Transcript Highlights:

• 3, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and whereas grave doubt further exists
• 3, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and whereas grave doubt further exists
• 3, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth?
• 3, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth?
• 3, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth?

Summary: The Senate began with ceremonial items, including the Pledge of Allegiance and a welcome to Tri-County High School’s championship football and boys’ cross-country teams. The chamber then adopted a resolution commending the town of Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for recognizing the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. Several local bills were taken up and passed to be enacted, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting the senior property tax deferral income threshold in Wellesley, amending the Hopedinton charter regarding library trustee appointment powers, and later engrossing bills affecting the Cotuit Fire District, the Salem licensing board, and validating Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and, on committee recommendation, advanced two Cotuit Fire District bills to third reading and engrossment. A major portion of the session focused on two Senate orders seeking advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on pending initiative petitions. One order concerned a public records initiative that would extend public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends initiative that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney spoke in support of both orders, saying they were meant to inform the committee’s work and were not votes on the merits of the ballot questions. Both orders were adopted without objection. The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft and amendment pending, and adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026. The session concluded with an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., which was adopted, and the Senate adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an identical $3 facilities.
• Section 3 appropriates money to the Board of Animal Health, and section 4 funds AURI.
• has</c> loan account section two section six has loan account section two section six has two two two
• Then the final article, Article 3, is for broadband, and section 1 is just boilerplate setting up the
• Sections 2 through 4 are 20,000.

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving now to section 3 on page 5.
• Moving on to section 3 on page 3. Item one is flood control dam funding.
• Turning to section 3, Selected and Fiscal Policy Issues on page 3.
• Section 3 of the packet.
• Turning to page 5 and continuing with section 3.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1165: An act amending Title 20, Chapter 4, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section
• SB 1347: An act amending Title 20, Chapter 4, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section
• Section 11-472, and amending Title 11, Chapter 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 11-544
• -7-472; amending Title 11, Chapter 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 11-3-4301-123; amending
• Title 11, Chapter 13, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 11-13-253; and amending sections 3

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received House messages and first-read bills. The chamber moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a range of measures on solar energy, public safety, insurance, health care, agriculture, gaming, education, child welfare, and real property. Several bills were retained on calendar, while many others were advanced with committee amendments and floor amendments. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors drew the most debate. A floor amendment by Sen. Sundareshan sought to require utilities to protect ratepayers from costs associated with large energy users such as data centers; supporters argued it would help keep electricity affordable, while opponents called it a hostile amendment. After a division vote, the amendment failed 12-15, and SB 1419 was reported do pass as amended. SB 1498 (DPS appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also advanced. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, but a later attempt to add the failed Sundareshan amendment to the report on SB 1419 was defeated 13-14. On Calendar 1, the Senate advanced SB 1165, SB 1206, SB 1212, SB 1215, SB 1290, SB 1291, and SB 1347, mostly with committee amendments. SB 1178 on naturopathic physicians and prescription drug pricing saw a contested Sears floor amendment aimed at stopping price gouging on essential generic drugs; supporters said it would lower drug costs, while the sponsor objected that it was not germane. The amendment failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1186 on document retention and donations also drew a Sundareshan amendment on transparency and implementation; it failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1286 on veterinary visits and electronic prescriptions advanced after a proposed Kavanagh floor amendment was defeated on division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and moved on to additional calendars. On Calendar 4, the chamber passed SB 1004 on ESA students and interscholastic activities, SB 1116 on AHCCCS access/behavioral health, SB 1162 on health care institution licensing complaints, SB 1179 on developmental disability/health monitoring, SB 1475 on school district governing boards and eligibility, SB 1821 on DCS training and child placement, and SCR 1012. A request to hold SB 1475 for a reinstatement process was rejected. The Senate also took up an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1077, SB 1479, and SB 1566; SB 1077 advanced with a Payne floor amendment, SB 1479 advanced with a Carroll amendment classifying certain forged real-property recordings as a class five felony, and SB 1566 began consideration with a Petersen amendment to remove part of a prior amendment. Throughout, the chamber repeatedly adopted committee reports and advanced the bills for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1347, in Act 17-4, Article 3, Arizona, Vice, Statute, by Annette, Section 2841.14, amending Title
• Senate Bill 1479, an act amending Title 11, Chapter 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 11
• -47-7, Arizona Revised Statutes, amending Section 11-3-4-30-1-123, Arizona Revised Statutes, amending
• 3, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 15-342.06 relating to school district governing
• boards. ...Chapter 3, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 15-342.06 relating to school

