Transcript Highlights:

• into that, and this is simply the allocation of the final $52,502,260 that is remaining in that fund based
• Senator Funke Frommeyer has a question. based off of the criteria as set forth based off of the criteria
• but hope isn't a plan, and I just would like us to make such diligence towards improvement in this game
• </c><00:05:10.760><c> Thank</c> uh improvement in this game plan.
• Thank uh improvement in this game plan. Thank you. you. you. Senator<00:05:13.080><c> Givens.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HJR 81 Discussion 00:00:33 HJR 81 Vote 00:04:30, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up only House Joint Resolution 81, which allocates the remaining $52,502,260 in the W Waters program for wastewater and wastewater assistance to troubled or economically restrained systems. The chair explained the funds would be distributed according to Kentucky Infrastructure Authority criteria under KRS 224A.320, with the goal of restoring systems to operational and financial stability and improving drinking water and sanitation in affected communities. Senator Funke Frommeyer asked how the funded systems would be kept in good repair after receiving the money and whether there would be a regional or long-term management plan. The chair responded that the funding is intended as a corrective measure to address compounding failures and that KIA has already weighed the relevant factors, while also stressing that communities should not expect repeated rescue funding. Senator Webb added context from earlier water and wastewater task force work, citing Martin County as an example and noting that KIA had adopted many of the task force’s recommendations for oversight, accountability, and operating protocols. The committee then voted on the resolution. Senator Funke Frommeyer explained her vote, saying she supported the measure with hope that better protocols and procedures were being put in place, though she emphasized that hope is not a plan. The roll call resulted in 12 yes votes and no no votes, and the measure passed with favorable expression and was sent to consent. A motion to adopt on consent was then made and seconded, and the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I read from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Marine
• </c> allow the men and women of fishing game allow the men and women of fishing game to<01:42:08.840>
• </c> game um chairman of the fishing Game game um chairman of the fishing Game Commission<03:39:06.199
• The Fish and Game Commission is the overall operation of Fish and Game. That is 100% correct.
• The Fish and Game Commission is the overall operation of Fish and Game. Thank you.

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in that adjustment every two years based in that adjustment every two years based on<00:58:10.039
• </c> to split that between bet and BPT based to split that between bet and BPT based on<01:03:29.839>
• </c> Massachusetts prior to market-based Massachusetts prior to market-based sourcing<01:14:16.040><c
• </c><01:15:18.920><c> sourcing</c> again similar to Market base sourcing again similar to Market base
• sourcing as I said Market Market based sourcing as I said Market based<01:20:06.080><c> sourcing</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen an increasing number of cases where... ...where governmental bodies withhold records based
• I don't think the commercial vehicle amount changes based on the passenger, does it? It does.
• I am now the CEO and chairman of StoneARX, which is a Texas-based real estate platform built on three
• And obviously, it's very much skills-based in terms of the focus.
• And those skills are not really the necessity of having to have a college degree, so to speak.

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• security clearance vetting process, guarding against insider threats, and protecting our industrial base
• Defense, and I wholeheartedly believe that he is the right person at the right time with the right skill
• How aggressive they're being in the North Pacific, in the Arctic, we need to reopen that base.
• And looking at that really, really critical base that used to be a sub-base, Senator Hirono is talking
• So thanks for showing interest in the former Griffiss Air Base. I just wanted to tell you that.

