Transcript Highlights:

• That's one of the primary concerns that I have, and by removing that, I don't know why anyone would remove
• Okay, so minus understanding the primary thing that we all agree on, certification as part of being certified
• 41:28.440><c> minus</c><00:41:28.880><c> understand</c><00:41:29.359><c> the</c><00:41:29.520><c> primary
• </c> okay so minus understand the primary okay so minus understand the primary thing<00:41:30.160><c>
• I'll take a motion to close the subcommittee work session. Motion to close the work session.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program is the state's primary before- and after-school program,
• One of our primary concerns with establishing a new ongoing categorical program is that this approach
• while by the proposed trailer bill language that reduces current funding while potentially adding close
• As federal safety nets like SNAP contract, school meals will become a primary source of nutrition for
• community schools, as this program has been one of the most effective tools that the state has to close

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just acknowledging the fact that the value of a primary residence of most homeowners in Arizona
• It's just acknowledging the fact that the value of a primary residence of most homeowners in Arizona
• It's just acknowledging the fact that the value of a primary residence of most homeowners in Arizona
• But we're also adding to that the value that's close to the median I'm also adding to that the value
• I'm also adding to that the value that's close to the median home, so it's easily calculated for the

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the March 9, 2026 minutes and held HB 29 and HB 2939 at the sponsor’s request. It then took up HB 2016, which would bar late-filing penalties when a taxpayer’s income tax liability is zero; after an amendment narrowed the bill to income tax filers, the Department of Revenue was neutral on the bill but supported the amendment, and members debated whether removing the penalty would reduce incentives to file. The committee adopted the amendment and returned HB 2016 with a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2289, which updates the property-value examples used in bond/override election pamphlets and truth-in-taxation notices from older low values to a $300,000 home example. The sponsor and Arizona Tax Research Association said the update would better reflect current home values and improve voter understanding, while some members argued the bill could confuse voters or that the second example should be closer to the current median home price. The committee passed HB 2289 on a 4-3 vote. Several bills related to school district bonding and agricultural property classification were then considered. HB 4103 would prohibit school districts from calling bond elections if enrollment is below 50% of capacity; supporters said districts should use or monetize excess space before seeking more debt, while school administrators and several senators argued it would block needed maintenance and local voter choice. HB 2104 and HB 2105 would give agricultural property owners a temporary reprieve from repeated reclassification and inspections after winning an appeal, with farm groups supporting the measures and county assessors opposing them as limiting oversight; both bills passed 4-3 after amendments. The committee also passed HB 2256 on a 7-0 vote, which creates a process for salvage auction dealers to obtain abandoned titles when insurers do not complete salvage title transfers, and HB 2979 and HB 2996 unanimously, addressing credit union regulatory timelines and clarifying that certificates of insurance do not alter policy coverage. Finally, the committee heard HB 2174 on insurance modeling organizations and HB 2477 on AZ 529 plan updates, with HB 2174 discussed at length over regulatory treatment of models and HB 2477 described as a conformity bill expanding K-12 and credentialing uses and rollover options.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said in 2019 the study showed 91 deaths, the primary cause was kratom in the system?
• “Close. Very close. Thank you for being here today.
• A full ban is the only approach that closes loopholes and keeps opioid-acting substances out of our community
• We have documentation here, and obviously controversy revolving around whether it was the primary death
• already have to say, or if you could just work with us there so that our presenters have some time to close

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved a motion to reorder the agenda, hearing a presentation from the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission before taking up Senate Bill 1282. Commission representatives reviewed the history and current size of Idaho’s wine industry, noting about 65 wineries, 1,300 acres of vineyards, and three AVAs. They described challenges including county land-use restrictions, water supply concerns in the Treasure Valley, and labor shortages, while also highlighting marketing, education, and specialty crop grant funding. A vineyard owner testified that the industry requires significant upfront investment and manual labor, but said commission-funded education has improved grape quality and supported growers. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S.B. 1282, which would create a kratom consumer protection framework. Senator Nichols and supporters said the bill would preserve access to natural kratom while banning adulterated or synthetically enhanced products, requiring testing, labeling, age restrictions, and clearer supply-chain accountability. Supporters included kratom users, business owners, and industry representatives who said the bill would protect consumers, distinguish natural leaf products from high-potency 7-OH derivatives, and provide needed standards without banning kratom outright. Several witnesses described personal benefits from kratom for pain, recovery, or avoiding opioids, and some said responsible regulation was preferable to prohibition. Opponents, including family members of people who died after using kratom, law enforcement, and addiction medicine professionals, argued that natural kratom itself can be dangerous and addictive and that the bill would not adequately protect the public. They urged either a full ban or broader restrictions, criticized the bill’s low civil penalties and prohibition on private causes of action, and said age limits and labeling would not be enough. Committee members questioned witnesses closely about deaths, testing, liability, and whether the bill should cover natural kratom as well as 7-OH. No vote was taken during the hearing, but Senator Nichols said the bill sponsor was open to amendments, including raising the purchase age, increasing penalties, and revisiting the private right of action provision.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said in 2019 the study showed 91 deaths, the primary cause was kratom in the system?
• You said in 2019 the study showed 91 deaths, the primary cause was cretum in the system?
• “Close. Very close. Thank you for being here today.
• “A full ban is the only approach that closes loopholes and keeps opioid-acting substances out of our
• We have documentation here from—and obviously controversy revolving around whether it was the primary

