Transcript Highlights:

• I think private investment will come because we will have more direction.
• People could care less about politics. It affects them too. So I'm with you.
• Because it feels like, you know, this governing board would not be directing the direction if it feels
• like, you know, this governing board would not be directing the direction of research and would not
• "You know, you wear them close, and it's because you care a lot.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> them uh go in the wrong direction ever. them uh go in the wrong direction ever.
• , easier access to care.
• , easier access to care.
• , easier access to care.
• , easier access to care.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's plan also includes $19 million for direct care and treatment in St.
• c> uh</c> million for direct care and treatment uh million for direct care and treatment uh in<00:18:
• </c><01:40:14.800><c> Care</c> Nancy Freeman, the COO of Direct Care Nancy Freeman, the COO of Direct
• I'm the chief operating officer for operation services for Direct Care and Treatment.
• So I wanted to take this first slide and tell you a little bit more about Direct Care and Treatment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't want to, and I want to be very careful.
• How do I turn the at-risk population in our public schools in the right direction?
• We're going to have our oars going in the same direction. I just say that. On page 98.
• Chair, be rowing all in different directions.
• It's provided by the Legislative Finance staff and also the direction of our directors.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the dementia care coordinator bill.
• We produce great health care workers.
• And so the burden of that direction is always on.
• We couldn't take care of him because they don't know.'
• to proactive care.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, it is going in the wrong direction.
• We've heard that this is going in the wrong direction. This is it.
• She said that the other members don't care.
• And the one thing we all have in common is that we all care deeply.
• We all care deeply about what moves us forward. And we have to remember that.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as American Heart Month, with Representative Willoughby emphasizing CPR and AED readiness. Members also welcomed students and guests from Wilcox Christian School, the Arizona State Fair Association, and other visitors. The chamber then handled routine business including attendance, journal approval, committee assignments, and first and second readings of numerous bills. The Committee of the Whole considered several measures, including HB 2016, HB 2133, HB 2223, HB 2459, HB 2501, and HB 2785. Most received do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and amendments. HB 2785, a major tax conformity bill, drew the most debate: supporters said it would align Arizona law with federal tax changes, prevent taxpayers from having to amend returns, and provide certainty during filing season, while opponents argued it would create a large revenue loss and benefit corporations and the wealthy without a clear funding plan. The committee adopted the Ways and Means amendment to HB 2785 by a 31-22 division vote, and the bill ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. Back on the floor, the House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and sent HB 2016, HB 2133, HB 2123, HB 2459, HB 2501, and HB 2785 to engrossing. In third reading, HB 2029, HB 2120, HB 2126, and HB 2131 passed, while HB 2045 failed on a 19-36 vote and then failed again on a reconsideration motion by 25-27. Members then made several personal privilege remarks about legislative process, representation, and Black History Month, and the House adjourned until the following Wednesday afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that there is a pathway to care.
• </c><00:16:05.360><c> systems</c> program into nonVA health care systems program into nonVA health care
• ,</c><00:19:25.360><c> supporting</c> expanding access to care, supporting expanding access to care,
• ><c> be</c><00:52:45.119><c> hours</c> Specialty medical care can be hours Specialty medical care can
• conversations</c><01:20:52.640><c> that</c> That's a direct quote conversations that That's a direct

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that means we cared enough about them to invest in them.
• We have a foster care system for that. And by the way, our foster care system, we don't pay.
• Our foster care system, we don't pay.
• So all this amendment does is it simply directs our local law enforcement to not is it simply directs
• If we truly care about mental health and community well-being, you know... ...care about mental health

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, quorum call, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rules and Ethics Committee special order report for February 13, 2025 was adopted, setting the day’s special order calendar and debate times. The chamber then took up immigration-related special order items, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C, which urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. Members debated federal immigration policy and state cooperation with DHS, and the memorial passed 85-27. The House next considered Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses related to unlawful entry and reentry into Florida and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, including Supremacy Clause, due process, and Eighth Amendment concerns, and several speakers argued it would create separate classes of people and invite litigation. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow or expand exemptions, including protections for Venezuelans on TPS, certain Haitian TPS and humanitarian parole recipients, undocumented people brought to Florida as children working in critical professions, and a proposal to delay action pending court rulings; all of those amendments were rejected. The bill passed 85-29. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 2C, which would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establish a local law enforcement immigration grant program and advisory council, repeal the undocumented-student fee waiver, and appropriate more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as supporting cooperation with federal immigration agencies and ending the in-state tuition incentive for undocumented students. Early questioning focused on the impact on “dreamers” and whether the bill would effectively raise their tuition costs; the sponsor said it removed the incentive of in-state tuition but did not bar attendance. The transcript cuts off during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, trans people, nobody cares about them. We do care about trans people.
• Why we care about or why I care about trans people so much?
• I don't care about trans people so much; I care about people.
• And what you don't seem to care about is what I care about. to understand is that in caring about people
• Areas that are not providing direct medical care, such as health care personnel, association, and family