Committees: Senate Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee , Senate SeaPower Subcommittee , Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces , Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything that we do is measured based on what we see as ROI.
• This actually is one of those things that pains me, but is necessary, as we all heard from the Gaming
• Commissioner of the Interim Gaming Commission.
• But is necessary, as we all heard from the gaming commissioner, the interim gaming commissioner, that
• In the Department of Florida Lottery, we are providing $821,000 to fund the gaming system contract.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for budget day, heard agency follow-up questions, and then presented its recommended budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. Chair Lopez opened with remarks about reducing spending, emphasizing vacancy reductions and recurring savings across agencies. The recommendation eliminated 452.5 vacant positions and produced recurring savings of $57.2 million overall, while still funding selected priorities. Notable funded items included $500,000 for a new DBPR website for condominium complaints and document filing, $481.3 million for the MICEF Florida Home Program in DFS, funding for Florida PALM implementation, $330,000 for a Tampa office in the Office of Insurance Regulation, $835,000 for warehouse space for confiscated gambling machines, $821,000 for the Lottery gaming system contract, and major DMS capital and facilities funding. Lopez also criticized DMS leadership and said the secretary’s salary would be held in reserve pending answers on fleet management, remote workers, SUNCOM billing, and other issues. The committee then questioned DBPR Secretary Griffin about condominium records, structural integrity reserve studies, and milestone-inspection compliance. Members focused on how the division tracks condominiums, whether it can identify buildings with three habitable stories, and whether the current filing system can be improved to better capture building height and story count. Griffin said the division relies heavily on self-reporting and complaint-driven checks, but has updated forms to capture whether a condominium has buildings three stories or higher and has received additional submissions. Members also asked about staffing and the Miami-area office; Griffin said DBPR now has two Fort Lauderdale offices and a Doral office, with about 82% of new positions filled. Secretary Davis of the Florida Lottery also testified, defending travel to Paris and other conferences as part of industry engagement, technology research, and best-practice sharing. He said the travel was reimbursed through lottery-related organizations, described the Lottery as an enterprise fund that receives no general tax revenue, and said the agency has remained a top revenue generator nationally. Members questioned Orlando travel reimbursements and dues to the Multi-State Lottery Association, and asked for more information on how increased revenue translates into more Bright Futures scholarships. Davis said he would provide additional details. The subcommittee then unanimously passed two conforming bills. PCB SAB 25-01 removed statutory references to the legacy FLAIR accounting system in preparation for Florida PALM and was reported favorably. PCB SAB 25-02 addressed Capitol Center space after the planned House lease cancellation, declaring the governor, cabinet, and legislature permanent tenants, protecting existing space and parking allocations, giving the legislature first right of refusal on vacant space, and giving legislative leaders control over utilities in their space; it also passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned after the bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• That also helps out, and so this IP-based system will allow all of that new capability to be used on
• Simply put, Next Gen 911 uses Internet protocol-based technologies instead of copper wires to deliver
• Based on these findings, we recommend the following.
• It's regarding online and app-based illegal gambling enforcement.
• Which is a requirement for our legal regulated gaming.

