Transcript Highlights:

• Again, Senator, we do appreciate you scheduling and hearing the SEAR bills.
• </c><00:43:03.079><c> from</c> listening to them but we're hearing from listening to them but we're hearing
• All right, appreciate it, because our last hearing is, we only have three more hearing dates: Tuesday
• </c><00:50:38.480><c> is</c> because we um yeah our last hearing is because we um yeah our last hearing
• Hearing none. So, Dean, if you can come back, I need clarification.

Summary: The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time. Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments. The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin this Select Committee on Downtown Recovery hearing, which today will be on the future of
• We're also here to hear from experts about how walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly streets can make
• At the end of the hearing, we will have public comment for individuals here in the hearing room.
• At the end of the hearing, we will have public comment for individuals here in the hearing room.
• We can hear you. Welcome. I'm trying to share my screen. It says connecting.

Summary: The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held an informational hearing on the future of public transit and its role in downtown recovery. Chair Haney framed the discussion around how downtowns have changed since the pandemic and how transit, walkability, housing, and street design can support more 24/7 activity. The hearing included three panels: transit agency representatives, street design and curb management experts, and housing/transit development advocates. Transit agency witnesses from BART, LA Metro, and Sacramento Regional Transit described post-pandemic ridership shifts, with more weekend, evening, and event-based travel and less reliance on traditional weekday commute patterns. BART highlighted downtown San Francisco’s dependence on transit, its event service, safety investments, and transit-oriented development pipeline, while asking the state to protect transit funding and honor SB 125 and greenhouse gas reduction fund commitments. LA Metro emphasized special event service, especially around the World Cup and Union Station activations, as a way to make transit a destination and improve customer experience. Sacramento Regional Transit reported bus ridership recovery above pre-pandemic levels, light rail lagging behind, new vehicles and stations, stronger security measures, and concerns about future funding cuts affecting student fares, capital projects, and service levels. The second panel focused on making downtown streets more walkable and transit-friendly. Jeff Speck argued that walkability depends on places being useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting, and urged cities to restripe streets, reduce lane widths, add bike protection, improve crossings, and redesign one-way streets. Mark Vuksevich of Streets for All said downtowns are statewide economic assets and called for frequent transit, bus priority, modern curb management, parking pricing tied to availability, and parking benefits districts that reinvest revenue locally. He also said the state should provide model enabling legislation and more flexibility for local experimentation. The final panel focused on housing near transit. California YIMBY’s Aaron Eckhouse supported AB 2074, which would encourage large-scale housing in transit-rich downtowns, and argued for more financing tools, condo reform, and building code changes to reduce costs. Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van Water described the Transbay Transit Center and surrounding district as a case study in transit-oriented downtown growth, with millions of square feet of development, thousands of residents, and a major portal project still awaiting funding and pre-construction work. Members discussed office-to-housing conversions, the need to repurpose underused office stock, and the importance of state funding and policy support for transit, housing, and downtown revitalization.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be hearing testimony on S-2542.
• This is really amazing hearing today. I'm learning a lot.
• We think a commission fits very neatly into the bill you're hearing today.
• Yep, we hear you. Okay.
• Can you all hear me? We hear you. Yep. Great. Thank you so much. My name is Rebecca Miller.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record. Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language. Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we start this informational hearing, I want to acknowledge that this is September 11.
• We haven’t had the hearing yet. I’ll be back if you have one, by the way.
• I just want to hear more about that. Yeah, great question.
• I just want to hear more about that. Yeah, great question.
• I just want to hear more about that. Yeah, great question.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the economic impact of Massachusetts higher education institutions, with opening remarks noting the significance of September 11 and the role colleges and universities play in the state’s economy, workforce, and research ecosystem. UMass leaders testified first, describing UMass as a major employer and economic driver that educates large numbers of Massachusetts residents, supports thousands of jobs, and generates billions in annual economic activity. They emphasized the importance of research funding, warned that federal grant cancellations, suspensions, and slowdowns were harming research operations and talent retention, and voiced strong support for Governor Healey’s proposed DRIVE initiative as bridge funding to protect research capacity and jobs. Committee members focused heavily on workforce preparation in emerging fields such as AI, cyber, quantum computing, and engineering. UMass leaders said AI is being embedded across curricula and research, but also warned that financial constraints forced reductions in PhD admissions, especially in computer science and engineering, which could weaken the future workforce pipeline. They also described the practical effects of grant uncertainty, including reduced graduate admissions and concerns about losing researchers to institutions abroad. Members asked for more detailed data on grant timing, funding gaps, and where students and researchers were going. A second panel from private colleges and universities, including AICUM, Suffolk, Smith, and Clark, highlighted the broad economic and civic contributions of private higher education. Testimony cited large annual economic impacts, job creation, tax revenue, community service, legal clinics, dual enrollment, entrepreneurship support, sustainability investments, and access programs. Speakers also discussed enrollment pressures, COVID-related social and mental health challenges, student visa and federal policy concerns, and the need to preserve liberal arts alongside career-focused training. The committee then heard from MIT, where testimony focused on research commercialization, biotech spinouts, and the role of federal, philanthropic, and industry funding in sustaining innovation; members pressed for more data on funding sources and asked what state policy could do to keep talent and businesses in Massachusetts. The hearing continued with additional public higher education testimony, including Bridgewater State, Bristol Community College, and Northeastern, which emphasized workforce-aligned programs, social mobility, apprenticeships, co-op education, and the need for better coordination between higher education, employers, and state workforce systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?
• Motion carries. >> The agenda today is House File 4881, so I will move that this is an informational hearing
• I understand the desire to want to move the HMOs over, but I am hearing from the health committees that
• And so we are hearing information right now.
• You may hear from insurers that expanding appraisal rights will increase costs or raise premiums.

