Transcript Highlights:

• The bill removes the prohibition on leasing or subleasing state lands to a corporation or association
• reinserts the prohibition on a corporation or association not qualified to transact business in Arizona leasing

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills and a memorial, with extensive testimony on each. SB 1018 would amend Arizona’s foreign-law statute to expressly include Sharia law. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to prevent foreign legal systems from being enforced in Arizona courts and said it would not restrict private religious practice. Opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona, said the measure singled out Islam, was based on fear rather than evidence, and was unconstitutional. After debate, the committee approved SB 1018 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1075, which restricts conveyance of Arizona land to foreign entities deemed hostile to the United States and adds disclosure and penalty provisions through an amendment. The sponsor said the bill was modeled on similar efforts in other states and was intended to prevent adversarial foreign ownership near sensitive sites. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended on a 4-3 vote. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors, would require electors to vote for a properly nominated successor if a winning presidential or vice presidential candidate dies or withdraws before the Electoral College meets, and would treat an elector’s office as vacant if the elector fails to appear. Supporters said the bill closes a gap in Arizona law and helps avoid a deadlock in an unlikely but possible contingency. The committee passed SB 1141 unanimously, 7-0. Finally, the committee heard SCM 1003, a memorial urging Congress to affirm state authority over election processes and campaign finance through a constitutional amendment. Supporters framed it as a federalism measure responding to concerns about outside money in politics, while some members questioned claims about money laundering and noted the memorial’s broad language. The committee approved SCM 1003 unanimously, 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill removes the prohibition on leasing or subleasing state lands to a corporation or association
• reinserts the prohibition on a corporation or association not qualified to transact business in Arizona leasing

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Examples of community residential services are group homes and group training homes, which are provider-leased
• placements that DSHS contracts for include group homes and group training homes, which are provider-leased

Bills: HB2185 , HB2200 , HB2230 , HB2319

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: homelessness, youth programs, advisory committee, prevention, protection, developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, HB 2319, residential habilitation center, state school renaming, Rainier School, Firecrest School

Transcript Highlights:

• Examples of community residential services are group homes and group training homes, which are provider-leased
• placements that DSHS contracts for include group homes and group training homes, which are provider-leased

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee opened its 2026 session with member and staff introductions, then took up four bills. HB 2185 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more members with lived experience of homelessness or involvement in public systems, broaden youth representation up to age 25, and allow members who turn 25 to finish their terms. The prime sponsor and testifiers from homeless youth advocacy organizations supported the bill, saying it would improve representation and the quality of advice to the Office of Homeless Youth. The hearing on HB 2185 was then closed. The committee next heard HB 2319, which renames Washington’s residential habilitation centers by removing the word “school” from their titles and updating related statutory references. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect current services and reduce confusion, and advocates from The Arc of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and self-advocates supported the bill as a needed terminology update that would better describe the facilities and avoid misleading the public. No opposition was heard. HB 2230 would limit DSHS to one annual routine review in specified subject areas for community residential service providers and require more document-sharing across divisions to reduce duplicate oversight. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill is intended to cut redundant audits and site visits so staff can spend more time on client care, while still preserving investigations and required oversight. HB 2200 would direct JLARC to review safety and stability outcomes across developmental disability residential settings and require a public dashboard comparing data such as 911 calls, ER boarding, placement terminations, and staff retention. The sponsor and several witnesses supported greater transparency, while provider representatives raised concerns about raw data being misleading without per-client or percentage-based context and about possible fiscal impacts. The committee did not take final votes on the bills in the transcript and adjourned after public hearings and caucus time were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable to working-class residents.
• No place in California is considered affordable anymore.
• We have to look at affordability. We know that for too many... We have to look at affordability.
• We have a huge housing shortage in our state, more affordable housing. We need to afford...
• Rising rents are reducing access to affordable apartments.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, which would lower California’s annual rent cap, remove the single-family home exemption, and eliminate the sunset on existing tenant protections. The author and supporters argued that renters are facing severe affordability pressures, especially in single-family rentals, and that stronger statewide rent stabilization is needed to prevent displacement and homelessness. Opponents, including apartment, building, and property-owner groups, said the bill would discourage housing production, harm small landlords, and override a deal they said was intended to be temporary while the state focused on building more housing. Public testimony on AB 1157 was extensive, with many renters, tenant advocates, labor groups, and community organizations speaking in support, while many landlords, business groups, and property-owner representatives spoke in opposition. Committee members were split: some praised the bill as a necessary response to the rent crisis, while others warned it could reduce investment and worsen the housing shortage. The committee ultimately voted 7-5 to pass AB 1157 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee then approved the consent calendar, including AB 413, AB 1152, and AB 1275, on a 9-0 vote. It also heard ACA 3, which would require the University of California to make available a limited number of down payment loans for eligible long-term support staff who are first-time homebuyers. Supporters said the measure would help lower-wage UC workers afford homeownership and improve retention, while UC and other opponents argued the proposal was duplicative of existing state programs, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to UC finances. The discussion focused on financing mechanics and the relationship to CalHFA, but no final vote on ACA 3 was included in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strong and stable networks are essential to maintaining access and keeping care affordable, but this
• It's a solution that we need and we cannot afford to delay. Thank you.
• That's the solution that we need and we cannot afford to delay. Thank you.
• This year, we just signed a lease on a 286,000-square-foot facility in Morgan Hill, California, to transform

