Transcript Highlights:

• We've just come leaps and bounds with safety, with security, with technology advancements, even with
• to move into, being called the advanced nuclear reactors or modular reactors, that even takes the safety
• </c><00:01:26.920><c> features</c> more advanced security safety features more advanced security safety
• </c> reactors that uh even takes the Safety reactors that uh even takes the Safety and<00:01:38.680><
• </c> usefulness we do have strong safety usefulness we do have strong safety procedures<00:07:56.080>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then safety. They're free from harm, their adjacency to rivals.
• Readiness of sites, appropriateness of the amenities, public safety, and community input.
• We don't even know the efficacy of our current safety plans.
• And I do want to make a distinction between our risk assessment process and the safety plans.
• This bill matters because it improves operational efficiency without compromising child safety.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1544, which would require DCYF to study and improve the risk assessment tool used in child abuse and neglect investigations, including better identifying family strengths and needs, substance use-related risk, and service needs, and to certify the tool every three years. Staff explained the bill and noted it had passed the committee unanimously in substitute form last year. The prime sponsor, Representative Rule, said the tool would help reduce bias and support better decisions about child safety. Members raised questions about whether the bill would require new data systems or create a fiscal impact, and DCYF testified that the recertification process would focus on evidence-based literature and fidelity to the tool, though the agency acknowledged limitations in its data system. Support testimony from Partners for Our Children and DCYF emphasized that the current tool is not evidence-based and that the department is piloting the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale. The hearing on HB 1544 was then closed. The committee then received a lengthy work session from DCYF on juvenile rehabilitation. Juvenile Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redman and security classification administrator Jeff Endermark described a growing JR population that is older, serving more adult-sentence youth, and projected to rise to about 481 by 2031. They said Green Hill School remains crowded, Harbor Heights is being brought online as a short-term option, and Echo Glen is near safe operational capacity. They explained JR’s classification system, behavior management process, and the role of multidisciplinary teams in placement decisions, as well as the expansion of community transition services (CTS), which uses electronic home monitoring for eligible youth. Staff described CTS eligibility, supervision expectations, and examples of successful placements, but also said the program needs more after-hours staffing and community supports. Members questioned the validity and equity of the risk tools, the availability of community resources, the impact of behavior policies and escapes, the use of single bunking, and broader concerns about lawsuits and sexual abuse in the system. JR reported an escape rate increase from 1.78 per 100 youth in 2001 to 3.92 in 2025 and said additional capacity and staffing are still needed. The committee then heard House Bill 2219, which would allow child care centers more flexibility in mixed-age grouping during parts of the day and waive repeated DCYF pre-service orientation for people who have already completed it. The prime sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is meant to ease burdens on small providers. Testifiers from SEIU 925, a family child care provider, the Washington Child Care Centers Association, a child care center director, and the Children’s Campaign Fund supported the bill as a practical way to improve staffing flexibility and reduce duplicative licensing requirements, though one association asked that the bill’s daily time caps on mixed-age grouping be revised or removed. The committee then heard House Bill 2253, an agency-request technical corrections bill for DCYF licensing. Staff said it would allow child-specific licenses for certain relatives under interstate placements, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, remove licensing exemptions for physicians and lawyers, allow termination of inactive licenses, revise crisis residential center staffing ratios, and eliminate state monitoring requirements for the Washington School for the Deaf residential program. Members asked about how inactivity would be defined and whether the School for the Deaf inspections had historically produced savings. DCYF said the bill would help right-size licensing workloads after budget cuts and would let the agency work with stakeholders to define inactivity in rule. Testimony from DCYF, Community Youth Services, and Partners for Our Children supported the bill, especially the staffing ratio fix for crisis residential centers and the child-specific licensing changes for relatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• With new statewide workplace safety standards, those can be reconsidered.
• Okay, so I have that here for the junior safety engineer.
• Like associate safety engineer and senior safety engineer with commensurate requirements of experience
• With their limited tax dollars, where are some of the occupational safety hazards?
• They're not workforce safety experts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other safety issues in higher need of their attention.
• There are other safety issues in higher need of their attention.
• </c> which we know there's not a safety which we know there's not a safety hazard<00:22:08.640><c> right
• </c><00:24:01.720><c> and</c> a way that should improve safety and a way that should improve safety and
• </c><01:42:38.400><c> in</c> national leader in roadway safety in national leader in roadway safety in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> safety improvements along Highway 10. safety improvements along Highway 10.
