Transcript Highlights:

• You actually don't care about rape victims or rape survivors.
• You actually don't care about survivors of incest.
• You actually don't care about survivors of human trafficking because this is a common sense amendment
• Let's focus on protecting survivors of rape, protecting survivors of trafficking, protecting survivors
• And as someone who is a survivor of domestic violence, it is a slap in my face.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Survivors are particularly impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits and other essential benefits.
• Without a lasting solution, survivors lose their safety net, law enforcement faces increased domestic
• , families on fixed incomes, survivors, families on fixed incomes, homeless,<01:13:37.840><c> and</c>
• These families are saving survivors.
• For years, Women in Need provided safe, stable housing for survivors that had nowhere else to go.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was asked earlier if I was a survivor. Everybody who's alive is a survivor. Children who survive.
• I was asked earlier if I was a survivor. Everybody who's alive is a survivor.
• It was the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
• It's something that Things because the Born Alive Protection or Survivors Protection Act is necessary
• Is the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act worth taking that risk?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 123-0. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week, honor fallen officers, and offer extended tributes to departing colleagues and a departing representative, followed by numerous introductions of special guests, interns, students, and visiting groups from schools and universities. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports before taking up House Bill 1839, 2921, and 3015 together. The sponsor described the measure as a technical correction to online age-verification language related to pornography, and members noted the bill had already passed the House and Senate overwhelmingly. The House concurred in Senate Amendment 1 by a vote of 104-30, then adopted the conference/TAFP motion and finally passed the package 112-25. Members next considered House Bill 2596 in conference committee. The sponsor explained the bill as a small-business health plan measure that also included a negotiated amendment expanding private insurance coverage for contraception from a six-month to a 12-month supply, while removing Senate-added blood pressure cuff language and adding a severability clause. After debate about the process and policy, the House adopted the conference report 120-26 and then third-read and passed the bill 119-27. The final major item was Senate Bill 905, creating the Missouri Ranger training program to allow school districts, if they choose, to place specially trained personnel with narrow law-enforcement powers in schools. Debate focused heavily on school safety, local control, funding, training, and whether armed personnel in schools would help or harm students. Supporters argued it would provide an optional, low-cost safety tool, especially for districts without school resource officers; opponents argued it would escalate fear, resemble a prison environment, and fail to address mental health and other root causes. The House moved the previous question, adopted the amendment, and continued debate on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• annuities to the standards of survivor annuities to the standards of appendix.<00:23:10.760><c> Mr.
• </c> survivor assumption. survivor assumption.
• The joint and survivor assumption rate of return assumption is already different than the 7%. Okay.
• The<00:26:25.000><c> joint</c><00:26:25.320><c> and</c><00:26:25.400><c> survivor</c><00:26:26.280><c
• > as-</c><00:26:26.840><c> assumption</c> The joint and survivor as- assumption The joint and survivor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At every committee stop, survivors of domestic violence have come forward to share their stories.
• Today I did not bring a survivor to testify because it was my own survivor story that drove me to champion
• As a domestic violence survivor, I believe that this bill is a great bill to have.
• I'm now moved to survivor mode. So I'm now a survivor, not a victim.
• My family is from Bosnia, and I am a refugee and a genocide survivor.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and reported several of them favorably, often after brief sponsor presentations, supportive public testimony, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Early measures included PCS for CSHB 1069 on background screenings for athletic coaches and qualified entities, CS/HB 365 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and CS/HB 269 plus its linked public-records bill CS/SB 298 on domestic violence and dating violence. The domestic violence package focused on using NG-911 technology for discreet help-seeking, expanding protections to dating violence victims, and preserving confidentiality for participants in related programs. The committee also approved HB 6507, a claims bill for injuries involving DCF negligence, after limited discussion. Members then considered PCS for CSHB 1159, which increases penalties and updates terminology for sexual offenses involving minors, child sexual abuse material, and related crimes. The bill was amended to replace “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” and to address childlike sex dolls, and it passed unanimously. The committee also heard CS/HB 529 on community-based care lead agency and subcontractor liability insurance. That bill would remove a statutory liability-insurance requirement for certain child welfare providers amid an insurance market crisis; it drew extensive debate, with supporters saying it would prevent agencies from shutting down and opponents warning it would reduce accountability and leave children vulnerable. It passed 15-4 as amended. The committee next approved PCS for CSHB 277 on domestic violence and protective injunctions. The bill creates a Pinellas County pilot for electronic monitoring with victim notification, raises the victim relocation allowance, strengthens penalties for repeat injunction violations, and adds protections involving military orders and pets. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from survivors, and the bill passed 18-0 as amended. CS/HB 1009 on government publication of advertisements and public notices also passed, after an amendment requiring notices to remain publicly accessible; newspapers and press groups opposed it, arguing it would fragment access to notices, while the sponsor said it modernizes outdated posting rules. Finally, the committee heard PCS for CSHB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations, which would create a state process for designating domestic terrorist organizations and bar public support for them; the bill drew sharp constitutional objections from civil liberties, press, labor, and advocacy groups over due process, free speech, and viewpoint discrimination concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I, so I will share that I am a survivor of Cha Sexual brutality, which I don't feel like going into details
• And I would always encourage survivors like you, you can overcome and you can make good come from this
• So I also know a survivor from a very similar story to mine in Illinois.
• I'm not here trying to advocate for the changing of the name, but I know survivors who are like, why
• that, that, that is, that is does sometimes happen, but, but where the bigger problem is with a survivor

