Transcript Highlights:

• It was indicated that Michael Morton supported this, and that there was a personal conversation that
• One of the things that I believe is sorely missing right now in the state of the world post-Heath.
• The person who murdered my mother should and could have been arrested in 1986.
• It's $2,500 a month just to hold the person. Community supervision is much less than that.
• We help maintain a statewide metal theft alert system with local law enforcement.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard testimony on several bills dealing with criminal discovery, crime lab access, controlled substances, community supervision, interference with officers, oilfield theft, and copper theft. On SB 1124, witnesses split over whether the bill clarified discovery law after the Heath decision or rolled back the Michael Morton Act; opponents argued it narrowed disclosure and shifted responsibility away from prosecutors, while supporters said it restored balance, limited harsh sanctions, and preserved exculpatory-disclosure duties. The committee later voted 4-0 to report SB 1124 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and later reported favorably SB 1372, which resolves a statutory conflict over access to the DPS crime lab portal, and SB 1936, which changes how LSD “abuse units” are defined for testing and charging purposes; both were sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1937, which would require a subject-matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence, was also reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 552, which would make people defined in the bill as “illegal aliens” ineligible for judge-ordered or jury-recommended community supervision, including deferred adjudication. Supporters said the bill would prevent state-funded early release of people who entered or remained in the country unlawfully, while county officials and immigration advocates warned it would be overbroad, difficult to administer, and costly to local jails and taxpayers. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to report SB 552 favorably, and Senator Huffman requested it be taken to the floor. On SB 1208, which increases interference with a peace officer or public official from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony, law enforcement witnesses said repeat “auditors” and similar actors were creating dangerous confrontations and needed stronger deterrence; opponents argued the bill would chill protected filming and protest activity. The committee voted to report SB 1208 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took testimony on SB 1806, a committee substitute addressing oilfield theft and related crimes. Supporters from law enforcement and the oil and gas industry said organized theft of crude, equipment, and related materials is a growing problem and that the bill would strengthen penalties, allow seizure and sale of stolen product, and improve inspection and forensic tools. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with placement on the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 1646, which targets copper theft and fiber vandalism by increasing penalties, requiring reporting and recordkeeping for certain purchases, and adding training and enforcement tools. Telecommunications, law enforcement, and emergency-network witnesses supported the bill as necessary to protect 9-1-1 and critical infrastructure, while metal recyclers warned the bill could overregulate legitimate businesses and sweep too broadly. The committee later voted to report the committee substitute for SB 1646 favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think we have an LBB person here yet, but I want to tell you what I think is happening there.
• was committed, but the person comes in with proof that they are a U.S. citizen?
• A person or a stun gun is defined by the Texas Penal Code Section 38.14.
• , or a stun gun is defied by the Texas Penal Code Section 38.14. a person or a stun gun is defied by
• And anytime we do that, we are taking personal risk because we know a lot of times that that sidearm

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending. SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Missing a point that we're just adding to this, to the code.
• But some of the bills say real person, and it looked like to me that actual person is The likeness of
• , but that looks like that person to me.
• It says a person commits an offense if... the person knowingly or intentionally possesses or knowingly
• And the person that you're describing is bad; I would agree with you, right? That person is bad.