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Cal OES on disaster response, LA wildfire recovery, federal FEMA reimbursements, security monitoring, and the state’s 911 transition. Cal OES said its budget supports disaster preparedness and recovery, including ongoing work in Los Angeles, where it reported about 700 FEMA public assistance applications totaling roughly $1.2 billion and about $545 million in state wildfire response and recovery funding already allocated under AB 100. Members pressed for more detail on FEMA delays, hazard mitigation grants, federal event planning, and the status of Operation Stonegarden, while also raising concerns about small-disaster recovery, federal shutdown impacts, and the need for more timely reporting. A major portion of the hearing focused on Next Generation 911. Cal OES described problems with the current regional deployment, especially call-routing and transfer failures, and said it now plans to shift to a statewide provider as an interim step, then run an open procurement for a long-term vendor. The agency said it expects to execute a bridging contract in the coming weeks, release an RFP in the second quarter of 2026, award a long-term contract in the fall, begin transitioning Los Angeles-area PSAPs ahead of the 2028 Olympics, and complete statewide migration by summer 2030. The LAO urged the Legislature to pause further implementation until it has more information on the problems, alternatives, costs, privacy/security issues, and oversight needs, and recommended quarterly and monthly reporting if the project proceeds. Several senators echoed concerns about cost, redundancy, cybersecurity, and whether the statewide model could create new risks, and the chair said she would pursue a joint oversight hearing with the Emergency Management Committee and seek input from the State Auditor. The Department of Justice then presented its overall workload and budget pressures. DOJ highlighted its work on fentanyl enforcement, human trafficking, firearms recovery, housing enforcement, consumer protection, environmental and civil rights litigation, and a large federal litigation workload, saying it has filed 59 lawsuits against the Trump administration and won most of them. DOJ said the added federal cases and other mandates have strained existing staff, though 44 additional hires have been made. Members praised DOJ’s work on immigration, housing, and federal accountability, and asked for more information on detention facilities and staffing. The committee also reviewed DOJ’s firearms-related budget proposals. DOJ requested funding for continued firearms IT modernization, implementation of SB 704 on firearm barrels, and a temporary shift of Bureau of Firearms costs to the General Fund. The LAO supported the IT modernization request but recommended funding SB 704 from the Dealer’s Record of Sale Special Account, with startup costs covered by a loan from the Firearm Safety and Enforcement Special Fund, and suggested limiting the General Fund shift to one year and treating it as a loan. The LAO also asked DOJ to develop a framework by January 10, 2027, for deciding which firearm and ammunition workload should be supported by fee revenue rather than the General Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will provide the state board flexibility to select counsel based on specific case needs.
• I am Amber Worthington, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy, Department of Fish and Game.
• These rules affect only lands owned or managed by Fish and Game.
• These rules affect only lands owned or managed by fishing game.
• Chairman, so we have campgrounds here in Region 3 that are Fish and Game-owned properties.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 9 and February 11, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1328 from Senator Harris, a cleanup bill related to the Department of Lands’ authority to use its own general counsel under the 2024 changes in Senate Bill 1292. Harris said the bill aligns statutes with current practice by replacing references to the Attorney General in multiple land-management and enforcement provisions, while preserving some AG involvement. The Attorney General’s office, through Phil Skinner, opposed the bill as unconstitutional, arguing it strips core duties from a constitutional officer and transfers sovereign litigation authority to agency attorneys. Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller and General Counsel John Richards testified in support, describing confusion and overlap in recent cases. After debate, a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee failed 2-7, and the original motion to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed 7-2. The committee then considered three Idaho Department of Fish and Game rule dockets. Docket 13-0103-2501, covering public use of Fish and Game lands, added definitions and restrictions related to camping, leashes, exploding targets, and air guns; it was approved unanimously. Docket 13-116-2401, on trapping and fur-bearing animals, clarified bait definitions, adjusted reporting and reimbursement provisions, and added allowances or restrictions tied to snow-covered routes, bridges, wildlife crossings, and wolf trapping; it was also approved unanimously. Docket 13-119-2501, governing licensed vendors, revised selection and termination criteria, lowered the active vendor ceiling, barred new out-of-state vendor applications, and allowed vendors to pass through credit card processing fees; it was approved unanimously. Finally, the committee heard Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton on docket 2601-2501. She proposed fee increases for motor vehicle entry, commercial vehicle entry, boat launching, moorage, and reservation-related charges, while asking the committee to reject two sections: one adding employee enforcement language and one increasing campsite fees, which she said should be revisited later to better protect affordability for Idaho residents. The committee agreed to reject those two sections and approved the remainder of the docket, with members noting the changes were intended to focus fee increases more on non-residents and align with prior legislative intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you explain what that cost-based methodology is? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• To your question, the cost-based valuation is kind of just like it sounds.
• It's based on an IRS published schedule. And Mr.
• We have the gaming tax... GRT from the district pay off the bonds.
• We have the gaming taxes at the Downs there on the state fairgrounds also.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 248, the general obligation bond bill, which would authorize about $392.5 million in bond capacity for senior centers, libraries, and higher education, special schools, and tribal school projects. The sponsor highlighted major projects including a new UNM School of Medicine, a multidisciplinary building at NMSU, renovations at New Mexico Tech, a technical innovation center at CNM, an agricultural science and arts building at ENMU, and library renovations at New Mexico Highlands. Public testimony was supportive, especially from the New Mexico Library Association, and members discussed how the bond process works, including application timing, readiness to spend funds, voter approval, and how unspent bond proceeds revert. The committee voted do pass on HB 248 without opposition. The committee then considered House Bill 309, which would clarify property tax valuation rules for electric energy storage facilities by extending the existing special valuation method for electric generation, transmission, and distribution to battery storage and similar technologies. Supporters from PNM, InterWest Energy Alliance, and Inventergy said the bill would provide consistency and clarity as storage becomes more important to grid reliability and clean energy development. Members raised questions about depreciation, the 12-year schedule, the 20% floor on valuation, possible effects on local government revenues, whether the bill would apply to utilities and co-ops, industrial revenue bonds, and whether it covered microgrids or only battery systems. The committee approved HB 309 on an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 48, which would authorize $92 million in bonds for the State Fairgrounds District to support redevelopment of the southwest corner of the fairgrounds, including land acquisition, green space, water and sewer infrastructure, and traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements near San Pedro and Central. Support came from neighborhood groups, housing advocates, the city of Albuquerque, the chamber of commerce, and others who described the project as a long-term investment in safety, infrastructure, and economic revitalization for the surrounding area. Members questioned the bond repayment structure, the 25-year term, the use of district gross receipts and gaming tax revenues, parking impacts, and future bonding needs. The committee voted do pass on SB 48 by a 10-2 margin.

