Transcript Highlights:

• Our role is limited to the service provision, shelter services, non-residential services, and community
• Thanks for your service.
• We just adopted a fire code.
• And instead it's free service, free service. Oh, no, no. Yay, back the blue.
• And instead it's free service. Free service. Oh, no, no, you can't get paid.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:06.720><c> uh</c><00:05:06.880><c> for</c><00:05:07.280><c> unexpected</c><00:05:08.240><c> fire
• </c> leave the annex uh for unexpected fire leave the annex uh for unexpected fire alarm<00:05:08.720
• Also, Health Services reports Senate Joint Resolution 116 should pass.
• Also, Health Services reports Senate Also, Health Services reports Senate Joint<00:07:20.800><c> Resolution
• It will replace a coal-fired plant, if I'm not mistaken, or at least be on that same site.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the impacts of an improperly sited facility, particularly on surrounding land uses and emergency services
• Finally, the bill mandates certain public service corporations and public power entities to, within 180
• days of this act, file with their respective regulatory entities a cost of service study that shows
• John's who have coal-fired power plants and know that those days are limited for those plants... ...who
• have coal-fired power plants and know that those days are limited for those plants, I think they would

Summary: The committee took up several energy, transportation, and land-use bills. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, received neutral testimony from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed the bill 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may request certain gasoline fuel reformulation actions and is contingent on EPA approval, also passed on a 5-4 vote after brief staff explanation and no amendment. The committee then considered HB 2331, a strike-everything amendment requiring electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor and Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued it would protect affordability and grid reliability by favoring dispatchable power; opponents, including the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action, said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which would bar counties from using zoning to block small modular reactors once federal permitting conditions are met, drew strong support from the sponsor and industry advocates who framed it as pro-property-rights and pro-nuclear, and opposition from county, city, and environmental groups who raised preemption, local control, safety, waste, and siting concerns; it passed 6-4. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee to evaluate proposed generating facilities along with transmission lines, on a 5-4 vote. HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during part of the year and replace the lost revenue through state highway funding, drew opposition from cities and counties over transportation funding impacts but support from the sponsor and some members focused on gas affordability; the Griffin amendment was adopted and the bill passed 6-4. Finally, HB 2401 was introduced as a requirement for ADEQ to conduct a biennial review of available fuel formulations and their air-quality impacts in Areas A and C, but the transcript ends before testimony or action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• February 2, 2026 at 11:31 a.m. replaces the term electric distribution utility with electric public service
• So... ...islands and adjacent unincorporated areas served by fire districts, cities are sometimes the
• primary providers of fire and emergency response through mutual aid and intergovernmental agreements
• days of this act, file with their respective regulatory entities a cost of service study that shows
• Johns or who have coal-fired power plants, who know that those days are limited for those plants... .

Bills: HB2014, HB2113, HB2145, HB2331, HB2340, HB2389, HB2400, HB2401, HB2428, HB2494, HB2696, HB2756, HB2795, HB2955, HCM2008

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you for your amazing service. I know that it's not easy what you do many times.
• We really do appreciate his service. At ITD, our people are implementers.
• This was a result of the aftermath after the large fires a couple of years ago.
• The rest of it is adjusting your budget to services.
• You see a $10 million increase for centralized services like the Office of Information Technology Services

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee received an agency update from Idaho Transportation Department Director Scott Stokes. He described ITD’s role in highway construction and maintenance, DMV services, and aeronautics, emphasizing public accountability, employee expertise, and the department’s operating priorities of operating, preserving, and expanding the system. He highlighted major projects and emergency responses, including road washouts, bridge repairs, and the reopening of an overpass after a truck crash, and said growth and revenue availability remain the department’s biggest challenges. Stokes also reviewed ITD’s budget picture, noting most funding comes from dedicated state and federal transportation sources, and outlined governor-recommended enhancements for equipment, Highway 16 operations, and roadside tree removal, while saying future project pacing will depend on available funds. Committee members asked about whether lane-mile growth is keeping pace with population growth, how ITD is planning for a new north-south route in the Kootenai County area, the effect of a 2025 law limiting pedestrian and bicycle spending, and how expected budget cuts might affect the department’s five-year project plan. Stokes said congestion is often a local-network issue as well as a state highway issue, that planning for future routes is being done with local communities, that the pedestrian/bike law has had little effect on ITD’s own projects, and that new project bidding will be scaled to available funding while design work continues. The committee then heard a JFAC budget discussion from Chairman Grow, Keith Bybee, and Brooke Dupree on the statewide fiscal outlook and transportation funding. They explained that the state faces a tighter general fund picture than in recent years, with possible 3% governor holdbacks and an additional 1% to 2% reduction being discussed, and that the legislature’s revenue forecast and tax conformity decisions will affect the ending balance. Bybee said the budget stabilization fund remains strong compared with 2009, but the legislature must decide whether to use one-time cash or make deeper ongoing cuts to restore structural balance. Dupree reviewed transportation revenue sources and prior legislation, including gas tax and registration fee increases, TECM bonding authority, and general fund transfers to ITD and local governments, and noted the governor did not recommend the full $275 million general fund transfer requested by ITD. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• . as a semi-retary A clinic at the now-closed Children's Rehabilitative Services.
• And whereas Arizona is home to 67 public-use airports, including 11 commercial service airports and 56
• And whereas Arizona is at the forefront of developing and integrating business services supported by
• Acts of service are not small; they are stabilizing, and they are how communities heal.
• And every day, I see my dad's service program. And on the back, it's a picture of him.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced a number of guests, including Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, local Prescott officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, with remarks highlighting the aviation industry’s economic impact and the presence of airport and aviation representatives in the gallery. The clerk then read a long list of bills that had been first read or referred for printing, and a second-reading calendar covering measures on water and energy, education, elections, taxes, housing, veterans, public safety, and other topics. No floor votes on those bills were taken during this segment. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charters and ESAs. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and elsewhere. Speakers from both parties and several senators and representatives condemned ICE tactics, described constituent fear and family separations, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability. Representative Sandoval requested and the House observed a moment of respectful silence in memory of Alex Pretty and Renee Good. The House then received committee and caucus announcements and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• originally was in our Commerce Committee because it had the government union bills in it with included fire
• to do with disciplinary representation, which I, which me personally am happy to do and give that service
• Well, the original bill also included fire and police unions, and then the same bill, which became the
• justification for sending it to Commerce, excluded fire and police unions.
• 978 by the Appropriations Committee regarding appropriations, Health and Welfare, Public Health Services

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House first approved the journal and received several enrolled measures from the Senate and governor’s office, including bills and resolutions that were signed or referred for delivery. The chamber then took up House Bill 516, a bill involving education-related labor/representation language that had returned from the Senate with amendments. Supporters argued the Senate changes restored the bill to its original intent, while opponents criticized both the substance and the process, saying it bypassed the Education Committee and public input. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments by roll call vote, 41-23 with 6 abstentions, and the bill was sent to engrossing. A later motion to send HB 516 to the Education Committee failed, 20-45, leaving the concurrence in place. The House also received Senate Bill 1254, which would allow chiropractors with clinical nutrition certification to acquire certain vitamins, minerals, fluids, epinephrine, and oxygen for office use; supporters said it would reduce barriers and costs, while opponents said it expanded scope and weakened patient-safety standards. SB 1254 passed the House 43-22 and was transmitted to the Senate. The House then suspended rules and considered Senate Bill 1247, a 287(g)/immigration enforcement measure requiring local law enforcement agencies to apply for participation in the federal program or explain why they could not. Supporters framed it as a cooperative federalism tool that would help with immigration enforcement and bring federal reimbursement, while opponents argued it would impose mandates, create costs, and override local control; several sheriffs’ views were cited on both sides. After debate, the House passed SB 1247 47-13 with 4 abstentions and sent it back to the Senate. The chamber also suspended rules to take up House Bill 621, a firearms/preemption bill affecting county buildings and courthouses. Supporters said it protected constitutional carry rights and corrected local violations of state preemption law, while opponents warned it would create significant county costs for security upgrades and staffing and could reduce safety in courthouses and adjacent areas such as lobbies and offices. Debate was ongoing in the portion provided, with members split between constitutional-rights arguments and fiscal/safety concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• , services provided to voters with disabilities, and key election information.
• After the recent terrible fires in my district, charities activated to provide immediate aid and long-term
• But I was just really impressed with the work that they did, immediately on the ground providing services
• for my constituents that were facing these terrible fires.
• And I remember the countless times that I've done some requests as a local mayor, obviously with the fires

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Shamp has a bill, the restaurant CCW bill, that actually makes that the firing of a weapon back
• into the original CCW permit process, which is... ...makes that the firing of a weapon back into the
• ASISDV is the statewide coalition for domestic violence providers of service as well as sexual assault
• providers of service.
• We also represent... ...providers of service as well as sexual assault providers of service.

Bills: SB1049, SB1053, SB1058, SB1093, SB1160, SB1211

Keywords: spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, concealed carry, gun permits, firearms training, public safety, criminal history checks, local recognition, firearms, merchant codes, financial privacy, Second Amendment, data protection, riot, planning, racketeering, criminal conspiracy

Transcript Highlights:

• in the country, ranging from traditional outpatient services like counseling to more specialized services
• And if they finally do figure out which services are covered... ...about what services their insurance
• Town police and fire are called.
• services.
• I am Chief Kinney from the Norfolk Fire Department.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery opened its first public hearing of the 2025–26 session with remarks from the Senate and House chairs outlining the committee’s priorities. They noted recent work on addiction and recovery legislation, the ongoing youth behavioral health crisis, and that members might need to leave periodically for floor votes. The chairs explained hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony deadlines, and reporting deadlines for Senate and House bills. The hearing then focused on several bills related to youth mental health, overdose prevention, and psychedelic treatment research. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills to improve youth crisis response and overdose prevention. Testimony strongly supported bills to print the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards, with speakers from mental health organizations, crisis centers, and individuals sharing personal stories of depression, suicide attempts, and the importance of making 988 as familiar as 911. Another set of bills would require schools to stock naloxone and provide overdose prevention education. Physicians, harm reduction advocates, students, and grieving family members testified that school-based Narcan access and education could save lives, reduce stigma, and help students recognize overdoses and understand Good Samaritan protections. Senator O’Connor and Tamika Perry also testified for a bill to strengthen substance use prevention education and reduce overdose abandonment, emphasizing the need to teach students about overdose risks and the legal protections for calling 911. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to authorize a pilot program for psychedelic treatment in licensed facilities. Senator Friedman and several medical and behavioral health professionals argued the proposal was a narrow, research-based approach distinct from the broader ballot question rejected in 2024. They said the bill would allow only a small number of supervised clinics to use psychedelics for conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance use disorders, with data reporting and Department of Public Health oversight. Supporters described it as a cautious way to study promising treatments while avoiding unsupervised or commercialized use. Finally, the committee heard support for a bill to create a special commission and five-year strategic plan for children’s behavioral health services, with testimony that the current system is fragmented, difficult for families to navigate, and strained by workforce and funding challenges. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would also appreciate your service.
• Thank you for your service, and most importantly, thank you. Your picture would be there.
• But Charlie's the only person in this body that almost got me fired.
• God bless you, and thank you for your service. Thank you, Mr. President.
• The thing is, though, the low point in my Senate service was the loss of Wanda.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program to Health and Human Services.
• and Human Services.
• to Health and Human Services.
• to Health and Human Services.
• to Health and Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Increase in enrollment growth that are not receiving the adequate funding that they need for services
• As a dependent, I was extremely isolated in my journey being connected to the service.
• As a dependent, I was extremely isolated in my journey being connected to the service.
• I was connected to the service, but felt invisible within it.
• And it's one of the things where members of the service, once they exit the service, are eager to be

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard updates on several higher education budget items, beginning with a pulled follow-up item on the State Library’s administration of the Imagination Library. The chair said the committee had received new documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance late the prior evening, and staff would review it before deciding whether additional oversight or accountability measures are needed. The committee then turned to the California Community Colleges budget request, with Chancellor Christian outlining strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery, asking for 3% enrollment growth funding, changes to the three-year average formula, removal of the 10% growth cap, and support for several one-time and ongoing initiatives including the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, Rebuild L.A., veterans services, Calbright College, and the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and fraud prevention in enrollment systems; the chancellor said the system is using DMV and other identity verification tools, AI screening, and audits, and that reported final enrollment numbers are clean. The committee then reviewed the student-centered funding formula. The Department of Finance described the governor’s proposal to fully repay $408.4 million in deferrals, provide a 2.41% COLA, and add one-time funding to cover current-year apportionment costs, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended prioritizing the proposals within available Proposition 98 funding. Community college finance staff said most districts are growing, many would benefit from current-year funding rules, and that without the proposed apportionment funding districts could face a deficit factor and reduced course access. Members asked about infrastructure prioritization, deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, and campus police; staff explained that life safety projects are prioritized first, followed by modernization and growth-related facilities, and that colleges are built to high safety standards under the Field Act. Enrollment growth was discussed separately, with Finance and LAO supporting the governor’s 1.5% growth proposal split across two fiscal years, while noting that growth is being driven in part by dual enrollment, regional demographic shifts, and unemployment. The Chancellor’s Office said 54 of 72 districts grew year over year and that funding more growth could help districts move off hold harmless status, though some districts face long-term demographic challenges. The committee also heard from Calbright College President Agita Menon, who described Calbright’s role serving adult learners statewide, its completion and wage gains, and the governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing funding. The LAO recommended transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula beginning in 2027-28, arguing that the current proposal lacks a clear funding rationale and performance linkage; Calbright responded that its competency-based, non-credit model is structurally different and should be funded separately, while agreeing to continued accountability reporting. Finally, the committee received an update on the Community College Higher Education Student Housing Program. Finance said the governor proposes about $11 million ongoing General Fund for debt service on approved student housing projects, and that 11 projects are in the financing pipeline, with two completed, three under construction, four in working drawings, and two in preliminary plans. Finance also noted that some projects have withdrawn and that about $81 million in bond authority remains unallocated, which the Legislature may need to address going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the Chief People Officer with the Human Resource Management Services Division of the Office
• Schmidt said Proposal 6 was to clarify the application for the cell fires.
• That was some changes to fire alarm systems just to align with the North Dakota building code.
• It's a length of service plan. It's what's referred to as a LOSAP.
• I'm a manager of addiction treatment with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• Westboro, honoring the Latino Health Insurance Program, Inc., on the occasion of its 20th anniversary of service
• P.J. served the city of Fitchburg as a member of the Fitchburg Fire Department for the last 20 years,
• He also faithfully served as a member of the Ashby Fire Department throughout his career.
• In 2019, Roy was honored with the Norman Knight Award for Community Service, the Firefighter of the Year

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 888, by the State Affairs Committee, regarding information technology services.
• Thank you. ...certain services for students with disabilities, no matter the cost.
• In the Attorney General's office as well as our own attorneys in Legislative Services.
• It establishes by law a professional career park service.
• It selects park service personnel based on the basis of merit alone, and it administers the park service

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received multiple messages from the Senate and governor on enrolled bills and signed measures. Several Senate amendments were concurred in without objection, including House Bills 494, 728, and 703, and the chamber also handled committee reports, printing referrals, and announcements before recessing and later returning to floor action. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bill 1266, which made technical corrections to foster care-related language, removed extended foster care provisions for older youth, and expanded expedited placement to include kinship caregivers. It also passed Senate Bill 1316, which updates newborn screening consent language so parents may simply decline certain screenings or treatments without stating a religious or medical reason. Senate Bill 1339 passed as well, replacing the continuous improvement process for public schools with a longer-term strategic performance planning model and reducing certain reporting requirements. The House then debated and passed Senate Bill 1288, a funding bill for high-need students with disabilities that uses driver’s education funds and interest from the Idaho Career Readiness Fund; supporters framed it as necessary to meet federal special education obligations and relieve local districts, while opponents argued it creates an ongoing state obligation during a budget shortfall. The chamber also passed House Bill 939 on hunting technology restrictions with exemptions for predator control, agriculture, wounded-animal retrieval, property monitoring, and trap monitoring; House Bill 936, a trailer bill removing federal government agents from a private-property protection measure; House Bill 888, expanding state IT procurement oversight; House Bill 894, a transparency/open-meetings bill allowing recording and photography with safety-related exceptions; House Bill 927, restoring consequences for unpaid traffic infractions; House Resolution 29, changing call-of-the-House procedures; House Joint Memorial 21, urging faster permitting for a tungsten mine; and House Bill 706, allowing single-stairwell apartment/condo buildings under specified safety conditions. Senate Bill 1300, which would shift appointment of certain agency directors to gubernatorial nomination and Senate confirmation, was under debate at the end of the transcript, with supporters citing transparency and opponents warning about conflicts with the Harriman State Park agreement and board governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...certain services for students with disabilities, no matter the cost.
• In the Attorney General's office as well as our own attorneys in Legislative Services.
• It establishes by law a professional career park service.
• It selects park service personnel based on the basis of merit alone, and it administers the park service
• This also has a shift in clinician service services that has usually been a transfer from the Department

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, received messages from the Senate and governor, and moved several enrolled bills and memorials through routine referral and signing actions. The chamber concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 494, 728, and 703, and later concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 825 and 788. Committee reports also advanced multiple measures, including House Bill 939 from Resources and Conservation, House Bills 940-942 for printing or referral, and House Bill 892 to second reading. House Resolution 29, changing call-of-the-House procedures, and House Joint Memorial 21, urging faster permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, were also taken up and passed. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bills 1266, 1316, 1288, and 1339. Senate Bill 1266 made technical foster-care corrections, removed extended foster care language, and expanded expedited placement to include kinship caregivers. Senate Bill 1316 updated newborn screening consent language so parents may simply decline certain newborn procedures without stating a medical or religious reason. Senate Bill 1288 created a funding mechanism for high-need special education students, drawing from driver’s education funds and interest from the Idaho Career Readiness Fund; supporters framed it as necessary to meet federal and constitutional obligations, while opponents argued it would create an ongoing spending commitment and reduce funds for other programs. Senate Bill 1339 replaced continuous improvement planning with longer-term strategic performance planning for public schools, with supporters emphasizing accountability and reduced reporting burdens. The House also passed House Bills 706, 888, 894, and 927. House Bill 706 allowed a single stairwell in certain four- to six-story condo and apartment buildings, with added fire-safety requirements, to reduce housing costs; supporters cited affordability and housing supply, while some raised safety concerns. House Bill 888 revised the state IT procurement framework to bring more agency technology purchases under the Office of Information Technology Services, with some agencies exempted. House Bill 894 required open meetings to allow recording, photography, and video with exemptions for corrections, parole, and executive sessions. House Bill 927 restored consequences for unpaid traffic infractions, including license-related enforcement after notice and a 60-day cure period, and was presented as a public safety and fiscal responsibility measure. The House then recessed and later resumed to continue the calendar and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we know, some burned in the fires.
• There were three parks that did burn in the recent L.A. fires.
• And very much we are thinking about the services to the people. How do you find us?
• and the Department of Health Care Services.
• A lot of these services are mental health services in language in the community, sometimes housing, sometimes

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to fire and police stations and assisting victims.
• as protective services, victim services, foster care and adoptions, foster workforce development and
• Overseeing all food distribution and outreach services for the homeless.
• Captain Alyssa Brostrom leads investigative services. Thank you.
• A proud Filipina and mother, she empowers communities through leadership and service.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through routine procedural business. A motion to suspend the rules for AJR 28, urging Congress to pass the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, failed on a 43-16 vote. The body then proceeded to the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. The main floor action centered on House Resolution 81 recognizing Women’s History Month. Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from several caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the contributions of women in California history and current public life, as well as ongoing issues such as violence, discrimination, wage gaps, and representation. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 74 coauthors, and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also held a lengthy Women of the Year ceremony, recognizing honorees from across the state for community service, advocacy, education, health care, public safety, housing, labor, and civic leadership. Later, the Assembly took up ACR 153 designating March as Irish Heritage Month. Members spoke about Irish American history, immigration, labor, public service, and California’s ties to Ireland. The resolution received 70 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then approved consent calendar items, including AB 1597 and AB 1549, both by 69-0 votes. The Assembly announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jump on in, go ahead, fire away. Hello, how... My name is Amanda Stevens.
• </c><00:09:59.399><c> services</c><00:10:00.000><c> and</c> research service services and research service
• This one relates to Government Services, Office of the Legislative Analyst.
• Okay, so I'm Health Human Services chair, so I see the Human Services has huge allocation of budget.
• chair so I see the Human Human Services chair so I see the Human Services<00:21:22.320><c> has</c><00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 412 HD1, which would expand the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with high-level officials about procurement decisions and create presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients. The State Ethics Commission and State Procurement Office supported the measure, saying it would improve transparency and align Hawaii with other states, while the Hawaii Primary Care Association opposed it over concerns that employers and others could be swept in too broadly. No public testimony or questions led to any action on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House Bill 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain research purposes and clarify the Office of Information Practices’ rulemaking authority. OIP and the Public First Law Center supported the bill, arguing it would create uniform standards and that concerns could be handled through rules. The University of Hawaiʻi system, DBEDT, DHS, DLNR, and others raised concerns about the breadth of the terms “research” and “researcher,” privacy, confidential information, and possible misuse; Hawaiian Electric also warned about access to sensitive infrastructure information. Members questioned whether the bill was premature and whether definitions should be narrowed in statute, and OIP said it would consider working with agencies and the University on clearer definitions. House Bill 792 HD1, relating to the Office of the Legislative Analyst, drew no testimony beyond a late written support from the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the committee moved on without discussion. The committee then heard House Bill 1424, which would restrict transfers between appropriated funds for positions and operating expenses. Budget and Finance explained that current practice allows transfers from payroll to other current expenses when there are savings, but legislative appropriations for specific purposes must still be spent for that purpose. Several agencies expressed opposition or concerns, saying the bill could reduce flexibility, especially in response to federal funding changes or vacant positions, though members emphasized transparency and accountability. Budget and Finance suggested a reporting approach instead, and the committee discussed quarterly reporting as a possible alternative. Finally, the committee began House Bill 1153 HD1, which concerns funding adjustments for state programs and capital improvement projects and establishes a protocol fund. Budget and Finance, DAGS, and the State Procurement Office supported the measure, while the General Contractors Association and several construction-related groups opposed section two, arguing it would undo recent procurement protest-bond safeguards adopted in Act 162. The hearing then moved on toward House Bill 1297, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was fully discussed.