Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 2568 by Assembly Member Johnson, an act relating to water. Ms.
• Under current law, members of the governing boards of water districts are generally capped at receiving
• AB 2568 is sponsored by West Valley Water District and supported by the Association of California Water
• Assembly Bill 2568 by Assembly Member Johnson, an act relating to water. Ms.
• AB 2568 is sponsored by West Valley Water District and supported by the Association of California Water

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Ted Diers and I'm the assistant water division director at the New Hampshire Department of
• , the interrelationship with drinking water, it's just a very complex time for wastewater treatment,
• , the interrelationship with drinking water, it's just a very complex time for wastewater treatment,
• water, interrelationship with drinking water, it's<00:25:48.080><c> just</c><00:25:48.320><c> a</c><
• It was approved by the Resources Committee, which deals with water.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 592, which concerns regional conservation and energy resources planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, and a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program to another authority. Jason Stock of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association said his group was fine with the bill as printed, especially after Senate language clarified that habitat stronghold designations are for information gathering and not regulatory purposes. Ted Diers of the Department of Environmental Services strongly supported the bill’s Winnipesaukee River Basin provisions, saying the state’s role in operating the wastewater system is outdated and that the communities are now capable of taking more control; he also supported creating a higher-level engineering/director position to oversee aging infrastructure and help manage a possible transition. Committee members asked about the facility’s location, capacity, costs, staffing, the possibility of private operation, the commission’s membership, and whether the six-month study timeline was realistic. Diers said there would be no state savings beyond administrative time, that the communities already pay the costs, and that a report in six months should provide useful next steps even if it would not resolve everything. The chair closed the work session on HB 592 and announced a brief recess before later action, while a member indicated interest in proposing an amendment to change the commission’s membership.

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure would amend the prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution
• to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations. we've always done
• </c> relating to lead materials in water relating to lead materials in water infrastructure. infrastructure
• And uh just to point lead in our water.
• </c><01:04:51.960><c> infrastructure</c> lead in drinking water infrastructure lead in drinking water

Bills: SB3326

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Waters.<00:06:50.800><c> Yeah.
• </c><00:06:52.000><c> I</c> Waters. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I Waters. Yeah. Thank you, Mr.
• </c> Senator Waters. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Senator Waters. Yeah. Thank you, Mr.
• Uh it never took effect water grants.
• </c> have a long discussion on state water have a long discussion on state water grants<00:47:25.920>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not one of them brings water with them, and not one of them brings energy with them.
• I need three swift water rescue teams. Are they available? Are they in the warehouse?
• . ...and drinking water systems from those threats that we think are very real.
• We support wildlife services through water conservation programs. programs.
• to region-wide water solutions.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, any state, any DEQ permits for emissions, any of those violations
• And also to say that any cases brought that would otherwise hold water, any cases that would otherwise
• Nothing that's in statute or federal law, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, OSHA, any of that is not affected
• Chairman, just to clarify again, Clean Water Act permits, Clean Air Act permits, EPA, DEQ permits, state
• Bayou, I believe this is the last section that this part of the law pertained to a lot more bodies of water

Bills: SB480 , HB621 , HB637 , HB804 , HB841 , HB1056

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met on May 14 and approved the April 29 minutes. The committee first heard HB 1056, which authorizes transfer of certain state property in Natchitoches Parish tied to a former school building now considered dilapidated and a nuisance; it was reported favorably. HB 841, described as a landman code of conduct bill and expropriation-related measure, was voluntarily deferred so the sponsor could work on additional changes over the interim. The committee then took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which would bar future lawsuits seeking climate-change damages against fossil fuel companies and other entities. Supporters said it would prevent speculative climate litigation while preserving legitimate claims for permit violations and other existing statutory causes of action. Opponents from coastal litigation and the Sierra Club argued the bill was drafted too broadly and could affect legacy cases, property rights, and regulatory enforcement; the committee adopted Amendment 3875 to grandfather existing filed cases and make the bill effective upon gubernatorial signature, then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 621, requiring recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure and updating the state’s waste framework for modern energy components, was reported favorably. HB 637, which revises oil field site restoration fees and lowers rates for marginal, stripper, low-pressure, and incapable wells, was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 480, as amended, allowed boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou so long as they are not within an oyster lease and someone remains on board; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, any state, any DEQ permits for emissions, any of those violations
• And also to say that any cases brought that would otherwise hold water, any cases that would otherwise
• Nothing that's in statute or federal law, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, OSHA, any of that is not affected
• Chairman, just to clarify again, Clean Water Act permits, Clean Air Act permits, EPA, DEQ permits, state
• Bayou, I believe this is the last section that this section of law pertained to a lot more bodies of water