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The language suggests that this would be the primary source of funding for infrastructure.
• That trust fund has gone from the tens of millions to now it's probably close to $20 million, and the
• Seeing none, do you have any closing comments, Mr. Chair? No, Mr. Chair. We're ready for a vote.
• How they generate revenue is probably their primary means to operate.
• So in 2022, during the large fire season, we had nine state parks that were closed either because they

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can read the three primary top.
• And you can read the three primary reasons<00:05:45.039><c> why</c><00:05:45.280><c> we're</c><00:05:
• Has never come close to paying that. And there is no indication that that is going to improve.
• Has never come close to paying created.
• It only gives you primary and secondary.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:05:35.200><c> my</c> rates uh and with that I'll close my rates uh and with that I'll close my
• </c><01:11:04.600><c> by</c> you you live in Jeffrey or close by you you live in Jeffrey or close by
• </c> you very much for being here and close you very much for being here and close the<01:23:02.040><
• </c> to do on that bill I'm going to close to do on that bill I'm going to close the<04:12:23.720><c>
• </c><04:16:57.080><c> the</c> calendar and with that we close the calendar and with that we close the

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Its market remains closed to our fresh potatoes, and we are not seeing progress.
• I would like to close by saying this nomination is not just business, it is deeply personal.
• It is my understanding that those are two of the primary tools. Yes, sir.
• Is there another primary tool? There are other tools that could be developed that are available.
• I'd like to work immediately and closely with you to address this issue.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: U.S. foreign policy, Mexico relations, Japan relations, border security, trade agreements, drug trafficking, ambassadorial nominations, intergovernmental communication

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on critical discussions concerning U.S. foreign policy, particularly relationships with Mexico and Japan. Notable attention was given to border security, trade agreements, and implications of drug trafficking. Ambassadorial nominees discussed their strategies to strengthen ties with these nations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in addressing mutual challenges, particularly concerning security and trade. The committee engaged in extensive dialogue, highlighting the urgency of improving intergovernmental communications to deter drug trafficking and support democratic governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a statement of what was discussed. in that closed session, and the...
• Okay, so the contents of what was discussed in a closed session.
• Prompted the board to go into closed session.
• There's nothing close to easy. solving this problem.
• Loopholes in the law must end. be closed.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Primary witnesses must be those accompanying the author or those who have officially registered their
• Macedo, would you like to close?
• Chair, would you like to close? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Madam Secretary, would you like to close and call the roll? AB 1166. The motion is do pass.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas, the loopholes need to be immediately closed in the citizens initiative petition process.
• Over the last few days, I've closely reviewed the executive order signed by President Trump regarding
• President Trump received resounding support in both the primary and general elections of 2024.
• Regardless of where you go or what you do, please stay close. We will be reconvening momentarily.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have a right to close, Rep. Beham?
• You have a right to close?
• You have a right to close. Okay.
• Owen, you have a right to close. Thank you.
• Representative Bro, you have the right to close.

Bills: HB309 , HB487 , HB503 , HB590 , HB606 , HB679 , HB693 , HB695 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB746 , HB777 , HB846 , HB849 , HB856 , HB868 , HB873 , HB875

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: pedestrian safety, cellphone usage, crosswalk regulations, traffic laws, distracted walking, red light, traffic signal, traffic-control signals, traffic violation, traffic safety, road rage, shoulder lane, turn lane, passing stopped vehicle, overtaking at intersection, intersection safety, motor vehicle, driver fine, citation, Louisiana traffic law

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 with a quorum present and first deferred three local bills at the sponsor’s request: HB 590, HB 679, and HB 873. The committee then advanced HB 503, which cleans up prior local language for Golden Meadow by removing a reference to electric golf carts and updating the definition of utility terrain vehicles; the technical amendment set was adopted and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 720, dealing with tacit dedication of roads and preserving historic public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably after members agreed to continue working on the amendment language before floor debate. The committee spent substantial time on HB 309, which originally made it a crime to walk in a crosswalk while looking at a cell phone. After amendments converted the proposal to a $25 civil fine and added a rebuttable presumption of liability for damages, members from both parties raised concerns about enforceability, tourism and urban pedestrian patterns, free-will and overreach arguments, and the lack of data tying the conduct specifically to crosswalk crashes. The author argued the measure was intended to promote situational awareness and reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, but after opposition testimony the bill was voluntarily deferred. Members then reported HB 856, which expands DOTD’s use of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracting and adds the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, after technical amendments clarified the contracts are for construction-phase work. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who use shoulders or turning lanes to bypass red lights, was reported with a technical correction after police support testimony. HB 846, prohibiting license plate coverings or films that obscure plates, was reported favorably after law enforcement support and discussion of clear frames versus obscuring covers. HB 733 and HB 875, both tied to OMV fee and lapse-of-insurance recommendations from the Legislative Auditor, were reported with amendments adjusting grace periods and offense timing. The committee also took up HB 695 on consensual non-commercial towing permits. After extensive questioning about whether the bill applied to multiple vehicles, interstate travel, OMV implementation, and the practicality of an honor-system QR code permit, the sponsor agreed to amend the bill to cover multiple vehicles and then voluntarily defer it for further work with OMV and State Police. HB 777, requiring a driver’s license renewal knowledge exam, was amended at the department’s request and then voluntarily deferred for further review. HB 868, prompted by a fatal trailer accident involving a farmer’s wife, would require trailers to meet safety-chain and braking standards consistent with manufacturer specifications or federal standards; after concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, HB 707 moved the LPG Commission’s marketing functions to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was reported with a technical amendment, HB 693 on legislative district highway signs was voluntarily deferred after amendments, and HB 746 on local oversized trucking permits opened a broader discussion about parish-by-parish permit disparities, with the sponsor proposing a one-year moratorium on new local standards while stakeholders work toward a more uniform system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another primary goal of this legislation is... equipment.
• Railroad safety is close to my heart and close to our family.
• More scientific evidence on how close would be better.
• I'll just close that; I'll just close the department."
• I am very concerned that in my district, we may have to close some departments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, I close.
• Close enough. Alright.
• If not, we'll let you close. Thank you, sir, I close. Alright.
• We'll close here shortly.
• If not, we'll let you close. I close. Love to go local. Thank you. All right, thank you.

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• So what RS 3336 does is for physicians in primary care, psychiatry, or obstetrics and gynecology who
• In closing, I ask for your approval of docket number 15-01-20-2501.
• I have stuff that I only have close to being done yet, but I'll get them here eventually.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our primary concerns with establishing a new ongoing program is that this approach presumes that
• One of our primary concerns with establishing a new ongoing program is that this approach presumes that
• In closing, community schools are co-created, co-led spaces that reflect the assets and needs of each
• I appreciate you hanging out close by. I'm sorry, we're gonna do a little musical chairs.
• I appreciate you hanging out close by.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand by our written testimony and just offer the small addition that our primary concern with this
• </c><00:05:31.199><c> concern</c> small addition that our primary concern small addition that our primary
• It was three, two of whom have very close financial ties to Axon, which makes the Taser.
• </c> was three two of whom have very close was three two of whom have very close Financial<00:36:41.160
• to to you know kind doesn't come close to to you know kind of<00:36:53.599><c> any</c><00:36:53.960>

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:37:36.560><c> public</c> none, I have ready to close public none, I have ready to close public
• H H H &gt;&gt; how<02:31:58.880><c> close</c><02:31:59.359><c> how</c><02:31:59.680><c> close</c><02:
• how close do you think they &gt;&gt; how close how close do you think they are<02:32:00.880><c> to</
• . close. close.
• </c> sentencing um whether they're a primary sentencing um whether they're a primary caregiver<03:54:

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Carrillo, would you like to close? I would, Mr.
• Collar, would you like to close?
• I knew better, so I did not go close to him.
• It closes the gap, and we have seen the gap.
• It closes the gap, and we have seen the gap.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all