Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair McGaugh? Here. Ranking Member Woods? Here. Banderman? Here. Farns? Here. Bosley? Burns?
• Chairman, Vice Chair, Ranking Member Woods.
• Chairman, Vice Chair, Ranking Member Woods.
• First, I will go with our Vice Chair, Representative McGaugh. Thank you, Chair.
• And that's how the president for the respective primaries is voted on.

Committees: House Elections , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• President. Senator Trudeau: Here. For Ms. President. Okay. We have some excuses for today.
• Debate on Senator-president. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Steve Bamer, I'm president and CEO of LeadingAge Southeast.
• President Pasadomo. President Pasadomo, you are recognized to close on the amendment. Wave close.
• Rocco Salvatore, I'm the Vice President of the Florida Professional Firefighters.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several insurance, financial regulation, and public safety bills. SB 1656, a large Office of Insurance Regulation bill, was taken up with a delete-all amendment and extensive discussion. The bill would increase transparency in insurance rates and mitigation data, update reciprocal insurer rules, limit use-and-file rate filings, expand cybersecurity breach notification, and strengthen oversight of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Residents and senior advocates generally supported stronger oversight to prevent bankruptcies like the Unison case, while CCRC operators and industry groups warned that lien authority, reserve requirements, and other provisions could raise borrowing costs and burden well-run communities. The committee adopted the delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably after debate and public testimony. The committee also passed SB 1658 on the public records database for uniform mitigation verification forms, with a clarifying amendment protecting policyholders’ personal information. SB 1612 on financial institutions was reported favorably after an amendment and substitute amendment dealing with credit union investment limits and reimbursement rules for board members. SB 1740, an insurance bill aimed at reducing premiums and insolvency risk, was amended to prioritize rate-decrease filings and prohibit AI as the sole basis for claim denials; it was then reported favorably. SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety was amended to add occupational disease language and other firefighter protections, including safer gear, cancer prevention, and possible telehealth mental health services, and was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 1184 on residual market insurers was amended to preserve existing excess-and-surplus line standards, strengthen consumer disclosures, and clarify Citizens-related appointment rules before being reported favorably. Throughout the meeting, committee members repeatedly noted that several bills were still being refined with stakeholders, and multiple public witnesses testified in support of or opposition to the CCRC and insurance provisions, focusing on resident protection, financial stability, and unintended cost impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chairman Ilg? Here. Representative Jordan. Representative Melorin? Here. Present.
• We've got a motion by Vice Chair Ilg to adopt that amendment set.
• Vice Chair Ilg. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. us. Thanks. Thank you. Vice Chair Ilg. Thank you, Mr.
• President, I'm not on the amendment. I just don't want to go on a bill once.
• We've got a motion by Vice Chair Illg to adopt amendments. No questions.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair. Any other questions or comments? Okay, seeing none, you may close. Thank you.
• And this is a motion to pass to the Committee on Judiciary by the vice chair.
• Vice Chair. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.
• Chair and Vice Chair voted aye. Allen? Aye. Allen, aye. Motion is due pass.
• Chair and Vice Chair voted aye. Allen? Aye. Allen, aye. 5-0.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 by Senator Rubio would require lobbyists to file employment changes and terminations directly with the Secretary of State through the new Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through employers or firms, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining the notice’s purpose. Both bills drew support from state election officials and were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard SB 1369 by Senator Reyes, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring oral disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, argued the bill would protect judicial independence and safety amid recent recall efforts, while one senator questioned whether judges should be treated differently from other officials. The bill passed on a 3-1 vote and was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Public Safety. SB 1414, also by Senator Reyes, would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters said it would reduce gerrymandering and improve public trust, while county representatives raised concerns but remained open to amendments. It advanced on a 3-1 vote to the Local Government Committee. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes would direct the Secretary of State to adopt regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, responding to the loss of the federal DOD fax service and mail delays. County election officials and veterans groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting integrity groups opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not feasible and could conflict with existing law. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1420 by Senator Richardson, which would expand voter awareness of “sign, scan, and go” voting and require guidance on implementation; it was supported by election officials and advocacy groups and advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1310 by Senator Choi would allow limited sharing of jury questionnaire information with election officials to help update voter rolls, but opponents warned it could lead to erroneous voter cancellations; the author narrowed the bill’s scope in response to concerns, and it passed to Judiciary. Several bills were held on call briefly until absent members were added, after which the committee completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair responded. Mr.
• Chair and Vice Chair voted aye. Allen, aye. Motion is due pass. Chair and Vice Chair voted aye.
• Vice Chair voted no. Allen, aye. Vote is 4 to 1. That bill is out.
• Vice Chair voted no. Allen, aye. Four to one. That bill is out.
• Chair and Vice Chair voted aye. Please call the absent member.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• With me is Larry Liuzzo, our Vice President of Government Affairs.
• With me is Larry Liuzo, our Vice President of Government Affairs.
• Liz Murphy introduced herself as the Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at the Massachusetts
• I am the Senior Vice President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
• Robert Okadeski, Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is the interim vice president Hicks.
• Jordan Smith, assistant vice president, Murray State.
• I’m the interim facilities management vice president.
• </c><01:25:27.040><c> I</c> facilities management vice president.
• I facilities management vice president.

