Transcript Highlights:

• the second order of business: prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, provided today by Kyle Willie of Garden
• , your Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have printed House Joint Memorial
• House Joint Memorial 10 is referred to the Agricultural Affairs Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Joint Memorial 11, by the Education Committee, a joint memorial
• House Joint Memorial 11 is referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, I'm going to hit community gardens, zero-hour, and community-based walking programs.
• Excuse me, I'm going to hit community gardens, zero-hour and community-based walking programs.
• I know we've talked about it, but it's kind of refreshing my memory on what's qualified, because what
• So more dollars would open up to expand walking programs across communities, community gardens, zero
• I think there are others, you know, that are the memory care facilities, for example, the QSP provider

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, I'm going to hit community gardens, zero-hour and community-based walking programs.
• I know we've talked about it, but it's kind of refreshing my memory on what's qualified, because what
• you know, like for instance, in the walking campaigns, in the zero-hour phi-ed, in the community gardens
• So more dollars would open up to expand walking programs across communities, community gardens, zero
• I think there are others, you know, that are the memory care facilities, for example, the QSP provider

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Memorial 5, introduced by Representative González, a memorial declaring January 22, 2006, New Mexico
• House Memorial 5.
• Is there debate on the memorial? There is debate on the memorial.
• House Memorial 5 has duly passed this House. House Memorial 5 has passed the House.
• Here's what she did: she started a garden, and then she started a garden club in the summertime.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Community gardens—would you like to say something about that? Excuse me, are we voting? Yes.
• I just want to remind everybody that you don’t get a garden if you don’t vote for the budget.
• Senator Farnsworth, aye. ...learn with hands-on work in the garden.
• Grant programs that just give money to build a garden isn’t gonna do it; the garden will be gone next
• I just want to remind everybody that you don’t get a garden if you don’t...

Summary: The committee met to hear and vote on a series of appropriations and transportation-related bills, beginning with SB 1550, which would fund a Queen Creek police pilot program focused on runaway youth prevention, at-risk youth protection, and anti-trafficking work. Supporters said the town and local facilities already contribute personnel and administrative support, while some members urged Queen Creek to add local matching funds. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote. The committee then considered SB 1156 and SB 1157, both $20 million border-related reimbursement bills sponsored by Senator Rogers. SB 1156 would reimburse cities, towns, and counties for short-term detention hold costs for unauthorized non-citizens, and SB 1157 would reimburse local governments for supplemental fencing or bollard walls in high-crossing border areas. Both bills drew strong opposition from public commenters who described them as funding detention and border enforcement at the expense of other needs, while supporters framed them as backfilling local costs already incurred. SB 1156 passed 5-3, and SB 1157 passed 5-3. The committee also approved SB 1245, which would fund pavement replacement on Rodeo Road in Williams, and SB 1707, which would provide $5 million for AI-related border security at DPS. SB 1245 passed 6-3, with some members objecting that the state highway user revenue fund is underfunded and local contributions should be required. SB 1707 passed 6-4 after testimony split between supporters who favored using AI and surveillance tools for border security and opponents who said the bill was too vague, too expensive, or inappropriate given other state priorities. Later, the committee advanced SB 1273, funding pavement rehabilitation on Ogle Frontage Road between Bowie and San Simon, and SB 1811, which would clarify that school districts and charter schools may allow wireless device use in the case of an emergency rather than during an emergency. SB 1273 passed 6-4 amid debate over state versus local funding responsibility, and SB 1811 passed 8-1 after testimony that the change would give schools more flexibility and avoid practical problems during emergencies. The committee also heard SB 1088, a cybersecurity appropriation for DHS, and SB 1332, which would require ADOT to study light rail expansion in Maricopa County versus autonomous or semi-autonomous transit options. SB 1088 passed 6-4 despite concerns that the appropriation was vendor-driven and not requested by the department. SB 1332 drew extensive testimony from small business owners along Indian School Road who said light rail construction had harmed access and sales, while Phoenix/Valley Metro opposed the bill and questioned ADOT’s role; the discussion continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community gardens, would you like to say something about that? Distracting driving.
• to... ...because I’ve had a very positive experience with community gardens.
• The children love to learn with hands-on work in the garden.
• The garden will be gone next year.
• I just want to remind everybody that you don’t get a garden if you don’t vote for the budget.

