Transcript Highlights:

• Cuz we were down watching a rocket launch and he said, "Yeah, I just kind of I've been living there for
• Cuz we were down watching a rocket launch and he said, "Yeah, I just kind of I've been living there for
• Cuz we were down watching a rocket launch and he said, "Yeah, I just kind of I've been living there for
• Cuz we were down watching a rocket launch and he said, "Yeah, I just kind of I've been living there for

Bills: SB326 , SB326

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: sheriff, credit card, debit card, financial procedures, Jackson County, purchasing authority, boating regulations, anchoring, rafting, enforcement mechanism, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Rocket bases in Yuma, our infrastructure is building.
• fact that we have this big piece of desert out there in southern Arizona, but we would be able to launch
• And we're not talking large-scale rockets; we're talking commercial types of vehicles.
• So this special plate is a low-cost, voluntary way for and rocket test ranges.
• Now we're coming down to drones and maybe eventually we'll launch a few cars. Taxes.

Bills: SB1020 , SB1107 , SB1117 , SB1160 , SB1216 , SB1308

Committees: Senate Public Safety , Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Keywords: special plates, Arizona Space Commission, transportation, funding, space exploration, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy, law enforcement recruitment, public safety, community policing, background investigation, psychological fitness

Transcript Highlights:

• Rocket bases in Yuma, we have a spaceport in Sierra Vista.
• So I want you to imagine a future where we were launching rockets here in Arizona and building out a
• I want us to watch rockets out of Yuma.
• I want us to be a place for space, and Michael Vargas: I want us to launch rockets out of Yuma.
• He's building small launch rockets and space-based data centers out of Tucson, so there's an opportunity

Committee: House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on Science and Technology met for its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and reviewing committee rules and amendment deadlines. The committee then heard several bills, beginning with HB 2121, which would prohibit original equipment manufacturers from disabling consumer electronic devices when owners make modifications, including through firmware or remote updates. Sponsor Rep. Nick Cooper described it as a “True Ownership Act” aimed at consumer products like printers and phones, while members raised concerns about manufacturing, security, and implementation. An amendment by Rep. Fink narrowed the bill to consumer products and excluded commercial, industrial, business-to-business, off-road, and retail-channel equipment. The amendment was adopted, and HB 2121 as amended passed 7-1-1, with one member voting no and one present. The committee next considered HB 2134, which would prohibit Chinese-produced critical infrastructure equipment and restrict government entities and critical communications providers from contracting with Chinese companies that have access to critical infrastructure. Rep. Cooper and supporters framed the bill as a cybersecurity and national security measure, while some members questioned costs, implementation, and the role of the Arizona Corporation Commission. Testimony from State Armor representatives and an attorney cited federal NDAA restrictions, alleged fraud in sales of certain devices, and examples from other states. The Arizona Corporation Commission director said the agency was neutral but would need several new positions to implement the bill. HB 2134 passed 5-4. The committee also approved HB 2451, which updates the Arizona Space Commission’s board terms, extends the strategic plan deadline, and adds astronautic educational opportunities to the commission’s scope. Rep. Justin Wilmeth and Space Commission members described the measure as a technical “trailer bill” to support Arizona’s growing space industry and long-term competitiveness, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 2700, which would create a Technology Study Committee focused on assistive technology and Technology First initiatives. Rep. Connolly, constituent Sam Shepard, and advocates for people with developmental disabilities testified that the committee would help Arizona identify and expand assistive technologies and remote supports. After adopting a Connolly amendment clarifying the committee’s purpose and membership, HB 2700 passed 8-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes a lunar lander, redundancy, NASA space launch SLS.
• And relies only on commercial rockets such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, New Glenn.
• Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
• The Stennis Space Center is home to NASA's largest rocket propulsion test site.
• and foreign rocket technology.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• The FAA requires clear zones around launch sites for public safety.
• impacts that we have with the 500 hours of allowed launch licensing hours that we have.
• But what's really important is normally when you see rocket ships or launches at federal ranges, you
• have the federal government owning all the property around the launch complex.
• To the launch site, correct? Well, the beach itself is like the front edge.

