Video & Transcript : 'prosecuting attorney' :
Page 368 of 500
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Prior to becoming a judge, I was an assistant state attorney for 12 years.
- I rose through the ranks and until my election as judge, I became the chief assistant state attorney
- I retired from the bench at the end of August 2014, and I worked nearly 10 years as a trial attorney
- I am an attorney and president of a construction and development company primarily engaged I am an attorney
- I am a practicing attorney. I am a lifelong Miami resident.
Summary:
The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor.
The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Prior to becoming a judge, I was an assistant state attorney for 12 years.
- rose through the ranks and until my election... ...as judge, I became the chief assistant state attorney
- I retired from the bench at the end of August 2014, and I worked nearly 10 years as a trial attorney
- I am an attorney and president of a construction and development company primarily engaged in providing
- I am a practicing attorney. I am a lifelong Miami resident.
Summary:
The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections.
The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced.
The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And if they do that, one of the important provisions in this bill is that they work with the Attorney
- There's a legal challenge that the attorney general's office will defend the school district.
- That's true whether or not... the school district is represented by the state attorney general.
- There's no, and 18 attorney generals have already. intervened in that case, including General Paxton.
- I'm the attorney and president of Texas Values.
Committees:
Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education
Keywords:
human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights, 1185, senate, all
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day Jun 30th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we need an attorney? I will, yes. Okay, do we have an attorney? We can find an attorney.
- We're going to wait for the attorney. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
- As we await the attorney who drafted the bill, who is currently on the Senate floor, I would love to
- Few minutes when the Senate attorney is available.
- Anthony Panicola, Senate attorney. Thank you. All right.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, it would go to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General, I believe, would have 10 days to
- Instead of relying on our unelected Attorney General? I recognize. Thank you, Mr.
- Economic development, county attorney, and legal services, and others.
- That's what our Attorney General should be doing.
- That's what our Attorney General should be doing.
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-21 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It seems as though there was a little confusion between committees and apparently the attorney general's
- /c><01:39:03.520><c> the</c> and Lottery and the Office of the and Lottery and the Office of the Attorney
- General to the General Assembly Attorney General to the General Assembly regarding<01:39:06.000><c>
- 39:32.560><c> uh</c> proposal uh also gives the AGO the uh proposal uh also gives the AGO the uh attorney
- general's office to report to attorney general's office to report to the<01:40:26.400><c> general</c
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/15/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- the purposes of additional information to what we've heard in testimony, I'd like to ask Deputy Attorney
- Good morning, Attorney Buffetti. Attorney Buffetti. Good morning. >> You know the drill.
- So, I am the Deputy Attorney General, but I'm also the chair of the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission
- So, I am the I am the Deputy Attorney<00:05:14.960><c> General,</c><00:05:15.320><c> but</c><00:05:15.440
- </c> we've received from the Attorney we've received from the Attorney General's<00:06:27.840><c> uh<
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-12 (10:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Attorney, Counselor, Solicitor, Barrister, and Proctor, Dan Daly. With that omission, Mr.
- To each analyst and attorney, to every legislative research assistant and administrative assistant, to
- Then we have a commander-in-chief who's bullying attorneys and law practices.
- a victim's ability to retain an attorney.
- , it can disincentivize a victim's ability to retain an attorney.
Summary:
The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0.
The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1.
Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-12 (10:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Attorney, Counselor, Solicitor, Barrister, and Proctor, Dan Daly. With that omission, Mr.
- To each analyst and attorney, to every legislative research assistant and administrative assistant, to
- Then we have a commander-in-chief who's bullying attorneys and law practices.
- Then we have a commander-in-chief who's bullying attorneys and law practices.
- If an attorney is looking at a total possible compensation, At $200, if an attorney is looking at a total
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1.
The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members.