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1921 on video game shutdowns. The author and Consumer Reports supported requiring game operators to give 60 days’ notice before ending server support and to offer a menu of remedies, including refunds or playable/offline alternatives, while the Entertainment Software Association opposed the bill as an unwarranted new standard for digital products and raised safety and legal concerns about community servers. Members questioned the scope of refunds, copyright, and community-server issues, and the author said he was open to further amendments. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1965, dealing with cannabis testing, was presented as a measure to strengthen the Department of Cannabis Control’s authority over testing labs and improve product safety and transparency. The California Cannabis Operators Association supported the bill, saying it would help ensure consistent standards and protect consumers in a market with a large illicit component. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2141, which would allow the Board of Pharmacy to resolve certain disciplinary matters through a voluntary pre-accusation settlement process. The author and a supporting pharmacist said it would speed resolution of smaller, technical cases and reduce costs, while a member raised concerns about transparency and whether the public would have less information about licensee misconduct. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, with Senator Menjivar voting no, and was placed on call. AB 2163, creating strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, was supported by the author and Imperial County as a way to prioritize geothermal and lithium development in areas like the Salton Sea region; it passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. Later, AB 1990 on compounded weight-loss drug advertising drew significant debate. Supporters argued it would curb misleading ads and require disclosures about risks and non-FDA approval, while opponents from the compounding pharmacy community said it would create burdens, duplicate existing false-advertising law, and could harm patient access. Members questioned whether the bill actually addressed targeting minors and whether it would force use of FDA-approved labeling; the author said the bill was meant to add specificity and guardrails. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Judiciary, with some no votes, and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2783 on court reporters, which would add a national certification pathway and extend a remote reporting pilot; it drew support from court reporting stakeholders and passed unanimously on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, placed on call. Finally, AB 2771, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education sunset bill, and AB 2772, the interior design certification sunset bill, were presented and heard with mixed testimony: AB 2771 received support from student and borrower advocates and was moved to Senate Education, while AB 2772 drew both support and strong opposition over CCIDC governance and accountability, with the committee hearing extensive public comment before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• All the way down into our school systems, which are already taxed, and we just can't afford it.
• two other state correctional facilities, and there would be capacity to enter into other types of leases
• training with a stipend because we know that many people who are in this mass layoff situation can't afford
• guess I feel like this bill does put jobs at risk in the counties, especially the ones that can't afford

Bills: SB100

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• not a perfect example, but it's just something off the top of my head—where I might not be able to afford
• Many of them are single mothers, and they can't afford to give up those benefits, and they're taking
• I also serve on the PSCOC, and we just did not approve an increase on the lease reimbursement.
• This state can afford this. I would ask you to please fully fund the Hold Harmless legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• this impacts our drought resilience and our ability to manage the treatment costs the public can afford
• That caused flooding in the community that devastated some of our least capable and affordable homes.
• The adaptation has to be durable as well as affordable and adaptive.
• We lease this campus from the Port of Los Angeles, essentially at zero cost, in a public-private partnership

