Transcript Highlights:

• 21, Title 48, Idaho Code, to define terms, to establish provisions regarding notice and public process
• Amending Title 56, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter 25, Title 56, Idaho Code, to establish
• Good gentleman 21, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Would the good gentleman from 21 stand for a question? The gentleman yields a question.
• Come. 21. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good lady from 6, yes, that's what this bill does.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh with that I'd open<03:21:00.720><c> it</c><03:21:00.920><c> up</c><03:21:01.160><c> for</c><03:21
• your permission<03:21:08.840><c> because</c><03:21:09.000><c> I'm</c><03:21:09.120><c> a</c><03:21:09.279
• :26.359><c> who</c><03:21:26.560><c> or</c><03:21:26.800><c> what</c><03:21:27.000><c> is</c><03:21:27.199
• who who or what is tierc tierc means uh<03:21:31.319><c> persons</c><03:21:31.720><c> who</c><03:21:
• > so</c><03:21:40.359><c> Mike</c><03:21:40.600><c> my</c><03:21:40.800><c> question</c><03:21:41.040

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language. The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent. Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:37.919><c> Brian</c><00:21:38.240><c> Warren</c><00:21:38.559><c> with</c><00:21:38.640><c
• We<00:21:40.559><c> did</c><00:21:40.720><c> submit</c><00:21:41.120><c> testimony</c><00:21:41.679><
• </c><00:21:43.360><c> I'd</c><00:21:43.600><c> just</c><00:21:43.760><c> like</c><00:21:43.919><c> to
• </c><00:21:47.760><c> good</c><00:21:48.080><c> programs</c><00:21:48.480><c> can</c><00:21:48.640><c
• 49.120><c> There's</c><00:21:49.360><c> a</c><00:21:49.520><c> lot</c><00:21:49.679><c> of</c><00:21:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• to happen with<00:21:05.840><c> a</c><00:21:06.159><c> with</c><00:21:06.400><c> an</c><00:21:06.640>
• 00:21:09.200><c> officer</c><00:21:09.600><c> is</c><00:21:09.760><c> on</c><00:21:10.000><c> duty.
• 21:17.600><c> they</c><00:21:17.760><c> have</c><00:21:17.919><c> to</c><00:21:18.320><c> identify</c
• > have</c><00:21:24.559><c> there</c><00:21:24.880><c> be</c><00:21:25.039><c> an</c><00:21:25.280><c
• </c><00:21:28.159><c> who</c><00:21:28.400><c> the</c><00:21:28.559><c> pe</c><00:21:28.880><c> who</

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:02.240><c> Chair,</c><00:21:02.640><c> we've</c><00:21:02.880><c> got</c><00:21:03.039><c>
• </c><00:21:05.840><c> uh</c><00:21:06.000><c> the</c><00:21:06.320><c> financial</c><00:21:06.640><c>
• So, whatever<00:21:11.520><c> we</c><00:21:11.679><c> can</c><00:21:11.840><c> do</c><00:21:12.080><c
• :21:15.039><c> students</c><00:21:15.280><c> and</c><00:21:15.520><c> that</c><00:21:15.679><c> the</
• </c><00:21:16.240><c> we</c><00:21:16.320><c> do</c><00:21:16.559><c> invest</c><00:21:17.200><c> in<

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• > where</c><00:21:03.919><c> they</c><00:21:04.159><c> can</c><00:21:04.240><c> hone</c><00:21:04.480
• <c> say</c><00:21:11.200><c> thank</c><00:21:11.440><c> you</c><00:21:11.520><c> for</c><00:21:11.679
• > a</c><00:21:14.559><c> a</c><00:21:14.880><c> good</c><00:21:15.280><c> piece</c><00:21:15.520><c>
• </c><00:21:17.280><c> uh</c><00:21:17.600><c> I</c><00:21:17.840><c> know</c><00:21:18.000><c> that</
• ><c> that</c><00:21:29.840><c> do</c><00:21:30.080><c> farm</c><00:21:30.400><c> in</c><00:21:30.559>

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Would<00:21:00.320><c> you</c><00:21:00.400><c> tell</c><00:21:00.680><c> us</c><00:21:00.960><c> if<
• </c><00:21:12.000><c> Uh</c><00:21:12.400><c> we</c><00:21:12.480><c> very</c><00:21:12.600><c> much<
• </c><00:21:20.960><c> They're</c><00:21:21.080><c> all</c> and 23 local chapters.
• And<00:21:22.800><c> they're</c><00:21:23.040><c> impacted</c><00:21:23.480><c> by</c><00:21:23.600><
• Uh<00:21:24.840><c> we</c><00:21:25.000><c> understand</c><00:21:25.560><c> the</c><00:21:25.640><c>

Bills: HB381 , HB259 , HB393 , HB399 , SB358 , SB362 , SB363 , SB348 , SB187

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> redo</c><00:21:28.919><c> all</c><00:21:29.120><c> the</c><00:21:29.320><c> rest</c><00:21:29.480
• of the roadways<00:21:30.080><c> will</c><00:21:30.320><c> probably</c><00:21:30.600><c> be</c><00:21
• <c> can</c><00:21:35.400><c> so</c><00:21:36.000><c> we</c><00:21:36.720><c> certainly</c><00:21:37.200
• <00:21:44.159><c> thank</c><00:21:44.320><c> you</c><00:21:45.320><c> thank</c><00:21:45.679><c> you<
• /c><00:21:55.960><c> Sandra</c><00:21:56.480><c> jamora</c><00:21:57.480><c> in</c><00:21:57.720><c>

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1484 on transit-oriented development and HB 157 on transportation. For HB 1484, testimony included a request from the Hoi Community Development Authority to be removed from the measure while offering to assist if the transit-oriented development law is implemented, along with testimony in opposition and support from several individuals. The committees later recommended HB 1484 be passed with amendments, including an HD1, a defective date, deletion of a reference to section 225 on page 11, adoption of H-CDA’s proposed amendment, and related committee report changes. The vote was adopted in both committees, with Representatives Cochran and Lee excused and Representative Mora voting with reservations. HB 157 concerned the transfer and acceptance of roads in the Villages of Kapolei. HHFDC supported the bill’s intent and explained that the roads were originally self-permitted, the city had not accepted dedication, and HHFDC has been maintaining and upgrading the roads under an MOA that requires improvements to city standards before transfer. Testimony from the Villages of Kapolei Association and others described ongoing problems with non-emergency police services, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and the need for city enforcement on roads that are open to the public. Committee members asked about the current holdup, the possibility of transferring roads in segments, and whether a cash settlement could resolve the issue; HHFDC said it was working in segments and that the city had mentioned a $60 million figure. The committees then recommended HB 157 pass with amendments, noting they were awaiting an Attorney General opinion on authority to compel the transfer and that the matter would continue to the Committee on Water and Land. The Transportation Committee also heard several additional bills. HB 1083, concerning vessels in state commercial harbors, drew support from the Department of Transportation and some industry groups and opposition from charter operators; HB 1159, which would require compliance with harbor master evacuation orders and increase penalties, drew DOT support and opposition from multiple vessel operators, who argued the bill was too broad and should define emergencies more clearly and use tiered penalties. HB 58, limiting civil liability for firefighting at commercial harbors, received DOT and Maritime Group support. HB 1165, on county disposal of ocean-bordering property and state highway acquisition, received DOT support. HB 938, a broad motor vehicle franchise and EV-related bill, drew support from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, but strong opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla, Rivian, Scout Motors, and others; opponents argued it would restrict direct-to-consumer EV sales and innovation, while dealers said the bill was too broad and needed further stakeholder work. No final votes were taken on the Transportation Committee’s remaining measures in the portion provided, and the joint hearing was adjourned after decision-making on HB 1484 and HB 157.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:59:30.880><c> 21,</c><00:59:32.240><c> which</c><00:59:32.559><c> allows</c><00:59:33.040><c>
• the</c> Statutes um chapter 21, which allows the Statutes um chapter 21, which allows the House<00:59
• 21, Hawaii statutes, and to investigate the unknown state legislator.
• <01:15:35.679><c> 21</c><01:15:36.000><c> Hoy</c><01:15:36.560><c> statutes</c><01:15:37.280><c> and<
• /c><01:15:37.520><c> to</c> chapter 21 Hoy statutes and to chapter 21 Hoy statutes and to investigate

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget lines associated with those programs are in lines 19, 21, and 22 of page 1, and lines 1 and
• Re-engrossed Senate Bill 2390 is a bill for an act to create three new sections to Chapter 54-40.1 of
• Engrossed Senate Bill 297 is a bill for an act creating and enacting a new section of Chapter 54-60 of
• Final vote shows 70 yeas, 21 nays. House... Final vote shows 70 yeas, 21 nays.
• an act to amend and reenact sections 26.1-03 and 26.1-22-01.1, 2.1-3.1-0-0-0-0-10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 21

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and roll call, establishing a quorum. It then took up a series of appropriations and policy bills, with the most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. The House approved amendments that shifted governance of the department and veterans’ home from ACOVA to the governor, citing concerns about ACOVA’s salary-setting actions and broader appropriation oversight. Members opposed to the change argued ACOVA had studied compensation and acted within its role. The amended bill passed 57-34, and the final bill passed 69-22 with the emergency clause carrying. The House also passed Senate Bill 2001, the legislative branch budget, which funds the 2027 session, legislative staff, chamber upgrades, IT improvements, and salary adjustments for legislative leaders; the bill passed 62-29, but the emergency clause failed. Senate Bill 2019, the Career and Technical Education budget, passed 82-10 with emergency clause. Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget, passed 75-17 after discussion of data center migration, service automation, mainframe transition, ERP study, and DPI’s move from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Other measures passed included Senate Bill 2228 for rural grocery store sustainability grants, Senate Bill 2390 creating a rural catalyst community grant program, Senate Bill 2188 adjusting the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, and Senate Bill 2265 authorizing a veterans national cemetery grant and line of credit with added reporting safeguards. Several House bills returned from the Senate were concurred in and then passed, including House Bill 1361 on mandatory minimum sentences for human trafficking offenders, House Bill 1017 for the Game and Fish Department, House Bill 1588 on firearms and dangerous weapons provisions, House Bill 1429 on harassment and stalking involving robots, House Bill 1591 on county fair resiliency grants, House Bill 1537 on service agreement protection for water projects, House Bill 1203 on edible medical marijuana products, and House Bill 1027 transferring administration of the State Fire and Tornado Fund from the Insurance Commissioner to OMB. The House also rejected a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2307, which dealt with library materials and obscenity-related restrictions, by a vote of 48-51. In addition, the chamber appointed conference committees on several House and Senate measures where concurrence had failed, and laid over Senate Bill 2340 for two legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• In chapter 7, 34 731, Idaho Code, to establish provisions regarding presidential primaries.
• In chapter 7, title of a new section 34-7-335 Idaho Code provide for presidential primary results.
• Amending Chapter 7, Title 34-7-36, Idaho Code to provide for delegates to a national convention.
• violations, and provides for chapter applicability, severability, and an emergency effective date.
• Good gentleman from 21. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:21:14.159><c> respectfully</c><00:21:14.720><c> ask</c><00:21:14.960><c> that</c><00:21:15.120>
• Thank<00:21:19.840><c> you</c><00:21:20.080><c> once</c><00:21:20.400><c> again</c><00:21:20.799><c>
• <00:21:21.840><c> to</c><00:21:22.080><c> testify</c><00:21:22.960><c> on</c><00:21:23.200><c> this</
• Thank you for being<00:21:29.280><c> here</c><00:21:29.440><c> and</c><00:21:29.760><c> for</c><00:21
• </c><00:21:33.120><c> Um</c><00:21:33.760><c> what</c><00:21:33.919><c> are</c><00:21:34.080><c> we</

Bills: HF3874 , HF3875 , HF3378

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• > Olo</c><00:21:02.000><c> Havi</c><00:21:03.280><c> that</c><00:21:03.600><c> those</c><00:21:04.000
• Seeing<00:21:15.600><c> none,</c><00:21:15.919><c> thank</c><00:21:16.080><c> you</c><00:21:16.159><c
• 00:21:17.760><c> move</c><00:21:17.919><c> on</c><00:21:18.080><c> to</c><00:21:18.240><c> the</c><00
• House<00:21:20.880><c> Bill</c><00:21:21.200><c> 2438</c><00:21:22.559><c> relating</c><00:21:22.960>
• </c><00:21:50.720><c> after</c><00:21:52.000><c> uh</c><00:21:52.240><c> December</c><00:21:52.640><c

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2046, which would establish and fund an Olo Hawaii Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives supporting the use of Olo Hawaii. The Attorney General suggested adding an end date because the bill creates a temporary commission, and several supporters from the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the commission could improve coordination, funding decisions, and consistency across agencies. Members discussed whether the commission should include broader representation, including expertise on Niihau dialect speakers and other stakeholders, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next measure. The committee next considered House Bill 2438, creating the Hawaii Cultural Trust within DBEDT, authorizing an income tax credit for contributions to the trust and qualified cultural organizations, and creating a special license plate to support the trust. DBEDT said it would need additional resources, including staff, to administer the program. The Department of Taxation recommended changing the effective date to 2026 to allow time for implementation and adding a requirement that credits be claimed within one year. OHA supported the bill but objected to language that would require it to maintain a prequalified list of organizations, saying that could limit applicants and conflict with its grant process. The Tax Foundation said it supported cultural funding but preferred direct appropriations and grants over a trust fund and tax credit structure. The final measure discussed was House Bill 2584, which would temporarily increase public land trust revenues transferred to OHA while reaffirming the state’s obligation to the 20% pro rata share, with a repeal date of June 30, 2028. The Attorney General recommended deleting the bill’s requirement that OHA receive a minimum amount equal to the 20% share, arguing the constitution and Admission Act do not specify a precise dollar amount and that the legislature must determine allocation. OHA strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently pays only about 5% and that historical records show much higher amounts are owed; OHA also pointed to a carry-forward account it said held about $55 million. DLNR opposed the bill because the fiscal impact was unspecified and could affect land management and special fund budgets. Several OHA trustees and supporters urged the committee to pass the bill, and one testifier criticized the state for underfunding Native Hawaiian obligations. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued hearing testimony on HB 2584.

Transcript Highlights:

• 295, section 1, as amended by Laws 2022, chapter 11, section 17, and Laws 2024, chapter 70, section
• by law 22 chapter 11 17 chapter 12 in law 20 24 chapter 70 section one we link to Department of Environment
• By law 2022, chapter 117, chapter 12, and Laws 2024, chapter 70, section 1, relating to the Department
• It also amends section 49-818 and is amended by Laws 2023, chapter 78, section 1; Laws 2017, chapter
• Secretary, record the vote: 21 ayes, 8 nays, and 1 not voting.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Jeff Ehlers, District 21, Meridian, to discuss House Bill 826.
• Representative Jeff Ehlers, District 21, Meridian, to discuss Senate Bill 1242.
• I'm Representative Jeff Ehlers, District 21, Meridian, to discuss Senate Bill 1243.
• Representative Jeff Ehlers, District 21, Meridian, to discuss Senate Bill 1243.
• 11. unless the producer is in full compliance of Title 37, Chapter 11.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• 21:09.520><c> make</c><00:21:09.760><c> payments</c><00:21:10.080><c> to</c><00:21:10.320><c> those</
• Um,<00:21:27.679><c> line</c><00:21:28.000><c> 114</c><00:21:28.799><c> shows</c><00:21:29.600><c> uh
• .<00:21:40.080><c> Uh</c><00:21:40.400><c> line</c><00:21:40.720><c> 115</c><00:21:41.280><c> is</c><
• substance chapter<01:21:43.280><c> from</c><01:21:43.520><c> the</c><01:21:43.760><c> definition</c>
• <01:21:44.080><c> of</c><01:21:44.320><c> criminal</c> chapter from the definition of criminal chapter

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.880><c> so</c><00:21:02.200><c> there</c><00:21:02.280><c> is</c><00:21:02.440><c> a</c><00:21:02.679
• ><c> go</c><01:21:06.040><c> the</c><01:21:06.159><c> route</c><01:21:06.360><c> of</c><01:21:06.520>
• </c><01:21:08.719><c> was</c><01:21:09.280><c> an</c><01:21:09.480><c> interesting</c><01:21:10.120><
• :21:19.199><c> could</c><01:21:19.960><c> you</c><01:21:20.080><c> know</c><01:21:20.280><c> correct<
• me on<01:21:21.080><c> the</c><01:21:21.239><c> details</c><01:21:21.600><c> of</c><01:21:21.840><c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee met on March 13, 2025, and took up several firearms and fireworks measures. On SB 227, which would create an illegal fireworks enforcement division in the Department of Law Enforcement and appropriate funds, DLE supported the bill, saying fireworks enforcement has become a full-time job requiring dedicated staff rather than a collateral-duty task force. Members discussed whether the bill and the related task force bill were both needed; DLE said yes, explaining that the new division would provide full-time state employees while the task force funding covers interagency costs such as transportation, storage, overtime, and personnel. Testimony on SB 227 was reported as 12 in support and 6 in opposition. On SB 222, which would fund the illegal fireworks task force and extend its sunset to June 30, 2030, DLE and the Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, emphasizing continued enforcement pressure and interagency coordination. An opponent from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii argued the bill was a waste of time, criticized fireworks prohibition as cultural overreach, and performed a song in opposition. Representative Shimizu asked about results from the extra enforcement effort, and DLE said enforcement has driven up street prices and made investors think twice, which they described as a goal of pricing people out of the market. The chair reported 13 testimonies in support and 6 in opposition. The committee then heard SB 1324, a more comprehensive fireworks bill that would revise definitions and penalties, create first- and second-degree fireworks offenses, add infractions, and increase penalties for serious injury or death. DLE and the Attorney General strongly supported it, saying the bill would improve enforcement, address black-market activity, and help prosecutors when fireworks have already exploded and evidence is destroyed. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing existing laws already punish these offenses and that the real issue is enforcement; the office also raised constitutional concerns about the bill’s concurrent civil infraction and criminal trial process. Honolulu Police supported the bill, while the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said the alternative definitions would help in cases involving exploded versus seized fireworks. The chair noted 17 testimonies in support, 7 in opposition, and 3 comments, and members discussed whether the bill could be amended to address the public defender’s concerns. The committee also began hearing SB 308, which would expand the state’s magazine-capacity restrictions to firearms with detachable magazines over 30 rounds, with a grandfathering provision for certain magazines obtained before January 1, 2026. DLE supported the bill as a fair balance that would grandfather existing magazines while preventing new high-capacity acquisitions. Opposition testimony from Jerry Yuan of the Pool, Oil, Rifle, and Pistol Club argued the proposal was another shifting restriction and opposed magazine bans generally. The hearing continued with additional testimony not fully captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7, NMSA 1978, is enacted to read: Section 2.
• A new section of Chapter 30. Section 7.
• A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7, NMSA 1978, is enacted to read: B.
• And, you know, 21's arbitrary... ...21's arbitrary, but that's just the way it is. 18, 21, 12.
• I have a vote of 21 in the affirmative, 17 in the negative.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2248, an act amending title 36, chapter 6, article 4.2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• House Bill 2248, an act amending title 36, chapter 6, article 4.2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding
• Chapter 6, article 4.2... under Vice Studies by adding section 36-683, relating to public health.
• I move that the Senate stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 21, 2026. What time?
• I move that the Senate stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

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Bills: HB1969 , HB1701 , HR1 , HR435 , SJR31 , HR436

Keywords: veterans, VA, Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention, mental health, emergent suicide care, Columbia Protocol, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, title 38, adaptive prostheses, prosthetic devices, recreational activities, sports prosthetics, pension payments, veterans benefits, Veterans Affairs Committee, suicide screening, crisis care