Transcript Highlights:

• staff who loved him.
• And many of those staff members are listening, are watching, and some are here today as well.
• The Burton staff that’s here joining us, thank you for being here with us.
• Amazing staff and the rest of the family.
• And that was, showed the love that his staff had for him.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed numerous former legislators to the floor. The body then moved through the daily file, including several resolutions recognizing cultural observances and a memorial tribute to former President Pro Tem John Burton. Senator Padilla also moved file item 24 to the enacted file, and the Senate announced upcoming committee and budget subcommittee meetings later in the day. The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 133, recognizing California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Day, after remarks from Senator Grayson about the contributions and dignity of people with Down syndrome and the importance of support systems for individuals and families. The Senate also adopted SCR 134 recognizing Nowruz and the Afghan American community, with remarks from Senator Wahab and support from Senator Kaverya, and adopted SCR 139 recognizing Afghan American Heritage Month. Each resolution passed by roll call vote with no opposition. A major portion of the session was devoted to an adjourned-in-memory tribute to former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton. Senators from both parties and several former members offered personal recollections emphasizing Burton’s advocacy for foster youth, working people, and marginalized Californians, as well as his blunt style and political influence. Members highlighted his legislative legacy, his later work through the John Burton Advocates for Youth, and his role in shaping California politics and San Francisco. The Senate concluded the tribute, invited members to a reception, and announced that it would remain in recess before reconvening later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• , staff who loved him.
• And many of those staff members are listening, are watching, and some are here today as well.
• The Burton staff that’s here joining us, thank you for being here with us.
• Amazing staff and the rest of the family.
• And that was, showed the love that his staff had for him.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to ADEQ, each submission can take up to 200 hours of staff time.
• We have a staff of 10 people today. We have a current budget of $1.9 million.
• Chair, Senator, we believe it would translate to 13 additional staff.
• ...additional staff and resources you might need in order to participate in every single rate increase
• There are utilities out there that do need rate increases, if it be for staff or infrastructure, or if

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 27 and March 3, 2026, then heard House Bill 2013, which would require ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration to EPA when a wildfire on federally managed land affects Arizona air quality. The sponsor said the bill would help Arizona’s ozone/nonattainment situation by ensuring wildfire-related exceedances are excluded from official counts. Sierra Club opposed the mandate as duplicative and costly, and ADEQ said it was neutral but concerned about requiring submissions that may not meet EPA’s regulatory-significance standard and could take about 200 staff hours each. HB 2013 received a do-pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2156, appropriating $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund, after testimony from opponents raising transparency, conflict-of-interest, and funding concerns; supporters argued ranchers need help with depredation losses. HB 2156 passed 5-3. House Bill 2113, which would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when a proposed residential rate increase is 100% or more, drew testimony from the sponsor about rural customers facing large increases and from RUCO saying it lacked the staff and budget to take on the added workload. The chair and sponsor discussed adding an appropriation or lowering the threshold, but no amendment was ready. Opponents argued the bill would divert RUCO from larger cases, while supporters emphasized protecting rural ratepayers. The committee gave HB 2113 a do-pass recommendation, 6-2. House Concurrent Memorial 2011, urging Congress to delist the Mexican gray wolf and return management to states and local authorities, was supported by the sponsor and ranching-focused testimony citing livestock losses, while opponents said the species remains endangered and recovery should stay science-based. HCM 2011 passed 5-3. The committee then considered House Bill 2026, which would let ADWR evaluate water availability for certain developments by looking only at the proposed source or sources, even if water is commingled in a delivery system. ADWR was neutral but warned that commingled systems make it difficult to track actual water use and could weaken groundwater safeguards; opponents said the bill could enable double counting or more pumping. HB 2026 received a do-pass recommendation, 5-3. House Bill 2056, which appropriates $100,000 for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites, was supported by the sponsor as a way to explore additional water supplies; ADWR was neutral but said the study would be new for the agency and that brackish water is still regulated as groundwater. HB 2056 passed 5-3. House Bill 2098, modernizing Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority bonding and financing authority, drew support from Pinal County representatives and passed unanimously, 8-0. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 2057, supporting a geothermal permitting roadmap and coordination among agencies, was backed by industry advocates as a way to unlock Arizona’s geothermal potential and also passed unanimously, 8-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think not dressing your staff up as a receipt is a great first step. I love this.
• Thank you, first of all, to the staff for the very thorough staff report.
• my staff on AB 1691.
• I'd like to just briefly add, though, thank you very much to the author and her staff and your staff
• Well, thank you, Chair, and thank you to your staff and advocates.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to ADEQ, each submission can take up to 200 hours of staff time.
• We have a staff of 10 people today. We have a current budget of $1.9 million.
• Chair, Senator, we believe it would translate to 13 additional staff.
• additional staff and resources you might need in order to participate in every single rate increase?
• There are utilities out there that do need rate increases, if it be for staff or infrastructure, or if

