Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it's the state does the background check, but through the FBI, and it's for the purposes of ownership
• it's for the but through the FBI and it's for the purposes<00:07:37.840><c> of</c><00:07:38.080><c> ownership
• of</c><00:07:38.560><c> a</c><00:07:38.800><c> waste</c><00:07:39.199><c> solid</c> purposes of ownership
• of a waste solid purposes of ownership of a waste solid waste<00:07:40.000><c> management</c><00:07:

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 302, which would update New Hampshire’s solid waste facility background-check law so the state can continue to access federal FBI criminal databases for checks on key owners and officers. Senator Howard Pearl and DES Waste Management Director Mike Whimsatt said the bill is the third attempt to correct prior drafting problems that prevented the FBI from accepting the language. They explained that the existing statute has long required background checks for hazardous and solid waste facility applicants because of concerns about organized crime, but the current wording is too ambiguous for federal use. The bill also includes technical corrections, clarifies which company officers must be checked, specifies which DES officials receive the results, and removes the Department of Justice as an unnecessary middleman. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, whether family members are covered, who pays the cost, and whether permits have ever been denied; Whimsatt said the applicant still pays, the checks focus on key officers, and at least one permit had been denied in the past due to a felony conviction. The hearing then closed, with one person listed in favor on the blue sheet and no opposition noted online. The committee then opened Senate Bill 229, which would allow retailers to sell uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat and remove the sunset on the existing program. Senator Pearl said the bill would expand market opportunities for farmers while keeping labeling and traceability requirements in place, including identifying the meat as uninspected and maintaining records of the source farms. Representative Bixby, who had worked on earlier legislation, explained the current framework in detail: the animals are raised on closed farms, must be fenced, cannot be newly imported, and are subject to annual veterinary herd inspections and recordkeeping. He said the prior bison inspection regime was too burdensome for farmers to maintain, and the current law was intended as a workable compromise. Questions from members focused on how many farms participate, how many animals have been sold, and whether the program posed disease risks; the witness said he did not know the exact numbers, and Bixby said the existing import and fencing rules help prevent chronic wasting disease from entering the state. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left before the committee for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Think of the ownership you'll carry if this bill passes with your support and a maternity unit closes
• Club<01:14:28.960><c> think</c><01:14:29.159><c> of</c><01:14:29.320><c> the</c><01:14:29.440><c> ownership
• </c><01:14:30.040><c> you'll</c><01:14:30.320><c> carry</c> Club think of the ownership you'll carry
• Club think of the ownership you'll carry if<01:14:30.920><c> this</c><01:14:31.080><c> bill</c><01:14

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• What’s the ROI over 20 years and how do we make that work, and total cost of ownership.
• do we make that work and total<01:01:39.640><c> cost</c><01:01:39.839><c> of</c><01:01:39.920><c> ownership
• c> it</c><01:01:41.079><c> was</c><01:01:41.200><c> a</c><01:01:41.400><c> 20y</c> total cost of ownership
• um it was a 20y total cost of ownership um it was a 20y year<01:01:42.079><c> span</c><01:01:43.079>

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• WCB, or the Coastal Conservancy or another state agency puts funds into an acquisition, we have a deed

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're going to hear a Lot of speculation, but obviously we don't know at this point who did this deed

Transcript Highlights:

• Guarantees housing, including deed-restricted affordable housing, will become available near more transit

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Volunteerism is the most noble deed that a citizen can carry out.