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you can silence your watches too, I, I get distracted easily, so it's, it's a personal request
• I think you're hired as the PR person. No, no pay as usual, but you're hired.
• So some things are gonna have to be in print as opposed to in person.
• So I get a report of um neglect if he misses a med.
• And they just hired their new person, um, last week. So she's just coming on board.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing room is open for watching in person, and this hearing can be watched from a live stream on
• Our First Light LiDAR allows us to see further beyond headlights than a person can see.
• First Light LiDAR allows us to see further beyond headlights than a person can see.
• I think my personal opinion is that they have the potential to be safer.
• We couldn't communicate with one person or another. It's not 100% reliable.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard testimony on the DMV’s finalized autonomous vehicle regulations, with a focus on how the rules update California’s oversight of testing, deployment, reporting, and enforcement. DMV and CHP officials said the new framework expands data collection beyond crashes to include immobilizations, hard-braking events, system failures, and notices of noncompliance, while also creating clearer requirements for first responder interaction, remote operations, and heavy-duty AV testing and deployment. Members raised concerns about safety, emergency response delays, freeway and work-zone operations, and whether the state has enough data to compare AVs with human drivers. Witnesses from consumer and labor-related groups emphasized transparency and accountability, arguing that the prior rules were outdated and that public access to the collected data is important for regulators, researchers, and injured parties. Industry representatives said California now has the nation’s most comprehensive AV permitting and reporting system, with phased permits, mileage thresholds, and broad DMV authority to restrict or suspend operations. They supported the regulations as a path to safer, more transparent deployment, while noting that the rules stay within state operational authority and do not replace federal standards for vehicle design and performance. A second panel focused on first responder interactions and remote operations. The San Francisco Fire Department described AVs blocking emergency scenes and generating “sleeper calls” when passengers fall asleep, consuming significant fire and EMS resources. Waymo said it maintains 24/7 emergency contacts, first responder plans, geofencing protocols, and remote support that can help move vehicles or allow first responders to override them. Members asked about license requirements for remote personnel, redundancy during communication outages, and how companies handle sleeping passengers before calling 911. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have just been a joy to this committee, and I'm going to miss you. And so...
• You have just been a joy to this committee, and I'm going to miss you.
• And I'm going to miss you. And so.
• You have just been a joy to this committee, and I'm going to miss you.
• We will be missing you, Mr. Lackey. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with SB 1166 by Senator Arreguín, which would allow AC Transit and its employees to use the Public Employment Relations Board to resolve unfair labor practice charges instead of the courts. The author and union supporters said PERB would provide a faster, fairer, and more specialized process, while no opposition testified. The committee members expressed support, and SB 1166 was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 1024, SB 1207, and SB 1444, which were moved on consent and placed on hold for absent members. Later, SB 1083 by Senator Perez was heard; it would refine last year’s school misconduct database law by adding an administrative law judge review process for classified employees, requiring stronger employer notification and record-sharing procedures, and extending vetting requirements to certain contracted workers. Supporters, including classified employees and labor groups, argued the bill adds due process and fairness while preserving student safety. Opponents, including school administrators, school districts, and liability organizations, argued it could create gaps in misconduct records, increase liability, and weaken protections for students. After discussion, the author said he was continuing to work with opponents on amendments and emphasized the bill’s goal of balancing due process with child safety, referencing his own experience with grooming as a student. SB 1083 was passed on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Education. The chair then announced that all bills had passed and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have just been a joy to this committee, and I'm going to miss you.
• You have just been a joy to this committee, and I'm going to miss you.
• And I'm going to miss you. And so.
• You have just been a joy to this committee, and I'm going to miss you.
• We will be missing you, Mr. Lackey. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Miss Babbine." "Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Chair Leeling.
• Uh, Miss uh, with these changes? Uh, Miss uh, Babbine. Babbine. Babbine.
• <00:46:55.359> No<00:46:55.760> transactional uh personal experience.
• No transactional uh personal experience.
• Miss Davis, did you want to clarify anything? >> Okay.

Bills: HF4075, HF3826, HF3825, HF3827, HF3459, HF3711, HF4200, HF3908, HF3712

Keywords: firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants

Transcript Highlights:

• scientists rotate, so you only have one person in the workspace at a time.
• I'm only one person.
• To some previous discussions, the missing indigenous person task force we had talked about briefly.
• indigenous persons.
• person happens, who do they contact?

Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• While I did not serve personally, I am part of a military family.
• While I did not serve personally, I am part of a military family.
• While I did not serve personally, I am part of a military family.
• That connection may be on alert that we can, you know, may be sent to our county CBS.
• The next person in line who is desperate to help that individual. That's what this is.

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• The public can subscribe and set up alerts to stay informed about local conditions.
• Users can subscribe to alerts for specific gauges.
• Another feature is an integrated real-time weather radar and alerts.
• But I feel like we're having a missed opportunity if we just let all of the flood water run out into
• for this committee to study this topic in more depth to see if there is an opportunity that we're missing

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• person? person?
• Um, Miss Davis. Thanks. >> Miss Davis. >> Sure.
• Um, Miss Davis. that's common practice? Um, Miss Davis.
• For persons of color, immigrants, protesters, LGBTQ+ persons, or persons seeking abortion care, for example
• , or persons seeking abortion persons, or persons seeking abortion care,<01:28:33.440> for<01:

Bills: HF3477, HF3414, HF103, HF3661, HF3146

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, constitutional rights, color of law, 42 U.S.C. 1983, section 1983, civil action, damages, injunctive relief, attorney fees, law enforcement task force, federal-state cooperation, intergovernmental agreement, federal agency partnership, Minnesota Constitution, U.S. Constitution, police accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• If you drilled down on this, and I missed it, I apologize, but why?
• Hansen personally.
• Certainly hope they were certainly alerted them to the challenges.
• Miss Lenell, could I interrupt you?
• Thank you, Miss Lenell. Keep going.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this moment, we'll start off with Sunny Ganan if he's here in person.
• um Sunny Ganan if he's here in person um Sunny Ganan if he's here in person doesn't<00:08:20.240
• In person, we have Amy Agani in support. Amy Agani, in support.
• Is there any others who wish to testify with no testimony in person and none in Zoom?
• Is there any others who wish to testify with no testimony in person and none in Zoom?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition. The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to thank Senator Richardson for that personal example.
• You know, these are personal data points, but you're a personal data point, you're a personal data point
• First, I want to thank Senator Richardson for that personal example.
• You know, these, there are personal data points, but you're a personal data point, you're a personal
• And I think we keep missing the mark here... ...responsibility to rebuild the city entirely.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance held an informational hearing on how climate change, wildfire risk, and related catastrophes are affecting California’s insurance market, affordability, and availability. Chair and members framed the issue as a statewide challenge tied to resiliency, land use, utilities, legal liability, and the FAIR Plan. Senator Becker noted the hearing was connected to SB 254 and its recent report, while the Vice Chair emphasized that the state’s current regulatory framework limits flexibility and that industry testimony would also have been useful. Amy Bach of United Policyholders described worsening availability and affordability, driven by climate impacts, insurtech/risk scoring, inflation, and the growth of surplus lines coverage. She said the Sustainable Insurance Strategy is beginning to show progress, but the FAIR Plan remains too large and non-admitted carriers create concerns because they are less regulated and do not share FAIR Plan or guaranty fund obligations. She stressed that mitigation incentives, grants, and voluntary insurer rewards for wildfire-hardening are important, but that many households cannot afford the needed improvements. In response to questions, she said underinsurance remains a major problem, especially after recent fires, and suggested stronger insurer responsibility for replacement-cost estimates or broader replacement-cost endorsements. Actuary Nancy Watkins and Stanford’s Michael Wara argued that California must both reduce wildfire risk and allow actuarially sound pricing if it wants a healthier market. Watkins compared the market to a household with rising expenses and said the state needs a mitigation framework focused on the highest-risk communities, especially older neighborhoods and homes near the wildland-urban interface. Wara said premiums must roughly equal expected claims plus expenses, and that California is “burning down too many houses,” which drives both availability problems and higher rates. He highlighted the role of structure-to-structure spread, older housing stock, utility ignitions, and the need to focus on community hardening, not just vegetation management. Both speakers said mitigation should be targeted, science-based, and sustained rather than one-time or scattered. Frank Freebalt of Cal Poly and Michael Gullner of UC Berkeley continued the discussion on fire modeling and risk reduction. Freebalt said the problem is best understood as a structure ignition and urban conflagration problem, requiring integrated land-use, utility, and community mitigation, with evidence-based priorities and better analytics. He emphasized that the state should focus on the highest-risk intersections first and that targeted mitigation can multiply the effectiveness of suppression and evacuation resources. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony, questions, and policy discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I missed the testifier's name. Please introduce yourself for the record.
• She asked Miss Hills to spell it, and the witness spelled H-A-N-S-K-A.
• H H H Miss<00:27:45.440> Hills. Miss Hills. Miss Hills.
• Jobs or alerting people about a public health thing, and that's not always like a line item.
• This is when he brought it and I miss the reader.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• personal use or to support the personal personal use or to support the personal use<01:23:08.639
• example a person could uh or an a person example a person could uh or an a person as<01:46:27.600
• the person that's fulfilling the request is the same person that is the town clerk is the same person
• the person that's fulfilling the request is the same person that is the town clerk is the same person
• an in-state person, the in-state person could do it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman. just wanted to point out um Miss Miles just wanted to point out um Miss Miles prepared<00:01
• But a person Scheler has pointed out?
• I personally think with the little bit.
• But anyway, beyond that, director, what are we missing?
• What do director, what are we missing?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program will average probably about $80,000 per person per year.
• If a person has prior service that they want to purchase into their pension, so if a person was, say,
• One person here? Okay. Good morning, Chairman and members.
• This person, I'm going to butcher his name, not because I can't read, but because this person has horrible
• I can testify personally to that.

Bills: SB1041, SB1050, SB1131, SB1138, SB1249, SB1267, SB1272, SB1317, SB1461, SB1488, SB1504, SB1517, SB1523, SB1580, SB1582, SB1584, SB1585, SB1602, SB1630, SB1654, SB1672, SB1673, SB1718, SB1761, SB1819, SB1826, SB1827

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, veterans, lifetime pass, state parks, Arizona, access, disabled veterans, cardiac arrest, defibrillators, school safety, emergency response, CPR training, Arizona education funding, automated license plate readers

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, stakeholder input, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create an assisted-living-style Medicaid option for the most disabled SMI individuals, improve continuity of care, and reduce state general fund costs by shifting some expenses to federal Medicaid funding. Access testified neutral, estimating a total fiscal impact of $27.7 million, including $5.83 million general fund, and explained the need for CMS approval. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the initial cap to 250 members, changing reporting frequency, and adjusting eligibility and expansion conditions, then passed SB 1630 as amended on a 10-0 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1131, which originally required school districts and charter schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans and appropriated $1 million for implementation. An amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether schools have a plan, while keeping a grant component for AEDs and prioritizing rural schools. The American Heart Association supported the amended approach as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, and members discussed AED training, school preparedness, and whether the funding should favor rural or high-population schools. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1131 as amended on a 9-1 vote, with Senator Kuby voting no and several members explaining concerns about funding and priorities. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1582, which concerned the school safety interoperability fund. An amendment shifted the appropriation from the Department of Education to the Department of Administration and allocated funds to specific county sheriff offices for continuing operation and maintenance of existing interoperability systems, while narrowing the program to public safety agencies and school districts and requiring twice-yearly testing. Sheriffs, a county school superintendent, and the Arizona Sheriffs Association described the systems as useful for drills and real emergencies, improving communication between schools and first responders; one speaker noted the program had been used in drills and at least one live deployment. Some members questioned the audit findings, the focus on rural counties, and whether the program was a good use of funds, while supporters emphasized its value for school safety. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1582 as amended on a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel by allowing earlier normal retirement and shortening the COLA waiting period, with an amendment exempting the changes from the statutory pre-funding requirement. Supporters from firefighter and police groups said the bill would improve recruitment and retention and let employees receive earned benefits sooner, while city, county, and taxpayer representatives warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. Actuarial testimony estimated significant costs, including tens of millions in annual or upfront impacts depending on how the change is funded, and members debated whether the amendment would shift costs onto future taxpayers or simply spread them over time. The transcript ends during continued testimony and discussion on SB 1504, before a final vote is reached.