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on infrastructure, pollution, climate resilience, public health, access, and economic impacts of sea level rise in California, with an emphasis on San Diego and the Bay Area. Chair Tasha Boerner Horvath opened by describing the committee’s purpose, the state’s sea level rise action planning, and the need for better monitoring and early warning systems. She also referenced her prior bills AB 66 and AB 72, which supported Scripps research on coastal bluff collapse warning capabilities. Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza later joined and emphasized that sea level rise affects not only coastal communities but inland areas as well, and that the issue should inform future legislative and budget decisions. In the first panel, Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps Institution of Oceanography described observed sea level rise of roughly 0.8 to 0.9 feet since the early 1900s, with acceleration expected by mid-century and potentially much greater rise by 2100 depending on emissions. He highlighted flooding, groundwater rise, beach and cliff erosion, salinization, and risks to transportation, sewage, ports, and national security. Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board discussed how sea level rise affects wastewater systems, stormwater, contaminated sites, wetlands, and coastal groundwater basins, and said the board is requiring climate adaptation planning, updating stormwater permits, and seeking more flexible state permitting and mitigation tools. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better mapping, more monitoring, and more state funding, especially if federal support from NOAA and other agencies declines. The second panel addressed public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described how sea level rise, pollution, and access barriers threaten the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, especially for underserved communities and youth programs that rely on safe, welcoming access to the ocean. He stressed the cultural and spiritual importance of coastal access and the need for water safety and environmental education. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission explained that the Bay Area faces major economic exposure from sea level rise, citing a regional estimate of $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses from inaction, and said BCDC is working with local governments under SB 272 on shoreline adaptation planning, funding, and regulatory innovation. Members discussed the tension between environmental permitting and the need to move projects faster, including the possibility of planned retreat in some areas and the use of simultaneous permitting and longer-term state authority to streamline adaptation work. In the final panel, Philip Gibbons of the Port of San Diego described the port’s climate adaptation efforts and its vulnerability assessments under AB 691. He said the port manages state tidelands, supports maritime commerce and recreation, and is already seeing flooding at king tides and during El Niño events, including storm-drain backflow and damage to bikeways and parks. He explained that future sea level rise could inundate major port areas and disrupt operations, underscoring the need for continued planning, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. The hearing did not take formal votes, but it concluded with a clear call for more science, funding, coordination, and regulatory streamlining to prepare California’s coast and nearby communities for worsening sea level rise impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• this impacts our drought resilience and our ability to manage the treatment costs the public can afford
• draining, so that you had flooding in the community that devastated some of our least capable and affordable
• The adaptation has to be durable as well as affordable and adaptive.
• We lease this campus from the Port of Los Angeles, essentially at zero cost, in a public-private partnership

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on the impacts of rising seas on coastal infrastructure, pollution, public health, access, and local economies, with an emphasis on San Diego and broader statewide examples. Chair Tasha Boerner opened by describing sea level rise, flooding, bluff collapse, and the state’s sea level rise action planning, and noted her prior bills that helped launch a Scripps bluff-collapse early warning pilot. Panel one featured Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps and Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, who described accelerating sea level rise, groundwater rise, flooding, erosion, and risks to sewage, transportation, ports, and contaminated sites. Gibson stressed that agencies are already adapting through permits, climate resolutions, stormwater updates, and infrastructure planning, but said the work will require major funding, better mapping, and streamlined permitting. Members then discussed early warning systems, groundwater inundation, federal funding uncertainty, and how state authority might fill gaps left by changing federal clean water rules. Boerner and Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza highlighted that sea level rise affects inland communities too, and asked about local mapping, long-term planning, and the cost of protecting or relocating vulnerable infrastructure. Former Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said the city had the maps and plans but needed money, and urged faster permitting and more investment in protective projects. The panel also discussed the tension between environmental mitigation and urgent adaptation, with Gibson suggesting expanded mitigation banks and state revolving fund support, while Boerner and others noted the need to prioritize projects that protect communities and public health over bureaucratic delay. Panel two shifted to public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described outdoor equity work that introduces children and families, especially from historically excluded communities, to the ocean and teaches water safety and stewardship. He said sea level rise, pollution, and access restrictions threaten cultural continuity and free community programs, especially in places like Imperial Beach and the Tijuana River Valley. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission described how sea level rise threatens Bay Area tourism, airports, roads, ports, and neighborhoods built on fill, estimating roughly $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses if no action is taken. She said BCDC is working under SB 272 on regional shoreline adaptation plans, local government coordination, and regulatory innovation, while emphasizing the need for sustained funding and science. In the final panel, the Port of San Diego’s Philip Gibbons began describing the port’s climate adaptation work, including vulnerabilities to king tides, storm drain backflow, and long-term inundation that could affect roads, buildings, terminals, and parks. He said the port is using climate planning to assess risks and prepare for sea level rise while maintaining maritime commerce, recreation, and environmental stewardship. The hearing ended with a shared call for more funding, better data, streamlined permitting, and coordinated state, local, and federal action to protect coastal communities and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• On slide 13, the Health Care Authority also administers the Health Care Affordability Fund.
• So this is revenue that the state receives that we receive from insurers, and the Health Care Affordability
• Thanks to you all in creating the Health Care Affordability Fund.
• people would like to have a garden that do not Own land within our community that they could have leased

