Transcript Highlights:

• designed to help some of our consumers in that have municipal districts for their energy usage, the power
• <04:54:34.400><c> energy</c><04:54:35.280><c> usage,</c><04:54:35.680><c> the</c><04:54:35.840><c> power
• </c> their energy usage, the power and gas. their energy usage, the power and gas.
• Before, it had to go through the banking commissioner, the attorney general, and then the governor, which
• to make a selection as far as governor to make a selection as far as appointing<06:27:00.240><c> board

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Reading Clerk, please read the proclamation from the governor.
• Now, therefore, I, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, acting under the authority vested in me as governor of the
• Arkansas to be affixed this 30th day of April in the year of our Lord, 26, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor
• Senate that the House is in session and ready for business, followed by the notification to the governor
• Followed by the notification to the governor that the House is in session and ready for business.

Summary: The Arkansas House convened in an extraordinary session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members granted several leaves of absence and recognized visiting state troopers and the nurse of the day. The clerk then read the governor’s proclamation calling the special session, which cited the state’s strong finances and outlined the session’s purposes: reducing individual income tax rates to a top rate of 3.7% and corporate tax rates to a top rate of 4.1%, along with authorizing payment of legislative expenses and per diem for the special session. The House adopted motions to suspend House Rules 41A and 41B, which normally require bills to be on the desk for 24 hours before final passage and limit how soon filed bills can be placed on committee agendas, as well as Rule 60A on committee meeting notice requirements, for the duration of the special session. House Bill 1001, a revenue and tax bill, was then read a second time. The House also directed the clerk to notify the Senate and governor that it was ready for business. Before adjourning, the House set a meeting of the Revenue and Tax Committee for 5:15 p.m. that day. A motion to adjourn until 9:30 the next morning was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Reading Clerk, please read the proclamation from the governor.
• Now, therefore, I, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, acting under the authority vested in me as governor of the
• Arkansas to be affixed this 30th day of April in the year of our Lord 2026, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor
• Senate that the House is in session and ready for business, followed by the notification to the governor
• Followed by the notification to the governor that the House is in session and ready for business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the governor has proposed mitigation.
• 13.600><c> million</c><00:28:14.399><c> to</c> governor has recommended $9 million to governor has recommended
• We’re grateful to the governor for this proposal.
• The governor has recommended Heaper.
• </c><00:37:58.640><c> However,</c> governor for this proposal. However, governor for this proposal.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• The university is grateful to Governor Newsom for his sustained support.
• The university is grateful to Governor Newsom for his sustained support of the University of California
• Even in challenging fiscal years, the governor and the Legislature have recognized the value of higher
• We appreciate the Governor funding the fifth year of the compact, ...and students across the state.
• I just want to appreciate legislative leaders and the Governor for...

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, our governor is a proud graduate of St.
• We now move to messages from the governor.
• Respectfully yours, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor.
• Respectfully yours, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor.
• Message from the governor entered into the journal. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very grateful to the governor for the additional millions that we're now getting.
• As it relates to capacity in general, I want to thank our governor, because had it not been for Governor
• Very grateful to the governor for the additional millions that we're now getting.
• As it relates to capacity in general, I want to thank our governor, because had it not been for Governor
• Next, Caitlin Dawkins, policy coordinator for the Office of the Governor. Good afternoon.