Bills: SB1088 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1169 , SB1245 , SB1273 , SB1330 , SB1332 , SB1391 , SB1498 , SB1531 , SB1550 , SB1598 , SB1677 , SB1707 , SB1811 , SB1818

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, medical education, physician shortage, healthcare funding, Arizona health care

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for memory lane there. In terms of... ...school districts to do the construction.
• So thank you for memory lane there. In terms of... So thank you for memory lane there.
• We put buffering areas where we had botanical gardens, put wildflowers and stuff like that.
• We had botanical gardens put wildflowers and stuff like that. We did our homework for sure.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I began to work as a gardener.
• This is when I began to work as a gardener. First, I took small jobs.
• I know many of my fellow gardeners go through these same problems.
• I am a gardener, and I am very good with his cases.
• Colleagues, just to take us down memory lane, this was Mr.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill authorizes townships of the second class to establish municipal memorials honoring first responders
• As the co-chair of the PA Public Garden Caucus, I see it incumbent upon us to help promote the use of
• I do encourage everybody to visit our local public gardens, including the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens,
• of my colleagues, we participate in a lot of community events, whether it be a ribbon cutting, a memorial

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a student advocate and family members connected to a resolution on scoliosis awareness. The chamber first took up committee reports from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, and later Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, agreeing to the reported bills and resolutions. House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, was adopted 201-1 after remarks describing the condition and the advocacy of a young constituent. The House also adopted resolutions designating Diaper Need Awareness Week, directing a study on PANS/PANDAS, recognizing 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania, with broad bipartisan support. The House then considered several bills on final passage. House Bill 2146, updating the Sunshine Act’s 24-hour agenda notice rule after a court ruling, and Senate Bills 130, 511, 971, 972, 1181, and 1235 were agreed to. House Bill 1239, limiting HOA restrictions on rooftop solar, drew multiple amendments; some were withdrawn, and others failed on tied votes, after debate over HOA governance, native plants, and net metering. House Bill 2219, on license plates and transportation provisions, had an amendment agreed to removing indemnification language for elected officials at special events, and then passed as amended. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, saw an amendment to preserve limited non-competes fail, and the bill passed. House Bill 2359, prohibiting government NDAs related to data centers, passed 171-31 after extensive debate over transparency and local control. The chamber also passed House Bill 2455, granting Pittsburgh school administrators collective bargaining rights, despite objections that existing appeal protections already exist; it passed 106-96. House Bill 2460, creating hunting and trapping education provisions, passed 180-22 after debate over whether it duplicated existing law and imposed a mandate. House Bill 2499, expanding the State Workers’ Insurance Fund’s equity investment authority, passed 173-29. House Bill 2529, scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance, passed 198-4 amid testimony about overdose risks and concerns about criminalization. Senate Bill 604, joining the Counseling Compact, passed 188-14, and Senate Bill 1259, clarifying parole record privilege and expanding notice to denied parole applicants, passed unanimously 202-0. The House then made referrals and committee assignments, signed the two Senate bills for presentation to the Governor, and adjourned until July 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Operation Lone Star, Operation Stone Garden.
• They don’t come work because they have Operation Stone Garden and all these other details over there
• They have their part-times or their Operation Stone Garden, whatever.
• Castle Memorial Highway.
• heard relating to the designation of a portion of US Highway 69 in Smith County as the Veterans Memorial

Bills: HB 1065 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB3009 , HB3420 , HB3626 , HB3649 , HB4956 , HB4993 , HB5293 , HB5308 , HB5528 , HCR118 , SB36 , HB4023 , SB 36

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense, registration, public safety, violent offenses, criminal database, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• VINCENT HOSPITAL, BAPTIST HOSPITAL AS WELL AS THE RIVER GARDEN HEBREW HOME ENSURING ACCESS AND QUALITY
• SENATOR JAMES A MEMORIAL HIGHWAY BY SENATOR DICEGLIE.
• AND 4TH ST., NORTH OF PINELLAS COUNTY AS SENATOR JAMES A MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Olivia's a junior at Edmond Memorial High School, and after graduation, plans to get a degree in biochemistry

