Video & Transcript : 'section 3' :
Page 34 of 500
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:02:48.680><c> 248A</c> extended the Section 248A extended the Section 248A telecommunications
- </c> participate in the Section 248a process. participate in the Section 248a process.
- </c> citizens do not understand the Section citizens do not understand the Section 248<00:10:07.160><
- To guarantee the legislature will address these issues with Section 248A sooner versus later.
- </c> 6 to 3. 6 to 3.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 8th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Maybe they're only a K-3 school. Grades K and 1 or 4 and 5.
- Some of the key budget items are a 3% and 3% salary increase over the next biennium.
- new sections to chapter 26.1-39, a new section of chapter 26.1-44, and a new subsection to section 26.1
- Senate Bill 2216 is a bill for an act to create a new section in chapter 20.1-02 and a new section to
- House IB&L will meet at 3:20. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House IB&L will meet at 3:20.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements.
The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026 at 01:25 pm
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Last line: New section. Section 3, the act takes effect July 1, 2027. New section.
- Section 3, the act takes effect July 1, 2027.
- New section. Section 1. Last line: new section. Senator Leas. Thank you, Mr. President.
- New sections. Section 1. New sections to Chapter 43.330 RCW and creating a new section.
- Section 66.24.010, Section 3. Amendment at the desk: Amendment No. 0801.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675 , HB2426 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 3.
- But there's one simple amendment that the Appropriations Committee agreed on, and that's Section 3.
- 3 back into the bill that the Senate had removed.
- The Senate removed Section 3 because in testimony we heard that this was being done.
- A bill for an act to create two new sections to chapter 26.1-30, two new sections to chapter 26.1-44,
Summary:
The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans.
House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8.
The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 04/01/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> 3 million target um for 25 through 27. 3 million target um for 25 through 27.
- Section 3 adds a new subdivision to the powers and duties of the agency, requiring that the agency convene
- Section 8 modifies the Verbaton.
- Section 9 amends the institution.
- Section 12 requires the bill.
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
UT
Utah 2025 Regular Session
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee - November 19, 2025
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- These are in sections 2 through 5.
- Section 3 sets transaction limits: it caps individual transactions at $1,000 per customer per day and
- Then there are also some fraud prevention measures in sections 3 and 4.
- I have seven sections that I supervise.
- is open or Bear 3 is not open.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- We're in Section D.
- We're in Section D.
- Section N. Let's go ahead. Let's do all of Section N. Yes, sir. Mr. Chair, this is Section N.
- Section P. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Section P.
- Section P. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Section P.
Committee:
All ALC-PEER
Summary:
The committee reviewed a large slate of appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. In Section B, members considered temporary FY27 appropriations for agencies including Health, DHS, Education, Treasury, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, Game and Fish, and others, covering items such as maternal health outreach, LIHEAP overpayment returns, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim claims, airport grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Questions focused on the DHS senior services carry-forward and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to lower balances after COVID funds were spent down. All Section B items were approved.
The committee then approved continuation requests, ARPA reallocations, and federal grant-related items in Sections B2, C1A, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2, E3, F1A, G1, H1A, I1A, J1/J2, K1/K2/K3, L1/L2, M1/M2, N1/N2, O1A, and P1A. These included university nursing and workforce programs, environmental and recycling grants, highway safety and emergency management grants, a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive Program, restricted reserve transfers for military, agriculture, UAPB, Game and Fish, and AETN, and various cash-fund and budget classification transfers. Several members asked for more detail on the State Police highway safety grant, VOCA victim compensation funding, the NSGP nonprofit security grant, and the Office of State Technology’s E-Rate-related transfer; agency officials explained the uses and noted that some funding levels depend on federal awards and collections.
A notable discussion occurred on the Department of Commerce reallocation, which shifts 68 positions and $3 million among divisions to support an organizational realignment and avoid shortfalls. The committee also reviewed a state central services deduction request to keep the rate at 2%, a DHS overtime request for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustments request authorizing up to $1 million in temporary actions to close FY26 books without disrupting payroll or vendor payments. Most items were approved or, in some sections, simply reviewed without objection. The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- We're in Section D.
- Section G is the Restricted Reserve Fund Transfer Request section.
- Section N. Let’s go ahead. Let’s do all of Section N. Yes, sir. Mr. Chair, this is Section N.
- Section P. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Section P.
- Section P. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Section P.
Committee:
All ALC-PEER
Summary:
The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section.
The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment.
Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- If there are no objections, the amendments to Section 3 will be considered read.
- Moved by Senator Taves, seconded by Senator Den Hartog, that the amendment to Section 3 be adopted.
- Seeing none, Senator... ...Section 3. Debate is open.
- Debate being closed, the question is: shall the amendment to Section 3 be adopted?