Bills: HB268 , HB305 , HB307

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: gun show, firearm sales, criminal background check, firearm regulation, gun show promoter, election procedures, voter registration, residence requirements, change of address, voter eligibility, youth camp, flood safety, life jackets, grant program, flotation devices

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to show that they were a domestic violence survivor.
• during a hearing before the trier of fact to sentence a person or accept a plea of guilty, who is a survivor
• of domestic abuse— A person or accept a plea of guilty who is a survivor of domestic abuse and has been

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to mourn the victims, lift up the survivors, and hold the families in our hearts because
• sitting senator at the time, I went to Monterey Park and spent long days grieving with the families, survivors
• We honor those we lost by continuing to fight for safer communities, to ensuring that survivors are supported
• To the families who are still grieving, and to the survivors who are still healing, and to everyone whose

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and handled routine announcements and motions, including a request by Senator Arreguín to remove SB 239 from the inactive file for second reading. The chamber then took up SJR 9 by Senator Durazo, a resolution concerning immigration rates, which was debated briefly and placed on call before later amendments were adopted by a 29-10 vote. The Senate next considered SR 70 by Senator Pérez, commemorating the third anniversary of the Monterey Park tragedy. Senator Pérez and Senator Rubio spoke about the 11 lives lost, the injuries, the heroism of Brandon Tsay, and the need to remember the victims and support the community. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0, after which Senator Pérez introduced Monterey Park Mayor Elizabeth Yang on the floor. The remainder of the session was devoted largely to adjournment memories honoring Mary Gutierrez Hunter, labor activist Bob Mulholland, former Yolo County Supervisor Betsy Marchand, and Vietnamese American community leader Vu von Locke. Senators described each person’s public service, organizing work, and lasting impact on labor, veterans, local government, refugee resettlement, and community institutions. The Senate also announced the Appropriations Committee would meet shortly after adjournment and noted the next floor session would be held Monday, January 26, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to mourn the victims, lift up the survivors, and hold the families in our hearts because
• sitting senator at the time, I went to Monterey Park and spent long days grieving with the families, survivors
• We honor those we lost by continuing to fight for safer communities, to ensure that survivors are supported
• To the survivors that are still healing, and to everyone whose life was forever changed that awful night

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled routine procedural matters, including deeming various messages and committee reports read. Senator Arreguín requested removal of SB 239 from the inactive file for second reading. The chamber then took up SJR 9 by Senator Durazo, which was presented as amended and placed on call before later receiving the amendments by a 29-10 vote. The main floor action was on SR 70 by Senator Pérez, commemorating the third anniversary of the Monterey Park mass shooting and honoring the 11 victims. Pérez and Senator Rubio spoke at length about the tragedy, the victims, the community response, and the heroism of Brandon Tsay, who disarmed the shooter. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0. After adoption, Senator Pérez introduced Monterey Park Mayor Elizabeth Yang as a guest on the floor. The remainder of the session was devoted largely to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senators honored labor leader Mary Gutierrez Hunter, veteran and political activist Bob Mulholland, former Yolo County Supervisor Betsy Marchand, and Vietnamese American community leader Vu Von Locke, with remarks highlighting their public service, organizing work, and community impact. The Senate also announced that Appropriations would meet after session, and the desk was declared clear before recessing until the next floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and I am also a four-time cancer survivor
• Whether you're a cancer patient or survivor, the costs associated with ongoing care add up quickly.
• A survey of cancer patients and survivors done by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network found
• The legislature has an opportunity to provide real support for Minnesotans' patients, survivors, and

