Transcript Highlights:

• :00.480><c> yeah</c><00:49:00.640><c> this</c><00:49:00.839><c> this</c><00:49:00.920><c> one</c><00:
• 49:01.119><c> was</c><00:49:01.280><c> not</c><00:49:01.440><c> it</c><00:49:01.559><c> was</c> Yeah,
• :49.159><c> in</c><01:49:49.239><c> your</c><01:49:49.400><c> school</c><01:49:49.760><c> cafeterias<
• your school cafeterias and your school<01:49:50.840><c> locker</c><01:49:51.199><c> rooms</c><01:49:
• <01:49:57.599><c> okay</c><01:49:58.400><c> um</c><01:49:58.719><c> and</c><01:49:59.040><c> just</c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• 191, 197, 209 to 21, 21 17 to 21, 21, 249 to 259, 267, 303, 323, 3247, 351, 345, 347, 351, 389, 39, 49
• , 49, 49, 49, 441 to 447, 447, 447, 447, 447, 447, 447, 447, 4489, 467, 467, 467, 416.

Summary: The health care budget conference met to exchange and accept offers on the budget, projects, proviso, back of bill, conforming, and implementing bills. Senator Trumbull presented the Senate’s budget and project offer, and the House accepted the Senate position on several specified budget rows while noting that all other unshaded rows would bump. The committee also agreed to keep all projects open as the conference process continued. On the policy bills, the Senate accepted a large number of House proviso offer rows and also accepted several House back-of-bill rows. The committee stated that all unshaded rows on the proviso and back of bill would bump, and that the conforming and implementing bills would bump in their entirety. Because of the complexity of the row references, the chair and Senator Trumbull noted some difficulty reading the list, but the agreements were recorded. The committee then approved a motion allowing staff to make technical adjustments as needed, with no objection. Members thanked each other and their staff for the work on the conference, and the chair announced that this concluded the year’s health care budget conference. Senator Trumbull moved to adjourn, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number 49 by Ms. Rouse, student transfers. And, Mr.
• Amendment number 49 by Ms. Rouse, student transfers. Amendment number 49 by Ms.
• I rise in favor of the redrafted Amendment 49.
• The redrafted Amendment 49 concerning student...
• The redrafted Amendment 49 concerning student transfers from a district of origin to a new district of

Summary: The Senate took up House No. 4646, an act enhancing child welfare protections, and considered a series of amendments focused on child welfare, school discipline, truancy, foster care transparency, and related services. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Senator DiDomenico’s proposal to create a Massachusetts children’s cabinet and Senator Tarr’s amendments on timeout and isolation standards, the best-interest-of-the-child standard, and mandated reporter definitions. Other amendments were adopted, including Senator Rauch’s amendments on student transfers and reasonableness, Senator Tarr’s amendment on information management integrity and youth engagement in the Office of the Child Advocate, and the Senate Ways and Means amendment. Amendments on school compliance before CRA filings, probation certification before accepting a child requiring assistance petition, and statewide truancy and engagement standards were rejected. After the amendments were resolved, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in the affirmative and none in the negative. The chamber also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, with moments of silence held for each. Later, the Senate also adjourned in memory of former U.S. Representative Barney Frank, with remarks highlighting his civil rights work, his role in financial reform, and his historic service as the first openly gay member of Congress. Before adjournment, the Senate took up a House amendment to the Senate bill establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference. The chair appointed Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor to the conference committee. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and dispense with printing a calendar, and finally adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> from</c><00:49:00.480><c> one</c><00:49:00.640><c> or</c><00:49:00.800><c> more</c><00:49
• With that,<01:49:02.080><c> it's</c><01:49:02.320><c> up</c><01:49:02.480><c> to</c><01:49:02.560><c>
• members</c><01:49:02.880><c> of</c><01:49:03.040><c> the</c><01:49:03.119><c> LCPR.
• Let's<01:49:04.320><c> continue</c><01:49:04.560><c> our</c><01:49:04.880><c> discussion</c><01:49:05.280
• <01:49:09.760><c> being</c><01:49:10.119><c> offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh,<02:49:00.720><c> I</c><02:49:00.960><c> work</c><02:49:01.120><c> in</c><02:49:01.600><c> I</c><02
• :49:01.840><c> work</c><02:49:02.000><c> with</c><02:49:02.160><c> families</c><02:49:02.880><c> and<
• They're<02:49:11.840><c> um</c><02:49:12.399><c> people</c><02:49:12.640><c> are</c><02:49:12.800><c>
• ><02:49:14.000><c> and</c><02:49:14.319><c> they</c><02:49:14.560><c> just</c><02:49:14.720><c> need<
• So, housing<02:49:22.560><c> expenses,</c><02:49:23.359><c> you</c><02:49:23.439><c> know,</c><02:49:

Transcript Highlights:

• President, there are 49 ayes, zero nays. Mr. President, there are 49 ayes.
• President, there are 49 yeas, 0 nays.
• President, there are 49 yeas, 0 nays.
• President, there are 49 yeas, 0 nays.
• President, there are 49 yeas, 0 nays.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5067 , SJM8002 , SB5855 , SB5865 , SB5272 , SCR8406 , SB5000 , SB5500 , SJM8006 , SB5325 , SB5286 , SB5937

Summary: The Senate opened with a ceremonial welcome for the Washington National Guard, including a color guard, prayer, and a resolution recognizing the Guard’s service. Senate Resolution 8668 was adopted unanimously, with members praising the Guard’s flood response, election support, counterdrug work, youth programs, and community assistance. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Eliza Munoz Estee to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865 on garnishment forms after adopting an amendment delaying the effective date to May 1, 2027. The chamber also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5855 on law enforcement face coverings after rejecting several amendments that would have broadened or clarified exceptions, including proposals related to timing after transport, warrants, and other scenarios. Debate centered on federal immigration enforcement, public safety, accountability, and whether the bill would affect local law enforcement; the bill ultimately passed on a 30-19 vote. The Senate then passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105, with a technical amendment, to address explicit depictions of minors and AI-generated or altered child sexual abuse material. It also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, updating community custody provisions for unlawful firearm possession after a date-fixing amendment. Engrossed Senate Bill 5081, revising unattended motor vehicle rules for remote starts, passed unanimously. Senate Joint Memorial 8002, urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud and supporting original Medicare, also passed unanimously. Finally, the Senate advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure to reduce impaired driving, while opponents argued it would have limited effect and that enforcement and staffing issues were more important. The bill was debated at length and then passed 38-11.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:49:50.800><c> community</c><00:49:51.160><c> members</c><00:49:51.800><c> receive</c>
• ><c> information</c><00:49:53.200><c> about</c><00:49:53.520><c> how</c><00:49:53.680><c> the</c><00:
• works.<00:49:55.080><c> This</c><00:49:55.240><c> information</c><00:49:55.760><c> must</c><00:49:56.040
• This information must also be included<00:49:57.040><c> on</c><00:49:57.280><c> the</c><00:49:57.360>
• <c> district</c><00:49:57.720><c> website,</c><00:49:58.600><c> in</c><00:49:58.680><c> the</c> included

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• suspension or termination after<00:49:46.400><c> exclusion</c><00:49:46.960><c> from</c><00:49:47.200
• This<00:49:49.839><c> adds</c><00:49:50.079><c> the</c><00:49:50.240><c> new</c><00:49:50.480><c> subdivision
• the new subdivision and it's inserts<00:49:52.160><c> the</c><00:49:52.319><c> language</c><00:49:52.720
• <c> 2,</c><00:49:54.800><c> paragraph</c><00:49:55.359><c> E.
• Section<00:49:57.680><c> nine,</c><00:49:58.800><c> new</c><00:49:59.040><c> subdivision</c><00:49:59.760