Bills: S0054 , S0156 , S0296 , S0298

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $117.4 billion overall and includes $8.2 billion for the public safety silo. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office outlined proposed funding and reductions across FDLE, DJJ, DOC, and related justice agencies. Agency heads then presented major budget requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, a career offender registry unit, a missing persons alert system upgrade, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and illegal immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested funds for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility repairs; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications technology, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about the scope of immigration-related enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, inmate health care, substance use treatment, prison capacity, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. A public commenter also urged attention to basic conditions in prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and facility maintenance. The committee then considered several bills. CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, was presented as a response to the killing of Daytona Beach Officer Jason Rayner and would clarify that a person may not use violence against an officer performing official duties, while also increasing penalties related to manslaughter involving law enforcement. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after debate and a roll call vote. CS/SB 54, dealing with substances affecting cognitive function and law enforcement access to certain medical records, also received an amendment clarifying that only records relevant to an investigation of a violent offender may be furnished; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next heard CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from advocates and survivors strongly supported the measure, and the bill was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, a public records exemption for victims of domestic and dating violence in the Address Confidentiality Program, was also reported favorably. The meeting concluded after the committee approved all four bills and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• restriction to lobbying and access to the chamber areas, will also provide for an office for the governor
• restriction to lobbying and access to the chamber areas, will also provide for an office for the governor
• restriction to lobbying and access to the chamber areas, will also provide for an office for the governor
• restriction to lobbying and access to the chamber areas, will also provide for an office for the governor
• to accept bills in temporary governor to accept bills in temporary building<00:12:08.959><c> in</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a way that we can look at this bill in a manner to get it, you know, in a form that the governor
• </c><00:07:19.720><c> can</c> man in a form that the governor can man in a form that the governor can
• Do you know what those are with this governor?
• </c> objections potentially from the governor objections potentially from the governor that<00:11:02.399
• We've not heard any specific concerns from this Governor or this committee.

Summary: The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position. Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program. Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• You see the governor, the mayor, the Attorney General, other senior leadership from the Corps.
• I'm excited by it, and I appreciate our governor being able to bring those senior leaders down here in
• Our governor being able to bring those senior leaders down here in such a quick time.
• On behalf of myself and Governor Landry, I would like to thank you all on this annual plan.
• These lawsuits, when Governor Landry took office in 2024, they were existing, and we've been working

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met to consider House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal year 2026-27. CPRA officials Michael Hare and Gordon Dove presented the plan, describing about $1.54 billion in proposed spending authority, a three-year outlook near $1 billion annually, and a portfolio of 143 projects focused largely on construction and implementation. They highlighted major work in multiple regions, including marsh creation, shoreline protection, levees, land bridges, barrier island restoration, the Birdsfoot Delta, Grand Isle, and the Barataria and Terrebonne basins, and said the plan is intended to restore roughly 12,000 acres and support coastal jobs and labor income. A major portion of the discussion focused on non-structural flood protection, especially home elevations and related measures being pursued with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Representative Sauer questioned whether this approach represented mission creep and whether CPRA and the state should be responsible for such programs. CPRA staff responded that non-structural measures have been contemplated in the master plan, but are now treated more programmatically and at a local level; they said the state is already involved as a non-federal sponsor in many projects and has used CPRA, HUD, and FEMA funding to help offset costs. Members also discussed the scale of the program and the need to determine which agencies should lead it. Chairman Dove emphasized that the coastal program is moving forward through regional, multi-parish projects and praised cooperation among parish leaders, levee boards, ports, state officials, and federal partners. He also stated that the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion is fully defunded, its permit and coastal use authorization have been terminated, and related contracts have been settled or are still being resolved in court. Members asked follow-up questions about the diversion settlement, project tracking, and the status of expropriation-related litigation tied to the canceled project. No vote on HR 1 was recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As for the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Governor hopes to leave that as a legacy project and eventually
• I don't want to agree that it is a gift to the Governor, so I would fundamentally disagree with your
• scenarios where it requires a quick level of action to close an economic development project, the Governor
• It's subject to our purview of review, and if the Governor theoretically misused those or spent those
• That was one of the things the Governor asked for in the budget. Thank you for the question.

Bills: SB1177 , HB3705 , SB1942 , SB2026 , SB1533 , SB1327 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2159

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's our recommendation, and the governor agrees with it. Okay. All right.
• Is that governors' appointees?
• DSB board shall appoint the DSB director, subject to the approval of the governor.
• They recommend their director to the governor.
• I believe they think they answer to the governor.

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Transcript Highlights:

• In November of last year, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order 48, recognizing this threat and highlighting
• And it adds that the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, and the Speaker of the
• Quite frankly, your work and the work of the Lieutenant Governor and his gumshoe reporting were outstanding
• I think it's important to note the Texas Ranger investigations, two of them, one by the governor and
• And I further move that the nomination be returned to the governor pursuant to his request.