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We call the horizontal launch area. The vertical launch area and the advanced technology area.
• So if I were to ask you, How many launches occur at the Cape?
• That's where all the launches occur, and believe it or not, Space Force runs those launches.
• Lastly, tell me about your vertical launches.
• Orbital launch with other customers will come out of the vertical launch area, and that's where I mentioned

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• rocket commercial satellites, so you think SiriusXM, you think Verizon or DirecTV.
• Wilmeth, do you believe that anybody would be able to use the rocket mission at any time? Mr.
• So we won't be launching people from Yuma at all.
• So I understand that there are actually spaces where rockets can launch even from Tucson.
• And they may not go around the earth several times, but they're still able to launch.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the doctor of the day. Members also introduced numerous guests and groups in the gallery, including the Dandy Project, Arizona Right to Life, Red State Reform, Reproductive Freedom for All, Somerton elected officials, Apache County Supervisor Alton Joe Shepard, and the family of the late Brad Brower. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2053 honoring Brower’s life and service, followed by a moment of respectful silence and remarks from members about his community leadership. The House considered several Senate bills in Committee of the Whole. SB 1020, relating to the Arizona Space Commission and a specialty license plate, drew debate over a proposed Villegas floor amendment to add a community college access and success plate; the amendment failed on a recorded division vote, and SB 1020 was then approved. SB 1127 and SB 1181 also received do-pass recommendations without controversy. The House later held an additional Committee of the Whole on SB 1426, adopted a floor amendment, and reported the bill as amended with a do-pass recommendation. On third reading, the House passed SB 1125 on child safety by a vote of 43-4 and SB 1415 on insurance adjusters by a vote of 46-1. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole report, with a separate motion to include the defeated Villegas amendment in SB 1020 failing 19-28. The chamber announced upcoming committee meetings, made several brief personal and ceremonial announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• rocket commercial satellites.
• Wilmeth, do you believe that anybody would be able to use the rocket mission at any time? Mr.
• So we won't be launching people from Yuma at all.
• So I understand that there are actually spaces where rockets can launch even from Tucson.
• And they may not go around the earth several times, but they're still able to launch.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blackman, yes, and you're going to be on the first rocket to Mars. Thank you. Yes, we do.
• moderate-sized rockets carrying commercial space satellites and communication satellites.
• He said this will be a big thing because other markets that handle rocket launches have a backlog, creating
• launches are having a backlog.
• And so we're going to have this opportunity to move forward on this. rocket launches are having a backlog

Summary: The meeting covered a very large number of bills across multiple committees, with most items presented on consent calendars and several sponsors explaining their measures. Education bills focused on moving statewide testing later in the school year, allowing paper testing by local choice, increasing transparency around district administrator pay, expanding religious excusal policies, creating a school fitness recognition program, and sending a resolution to voters to require sex-based designation of school sports teams and private spaces. Federalism and Government items included bans on foreign contributions to ballot-measure committees, a proposed ballot measure to eliminate voting centers and return to precinct-based voting, memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and the IMF, penalties for late agency financial reporting, restrictions on state contracts with China, and a bill limiting use of ADS-B aviation data for fee collection. Commerce bills addressed digital goods disclosure, child influencer trust accounts, liability for river outfitters, marketplace contractor termination rights, utility submetering charges, unemployment eligibility checks, and association-based health plans. Health and human services measures included lactation consultant certification and Medicaid breastfeeding support, a ban on gender transition procedures for minors, a requirement that chief medical officers hold active licenses, technical ambulance definitions, a SNAP waiver request to restrict non-eligible food purchases, hospital collection of patient immigration status, and enrollment verification for AHCCCS-related hospital presumptive eligibility. Judiciary bills included consent-verification requirements for online sexual material, a civil cause of action for DEI policy violations, hate-crime-style enhancements that also cover political affiliation, name-change disclosure rules for sex offenders, penalties for possession of falsified commercial driver’s licenses by unlawfully present persons, penalties for mailing abortion-inducing drugs, speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension, longer transition services for inmates, stronger penalties for sexual extortion of minors, and legislative oversight of state shooting range closures. Natural resources and water bills dealt with brackish groundwater recovery and desalination studies, water augmentation authority financing, HOA drought-year watering restrictions, water-rate parity for customers outside city limits, and groundwater transportation from the McMullen Valley basin. Other topics included a ban on PFAS firefighting foam, restrictions on vaccine and mask mandates by governments and businesses, protections against employment or service discrimination based on medical interventions, elimination of long-vacant state positions, consumer protections against device disabling after owner modifications, and restrictions on Chinese-made critical infrastructure. The committee also heard a Space Commission update bill and a continuation of the Arizona Beef Council. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for amendments or legal concerns, including the testing-window bill, student directory information bill, river outfitter liability bill, ambulance bill, and others. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but many bills were advanced on third-read or consent calendars, while a few were set aside for amendments or further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think, as you know, we have a major initiative at the University of Arizona, and we just launched
• We are currently testing with groups like Space Force and certain rocket lift providers.
• facility, when that payload is actually loaded on the rocket, when that rocket takes off.
• We have a launch. It was supposed to be this month; that's coming up in two months.
• our end goal in five years: to be able to interoperate between disparate satellite providers and launch