In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Limiting access to child care center facilities discussed 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm an<00:37:53.119><c> attorney</c><00:37:53.520><c> in</c><00:37:53.760><c> Minneapolis,</c><00:37:
- 54.720><c> the</c><00:37:54.960><c> proud</c> an attorney in Minneapolis, the proud an attorney in Minneapolis
- N on a proono basis. as the immigration<00:39:36.880><c> attorneys</c><00:39:37.359><c> in</c><00:39:
- 37.520><c> the</c><00:39:37.680><c> Twin</c><00:39:37.920><c> Cities</c> immigration attorneys in the
- ACLU attorney mentioned, this strikes ACLU attorney mentioned, this strikes the<00:50:55.599><c> consent
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER Public Hearings 02-18-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have um [clears throat] Department of Attorney General providing comments.
- Um Deputy Attorney General Erin Yamashiro.
- </c> Deputy Attorney General Erin Yamashiro. Deputy Attorney General Erin Yamashiro.
- First up, Attorney General providing comments. on Zoom willing to testify on SB 2274?
- Bryant, Deputy Attorney General.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions.
The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt.
The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- receive calls from prison classification officers, probation officers, public defenders, district attorneys
- , private attorneys, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and a multitude of non- private attorneys, rehabilitation
- My name is Carrie Fight, and I'm an attorney with Community Justice Project.
- Unsubstantiated anchoring happens when trial attorneys, whether plaintiff or defense, reference arbitrary
- I'm an attorney licensed to practice in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Summary:
The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill.
Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes.
The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- receive calls from prison classification officers, probation officers, public defenders, district attorneys
- , private attorneys, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and a multitude of non- private attorneys, rehabilitation
- My name is Carrie Fight, and I'm an attorney with Community Justice Project.
- Unsubstantiated anchoring happens when trial attorneys, whether plaintiff or defense, reference arbitrary
- I'm an attorney licensed to practice in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Committee:
Senate Rules
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And testifying first is the Attorney General. online? online?
- Kevin Tong, Deputy Attorney General. We have essentially housekeeping comments.
- My name is Arthur Pearl, and I'm an attorney here today on behalf of Pjack and Pan and the fishermen
- Uh, because of our weather issues, we haven't still not heard back from the Attorney General's office
- So we defer attorney general's office.
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Keywords:
historic preservation, burial sites, DHHL, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, section 6E-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaii Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places, cultural resources, archaeology, land use review, environmental review, state historic preservation officer, Hawaiian home lands, project permits, consultation, concurrence, nonconcurrence
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony.
SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions.
The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Mar 11th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- I reached out to an attorney through the Massachusetts State... ...creditable service, and I was denied
- I reached out to an attorney through the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and through all of our efforts
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Service
Summary:
The Public Service Committee heard testimony on a series of retirement, public safety, and personnel bills, with most of the discussion focused on individual or local matters. House Bill 5054 would allow the city of Peabody to use an affidavit when pre-employment medical records for a firefighter or other public safety employee are missing, so a retirement application can proceed. Representative Tom Walsh, Mayor Ted Bettencourt, Fire Chief Jay Dowling, and Chief Thomas Griffin all supported the bill, explaining that a 27-year firefighter’s retirement had been delayed for months because the city could not locate the required records. Senator Joan Lovely also testified in support and urged a favorable recommendation.
The committee also heard brief testimony on House Bill 4698, which would authorize the State Board of Retirement to pay benefits to Dale Kylie after a divorce affected his retirement option; House Bill 3900, which would raise the maximum age for Kingston special police officers to 70 amid staffing shortages; and House Bill 5159, which would grant creditable service to educator Sarah Shebelli, who said two years as a paraprofessional at a charter school were denied and that she is seeking the credit before retiring, in part because of a degenerative eye disease. Additional bills were read into the record without further testimony, including measures involving Pelham police chief employment, the New Bedford Police Association, retirement benefit transfers, age waivers for police officers, continued employment of Petersham police department members, a Dayton special police appointment, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee.
No committee questions were raised on the bills discussed, and no votes were taken during the hearing. After confirming that no one else wished to testify, the committee moved to adjourn and did so by motion and second.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Transportation Mar 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is that attorney part that I don't know, to have to go back and prove negligence and who shouldn't
- And then it's the responsibility to go to court and have the attorneys argue about contributory negligence
Summary:
The Committee on Transportation met with a quorum and took up House Bill 2926 in executive session. Members discussed an amendment clarifying the bill’s intent regarding tort and sovereign immunity for private contractors and subcontractors working on MoDOT projects, particularly to limit liability when they are not yet on site or have finished work, while still allowing claims for negligent or reckless acts. Several members raised concerns about how the language would apply in practice, including to design flaws, on-site work, and the scope of immunity, and others noted it mirrors federal contractor protections and would still leave disputes to the courts.
