Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in support for Senate Bill 97.
• </c><00:38:57.600><c> this</c> thing with passing and supporting this thing with passing and supporting
• </c> I urge my colleagues to vote in support I urge my colleagues to vote in support of<00:39:01.840>
• In support. I Thank you, Mr. President. In support.
• </c> I said I would support it." I said I would support it."

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stand on our testimony and support. stand on our testimony and support.
• Um, we support this measure.
• </c> testifying in support here today. testifying in support here today.
• Please support SB 2401. Mahalo.
• Please support beach like we did. Please support SB2401.<01:08:44.719><c> Mahalo.</c> SB2401.

Bills: SB2982 , SB2367 , SB2818 , SB2944 , SB2022 , SB2240 , SB2986 , SB2547 , SB2401 , SB3031 , SB3035 , SB3032

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, Ala Wai Harbor, DLNR, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, state boating facility, small boat harbor, public-private partnership, PPP, marina management, harbor lease, fast lands, submerged lands

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 2982 on campaign finance, which would prohibit foreign entities and foreign-influence businesses from making contributions and expenditures. The Attorney General’s office testified first, followed by the Campaign Spending Commission, which supported the bill but asked for clarification on constitutional review authority and additional implementation time for certifications, forms, and procedures. Common Cause also supported the measure, arguing it would help protect elections from dark money and foreign influence. No vote was taken. The committee then took up SB 2367 on a state boating facilities lease program for the Ala Wai small boat harbor. DLNR supported the bill, while UPW opposed it, warning about privatization of a public asset and possible job displacement. Several members of the public supported the concept but urged amendments to protect public access, affordability, youth ocean programs, and state employee jobs. Committee members questioned DLNR about the scope of the lease, the role of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and whether public access and existing concessions would remain protected. DLNR said current leases would remain, the board would retain approval authority, and employees would not necessarily be displaced, but members indicated more discussion and possible amendments were needed. For SB 2818 on boating penalties, DLNR testified in support and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 2944 on conservation, which would require wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to NOAA guidance and reporting requirements; DLNR said it stood on its written testimony. SB 2022 on water code penalties drew support from DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management, which said the bill’s two-tiered penalty structure would preserve deterrence while keeping the current $5,000 penalty for first-time or non-harmful violations. The Board of Water Supply submitted comments, and Ulupono Initiative supported the measure as a needed enforcement tool. Committee members discussed whether the higher penalty ceiling should be phased in and asked for stakeholder input on the amount of the penalties. Finally, the committee began SB 2240 on land use, which would require water availability certification from the Commission on Water Resource Management before a district boundary amendment proceeds to the Land Use Commission. DLNR supported the bill and said it often reviews project documents that lack sufficient information on water needs and availability, so the measure would allow earlier review and comment. The committee also indicated it would seek amendments and further feedback on the water penalty bill before it moved to the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:33.519><c> the</c> and Lake counties um to support the and Lake counties um to support the
• </c> vehicle dedicated account to support vehicle dedicated account to support projects<00:39:14.560>
• Supporting House File 281 means supporting the businesses, the families, and the outdoor enthusiasts
• Supporting House File 281 means supporting the businesses, the families, and the outdoor enthusiasts
• We support raising that to 3,000.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Your support of the VPA initiative is about supporting those members of our society.
• My name is Mandy Tolson, and I'm here today in support of House Bill 805.
• support staff, and obviously veterinarians.
• Thank you for bringing it forward; you have my full support.
• Full support, thank you. Any other debate?

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a lot of support for a wealth tax in your caucus.
• There's a lot of support in our caucus also for it.
• We will see reductions in state support for our four-year colleges and universities, reductions in support
• Is that something to get him to support the budget?
• We're supportive of public safety.

