Transcript Highlights:

• :36.599><c> today</c><00:02:36.879><c> at</c><00:02:37.000><c> the</c><00:02:37.160><c> Capal</c><00:
• :38.640><c> walking</c><00:02:38.959><c> around</c><00:02:39.239><c> in</c><00:02:39.800><c> those</c
• </c><00:02:40.840><c> so</c><00:02:41.040><c> we're</c><00:02:41.599><c> honored</c><00:02:41.959><c>
• to have you<00:02:42.480><c> with</c><00:02:42.640><c> us</c><00:02:42.840><c> today</c><00:02:43.280
• </c><00:02:49.239><c> please</c><00:02:49.480><c> call</c><00:02:49.680><c> a</c><00:02:50.040><c> roll

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 342, which would require all Kentucky students to complete a one-credit financial literacy course for graduation, with the credit able to count toward math, social studies, or an elective. Representative Meredith and student advocate Patrick Rovi argued the current financial literacy mandate is too weak without a credit requirement, citing low implementation across schools and the need for practical instruction in loans, credit, investing, and budgeting. Members generally supported the bill, while Representative Tipton raised concerns about adding credit requirements and limiting dual credit options, and Representative Willner questioned whether it would create an unfunded mandate. Supporters responded that the bill is designed to fit within existing graduation requirements and that free curriculum and professional development resources are available through groups like Next Generation Personal Finance. HB 342 passed the committee unanimously with an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next considered House Bill 661, a technical cleanup bill related to the previously enacted nine-passenger van option for school transportation. Representative Emily Callaway said the measure only adjusts regulations needed for KDE to implement the earlier law effectively. The bill passed without opposition. House Bill 208, sponsored by Representatives Josh Bray and James Tipton, would require school districts to adopt policies limiting cell phone use during the school day and, in the updated version, restrict social media access as well. Supporters said the bill is intended to improve student attention, reduce cyberbullying and mental health harms, and address concerns raised by school disruptions and social media use. Members asked about exemptions for students with medical needs, emergency access, and whether districts would need new software; sponsors said existing district technology and local discretion should handle those issues. The bill passed unanimously. The committee then began taking up House Bill 430, which would let certain small-transportation districts seek an exemption from the KDE requirement for four annual bus safety trainings, provided they adopt a local safety policy and submit it to KDE. A district superintendent testified that the current blanket requirement causes significant instructional disruption for districts with very limited daily transportation needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:17.560><c> and</c><00:02:17.720><c> one</c><00:02:18.000><c> prison</c> janitorial products
• :20.800><c> that</c><00:02:20.920><c> we</c><00:02:21.440><c> shortened</c><00:02:21.920><c> to</c> project
• 31st kci's expenditures<00:02:26.879><c> were</c><00:02:27.239><c> 5.8</c><00:02:27.920><c> million<
• <00:02:29.640><c> of</c><00:02:30.080><c> 6.8</c><00:02:31.160><c> million</c><00:02:32.160><c> um</c
• ><00:02:32.400><c> would</c><00:02:32.519><c> you</c> Yes.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary heard an update from the Department of Corrections on Kentucky Correctional Industries (KCI), sentence-credit payments for program completion, and the expansion of the Little Sandy Correctional Complex. Department officials said KCI, the department’s long-running re-entry program, operates 15 industries in 11 institutions, employs more than 400 inmates and 37 staff, and had $5.8 million in expenditures against $6.8 million in revenues through January 31. Members asked about inmate pay, the role of the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification (PIE) program, and whether KCI generates profit; the department said it aims to break even while supporting state government, with PIE participants earning prevailing wages and some programs offering certificates tied to post-release employment opportunities. The subcommittee also reviewed the budget-authorized sentence-credit program for county jails. Officials reported 37,300 program completions in fiscal year 2024 and, through January, $6.128 million paid for 90-day sentence credits and $1.6548 million for 60-day credits, with total county jail expenditures of $8.1 million and 67 jails participating. They said additional participation would require more funding and that they do not expect many more jails to join, though attendance and population levels can affect costs. Members asked how jails opt in, whether there are added costs, how inmate earnings are handled, and whether deductions are made for child support or victim compensation; the department said jails apply through an approved program matrix, inmate earnings are tracked in individual accounts, and required deductions are made when ordered. Questions from members focused on re-entry outcomes and program structure. Officials said evidence-based programming and employment opportunities are major contributors to lowering recidivism, and they cited a recent recidivism rate of 30.8 percent, down about 1 percentage point, while noting they would provide additional trend and savings data later. The department also clarified that adult education and GED programming are separate from KCI and are handled by a different education division. For the Little Sandy expansion, officials said the project remains on schedule for completion on June 25, 2025, with inmate transfers expected to begin at about 50 per week and roughly 200 additional staff eventually needed; they said hiring is being phased in as inmate population increases. The committee asked for the total construction cost of the expansion, which the witnesses said they did not have at the meeting and would report back. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for February 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] [Music] support<00:02:53.640><c> good</c><00:02:53.800><c> afternoon</c><00:02:54.159><c> chairs
• chairs<00:02:54.959><c> members</c><00:02:55.200><c> of</c><00:02:55.280><c> the</c><00:02:55.440><c>
• ><00:02:57.080><c> AA</c><00:02:57.519><c> we</c><00:02:57.640><c> we'll</c><00:02:57.760><c> stand</
• with AA we we'll stand out R testimony<00:02:58.640><c> and</c><00:02:58.800><c> support</c><00:02:59.280
• ><c> um</c><00:02:59.440><c> I</c><00:02:59.519><c> do</c><00:02:59.680><c> want</c><00:02:59.840><c>