Bills: SB480 , HB621 , HB637 , HB804 , HB841 , HB1056

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, utilities and landlords are prohibited from turning off water or electric service to residents
• Electric and water utilities are required to report on the total number of disconnections that occurred
• on such a day, and smaller electric and water utilities must make this information available if requested
• As you just heard, this bill reduces some reporting requirements for both Commerce and for water and
• As you just heard, this bill reduces some reporting requirements for both Commerce and for water and

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard three bills. House Bill 2496 would expand tribal consultation in Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (FSEC) siting reviews by requiring the full council, rather than only the chair, to participate in government-to-government consultations with federally recognized tribes, allowing tribes to review and comment on consultation summaries before they go to the governor, and exempting those consultation meetings from the Open Public Meetings Act so long as no deliberation or commitments occur. The bill’s sponsor, tribal representatives from the Yakama Nation, and supporters from labor and conservation groups said it would better protect sensitive cultural and treaty resources; the Association of Washington Business opposed it, citing due process and ex parte concerns, while FSEC staff said they support the intent but have some wording concerns. House Bill 2575 would reduce or eliminate several reporting requirements for utilities and the Department of Commerce, including changing some annual reports to biennial or every-four-years reporting, removing heat-related utility disconnection reporting, and eliminating a Commerce report on utility resource plans and combined heat and power data. The sponsor and Commerce said the changes would streamline duplicative or unused reporting and focus staff time on more useful information, while an opponent warned that legislators should not lose information needed to assess resource adequacy and reliability. A question was raised about whether the bill would affect timely reporting under clean energy laws; Commerce said the bill does not change Clean Energy Transformation Act reporting and that those processes remain in place. House Bill 2605 would raise the asbestos threshold for certain building materials from 0.1% to 0.25% and exempt low-level naturally occurring fibrous silicate material in commercial aggregates, asphalt, and concrete from labeling, use, and inspection requirements. The sponsor said the bill would reduce construction and transportation costs and help use local materials for roads and other projects while still preventing deliberate addition of asbestos-like materials. The Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association supported the bill, saying it corrects an overbroad prior approach and that existing workplace safety laws should address any dust-related risks. The committee heard testimony on all three bills and then closed the hearings; no votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll give you a second to take a breath or a drink of water.
• Salmon protections, including spilling water over dams to assist migrating fish, are essential.
• Saman protections including spilling water over dams to assist migrating fish are essential.
• Data centers should be no exception, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where energy, water, and
• It ensures that data centers pay their full cost and that data centers transparently provide water and

Bills: HB2521 , HB2249 , HB1796

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• every other person here with the opportunity to breathe her air, eat from her soils, drink from her waters
• flows so we can ensure a future in water flows so we can ensure a future in farming<00:40:05.359><c>
• </c> protection of the aquafer and the Water protection of the aquafer and the Water Resource<00:55:24.200
• I'm sure Tommy Waters, Esther Kiaʻāina, and company are giving 64% more effort every day they show up
• </c><01:06:19.720><c> Esther</c> okay though I'm sure Tommy Waters Esther okay though I'm sure Tommy