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call establishing a quorum. The committee then approved the prior meeting’s minutes. Members were reminded to silence cell phones, and the chair noted an informational item on capital plan amendments made by state agencies during the latest revision period before moving to university capital plan presentations. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden outlined EKU’s enrollment growth, strong Kentucky student retention, and signature programs in nursing, occupational therapy, criminal justice, education, manufacturing engineering, and aviation. EKU’s main capital priorities were a new health innovation project to support a proposed osteopathic medical program, including a $50 million escrow requirement until accreditation; a collaborative center for health innovation to address outdated health sciences facilities; a $5 million startup request for an air traffic control program; aircraft upgrades for the aviation fleet; and continued asset preservation funding. In response to questions, EKU said roughly 40% of the new health facility would be dedicated to the medical school, with shared simulation space for multiple health programs, and that aviation maintenance needs are currently being met through KCTCS partners but could be expanded if demand grows. KCTCS representatives then described the system’s scale and capital needs, noting service to 107,000 students, extensive dual credit and workforce training, and a network of 342 buildings across 70 campuses. They said prior legislative support, including $277 million in asset preservation and $90 million released for approved projects, had helped with safety, roofs, energy efficiency, and campus security. Their current priorities include about $30 million for systemwide safety and security upgrades, renovations tied to consolidation and footprint reduction under Senate Joint Resolution 179, and broader asset preservation needs estimated at roughly $300 million to $325 million. Members discussed the need to preserve and expand skilled trades training, and KCTCS said its plan includes construction trades and flexible, multiuse facilities that can adapt to changing workforce needs. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the presentations concluded with questions and discussion only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Harrell, Vice Chair Bradley, here. Senator Burgess, here. Senator Colladdeude, here.
• During my time in state government, I had the privilege of learning from Senator President, Senate President
• During my time in state government, I had the privilege of learning from Senator President, Senate President
• Good afternoon, Vice Chair Bradley and members of the committee.
• Well, good afternoon, Vice Chair Bradley and members of the committee.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 742 on workforce education, which would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs leading to industry certifications, and would expand the number of programs covered by the money-back guarantee at career centers and Florida College System institutions from three to six. Senator Simon said the bill would help fund CTE expansion; Senator Davis asked whether it could reduce funding for school districts, and Simon said it could depending on available grant funds. A supporter from the Foundation for Florida’s Future appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 892, which would codify the Florida State University Center for Election Law so it can continue operating and become eligible for recurring funding. Senator Simon said the center’s work is focused on nonpartisan, evidence-based research related to improving responses to natural disasters and reducing fraud, mistakes, and irregularities in elections, rather than lobbying or redistricting advocacy. FSU supporters testified that the center has already hosted events such as a Bush v. Gore anniversary conference and has contributed to law school scholarship. After questions from Senator Davis about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of confirmation testimony from appointees to university and college boards, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Most emphasized workforce development, student success, affordability, and local community partnerships at institutions including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Daytona State College, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, and Santa Fe College. Several appointees highlighted their personal ties to the institutions and their goals of supporting programs in nursing, technical education, research, internships, and graduation rates. One nominee, Dr. Joel Rudman for Pensacola State College, faced pointed questioning about past public comments; he said his remarks were directed at the Florida House, not the Senate, and denied any knowledge of drug use by current or former senators. Public testimony was mixed on his nomination, with one supporter praising his community service and one critic urging rejection. No final confirmation votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Carol Bradford, our new interim executive vice president for health affairs and new interim dean of the
• Carol Bradford, our new interim executive vice president for health affairs and new interim dean of the
• Carol Bradford, our new interim executive vice president for health affairs and new interim dean of the
• Carol Bradford, our new interim executive vice president for health affairs and new interim dean of the
• Interim dean of the medical school and interim executive vice president for health affairs.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the vice president of the 442nd Legacy Center.
• </c><00:42:55.400><c> legacy</c> vice president of the 442nd legacy vice president of the 442nd legacy
• Vice Chair, okay.
• My name is Melissa Geo, and I’m the Vice President of Programs at Lanakila Pacific.
• <04:51:44.080><c> uh</c> H H H presid<04:51:49.160><c> please</c> presid please presid please proceed