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 6, 2025, first in a joint session with the Committee on Labor and Technology. The joint committees heard SB 1235, which would create a Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation program for government employee housing, including a revolving fund and a leasehold rent-to-own program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, the Department of Budget and Finance, and UPW, with one testifier opposing the bill because it was limited to state workers and should be broader. The committees recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes, $450,000 for two positions, removal of an income restriction, and clarification that leasehold and day-one projects are eligible; both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously, and the joint meeting adjourned. The Housing Committee then took up SB 67, SB 1133, and SB 1333. SB 67 would bar inclusionary zoning requirements on certain housing offered for sale or rent to qualifying residents, and it received support from HHFDC, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others; the committee recommended passage with technical amendments and adopted it. SB 1133 would allow counties to set rent increase limits tied to CPI and create a long-term residential lease tax credit; testimony included support from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Realtors, NAIOP Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation, which warned about rent-control consequences. The committee recommended passage with amendments that made the credit nonrefundable, allowed limited carry-forward, restricted claims in certain family-lease situations, set filing deadlines, and applied the measure to disaster-affected counties; the recommendation was adopted. SB 1333 would allow certain counties to use surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure and extend the surcharge period. DBEDT, OPSD, HCDA, county officials, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, while the Tax Foundation opposed it, arguing temporary taxes were becoming permanent. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments, and members noted concerns that prior surcharge revenues had not produced enough housing projects, which were to be reflected in the committee report. Finally, the committee deferred SB 834 indefinitely because it had already been deferred indefinitely by the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and the Housing Committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> into</c><01:02:48.440><c> it</c><01:02:48.680><c> we</c><01:02:48.799><c> do</c><01:02:48.960><c>
• 01:02:51.039><c> similar</c><01:02:51.319><c> to</c><01:02:51.480><c> each</c><01:02:51.599><c> other
• <c> um</c><01:02:52.559><c> so</c><01:02:52.839><c> I'm</c><01:02:53.000><c> going</c><01:02:53.079><
• :54.960><c> and</c><01:02:55.079><c> we</c><01:02:55.200><c> will</c><01:02:55.279><c> move</c><01:02
• to bring<01:02:57.839><c> it</c><01:02:57.920><c> more</c><01:02:58.079><c> in</c><01:02:58.240><c>

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.640><c> has</c><00:02:00.880><c> been</c><00:02:01.040><c> here</c><00:02:01.360><c> for</c><00:02
• been here for Kucky's cats, dogs,<00:02:03.119><c> and</c><00:02:03.360><c> horses</c><00:02:03.920>
• </c><00:02:06.560><c> Each</c><00:02:06.880><c> year</c><00:02:07.119><c> we</c><00:02:07.360><c> take
• Each year we take in more<00:02:08.000><c> than</c><00:02:08.160><c> 6,000</c><00:02:08.800><c> animals
• our</c><00:02:11.680><c> headquarters</c><00:02:12.160><c> are</c><00:02:12.319><c> in</c> We support