- Amendment to Section 3 is adopted.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Mar 12th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
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, seeking passage of legislation entitled
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial items, including introductions of championship Tri-County High School football and boys’ cross-country teams and adoption of a resolution honoring Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. The chamber then gave final passage to several local bills, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting Wellesley’s senior property tax deferral income threshold, amending the Hopedinton/Hopkinton town charter regarding library trustees, and other local matters, all of which were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor.
The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and took up several local bills from the Orders of the Day. These included bills enhancing the powers of the Cotuit Fire District’s Board of Water Commissioners, authorizing the Cotuit Fire District to raise money for the Historical Society of Santuit and Cotuit, further regulating the Salem licensing board, and validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. Each was advanced by unanimous consent, read a third time, and passed to be engrossed.
A major portion of the session focused on two orders from Senator Friedman requesting advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on initiative petitions. One concerned a public records proposal that would extend public records law to the General Court and Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends proposal that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney argued the requests were needed to clarify constitutional issues before the Legislature acts on the initiatives, and both orders were adopted.
The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on Senate Bill 2720, a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft, Senate No. 3014, recommended. The chamber adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026, with amendments in order, and then adopted a separate order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m., dispensing with the printing of a calendar.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-01 (1:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 3(c)(1) of the Florida Constitution, do hereby proclaim as follows: Section 1, the Legislature of the
- Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
- Legislation modifying Section 101.161(3)(a), Florida Statutes, for the joint resolution referenced herein
- . 3.
- The Appropriations Committee will meet today from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in 110 Senate Building.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Administrative Rules Committee Jun 11th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Administrative Rules Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- In Section 407-12...
- Under Section 407.18, service award programs, Section 407.1807, cash, we revised the section title from
- The changes in Section 71-05-04, Section 3; 71-05-04, Section 4.1; Section 6; and Section 8 on pages
- The update to Section 3 of 71-08-11 is similar to the update we made on 71-02-06, where employees just
- And finally, Section 3 is a new section that's just being added to address mergers for eligible employees
Committee:
Joint Administrative Rules Committee
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Judiciary Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- First we're going to go to tab 3 out of here.
- Sb 48 addresses this issue by removing alternative sales procedures from section 45.0, 0, 3, 1, establishing
- But first, I want to provide, as I mentioned, a brief overview of the bar article 5 sections Section
- The sections were paid for entirely by voluntary dues and organized by legal practice area since sections
- Article 5 Section 15 in the case. Law of the U.S. Constitution. Article 5 Section 15 in the case.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
2026 Contests of Candidacy State Election Board Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Title 26, Section 5-126 says it refers to replies.
- Article 5, Section 6. Oklahoma case has ever applied.
- Again, that's a requirement under Section 23.
- Section 307(B)(8), the Open Meeting Act.
- The motion carries 3-0. Therefore, the Aye. Ms. Lamley, aye. The motion carries 3-0.
Summary:
The Oklahoma State Election Board held a special meeting to address several candidate contests and related procedural matters. After roll call and opening remarks, counsel explained the hearing procedures, burden of proof, and possible outcomes. Several cases were noted as resolved or withdrawn, including Timmons v. Jones, Banning v. Sutterfield, and Roberts v. Gaw. In Ranson v. Riley, the board accepted constructive service after the respondent did not appear, heard that Riley was not a registered voter in the required district for the required period, and voted 3-0 to sustain the petition and strike him from the ballot, with costs assessed to the petitioner.
The board then heard Hasenbach v. Pugh, a contest challenging Senator Adam Pugh’s candidacy for Superintendent of Public Instruction under the Oklahoma Constitution’s emoluments ineligibility clause. The petitioner argued that Pugh was a sitting legislator whose office’s salary and benefits had increased during his term, relying on stipulated facts, a compensation commission order, and prior case law. The respondent argued the salary increase came from an independent commission that expressly excluded current legislators and that benefit changes were automatic under a preexisting statute, so no qualifying increase applied to Pugh. The board resolved several procedural issues first, including striking a reply brief as beyond the original petition and admitting joint stipulations into the record.
After a recess and executive session, the board returned to open session and voted 3-0 to deny the petition in Hasenbach v. Pugh, retaining Pugh as a candidate on the ballot and assessing costs to the petitioner. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the secretary and a unanimous vote to adjourn.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Administrative Rules Committee Jun 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 407.20.1-02.
- The changes in Section 71-05-04, Section 3; 71-05-04, Section 4.1; Section 6; and Section 8 on pages
- On page 177, the update to Section 3 of 71-08-11 is similar to the update we made on 71-02-06-06, where
- Section 178, Section 178, second. Of within that plan.
- Participation within the plan as a result of House Bill 1602, and finally, Section 3 is a new section
Summary:
The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes.
The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process.
