Video & Transcript : 'ethical research' :
Page 421 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/30/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So I started doing research outside of what the narrative was.
- So I started<01:01:16.480><c> doing</c><01:01:16.960><c> research</c><01:01:17.599><c> outside</c><01
- :01:18.240><c> of</c><01:01:18.559><c> what</c> started doing research outside of what started doing
- </c> been doing a lot of genealogy research been doing a lot of genealogy research recently<01:15:37.440
- So, I'm not sure how much extra research they would in the end need to be doing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:14:57.079><c> analyst</c><00:14:57.440><c> that'll</c><00:14:57.639><c> be</c> the house research
- analyst that'll be the house research analyst that'll be Staffing<00:14:58.079><c> this</c><00:14:58.199
- Ben Freeze, House Republican Research. Happy to be here, even after the chair skipped over you.
- Focus and so unlike a lot of a research Focus and so unlike a lot of states<00:25:59.799><c> that</c
- and science so that informed by research and science so that I<01:22:47.639><c> think</c><01:22:48.480
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
MN House passes omnibus workforce, labor, and economic development policy and finance bill 5/5/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And a special shout out to our researcher.
- ,</c><02:09:33.360><c> Dave</c> uh DFL and GOP researchers, Dave uh DFL and GOP researchers, Dave Sullivan
- I know members um in all of researcher.
- </c> our committees this year, our research our committees this year, our research uh<02:09:48.280><c
- ><02:09:49.560><c> to</c> uh non-partisan researchers have had to uh non-partisan researchers have had
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/03/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- In today's committee hearing, we'll first hear an economic research overview about the connection between
- overview about the economic research overview about the connection<00:01:27.040><c> between</c><00:01
- on housing supply some of our research on housing supply and<00:02:21.599><c> affordability.
- I'm looking at the other side's researcher. Has that information been passed along?
- </c> looking at the other side's researcher. looking at the other side's researcher.
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- In research I was with this increase.
- In research I was doing<00:20:00.880><c> this</c><00:20:01.200><c> winter</c><00:20:01.600><c> for</c
- </c> interventions that come well researched. interventions that come well researched. the<01:26:16.639
- I actually just read some new research that’s a really good accommodation for kids with dyslexia.
- </c> scientifically based research methods. scientifically based research methods.
Committee:
Senate Education
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:23:15.360><c> re</c><00:23:15.760><c> research</c><00:23:16.240><c> has</c> source of pollution
- . re research has source of pollution. re research has linked<00:23:16.720><c> highway</c><00:23:17.120
- Uh, the person that drafted the bill was House Research. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- Just—and just follow, I think that's a lot for research to do, but I mean, you mentioned Colorado.
- </c><01:56:40.560><c> on</c> Research Council's 2025 report on Research Council's 2025 report on uninsured
Committee:
Senate Transportation
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and Senate Environmental Quality Committee Aug 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We're tackling research, guidance documents, and regulations to address forever chemicals known as PFOS
- We are also preparing to publish research on PFOS in ski and snowboard waxes, hard surface sealers, and
- Please don't let the board quietly become one more arm of an agency that spends time and money researching
- Please don't let the board quietly become one more arm of an agency that spends time and money researching
Summary:
The joint oversight hearing focused on the Board of Environmental Safety (BES), created by SB 158 in 2021, and on broader DTSC reform efforts, including permitting, community engagement, fee setting, and the hazardous waste management plan. Chair Connolly opened by noting the board’s original goals of improving transparency, accountability, and fiscal stability, and raised concerns about a recent board appointee later becoming a lobbyist with DTSC-regulated clients. Witnesses and members also discussed the long-delayed SB 673 regulations on facility permitting and community vulnerability protections, as well as the board’s role in approving the hazardous waste management plan and reviewing permit appeals.
Community and environmental justice witnesses argued that the board has improved access by creating a public forum, ombudsperson, and appeal process, but said it remains too passive and lacks authority over budgets, staffing, and implementation. They urged more statutory direction, stronger community participation, better transparency on how comments are used, and more meaningful authority in permit and plan decisions. One witness suggested the Legislature consider a separate oversight body or stronger legislative engagement, while another called for youth representation and paid fellowships on advisory bodies. Business and regulated-community testimony was more supportive of the board’s structure, emphasizing that SB 158 was a negotiated compromise that improved transparency and accountability while avoiding politicization, and calling for faster fee analysis and clearer budget information.
Board Chair Andrew Rakestra and DTSC Director Barbara Butler reported that reform has produced measurable gains: more public engagement, stronger enforcement, fewer continued permits, improved compliance, increased revenues from the generation-and-handling fee, and progress on Exide cleanup, safer consumer products, and community revitalization grants. They acknowledged, however, that the board’s authority is limited, permit appeals can be slow, SB 673 regulations remain unfinished, and public trust still needs work. Both said the board is most effective when involved early and when DTSC shares information proactively. Members asked about fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, and whether the Legislature should give the board a more formal role in budget change proposals, regulatory processes, and implementation oversight. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with public comment.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jul 9th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The National Safety Council, Inc., a data-driven organization that relies on research to inform best-practice
- eliminating preventable deaths at work, in homes, and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research
- This, in turn, allows us to keep social media platforms accountable, to help researchers and members
- of the public understand how they tick, and to provide this information Researchers and members of the
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- they're starting to put out little white papers or short guides on subjects, and we've grown in our research
- get more of an instant result from policy analysis than you will from program evaluators. ...our research
- We're happy to do whatever additional research is necessary about what other states are doing.
- Now we've got to go back and... ...Now we've got to go back and research everything and figure out how
Summary:
The task force first approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, including a correction removing language that suggested the auditor’s office would contract with a security vendor. Members then moved to a bill draft on concessions (LC 27.0161.00000), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, clarify that proceeds go to the entity’s operating fund or general fund, and make other technical updates. OMB explained the draft and answered questions about scope, fragmentation, vendor restrictions, school districts, and whether concession proceeds could be directed to nonprofits; OMB said the draft could be refined further, including clarifying covered entities and contract length. No vote was taken on the draft during the discussion.
OMB also reported on other survey items. It said a proposal to broadly allow agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering/land surveying vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is working well for the agencies that already have it. On legal notices, OMB said it has been working with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernization, including an ADA-compliant online notice system and possible statutory updates to reflect changing technology and notice definitions. On click-through agreements for routine IT purchases, OMB and the Attorney General’s office said policy clarification—not statutory change—was enough, and the $20,000 threshold was intended to distinguish low-dollar adhesive contracts from purchases where terms can be negotiated.
The committee also heard that OMB and the Center for Distance Education had resolved questions about alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures through existing policy, so no statutory changes were needed there. North Dakota University System representatives gave a brief update on ongoing collaboration with OMB on statutory efficiency ideas, including concessions and surplus property. Finally, the task force discussed a draft on requirements for new or expanded spending programs, which would require agencies to identify purpose, expected benefits, alternatives, success measures, and full implementation costs, and would require reporting on outcomes over time. Members debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how to use the new program evaluators, whether real-time dashboards should be used, and how to choose which programs to evaluate; staff from Legislative Council said they would work with OMB and the auditor’s office to revise the draft and process.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, Tommy, you prompted me to go back and do a little research on New York.
- Yeah, Tommy, you prompted me to go back and do a little research on, yeah, New York.
- Well, that would be part of the early research.
- I mean, they can do a lot of this stuff that we're asking somebody to do, and my point is... ...research
Summary:
The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives.
Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad.
The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Research demonstrates that criminal fees cause lasting financial and emotional harm to people who are
- She cited CDC research showing that increased screening has reduced cervical cancer incidence and deaths
- Research from the CDC shows that increased screening has reduced cervical cancer incidence and deaths
- Research has shown that timely access to mental health care protects against these long-term consequences
Summary:
The committee heard AB 2575 on health care AI guardrails, with the author and supporters from the California Nurses Association and labor groups arguing that AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment. They said the bill would require basic disclosures about AI tools, protect workers from retaliation for overriding AI in good faith, and prevent developers or employers from shifting liability to frontline clinicians. Opponents including the California Medical Association, CalChamber, hospitals, and other health care organizations argued the bill would add costs, create uncertainty, and discourage useful AI applications. Committee members discussed bias in health care and accepted amendments narrowing the disclosure provisions; the bill was moved with a 7-1 vote and re-referred to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement.
AB 634 would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products containing tianeptine, described by supporters as “gas station heroin.” The author and law enforcement supporters said the substance is dangerous, easily accessible, and can cause opioid-like addiction, while no opposition came forward. The committee also heard AB 1607 to extend the Maddy EMS Fund, which reimburses emergency providers for uncompensated care. Supporters said the fund is essential to keeping emergency departments staffed, especially amid expected coverage losses; an ACLU representative opposed the funding source because it relies on criminal and traffic fines. Members supported the need for the fund but raised concerns about the fairness and long-term stability of the revenue source, and the bill advanced on a 8-0 vote.
AB 1906 would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening tests without cost sharing, and the author said the bill would improve early detection and reduce disparities, especially for rural and working Californians. Support came from Planned Parenthood, Health Access, and several health and labor organizations; insurers said they appreciated the amendments and were reviewing their position. The committee adopted amendments aligning the bill with clinical guidelines and passed it 6-0 to Appropriations. The committee also took up AB 2247, the Thrive Act, to create a pilot program for trauma and mental health services for youth affected by gun violence in four counties. Supporters described barriers survivors face in accessing counseling, while members questioned the narrow focus on gun violence, the choice of counties, documentation requirements, and whether the program should instead be housed in victim compensation. The bill passed 8-0 to Judiciary.
Later, AB 2531 would expand California’s uncompensated care program so veterans denied abortion care through the federal VA system could receive coverage in California, and would add an abortion resources link for veterans. Supporters framed it as filling a gap created by federal restrictions; opponents argued state funds should not support abortion. Members noted the VA already provides many reproductive services but not this one, and the bill passed 7-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard AB 1915, which would modernize restaurant facility rules and create a self-certification pathway for some equipment installations. Restaurant and business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce costly delays, while the Contractor State License Board opposed the self-certification provision over safety and inspection concerns. Members generally supported streamlining but echoed public safety concerns and indicated further work was needed.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- services that are offered by any of the following and that integrate the best available scientific research
- services that are offered by any of the following and that integrate the best available scientific research
- The best available scientific research, good enough, with clinical expertise, based on the context of
- Which means that we're going to take the best research, the best practices, and then we're going to modify
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Media Availability on Vote on Gun Violence Prevention Package - 05/04/26
Transcript Highlights:
- that's going to be most effective in addressing gun violence, you've got to have information through research
- you've got to have<00:03:34.680><c> information</c><00:03:35.400><c> through</c><00:03:35.640><c> research
- </c> have information through research. have information through research.
Summary:
Senate leaders and bill authors held a post-debate press availability after completing floor debate and passage of a comprehensive gun violence package developed in response to the Annunciation school shooting and other recent violence. They described the package as combining mental health funding, school safety aid, and gun restrictions, including an assault-weapons ban, and said it reflected months of work with families, advocates, law enforcement groups, and members from both parties. They emphasized that the approach was intended to address both access to firearms and the people involved in violence, along with prevention, intervention, and consequences.
The speakers said the bill reached 34 Senate votes after extensive conversations with colleagues, including some who had personal connections to Annunciation or concerns about their districts. They framed the vote as historic and said it showed Minnesotans where lawmakers stand. They also urged the House to take up the measure, warning that avoiding a vote would signal that politics were being placed ahead of public safety. They said they would continue lobbying House members and expected negotiations with House and gubernatorial leaders in the coming weeks.
Mike Moyski, a family member of an Annunciation victim, praised the Senate action as meaningful and lasting for children and communities, while also criticizing a floor speech he said repeated the shooter’s name and platformed the attacker. In response to questions, senators said they remained open to further talks with House Republicans and Democrats, but stressed that the families wanted a comprehensive package. They said if the House sends over separate school safety legislation, the chambers would conference the bills to resolve differences.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 079 Apr 3rd, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Policy Institute this year, providing a student-focused initiative designed to foster advocacy, research
- Policy Institute this year, providing a student-focused initiative designed to foster advocacy, research
- These students are getting a full day of immersion in the public policy process. research, and leadership
- in Indigenous research, and leadership in Indigenous Policy.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, I don't think any state has, as far as my research has shown, no state has implemented just a flat-fee-only
- directly connected to the patient, the pharmacist, and the drug manufacturers who are doing the research
- with patients, and the drug manufacturers who are putting all the time, money, and effort into researching
- I believe a lot of it is research that they have to do, the time it takes to bring a drug to the market
Committee:
House Insurance
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- But in my research that I've done at Mountain States Policy Center, I found that though ADUs offer this
- have with your Microsoft suite or your Google suite or your fill it in here, where you're doing research
- executive director for Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance, and we are an organization dedicated to research
- And that was a process of extreme research and time constraints. They had surveys.
Committee:
House Business
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, approving minutes from several February and March meetings, and thanked the page for her service. It then took up Senate Bill 1354, which would create a statewide framework for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), requiring cities over 10,000 population to allow one internal or attached ADU per lot while preserving existing HOA restrictions and historic district exemptions. Supporters argued the bill would expand housing options, protect property rights, and help families with aging parents, adult children, or rental income; opponents from the HOA and insurance community warned it could increase density, rentals, parking and utility strain, and insurance costs, especially if short-term rentals increase. After sponsor clarifications on county exclusion, HOA rules, and infrastructure limits, the committee passed SB 1354 on a 10-4 roll call vote and sent it to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 1297, the Conversational AI Safety Act, which would set transparency and safety standards for conversational AI services, especially for minors. The bill requires disclosures that users are interacting with AI, guardrails against sexually explicit content and romantic/sentient personas for minors, limits gamification techniques that encourage addictive use, and parental controls. Google testified in support, saying it already uses similar safety-by-design measures and that the bill would create consistent industry standards; members asked about how operators would identify minors and whether the bill would apply to out-of-state providers. The committee approved SB 1297 as amended and sent it to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1352, which would require cities over 10,000 population to allow “starter home subdivisions” with smaller lots and modest setbacks, while preventing higher fees for those homes and allowing denials for infrastructure, safety, or environmental reasons. The sponsor framed it as a response to rising home prices and delayed first-time homeownership, while supporters from housing and building groups said smaller lots could lower costs and expand supply. City and resident testimony opposed the bill as a state override of local planning and zoning, arguing it would impose high-density development and weaken local control; city representatives also said the bill’s lot-size language was being misunderstood and that they had not had enough input in drafting. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1352 as amended with a do-pass recommendation after discussion of its effect on local land-use authority and deed restrictions.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Mar 24th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- And I did a little research. Melatonin is not recommended to give to children under five.
- At the end of the day, melatonin is a hormone, but research reveals that excessive amounts in children
- Moore, I did some research on that, and there are some, but not many, and I can't remember exactly which
- Yeah, I'll have to research that again, because I didn't read that deeply into those bills.
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 24, 2026, and heard a series of bills, with members generally expressing support for measures aimed at public safety, corrections, and criminal procedure. The committee first amended and reported HB 957, which removes the 72-hour advance notice requirement for sheriffs transferring prisoners, while adding notice to the prosecuting authority as well as the court. Testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association said the change would help with overcrowding and security-related inmate moves, and the bill was reported favorably as amended.
The committee then heard HB 106, which prohibits giving children non-prescription melatonin without parental consent. After debate over whether consent should be written, the committee rejected an amendment requiring prior written consent, but adopted a broader amendment making the bill apply to any person rather than only child care centers. Testimony from Gretna Police Chief Brett Lawson described a case involving a nanny and a one-year-old child, and child care representatives said licensed centers already require parental consent forms. HB 106 was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 111, which adds associate’s degrees to the existing sentence-reduction credits for incarcerated people who complete higher education programs; DOC said the programs are accredited and monitored, and supporters framed the bill as part of workforce reentry.
Several other bills were advanced. HB 64 clarifies that judges may recall arrest warrants and requires notice to law enforcement when a warrant is recalled; former Rep. Joe Marino testified in support, describing problems with old or mistaken warrants remaining active. HB 53 adds certain gambling offenses as predicate acts under Louisiana’s racketeering law, with the Attorney General’s office citing illegal gambling operations and prison-based gambling rings. HB 152 updates the state controlled dangerous substances schedules to match federal changes, adding 13 opioids. HB 102 creates second-degree cruelty to elderly persons and persons with infirmities, with amendments adding the offense as a predicate felony and refining the penalty and affirmative-defense language; the bill drew emotional testimony from advocates and family members describing abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, and it was reported favorably as amended.
The committee also reported HB 137, which strengthens penalties for threats against schools and adds a civil cost component for false threats; the Speaker Pro Tem said the bill is meant to deter school threats and reduce disruption and emergency response costs. HB 57 was reported favorably to clarify that courts may consider criminal histories in ex parte temporary restraining order proceedings. HB 337 increases from two to four the number of special charitable bingo events allowed each year for licensed nonprofits. Finally, HB 100 was substantially amended so that driving 100 mph or more is treated as reckless operation rather than a new felony speeding offense, and HB 155 expands the prohibition on unlawful drone use to additional Capitol grounds locations; both were reported favorably as amended. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, with several bills supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups and a few receiving limited opposition or informational cards.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Mar 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Research on the CalFresh work requirement, where the SNAP work requirement in other states suggests that
- Research on the CalFresh work requirement, where the SNAP work requirement in other states suggests that
- This is an approach that's backed by cost-effectiveness research and consistent with federal Medicaid
- Campaign work that we discussed through philanthropic support with the HCS, our client messaging research
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on how H.R. 1’s new federal work and community engagement rules will affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh, especially for Californians with behavioral health needs, people experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved individuals. The Legislative Analyst’s Office outlined the scope of the changes, including Medi-Cal work requirements beginning in January 2027 and CalFresh changes beginning in June 2026, and estimated large potential coverage losses if people cannot document exemptions or comply with reporting rules. State departments said they are still awaiting some federal guidance but are already building implementation plans, data matching, outreach campaigns, and system changes to reduce disruption and automatically identify exemptions where possible.
Department of Health Care Services and Department of Social Services officials described efforts to use existing data, CalSAWS, and cross-program coordination to streamline exemption screening, including for medical frailty, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and student status. They said outreach will include text messaging, webinars, county training, and community-based partners, while also acknowledging that many people will still need direct worker contact. County representatives stressed that the new rules will create major administrative burdens, require significant new staffing, and could lead to coverage loss if counties are not adequately funded. They urged the Legislature to release the $20 million in current-year General Fund for CalFresh implementation and to consider a much larger county augmentation next year.
Assembly members pressed the administration on outreach strategy, county funding, consistency across counties, and how to avoid harming eligible people through overly aggressive implementation. They also asked about coordination with universities, CDCR, and community-based organizations, and about how exemptions would be documented for mental health and substance use conditions. Department officials said they are working with counties, education institutions, and correctional agencies, and that they are trying to align Medi-Cal and CalFresh rules where possible, but not all federal definitions match. Public commenters from legal aid, counties, labor, and public hospitals warned that work requirements do not increase employment, will worsen food insecurity and health outcomes, and will strain county systems unless the state provides more funding and support.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Research shows that students score higher on paper tests compared to computer-based... ...performance
- Research shows that students score higher on paper tests compared to computer-based versions because
- In that hearing, Chairman Cruz highlighted concerns about excessive screen time, noting that researchers
- In that hearing, Chairman Cruz highlighted concerns about excessive screen time, noting that researchers
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
interference, disruption, educational institutions, public order, conduct rules, statewide assessment, student testing, academic standards, third grade reading, reading retention, promotion and retention, school accountability, assessment window, testing window, test scores, school report cards, nontest data, graduation rates, dropout rates, education data privacy
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- private school new to Arizona, and these students are community ambassadors from their school, researching
- private school new to Arizona, and these students are community ambassadors from their school, researching
- that somebody actually listened, sat down with them and listened and actually worked and did the research
- The research to put in amendment language.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a recorded quorum, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced several guest groups in the gallery, including the City of Maricopa Youth Council, students from Alpha School in Scottsdale, a student shadowing Sen. Gonzalez, Gilbert EduPrize students, InterWest Energy Alliance representatives, and Kingman city leaders. The chamber adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the Senate also approved a motion to request House consent to adjourn after Wednesday, March 11, until Monday, March 16. A large number of bills were introduced on first reading, and standing committee reports were ordered entered without being read aloud.
The Senate then took up numerous third-reading measures. Bills passed included SB 1654 (elections funding), SB 1711 (school safety/age-appropriate information), SB 1743 (campaign contribution address privacy), SB 1747 (assistive technology content), SB 1212 (health insurance reimbursement rules), SB 1284 (moving violations), SB 1336 (State Land Department-related changes), SB 1365 (property tax exemptions/veterans park discounts), SB 1655 (juror summoning/poll worker recruitment), SB 1662 (probation), SB 1803 (veterans’ services), SB 1818 (vehicle statutes), SB 1494 and SB 1497 (school insurance-related changes), SB 1503 (pension benefit plans), SB 1584 (Department of Corrections staffing), SB 1632 (Department of Economic Security), SB 1723 (bail), SB 1206 (insurance claims on reconsideration), and SB 1827 (aviation appropriations on reconsideration). SB 1134 on political signs initially failed, but the Senate later reconsidered and passed it. SB 1544 (probation) and SB 1585 (sex offender monitoring funding) failed. Several votes were close, and members offered explanations for both support and opposition on issues such as election administration, campaign privacy, health care incentives, veterans’ claims assistance, and criminal justice policy.
The chamber then resolved into the Committee of the Whole for a long series of bills, adopting committee and floor amendments and recommending do pass on SB 1009, SB 1050, SB 1054, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1317, SB 1461, and SB 1672. Testimony in committee focused on topics including high school training standards, veterans’ state park passes, local measures, Arizona Rangers oversight, AHCCCS reimbursement and workforce issues, reentry programming, allied health workforce development, and anti-psychotic drug access. Later, the Committee of the Whole also considered SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1295, and SB 1611. SB 1173 drew debate over whether additional fingerprint/background checks were needed for AHCCCS providers; SB 1234 and SB 1295 addressed juvenile court representation and inmate medical release; and SB 1611, on the American Indian Health Program, prompted extensive discussion about fraud in the program, tribal consultation, and whether the program should be moved out of AHCCCS. The committee adopted amendments and advanced these bills with do pass recommendations, while members on SB 1611 emphasized both the need for reform and concerns about consultation with Arizona tribes.