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Alyssa Gray, president and CEO of the Kentucky Humane Society, on the organization’s statewide animal welfare work and its request for a $5 million matching contribution from the General Assembly for a new Kentucky Animal and Community Campus in Louisville. Gray said KHS, an independent nonprofit founded in 1884, serves cats, dogs, and horses, reaches 96 counties, provides shelter relief, spay-neuter services, low-cost veterinary care, and disaster response, and has supported communities during recent tornadoes and floods. She described the new campus as a hub for disaster housing, shelter transfers, veterinary training, and expanded services to reduce overpopulation and relieve pressure on county shelters and local governments. Members asked about the campus’s location, staffing, veterinary student involvement, and the scope of KHS’s services. Gray said the new site would be next to KHS’s current spay-neuter clinic on Preston Highway, that the facility would include shelter medicine, high-volume spay-neuter, and a low-cost clinic, and that it could host veterinary students and interns for hands-on training. She also explained that KHS works with county officials and shelters to move animals during crises or cruelty cases, can connect counties with partner organizations when KHS is full, and provides mobile clinic services and occasional grant support for rural shelters. Committee members praised the presentation and discussed how KHS could fit into disaster recovery planning. One member suggested the organization could be folded into long-term recovery efforts because of its role in post-disaster animal care. The presenter said KHS wants to be a formal disaster response resource and already works with the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and other partners. No vote on the funding request was taken during the meeting. At the end of the meeting, the committee noted it still lacked a quorum, so approval of the minutes was postponed to the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 15. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• chaplain for today is my pastor, Pastor Matt Baker from Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont, Minnesota
• Paul, Minnesota, Tuesday, May 13th, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• us former Representative Doug Magnus, who served this body from 2003 through 2010 from Slayton, Minnesota
• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, May 8th, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Minnesota. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
• Paul, Minnesota. Monday, March 3rd, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:11.840><c> And</c><00:02:12.080><c> Eric,</c><00:02:12.480><c> we</c><00:02:12.640><c> wish
• 00:02:16.400><c> commonwealth</c><00:02:16.800><c> and</c><00:02:17.040><c> citizens</c><00:02:17.440
• </c> Last<00:02:26.160><c> month,</c><00:02:26.400><c> unfortunately,</c><00:02:26.720><c> I</c><00:02
• ><c> but</c><00:02:28.319><c> I</c><00:02:28.480><c> did</c><00:02:28.640><c> watch</c><00:02:29.040>
• 00:02:45.280><c> committee</c><00:02:45.519><c> and</c><00:02:45.680><c> ask</c><00:02:45.840><c> her