• </c> Highway Traffic Safety Administration Highway Traffic Safety Administration study,<01:30:50.639>
• And policies and enhance public safety.
• Or public safety<01:40:07.840><c> or</c><01:40:08.000><c> public</c><01:40:08.239><c> safety</c><01:40
• public safety and it can be safety or public safety and it can be addressed<01:40:09.840><c> there</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> construction related health and safety construction related health and safety codes<00:22:17.559
• </c><00:31:05.080><c> and</c> services are provided by safety and services are provided by safety and
• </c> by the workplace safety by the workplace safety consultant<00:31:35.720><c> um</c><00:31:36.039>
• </c><00:31:49.919><c> regulations</c> go above and beyond safety regulations go above and beyond safety
• </c> olds with classroom instruction safety olds with classroom instruction safety training<00:38:33.319

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is also going to spill over into safety is also going to spill over into safety um<00:12:31.880>
• The mission of the Department of Safety is to consistently enhance safety, security, and the quality
• Public Safety mission of our seven Public Safety mission of our seven divisions<02:34:16.640><c> we</
• </c> focuses on the division of fire safety focuses on the division of fire safety which<02:59:08.800
• </c> maintaining effective Public Safety maintaining effective Public Safety Services<03:08:10.399><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a public safety issue. These drones are big; they have blades on them.
• It's public safety. People have their kids out there.
• It's a public safety. as other events are here in the state, it's a public safety thing issue.
• It's public safety. People have their kids out there.
• So this just bring parity to the law and just this literally is public safety.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of bills spanning health care, education, tax, elections, firearms, and public safety. HB 283, as amended, would require diabetes-related supplies and monitoring equipment to be covered for people with diabetes. SB 1126 would require schools to provide records and information to Department of Child Safety caseworkers and allow school employees to speak with DCS investigators; it was on consent, though some members said they wanted to study it further. SB 1210 would require certain out-of-state private postsecondary institutions to register with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education to protect students, especially those taking online courses. SCR 1006, which would create causes of action related to restroom, changing facility, and pronoun policies in schools, drew strong opposition and was requested to be pulled from consent. Several tax and property bills were discussed. HB 2308 would prohibit dental insurers from owning dental practices, and members noted the committee and Senate had not supported it. SB 1294 would clarify county assessors’ authority to prorate destroyed property for property tax purposes; members said they were still researching whether the bill was necessary. SB 1430, the Tax Corrections Act of 2026, would make technical tax changes and remove redundant language, but members said they wanted Department of Revenue-requested corrections restored. SB 1049 would cap spousal maintenance at four years and change the factors used in setting support; it was pulled from consent. SB 1053 would reduce concealed weapons permit fees for Arizona residents, and members raised concerns about state fee impacts and asked to pull it. The caucus also considered several election and public safety measures. SB 1006 would allow campaign committees to aggregate donations under $200 instead of $100, but members questioned the higher threshold and pulled it. SB 1029 would address committee termination after a candidate’s death. SB 1038 would make cast vote records public, and SB 1057 would add fraud countermeasures for paper ballots; both were noted as vetoed in the prior year. SB 1237 would require the Secretary of State to consult county recorders and legislative election leaders before issuing the elections procedures manual. Other measures included SB 1058, which would restrict government recordkeeping on firearms and merchant category codes and was pulled after members cited a prior veto, SB 1093 on riot, conspiracy, and racketeering definitions, SB 1160 limiting drone operations near ticketed entertainment events with public safety arguments offered in support, and SB 1211 expanding lifetime injunction eligibility for aggravated harassment involving domestic violence. The caucus ended by moving into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Soda Springs, for example, received $7.9 million for a new roof and HVAC, and some safety concerns in
• district failed to act and address that safety issue.
• And the state through Dopple came in and determined that there was a verifiable and justifiable safety
• The member asked which bill takes precedence for modernizing facilities, safety, or other concerns.