Bills: HF4881 , HF4867 , HF4422 , HF4223

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be taking the time to hear the bill today.
• We will be taking the time to hear the bill today.
• I thank the committee for hearing and acting upon those concerns.
• I know you're surprised to hear that.
• and have no hearings currently scheduled.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to call to order this very first hearing of the Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer
• We're going to have the chairman take over the committee hearing, thankfully.
• So I appreciate that critique, and I hear it.
• Your guess is as good as mine as to how anybody in the 24 hours before the hearing was able to figure
• In fact, that... ...be hearing this specific case in that instance, but it isn't just about that.

Summary: The committee held its first hearing and took up several privacy, AI, and consumer protection bills. SB 1106 (Cabaldon) would shorten the Delete Act data broker deletion response deadline from 45 days to 30 days; it received support from the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, one senator said they would lay off pending implementation of the original law, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations with a 5-0 vote on call. SB 923 (Becker) would expand the CCPA deletion right to all personal information held by businesses and require online-only businesses to offer a web form or similar method for privacy requests; supporters included the California Privacy Protection Agency and privacy groups, while business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance, and the email/web-form requirement. The committee advanced it 6-0 to Appropriations, on call, with members noting continued work on amendments. SB 1142 (Becker) would regulate digital replicas and deepfakes, including takedown and notice provisions for large online platforms and protections against misuse of a person’s likeness, voice, or identity. Supporters emphasized harms from non-consensual synthetic media and fraud; opponents, including the Motion Picture Association and tech industry groups, raised First Amendment, due process, Section 230, and overbreadth concerns, especially around deceased persons and the 48-hour takedown process. Members said they would support the bill while working on constitutional issues, and it passed 6-0 to Judiciary, on call. The committee also adopted its rules without objection. The committee then heard several member bills. SB 867 (Padilla) would impose a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children; supporters cited research showing sexual content, dangerous advice, and privacy risks, while opponents asked for narrower definitions and retailer liability protections. It passed 7-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1247 (Padilla) would give child influencers a right to request deletion or modification of images and likenesses used in monetized social media content; there was little testimony beyond a civil justice group’s opposition to a new private right of action, and it passed 7-0 to Judiciary, on call. SB 1114 (Cabaldon) would restrict sharing of state-collected LGBTQ-related data absent an enforceable order; Equality California and other advocates supported it as a safeguard against misuse of sensitive data, and it passed 6-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1159 (Cabaldon) would limit local governments’ obligation to treat AI bots and agents as persons in public participation and records processes; supporters said AI-generated comment floods and requests can drown out human participation, while opponents argued the bill should focus on fraud and warned about overreach. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1050 (Ashby) would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated synthetic performers; supporters framed it as a truth-in-advertising and worker-protection measure, while opponents urged narrower, materiality-based standards and exemptions for broadcasters. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about breadth and alignment with existing law, and the bill was moved forward on a due-pass motion to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really thrilled to hear Google is in support of this.
• I'm really thrilled to hear Google is in support of this.
• Can you hear me now? Chair: We can hear you now. Ms.
• They are not hearing from our buyers. You know why?
• Stephanie Gifford: Can you hear me, Mr. Chairman? Chair: We can hear you, Mrs. Gifford.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move that we go out of executive session and go into public hearings.
• room to hear about this great plan that you have.
• And being said, that concludes the hearing on House Bill 3280.
• We will now hear House Bill 3029 from Representative Schulte.
• Do you want to hear them?