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a post-sine-die press availability to describe a difficult 2025 session and the major budget and policy outcomes. They said the state faced a $16 billion operating shortfall and an $8 billion transportation gap, along with inflation, slowing revenue, federal uncertainty, and a new governor. Despite that, they said the chambers reached balanced operating and transportation budgets while trying to avoid harming vulnerable residents or overburdening working families. The leaders highlighted several priorities they said were advanced: increased school funding, including about $1.4 billion more for special education; housing measures such as rent stabilization, parking minimum reforms, lot-splitting, and middle-housing enforcement; and public safety funding, including a $100 million one-time law-enforcement appropriation requested by Governor Ferguson. They also discussed a community reinvestment approach and said local governments would have more flexibility to fund community safety. They acknowledged that balancing the budget required painful cuts and tradeoffs, including delays to child support pass-through payments and TANF benefits, reduced support for higher education and student aid, higher child-care copays and fewer child-care slots, closure of one prison and four reentry centers, and reductions in managed care payments. They also said the tax package included modest business tax increases, including a surcharge on some large businesses and sales tax changes for certain services, and that a wealth tax remained alive for future sessions even though it was not part of this year’s budget. Much of the discussion focused on the new governor’s role and whether there was tension over his review of the budget and bills. Leaders said communication with the governor and his staff had improved over the session, that they expected him to carefully review the legislation, and that they were not reading anything into his absence from the press conference. They repeatedly emphasized bipartisan and bicameral collaboration, and several speakers described the session as one of the most challenging they had experienced, citing the budget gap, federal uncertainty, and recent personal losses in the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move on to any additional witnesses in support.
• I'm going to be very supportive of the the bill.
• Well, we'll move to additional witnesses in support.
• We support the bill in concept.
• Are there any witnesses in support?

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, fellow committee members, I would greatly appreciate support for HF 1778 to promote accountability
• The bill is supported by the Minnesota chapter of Disabled Veterans of America.
• We would be supportive of this bill if the appropriation matched.
• So if the appropriation is there, we could get behind and support this bill. Any further questions?
• So I appreciate your support and your testimony, and thank you very much.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• It means a lot to have the support of our elected officials.
• Again, a large group of students showed up to support BDS.
• You mentioned that UMass is starting to support student groups.
• We're there to help support them.
• We're there to help support them.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the July 9, 2025 minutes and a roll call confirming quorum. DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez gave his first official testimony, affirming the department’s commitment to preventing antisemitism and societal bias in schools, saying DESE supports the commission’s recommendations and will add staff resources to help develop and disseminate guidance and instructional materials. He said DESE’s rubric and guidance for identifying effective curricula and resources should be finalized in late fall, and commissioners welcomed the partnership and asked about the ongoing Section 98A work. The commission then heard from Professor Eitan Hirsch of Tufts, who presented research on antisemitism and campus climate. He described survey findings showing sharply different Jewish and non-Jewish views on Israel, increasing social pressure on Jewish students, and a growing tendency for Jewish students to hide their identity or feel penalized for participating in Jewish life. He argued that colleges need to do more to teach students how to handle dissent and build cultures of viewpoint diversity, and commissioners asked about best practices, regional differences, and the role of campus climate surveys. Rabbi Fine of UMass Amherst Hillel and student Sky Landau testified about antisemitism at UMass, especially since October 7. Fine described both a thriving Jewish student community and serious incidents including harassment, vandalism, classroom issues, protests, and students hiding Jewish identity; he said the university is working with Hillel and DEI leadership on goals and strategy for Jewish inclusion, and he urged more training and structured dialogue. Landau described antisemitic incidents she experienced or witnessed, including hostile BDS meetings, exclusion of Zionist students, Holocaust denial, threats, and social ostracism, and said Hillel was the only consistently safe space for her. Commissioners discussed reporting pathways, affinity groups, mental health supports, and ways to distinguish criticism of Israel from antisemitism. Later, the commission moved to its recommendations and made several edits before voting, including deleting offensive wording in a footnote, adding a citation to recent FBI hate crime data, and restoring language tied to an existing DESE regulation, 603 CMR 26.05, on classroom neutrality and fact-based instruction. Commissioners also reiterated that criticism of Israel’s government is not inherently antisemitic. The meeting included a brief interruption by a protester, after which the commission recessed and then resumed its work on the draft recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to help them find ways to support their travel costs with this.
• And so I want to ask that you please support that. Thank you very much.
• So I urge your support. Thank you. Good afternoon.
• I want to thank you for supporting the Wright Grant, and I would urge you to continue your support.
• I'm here to urge that you continue to support the Wright Grant.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to support this bill.
• We urge you to support keeps increasing. We urge you to support this<00:09:11.960><c> bill.
• </c> stabilizing our existing supportive stabilizing our existing supportive housing<00:10:47.160><c>
• I just can't support it.
• </c> that reason we cannot support the bill. that reason we cannot support the bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're here in support of a bill, green cards are good.
• He requested support for the bill.
• So I ask for your support for House Bill 576. Thanks.
• I was supported.
• Chico Lancy, present in support and not wishing to speak.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The Committee on House and Governmental Affairs met on March 18 and first adopted the minutes from its February 21 meeting. The committee then took up HB 250, which would have narrowed financial disclosure requirements for appointed, unpaid board and commission members by exempting immediate family information. Supporters said the bill would reduce burdens and help recruit volunteers, while opponents argued it would weaken ethics enforcement and create opportunities for undisclosed conflicts of interest. After debate and a roll call, the committee deadlocked and HB 250 failed to advance on a 6-6 vote with one abstention. The committee next considered HB 576, which transfers ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Old Governor’s Mansion to the Department of State and codifies its current operational role. Secretary of State Nancy Landry and mansion staff testified in support, describing expanded programming, increased visitors, and the need to align the statute with current practice. The committee adopted technical amendments and then reported HB 576 favorably without objection. The committee also heard HB 117, which recreates the Department of State and its statutory entities through July 1, 2033, and reported it favorably without objection. The major remaining item was HB 842, the annual omnibus elections bill, which makes numerous technical and substantive changes to election law, including voter assistance for people with disabilities, absentee ballot and petition procedures, inactive voter updates, and election contest deadlines. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns about disability documentation, absentee ballot curing, witness requirements, constitutional amendment challenge deadlines, and the scope of authority given to the Secretary of State, while others said the bill clarified existing practice and improved election administration. After adopting amendments and rejecting a motion to defer, the committee reported HB 842 favorably by an 8-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here in support of this bill.
• So that's why I'm in support of this bill.
• He said the need for that support cannot be overstressed.
• Fund and support pregnancy resource centers that help promote and grow ...fund and support pregnancy
• Does that mean people want to support for-profits?

