Transcript Highlights:

• Lister, Christian Slater, the communications director for the governor, has said, quote, 'There are zero
• Christian Slater is saying there are zero billionaire tax cuts on the state forms, which match this bill
• Members, by your votes of nine aye and zero nay, you have returned House Bill 2089 with a due pass recommendation
• Members, by your votes of nine aye and zero nay, you have returned House Bill 2089 with a due pass recommendation

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2785, a major Arizona tax conformity measure that would align state law with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and apply retroactively to tax year 2025. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Department of Revenue tax forms legal, provide certainty to taxpayers already filing under those forms, and deliver about $440 million in tax relief through provisions such as no tax on tips and overtime, a larger standard deduction, a $6,000 senior deduction, and changes to deductions and the SALT cap. Opponents argued the bill would significantly reduce state revenue, disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers, and should not move forward without a broader budget plan. After an amendment addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language was adopted, the committee approved HB 2785 on a 5-4 vote. The committee then heard several Arizona State Retirement System technical cleanup bills. HB 2089, clarifying the health insurance premium benefit subsidy, passed 9-0. HB 2090, changing the disability timeframe for long-term disability benefits, passed 8-1. HB 2092, allowing certain employees over age 65 to waive ASRS participation within 30 days of eligibility, also passed 8-1. These measures were described by staff and the sponsor as simple corrections, with little opposition. Finally, the committee considered HB 2477, which conforms Arizona’s 529 education savings plan to federal law, expands allowable uses, and adds rules for 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers and ABLE transfers. Supporters called it a cleanup bill that would simplify administration for families, while some members raised concerns about the Roth rollover and possible use of funds transferred from ESA accounts. The bill passed 5-3 with one member voting present. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With seven ayes, very rare in this committee, zero nays, the bill passes. HB 2663 is adopted.
• And next thing you know, In three years, I have had zero reprimands, zero corrective action.
• Members, with your vote of six ayes, zero nays, one absent, you've given HB 2226 a do pass recommendation

Bills: HB2226 , HB2406 , HB2663 , HB2695 , HB2805 , HB2976

Committee: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Keywords: veteran status, veterans court, treatment court, diversion program, initial appearance, arrestee processing, criminal procedure, DD-214, Department of Veterans' Services, prosecuting agency, court notification, military service, armed forces, veterans benefits, reentry, mental health court, drug court, specialty court, Arizona criminal law, pretrial hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, engaging in paid prioritization, or zero-rating
• traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, engaging in paid prioritization, or zero-rating
• traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, engaging in paid prioritization, or zero-rating
• traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, engaging in paid prioritization, or zero-rating

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor and Technology Committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 2245 would tighten revolving-door restrictions for state employees by barring new employees from acting on matters they worked on before state service and imposing a 12-month post-employment restriction for certain former Governor and Lieutenant Governor staff; the Ethics Commission and League of Women Voters supported it, and the committee later passed it as is. SB 99 would allow certain retirees to return to work as school resource officers or investigators without losing retirement benefits; the Attorney General supported the investigator portion, ERS and other agencies offered comments and suggested amendments, and the committee passed the bill with amendments, including changes from the Attorney General, ERS, and the Department of Law Enforcement, plus a far-future effective date. SB 2304, which would expand identity theft law to cover AI/deepfake or materially deceptive media impersonation, drew opposition from the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor over prosecution burdens and First Amendment concerns, while some prosecutors and others supported it; the committee deferred the bill. SB 2115, dealing with collective bargaining impasse procedures for repricing public employee classes, drew opposition from human resources officials who said arbitrators lack the technical expertise needed, while unions and HGA supported the measure; the committee deferred decision-making to a later hearing. The committee also heard SB 1036, a net neutrality bill that would bar broadband providers from blocking, prioritizing, or zero-rating traffic. Supporters argued Hawaii needs stronger consumer protections, while the Hawaii Broadband Office said it saw no current problem in Hawaii and warned the bill could affect federal BEAD funding unless exempted; the committee deferred the measure. SB 1163 would prohibit the sale of geolocation and browser data and data collected through microphone-based background apps; Consumer Protection supported the intent but urged a broader privacy framework, and the Honolulu Prosecutor sought an exemption for lawful law-enforcement investigations, which the committee later accepted along with Hawaiian Telecom’s proposed amendments before passing the bill with amendments. SB 2076 would update publicity-rights law to address AI/deepfake uses of a person’s likeness; testimony supported the goal and amendments from the Recording Industry Association of America, and the committee passed the bill with amendments, including replacing references to AI/deepfake with “digital replica.” After hearing testimony, the committee recessed briefly to obtain quorum and then reconvened for decision-making. It adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 2245 as is, passed SB 99 with amendments, deferred SB 2304, deferred SB 2115 to a later hearing, deferred SB 1036, passed SB 1163 with amendments, and passed SB 2076 with amendments. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note is available and shows non-zero but indeterminate costs.
• So it showed non-determinant but non-zero, but indeterminate costs.
• A preliminary fiscal note is available and shows a non-zero but indeterminate cost for the Department
• $2 million-plus, give or take, in tax revenue per year, whereas these dormant grow licenses create zero