Transcript Highlights:

• President.
• President.
• Michelle Willard, who's the Sacramento State Vice President for External Affairs. We have Dr.
• In 1993, he was promoted to senior vice president.
• In 1996, he assumed the position of senior vice president of external affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair. Mr.
• Vice Chair. Mr.
• Vice President. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. You got 30 seconds.
• Vice Chair. Mr.
• We're the vice chair. Mr.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2111 , HB2156 , HB2165 , HB2202 , HB2305 , HB2321 , HB2399 , HB2403 , HB2416 , HB2418 , HB2446 , HB2601 , HB2615 , HB2620 , HB2812 , HB2939 , HB2940 , HB2955 , HB2957 , HB2960 , HB2992 , HB4026 , HB4049

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, public safety, traffic laws, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, agriculture, veterans, state parks, admission fees, military exemption, recreation access

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam President.
• Thank you, Madam President. I rise. Thank you, Madam President.
• Thank you, Madam President.
• Thank you, Madam President.
• Thank you, Madam President. This bill expanse. Thank you, Madam President.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gilbert Contreras, President of San Bernardino Valley College, and Angel Rodriguez, Associate Vice Chancellor
• Gilbert Contreras, President of San Bernardino Valley College. Yes, my alma mater.
• I heard from President Contreras right now what this bill does for Valley College.
• Vice Chair?
• No chancellor, no vice chancellor. Something is going to happen.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Yarbrough, Vice Chair Burton, here.
• Thank you, Vice Chair.
• Thank you, Vice Chair.
• Thank you, Vice Chair Burton.
• I'm the vice president at Sig Sauer. Sig Sauer is a proud U.S.-based firearms and defense company.

Summary: The committee first considered CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility to certain contaminated or brownfield properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added adjacency and density/intensity limits, and excluded agricultural land, park land, land outside the urban growth boundary, and land near military installations. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote, with limited support and opposition noted in waived appearance forms. Members then took up CS/CS/SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators. The strike-all added public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided: proponents argued the bill would help protect children and law enforcement, while opponents, including treatment experts and homelessness advocates, said there was no empirical evidence the restrictions reduce abuse and warned of retroactive punishment and increased homelessness. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 8-1. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstates to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses and clarifying exclusions for protected areas. Opponents argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive plans, while supporters framed it as a property-rights measure; the bill was reported favorably 10-0. SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a technical update to nonprofit law modeled on prior for-profit corporate revisions, also passed unanimously after supportive waived testimony. Later, the committee approved SB 1338 on charitable giving, which creates a donor remedy for endowment restrictions and limits state reporting burdens on certain regulated or exempt organizations; members discussed cy pres and the sponsor said further changes would be worked out later. CS/SB 532 on court fees was amended to let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than half, with supporters saying clerks have been underfunded for years; it passed 10-0. The committee also favorably reported SB 218 on land use regulations, which restores normal land-use authority to counties not affected by recent hurricanes, and CS/SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability, which creates a presumption against liability for entities that comply with cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements; the cybersecurity bill drew concerns about retroactivity and the adequacy of compliance incentives but passed 9-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is a motion to pass to the Committee on Judiciary by the vice chair.
• Vice Chair.
• Vice Chair?
• Chair and Vice Chair voted aye. Allen, aye. Motion is due pass. Chair and Vice Chair voted aye.
• Vice Chair voted no. Allen, aye. Vote is 4 to 1. That bill is out.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 would require lobbyists to file employment changes, terminations, and amendments directly with the Secretary of State through the Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through their employer or firm, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining that the notice is not itself a petition. Both bills drew support from the Secretary of State’s office and election officials, with no opposition heard in committee. The committee also heard SB 1369, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, said the measure would protect judicial independence and safety amid what they described as politically motivated recall campaigns; one member raised concerns about treating judges differently from other officials. SB 1414 would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County, modeled on other California jurisdictions, to draw supervisorial districts through a more transparent process. It had support from good-government groups and only limited concerns from the county, which said it wanted further amendments. The committee then heard SB 970, which would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, with the author saying California should modernize as fax service declines and mail service becomes less reliable. County election officials and veterans’ groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting-security advocates opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not currently feasible and could conflict with existing law. SB 1420 would expand voter education and guidance around “sign, scan, and go” voting, which lets voters cast a vote-by-mail ballot in person at a voting site; supporters said it can speed processing and improve voter convenience, while the Secretary of State’s office sought more clarity on double-voting safeguards. SB 1310 would allow limited information from jury questionnaires to be shared with election officials to help identify possible voter-registration issues, but opponents warned it could lead to wrongful purges and harm eligible voters. All bills were voted out of committee, with SB 1175 and SB 1357 receiving unanimous support, SB 1369 and SB 1414 passing on 4-1 votes, and SB 970, SB 1420, and SB 1310 passing unanimously or near-unanimously after absent members were added on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Parker: Senator Eckhardt, I'm sorry, I was a little confused. On 651. Yes.
• Vice Chair Parker: Senator Eckhardt: Yes.
• Kaklis, John Kaklis, Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce, Executive Vice President, and for
• My name is John Cackley, Army Combat Engineer, Disabled Veteran, Business Owner, and Executive Vice President
• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee. I'm Jim Brennan.