Bills: HJR 98 , HB 142 , HB 912 , HB 2525 , SCR 19 , SB 66 , SB 128 , SB 209 , SB 250 , SB 317 , SB 383 , SB 393 , SB 397 , SB 517 , SB 571 , SB 612 , SB 614 , SB 715 , SB 731 , SB 801 , SB 865 , SB 867 , SB 872 , SB 905 , SB 913 , SB 945 , SB 946 , SB 986 , SB 1013 , SB 1015 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1113 , SB 1117 , SB 1181 , SB 1212 , SB 1241 , SB 1250 , SB 1263 , SB 1278 , SB 1285 , SB 1444 , SB 1483 , SB 1525 , SB 1528 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1588 , SB 1660 , SB 1708 , SB 1802 , SB 1833 , SB 1844 , SB 1854 , SB 1957 , SB 1965 , SB 1999 , SB 2056 , SB 2082 , SB 2119 , SB 2133 , SB 2138 , SB 2203 , SB 2221 , SB 2337 , SB 2340 , SB 2373 , SB 2419 , SB 2422 , SB 2452 , SB 2477 , SB 2487 , SB 2501 , SB 2533 , SB 2586 , SB 2587 , SB 2615 , SB 2622 , SB 2633 , SB 2675 , SB 2681 , SB 2690 , SB 2713 , SB 2717 , SB 2753 , SB 2781 , SB 2782 , SB 2835 , SB 2841 , SB 2857 , SB 2891 , SB 2929 , SB 2933 , SB 2994 , SB 3016 , SJR 3 , SB 5 , SB 29 , SB 72 , SB 326 , SB 494 , SB 509 , SB 530 , SB 616 , SB 769 , SB 783 , SB 963 , SB 985 , SB 1143 , SB 1172 , SB 1238 , SB 1267 , SB 1271 , SB 1273 , SB 1506 , SB 1759 , SB 1786 , SB 1967 , SB 2312 , SB 2361 , SB 1 , SB 260 , SB 1506 , SB 1637 , HJR 98 , HJR 99 , HJR 2 , HJR 1 , HB 1109 , HB 1392 , HB 22 , HB 2525 , HB 3093 , HB 517 , HB 912 , HB 1130 , HB 142 , HB 1689 , HB 2018 , HB 136 , HB 2884 , HB 1393 , HB 2730 , HB 1399 , HB 1244 , HB 467 , HB 331 , HB 2559 , HB 29 , HB 26 , HB 166 , HB 353 , HB 2000 , HB 2756 , HB 3248 , HB 3513 , HB 3204 , HB 3135 , HB 3012 , HB 2763 , HB 2523 , HB 2457 , HB 2415 , HB 2198 , HB 2143 , HB 1708 , HB 1672 , HB 767 , HB 1327 , HB 2723 , HB 451 , HB 140 , HB 109 , HB 3096 , HCR 6 , HCR 12 , HCR 29 , HCR 50 , HCR 55 , HCR 56 , HCR 58 , HCR 70 , HCR 71 , HCR 74 , HCR 78 , HCR 80 , HCR 107 , HCR 116 , HCR 117 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SJR 59 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SCR 48 , SCR 19 , SB 2023 , SB 1844 , SB 2533 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1163 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 261 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 1999 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 510 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 517 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 2681 , SB 2458 , SB 801 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 1013 , SB 2797 , SB 2076 , SB 2876 , SB 2929 , SB 715 , SB 1640 , SB 2538 , SB 1449 , SB 986 , SB 1181 , SB 1359 , SB 410 , SB 1234 , SB 2926 , SB 2138 , SB 2615 , SB 2972 , SB 2841 , SB 3016 , SB 1856 , SB 1528 , SB 1373 , SB 672 , SB 2891 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 2539 , SB 2532 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 2203 , SB 1285 , SB 1454 , SB 2520 , SB 1237 , SB 1586 , SB 2819 , SB 629 , SB 2342 , SB 2903 , SB 2477 , SB 3029 , SB 1957 , SB 375 , SB 250 , SB 777 , SB 2367 , SB 2703 , SB 2608 , SB 2965 , SB 2521 , SB 865 , SB 2165 , SB 2501 , SB 2675 , SB 2452 , SB 2835 , SB 872 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1588 , SB 1602 , SB 1704 , SB 1723 , SB 1833 , SB 1858 , SB 1946 , SB 2009 , SB 2177 , SB 2460 , SB 2785 , SB 2373 , SB 1660 , SB 614 , SB 867 , SB 1608 , SB 1525 , SB 905 , SB 640 , SB 2487 , SB 1698 , SB 383 , SB 705 , SB 748 , SB 1113 , SB 1117 , SB 1802 , SB 2340 , SB 2586 , SB 2680 , SB 2690 , SB 2994 , SB 2747 , SB 1950 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1483 , SB 1444 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1703 , SB 2133 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2622 , SB 2955 , SB 3059 , SB 2782 , SB 2781 , SB 2637 , SB 2633 , SB 2337 , SB 2334 , SB 1861 , SB 2043 , SB 1367 , SB 946 , SB 945 , SB 2857 , SB 128 , SB 571 , SB 1263 , SB 3058 , SB 612 , SB 2221 , SB 2587 , SB 2044 , SB 2363 , SB 2713 , SB 2311 , SB 1986 , SB 2565 , SB 2943 , SB 1888 , SB 2417 , SB 3048 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3036 , SB 3057 , SB 3056 , SB 3043 , SB 3037 , SB 3050 , SB 3063 , SB 3047 , SB 3035 , SB 2446 , SB 466 , SB 2611 , SB 2794 , SB 2105 , SB 2017 , SB 1790 , SB 1778 , SB 1730 , SB 2995 , SB 2847 , SB 205 , SB 2619 , SB 1903 , SB 203 , SB 3061 , SB 1581 , SB 2600 , SB 2799 , SB 2790 , SB 2688 , SB 2515 , SB 1230 , SB 876 , SB 2522 , SB 2639 , SB 2137 , SB 2519 , SB 2403 , SB 2459 , SB 3051 , SB 2655 , SB 2251 , SB 2764 , SB 2878 , SB 1884 , SB 111 , SB 582 , SB 2617 , SB 1835 , SB 2751 , SB 2959 , SB 250 , SB 614 , SB 865 , SB 872 , SB 905 , SB 986 , SB 1113 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1525 , SB 1588 , SB 1660 , SB 1802 , SB 1833 , SB 2487 , SB 2586 , SB 2675 , SB 2690 , SB 2929 , HB 912 , HB 2525 , SB 1844 , SB 2533 , SB 1957 , SB 1999 , SB 2138 , SB 2615 , SB 3016 , SR 469 , SB 29 , SB 326 , SB 494 , SB 530 , SB 769 , SB 783 , SB 1238 , SB 1967 , SB 2312 , SB 1506 , HJR 34 , HB 42 , HB 198 , HB 247 , HB 367 , HB 449 , HB 632 , HB 668 , HB 677 , HB 766 , HB 1105 , HB 1160 , HB 1169 , HB 1592 , HB 1778 , HB 1781 , HB 1868 , HB 2017 , HB 2038 , HB 2128 , HB 2240 , HB 2316 , HB 2510 , HB 2516 , HB 2563 , HB 2582 , HB 2663 , HB 2712 , HB 2715 , HB 2760 , HB 2788 , HB 3010 , HB 3069 , HB 3112 , HB 3120 , HB 3146 , HB 3157 , HB 3305 , HB 3348 , HB 3464 , HB 3474 , HB 3505 , HB 3512 , HB 3560 , HB 3597 , HB 3686 , HB 3783 , HB 3860 , HB 4063 , HB 4081 , HB 4214 , HB 4215 , HB 4224 , HB 4273 , HB 4325 , HB 4361 , HB 4386 , HB 4395 , HB 4665 , HB 4783 , HB 5032 , HB 5180 , HJR 34 , HB 42 , HB 198 , HB 247 , HB 367 , HB 449 , HB 632 , HB 668 , HB 677 , HB 766 , HB 1105 , HB 1160 , HB 1169 , HB 1592 , HB 1778 , HB 1781 , HB 1868 , HB 2017 , HB 2038 , HB 2128 , HB 2240 , HB 2316 , HB 2510 , HB 2516 , HB 2563 , HB 2582 , HB 2663 , HB 2712 , HB 2715 , HB 2760 , HB 2788 , HB 3010 , HB 3069 , HB 3112 , HB 3120 , HB 3146 , HB 3157 , HB 3305 , HB 3348 , HB 3464 , HB 3474 , HB 3505 , HB 3512 , HB 3560 , HB 3597 , HB 3686 , HB 3783 , HB 3860 , HB 4063 , HB 4081 , HB 4214 , HB 4215 , HB 4224 , HB 4273 , HB 4325 , HB 4361 , HB 4386 , HB 4395 , HB 4665 , HB 4783 , HB 5032 , HB 5180