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized Eric Clark for his service, noting this may be his last meeting before he leaves state government. The main presentation was from Allison Adams, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who described the organization’s history, nonpartisan mission, and focus on health equity, prevention, and upstream policy solutions. She said Kentucky’s poor rankings in chronic disease, preventable hospitalizations, and life expectancy show the need to shift resources toward prevention and community-driven strategies rather than relying mainly on treatment after people become sick. Adams emphasized leading health indicators, arguing that lawmakers should track actionable measures such as quit attempts and smoke-free policies instead of only lagging indicators like disease rates and mortality. In response to questions, she said accountability should be shared across communities and systems, with possible incentives and disincentives tied to outcomes, and she supported creating a public data utility or dashboard, ideally with university partners, to help legislators and communities monitor progress. She also cited examples of accountable health community models and said Kentucky could adapt similar approaches. The committee then heard from Meade County Schools Superintendent Mark Martin and district health coordinator Karen Kotche about the Healthy Kids Clinic partnership with Cumberland Health. They described a seven-year effort that led to full implementation in the district, which now has a nurse in every school and a nurse practitioner, allowing services such as sports physicals and other clinic functions to be provided on campus. They said the program has been a strong investment for students and the community and began explaining how the district built the partnership after earlier efforts and delays, including the pandemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:02:15.400><c> motion</c><00:02:15.720><c> carries.
• /c><00:02:23.480><c> the</c><00:02:23.560><c> pool</c><00:02:23.760><c> list</c><00:02:24.200><c> are
• and are<00:02:27.440><c> numbers</c><00:02:27.840><c> 35</c><00:02:28.600><c> on</c><00:02:28.720><c>
• :02:30.920><c> 41</c><00:02:31.480><c> on</c><00:02:31.600><c> the</c><00:02:31.680><c> PSC</c><00:02
• yourself<00:02:37.160><c> for</c><00:02:37.240><c> the</c><00:02:37.320><c> record.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its January 13 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, with members repeatedly voting to review items without objection. The chair noted the agenda included 227 contracts totaling about $89.5 million, all with vendors registered with the Secretary of State. Most items were approved after brief discussion and roll-call votes. Several contracts drew questions. Kentucky State University explained two four-month contracts tied to its online academic program: one for continued implementation support and one for marketing. University officials said the program is in a transition year under a management improvement plan, that the university owns the intellectual property, and that the marketing effort is aimed at growing enrollment in targeted programs such as business and social work. They reported online enrollment had grown from 74 students to 612, with an overall university enrollment of 2,872, and said the goal is to reach about 1,000 online students by fall. The committee approved both items, though Senator Douglas said he would keep watching university spending. The Department of Education presented a contract cancellation for administrative reviews of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Officials said USDA changed the review requirement from every three years to every five years, making the outside contract unnecessary because internal staff can now handle the work. The committee approved the cancellation. The Transportation Cabinet also explained an increase to a professional services contract for engineering work on a section of KY 54 in Owensboro, describing it as preliminary design and commissioning work for a multi-section roadway project; the committee approved that item as well. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation sought approval for an amendment tied to its iLottery platform. Officials said the increase reflected higher sales volume, since the contract structure causes prize and platform-related expenses to rise as sales grow. The committee approved the amendment. The Department of Public Health also discussed a perinatal psychiatry consultation program funded by a five-year federal HRSA grant; members raised concerns about what would happen if federal support changes, but no action beyond discussion was noted in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay,<00:02:05.440><c> if</c><00:02:05.640><c> not,</c><00:02:06.360><c> I'll</c><00:02:06.440><c> turn
• </c><00:02:06.600><c> over</c><00:02:06.800><c> to</c><00:02:07.520><c> the</c><00:02:07.640><c> EIG<
• ><c> Okay,</c><00:02:08.720><c> we're</c><00:02:08.880><c> going</c><00:02:09.000><c> to</c><00:02:09.080
• Okay, we're going to move on to the<00:02:09.600><c> last</c><00:02:09.920><c> two</c><00:02:10.080><
• Um Um Um and<00:02:16.560><c> on</c><00:02:16.720><c> our</c><00:02:16.840><c> testifiers</c><00:02:17.800

Summary: The joint committees on Housing, Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, and later Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Housing, heard several resolutions related to affordable housing and the East Kapolei transit-oriented development area. SCR 48 and SR 47 proposed declaring that affordable housing credits are perpetual until redeemed, and testimony from DHHL, OPSD, and NAIOP Hawaii supported clarifying that intent. The committees voted to pass SCR 48 and SR 47 unamended. The committees then considered SCR 107 and SR 101, which were amended to make clear the resolution applies only to the City and County of Honolulu and will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Land Management and the Department of Planning and Permitting. Those measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted by the committees. In the later joint hearing, SCR 68 and SR 63 addressed the East Kapolei TOD project, urging DLNR to transfer certain parcels to HHFDC and urging HHFDC to work with HCDA on the non-housing portions of the project. Testimony from DLNR, HHFDC, HCDA, and DHHL focused on the balance between housing and revenue-generating or light industrial uses, the need for an EIS and market study, and the possibility of MOAs to memorialize agreements. After discussion, the committees amended the resolutions to prioritize rental housing as well as for-sale housing and to require MOAs before the board, then passed SCR 68 and SR 63 with amendments by unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee, the Great Plains Food Bank serves the entire state of North Dakota and Clay County in Minnesota
• given the location on the two major interstates with the trucking, a lot of the food comes from Minnesota
• given the location on the two major interstates with the trucking, a lot of the food comes from Minnesota