The committee adopted amendment 0.02H, then rolled it into a new substitute and adopted the substitute. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2926 was then moved do pass and approved by a roll call vote of 8 ayes, 1 no, and 3 present. Representative Woods voted no, while several members voted aye and others were recorded present or absent. The committee then adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Finance, the Convenience Store Association, the Idaho Realtors Association, and the Attorney
- Department of Finance and the Convenience Store Association, the Idaho Realtors Association, the Attorney
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - Senate Federalism
Senate Federalism Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- telecommunications provider, critical infrastructure owner, or government agency in Arizona to notify the Attorney
- The bill authorizes the Attorney General to enforce the prohibition, and with that, I'm happy to answer
Summary:
The Federalism Committee approved the minutes from February 9, 2026, and then heard only one bill on the agenda, SB 1683, an emergency measure. The bill would broaden Arizona’s restrictions on foreign adversary involvement in real property by extending the ban to leasing and other current or future interests, lowering the “substantial interest” threshold from 20% to 5%, prohibiting foreign adversaries from installing or accessing equipment or data on Arizona property, and making violations a Class 5 felony. It also targets attempts to evade the law through intermediaries, shell companies, partnerships, or trusts, and requires certain utilities, telecom providers, critical infrastructure owners, and government agencies to notify state authorities if they suspect prohibited arrangements.
Retired Lt. Col. James Rusty Mitchell testified in support, saying the bill would strengthen protections around military training areas, especially near Luke Air Force Base, and help Arizona stay ahead of foreign adversary efforts to acquire land near sensitive installations. Committee members questioned the breadth of the bill, the reduction in the ownership threshold, and how terms such as “acting in support of a foreign terrorist organization” would be defined. Travis Schulte of the Department of Emergency Affairs said the bill relies on federal statutory definitions and referenced federal investigative resources.
The vice chair moved SB 1683 for a do pass recommendation. After discussion, the committee voted 5-2 to advance the bill. Senators supporting the measure emphasized national security concerns, while the dissenting senator said the bill was too broad, could sweep in unrelated transactions, and raised concerns about vague definitions and potential impacts on protest activity and First Amendment rights.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - Senate Federalism
Senate Federalism Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- telecommunications provider, critical infrastructure owner, or government agency in Arizona to notify the Attorney
- The bill authorizes the Attorney General to enforce the prohibition, and with that I'm happy to answer
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- congressional delegations representing the states of Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming, the United States Attorney
- , Rules, and Administration Committee, an act relating to human trafficking, to provide that the Attorney
Summary:
The Senate convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through routine orders of business. The journal for the previous day was approved as corrected, and the chamber briefly noted that no substantive work would occur in the 10th or 13th orders. In petitions and memorials, Senate Joint Resolution 103 was introduced, proposing a constitutional amendment related to state trust lands and directing the required publication and ballot statement procedures.
Committee reports were received on several measures. The Judiciary and Rules Committee reported Senate Bills 1252 through 1257 as correctly printed, with referrals made to Finance, Health and Welfare, and Judiciary and Rules. The Resources and Environment Committee reported Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 with a do-pass recommendation, and the Judiciary and Rules Committee reported Senate Bill 1239 with a do-pass recommendation. The committee also recommended confirmation of Michael Kennedy to the Idaho Judicial Council. The Education Committee reported Senate Bill 1234 as correctly printed and sent it to second reading.
In messages from the House, the Senate received House Bills 515, 511, 518, and 504, along with House Joint Memorials 9 and 10, and referred them to the appropriate committees. During first reading, Senate Bills 1258, 1259, and 1260 were introduced, addressing liquor licensing for distilleries, juvenile corrections arrest authority, and immigration enforcement provisions. In miscellaneous business, Senator Harris announced a majority caucus after adjournment, Senator Wintrow welcomed American Heart Association students and thanked senators who attended a lengthy Medicaid forum, and the Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. the next day.