Bills: SB2065 , SB1641 , SB1642 , SB1589 , SB1597 , SB1216 , SB2173 , SB2028 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2014 , SB1805 , SB2044 , SB1836 , SB1380 , SB2179 , SB1436 , SB1558 , SB933 , SB1651 , SB1328 , SB1572 , SB1966 , SB175 , SB1475 , SB1950 , SB2049 , SB2052

Keywords: pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, business entities, limited liability company, LLC, foreign LLC, domestic LLC, limited partnership, foreign limited partnership, registered agent, Secretary of State, annual certificate, good standing, certificate of authority, designated office, email address, electronic mail

Transcript Highlights:

• Olivia's a junior at Edmond Memorial High School and after graduation plans to get a degree in biochemistry

Bills: SB2065 , SB1641 , SB1642 , SB1589 , SB1597 , SB1216 , SB2173 , SB2028 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2014 , SB1805 , SB2044 , SB1836 , SB1380 , SB2179 , SB1436 , SB1558 , SB933 , SB1651 , SB1328 , SB1572 , SB1966 , SB175 , SB1475 , SB1950 , SB2049 , SB2052

Keywords: pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, business entities, limited liability company, LLC, foreign LLC, domestic LLC, limited partnership, foreign limited partnership, registered agent, Secretary of State, annual certificate, good standing, certificate of authority, designated office, email address, electronic mail

