Transcript Highlights:

• It allows a waiver of a variety of sections, but including Division 2, which includes Chapter 3.2, which
• under current law, those two departments can coordinate and waive any part of that section, including Chapter

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on June 24 with a substitute chair presiding and considered three measures. SB 352 by Senator Reyes was placed on the consent calendar and approved unanimously, 7-0, to be re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 433 by Senator Wahab, presented on behalf of Senator Stern, was heard next and focused on room-and-board protections for participants in the assisted living waiver and CalAIM assisted living transition community support programs. Supporters, including Justice in Aging, CANHR, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the California Commission on Aging, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, argued the bill would prevent low-income Medi-Cal residents from being charged unaffordable rates and losing their housing. Opponents, including the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, and Six B’s, said they remained concerned about the bill’s rent-control implications and statutory scope, though they acknowledged recent amendments addressed some eligibility issues. After committee discussion, SB 433 was approved 5-1 with one abstention and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services. The committee also heard SB 582 by Senator Stern, presented by Senator Wahab, which would allow state departments to issue disaster suspensions of active licenses for facilities rendered inoperable by declared emergencies, waive some licensing fees, and provide temporary flexibility for community-based adult services, child care, and evacuation planning requirements for skilled nursing and residential care facilities. Support came from the California Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge California, the California Commission on Aging, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, CANHR, and a child care resource center, all describing the bill as helpful for rebuilding and continuity of services after disasters. There was no recorded opposition, and SB 582 passed unanimously, 7-0, to the Committee on Health. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the other one pertains to our public records chapter.
• I can share that there's 424 session law chapters, however. 424. And how many bills introduced?

Summary: The committee began with introductions of members and staff, then approved the minutes from the previous meeting and approved a step increase for Code Advisor Kathy Buckley. Staff reported on publication sales and distribution, noting that 2024 paper and paid sales were down from prior years, while online access and reduced demand for printed copies continued to trend downward. Members discussed the continuing role of printed RCWs and session laws, with staff explaining that libraries and counties remain the main paper purchasers and that some specialized titles are still produced in print and electronic formats. The committee then reviewed a table of “multiple actions” affecting RCW sections from the 2025 session. Staff explained that 153 sections had multiple amendments or related actions, but most could be merged through editorial authority; about 10 sections would likely need future legislative cleanup. The committee approved the table, allowing staff to proceed with merging where possible. Financially, staff reported the office was on track to return about $542,000 to the state, though that amount may decrease slightly because of end-of-year purchases, including a shared printer for LSS. They also noted a slight budget reduction for the next fiscal year, but said staffing adjustments and existing coverage should prevent problems. The committee discussed upcoming rulemaking to align the office’s public records procedures with House and Senate practices, including designating a public records officer and updating language to reflect current legislative structure. Staff said the process would follow standard APA rulemaking and could take roughly six months. Members also heard about a prior “video auditor” incident at the office and the office’s response and training. Finally, staff provided a building update: the office is scheduled to move back into the renovated Pritchard building on September 14, 2026, with furniture selection underway. At the end of the meeting, staff shared session statistics, including 424 session law chapters, 1,305 House bills introduced, 1,082 Senate bills introduced, 238 House bills passed, and 193 Senate bills passed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• unprecedented in, in, in, in, in my understanding, it, it doesn't work that way with, uh, with, uh, uh, under chapter
• 66 or chapter 283 for telecoms, that would be cable and telecom.

Transcript Highlights:

• In act relating to child support pass-through, and amending RCW 2024, Chapter 174, Section 4.
• In act relating to child support pass-through and amending RCW 2024, Chapter 174, Section 4.

Summary: The Senate opened with a moment of silence for Senator Chris Gildon and his family after the death of his wife, Autumn. It then took up several bills on final passage, beginning with Substitute House Bill 2020, which establishes a 3.1% B&O tax rate for payment card processing activities and allows a deduction for certain related fees. Supporters said it resolves a long-running dispute with the Department of Revenue; it passed 47-0. The chamber also passed House Bill 2039, delaying the child support pass-through expansion from 2026 to 2029, and House Bill 2040, delaying the elimination of recoveries from the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Assistance Program from October 2025 to October 2028. Supporters framed both as timing changes, while opponents argued they would postpone benefits for families and vulnerable people. Both bills passed 25-22. Substitute House Bill 2051, dealing with payment to acute care hospitals for difficult-to-discharge patients, passed 27-20 after several proposed amendments were withdrawn. Supporters said the bill helps hospitals care for patients who have nowhere else to go, while opponents argued the state should not delay payment support for these patients. The Senate also passed In Gross Substitute House Bill 2061, imposing a 10% concession fee on duty-free sales to fund tourism promotion and sustainable aviation fuel, over objections that it was a tax increase passed on to consumers. Finally, Substitute House Bill 2077, which taxes certain business activities related to zero-emission vehicle credits, passed 28-19 after an amendment to remove or narrow parts of the tax was rejected. Supporters said the measure would encourage spending of credits and support clean transportation goals, while opponents called it a targeted tax on Tesla and warned it could raise EV prices. The Senate then concurred in amended Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1293, a litter and plastic bag measure that increases litter penalties and keeps the planned bag-thickness increase from taking effect, and passed it 27-20. The Senate adjourned until April 27, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have attorneys appointed under Chapter 264 of the Family Code. ...which are in court-ordered
• parents to select attorneys for termination cases, I would suggest that attorneys appointed under Chapter