Bills: HF1646 , HF2443

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• disclosure, just as Washington already does for medical records, adoption records, juvenile records, and survivor
• Through our community security program, we support approximately 750 survivors of violence annually.
• We're here today because we've seen what 150 survivors of violence annually.
• Through our community security program, we support approximately 750 survivors of violence annually.
• We're here today because we've seen what 150 survivors of violence annually.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several measures. ESHB 1980 would allow private employer shuttle services to use certain BAT lanes in King County under a two-year pilot, with local authority and transit-agency approval, performance standards, fee-for-use requirements, labor input, annual reporting, and a 10-year sunset. Supporters from Bellevue, transit employers, and business groups said it would improve commute options, reduce congestion, and support the upcoming RapidRide K Line; staff noted the bill differs from prior versions by adding the pilot, labor representation, vehicle markings, and reporting. The committee then heard SB 6252, which would extend the transit support grant program’s zero-fare requirement to degree- and certificate-seeking community and technical college students. Supporters said it would improve access to education and transit, especially for older and rural students, while transit groups raised concerns about fare revenue losses and implementation costs; staff estimated no state cost but significant local revenue impacts. The committee also heard SB 6081, a privacy bill that would restrict public disclosure of sex designation change records in Department of Licensing and Department of Health records, limit sharing with other jurisdictions, and keep updated credentials from showing that a change occurred. The sponsor and many supporters framed it as a safety measure for transgender Washingtonians, while opponents argued it would undermine accurate records; staff said the Department of Licensing would face about $1 million in implementation costs over four years, with other agencies expecting minimal impacts. Finally, SB 6265 would allow electronic, non-notarized signatures and printed copies for documents transferring a totaled salvage vehicle to an insurer; the sponsor and salvage-industry witnesses said it would modernize the process and reduce hardship, and staff reported no fiscal impact. No votes or executive actions were taken; the committee closed each public hearing and adjourned after a reminder about amendment deadlines for upcoming executive session bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• name is Pastor Gerland Denny, and I'm here today as the Flagler County chapter leader for Crime Survivors
• Speak. ...and I'm here today as the Flagler County chapter leader for Crime Survivors Speak, as a crime
• survivor and as a veteran in support of SB 50 sponsored by Senator Gates with Representative Maney as
• As both a crime survivor and a veteran, I believe strongly that accountability and public safety must
• SB 50 strikes that balance and strengthens outcomes for veterans, survivors, and communities.

Bills: S0050 , S0052 , S0432 , S0436 , S0524 , S0536 , S0590 , S0676

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several criminal justice bills. SB 50 on Veterans Treatment Courts was amended to clarify that entry into the program requires approval of the state attorney and to make the bill prospective only. Supporters, including veterans advocates and crime survivors, argued the bill would expand access to treatment-focused diversion for veterans with nonviolent charges and service-related trauma. The committee adopted both amendments and reported the bill favorably. SB 52, which creates an exemption from security licensing requirements for unpaid armed volunteers providing security at places of worship, also drew support from law enforcement and faith leaders who said it would clarify a legal gray area for churches; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 436 on felony battery and prison release reoffender enhancements. An amendment was adopted to align felony battery involving injury to law enforcement with the bill’s intent to address the disparity between battery on an officer and resisting with violence. Members discussed concerns about mandatory minimums and the scope of the enhancement, including how it might apply in cases involving older prior offenses or mental health crises, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. SB 676, which creates graduated penalties for adults who involve minors in animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties for related conduct, was supported by animal welfare advocates and reported favorably and unanimously. Later, the committee approved SB 536 on criminal gang members after adopting an amendment clarifying the definition of gang-related conduct and requiring multiple criteria for gang membership. Members raised concerns about social media, neighborhood association, juvenile application, and overbroad labeling, but the sponsor said the bill was aimed at gang-related criminal activity and recruitment, not innocent association. The committee also reported favorably SB 432 on controlled substances, which adds concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I and creates penalties for xylazine products that resemble candy or food and for trafficking in xylazine; SB 524, an FDLE bill updating duties related to medical examiners, training, and complaint service procedures; and SB 590, which tolls the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the crime is known to law enforcement. All of these bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after a final vote correction was entered for SB 524.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Travis survivors.
• All of these survivors talk about having been victimized by a person who had power over them and by a
• And I've also been asked to express support from STAND with Survivors. Thank you. Good morning.
• What I don't want to do is keep those young people who are actually survivors, but have been also convicted
• What I don't want to do is keep those young people who are actually survivors, but have been also convicted