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized the Doctor and Psychologist of the Day. The chamber also presented a citation to Oklahoma Task Force One’s K-9 search and rescue unit, with remarks praising its in-state and out-of-state disaster response work and professionalism. Several gallery introductions followed, including a student shadowing Senator Mann and the Crooked Oak Hispanic Student Association. The Senate then considered several bills. SB 2065, as amended, renamed the measure the Lucille Morehouse Pollinator Act and updated state insect/pollinator designations; it passed 48-0. SB 1641 required business entities to provide an email address on incorporation filings for electronic notice of annual reports; it passed 48-0. SB 1642 allowed physicians to make prescriptions in divided quantities, with discussion focused on opioid prescribing and post-surgical treatment; it passed 48-0. SB 1589 increased penalties for sweepstakes violations and expanded the law to target illegal online gambling operations; it passed 48-0. SB 1597 removed the requirement that the State CASA Association follow specific national standards while keeping local training and background-check requirements. Debate centered on whether removing national standards would reduce DEI-related training; Senator Boren opposed the bill on that basis, while the author argued it preserved Oklahoma flexibility. The bill passed 41-7. SB 1216 broadened judicial discretion for drug court eligibility for some offenders with prior domestic violence-related charges, and senators questioned whether the language was clear enough and whether it could affect eligibility rules; the author said the intent was to expand discretion, not change DV accountability. It passed 44-4. At the end of the session, the Senate voted to reject House amendments to SB 893 and request conference committee consideration. Announcements were made about committee meetings, a women’s caucus lunch, and an Irish Caucus gathering. The Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was, as one of my teachers used to say a flood of pleasant memories.
• We need more public gardens. We need public listening sessions.
• And incentivizing for homeowners and even renters to have container gardens.
• Yeah, I think Incentivizing people to build pollinator gardens is important.
• And everybody who's used to plant gardens in Costilla and now we can't really do nothing.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I do know that this body passed a A Senate memorial last year that's asking PED and I believe UNM to
• I know that at one of those particular schools they were getting foods from a local garden, and it was
• So, are there any regulations against eating garden-grown foods?
• And, as you mentioned, it is sometimes difficult when a teacher in charge of overseeing the garden moves
• When the teacher overseeing the garden moves to a different school, they do have to find a replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• With us today is a team from Miami Gardens over here in the West Gallery, I think.
• We have the mayor of Miami Gardens, Mr. Rodney Harris. He's accompanied by his city manager, Mr.
• Nelson, from the City of Miami Gardens, and also with them filming them as I'm talking there, his chief
• There's turkey, there's chicken, there's beef, there's tofu, there's garden varieties. So...
• There's beef, there's tofu, there's garden varieties.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and gallery introductions, and several recognitions, including USF Day at the Capitol and visitors from Miami Gardens, Teach For America Florida, and Pathways to Prosperity. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed and others passed after debate and roll call votes. The Senate unanimously passed several Open Government Sunset Review bills, including SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve public records exemptions related to insolvent insurance company receiverships and financial technology sandbox applications. It also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, SB 28 and SB 22 as claims bills involving South Broward Hospital District, SB 8 for relief related to a Pasco County School Board accident, SB 1718 preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking abortions without parental consent, and SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands also passed, but with two amendments and some opposition. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which included technical updates, restrictions on certain additives in public water systems, limits on ESG practices in farm lending, drone-related penalties, truth-in-labeling provisions for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, charity registration requirements, agricultural worker housing, and support for FFA and 4-H. The most contentious debate centered on fluoride provisions in the bill: multiple amendments by Senators Berman and Polsky to remove the fluoride language, require targeted fluoride assistance, or order an OPAGA study were all defeated, while a technical amendment by Senator Truenow was adopted. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and return CS for SB 7016 to second reading, then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we just want to memorialize that we're now okay with the bill. Thank you.
• John Doherty on behalf of Hawaiian Gardens Casino. It will echo the thanks.
• And in our situation, Hawaiian Gardens Casino is in an economically depressed area.
• In our situation, Hawaiian Gardens Casino is in an economically depressed area.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because a quorum was initially absent, and it heard several bills focused on nonprofit support, alcohol regulation, immigration-related funding restrictions, outdoor advertising, and green building standards. SB 1240 by Senator McNerney would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and reimbursement processes; supporters, including the Child Care Resource Center and the Little Hoover Commission, said nonprofits provide essential services but face delayed payments and burdensome bureaucracy. Committee members raised accountability concerns, but the author emphasized the bill does not dispense grants and would cost about $1.7 million in the first year. The bill was later approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 917 by Senator Laird, which would remove the estate-grown grape requirement for wineries selling at farmers markets, allowing more family wineries to participate; winery and grape grower representatives said the change would help direct-to-consumer sales and local growers. SB 1171 by Senator Caballero would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants; supporters from immigrant-rights groups described ICE detention and raids as harmful and inhumane, while some members spoke in favor of using state funds to avoid indirectly supporting ICE-related activity. Both bills advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes and were sent to Appropriations or Local Government as noted in the roll calls. Senator Rubio presented SB 1195, which would expand tied-house exemptions for certain entertainment, convention, and sports venues in specified counties, and SB 1228, which would allow a small number of existing outdoor advertising displays to continue operating despite a statutory sunset. Supporters said SB 1195 would create economic opportunity and clarify current law, while SB 1228 was described as a narrow fix to preserve legally permitted signs and local revenue; both bills passed the committee and were sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1398, which would recognize Green Globes as an alternative green building certification for state projects alongside LEED; supporters argued it would add flexibility and competition, while the U.S. Green Building Council opposed bypassing the Department of General Services’ equivalency review. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent calendar and adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and members, just to refresh our memories again, this is for going on the second term of Mr.
• again, uh this is for going our memories again, uh this is for going on<00:02:17.840><c> the</c><00:
• </c><00:08:47.440><c> Ian</c> from Amuana Gardens Ian from Amuana Gardens Ian Castino<00:08:49.440><c
• I remember commenting on her memory, and she reframed it for me as survival.
• I remember commenting on her memory, and she reframed it for me as survival.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Water and Land Committee held a hearing on several governor’s messages for confirmation to land and water-related boards and commissions. The first item was GM 745, confirming Nor Abbott to a second term on the Natural Area Reserves System Commission through June 30, 2029. DLNR and other supporters submitted testimony, and Abbott said his focus has been on watching for potential impacts to marine reserves from nearby land activity and helping ensure those impacts are avoided, minimized, or mitigated through a thorough process. The committee then took up GM 783 and GM 762, both involving the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. Fenton Pang and Jensen Chop were nominated for terms ending June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029, respectively. Multiple individuals and organizations testified in strong support, including representatives of civic clubs, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, and other community groups. Testimony emphasized Pang’s scientific background, cultural values, humility, and service, and described Chop as a long-time Kahoʻolawe steward with strong ties to restoration work and the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. Chop said his goal is to help more people build a connection to ʻāina and to continue restoration and cultural education efforts on Kahoʻolawe. The final major item was GM 770, confirming Hannah Kihalani Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management through June 30, 2028. DLNR strongly supported her nomination, describing her as a cultural expert and advocate who can ensure indigenous knowledge is meaningfully included in water policy. Testimony from community members, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and others highlighted her experience, integrity, and role in protecting customary and traditional water rights, especially for place-based and Native Hawaiian communities. Supporters also said her appointment was important given current water and climate challenges. The chair indicated the committee would proceed to decision-making after the hearing, and no opposition was noted in the testimony summarized here.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Memorial 2001, Withdrawal United Nations Urging Congress, sends a memorial to the U.S.
• Madam Chair, members, House Memorial 2004, urging Congress to defund the IMF, sends a memorial to the
• As with the previous, I've included the whereas clauses from the memorial on your caucus sheet, and I'm
• Madam Chair Members, House Memorial 2004, urging Congress to defund the IMF, sends a memorial to the
• As with the previous, I've included the where-as clauses from the memorial on your caucus sheet, and

