Transcript Highlights:

• accountability and rehabilitation that would be provided if this crime were able to be charged under Welfare
• It adds the crime of conspiracy to commit murder to the list of offenses under that Welfare and Institutions
• Instead, this bill adds to the list of offenses under California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section
• 707B, ...of offenses under California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 707B, exposing youth to
• As mentioned earlier, prior legislation relatively recently enacted codified Welfare and Institutions

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• to help Arkansasans move from a place of dependency to productivity, from places where they're on welfare
• Dependency to productivity, from places where they're on welfare to where they're having a job.
• The last two are inmate welfare treasury cash and non-tax revenue receipts.
• And inmate welfare treasury cash increases by about $3 million and non-tax revenue receipts increases
• And then the residence cash treasury is moving to the inmate welfare treasury cash and non-tax revenue

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first considered revisions to the JBC rules, which staff said were all prompted by acts passed in the 2025 legislative session. The rules were adopted without objection. Members then received a balanced budget presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s FY27 proposal, which he said was built around three priorities: limiting state government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income tax cuts. He highlighted major additions for education funding, EFA growth, pay plan costs, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, corrections medical costs, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction, and Medicaid sustainability, while also explaining a new A/B funding category structure intended to prioritize recurring costs and preserve room for tax cuts. Members questioned Hudson about the cost of income tax reductions, the constitutional balanced-budget requirement, education funding, the Educational Adequacy Fund, Medicaid trust fund balances, and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and SNAP. Hudson said each tenth of a percent income tax cut would cost about $58 million, the budget remained balanced, public education would still receive historic increases, and the Medicaid trust fund would be monitored closely with additional set-asides proposed. He also said the FY27 SNAP administrative cost increase would be about $18 million. The committee then heard from the Division of Higher Education, which reported institutions were 2.61% more productive overall and that the budget recommendation followed the statutory productivity formula. Questions focused on why some institutions were receiving decreases or large increases, how the formula works, and how the new return-on-investment metric and committee composition would affect future funding. The committee approved several higher education-related actions, including personnel changes for nine institutions and special language for North Arkansas College’s move into the University of Arkansas system. Staff then walked members through the higher education appropriation summary, explaining large percentage increases at several institutions were tied to federal funds or corrected carry-forward issues, including the U of A School of Mathematical, Sciences and the Arts, South Arkansas College, SAU Tech, ASU Mountain Home, and ASU Newport. Members also discussed UAPB’s 1890 extension program and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s land-grant matching funds; officials said UAPB’s recommendation was being aligned with actual spending and that the Division of Agriculture’s Smith-Lever and Hatch matches were included within its overall appropriation. The committee ultimately adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions and then moved on to the Department of Corrections section, with the chair outlining how the committee would proceed through those appropriations by section.

Transcript Highlights:

• provider agencies being forced into statutory noncompliance, deeming them unable to provide child welfare
• Our child welfare organizations are facing an insurance crisis.
• Our child welfare organizations are facing an insurance crisis.
• And let's be clear, in 1999, when Florida privatized foster care and the welfare system, we created this
• This is a privatized welfare foster care system.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and reported several of them favorably, often after brief sponsor presentations, supportive public testimony, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Early measures included PCS for CSHB 1069 on background screenings for athletic coaches and qualified entities, CS/HB 365 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and CS/HB 269 plus its linked public-records bill CS/SB 298 on domestic violence and dating violence. The domestic violence package focused on using NG-911 technology for discreet help-seeking, expanding protections to dating violence victims, and preserving confidentiality for participants in related programs. The committee also approved HB 6507, a claims bill for injuries involving DCF negligence, after limited discussion. Members then considered PCS for CSHB 1159, which increases penalties and updates terminology for sexual offenses involving minors, child sexual abuse material, and related crimes. The bill was amended to replace “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” and to address childlike sex dolls, and it passed unanimously. The committee also heard CS/HB 529 on community-based care lead agency and subcontractor liability insurance. That bill would remove a statutory liability-insurance requirement for certain child welfare providers amid an insurance market crisis; it drew extensive debate, with supporters saying it would prevent agencies from shutting down and opponents warning it would reduce accountability and leave children vulnerable. It passed 15-4 as amended. The committee next approved PCS for CSHB 277 on domestic violence and protective injunctions. The bill creates a Pinellas County pilot for electronic monitoring with victim notification, raises the victim relocation allowance, strengthens penalties for repeat injunction violations, and adds protections involving military orders and pets. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from survivors, and the bill passed 18-0 as amended. CS/HB 1009 on government publication of advertisements and public notices also passed, after an amendment requiring notices to remain publicly accessible; newspapers and press groups opposed it, arguing it would fragment access to notices, while the sponsor said it modernizes outdated posting rules. Finally, the committee heard PCS for CSHB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations, which would create a state process for designating domestic terrorist organizations and bar public support for them; the bill drew sharp constitutional objections from civil liberties, press, labor, and advocacy groups over due process, free speech, and viewpoint discrimination concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• The, the co-neutrals were selected specifically because of their experience in child welfare reform in
• the child advocate, that person in terms of the kind of expertise they have with Regard to child welfare
• I believe that we need a secretary who has experience in child welfare, um, and that we need staff who's
• experienced in child welfare, and they've got to be licensed.
• Um, the Navajo Nation is involved in that treatment under both the Indian Child Welfare Act and the state

