Transcript Highlights:

• In our statement that summarized the budget after it was released, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero thanked
• But it is interesting that the statement has said that as time goes on, you believe that there'll be
• regional system in their February 27, 2026 report to the Legislature, they reiterated previous statements
• So, yeah, there's a couple of steps that we've been working on, developing the statement of work for
• So that is a statement of work that is intended to meet industry best practices and standards and also

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear budget-related updates from the Judicial Branch and the Office of Emergency Services, with no votes taken. The Judicial Council supported the Governor’s proposed budget, highlighting $70 million for increased trial court operating costs, additional funding for court-appointed counsel, Court of Appeal case processing, and courthouse construction and facilities. Trial court representatives emphasized staffing retention problems, especially in counties like San Bernardino, and said stable funding is needed to avoid delays and maintain access to justice. Members also discussed the branch’s remote proceedings program, which has been used in more than 6 million hearings statewide since 2022 and was described as especially important in rural areas and for vulnerable litigants; several members urged making the authority permanent rather than extending it temporarily. A major portion of the hearing focused on Proposition 36 implementation. Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains the $130 million provided in the 2025 Budget Act for court workload and pretrial services, but adds no new Prop. 36 court funding. Judicial Council staff reported nearly 35,000 felony Prop. 36 filings in 2025, with most cases still pending and only a small share of treatment-mandated cases already dismissed after treatment. Witnesses said courts are using the funds for staffing, coordinators, clerks, and treatment-court operations, but that workload varies widely by county and that data collection is limited because courts report aggregate information rather than case-level outcomes. The LAO raised a technical concern about the Department of Finance’s Prop. 47 savings estimate and recommended revising the methodology at May Revision. The committee also reviewed the Orange Central Justice Center facility modification project, where the Judicial Council explained that hidden construction deficiencies and fire-life-safety issues caused costs to rise substantially after demolition began. The LAO said the project itself was supportable but recommended that the Legislature set an ongoing funding level for court facilities, require a long-term facilities plan, and consider more oversight of facility modification projects. Finance said it continues to fund courthouse projects individually and through the State Public Works Board, while acknowledging project delays and cost increases. Finally, Cal OES and advocates discussed victim services funding. Cal OES said it administers about $315 million annually for victim service programs, including VOCA-funded services, but federal VOCA allocations have fluctuated sharply and the state has used one-time General Fund backfills to maintain services. Trauma recovery center advocates warned that an 85% reduction in funding would sharply reduce services for survivors of violent crime, while human trafficking advocates urged reauthorization of the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program before funding reverts to pre-pandemic levels in July 2026. Members asked about federal and state funding stability, referral pathways, and the long-term value of these programs in preventing worse outcomes and reducing public costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our statement that summarized the budget after it was released, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero thanked
• He then noted that the statement has said that, as time goes on, there will be an increase in some of
• But it is interesting that the statement has said that as time goes on, you believe that there'll be
• So, yeah, there's a couple of steps that we've been working on, developing the statement of work for
• So that is a statement of work that is intended to meet industry best practices and standards and also

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking
• But uh, Madam Chair, I prepared a little statement this morning because I got up and kind of got to thinking

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a fair statement, Mr. Speaker, gentlemen? Mr.
• That is the general fund financial statement. 32.3%, thank you, Madam Speaker, Mr.
• I think that's an unfair statement.
• Would that be a fair thought and statement? Mr.
• So, I hesitate to give a blanket statement, but it's certainly part of the fiscal calculation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ballard has his opening statement. Okay, great. Sounds good. Dr. Ballard: Good morning, Mr.
• Ballard has his opening statement. Okay, great. Sounds good. Dr. Ballard: Good morning, Mr.
• Ballard has his opening statement. Okay, great. Sounds good. Dr. Ballard: Good morning, Mr.
• </c><00:10:05.240><c> okay</c> Ballard has his opening statement okay Ballard has his opening statement
• That kind of closes out my statements.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, let me—that statement—uh, so, but in your various seven organizations, do you share some resources
• what what I suggested um let me<00:14:58.800><c> that</c><00:14:59.120><c> the</c><00:14:59.399><c> statement
• </c> me that the statement me that the statement uh<00:15:02.000><c> so</c><00:15:02.399><c> but</c><
• </c><00:41:58.280><c> I'm</c><00:41:58.319><c> going</c><00:41:58.440><c> to</c> think first uh statement
• I'm going to think first uh statement I'm going to make<00:41:58.760><c> is</c><00:41:58.960><c> once

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> But it makes me reflect on the statement that we know, and you have been such a navigator of this
• statement, the days are long, but the years are short.
• that we know, and and you the statement that we know, and and you have<01:39:09.160><c> been</c><01:
• <01:39:10.480><c> this</c> have been such a navigator of this have been such a navigator of this statement
• , statement, statement, the<01:39:12.800><c> days</c><01:39:13.040><c> are</c><01:39:13.160><c> long,