Bills: SB 8, HB7, HB15, HB 265, HCR 13, SB 8, HB 7, HB 15, HB 265, HCR 13

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what this is about, the tradition of taking care of ourselves.
• At the request of claimant tribes, UC Santa Barbara continues to provide temporary care through care
• This is a basic duty of care.
• And just a little bit about... needs to receive and care for it properly.
• But I see levees getting dug, not caring about California's first people.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the University of California’s compliance with NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA and the pace of repatriating Native American human remains and cultural items. The State Auditor said UC has made progress but still lacks urgency and accountability, citing chronic problems with incomplete inventories, limited staffing, inconsistent campus practices, unsecured or loaned items, and weak systemwide oversight. The auditor reported that 12 of 19 prior recommendations remain open, and projected that, at current rates, some campuses would not finish repatriation for many years. The Native American Heritage Commission and its executive director echoed those concerns, saying the work has been too slow for laws that have been in place for decades and that enforcement regulations are being finalized. Tribal representatives and lawmakers stressed the sacred nature of the remains, the need for clearer deadlines, and the need for stronger consequences and legislative oversight if UC does not comply. UC officials responded that the system has substantially reformed its policies since 2019, including new consultation requirements, equal-number campus and systemwide NAGPRA committees, more staffing, and more funding. Teresa Maldonado said UC has repatriated more than 9,000 of about 17,000 ancestors and large numbers of funerary and cultural objects, and that UC is continuing to implement audit recommendations, improve transparency, and expand support for tribes. UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Riverside, and UC Santa Barbara each described campus-specific progress, including more staff, more consultations, more searches of high-risk buildings and labs, updated databases and timelines, and increased repatriations. Berkeley said it has repatriated over 80% of ancestors it held and is on track to meet its federal deadline; San Diego said it has repatriated 73% of ancestors and 53% of cultural items; Riverside said nearly all known ancestors and associated funerary objects have been repatriated or noticed; and Santa Barbara said it has rebuilt its program with clear benchmarks and stronger oversight. Members of the Legislature pressed both sides on whether UC’s efforts are fast enough and whether the university’s reports are specific enough to show real progress. Several lawmakers asked what consequences exist for noncompliance, how the Legislature can use its budget authority without violating UC’s constitutional autonomy, and whether campuses should be required to set clearer completion dates and spend allocated funds more fully. UC and the auditor both said tribal consultation must remain central, but lawmakers emphasized that the current timelines—some extending into the 2030s and 2040s—are unacceptable. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational oversight, with the auditor and UC officials indicating they will continue reporting back through future audits and updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• May their laws and actions reflect your care for creation and promote justice, peace, and flourishing
• But I think it's good to know that the data centers will take care of their own.
• , clear, precise direction.
• And his answer was pretty direct: they're almost certainly not.
• And his answer was pretty direct. They're almost certainly not.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions of guests and staff. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on several bills, including transportation facility designations (SB 628), affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (HB 1389), utility services (HB 1451), education (HB 1279 substituted for SB 7038), data centers (SB 484), and land use/development regulations (SB 208/HB 399). Several other measures were temporarily postponed, including education, emergency services, and environmental rule ratification bills. On SB 628, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-4. On the affordable housing bill, senators discussed the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including a new provision allowing certain affordable housing on religious institution property, removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and changes to tax exemption and expiration provisions; the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 35-0. On the utility services bill, the House amendment shortened the surcharge phase-out timeline and advanced reporting dates; the Senate concurred and passed the bill 30-6. The education package was substituted with the House companion, amended to include agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid, and passed 36-1. The data centers bill drew extensive debate over transparency and ratepayer protections. Senators questioned the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and whether costs could be shifted to residential and commercial customers. Supporters said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections and maintained local land-use authority, while critics objected to the loss of transparency and the possibility of local NDAs. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-6. The land use and development bill generated the most contentious discussion. Amendments addressed a Fontainebleau/Miami Beach resort water park issue, a sunset provision, and a major rural boundary/property rights proposal affecting counties such as Orange and Seminole. Senators debated whether the rural boundary language protected property rights or undermined local planning and environmental safeguards, with concerns raised about takings, county liability, and the use of an Attorney General opinion. The transcript cuts off during extended debate on that amendment, so no final vote on the land use bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:07.680><c> access</c> lab that will expand Child Care access lab that will expand Child Care
• Next we have Partners in Care Oʻahu Continuum of Care.
• Next we have Partners in Care Oʻahu Continuum of Care. Aloha, thank you all.
• We cultivate a culture of caring.
• We cultivate a culture of caring.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Health<00:02:49.280><c> care.</c> Health care. Health care.
• </c><00:02:52.720><c> Notice</c> Here's what health care. What? Notice Here's what health care.
• </c> When you say something like healthc care When you say something like healthc care is<00:03:25.519
• </c> So again, healthc care is not a right. So again, healthc care is not a right.
• We want to respect people's humanity and we care about kids and we care about pregnant people.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• care that can bring additional costs and burden to our health care system.
• care that can bring additional costs and burden to our health care system.
• I'll direct my debate mostly to the members of our own party, actually.
• I don't care how many special sessions we have.