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill: An act relative to the purchase or lease of certain property known as Fenn

Summary: The House took up several committee orders extending reporting deadlines to March 18, 2026 for the Committees on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and Public Safety and Homeland Security, and adopted each after suspending the rules. It also adopted a House resolution recognizing Russell Carrier for 44 years of service to the Forbes Library. The chamber concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals related to a sick leave bank for a trial court employee, creditable service for certain police officers and firefighters, and mobile driver’s licenses, and it suspended Joint Rule 12 on another sick leave bank petition for a Department of Correction employee. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended four bills for House consideration: anti-retaliation protections for public employees, “Getting to Zero Week,” local and regional cultural council membership, and a Boston police age-waiver bill for Giselle Mello. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to third reading. It also passed to enact two local bills: one increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston and another dissolving a special fund in Athol. Later, the House passed to engrossment a bill authorizing the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge, a Bridgewater charter amendment for gender-neutral language, and an Arlington local option bill to place a ballot question on increasing certain alcohol licenses. Members also observed a moment of silent tribute for former Lowell legislator Philip L. Shea, and the House ordered special adjournment in his memory. The chamber then adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relative to the purchase or lease of certain property known as Fenn Farm in the town of Stockbridge

Summary: The House took up several committee and rules reports, mostly on procedural matters. It adopted orders extending committee reporting deadlines to March 18, 2026 for the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees, and adopted a resolution honoring Russell Carrier for 44 years of service to the Forbes Library. The chamber also concurred with Senate petitions referred under suspension of joint rule 12, including proposals related to a sick leave bank for a trial court employee, creditable service for certain police officers and firefighters, and mobile driver’s licenses. Members suspended rules to advance a set of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee, including measures on anti-retaliation protections for public employees, “Getting to Zero Week,” local and regional cultural council membership, and a Boston police age-waiver for Giselle Mello. Those bills were ordered to a third reading. The House also passed to be enacted two local bills: one increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston and another dissolving a special fund in Athol. On third reading, the House passed to be engrossed bills authorizing the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge, allowing Bridgewater to amend its charter for gender-neutral language, and permitting Arlington to place a ballot question on increasing all-alcohol beverage licenses. The chamber then observed a moment of silence for Philip L. Shea of Lowell, a former Lowell city councilor, state representative, and state senator, and ordered special adjournment in his memory. The House adjourned to meet Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> location and kind of buildings or leases location and kind of buildings or leases or<01:07:46.960
• Their main building<01:07:55.520><c> that</c><01:07:55.680><c> they</c><01:07:55.839><c> lease</c><01
• :07:56.160><c> is</c><01:07:56.319><c> in</c><01:07:56.480><c> Cheyenne,</c> building that they lease
• is in Cheyenne, building that they lease is in Cheyenne, but<01:07:57.440><c> they</c><01:07:57.599>
• the uh monthly it and can they afford the uh monthly bill?

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, lease properties.
• I don't know if owned or having to do with leasing.
• it's property that is owned or leased by the dog owner. >> Yes. >> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Yes.
• I don't know if owned or having to do with leasing.
• Or if it's leased property, then they're on property that is not under the control of the farmer?