Bills: SB2012

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on budget and bill amendments. The committee first took up the Attorney General’s budget and reviewed a detailed amendment package that adjusted FTE levels, salary equity funding, funding sources, and several one-time appropriations. Changes included removing some House-added items, adding contingent funding tied to other bills, restoring certain funding sources, increasing the electronic smoking device manufacturer fee, and adding a provision on 24/7 sobriety program fees. Senator Dwyer then offered a further amendment to make the electronic smoking device fee a $2,000 application fee with a $500 annual renewal fee, which passed. The committee then voted 4-1 to adopt the budget as amended and give it a do pass recommendation as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1143, relating to Great Plains Food Bank funding. After testimony from Amy Cleary on behalf of Great Plains Food Bank, members discussed the organization’s statewide role and the project’s financing, including a planned $30 million facility and existing fundraising. Senator Burkhard moved to restore the appropriation from $5 million to $10 million, and the motion passed 4-1. The committee then voted 4-1 to give the bill a do pass recommendation as amended, with Senator Burkhard designated as carrier. Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 1524, which would fund regional planning councils and authorize 16 FTEs. Members expressed sympathy for the councils’ work but concerns about approving new state-funded positions. No action was taken, and the chair asked to hold the bill over for further review. The committee then recessed, noting remaining budget work and upcoming hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Pandul,<00:02:18.879><c> is</c><00:02:19.040><c> that</c><00:02:19.200><c> Jennifer</c><00:02:19.599
• &gt;&gt; I<00:02:32.000><c> see</c><00:02:32.160><c> the</c><00:02:32.319><c> FanDuel.
• </c><00:02:33.440><c> I</c><00:02:33.599><c> I</c><00:02:33.680><c> I</c><00:02:34.080><c> don't</c><
• Okay.<00:02:56.400><c> Well,</c><00:02:56.560><c> it's</c><00:02:56.800><c> not</c><00:02:56.959><c>
• So, let's<00:02:57.840><c> continue</c><00:02:58.160><c> with</c><00:02:58.400><c> the</c><00:02:58.560

Transcript Highlights:

• Mr.<00:02:55.920><c> Chair,</c><00:02:56.080><c> before</c><00:02:56.320><c> we</c><00:02:56.440><c>
• adopt,</c><00:02:56.800><c> could</c><00:02:56.920><c> we</c><00:02:57.040><c> get</c> Mr.
• Chair, before we adopt, could we get an<00:02:57.280><c> explanation</c><00:02:57.800><c> of</c><00:02
• :57.920><c> all</c><00:02:58.040><c> of</c><00:02:58.120><c> the</c><00:02:58.200><c> changes</c><00:
• the<00:02:58.760><c> sub</c><00:02:59.040><c> because</c><00:02:59.280><c> they're</c><00:02:59.400><

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:51.200><c> For</c><00:02:51.360><c> the</c><00:02:51.519><c> working</c><00:02:51.760><c> group
• </c><00:02:52.000><c> for</c><00:02:52.160><c> AVR?
• Uh, no.<00:02:54.000><c> Well,</c><00:02:54.640><c> that's</c><00:02:54.959><c> the</c><00:02:55.200>
• Well, that's the underlying reso, but<00:02:56.480><c> we've</c><00:02:57.200><c> put</c><00:02:57.360
• ><c> out</c><00:02:57.599><c> a</c><00:02:57.840><c> proposed</c><00:02:58.720><c> uh</c><00:02:59.680