Transcript Highlights:

• The central grasslands station at Streeter is entirely a grasslands and livestock production base, so
• So our extension personnel in particular, you know, providing that needs-based information, science-based
• The State Advisory Committee hand-selects the projects based on two criteria.
• All the other basins in North Dakota are based on rivers.
• Other basins in North Dakota are based on rivers.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• on merit, based on academic standards, academic merit.
• Denying them education means lower earnings, fewer job opportunities, and a weaker tax base.
• Denying them education means lower earnings, fewer job opportunities, and a weaker tax base.
• fact that they supposedly are not carrying out their job. ...based on the fact that they supposedly
• You would agree that those are the four elements, at least at the base of this crime?

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to hear SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal immigration priorities and said it replaces a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expands local-federal cooperation, increases penalties for crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants, requires detention in certain cases, broadens information sharing, funds detention-bed expansion and law-enforcement training, and ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. The bill also includes provisions related to sanctuary policies, voter fraud, transport of unauthorized aliens, and driver’s license-related offenses. The sponsor said the bill appropriates roughly $300 million overall, including $250 million for grants and $48 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for interdiction and border-related enforcement work. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, costs, and implementation. Senators focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, asking how many students would be affected and whether the bill would harm students who have long lived in Florida. They also pressed on whether the bill should include stronger E-Verify provisions, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, whether local officials could be penalized for policy choices, and how immigration status would be verified in court and jail settings. The sponsor and Senator Fine said the tuition waiver would be removed for undocumented students, that the bill does not address E-Verify, and that the measure is intended to make immigration status a factor in detention and sentencing. Questions also addressed detention-bed capacity, reimbursement rates, and whether corrections staff would receive bonuses or salary increases; sponsors said bonuses are included for participating law enforcement, while broader salary issues would be handled in the regular budget process. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters and information-only witnesses, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and former officials, said the bill would help Florida coordinate with federal authorities, expand bed space, and close loopholes in existing immigration enforcement. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, labor groups, and immigrant advocates argued the bill is unconstitutional, likely to trigger litigation, and harmful to families, schools, and the economy. They warned that the pretrial detention provisions could lead to wrongful detentions and that the tuition changes would reduce access to higher education and cost the state tuition revenue. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee continued through public comment and extended the meeting to complete the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our inaugural meeting for the 2026 session of the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.
• As we work together to really see what we can do in terms of expanding gaming in New York in a very methodical
• forward to working with my colleagues in that, because there is a lot of potential for expanding gaming
• We do have a quorum based on attendance and voting sheets.
• bill: Senate Bill 6970, Addabbo, an act to amend the Tax Law in relation to unsold instant lottery game

Committee: Senate Racing, Gaming And Wagering

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee held its inaugural meeting for the 2026 session, chaired by Senator Joe Addabbo with Senator Tedisco as ranking member. Opening remarks emphasized expanding gaming in New York in a careful way that balances revenue and jobs with consumer protection, sport integrity, and addiction concerns. Senator Tedisco also welcomed the committee and noted the importance of racing and gaming in his district. The committee reported a quorum and introduced staff, including the new committee director. Four bills were taken up. S.2611 would allow minors to play bingo when accompanied by an adult; it had passed the Senate previously with bipartisan support and was moved forward. S.2613 would require state lottery winners’ identities to remain anonymous unless they consent to disclosure; supporters framed it as consumer protection, and it was also advanced. S.6970 would allow unsold instant lottery tickets from closed stores to be redistributed to open retailers, with the sponsor saying this would prevent misleading consumers about available prizes; it was moved forward as well. The final bill, S.7908, would prohibit minors from participating in sports wagering. It was described as a major topic and aligned with the Governor’s State of the State remarks. After brief discussion, the committee voted to advance it to the Finance Committee. All four bills received enough support to move on.