Bills: HB2013, HB2026, HB2056, HB2098, HB2113, HB2156, HB2158, HCM2011, HCR2057

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• But my hat's off to you and your staff for sitting there and smiling like everything's good.
• I want to add we do have somebody on our staff that can give local entities election cost estimates.
• And we couldn't have done, couldn't do this without the great staff that I have. So thank y'all.
• With me is Department of Veterans Affairs staff; they will be happy to answer any questions you have.
• There are nursing staff, health care staff across the board, food service workers, administrative staff

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation for the Department of State. House Fiscal Division said the FY27 recommended budget is $128.6 million and 367 positions, with elections making up the largest share. Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the office is implementing Louisiana’s first closed party primary, continuing voter education efforts, and moving toward procurement of a new voting system that would produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot and support risk-limiting audits. Members asked about polling place confusion, machine replacement costs, election commissioner pay, and the cost of educating voters about the new primary system. Landry said polling places are not changing because of the new primary law, the new system is expected to cost about $100 million total, and a bill this session would raise election commissioner pay by $100 per day. Fiscal staff also estimated the closed primary law will add about $31.5 million in costs over five years, mostly from converting local elections to statewide elections and voter outreach. The committee then reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs budget, which was presented at about $105.2 million with a mix of federal, state, self-generated, and interagency funds. The department said most costs are tied to personnel and veterans’ homes, and that the homes are funded largely by federal dollars plus self-generated revenue. Members focused heavily on delays in processing National Guard disability claims and payments to veterans. Representatives said constituents had waited about a year for claims to be resolved, while the department said it had increased staffing and was processing a backlog of more than 400 claims, but still had about $950,000 in approved claims awaiting funding. The department said the payout program is governed by statute and that additional supplemental funding has been requested. Members also discussed veterans’ home care, including how service-connected disability status affects eligibility and costs, and whether chronic wound care and related complications could increase long-term costs. The department said veterans with higher service-connected ratings receive care with federal support, while others pay fees. Several members urged the department to provide clearer timelines and better communication to claimants, and one member suggested a separate oversight hearing to address the disability claim process and any needed statutory changes. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Peter Claudefelter, committee staff.
• I owe this committee and our staff an apology.
• For the record, Megan Mulvahill, staff to the committee.
• And that concludes the staff report. Thank you. Do we have any questions for staff?
• Additional staff has not been hired abroad on.

Bills: HB2721, HB2616

Keywords: commercial interior designer, interior design licensure, registered interior designer, NCIDQ, Washington State Board for Architects, professional regulation, title protection, firm registration, seal and signature, continuing education, building code, nonstructural interior design, space planning, interior architecture, design profession, public safety, occupational licensing, architects, engineering scope, permit review

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's begin with quick staff summaries of the bills and any amendments, and then we will recess to
• Any members have questions of staff?
• We did do, the staff did an analysis of whether there are any restrictions. Okay, thank you.
• So if the staff could bring up the standing committee report and please call the roll. Goodman.
• If the staff could please... If the staff could please take the record. Mr.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all online folks, so I appreciate staff moving them in.
• We also employ 85 caregivers and support staff who live and work in our local area.
• We employ 50 or so caregivers and support staff.
• I have. ...employ 50 or so caregivers and support staff.
• My apologies to staff for not getting promoted and on time. Won't happen again.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a staff that's listening to everything and taking it down so we can go back and look at it.
• We have our staff entering into Our agency at the very bottom of the pay scale.
• And our staff does travel quite a bit.
• Staff to work with. We've purchased lapel cams. We are using lapel cams.
• Staff manages more than 20,000 active inmate and parole files statewide.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have our labor and technology chair Aino, Judiciary Chair Rose, WAM Chair Dela Cruz, staff and
• c><00:02:46.000><c> chair</c><00:02:46.239><c> Dela</c><00:02:46.640><c> Cruz</c><00:02:47.040><c> staff
• </c><00:02:47.280><c> and</c> Rose WAM chair Dela Cruz staff and Rose WAM chair Dela Cruz staff and finance
• I also just want to thank the finance and Ways and Means staff because not just with this bill, but we
• Um, on that note, I need the vote sheet. your staff, and our Wham and Finn Desan, your staff, and our