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 158, which had been amended from an automatic voter registration-related request to a resolution urging the administration to follow the law and comply with federal court orders. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Hawaii women lawyers, and others. One witness spoke against automatic voter registration, warning it could be exploited by bad actors, though the chair clarified that the amended resolution was focused on court orders rather than AVR. Members asked questions about whether states or Congress can enforce compliance with court orders and whether there were historical examples of presidents refusing to follow them. The response emphasized separation of powers, checks and balances, and the importance of state support for the rule of law. The committee then voted to accept the proposed SD1 for SCR 158; the measure passed with one no vote recorded from Senator Awa. The committee also took up SCR 154, a resolution supporting implementation of applicable United Nations Human Rights Council universal periodic review recommendations. No testimony was received on that measure, and it was deferred. In a later decision-making agenda item, the committee considered a measure directing the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to include circuit and district court facilities in planning new correctional centers and to establish a release procedure away from residential communities and public spaces; the committee recommended passage as amended, and the measure passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a new statute to have a badge and have a badge.
• Turns out it's not actually in statute.
• So the issue, and this just puts it in the nuisance statutes.
• Madam Chair, members, current statute allows...
• They're listed in statute.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several bills dealing with elections, juvenile representation, paternity, and campaign finance. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators to disclose their name, residence, and paid status, wear a badge, register in some local petition efforts, and subject local initiatives to stricter compliance and fiscal disclosure rules. Supporters said it would standardize rules and improve transparency; opponents, including the ACLU, argued it would chill core political speech and compel identification. The bill received a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure restricting political party names from using terms like “independent” or “unaffiliated,” drew support from county election officials who said it would reduce voter confusion, and opposition from the Arizona Independent Party, which called it retroactive and anti-competitive. The committee adopted an amendment and then passed the bill 7-0. SCR 1040, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 subject to voter approval, was supported as reflecting longer life expectancy and retaining experienced judges, but opposed by some who favored age limits; it passed 5-2. The committee then took up SB 1234, which would change juvenile court representation by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing, rather than requiring, separate child counsel in some circumstances. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety package and was informed by cases involving children who died after alleged system failures. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, warning it would weaken attorney-client privilege and take away children’s independent voice, while DCS said the bill was intended to clarify the GAL role and could work alongside child counsel. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 5-2. SB 1661, allowing child support obligations to be terminated when genetic testing shows a presumed father is not the biological father, received broad support from the sponsor, a fathers’ advocacy group, and a family representative, and passed 6-0. Later, the committee considered election-administration and campaign-finance measures. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to election-material locations to observe procedures and review records, while protecting privacy and security; county officials supported access but raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with applicants’ handwritten signatures collected during voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature verification, and the bill passed 5-2 after some members noted amendment concerns. SB 1743 would redact donors’ employer street addresses and residence addresses from campaign finance reports; supporters framed it as a privacy measure, while opponents said employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment defining defamation standards for public and private figures, was presented as narrowing and clarifying defamation law and passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which would make paying for sexual conduct a prostitution offense and add a $200 assessment to fund anti-human-trafficking services. Survivors, law enforcement, and neighborhood advocates supported stronger penalties aimed at buyers and demand reduction, while criminal-defense and victim-advocacy groups said the bill needed a rebuttable-presumption amendment to better protect trafficking victims. The transcript cuts off before the committee’s final action on SB 1535.

Transcript Highlights:

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• > 27 please<00:02:46.360><c> Aloha</c><00:02:47.360><c> Senate</c><00:02:47.720><c> housing</c><00:02
• on behalf of<00:02:51.280><c> RoR</c><00:02:51.879><c> Caris</c><00:02:52.879><c> um</c><00:02:53.840
• ><c> so</c><00:02:54.840><c> I</c><00:02:54.920><c> would</c><00:02:55.560><c> just</c><00:02:56.560>
• ><c> I</c><00:02:57.720><c> neither</c><00:02:58.159><c> support</c><00:02:58.560><c> nor</c><00:02:58.840

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of housing measures focused on streamlining approvals, reshaping financing programs, and expanding affordability requirements. SB 27 would exempt state-financed housing developments from County Council approval; SB 38 would bar county legislative bodies from changing housing proposals in ways that increase project costs; SB 25 would let counties reduce housing capacity in one area only if they offset it elsewhere with no net loss; and SB 379 would require perpetual affordability covenants for HHFDC projects and prohibit affordable housing in special flood hazard areas. SB 378 would create an HHFDC working group to identify mixed-use Maui properties for possible acquisition, SB 414 would authorize condemnation proceedings for a new Lānaʻi access road tied to disaster recovery, and SB 13 would eliminate the state income tax mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Testimony was mixed across the bills, with state agencies and housing advocates generally supporting faster permitting and more production, while county planners, NAIOP, Catholic Charities, and others raised concerns about local control, marketability, financing feasibility, and long-term affordability enforcement. A major portion of the hearing centered on the rental housing revolving fund. SB 70 would limit eligible applicants to government agencies or organizations that reinvest all surplus into additional housing; HHFDC said most developers would not object in principle but questioned how the surplus requirement would be enforced, while NAIOP and Catholic Charities opposed it as too restrictive and difficult to monitor. SB 71 would amend the fund’s preference criteria and eligibility rules, and SB 163 would require HHFDC to prioritize projects with the shortest repayment terms and highest unit production per dollar per year. HHFDC and some advocates supported the goal of faster recycling of funds, but NAIOP and Catholic Charities warned that shorter loan terms and narrowed preferences could burden developers and disincentivize projects, especially for lower-income tenants. The chair indicated SB 163 would be deferred and its concerns folded into amendments to SB 71. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 27, SB 38, SB 70, and SB 71 with amendments, and SB 25 unamended. The chair said SB 27 would be amended to include projects with a state financing commitment and a report note that such projects still undergo 21-38 review; SB 38 would receive technical changes and language preventing county bodies from imposing cost-increasing conditions; SB 70 would add language addressing enforcement of the surplus requirement and a preamble citing the need to recycle taxpayer-financed housing value; and SB 71 would be amended to incorporate concerns raised in SB 163, including a broader preamble and revised priority criteria. SB 163 was deferred, while the other measures on the agenda were heard but no final action was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