Bills: HF3797 , HF3780 , HF4068 , HF3935

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.880><c> to</c><00:49:02.079><c> resolve</c><00:49:02.559><c> this</c><00:49:02.800><c> issue</c>
• 00:49:03.760><c> know</c><00:49:03.839><c> it's</c><00:49:04.079><c> a</c><00:49:04.240><c> valid</c>
• Um, but<00:49:07.680><c> I</c><00:49:07.920><c> don't</c><00:49:08.000><c> think</c><00:49:08.160><c>
• this</c><00:49:08.400><c> bill</c><00:49:08.559><c> is</c><00:49:08.720><c> the</c> but I don't think
• &gt;&gt; Okay,<00:49:14.240><c> we'll</c><00:49:14.400><c> take</c><00:49:14.480><c> a</c><00:49:14.640

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2294, which would require condominium associations, boards, and managing agents to comply with declarations, bylaws, county ordinances, and state and federal laws, including mortgage lending requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill as redundant, arguing existing law already requires compliance and provides penalties. Supporters, including condominium owners and board members, said the measure would clarify that associations are not “self-governing” in a way that exempts them from outside laws, and cited examples where local officials or police told residents to take issues back to their boards. Several supporters said the bill would reinforce board responsibility for permits, safety, and legal compliance. The committee noted 27 pieces of testimony, with 10 in support and 17 in opposition, and then moved on without taking a vote on the measure in the transcript provided. The committee also took up SB 2298, which would require common interest community proxy forms to include additional language explaining proxy selection options. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying the proposed language was inaccurate and would not improve consumer clarity unless significantly revised. Supporters argued that proxy forms are confusing and that clearer instructions would help homeowners understand how their votes are being used. Opponents said the added language would make the forms longer and more confusing, and suggested a separate instruction sheet or other educational material instead. Testimony also raised broader concerns about proxy voting being misused in some associations, with one witness urging that proxy voting be eliminated altogether. The committee reported 29 written testimonies, including seven in support, 19 in opposition, and three with comments, and again did not record a final vote in the excerpt. For SB 2300, which would shorten condominium reserve cash-flow projections from 30 years to 25 years, the Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would not make housing more affordable, would reduce transparency, and would increase the annual burden by giving associations less time to save for long-life components. The group suggested that if affordability is the goal, lawmakers should consider allowing future loans or special assessments with guardrails. Supporters of the bill said the shorter projection period would better reflect practical budgeting and help associations plan more realistically, though some supporters also warned against relying too heavily on loans and emphasized accountability and fiduciary responsibility. Other testimony stressed that the impact of changing the projection period would vary by association and that many owners are already struggling with rising fees. The discussion remained focused on testimony and policy concerns, with no final action on SB 2300 shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's blame the<00:49:52.760><c> the</c><00:49:53.560><c> um</c><00:49:53.680><c> the</c><00:49:53.760
• ><c> growth</c><00:49:54.160><c> of</c><00:49:54.280><c> the</c><00:49:54.360><c> data</c><00:49:54.680
• Well,<00:49:56.280><c> the</c><00:49:56.360><c> data</c><00:49:56.600><c> center</c><00:49:56.800><c>
• ><c> by</c><01:49:58.200><c> action</c><01:49:58.600><c> at</c><01:49:58.680><c> the</c><01:49:58.760
• Is it saying<02:49:40.520><c> that</c><02:49:41.320><c> if</c><02:49:41.600><c> the</c><02:49:42.120>

Transcript Highlights:

• on 18 bills to testimony on 18 bills to date<04:49:03.638><c> we</c><04:49:03.798><c> also</c><04:49
• including the public<04:49:09.160><c> at</c><04:49:09.360><c> large</c><04:49:10.200><c> to</c><04:49
• > has</c><04:49:54.760><c> existed</c><04:49:55.160><c> in</c><04:49:55.280><c> the</c><04:49:55.400>
• :49:58.040><c> by</c><04:49:58.240><c> volunteer</c><04:49:58.638><c> group</c><04:49:58.920><c> and<
• ><c> asked</c><04:49:59.400><c> the</c><04:49:59.480><c> commission</c><04:49:59.798><c> to</c><04:49

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.520><c> of</c><00:49:00.640><c> stuff</c><00:49:00.799><c> in</c><00:49:00.920><c> it</c><00:49:01.079
• ><c> what</c><00:49:01.160><c> you're</c><00:49:01.280><c> seeing</c> worth of stuff in it what you're
• seeing worth of stuff in it what you're seeing is<00:49:01.760><c> it</c><00:49:01.920><c> says</c><
• 00:49:02.240><c> right</c><00:49:02.400><c> there</c><00:49:02.640><c> you</c><00:49:02.760><c> have<
• <00:49:03.280><c> fee</c><00:49:03.520><c> and</c><00:49:03.599><c> then</c><00:49:03.680><c> you</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:49:10.760><c> Okay.
• </c><00:49:11.760><c> All</c><00:49:12.000><c> in</c><00:49:12.160><c> favor</c><00:49:12.559><c> of<
• <00:49:16.800><c> Seeing</c><00:49:17.119><c> none.</c><00:49:18.400><c> Consent.</c> opposed?
• Okay.<00:49:21.440><c> Senator</c><00:49:21.760><c> Pearl</c><00:49:22.079><c> said</c><00:49:22.319>
• So, the magic number.<00:49:59.359><c> Does</c><00:49:59.599><c> everybody</c><00:49:59.839><c> have<

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1635 targets only Chapter 49 or recapture districts—those deemed property wealthy by the
• While the intent of Chapter 49 is to promote equity across districts.
• and House Bill 3631 specifically. apply to school districts classified as high-wealth under Chapter 49
• These bills would allow Chapter 49 coastal districts to receive a credit against their recapture payments
• They simply allow qualifying coastal Chapter 49 districts to receive credit for an unavoidable cost tied

Bills: SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• :40.280><c> the</c><01:49:40.400><c> bill</c><01:49:40.639><c> and</c><01:49:40.840><c> say</c><01:49
• 45.520><c> 21%</c><01:49:46.520><c> for</c><01:49:46.760><c> four</c><01:49:47.520><c> years</c><01:49
• c><01:49:50.520><c> would</c><01:49:50.679><c> say</c><01:49:50.920><c> that</c><01:49:51.040><c> we<
• c><02:49:03.240><c> going</c><02:49:03.560><c> to</c><02:49:03.800><c> do</c><02:49:04.080><c> things
• 06.240><c> at</c><02:49:06.439><c> 2028</c><02:49:07.319><c> look</c><02:49:08.000><c> good</c><02:49

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• :41.200><c> to</c><00:49:41.520><c> effectively</c><00:49:42.480><c> shut</c><00:49:42.720><c> down</
• shut down any new industry<00:49:45.040><c> or</c><00:49:45.440><c> energy</c><00:49:45.839><c> or</
• the</c><00:49:48.000><c> basis</c><00:49:48.240><c> that</c><00:49:48.400><c> it's</c><00:49:48.640><
• </c><00:49:51.520><c> Problem</c><00:49:51.760><c> is</c><00:49:52.079><c> you</c><00:49:52.319><c> can
• So it effectually<00:49:55.119><c> functions</c><00:49:55.760><c> as</c><00:49:55.920><c> a</c><00:49

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:10.240><c> The</c><00:49:10.480><c> good</c><00:49:10.720><c> news</c><00:49:10.880><c> is
• </c><00:49:13.839><c> Chronic</c><00:49:14.400><c> illness</c><00:49:14.960><c> is</c><00:49:15.280><
• Chronic illness is not random.<00:49:17.040><c> As</c><00:49:17.280><c> you're</c><00:49:17.440><c> all
• </c><00:49:17.599><c> aware</c><00:49:17.839><c> from</c><00:49:18.000><c> the</c><00:49:18.160><c> MA
• ><c> a</c><00:49:24.319><c> handful</c><00:49:24.640><c> of</c><00:49:24.800><c> the</c><00:49:25.040

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• :44.400><c> members</c><00:49:44.680><c> of</c><00:49:44.799><c> the</c><00:49:44.920><c> health</c><
• ><c> care</c><00:49:47.520><c> provider</c><00:49:48.280><c> access</c><00:49:48.599><c> to</c> rural
• </c><00:49:51.720><c> at</c><00:49:51.839><c> Mika</c><00:49:52.240><c> A</c><00:49:52.400><c> drugs<
• c> behalf</c><00:49:53.880><c> of</c><00:49:53.960><c> our</c><00:49:54.119><c> employees</c><00:49:54.520
• 00:49:56.200><c> of</c><00:49:56.359><c> H</c><00:49:56.960><c> b72</c><00:49:57.960><c> which</c> I'm

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> Eric</c><00:49:00.400><c> chair</c><00:49:00.680><c> kunish</c><00:49:01.079><c> and</c>
• ><c> of</c><00:49:01.520><c> the</c><00:49:01.640><c> committee</c><00:49:01.920><c> I</c><00:49:02.000
• members of the committee I want to thank you<00:49:02.480><c> for</c><00:49:02.680><c> the</c><00:49
• ><c> name</c><00:49:04.559><c> is</c><00:49:04.760><c> Rick</c><00:49:04.960><c> Aldrich</c><00:49:05.400
• ><c> I've</c><00:49:08.720><c> been</c><00:49:08.839><c> the</c><00:49:08.960><c> superintendent</c><

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• An act amending sections 44-13-22, 49-5-01, 49-02, 49-06, and 49-88-1, Arizona Revised Statutes, and
• objection it is so ordered reader will please read 2986 Hospital 2986 enact an act emanate section 44 13 22 49
• House Bill 2986 amends Title 49, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to environmental quality.
• House Bill 2986 amends sections 49-511, 49-3-2, 49-832, and 49-836, Arizona Revised Statutes.
• It also amends section 49-818 and is amended by Laws 2023, chapter 78, section 1; Laws 2017, chapter

Summary: The Senate met in floor session, began with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, received communications, and handled a return of Senate Bill 1456 from the House for reconsideration. Members then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering and amending bills on court fees, information technology, environmental quality, agricultural property inspections, property tax notices, veterans services, zoning and electric generation siting, fuel and gas resilience, and disturbing religious services. Several amendments were adopted, including changes to HB 2265 on criminal court fees, HB 2311 on conversational AI disclosures and privacy limits, HB 2986 on environmental quality/fuel resilience, HB 2104 and HB 2105 on agricultural property inspection rules, HB 2406 on veterans services, HB 2494 on electric generation siting and environmental compatibility, HB 2696 on fuel and gas prices, and HB 4117 on interference with religious services. Most of these bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, though members raised concerns on HB 2311 and HB 4117 about privacy, free speech, and prosecutorial discretion. The chamber then took up a long series of third readings and final votes. Bills passed included HB 2015 on single-audit compliance, HB 2041 on child neglect and poverty factors, HB 2048 on AHCCCS prescription drug coverage, HB 2417 on excessive speed, HB 2611 on child welfare, HB 2793 on annexation, HB 2950 on special districts, HB 2995 on family law, HB 4018 on county officers, HB 2404 on mental health services, HB 2279 on limitations of actions, HB 2502 on the state retirement system, HB 2733 and HB 2953 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2979 on credit unions, HB 4042 on parent-child relationship determinations, HB 4010 on health professional regulatory boards, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4049 on the Attorney General, HB 2265 on court fees, HB 2311 on information technology, and HB 2986 on environmental quality. HB 2601 on state highways and routes failed. Several members explained votes on bills involving fiscal impacts, child welfare, road safety, annexation, and criminal justice concerns. The Senate also adopted a group concurrence motion on several conference committee reports, including HB 2003, HB 2010, HB 2133, and HB 2874, and then voted on those measures. HB 2003 on driver’s license instruction permits, HB 2010 on advertising, HB 2133 on disclosure of sexual material and synthetic depictions, and HB 2874 on campaign committees and termination statements were all advanced after conference committee action, with debate on HB 2133 focusing on First Amendment and content-moderation concerns. The session ended with introduction of a large package of transportation-related appropriations bills and a motion to suspend certain committee notice rules for Appropriations to hear legislation and strike-everything amendments on short notice.