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Amanda Kirchner with County Welfare Directors in support.
• We find that so often children of immigrants are left to enter the welfare system.
• We find that so often children of immigrants are left to enter the welfare system.
• Amanda Kirchner with the County Welfare Directors Association, in support.
• Amanda Kirchon, on behalf of County Welfare Directors Association.

Summary: The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call. The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call. Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Amanda Kirchner with County Welfare Directors in support.
• We find that so often children of immigrants are left to enter the welfare system.
• Amanda Kirchner, with the County Welfare Directors Association, in support.
• Amanda Kirchner, with the County Welfare Directors Association, in support.
• Amanda Kirchon, on behalf of the County Welfare Directors Association.

Committee: House Human Services

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills focused largely on child care, developmental services, immigrant support, language access, and safety-net policy. Measures discussed included AB 450 on a task force for aging undocumented adults, AB 593 on CDSS data-sharing to improve CalFresh participation, AB 904 on preserving child care eligibility during leave or job search, AB 617 on respite care licensing and registry changes, AB 1220 on documenting regional center service denials and appeals, AB 752 on allowing child care centers by right when co-located with housing or institutional uses, AB 1242 on creating a CalHHS language access director and review of machine translation, AB 548 on continuing the asylum/vulnerable non-citizen case management program, AB 495 on family preparedness and temporary guardianship tools, AB 1357 on excluding guaranteed income from state benefit calculations, and AB 1201 on reunification services for parents with prior violent felony convictions. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of these bills, often from advocates, service providers, parents, and impacted community members who emphasized access, equity, family stability, and reducing administrative barriers. Opposition was heard most clearly on AB 617, where respite providers and disability service groups argued the bill would add costly licensing and oversight burdens and could reduce access to services; the author said she was willing to continue working with them. AB 450, AB 593, AB 904, AB 617, AB 1220, AB 752, AB 1242, AB 548, AB 495, and AB 1357 all advanced on committee votes, generally along party lines or with broad support, and several were left on call for absent members. The transcript ends as AB 1201 is introduced, with testimony from a formerly impacted parent describing the need for individualized reunification decisions, but no vote is shown for that bill in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to order at this time.
• And as we've had quite a number of meetings with Health and Welfare, they have asked that we clarify

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• women, be a sacred place where the truth is spoken boldly, justice is pursued relentlessly, and the welfare
• TRUTH IS SPOKEN BOLDLY, JUSTICE IS PURSUED RELENTLESSLY, AND THE WELFARE OF ALL PEOPLE IS SOUGHT WITH

Transcript Highlights:

• We know you are with us always, Lord, and will always accomplish that which is good for our welfare and
• PRAY, WE KNOW YOU ARE WITH US ALWAYS, LORD, AND WILL ALWAYS ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH IS GOOD FOR OUR WELFARE

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and yet we are in a position welfare.
• Access promotes transparency and accountability for the state's child welfare system.
• I would like to by tribal child welfare.
• </c><01:05:16.640><c> It</c><01:05:16.960><c> also</c> state's child welfare system.
• It also state's child welfare system.

Bills: HF3901 , HF962 , HF4428 , HF4478 , HF1775

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• This is House Bill 1185, relative to the offense of endangering the welfare of a child.
• the offense of Um relative to the offense of endangering<00:11:07.360><c> the</c><00:11:07.600><c> welfare
• </c> endangering the welfare of a child. endangering the welfare of a child.
• </c><00:29:19.520><c> of</c> the crime of endangering the welfare of the crime of endangering the welfare
• It says a person is guilty of endangering the welfare if he knowingly endangers the welfare of a child

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1978, in my lifetime, Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act and the American Indian Religious
• </c><00:54:09.440><c> welfare</c><00:54:10.040><c> proceedings</c><00:54:11.040><c> as</c><00:54:11.280
• ><c> a</c> child welfare welfare proceedings as a child welfare welfare proceedings as a result<00:54
• Act and the the Indian Child Welfare Act and the American<00:54:40.880><c> Indian</c><00:54:41.280><
• system where we're paying child welfare system where we're paying for<00:59:57.359><c> foster</c><00

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a new sub-account in the existing animal welfare...
• It's a new sub-account in the existing Animal Welfare Program Fund, a county dog and cat spay and neuter

Committee: Senate Senate Committees' Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• because love casts out the fear that makes us selfish, because love drives us to seek the common welfare
• because love casts out the fear that makes us selfish, because love drives us to seek the common welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• So welfare costs are skyrocketing, fewer people in the workforce.
• You are now into the system of welfare.
• Presumptive eligibility: it's welfare on a hunch.
• It's the government's fast pass for welfare.
• You are now into the system of welfare.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote. Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely. The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• So welfare costs are skyrocketing, fewer people in the workforce.
• You are now into the system of welfare.
• Presumptive eligibility: it's welfare on hunch.
• It's the government's fast pass for welfare.
• You are now into the system of welfare.

Bills: HB2190 , HB2202 , HB2233 , HB2251 , HB2252 , HB2396 , HB2437 , HB2689 , HB2796

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: physician assistants, licensure compact, medical services, multistate practice, patient care access, healthcare workforce, military families, adverse actions, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, HB 2233, rural health transformation, rural health transformation program, AHCCCS, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, JLBC

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:42.480><c> cash</c> shall be from the child welfare cash shall be from the child welfare cash
• </c> families division of child welfare families division of child welfare training<02:03:33.520><c>
• ,</c><02:03:58.639><c> Child</c><02:03:58.880><c> Welfare</c> Division of Child Welfare, Child Welfare
• Division of Child Welfare, Child Welfare Services,<02:03:59.840><c> Family</c><02:04:00.159><c> and<
• ,</c> Families, Division of Child Welfare, Families, Division of Child Welfare, Adoption<02:04:24.000

Transcript Highlights:

• House Health and Welfare Committee, Hawkins, Chairman.
• House Health and Welfare Committee will not meet Friday, January 16th, Vander Woude, Chairman.

Transcript Highlights:

• investigate decisions that are being made about children and youth to ensure their health, safety, and welfare
• The current law requires that the new child welfare system, which we're working on, provide the ombuds
• ><00:08:23.840><c> data,</c><00:08:25.280><c> and</c> The current law requires that the new child welfare
• The current law requires that the new child welfare system, which we're working on, provide the ombuds

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the system has been rigged in favor of the rich through corporate welfare policies and
• tax breaks, which have led to both a higher tax... ...favor of the rich through corporate welfare policies
• We shouldn't be relying on fees to fund anything, but because we are a welfare state and a state that
• It was mentioned on a previous bill, and I think it carries over to this: that we're a welfare state

Bills: SB1142 , SCR1028

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: scholarships, tax credit, education funding, nonprofit organizations, Arizona Revised Statutes, constitutional amendment, state revenue, tax policy, legislative approval, two-thirds vote