Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you're a person on Medicare, often you can't afford your Medicare Advantage plan in this day and
• :12.400><c> your</c><00:02:12.520><c> Medicare</c><00:02:12.920><c> Advantage</c><00:02:13.400><c> plan
• </c><00:02:13.720><c> in</c> afford your Medicare Advantage plan in afford your Medicare Advantage plan
• And I think that the next legislature, of which I will not be a part as I am retiring this year, will
• <00:26:08.120><c> this</c><00:26:08.400><c> year,</c> retiring this year, retiring this year, will<00

Transcript Highlights:

• provision related to the correction of certain errors in designations of funds to go into an IRA retirement
• </c> into an IRA retirement account. into an IRA retirement account.
• 09:18.320><c> repayment</c> interest rate applying to repayment interest rate applying to repayment plans
• > on</c><00:09:19.360><c> properties</c><00:09:19.760><c> with</c><00:09:20.000><c> delinquent</c> plans
• on properties with delinquent plans on properties with delinquent taxes<00:09:21.839><c> and</c><00:

Bills: HF9

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been retired since 2019. They were working the issue before my retirement.
• Marquez to retire, my kids to retire. It will be a long process.
• And if your form was filled out like mine, before you retire, you go to what's called a retirement symposium
• They will work your retirement packet.
• Then you retire and you submit these forms. Guess what?

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard an extended presentation and discussion on Arizona higher education research security, focused heavily on Arizona State University’s foreign funding, international partnerships, and alleged ties to Chinese military-affiliated institutions. The presenter argued that ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents had not been transparent about foreign gifts, contracts, and research collaborations, especially those involving the Chinese “Seven Sons” universities, and said the committee would pursue a congressional referral and other federal review. A strike-everything amendment to SB 1060 was described but then withdrawn; the underlying SB 1327 was then taken up as a companion measure requiring ABOR to adopt university research security policies and submit annual reports on those policies and on foreign contributions over $250,000. The committee heard testimony in support from Marina Macklin, who said the bill would help protect dual-use and defense-relevant research from being funneled to China’s military ecosystem, and she answered questions about biosecurity, semiconductors, AI model theft, and election systems. After debate, SB 1327 was approved on a 4-2 vote, with Delos Santos and Marquez voting no and Colloden, Powell, and the chair voting yes; the chair stated his support was to keep missile, armor, guidance, and other technology safe from the Chinese government. The committee then heard SB 1803, a veterans’ consumer-protection bill regulating private companies that help veterans file disability claims. The bill would prohibit unaccredited persons from preparing, presenting, or prosecuting veterans’ benefits matters, require service agreements to be filed with the Attorney General, cap compensation, ban certain practices such as overseas call centers and in-house doctors, and create consumer-fraud enforcement authority. Sponsor Sen. Gallin said the measure was intended to add guardrails for veterans and prevent bad actors from taking excessive fees or misleading claimants. Testimony from Veterans Guardian representatives supported the bill as a way to create transparency and preserve veterans’ choice while regulating the industry; they said many veterans seek private help after unsuccessful attempts with free services and that the bill would not eliminate competition. Opponents and skeptical members questioned whether the bill would effectively legalize one business model while restricting others, whether the contingent-fee structure was consumer-friendly, and whether the companies were engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The discussion also referenced prior federal and state litigation involving similar laws and the possibility of future federal accreditation reform. The transcript ends during continued questioning on SB 1803, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Delta, that these groups, which are often at odds with each other, have come together to support this plan
• issue and $150 million a year for the levee repair issue, at this point, for what looks like a 20-year plan
• Agencies like Fish and Wildlife need better tools, planning, and long-term capacity.
• Bess, the retired chief law enforcement officer for this Fish and Wildlife.
• Appreciate the bill and plan to support it. Thank you. Mr. or Senator Kerwolden, anybody else? No.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair subsidence damage in the State Water Project and to fund Delta levee repairs. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect water deliveries for 27 million Californians, prevent major infrastructure and flood risks, and address long-term threats to California’s water supply. Support came from a broad coalition of water agencies, local governments, environmental groups, and business interests; there was no opposition testimony. Members discussed the scale of the funding, the beneficiary-pays issue, and whether the bill should more clearly address risk and identify likely project areas. The committee adopted amendments, and SB 872 passed 5-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author, tribal sponsors, and conservation supporters framed the bill as a science-based roadmap that would examine habitat, impacts, and implementation, while recognizing the grizzly’s cultural significance to tribes and its ecological role. Opponents, including sheriffs, cattle groups, county representatives, and a former Fish and Wildlife law enforcement official, argued that California lacks the staffing, funding, and public-safety capacity to manage another apex predator and that the state is already struggling with wolves and mountain lions. Members raised questions about the scope of the feasibility study, local control, and whether the bill should address conflict risk earlier in the process. The author agreed to work on additional amendments, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1079, creating a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to speed the testing and deployment of wildfire technologies, was heard next. The author and supporters said California has strong wildfire innovation but lacks a formal pipeline to move promising tools from pilot projects into statewide use. Supporters included Megafire Action, Fireworks, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the California Association of Realtors, which sought amendments related to nonprofit administration of grants. There was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 997, which would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to collect fines and fees tied to its groundwater sustainability plan. Supporters said the change would allow more efficient enforcement and avoid lengthy civil litigation; no opposition appeared. Members asked whether the authority should be extended more broadly to other statutory GSAs, and the author said discussions were ongoing. SB 997 passed 2-0 to Judiciary and was placed on call. The committee later caught up on votes for the earlier bills and then moved to SB 894, a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help homeowners finance home-hardening measures; it passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1229 was introduced by Senator Allen to strengthen coastal protections for rebuilding after disasters, beginning with the Palisades fire context, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it will be a three-year implementation plan.
• So it will be a three-year implementation plan.
• Are they bad traffic planning?
• I'm a former CYFD permanency planning caseworker.
• It was a huge relief for us permanency planning workers.

Bills: SB23 , SB73 , SB210 , SB234 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Senate has a plan that would defund TRS, which is complete baloney.
• I know that the House and the Senate will have somewhat of a different plan on that.
• Number three, an individual plan.
• System to guide students as they plan, monitor, and navigate their own educational development.
• Members, we now plan to vote on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 26.

Bills: SB26 , SB 26

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 27 of 42 planned observations completed.
• </c> second retirement. second retirement. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:51:04.079><c> you.
• plan plan &gt;&gt; and<00:51:14.960><c> work</c><00:51:15.440><c> being</c><00:51:15.680><c> work</c
• </c><00:58:09.200><c> We</c><00:58:09.440><c> plan</c> outcomes audit probably in June.
• We plan outcomes audit probably in June.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• someone who has worked and grown up in agriculture, who has worked alongside these animals, and who plans
• After I graduate, I plan to become a welder and work in the agricultural field building and repairing
• , including the use of draft animals with skid timber, are governed by environmental and harvest planning
• I'm retiring at the end of June, and so they're in the process of trying to find my replacement, so they
• I was surprised to learn about your retirement when you dropped that bomb on us like that, but I want

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, that's the state implementation plan administered by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
• I find the Mexican gray wolf has ventured farther than was planned, but for whatever reasons, it ended
• allows continued building where a builder or developer can bring in outside water sources in order to retire
• allows continued building where a builder or developer can bring in outside water sources in order to retire
• It can't be transported outside of a basin, and it's subject to the management goals and plans of that

Bills: HB2013 , HB2026 , HB2056 , HB2098 , HB2113 , HB2156 , HB2158 , HCM2011 , HCR2057

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• CHAT GPT USAGE SO FAR IS WORK RELATED AND ALMOST ALL OF THAT INVOLVES EVERYDAY TASKS LIKE WRITING, PLANNING
• THE LOSS OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE WITH RETIREES OR I AM A MILLENNIAL SO I WILL SAY IT, BOOMERS RETIRING
• AND TAKING A WEALTH OF INFORMATION WITH THEM IN RETIREMENT OR WORKING LONGER AND NOT NECESSARILY HAVING
• YOU HAVE TO GET THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PERSON BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO DO THE JOB WHEN HE RETIRES
• ONE OF OUR GRADUATE STUDENTS IS DEVELOPING AN AI TOOL TO CREATE A USER FRIENDLY DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT PLANS

Transcript Highlights:

• He plans to appoint those by the next meeting in July, we knew that council member Tarasaleno would not
• However, yeah, so we kind of want to know what the OMA's plan is to address this THC potency inflation
• Upon my husband's retirement, we moved back home to Oklahoma, and the program has truly helped my grandson
• And validations for heavy metals, mycotoxins, residual solvents are planned to be completed by the end
• That was under Chief Science Officer Lee Rhodes when he retired.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not planning on running again, but we'll see what happens. You never know.
• I have a list here going back 10 years of 67 judges who retired.
• The other 65 retired early. When you retire early, the vacancy is filled by appointment.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And he retired as a Navy commander. I'm standing here, members.
• And he retired as a Navy commander, so I'll say this just because Mr.
• And he retires a Navy commander, so I'll say this just because Mr. Blackman is here.
• State Park; 2354, 55 reporting ground; Martin 26 greenhouse gas; 2472 pesticide sale; 2473-80 EQ; 2485 plan

Transcript Highlights:

• I recently retired after having practiced for 42 years in Jacksonville, Florida.
• graduating 300 properly trained veterinary professionals per year in the state of Florida alone, with plans
• half of the year, right now, I’m currently employed by Colorado State University, half-time, fully retire
• He said he is currently employed half-time by Colorado State University and will fully retire next June

Bills: S0754 , S0796

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• And then that will be for the plan starting on January 1st.
• from December 2024, and $20 million for Resilient Florida planning grants.
• We don't really have a backup plan for that.
• This is the House retirement bill.
• I plan on voting up on it. I encourage those of y'all.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, quorum call, and several recognitions, including guests for Education and Sharing Day, law enforcement officer of the day Detective Miata Anderson, and later FAMU Day at the Capitol and other visiting groups. The chamber adopted the special order report and then moved through a series of budget-related bills and conforming measures, with debate focused largely on recurring funding, environmental programs, housing, insurance reserves, and tax policy. Members approved HB 5011/SB 2506, which conform environmental resource funding to the proposed budget by shifting Seminole Gaming Compact-related dollars from recurring to nonrecurring funding; supporters said this preserves annual legislative review, while opponents warned it would reduce funding for the Resilient Florida program, wildlife corridor protection, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. The House then passed HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves by lowering the RAP program and repealing FORA funding, and HB 5501, which redirects documentary stamp tax revenues from housing and transportation trust funds to general revenue; Democrats argued the housing changes would reduce affordable housing support, while Republicans said the move was needed to control recurring spending. The chamber also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, HB 5201 on Florida PALM accounting conforming changes, HB 5203 on Capitol Center tenancy and utilities control, and HB 5009 creating a Florida Accountability Office and revising audit and budgeting functions. The most extended debate came on HB 7031, which permanently reduces the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lowers several related tax rates. Supporters described it as broad-based, immediate tax relief for Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more targeted and that sales tax cuts also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. The bill passed 112-0. The House then took up the main budget bill, HB 501, and subcommittee chairs outlined the proposed $112.9 billion budget, including education, health care, transportation, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and IT spending. Members began questioning the pre-K-12 budget on school funding, vouchers, proration, mental health and safety allocations, and inflation, with the discussion continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I practiced law for 30 years and retired nine years ago.
• Ended with the plan for continued care by an assigned outpatient doctor.
• Blitzman, retired. Thank you, members of the committee. My name is J. Blitzman.
• I'm a retired nurse practitioner and health care executive.”
• I'm working at Planned Parenthood currently.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on several juvenile justice and parole-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on H. 2051/S. 1087 to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults, and H. 1923 to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds. Chairs Brandy Fluker-Reid and Lydia Edwards opened the hearing by noting the large number of bills and witnesses, the need to keep testimony moving, and special procedures for incarcerated witnesses and sensitive testimony. They also acknowledged the historic nature of the hearing being chaired by two Black women attorneys. No votes were taken during the hearing itself. Many incarcerated speakers and advocates supported ending lifetime parole, arguing that young people can change, that lifetime supervision creates constant fear of technical violations, and that it undermines rehabilitation, family stability, employment, and reintegration. Several testified about their own trauma, youth, and growth in prison programs, while others emphasized the costs of decades of supervision and the racial disparities in the system. Support also came from elected officials, UTEC, the Transformational Prison Project, United Way, CPCS’s Youth Advocacy Division, the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and others, who said juvenile systems are better suited to developmentally appropriate treatment and that the bills would improve public safety and reduce recidivism. There was also opposition, including testimony from family members of a murder victim who argued that lifetime parole should remain for serious violent crimes and that some offenders are not sufficiently rehabilitated. One virtual witness described a family tragedy involving the kidnapping and murder of her infant nephew and warned that ending lifetime parole could remove needed long-term supervision for dangerous offenders. In addition to the juvenile justice bills, the committee heard testimony on H. 1867, a bill related to continuing care for severe mental illness, and H. 2063, which would increase penalties for assaults on correction officers and other prison staff; the correction officers’ union supported H. 2063 and related safety bills. The hearing continued with many more witnesses and bill topics, but no final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a retired litigation attorney.
• So most of the time these are used in large master-planned community concepts.
• communities associated planned communities.
• Chairman and members, House Bill 2342 prevents a planned...
• Chairman and members, House Bill 2342 prevents a planned... Mr.