Bills: HB 11 , HB 12 , HB21 , HB26 , HB30 , HB33 , HB37 , HB45 , HB210 , HB303 , HB630 , HB879 , HB 1041 , HB 1188 , HB 1261 , HB1318 , HB1465 , HB1535 , HB1593 , HB1778 , HB2559 , HB2596 , HB2692 , HB2703 , HB2712 , HB2742 , HB2809 , HB2890 , HB3012 , HB3526 , HB5061 , HB5092 , HB5238 , HCR92 , SB203 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB644 , SB731 , SB801 , SB867 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1073 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1250 , SB1310 , SB1359 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1705 , SB1782 , SB1861 , SB1897 , SB1944 , SB2023 , SB2043 , SB2082 , SB2133 , SB2215 , SB2309 , SB2497 , SB2532 , SB2549 , SB2566 , SB2617 , SB2639 , SB2696 , SB2717 , SB2747 , SB2751 , SB2790 , SB2797 , SB2799 , SB2841 , SB2850 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2919 , SB2928 , SB2994 , SB3051 , SJR34 , SB529 , SB541 , SB693 , SB963 , SB1968 , SB2308 , SB2544 , SB1173 , SB1646 , SB1734 , SB1833 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB3012 , HB1593 , HB2607 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB388 , HB879 , HB 12 , HB2703 , HB30 , HB2712 , HB2692 , HB1633 , HB1318 , HB685 , HB630 , HB4753 , HB2742 , HB303 , HB198 , HB1535 , HB762 , HB148 , HB1520 , HB5061 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB 1041 , HB132 , HB 11 , HB45 , HB48 , HB 1261 , HB1465 , HB1778 , HB2596 , HB5238 , HB33 , HB 1188 , HB210 , HB 1022 , HB1458 , HB5560 , HB 1240 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2768 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB1893 , HB3700 , HB4850 , HB4187 , HB1397 , HB4885 , HB4804 , HB3751 , HB3611 , HB2775 , HB2061 , HB2003 , HB1729 , HB 1242 , HB791 , HB2029 , HB647 , HB2522 , HB4738 , HB3033 , HB3594 , HB3474 , HB2563 , HB2802 , HCR90 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB128 , SB2043 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB2994 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2799 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2617 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1897 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1705 , SB2696 , SB1944 , SB2215 , SB1232 , SB2850 , SB2969 , SB2497 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB781 , HB34 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB581 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB2358 , HB2894 , HB4384 , HB2663 , HB748 , HB793 , HB 1193 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3104 , HB5180 , HB4739 , HB1584 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB4219 , HB3806 , HB3805 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB3229 , HB3228 , HB1922 , HB1522 , HB431 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB754 , HB1314 , HB2254 , HB2789 , HB3560 , HB4643 , HB 1237 , HCR98 , SB3070 , SB835 , SB524 , SB2233 , SB2683

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number three, messages from the Governor. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the Governor?
• So ordered. the governor Mr clerk are there any the governor Mr clerk are there any messages<00:16:05.519
• ><c> from</c><00:16:05.680><c> the</c><00:16:05.800><c> governor</c><00:16:06.480><c> yes</c><00:16:06.639
• ><c> Madam</c> messages from the governor yes Madam messages from the governor yes Madam speaker<00:16

Transcript Highlights:

• If they are deemed to have privilege, it means they hold power.
• If they hold power, they must be in a position of oppression.
• If they are deemed to have privilege, it means they hold power.
• If they hold power, they must be in a preffer.
• It can also be presented in some ways through a lens of power.

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:

• </c> may actually process to steam and power may actually process to steam and power we<00:09:59.440>
• So the stud and produce power as well.
• Virtual power plants?
• Say if we had 15 nuclear power plants.
• I Say if we had 15 nuclear power plants.