Bills: HB2211 , HB2229 , HB2389 , HB2403 , HB2445 , HB2502 , HB2620 , HB2813 , HB2872 , HB2889 , HB2960 , HB4028 , HCR2007

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• We support funding for new water projects and for water infrastructure projects We support incentives
• How would you suggest that the legislature, the state, support Support those cities that have grown so
• Six FTEs to support.
• We want to support the funding side.
• Without funding support, we really.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it has the support of um stakeholders. it has the support of um stakeholders.
• </c> So I will support the motion. So I will support the motion.
• So I will be supporting zoned areas. So I will be supporting this<05:59:07.280><c> amendment.
• </c> never support that kind of transfer. never support that kind of transfer.
• </c> can't support the uh ITL motion. can't support the uh ITL motion.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate File 2373.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate File 2373.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate File 2373.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate File 2373.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Senate File 2373.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here in support of SB 1131. Mr.
• We are here in support of SB 1131.
• We're also looking at doing direct caregiver education and support and evidence-based support for state
• Obviously, support fighting Alzheimer's however we can.
• I support this.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on March 18 and considered two Senate bills. SB 1131 would require school districts and charter schools to report their AED inventory, CPR/AED training levels, and cardiac emergency response plans to ADE, which would compile the data; it also provides funding for AED purchases and maintenance. The committee adopted an amendment shifting the appropriation from the general fund to the industry-recognized certification and licensure reimbursement fund. The American Heart Association testified in support, emphasizing the need for better school cardiac preparedness. Several members raised concerns about using that fund because it supports student certification and licensure exams, but staff said the fund had an estimated $2 million balance and continued annual deposits. The bill was returned with a due pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with two members voting present. The committee then heard SB 1249, which would establish a dementia services program and require DHS to develop and maintain an Alzheimer’s disease state plan with stakeholder input. The bill appropriates $600,000 from the Health Services Lottery Moneys Fund. The Arizona government relations director for the Alzheimer’s Association testified in strong support, describing prior state planning efforts and current work on caregiver support, training, data collection, and grant applications, and noting that prior funding is expiring. Members asked whether the bill was meant to fund implementation or simply the plan, and the sponsor indicated it is written as a one-year appropriation but could be adjusted. Some members supported the policy but objected to taking money from a fund that supports maternal and child health programs such as Health Start and WIC, while others supported the measure and urged a sustainable funding source. The committee approved SB 1249 with a due pass recommendation by a 9-3 vote, with several members voting present.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why I do this: because it's to support him and support our Guard and support the mission.
• in this legislation as they support themselves and the families of their fallen comrades.
• Just ask for your support. And if it's okay with you, I'll just stay here and vote from here.
• So you have my full support. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Any further discussion, committee?
• So you have my full support. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Any further discussion committee?

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee first approved the gubernatorial reappointment of Jeff Seleck to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) board, voting to send the nomination to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 544, which updates Idaho’s military leave statute for state employees serving in the Guard or Reserve. The bill increases military leave from 120 to 160 hours to align with federal guidance and cleans up conflicting statutory language. Representative Ted Hill and Idaho Army National Guard Lt. Col. Nate Peterson testified in support, and the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 642 was next, addressing PERSI death benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children of public safety officers killed as a result of catastrophic line-of-duty injuries. Senator Todd Lakey and firefighter representative Matt Smith explained that the bill clarifies and expands benefits, applies retroactively to July 1, 2021, and is funded by the public safety officer group rather than the general fund. The committee supported the measure and sent it to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 703, a DOPL cleanup and modernization bill that consolidates disciplinary procedures for licensed professions into a central code section while preserving profession-specific fines and fee schedules. After questions about legal counsel for the boards and a note that one surveyor-related fine had been inadvertently removed, the committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there anyone here in support? Please come to the table.
• And I cannot express any more urgently my excitement and support for this bill.
• So appreciate the committee’s support for this bill. Thank you.
• So I support this bill, and I appreciate your vote. Are there anyone else here in support?
• We’ll go to the phone lines for support for AB 226. Thank you, Chair.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Economic Development

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The transfer of funds supports the phased demobilization plan for the Florida National Guard.
• This additional authority will support a non-recurring increase in the following categories: library
• grants category in the amount of $318,319 to be used to support providing external grantees, and the
• These funds will support disproportionate share hospital funding for the three state mental hospitals
• Support the distribution of these payments. Mr. Chair, that is the amendment.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present and considered 12 budget amendments, most of which were adopted without opposition. The first amendment transferred $8.2 million in Department of Corrections general revenue authority from salary incentives to contracted services to support the phased demobilization of Florida National Guard troops assisting with correctional staffing. Senator Pizzo questioned the length of the Guard’s deployment and urged a long-term staffing solution, while the department said the Guard presence was being reduced and that about 2,200 employees were in training. The Department of State received an additional $618,391 in federal grant authority for library grants and private cloud costs, and the Department of Transportation’s two amendments were zero-sum work program changes: one realigned funds to production-ready projects and another added three projects over $3 million each to the current-year work program. The commission then approved several Agency for Health Care Administration amendments tied to Medicaid supplemental payment programs. These included funding for the Florida Cancer Hospital Program, indirect medical education payments, disproportionate share hospital payments for the state mental hospitals, the Low-Income Pool program, physician supplemental and public hospital payments, Florida KidCare, and Medicaid services realignment. Members asked about possible federal disallowances in the LIP and physician/public hospital programs, and agency staff said some disallowances were likely but the amount was not yet known. For KidCare and Medicaid, staff explained the changes were based on the December estimating conference, enrollment shifts, and updated actuarial assumptions, including changes to managed care regions and program design. The final amendment restored budget authority for a hospital direct payment program after a prior payment, including a $24.3 million CMS-related amount and $3.2 million in administrative fees, was not processed before fiscal year-end and reverted. Senator Pizzo pressed the agency on how the payment was missed and whether any penalty applied; staff said the invoice was not received and processed in time and that communication issues contributed. After brief debate on each item, the commission adopted all amendments, with one recorded nay on the final item, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> encourages</c> It supports retention and encourages It supports retention and encourages advancement
• As has been that supports policies that strengthen that supports policies that strengthen uh<01:27:35.440
• Um my name is Pa supports this team.
• </c> and we support it. and we support it.
• </c> And so I would ask that you all support And so I would ask that you all support Senate<01:40:29.440

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all