Bills: SB390 , SB1197 , SB1271

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills related to military installations, veterans, and contracting opportunities. Senator Birdwell presented SB 1197, which would extend existing drone restrictions over military bases and airports to spaceports, with exceptions for authorized users; no public testimony was offered at the first hearing, and the bill was left pending before later being reported favorably. Chairman Hancock presented SB 1271, which would allow Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction over military installations so state and local authorities could handle certain juvenile offenses and provide more rehabilitative options; a committee substitute was explained, but the bill was left pending after no initial witnesses appeared. The committee also considered SB 390, which would expand the state historically underutilized business definition to include SBA-certified veteran-owned businesses regardless of disability rating. Supporters from the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce and other veterans argued the change would improve access to state contracting, strengthen the economy, and better recognize veterans’ contributions. Senator Eckhardt raised concerns that broadening the category to all veterans might not satisfy the disparity-study basis typically used for HUB classifications, and Jim Brennan echoed that concern while suggesting a separate category might be more workable. During the pending-legislation portion, the committee voted on several bills. SB 651 and SB 897 were each substituted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1814 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1197 was reported favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1271 was left pending after a motion to report the committee substitute favorably, and SB 390 was left pending after testimony concluded. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Karen Brandon, board president, and Dr. Dale Armstrong, Board Vice President. Dr.
• Dale Armstrong, board vice president, who I believe will be joining us remotely, so hopefully the tech
• With that, I will turn over to our vice president, Dr.
• I'm so sorry we can't hear from your vice president, but I'm excited that you're here because physical
• Vice President, Dr. Armstrong, we can hear you. We would love to hear your testimony. Hello.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emhoff and Vice President Harris very ably served our nation in the Biden administration.
• In the labor world, we also know President Rice represents and advocates for firefighters as vice president
• The president, President Trump, the first time he was president, created a federal commission that was
• co-chaired by then Vice President Mike Pence, before folks wanted to hang him outside the gates of the
• It was co-chaired by then Vice President Mike Pence and had the full weight and authority of the federal

Transcript Highlights:

• Acting Vice Chair. Mr.
• Chairman, Vice Chair, obviously the devil is in the details.
• Vice Chair, will you... I move... vote. Mr. Vice Chair, will you move the bill?
• I'm President and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association.
• Vice Chair, please move the bill. I move Senate Bill 259.

Bills: HB2056 , HB2057 , HB2224 , HB2257 , HB2265 , HB2311 , HB2352 , HB2367 , HB2369 , HB2446 , HB2532 , HB2592 , HB2752 , HB2809 , HB2957

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding, Arizona, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement