this confirmation. vote no on this confirmation. Thank<00:31:40.559> you.
• <01:09:47.440> the consideration confirmation to the consideration confirmation to the Defender

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 767, the nomination of Kanoi AD Jackson to serve as circuit court judge for the Third Circuit. The chair announced that the committee would not vote on the governor’s message or two judge nominations until Tuesday, April 15, but planned to vote that day on two Defender Council items. Testimony on Jackson’s nomination was limited to two minutes per speaker, and the hearing was conducted partly by Zoom. Supporters emphasized Jackson’s qualifications, work ethic, judicial temperament, and community ties. Testifiers included the West Hawaii Bar Association, family members, a retired teacher, retired Judge Robert Kim, and the Hawaii State Bar Association. The West Hawaii Bar Association said Jackson received high marks from its review process and that the Third Circuit needed a permanent judge for stability. Judge Kim and others praised her preparation, intelligence, humility, and experience as a prosecutor and litigator. Jackson also spoke in her own behalf, acknowledging that her background is primarily criminal rather than civil, but saying she is committed to learning the civil docket and serving the community if confirmed. Members questioned the Hawaii State Bar Association about the basis for its support, including how many members responded and whether concerns were raised about Jackson’s lack of civil experience. HSBA said it uses a confidential review process, receives both positive and negative comments, and does not track votes or percentages, but its board voted to support her. Judge Kim responded that judges can learn new areas of law, that civil dockets can be managed with benchbooks and help from other judges, and that Jackson’s trial experience would serve her well. No vote was taken on Jackson’s nomination during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cravens be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.
• Rees be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.
• Cravens be approved and confirmed signed T.J.
• Williams be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.
• Radijack be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, chairman. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cravens be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Rees be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Williams be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Williams be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.
• Radijack be approved and confirmed. Signed, T.J. Shope, Chairman. Mr.

Summary: The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a guest introduction for Deputy Frank Sloop. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and, in several cases, floor amendments. Topics included public records, capital outlay review, local government, taxation, state budget implementation, higher education appropriations, utility regulation, towing regulation, homeowners association disclosures, nursing board regulation, veteran services, criminal justice, human services, K-12 education, state property management, and the continuation of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Several bills were amended on the floor before receiving favorable recommendations. House Bill 2114 on motorcycle-related provisions was amended to require that at least one registered owner be legally licensed to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. House Bill 2397 on HOA/condominium disclosures was amended to change disclosure timing and fee rules and make other conforming changes. House Bill 2408 on nursing board regulatory action was amended to remove a clear-and-convincing-evidence burden in disciplinary matters and clarify complaint-sharing procedures. House Bill 2957 on driver’s license/handheld provisions, House Bill 2305 on towing regulation, and House Bill 2321 on DCS-related reporting also received amendments before do-pass recommendations. The largest item was Senate Bill 1847, the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Senators offered extensive floor amendments affecting agriculture, corrections, criminal justice, school safety, law enforcement equipment, vehicle theft task force funding, liquor licensing, and other budget items. During third reading and debate on the budget, Democratic senators praised negotiated gains such as funding for aging services, food assistance, civil legal aid, school meals, heat relief, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, while criticizing border-related funding, ESA/voucher policy, and cuts to higher education and adult education. One member’s remarks were ruled dilatory after repeated off-topic comments, and the ruling of the chair was sustained by a 16-12 vote. The transcript ends with additional budget-related explanation of votes continuing after the budget’s third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you may recall, uh, when we confirmed a recommendation to be confirmed to the full Senate of
• for your confirmation.
• > by<00:00:33.800> this That confirmation was approved by this That confirmation was approved
• I also appreciate my and confirmation.
• for your confirmation. confirmation. confirmation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The entire Senate or Senate committee on confirmations may elect to consider an appointment.
• Rejection of an appointment by the Senate committee on confirmations shall be considered a rejection
• The entire Senate or Senate committee<00:02:13.840> on<00:02:14.000> confirmations<00:02
• :14.560> may<00:02:14.720> elect<00:02:14.959> to committee on confirmations may
• shall be considered a confirmation shall be considered a rejection<00:02:19.840> by<00:02:20.000

Bills: HB150

Keywords: improvement district, special assessment, assessment lien, public infrastructure, bond financing, bond interest rate, county commission, tax assessor, tax collector, judge of probate, ad valorem tax, tax lien, tax sale, foreclosure, delinquent taxes, municipal finance, public improvements, infrastructure financing, collection enforcement, property lien