• , and expanded access to care altogether.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and adoption of the special order calendar for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B on immigration, along with discussion of anticipated Senate changes. The sponsor described the bill as creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, establishing an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, expanding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, increasing criminal penalties for certain offenses by unauthorized aliens, ending undocumented-student fee waivers, and providing substantial appropriations for enforcement and related programs. Members also questioned the Senate version’s proposed mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses involving unauthorized aliens, as well as pretrial detention, 287(g) participation, DMV reporting requirements, and the bill’s effects on schools, teachers, social workers, and local agencies. The sponsor and supporting members repeatedly said the bill required broad cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and that existing federal law would control where conflicts arose. A major portion of the debate focused on whether the bill would allow or require immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive settings, and whether teachers, school resource officers, and social workers could be placed in conflict with federal privacy or professional obligations. Members also raised concerns about detention based on suspected status, the standard of proof for immigration-status determinations, prison and jail impacts, workforce shortages, and the fiscal effects on counties and state agencies. The sponsor said the bill did not provide DMV funding, that the state would need to study some implementation questions, and that the appropriations included $25 million for a local law enforcement participation incentive program and up to $350 million for broader implementation and coordination. Several amendments were offered and failed. Representative Chambliss proposed protecting schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; Representative Escamani offered amendments to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers and to grandfather currently eligible students; Representative Woodson offered a similar Dreamer-related amendment; and Representative Bartleman proposed barring local law enforcement from entering schools during school hours to detain children solely for immigration status. Supporters of these amendments argued they would protect children, preserve educational access, and prevent trauma in schools and houses of worship. The House rejected each amendment by voice vote, and the transcript ends during debate on the Bartleman school-safety amendment before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• May their laws and actions reflect your care for creation and promote justice, peace, and flourishing
• But I think it's good to know that the data centers will take care of their own.
• , clear, precise direction.
• , clear, precise direction.
• And his answer was pretty direct: They're almost certainly not.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and staff introductions. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on multiple bills, with votes recorded on each. Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations was concurred in as amended and passed 31-4 after discussion about naming roads for deceased individuals and an exception for President Trump. The House amendment to the Live Local affordable housing package, CS/CS/HB 1389, was also concurred in and passed 35-0; Senator Claudio explained it as the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including new provisions allowing certain affordable housing on qualifying religious property, extending some timelines, and removing accessory dwelling unit language. CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services was concurred in and passed 30-6 after questions about phasing out surcharges and reporting requirements. The chamber also substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 for SB 7038 and adopted an education amendment package before passing the bill 36-1, while several other measures were temporarily postponed. The Senate then considered CS/CS/SB 484 on data centers and concurred in the House amendment 383-957, passing the bill 31-6. Senator Avila said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections, required a PSC tariff filing, and directed an OPAGA study on large-scale data centers. Several senators pressed concerns about the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the possibility of delayed public awareness of data center projects, and whether costs could be shifted to other ratepayers; Avila responded that the amendment preserved local land-use authority and that ratepayer costs could not be borne by the general body of ratepayers. Debate reflected a split between senators who supported the bill as a needed regulatory framework and those who objected to the transparency changes and the loss of the Senate’s original NDA language. Later, the Senate took up land use and development regulations, substituting CS/CS/CS/HB 399 for SB 208. An amendment by Senator Jones to remove language affecting a Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach failed 17-20 after debate over local control and preemption. Senator McLean’s amendments then added a sunset date and other changes, and Senator Claudio’s amendment preserved Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority protections and related planning provisions. The chamber then began extended debate on Senator Martin’s amendment creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; supporters framed it as a property-rights and due-process measure, while opponents argued it would undermine local planning, impose costs on taxpayers, and weaken voter-approved rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final vote shown on the rural boundary amendment in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill further directs applicable election officials to verify compliance with the provisions of the
• Additionally, the bill directs the County Board of Supervisors to fill a vacancy within 30 days after
• Madam Whip, members, as amended by the Health and Human Services Committee, Senate Bill 1162 directs
• health care providers while AHCCCS oversees compliance.
• Madam Witt, members, Senate Bill 1240 directs the administrative of all.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills and memorials across several policy areas, with most items presented as consent or third-read measures and little debate. Topics included special license plates for the Arizona Space Commission, local land-use and housing restrictions, liquor regulation updates, limits on municipal delays in permitting and exactions, election equipment security and timekeeping requirements, precinct committeeman vacancy procedures, assisted living and deed-fraud measures, a Freedom of Speech Monument committee, renaming Wesley Bolin Plaza, and a ban on gender transition procedures for minors. Members also discussed health and human services bills on behavioral health technician standards, Medicaid billing during ownership changes, breast cancer screening cost-sharing, naturopathic IV administration authority, safe-haven newborn surrender at hospitals, and access claim-processing timelines. The Judiciary portion covered probation limits for dangerous crimes against children, a civil cause of action related to prohibited gender reassignment surgery on minors, elimination of the statute of limitations for failure to register as a sex offender, probation incentive calculations, victim-rights expense recovery, unlawful flight penalties, vulnerable adult theft definitions, motor fuel theft, unlawful alerting, and evidence rules in sexual-assault-related hearings. In discussion, members asked for clarifications on several bills, including the definitions of “malicious” delay, internet access on election equipment, the scope of the breast screening bill, and the meaning of unlawful alerting. Supporters repeatedly described bills as common-sense, fraud-prevention, patient-access, or public-safety measures, while one member noted a no vote on extending the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee. Additional measures in land, agriculture, water, public safety, and transportation included foreign-entity restrictions on land transactions, limits on transporting Mexican gray wolf puppies, water reuse and groundwater fee extensions, a larger water supply revolving fund loan cap, congressional memorials on EPA authority and the San Carlos irrigation project, expanded traumatic event counseling coverage, reimbursement of legal costs for certain disciplined law enforcement officers, data sharing with the federal government on unauthorized aliens, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting rules, military-property sign placement, a towing and impound study committee, photo enforcement penalties, and highway renaming memorials. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and the meeting ended after the transportation items and memorials were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• such information are not required to produce any record but must respond within five business days directing
• Was that direct at me, Representative Walsh? For the record, yes. Yeah, thank you.
• And it directs experts and agencies to identify what exists and what can be preserved.
• And it reflects the shared belief that people with disabilities deserve dignity and care.
• Belief that people with disabilities deserve dignity and care and remembrance.