Transcript Highlights:

• renomination thank you thank you our next<00:35:24.560><c> up</c><00:35:24.920><c> uh</c><00:35:25.440><c> deed

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard confirmations for two Hawaii Technology Development Corporation board nominees, Jaclyn Ka and Gregory Oara. Testimony for both was overwhelmingly in support. Supporters for Ka emphasized her Kauaʻi roots, work in workforce development and digital equity, and ability to connect schools, industry, and community needs. In her own remarks, Ka said she wants to bring resources to Kauaʻi and the neighbor islands, strengthen local workforce pathways, and use the HTDC board to help local residents access technology jobs and training. Members questioned Ka about how to reduce reliance on mainland hires for jobs at PMRF and other technology employers, how to better align training with local needs, and how to connect Kauaʻi schools, community college programs, and creative media/digital technology efforts. Ka described KDB’s role in building islandwide digital media and drone clubs, professional development for teachers, and partnerships intended to create a pipeline from school to workforce. She also said the legislature can help mainly by listening and staying informed about local needs. For Oara, supporters highlighted his engineering and semiconductor background, his experience in academia, industry, and startups, and his potential to help HTDC with technology commercialization, IP, and exportable services. Oara said he wants HTDC to better support early-stage companies, improve coordination among universities, government, and the private sector, and create a directory of technical skill sets to connect startups with needed expertise. He also discussed AI, saying Hawaii can contribute by developing smaller, locally relevant models rather than only relying on large-scale data-center infrastructure. The hearing focused on these nominations and testimony; no vote or final committee action was stated in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since I missed introductions yesterday, I'll just say briefly that for House Research I cover mortgage deeds

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• because mortgage rates may have dipped below 6%, but high prices and limited inventory keep home ownership
• In Ohio's 13th District, the home ownership rate overall is nearly 69%.
• rents, and locking families out of and rents, and locking families out of home<00:37:12.079><c> ownership
• That's why last summer I home ownership.
• c> more</c> Down on investors buying 50 or more single-family homes, shines a light on corporate ownership

Transcript Highlights:

• That's with tax, property, and business ownership, as well as...
• Tax, property, and business ownership, as well as our Federal Reserve, and that's with our director,

Committee: Joint Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum and approved the prior minutes. Staff reviewed the interim work schedule, noting that most assigned studies were complete and that the final meeting would be September 29, with remaining work focused on economic development tax incentives, the stripper well exemption, and property tax reform items such as the primary residence credit. The committee then took up a referral on political subdivision compliance with state law, especially reserve limits and levy calculations. State Auditor Josh Gallion explained the audit standards used for local governments, the state auditor’s limited authority to force compliance, and the practical challenges created by a shortage of auditors. He used Stark County and Mountrail County examples to show how reserve balances affect levy calculations, including Stark County’s 2023 general fund levy issue and Mountrail County’s zero-levy approach. Stark County Commission Chair Neil Messer defended his county’s decision to keep reserves for major projects and volatility in oil-related revenues, while acknowledging the county remained out of compliance with the 75% reserve rule. Committee members and staff discussed possible enforcement mechanisms, the role of county auditors, and whether the law should be changed to better fit current fiscal conditions. Linda from the Association of Counties and Matt Gardner from the League of Cities said both organizations have been heavily training local officials on the new tax cap and reserve rules. Linda said counties and cities are using standardized worksheets for the 3% cap and levy limitations, and suggested that an affidavit certifying compliance could be attached to levy submissions. She also clarified that the primary residence credit does not reduce mill levies; it only reduces the taxpayer’s bill. Gardner said city auditors receive required finance training and that his organization was unaware of current city reserve noncompliance. The committee did not take action on the issue and planned to revisit it at the September 29 meeting. The final portion of the meeting moved into a subcommittee report on the property tax statement, where Representative Headland introduced a bill draft to remove the legislative property tax relief line from the statement for further committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our mission is to promote the ownership of electric vehicles and the necessary EV charger infrastructure
• And our mission is to promote the ownership of electric vehicles and the necessary EV charger infrastructure