Bills: SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6195 , SB5882 , SB6134

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: kratom, taxation, regulated substances, health safety, state revenue, cannabis, marijuana, home grow, home cultivation, personal cultivation, adult use cannabis, recreational marijuana, 21 and older, controlled substances, RCW 69.50, Liquor and Cannabis Board, LCB, plant limits, cannabis possession, cannabis concentrates

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, there are nine ayes, zero nays, and zero excused or absent.
• Madam Chair, there are nine eyes, zero nays, and zero excused or absent.

Bills: HB2091 , HB2105 , HB2218 , HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, immigrant worker protections, immigrant rights, worker protections, I-9 audit, Form I-9, employment eligibility verification, workplace raid, federal immigration inspection, employer notice, anti-retaliation, retaliation, Attorney General enforcement, private right of action, labor law, workplace rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Bybee this week is trying to zero in on what structural balance is, and there's been some questions about
• And you'll notice again that I've zeroed out the right-hand side column for legislative action because
• The reason that you see it net to zero on the table is that we are moving from dedicated fund to dedicated
• A zero-dollar request for some changes to their standard language.

Summary: The committee first received a presentation on the state general fund and the JFAC “green sheet” from Legislative Services analyst Christopher LaHosette. He explained the general fund’s main revenue sources, how appropriations and transfers are tracked, how the green sheet is used to reconcile projected revenues against expenditures, and how structural balance is measured. Members asked about continuously appropriated funds, federal dollars, sales tax exemptions, and cash reconciliation issues tied to the state’s Luma system and interest allocations. The presentation emphasized that the green sheet is a cash reconciliation tool and that the committee would use it throughout session to track budget actions and policy bill impacts. The committee then began its Department of Health and Welfare budget hearings with an overall agency presentation from analyst Alex Williamson. She reviewed the department’s size, structure, vacancy rate, five-year spending trends, and the role of continuously appropriated funds such as the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and Rural Physician Fund. Members asked about personnel vacancies, unspent personnel dollars, and the department’s large trustee and benefit payments. Department officials later explained that vacancies reflected a department-wide review, hiring freeze, and reallocation of FTP to better match funding, with some positions being reverted and others moved to areas such as State Hospital South and Medicaid-related work. The committee then heard the first division-level budget presentation for Indirect Support Services. Williamson outlined the division’s administrative functions, its FTP and vacancy picture, historical spending, and budget changes tied to reorganizations, the ombudsman office, and IT consolidation. The division’s 2027 requests included a dedicated-fund irrigation project at State Hospital West, a background-check unit fund adjustment, removal of special transfer restrictions, and the transfer of 58 FTP to the Office of Information Technology as part of modernization. Members also discussed the new Rural Health Transformation Program, including Idaho’s $925 million federal award, the governor’s proposed 12 limited-service FTP and related spending, and whether the department could use AI or other efficiencies. Additional questions covered the definition of rural, the mechanics of the IT transfer, and a constituent question about bathroom upgrades, which the department said was handled by the Department of Administration rather than Health and Welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to be able to know that you're able to dispose, for zero cost to that homeowner, the contents that
• And to be able to know that you're able to dispose for zero cost to that homeowner, the contents that
• We cannot, when we design and redesign these projects, have zero rise.
• We cannot, when we design and redesign these projects, we have to have zero rise.