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to get a clarification from Senator Xiong on one of his statements in describing the bill
• But, you're asking for 3 million and you kind of made the statement that if you don't get it, the project
• But, you're asking for 3 million and you kind of made the statement that if you don't get it, the project
• that if you don't get made the statement that if you don't get it,<00:21:40.200><c> the</c><00:21:40.320
• He added that, because of the last statement, it makes him wonder if the money that's gone in there is

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And my earlier statement about I don't care about, you know, the organizations and what I care about
• Statement, Mr. Chair, at all.
• I mean, I couldn't agree more with everybody's statements you made today.
• mean I couldn't agree more with I mean I couldn't agree more with everybody's<01:13:07.440><c> statements
• </c> everybody's statements you made today. everybody's statements you made today.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows the admissibility of statements of children under 16.
• It allows the admissibility of statements of children under 16.
• you that I personally represented people on, that actually those things happened, but people made statements
• :58.320><c> I'm</c><00:18:58.640><c> gonna</c><00:18:59.200><c> do</c> &gt;&gt; but people made statements
• I'm gonna do &gt;&gt; but people made statements.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask for tax returns or your financial statements. we register annually also gives the uh I we register
• We ask for tax returns or your financial statements. Oh, okay.
• 24:21.120><c> financial</c> for tax returns or your financial for tax returns or your financial statements
• And then so the statements. Oh, okay.
• this is does DOA want to stay within this this<00:25:16.160><c> bill</c> There's been a lot of statements

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kupec, do you have any additional statement or words you'd like to say before we have any questions
• Senator Kupec, do you have any additional statement or words you'd like to say before we have any questions
• Senator Kupec, do you have any additional statement or words you'd like to say before we have any questions
• Senator Kupec, do you have any additional statement or words you'd like to say before we have any questions
• Senator Kupec, do you have any additional statement or words you'd like to say before we have any questions

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a very similar statement with respect to line item 131.
• Otherwise, it's just a statement. Thank you very much, Chatfield.
• You on that statement. I know what it does, and that's the Public Education Reform Fund.
• You know, the statement was made that it's going to take years to fix the regulatory issues.
• And that statement was made earlier. It impacts every aspect of business, I think.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You mentioned it in your opening statement.
• at things like, you know, someone might argue that an NFT, like if the President were to make a statement
• Speaker, I would like to clarify that last statement.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Harry, you want to make a statement?
• Do you have a brief statement you'd like to make? Well, I thank the Chair, Mr.
• Before we take questions, would you like to make a statement?

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate AEN committee heard and considered four gubernatorial nominations. GM 511 was for Harry Purdy III to the Moloka‘i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board; testimony in support came from DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Moloka‘i community members, and Purdy described his long background in Moloka‘i homestead farming and the challenges facing new farmers. GM 676 was for Denise Kuano to the same board; the committee noted support from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and it was reported that Kuano could not testify because of a family emergency. GM 771 was for James Gomes to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council strongly supported him, citing his long agricultural experience, advocacy, and prior board service, and Gomes emphasized ag crime enforcement, land access, water, and support for farmers and ranchers. GM 772 was for Michelle Lefebvre to the Environmental Advisory Council; the Environmental Advisory Council and OPSD supported her, and Lefebvre discussed her work on the council’s exemptions committee and the need for better public understanding of the environmental review process. Members asked nominees questions about barriers for young homesteaders, ag crime enforcement, prior board service, environmental stewardship, and public engagement in environmental review. Gomes said the biggest challenges include lack of experience for new homesteaders, weak enforcement against ag crimes and drug activity on ranches, and the need for more land and resources for agriculture. Lefebvre said the environmental review process often falls short in public understanding and that comments are not a vote but part of an analytical process. After testimony, the committee reported support counts for each nomination and then voted to recommend advise and consent on all four measures. GM 511, GM 676, GM 771, and GM 772 were each adopted unanimously by the members present, with some members excused. The chair then announced the committee would move on to the next agenda item.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to read into the record a statement that Leader Priya Sundareshan and I released the very day
• I want to read into the record a statement that Leader Priya Sundareshan and I released the very day
• convicted and connected to the farm worker history and legacy of Cesar Chavez, this is not an easy statement