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met with a quorum, approved the June 3, 2026 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Mike Proctor of Evolve Kentucky on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Proctor described Evolve Kentucky as a nonprofit formed in 2016 to promote EV adoption and charger deployment, said the group has helped place more than 135 chargers at 65 locations, and reported that Kentucky EV registrations have grown rapidly but still represent about 1% of the state’s roughly 3 million vehicles. He also outlined the group’s view that EV drivers and charger operators already contribute to state revenue through annual vehicle fees, charger taxes, utility taxes, and related business taxes, and cited figures showing rising revenue collections as EV adoption increases. A major theme of the presentation was that EV owners are paying their “fair share” rather than being overcharged. Proctor said the current $126 annual EV fee is roughly comparable to the fuel tax a typical gasoline vehicle would pay, and noted that public charging can add additional tax burdens for drivers who cannot charge at home, such as those living in apartments or condos. He also argued that EVs provide broader benefits, including lower noise and air pollution, grid-stabilizing nighttime charging, tourism spending at destination chargers, and reduced road wear for passenger EVs compared with much heavier vehicles. Members questioned Proctor about whether EV owners are paying more than their fair share, how the fee compares with gasoline taxes, and whether apartment and condo residents are disproportionately affected because they rely on public chargers. Proctor responded that the fee was intended to bring EV owners into parity with gas vehicles, not to overcharge them, and said some public chargers are free while others are used by drivers who cannot charge at home. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the minutes approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• to places I've lived, like Germany or Norway, which both have strong cultures of hunting and gun ownership
• We made sure to focus on the objective: protecting children through safe and responsible gun ownership

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• or entity that's operating the facility. ...which could be one of the landowners if they had an ownership
• interest in the facility itself, particularly if they had a majority ownership and it was structured

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's my responsibility to okay the agenda, so I take ownership of that. Tina?
• It's my responsibility to okay the agenda, so I take ownership of that. Tina? All right.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Eccles: pharmacy benefit managers, reimbursement protection; provide relative to ownership
• House Bill 919: pharmacy benefit managers, reimbursement protection; provide relative to ownership prohibition

Bills: HR72 , HR73 , HR74 , HR75 , HR76 , HR77 , HR78 , HR79 , HR80 , HR81 , HR82 , HR83 , HCR36 , HCR37 , HCR38 , HCR39 , HCR40 , HCR41 , HB368 , HB433 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1019 , HB1020 , HB1021 , HB1022 , HB1023 , HB1024 , HB1025 , HB1026 , HB1027 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1030 , HB1031 , HB1032 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1035 , HB1036 , HB1037 , HB1038 , HB1039 , HB1040 , HB1041 , HB1042 , HB1043 , HB1044 , HB1045 , HB1046 , HB1047 , HB1048 , HB1049 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1052 , HB1053 , HB1054 , HB1055 , HB1056 , HB1057 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1060 , HB1061 , HB1062 , HB1063 , HB1064 , HB1065 , HB1066 , HB1067 , HB1068 , HB1069 , HB1070 , HB1071 , HB1072 , HB1073 , HB1074 , HB1075 , HB1076 , HB1077 , HB1078 , HB1079 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1082 , HB1083 , HB1084 , HR70 , HR71 , HCR35 , HB31 , HB326 , HB1013 , HB1014 , HB1015 , HB1016 , SB192 , SB196 , SB198 , SB203 , SB204 , SB214 , SB216 , SB257 , SB291 , SB383 , HB13 , HB23 , HB25 , HB32 , HB41 , HB42 , HB90 , HB120 , HB121 , HB122 , HB127 , HB138 , HB139 , HB141 , HB179 , HB187 , HB213 , HB247 , HB286 , HB332 , HB344 , HB357 , HB367 , HB370 , HB462 , HB505 , HB527 , HB537 , HB605 , HB680 , HB681 , HB725 , HB780 , HB782 , HB847 , HB892 , HB911 , HB916 , HB1012 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HB53 , HB57 , HB64 , HB102 , HB106 , HB111 , HB137 , HB152 , HB155 , HB177 , HB238 , HB256 , HB258 , HB337 , HB359 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB546 , HB557 , HB584 , HB661 , HB697 , HB726 , HB727 , HB747 , HB756 , HB758 , HB759 , HB765 , HB767 , HB825 , HB858 , HB930 , HB941 , HB957 , HB964 , HB58 , HB69 , HB93 , HB166 , HB199 , HB201 , HB202 , HB218 , HB223 , HB224 , HB231 , HB235 , HB246 , HB338 , HB349 , HB352 , HB379 , HB405 , HB429 , HB535 , HB547 , HB577 , HB588 , HB626 , HB636 , HB652 , HB653 , HB669 , HB688 , HB691 , HB721 , HB738 , HB806 , HB851 , HB857 , HB861 , HB889 , HB904 , HB907 , HB908 , HB929 , HB1009 , HB868 , HB119 , HB140 , HB739 , HB842 , HB875 , HB919 , HB61 , HB185 , HB233 , HB613 , HB848 , HB52 , HB228 , HB289 , HB735 , HB796 , HB722 , HB284 , HB301 , HB827 , HB953 , HB901 , HB9 , HB46 , HB193 , HB400 , HB436 , HB468 , HB570 , HB582 , HB733 , HB746 , HB923 , HB952