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 3078 and 2672 and voted the substitute do pass, with one no vote. It then separately voted House Bill 2362 and House Bill 2588 do pass, each by 16 ayes and one no. During the executive session, one member objected to the combined bill on constitutional equal-protection grounds, while another supported it as a benefit for veterans. In public hearing, Representative Stephanie Boykin presented House Bill 3280, which would create a Missouri specialty license plate for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who previously qualified for a disabled veteran plate. She described it as a low-cost way to continue honoring a veteran’s service and family sacrifice. Committee members and a surviving spouse testified in strong support, emphasizing the recognition of spouses’ sacrifices and noting that similar plates exist in other states. No opposition was offered. The committee then heard House Bill 3029, sponsored by Representative Schulte, which would require disclosures and prohibit compensation for referrals in the business of advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits, with penalties for violations. Supporters, including a Missouri veterans service officer, argued the bill was needed to stop unaccredited “claim shark” companies from charging veterans for initial claims and using misleading social media advertising. Opponents, including a representative of Veterans Guardian and a VA-accredited attorney, argued the bill would restrict lawful private-sector assistance, reduce veterans’ choice, and should be narrowed to target bad actors while exempting accredited attorneys and referral arrangements. The hearing also included a presentation on the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program, which provides medals and certificates for veterans of major conflicts, and a presentation on MU Extension’s Veteran REEDS program, which uses literature and discussion to support veterans and first responders through community-based resilience work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's &gt;&gt; So So we have a public hearing.
• </c><00:14:03.199><c> Give</c> move on to the public hearing. Give move on to the public hearing.
• &gt;&gt; I didn't know we had a public hearing.
• </c> let's move on to the public hearing. let's move on to the public hearing.
• I've hear a lot that's going on here.

Bills: SB88 , SB337 , SB88 , SB337 , HB623

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: expungement, criminal records, courts, victim rights, rehabilitation, Alabama law, SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, construction management

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, hearing none, so ordered.
• Chair hears none; so ordered.
• Chair hears none. Yes. Amendment, Lou Havner read. Is there objection? Chair hears none.
• Chair hears none. So ordered.
• Chair hears none.

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I am hoping that I'm hearing all these things.
• We are having a hearing in the committee.
• Thank you to Chair Hansen for hearing the bill at 1:00 today.
• We are having a hearing in the committee.
• We can achieve this bill. hear. Um I am asking our colleagues you hear.