Summary: The committee heard three measures. SB 5892 would clarify that only the Secretary of State may respond to public records requests for data generated by the statewide voter registration database, prohibit county election offices from producing those records in response to PRA requests, and make unauthorized disclosure of certain sensitive voter information a Class C felony. The Secretary of State, the prime sponsor, and the staff all described the bill as a privacy and database-security update reflecting the centralized VoteWA system, while one testifier opposed it, arguing it would not help maintain clean voter rolls. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed. The committee also heard SCR 8406, which reestablishes the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, expands its membership, and extends its work through January 2029. Staff explained that the prior committee expired after issuing recommendations, and the sponsors and supporters said the measure would continue work on respectful dialogue, common ground, and civic education. Testimony was uniformly supportive, with members and the Lieutenant Governor emphasizing civic health as a way to strengthen democracy and encourage constructive disagreement. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed. Finally, the committee heard SB 5863, which extends the moratorium on destroying Lakeland Village records until fiscal year 2030 and changes the rules for restricted records transferred to State Archives so they become open after 75 years without needing a separate archivist determination. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would preserve important disability history, support family research, and protect records and artifacts tied to the state’s treatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Testimony from disability advocates and self-advocates was strongly in favor. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed, and the committee adjourned after announcing caucus rooms for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those categories is child care.
• On the child care cuts, the Working Connections Child Care program, some of the reductions there, the
• At the same time, we keep taxing health care and then we keep cutting health care as well, so it's this
• I think that it's hard to try to take care of everybody when the state is failing to take care of its
• I think that it's hard to try to take care of everybody when the state is failing to take care of its