Keywords: HR72, House Resolution 72, Sophia Patout, Layla Porter, St. Amant High School, Future Farmers of America, FFA, Coastal Restoration Heroes, coastal restoration, Louisiana coast, coastal land loss, wetlands, saltmarsh, barrier island, West Grand Terre Island, Restore or Retreat Inc., smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, black mangrove, Avicennia germinans

Transcript Highlights:

• They are paying for ownership of that person's body for a set amount of time or until that money runs
• I can get them removed because I want that owner to sell that home because I want to have home ownership

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several bills dealing with elections, juvenile representation, paternity, and campaign finance. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators to disclose their name, residence, and paid status, wear a badge, register in some local petition efforts, and subject local initiatives to stricter compliance and fiscal disclosure rules. Supporters said it would standardize rules and improve transparency; opponents, including the ACLU, argued it would chill core political speech and compel identification. The bill received a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure restricting political party names from using terms like “independent” or “unaffiliated,” drew support from county election officials who said it would reduce voter confusion, and opposition from the Arizona Independent Party, which called it retroactive and anti-competitive. The committee adopted an amendment and then passed the bill 7-0. SCR 1040, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 subject to voter approval, was supported as reflecting longer life expectancy and retaining experienced judges, but opposed by some who favored age limits; it passed 5-2. The committee then took up SB 1234, which would change juvenile court representation by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing, rather than requiring, separate child counsel in some circumstances. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety package and was informed by cases involving children who died after alleged system failures. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, warning it would weaken attorney-client privilege and take away children’s independent voice, while DCS said the bill was intended to clarify the GAL role and could work alongside child counsel. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 5-2. SB 1661, allowing child support obligations to be terminated when genetic testing shows a presumed father is not the biological father, received broad support from the sponsor, a fathers’ advocacy group, and a family representative, and passed 6-0. Later, the committee considered election-administration and campaign-finance measures. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to election-material locations to observe procedures and review records, while protecting privacy and security; county officials supported access but raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with applicants’ handwritten signatures collected during voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature verification, and the bill passed 5-2 after some members noted amendment concerns. SB 1743 would redact donors’ employer street addresses and residence addresses from campaign finance reports; supporters framed it as a privacy measure, while opponents said employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment defining defamation standards for public and private figures, was presented as narrowing and clarifying defamation law and passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which would make paying for sexual conduct a prostitution offense and add a $200 assessment to fund anti-human-trafficking services. Survivors, law enforcement, and neighborhood advocates supported stronger penalties aimed at buyers and demand reduction, while criminal-defense and victim-advocacy groups said the bill needed a rebuttable-presumption amendment to better protect trafficking victims. The transcript cuts off before the committee’s final action on SB 1535.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are paying for ownership of that person's body for a set amount of time or until that money runs
• I can get them removed because I want that owner to sell that home because I want to have home ownership

Bills: SB1012 , SB1099 , SB1234 , SB1392 , SB1489 , SB1535 , SB1570 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1661 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• It encourages responsible ownership and operations.
• It encourages responsible ownership and operation, and it should keep rider-generated funding dedicated

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill prevents California's public entities from selling, donating, or transferring ownership of
• This bill prevents California's public entities from selling, donating, or transferring ownership of

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.