Summary: The meeting focused on two Parkinson’s-related bills in Minnesota: one to ban paraquat and another to create a state Parkinson’s research trust fund. Rep. Christy Purcell said the research bill would create a dedicated pot of money to coordinate and fund Parkinson’s research in Minnesota, with Sen. Mann as the Senate author. Supporters said Minnesota should act because Parkinson’s is growing rapidly, there is no cure, and state institutions could serve as a research hub. Several people living with Parkinson’s testified about the personal and family impact of the disease, including early-onset diagnoses, loss of work, mobility challenges, and the burden on caregivers. Speakers from the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation supported both bills, arguing that paraquat is strongly linked to Parkinson’s, that exposure can affect farmers and nearby residents, and that prevention and research are both needed. The paraquat bill was described as especially important because alternatives exist and the chemical is reportedly used very little in Minnesota. During the discussion, Rep. Hansen said the paraquat bill would be held over and not voted on that day because a fiscal note was requested. He said the committee would hear the bill later that day and urged colleagues to keep an open mind. In response to questions, supporters said they anticipated little opposition beyond chemical-industry interests, and they emphasized that the bill was aimed specifically at paraquat rather than other chemicals. The research bill was discussed as a possible $25 million request, though no vote was taken on that proposal in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Decision-making will occur after we hear from those offering testimony.
• ,</c><00:01:42.799><c> what</c> of how we proceed in our hearings, what of how we proceed in our hearings
• Uh, and I'd like to hear, or at least the board to hear, or the committee to hear maybe some of your
• Uh, and I'd like to hear, or at least the board to hear, or the committee to hear maybe some of your
• Um hearing<00:31:39.919><c> none,</c><00:31:40.159><c> chair.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 6, 2026, and considered four gubernatorial nominations. For GM 690, Jesse Kola Dean was nominated for reappointment to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board. Testimony from the Retirement Savings Board and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported Dean, citing his original membership on the board and his role in advancing implementation of the retirement savings program. Dean described his background and said the program was moving into implementation after the board approved the Connecticut consortium model; in response to questions, he said the main challenges had been finding an executive director and adapting the program from an original opt-in structure to the opt-out consortium model. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent. For GM 634, Darlene Blakey was nominated to the board of trustees of the Employees' Retirement System. ERS and several individuals submitted support. Blakey, an executive vice president and chief lending officer at First Hawaiian Bank, said her banking and finance background and personal experience with her mother’s retirement benefits motivated her service. She told senators she had attended ERS meetings and was focused on improving retirees’ access to information, education, and retirement planning, and said she would recuse herself from matters involving First Hawaiian Bank because of a potential conflict of interest. The committee again voted to advise and consent. The committee then considered GM 627 and GM 726, both nominations of Gina Anu Novo to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council for different terms. Written testimony from numerous supporters was read into the record. Novo, a longtime First Hawaiian Bank executive and current vice chair, described her experience building audit, compliance, human resources, and technology functions, and said she wanted to help strengthen workforce pathways, career development, retention, and outreach to youth and workers who do not pursue college. Senators asked about her plans to connect workforce development with education and financial literacy; she emphasized career pathing, training, and adapting to changing skills needs, including the role of technology and AI. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on both nominations, and the meeting adjourned after all four nominations were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are holding our hearing in the O Street Building, and we've got our members here.
• Items will be voted on at a future hearing.
• At first we will hear from Ms.
• We're going to hear from Varsha Chavishwar and Ms.
• I'm not 100 percent, you know, understandable what I'm hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to hear from you.
• And I Representative Placencia: hear from people all the time.
• Chair: Rep Asabi, can you hear me?
• And again, Madam Chair, thank you for hearing the bill.
• We hear their confusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not hear HB 2227. If you are... I will not hear HB 2227.
• We had people trapped in restaurants, as we hear in the news.
• Chair, members, thank you for hearing the bill.
• Chairman, thank you for hearing this bill. Mr.
• So, you know, it's really sad that... ...gotten a hearing.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal enforcement for unpaid court fines, fees, restitution, and incarceration costs with a civil collection framework and end arrest warrants and contempt proceedings for nonpayment. Representative Chris Lopez said the bill would let people keep working and repay debts through wage garnishment and other civil tools, while a Justice Action Network representative testified in support. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment limiting challenges to a second default judgment entered within one year of a prior one, then passed HB 2825 with a 7-0 due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2070, an emergency appropriation of $25 million for Gila County flood relief. Gila County supervisors, mayors from Globe and Miami, the county emergency manager, and public works staff described severe flooding, deaths, major debris and sediment removal, damaged roads and utilities, and the county’s inability to meet matching-fund requirements for federal or state grants. Members discussed FEMA denials, federal review, and the need to act before monsoon season. HB 2070 passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Next, HB 2129, which moves the deadline for municipal library trustees’ annual report from the first Monday in July to the second Monday, was supported by the Arizona Library Association as a simple timing fix for smaller and rural libraries. It passed 6-1. HB 2439, exempting public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ water pollution rules, was presented as a way to reduce regulatory confusion and costs for small businesses; it also passed 6-0 with one member absent. The committee then approved HB 2773, barring Arizona and its entities from assisting the International Criminal Court, after debate over sovereignty and constitutional authority, by a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear us in time? Deborah, can you hear us on the Zoom? Thank you. Yes, I can hear you.
• Yes, I can hear you. Yes, I can hear you. What's going on with the Zoom?
• Can you hear me now as I speak? What's going on with the Zoom? Can you hear me now as I speak?
• Yes, I can hear you. Hey, there we got it. Yay!
• Thank you for hearing this bill. My name is Michael Debrillo.