Keywords: Order of the Day: PENDING, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state providing child care and after-school programs for working families, swim lessons, water safety
• or BOEM, 34 permits would be issued for offshore lease sales across 1.27 billion acres of federal waters
• Even as we feed and fuel the nation, we must realize that food grows where water flows.
• end of next year, we'll lose more farmland because we need an additional 2.5 million acre-feet of water
• His roots in California ran deep, from his great-great-grandfather Swiftwater Bill Waters, who settled

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1336, State Land; Natural Resources, Energy and Water. SB 325 and SB 625, Ways and Means.
• Title 13, Chapter 29, Arizona Revised Statutes, section 13-293 and related provisions, relating to water
• If you do go camping too close to a watering hole that domestic stock could use, you know, I go camping
• Natural and Energy and Water and Appropriations. SCR 1020 compensation.
• Natural and energy and water and appropriations. SCR 1020 compensation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a judge accepts... ...a bottle of water or a Diet Coke from a lawyer at a football tailgate or
• invites me in and gives me a water.
• You can go to an event and have a Coke or water.
• How we can't even accept a water bottle from a lobbyist.
• How we can't even accept a water bottle from a lobbyist.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 3423 from Rep. Darren Chappell, which would require judges in Missouri courts of record to file annual financial disclosure statements, bar judges from hearing cases involving people who have given them money, and extend similar disclosure rules to members of judicial nominating commissions. Chappell framed the bill as a transparency and ethics measure. Business groups supported the proposal, but judges, bar groups, and trial and defense lawyers opposed it, arguing existing judicial ethics rules already address gifts and recusals, that the bill is overly broad in covering “anything of value,” and that it could create unintended consequences, including strategic donations to force recusal and reduced public access to judicial financial disclosures. The Supreme Court’s representative said the bill should be read alongside the full Code of Judicial Conduct and offered to provide the committee with that material. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 2922 from Rep. Jeff Myers, which would align Missouri’s right-to-try law with federal law by extending access from terminal illness to debilitating conditions and by addressing the use of Schedule I drugs in that framework. Myers said the bill is intended to help ensure access to emerging treatments and has passed in various forms in prior sessions. There was no opposition testimony, and the hearing concluded without action. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2643, also from Rep. Senate, the “Hope for Missouri Patients Act,” which would expand right-to-try access for individualized treatments such as gene therapies, enzyme replacement therapies, and substrate reduction therapies for patients with rare or debilitating diseases. Supporters, including the Goldwater Institute, a parent of a child with a rare disease, and Americans for Prosperity, said the bill could help patients access customized treatments sooner and reduce red tape. The sponsor and witnesses emphasized that the bill would not require insurance coverage and is meant to help patients who cannot wait for lengthy clinical trial or FDA pathways. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3204 from Rep. Senate, which would create a tax credit to encourage private donations to prevention resource centers that work on substance misuse prevention. Supporters from prevention organizations and advocacy groups said the credit would strengthen local prevention coalitions, reduce future treatment and criminal justice costs, and stabilize funding for services such as school education, early intervention, and suicide prevention. One opponent warned that Planned Parenthood could qualify as a prevention resource center and receive tax credits, but supporters said they had no concern about that. The hearing ended with no vote or other committee action, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 569, by the Resources and Conservation Committee, regarding water skiing.
• House Bill 569 by Resources and Conservation Committee regarding water skiing.
• In Idaho, we do have some specific things regarding water, regarding our topography and geography, and
• So, dealing with drinking water, that is, Mr.
• Just to clarify, the Clean Water Act, we don't have any ability to do anything with that.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. It received a Senate message returning House Bill 559, reported several newly printed bills, and advanced multiple measures through the calendar. Among the introduced bills were proposals on restroom and changing-room access and privacy, school facilities cooperative funding, tax exemptions, homestead tax exemption, and prior authorization reform in health insurance. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 512 on land surveyors, reinstating an Idaho-law jurisprudence exam; House Bill 502, moving forest products commission rules into statute; Senate Joint Memorial 107, supporting the Delamar Mine Project and urging faster federal permitting; House Bill 494, moving background-check rules into statute; House Bill 531, updating school epinephrine administration rules to cover newer delivery methods; House Bill 542, regulating social media access for minors through age verification and parental consent; House Bill 500, extending traffic protections and duties to electric-assisted bicycles; House Bill 533, eliminating the vehicle registration sticker requirement; and House Bill 555, rewriting the solid waste code to place primary regulatory authority with DEQ while allowing contracts with health districts. House Bill 552 was returned to committee, and remaining third-reading bills were held one legislative day. Debate centered on the social media bill’s private right of action, the background-check bill’s statutory references, and the solid waste rewrite’s regulatory structure and federal-water-law implications. Most measures passed by wide margins, though House Bill 494 drew a closer 36-33 vote and House Bill 542 passed 62-7. The House also approved title corrections where none were offered, transmitted passed bills to the Senate, received the enrolled House Bill 559 back from the Senate, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 569 by the Resources and Conservation Committee regarding water skiing.
• House Bill 569 by Resources and Conservation Committee regarding water skiing.
• In Idaho, we do have some specific things regarding water, regarding our topography and geography, and
• So dealing with drinking water, that is, Mr. Speaker and good representative.
• Just to clarify, the Clean Water Act, we don't have any ability to do anything with that.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two on this sheet would be $15 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund.
• That is $15 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund. And I...
• Number two on this sheet would be $15 million from the water pollution control fund.
• That is $15 million from the water pollution control fund. And I I don't know.
• That is $15 million from the Water Pollution Control Fund.

