Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:42.640><c> Minor</c> contracts at premium rates. Minor contracts at premium rates.
• ,</c> department to finish out our contracts, department to finish out our contracts, our<00:51:44.880
• They build in uh 6% vetted process.
• This agency has a really good process, and I appreciate the intent, but the process works, and it works
• There's oversight throughout the entire process. There's oversight throughout the entire process.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I've never seen us directly change one from one project to another in this type of a process.
• So, I've never seen us directly change one from one project to another in this type of a process.
• The A1 amendment really sets out the process and criteria for that. Ms.
• ><c> contract.
• </c><01:47:05.440><c> So,</c> the statewide contract. So, the statewide contract.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For our members, this bill can create stability in a current contracting marketplace.
• For our members, this bill can create stability in a current contracting marketplace.
• For our members, this bill can create stability in a current contracting marketplace.
• </c> contracting marketplace. contracting marketplace.
• support and hard work that you guys put into to come up with something like this, and seeing the process

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard seven bills on consumer protection, DBEDT-related matters, and tourism/creative industry issues. On SB 2031, DCCA supported aligning state law with the FTC’s 2025 rule on hidden fees and pricing misrepresentations in live event ticketing and short-term lodging; hotel and financial industry witnesses also testified, and senators asked for complaint and enforcement data. On SB 2129, DBEDT and business groups supported a study of minimum wage impacts, with testimony emphasizing effects on hours, employment, prices, and business viability; a senator asked whether the study could also examine the gig economy and business closures, and DBEDT said that may be possible but would require more research and data access. On SB 2259, which would promote dementia-friendly businesses, DBEDT said the measure fit better with another agency and lacked the department’s expertise, while the Executive Office on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association supported the intent and offered to help with curriculum, branding, and training. Testifiers described dementia as a spectrum and said businesses should be trained to communicate effectively with customers and employees living with the disease; suggested amendments included changing the branding language and requiring at least 85% of employees to complete training rather than all employees. A senator also raised concerns about stigma and whether early-stage dementia should affect a person’s ability to function, and the witness responded that people can often function well in early stages. The committee also heard SB 2577 on sports tourism, which DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported as a way to better understand which events draw visitors and economic benefits. SB 2578, creating a film commission, drew broad support from DBEDT, Creative Industries, SAG-AFTRA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, the Hawaii Film Office, and others, but several witnesses urged changes to the commission’s composition and authority, including more labor representation and limits on the commission’s ability to adjust the production cap. Senators questioned staffing, costs, and whether current film office employees should transfer to the new commission, and one senator proposed a friendly amendment to add musicians, SAG, IATSE, and Teamsters, though the department cautioned that too many members could make the commission difficult to manage. The transcript ends during discussion of the film bill, with no final votes or committee actions stated for the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> rulemaking process. rulemaking process.
• That was taken out through the process of session, and we'll add that back in.
• rule making process um that was<00:26:43.919><c> taken</c><00:26:44.320><c> out</c><00:26:44.720><c>
• ><c> um</c> was taken out through the process of um was taken out through the process of um session<00
• We also want to thank process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that you had appropriated monies for to process Medicaid pendings.
• </c><00:47:58.960><c> uh</c><00:47:59.040><c> that</c> process Medicaid pendings. uh that process Medicaid
• That is a breach of the contract with them, and they can actually walk away.
• </c><01:13:51.280><c> of</c> to tr I started beginning process of to tr I started beginning process of
• And it would require this process.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My team administers well over 200 contracts per year.
• In addition to those 17 CSBG contracts, we touch a wide variety of state and federally funded community
• My team administers well over 200 contracts per year.
• In addition to those 17 CSBG contracts, we touch a wide variety of state and federally funded community

Summary: The committee first laid over SB 1101 and SB 1813, then heard and advanced SB 1966 and SB 80. SB 1966, presented by Chairman Johns, was amended with a PCS to incorporate the House’s Memorial Roads and Bridges language after a House-Senate coordination issue; the committee adopted the PCS and passed the bill out unanimously, 9-0. SB 80, presented by Representative Clay Staires, was also amended with a PCS and described as a cleanup bill removing several outdated turnpike provisions; members noted it reflected a negotiated consensus, and it passed unanimously, 11-0. After the bill votes, the committee received a required informational presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). Director Marshall Votes explained that Commerce administers the grant, keeps 5% for oversight, and passes 90% to 17 community action agencies serving all 77 counties. He said the program currently manages about $8.9 million, served about 33,000 low-income families last year, and leverages that funding into more than $250 million in broader community impact through services such as employment support, housing, transportation, education, health, and childcare. Members asked about Commerce staffing and oversight, and Votes said a small team of a few employees handles planning, monitoring, training, and compliance for CSBG alongside other programs. Committee members thanked Commerce for its work and emphasized the importance of the program for rural communities and all 77 counties. The meeting ended with expressions of appreciation and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every government official and institution has the duty to respect the rule of law, including processes
• In recent years, attempts have been made in Arizona to circumvent established processes for electing
• Every government official and institution has the duty to respect the rule of law including processes
• for electing government officials namely the process by which electors cast their votes for present
• Campaign finance plays an essential role in the democratic process. That is clear.

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills and a memorial, with extensive testimony on each. SB 1018 would amend Arizona’s foreign-law statute to expressly include Sharia law. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to prevent foreign legal systems from being enforced in Arizona courts and said it would not restrict private religious practice. Opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona, said the measure singled out Islam, was based on fear rather than evidence, and was unconstitutional. After debate, the committee approved SB 1018 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1075, which restricts conveyance of Arizona land to foreign entities deemed hostile to the United States and adds disclosure and penalty provisions through an amendment. The sponsor said the bill was modeled on similar efforts in other states and was intended to prevent adversarial foreign ownership near sensitive sites. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended on a 4-3 vote. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors, would require electors to vote for a properly nominated successor if a winning presidential or vice presidential candidate dies or withdraws before the Electoral College meets, and would treat an elector’s office as vacant if the elector fails to appear. Supporters said the bill closes a gap in Arizona law and helps avoid a deadlock in an unlikely but possible contingency. The committee passed SB 1141 unanimously, 7-0. Finally, the committee heard SCM 1003, a memorial urging Congress to affirm state authority over election processes and campaign finance through a constitutional amendment. Supporters framed it as a federalism measure responding to concerns about outside money in politics, while some members questioned claims about money laundering and noted the memorial’s broad language. The committee approved SCM 1003 unanimously, 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that process, sometimes we've created unnecessary duplicative, expensive or prohibitive regulations
• So it's a much more comprehensive and wider, um, process.
• And in that process they've been able to completely redo the way that regulations have been done.
• Texans deserve a process where real world knowledge matters and their voices can be heard.
• The secret he was required by contract to keep was corroding his soul, and it shouldn't have.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wouldn't that analysis be initiated by the rulemaking process? Thank you.
• Wouldn't that analysis be initiated by the rulemaking process? You recognize, sir?
• It would be, but the rulemaking process hasn't been initiated for these provisions.
• As it pertains to that, I'm not certain how the decision-making process goes in that realm.
• They are authorized to contract with not-for-profits who can similarly donate to the mansion.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee reviewed several agency rules and objections under Chapter 120. First, the committee revisited prior objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules containing sunset provisions. AHCA’s general counsel said the agency amended 26 of the objected rules but declined to amend five others, arguing sunset provisions are lawful, are not themselves rules, and were consistent with a 2019 gubernatorial directive. Committee members questioned that position, especially for licensing and certificate-of-need rules, and urged the agency to consider legislative changes; no formal action was taken on that item during the discussion. The committee then considered an objection to Department of Management Services Rule 60G-1.001 defining the Governor’s Mansion grounds. Committee staff argued the rule is vague and improperly refers to future land acquisitions without updating the rule since 1998. DMS defended the rule as a general definition tied to publicly recorded property and a master lease, but said it would not object if the Legislature chose to codify the definition in statute. After discussion, the committee voted to file the objection. Members also received informational updates from the Department of Environmental Protection on the Solaris state lands inventory system, and from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on its response to the Tampa Bay Downs unadopted-rule litigation, in which the commission said it has stopped relying on the prior tax interpretation and will not promulgate a rule on that issue. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation said it would remove an unsupported cigar wholesale dealer permit reference, repeal an obsolete excise-tax deduction rule, and amend penalty guidelines and an affirmation in its alcohol, beverage, and tobacco rules. Finally, the Division of Administrative Hearings’ interim director discussed case-processing times, possible changes to ALJ status, and whether the Florida Rules of Evidence should apply in administrative proceedings, emphasizing the need to weigh costs, independence, and impacts on pro se litigants. The chair noted this was likely the committee’s final meeting of the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they they may be uh they may be contracting which may be uh they may be contracting which what's turns
• And that's overheating process.
• </c> worked through the legislative process. worked through the legislative process.
• It's a very easy process.
• </c> food processing product. food processing product.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to continue to be a prolonged process. to continue to be a prolonged process.
• on the process.
• Um, the horses that you take in as candidates for this training, what's the process, screening process
• ,</c> question as far as a screening process, question as far as a screening process, but<01:50:24.320
• Uh the the contract we legislature.

Committee: Joint Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to also appreciate the author's work through the audit process.
• It follows the same existing process. So we're not eliminating jobs.
• It follows the same existing process. So we're not eliminating jobs.
• The workers have the capacity to deal with this in their employment contracts.
• If that’s okay, who can talk about that process as well. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and reinforce confidentiality and privacy protections for therapy records. Supporters, including a mother and therapist whose son died by suicide after extensive chats with ChatGPT, argued the bill is needed to prevent harmful, crisis-related interactions. Behavioral health groups and labor/privacy organizations supported the measure, while TechNet, the California Medical Association, and the California Hospital Association opposed unless amended, saying the bill could restrict useful clinical tools and create conflicts around triage, screening, and data use. The committee passed SB 903 4-0 to Appropriations, with members noting the need for further work on definitions and implementation. SB 1119 would create a broader framework for chatbot safety for children, including annual risk assessments, crisis response protocols, default child protections, parental controls, notice and time limits, restrictions on advertising and use of children’s data, incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The author and supporters again cited the death of Adam Raine as evidence that chatbots can reinforce suicidal ideation and isolate children. Common Sense Media and several labor and privacy groups supported the bill. CalChamber, TechNet, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, and other industry and local government groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about vague standards, overlap with SB 243, prescriptive design mandates, and litigation risk. The committee approved SB 1119 4-0 to Judiciary, with amendments to be taken there. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader data by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for most data. Supporters said the bill responds to documented misuse and over-retention of data that mostly belongs to innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, arguing the retention limit would hinder investigations and reduce the usefulness of ALPRs in serious or delayed cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, a local control bill for six cities, would allow camera or sensor-based enforcement of curb and loading zones, with a human reviewing each violation before issuance. Supporters said it would help cities manage congestion and unsafe blocking of bike lanes and loading zones; privacy advocates warned about expanding automated surveillance. It passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard SB 1101, which would require higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies and limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters framed it as a transparency and anti-doxing measure in response to recent federal investigations and subpoenas; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee then began hearing SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, which would require advance notice and reporting when employers displace workers due to technology and give displaced workers priority for openings, but the transcript cuts off before the hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Initial contracts for this program expired in fiscal year 2022, and some contracts were not renewed,
• Initial contracts for this program expired in fiscal year 2022, and some contracts were not renewed,
• Initial contracts for this program expired in fiscal year 2022, and some contracts were not renewed,

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And because of contracting costs and building costs escalating so high, they decided.
• So, will mean just for process purposes, truly, so this will supersede.

Bills: HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4059 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142 , HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4059 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, ALS, funding, healthcare, State Department of Health, emergency declaration, public finance, state budget, financial regulations, monetary policy, referendum, constitutional amendments, special election, Oklahoma legislature, public voting, recovery fund

Transcript Highlights:

• But we'll still go through the process.
• But what we want to do is contract all the groundwork out to local pest control companies.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee first approved minutes from its March 12, March 19, and March 24, 2026 meetings. It then took up Senate Bill 1445, a revised proposal responding to the growing rat problem in Ada County and nearby areas. The bill would declare the Norway rat an invasive species and authorize local governments to address the issue, while requiring private property owner permission before local entry. Representative John Gannon and Ada County Commissioner Ryan Davidson said state authorization is needed for counties and cities to act under Idaho law, and they described rats spreading through drains, ditches, parks, and neighborhoods. They also said the bill is intended to preserve private property rights and avoid direct state funding obligations. Testimony in support came from Nancy Daniels of Boise’s Depot Bench neighborhood and Jane Rowling of Eagle, both of whom described rats in their neighborhoods, damage to property, and the limits of individual homeowner efforts. Rowling said the problem has expanded across multiple communities and argued that local governments need authority and funding to respond, possibly using broader tools such as coordinated trapping and rat birth control. Committee members discussed whether the bill was necessary for local authority, whether it could create future fiscal obligations, and whether it would help cities and counties establish rat-control efforts. Senator Lakey moved to send SB 1445 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, Senator Taylor seconded, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need thoughtful bipartisan federal leadership to stabilize the industry before contraction and exclusion
• another avenue to address this liability issue and do so without the state having to be involved in the process

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be used to pay general obligation bonds as required by Section 39-3633, Idaho Code; water quality contracts
• obligated means those students have already received at least a portion of a grant and are in the process

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to consider several FY 2026 and FY 2027 cash transfers and then begin work on maintenance budget language for FY 2027. Keith Bybee of Budget and Policy Analysis and Lori Wolf of the Division of Financial Management explained that the transfers were tied to balances in funds with obligations below available cash, and that some projects had been canceled or delayed for reasons including budget constraints, site issues, or other program changes. Senator Wintrow raised concerns that some of the projects, such as corrections, reentry, juvenile services, and the Carnegie Library, had been important when originally funded and should not be viewed as unimportant now. The committee approved a $33.745 million transfer from the Permanent Building Fund to the General Fund, a $15 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General Fund, and a $10 million transfer from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund for FY 2026. It also approved a separate FY 2027 transfer of $10 million from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund, with language specifying the transfer would occur after awards were obligated and reconciled, on or after December 31, 2026. Each motion passed on roll call with due-pass recommendations, with a small number of dissenting votes. After the cash transfer actions, the committee shifted to reviewing the draft clear language for FY 2027 maintenance budgets. Bybee explained that the packet contained standard language for the ten maintenance budgets and that the analysts would work with members in agency-by-agency workgroups because the reporting structure had been disrupted by budget adjustments. Members discussed how maintenance-bill language is selected and confirmed that the language reflects existing law or previously adopted budget provisions. The committee then adjourned until the next morning, with workgroups to continue reviewing the maintenance budget language.

Transcript Highlights:

• be used to pay general obligation bonds as required by Section 39-3633, Idaho Code; water quality contracts
• obligated means those students have already received at least a portion of a grant and are in the process

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee met to consider several FY 2026 and FY 2027 cash transfers and then began reviewing maintenance budget language for FY 2027. The first transfer moved $33.745 million from the permanent building fund to the general fund. Keith Bybee and Lori Wolf explained the money was tied to canceled or stalled capital projects, including the Carnegie Library purchase/renovation, juvenile corrections facility additions, an Idaho State Police district facility, IDOC reentry-related projects, and an ISU pedestrian crossing. Senator Wintrow raised concerns that some projects remained important, but the committee approved the transfer 18-2 and sent it with a due pass recommendation. The committee then approved a $15 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the general fund and a $10 million transfer from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the general fund, both with due pass recommendations. Members asked whether there were eligible students waiting for In-Demand Careers grants and whether the transfer would reduce aid availability; staff said the fund had a large cash balance relative to current obligations and that some money had been returned or remained unclaimed. The committee also approved a FY 2027 In-Demand Careers transfer of $10 million, but only after awards are obligated and reconciled on December 31, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practicable, reflecting concerns about preserving student aid while allowing unused balances to revert. After the cash-transfer votes, the committee shifted to maintenance budget work for FY 2027. Bybee explained that the packet contained the standard clear language for the maintenance bills, but the reporting structure in the budget database had been disrupted by the many adjustments, so staff would do additional testing before final numbers were circulated. He walked members through the table of contents and examples of the language, noting that maintenance budgets have only existed for three years and generally contain less controversial statutory language, though workgroups could still consider adding intent language. The committee was told that workgroups for General Government and Natural Resources would begin, with additional lunch meetings possible, and the meeting adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Elder Affairs would contract with a nonprofit that fulfills certain requirements and
• That's something when they're starting to age out at age 17, there's a process to help them know about

Transcript Highlights:

• Do school districts need to contract with outside entities to bring in the knowledge for this issue?
• also have concerns about this being an additional instructional requirement outside of this standard process

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard SB 1009, which would expand Arizona’s high school CPR instruction requirements to include training on automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The sponsor, Sen. Kavanaugh, said the bill would simply add a short AED component to existing CPR programs, would not require schools to buy AEDs, and would improve student readiness to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. Supporters included the American Heart Association and several students, who argued that AED familiarity can save lives and that training should be part of school safety education. Opposition came from the Arizona Education Association, which argued the bill creates an unfunded mandate, could take away from core instructional time, and may require staff time and resources beyond what schools can absorb. The Arizona School Boards Association was neutral but raised concerns about funding, training personnel, and the impact on rural and smaller districts. Sen. Miranda also questioned whether the bill was truly zero-cost and requested a fiscal note, though she said she would vote yes pending more information. After discussion, the committee voted 5-2 to give SB 1009 a do-pass recommendation. Senators Dunn, Mesnard, Warner, and Anger voted yes, while Senators Diaz and Brown voted no; Sen. Miranda voted yes with reservations. The committee then adjourned.