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What you see with the top two of those, the personal payments and the increase in survivor benefits,
• But again, going back to the shortfall for personal payments and survivor benefits, you know, it's $100,300
• for personal payments total and $9,500 for survivor benefits, and those are all attributable to the
• </c><00:16:01.839><c> benefits</c><00:16:02.880><c> differ</c> increase in survivor benefits differ increase
• in survivor benefits differ from<00:16:03.680><c> the</c><00:16:04.000><c> ADC</c><00:16:05.440><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard testimony from Bo Barnes, deputy executive secretary and general counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), on the TRS budget request for the upcoming biennium and how it compares with House Bill 500 as introduced. Barnes emphasized that the bill fully funds the system’s additional funding request to pay down TRS’s legacy unfunded pension liability, which he described as critical to the system’s long-term funding plan. He also explained that the pension and health insurance requests are broken into several line items, including legacy benefit items, state shared-responsibility payments for retiree health insurance, and reconciliation items that adjust for prior over- or underpayments. Barnes said the state portion of shared responsibility for retiree health insurance was funded below the request in House Bill 500, but he described the health insurance trust as a success story under the post-2010 shared-responsibility model. He said the trust is projected to be fully funded in about two years if medical inflation and federal subsidies remain stable, and he noted that any shortfall in the current budget would be reconciled later and could reduce investment income. In response to questions, he explained that the legacy benefit items are treated as part of the total actuarially determined employer contribution and that unpaid legacy benefits would have the same impact on the retirement trust as unpaid ADC amounts. Barnes also addressed questions about whether the $47.2 million SEEK-related teacher contribution reconciliation could be split between fiscal years, saying it could be done but would reduce investment income and potentially increase future contribution needs. He said the pension fund is currently about 61% funded and that TRS has received full funding for the pension for 10 straight years, with the state having provided full additional funding and more in recent budgets. He concluded by asking the committee to consider TRS’s original budget request, warning that underfunding now would be reflected in future actuarial calculations and could cost the Commonwealth more over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• of sexual abuse from the Catholic Church, survivors of sexual abuse from the Boy Scouts, and survivors
• Um, but survivors of sexual abuse we.
• ><c> Church,</c><01:40:29.920><c> survivors</c><01:40:30.639><c> of</c> from the Catholic Church, survivors
• So what would it do for those survivors?
• I I struggle hampering survivors abuse.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, offenders live with debt and crime survivors receive little to no compensation.
• Survivors receive only a fraction of what they're ordered.
• I'm the Chief of the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights at the California Department of Corrections
• My mom is a breast cancer survivor. Lives close to pesticides.
• My mom is a breast cancer survivor, works and lives next to pesticide fields.

Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to do better for... ...my son, for all of the 17, and for every survivor like them.
• This is about honoring the pain that survivors live with every single day.
• Please understand that there is no full recovery for survivors of sexual abuse and violence.
• Loopholes will protect predators and retraumatize survivors.
• I am a mental health worker, and I am a mother of a sexual abuse survivor.

Summary: The committee heard AB 82, which would expand privacy and safety protections for patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care. The author and supporters said the bill is needed because of rising harassment, doxing, and threats, and because sensitive health data could be used by hostile actors; opponents argued it would create constitutional problems, enable abuse of safe-at-home protections, and improperly shield providers and records from scrutiny. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many advocates in support and many privacy, civil liberties, and anti-trafficking or sex-based policy groups in opposition. The bill was moved on a due pass recommendation and remained on call. The committee then heard AB 331, which would clarify that county election certification is a ministerial duty, prohibit misleading ballot return envelopes, and require voter information guides to be delivered to jails in an acceptable format. The Department of Justice and several good-government groups supported the measure, the Secretary of State had no position after amendments, and a committee member noted ongoing concerns but supported it after the changes. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1178 followed, proposing to protect undercover peace officers’ names, images, and likenesses in public records while preserving disclosure of sustained misconduct records. Law enforcement and public safety groups supported the bill as a needed safety measure, while journalists, transparency advocates, and civil liberties groups opposed it, saying existing law already protects officers and the new language could lead to overbroad withholding. After discussion about the scope of undercover status and the need for judicial discretion, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar. Later, AB 981 was heard, creating a five-county pilot program requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for certain reckless driving convictions. Supporters, including traffic safety advocates and crash victims, said the bill could reduce repeat speeding and save lives; opponents raised concerns about cost, installer oversight, liability for automakers, and the breadth of the pilot. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 22, which would repeal Proposition 57 and restrict release of sexually violent predators and certain sex offenders, drew strong opposition from youth justice, public defender, and civil liberties groups who said it would be unconstitutional and harmful; the chair recommended no, no motion was made, and the bill was held. Finally, AB 897, a squatter-removal bill, was presented with the author arguing it would protect property owners through a faster due-process process; the transcript cuts off during early support testimony and does not show a final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a public service officer survivor grant.
• Next is our wartime veteran survivor program.
• Martha's, DVSS funds one full-time employee, one advocate whose work is indispensable to survivor safety
• "Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to the well-being of survivors and families in our
• orders, providing... 24-hour hotlines, assisting survivors with emergency protective orders, providing