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committees met several times on April 25, 2025, to resolve a number of bills, often delaying items until later in the day because of missing FIN/WAM releases or lack of quorum. Early in the day, SB 382 was discussed briefly but not advanced because finance would not release it. HB 1064, relating to the state fire marshal, was taken up and approved after conferees confirmed a $2,212,000 appropriation for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund eight positions in the Department of Law Enforcement. Members thanked the many agencies, staff, and advocates involved, and the bill passed by unanimous votes of those present. Several other measures were rolled over to later conference-room meetings, including HB 423 on workers’ compensation, HB 214 on government, HB 1036, HB 1037, and HB 1039 on public employment cost items, SB 828 on workers’ compensation medical benefits, SB 717 on collective bargaining, and HB 286 on the individual housing account program, all pending FIN/WAM release or further agreement. A larger housing agenda was also postponed to 4:30 p.m. in Room 225, including bills on housing, transportation, transient accommodations development, rental housing revolving funds, dwelling unit revolving funds, and low-income housing credit. At the later transportation and housing sessions, HB 1231 was adopted as a conference draft establishing a $5 county motor vehicle registration surcharge for the Safe Routes to School special fund and clarifying rules for automated enforcement citations and liability. HB 4209 on transit-oriented development also passed; it defined transit-oriented development, created a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund, and authorized HCDA to use the definition in planning. HB 1298 on housing passed with amendments to support a government employee housing program tied to a transit-oriented development site, including funding for planning and an HHFC position. HB 830 on historic preservation reviews also passed with amendments limiting third-party review to residential or mixed-use development and setting staggered effective dates. Later, SB 662 on transportation passed with amendments authorizing county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on public streets, roadways, and highways. Several other bills remained pending and were recessed for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, staff is most important.
• Staff does the yeoman's work on any of these conference committees.
• And I want to personally thank the Speaker's staff.
• I also want to thank our folks, my staff, so my staff's here.
• I think the only people more excited about this being done is my staff.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And how we do that is we listen, and some of the most important listening we can do is to our staff,
• and our other policy staff as well, worked really hard and put... ...our other policy staff as well,
• I also want to thank... ...the staff and all the folks that brought this budget to fruition.
• Also, I want to give our special thanks to our caucus staff, to Samantha, and to Stephanie, and their
• The Speaker wishes to at this time invite staff and a guest to the House floor for a signing ceremony