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be House Article 3, section 6.
• </c><00:38:20.320><c> of</c> 3 house article two that new section of 3 house article two that new section
• Senate sections 3 and 5, no. Senate sections 21 to 24, yes. Senate section 25, yes.
• Senate sections 3 and 5. No. Senate sections 3 and 5.
• Senate and sections 3 to 11 are a yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in section 3, subsection C, subdivision 3, the task force is directed in the powers and duties section
• Back in section 3, subsection C, subdivision 3, the task force is directed in the powers and duties section
• c> have amended Section 3 and we'll be have amended Section 3 and we'll be hearing<02:16:45.679><c> about
• Section<03:14:54.440><c> 3</c><03:14:54.720><c> provides</c><03:14:55.280><c> $250,000</c> Section 3
• Section<03:29:52.480><c> 3</c> Section 3 Section 3 amends<03:29:54.440><c> 10</c><03:29:54.680><c> VSA

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> through section 8.31. Thank you. through section 8.31. Thank you.
• </c> violations of section 504b.171. violations of section 504b.171.
• : section 9, subdivision 5, section 10, subdivisions 6 and 7, and section 11. >> So, but uh the stuff
• 5, section 10, subdivisions 6 and 7, and section 11.
• > 5,</c> identified section 9 subdivision 5, identified section 9 subdivision 5, section<02:42:43.600

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This section would.
• Section 3. I know the discussion of positions in New Mexico has been.
• They weren't included in this section, so it's rectifying that. Section 6, Madam Chair.
• section within the PARA Act.
• Section 7 on page 29.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in the next section. This is Section C.
• We're in Section E.
• That moves us to J-3. Is that correct? Okay, you're recognized. Yes, sir. We're in J-3.
• I think we've already heard a presentation on J-3. Are there any questions on J-3?
• Chair, those are all the intergovernmental contracts in K-3. Members, any questions about K-3?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third section, the third kind of cluster, is sections two, four, five, seven, and eight.
• Uh, and the extended tax would terminate— and that is a Section 13, Senate File and that is a Section
• Miller</c><00:25:58.400><c> bill,</c> Section 39 is another Miller bill, Section 39 is another Miller
• > Koran,</c><00:31:04.720><c> number</c> Section 51, uh Senator Koran, number Section 51, uh Senator
• <00:31:44.600><c> 53,</c> section 53, section 53, this<00:31:46.760><c> is</c><00:31:47.120><c> a</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 2, 3, 16, and 17 are from House File 1678.
• Sections 1 through 3 and 15 are a new proposal.
• Sections 1 through 3 are from the governor's budget bill.
• Section 3 is from the Governor's Budget Bill.
• That's Article 2, Sections 1 through 3 and 15.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 36, 40, Section 115, 6.30. Pages 36, 40, Section 115, 6.30. Wait a minute. Let me make sure.
• It's not a repeal of the section itself. Okay. I'm. Not a repeal of the section itself. Okay.
• Subsection 3.
• Every year, it's right around $3 million, just over $3 million. Okay.
• So there's about $3 million it comes in. It looks like we spend about $3 million.

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

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 1871. Members adopted a committee substitute with technical cleanup language, then approved two amendments: one restoring the current 25-foot distance from an election site entrance instead of the bill’s 50-foot change, and another removing the presidential preference primary from the substitute. Members discussed the presidential primary at length, with supporters arguing it should remain in the bill and opponents saying it should be handled separately. The committee then rolled the amendments into a new substitute and voted 13-1, with two present, to do pass House Bill 1871 with the House Committee Substitute. The committee then heard House Bill 2125, sponsored by Representative Banderman, which would codify and expand several Secretary of State election-related authorities. The bill would require the Department of Revenue to share citizenship-related information with the Secretary of State for voter registration verification, make a technical wording change, remove a sunset on the Secretary of State’s subpoena authority for election investigations, and extend the Secretary of State’s technology trust fund fee. Testimony from the Secretary of State’s office supported the bill, emphasizing existing data-sharing practices, cybersecurity needs, and the importance of the technology fee. Some members raised concerns about the scope of subpoena power, the meaning of “frivolous” complaints, single-subject issues, and the fiscal note, while opponents criticized the fee and the expansion of state power. No vote was taken on HB 2125 in the portion provided. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1812, which would require monthly transmission of death records from the Department of Health and Senior Services to the Secretary of State for voter roll maintenance. The sponsor said the bill simply codifies a process already being done annually and would help keep voter rolls current. Witnesses in support called it a common-sense election integrity measure, while members asked about privacy, matching records accurately, and whether monthly updates would create administrative burdens. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill, and there was no opposition testimony. The hearing on House Bill 1812 concluded, and the Elections Committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So sections 3, 4, and 5 are all the same, but each one brings up a different year: section 3 brings up
• It makes the same amendments.<00:04:55.840><c> So</c><00:04:56.080><c> section</c><00:04:56.479><c> 3
• So section 3, four, and five amendments.
• </c><00:05:02.000><c> 3</c><00:05:02.240><c> brings</c><00:05:02.479><c> up</c> one brings up uh section
• 3 brings up one brings up uh section 3 brings up 2022,<00:05:03.680><c> section</c><00:05:04.080><c>