Summary: The committee first met in brief executive session and advanced Senate Bill 5989 without recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Staff explained the bill would redistribute sales tax on aircraft fuel, affecting general fund revenue, which was why it was better suited for Ways and Means. The motion passed by voice vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith on WSDOT’s 2025 work and 2026 priorities. She highlighted agency reorganization, safety initiatives, preservation needs, bridge strikes and storm damage, ferry service improvements, major projects such as Revive I-5, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project, fish passage work, and preparations for the World Cup. Members praised the department’s communication and work, and asked about additional paving and preservation funding; Meredith said WSDOT had prepared projects that could be advanced if more money were available. Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary John Vizina and staffer Jenna Forty followed with a detailed briefing on vessel and terminal preservation. They described the aging fleet, the need for new hybrid-electric vessels, the governor’s proposed funding for three additional ferries and life-extension work on older vessels, and the importance of terminal upgrades such as Fauntleroy. Senators asked about service contingency planning, the cost and timing of hybrid versus diesel vessels, and whether additional vessels would require rebidding; staff said hybrid-electric construction is the fastest path and that any expansion would depend on statutory direction and legal review. The committee then heard from local government representatives on preservation and storm recovery. The Association of Washington Cities and the Transportation Improvement Board described city road and bridge needs, limited local funding, and the importance of sustained preservation investment and programmatic grants. County representatives from the Washington State Association of County Engineers, Snohomish County, and the County Road Administration Board discussed the December flooding, road washouts, bridge damage, and recovery costs, emphasizing that counties face large preservation backlogs and need state and federal help for repairs and resiliency.

Transcript Highlights:

• the data that we shared with the committee last year at G&W over the last 10 years in California: zero
• They could have zero, they could have 100. It's totally up to them.
• There has been zero negative impact on freight operations or the passenger operations that utilize freight
• It's just not zero and one, and they're done.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 220, which would require Los Angeles Metro to submit an expedited governance reform report to the Legislature in light of Measure G and the upcoming creation of a countywide elected executive. Senator Allen said the bill was intended to prompt a locally driven discussion about how Metro’s board should reflect the new county structure, not to prescribe a specific governance plan. Metro and the City of Los Angeles opposed the bill, arguing that local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue and that the bill was premature and unnecessary. Several committee members echoed local-control concerns, while others supported keeping the bill alive as a vehicle for further discussion. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to Appropriations and ultimately recorded at 7-2, with the measure held on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require freight railroads to install wayside detector systems at specified intervals, with different treatment for short-line railroads, and would require railroad response plans to be submitted to the CPUC. The author and labor supporters argued the bill would help prevent derailments like the East Palestine disaster by detecting overheated bearings earlier and improving crew notification and inspection protocols. Railroads and business groups opposed the bill, saying the spacing mandate and related requirements would be costly, could slow freight and passenger operations in shared corridors, and might discourage investment in short-line infrastructure. After extensive discussion about safety, preemption, costs, and passenger rail impacts, the committee passed the bill to Appropriations on a 7-2 vote, with the measure also held on call. Finally, the committee took up ACR 71, which designates a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. The author and numerous supporters described the designation as a recognition of San Jose’s Vietnamese American community, its refugee history, and the cultural and commercial importance of Little Saigon. There was no opposition testimony. Members spoke in support, including comments about the connection between the San Jose and Orange County Vietnamese communities. The resolution was adopted and sent to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call among those present, with 10 votes recorded before the chair returned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, more than 50% of These instances are opiate-related, and they involve children zero to
• The number of children involved in child welfare from zero to three has steadily increased since 2018
• Stop operating as an RHC when the census is zero.
• Stop operating as an RHC when the census is zero.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy update on Washington child welfare from Casey Family Programs and DCYF. Dr. David Sanders said Washington has sharply reduced out-of-home care and increased kinship placements, but he flagged concerns about low screening-in rates, long stays in foster care for many children, and a recent rise in repeat maltreatment and child fatalities, especially among infants. He urged more focus on infants and young children, better coordination among child protection, health care, and law enforcement, and more proactive review and investigation practices. Members asked for disaggregated data on children lingering in care, fatalities, and causes such as fentanyl exposure. DCYF said it has increased relative placements and guardianships, but also reported a concerning rise in 2025 critical incidents, mostly near-fatalities involving children age three and under, many opioid-related. The department described responses including safe child consults for opioid cases, more training, hotspot analysis, and proposed investments in peer support, public health nurses, community referrals, and an updated safety framework. Members also discussed whether a broader commission on child abuse prevention would be useful, and DCYF said it was open to that idea. The committee then received a DSHS reorganization update from Secretary Angela Ramirez, who described the “Reimagined” plan to consolidate four administrations into three new ones, with the stated goals of reducing silos, improving customer experience, and making transitions between services smoother. She said the agency is seeking statutory changes and CMS approval to align the new structure, and members asked about preparing for federal HR1 impacts, especially SNAP. Ramirez said DSHS is monitoring those impacts closely and emphasized the need for accurate data and cross-agency coordination. Finally, DSHS’s Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration updated the committee on residential habilitation centers and implementation of Substitute Senate Bill 5393, which phases out Rainier School by June 30, 2027 and limits new admissions. Officials reported current census and staffing levels at the state’s RHCs, said Rainier has had some residents transition to supported living or adult family homes, and explained that emergency and permanent rulemaking was needed to implement the law. They also said Rainier was recently cited by federal surveyors for not meeting the active treatment requirement for two residents, and that the facility has 90 days to return to compliance before possible payment penalties or further remedies. Members pressed for details on the citation, the meaning of active treatment, the assessment process for admissions, and whether Rainier could be repurposed for other services; DSHS said it is working on corrective action and will follow up in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is zero prior claims.
• Down here, There are a lot of claims at zero that get paid in full, but there are still a bunch that
• Presbyterians, some of the higher-ups, if they know of any docs who have paid punitive damages; they said zero
• That's zero.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that when we left the House floor, we had been given a zero target, and so in our combined targets
• the House floor um we had been<00:01:40.720><c> given</c><00:01:40.880><c> a</c><00:01:41.119><c> zero
• ><c> and</c><00:01:42.240><c> so</c><00:01:42.960><c> in</c><00:01:43.200><c> our</c> been given a zero
• target and so in our been given a zero target and so in our combined<00:01:44.320><c> targets</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, when it comes over, it will have a zero fiscal note on it.
• what qualifies... oil and gas well, and again, when the new fiscal note comes over, it will have a zero
• I am trying to understand how this has a zero impact?
• The reason it has a zero note now is that these are wells that have not been producing any tax revenue