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• consultant and co-founder of the Sustainable Outdoor Learning Center, and accompanying them is my staff
• them is my staff are my staff<00:02:21.920><c> Venus</c><00:02:22.600><c> and</c> staff Venus and staff
• Mahalo to our incredible volunteers, our dedicated staff, and everyone who helped make this event such
• our incredible volunteers, our Mahalo to our incredible volunteers, our dedicated<00:15:30.240><c> staff
• , and everyone who helped dedicated staff, and everyone who helped make<00:15:32.040><c> this</c><00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do have a staff member who has quite a bit of expertise around veterans.
• And I do have a staff member who has quite a bit of expertise around Veterans Benefits Administration
• You bring new staff into the field, and they may not be aware of the resources that are available for
• It would just be important because staff do turn over.
• You bring new staff into the field, and they may not be aware of the resources that are available for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met and began with roll call, but did not have a quorum, so approval of prior minutes and an inspirational quote were tabled. A planned presentation from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee was canceled shortly before the meeting, and the agenda shifted to an informal discussion with two Treasury employees, Steve Kroder and Bill Collievis, about veterans with disabilities in the workplace. Kroder and Collievis described barriers veterans face, including stigma, employer misunderstanding, the need for frequent medical appointments, invisible disabilities such as PTSD and other service-connected conditions, and challenges for Guard and Reserve members balancing service with civilian work. They also discussed supportive practices in public employment, the need for better outreach to employers, the role of local veterans service officers, Military OneSource, TAP, and the importance of helping veterans navigate benefits and transition services. Commission members responded by emphasizing education, employer outreach, and possible resource-sharing through the commission’s website and toolkit. The committee then heard a presentation from Commonwealth Corporation on its Young Adults with Disabilities employment grant program. Staff explained the program’s funding, eligibility, training and placement model, and data from the prior cycle, including participant demographics, completion rates, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and wages. Members discussed benefits counseling, underemployment definitions, stigma around addiction as a disability category, and the need to connect grantees and participants with work incentives and benefits information. Commonwealth Corporation said grantees now receive training on benefits impacts and that the agency is open to further partnership. The meeting ended with a brief update on a planned commission event focused on youth and young adults with disabilities, inclusive workplaces, PCAs, and job coaches. Organizers said they were still securing a venue and were considering a hybrid or virtual format, with participation from youth organizations, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, if you can please read in the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.
• Staff, if you could please read in the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.
• Staff, if you could please read in the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.
• Staff, if you could please read in the bill.
• I'm going to have staff first read it in. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.

Summary: The House Education Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several higher education and K-12 bills. SB 234 by Sen. Presley, which would provide grading for medical school students, was briefly discussed and reported favorably without objection. SB 142 by Sen. Reese, dealing with continued management and oversight of Board of Regents support fund matched endowments if a related constitutional amendment passes, drew questions about endowment matching, oversight, and the roughly $75 million in unmatched requests; it was also reported favorably without objection. SB 482 by Sen. Reese, expanding the role of career coaches in middle and high school graduation planning and reporting on career development fund spending, received support from BESE and others, with committee members discussing counselor workload and district flexibility; it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up SB 64 by Sen. Hodges, which would require two people to review initial video/audio recordings from cameras in self-contained classrooms when complaints arise, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 1063 by Rep. Owen, a broad higher education governance bill that would increase board oversight of curriculum, hiring, faculty senates, and discipline, generated extensive discussion and testimony from Rep. Owen and a representative of Parents Defending Education Action, but the author said he did not want to vote on it yet and moved to voluntarily defer it; the committee agreed without objection. HB 818 by Rep. Riser, as amended, was converted into a reporting bill requiring public inventories and state reporting on assessments, with Cynthia Posey of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers explaining the amendments; the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with one opposition card noted. Finally, SB 28 by Sen. McMath, carried by Rep. Carver, would lower the age for associate teachers from 25 to 21 to help address the teacher shortage; Department of Education staff said the change could expand the pipeline, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also announced it would meet the following week on Wednesday, May 6, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing is the utilization of the OPS staff to replace expensive contracted nursing staff in
• That's what we're using them for us to eliminate staff agency. Thank you. Yes, sir.
• We have Tim Fitzgerald, Chief of Staff, to present Amendment EOGB-2020-617. Good afternoon, sir.
• As you said, I'm Tim Fitzgerald, Chief of Staff of FDLE.
• For the Department of Juvenile Justice, we'll hear from Heather Jamakad de Jocamo, Chief of Staff.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, house staff, sergeant at arms,<00:38:49.120><c> everyone</c><00:38:49.480><c> can</c><00:38
• Please encourage your staff to stay for Art at the Capitol. It is on Friday, April 17th.
• Encourage your staff to participate.
• So, staff, please come join and sign up. And thank you again, Speaker.
• So, staff, please come join auditorium. So, staff, please come join sign<00:40:41.480><c> up.