Summary: The House convened, took attendance, approved the prior journal, and recognized a number of guests and proclamations, including a proclamation supporting freedom, life, and liberty for the people of Iran. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several Senate bills. SB 1166 and SB 1252 were reported do pass without controversy. SB 1184 drew debate over a floor amendment that would have added the pride flag to the list of flags HOAs and condo associations could not prohibit; the amendment was rejected on a 21-32 division vote, and the bill was then reported do pass. The House also entered an additional Committee of the Whole to amend SB 1092, adopted a floor amendment setting an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, and reported the bill do pass as amended. On third reading, SB 1020, a special license plate bill benefiting the Arizona Space Commission and related space education efforts, passed 35-21 with several members explaining votes in support of space industry development and in opposition because a proposed community college scholarship plate was not included. SB 1247, an emergency measure relating to health care institutions, passed 55-1 and cleared the two-thirds threshold for its emergency clause. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to HB 2307, then later passed HB 2307 unanimously as an emergency measure relating to dangerous and incompetent defendants. The chamber also considered a bill repealing Cesar Chavez Day and replacing it with a different observance tied to the farm worker movement. Members on both sides spoke at length about sexual abuse allegations involving Cesar Chavez, the importance of standing with survivors, and the need to honor farm workers and the broader movement rather than one individual. The bill ultimately passed 48-8 with the two-thirds emergency requirement. The House then received announcements, including caucus and committee meeting notices, a remembrance of Christian Petillo, and a congratulatory note for the University of Arizona men’s basketball team, before adjourning until March 31, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a recent decision from the Arizona Supreme Court, the court considered whether statements made in
• Chair, Representative, where the Arizona Supreme Court considered whether statements made in a political
• So that was actually a very, very... ...very inaccurate statement.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several Senate bills and one House bill. SB 1039 would allow attorneys prevailing in disciplinary matters to recover lost earnings and seek reputational harm damages from the State Bar; SB 1148 would require the Arizona Supreme Court to directly license attorneys rather than delegate that function; both received due pass recommendations. SB 1061, lowering the fentanyl enhanced-penalty threshold from 200 grams to 9 grams, also passed after opposition from the ACLU and defense counsel argued it would sweep in personal-use cases and increase incarceration, while supporters said it targets trafficking. SB 1068, which limits campus firearm restrictions for concealed-carry permit holders, passed over strong opposition from gun-safety advocates and university faculty, and SB 1069, removing suppressors from the definition of prohibited weapons, also passed despite concerns about public safety and prohibited possessors. The committee then approved SB 1099, which sets statutory elements for defamation claims based on whether the plaintiff is a private or public figure and whether the matter is of public or private concern. The ACLU opposed it, warning that codifying defamation law could chill speech and conflict with evolving First Amendment precedent; supporters said it largely codifies existing case law and adds an internet-related limitation period. SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses for legitimate emergency calls unless there is a pattern of false or frivolous reports, passed unanimously after testimony that some cities were discouraging 911 calls for theft and other incidents. The committee also passed SB 1127, requiring mandatory reporters with direct knowledge of child abuse or neglect to report immediately and personally to DCS. Phoenix Children’s Hospital and DCS supported the bill but asked for clarification so medical emergencies would not be disrupted, and members discussed possible amendments. SB 1426, changing forcible detainer procedures by removing the written demand-to-vacate requirement and expediting claims, passed despite landlord-group concerns that it could affect holdover tenant cases. Finally, SB 1448, as amended, passed to expand aggravated assault protections to utility, telecommunications, video service, and related workers; supporters cited rising threats and assaults, while opponents argued existing assault laws already cover the conduct and the bill is overly broad.

Transcript Highlights:

• In your opening statement, you said that, Cover more area of the state with those programs.
• In your opening statement, you said that you have the honor and the respect for the badge that you carry
• And I think that’s a testament to who you are as a person, just in your opening statement, but also all

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentlemen, could you have any sort of closing statement?
• GENTLEMEN, COULD YOU HAVE ANY SORT OF CLOSING STATEMENT? HE Thank you, Mr.
• Oh, I'm sorry, Senator, would you like to make a final statement?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans heard a Department of Military Affairs presentation on bonding, tuition benefits, and cyber response. The department requested $3.5 million in design funding for a new hangar at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, citing safety problems with the aging 1950s-era hangars and the need to improve the wing’s competitiveness for future federal military construction funding. It also sought $2.5 million for asset preservation at Army facilities statewide, emphasizing that state dollars are often matched by federal funds. A National Guard lieutenant also testified about the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, describing how it helped pay for her undergraduate and doctoral education and reduce student debt. The committee also received an update on Minnesota National Guard cyber operations, including the response to the July 2025 ransomware attack on the City of Saint Paul. Testimony described the cyber coordination cell’s role in planning, interagency coordination, and support during the incident, including helping re-image about 500 computers and assisting with network recovery. Members heard that the Guard’s cyber teams conduct extensive partner engagement and are prepared to support state and local entities when civil resources are exhausted and the incident exceeds local capacity. Three bills were then heard and advanced. Senate File 4075, as amended, would implement recommendations from the task force on Special Guerrilla Unit and regular forces veterans from the Secret War in Laos, including eligibility and benefit changes; the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the full committee. Senate File 3956, as amended, would clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs may partner with veteran-serving organizations using nonmonetary resources to address food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention; it was also referred onward. Senate File 4056, as amended, would add veteran or military status as a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act; testimony supported the change, including concerns about service members losing educational opportunities while on state active duty, and the bill was passed to the full committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• McVeigh, can you finish your statement that you were making at the end of your closing comments?
• McCarthy was allowed to complete his remarks and he went over several minutes when he was making his statements
• McCarthy was allowed to complete his remarks and he went over several minutes when he was making his statements

Bills: SB1221 , SB1293 , SB1294 , SB1430

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: taxpayer protection, law interpretation, transparency, public hearings, tax policies, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, property tax, assessment, destruction, proration, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona tax corrections act, transaction privilege tax, sales tax, use tax