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with repeated criticism of Democratic budget proposals and several policy bills. They said they were especially concerned about an environmental crimes bill they argued would impose excessive penalties for workplace mistakes, as well as bills they described as anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to police face coverings and sheriff qualifications. They also discussed a proposed income tax, calling it unconstitutional and urging that it be sent to referendum if it advances. A major topic was the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. Republicans said the operating budget relies on one-time fund sweeps, raids the rainy day fund and pension assets, and assumes future income-tax revenue while cutting Medicaid, child care, schools, and other services. They said the transportation budget has some positive emphasis on road preservation but criticized ferry funding and the proposed sweep of the Public Works Trust. On the capital budget, they were less specific and described it as generally bipartisan. The lawmakers also addressed reports of fraudulent or duplicate sign-ins on the income-tax bill, saying any abuse should be investigated but that many duplicate entries may have been accidental rather than malicious. They said the system should be improved with better verification, but maintained that more than 100,000 unique people had signed in opposition. Other issues discussed included opposition to using pension funds to balance the budget, criticism of a Sound Transit proposal for 75-year bonds, concerns about a bill requiring arbitration before lawsuits against the state or local governments, and objections to child care budget changes they said would hurt rural and property-poor communities without broader regulatory reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those categories is child care.
• On the child care cuts, the Working Connections Child Care program, some of the reductions there are
• At the same time, we keep taxing health care and then we keep cutting health care as well, so it's this
• I think that it's hard to try to take care of everybody when the state is failing to take care of its
• I think that it's hard to try to take care of everybody when the state is failing to take care of its

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with most of the discussion centered on budget proposals, a proposed income tax on high earners, and several policy bills they oppose. They criticized the operating budget for relying on a new income tax, using one-time fund sweeps and pension-related financing, and drawing down the rainy day fund, while saying the capital budget was more bipartisan and the transportation budget had some positive emphasis on road preservation but still included concerns such as Public Works Trust Fund sweeps and ferry funding. A major topic was allegations that sign-ins on the income tax bill included duplicates or fraudulent entries. Republicans said they took the issue seriously, supported verification improvements, and argued that even after removing duplicates the bill still drew over 100,000 unique emails opposing it. They rejected claims that their side had manipulated the process and said the Legislature should fix the sign-in system, possibly with more IT safeguards, while also arguing the bill should lose its emergency clause so voters could weigh in through a referendum. Republicans also criticized bills they described as anti-police or anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to face coverings and sheriff qualifications, and they opposed a bill requiring arbitration before claims against the state or local governments can go to jury trial, saying broader tort reform is needed instead. They said the state’s liability problems stem from harm done in areas like juvenile rehabilitation and child welfare. On the budget side, they objected to cuts to Medicaid, child care, transitional kindergarten, rural school funding, and other programs, while also warning against using pension funds to balance the budget and against a proposed 75-year Sound Transit bond, which they called financially irresponsible. No votes were taken in this media availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this may be right direction.
• We're headed in the wrong direction.
• We're headed in the wrong direction.
• We're headed in the wrong direction.
• </c> just want to be very careful with that. just want to be very careful with that.

Bills: HB303, SB360, SB325, HB477, SB329, HB381, SB330

Keywords: 923, senate, all