Bills: SB629, SB1015, SB2501, SB2933

Keywords: child support, interest accrual, family law, delinquency, financial judgment, statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the Texas chapter of the Recording Academy are gathering in Austin today, celebrating the unique
• have uplifted, we congratulate you on a well-earned retirement and wish you all the best in the next chapter

Transcript Highlights:

• It does the same with the terms "specific" and "civil penalty," and it eliminates fines from the chapter
• to provide clarity. ...fines from the chapter to provide clarity to the farm supply.

Bills: HB159, HB110, HB114, HB115, HB116, HB123, HB125

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, pharmacy, pharmacist licensure, Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, renewal fees, continuing education, disciplinary actions, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternative News Media Publishers, the Los Angeles Press Club, SBJ Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles Chapter
• Alternative News Media Publishers, the Los Angeles Press Club, SBJ Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles Chapter
• Matt Easley on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California and the San Diego chapter,
• Osama Makhadim, on behalf of the California chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, in
• And so we're just trying to inject a little bit of humanity into this very difficult, dark chapter in

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive manager of the Boston chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.
• course we as the building trades love, but more importantly, it will also ask them to comply with Chapters
• 26 and 27 of Chapter 149, which is a prevailing wage.
• Basically, I would like to request that you remove Section 45 from the bill that would repeal Chapter
• Basically, I would like to request that you remove Section 45 from the bill that would repeal Chapter

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it does not restrict other therapies regulated under chapters 146A.
• Um, it does not restrict other therapies regulated under chapters 146A.
• of the American Massage Therapy Association, where I also served as chapter president.
• Um, prior to Jackson Petersburg being president of the AMTA chapter local chapter, uh, the president
• It amends Chapter 147B.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in<00:50:58.240> in<00:50:58.960> title<00:51:00.079> 7,<00:51:00.559> chapter
• is covered in in title 7, chapter 13. is covered in in title 7, chapter 13.
• The patrol, DCI, and wardens retirement program is covered under Title 9, Chapter 3, Article 6, while
• the regular peace officers retirement system is covered under Title 9, Chapter 3, Article 4.
• I just wanted to draw our attention to Chapter 13, Decorum and Debate, section 121, Breaches of Order

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alwood, uh, chapter 515 has been amended 18 times since 1993.
• In fact, one of the provisions in chapter 515 actually contemplates future changes to the statute.
• Dath, uh, chapter 515 has been amended Dath, uh, chapter 515 has been amended 18<00:54:00.960> times
• In fact, one of the provisions<00:54:32.400> in<00:54:32.800> chapter<00:54:33.280>
• 515 provisions in chapter 515 provisions in chapter 515 actually<00:54:35.440> contemplates

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 1750, an HOA/common interest community reform bill, and first adopted the DE9 amendment after the chair moved it to put the bill in the form the author wanted. The bill was described by supporters as a consumer and homeowner protection measure intended to add transparency, dispute-resolution rights, conflict-of-interest rules, and limits on fees and late charges in Minnesota HOAs, which supporters said have grown rapidly and are not adequately covered by current law. Supporters, including legal aid, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, said the bill responds to longstanding complaints about HOA abuse, lack of transparency, escalating attorney fees, foreclosure-related problems, and management-company conflicts of interest. They argued the revised bill reflects extensive stakeholder work and would help homeowners resolve disputes without costly escalation while improving fairness and accountability. Opponents, including attorneys and representatives of HOA management interests, argued the bill is too rigid and one-size-fits-all, would raise costs for all homeowners, and could make associations harder to govern. They said fee caps, contract restrictions, procurement mandates, and dispute procedures would increase assessments, reduce flexibility, discourage board service, and create more legal and administrative burden, especially for smaller or financially strained communities. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no definition of that in this proposed bill, but we currently have a definition in chapter 35
• 35 that we could lean on for in chapter 35 that we could lean on for that<01:10:34.640> as<01
• >> So,<01:10:41.199> director,<01:10:41.679> chapter<01:10:42.239> 35,
• ><01:10:42.880> are<01:10:43.040> you >> So, director, chapter 35, are you >>
• ; So, director, chapter 35, are you confident<01:10:43.840> then<01:10:44.000> that<01:

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• 20:05.920> and the data challenge appeal process and the data challenge appeal process and chapter
• :07.520> happy<01:20:07.680> to<01:20:07.800> stand<01:20:07.960> for chapter
• And I'm happy to stand for chapter 13.
• proposal combines a range of clarifications and what we would say are modest improvements across chapter
• are modest improvements across chapter are modest improvements across chapter 43A<01:23:38.440><

Bills: HF2783, HF2603, HF2846, HF2354, HF1836, HF2713, HF1198, HF1389

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• basically, reviewing the entire chapter basically, reviewing the entire chapter on<00:29:48.840>
• the way that the cats and dogs chapter the way that the cats and dogs chapter is<00:31:09.800>
• Uh, well, the title of the chapter is dogs and cats.
• But I don't think that it's also necessary to retitle the chapter dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• So, that, and that we've done this with several other chapters of law in the past.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was an appropriation made in chapter 79, laws of 2023, HB 2, for the Foster Grandparent Program
• 79 laws of 2023 in chapter 79 laws of 2023 hb2<00:48:11.720> uh<00:48:11.800> there<00
• If you were to turn to chapter 106 in the current operating budget, it’s budgeted at $4.467 million each
• here so if you were to turn to chapter here so if you were to turn to chapter 106<01:29:15.199><
• um and chapter 79 for the current bium um and that<01:54:46.920> extends<01:54:47.360> the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senator, when you say chapter 14, what I hear you saying is contested casework.
• um judicial your agency also does the um judicial review<01:46:57.599> on<01:46:57.800> chapter
• > 14<01:46:58.679> stuff<01:46:58.960> for<01:46:59.199> these review on chapter
• 14 stuff for these review on chapter 14 stuff for these agencies<01:46:59.920> as<01:47:00.080
• chair Senator I'm when you say chapter chair Senator I'm when you say chapter 14<01:47:36.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Remember, in heavenly Father, that these that are here are ordained by you, as is said in Romans chapter
• /c> are ordained by you, as is said in are ordained by you, as is said in Romans<00:04:03.760> chapter
• Romans chapter 13. Romans chapter 13.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation by Brother Marvin Curtis, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Routine business followed, including dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports, and several items on the calendar were passed and retained without debate. The chamber then moved to nominations and concurrence items. The main debate centered on Senate Bill 2588, the “Safeguard Honesty, Integrity and Elections for Lasting Democracy Shield Act.” Senator England moved to concur with House changes, explaining the bill would require voter-registration checks against DPS records and the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship, with the House amendment triggering SAVE review when no driver’s license or DPS information is available. Senator Blount opposed concurrence and moved to invite conference, arguing the bill could wrongly flag or burden lawful voters—especially elderly or inactive voters without current DPS records—and that the SAVE database was not designed to verify all state voter rolls. Senators Sparks and Dupree questioned Blount about whether the database would help prevent illegal voting and whether the bill’s process was similar to existing voter-roll maintenance procedures. England responded that the bill was narrowly tailored, not intended to disenfranchise anyone, and that even one non-citizen vote could undermine election integrity. The Senate rejected Blount’s motion to invite conference and then adopted England’s motion to concur, passing the bill by a recorded vote of 20-31-16 as reported in the transcript. Earlier, the Senate also considered a nomination for the Emergency Communications Authority Advisory Board, with McClendon speaking against the nominee and Williams defending the appointment before the motion to table reconsideration prevailed. In other action, Senate Bill 2477, concerning Rural Health Transformation Fund monies and competitive bidding requirements, was explained by Senator Bryan as adding guardrails and prioritizing rural providers; it passed by use of the afternoon roll call. At the end of the session, senators made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including Judiciary, Forestry, Public Health and Welfare, and Gaming, and several members offered adjournments in memory of local residents and public figures. Senator England also thanked Elections Committee staff and noted that the committee’s work for the year was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senator Sandy Barr, I'm the director for Sierra Club to Green Canyon chapter, which is the Arizona
• chapter, and we are opposed to House Bill 2102.
• Chair, Senator Sandy Barr, I'm the director for Sierra Club's Grand Canyon chapter, which is the Arizona
• chapter, and we are opposed to House Bill 2494.