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• 00:02:43.440><c> had</c><00:02:43.599><c> we</c><00:02:43.840><c> had</c><00:02:44.000><c> another</c
• &gt;&gt; That's<00:02:47.120><c> that's</c><00:02:47.599><c> because</c><00:02:47.840><c> of</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:52.239><c> seated</c><00:02:52.640><c> in</c><00:02:52.879><c> this</c><00:02:53.040><c> room
• ><c> me</c><00:02:55.200><c> and</c><00:02:55.440><c> I'm</c><00:02:55.599><c> going</c><00:02:55.760

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

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• <00:02:38.879><c> Haron,</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Haron, &gt;&gt; Senator Haron, Senator<00:02:41.360><c>
• Hickden,</c> Senator Hickden, Senator Hickden, &gt;&gt; Senator<00:02:44.239><c> Howell,</c><00:02:45.680
• Howell, Senator Maiden, &gt;&gt; Senator<00:02:48.160><c> Maize</c><00:02:48.560><c> Bledsoe,</c><00
• , &gt;&gt; Senator Maize Bledsoe, Senator McDaniel, Senator<00:02:52.480><c> Meredith,</c><00:02:53.920

Transcript Highlights:

• An act amending sections 44-13-22, 49-5-01, 49-02, 49-06, and 49-88-1, Arizona Revised Statutes, and
• House Bill 2015, enacting Section 35-131.31, Arizona Revised Statutes.
• We already have a long-arm statute on the books.
• Senate Bill 1235 amends a series of statutes relating to emergency medical services.
• Senate Bill 1235 amends statutes relating to emergency medical services.

Summary: The Senate met in floor session, began with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, received communications, and handled a return of Senate Bill 1456 from the House for reconsideration. Members then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering and amending bills on court fees, information technology, environmental quality, agricultural property inspections, property tax notices, veterans services, zoning and electric generation siting, fuel and gas resilience, and disturbing religious services. Several amendments were adopted, including changes to HB 2265 on criminal court fees, HB 2311 on conversational AI disclosures and privacy limits, HB 2986 on environmental quality/fuel resilience, HB 2104 and HB 2105 on agricultural property inspection rules, HB 2406 on veterans services, HB 2494 on electric generation siting and environmental compatibility, HB 2696 on fuel and gas prices, and HB 4117 on interference with religious services. Most of these bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, though members raised concerns on HB 2311 and HB 4117 about privacy, free speech, and prosecutorial discretion. The chamber then took up a long series of third readings and final votes. Bills passed included HB 2015 on single-audit compliance, HB 2041 on child neglect and poverty factors, HB 2048 on AHCCCS prescription drug coverage, HB 2417 on excessive speed, HB 2611 on child welfare, HB 2793 on annexation, HB 2950 on special districts, HB 2995 on family law, HB 4018 on county officers, HB 2404 on mental health services, HB 2279 on limitations of actions, HB 2502 on the state retirement system, HB 2733 and HB 2953 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2979 on credit unions, HB 4042 on parent-child relationship determinations, HB 4010 on health professional regulatory boards, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4049 on the Attorney General, HB 2265 on court fees, HB 2311 on information technology, and HB 2986 on environmental quality. HB 2601 on state highways and routes failed. Several members explained votes on bills involving fiscal impacts, child welfare, road safety, annexation, and criminal justice concerns. The Senate also adopted a group concurrence motion on several conference committee reports, including HB 2003, HB 2010, HB 2133, and HB 2874, and then voted on those measures. HB 2003 on driver’s license instruction permits, HB 2010 on advertising, HB 2133 on disclosure of sexual material and synthetic depictions, and HB 2874 on campaign committees and termination statements were all advanced after conference committee action, with debate on HB 2133 focusing on First Amendment and content-moderation concerns. The session ended with introduction of a large package of transportation-related appropriations bills and a motion to suspend certain committee notice rules for Appropriations to hear legislation and strike-everything amendments on short notice.