Bills: HR39, HCR43, HR178, HCR188, SB3144, SB3102, SB2053, SB3248, SB2256, SB3118, SB2245, SB2519, SB3055, SB2090, SB2765, SB2169, SB3136, SB2521, SB2851, SB3154, SB3262, SB2387, SB3001, SB2818, SB2972, SB2372, SB2108, SB888, HR63, HCR69

Keywords: pedestrian safety, crosswalks, traffic calming, school zone, Honolulu, community safety, raised crosswalks, traffic infrastructure, agritourism, agricultural tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, HTA, working group, farm tourism, regenerative tourism, working lands, agricultural land use, county ordinances, permitting, farm bureau

Transcript Highlights:

• So since 2023, there's been about a 26% reduction in the amount of time and expenditures that staff bill
• whether that's through continuing to limit or restrict travel, to reassessing time commitments of staff
• whether that's through continuing to limit or restrict travel, to reassessing time commitments of staff
• Personnel, again, time spent by division staff has been reduced by about 20%, which equates to about
• That is because, rather than having staff go through and have to input the application data and then

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee met to consider a series of temporary and pending administrative rules, mostly from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) for health-related boards. Early actions focused on fee reductions or fee flexibility for the Idaho Boards of Midwifery and Nursing, and the Board of Dentistry, with members asking about cash balances, why refund language was removed in one rule, and how merged boards and fee holidays might affect future rates. The committee voted to extend the temporary rules to July 1, 2026 and then approved the corresponding final rules for midwifery, dentistry, and nursing. Members also discussed a nursing reinstatement fee set at $35 to align with Idaho Code and standardize fees across boards. The committee then considered a proposed fee increase for the Occupational Therapy Board, which DOPL said was needed because the board’s cash balance was below statutory limits and projected to go negative without action. Testimony described prior cost-cutting efforts, including reduced staff time, travel, and meetings, but several members objected to the increase as a tax-like burden and questioned whether other budget changes or board mergers could solve the problem. The Senate had already rejected the docket, and the House committee ultimately voted to reject it as well. Members also raised concerns about whether DOPL consolidation has increased costs for smaller boards and whether the board’s public safety role justified licensure. The committee approved a new Speech, Hearing, and Communication Services rule creating a video remote interpreting provider license authorized by House Bill 311, with a $150 fee for up to five interpreters at a business. DOPL said the license is new nationally, had no public comments, would not affect the general fund, and would be the lowest fee of its kind in the country. Finally, the committee considered a Physical Therapy Licensure Board fee increase from $25 to $40, which DOPL said was needed because the board’s cash balance was low and projected to decline further despite cost reductions and modernization through the online licensure system. Members debated the impact of DOPL consolidation and fee disparities across professions, but after a substitute motion, the committee voted to reject that docket as well. The meeting concluded with announcements about visiting physicians from the WHAMMY program and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And every decision that I made had to do with safety, safety of the students, safety of the staff, safety
• Members, do we have any questions for staff? All right, seeing the sponsor. Thank you, members.
• Members, are there any questions for staff? Okay, so this is my bill.
• Members, do we have any questions for staff? All right, Mr. Chair, I mean, Mr. Vice Chair, yes.
• Members, are there any questions for staff? All right, this is my bill.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on modernization of the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. Testimony from local officials and port authority representatives described the port as outdated, flood-prone, and a major congestion and safety concern because CBP equipment and officers are positioned near the international boundary and stormwater/sewer infrastructure. Speakers said the port is vital to local and state commerce, estimated modernization could cost $1.5 billion to $2 billion, and requested state support and letters of support for federal advocacy. Committee members discussed the economic and safety impacts, and leadership said a joint letter would be prepared. The committee then considered several bills. HB 2237 would appropriate $4.5 million for Apache Junction’s Superstition Trails and a visitor gateway; it passed 4-2. HB 2926, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, would create expedited permitting for workforce housing, exempt the state portion of prime contracting tax for such projects, and adjust bond-related rules; after an amendment, it passed 6-1. HB 2113 would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when proposed residential rate increases are 100% or more; testimony focused on large rate hikes in rural areas versus RUCO’s limited staff and budget, and the bill passed 5-1 with some members asking for continued discussion about RUCO’s priorities. The committee also passed HB 2824, which authorizes local governments to establish voluntary C-PACE programs for financing commercial property improvements through special assessments, with supporters saying it would help attract investment without using state general funds. HB 2939, the “Lucid bill,” would add a rural-location tax credit tied to large qualifying investments and new jobs; Lucid Motors testified that it would support advanced manufacturing and rural job creation, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after noting HB 2950 would be held due to time and heard first at the next meeting.