Bills: HB40 , HB100 , HJR1 , SB64 , SB19 , SB44 , SB83

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those voices who can't talk anymore, for those families who are still grieving today, who hearing
• </c><00:03:54.640><c> this</c> grieving today, who hearing this grieving today, who hearing this testimony
• And on the way to school this morning, I told her about this bill that we may hear today.
• And on the way to school this morning, I told her about this bill that we may hear today.
• We've had a that we've been hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no doubt that this committee will hear extensive input from the public.
• We'll first hear a staff explanation of House Bill 2016.
• Thank you for hearing this bill today.
• They get, you know, 15 minutes of a hearing time.
• I hear what you're saying.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with member, page, and staff introductions, then heard reminders about public testimony limits and moved to bills. House Bill 2016 would remove late-filing penalties from taxpayers who owe zero tax. The sponsor argued it was a fairness measure that would spare small businesses and individuals from automatic penalties for paperwork only. Members generally supported the bill, though one member noted the Department of Revenue already has waiver authority and another raised a fiscal-impact question. The bill passed 8-1 with a due pass recommendation; the lone no vote said current law already allows case-by-case waivers and that an automatic exemption could weaken compliance. The committee then took up House Bill 2104, which would bar county assessors from reclassifying agricultural property for four years after a taxpayer wins an appeal, unless there is a change in use, split, or ownership. The sponsor and supporters from the cattle and farm/ranch community said some owners repeatedly win appeals only to face the same fight the next year, creating unnecessary cost and instability. County Assessor Eddie Cook, speaking for the county assessors, opposed the bill, saying assessors must protect compliance and fairness, that some owners do not meet ag requirements, and that the State Board of Equalization is not the final avenue because further appeals are available. The State Board’s acting chairman said the board is neutral, receives annual training, and applies the law as written. After extensive debate, the bill passed 5-4 with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2105, which would require advance notice of certain property inspections and provide inspection reports to property owners. Supporters said the bill would give owners a chance to be present and better understand why agricultural status was denied, helping avoid disputes before appeals. Assessor Cook opposed the measure, saying assessors already send notices, use door hangers and business cards, and can share inspection information on request, but there is no standard inspection report and the added mailing burden would be costly. Members also raised concerns about the lack of an appropriation and the absence of a standardized form. The bill was moved for a due pass recommendation, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did also hear a bill back in the front half before crossover that was.
• We did also hear a bill back in the front half before crossover that was.
• Hearing none, the question is on the final passage of House Bill 1363.
• Out of that, 1,733 hearings, 237 cases with a public defender.
• I know I always hear this Marcy's Law is so bad.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum call, then took up House amendments to Senate Bills 2009, 2147, and 2113. On motion, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendments and appointed conference committees for each bill. The chamber then considered several House bills, adopting amendments and passing House Bill 1556, which creates a Children's Cabinet work group to study out-of-home placement and treatment for children with behavioral health issues, and House Bill 1363, which directs development of a customizable cardiac emergency response plan template for schools and athletic events. House Bill 1533, requiring students to complete a half-unit of financial literacy for graduation, also passed after amendment. House Bill 1226, dealing with masks in public places and protest-related identification concerns, passed after the Judiciary Committee removed language about complying with law enforcement requests to unmask.