Bills: HB2809

Committees: House Science & Technology , House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Keywords: cybersecurity, post-quantum encryption, CMMC 2.0, state agencies, data protection, US-based vendors

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think, as you know, we have a major initiative at the University of Arizona, and we just launched
• We are currently testing with groups like Space Force and certain rocket lift providers.
• facility, when that payload is actually loaded on the rocket, when that rocket takes off.
• We have a launch. It was supposed to be this month; that's coming up in two months.
• our end goal in five years: to be able to interoperate between disparate satellite providers and launch

Committee: House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology met with a full audience and began with brief introductions, including an intern from Arizona State University. The committee heard two presentations before taking up its only bill. The University of Arizona’s Thomas Diaz de la Rubia spoke about fusion energy, describing it as a potential clean, safe, baseload power source and arguing Arizona should build the talent, supply chains, and research infrastructure to commercialize fusion. Members asked about timelines, regulation, competition with China, and the relationship to small modular reactors; he said fusion could be commercially relevant in roughly 12 to 15 years if public and private investment continues, and that the U.S. should avoid losing manufacturing and supply chains as it did in other technologies. He also discussed the university’s broader space and national security work. XRDNA CEO Charles Ableman then presented a spatial addressing and coordination system called EVA, describing it as a way to align data about where and when physical objects exist across systems, with a security layer called a sphere of influence. He said the company is testing with space and logistics partners, uses AI provenance tools, and sees its near-term use case in space operations and interoperability. The committee then considered HB 2809, which would require state agencies handling sensitive or protected data to implement post-quantum encryption meeting or exceeding CMMC 2.0 standards, using a U.S.-based vendor and U.S.-developed or maintained components. The bill would place the master encryption key with the Auditor General and set procedures involving the Auditor General and Attorney General. Sponsor Rep. Gillette explained that the bill was simplified from a prior version after concerns that agencies would have to connect offline systems to the internet; the amendment clarified that encryption can be installed without internet connectivity and without requiring other systems to be online. He argued the measure is needed to modernize weak legacy systems and protect data after prior breaches and failed IT projects. Members generally supported the concept but raised questions about implementation, costs, vendor neutrality, and the Auditor General’s role; the Secretary of State’s office was described as neutral and still evaluating implementation. The committee adopted the Pingarelli amendment and then passed HB 2809 as amended on a 9-0 vote, with several members explaining that they supported the bill but wanted continued stakeholder input and careful attention to execution.

Transcript Highlights:

• cadence out of Vandenberg Air Force Base to allow for more launches that are launching satellites for
• > uh</c> more launches launches that are uh more launches launches that are uh launching<04:14:20.560
• purposes</c><04:14:24.199><c> and</c><04:14:24.439><c> launching</c> national security purposes and launching
• That wasn't just from SpaceX, but from the U.S. military itself in order to do more launches.
• SpaceX's Starship, which is the largest rocket ever built, the largest space vehicle ever built.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer, or SPHEREx, missions, launched
• And whereas Rocket Lab has expanded its presence in the Arizona market with the acquisition of a Tucson-based
• cadence of rockets and satellites, and redefine how the world accesses and leverages space with its
• your name, if you stand up: Marissa Walker from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Jennifer Goodrum, Rocket
• your name, if you stand up, Marissa Walker from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Jennifer Goodrum, Rocket

