Transcript Highlights:

• We also included penalty increases that would protect our most vulnerable and those who protect us.
• our most vulnerable and those protect our most vulnerable and those who<00:09:34.560><c> protect</c>
• Uh mandatory minimum who protect us.
• </c><00:10:47.440><c> the</c> put into that uh that protected the put into that uh that protected the
• </c><00:53:08.559><c> or</c> of cars in a community or traffic or of cars in a community or traffic or

Bills: HF2300 , HF2432 , HF2445 , HF2443 , HF2439 , HF3023 , HF1615 , HF2563

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• What protections exist for people in these programs?
• Now, as the Chair of Sub 2, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy, I do want to ask
• We have to protect them. That is our responsibility.
• We have to protect them. That is our responsibility.
• We have to protect them. That is our responsibility.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• What's CARB's timeline for conducting the community protection rulemaking per the code?
• I think that's it in terms of this, the Community Air Protection Program for CARB. All right.
• That's why we strongly support the community protections included in SB 905.
• That's why we strongly support the community protections included in SB 905.
• It's important to recognize that the funding these efforts and implementing these protections are not

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray for strength to endure 12 to 15 hour days in all kinds of conditions, and we pray for protection
• March 3, 2026, as World Hearing Day in the State of Arizona and encourage the citizens of Arizona to protect
• In 2025, United States Customs and Border Protection awarded a contract to the North Dakota-based Fisher
• It's really important that we protect people with the least access to health care and dental care.
• Community water fluoridation is another layer of protection, and it supports efforts that can't replace

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to hear HB 103, Protection from Surgical Smoke.
• Our patients and staff will be protected.
• Are they protected? Are their legalities and their privacy protected in that instance?
• Let's do it in a way that protects...
• Let's do it in a way that protects the other individual in the room and that it protects the person who's

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 103, which would require hospitals and surgical centers to adopt policies using surgical smoke evacuation systems during procedures. Representative Woodson and several nurses and health care advocates testified that surgical smoke contains harmful chemicals and pathogens, poses respiratory risks to operating room staff and patients, and that the bill is needed to protect nurses and address workforce shortages. Members from both parties voiced support, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 223, as amended, which would allow residents of nursing home or assisted living rooms to use fixed cameras, with guardrails on consent, non-rotatable placement, and prohibitions on posting footage online. The sponsor said the measure is intended to help families monitor loved ones and deter abuse or neglect, while supporters from AARP and some caregivers described cameras as tools for accountability and peace of mind. Facility and industry representatives raised concerns about privacy, dignity, roommate consent, and the potential impact on personal care conversations and resident autonomy. After questions and debate, members discussed how consent would work, who could access recordings, and how the bill would handle roommate changes and misuse of footage. The sponsor said the bill would continue to be refined in later committees. HB 223 was reported favorably as amended by a 16-2 vote, with Representatives Campbell and Franklin voting no. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• protective factors.
• </c> what in in this world we call protective what in in this world we call protective factors<00:40:
• </c> that they have resiliency and protective that they have resiliency and protective factors<00:40:
• </c> on this both in the child protection on this both in the child protection space<00:52:07.680><c>
• </c> focused on all of it the care traffic focused on all of it the care traffic control<01:32:20.920

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• policy, in order to comply with the legislative requirement to procure a work comp policy for the protection
• the four primary industry classifications or industry groups, such as salespersons, chauffeurs, air traffic

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So will you protect us? Thank you. I'm here to take some questions.
• Do we not have to, do we have any way of protecting ourselves from this?
• protecting property rights, I think that is a very valid conversation.
• The traffic up and down these roads is nonstop.
• The traffic up and down these roads is nonstop.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Figure a way to get it either Boston or Portland to get a cut of that traffic.
• But it's something heavy rail traffic.
• </c><01:45:44.320><c> Is</c><01:45:44.560><c> there</c> increased freight rail traffic.
• Is there increased freight rail traffic.
• So you can think of us like air traffic control for the power grid.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray for strength to endure 12 to 15-hour days in all kinds of conditions, and we pray for protection
• March 3, 2026, as World Hearing Day in the State of Arizona and encourage the citizens of Arizona to protect
• In 2025, United States Customs and Border Protection awarded a contract for border wall construction
• hard security measures like fences and walls to keep illegal immigrants out of our country and to protect
• Community water fluoridation is another layer of protection, and it supports efforts that can't replace

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by the Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by recognition of guests for National Ag Day, World Hearing Day, a visiting doctor of the day, food truck business owners, and members of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 for its 100th anniversary. Senators also presented proclamations honoring World Hearing Day and the VFW post’s century of service. The chamber then handled routine business, including a temporary committee appointment and the reading of messages and committee reports into the journal. The floor then took up a series of third-reading bills, mostly transportation and public safety appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1088, 1154, 1156, 1157, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, 1457, and 1461 all passed, with several members explaining votes in support of road projects, tribal road needs, veteran services, border security, or workforce health care training, while opponents argued many appropriations should come from other funding sources or were unnecessary, especially the public safety and border-related measures. SB 1798 also passed with bipartisan support after senators praised it as a FAFSA awareness and student opportunity measure. One bill failed: SB 1019, relating to bottled water systems and water fluoridation, was defeated 14-11 after extended debate over public health benefits versus concerns about fluoridation safety and informed consent. After the votes, HB 2110 was withdrawn from the Education Committee and referred to Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. The Senate then announced committee meetings for March 23 and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026, at noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the most outrageous, though, Which is my legally protected right.
• speech with respect to drugs is protected.
• consumers and protect ratepayers.
• To be clear, ratepayer protections matter.
• We do have to protect the consumers.

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> protections for women's athletics. protections for women's athletics.
• We protecting and serving his community.
• </c><04:06:46.479><c> public</c> these issues and protecting public these issues and protecting public
• </c><05:18:52.958><c> the</c> technical changes to protect the technical changes to protect the privilege
• </c><05:44:29.520><c> health</c> by refocusing it on protecting health by refocusing it on protecting

Transcript Highlights:

• Other items within the Department of Environmental Protection. 598 million for wastewater and drinking
• Services. 43.4 million for the Florida Forest Service. 250 million for the role and Family Lands Protection
• Little Air Traffic Control. Senator Bradley SB 796.
• The permit would require a high level of protection monitoring and performance currently in place for
• So I very clear that we need to protect the underserved.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not protection. It's a trap.
• Yeah, the Department of Environmental Protection was there.
• And as a mother, I do everything in my power to protect her. But even that has its limits.
• I'm looking at the traffic. If you leave now, you might get home by Thursday, so good luck.
• Traffic. If you leave now, you might get home by Thursday, so good luck in that commute back.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• our environment, it protects our communities, it protects our future generations, it protects our water
• our environment, it protects our communities, it protects our future generations, it protects our water
• our environment, it protects our communities, it protects our future generations, it protects our water
• our environment, it protects our communities, it protects our future generations, it protects our water
• And do this in a right way that not only protects our environment, it protects our communities, it protects

Transcript Highlights:

• transportation corridors functioning better because, if it cuts down on accidents, that helps keep traffic
• accidents, that's going to help keep accidents, that's going to help keep track<00:12:38.160><c> traffic
• </c> track traffic flowing on our interstate. track traffic flowing on our interstate.

Bills: HB0032

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Traffic light. We've been reviewing 123, the new amendment that I'm introducing.
• </c><00:15:56.639><c> Traffic</c><00:15:57.040><c> light.
• Traffic light. We've now you're late. Traffic light.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to ask you about last week there was a new record set in a traffic stop on the I-40. $5 million
• The language and the intention of the bill is vague, and it does not directly ensure the protection of
• So astutely, especially the young lady from Hill, talked about protecting life.
• And how do we protect on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to migrants... ...on both ends of the
• I'm big about making sure that we protect our children, protect our livelihood.