Bills: HF4770

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> annual proclamation by the governor annual proclamation by the governor encouraging<01:16:33.600
• :17:38.719><c> to</c> senator ask the governor to senator ask the governor to declare<01:17:41.040><c
• </c><01:18:08.000><c> Cenounu</c> proclamation from the governor Cenounu proclamation from the governor
• Um, last year did anybody ask the governor to make a proclamation for service dogs week?
• The governor knows about recognition.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you remember back to last week, this is the bill that I presented that will help give the governor
• and his staff a little bit more flexibility in finding qualified individuals to be on boards of governors
• for respective universities around the state. ...will help give the governor and his staff a little
• bit more flexibility in finding qualified individuals to be on boards of governors for respective universities
• Some of them are assigned and some of them are appointed by the governor, approved by the Senate as well

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1281 requires the governor to sign a joint resolution adopted by an affirmative
• Carroll, is the governor involved in any of this at all?
• It would require the governor to sign the joint resolution adopted. All right, very good.
• The requirements to have the governor and Legislature approve any sale or transfer of private land to
• The requirements to have the governor and legislature approve any sale or transfer of private land to

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Summary: The Federalism Committee considered only Senate Bill 1281, which would require legislative and gubernatorial approval before private Arizona real property could be acquired by the federal government, and would impose notice, reporting, and penalty provisions tied to such transactions. The bill also required state employees to notify the Legislature about certain federal land-trust notices involving Indian tribe settlements, while stating that tribal rights to Indian lands and reservation lands are not limited. The sponsor explained a seven-page amendment that added exemptions for certain federal purchases, congressionally approved land exchanges, and reclamation-related acquisitions, and expanded State Land Department cataloging and notice duties for covered federal designations. Public testimony was uniformly opposed. Speakers from the hunting/outdoors community, Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon chapter, and the Arizona Wildlife Federation argued the bill would hinder conservation projects, public access, and land exchanges that protect habitat or open recreation access, while also creating unnecessary bureaucracy and raising constitutional and private-property concerns. They cited examples of past federal land purchases that expanded access to large areas at relatively low property-tax cost, and said the bill would make it harder to protect sensitive lands and resources. Committee members questioned whether the governor was meaningfully involved, how the amendment affected land exchanges and federal law enforcement-related property purchases, and whether tribal acquisitions would be affected. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and then approved SB 1281 as amended on a 4-3 vote, sending it out with a do pass recommendation. Some members explained their no votes by citing public lands access, conservation concerns, and constitutional objections, while supporters argued the bill was needed to preserve state authority over land transfers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, Lord, we ask your blessing upon our governor, upon the great state of Florida.
• have been appointed to various state, regional, and local offices, boards, and commissions by the governor
• thanks to nearly $2 million in contributions she made to political action committees supporting our governor
• Are there messages from the governor or other executive communications? None on the desk, Mr.
• Are there messages from the governor or other executive communications? None on the desk, Mr.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and observances, including St. Johns County Day at the Capitol, Florida Space Day, Florida State Parks Day, AMI Kids Day at the Capitol, Manatee County Days, New College of Florida Day, and Florida Keys Day. The chamber also heard a report on executive appointments from the Ethics and Elections Committee, which recommended confirmation of 65 gubernatorial appointees. Senator Smith spoke in opposition to confirming Tina Vidal-Douart, citing contracts tied to the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and the Hope Florida Foundation; Senator Pizzo spoke in support, describing her assistance during COVID testing efforts. The report was then adopted by a 37-0 vote. On the special order calendar, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 48 on housing by a 38-0 vote. The bill requires local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, limits certain local restrictions, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, requires ADU leases of 30 days or more, and extends density bonus incentives for housing affordable to military families. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 578 on the Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Initiative by a 38-0 vote. That bill creates a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health, and outreach to older adults and higher-risk populations. Appropriations Chair Hooper gave a budget update, saying work was progressing well and announcing a revised schedule: budget rollouts in appropriations committees on February 12 and full appropriations consideration on February 18. Rules Chair Passidomo moved to waive rules so bills passed that day could be immediately certified to the House, and the motion was adopted without objection. The Senate then adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, or upon the call of the President.