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It also introduces a pilot to integrate STEM into K-3 literacy, and that's in Sections 33.93.
• I'm going to skip forward in the bill and go to section 50, subsection 3.
• Oh, no, I was just going to reference Section 50, subsection 3, which provides a bit about what could
• Section 13.5, subsection 3, and... ...and signed by the Governor.
• ... ...subsection 3, and add language to Section 74, which makes the appropriation to the new account

Committee: Assembly Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in the next section. This is Section C, the American Rescue Plan Act appropriation requests.
• That means to Section E. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We're in Section E.
• We're in Section E.
• I think we've already heard a presentation on J-3. Are there any questions on J-3?
• Chair, those are all the intergovernmental contracts in K-3. Members, any questions about K-3?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements. In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed. The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• rule less that section, or is that the entire permit for prior permit section?
• Attorney Munz, you could do a conditional approval to remove that section, but that section applies to
• </c> entire permit for prior permit section? entire permit for prior permit section?
• </c> remove that section, but it that section remove that section, but it that section applies<00:17:
• So, do you know what category 3 fire.

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes and adopting the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians and the Board of Accountancy items to next month, with a waiver granted for the dieticians item so it could be carried over. The committee also noted that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule would be discussed further, and staff flagged a specific concern about authority over kindling size for category 3 fires under NCR 5601.04. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff said the board had addressed editorial comments, but raised one substantive issue about the drug formulary: the statute requires posting it online but does not clearly exempt it from rulemaking, suggesting a possible legislative carveout may be needed. The committee agreed to add that issue to a list of legislative suggestions for later consideration. The DNCR interim fire rule was the main contested item. Committee members and staff discussed whether the rule exceeded authority by regulating kindling for category 3 fires, and the agency explained that the regular rules had expired and interim rules were needed quickly for public safety and permit enforcement. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval on the interim rule 25-4, with the understanding that the agency would continue regular rulemaking and address the objection. The Board of Examiners’ dental rules were then reviewed. The agency explained that it revised the rules to address prior concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, a pediatric minimal sedation permit, and a moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification. Members also discussed whether the rules were consistent with House Bill 470; staff and members concluded they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee approved the dental rules, and then adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but it does incorporate all 81 sections of Article 3.
• Uh, so section one and section two of Article 3 beginning on page 42 pertain to duties for the Advisory
• Section four on Article 3 is the Senate File 2203 that we just heard, the Empowering Small Minnesota
• Section 9 of Article 3 amends the variance process by which a county or other road authority may seek
• </c> policy section 52 on page 83 and section policy section 52 on page 83 and section 53<01:41:54.639

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; 103 KAR 19010 delete section two &gt;&gt; 103 KAR 19010 delete section two relating<00:00:49.880
• </c><00:02:54.840><c> to</c> amendments amend various sections to amendments amend various sections to
• 012 and 3:013.
• </c> sections to comply with KRS chapter 13A. sections to comply with KRS chapter 13A.
• </c> sections to comply with KRS Chapter 13A. sections to comply with KRS Chapter 13A.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• A no vote removes Section 3 and its effective dates.
• Uh, Section 1 will amend 3 V.S.A. subsection 455, which covers the definitions for Title 3, Chapter 16
• </c> will amend Section 1 will amend 3 V.S.A. will amend Section 1 will amend 3 V.S.A. subsection<00:
• Section 3 will amend 3 V.S.A. subsection 489.
• Section 3 creates a new section of statute, 28 V.S.A. subsection 129, addressing gender identification