Transcript Highlights:

• involved rest and soul searching, and, you know, you put the laptop in a box on January 20th at about 11
• So the West Coast Health Alliance was created in the beginning of September after what was a really turbulent
• So it was in August. of September after what was a really turbulent month for public health.
• So in the first week of September, COVID-19 immunization recommendations was an area where there was
• So here in Washington State, it's 11 weeks, and one of the benefits is it carries to the first... ...

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 11 authorized third-party reviewers.
• Currently, we had 11; we currently have 10 firms with 15 approved licensed professionals.
• And then the CR 102 will be filed in September, and that will be public notification of those rules and
• In September, we'll be offering eight one-bedroom units and two four-plex buildings for low-income seniors
• In September, we'll be offering eight, the construction of Nordic cottages this spring.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Civic Commons on the Starter Home Production Plan, developed under the Covenant Home Ownership Act to address Washington’s shortage of starter homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. Speakers said housing prices have far outpaced incomes, and argued that incremental fixes have not worked. They described a statewide, systems-based plan centered on smaller, standardized homes, off-site construction, pre-approved plans, new financing tools, a developer network, and a temporary cross-sector crisis task force to coordinate implementation. Committee members asked about the role of silos, target income ranges, geographic applicability, and pre-approved plans; Civic Commons said the effort is intended to support households roughly from 60% to 120% of area median income and to work across urban and rural contexts. The Department of Labor and Industries then reported progress on factory-built housing regulation. L&I said it has prioritized residential plan reviews, reducing turnaround times from months to about two days, and has created a new plans examiner supervisor position. The department also said it is formalizing third-party review and inspection rules, building a customer-tracking database, and reviewing national standards from the Modular Building Institute for possible alignment with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans and the need to balance speed with code compliance and safety. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. Labor representatives said off-site fabrication can help housing delivery only if it preserves worker safety, fair wages, apprenticeship opportunities, and compliance with labor laws. They raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and underground-economy risks in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor licensing and training. Committee members responded that the state needs both housing production and good jobs, and that apprenticeship and workforce development remain important. The committee also heard from several cities about local housing code changes. Olympia described an affordable housing emergency ordinance that prioritizes affordable projects in the permitting queue, while noting that staff capacity and cross-department communication are critical. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, said it eliminated single-family zoning, expanded ADUs and MFTE, and has seen more duplexes, ADUs, and smaller-lot development, though it still faces neighborhood opposition and infrastructure-related barriers. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances just before the deadline, after a lengthy process involving density, parking, and staffing challenges. Poulsbo said it proactively adopted multiple housing code changes, including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, a manufactured home overlay, and six shared pre-approved ADU plans with neighboring jurisdictions; it also highlighted a senior housing project using city land and public funding. Across the city testimony, speakers emphasized that zoning changes help but are only one part of the housing puzzle, and several urged more support for local staff, standardized plans, and broader reforms to permitting and infrastructure requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm<01:11:09.760><c> pleased</c><01:11:10.120><c> to</c><01:11:10.240><c> offer</c><01:11:10.520><c>
• amendment today<01:11:11.360><c> in</c><01:11:11.440><c> response</c><01:11:11.960><c> to</c><01:11:
• [laughter] Thank<01:11:32.760><c> thank</c><01:11:33.000><c> you</c><01:11:33.080><c> Madam</c><01:11
• ><c> you</c><01:11:36.760><c> as</c><01:11:36.880><c> well</c><01:11:37.080><c> my</c><01:11:37.200><
• Do you<01:11:37.680><c> know</c><01:11:37.760><c> what</c><01:11:37.880><c> today</c><01:11:38.120><c

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:42.720><c> Association</c><00:11:43.279><c> and</c><00:11:43.600><c> served</c><00:11:43.839><
• on the boards<00:11:44.399><c> of</c><00:11:44.560><c> the</c><00:11:44.720><c> Georgia</c><00:11:45.040
• Flynn was<00:11:53.760><c> devoted</c><00:11:54.079><c> to</c><00:11:54.320><c> his</c><00:11:54.560>
• </c><01:11:20.560><c> you</c><01:11:20.719><c> rest</c><01:11:20.880><c> in</c><01:11:21.120><c> peace
• </c><02:11:56.400><c> Today,</c><02:11:56.639><c> I</c><02:11:56.880><c> rise</c><02:11:57.119><c> in

Bills: HB4553 , HJR105 , HJR106 , HJR104 , HR539 , HR672

Keywords: energy, water development, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, flood control, infrastructure, Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota, resource management plan, congression disapproval, public lands policy, HJR106, H.J.Res. 106, Congressional Review Act, CRA, BLM, Central Yukon, Alaska, public lands, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the Blackman amendment dated February 3rd, 2026, at 11:40 a.m. be adopted.
• Chair, members, the Blackman amendment dated February 3rd, 2026, at 11:40 a.m. specifies that a defendant
• I moved that the Blackman amendment dated February 3rd, 2026, at 11:40 a.m. be adopted.
• Members, the motion before you is that the Blackman Amendment dated February 3rd, 2026, at 11:40 a.m.
• 25th, September 27th, and October 12th.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal enforcement for unpaid court fines, fees, restitution, and incarceration costs with a civil collection framework and end arrest warrants and contempt proceedings for nonpayment. Representative Chris Lopez said the bill would let people keep working and repay debts through wage garnishment and other civil tools, while a Justice Action Network representative testified in support. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment limiting challenges to a second default judgment entered within one year of a prior one, then passed HB 2825 with a 7-0 due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2070, an emergency appropriation of $25 million for Gila County flood relief. Gila County supervisors, mayors from Globe and Miami, the county emergency manager, and public works staff described severe flooding, deaths, major debris and sediment removal, damaged roads and utilities, and the county’s inability to meet matching-fund requirements for federal or state grants. Members discussed FEMA denials, federal review, and the need to act before monsoon season. HB 2070 passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Next, HB 2129, which moves the deadline for municipal library trustees’ annual report from the first Monday in July to the second Monday, was supported by the Arizona Library Association as a simple timing fix for smaller and rural libraries. It passed 6-1. HB 2439, exempting public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ water pollution rules, was presented as a way to reduce regulatory confusion and costs for small businesses; it also passed 6-0 with one member absent. The committee then approved HB 2773, barring Arizona and its entities from assisting the International Criminal Court, after debate over sovereignty and constitutional authority, by a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• least 30 years of credible service, serve as a teacher for at least 20 of those years, and contribute 11%
• In 2001, the state allowed enhanced retirement benefits for teachers willing to contribute 11% of the
• Richard Louis Volpe was born on July 11, 1950, in New York City, was born on July 11, 1950, in New York
• The order that when the Senate adjourns today, it adjourn to meet again on Monday next at 11 o'clock
• The Senate stands adjourned to meet on Monday next at 11 o'clock a.m.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two resolutions recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the nation’s 250th anniversary and congratulating Zachary Erich on becoming an Eagle Scout, and then took up several committee reports and extension orders. The chamber suspended rules multiple times to act immediately on committee extensions for Financial Services and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and it referred a House petition on cleft lip and cleft palate treatment to Financial Services. Members also adopted an order extending the Financial Services committee’s reporting deadline on credit union and mortgage financing matters. The Senate then considered and passed House No. 4361, a bill on teacher retirement benefits, after extensive debate in support of a one-time window for certain teachers who were excluded from Retirement Plus due to administrative errors. Senators described the measure as a long-overdue fix for more than 8,500 educators, noting that eligible teachers would have to pay the difference in contributions. The bill was ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call, and sent on for further action. The chamber also passed Senate No. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and Senate No. 3107 on commercial interior design licensure, both after supportive remarks about patient safety and professional regulation. A major item was the conference committee report on H. 5280, the FY26 fair share supplemental budget. Supporters highlighted funding for municipal winter relief, MBTA operations and capital needs, education initiatives, housing incentives, home heating assistance, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents raised concerns about MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax policy implications. After roll call, the report was approved by a 37-3 vote. The Senate also adopted the emergency preamble and passed H. 5470, the FY26 supplemental appropriations bill, and later enacted local bills including Berkeley recall authority, a Milton school deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate recognized guests from the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, who spoke about Caribbean American Heritage Month and partnership agreements with Massachusetts. The chamber then concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563, a bill updating disability-related terminology in the general laws, with senators emphasizing the importance of person-first language and dignity for people with disabilities. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and enacted the bill. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday and with adjournment in memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• SP gmi's consumption consequently SP gmi's forecast<00:11:55.000><c> for</c><00:11:55.240><c> real</
• c><00:11:55.519><c> GDP</c><00:11:56.079><c> growth</c><00:11:56.800><c> has</c><00:11:56.920><c> been
• ><c> downward</c><00:11:58.160><c> in</c><00:11:58.360><c> each</c><00:11:58.639><c> year</c><00:11:58.920
• :00.199><c> this</c><01:11:00.360><c> I</c><01:11:00.440><c> think</c><01:11:00.560><c> we</c><01:11:
• 00.640><c> were</c><01:11:00.760><c> looking</c><01:11:01.000><c> at</c><01:11:01.159><c> 1%</c><01:11

Transcript Highlights:

• The district finalized the strategic dissolution plan to resolve debts and manage its holdings by September
• This has been going on since September 2021.
• It seems reasonable that we had 11 hearings so far.
• Broward County already has the authority to convene public hearings as demonstrated by the 11 that have

Transcript Highlights:

• On September 11th, 2021, Allison Goad, known as Allie to her friends and family, was. driving on Highway
• On September 11th of 2021, my only daughter, Allison Goad, had come down to visit some friends in Jacksonville
• Caleb Hanby and Gabriel Hanby were killed on State Highway 315 on December 11, 2021. The vehicle...
• longtime local small businessman, and Dorothy served as an Oakwood City Council member and mayor for 11

Bills: HCR114 , HB137 , HB283 , HB1398 , HB1960 , HB2153 , HB2431 , HB2638 , HB2699 , HB2999 , HB3208 , HB3389 , HB3413 , HB3510 , HB3642 , HB3859 , HB3974 , HB3986 , HB4142 , HB4173 , HB4174 , HB4542 , HB4605 , HB4663 , HB4731 , HB5064 , HB5216 , HB5218 , HB5332 , HB5453 , HB5577 , HB137 , HB283

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• On September 11, 2001, I was one of the many who responded to the World Trade Center.
• realized, and I had this 10,000-foot view of my life that I had realized how I had changed since 9/11
• On September 11, 2001, I was one of the many that responded to the World Trade Center.
• Those killed included children ages 9 and 11.
• Those killed included children ages 9 and 11.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• be</c><00:11:05.320><c> allowed</c><00:11:06.279><c> leeway</c><00:11:07.279><c> we</c><00:11:07.399
• what<00:11:23.040><c> problems</c><00:11:23.399><c> are</c><00:11:23.600><c> solved</c><00:11:23.959
• one as<00:11:28.079><c> judges</c><00:11:28.399><c> and</c><00:11:28.639><c> family</c><00:11:28.959
• ><c> before</c><00:11:34.600><c> a</c><00:11:34.720><c> mediator</c><00:11:35.279><c> with</c><00:11:
• ><c> such</c><00:11:53.399><c> mediators</c><00:11:54.360><c> have</c><00:11:55.360><c> and</c><00:11

Summary: The subcommittee on the Children and Family Law Committee met organizationally to continue work on family court issues, building on a prior special committee’s report and taking a collaborative approach with the Judiciary. The chair said the group would focus on solutions rather than rehashing public complaints, and identified three main topics for early study: specialization and training of family court judges, the extent to which judges should be bound by the rules of evidence, and whether mediation in family cases should be mandatory or voluntary and what qualifications mediators should have. A fourth concern was also raised about overlap between superior court domestic violence cases and family court custody/support matters, and whether one judge should hear both. Members discussed whether to divide into smaller subcommittees, but the prevailing view was to work as a committee of the whole at first. Most members agreed that additional public testimony was unlikely to add much, though recent concerns could still be emailed to the committee. The committee then heard from Attorney Erin Krian, general counsel for the judicial branch, and Judge Michael Mace. Krian said the judicial branch could provide additional witnesses on mediation and judicial training, including Judge Kissinger, and noted the branch was preparing materials on how other states handle the issues. Mace described the history of the Family Division and said he had reviewed older reports going back to the 1990s. He also outlined current judicial branch efforts, including expanded shadowing for new judges, monthly family-law trainings, and a year-long focus on family law topics. He reported that court rules had been updated to clarify notice requirements for minor guardianship changes, and that the branch had received positive feedback on the family access motion, which provides a statutory timeline and listed remedies for parenting-time disputes. Members also discussed prior committee work on rules of evidence and family court procedures. One member recalled recommending quiet review of any judges who appeared to apply evidence rules inconsistently, and Krian said the administrative judge can review complaints even if they come from a single person. The committee also received a status update on prior initiatives, including a federal grant for guardian ad litem services for indigent litigants in four locations, testing of redesigned court forms, and continued training improvements. The chair scheduled the next subcommittee meeting for April 1 and the full Children and Family Law Committee for April 8, with further documents from committee research and NCSL to be circulated.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we adjourned recently in his memory, his loss last September is deeply felt, but his legacy of
• California, and as we adjourned recently in his memory, his loss last September is deeply felt, but his
• This defund started to be implemented back in September of 2025, but even before that, we saw an erosion
• This defund started to be implemented back in September of 2025, but even before that, we saw an erosion
• A tireless leader and dedicated public servant, Mitzie worked for the city of Eliso Viejo for 11 years

Transcript Highlights:

• when there's an emergency, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for Emergency Support Function 11
• That's about 11% of the population.
• weeks ago, in my hometown of Ellensburg, one of the largest employers just two weeks ago filed Chapter 11
• This ended on September 30th, and we have been wrapping up the program this year, with the end really
• This ended on September 30th, and we have been wrapping up the program this year with the end really

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• In September, she was sick and missed two days with a fever.
• We also push September as Attendance Awareness Month, a great opportunity as soon as school begins, prior
• We actually send automated letters at day 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 14 to parents of excused and unexcused
• early and often letters approach, which is you can see the days that we send those on: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11
• So the month of September, they would receive students who have missed two or more days since August.

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

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• </c><00:11:42.079><c> to</c><00:11:42.399><c> return</c><00:11:42.720><c> to</c><00:11:42.880><c> the
• </c><00:11:53.200><c> So,</c><00:11:54.240><c> is</c><00:11:54.480><c> there</c><00:11:54.640><c> a</
• times</c><00:11:57.200><c> they</c><00:11:57.440><c> can</c><00:11:57.600><c> do</c><00:11:57.760><c
• </c> to 11 2026. to 11 2026.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• audit and sunset review of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board, which was issued in September
• As seen on the slide, 11 of these commissioner-initiated auctions also only had one bidder.
• There's a difference of 11. Thank you. Mr.
• So with that, I vote aye. 11-I is 7-N-0 not voting.
• So with that, I vote aye. 11-I is 7-N-0-not voting.