Summary: The committee met to review materials in preparation for Friday votes on the 2026 Budget Rescission Act, related cash transfers, and statewide budget decisions. Keith Bybee of budget policy analysis walked members through packets showing the governor’s recommended 3% holdback rescissions, plus additional 1% and 2% reduction scenarios. He explained that the governor’s recommendation included general fund, dedicated fund, and federal fund reductions tied to agency holdbacks, long-term vacant positions, unallocated CEC, and school funding adjustments, and that the committee would be voting on which level of rescissions to adopt. He also identified agencies exempted or largely held harmless in the additional reduction scenarios, including public schools, Medicaid, corrections, and Idaho State Police, while noting the Secretary of State’s request to return $850,000 one-time through contract renegotiation. Members discussed why the committee was considering additional cuts despite revenue assumptions and a possible tax conformity bill, with co-chairs and others emphasizing uncertainty around conformity, revenue, and policy bills, and the need to right-size the budget with ongoing reductions rather than one-time fixes. Some members supported the process as a way to set clearer targets for work groups, while others expressed concern that broad cuts before agency hearings could create uncertainty and whipsaw agencies. Bybee also clarified that the Friday votes would include rescissions, cash transfers, and statewide decisions that would shape maintenance budgets and 2027 budget structure. The committee then reviewed a separate package of recommended cash transfers totaling about $106.7 million to help balance fiscal year 2026, including transfers from the In-Demand Careers Fund, Water Pollution Control Fund, Strategic Initiatives Fund, Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Fund, and Permanent Building Fund. Bybee said the transfers would be voted on individually and that the legislature has authority to move cash in the treasury for these purposes. Finally, the committee reviewed statewide decisions affecting all budgets, including personnel benefit cost increases, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, military compensation CEC, and base budget reduction options. Members discussed options to fund health insurance increases at reduced levels based on fill rates, and Bybee explained that the Friday vote would set the base for maintenance budgets, with any later changes handled through supplements or enhancements. The meeting ended with plans to continue work group discussions and reconvene the next morning for additional agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules of the Board of Drinking Water, for instance, it wasn't just a fee rule.
• Next up for consideration is docket 24-0501-2-2501, Rules of the Board of Drinking Water and Wastewater
• Lastly, the word 'drinking' was used inconsistently when referring to drinking water throughout the chapter
• And just a little follow-up: a lot of these rules that we're dealing with, with water and just in our
• Senator Wintrow: I have with a lot of these rules that we're dealing with, with water and just in our