Transcript Highlights:

• People will go through Evolv machines, which are very similar—if anyone's been to a Twins game.
• You go to a Twins game, you're going to go through screening.
• You go to a Twins game, you're going to go through screening.
• You go to a Twins game, you're going to go through screening.
• You go to a Twins game, you're going to go through screening.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Fish and Game, when I asked them about this, didn't have any red flags.
• So they are doing it based on the LSO audit finding.
• It doesn't look that way because of the game we played this year. But this is a good bill.
• to the Department of Fish and Game for fiscal year 2027.
• An act relating to the appropriation to the Department of Fish and Game.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard prayer and the pledge, approved the journal, and received committee reports and messages from the Governor and House. Several bills and resolutions were moved through the calendar, including committee referrals, enrollments, and transmittals of already-passed measures. The chamber also received new first-reading bills, including appropriations measures and policy bills on elections, education, and endowment land leases. On the floor, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 117 recognizing Idaho’s ties with Italy and the opening of an Idaho office in Italy. The resolution was supported with remarks about historical Italian immigration to Idaho and wartime cooperation involving Italian POW labor in Idaho agriculture. The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 30, which directs the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel to study and provide guidance on implementing comprehensive Medicaid-managed care; that measure passed by roll call, 20-10 with one absent. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 114, adding a new joint rule to limit the number of bill drafts and RSs a legislator may bring in a year, with exceptions for budget bills, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and leadership-approved exceptions; it passed 35-0. The chamber also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 115 urging federal action on pelican impacts to Idaho fisheries, and Senate Resolution 120 honoring State Police K-9 Kimber for her service. Later, House Bill 723 on child care licensing and protections for children in residential care facilities passed 32-3 after debate focused on abuse prevention, unannounced inspections, and a bill of rights notice for children. In the afternoon session, the Senate passed several appropriation bills, including Senate Bills 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, and 1386, covering the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Idaho State Lottery, Fish and Game, Veterans Services, Public Utilities Commission, Industrial Commission, and Pardons and Parole. Most were described as enhancement or maintenance budgets funded largely through dedicated or federal funds, with debate emphasizing small hardware purchases, program restorations, and agency operating needs. Senate Bill 1382 for Fish and Game passed 23-12, and House Bill 848, the legislative branch appropriation bill, was brought up for consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:14.760><c> on</c><00:55:14.960><c> the</c> based on the based on the uh<00:55:16.040><c> maintenance
• And we're basing policy to get rid of these...
• </c><01:03:34.200><c> on</c> hurt working families all based on hurt working families all based on projections
• Based upon appropriations confirming that. Yeah. Thank you.
• </c> immediately following the gaming immediately following the gaming committee. committee. committee

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work in the video game industry.
• I'm a concept artist and art director in the video game industry, working on AAA games.
• I'm a freelance game developer, concept artist, and also a 3D modeler.
• I'm a concept artist working in film, animation, and video games.
• AI training and to exercise legal claims based on that information.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard three bills. AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act, would require generative AI developers to let copyright holders know whether their works were used in training. The author said the bill was narrowed by amendments to remove prescriptive technical language and focus on transparency rather than compensation or training restrictions. Supporters included voice actors, artists, labor groups, and technical experts who argued creators need a way to know if their work was used. Opponents, including business and tech groups, argued the bill was premature given unsettled copyright law and raised concerns about technical feasibility, scale, and ownership identification. After discussion, the committee passed AB 412 on a 6-2 vote and sent it to Judiciary. AB 2448 would require electronic health record vendors to enable technical safeguards so providers can better segregate sensitive reproductive and gender-affirming care information. The author and supporters, including Planned Parenthood, the Attorney General’s office, medical groups, and privacy advocates, said the bill builds on existing California privacy law and helps protect patients from misuse of sensitive health data. There was no opposition testimony. The committee passed AB 2448 on a 7-1 vote and sent it to Health. AB 2561 would prohibit changes to consumers’ preferred privacy settings without their consent, aiming to prevent apps and software from resetting privacy choices after updates. The author said the bill would reduce the burden on users and strengthen privacy protections. CalChamber and TechNet said they had moved from opposition to support after amendments were taken. The committee passed AB 2561 unanimously, 8-0, and adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work in the video game industry.
• I work in the video game industry.
• I'm a concept artist and art director in the video game industry, working on AAA games.
• I'm a concept artist working in film, animation, and video games.
• AI training and to exercise legal claims based on that information.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no defined performance metrics, no accountability measures, and no evidence-based framework
• Members, this Wednesday is the annual legislative charity softball game.
• The game will be held at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Charity Softball Game.
• The game will be held at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members also welcomed a visiting group from Women Leading Government and adopted a proclamation honoring Deputy Warden Veronica Parcell and National Corrections Officers and Employees Week. The House then agreed to request Senate consent to adjourn after completing its work on Wednesday, April 22, and later moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced several Senate bills. SB 1457, SB 1808, SB 1006, SB 1018, SB 1041, SB 1345, and SB 1512 all received do-pass recommendations, with SB 1552 also receiving a do-pass recommendation as amended. SB 1006 was amended to increase the anonymous small-donation reporting threshold and add an inflation adjustment, drawing debate over transparency. SB 1018, dealing with Sharia law, prompted sharp disagreement over constitutional concerns and community impact, but still advanced. SB 1041, a strike-everything amendment on electronic monitoring in assisted living facilities, drew supportive testimony about accountability and protecting vulnerable seniors. SB 1345 advanced with amendments after discussion of licensing timelines for health facilities and removal of an anonymous complaint provision. On third reading, SB 1167 and SB 1254 passed, and SB 1763 also passed after debate over school district finance rules. SB 1315, concerning school safety interoperability and communications with law enforcement, failed on a 25-25 tie after extensive debate over whether it was a vendor-driven bill and whether it created an unfunded or poorly designed mandate. After that vote, a motion to reconsider SB 1315 succeeded by a 30-18 vote. The House also concurred in Senate requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 for reconsideration. The session ended with announcements about the annual legislative charity softball game, a Democratic caucus meeting, and adjournment until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It formally recognizes that physical activity and adherence to science-based dietary guidelines are not
• Recess is where children develop critical life skills.
• These skills are not only part of healthy human development, but they directly impact kids' ability to
• Recess is where children develop critical life skills.
• Students and patients deserve information that is relevant, evidence-based, and appropriate to their

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the March 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several education bills. HCR 2015, which supports efforts for students to receive at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity and for schools to display dietary guidelines, drew strong support from advocates for recess, student health, and physical education, and passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2040, requiring adoption-related information when school employees discuss contraception or STI testing and adding adoption content to sex education curricula, drew opposition from Reproductive Freedom for All and the Arizona Education Association, but was still given a due pass recommendation 4-2. HB 2255, extending Arizona Teachers Academy eligibility for community college students from two to four academic years, passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. HB 2764, creating a state seal of computer science proficiency for high school graduates, also passed unanimously after support from the Arizona Technology Council. The committee then considered HB 2600, which would require written parental permission for students in grades 6-8 to join school clubs or organizations. The ACLU of Arizona opposed it, arguing it could suppress participation in clubs involving sensitive identities such as LGBTQ, religious, or cultural groups; the bill received a due pass recommendation 4-2. HB 2379 would require school district governing board members to complete finance and governance training, with an amendment narrowing the requirement to newly elected or appointed members and adjusting reporting; the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents supported it, while the Arizona School Board Association opposed parts of it, and the amended bill passed 4-2. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center and School Safety Council within ADE to provide training, technical assistance, and risk assessments; supporters said it would help schools, especially smaller and rural districts, while opponents raised concerns about funding and council composition, and it passed 4-2. Later, HB 4033, which would require more detailed school bond election pamphlets and separate ballot propositions for certain large or specialized projects, was supported as a transparency measure by the sponsor but opposed by education groups that warned it could make it harder for districts to fund facilities; it passed 4-2. HB 2482, limiting job order contracting on building renewal grant projects to $1 million and requiring verification against artificial splitting of projects, drew concerns from builders and school board groups about delaying repairs and limiting procurement flexibility, but the sponsor said it was needed to improve competition and transparency; it passed 4-2. Finally, HB 2575, the Anti-Semitism and Education Act, would prohibit public schools and higher education institutions from teaching or promoting anti-Semitism and set up reporting and discipline procedures; the sponsor said it was needed to protect students, while the ACLU and Arizona Education Association warned it could chill speech and expose educators to legal risk. The transcript cuts off during testimony on that bill, and no final committee vote is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• largest and most notable reduction, which there's already considerable talk about, is a shift of the base
• Thank you very much. ...capacity follow, particularly in health care, IT, and the skilled trades.
• Hospital discharges 46,000 individuals to skilled nursing every year.
• We're already feeling some of those effects of not getting the revenue we expect based on what we're
• But in fiscal year 2028, even more could lose it based on a state decision.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.