Summary: The Joint Natural Resources and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committees of Reference heard the Arizona Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. The audit found the board generally met some licensing requirements, but it did not timely investigate and resolve 49 of 159 complaints in fiscal year 2024, and it did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure and filing requirements. The Auditor General also identified weaknesses in continuing-education verification and other sunset-factor areas, and the board agreed to implement all 21 recommendations. Board staff said complaint volume has risen sharply since the pandemic, that the board’s process is slower because every case goes through an investigative committee and then the full board, and that it has already corrected some conflict-of-interest issues and is adding tools to improve continuing-education audits. The committee then heard testimony from the board’s executive director and from the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. The executive director emphasized the board’s public-protection mission, described the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and said the board is working to improve efficiency through a new e-licensing system and staff training. Members asked about the shortage of large-animal veterinarians, complaint backlogs, and whether the board could do more to recruit rural practitioners; the board said it lacks direct recruiting authority but supports multiple licensure pathways and loan-assistance efforts. The veterinary association supported the board’s oversight and said it is also working on rural and large-animal workforce issues through partnerships and advocacy. The committee then voted to recommend continuing the board for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The committee next took up the Arizona State Land Department, beginning with the Auditor General’s presentation on the department’s sunset review and prior special audit. The audit found the department had not updated its required five-year disposition plan since 2011, had sold more than 48,000 acres without an active plan, had allowed agricultural rental rates to go unchanged since 2006 despite market increases, and had not consistently inspected mineral-related leases or properly managed reclamation bonds. The Auditor General said these issues created risks of lost revenue, reduced transparency, and public-safety hazards, and recommended 18 corrective actions in the main review plus 34 additional recommendations on other issues; the department agreed to most recommendations but declined to adopt a written policy for commissioner-initiated land sales. Commissioner Robin Sahid said the department is working through audit recommendations, has created a rules team, improved its customer portal, and is pursuing new policies on water use, transportation-basin leases, and disposition planning. Members questioned the department about agricultural leases, groundwater valuation, the Fondomonte leases and reimbursement for improvements, the canceled Coyotes land auction, backlog and processing times, and the use of consultants and administrative funds. The commissioner said the department had over 2,000 applications in queue when she arrived, that it has made progress reducing the backlog, and that it is conducting stakeholder outreach on water-efficiency standards and lease addenda. No final vote on the land department continuation was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mr.<02:11:02.320><c> Shaffer,</c><02:11:02.600><c> please</c><02:11:02.800><c> read</c><02:11:02.920>
• Chair.<02:11:18.000><c> So,</c><02:11:18.160><c> this</c><02:11:18.360><c> amendment</c><02:11:18.800
• ><c> Bill</c><03:11:11.440><c> 11</c><03:11:12.080><c> 96,</c> House Bill 11 96, House Bill 11 96, and
• <03:11:14.080><c> House</c><03:11:14.400><c> Bill</c><03:11:15.160><c> 13</c><03:11:15.840><c> 08.
• 11</c><03:11:25.560><c> 96</c><03:11:26.080><c> will</c><03:11:26.240><c> go</c><03:11:26.520><c> first

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:11:08.800><c> And</c><01:11:08.960><c> what</c><01:11:09.120><c> I'm</c><01:11:09.280><c> hearing
• is</c><01:11:10.960><c> that</c><01:11:11.199><c> those</c><01:11:11.440><c> the</c><01:11:11.760><c>
• :12.800><c> as</c><01:11:13.040><c> it</c><01:11:13.760><c> existed</c><01:11:14.320><c> was</c><01:11
• Um and<01:11:16.719><c> you</c><01:11:16.880><c> know</c><01:11:16.960><c> I'm</c><01:11:17.199><c> glad
• ><c> concern</c><01:11:22.560><c> is</c><01:11:22.800><c> the</c><01:11:22.880><c> is</c><01:11:23.120

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• :51.440><c> the</c><00:11:51.680><c> input</c><00:11:52.000><c> of</c><00:11:52.160><c> the</c><00:11
• So I feel<00:11:55.839><c> very</c><00:11:56.079><c> honored</c><00:11:56.880><c> uh</c><00:11:56.959
• ><c> to</c><00:11:57.279><c> be</c><00:11:57.360><c> a</c><00:11:57.519><c> part</c><00:11:57.680><c>
• c> discussion</c><00:11:58.880><c> and</c><00:11:59.120><c> that</c><00:11:59.360><c> is</c><00:11:59.519
• c> was to my family at 11 at at 11 years was to my family at 11 at at 11 years old<00:25:36.400><c> to

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> He<01:11:02.800><c> told</c><01:11:03.040><c> the</c><01:11:03.280><c> mob</c><01:11:04.159><c>
• </c> And<01:11:19.840><c> then</c><01:11:20.000><c> he</c><01:11:20.320><c> deployed</c><01:11:20.800
• c><01:11:26.719><c> of</c><01:11:27.040><c> democracy,</c><01:11:27.840><c> freedom,</c><01:11:28.320
• </c> There<01:11:42.320><c> of</c><01:11:42.560><c> course</c><01:11:42.800><c> was</c><01:11:43.040>
• <c> no</c><01:11:43.360><c> steel</c> and<01:11:47.280><c> the</c><01:11:47.440><c> courts</c><01:11:

Bills: HR780 , HR976 , HR975 , HR974

Keywords: gridlock, policy priorities, House resolution, legislative process, procedural motion, house meeting hours, legislative schedule, government procedure, House of Representatives, quorum, business proceeding, legislative procedure, government functionality, Congress, notification, Presidential communication