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long minority calendar covering a wide range of bills, with sponsors giving brief descriptions and members frequently raising concerns about constitutionality, cost, federal preemption, and policy impacts. Topics included medical intervention and vaccination/mask prohibitions, state treasurer investment rules, vacant state positions reporting, shooting range closure limits, congressional term limits, audit penalties, cellphone use while driving, procurement restrictions tied to China, air ambulance regulation, hospital immigration-status reporting, SNAP purchase restrictions, school assessment changes, school contract transparency, religious excusals from school, student contact information, fitness reporting, and several property tax, water, and agriculture measures. Members also discussed bills on AI-generated sexual material consent verification, DEI liability, hate-crime sentencing, commercial driver forfeiture tied to immigration status, speed-limiting devices for repeat speeding offenses, PFAS firefighting foam, name changes for sex offenders, abortion-inducing drugs, prisoner transition services, sexual extortion penalties, solar radiation management bans, and cultivated-cell food labeling and sales bans. Several bills drew explicit opposition or requests to pull them from consent, especially those affecting abortion access, immigration-related hospital reporting, school testing, religious release programs, DEI policies, and cultivated-cell foods. Members noted that some measures appeared duplicative, overly broad, or likely unconstitutional, and in multiple cases referenced prior vetoes or prior-year versions of the same bills. Supportive comments were also made on selected bills, including the PFAS foam prohibition, the assistive technology study committee, the digital goods consumer protection bill, and the prisoner transition services extension. The caucus also considered water and infrastructure measures, including brackish groundwater funding and studies, water augmentation authority bonds, Pima County water rates, groundwater transport rules, and HOA drought watering limits. Toward the end, members reviewed election-related memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers, a memorial urging withdrawal from the United Nations, and another urging defunding the IMF; all three were noted as being on consent and were pulled for further discussion. The meeting closed with announcements, including a note about a local missing-person concern and a caucus recognition program called the Affordable Arizona Award.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Ruhl's question does spark a memory for me, and I was very pleased that this committee
• Representative Ruhl's question does spark a memory for me, and I was very pleased that this committee
• in a curriculum at his STEM education middle school that allows him to participate in community gardening
• I don't believe that community gardens or that concept is explicitly covered in this legislation, but
• I just don't have it committed to memory.

Bills: HB2142 , HB2369 , HB2432

Committee: House Education

Keywords: remote learning, hybrid learning, education reform, alternative education, student engagement, local food, public schools, nutrition, sustainability, agriculture, technology access, educational resources, surplus hardware, student support, 904, all