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the January 20, 2026 minutes and then took up several DOPL administrative fee and rule dockets. The first major item was the Physical Therapy Licensure Board fee rule, where DOPL said the board’s cash balance had fallen below statutory targets because of higher overhead, the move to the Chinden campus, and the transition to the OASIS licensing system, while licensee numbers were also declining. The Idaho Physical Therapy Association supported the increase to preserve an independent board. Some senators argued the committee needed a fuller cost-benefit analysis and objected to raising fees instead of using cross-subsidization or broader restructuring, but the committee ultimately approved the rule on a roll call vote. The committee then reconsidered the Occupational Therapy Licensure Board fee rule after a prior tie vote. DOPL said the board’s reserves were down to about 20% of expenditures and would be exhausted by fiscal year 2027, even after personnel and travel cuts, and proposed doubling several fees. Committee counsel explained that a rejection requires findings of fact under Idaho Code, which prompted discussion about the proper procedure for rule rejection. After debate, the committee voted to reject the fee increase and then approved the rest of the rule package. Next, the committee reviewed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals rules, which included several technical licensing changes and a fee increase intended to restore the board’s cash balance to at least 30%. A senator raised concerns about federal versus state control in water regulation, but the committee approved the docket with the fee section excluded. Finally, the committee revisited the Acupuncture Board fee rule, where DOPL proposed a 100% to 150% fee increase to address financial shortfalls. Testimony included a board official’s explanation that the board needed the increase to remain solvent and a senator’s anecdotal support from South Dakota practitioners, but other senators argued the increase was excessive and unsupported. A motion to reject the acupuncture fee increase failed, and the committee then approved the docket, with the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules of the Board of Drinking Water, for instance, it wasn't just a fee rule.
• Committee, next up for consideration is Docket 24-0501-2-2501, Rules of the Board of Drinking Water and
• but if the committee is seeking guidance regarding federal requirements and oversight of drinking water
• Senator Zuiderveld followed up, saying that many of the rules they are dealing with on water, and in
• Senator Zuiderveld said that many of the rules they are dealing with on water, and in general, reference

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Her name is Maxine Waters, not to be confused with Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
• We realize that the work that we're in is uncharted waters.
• Caitlin Johnson, with Political Solutions on behalf of the California Water Association, in support.
• morning, Chair and Members, Caitlin Johnson, with Political Solutions on behalf of the California Water
• Sarah Brennan, with the Whiteman Group, on behalf of Cal Water, in support.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Native plants fees that are related to the Department of Environmental Quality, water...
• Even like data center operators, flexibility as it relates to water fees and infrastructure fees.
• We are thinking about, okay, we need to preserve our water future, and most data center operators have
• actually identified water, energy, and infrastructure as their number one priority now, over even other
• Because, like I said, egg inspection fees, pesticides, other agricultural fees, water fees are impacted

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first heard SCR 1028, a voter-referral constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds legislative vote for state fee and assessment increases set by agencies, closing what supporters described as a loophole that has allowed fee hikes without direct legislative approval. The sponsor argued the measure would restore accountability and prevent agencies from using fees as a workaround for tax increases, while opponents from business and economic groups warned it would make agencies less responsive, delay needed adjustments for inflation and program costs, and shift costs to taxpayers or reduce funding for services. After debate, the committee returned SCR 1028 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent. The committee then took up SB 1142, which would have Arizona opt into a federal tax credit program for donations to scholarship-granting organizations and set eligibility requirements for those organizations. Supporters said the program would bring in private dollars at no state cost, expand school choice, and help students with tutoring, special needs, transportation, and other educational expenses; they also argued that if Arizona does not opt in, donations could flow to other states. Opponents, including the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, said the federal program was not yet fully written, lacked guardrails, and could further strain public schools by diverting resources away from the majority of students who remain in district schools. The committee returned SB 1142 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent, and then adjourned.