• That are necessary to maintain our school facilities for the safety of kids.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 9th without objection. It then introduced RS 32974, which would set a uniform school start date of the Tuesday after Labor Day. Supporters said it would create consistency for families and help tourism, while members raised concerns about impacts on rural districts, harvest schedules, fairs, and finishing the school year before Christmas break. The committee also introduced RS 33138C1, an apprenticeship-style option for filling principal and superintendent vacancies in rural areas, and RS 33325, which would create a voluntary high school civics seal and related district endorsement for students meeting civics and volunteerism requirements. The committee then heard House Bill 608, a clarification bill for the public school facilities cooperative fund. Sponsors explained that the bill would clean up eligibility rules, repayment terms, and priority criteria for districts seeking grant money for school facilities, especially where safety needs exist or a bond has failed. Testimony from Camas County and Middleton School District supported the changes, saying the current law can force districts to run repeated bonds even when grant amounts are smaller than prior bond requests, creating confusion and eroding public trust. Members discussed how the bill differs from other school facilities funding laws and how it is intended to help districts with urgent needs and limited bonding capacity. HB 608 was moved to the floor with a do-pass recommendation and approved. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 636, which would allow school districts to use remaining school district facilities fund dollars for lease-purchase agreements and related long-term facility investments after required bond and levy obligations are met. The sponsor and a West Ada superintendent said the bill would give districts more flexibility to address growth, aging buildings, and debt repayment without increasing property taxes, while still preserving local control. Members asked about the size and funding source of the facilities fund and noted concerns about disparities between rural and urban districts. HB 636 was also sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, and the committee adjourned after announcing its next meeting location.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety for Tuesday,
• their progress. youth and their safety and their progress.
• So I'm really grateful for the amount of effort... ...safety.
• SP 1004 does exactly what the court invited the greater safety and security.
• With that, the Senate Committee on Public Safety is now adjourned.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, juvenile justice, mental health, and criminal procedure. SB 1157 by Senator Archuleta would create a framework for less restrictive juvenile placements in the probation setting, with Judicial Council rules on issues such as insurance, staffing, background checks, notice, and zoning. Supporters said the bill would add needed safeguards for youth still serving custodial terms, while opponents argued it would impose rigid standards on a diverse continuum of placements and that the Judicial Council is the wrong entity to set substantive program rules. Members generally supported the goal of accountability, but the bill was not moved because quorum was not yet established at that point in the hearing. SB 1012 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, the Fire Camp to Career Act, would require CDCR to connect California Conservation Camp participants to state-approved apprenticeships and require apprenticeship programs to consider prior fire camp training. Supporters, including labor organizations, formerly incarcerated workers, and fire-training advocates, said the bill recognizes real skills gained in fire camps and creates a path to stable employment after release. Committee members largely supported the measure, with one noting that certification still must reflect demonstrated competency. SB 1012 was presented favorably, though the transcript does not show a final roll-call vote before the meeting moved on. SB 1306 by Senator Cortese would align California law with federal exemptions for certain low-concentration GBL chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing and research. Supporters said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens without affecting pure GBL or public safety, and committee members expressed support. SB 1401 by Senator Stern would align felony incompetent-to-stand-trial procedures with existing misdemeanor procedures, including timelines, information-sharing, and conservatorship referral tools. Supporters said it would prevent people from falling through gaps in the mental health system, while opponents warned it could expand court control and weaken confidentiality and due process. The committee passed SB 1401 to Appropriations on a roll-call vote, with members voting aye and the bill held on call for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1027 by Senator Strickland, which would create a task force to study street prostitution, human trafficking, victim services, and community impacts. Supporters from law enforcement, cities, and district attorneys said the bill would help identify victims and develop better statewide responses; some opponents remained opposed to the bill as introduced but said they would review the amendments. Members praised the amended version, and the committee passed SB 1027 as amended to the Governmental Organization Committee on a roll-call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. SB 1307 by Senator Jones, dealing with fraudulent or forged real estate documents and clouded titles, was also heard; after opposition withdrew, members supported the measure and moved it forward as amended, held on call for absent members. The transcript then shifted to SB 1276 by Senator Rubio, which would clarify that knowingly viewing livestreamed or AI-generated child sexual exploitation is criminalized; the author and witnesses described it as a needed update to keep pace with technology and close loopholes protecting predators from accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will definitely speak to the safety aspect.
• I think we are utterly lacking in child safety protections, student safety protections, and My vote.
• I think we are utterly lacking in child safety protections, student safety protections, and Utterly lacking
• in child safety protections, student safety protections, and some of the organizations that receive
• I do appreciate the sponsor to school safety.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the world's eyes on California in the coming years, safety is so crucial.
• A well-regulated nightlife economy enhances safety.
• There has to be safety. And so going to that point that Ms.