Bills: SB524 , SB782 , HB42 , HB1056 , HB2894 , HB3033 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB4738 , HB5246 , HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• And Chairman Cordelli, yes. 18 yays, zero nays. Great. Thank you very much.
• </c><00:08:44.080><c> 18</c><00:08:44.480><c> yays,</c><00:08:44.960><c> zero</c> Chairman Cordelli,
• yes. 18 yays, zero Chairman Cordelli, yes. 18 yays, zero nays. nays. nays.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 34, concerning parental consent for student participation in the Medicaid-to-schools program. Members said they were not comfortable with a suggested amendment and wanted more information from Health and Human Services about how the program and billing work. On motion by Representative Noble, seconded by Representative Freeman, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill, 18-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Supporters said the bill could help parents and teachers recognize warning signs early and could be life-saving in some cases. Opponents argued the material belonged on the Health and Human Services website rather than the DOE site, and some suggested a narrower link-only approach. After discussion, the committee voted 13-5 to ought to pass, with a minority report requested. The final major item was Senate Bill 97FN on intradistrict public school transfers. The committee first adopted an amendment that incorporated provisions from House Bill 68, required superintendents to approve best-interest transfer requests unless they failed to meet requirements, and revised language on capacity and accommodation. Supporters said the changes would help students, including those facing bullying, while opponents raised concerns about local control, capacity, and fairness to families who can transport children. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report requested. The chair then announced the next meetings would be on the 21st and 27th, and reminded members to watch the Senate calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes. 17 yeas, zero nays, Madam Chair. Show the bill reported favorably. Congratulations. Thank you.
• Anola: 17 yeas, zero nays, Madam Chair. Show the bill reported favorably. Chair: Congratulations.
• We have 18 yeas, zero nays, Madam Chair. Show the bill reported favorably. Congratulations.
• Eighteen yeas, zero nays. Madam Chair, show the bill reported favorably. Congratulations.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being ten ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 10 ayes, zero nays, the motion... Motion prevails.
• of missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. that house bill nine zero
• And I zero nays, the motion prevails. Members, that's all the pending business we have before us.

Bills: HB33 , HB298 , HB 1024 , HB 1234 , HB 1261 , HB1696 , HB298

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: electronic monitoring, parole supervision, law enforcement, warrant execution, public safety, handgun license, judgment evaluation, medical advisory board, application denial, gun law procedures, abandoned property, unclaimed property, disposition, handgun, driver's license, commercial driver's license, weapon carry, gun rights, Texas legislature, legislative attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• unfortunately despite what we heard yesterday in different committee, um they stop working at about zero
• committee, um they stop working<00:10:30.079><c> at</c><00:10:30.320><c> about</c><00:10:30.600><c> zero
• Um</c><00:10:32.640><c> and</c><00:10:32.880><c> I</c><00:10:33.040><c> know</c> working at about zero
• Um and I know working at about zero.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a zero-cost fiscal note, and on page two there's just a summary of the bill and, under assumptions
• note</c><00:13:03.160><c> um</c><00:13:03.279><c> it's</c><00:13:03.399><c> a</c><00:13:03.560><c> zero
• </c><00:13:03.880><c> cost</c> this fiscal note um it's a zero cost this fiscal note um it's a zero cost

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because it takes zero thought. It takes 15 seconds, and it's not some creepy porn app on his phone.
• funny because stupid that he thinks is funny because it<00:19:45.559><c> takes</c><00:19:46.559><c> zero
• c> thought</c><00:19:47.840><c> it</c><00:19:47.960><c> takes</c><00:19:48.799><c> 15</c> it takes zero
• thought it takes 15 it takes zero thought it takes 15 seconds<00:19:49.679><c> and</c><00:19:49.960>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the governor's proposed budget, the highway fund has drawn down to zero, and in the House Ways and
• In the governor's proposed budget, the highway fund has drawn down to zero, and in the House Ways and
• In the governor's proposed budget, the highway fund has drawn down to zero, and in the House Ways and
• In the governor's proposed budget, the highway fund has drawn down to zero, and in the House Ways and

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we throw around so much that when fiscal notes come out, you actually drop a couple of zeros
• drop</c><00:23:13.400><c> a</c><00:23:13.480><c> couple</c><00:23:13.679><c> of</c><00:23:13.840><c> zeros
• </c> out you actually drop a couple of zeros out you actually drop a couple of zeros just<00:23:14.480

Keywords: 1183, house