Bills: HB2128 , HB2255 , HB2397 , HB2429 , HB2591 , HB2680 , HB2834 , HB2868 , HB2911 , HB2951 , HB2979 , HB2991 , HB2996 , HB2999 , HB4001 , HB4011 , HB4017 , HB4020 , HB4026 , HB4086 , HB4088 , HB2244 , HB2342

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: homeowners associations, condominiums, open meetings, governance, transparency, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, vacation rentals, short-term rentals, state preemption, local government regulation, occupancy limits, civil penalties, apprenticeships, job training

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was a town supervisor, I helped... and comprehensive master plans.
• And so my problem is, I guess I'm ready to retire, because I have no way.
• I am a retired educator, lifelong.
• They will just not plan the event for fear of being sued.
• Michelle Grimsley Shindano, Planned Parenthood Florida Action, waves against.

Bills: S0092 , S0110 , S0192 , S0212 , S0260 , S0350 , S0394 , S0422 , S0434 , S0442 , S0484 , S0546 , S0556 , S0684 , S0696 , S0706 , S0748 , S0786 , S0820 , S0824 , S0838 , S0840 , S0848 , S0856 , S0962 , S1000 , S1014 , S1036 , S1050 , S1054 , S1080 , S1118 , S1134 , S1338 , S1480 , S1500 , S1506 , S1622 , S1724

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: employee protections, whistleblower, retaliation, public trust, ethics complaint, Commission on Ethics, Public Employees Relations Commission, public employee, local government attorney, public officer, adverse personnel action, protected disclosure, whistleblower retaliation, state agency, independent contractor, public employment, civil service, reinstatement, back pay, front pay

Transcript Highlights:

• What I plan to do is alternate pro and con, so we'll go to someone else to testify for a minute, and
• And my husband is a retired Air Force vet.
• Rob Morris, recently retired as the senior chaplain for the Idaho National Guard.
• If you were to acquire me, I'm 60 years old, just recently retired from the military, to go through..
• I'm not sure I can read a right anymore now that I'm retired. It's a joke.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• As many folks know, I just retired out of 15 years of local government, half that time, as I said, as
• former law enforcement officers... ...I have talked with several former law enforcement officers, retired
• program as members who retire from there.
• Definitions and making sure things like, I don't know, natural disaster preparation and emergency planning
• We have retired law enforcement officer carries official capacity stuff. We want to make sure that.

Bills: HB2165 , HB2173 , HB2203 , HB2293

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: peace officer, false identification, law enforcement, criminal penalties, public safety, face coverings, regulations, civil rights, emergency operations, reckless interference, offense, foreign entities, training, national security