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of State Treasurer’s FY27 budget presentation from Treasurer Vivek Malik. He highlighted record investment earnings, growth in MOBUCK$ linked deposits, record unclaimed property returns, expansion of the MOST 529 plan, and changes to the MoABLE disability savings program. Members then focused heavily on two budget requests: $750,000 for the Show Me My Retirement Savings program and additional spending authority for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (MOST Scholars) program, along with a staffing request for compliance and communications positions. Much of the discussion centered on MOST Scholars’ rapid growth, how applications are prioritized, whether income is reverified, how funds flow through educational assistance organizations, and concerns about marketing, geographic distribution, and the use of public dollars for private schools. The treasurer also answered questions about the 529 plan, the pending lawsuit over the ESA general-revenue transfer, and whether funds should be swept back to general revenue when unused. Several members raised policy objections to MOST Scholars, including concerns about discrimination by participating private schools, the lack of annual income requalification, and whether the program shifts money away from public education. Other members defended the program as a parent-driven choice option and asked about expanding access, improving outreach, and ensuring the program is fully funded. The treasurer said the office was following the statute as written, that the program’s demand could exceed available resources, and that the office would continue to seek more funding and better outreach. The committee then concluded the treasurer’s budget hearing. The committee next began the FY27 budget hearing for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Commissioner Bennett Boggs introduced the department’s leadership team and gave a brief overview of the department’s role in aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs through its coordinating board and strategic planning. The hearing had just started when the transcript ended, and no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Survivors of human trafficking frequently experience severe trauma and course control.
• It's very hard for survivors to trust persons with authority.
• they were cleaning out her things, they found resources, shoes, and clothing for domestic violence survivors

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially without a quorum, and the clerk called the roll until a quorum was present. The body then proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and several unanimous-consent motions, including re-referrals of AB 1878, AB 2089, and AB 1660 to different committees. Members also introduced guests, including the 2025 Central East High School football team, Morgan Hill leadership students, Southlands Christian fourth graders, and journalist Juan Esparza Loera, whom members praised for decades of reporting in the Central Valley. On the floor file, ACR 139 was presented to designate March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month. Supporters described the health and safety risks of undiagnosed sleep apnea and emphasized the value of screening and treatment; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were recorded. AB 1656, a human-trafficking victim protection bill, was also taken up and passed 58-0 after testimony that it would expand “good cause” for trial continuances to better protect survivors and preserve continuity of counsel. The chamber also adopted the consent calendar, including AB 1583 and SCR 11, by 63-0 votes. The session concluded with adjournments in memory for Salinda Gonzalez, a Yurok community advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, and Sandy Steers, a Big Bear conservationist and executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley. Members highlighted Gonzalez’s work supporting Native communities and Steers’ decades of wildlife advocacy and public education. The Assembly then announced its next meeting for Monday, March 16 at 1 p.m., including the Women of the Year ceremony, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Sherry Lopez, and I am a survivor of child grooming and sex trafficking and president of the
• Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition, and I am in support of this bill.
• of HB 2322 as a health care worker and a lay counselor from my church who frequently works with survivors

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several bills and held HB 2307. HB 2049 would allow use of a particle accelerator to treat human diseases under general supervision in counties under 400,000 population and at critical access hospitals, with documentation, observation, and monitoring requirements. Testimony from rural hospital and radiation oncology representatives emphasized oncologist shortages, long travel distances for cancer patients, and the need to maintain safety while improving access; the bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. HB 2178 would require any chief medical officer for a state agency to hold an active medical license, and members described it as a common-sense licensing requirement. HB 2179 would separate air ambulances from ground ambulances in statute, define air ambulance-related terms, and update staffing and regulatory provisions to better match current practice; air medical representatives said it was a statutory cleanup measure, and both bills were passed out of committee unanimously, 7-0. HB 2322 would require audio or video recording of DCS interviews with children, with exceptions for equipment failure or unforeseeable lack of access, and would preserve admissibility of statements even if a recording was not made. Supporters, including a trafficking survivor, a health care worker, and a foster parent, argued recordings protect children, improve accuracy and accountability, and reduce disputes over what was said. The bill also includes a conditional enactment tied to future federal grant legislation; it received a 7-0 due pass recommendation. The committee also announced that minutes were not ready for approval and that HB 2307 would be held.