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Summary: The committee began with an informational presentation from Gordon Shemp of Nemecu Analytics on Arizona transportation fuel supply and pricing. He explained that Arizona sits at the end of the pipeline system, relies on limited terminal inventories, and can experience only about a seven-day fuel supply if pipelines are disrupted. He attributed recent price spikes to constrained pipeline capacity, Kinder Morgan pressure reductions after PHMSA anomaly reviews, and recovering demand, and he also discussed California refinery closures, increased imports from overseas, and proposed new pipeline capacity into Phoenix from the east. Committee members asked about fuel formulations and pipeline logistics, and Shemp said the proposed project would not change fuel specifications, only transport capacity. The committee then took up House Bill 2758, which would allow eligible entities in La Paz County’s McMullen Valley groundwater basin to transport groundwater to AMAs under specified limits and conditions, with related provisions on fees, districts, and water improvement programs. Supporters, including Stan Barnes, Jim Downing, and Barry Arons, argued the bill follows the Harquahala model, provides needed augmentation for urban Arizona, and includes local benefits and guardrails. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin, Devonna Sater, and Ed Curry, said the bill would worsen groundwater decline, subsidence, and well failures in Salome and Wenden and favored outside investors over rural residents. After debate, the committee approved HB 2758 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard and advanced several other water-related bills. HB 2031, extending the deadline to apply for grandfathered groundwater rights in the Wilcox AMA from 15 to 27 months, passed 5-2 after some members said the extension was unnecessary and would delay protections. HB 2102, allowing county improvement districts in subsequent AMAs or groundwater transportation basins to use eminent domain for a well and standpipe site and water hauling, passed 4-3 after Sierra Club testimony called it a limited “band-aid” rather than a real solution. HB 2103, which would let water improvement programs accept gifts and dedicate groundwater transportation fee revenue to local residential water hauling and delivery, also passed 4-3. HB 2117, a technical cleanup bill shifting Environmental Special Plate Fund administration to the Natural Resource Conservation Board and raising education-center distributions from $5,000 to $10,000, passed 5-2 despite concerns about the fund’s administration. The committee then considered HB 2261, which changes agricultural property tax terminology and valuation rules. County assessors and the Arizona Association of Counties opposed it, warning it would effectively exempt many agricultural improvements from taxation and shift costs to residential taxpayers; the Arizona Farm Bureau supported it as a clarification that would provide certainty for agriculture. The bill passed 4-3. Finally, HB 2262, transferring the Resource Analysis Division from the State Land Department to the Arizona Geological Survey and revising geospatial advisory responsibilities, was introduced, with State Land Department staff saying they were neutral but noting the bill would need clearer statutory duties if RAD is removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• some testimony and some commentary on really the reason that we need to make these changes in this chapter
• we need to make these changes uh in that we need to make these changes uh in this<00:04:29.080> chapter
• <00:04:30.360> So,<00:04:31.160> um this chapter uh here today.
• So, um this chapter uh here today. So, um Deputy<00:04:32.800> Start<00:04:33.000> here.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met for its fifth meeting and first took up House Bill 236, which would remove dual licensure requirements for certain Kentucky EMS education and training programs licensed by the Kentucky Board of EMS. The sponsor and witnesses said the change would reduce red tape and costs for small EMS training providers, help address workforce shortages, and preserve existing training standards. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then passed the bill with favorable expression and adopted a title amendment. Members noted support from the Council for Proprietary Education and the Council for Postsecondary Education. The committee then heard House Bill 298 for discussion only, with no vote taken. The bill would extend KEES scholarship eligibility to students from non-certified schools, including homeschool, parochial, church, and other private schools, using dual-credit coursework, AP exams, and ACT scores to determine merit. The sponsor and a homeschooling witness argued the measure would create fairness for high-achieving students who are currently limited to the ACT supplement, and said homeschool students often take advanced coursework and dual-credit classes. Members asked about instructional hours, certification, eligibility criteria, and the fiscal impact; the sponsor said the bill had a fiscal note of about $290,000 in the first year and about $3.9 million at full implementation, and that the policy would apply to lottery-funded KEES dollars. Several members expressed support for both bills, while also seeking clarification on how homeschool and non-certified school programs operate and why some do not seek certification. The discussion emphasized that homeschoolers are treated as private schools under Kentucky law, that certification can be costly and time-consuming, and that the bill would not change existing academic standards for KEES eligibility. The meeting ended after the discussion of HB 298, with no committee vote on that bill.