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized several visiting groups at the Capitol, including OBGYNs and trainees for Women’s and Reproductive Health Day, environmental advocates for Environmental Day, Arizona Maha Coalition members, nurses for Arizona Nurses Day, aerospace industry representatives for Aerospace Day, and guests for International Mother Language Day and other district visitors. Several proclamations and recognitions were read, including International Mother Language Day, Arizona Aerospace Day, and a recognition of Israeli Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez. The chamber also welcomed the Doctor of the Day and a newly appointed commissioner, and the President Pro Tem made temporary committee appointments. The main floor business was a Committee of the Whole on several SNAP-related bills. SB 1002, concerning SNAP/TANF public welfare verification, received a floor amendment from Senator Kavanagh and was advanced with a do pass recommendation. SB 1331, relating to SNAP military employment and training, also advanced do pass. SB 1333, relating to a SNAP error rate forensic audit, was amended by the Health and Human Services Committee and advanced do pass after Senator Gonzalez spoke in opposition, arguing the bill did not address the underlying federal error-rate problem and could increase state costs. SB 1334, concerning SNAP work requirement waivers and exemptions, advanced do pass despite Senator Gonzalez’s opposition, in which she argued the bill would restrict Arizona’s flexibility, especially in rural and tribal areas, and could harm older adults and people with disabilities. SB 1368, concerning SNAP purchase restrictions, was then taken up; Senator Gonzalez began speaking in opposition, but the transcript cuts off before the debate or final action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rocket bases in Yuma, our infrastructure is building.
• don't think a lot of folks really understand how empty it is, so it makes a perfect place, a perfect launch
• fact that we have this big piece of desert out there in southern Arizona, but we would be able to launch
• And we're not talking large-scale rockets; we're talking commercial types of vehicles.
• Now we're coming down to drones and maybe eventually we'll launch a few cars. Taxes.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Public Safety Committee approved several bills during the meeting. SB 1107, as amended, creates an alternative pathway to peace officer certification for honorably discharged veterans who served as military police, allowing abbreviated AZPOST training while still requiring certification testing, background checks, and fitness standards. The sponsor and a former military police officer testified that the bill would help address law enforcement staffing shortages without lowering standards. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 7-0. The committee also passed SB 1308, which creates a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office in the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud claims involving technology produced by foreign adversaries and to help fund replacement of such technology in critical infrastructure. Supporters said the measure would protect consumers and critical systems from national security risks tied to foreign-made technology. SB 1020 was approved to create an Arizona Space Commission specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting the space exploration and aeronautics research fund; members and witnesses described it as a voluntary fundraising tool for Arizona’s growing space industry. SB 1160, as amended, was passed to prohibit operating drones within a mile of ticketed entertainment events, with exceptions for authorized personnel, utilities, and certain property owners. Supporters from Live Nation and NASCAR said it would improve safety and close a loophole around large events. SB 1117 was also approved to fund DPS crime lab services for evidence from counties under one million population, with the sponsor saying it would add staff to help rural counties process DNA evidence more quickly. Finally, SB 1216 passed to remove the sunset on traumatic event counseling for public safety employees and to add crime scene and digital forensic technicians to the covered employee definition. All bills received do-pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• design, aerospace part manufacturing, space launch, and data analytics, and whereas commercial aerospace
• design, aerospace part manufacturing, space launch, and data analytics, and whereas commercial aerospace
• Quantum and fusion and Castilian with rocket science is a great place to place them in the spaceport.
• Stratel launch is a potential deal with W... Castilian.
• Straddle launch is a potential DOE activity that is coming to the spaceport as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• cadence of rockets and satellites, and redefine how the world accesses and leverages space with its
• cadence of rockets and satellites, and redefine how the world accesses and leverages space with its
• your name, if you stand up: Marissa Walker from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Jennifer Goodrum, Rocket
• your name, if you stand up: Marissa Walker from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Jennifer Goodrum, Rocket
• And whereas Yvonne championed the first evidence-based child abuse prevention education by launching

Transcript Highlights:

• THE SRT PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED AUGUST 5 WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE AND PASCOE COUNTY AS AMONG THE
• WE HAD THE MOST SPACE LAUNCHES IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.
• LAST YEAR WE HAD ROUGHLY 93, THIS YEAR WE'RE ON TRACK TO HAVE 153 LAUNCHES AT THE SPACEPORT.
• MANUFACTURING FACILITY OUT THERE THAT WE HELPED INVEST IN AND THOSE ROCKETS WILL BEGIN LAUNCHING SOON
• AND WE ARE ON SCHEDULE TO HAVE 150 LAUNCHES THIS YEAR AND THAT COULD EASILY DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT FEW

Transcript Highlights:

• Spaceports are where we launch rockets out into space.
• For example, for our first launch, we closed for about 100 hours.
• This will give us control to be able to conduct the launches.
• When they blast a rocket off, houses shake 20 miles away; it's literally a shake.
• So let me ask you this, do you think those rockets are going to go up?

Bills: HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042 , HB45

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This restores line item funding to the rocket docket program.
• Okay, and then the last line item there is the rocket docket program for the county attorneys, which
• also restored line item funding to the rocket docket program.
• </c><00:10:51.920><c> docket</c> line item funding to the rocket docket line item funding to the rocket
• the Rocket Docket program.

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for its recognition of the 100th anniversary of the historic launch
• of the world's first liquid-fueled rocket.
• It is in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the historic launch of the world's first liquid-fueled
• rocket.