• Empty streets, dark empty streets in any of our cities do not support public safety.
• A lot of support to the notion of the nightlife economy as a public safety tool.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need safety net programs, but more than that, we need jobs.
• We need safety net programs, but more than that, we need jobs.
• Gun safety.
• Public Safety. Appropriations and Transportation and Technology.
• Public Safety. Public Safety. Appropriations and Transportation and Technology. Thank you.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the Safety Through Support Act is also good economic policy and good public safety policy.
• </c><00:04:26.120><c> through</c> passage of this uh safety through passage of this uh safety through
• safety safety initiatives<00:49:54.000><c> uh</c><00:49:54.119><c> that</c><00:49:54.200><c> will</c
• </c> ability to invest in their Public Safety ability to invest in their Public Safety needs<00:50:22.240
• </c><00:50:25.359><c> budget</c> last year's Public Safety budget last year's Public Safety budget included

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Another big issue that the school safety center can take a lead on...
• Other states do it, and we need a centralized place for school safety.
• monies from the school safety grant and how that might impact the school safety center funding.
• prevention, all School safety prevention, all of these other elements of robust school safety, the idea
• I also don't think photo radar works for safety.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions, including the day’s Doctor of the Day and many school board members and students visiting for Arizona School Board Association Advocacy Day. Members repeatedly highlighted concerns about school facilities funding and welcomed local education leaders from across the state. The chamber then moved through attendance, committee assignments, and a large number of Senate and House bill readings and referrals. A major portion of the day was spent in Committee of the Whole considering numerous bills and amendments. Among the most notable was SCR 1054, a memorial resolution honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, which was unanimously adopted after remarks praising his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also considered HB 2728 on Department of Economic Security continuation and policy changes; after divided-question debate and a recorded division vote, the amended bill received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. Other bills receiving do-pass recommendations in committee included measures on school safety center funding and governance (HB 2142), school board training (HB 2379), HOA disclosure reforms (HB 2397), credit freezes for foster youth (HB 2321), and several health and human services and judiciary measures. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 2053, appropriating money to the Department of Water Resources, passed 32-24; HB 2175, on sentencing, failed 25-31; HB 2327, on records confidentiality, passed 54-2; HB 2416, appropriating money to the Department of Public Safety, passed 33-23 after debate over immigration enforcement funding; HB 2492, relating to urban growth boundaries and initiative/referendum effects, failed 27-29; and HB 2805, making school board races partisan, passed 31-25 despite strong opposition from members who argued school boards should remain nonpartisan. The transcript ends with the House continuing through additional business and votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:35.720><c> That</c> electric-assisted bicycle safety.
• That electric-assisted bicycle safety.
• Department of Public Safety, Division of State Patrol.
• </c> safety standards. safety standards.
• vehicle is transferred to the safety vehicle is transferred to the general<00:37:29.720><c> public.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> specialist, and then the school safety specialist, and then the school safety aid.<00:20:48.640>
• </c> I think this bill provides the safety I think this bill provides the safety aid<00:29:51.760><c>
• Safety isn't optional. It's foundational to learning. And without safety, learning doesn't happen.
• </c><00:32:17.039><c> I'm</c> when it comes to their safety. I'm when it comes to their safety.
• </c> students safety. Thank you. students safety. Thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , safety, and safety.
• This is about making sure that, again, safety, safety, safety of all of us and the general public by
• </c><00:04:03.360><c> of</c><00:04:03.519><c> us</c><00:04:04.080><c> and</c> safety, safety, safety
• of all of us and safety, safety, safety of all of us and the<00:04:04.480><c> general</c><00:04:04.799
• One with the GUIC rider is safety improvements. One is safety improvements.

Bills: HF3830, HF3688

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We provided a private safety net.
• We provided a private safety net.
• </c> shattering that sense of safety. shattering that sense of safety.
• </c> for the safety of our children. for the safety of our children.
• We care deeply about patient safety, staff safety, and maintaining safe environments for care.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 3220 cancels the otherwise expiring balance of $1.8 million from the 2018 school safety grants
• adoption in Minnesota is aligned with what's nationally recommended for best practices for school safety
• This is also supported by the national safety standards and experts, leading safety authorities urging
• standards and experts, leading safety standards and experts, leading safety<00:02:43.240><c> authorities
• </c> a national school safety organizations. a national school safety organizations.

Keywords: 1183, house