The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/05/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >> READ THE LAST SECTION. >> SECTION 2, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
- >> READ THE LAST SECTION. >> SECTION 2, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
- . >> Section 3, this act shall take effect immediately. >> Call the roll. >> Addabbo, Gianaris, Krueger
- . >> Section 3, this act shall take effect immediately. >> Call the roll. >> Addabbo, Gianaris, Krueger
- >> READ THE LAST SECTION. >> SECTION 2, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, who offered remarks about gratitude, diversity, and support for Kosovo’s independence. The Journal was approved, and the chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Resolution 1516 commemorating the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence and Resolution 1317 honoring the Stillwater Girls Varsity Soccer Team and Head Coach Christine Ihnatolya for winning the NYSPHSAA Class C state championship. Both resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors were authorized to seek additional co-sponsors.
The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures on environmental conservation, education, public health, civil service, penal law, public service, labor, and a retroactive real property tax exemption for the Silver Lake Foundation. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew recorded no votes from a small group of senators. Senator Fahy explained her vote on a bill renaming an OASAS scholarship in honor of Father Peter Young, emphasizing his work on addiction, incarceration, and homelessness.
Two items drew extended debate. On Calendar 141, Senator Walczyk appealed the chair’s ruling that an amendment to a public service bill was nongermane; the Senate voted 21 to overrule the chair, so the ruling stood, and the bill then passed 52-6. On Calendar 213, Senators Kavanagh and Borrello debated a food-safety bill concerning disclosure of certain food ingredients and chemicals; supporters said it would improve transparency and protect children’s health, while opponents argued federal action was already underway and a national standard would be preferable. After the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar, it passed 56-2. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days as legislative days.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair and members, I'm not going to go through the sections that you see in Article 3 because those sections
- Section 3 is from Senator Clark's Senate File 3368 regarding the paraprofessional qualifications and
- Section 3, 4, and 7 adds licensed library media specialist to staff development, literacy goals, and
- Section 3, 4, and 7 adds licensed library media specialist to staff development, literacy goals, and
- </c><01:43:56.240><c> 3</c><01:43:56.520><c> that</c> for the Article 4, Section 3 that for the Article
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 03:59 pm
Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- , and moves this to a new code section.
- And so those items were struck in this section of code and then moved to a new section of code.
- Yeah, so the additives were the same, but there are exceptions in this section of code, the new section
- of code, and those exceptions In this section of code, the new section of code, and those exceptions
- Section D.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Turning to page 4, section 3, selected fiscal and policy issues.
- Continuing with section 3. Item number 3.
- Turning to page 8 and continuing with section 3.
- I'll discuss items A and B further in section 3.
- Moving now to section 3 on page 3.
Committee:
Senate Finance
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Secretary, record the vote: 25 ayes, 3 nays, 3 not voting.
- Secretary, record the vote: 25 ayes, 2 nays, 3 not voting.
- Senate Bill 1531, an act amending Sections 28-2351, 28-2403, and 28-2470.40, and amending Sections 28
- Secretary, record the vote: 24 ayes, 3 nays, 3 not voting. So with that, the system is closed.
- Secretary, record the vote: 24 ayes, 3 nays, 3 not voting. You passed Senate Bill 1740.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and advocacy groups, including State Farm agents, justice court judges, Donate Life participants, AARP, educators, and rural water advocates. Members also introduced a doctor of the day and several former legislators and officials. The chamber later agreed to the House’s request to adjourn after completing business on March 11 until March 16, and committee meetings and caucuses were scheduled for the recess.
The Senate then took up a series of third-reading votes. Bills passed included SB 1602 on kinship foster care; SB 1621 creating an obesity treatment and prevention advisory council; SB 1672 on AHCCCS step therapy, where one senator objected to the fiscal note while another argued for broader access to treatment; SB 1677 appropriating funds for forestry and fire management, with comments about tamarisk removal and native plant restoration; SB 1811 on public schools; SB 1001 and SB 1072 appropriating funds to the Department of Economic Security; SB 1169 appropriating funds to AHCCCS administration, with support tied to medical residency opportunities; SB 1531 on special plates; and SB 1776 amending AHCCCS statutes. SCR 1020, a proposed constitutional amendment on compensation for elective state officers, also advanced after debate about recruiting a broader range of candidates and making the salary more livable.
The chamber also used Committee of the Whole to amend and advance several bills. SB 1170 on drug offenses was amended to change crime qualifications and remove mandatory minimums, then recommended do pass. SB 1488 establishing a study committee on coal-impacted communities was amended to alter appointment provisions and then passed out of committee and later on third reading, with a lengthy explanation from a senator about the economic history of coal plants and tribal communities. SB 1641 on marijuana licensure was amended to remove DHS’s annual license determination role and passed with the required three-quarters vote. SB 1752 on mescaline offenses and SB 1740 on turquoise alerts also advanced. The Senate confirmed gubernatorial nominations for Alex Ridgeway as Director of Tourism, Jessica Manuel to the Game and Fish Commission, and Stephen Williams to the Livestock Loss Board. The session ended with announcements, a motion to reconsider the failed SCR 1047, a civic learning proclamation, and a series of first-reading referrals for House bills before adjournment.