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee heard several bills. HB 2416 would appropriate $20 million for Department of Public Safety border support, including equipment, law enforcement positions, and grants to local governments for border-related enforcement and detention costs. Supporters, including the Arizona Sheriffs Association, said the funds are fully used each year and are largely spent on drug interdiction, especially against fentanyl and methamphetamine. Opponents argued the bill’s immigration-enforcement language was too broad and that the money should instead go to health care, education, food assistance, or prevention programs. The committee approved HB 2416 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2806, which would require county recorders, ADOT, and AHCCCS to use the federal SAVE system and report citizenship-verification results to JLBC and the Auditor General. The ACLU of Arizona opposed the bill, saying SAVE is not designed to determine voter eligibility, could wrongly flag eligible citizens, and would likely lead to litigation and confusion. Several members questioned the need for the bill, noting existing citizenship requirements and current use of SAVE in some agencies, while others supported it as a way to ensure only citizens access voting and benefits. HB 2806 passed 4-3. HB 2663, a technical cleanup bill updating military leave language for state and local employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves, drew little opposition and passed unanimously. HB 2759 would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Veterans Services for a grant program with Yavapai County educational institutions to help veterans with emergency housing, equipment, professional development, and other shortfalls tied to delayed GI Bill payments. Testimony supported expanding help for veterans, but some members raised concerns that the bill was limited to Yavapai County and included private institutions; the sponsor and witnesses said it could serve as a pilot and potentially expand statewide. The committee approved HB 2759 on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Transportation was constantly working to keep roads open, repair damages, and try to keep traffic
• So a lot of work has gone into flood plains by design to protect residential and agricultural land, and
• Agriculture sits at the lowest point in these basins, and so while that provides for great protection
• How do you protect Sumas? How do you protect Everson? How do you protect these farms?
• naturally think about this in the Ag and Natural Resources Committee, but I also sit on Consumer Protection

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The Well Washington Fund protects these programs at a time of great financial uncertainty for the people
• Let us protect the people of our state before the worst of the Trump austerity budget kicks into effect
• I'm here today because progressive revenue is necessary in order to protect the many, many people across
• Let us protect the people of our state before the worst of the Trump austerity budget kicks into effect
• I'm here today because progressive revenue is necessary in order to protect the many, many people across

Summary: The meeting was a press conference and Q&A led by Rep. Shaun Scott to promote the proposed Well Washington Fund, a new dedicated account intended to raise about $3 billion annually through a corporate payroll tax on wages above $125,000. Scott said the bill would help offset expected federal cuts under Trump-era policies and support programs most at risk, including cash assistance, higher education, health care, housing, and wildfire mitigation. He also referenced two related proposals: restoring wildfire mitigation funding by ending a tax break for large banks, and allowing counties to raise corporate taxes. Several advocates and affected residents testified in support of progressive revenue. Michelle Thomas of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance warned that federal homelessness policy changes and state underinvestment could worsen homelessness and evictions. Christina Savitsky, a disabled veteran, described how Medicaid, food assistance, and work requirements would affect her family. Representatives from the University of Washington AAUP said federal cuts and Medicaid changes threaten teaching, research, workforce training, and hospital finances. Fatima Boxwala of Tech for Taxes and Mikey Stramskis of the Washington Federation of State Employees argued that large corporations and the wealthy should pay more to sustain public services and address understaffing, burnout, and service backlogs. In the Q&A, Scott said the bill may need an emergency clause to make it referendum-proof and argued that the legislature has a mandate to act, citing the 2024 capital gains tax referendum and the state’s regressive tax system. He acknowledged concerns about businesses leaving but said he was more concerned about working people being displaced by unaffordable housing, child care, and health care. No vote or formal committee action occurred; the event was a call for a hearing in the House Finance Committee in 2026 and for legislative passage in both chambers.