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• People can't barely afford to feed their families.
• People can't barely afford health care.
• </c> You want quality affordable health care. You want quality affordable health care.
• Um it includes lease of general fund.
• I will say that the afford this.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's kind of like a lease for an apartment.
• What I'm trying to get to: you said that there is a lease—I'm just going to use the term lease for short—that's

Committee: Senate Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's kind of like a lease for an apartment.
• What I'm trying to get to is: you said that there is a lease—I'm just going to use the term lease for

Committee: Senate Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Transcript Highlights:

• egg workforce housing requires state agencies, including DAB and ADC, that administer agriculture leases
• First up is Wendy Gaty from ADC. leases, licenses, development programs leases, licenses, development

Bills: SB2064 , SB2662 , SB2862 , SB2343 , SB2075 , SB2781 , SB2927 , SB3068 , SB3015 , SB2929 , SB2938 , SB3230 , SB3249 , SB3332 , SB3216

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee met on February 12, 2026, to take decision-making on measures previously heard earlier in the month. Several bills were deferred indefinitely or set for later discussion, including SB 2064 on the Office of the State Architect, SB 3068 on procurement, and SB 3216 after its contents were moved into another measure. SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, SB 2781, and SB 315 were all deferred to Tuesday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225 for further work. The committee also noted that if technical problems interrupted the meeting, it would reconvene later for outstanding decision-making. The committee passed SB 2343 on the Legislature with amendments incorporating language from SB 3216, technical changes, and a defective date of 2525. SB 2075 was advanced as a Senate draft 1 after amendments responding to constitutional concerns raised by the attorney general and SPO. SB 2927 on procurement was also passed with amendments clarifying debriefing requirements and adding technical changes, and SB 2938 on search and rescue was amended to place the position in Hima rather than the Governor’s office before being adopted. SB 3249 on procurement protests was amended to remove the term "frivolous," reduce the forfeiture to half the bond amount, and note unresolved issues, then adopted. The committee also took up SB 3332 on state-funded travel, amending it to remove certain lines, report travel by position number to protect confidentiality, remove subsection G, and add a defective date of 2525; it was adopted. SB 2929 on public notice was amended into a pilot project for counties with populations between 100,000 and 175,000, with a year-end report to the Legislature, and was adopted. Later, the committee returned to SB 2094 on environmental action levels, heard testimony from the Department of Health in support of its current scientific process and from an environmental caucus witness in strong support of the bill’s transparency and petition provisions, and then deferred decision-making to February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225. In the joint hearing portion, SB 3233 on agricultural workforce housing drew generally supportive testimony from ADC, the Farm Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the State Procurement Office, with concerns focused on clarity, flexibility for smaller farms, and avoiding concentration of benefits in one large operation. The committee ultimately recommended passing SB 3233 with the State Procurement Office’s clarifying amendments and the Hawaii Farmers Union’s amendment to ensure workforce housing incentives benefit multiple farmers, and the measure was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• jurisdiction projects<00:14:47.640><c> are</c><00:14:47.839><c> state-owned,</c><00:14:49.080><c> state-leased
• ,</c> projects are state-owned, state-leased, projects are state-owned, state-leased, um<00:14:50.760

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee met without a quorum at first, then approved the minutes once a quorum was reached. The first presentation was from the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction within the Public Protection Cabinet. Commissioner Max Fuller and Deputy Commissioner David Moore reviewed the department’s licensing structure, noting about 50 license types and roughly 42,000 active licenses, with most tied to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. They compared Kentucky’s fees and requirements with neighboring states and said Kentucky is generally in line or slightly below surrounding states when local and contractor licensing requirements elsewhere are considered. The department also described staffing and inspection pressures. Officials said boiler inspections have a measurable backlog, with about 18% of state-jurisdiction boilers and pressure vessels past due statewide and a higher percentage in Jefferson County. They said building code plan review turnaround has risen from about 30 days to roughly 33–35 days, and that some areas are struggling to maintain same-day plumbing inspections and three-day HVAC inspections. Members asked whether the agency could handle increased housing construction, especially in rural areas; the department said it had requested additional plumbing staff and a plan reviewer, particularly for the Bowling Green/Warren County area, and noted that electrical inspectors are stretched across the state and are also pulled into disaster response work. The committee then heard from Kentucky Venues and the Kentucky State Fair Board on the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation and related operations. David Beck, board chairman David Williams, CFO Tony Shrek, and others said the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with keys to the new building expected in December and the facility already booked for future events. They reported strong tourism and economic impact, including record activity at the Exposition Center and downtown convention center, and said the Farm Machinery Show and other events continue to drive demand. Members asked about budget status, and the presenters said inflation, delayed access to funds due to the RFP/design process, and added costs have left them short of money to finish all planned work. They identified phase three funding needs, including food and beverage service improvements and completion of Freedom Hall seating, and said they are considering bringing food and beverage operations back under their control to improve efficiency and revenue. The meeting ended with no formal votes on the presentations and an announcement that the committee would meet again the following Tuesday.